9404 Tobin Circle - McAuley Park - $1,245,000

WC & AN Miller

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McAuley Park is a lovely upscale community off of Bradley Boulevard where Potomac borders Bethesda. Halfway between the beltway and Potomac Village, the location is very desirable. Homes here will get a premium over similar communities deeper in Potomac.

This home is just off Kentsdale Drive across from Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. It is all brick and roofed with nice architectural shingles. With nicely manicured landscape this home has great curb appeal.

This 2 story colonial is traditional in layout with the exception of a spacious 2 story foyer. The floors are dark oak and run throughout the first floor. The living room has a fireplace with marble surround with lovely chair rail and crown moulding. Behind the living room is a small room with a wet bar. It could be used as a library or office. The kitchen is open and spacious. The kitchen will need an update. It has quality cherry cabinets, but dated corian tops and resilient sheet good flooring. There is a large laundry room behind the garage with cabinet storage and access to the outside.

The stairwell in the foyer leads you to an open landing overlooking the foyer. There are 2 smaller bedrooms to your left and a single larger bedroom to the right. The 2 bedrooms share a Jack and Jill style bath and the larger single bedroom is adjacent to a separate hall bath.

The master suite is at the top of the landing towards the back of the home. This is a suite, with sitting room, an upgraded full bath with skylight and plenty of closet space. The space seems somewhat flexible, as I was not initially sure which room in the suite holds the bed. I see this as a plus. You can have a small room with bed and large as a sitting room, or visa versa.

The basement is finished with a nice masonry fireplace and full bath. There is a room with French Doors that is semi-private. There is direct access to the bath from this room. This access would be a great spot for a guest bedroom or nanny bedroom. There is plenty of storage in an unfinished area as well as an area way for direct access to the rear yard.

This floor plan is super and home is well built. It is a shame the owners did not invest $10,000 to make this star shine. It would allow the home to show much better and make it easier to garner top dollar. In my opinion the $10K investment would yield a net price $40K to $50K higher. As it sits, I see this house settling for between $1.10 and 1.125mm.

1509 Kersey Lane - Horizon Hill - $639,000

Listed by Weichert

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This home is locate just off Falls Road in the community of Horizon Hill. Located in the Richard Montgomery school cluster, this community is well maintained and a must see for first time Potomac buyers.

This home has nice curb appeal With partial brick and a porch covering the front door, the elevation is both pretty and practical.

The foyer is dark hardwood and formal in nature. The balance of the first floor is also hardwood, but lighter in color. The Living room and dining room are nicely painted and well maintained. The kitchen has been renovated with granite countertops and small breakfast area. The family room has a fireplace and stucco treatment on the walls. French doors lead you to a deck overlooking a small backyard.

The upper level has a master and 3 additional bedrooms. The bedrooms are kid size and are serviced by a hall bathroom. The master is nicely updated and should satisfy most homebuyers in this price range.

The basement is finished with indoor/outdoor style carpet. There is a full bath and plenty of space for the family. There is room for a large TV or playroom for the kids.

This is a nice home in the ever popular Horizon Hill neighborhood. Kersey Lane is busy during peak travel times during the day. This will be a factor in marketing this home. The yard too, although well kept, is small - especially in the back where it slopes steeply near the rear of the property. The market for homes in Potomac below $700K has been very strong this Fall. Sales are brisk, and prices in this segment are rising. Although priced a bit high at $639K, this should bring between $610K and $620K once settled.

11710 Admirals Court - Potomac Hunt Acres - $847,000

Listed by Long and Foster

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Potomac Hunt Acres is located just off River Road a few miles north of of Potomac Village. There are a mix of home styles in the community. Some of these homes have been renovated and some are just waiting for a makeover from new owners.

This colonial is located at the end of a quiet court surrounded by trees. With almost 1.4 acres, this lot is has plenty of potential. Built in 1960, this home is build solidly with a brick exterior. With oil heat an attic fan, this home was built before air conditioning was in vogue. This will be an upgrade that will probably be a priority with new owners.

This colonial has lots of potential. The attractive brick exterior is partially hidden by overgrown shrubs and beds. A bit of TLC and mulch will make a big difference in a first impression here. The foyer and first floor have hardwood floors and attractive mouldings. The living room is large with a masonry fireplace and an exit to a large screened porch. The kitchen is vintage with a good design. A large butler pantry off the kitchen passes through to a large family room with additional fireplace. The knotty pine paneling in dated but makes for a cozy feel. A half bath completes the first floor.

The curved staircase brings you to the second level. Three teen size bedrooms are serviced by a full bath. The master is good size with plenty of closet space. The shelving is unfinished and a bit rough, but this would be replaced in the renovation.

The basement although partially finished is a complete re-do. There is a welled exit from the basement, and a full bath (Tub not shower) ready for update. The laundry is located here and there are lots of raw lumber shelving that is not very attractive. The fabulous part of the basement is the ceiling height - which is at least a foot higher then most homes. This will allow for a very comfortable, spacious finished space once renovated.

This home is in a nice community with lots of potential. It would be difficult to call this anything other then a complete renovation. It is very dated, but built solidly. The price reflects the condition of this home and assumes it will be a renovation. The question becomes, how much will the renovation cost, and how long will it take? My guess is to fully renovate will cost between $200,000 and $300,000. Where does the sales price have to be to get this home sold? I am guessing below $800K with a final sales price between $725k and $775K.

10417 Grey Fox Road - Glen Meadows - $1,499,000

Listed by Long and Foster

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Glen Meadows is a community of upscale homes built in 2001. With lot sizes around a half acre and larger, it is a community of brick homes with lots of curb appeal.

This is a pretty home. All brick and a side load 3 car garage makes it look huge. Located on a pipe stem lot, this home is a turn key purchase ready for your furnishings.

This is "Mitchell and Best's" largest model with every possible bump out. A beautiful 2 story foyer welcomes you into a bright nicely decorated home. Beautiful hardwood gleams throughout the first floor and plenty of windows let in lots of natural light. Upgraded moulding in these rooms add to the upscale feel of this home.

All the rooms on the first level seem oversize, in a good way. When builders offer a "bump out" option, it is usually for good reason. It adds a great deal to the space; both actual and perceived. The rooms are spacious and high ceilings only add to the feel of openess. The kitchen is fabulous. Everything you would expect in a home in this price range. A back stairway provides informal access to the living area upstairs.

The upstairs has 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths. 2 of the bedrooms share a bath Jack and Jill style. The other bedroom is en-suite and the master is large and beautiful. A dramatic tray ceiling defines the space and adds volume to an already spacious room. Dual walk-in closets will please the most critical clothes horse. The master bath has both shower and separate tub for a relaxing oasis away from the world.

The basement is fully finished and features two bedrooms and a full bath. This gives you from for both a housekeeper and a nanny. Why not live the luxury life in this luxury home?

The basement is nicely finished with a walk out to the large back yard. With an incredible amount of space there is still room left for a home theatre, game room, and for my money, a wine cellar.

This is one of the nicer homes currently listed in this community and will probably be the first to sell.

This home has been reduced from $1,599,000, to $1,499,000. In this market, it will be difficult to find an offer this high. Although I feel this is the best of the bunch on the market now, this will have to be reduced to draw interest. A similar home without the bump-outs just settled on 9/30 for $1,279,000 (originally listed at $1.47mm) Another home in this community (Maybe a little smaller) sold on 4/30/09 for $1.28mm. This one could fetch $1.4 if the right buyer comes along.

7718 Whiterim Terrace - Fawsett Farms Manor - $779,000

Now Listed by WFP

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Fawsett Farms is a community of single family , Villa Homes and Townhomes near the intersection of Belfast and MacArthur. This is on the Bethesda side of Potomac and is located in the Walt Whitman school cluster.

This is a nice attached town home with contemporary flair. These homes have 3 levels and the community spaces feature cathedral ceilings and good flow.

This home has a nice courtyard entry done in paver stone. It gives a Georgetown feel to the outside which is all brick. The hardwood foyer abuts the kitchen on the right side which is done in elaborate faux finish. You feel as though you are in a Mediterranean home with stone walls and rich colors. The kitchen is nicely equipped with high end appliances and custom tile back splash.

The pickled oak hardwood flows throughout the first level and leads back to a dining and family room in the back of the home. A door leads out to a deck which has nice views of a communal yard and lots of woods. This would be a nice place to sip coffee in the morning and watch the omnipresent deer nibble the landscape.

The stairwells are elaborately faux painted to bring the Mediterranean design. The upstairs has 2 kid size bedrooms that have been re-carpeted and painted a neutral color. The master bedroom has his and her baths. This feature is a trademark of these villa homes and is quite popular.

The basement has a walkout to the yard, a nice family room and an room that can be used as an office.

This home is a bit difficult to see as it is by appointment only. The agent is doing a great job drumming up business, but will need more cooperation from the seller to get it sold. When you have a home that is far away from neutral design, you need to give it great exposure. The more people that see it, the more likely you will find someone that appreciates the decor.

I see this one staying on the market for a while at this price. The last unit sold of similar design settled on 4/17 for $612,000. Even if the home is sold at full price, it will have a very difficult time appraising. In order to get this sold it needs to be repriced around $699K.

9229 Paddock Lane - Potomac Commons - $795,000

Listed by Weichert

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Potomac Commons is built along Watts Branch Stream Park off of Falls Road. This community has a mix of house styles, and was built in the late 1960's through the early 1970's. You may sometimes see this advertised as "Fox Hills West" as many of the colonial style homes were also built on the "East" side of Falls Road in the Fox Hills community.

This is a lovely lot. Located on a corner with a nicely tended yard, the home has nice curb appeal. With red brick and a two car garage, this style is ever popular in the Potomac area. The slate path brings you to the front past mature landscape. While lovely, the shrubs could use a trim as they are a bit overgrown.

The formal foyer is white tile and typical for this style home. Living room has pink carpet that is reminiscent of the Miami Vice era. This color scheme prevails in the home and will need updating. The family room has a nice brick fireplace and hardwood. The kitchen is blue Formica with decent white cabinets. While serviceable, the kitchen will need updating soon. The tile floor that goes throughout the kitchen and mud/laundry room is out of style and will be a bear to replace. The breakfast area opens to a lovely deck. This would be a great spot to bring breakfast or dinner outside to enjoy the elements.

The upstairs has 3 teen size bedrooms with an original tiled hall bath. The Master bedroom bath has been updated but the time is near to do it again. The 1984 era sea foam green Corian tops clash a bit with the sponge painted walls.

The basement is large with a walkout slider. The floor is nicely painted and it looks good for a basement. This has great potential to be finished when the time comes.

You know, it may sound like I am being critical, but I like this house and the lot it sits on. It has good "bones" and is a fabulous candidate for a face lift. With all this said, this home will be an ongoing project. Nothing needs to be done immediately, but all will ultimately need to be updated. It is no bargain at the asking price of $795K. I think this will end up in the $750K range when all is said and done.

7904 Crestdale Drive - Potomac Crest - $798,900

Listed by Long and Foster

Google Map Here

The Potomac Crest community is all about location. At the intersection of Seven Locks Road and Tuckerman Lane, it is close to everything. Built in the mid 1990's, the community is just coming into its own. A mix of town homes and single family, this is a great newer community with great schools and good looks.

This town home was built in 1996. It has been beautifully maintained and has lots of room on the interior. The steps up to the front door lead you to a spacious and open living room. You step up to the dining room with custom ceiling lights. The kitchen is in fabulous condition with granite counter tops and nice wood cabinets.

French doors lead you from the kitchen to a large deck in the backyard. There is a large tree that provides some privacy in the back, but should be removed. It is overgrown and is now more of a bother then an asset. Removal of the tree in my opinion will only make this back yard area better.

The upstairs has two teen size bedrooms and a large hall bath. The master bedroom is large with walk in closet, and the master bath is spacious although somewhat dated with stock light fixtures and gold trim on mirrors. This is an easy cosmetic fix for a nice floor plan.

The basement is fully finished with a step down room that can be used as a bedroom or family room. There are walkout doors to the backyard that provides access. A door to the large 2 car garage brings you in to the top landing of this floor. A full bath and wet bar complete the space.

This one has been on the market for a while. Originally priced at $849,900 it has since been reduced to under $800K. This price cut should bring in offers on this home. I see this one now selling quickly for between $760K and $775K.

8808 Stonehaven Court - Highland Stone - $699,000

Listed by Realty Connection

Google Map Here

Located just off Coldstream Lane in the community of Highland Stone, this home is a nice find. With lovely curb appeal, this brick colonial draws you in. Nice landscaping leads you to a porched entry with highly carved wood door.

The foyer is tiled and open and makes you feel welcome. The living room is hardwood and painted vivid red. The painted white crown and base moulding pops in contrast to this bold decor and looks great. The dining room is a mix of red paint and wallpaper. The kitchen is updated with tile floor and white cabinets. A laundry area is off the kitchen as well as the single door garage entry. The family room is cozy with a fireplace and windows to the back yard. A deck in the back overlooks a nicely landscaped yard.

Upstairs has four bedrooms that are all good size. The bold decor continues with brightly painted bedrooms - Pink, Orange, Lavender - it will certainly appeal to kids or the younger crowd. The master is updated with a nice master bath and shower.

The basement is large and nicely finished. A door to the outside brings light in and makes it truly livable space. A full bath and recently carpeted and updated TV room finished off the space.

This is a nice home with lots of updated and upgraded space. They are not out of line asking $699K, but will have to settle for a bit less to settle. I see this one going to settlement between $650K and $670K.

10033 Colebrook Avenue - Bedfordshire - $765,000

Listed By WC and AN Miller

Google Map Here

Bedfordshire is a mix of styles and home types. Build from the late 1960's to early 1970's you can find contemporary to colonial in this nicely groomed community. With fabulous schools and in close proximity to shopping, highways and recreation, these homes if priced properly, sell quickly.

This home is pretty as a picture. It has the ultimate curb appeal. With a brick and salt box style, the home has been completely redone.

The moment you pull up you notice the attention to detail on landscape and grooming. Obviously a gardener, the plants and flowers make this home a showcase.

The home is a center foyer colonial with hardwood on the first level. The paint and trim in the rooms is splendid. Tastefully chosen, the paint and trim show off the space. The dining room is painted a bright red, which may not be to everyones taste, but looks great. The kitchen and eating area are compact, but finished beautifully. The granite and cabinets shine. This would please the most critical cook.

The back slider leads into a nice screened porch. The gardening and landscape in the back is beautiful. The screened porch is a fantastic place to take it all in.

The upstairs has a nice master bedroom and 2 full baths. The baths will need updating, but still look fine. The bedrooms are painted and decorated nicely and show well.

The basement is finished with fresh carpet with plenty of room for a tv and couch. What a nice spot for the kids to do homework and recreate.

This home is fabulous. Will it get $765K?? I don't think so. This will probably settle between $700K and $725K when the papers are signed. It may be worth $765k for a buyer that wants a turnkey living situation without any immediate upgrade, but it will have trouble hitting the appraisal. Time will tell, I will keep an eye on this one.

8511 Victory Lane - Highland Stone - $735,000

Listed by Homes of Washington

Google Map Here

Highland Stone is a lovely community adjacent to the Churchill High School. Built in the mid-1960's, this community continues to thrive as kids that grew up there, move back to raise their families.

This is a nice center foyer colonial. It sits uphill on the lot and has nice curb appeal. There is a covered concrete porch as you walk to the front door. There is patterned Parquet wood in the foyer. Sixties design, but good quality. The Living room and Dining rooms are formal and nicely painted. The kitchen is updated with maple cabinets and Corian countertops. The kitchen is nice for a home of this era, but would benefit from some nice granite countertops.

The family room is paneled with a fireplace and entry to the exterior. A screened porch is nice, and roomy enough for a group dinner outside. The screens will protect the group from the voracious summer mosquitos and allow all to enjoy the cool summer breezes.

The upstairs has 5 bedrooms. The master and 2 additional bedrooms are teen size, and there are 2 smaller that are kid size. The bathrooms have been updated in the past, but need some updating.

The basement is finished in painted paneling and has potential. It looks a bit dated as it is, but the space is there for a nice TV room or home theatre.

Based on the other sales in the area for similar properties, this is listed a bit high. When all is said and done, this one should settle around $660K to $675K. There is not a chance that this will appraise over $700K even if someone is willing to pay the price.

CNN Money - Potomac 6th Highest Income in US

For any of us that live and work in Potomac, this headline comes as no surprise. Potomac has always been the place to live for the rich and famous in the DC area. To be ranked 6th Nationally is a surprise, and goes to show how the D.C. Metropolitan area has grown over the past few decades.

Potomac is not the only tony suburb in our area. McLean(Va) was listed as #8, Bethesda(Md) was listed as #11 and Dranesville(Va), between Great Falls, Tysons Corner and Reston ranked #22 Nationally.

You can link to the CNN MONEY article here.