Santa's House - Peace on Earth - Good Will to All !

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

I wish all my friends, family and readers a very happy holiday season. I look forward to writing about this wonderful place we live over the next year.

Ledgerock Court - Glen Oaks - $899,500

Listed by Long and Foster
Google Map Here

Glen Oaks is a beautiful community located off Glen Road in Potomac.

This traditional colonial is well maintained on a nice treed lot. The home has had some renovations in the kitchen and master bath which are a few years old and very well done.

With 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, this home also has a nice step down family room and newer wood floors. The basement is fully finished and provides nice space for an exercise room or workshop.

This home shows well and will be attractive to anyone looking to move up to a larger home from the Rockville side of Potomac. The neighborhood is the draw. A real sense of community among neighbors is what keeps the inventory low in Glen Oaks. There is always someone waiting for the next home to come on the market.

This home is at the high end of its range. The neighborhood reputation will draw in enough potential buyers to get it sold. Look for this one to go 5-8% below list price.

Drews Court - Beallmount - $1,198,500

Listed By: Century 21
Google Map Here

This home is beautiful! Pretty on the outside and a knock out on the inside too.

It is not often I see two great homes in one day. This one is so very pretty on the outside and much larger then it appears. Although it needs some updating on the inside, it has fabulous balance.

With a great first floor master, there are high ceilings and plenty of space for your stuff. Although it needs to be updated, it is in good condition. Anyone stretching to buy this home can put off improvements or do them in affordable stages. The kitchen is this homes downfall. Small, dated and the only room that is out of balance in this home. It would be great to blow through the kitchen wall into the dining room to make a large open kitchen. It may be expensive, but you would get every penny back in resale.

The center hall in this home goes straight through to the back of the home. Your focus goes right through the home as your vista is the wide beautifully maintained grounds on this 2 acre lot. The french doors lead you out to a patio and then on to the kidney shaped in ground pool. The setting is idyllic

There are 2 additional bedrooms upstairs in the main part of the house. One on each side, both large and interesting spaces. The dormers bring in light and the roof pitch adds interesting perspective to both rooms. The bath is serviceable, but it too will need updating in the future.

There is a cool room over the garage too. Separate stairway, full bath and separate entrance make this a dream for a child fledging from the nest. They have privacy and space without Mom and Dad on their backs.

The basement is large with plenty of room. There is a bath, cedar closet, large storage room plus a great room for home theatre. The decor may be a bit dated, but whimsical.

This is a good value at the current price. It will just need a family to appreciate the space. Any price below 1.15mm is a steal. I am making this one my new home of the week.

7001 Masters Drive - River Falls - $1,150,000

Listed By WFP
Google Map Here

This is one of the prettiest homes from the outside I have seen in a long time in Potomac. This is what the term "Curb Appeal" is all about.

This is a very nice home in the River Falls community in Potomac. This is the "Lowell" model with 5 bedrooms and 3 full baths upstairs and a very nice circular flow to the floor plan.

This home has been very well maintained, and it shows. There are beautiful hardwood floors, tile foyer and three season porch that has been added off the kitchen.

This house is livable as it is, but the new owners may want to plan to redo the kitchen. Although it looks like it was partially upgraded, the cabinets seem original and the dark bead-board dated. The basement too will need an update. Although finished, it needs some upgrading. The space was not well planed when the basement was originally finished so it should have the space there repartitioned. PLEASE save some of the red carpet going downstairs. It is classic, and will certainly get the attention of your guests.

This one is fairly priced for this marketplace. The home is vacant, so maybe an offer is in order. At 1.1mm this home is a good deal.

Logan Drive - Potomac Outside - $2,895,000

Listed By Long & Foster
Google Map Here

I love the location of this home. In the interest of full disclosure, I also live on this street.

This part of Logan Drive has been going through redevelopment. Many of the older ramblers originally built in this community are being purchased and razed. The one acre lots they sit on are worth more to a builder then the old homes.

This is a new home with wonderful curb appeal. The builder hired StudioZ to design this home. Anyone in the business knows that StudioZ currently is the red-hot architect du jour.

With 6 bedrooms and 7 baths, this home is plenty large. The beauty of StudioZ's design is the balance. The home has 8100 square feet of finished space, but all of it is in balance. All rooms are proper proportion and do not overwhelm the overall design.

The finish level in this home is what you would expect in this price range. There is not any one feature that will knock your socks off. The builder is willing to customize any feature of the home at an extra cost. All you have to do is ask.

It is certainly worth looking at this home. It is fairly priced but in my opinion not a bargain. Depending upon the strength of the market in the spring, this home can sell at full price, or sell at up to 10% less. Time will tell.

Paddock Lane - Fox Hills West - $798,000

Listed by WEICHERT, Potomac
Google Map Here

I have always liked the Fox Hills Community. Well maintained, good schools and a community that holds its value.

There are a mix of homes in this community. Some are original, and others have been expanded over the years. You really have to see each one to determine which category to place it.

This home has great curb appeal. Obviously well maintained, is also has manicured grounds and someone with a green thumb in its past history.

The home has been completely re-done. From the tile foyer, to kitchen, baths and appliances...you are buying a finished package. The home does not seem large, but feels cozy. The family room is adjacent to the kitchen and boasts a masonry fireplace and step down. The kitchen is recently renovated with granite and higher end appliances. A slider to the deck provides convenient access to recreate in an average sized yard.

The upstairs has 3 decent sized bedrooms. The baths have been re-done, and the Master Bedroom has an expanded shower that sets this home apart from others in the neighborhood.

The basement is unfinished, and can potentially house a large recreation room in the future.

Although this home has all the bells and whistles, it is at the top of its price range. The bold colors may be attractive to some, but may turn off some potential buyers. The seller should remove the couch in the family room to make it look larger. Currently it is a bit cluttered.

This one will have to come down a bit in price to find a buyer. While there is certainly value to all of the upgrades in this home, the seller will only get back a portion of their money used to upgrade.

Victory Lane - Beverly Farms - $787,500

When searching for larger lots in Potomac, you rarely find a home on almost a full acre. This lot is .95 acres, elevated and would be perfect for a new McMansion.

The home on this lot is a 4BR and 2BA rambler. It was built in 1952, and looks like it is still 1952 when you walk inside. Although it has some charming features, it would be cost prohibitive to salvage it.

The kitchen is a hoot. It is straight out of the 1950's and still has the Formica and metal cabinets. If it were me, I would call the Smithsonian to see if they would like to take the kitchen for a historical display. The cabinets are in great shape, and truly a wonder to observe.

The real value in this home is the lot. At $787,500 this lot could be a bargain if it were one mile closer to Potomac. Unfortunately, at this price the lot is a bit too pricey. The economics of home building would dictate a sales price of close to $2mm for a new home. I don't think the community comps will support it. It may make more sense at $550K for a home builder for resale, or $650K for someone building for themselves. The estate will need to be more realistic when setting their sites on a sale. Look for this one to go in the $650K range.

Eaglebrook Court - Potomac Woods East - $795,000

Potomac Woods is a lovely community tucked between Falls Road and Seven Locks Road and Wooten Parkway.

Built in 1978, this home was way ahead of its time. Cathedral Ceilings, open space and good flow make this home very attractive. With 4 BR and 2.5 Baths, this home has an additional BR and full bath in the finished basement. Total square footage is just over 3700 on three levels.

With new carpet, updated baths and recent paint; this home shows very well. It has great curb appeal and sits on a nice lot that is just under a half acre. A two level deck from the kitchen and family room give nice room for summer entertaining.

The only down side to this home is it's proximity to Seven Locks Road. The home backs to the main road and although fenced, the traffic can be distracting. A city dweller would not even notice the noise. Someone looking for a quiet lot with privacy will be disappointed.

The home is priced at the top of the market. Although it shows very well, it will not get top dollar because of its location. This is about $50K too high. Look for this one to settle around $739K.

Brickyard Road - Potomac Ranch - $2,445,000

I really liked this home when I saw it. On a beautiful lot of almost 3 acres, this home has lots of potential.

Built in 1980, this home was probably state of the art when built. Although still super attractive, this home is quite dated. Although the first floor and public space is in pretty good shape, the upstairs and living quarters will need a good bit of work. When the home is this large, this upgrade can add up to big money.

The lot on this home is lovely. A beautiful pool and tennis court are perfectly situated for easy access from the home. The lighted tennis court also has a basketball standard, perfect for a home full of boys. A large deck looks out over the pool and tennis, and a covered porch is adjacent and provides shade and shelter from sun and rain during the summer.

The basement is not all that large. It will need a complete renovation, but is lovely space with a masonry fireplace. A door to the exterior provides access to the back yard, and is sheltered by the deck.

The front of the home has a circular driveway and is well hidden by trees in front. I would thin some of the vegetation in front. The home is too pretty to hide completely. A bonus feature of this home is a full apartment that can be used for an in-law suite, domestic help or maybe a legal rental. There is an entry from one of the 4 garage bays that goes to a private stairwell upstairs. This feature is tough to find on Potomac Homes.

While I see value in this home at its current list price of $2.445mm, it will be a lot of work to bring completely up to date. The bonus being offered for a contract make it clear that the owners are anxious to sell. I think this would be a great bargain at $1.995mm. I doubt someone can steal it for that price, but it would be a good spot to start the negotiation. This will leave some cash in the buyers pocket to update all of the areas that need attention.

SOLD - Stable Lane - River Falls - $899,900

SETTLED 1/12/09 $865,000

For anyone wanting to live in the River Falls subdivision, this is a great value.

Anyone buying this home is taking on a project. Built in 1968, this home still has the avocado appliances in the original kitchen. This is going to be a complete re-do.

The good news for anyone buying this home is the neighborhood is "Blue Chip". A few hundred thousand invested in updating this home will come back in full. The location, schools and neighborhood will easily support the increase in value.

This home is already assessed at $1.25mm. The lot is a level and usable 1/3 acre. This home screams potential. How often do you get a chance to buy a home in a Potomac neighborhood of this pedigree for less then 1mm? I will answer for you...almost never.

The only issue I had with this home was the master bedroom suite. It will have to be reconfigured to better fit today's style. It is large and takes up at least a third of the upper level. My instincts tell me that a consult with an architect could deliver amazing results with this space.

This home is one of the few I have seen in the past few weeks priced correctly from the start. Although it may not sell at the $899K asking price, it will generate enough attention to get sold. I see this going for $860K. In this tough market, this is the first step in getting a home sold. Kudos to the listing agent. I see this one sold within 30 days.

1219 Fallsmead Way - Fallsmead - $795,000

There are some nice homes on the market in the Fallsmead subdivision. One is prettier then the next. This also means competition is fierce. Competition for buyers means the consumer is going to get a good deal.

This home is a well maintained colonial in the attractive Fallsmead subdivision.

This home was built in 1968 and has been through at least one update. The home is in good condition, but somewhat dated. The kitchen has held up well, and is certainly functional. It is due for an upgrade, and anyone buying will have this on their list of things to do.

The 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths are decent sized and appropriate for neighborhood. There is a 2 car garage in the back of the home, and may be a bit challenging to use.

With great location, great schools and Potomac address, this home has lots going for it. It also has lots of competition. At $795K it is a bit overpriced. There are homes on Bettstrail Way and Infield Lane that are superior to this home and cost less. This one will have to come in below $725K to sell before its competition. If not, expect to see Bettstrail and Infield sell before this one.

Copenhaver Drive - Copenhaver - $875,000

This is a nice looking colonial on a corner lot in the popular Copenhaver subdivision.

With good curb appeal, this home has been nicely kept. A newer slate walkway leads you into this center foyer home.

As you walk in the front door, cathedral ceilings make the foyer space look larger. The color scheme is colonial. Much of the trim in the home is painted colonial blue. This will either please, or turn off a buyer. It looks nice, but will not be to everyone's taste.

The home is in good shape. It has been well taken care of. It is a bit dated, but certainly livable as it is. The kitchen and all baths are due for an upgrade in the next few years, but are functional as they are. There is no rush to spend the money on upgrades.

The back yard has a stamped concrete patio and nice size deck. There is also a sun room off the family room that although not heated, looks to get some decent sun. You could probably use this room 3 seasons.

The basement is partially finished, and good sized. It looks to be very dry with no evidence of water issues. This would be a great space to finish completely in the age of home theatre.

The price is a bit aggressive at $875K. This may have been within reach 2 years ago, but is too high in this challenging market. This would be a nice value at $799,000. I think it will settle between there and $815K.

SOLD - Lancashire Drive - Potomac Woods - $725,000

SOLD - $689,200 (After $3,300 Subsidy) on 1/30

This home is much larger then it appears from the exterior.

A nice colonial in the Potomac Woods neighborhood, this one should already be sold. The home is charming on the inside and in great condition. Unfortunately, it is packed with furnishings and looks much smaller then it really is.

A center hall colonial, this home has a large living room to the right and a nice sized dining room on the left. This home also has a hall that goes straight back to a sitting area and gives the home good flow.

Everything in this home is in beautiful condition. Built in 1969, this must have gone through a complete renovation over the past few years. Nice neutral paint, great trim and a spectacular kitchen make this home a winner. Why it is languishing on the market is a mystery to me.

The basement is fully finished, and is quite large. A full bath and bedroom in the back corner would be perfect for an au pair or teenage child. The basement is below ground, but has good light from the glass brick windows. This area too is packed with stuff. This home would look completely different if it were just a little bit less cluttered.

The price is right at $725K. It may be the upper end of the neighborhood, but it is also completely renovated and ready to move in. The kitchen is a beauty, and the fenced yard is filled with azalea and rhododendron. What would I do? I would repaint the shutters outside a less garish color. The current teal color is out of place and unattractive. Other then these small items, someone should scoop this one up soon.

This home should sell for somewhere close to $700,000. Anything less then that is a bargain for the buyers. The current owners paid $810K earlier this year. Their loss is your gain. Call me for an exclusive showing. I know this home inside out...

Purcell Court - McAuley Park - $1,975,000

Someone has to remind Potomac area sellers that we are in a "buyers market". It is no longer 2005 when you could put almost any price on a home and get attention.

McAuley Park is located off of Kentlands Drive in Potomac. A lovely community, this area has lots of home all $1mm and higher. This home is on a lovely cul-de-sac and beautifully sited on a 1/2 acre lot. Built in 2000, this home is in good condition and shows well.

With 6 bedrooms and 5.5 baths, this home has plenty of room for a family. With high ceilings and nice room sizes it is what you would expect from a 1mm+ home in the Potomac area. The colors are neutral, the home well decorated and it is easy to visualize what it would look like with YOUR furnishings inside.

So, what is the problem? The price. This home is 300K overpriced. There is so much competition in this price range. This home does not hold a candle to its competitors in the $2mm range.

Normally I would blame a mis-priced home on the agents. More and more I am finding that even the great agents in our area are not able to talk sense into homeowners. Unfortunately, when this happens, everyone loses.

This home will languish on the market at this price. It may stand a chance of selling at $1.695mm, $300k less then its current list price. With that said, it would probably settle at between $1.6mm and $1.65mm when the papers are finally signed.

Greenleaf Avenue - Willerburn Acres - $759,000

As you drive through Willerburn Estates you see new homes sprinkled among the original homes from the 1960's.

With large 1/2 acre lots, this community is attracting new money.

This home is a plain jane from the outside. Once you get into the home, the space is surprising. With a nice floor plan all this home needs is some cosmetic renovation.

The kitchen has been given an inexpensive face lift, and it shows. Although it does not look bad, it looks inexpensive. If the kitchen was completely re-done, it would have paid dividends in the final price.

The bedrooms are good sized, and all of the baths will need updating. The basement is paneled and smells a bit musty. The dehumidifier against the wall just reinforces the point.

The yard outside is large with huge potential.The half acre is reasonably level and would have great potential for a pool. With a little landscaping and TLC, this yard could be beautiful.

At this price it is difficult to justify knocking down this home and building a McMansion. The lot though, certainly is attractive for this purpose. With great schools (Churchill Cluster) and a great location, this home and lot is attractive. The sellers will have a tough time getting their asking price. I see this selling in the $718K range.

11705 Charen Lane - Regency Estates - $620,000

This is a pretty split foyer with great curb appeal in Regency Estates.

This has three decent sized bedrooms on the upper level with 2 full baths. The home is in good condition and shows well.

The kitchen has been updated over the past few years and it looks as though the windows throughout have been replaced. The lower level has a nice sized family room and a half bath. There is a small bedroom on this level as well.

The lot is about a quarter acre, and is nicely tended. A deck and hot tub are off the kitchen, and all seem to be in good condition.

This is listed as having over 2100 square feet, but it does not seem that large. The split foyer style that was popular in the early 1960's is out of favor today. At $620,000 this home is priced too high. There are nicer homes with garages available at this price point.

I think this will take a long time to sell at this price. Unless the market changes, this home will sell in the $550K range.

11808 Seven Locks Road - Regency Estates - $550,000

This is a small rambler on a VERY busy road.

With 3 small bedrooms and 2 full baths, this home is straight out of 1963. The home is functional, but will need a lot of TLC to bring it up to speed. The kitchen and baths are in need of renovation, and the basement too needs work.

The lot is about a quarter acre. The home sits up on a knoll, and gently slopes off in the back. The yard is fenced, and will need work to make it look decent.

This home may have potential for someone with a home business. The traffic on Seven Locks would be attractive for an accountant or insurance agent that may be able to pick up some business.

This is also a short sale. The bank that holds the mortgage will have to approve any contract written. The owner purchased this home in 2005 at the height of the market. They paid $635,000. I cannot imagine this home was ever worth that much.

This home is worth about $475,000. It may take the bank a while to understand that they are going to lose their shirt. The sooner they make a deal, the better it will be for them. The home is currently vacant, and still has boxes and personal possessions on the lower level. The sooner a deal is made, the better for all parties involved.

SOLD - 12817 Lamp Post Lane - Fox Hills West - $846,000

This is a big home that is going to need someone with vision to buy it.

This is a center foyer colonial decorated in a contemporary fashion. The wallpaper seems to be from the late seventies and will be a project to remove. The listing agents have wisely priced the cost of removal and repainting to discuss with any interested buyers.

The home itself has great potential. It has a wonderful and bright two story foyer with a lovely curved staircase going upstairs. The stair is open and guarded by a wrought iron rail. I would spend the money to fabricate a wood rail to replace it. It would look fabulous.

The rooms on the main level are large and light. The kitchen has been bumped out in the back, and has potential to be fantastic. Replacing the white cabinets with an updated style would make this kitchen rock.

The breakfast area is open to a good sized family room along the back of the home. The fireplace mantle and hearth is elaborately encased in light colored granite or marble. A powder room and utility room lead you on to the large 2 car garage.

The upstairs area is really broken into two halves. There is an elaborate master bedroom suite with his and hers baths on the right side of the home. The baths are functional, but the colors and wallpaper are out of style. A great feature is the walk through shower between the his and her baths. I have never seen one like this, and liked it a lot.

The bedroom area has cathedral ceilings and a sliding glass door out to a deck. Adjacent to the bedroom area is an adjoining sitting room. The amount of space in this master suite is astounding.

The other bedrooms in the home are all large. The available space is deceiving. This would be a great home for a family with lots of kids. There is plenty of space to house them, and great schools to educate them Isn't that what the Potomac lifestyle is all about?

The basement is finished, but very dated. The space has been carved up into a large bar area and a few other rooms. This would be a great space to gut and refinish. There is a full bath that can be kept and space around it made into a in-law or nanny suite.

The lot is 1/4 acre and reasonably flat. The landscaping is a bit overgrown, but once again, someone with vision can make the back beautiful.

On a pure square footage basis, this is the best value in Fox Hills and surrounding communities. The home is livable, but needs a full cosmetic makeover. Anyone with the time and vision to work on this home, will reap big rewards when they resell. This one should go for $820K once negotiations are complete.

Gainsborough Road - Fox Hills - $699,000

Does advertising a home as the "Lowest Price in Fox Hills" constitute a bargain?
Not necessarily.

When this home was built in 1965, who could have anticipated that Gainsborough Road would be this busy? Used as a cut through, there is significant traffic on Gainsborough that passes this home. Perched up on a hill, the noise can be heard in the home.

Built by Pulte, this home has been updated, but still needs some work. The kitchen has been nicely updated, and so have the baths. The wood floors are in good shape, so most of the work needed is cosmetic. It does not show all that well, but it seems to have good bones.

The basement is finished, but chopped up. The design stinks, but redoing the space may be a great investment. The Family room is small, so investing in the basement will provide space for a TV area and some room for the kids.

The pool in the back is nice. It is small, but fits the space. The landscape and retaining walls seem to be leaning and would worry me as a buyer. The seller should get a landscaper to come in and dress things up. Clean the leaves, plant some mums, and make the yard look nice.

This home may be the least expensive in Fox Hills, but it will have to come down in price. This will be more reasonable in the $650K range and has a chance of selling quickly.

SOLD - Laurel Leaf - Fawsett Farms Manor - $1,143,000

This is a great home for anyone looking in this price range that works in D.C.

On the Cabin John side of Potomac, this neighborhood is a hop , skip and jump from MacArthur Boulevard and the Parkway for a quick commute into D.C.

Fawsett Farms Manor is a beautifully maintained community built in the late 1980's. This home is on a quiet street backing to woods. This home is perched on a 1/3 acre lot with a steep grade in the rear. The view from all windows is trees and will please the nature lover. Those that want to use the yard for recreation will be disappointed as much of the lot is unusable because of the slope.

This is a good looking home. The brick exterior is conservative and suits the neighborhood. The interior has high ceilings and high level of finish. I was told that this was a builders personal residence and many upgrades you see, are not found in other neighborhood homes.

Although nice, the home is a bit dated. I think the price reflects this fact and takes into consideration that some updates will need to be made. On a square footage basis the price is fair for the neighborhood. It is just a matter of time to find the right person or family that will appreciate it.

SOLD - 11614 Deborah Drive - Regency Estates - $649,000

SOLD for $550,000 on 12-23

This is a nice looking home with good bones and decent curb appeal. A short sale with Countrywide, this one will take some time to negotiate, but a bargain may be at hand.

This is 4 bedroom split, with 2 full baths on the upper level. There is an additional half bath on the main level, and a full bath in the lower (basement) level.

The yard is pretty, with some specimen plants. Someone in the past was a gardener here and there is potential to shine. The current residents have not done much to maintain the gardens but should.

The home is in desperate need of a face lift. The home is badly dated, and there is going to be some time and effort invested to remove wallpaper from various rooms and hallways. This home looks its age. At 43 years, it is beyond just cosmetic improvements, it needs attention.

Although this home has already been assigned an attorney to negotiate the short sale, at $699K they are not being realistic. This home is at least 100K overpriced. It will need quite a bit of cash to update and the neighborhood does not warrant the investment at this price.

I predict that this home stays on the market until the bank considers an offer around $550K.

Stable House Court - Potomac Commons - $925,000

This well maintained Georgetown model has an extension in the rear to provide great space.

This home is a 5 bedroom colonial with great curb appeal in the Potomac Commons neighborhood. Built in 1971, this Georgetown model has been expanded. The owners added to the rear of the home to increase the space in the breakfast area and family room. The windows in the breakfast area flood the space with light and make the space seem open and airy. The family room addition is a step down and has high cielings and gas fireplace.

All of the bedrooms upstairs are a good size. The 5th bedroom upstairs was an add on with the addition, and the 3 full baths are plenty large to keep the family happy. All of the baths have been updated since the home was built in 1971. Although they are not new, they are functional and need not be updated right away.

The basement is good size and finished with beadboard. Somewhat dated, the space could be inexpensively upgraded to drywall with space for home theatre.

The only issue I have with this home is the traffic flow on the main level. With the Georgetown model, you have to go around through the family room or dining room to get to the back of the house. While for some folks this is an advantage, for those that like to entertain it is a problem. The kitchen and family room are needing to be updated. For less then 10K, you can take up the 8x8 tile and replace the whole thing with hardwood or Pergo. It would make a huge difference in the presentation.

This home is worth $925K. It won't get it because these updates were not completed in advance. To warrant top dollar, you need to take the time and spend the money to make these improvements to knock a buyer's socks off. Because the work was not done, this home will end up selling for less then it is worth. Look for a final sales price of $885K.