10129 Colebrook Avenue - Bedfordshire - $780,000

Listed by WC & AN Miller

Google Map Here

This partial brick colonial home is located in Bedfordshire - a lovely community in the Winston Churchill School Cluster. Because of its close in location and blue ribbon schools - this community is always in demand for both first time and move up buyers. Many of the homes in this community have been upgraded beautifully. Homes that are original are also sought after so the new owners can put their personal stamp on the property. Driving through - you will always see homes in various stages of renovation.

You enter this home into a small foyer with beige octagonal tile. There is a living room to the left and family room to the right - both with hardwood floors. The kitchen is in the rear of the home - and has been nicely upgraded with green granite and updated black appliances. There is a lovely tile back splash in the kitchen that really looks great. Nice job by the previous owners.

A dining room abuts the kitchen on the left side with a nice window looking out into the yard. On the other side of the kitchen is a laundry area and mud room that leads out to the two car garage. There is a large deck out back which will be a great spot for sharing a beer or glass of wine on cool summer nights.

The stairwell upstairs leads to a narrow foyer, typical of homes of the time. The master bedroom is decent size with an original master bath. The white and yellow tile is a blast from the past. Although functional - many new homeowners will want to update the master in short order.

The basement is finished with carpet and is nice an open. A large granite bar is a bit out of place, but I am sure a welcome addition during a party. An side room would be a great place for a large screen TV and surround sound. The space is dated, but does have a lot of potential. Additional storage separate from the finished space is a great asset for a home of this size.

Overall this is a nice home with good structure. It will need some work - but the downstairs "public" area is in nice condition. The baths upstairs, and updating the basement can be done when funds allow it, and will be out of site of company while being done. In my opinion it is a bit aggressively priced at $780,000. Based upon other sales in the area and condition - this should sell somewhere in the $720,000 to $735,000 range.

11404 Falls Road - Bedfordshire - $1,299,000

Listed by L&F

Google Map Here

There is no lack of new construction in Potomac. Especially in the upper brackets. Finding new homes closer in is a more difficult task. Under $1.3mm? Very tough.

These three lots are tucked in between Har Shalom Synagogue and Falls Road Golf course. This pipestem of three lots in adjacent to, and face the fire station on Falls Road.

The home has nice curb appeal from Falls Road - with a brick front and Colonial styling so beloved in Potomac. The half acre lot is nicely graded with a nice front lawn and a bermed side yard to cut down noise from busy Falls Road.

The foyer is spacious and open with a lovely curved stairwell open to the second floor. The shiny wood floor is expansive - and when the house is vacant - makes the space look HUGE. The Living room is to the right with pretty crown mouldings and tasteful paint. A library with french doors is to the right - perfect for a home office or listening room. A mud room leads out to the 3 car garage and powder room compete the front of the home. The kitchen is center and back - and is a splendid view from the foyer. Granite and tasteful tile backsplash grabs your attention. A full outfit of GE Monogram appliances is a nice accent in this state of the art kitchen. A breakfast room with windows on three sides is a great place for coffee and the newspaper on lazy Sunday mornings.

The family room is adjacent and open to the kitchen. What a great entertaining space! High ceilings and a gas fireplace will make this room a family favorite. Even the largest furniture will fit in this space without issue.

You can head upstairs via the back stairwell to the living area. A MBR suite starts with a nice sitting room. You enter into the bedroom which is perfect sized. So many homes in Potomac have lost "balance" in their scale. This one has it down pat. The master bath is large enough to please the most discriminating bathroom nut. Dual walk in closets finish the space. All the remaining bedrooms are large. Two share a buddy bath and the last has it's own full bath en-suite. There is also a large space in the hall upstairs for "gathering". Think of a great spot for a couch or comfy chair and reading lamp. A great spot for a gaggle of teen girls to sit and gossip or have a study circle. It can also be walled off easily for a 5th bedroom.

The basement is fully finished with berber carpet. A large Nanny suite, a home theatre room and a large play room make good use of the space. A large and wide walk out - areaway - leads to the backyard and supplies good natural light.

So what do I think of this home? I like it. For those that want new construction - it is a must see. For those that don't care as much about new - well - there may be better values to see. $1.3mm is not super expensive by Potomac standards - but will still buy you a lot of house. Some NICE homes too.

The only down side to this lot is the location along Falls Road and proximity to the fire station. Noise will be a factor on the outside of the home. I did not hear a lot inside. Overall - I give this home high marks. It should sell for close to list price.

11436 Beechgrove Lane - Bedfordshire - $788,000

Listed by WC&AN Miller

Google Map Here

Bedfordshire is a great community located on the south side of Glen Road - just off Falls Road. Built in 1972 - this community has been a favorite of both first time and move up buyers in the Potomac market.

This home is located on a communal driveway just off Beechgrove Lane. A brick and frame Dutch Colonial - it has nice curb appeal and looks as though it has been well maintained. The foyer is hardwood and the home looks to be freshly painted. Newer beige carpeting lead you through the living room and family room.

The kitchen is original with yellow Formica counter tops and older cabinets. There is a new stainless fridge in the kitchen that could fit into the kitchen upgrade for the new owners. There is a laundry room just off the kitchen and an updated powder room to finish off the first floor.

Upstairs has 3 teen size bedrooms and a larger master bedroom. The master bath seems original with yellow and white tile. There are some replacement windows installed in the upstairs bedrooms - but other windows are original.

The basement is a blast from the past. A faux corner fireplace and burnt orange carpet lining a bar bring you right back into the early 70's. A slider to the backyard brings in light which gives this room lots of potential. There is nice space here to refinish to your liking. The backyard is nice and a manageable size. It backs to some parkland and to adjacent neighbors.

This home will need updating once a new owner gets title. It seems to be in good condition but definitely needs updating. The home will ultimately sell at somewhere near its assessed value. It does not warrant a premium. Others selling in the neighborhood were better outfitted and more up to date. Look for this to sell somewhere between $715k AND $730k.

11427 Bedfordshire Avenue - Bedfordshire - $899,000

Listed by WFP

Google Map Here

Bedfordshire is a lovely community off Glen Road built in the 1970's. Typical of the era, there is a nice mix of splits and colonials on 1/4 acre lots.

This is a good looking home from the exterior with nice curb appeal. This split level has been well maintained with nice landscape that could use a little grooming.

The foyer is open with hardwood floors. The kitchen is updated with white tile floors. There is a nice size dining room and living room. The family room is filled with lovely paintings with bright colors. The home shows well, almost feels like a gallery with all of the artwork on the walls.

The home has been enlarged in the back. You look out to a back yard with lovely pool and fenced yard. Hardscaping and retaining walls will appeal to those with an aversion to yard work.

The additional space added to this house really shows in the upstairs Master Bedroom. You enter into a sitting room - which is currently being used as an artist studio. Skylights bring in great natural light, even on this dreary day. You step up to the master bedroom and bath which has been nicely upgraded. This space feels very private and insulates you from the outside world. Nicely done!

The other three bedrooms upstairs are decent size and also show well.

The lower level of the split has an additional bedroom and full bath. The stairs take you down to the lowest basement level which may be spacious, but is filled with clutter and boxes. It would be nice to see this space empty to get a better perspective of how the room would work for a perspective buyer.

Overall this is a nice house with a great addition. It was reduced from its initial price of $925k. It may have to be reduced further to sell in this market. The last sale of an updated split went for $768K (net) in August. This comp was on a half acre lot and also had an addition.

This home on Bedfordshire Avenue was purchased for 800K March of 2005 at the height of the market. 8250K may be the right price for this home to get it sold. Although my heart breaks for those folks that bought in 2005-2006 at the height of the market. Reality dictates that to get the home sold, you have to be aggressive.

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.

11112 Korman Drive - Bedfordshire - $825,000

Bedfordshire is tucked in behind the Falls Road Golf Course and Kilgour Branch Park. Built in the early 1970's, this community is a mix of contemporary and traditional homes close to shopping, commuter routes and recreation.

This home from the street is the definition of Curb Appeal. Landscaped, painted and groomed, the home looks great. Great care has been taken to make this home look its best.

The front walk has been updated with concrete squares in a random pattern which fits the contemporary style. Flowers and plantings add structure to the space in front, and will be stunning in the spring when the iris bloom.

The front door brings you into a 2 story foyer and view of the Living room and floor to ceiling fireplace. A retro "Conversation Pit" is a step down space adjacent to the fireplace to gather and chat with friends. Although not in vogue now, it is an interesting structural addition and works in this design.

The kitchen is recently renovated with granite and upgraded appliances. The open view to the family room has great light and is a comfortable informal space. There is a sun room that is nicely done attached to the family room with access to the deck.

Upstairs the bedrooms are all decent size with good light. The master bath has been upgraded nicely, and overall, this home is fabulous.

The basement is finished with new carpet and a sliding glass door to the back yard. The suspended ceiling here is the only thing I did not like about the space, but it is clean and bright.

The yard is well maintained with flowering trees and nice landscape. Someone spent time and effort to really make the outside nice. This is truly a turnkey purchase with little needed to be comfortable.

While the price may seem high for a contemporary in this community, it really is not. With the upgrades and maintenance that has already been done, you will not have any deferred maintenance to handle after moving in. New roof, paint, kitchen.....it is worth the price.

I see this home selling quickly for close to asking price. It is the nicest contemporary on the market, and is a value at this price. Look for this to go under contract quickly. I see this settling between $810,000 and $820,000 when the closing date comes.

9900 Colebrook Avenue - Bedfordshire - $869,000

Listed by Long and Foster

Google Map Here

This is a pretty colonial at the corner of Colebrook and Bedfordshire Avenue in Potomac. Bedfordshire is a mix of traditional and contemporary homes built in the 1970's. It is located just off Glen Road and is a perennial favorite for "move up" Potomac home buyers.

This home is on a big corner lot with great curb appeal. The walk leading to the front door has been redone with stamped concrete. The landscape is mature and well maintained. A beautiful flowering cherry is the centerpiece in the front of the home.

The foyer is tiled with the balance of the main level hardwood. This colonial has a formal living room and dining room in the front of the home, with the family room adjacent to the kitchen behind the garage. A good size office on the main level will appeal to those needing some office space on the main level. The Kitchen has been updated with granite and updated cabinets. The breakfast room has a nice bay window looking out on the backyard with nice natural light.

Upstairs has 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Both baths have been updated, and are in good condition. Cultured marble vanity tops lead me to believe the update on the baths was done in the 1990's.

The basement is finished and floored with 12x12 tile. A full bath (Pink) in the basement and baseboard heat make for lots of potential. A home theatre, nanny suite, workout room - the space is waiting.

The back yard is accessible from the family room and has a nice brick patio. The back yard is not very large, but well maintained.

This is a nice home in a sought after neighborhood. The ride on bus stops right at the corner for those that choose to commute via public transportation. The price is a bit high, but this is often the case for a new listing. This one should sell pretty quickly. I think the final price will end up between $815,000 and $825,000.