12712 Lincolnshire Drive - Potomac Commons - $725,000

Listed by ReMax

I was e-mailed by a reader and asked why I often clump together listings from the same or adjacent neighborhoods. The short answer is because I am looking in these neighborhoods with clients. Believe it or not folks - I don't make a living by doing home reviews. I am an active agent touring folks through Potomac homes every week.

This home is in Potomac Commons - which is behind Hadley's Park - off Falls Road. Lincolnshire is a nice street which connects Falls Chapel Way with North Commons Way. The homes here are nicely maintained - and I have come to meet many people that grew up on this street.

This home has great curb appeal The colonial has stately columns and a nice open front yard. The overhang from the roof keeps visitors dry while waiting to enter the front door. The brick front is in great shape - but once you enter - you realize there is some work to be done to bring this home up to date.

The foyer is a dark slate and original to many of the homes in Potomac Commons. While it is often replaced, it can also work well with a modern decor. The first thing you notice in this home is the grand staircase that curves up to the second level. While the colors and carpet may be dated, it only takes a modern color palate and some new carpet to make this look grand once again. Dramatic entries never go out of style.

The living room and dining room both have hardwood floors and crown moulding. The size is typical for the style and age of the home, and although not large - they are adequate for today. The family room also has hardwood with a large masonry fireplace on the back wall. The paneling and cosmetic beams on the ceiling give away the age of this home, but are easily removed and replaced with drywall. This would dramatically update the look and make the room seem bigger.

The kitchen is dated and will need updating. The old dark cabinets and florescent lighting should be replaced and will make the kitchen look larger and brighter.

Going upstairs there are 2 teen size bedrooms and a good size master. These rooms all have hardwood floors and adequate closets. The decor and baths need updating, but the results should be worth it.

The basement is a blast from the past. Paneling and decor from the 70's bring me back to my childhood.

This home has great bones and is in a great neighborhood. Good schools, convenient access to shopping, work and play - what is not to like? This home is priced right - and should sell quickly. This should sell within a few percent of the asking price - and will be a good investment for the buyers. $25,000 of cosmetic updates should get them $50,000 in equity.

12825 Huntsman Way - Fox Hills West - $879,000

Listed By Weichert

Google Map Here

While legally this area is called Potomac Commons - most refer to this neighborhood as "Fox Hills West". These homes were built in 1970 for the move up market. They were considered large for the day at just over 3000 square feet on the living levels. The neighborhood and designs have stood the test of time. Fox Hills West is still one of the nicer communities along the Falls Road corridor.

This home has very nice curb appeal. Made of brick and frame with a covered front entry - the lawn and landscape are well cared for. What usually looks this good on the outside - carried through to the inside. I was not disappointed.

The large foyer is impressive with square polished tile. The formal entry is typical with a large living room on the right with a centered fireplace. A large dining room is to the left with plenty of space for a large table. The family room is behind the stairwell along the back of the home. A slider brings you out to a nice deck overlooking a fenced back yard. Although this lot is only 1/4 acre - it seems much larger as it backs to the Watts Branch Park.

The kitchen has been recently updated with granite and white appliances. A breakfast area has room for a real table and real family. A large window allows the light to really brighten this area. A laundry and mud room is adjacent to the kitchen and allows access to the garage. Muddy kids shoes can be changed here to keep the rest of the home tidy.

The upstairs has a large master bedroom with sitting room and recessed lighting. Lots of closet space and an updated master bath complete the room. The other bedrooms are teen size and share a hall bath that has been somewhat updated. Overall - a nice floor plan upstairs.

The basement is HUGE. This space is open and 63 feet long. With a sliding glass walkout to the back - this space has huge potential. If this basement had a full bath it would be close to perfect.

This is a nice home that has been very well maintained. Many of the upgrades have been done - it is ready for someone to bring their ideas and design to make it their own. The location is fabulous as are the schools. The neighborhood has stood the test of time and is still one of the "go to" neighborhoods in Potomac.

This one has a lot of updates and has been kept in very good condition. The $879K price tag may seem rich for the neighborhood - but it is not far off the mark. I see this selling around $845K when this finally gets to settlement.

12745 Lincolnshire Drive - Potomac Commons - $899,000

Listed by Prudential

Google Map Here

Potomac Commons is a great community of single family homes just west of Falls Road Park. These homes were build in the early 1970's and are a mix of colonials and split levels. This is part of the Wootton High School Cluster - and these homes sell quickly if priced right.

This home is a nice split at the corner of Lincolnshire Drive and North Commons Way. Across from the park - this home has been completely gutted and updated. Much larger than it looks from the outside - this one is worth a look on the inside.

This home needs some TLC on the outside to make it attractive from the street. Amazing what some mulch and pruning to do to update and brighten the landscape.

The home looks great on the interior. Freshly painted and staged - this home shows beautifully. The front rooms are light and airy. The kitchen is completely redone with lovely flooring and beautiful cabinets, granite and appliances. The dining room is large an bright with a bay window further brightening the room.

The lower level is carpeted with a large family room with brick wall fireplace. There is an addition on this home which expands the space on this level. A half bath and large windowed room can be used as a bedroom, guest room or office. An additional small room on this level can be used in any way the buyer likes.

upstairs there are 4 additional bedrooms. The master is very large with tray ceiling and lots of light. The master bath is a beauty - completely new. The other bedrooms are large and bright and the full hall bath is brand new.

The yard on this lot is nicely hardscaped. A patio off the kitchen makes this an inviting space with minimum maintenance. The addition had taken up a good part of the yard so the space here is not large but efficiently utilized.

This home is a beautiful "Gut Renovation". At $899,000 this is one of the higher priced homes in the community - but the work is all done. The corner lot is attractive and the location is fabulous. Is it worth $899K? To someone it is. This may wait around awhile as the price may put some folks off. If they see it - they will understand why it is worth a premium. I see this one going to settlement at $849,000.

9229 Paddock Lane - Potomac Commons - $795,000

Listed by Weichert

Google Map Here

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.

8729 Wandering Trail Drive - Fox Hills West - $789,000

Listed by Weichert

Google Map Here

Fox Hills West is a very sought after community near Falls Road Park. Built in the early 1970's this is a stable move up community for those that need larger homes and still want the Potomac cache.

This home has nice curb appeal, with pretty lawn and lovely brick veneer. You enter the foyer which has grey slate floors which were common in the original homes and have held up well over the past 35 years. There is a large living room on the right side of the foyer with hardwood floors, and a cozy family room on the left. The family room has a large bricked wall with fireplace. The wood paneling is dated but makes the room feel rather cozy.

There is a step down into a mud room from the dining area. The room holds the washer and dryer and is floored in some type of Pergo style wood. There is also a small sun room on the back of the home. It looks to be prefab and is not heated or cooled. It is a nice touch but a bit small for my taste.

The kitchen is older but is decent condition. White wood cabinets with older appliances. The floor is some type of laminate with stenciled country design.

The upstairs has a master suite and 3 other bedrooms. The hall bath is brown and a bit dated. The master bath has the original shower stall and tile.

The in ground basement has a Nanny bedroom with a nice newer bath, recreation room with a wet bar and plenty of room for exercise equipment.

The backyard is flat and lovely. Nicely landscaped with plenty of shade. A buyer with a green thumb will be thrilled with a yard they can work with.

This is a nice home in a great neighborhood. Although this home is in good shape, there is a lot of upgrading to do for a new owner. Baths and kitchens are expensive and paneling in the family room would be on the short list to do. I think that this will sell and settle in the neighborhood of $735K when all is said and done.

12849 Huntsman Way - Fox Hills West - $916,000

Listed by Weichert

Google Map Here

This has to be one of the nicest lots I have seen in Fox Hills West.

Located at the end of a cul-de-sac with parkland behind it, this is a great spot to raise a family. Just ask the original owners. They have been there over 39 years.

This model was extended when originally built in the front and back of the home. The rooms are more spacious, the traffic flow fabulous and the square footage tremendous. With 5 bedrooms and 3 full baths, this has plenty of room for a large family. The home seems to go on forever.

Although this is one of the larger homes in Fox Hills West on one of the nicest lots....the home is ALL original. This place has been well maintained, but I do not believe ever renovated. The carpet, wallpaper, kitchen, baths, basement...all need to be updated.

The buyer of this home would be taking on a long term project or spending $100K to get this home up to speed. The major expense will be the kitchen and baths. Wallpaper removal and painting will be costly too. The hardwood seems to be in pretty good shape, it should probably be sanded and refinished.

It may seem like I am picking on this home but I am not. It is a great home. It unfortunately does not show very well.

I have few helpful suggestions that may assist in gaining an offer. The home is filled with "stuff". Much of the personal and decorative item in the home should be packed away. This will help the home to look less cluttered. Secondly, get a estimate for complete wallpaper removal. The paper is old and design is dated. Wallpaper scares the heck out of buyers. If it was not properly installed it can be difficult and costly to remove. Lastly, reduce the price a bit. Although $916K may seem like a magic number, $899K is much more attractive to buyers. Most will be searching at 900K and below.

How much will this home sell for? Hard to tell. This home has potential to be great. It will take money and time to bring it into the 21st century. Any offers made will take into consideration the cost to bring up to date. I see this one going to settlement in the $825K to $850K range.