11728 Le Havre Drive - Lake Normandy - $1,199,999

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Lake Normandy is a lovely community that is on the eastern side of Falls Road just south of Tuckerman Lane. Many of these homes were built in the early 1980's and were marketed for a "move-up" market within Potomac. Most of these homes are over 3200 Sq.Ft. and some are even larger. This home is just under 3500 square feet and has been recently renovated.

The home is tucked in at the end of a cul-de-sac with extensive landscaping. The home has nice curb appeal with brick and frame construction. The slate walk brings you to the covered front door. The foyer is open and airy with an open stairwell going to the second level. The only remnant of the 80's left in the decor are pickled hardwood floors. Although the style is dated, in this home they blend well into the design and decor.

This home has been redone top to bottom. The rooms are nicely decorated and painted. The design is a contemporary French Country design. Shows very nicely - but is a little busy. The paint, wallpaper and decor should fit nicely with most furnishings. The dining room and living room are large and light. The family room runs along the back of the home flanked by a sun room and the kitchen. A stone fireplace is the center of attention and is wired for TV above the mantle. A slider goes out to a large deck overlooking a nicely landscaped yard. This is an irregular lot. It has an unusual shape and backs to Falls Road. The landscape shelters any view of Falls, but you can hear traffic going by.

The kitchen is French Country with built in banquette for seating and large kitchen island. Two double gas ranges are side by side and truly make for a Chef's kitchen. The decor and style may not be to everyones taste, but it is lovely and I am sure an expensive renovation when done.

The upstairs has 3 large bedrooms and an updated hall bath. A large master suite is beautifully updated and should impress most home buyers. The laundry room is also on this level. This is a convenient feature that usually makes the person responsible for laundry in the home very happy.

The basement is large and fully finished. It is windowed and allows lots of light to flood this area. There is plenty of room down here for whatever you may want to use it for. A full bath and lots of space would be a great place for a Nanny, Inlaw or guest suite.

This is a very nice home. Originally priced at $1,299,000 it has been reduced by $100,000 to try to generate interest. The only reason this home has not sold it it has a ton of competition in this $1.2MM price range. It is certainly worth the price based upon features, upgrades and size. The home next door sold earlier this year for more than this so I am not concerned about an appraisal. Ultimately - to compete with other homes in this range and to get it sold - it will have to be reduced in price. Although this is priced fairly - homes in this range need to be COMPELLING values in this difficult market. To sell quickly - this needs to be reduced by $100k to generate interest. I see this one settling between $1,085,000 and $1,125,000 when it gets to settlement.

9033 Rouen Lane - Lake Normandy Estates - $899,999

Listed by Long and Foster

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What is not to like about Lake Normandy Estates? Great single family homes, great location and fantastic schools. Formula for success? You betcha!

This is a beautiful single family colonial on a well groomed, 1/3 acre lot. The home on the outside is in fabulous condition - the owners are meticulous. This brick home has a circular driveway and 2 car garage. I couldn't wait to get inside to see what the rest of the home was like.

The foyer is formal, typical of a center foyer colonial. The decor and painting was beautiful. This home showed like a model home. The lovely dining room on the left, and the large living room on the right were bright and inviting. The kitchen has been completely redone with Silestone and lovely bright cabinets. A slider to the deck looks out over the back and side yard which is lush and green. (I wish I could get my lawn to look like this!).

The upstairs is also completely redone. Three good size bedrooms and a lovely master is ready for a new owner. You would not need to do a thing.

The basement is almost completely finished. With a slider leading to a lower deck, there is plenty of light down here. There is a half bath - which seems to be the only bath that has not been completely updated. Who cares? It is the basement!

Initially, when I saw the price on this home I thought it may be priced high. After seeing the property - I think they are asking a fair price. The original owners have cared for this property and have updated it completely. A family could move right in and not have to spend a dime to make it theirs. I say that this is worth a premium.

Although this is on the high side for the neighborhood - I think it shows well enough for someone to fall in love with it. Look for it to sell between 4879K and full list before the new year!

11604 Le Havre Drive - Lake Normandy Estates - $949,900

Listed by Long and Foster

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Although Lake Normandy Estates is located just off Falls Road, you feel as though you are far away from the traffic and bustle of the world. The lots are almost 1/2 acre, and the neighborhood has been well maintained. Throw in Churchill schools, and you have the making of a winner!

This home is set back from the street with beautiful landscape. The home looks bigger then its neighbors and going inside, you will find it is. The foyer is formal but open with 10 foot ceilings. A library to your left extends into a large family room addition. A full stone wall fireplace and cathedral ceilings with skylights are a beautiful feature in this room..

The kitchen is updated nicely but retain a dated tile floor. The dining room has an elaborate wallpaper and art deco feel. This design feature is found throughout the home and will either be to the new buyers taste, or an expensive update once in the home. The back yard is beautiful. A deck, screened porch and gazebo is beautifully done. The hardscape and design is lovely and expensive. I wouldn't change a thing.

The art-deco and ornate design features continue upstairs. Great space with a large master suite and 3 other good size bedrooms. The wallpaper and decor is a bit over the top, but the room design has great potential.

The basement is finished with hardwood with a bar, dance floor and bedroom and full bath. There is also storage here that is unfinished.

This home is priced well in this market. Anyone purchasing will discount their offer taking into consideration the cost to remove wallpaper and decorate to their taste. With that said, I see this settling in the $925K range.

11712 Karen Drive - Lake Normandy Estates - $739,000

Listed By ReMax

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It is tough to find a nice contemporary home in Potomac. I have been working with some clients for the past few months trying to find one that suits their needs. We came upon this one in Lake Normandy Estates - I was impressed.

This is a half acre lot fully treed and hidden from the street. A steep driveway brings you to a lovely contemporary surrounded by trees. The exterior was lovely with Japanese Maples and other specimen trees throughout the landscape. A covered walk brings you to the front door from the carport.

The entry is bright and open. Integrated Japanese screens separate you from the Living room. When opened, you look straight through the living room to the back yard through a wall of windows. The lofted ceilings draw your attention to the full wall of cedar in the living room with a lovely fireplace centered there. The wood is original with a great patina in excellent condition. Classic contemporary look.

The dining room is good size framed by the back of the home, and a large screened porch on the side of the home. The kitchen is tiled and updated - the pickled oak cabinets - although dated, are in great condition. Replace the counters with granite, and you are in great shape.

The upstairs brings you to 4 smaller bedrooms typical of this type home. The hall bath is original and Master Bath updated. Both will need attention by the new owners. The carpet on this level is older and bunching up. It will certainly need replacing.

The downstairs has a lovely family room with direct access to the yard. The light in this room is fabulous. A fireplace on the long wall makes for a comfy spot to watch TV and entertain. A bedroom and full bath finish off this level. There are sliding screens on the windows in the bedroom that are fabulous!

The lowest level is finished in tile and has the laundry and lots of storage. What a great play space for the kids.

The back yard is probably my favorite space. It has been fully designed and hardscaped in a courtyard design. What a fabulous spot for an outdoor party. There were deer looking back at my as I admired the yard. This is a testament to that contemporaries are supposed to do. Bring the outside and nature in.

This is a great home in a very nice neighborhood. Great schools, great location and great lot. This will sell quickly - and I would think for close to full price!

11309 Rouen Drive - Lake Normandy Estates - $938,500

Listed by Long and Foster

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I have seen quite a few homes in this community in the last few weeks. This home is one of the nicer homes I have seen. Completely refinished, a buyer would not need to do anything but move in their furnishings once they settle.

What is not to like about this brick colonial? All the work has been done. The home has also been properly prepared for sale. No clutter, clean and perfectly groomed. Kudos to the listing agent.

This is not a big house. Built by Pulte in the late 1960's this is probably 2500 square feet above ground. The living room and dining room are decent size and furnished sparsely. The galley kitchen along the back of the home has been completely redone with quality maple cabinets and stainless appliances. The breakfast area is adequate with a view of the back yard and decent light. The laundry room is adjacent in a passage that leads to the garage. Stacked washer and dryer once again makes best use of the space available.

Upstairs has 4 bedrooms with redone baths. There is wise use of built in cabinetry in the master to make more efficient use of available space. The other bedrooms are teen sized and nicely maintained.

The basement is a nice surprise. Completely finished there is a great home theatre set up with projection TV. There are built in cabinets along the back wall with wet bar that look great. An door with area way lead from the basement space to the back yard. A bedroom and full bath finish off this level which is impressive. The space will allow a family to live in this home and not crowd each other.

I think this home is priced at a premium. There are other homes in this range that offer more space and more potential. What this house has going for it is it is DONE. Someone can just move their stuff in and live well without the aggravation of needing to remodel. Although this is priced richly, they just may get the asking price. This home is a great example of how a home should be properly staged for sale.

This should fetch at least $890,000 in its current pristine condition.

Are you interested in Chevy Chase homes?

9227 Cherbourg Drive - Lake Normandy Estates - $1,099,000

Listed By Long & Foster

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This is a very pretty home in the Lake Normandy Estates community. Well kept and updated, this home has a contemporary feel. Those with a penchant for contemporary homes will love what this home has to offer.

The lot is a beautiful corner lot with a large front lawn. The landscaping is minimal with a few lovely specimen trees. The front door and porch is covered, providing shelter for arriving guests and the FedEx man.

The large double door bring you into a large central foyer. The ceiling is cathedral here, giving volume to the space and adding to its contemporary feel. The tile floor is a bit antiseptic, but works well with the contemporary design. There is a decent size dining room to your left with an open wall to the foyer. If you are looking for formality in a home, this one is not your style.

The kitchen is recently re-done and is quality work. Very modern, there is not a lot of ornamentation. The appliances are high end, and the counters beautifully done. I cannot imagine anyone not liking what the kitchen has to offer.

There is a large laundry room and storage adjacent to the kitchen. The space is bright and clean with an exterior exit. The ceilings are high which add to the spacious and comfortable feel to this room.

There is a large deck on the back of the home off the kitchen. Made with TREX style decking, the owners of this home have quality materials in all improvements. I suspect that this home will not have too many problems on home inspection. Too much care is taken on a day to day basis to keep this home clean and up to date.

The master bedroom is on the first floor and includes a large bedroom, a sitting area and a nice sized master bath with soaking tub. Once again, clean lines and quality materials. Very nicely done. There are 2 additional bedrooms on this level which share an additional full bath.

To get to the lower level you travel back to the foyer. An open stair, wide with a natural wood banister take you down to the basement. The space is large, it looks to be the entire footprint of the home. There is a large family room with fireplace here. There are also 2 additional bedrooms and 2 full baths. There is an exercise area and a room used for music by the kids. The basement is walk-out and allows decent light.

This is a very nice home in a nice community on a nice lot. It will appeal to those that like simple modern design and clean lines. The price is a bit steep for this neighborhood. New to the market, the sellers may be feeling things out or hoping someone falls in love with it. It is attractive and will sell, but at what price. Look for $975k to $1mm when settlement day comes.

11513 Karen Drive - Lake Normandy - $675,000

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This is a very pretty split level home in the Lake Normandy Community. Partially updated, this home has good promise for someone that wants Potomac schools.

This 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath split has been well maintained and has been properly prepared for sale. Cleaned and spit polished, this home shows well and will get a great response from the Potomac buyers.

Much of the main level is hardwood. The kitchen has gone through a partial remodel, and although it looks nice, it will not be long before a new update needs to be done. The lower level has a large family room with a large half bath. The fireplace has a copper shield on it that looks great. I am not sure if it is anything more then decorative.

The lowest level has storage and a walkout to the back yard. There is a bit of a musty odor there, I suspect there is dampness from the basement walls.

The bedrooms upstairs are typical for a 40 year old split. Decent sized, but not large, they will be fine for teens and smaller kids. The master is a bit larger with its own full bath. The upstairs baths need some help, but that can come in time.

This is a case where the seller took the time to prepare the home before listing. It looks great, and will not last too long in this market. Look for this one to go around $645K when sold.