2508 Stratton Drive - Montgomery Square - $729,500

Listed by L & F

Google Map Here

Montgomery Square is lovely community located north of Montrose Road and East of Falls Road. Built in the late 1960's - this is one of the few remaining "affordable" communities in the Potomac zip code.

This is a lovely home on one of my favorite streets in Montgomery Square. With a brick front and extended concrete driveway - this home has nice curb appeal. Although it does not have a garage - the extended concrete drive leaves plenty of space for 2 cars.

This home has been completely updated. Windows, door hardware, switch plates, kitchen - nothing has been spared. This is a true turnkey opportunity for someone that wants an established neighborhood without the time consuming and expensive upgrading.

The colors of the fresh paint are very tasteful and timely. The carpet and decor are timeless and show very well. The kitchen is lovely with new maple cabinets and stainless Kitchen Aid appliances. The hardwood is in great shape and a large office on the first floor is perfect for someone that works out of the home.

The bedrooms upstairs are all nicely decorated and decent size. The floorplan has been reworked here to provide additional space in the master bath. It is large then most, and the space taken from the adjacent room is unnoticed.

The basement is partially finished and has room for TV and game boxes. A wall of closets can keep the kids games organized and clutter off the floors.

The yard is fenced and nicely maintained. There is a shed for tools and mowers that would normally stay in a garage. This is a nice spot for a summer cook out for all of your friends and neighbors.

With all of this said - the upgrades come at a price. At $729,500 the homeowners are looking to get every penny they spent for upgrades back out of this home. In the Churchill school cluster this price would be a no-brainer. In the Walter Johnson cluster - it is going to be tough to get this price - even if it is offered. The house a few doors down sold at $50K less just a few months back. A home on Atwell sold at $730K in May - but it had a nice addition on the back and carport which this home is lacking. Although this home has great upgrades, the appraisal will be tough, even if the price is offered.

This is a good home to watch. The tasteful upgrades may lure someone to pay the price. If they do, it will mean good things for everyone else in Montgomery Square. More likely - it will settle between $690K and $710K when all is said and done.

12305 Old Canal Road - Montgomery Square - $749,000

Listed By Weichert

Google Map Here

Montgomery Square is on the Rockville side of Montrose road and is part of the Richard Montgomery High School Cluster. This is a nicely maintained community of brick and frame homes built in the 1960's. This community is a great place to find the expensive Potomac mailing address at a discount.

This home is a nicely landscaped brick and frame home with a one car garage. There are two ways to enter this home, from the garage or up a few flight of stairs to the front entry. The landscape is well maintained and the home has nice curb appeal.

The foyer is hardwood with the stairs going up on your immediate left. To the right is a piano sized Living Room which has been well staged by the homeowner or Realtor.

The kitchen floor is tiled and has natural pine cabinets. There are Corian counter tops and newer dishwasher and range. There is room for a good size table here for all to sit and eat. Although updated, the kitchen at some point will need a face lift. (Don't we all!)

There is a laundry room adjacent to the kitchen with resilient floor and pantry. There is an addition on this level that has a decent size bedroom or office, full bath and family room in the rear. The rooms are carpeted with Berber and family room has a slider to a deck overlooking a lovely back yard.

The upstairs has an extended Master Suite with large Master Bath. The other bedrooms are teen size with a recently redone hall bath to service them.

The basement is finished and below grade. Carpeted with room for a TV area, it also serves as an entry from the garage to the upstairs.

This is a nice house, larger then it appears from the outside. It has been a long time since I have seen a house in the $749K range in Montgomery Square. Those that were in this range were fully renovated and on nicer flatter lots. This is certainly a nice home, but we have to take into consideration the current market which is at least 10-20% lower then 2 years ago. This one will end up in the $650K range once settled.

8609 Atwell Road - Montgomery Square - $725,900

Listed by Weichert

Google Map Here

Montgomery Square is located just off Falls Road between Montrose Road and Wootton Parkway. Most of these homes were built in the 1960's and are a mix of split levels and ramblers most of which have been updated over the years. This is one of the few affordable communities left in Potomac for a single family home.

This home is pretty on the outside with nice landscaping and tended gardens. The home is frame construction and seems to be nicely maintained.

The foyer is small with some type of resilient tile that leads into the kitchen. It looks like ceramic, but seems like it would be easier to clean and maintain. It is not hardwood, but it looks nice. The kitchen has nice cherry cabinets and Formica counters.

The dining room and living room are small but nicely decorated. The family room is a step down, adjacent to the kitchen and small breakfast area. It has custom built ins that surround the fireplace. A nice touch.

The upstairs has 3 kid sized bedrooms and an updated bath to service them. The master suite is enlarged with high ceilings and an updated master bath.

The basement is finished with carpet and has a full bath and fireplace. There is a room built out as a bedroom for a nanny if the need for one exists.

This is a very nice home. The yard in back is gorgeous. About a third of an acre, nice lawn and groomed gardens. You could picture having friends and neighbors over for a barbecue with plenty of room left for a horseshoe pit or boccie court.

The home though nice, is small. There is not much in Montgomery Square that sells at over $700K unless it has been extended. The assessed value gives a clue as to what this home will sell for. In 2009 the value is listed as $669,500. An offer at this level should be embraced by the sellers. I'll report back to see where this one finally settles.

12301 Old Canal Road - Montgomery Square - $599,000

Listed by WC and AN Miller

Google Map Here

This house was a very nice surprise. This brick colonial with a one car garage sits pretty on a 1/4 acre lot in Montgomery Square. This lovely home is in the Richard Montgomery school cluster and is a good value for a Potomac address.

A slate walk leads you to the front porch of this colonial. The entry takes you to a hardwood entry. You look to the left and notice a enormous dining room with custom paint. You realize afterwards that they are using the living room as a dining room - but it works well. The actual dining room is adjacent, and it is used as a play area for the kids. The kitchen is updated and looks out on a lovely back yard.

Upstairs there are 3 kid sized bedrooms and a updated hall bath. The master suite has been blown out over the garage which added some closet space and a sitting area. Although not super large, it is welcome space and very nicely built out. The master bath is small, but completely redone. The finish is modern, with a nice large shower stall - sink and commode.

The basement is finished and newly carpeted. There is a room being used as a weight room, some storage and a small recreation or TV area. There is a funky smell here, it could be from the weight room, new carpet or moisture. This will have to be further investigated by a prospective buyer.

This is a nice house for the price. Some will complain that this is REALLY Rockville....but it has a Potomac mailing address. I say for the price, it is a good value. This may not sell at list price (Does anything these days?), but should sell within 5%. Great job on staging. Go see it!

2422 Chilham Place - Montgomery Square - $579,000

Listed by Long and Foster

Google Map Here

This is a nice 1960's era colonial in Montgomery Square. With brick front and under home garage, this is a typical tract home of the period.

This is a 4 bedroom 2.5 bath colonial built in 1967. It has been well taken care of, but is quite dated and ready for a re-do. Although there may have been minor updates over the years, all of the home including baths will need some update.

The day I visited I found the home quite cluttered. There was a pile of boxes and junk in the dining room that hopefully will be removed. The home is cluttered and does not show very well because of this.

The basement is unfinished with direct access to the under home garage. It too is cluttered and should be emptied to have it show well. The yard is nicely maintained, but may be a challenge to mow. The front is sloped and has 3 levels of concrete steps to get up to the front door.

This home will need some help before it will get a contract. It needs to be cleared out to allow potential buyers free access to all rooms. It is priced high, and will need to come down in price, or updated to warrant the current list price. There is lots of competition in this area. This one will end up selling around $525,000 as it is now.

8116 Jeb Stewart Road - Montgomery Square - $569,000

Listed by Long and Foster

Google Map Here

This part of Montgomery Square is on the north side of Montrose road in the Richard Montgomery school cluster. This small brick rambler was built by Kettler in 1965. The exterior is well maintained, and the home has nice curb appeal.

This home is located on a low traffic dead end. Close to Montrose and route 270, this is a commuter dream.

This home is a good example of a vintage rambler. It has good bones, but anyone buying will want to make come cosmetic improvements. The dark hardwood is throughout the first level. There are 3 small bedrooms with 2 full baths on the main level. The kitchen is dated but has nice light. A renovation here will pay big dividends.

The lower level is finished and has a nice stone fireplace. A bedroom and craft room on this level look out into a wooded back yard. There is also an exterior exit on this level.

This is a nice entry level home that needs some TLC. The price should attract folks to look, but the offer will come from someone willing to put some work into the property. Look for an offer and sale in the $535K range.

Are you interested in Chevy Chase homes?

2507 Chilham Place - Montgomery Square - $619,000

Listed by Long and Foster

Google Map Here

This is a nice Kettler built colonial with great curb appeal in Montgomery Square.

Montgomery Square is a neighborhood under renovation. A new generation is moving in and updating the homes. The schools and affordable homes are a big draw to those who want the 20854 zip code on budget.

This home has been brought up to date with nice upgrades to the baths and kitchen. The bath tile and creative colors are going to be attractive to those with kids. Based upon the traffic at open houses these past few weekends, it seems like ALL the buyers were families with kids.

The basement has been finished and has a full bath. The newer carpet makes the area look bright, but the storage room is narrow and scary and should be decluttered.

The location of this home is only about 100 yards from Falls Road. The backyard is fenced to keep the kiddies in, and safe. Although these is some noise associated with Falls Road, I did not hear any while inside the home.

This home seems to be priced a bit high. It is new to the market, so sometimes the initial price may be a bit high while testing the waters. The home immediately across the street is a bit smaller and not as nice. It was sold about 3 weeks ago and just settled for a net price of $525,000.

This last sale may make it tough to get above $600K for this home. Although this house is a bit nicer and maybe a bit larger, it is not $94,000 better. Either the buyer of the recent sale stole the home, or these folks will have to settle for $560K.

2416 Stratton Drive - Montgomery Square - $585,000

Listed by Long and Foster / Google Map

Montgomery Woods was built out in the late 1960s.

This 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home is the Cherry Grove model and does not have a garage.

This home shows well and is in good condition. It is owned by an artist or art lover, and the walls are filled with interesting art.

The kitchen has been recently redone. Maple cabinets in a country design with Corian counters. The kitchen is cozy and clean.

The bedrooms upstairs are decent size. The master has an adjoining sitting room that houses a couch and a tv. The baths seem to be original, but in good condition. Eventually refinishing the baths will greatly enhance the livability of the home.

The basement is unfinished. It is clean and dry and houses the laundry and shelved storage.

The yard is well kept and gives the house good curb appeal. The home is built on a knoll and drops off steeply about 15 feet from the back of the home. There are plenty of trees and I am sure the shade is a welcome respite in the D.C. area summers.

This home has been priced well. Although small, it is very reasonably priced for a single family home in Potomac. A slighly smaller home just settled on Chilham Place in the same community for $525,000 after subsidy. The location is much better on this home and should warrant a premium. I see this selling in the $555K range.