23620 Three Sisters Road - Darnstown Outside - $2,495,000

Listed by Long and Foster

This community is located off Glen Road not too far from the upscale Palatine Subdivision. The community is mostly 2 acre lots with the majority of homes being large, upscale and custom built. What I like about the community is you always find interesting architecture and some really stunning homes. This home is fabulous.

The home is at the end of the street and a bit hidden by the landscape. Not in an overgrown sense, more by design. The gravel driveway brings you into a private courtyard reminiscent of a French chateau. There is plenty of room for parking, and more importantly a wonderful place to admire the beautiful garden and lovely brick home.

This home is huge. It consists of a main house and two attached wings. You could certainly fit a large extended family in this home and maintain privacy for all. The main home has a large open foyer with the main stairwell leading upstairs. There are a slew of large rooms off the foyer. They are all decorated in a Country French theme that works well in the space. The kitchen is large and spacious - more then one would ever need. I was surprised that it had not been upgraded, but as it is it fits the character of the home. At some point you could add granite and no one would know the better.

The wings each have independent living quarters including common areas that would please the most discerning guests. They were both large enough to house home businesses, without the least bit of a crowded feel. The basement space is mostly finished in both the main home and both wings. The rooms went on forever as I explored the basement. You could literally get lost here.

This home is actually too large to adequately describe in a review post. I think there is a LOT of space here for the asking price of $2.495mm. Although the decor may not be to every ones taste, the setting is fabulous. The grounds are fabulous as is the vision of the owners. Be sure to put this home on your short list to see should you be looking in this range. Believe it or not, I think the mere size of this home may be its only Achilles Heel. There is a lot here to take care of and maintain. It will be a labor of love for the next owner, but with great rewards.

I see this as a value at the asking price of $2.495mm. It will take the right person to see it and fall in love with it, but what a home. I see this settling in the $2.35mm range when negotiations are complete.

6 Travilah Terrace - Darnstown Outside - $1,099,999

Listed by ReMax

This is a large contemporary home in Potomac near the intersection of River and Travilah Roads.

When you drive into this small community you can see the home sitting up on a knoll on the left side of the street. The 2 acre lot is pretty and the home looks huge. It is a long house with some great modern windows and architectural features.

When you enter the foyer of the home you immediately realize that the first impression of size was decieving. The home is long and very narrow. In some spots only one room deep.

There are some dramatic elements to this home. Anyone with a love of contemporary design will find it interesting. They will ultimately have to weigh its practicality when determining its value.

It is certainly worth seeing if you are a fan of modern design. Lots of step ups and step downs define the spaces without the need for formal walls. The master bedroom is a whole wing of the home and features a loft and fireplace. The other 4 bedrooms are all decent size and are strung across the front of the home.

The finish level in this home is not what I would expect from a Million plus listing. Some of the materials and craftmanship seem to be "builder grade" and you don't get a feeling that this is built to custom home specifications.

Currently this home is bank owned. Suntrust is requiring the potential purchaser get "pre-approved" with them before negotiating. This does not mean that it is mandatory to use them, just qualify with them. This step assures the bank that the potential purchaser is qualifed and has the ability to buy.

While this home will not be to everyones taste, it will be super attractive to some. I think the list price has lots of room for negotiation. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one go at just above a million.