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.

11809 Devilwood Drive - Regent Park - $625,000

Listed by L&F

Google Map Here

This home is located a block off Seven Locks Road near Montrose Road. This 1963 rambler has been updated and extended with plenty of room for a family.

This home has been well maintained with an inviting brick walk leading to a new slate porch. The door opens to a small hardwood foyer that looks directly into an expanded and almost new kitchen. Beyond the kitchen is a 22x22 foot sun room with windows on all sides.

The living room and dining room are on your left side and are all hardwood. It looks like the carpet has been taken up here and the padding left. There is a musty odor that may go away if the padding is removed - I would advise the owners to take them up.

The bedrooms are on the left side of the home. There are two small kids bedrooms and a smaller master. The hall bath has been nicely redone with blue tile and looks great. The master bath has been updated, but needs some TLC. If there is hardwood underneath (I suspect there is) I would remove the carpet from the house. If the floors need it, they can be refinished. Removing the carpet and refinishing the floors will make it show much better and maybe rid the home of the musty odor.

The kitchen is large and completely redone with maple cabinets and granite. An island and fireplace make the kitchen show very well. The laundry facilities have also been moved to a closet at the far end of the kitchen. This update makes the home worth a second look.

The basement is unfinished and large. Freshly painted floors and zero clutter allow this space to show well. There is a door to a 2 car garage that is below the sun room above. There is a lot of potential to finish this area.

This home is larger then it looks from the outside. Great location for schools, shopping and commute make this an attractive possibility. This one should sell in the $615,000 range when all is said and done.

11824 Seven Locks Road - Regency Estates - $525,000

Listed by Forum Properties

Google Map Here

This rambler is located on busy Seven Locks Road and part of Regency Estates. Built in 1962 this home is in the coveted Churchill school cluster and very close to shopping, worship and transportation.

This home has an interesting look from the street. The former carport has been closed in and has french doors facing the street for access. The porch is supported by painted iron posts and give the home a "French Quarter" feel. The brick and frame structure seems to be in good shape on the exterior and the landscape has been nicely maintained.

As soon as you walk in the home you notice the fresh paint and hardwood floors. Unfortunately, you also notice an odor that may be from the carpet. Although not overwhelming, the odor certainly lingers, and may be from old pet stains.

The foyer leads into a carpeted living room area that adjoins a decent size dining room. Although I am not normally a fan of mirrored walls, the one in the dining room makes the room look lots bigger. The large individually paned bay window opens to the back yard and brings in good light. Although the old window is probably an energy drain - the light it allows in the house is worth it.

The kitchen has been updated at some point in the past by sanding down the original cabinets and replacing the old formica. The kitchen is good size and could stand to be upgraded again. Someone with vision can make this a lovely space. The side exterior door leads into the carport which has been enclosed and floored with Pergo. There is a washer dryer out here, and I am still scratching my head trying to figure out what this room was used for. It is possible it was used for a home business with an exterior door to allow clients in.

There is a decent deck on the back of the home with access from the back of the old carport and steps from the fenced yard.

The listing calls this a 4 bedroom home, but realistically it is only 3 bedrooms. It looks like one of the original bedrooms was split into two rooms. The original door is blocked off from the hall and the old entry space has become a closet. It would be best to convert this back to the original design. The bedrooms are typical for a home of this era. Small but functional. The original blue and mint green bath fixtures and sinks are glaringly 1960's. The baths are in rough shape and should be top priority for renovation.

The downstairs area has a family room and fireplace replete with burnt orange carpet. An exterior door walks out to a decent fenced yard. There is a half bath and shower down here and it looks like the basement was used as an accessory apartment at some point.

This home needs a lot of TLC. Paint can make a place look a bit better, but won't solve glaring problems. This home would be great for a contractor that is looking for a place to live and can improve this home over time. It will take $50k to make this home attractive again. I see this one settling in the $475,000 range when all is said and done.

8748 Sleepy Hollow Lane - Normandy Hills - $1,100,000

Listed by Long and Foster

Google Map Here Normandy Hills is a Mitchell and Best community built in the early 1990's. On the north side of Bells Mill Road, this enclave of homes is conveniently located to everything. Good schools, good location and cohesive community keep these homes in high demand.

This is a beautiful colonial with columns and cedar shake roof. The landscaping is well groomed and gives the home great curb appeal. The home looks to have been completely redone. The foyer is 2 story with gleaming hardwood floors. The hardwood goes throughout the first floor and looks great. The living room and library are on the left of the home. Both rooms are large and provide good traffic flow to the kitchen. This is a great home to entertain.

The kitchen is nicely appointed and has plenty of space. A butler pantry leads you through to a dining room that could easily hold a table for 10. A back stairwell is a convenient feature that leads you to the second living level from the kitchen area.

The back of the home leads you to a small pool. This pool is covered by a glass structure that looks a lot like a greenhouse. The roof retracts in the summer, and a heater keeps the area cozy for winter swims. This is a cool feature for anyone that LOVES to swim every day. It could be a flaw in an otherwise lovely home for others.

There are four large bedrooms upstairs that have been freshly painted. The Master is large and well designed with a nice master bath suite. The other bedrooms share 2 additional full baths.

The basement is fully finished and has lots of space. A nanny suite with full bath, room for a media wall and even space for a wine cellar. How you allocate the space is up to you.

This is a big home. The list price of $1.1mm for all of this space is not out of line. I am going to be curious to see what happens with this one. Someone may snap it up at near full price. If the pool is seen as a detriment instead of an asset, it may linger a while. I am going to venture a guess that this settles at between $1,060,000 and $1,075,000 once they find a buyer.

10840 Spring Knoll Drive - Fox Meadow - $1,212,000

Listed by Coldwell Banker

Google Map Here

Fox Meadow is a lovely community about a mile north of Potomac Village off River Road. This community is a mix of old homes and new. The location is fabulous and some of the older homes are being razed for larger more practical designs.

This is an attractive brick split level home with side entry 2 car garage. Nicely maintained, it is a bit hidden from the street by mature trees and landscape. The lot is BEAUTIFUL. Two acres of level ground with the home set back deeply.

A nice slate path brings you past azaleas and flowering shrubs to the front door. The foyer looks into the living room which has a very large bay window looking out onto the pristine backyard. What a lovely view!

The foyer leads into the kitchen to the right and beyond to the dining and family room. The home is in very good condition with nice paint and lovely moulding throughout. A library on the left side of the foyer has paneling which was in vogue when this home was built. It is perfect size for a home office. There is also a first floor bedroom with bath. This is an attractive feature that is sometimes tough to find.

The landing to the lower level has tile that matches the foyer. The basement is partially finished with a large space for a pool table and a sitting area for a TV. There is also a workshop and room for storage.

The upstairs has two levels each with 2 bedrooms. All the bedrooms on these levels share a Jack and Jill style bath and are average size.

This is a fabulous piece of property. This lot and location are prime. The home is in good condition, but the design is obsolete. It is a tough home to price. It may find a buyer at this level, but more likely in the $1,050,000 range.