POTOMAC - SnoPocalypse - Sno-mageddon - Oh My!

BLIZZARD 2010

Well, I had all the best intentions of working all weekend. I am sure many of us in Potomac had our plans thwarted by the incredible snowstorm.

Although I constantly shoveled through the storm - last count 5 complete sweeps of the driveway and walk - it was almost impossible to keep up with Mother Nature.

Many of us woke up this morning to a cold house. A majority of Potomac lost power starting at 1 a.m. last night. I was frustrated thinking of how long I waited in line for food to get us through this storm only to realize I couldn't cook anything without power. Thankfully - Pepco restored power to our neighborhood about 1 p.m. this afternoon. The house was down to about 52 degrees. I am happy to report that the furnace is running full speed and we are back to a toasty 65 degrees.

How long will it take for us to recover from this storm? Typically - my street is not plowed until a few days after a big storm like this. I am pretty sure that whether I like it or not, I am stuck at home through Tuesday. My guess is that Montgomery County will close schools Monday and possibly Tuesday to allow them to clear the school lots and sidewalks. Looks like those kids that wore their pajamas inside-out will have their wish. No school - exhausted fun in the snow - and very tired and frustrated parents by mid-week.

Needless to say - I am not going to be able to get out to do many reviews over the next few days. I believe I have a few in the hopper that may get me into the middle of the week. Please be patient - and check back often.

Most importantly - be safe in this weather. The snow is heavy - take your time shoveling the driveway and walks - do it in sections and don't risk your health. If possible hire a neighborhood kid to help you out.

Take a few moments to put the panic and anxiety aside. Look at the beauty in the snow - and enjoy the time with your spouse, friends, family kids and Mother Nature. Enjoy!

10317 Holbrook Drive Potomac - Williamsburg Gardens - $800,000

Listed by Long and Foster

Google Map Here

Williamsburg Gardens is a wonderful community located about a mile southwest of Potomac Village. Built in the early 1960's, this is one of the few communities in Potomac where you can find contemporary homes.

Situated on about 1/2 acre, this lot is filled with mature azaleas and flowering shrubs. Although a bit overgrown, this lot has great potential for a homeowner with a green thumb that knows how to resurrect the landscape. This yard must be a showplace in the spring - filled with color.

This contemporary is typical of those built in the 1960's. A basic rectangle, this split foyer was updated and expanded in 2003. An open foyer between floors is bright and filled with interesting art. The upstairs has a huge room for living area open to the updated kitchen. Done in light color cabinets the kitchen space looks into the expanded living area in the front of the house. The dining room is adjacent, with a sliding glass door that goes out to a deck overlooking the back yard. The deck is nice, but needs some maintenance. The railing is a bit rickety - and will need to be repaired. Overall though, a nice spot to eat dinner on cool autumn evenings.

On the other side of the home upstairs are three bedrooms and two full baths. The master bedroom is on the small side, and has one of the baths to itself. The current owners have moved their Master suite to the basement.

Downstairs has a large family room with masonry fireplace. There is a door to the carport off this room, with a storage closet behind. The right side of the lower level has a laundry area, storage and currently a master bedroom with full bath. The lot slopes upward from the front of the home to the rear, so you do get light and have windows in this downstairs bedroom. Once the new homeowner does some necessary pruning of the shrubbery in the front of the home, this room will be much brighter.

Overall, for someone that likes contemporary design, this is a nicely updated home. With the added space from the renovation and addition, this home gained extra space where it was most important - in the living area. This neighborhood certainly warrants the $800K price tag. Most homes on this side of Potomac are well above this price.

The last contemporary home that sold in the neighborhood settled for considerably less money. ($700,000) Although that home did not have a basement, it did have a 2 car garage and was located on a quiet court. It appraised for $675K, and the purchasers were willing to pay $25,000 above the appraised value to complete the sale. Another home on the same court is also under contract at less then $700K. Even though these homes are not in the Williamsburg Gardens community, they are the closest sales activity in the area. This is going to cause problems with the appraisal on Holbrook.

In order to get this home sold the price will have to come down below the current $800K. Even should someone come in with a full price offer, there is going to be great difficulty in getting this home to appraise. Because of its location, great schools and recent expansion, this home may appraise at $740K. When all is said and done, when and if this home sells, it will be in that price range.

Barn Wood Lane - River Oaks Farm - $1,795,000

River Oaks Farm is located only a short walk to Potomac Village. The homes are all nicely kept, with large lawns and tasteful landscapes. The community is well respected and in demand because of its proximity to the village and main roads.

This home is listed as a contemporary. From the exterior, it does not look contemporary, but once you enter, you start to understand. The home was built in 1977 and the interior finishes are showing their age. The foyer is open and somewhat dated. The open stairway has wide white wooden rails going upstairs. The walls are textured plaster. This was probably very Mod and very expensive when the home was built. All I could think of is the expense and mess involved in getting rid of it.

This home was held open and most of the lights were left turned off. I am not sure if it was just an inexperienced agent holding it open, or they were intentionally trying to hide some of the finishes. This home will require extensive renovation for anyone wanting to live in this upscale community.

What is good about this home? This lot is one of the nicest I have seen in Potomac in a long time. Great back yard, nice pool, tennis court and good elevation. I can see folks buying this home at $1,600,000 just to tear it down and take advantage of this wonderful piece of property. In order to sell, this home will have to be reduced quite a bit to lure in a buyer. The basement will have to be thoroughly cleaned, and the carpet should be replaced throughout. I have never seen such wild carpet. Animal prints, psychedelic patterns...very interesting tastes. Someone is going to have to have at least $250,000 in reserves to update this home to keep up with the neighbors in this well to do enclave.

SOLD - 8817 Harness Trail - Fox Hills - $775,000

SOLD for $729,000 on 12-23

It is hard to believe this community is 38 years old. The homes are pretty and well maintained. This size home tends to be a move up home for parents with kids that outgrow their first digs. The public schools are fabulous and this community is always on the must see list for these move up buyers.

This home shows well. The sellers put some time and money into this home to get it ready for market. The hardwood floors have been completely redone, and the carpet in the basement is fairly new. The kitchen redo is adequate. I would have been a bit bolder with the color and design, but who am I to judge.

This home has competition at the $775,000 price point. For the money, folks should look at the new listing on Bettstrail Way in Falls Bend. Although a bit further away from the village, this home makes a much better appearance for dollar spent. Be sure to have this one on the list if you are looking in this range.

This home is in a great community and it does show well. $775,000 is a bit high. This will sell at around $735,000, and it may take a little while before the right person comes along to fall in love with it.

Pebble Ridge Court - Horizon Hill - $665,000

Horizon Hill is a nice community on the border of Rockville and Potomac. Built in the mid 1970s, these homes are an assortment of split level and split foyer homes typical of what was hot and affordable in that era. Although the style is no longer the rage, the location and schools are excellent.

This home is on a pretty street just off Wooten Parkway. The home is neat and uncluttered with mostly white walls and light colored tile on the main level. The upstairs is all hardwood, and the master bath has a whirlpool tub. The kitchen is dated, but not obsolete and is centrally located on the main level.

The downside to this home is it has a very small backyard. A retaining wall takes up most of your view, so if you were looking at a nice back yard for the kids and a future swing set, you may be disappointed. If you are an empty nester looking for a great location, limited yard work and a Potomac address, this may be for you. Someone with a little vision and a good color palate could make this house pop. Some chair rail and crown mouldings painted semi-gloss white against a taupe wall would be fabulous.
The price at $665,000 is a bit high. I say this will go for $625,000 when all is said and done.

Canal Vista - Rivers Edge - $1,595,000

Canal Vista is about 4.5 miles outside Potomac Village. The home is about 20 years old and is nicely appointed.

With 5 bedrooms and 4 full baths, this home has great potential. High ceilings, nice mouldings and good floor plan make this home very attractive. A large deck all across the back of the home is accessible from most rooms on the main level. This would be a super party house with the proper seating and furniture for this large outside area. The basement has beautiful (albeit dirty) maple floors and is finished out with a wet bar and plenty of space for the kids. One of the 5 bedrooms is down on this level along with a full bath.

When you are selling a home in this price range you want to do your best to prepare it well before marketing. This home needs a lot of TLC. The home certainly needs a thorough cleaning. It does not look like it has had a good cleaning since before the last occupants moved out. There are many ceiling lights burnt out in the upstairs hall which need to be replaced to show off the high ceilings and wide mouldings. The outside landscaping has been allowed to overgrow a bit which really takes away from a nice lot on a pretty cul-de-sac. There were some water leaks in a few locations that have caused the drywall to stain and the drywall tape to bubble an pull away from the wall.

This home needs about $5000 of cleaning, minor repair, painting and yard work to make it look nice again. The competition in this $1,500,000 price range is fierce in Potomac. This home does not stand a chance of selling unless it looks like a shiny penny, or the price is brought down to true bargain level. The owners need to take a look at the home on Nantucket Terrace to truly understand their competition. It is no longer high times for real estate; even in Potomac. To sell in a reasonable time, you have to work hard to make a great first impression.

10605 Stapleford Hall - Kentsdale Estates - $2,000,000

Why $2,000,000? Why Not $1,999,999? Silly how the difference of one dollar can make a huge difference in generating traffic. Kentsdale Estates is a fabulous community with a good selection of luxury homes. Most are about 9,000 finished square feet, and the appointments and level of finish is usually high.

This home is nice but worn. The rooms are spacious in the living areas downstairs and it seems the home has good bones. There have been some nice updates in the kitchen consistant with homes in this neighborhood but there are also some problems. There is an unfinished wet bar in a small closet that is in open view adjacent to the kitchen. The wet bar looks out of place and the unfinished cabinetry is an eyesore. The ceilings in the home are all textured, which went out of style many years ago. The open wrought iron rails on the WIDE staircases are actually back in vogue. The home has a nice flow once you get the hang of it.

There is nothing wrong with this home that some money and time cannot take care of. The price is out of whack too. It is at least $200,000 overpriced in its present condition. The owners should consider some minor work to make this home show better.

First, fix the wet bar in the kitchen area. A simple cabinet front hiding the sink will be fine for now. Replace or steam clean the carpet going to the basement. Obviously the home has boys and the dirt trail on the carpet going downstairs to the weight room is pretty pronounced. Speaking of the weight room, how about a something to mask the odor from the weight mats and sweat.

Unfortunately, this home is "Subject to 3rd party approval" for all contracts submitted. Usually this means a short sale, which are very difficult to work with. If you like the floor plan and location, I would say wait this one out. You may be able to get it for $1,6000,000 later this year at the courthouse steps.

SOLD - 10425 Glen Road - Glen Mill Village - $999,000

Glen Road always elicits a sense of "Old Money" for me. There are some beautiful homes on Glen Road. As you travel Glen from Falls Road, the road narrows and the trees canopy your travels. Lots of curves and no shoulders, so don't be traveling this road after a happy hour.

This home was built in the 1890's. A typical victorian style of the era, it has been lovingly restored and brought up to date. The kitchen and baths have been redone and the outside landscaping is beautiful. This home was obviously owned by someone with a green thumb and lots of time in the garden.

The home is on a bit less then an acre. Although the lot slopes down from the road, the backyard is flat and well laid out. This would be great for kids or dogs (Did I say that?), and the home has a built in playstructure as part of a multi level deck in the back. Some time and money was spent in the back, and it would be well suited for those who like to live in the outdoor space.

An addition has been added to the home on the lower level. It looks like it was used as a family area or home theatre. The room soars 2 stories with windows and light galore. There is an exit to a sitting area outside and lots of hardscaping. For a homeowner that loves the outdoors, this may be a great fit.

This home needs some paint on the inside. Some of the upstairs bedrooms are painted in garish colors. Why someone would leave the home without painting them is a mystery to me. Also, the home obviously has some extensive wiring for Home Theatre and stereo. I am an audiophile, and could not find where the wires lead to. The prewiring could be a real asset if there was a sign or some explanation as to what they were, and where they lead. Currently, there are wires coming out of the wall in 3 rooms, all of which will intimidate a potential buyer.

This is a nice home, and after being reduced to $999,000 is reasonably priced. In a locale where lots can go for a million dollars, this seems to be in the right neighborhood. The 3 car garage is nice, it is insulated and plumbed for a half bath. There is also a large prep sink and laundry facilities in the garage. It looks as though there could have been a home catering business at some point in this spot. I think this home sells for $940,000 once settled. It may take some time to find the right person to buy it. Older victorians with small rooms in the Potomac area are not in high demand.

Falls Bridge Lane - Heritage Farm - $1,049,000

This home is located in one of my favorite neighborhoods in Potomac. May not be the most glamorous, but it is modest, family friendly and in a great location.

There are 3 models in this community that were built around 1971. This is one of the smaller models, but nicely laid out. There has been a good amount of renovation, with the kitchen and the baths re-done in the past few years. The home has a finished basement as well. Laundry facilities and storage galore in a large section of the basement that can double as a butlers pantry during a party.

The home shows well, with nice colors throughout. The kitchen has maple cabinets and tile floor. They did not go with granite counters, staying with a Corian top. This was the only mistake they made in the kitchen redo. They saved $1000, but the granite would have showed sooo much better.

There are not many things to complain about with this home. There has been a leak in the upstairs bathroom that came through the ceiling in the powder room downstairs. They did a great job tiling the powder room, it is a shame to sully such a nice bath with a stained ceiling. The landscaping in the backyard should be trimmed back. At some point there were flagstone paths installed, and since then the bushes have become overgrown. A landscaper can make this look lots better in an hour or so at little expense. There is a mix of doors in this home. Although not a big issue, it is certainly noticeable. The closet doors should be switched out to six panel doors to match the rest of the home. There is also a heating vent in front of the back door that is not attached. Someone is going to twist their ankle and file a suit if it is not repaired. The outside paint on the home is badly "alligatored" on the side. Expect to need a paint job, or reside in the near future.

This home is looking for top dollar at $1,049,000. In order to get it, all of these issue should be addressed. It is a decent value at a million, and without the work, I expect it will go in the $975,000 range. Let me know what you think!

Iron Gate Road - Camotop - $5,950,000

This is a gorgeous home. Beautifully crafted, highly appointed, and flawless aesthetically. At $5,950,000, it should be.

This builder has put a great deal of thought into the floor plan and amenities. The lot is beautiful, the location superb and the convenience in being off of Democracy Boulevard is fabulous. At $5,950,000 it should be.

The pool and pool house is a wonderful feature. The full apartment on the lower level for Au Pair or housekeeper is larger then some Montgomery county town homes. (Certainly much better appointed).

Do I have any complaints about this home? Can I make suggestions on how to better market or increase the chances of this selling? I wish I could be catty and say I had some suggestions. The 2 times I toured the home the salesperson was impeccably dressed and extremely knowledgeable about the home and its construction. It is immaculate. Congrats to the agents and builder.

Will it sell for $5,950,000. No. Could it with the right person coming into to see it? Yes.

I think this is a beautiful home for around $5,000,000. It has the appointments and convenience for any busy CEO that needs something close to the D.C. with some Potomac country charms.

This should be on the "Must See" list for all agents wanting to see how a $5,950,000 home should look.