1219 Fallsmead Way - Fallsmead - $795,000

There are some nice homes on the market in the Fallsmead subdivision. One is prettier then the next. This also means competition is fierce. Competition for buyers means the consumer is going to get a good deal.

This home is a well maintained colonial in the attractive Fallsmead subdivision.

This home was built in 1968 and has been through at least one update. The home is in good condition, but somewhat dated. The kitchen has held up well, and is certainly functional. It is due for an upgrade, and anyone buying will have this on their list of things to do.

The 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths are decent sized and appropriate for neighborhood. There is a 2 car garage in the back of the home, and may be a bit challenging to use.

With great location, great schools and Potomac address, this home has lots going for it. It also has lots of competition. At $795K it is a bit overpriced. There are homes on Bettstrail Way and Infield Lane that are superior to this home and cost less. This one will have to come in below $725K to sell before its competition. If not, expect to see Bettstrail and Infield sell before this one.

SOLD - 11224 Broad Green - Bedfordshire - $884,000

Bedfordshire is located a few miles from Potomac Village on Falls Road. Tucked away on the western side of Falls near the Falls Road Golf Course, this community was built in the early 1970's. The homes are all around 2600 square feet, and the community is nicely maintained.

This home is sited on a nice lot with between a third and half acre of ground. Nice curb appeal, the brick center foyer is a traditional favorite. The lot slopes from front to back allowing for a walkout slider from the basement.

The home is generally in good shape. The floors are hardwood, but will have to be refinished. The finish is shot in some of the rooms, and fine in others. It makes you think there were dogs that had the run of some rooms, and were excluded from others. The family room is nice size with a beautiful stone fireplace. The current furniture in the room is too large and makes the room feel cramped. Moving the big entertainment center will make the room show much, much better.

The bedrooms upstairs are all good size. A perfect home to raise kids, this home has all the amenities to accommodate them. Hall bath upstairs is nice and big so the kids won't be fighting for space. There is plenty of room in the basement for kids to play with a bathroom as well. When company arrives you can lock the kids in the basement guilt free, and entertain in peace.

There is a nice deck and patio out back with pool and hot tub. This would be a great place to entertain in the summer months.

I think the sellers are reaching a bit asking $884,000. Bedfordshire is a nice neighborhood and feeds to great schools. Selling quickly and at their price is a matter of generating enough traffic to find the right buyer. The home can use a good "uncluttering", and in the fall season it is important to keep the yard raked and landscaping freshly mulched. I say this sells for $835K when all is said and done.

SOLD - Chilham Place - Montgomery Square - $549,000

SOLD for $530,000 on 1-26-09 ($525K Net after subsidy)

Montgomery Square is located just off Falls Road near the edge of Rockville. It was built by Kettler Brothers in the mid 1960's, and has seen 3 or more generations of kids raised and educated in the fabulous Churchill school cluster.

This home at $549,000 is a good value. It needs some help cosmetically, but most homes (And Agents) need a face lift after 40 years. The home has not really been updated except for some new Pergo style flooring in the family room and basement. Although dated, the kitchen and baths are functional. These can be updated as the new homeowner wishes.

With a bit of color and new paint, this home will look completely different. It has good bones, but needs some design help. A coordinated color palate and a paint job will update the look without breaking the budget.

This home is located right off Falls Road. I would be marketing this to a professional that can set up a home office. Accountant, CPA, Insurance....all of these professions can benefit from convenient access to the public. The flip side to this convenience is the traffic noise from Falls Road. I think this is a small price to pay for the good schools, convenience and price of this property. This should sell for $525,000 once ratified.

SOLD - 7905 River Falls Drive - River Falls - $1,075,000

SOLD for $1,035,000 on 12-18-2008

River Falls is one of my favorite communities in Potomac. It is one of the few communities near the village without the "excess" of many Potomac neighborhoods. Great schools, good location, great sense of community keep River Falls in demand.

This is not a large home. A center foyer colonial, it is about 2800 square feet. Nicely decorated and maintained, this home has been updated over the years, and would not need any immediate upgrades. Decor is tasteful, but not up to date. A new buyer could easily change the feel of the home with some painting and inexpensive upgrades.

The home is on the market for $1,075,000. This is in line with other properties in the neighborhood, but will not sell for this price. There are other neighborhoods such as Heritage Farms that have better proximity to the village, similar neighborhood attributes and slightly larger homes. When all is said and done, this one will go for $1,025,000.

SOLD - 10209 Riverwood Drive - Alvermar Woods - $2,324,000

SOLD for $2,000,000 on 12-13

When you walk through homes for a living, it is rewarding to every once in a while find one to fall in love with. Although this home is WAY too big for me and my family, I am secretly hoping a best friend or family member buys it, so I can visit once in a while. It is that nice.

This street is tucked away about a mile from the Village just off River Road. The street is narrow and tree covered, you almost feel as though you are on a private road. Towards the end of the street, the tree canopy opens, and you find a handful of very beautiful homes. Most are about three years old, and all custom designs. The subject home is striking. The garage area is offset at an angle from the main home and really is makes a good impression. Landscaping is beautiful, and from what I can see deer proof, which would be important in this setting.

The interior is painted beautifully. The darker walls offset the bright white trim on Crown mouldings and coffered ceilings. Design is open with a floating stair in the center of the beautiful foyer. I can see the parties in this home being fabulous. What a floor plan for circulation and entertaining! There are floor to ceiling windows in both the family room and kitchen. With the high elevation and walk-out basement, the vista from these rooms is wonderful. If you can afford this home, be prepared to keep a window washing firm on retainer. It may be expensive, but very worthwhile.

With 6 bedrooms and 6 full baths this home has room for everyone. 3 half baths round out the home, with 2 half baths strategically located on the main level.

There are two possible locations to house an au pair or in laws. First one is in the wing above the garage. Second is in the basement. Both locations are out of the way, and would offer plenty of privacy.

This home started on the market at $2.9 million dollars. It has been reduced to $2,324,000 and is worth every penny. The difficulty at this price point is not someone being able to afford this home, it is finding acceptable financing. Most lenders want at least 40% down at this level. That is a lot of cash and can really cull the group that may make an offer.

I saw a whole lot of traffic at the open house this weekend. All of the folks that came through seemed to love the home as I did. Unfortunately for the seller, this is definitely a buyers market. Because of this, I feel this home will sell at $2,100,000 when it finally closes. Hopefully the Relocation company takes the hit, and not the sellers. I am sure they were broken hearted when they had to leave this beauty in Potomac.

10705 Stapleford Hall Road - Kentsdale Estates - $1,899,000

The more homes I see in this community, the more I like the community. It has so much going for it. Superb location, tasteful designs, price stability; all of which adds to the value of the community as a whole. Even with the downturn in the economy, Potomac has not suffered from depreciation to the extent of many surrounding areas.

This home is a center foyer colonial design. Although a bit dated, the home has held up well over the years. The decoration, besides a little bit of out of favor wallpaper, is tasteful and functional.

This home has 5 good size bedrooms. Plenty of space for the family and some very lucky kids. Room sized are generous, and some have baths en suite, and 2 bedrooms share a "Brady Bunch" bathroom (Shared - in between rooms). The bathrooms have not been updated, but are clean, in good condition and can wait a while for renovation should money be tight. The basement is the nicest surprise of all. Recently renovated, there are lots of built ins, a bar, exercise room and a large bedroom and full bath. The room would be great as a party room, with space for a home theater for the Audio Visual nuts out there.

There is a sliding door in the basement leading to a screened porch. A great place for a glass of wine on a warm summer day where you can hide from the mosquito's.

How can this home be spruced up? Generally in good condition, a landscaper can prune some of the shrubbery and power wash the extensive brick paths and porches. This would really make a difference in the home visually, which as we all know, is important. Otherwise, the home is in good condition and shows rather well. I don't think they are going to get the $1,899,000 for this one. I see it going at between $1,525,000 and $1,575,000 when all is done.

Turning Creek Court - Turning Creek - $619,999

This small community of homes is directly across from the "Heights School" on Falls Road. It is a well kept community, well located and very seldom come on the market.

I was amazed at how large these units are. Although compact, there are 3 good size bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a full finished basement. The kitchen has been tastefully upgraded with granite and stainless appliances and the home is well appointed with pretty colors and nice mouldings throughout.

This home backs up to the Cabin John Regional Park. It has a small yard that is fenced with a adequate slate patio for a table and chairs. The neighborhood is on a terrace well above the park which give you a beautiful and private view into the park. Someone looking for privacy, very little maintenance and location will be pleased.

This is on the market at $619,999. I think it is price right, but it will be tough to find good comps because of the lack of turnover in the community. Because of that, this will probably sell in the $590,000 range. The home shows beautifully so whomever does buy it will do well when the market comes back.

SOLD - 1107 Bettstrail Way - Falls Bend - $785,000

Falls Bend is located at Falls Road and I-270 on the Potomac and Rockville border. It is a very nice community built in the early 80's and the community has aged gracefully. The homes for the most part are well kept, and the neighborhood is tightly knit.

This is a pretty split level with nice curb appeal. A 3 level split, it has 4BR and 2.5 baths on the main levels with an additional bedroom and bath in the finished basement. Although the bedrooms are not large, they are adequately sized especially for the kids.

This home has been recently updated in the past few years, and tastefully so. Not overdone, but wisely chosen, the upgrades in the kitchen go a long way to bring this home up to date. Granite, updated appliances and tasteful paint make this room comfortable to spend time in. You can also pop out on the screened deck in the back to lounge mosquito free while enjoying a cocktail.

Is the price right at $785,000? If it is high, it is not by much. When compared to other homes in the area with similar attributes, this one comes out on top. I say this one goes at $770,000.

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!

Hall Road - Potomac Outside - $1,595,000

This may be one of the better values in Potomac. What? Value at 1.6 million? Read on....

This home is HUGE. From the outside it looks to be normal size. The exterior view is deceiving. Inside it has large rooms, lots of space and BIG potential. Seven Bedrooms and 4 full baths. That is enough for most extended families and even for a big Irish family like mine.

The home seems to be in good condition but needs some polish. There is stained carpet at the bottom of the basement stairs, paint looks old and seems to be generic "egg shell" white. Tres boring.

I will bet that a $7000 paint job with some decent colors will get a $50K return in final sales price. It is hard for me to believe that a homeowner in this price range would not invest the money to make this "Cinderella" the Belle of the Ball.

The master suite has his and her baths. Nice touch. The baths may need some updating, but not much. A small investment will yield big results. Color is what is missing from this one.

Landscaping is nice. Bones of the home seen good. GREAT neighborhood near the village. Located at the end of a dead end street, so you have limited traffic. I would love to own this home....

Without any dressing up, this home will sell for 1.45mm. With some money put into it, it should sell for full price. We are talking a difference of $150K here. My advice? Clear out the furniture. Replace carpet where necessary. Hire a designer to choose some soft neutral colors and paint the place. Paint the crown and trim a bright white semi-gloss and the walls some shade of ecru to make the beautiful mouldings pop.

This one is going to make some new homeowner very happy....and a good investment.