Speed Cameras... Safety or REVENUE?

KUDOS! to Geoff Tracy.....


It was just over two years ago that a speed camera snapped my photo on Route 28 and Seneca Road in North Potomac.  I was travelling 40 miles an hour - at 1am.


Anyone that travels that road knows that it is a high volume and speed roadway which lends itself to higher speeds.  I have long claimed that for Montgomery County and other jurisdictions, this is less about safety and more about revenue generation.

Geoff Tracy - Celebrity Chef

I was thrilled to see Jeff Tracy on the news last night protesting the speed cameras that have been snapping pics of cars on Foxhall Road near his home at an alarming rate.  


He is set to hire someone to hold a warning sign that will give potential speed camera victims a heads up and a chance to slow down.  I love the fact that he is willing to put his money where his mouth is, and stand up for what he believes is an unfair money maker for the District.


Today I am going to try and save Geoff some money - and provide signs for this camera location to give drivers some warning.  I hope to save at least a few people  a ticket - and stand in solidarity with one of D.C.'s great chefs - and speed camera opponent.


Please share this post if you agree - let's get Geoff and this issue some attention!

7846 Oracle Place - Bells Mill Springs - $599,950

Listed by Long and Foster

Bells Mill Springs is a community of upscale town homes built in the early 1990's. Most are brick veneer with a one car garage underneath. This home has the main living level on the second floor with steps going from the ground level to the foyer.

The foyer is a few steps down from the main living level and is done in ceramic tile. There is a coat closet conveniently adjacent - with two steps up to the main floor.

There is hardwood throughout the first level - and it has been freshly refinished. The kitchen too has hardwood - which gleams from light streaming in from a large bay window in front of the home. The kitchen has been upgraded with new granite over top of original cabinets. I am not a big fan of these partial refinishes - but it looks fine here.

The dining room is in the middle of the town home and there is a step down to the family room and fireplace in the back. A slider takes you out to a small deck and yard in the rear.

Upstairs is carpeted with 2 bedrooms. tow of the bedrooms are teen size and the master is good size. The master and hall baths are somewhat dated - but there would be no urgency to refinish. Green Marble tile must have been the rage when this community was built - as it is installed in the bathrooms and powder room on the main level.

The basement is finished in carpet. There is a laundry area - powder room and garage down here. There is also a family room for TV or playroom for the kids.

The last unit to sell in this community was a nice end unit - which was 400 square feet larger with a 2 car garage. This settled at $617,500. I see this one settling in the range of $575-590K.

1435 Longhill Drive - Horizon Hill - $599,000

Listed by Weichert

Horizon Hill is a lovely community bordered by Falls Road and Wootton Parkway. Physically located in the City of Rockville - this is one of the communities that is served by the Potomac zip code.

This home is just off Wootton Parkway. It is a brick colonial that seems well maintained and has good curb appeal.

The foyer has been recently updated with laminate tile floor. The living room and dining room both have hardwood. The powder room too has been updated with the same laminate tile It is painted baby blue which somehow fits the vintage.

The kitchen is original - including the "Harvest Gold" appliances. The furnishing and decor throughout bring you back to the 70's when this home was built. The family room has a nice stone fireplace and hardwood floors. A slider goes out to a small patio.

The upstairs has two teen size bedrooms, one kid size and a decent master. The bathrooms are all freshly redone in tile laminate (Must have gotten a good deal on this tile) - and will both need updating in the near future.

The basement is unfinished. It has laundry facilities and a fireplace that would look great when the basement is finished.

This home is older but has "good bones". It will certainly be an ongoing project for someone that wants is willing to make the improvements - but this neighborhood is one of the few to get a home this size for under $600,000. The neighboring home at 1435 Longhill Drive settled for $550K in January. This one should settle in the neighborhood of $560-$575K when the ink dries.

12025 Smoketree Road - Regent Park - $625,000

Listed by Long and Foster

Regent Park was built by Kettler Brothers in 1963. Just south of Montrose Road - this neighborhood funnels into Winston Churchill - and is very desirable for entry level Potomac.

This home has great curb appeal. With nicely trimmed shrubs and a slate and brick walk leading to the front door - it shows very nicely from the street. The home looks smaller than it really is - because the garage is not attached. There is a separate 2 car garage built behind the house on the left side.

The foyer as you enter has the staircase up to the left and a large brightly lit living room on the right. The large bay window in the front floods the room with light and showcases the hardwood floors. The dining room too benefits from the bright window - and is in the back corner of the home.

The kitchen has been updated (2006) - and has white 12x12 tiles throughout. The cabinets are new and the kitchen redesign provided lots of cabinet storage and pull out shelves. The only think I might change is the white Corian tops. They date the kitchen a bit - and would be well worth an upgrade to granite.

You step down from the foyer area a few steps to the powder room and extra large laundry room/mud room on the lower level in front. This entire area has tough laminate floor that looks great and will wear well. This room is one of the best features of this Kettler model - and is generally held in high regard by the family member responsible for laundry. A folding area, closets, laundry tub and space to hang delicates is a nice touch.

The family room is carpeted with Hunter green carpet. The walls are half paneling and older built ins tend to date the room a bit. A full brick wall fireplace anchors the room - and a slider provides access to the back yard and a small patio. The back yard is fenced and has plenty of room for kids with a swing set ready for action. The lot is only .23 acres, but ALL usable.

The stairway up to the bedroom level has new carpet that runs through the hall. A master bedroom has an updated bath but could use a style lift. The master bedroom is on the small side compared to today's standards, but it gets you into Potomac at a great price. The other bedrooms are kid/teen size - and the hall bath has been updated at some point in the past.

There is a bonus room on this level that could be used as a large bedroom or office. Someone in the past installed file cabinets in the side eave walls, and there is also a closet. A side window brings in plenty of light and the hardwood gleams. What a nice surprise for a home at this price point.

The basement is partially finished - but quite dated. It also needs to be aired out. The home is now vacant - and I don't think it gets much circulation. Laundry area is located here with plenty off additional space to finish the basement properly.

This home shows well - but needs some updating. The buyer's can make this one their own on a limited budget. Choose some granite - minor cosmetic updates to baths and family room - and you will have a winner. When the time comes - refinish the basement to give yourself room for the kids or your personal "mancave". This is priced fairly - but there is room to negotiate. I see this one settling in the $600K range.