Archive for December, 2010
East Bethesda- Homes for Sale 12/30/2010
NOTHING NEW TO REPORT…
Let’s face it. There might be a few new listings this week (don’t count on much), but even real estate agents are entitled to the occasional vacation, so I won’t be updating my weekly post this week. Please check back next week for new listings, new prices, sold properties and withdrawn properties within East Bethesda. And let’s all look forward to what I hope will be a busier 2011 market. Happy New Year everyone!
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Real Estate Stats 2010
I’m a number cruncher. And sometimes I get a little impatient with the calendar and how it plays into my blogging schedule. So, here are some numbers I’ve run for 2010 transactions within Bethesda and Chevy Chase zip codes through December 27, 2010. Yes, there are 4 more days left in the year, and in those 4 days there will be 15 more sold and settled transactions. Have no fear. Come early January these figures will make their way into my monthly reports, but for now, we will have a really good idea of how the year panned out, regardless of the date!
The following table will provide you with some data on Bethesda-Chevy Chase 2010 transactions via zip code:
Some random thoughts on the data provided:
- The overall Washington, DC market, which includes Bethesda-Chevy Chase, is currently the strongest overall market in the nation.
- 72.7% of all 2010 transactions were for homes priced under Read the rest of this entry »
So you think THAT’s clean?
Top 9 most overlooked in cleaning
(9 items that are most overlooked when cleaning…)
I’m a little sheepish about writing this particular post, because, as you can see from the title, it implies that I am a neat-nik. I only wish.
Typically, when I meet with a potential seller, there are a couple of stages one goes through. If I could script it, it would progress like so:
- Seller calls me. I arrange to take a look at their place. Seller usually apologizes in advance for condition of house, because, darn it all, they live there! I try my very best to explain that this is the way we all live (with me being the messiest) and that we real estate agents can see past the clutter and sense the true glory of any home! All true.
- I will then advise the seller on price (though this might take a few days while I crunch the numbers). I will also give them a hit list of fixes they can make around the house that will enhance or add to the value. This includes thinning out or storing many prized possessions. Generally, less is best. Potential purchasers need to be able envision their own stuff in the place, and it’s hard to do that if the house is over-furnished or over-decorated.
Most people can figure out the obvious fixes: get rid of clutter, clean the windows, make sure the floors and floor coverings are spotless, super clean the bathrooms, make it look like you don’t live there, etc… But before you declare your home worthy of a first showing, Read the rest of this entry »
East Bethesda- Homes for Sale 12/24/2010
All the homes in this article are currently for sale within East Bethesda. The top of the list features the newest listings, while the bottom showcases those that have been on the market for quite some time. I’ll be updating this post every Friday, so be sure to check back to see what’s new, what’s gone, & what might be coming (and check out the date up top… if it’s not current, neither is this information!). I’ve lived in East Bethesda for over 15 years. I’ve sold real estate in East Bethesda for over 11 years. I know it like the back of my hand. While all of this information is available to you on the various search engines, I’ve taken the time to inject my opinion on the condition, pricing, and likelihood of each property selling… or not. I hope you’ll give me a call if you have any questions. I have loved living here over the years, and I want to share it with other enthusiastic people!
If you would like to receive a weekly e-mail update about new listings & weekend open houses within East Bethesda, please let me know via the comment section below, or send me an e-mail, and I’ll get it set up.
This week nothing has gone under contract, there are no new listings, and we’ve had one price reduction. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
4713 N. Chelsea Lane, $749,000
Wow. I just love this house. Sun drenched, freshly painted cape cod home within walking distance of NIH and metro. 2BR/1FB on second floor, and another 1BR/1FB on the main level. Refinished floors. Fire place. 1-car garage. New patio. Small, updated kitchen. 1st floor addition/family room, but it’s pretty tiny. Given some recent neighborhood sales activity, and the unfinished basement, the price might be a tad enthusiastic. Days on Market: 44
Snow Plow Tracker
Montgomery County has just unveiled a new tracking system for plowed streets. Click here for a direct link. The online map will allow you to track your individual street, neighborhood, or various emergency routes.
This can come in handy as you try to assess whether or not to venture outside. It’s also good for notifying the powers-that-be that they missed a street (assuming that’s the case).
Me, I’m hoping 2010-2011 doesn’t bring quite so much snow as last year. Beautiful as it was, it sure did mess with us. A reprieve would be nice.
Thanks, Montgomery County, for this new cool tool.
What Buyers Want in a Kitchen
The kitchen is no longer just a place to cook. Today it’s used as a gathering spot for families, a place to do homework, and even a place to entertain. As the walls come down (and that has been the trend), living room, dining room and family room activities are taking place in the kitchen. Buyers are looking for a more versatile floor plan in their homes and kitchens that are multifunctional. According to Realtor Magazine they want a place that is both cozy and connected.
Not everyone has the luxury of living in a new home with all of these elements. Here are some things you can do to create that feeling:
- Install a kitchen island. Not only do they provide ample space for entertaining, but they also allow for extra storage. Just make sure that the style you choose is consistent with your current decor, and that the size is appropriate. You’ll want to keep 3 feet between an island and any wall or counter so that there is plenty of room to move around. If the island is large, add some chairs so it can serve as an extra gathering space. No room for an island? You might consider breaking open a wall into the dining room (extreme), or a butcher’s block (less extreme).
- Though not always practical (think messy kids), one way to add to the coziness of a room is to switch those wooden bar stools for Read the rest of this entry »
Chevy Chase, DC: The Last Video Store Standing
Face it. It’s getting harder and harder to find a video store these days. The Bethesda Blockbuster is long gone. Hollywood Video bit the dust long before them. And, frankly, the pickings have become pretty slim.
Thank goodness for Potomac Video, located on Connecticut Avenue, just past the CC Circle in Chevy Chase, DC. They offer two floors of movies – DVDs, Bluerays and videos. Their older collection is a little difficult to navigate, but they are quite nice about pointing you in the right direction. Movies rent for about $3.99 each. Popular titles are due back in two days. You can keep the less popular titles for a week. They’ve got a pretty hefty kids section. And new releases are a plenty. When “On-Demand” just won’t do, you might consider Potomac Video.
Details: 5536 Connecticut Avenue, NW (right near the Avalon theater)
Telephone: 202/362-5018
Other locations: MacArthur Blvd in DC, Sangamore Road in Bethesda, and Tysons in VA.
The Evers & Co. Real Estate Report for November 2010
Despite the fact that dollar volume of sales has been down from last year for 5 consecutive months, the average price has been up for the past 12 months, with November showing a bullish 14.5% increase in average price over last year at this time.
While we are still feeling the impact of the end of the First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit, and this generally accounts for the current decrease in dollar volume of sales, the market appears to be divided into two different segments: the successful part of the market, made up of properties that show well and are correctly priced in the $300,000 to $900,000 range, and the still sluggish upper brackets segment of the market. However, we are seeing increasing availability of larger loans at good rates, and this will be the most important single factor in helping to improve that part of the market in coming months.
* Statistics are taken from the Metropolitan Regional Information System for three areas: Washington, D.C., Montgomery County, Maryland; and Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in Virginia.
East Bethesda Homes for Sale- 12/17/2010
All the homes in this article are currently for sale within East Bethesda. The top of the list features the newest listings, while the bottom showcases those that have been on the market for quite some time. I’ll be updating this post every Friday, so be sure to check back to see what’s new, what’s gone, & what might be coming (and check out the date up top… if it’s not current, neither is this information!). I’ve lived in East Bethesda for over 15 years. I’ve sold real estate in East Bethesda for over 11 years. I know it like the back of my hand. While all of this information is available to you on the various search engines, I’ve taken the time to inject my opinion on the condition, pricing, and likelihood of each property selling… or not. I hope you’ll give me a call if you have any questions. I have loved living here over the years, and I want to share it with other enthusiastic people!
If you would like to receive a weekly e-mail update about new listings & weekend open houses within East Bethesda, please let me know via the comment section below, or send me an e-mail, and I’ll get it set up.
This week nothing has gone under contract, there are no new listings, no price reductions, AND two listings have withdrawn from the market. Slow, slow slow!
4713 N. Chelsea Lane, $749,000
Wow. I just love this house. Sun drenched, freshly painted cape cod home within walking distance of NIH and metro. 2BR/1FB on second floor, and another 1BR/1FB on the main level. Refinished floors. Fire place. 1-car garage. New patio. Small, updated kitchen. 1st floor addition/family room, but it’s pretty tiny. Given some recent neighborhood sales activity, and the unfinished basement, the price might be a tad enthusiastic. Days on Market: 37
Mobile Cupcakes
Holy cupcake.
Have I died and gone to heaven? A young acquaintance of mine just clued me in on the mobile cupcake craze going on in downtown DC. Yup, if you time it right, you can avoid the schlep to your favorite bakery, because they are bringing the bakery to you! I’ve learned of three different cupcake trucks that roam the city, and while I have yet to sample their wares, I have it on good authority (aw, hell, make that 1 authority) that the Sweet Bites truck is the best. I’ll let you be the judge.
These guys post their locations regularly on twitter and facebook. Become a fan and you can get regular updates. Good god. I might as well buy those pants with the elastic waistband now.
Good eating.
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