Silver Spring/burtonsville Maryland Real Estate News & Listings Presented By Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

10120 Tenbrook Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20901

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:41:58 GMT

Renovated BEAUTY! Fabulous LOCATION! Steps to FOREST GLEN METRO. HIGH END kitchen w/granite, 42" cabinets, Stainless Steel Appliances & Door to deck. Cathedral ceiling and large walk-in closet in Master Bedroom, Refinished Hardwood floors on 1st & 2nd Levels. Fully finished walk out Lower Level with rec room, Bedroom ,Full Bath & door to screened porch overlooking fully fenced yard and backing to Sligo Creek Park. Pellet stove in Living Roo, private parking, steps to Park, 2 minutes to 495 and Downtown Silver Spring.

Georgeous Private Oasis - 65 Mid Century Modern with a Pool

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 15:26:26 GMT

This exquisite home not only boasts a MILLION DOLLAR VIEW, of parkland & a shimmering gunite pool, but it is truly your own private resort within 30 min of downtown DC. The library FP mantel is an antique from a main-line Philad home. This home has a fabulous FR with 2nd FP, a guest suite w private entrance, an updated country kit, a walk-out lower level, and is surrounded by blooms & shrubs.

Vintage 1920's Craftsman Bungalow

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:07:15 GMT

Character abounds in this adorable 3 Bedroom 2 FUll bath, vintage bungalow conveniently located within a mile of Downtown Silver Spring and the METRO station. This house offers a great front porch and screened back porch, terrific kitchen with granite counters, recessed lighting, beadboard cabinets and a breakfast nook. Original hardware, woodwork and architectural details throughout.. lower level features a great rec room with wet bar and room for a home office.

Vintage Charmer in South Four Corners

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:01:41 GMT

An original owner home that has been lovingly cared for & updated: newer windows, 6 yr old copper plumbing, remodeled & expanded kitchen, hardwood floors on main level & attic, 7 Year Old ROOF. IMMACULATE IN EVERY WAY-solid homes like this do not come up for sale often. Level, fenced rear yard. quiet street.Yearly contracts on HVAC & Pest. Located in the popular South Four Corners Neighborhood of Silver Spring, Maryland 20901. This is a winner!

Romantic French Country Style House

Wed, 05 May 2010 19:07:37 GMT

Beautifully maintained Enchanting home wth 4 levels of living space. The 1st floor features a formal Living Room with Fireplace, formal Dining Room & eat-in kitchen. The 2nd floor features a master Bedroom with full shower bath, 2 additional Bedrooms and Full Bath. The 4th level is perfect for an office space or playroom. Lower Level features a family room, full bath, laundry area, office area and storage space. Hardwood floors thru-out, Central AC & 1 car detached garage. Located in popular Shepherd Park neighborhood within walking distance of Downtown Silver Spring Amenities and METRO station.

Large and Pretty Split Colonial on Gorgeous Lot

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:27:11 GMT

VERY LARGE UPDATED SPLIT COLONIAL ON PRETTY CUL-DE-SAC. REMODELED KITCHEN WITH LIGHT OAK CABINETS, SKYLIGHT, RECESSED LIGHTS, STAINLESS APPLIANCES, BREAKFAST AREA OVERLOOKS FAMILY ROOM WITH RAISED HEARTH FIREPLACE & SLIDER TO PRIVATE PATIO & GORGEOUS BACK YARD. REC RM, HARDWOOD FLOORS & CARPET. 1-CAR GARAGE + PARKING PAD, STORAGE SHED.

Custom Mid Century Modern Contemporary in Wooded Setting

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:27:07 GMT

This expansive contemporary is privately set in wooded seclusion next to Paint Branch Park.

One of a Kind! Custom Built 1956 Mid Century Modern with lots of glass on Fantastic 1.3 Acre Densely Wooded Private Lot. Close In convenient Colesville/Silver Spring location.

Lots of House with 5 Bedrooms 3 Full Baths. Sunroom, Enclosed Breezeway to 2 Car Garage, Hardwood Floors, Cathedral Ceilings, Double Sided Brick Kitchen Fireplace and a Corner Triple Sided Brick Fireplace. Really Cool!

Sex Offenders ....Are They Living Next Door or Where?

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 09:37:00 GMT

This has been a subject on many of our minds for a long time, at least on the minds of us that either currently have young children, have had in the past or especially, parents with young children who are in the process of searching for and buying a home. Some of you know that I am part of a forum of Realtors all across the US and as part of that forum this topic came up recently. I felt a need to share a bit of some what we shared with each other. First, great site to check out your zip for those sex offendors registered in your neighborhood:

When buying a Home - Paragraph in our Maryland Residentail Contract of Sale (added in October of 2005) Reads:

33. CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND SEXUAL OFFENDERS. Buyer may contact the state, county or municipal police departments in which the Property is located or check the "Sex Offender Registry" at the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services website in order to ascertain criminal activity in the vicinity of the Property or the presence of registered sexual offenders who live or work within the vicinity of the Property. Buyer acknowledges that Buyer is solely responsible to inquire of such matters before signing this Contract. Buyer shall have no right to cancel this Contract based upon criminal activity or the presence of registered sexual offenders in the vicinity of the Property. Buyer further acknowledges that no real estate licensee involved in the sale or purchase of the Property, whether acting as the agent for Seller or Buyer, has any duty nor assumes any duty or responsibility to ascertain criminal activity or the presence of registered sexual offenders in the vicinity of the Property.

FamilyWatchdog, however, it's also always a good idea to check with your local police Dept. as well for updates.

2nd, here are a couple comments of two folks that I strongly admire as individuals, both are realtors in different parts of the country, many hundreds of miles from me. I felt strongly in their words and thought you might benefit as well. Here they are:

"As a former LEO (Law enforcement officer), I have to say that unless and until we change the laws, registries like this do little to prevent an attack. Why? Four reasons.
1. Most victims know their attacker and the attacker is not registered.
2. Registries do not differentiate between "Romeo and Juliet" offenses and violent assaults, thus crowding registries with persons no more likely to offend than the average citizen on the street.
3. Registries only have recent offenders listed due to successful ex post facto proceedings. A convicted offender could be living right next door and NOT be required to register under the current law.
4. The worst of the worst do not register. They do not report to probation/parole offices as required. They are known as 'absconders' and they live among us until they are caught again.

What does all this mean? Simple. Think like a cop. When the police pull you over for a minor infraction, do they ever seem a bit cautious to you? They should. Every LEO is trained to consider every encounter to be a worst-case scenario. They assume you are armed and wanted. They expect the worst and are at a heightened state of awareness. Reach under your seat sometime like you are looking for something if you think I am kidding--you won't get shot, but they will suddenly have an intense interest in seeing how many fingers you have, saying something like, "let me see your hands, please."
Anyway, by thinking like a cop, you should always assume that predators are out there--because they are and always have been, even in the 'good old days.' No adult should want to be alone with your child. If for nothing else than their own protection from accusations. Any adult who attempts to be in that position should get your full attention. Rely on yourself. Registries are highly flawed tools. Just because there isn't a 'dot' on your subdivision doesn't mean you can let your guard down. That's exactly what a predator looks for.

What's in, What's Out for Home Buyers in 2006

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 22:27:00 GMT

The majority of full-time real estate agents hear alot of feedback every day all year from homebuyers as they visit potential resale and new construction homes. They wonder why builders, developers and home-sellers add finishes or upgrades that say "cheap" or "soon-to-be-out-of-date", in addition to owners who think the laminate wood-grained kitchen cabinets look fine. Old stand-bys like solid oak hardwood floors might not be on the design edge, but quality and durablity out sell trendy any day in residential real estate. After a year of property showings in 2005 and eight previous years with homebuyers as well as requests from consumers after the review of "1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home" in The New York Times I've complied a list of home runs and strike-outs for those looking to sell to homebuyers in 2006.

What's In

-Smaller square footage homes. After years of sprawl, new construction buyers want less space with better finishes.

-Quality kitchen cabinets. With the kitchen/greatroom the center of family living, buyers today are looking at furniture style cabinets.

-Bamboo wood floors. It could over-take maple as the favorite light-colored wood flooring in 2006.

-Wall space for flat screen TV's. Specify power and cable boxes close to locations where homebuyers want to place the latest in visual technology. The popular location for installation in new construction is over the fireplace.

-Multiple and high-powered phone lines. With modems, dsl, wi-fi moving into mainstream use, tech-savvy homebuyers want "wired" homes.

-Seperate shower stalls and bathtubs in master bathrooms. The growing divide among "soakers" and "showerers" is increasing. Not having one of each in a master bath could quelch a purchase.

-Built-in home stereo systems are a must-have for many audiophiles. Wireless hasn't quite made the pre-wired audio system home obsolete, at least not in 2006.

-Balconies and decks wider than 3 feet. Homebuyers want usable outdoor space. Big enough for a bistro table and chairs and a couple of pots for container gardening.

-Guest parking. With the rise in condominiums, lofts and zero-lot line subdivisions, homebuyers want their guests to have a hassle-free experience when they arrive at their new home. Buy or lease an extra space for family or friends.

-Dog Parks. Dogs and homeownership go hand-in-hand. The new way to meet neighbors in the hood is to intereact with them at the dog park. Before buying a home, check out the nearest one.

-Ranch or one level homes. The baby-boomers are discovering their utility in droves.

-Second Homes. The baby-boomers are also keeping this market segment strong. Demand for second homes was still on the upside in 2005, but if primary home demand weakens, the second home market will historically follow.

-Seller give-backs. With a more balanced market in most metro markets, requests by buyers to pay closing costs have increased, and some sellers are paying them.

-Carbon Monoxide detectors. Home inspectors red flag homes that have only smoke detectors. Inexpensive and life-saving, install one on every floor of a home before opening to homebuyers.

What's Out

-The real estate bubble. It's a correction with a soft decline in prices.

-Ebony-stained hardwood floors. You're better off tearing it out than trying to sand the ebony out to refinish.

-Single-rod closets. Buyers want the most storage in the least amount of space. Organizers accomplish this.

-Dark rooms with small windows. Natural light can over-rule alot of other problems in a home.

-Wallpaper. Buyers never have the same taste as decorators. Take it down (carefully) and paint.

-Builder grade light fixtures and interior fixtures used outside. The right fixtures say quality to buyers.

-Mid-century awnings on exterior windows and doors. Buyers want to let the sun shine in.

-Mirrored backsplash's in kitchens and everywhere else. Mirrored walls and ceilings say 1980's hedonism.

-Committment (strong, bold trendy) colors. They look great in magazines, but as one buyer said to me "I don't live in a magazine".

-Gas grills that need their own tank. Buyers prefer the gas piped from the house so they don't have to replace tanks.

-Dropped ceilings. It might have updated a bungalow in the 1950's, but buyers want as much vertical space as possible.

-Flipping. Increasing inventories of unsold homes is increasing, signaling weakening demand by all buyers. If you are holding properties to flip, prepare to place them on market after the holidays.

On the way out.

-Stainless steel appliances. Word-of-mouth says the cleaning requirements aren't for everyone.

-Laminate flooring that looks like hardwood. Not only can buyers tell it's not wood, the noise it makes with high-heel shoes is the deal killer during property showings.

By Mark Nash Realtor - Chicago, IL