Things to Do in Potomac Maryland in August, 2011!

Potomac MD Homes: Just Listed Close To Potomac Village

The Schuman Team of Washington Fine Properties just listed a terrific, large family home walking distance to Potomac Village in Potomac, Maryland.

Address: 9801 Hall Road

Subdivision: Williamsburg Highlands

Price: $1,350,000

Age: 33 years old

Lot Size: .47 acres (20,411 square feet)

Highlights: This is a lot house for the money with a total of 7 bedrooms, 4 full baths and 1 half bath. Ideally located the house provides easy access to River Road & Potomac Village. Buyers will love the embassy-sized rooms, hardwood floors on the first and second levels, moldings, a finished lower level with an additional bedroom and full bath. The backyard has a patio with recirculating fountain and is fenced. The driveway was recently resurfaced with extra parking pad.

Open House: July 31, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Virtual Tour: 9801 Hall Road

Neighborhood Spotlight: Windermere Neighborhood In Rockville Maryland

As your Rockville, Maryland real estate expert, I frequently like to tell interested Rockville, Md home buyers about various neighborhoods in the area. Today I’d like to tell you a little bit about a special neighborhood in the North Bethesda/Rockville area of Montgomery County called Windermere. Click Windermere to learn about this area.

For more information about Windermere or any Rockville neighborhood, call The Schuman Team at 301-299-9598.

A Good Case For A Pre-Listing Home Inspection

I had a whirlwind of an experience this past week and it could have all been avoided with a Pre-Listing Home Inspection. So the story goes like this: My terrific buyers have had a difficult time finding a house in the spring market in their preferred school district and price range. Inventory has been low (a great blog topic for another day). One day a very nice, reasonably priced home came on the market. We were the first in and my clients "fell" for the house. It was in excellent condition, updated and showed beautifully. We wrote a contract, struck a deal and all was good...until the home inspection.

I shared the names of 3 home inspectors that our clients rave about. The buyers chose one and we were on our way. The inspector did a thorough job. Mind you, there are inspectors out there that believe it's their duty to write a laundry list of items no matter what they find. However, this inspector is a straight shooter. The inspection took close to 5 hours which should have been my first clue. The issues that came up weren't the worst I have ever seen but they were very surprising given the condition of the house (A+) Typically, the problems that were observed would be associated with an "as is" or a tear down. No such luck for my buyers. The repairs came to $25,000-$35,000, we are talking real money.

The sellers were VERY surprised that their house had so many problems. They are retirement age and downsizing to a condo nearby. Unfortunately, they have quite a bit of work to do before they can relist. Yes, I forgot to mention that my buyers walked away from the deal. They weren't really up for months of work, worries and to wonder what else will come up. They thought they bought a renovated, turnkey home???

If theses sellers had taken the time and money to do a Pre-Listing Home Inspection, they would be counting down the days to settlement not knee deep in repairs.

What to look for before putting your house on the market:

1. Check the systems of the house: heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing.

2. Windows - do they open close properly?

3. Appliances - if one is on life support, replace it.

4. Roof - know the age and condition.

5. Take a look at the landscaping/grading and the impact on your house.

These are just a few steps you can take to ensure the sale of your home goes smoothly. You don't want to get caught off guard, do you?

Luxmanor is a special neighborhood that was established approximately 70 years ago in Rockville MD. The neighborhood includes 500+ families in the legal subdivision of Luxmanor as well as adjacent homes in Old Georgetown Estates and Hollyoak. 

Luxmanor is known to be eclectic! There is a mix of old and new homes, large and small homes and basically, where any style goes. Traditional colonials cohabitate with ramblers, tudors and comtemporaries. The lot sizes are typically 1/3 of an acre and larger with beautiful treed lots.

If you would like to find out more about Luxmanor including location, schools and the community, click here: Luxmanor

The Winterset Neighborhood In Potomac, Maryland

Winterset is a fine Potomac, Maryland neighborhood of approximately 100 homes sited on lovely treed lots between 1/4 - 1.5 acres. It is very family friendly and there are always walkers, bikers and sports enthusiasts out and about in the neighborhood!

Click on the link to learn more about the Winterset neighborhood.

Coming On The Market: 10001 Gable Manor Court in Potomac Maryland

The Schuman Team is listing 10001 Gable Manor Court this week.

It's a 2 car garage, semi-detached home located in the heart of Potomac Village in a small neighborhood called The Village at Potomac (aka "Gable Manor"). This home has 4 bedrooms and 3.5 full baths including a bedroom and full bath (currently a den) on the main level. The main level is sunny and spacious with a dining room, great room and kitchen. If a buyer is looking to downsize and to enjoy all the amenities of Potomac Village, this home is it! It faces green space with room to entertain. The list price is $799,000

To learn more about Gable Manor Neighborhood in Potomac, Maryland, the amenities of Potomac Village, Montgomery County Public Schools and our upcoming open house click on the link: 10001 Gable Manor Court

JUST LISTED 8113 APPALACHIAN TERRACE, POTOMAC, MD 20854

This is one level living at it's best, in close-in Potomac, MD. It's everything you have been waiting for and more in this contemporary open floorplan 3 bedroom 2.5 bath, 2 car garage semi-detached home. Highlights include hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, skylights, library/den on main level, open space wrap-around deck, fenced courtyard and walk-out LL with bedroom and bath. Ready to move-in!

LIST PRICE:  $799,000

LEGAL SUBDIVISION:  Inverness Forest

NEIGHBORHOOD:  Potomac Pond

LOT SIZE:  12,761 square feet/.29 acres

HOA FEE:  $415.00/quarterly

YEAR BUILT:  1987

SCHOOLS:  Bells Mill Elementary School, Cabin John Middle School, Winston Churchill High School

DIRECTIONS:  From 495, Democracy Boulevard toward Potomac, Right on Democracy Lane, Right on Appalachian Terrace, First house on the left.

VIRTUAL TOUR: 8113 Appalachian Terrace

GARAGE:  2 car

OPEN HOUSE:  Sunday 3/27/11 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Call The Schuman Team @301-299-9598 or email betsy.schuman@wfp.com if you would like to schedule a tour or learn more about the property.

DO YOU PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD?

I had an interesting experience this afternoon in my market, Potomac, Maryland. Let me set the scene. I showed some clients a home for the second time. The listing price is just shy of $1.4 million dollars and the house has languished on the market for 6+ months. It's located in an upscale neighborhood.

Lessons To Be Learned At A Simple Showing

So you are probably wondering what's the story. So, it goes like this. The listing agents are well-established, successful agents. I was surprised that neither one of them showed up for a second showing since the house is begging to be sold. They sent their assistant to show the house. Normally, this would be no big deal. Many teams including ours have a support staff who are also licensed agents. The individual who showed up looked like she had just rolled out of bed. I believe I am being kind. She greeted us not by saying welcome back but that she hadn't turned on the lights. She mentioned nothing about the house, the sellers and she didn't offer us a fact sheet or disclosures. I was starting to wonder why she was there at all? Mind you, I wasn't expecting her to roll out the red carpet or offer us champagne but I do expect a warm professional to provide information and be helpful. As I mentioned the assistant didn't turn on the lights in a home that had a tendency to be dark. Had she walked upstairs, she would have also known that her client has an infestation issue in the master bathroom. They are hosting a stink bug festival in their tub! It wasn't until I was practically in my car that the agent mentioned that the sellers were thinking about refinishing the floors and repainting the kitchen. That information would have been key to have while the buyers were in the house!

Bring Your "A" Game To Work, Leave Your Jammies At Home!

My clients won't be coming back for a third visit. The house is tired (and so are the real estate agents) and needs a ton of work for the price. I have no idea whether they noticed what I noticed but if you want to sell your listings, you have to bring your "A" game to work each and every day. When our clients hire The Schuman Team, they put their faith in us that we are going to market their home in a professional manner and put our best foot forward each day. After this experience, I am really proud of our team and the way we market and show our listings!

You Are Cordially Invited To Attend

Washington Fine Properties Bethesda & Chevy Chase MD Group Open House Tour

Sunday March 20, 2011

All Homes Open 2:00-4:00 p.m.

We have 13 homes to offer ranging from a townhouse in Brewer House to new luxury construction in Bradley Hills Grove.

The Schuman Team will be at the following homes:

9007 BURDETTE ROAD

Neighborhood: Bradley Hills Grove

List Price: $3,650,000

Builder: BradBern Construction

Agent: Marsha Schuman

Email: mschuman@msn.com

7701 SAVANNAH DRIVE

Neighborhood: Ashleigh

List Price: $1,189,000

Agent: Betsy Schuman Dodek

Email: betsy.schuman@wfp.com