On a happier note, this weekend I was able to show another couple a bunch of houses in Boyds, Rockville and Potomac. For about six hundred thousand dollars you can get a fairly new house in Boyds with about 3,000 sf on two levels. You will have an open floorplan, large kitchen, huge master bath, loads of closet space and a two car garage. There is a great chance that you'll get a finished basement. Think neoclassic colonials with crown molding, chair railing, center island kitchens, 10 foot ceilings, recessed lighting. But, most of the lots are going to be a little small between 7,000 and 12,000 sfand without a whole bunch of privacy. Some, however do back to woods or have upgraded landscaping.

In Rockville and Potomac you'll get an older home. Anywhere from 1965 up, for the most part. In Rockville, depending on the community you may or may not get a garage. Flower valley which is way east and really more like Olney all of the houses have two car garages, but Woodley Gardens and College Gardens you'll get a carport. There are a lot of split levels in Rockville too. Most people seem to shy away from the split levels. They don't typically have stately elevations like colonials. also the floorplans are split so it's like having a two level house that's been turned into four levels by cutting it in half, then staggering each half. Appraisers often comp split levels to ramblers because of that. I learned that years ago, and always found it interesting. You may be able to get between 2,000 and 2,500 feet on two levels in Potomac, but don't think new. Most everything in those homes at that price is going to be older, including bathrooms, kitchens, floors and possibly major systems. Oh, original windows can be drafty too.You can get some privacy due to mature landscaping.

The obvious benefit of Rockville and Potomac is vicinity to Washington DC if you have to commute. Boyds will get you the bigger more contemporary home.