silver spring: Homes in DC Area More Affordable Than Ever
- 10/15/11 05:18 AM
If you’re buying in or relocating to the Metro DC area or the surrounding suburbs, you can breathe a little easier. For 252 zip codes in the DC area, the yearly income needed to buy a home has dropped dramatically from 2007 to present says the Washington Post.
Here’s how the numbers tell it. Since 2007, general interest rates have dropped from 6.58 percent to 4.62 percent. The average cost of a single-family home has fallen from $424,000 to $329,990. Therefore, the amount of income you need to buy a home has gone from $103,776 annually to $65,088. That’s a … (2 comments)
silver spring: Metro DC: The Best No-Cost Events Anywhere!
- 10/07/11 04:25 PM
As you’ve heard from me over and over, I love living in the Metro DC area. From DC proper to Bethesda and Silver Spring, I believe no other place can challenge my home for diversity of things to do. Whether it’s arts, history, government or fun, DC offers it almost every minute of the day and night. But what’s especially unique about Metro DC and the surrounding areas is that so much can be had for free.
And don’t worry--while these events have no cost, it’s definitely not a case of “you get what you pay for.” Our free … (0 comments)
silver spring: Arts Stay Strong in Silver Spring
- 09/24/11 04:37 AM
Over the last ten years, Silver Spring has come into its own as a hub of music and culture in the DC Metro area, earning a designation as an official arts and entertainment district. This past week Montgomery County voted to continue this designation for another decade, and the state will make its decision in early October.
For those seeking a variety of activities, Silver Spring is a perfect destination. During the summer, the downtown area was home for 20 different festivals and the weekly Fenton Street Market. Performance centers abound and include the Round House Theatre, Bonifant Theatre Space, … (0 comments)
silver spring: Safer Transportation in Metro-DC
- 09/10/11 03:34 PM
September 11, 2001, was unquestionably a day of great tragedy. However, the lessons learned from that day have led to positive changes that will better protect DC Metro citizens should the unthinkable happen again. The increased security for Montgomery County’s transportation services is a great example of how things have improved.
Currently, over 90 percent of the new Ride On buses in Bethesda and elsewhere have digital cameras with wireless internet which allows events to be monitored in real time. On-board GPS systems track bus locations, and silent alarm systems can alert authorities to a potential threat. About 75 percent of … (5 comments)
silver spring: Silver Spring Neighbors Save Energy and Money
- 08/25/11 03:11 PM
People in the DC Metro area know the importance and value of energy conservation. Recently, seven families in Silver Spring got together to save energy—and saved themselves some money in the process.
It started with one local couple attending a Takoma Park meeting about energy conservation, which got them really motivated to weatherize their home. They thought it was such an important idea that they checked a neighborhood listserv and contacted their Fairview Court neighbors, inviting them to a meeting at their home to hear more. Also attending the meeting was WeatherizeDC, a local nonprofit that helps people with home … (0 comments)
silver spring: ♫ The Farmers in DC, The Farmers in DC…
- 08/18/11 03:33 PM
Most people associate the DC area with the White House, monuments, and thriving modern cities like Bethesda and Chevy Chase. Yet there is another personality to this area—a rural persona with farmers and landowners that is flourishing in its own right.
For those that want to try their hand at farming, the Montgomery Countryside Alliance now has a web site to match aspiring farmers with those who have an excess of land they want to rent, sell, or offer for use so they don’t have to mow or otherwise care for it.
The site is called Land Link … (0 comments)
silver spring: Biking Beckons in Bethesda (Say It Three Times Fast!)
- 08/11/11 03:49 PM
Everyone knows that Bethesda is a great place for walking, with a Walkability Score of 50. Very soon it will be just as easy to bike around Bethesda, too, says Gazette.net. A bikeshare program is on tap for the downtown area, and the search for funding has begun.
This program, modeled after the one in Washington, DC would create a very green alternative form of transportation for Bethesda residents. Once registered for the bikeshare program, you are allowed to take a bike from a dock, ride to your destination, and return the bike either to its original dock or to … (0 comments)
silver spring: Lessons Beyond the Stage at Bethesda Theatre Camp
- 08/03/11 05:26 PM
Shakespeare said “All the world’s a stage,” and kids in a local Bethesda summer camp are learning just how true that is! Since 1981, Adventure Theatre’s Musical Summer Camp at Glen Echo Park has been teaching children ages 6 to 15 not only skills for the stage but also for life, says Gazette.net.
One of the basic tenets of this camp is that you must work as a team with other campers and not “hog the spotlight,” according to Education and Outreach Director Kathryn Hnatio. They keep stress low by using an informal audition process where casting is often based … (2 comments)
silver spring: Free and Comfortable Rides in Bethesda
- 07/28/11 04:46 AM
Catching a ride in downtown Bethesda has gotten a little more modern, though some might say a bit less charming. According to Gazette.net, the Bethesda Circulator has traded up from old-fashioned trolleys to new luxury buses for the 2.1 mile, 20-stop route through the city’s downtown area. While the trolleys were delightful, the new buses also have some nice amenities including cushioned seats, which all will agree are more comfortable than the trolleys’ wooden benches. But the major reason for the change, according to the Bethesda Urban Partnership, was economics. The trolleys had begun to break down more often with replacement … (0 comments)
silver spring: More Small Business Loans Possible for Bethesda
- 07/21/11 03:43 AM
The U.S. Treasury Department is helping a Bethesda bank provide more local small business loans. From Gazette.net, EagleBank of Bethesda has received $56.5 million from the Treasury as part of the 2010 Small Business Jobs Act, which is meant to offer capital to community banks with assets of $10 billion or less. According to the CEO of EagleBank, Ronald D. Paul, the bank is able to obtain the money at an interest rate of only 1 percent because of the large number of loans it has given out in the past twelve months. In actual figures, the bank had an increase … (2 comments)
silver spring: A Special Camp Experience in Silver Spring
- 07/15/11 04:48 AM
Summer is a time for kids to enjoy lots of fun activities. This year, 30 lucky Silver Spring children got to spend a week at the fourth annual Police Adventure Camp at Viers Mill. Run by Montgomery County police officers, this non-profit camp provided services to at-risk children and their families, according to a Gazette.net article. Activities at the camp included sports and crafts as well as some more important life lessons. The children completed the Drug Abuse Resistance Education or D.A.R.E. program to understand the dangers of substance abuse. They also listened to guest speakers and interacted with the officers … (0 comments)
silver spring: Technology and Real Estate in Bethesda: Geek is Chic!
- 07/14/11 04:11 AM
Technology continues to change the way business is done today, and real estate is no exception. Previously I reviewed some of the smartphone apps that are changing both home buying and selling in Bethesda, as outlined on the MSN Real Estate web site. Here are five other technology trends making inroads into real estate. Single-Property Websites - Buyers are still searching websites, but not the earlier versions with hundreds of listings. Today there are individual sites devoted solely to one home. In addition to high-quality photos and detailed information, these single-home websites also offer links to a home's Walk Score, a … (0 comments)
silver spring: Chevy Chase Selected to Help the Environment
- 07/08/11 08:58 AM
If you like a pretty yard, hate mowing, and live in Chevy Chase, there's a solution for both you and the environment. According to Gazette.net, the city will be the first in the area to participate in RainScapes, a pilot program to help reduce storm runoff into local streams and Chesapeake Bay by replacing grass with gardens. The Montgomery County program is offering homeowners and businesses a rebate for getting their landscapes to absorb more water. The program is currently focusing on the county's oldest neighborhoods which don't have modern stormwater drainage systems. As one of the oldest suburbs in … (0 comments)
silver spring: Buying or Selling in Bethesda? Pull Out that Smartphone!
- 07/07/11 09:41 AM
By time standards, we're just barely into the twenty-first century. Real estate, however, has moved "to infinity and beyond!" The MSN Real Estate site notes that the technology explosion of the past three years has totally changed how people buy and sell their homes in the DC Metro Area--and everywhere else. One small-sized device that's made a huge impact is the smartphone. Many real estate sites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com now offer applications for smartphones and tablets to make a buyer's life almost care-free. For example, you can drive to a neighborhood you might like, run a search on your … (0 comments)
silver spring: Chevy Chase Curb Appeal in Listing Photos
- 07/01/11 01:27 PM
There are two words that every Chevy Chase home seller should know: curb appeal. The better this is, the higher your chance of reeling in a buyer the minute they park in front of your house. But according to Realtor Magazine Online, the curb appeal also needs to show up in your on-line listing photos, since most buyers will see this before they view the actual property. To put that pizazz in your photos, try these three simple, no cost options. Take Down Window Screens - Most home exteriors can look pretty dull, and screens generally make windows look dark. You … (0 comments)
silver spring: Open-Air Markets Highlight Local Bethesda Agriculture and Wines
- 06/18/11 01:48 PM
Bethesda wine lovers, take notice! Through the summer and into fall, downtown Frederick, North Beach and Silver Spring will be hosting open-air market events called "Eat-Drink-Go LOCAL!" The goal of these events is to show off local agriculture and wines by having regional chefs pair the vino with seasonal ingredients from local farmers. Sponsored by the Maryland Wine Association in collaboration with local farmers, chefs, and wineries, the events are scheduled as follows rain or shine: In Frederick - July 9 at Carroll Creek Park In North Beach - August 13 in Downtown North Beach In Silver Spring - October 22 … (0 comments)
silver spring: Bethesda Renters: Jump the Fence and Buy!
- 06/17/11 04:53 AM
For those still on the fence about renting versus owning in Bethesda, Silver Spring, or Rosemary Hills, it's time to jump. If you can't be swayed by low interest rates and decreased home prices, here are five other reasons to own your own home from the RealtyTimes web site. This isn't an all-inclusive list, but it may help you to feel a bit more comfortable in making the move to home ownership. Goodbye, Landlords - Even if you've had a great landlord, the money you pay every month goes into his pocket, not yours. You can love where you rent, … (2 comments)
silver spring: Bethesda Artist Market Has Beauty for All
- 06/11/11 02:39 AM
Don't fret. If you missed the first running of the Bethesda Artist Market on June 11, you'll have another chance to attend on July 9. Or plan to go a second time! Mark your calendars now, as this is one event where you can come home with wonderful treasures. Bethesda and the surrounding area are home to many artisans with expertise in countless mediums. At this year's market you'll be able to choose from paintings, jewelry, pottery, wood, photography, blown glass and much more. If you become dazzled by all the artistic talent on display, you can take a break … (0 comments)
silver spring: This Summer, See Green Outside and Inside Your Chevy Chase Home
- 06/10/11 03:23 AM
When considering how to save money on energy, homeowners usually think about their heating bills. But there are energy savings to be had in the summer as well, if you know where to look. Consider these tips to reduce the warm weather energy bills of your Chevy Chase home. Start with light bulbs. Changing from incandescent bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) will not only reduce energy use but also save money on bulbs, since CFL's last many times longer. Summer or winter, unplug your appliances. Even when not in use, plugged-in machines draw power and increase your energy bills. Placing … (0 comments)
silver spring: Report Gifts of Real Estate or Face the IRS
- 06/02/11 04:13 PM
If you live in Silver Spring, Rosemary Hills, DC Metro or Virginia and you've recently gifted a relative with real estate, the IRS may have its eyes on you. The Wall Street Journal reports that the government agency is fighting to use land-transfer records to discover un-reported gifts of real estate between family members. Recent legislation has raised to $5 million the limit on how much a person can gift in a lifetime without paying a gift tax. However, a gift to one person of more than $13,000 is supposed to be reported to the IRS so that appropriate transfer taxes … (2 comments)
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If you’re buying in or relocating to the Metro DC area or the surrounding suburbs, you can breathe a little easier. For 252 zip codes in the DC area, the yearly income needed to buy a home has dropped dramatically from 2007 to present says the Washington Post.
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