Hill Slowinski • Real Estate: Blog: July 2010

In Brookmont, at the C&O Canal

111 Valley Road, Bethesda, MD  20816  MLS # MC9375221

Offered for $675,000   Virtual Tour

Open House:  Sunday, July 25, 1-4 PM

In nature's setting with all the upgrades! Along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park (near Lock 6), close to High Island in the Potomac River near Little Falls, the old tow path, hiking and biking trails, and the Old Conduit Road. Former home to two Olympic Kayakers. Reno-vated kitchen and bathrooms, refinished floors. Rock patios, pathways, stairs, and terraces surround this diamond in Brookmont - ½ mile to shopping, and 1 mile to the DC line.

 Located in the Brookmont community known for its affinity to nature, hiking, kayaking, and outdoor appreciation, this home is within throwing distance to the access to the National Park along the Potomac River. The home was built in 1928 in a natural hillside setting.

This two bedroom, two full bath Colonial includes the open living room with large windows, brick wood-burning stove/fireplace with flagstone hearth. The breakfast area and kitchen look out to tree-height views of the park. The new kitchen is highlighted by granite counter-space, new cabinetry, new appliances, and a country pantry.

The second level back door opens outside to a gracious stone patio, stone retaining walls, terracing and natural gardens, and sweeping stairways to lower level terraces and garden areas.

Renovations and updating were made during 2006-2008. The hardwood flooring throughout the house has been refinished to its natural tones, and the windows have been replaced and updated.

For more information, see: www.HillSlowinski.com.

Buyers and Sellers Cooperating for Terms to Work

 As the market for the purchase and sale of residential properties continues to stabilize and return to normal, we are beginning to see more sellers accepting offers to buy their homes subject to the sale of the buyers' homes, this after a period where such contingencies were few and far between.  Even though these contingencies add to the complexity of offers, this arrangement works to the benefit of both buyer and seller to seal a deal and can be very satisfying and cooperative, so long as both parties adhere to the strict details in the home sale contingency provision. 

 Attention to timelines ("Time is of the essence") and procedural requirements is critical in ensuring these arrangements succeed.   For example, buyers must have their homes listed by a broker within three days of the ratification of the contract, and at a price that is very realistic and attractive to the market.  The contract the buyer eventually receives on his home must be free of all contingencies other than financing within the specified timeframe to satisfy the home sale contingency terms.  Meanwhile, sellers are permitted to accept back-up contracts in the event the initial contract becomes void. 

 The combination and realization of these transactions will take more time since there is additional scheduling and detail coordination along with the usual process requirements of yet another transaction.  With careful planning and oversight of experienced agents, achieving the desired outcome, though, can meet the objectives of, and fulfill the dreams of, all the parties to the deals.

Maryland and Virginia Among Highest for Technology, Business Friendliness

CNN Money.com and CNBC.com just released their 2010 lists - Top Earning Towns, Best 100 Small Cities to Live,and CNBC for Top States for Business- and The Washington Post announced the area's education level.

Bethesda, MD has the highest median family income in the US, according to CNN Money.com.  Ellicott City/Columbia, Maryland is named by a CNN survey as #2 Best Small City to Live in the country, up from #8 in 2008, with its  grand homes, a lovely 18th-century downtown, lots of restaurants, wide range of housing, tons of parkland, and a major music venue.  It's also an economic powerhouse with a jobless rate at just 5.2%.

Also named by CNN as high on the list were Gaithersburg, MD (# 25), Centerville, VA (#30), Rockville, MD (#31), and Alexandria, VA (#41).

CNBC named Virginia as #2 overall of the top states for business, bumped out if its 2009 #1 slot by Texas this year. Maryland remained in its #27 position overall, same slot as 2009.  In individual categories, Maryland ranked #8 in Technology and Innovation, and Virginia #2 in Business Friendliness, same as in 2009.

In addition, the Washington DC area has the best-educated population in the nation, as reported in The Post.

See:  http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/snapshots/PL2718116.html

See:  http://www.cnbc.com/id/37516043/

See:  http://bit.ly/9Wzfun

See:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/14/AR2010071405751.html