Under Contract! 11236 Edson Park Place #30 $415,000

My client fell in love with this wall of windows and loads of light in this Rockville condo that lives like a townhouse. Wood floors and a fireplace add lots of warmth and the location across from White Flint Mall and walking distance to the metro was a real draw. More pics here.

You can still trust the market!

Pricing a property is one of the difficult parts of any real estate agent's job. A seller wants the highest price possible, but when you over-price you run the risk of racking up days on the market which can turn buyers off even when you've lowered it to a reasonable price! You are much better off starting at the "right" price and that will yield a better offer. However, sellers are usually very wary of under-pricing their house, and think it's a delicate balancing act. Fortunately for our business, it's very hard to under-price because THE MARKET WILL DRIVE UP THE PRICE. A house in Chevy Chase recently went on the market and was listed for a price that was shockingly low. It was bid up and sold $185,000 OVER the asking price. This is an extreme story but I thought it was very indicative that you can trust the market!

Guest Blogger Restaurant Review- The Pines of Rome in Bethesda

The following review was written by my wonderful grandfather, Daniel Dyer, who also has a blog www.ddyersblog.blogspot.com. Grandpa Dan has a big appetite and after being spoiled by my grandmother's cooking for many years, is picky about his restaurants. If he recommends something, I know its good!

Inside the Beltway, in Bethesda, you can find any kind of restaurant you want in any price range. They come and go. But not the Pines of Rome, 4709 Hampden Lane, a chip shot from Wisconsin Avenue, two short blocks below the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue, East-West Highway, and Old Georgetown Road (i.e., the center of Bethesda). The Pines never changes. There are no frills. Specials are on a chalk board inside the entrance. Even the menu is always the same. Chianti comes in a full tumbler. From a small pizza, to antipasto, to veal marsala, to lobster diavolo, you would be challenged to find a better Italian restaurant with moderate prices anywhere in the country. Owner Marco may recognize you but won’t waste time schmoozing you because he’s too busy making sure everything is going smoothly as he has been for more than 30 years. Once a customer, always a customer at the Pines.

Tennis anyone?

Warm weather gives Washington area residents so many options for free outdoor activities. One I like to take advantage of is tennis. There are so many well kept public courts around, there is no need to join a private tennis club. Courts I love: 23rd and N (lit up!), Volta Park in Georgetown, and 18th and California in Adams Morgan. Use the links below to find courts in your neighborhood:

List of DC tennis courts (by quadrant):

http://app.dpr.dc.gov/DPR/information/tennis_courts/tennis_courts.asp?quad=NW

List of Arlington tennis courts (by zip):

http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/sports/ParksRecreationScriptsSportsTennisZipCode.aspx

List of Montgomery County tennis courts:

http://www.mc-mncppc.org/Parks/enterprise/tennis/index.shtm