As we skipped the Kit House of the Week feature last week, I'm making up for it by presenting you with two historic mail-order homes for this weekend. Both are on the market for sale, and both will be open this weekend.

Number one is a somewhat modified but still recognizable Sears "Americus" on Morrison Street in the historic part of Chevy Chase, DC. While unfortunately much of the original woodwork on the exterior has fallen victim to "modernization" efforts, presumably during the 1980s, there's a lot of it left inside. (Note the crude little wooden rectangles at the junction of baseboard and stair trim--this was a peculiar Sears feature to make this connection less awkward for the amateur home builder.)

Preceding the current sellers' ownership, there were two additions made to the original house: a smaller one on the left added extra space (and a fireplace) to the living room, as well as a full bath behind it. The other addition is in the back. It's a spacious family room with a vaulted ceiling that was conceived as a music room by previous owners. (Dear colleague and fellow Rainer, Pat Kennedy, who is a musician, fondly remembers the amazing acoustics from house concerts at this place in the 1990s.)

Check out the picture of the front porch corner: you can still see where the two missing members of the characteristic "Americus" triple columns used to be.

You can find the listing, courtesy of Mary McGuire/Long & Foster, here. It was just reduced from its original asking price of $939,000 to $899,950. As always, let me know if you're interested in seeing it.

House number two to follow in the next post.

(Front Photo courtesy of MRIS/L&F)

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P.S.: After digging a little more in MRIS, our local multiple list system, I found this picture from an old listing of 3500 Morrison St. In 2001, the house still had all its colums and the original porch railing!

American University Park Homes

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I sent out an email a few days ago announcing that I had joined the Chevy Chase Coldwell Banker office. It was so heartening to see the amount of encouraging emails I got back.

What also amazes me is how people start remembering friends of friends who are looking to buy property. I got a few of those and truly hope that they are legit. I guess its all about the follow-ups.

Still, in just a few short days, I am feeling very encouraged and excited.

Yes! That’s my new home.

I am so ready to get going. There is so much to do and I just can’t contain all the excitement in me.

This is just the beginning for me. I know that I will be a huge success. Buying or selling a home is much more than a business transaction – it’s an intimately personal transition in our lives. That belief is the foundation for my work as a Realtor.

The Broad Branch Farmers Market at Lafayette Elementary School in Chevy Chase DC runs every Saturday from 9-1 late April - November (market season). There are several vegetable stands, a wonderful french bakery with really good croissants and almond delicacies. Fresh cut flowers abound. I recently bought some roasted cashews and some tarragon/garlic vinegar in a gorgeous glass bottle. There are homemade pastas to be had, along with grass fed meats and free range eggs. Frozen fruit popsicles were also available... which comes in handy when the temperature reaches for the sky.

It's a great little market.