About Gaithersburg's West Riding

This neighborhood consists of approximately 300 single family homes built in the 1970s. It located just a few minutes from the Kentlands and I-270 but it feels very secluded. The main entrance to the neighborhood is located alongside Diamond Farms Park which features a playground, basketball courts, tennis courts and a skate spot. The resident’s pride of ownership really shows – lawns are beautifully manicured and the homes are well maintained. It’s everything an established subdivision should be.

Before you accuse me of over-selling this neighborhood I have a confession - I have been a West Riding resident since 1996. Initially, I moved to West Riding because I liked the location and the style of homes. I’ve stayed in West Riding because I love the community. We have an active but not intrusive Citizens Association that sponsors our newsletter, Neighborhood Watch Program , Moms Club, concerts and other social events. The organization dues are extremely reasonable at just $10 per year. You’ll find more information about The West Riding Citizens Association on their website, http://www.westriding.org/ You can also read the opinions of other West Riding residents in this article from the Gazette.

I’ve been a Gaithersburg Real Estate Agent for 23 years and a West Riding resident for 15 years. During that time I’ve noticed something about West Riding – the homeowners that live here rarely move! You’d be surprised how many original owners are still in the neighborhood. In the last 12 months only four West Riding homes have been listed and sold in the MLS. These listings averaged just 22 days on the market before receiving a contract. The average sales price is $452,407. Inventory is very low and there are only two active listings as of 07/09/2011.

While this is great news for sellers in West Riding, what does it mean for buyers? If you see a For Sale sign go up in West Riding, contact a Realtor (preferably me!) right away to schedule a showing. Better yet, call me to be placed on my West Riding Buyer List so that you’ll receive an update the instant a home goes on the market. Despite what is going on elsewhere in the Gaithersburg Real Estate market, listings in West Riding won’t last long!

When I think of the word "neighborhood" I think of West Riding. It is an established neighborhood located in the heart of Gaithersburg. It is part of the City of Gaithersburg. There are different home styles in West Riding. There are two styles of Colonial, a split colonial, split foyer, rambler and a raised rambler. The homes were built in the late 1960's and early 1970's.

When you look in West Riding at homes, you will see that most of the homeowners have updated and remodeled many of the homes. You will find new kitchens, replaced windows, roofs, HVAC systems. The homes sit on lots that are close to a half acre.

Those are some of the asthethics of the neighborhood, but the people are really spectacular. Whenever I have a listing in the neighborhood you can be sure that the neighbors will stop by and say hi. They are some of the best critics of my listings and are always eager to share the things they have done in their homes.

The other special part about the community is that they know each other, you know like the old days. There is a Moms group that all support each other and socialize together. I know that one of my past clients had a baby and the baby was born with some difficulty. The Moms group pulled together and helped the family while Mom had to go to the hospital to be with their newborn. Cooking meals and that sort of stuff.

A real tribute to the neighborhood is that the kids that grew up in West Riding are now adults and are buying the homes in their old neighborhood to raise their families. I think that is are real testament to the neighborhood.

West Ridging is one of my favorite neighborhoods to sell in because people get so much more than just a house.