Kensington MD real estate is enjoying significant price appreciation compared with many nearby communities. A Kensington neighborhood (Garrett Park Estates) was recently the subject of a Washington Post neighborhood feature, where proximity to Metro/transportation, great schools and cultural amenities got high marks. The latest data trends analyzed on trulia.com show some impressive home sales price gains.
According to trulia.com, the median sales price for homes in Kensington MD for the period from Aug 10 to Oct 10 2010 was $555,000. This represents an increase of 23.3%, or $105,000, compared to the prior quarter and an increase of 13.7% compared to the prior year.
Sales prices have appreciated 7.2% over the last 5 years in Kensington, trulia.com reports. The average listing price for Kensington homes for sale on Trulia was $808,834 for the week ending Nov 10, which represents an increase of 3.2%, or $25,174, compared to the prior week and an increase of 49.9%, or $269,200, compared to the week ending Oct 20. Average price per square foot for Kensington MD was $350, an increase of 0.6% compared to the same period last year.
Although the number of homes selling in Bethesda MD has been on the decline for the last 2 or 3 years, median home sale
prices have begun to post small improvements, according to trulia.com research.
According to research posted on trulia.com, the median sales price for homes in Bethesda MD for Aug 10 to Oct 10 was $808,000. This represents an increase of 3.6%, or $28,000, compared to the prior quarter and an increase of 4.3% compared to the prior year. Sales prices have appreciated 6.9% over the last 5 years in Bethesda. The average listing price for Bethesda homes for sale on Trulia was $1,143,603 for the week ending Nov 10, which represents an increase of 0.3%, or $3,476, compared to the prior week and an increase of 0.4%, or $4,773, compared to the week ending Oct 20. Average price per square foot for Bethesda MD was $496, an increase of 16.7% compared to the same period last year.
All real estate is very local, so whether you are buying or selling, pricing depends on the micro-level of trends in the neighborhood.
Green is the new GOLD! According to research just released by Keller Williams Realty, buyers are increasingly looking for "green" or energy-saving (and thus money saving) features when shopping for a home.
There are several green and LEED rated homes on the market in Bethesda and nearby communities. If you would like to see one of them, give me a call. If you are planning renovations to save money, and to improve your home's marketability in the future, this study points out which features are most important to consider.
Green homes sell faster and command a higher price then the traditional construction, and the demand for green homes is
climbing quickly. According to a survey conducted recently by KW Research, nine out of ten agents indicated that green homes have higher market value than similar homes without these green features.
So just what "green" features have the highest appeal among buyers? A double-pane or low-e window tops the following list of 7 features that fall within the category of "green".
Green Features that buyers were looking for in their home search in the past 12 months:
Double-pane or low-e windows 39.1%
Energy-efficient applances 36.8%
Insulation 25.7%
Heating/cooling/climate control 25.5%
Solar panels or solar powered heating or appliance 22.4%
Non-specific energy efficient or desire to keep bills low 15.1%
Tank less or other high efficiency water heater 14,8%
Are you looking for a real estate bargain in Bethesda? The search starts here, and with a phone call to me, so I can get you in to see some of these properties. If its a real bargain, it will go fast. But not 
all foreclosures are bargains. Some of them were just over-priced listings on a busy road in 2005, and they may have some issue or defect which today's buyers are unwilling to overlook.
There are 10 Bethesda foreclosures listed for sale today (November 9, 2010). Three are single family homes, including a 5 bedroom 5 bath house at 5901 Wilson Lane, priced at $699,900, and a 3 bedroom 2 bath house at 6414 Camrose Ter listed at $475,000. Also, a 3 bedroom 3 bath townhouse at 5135 Westbard Ave #23 is listed at $724,900. There are 5 condos on the market ranging in price from $199,900 to $339,900.
In ad
dition, there are 15 properties in Bethesda listed as "short sales" (when the seller is "under water" and doesn't have the cash to make up the difference to the lender). These include 2 luxury single family homes, including an arts & crafts home with 6 bedrooms and 5.5 baths listed for $1,499,000, and another 4 bedroom 3 bath home listed at $1,349,000. There is a single family home with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms for $779,000. The Bethesda short sales include 9 condos priced from $145,000 to $450,000.
Also, there are a total of 12 single family homes priced under $600,000 currently on the market. In Bethesda, that could be a bargain!
Contact me to review available properties in Bethesda anytime. And stay tuned for updates in this column on future Bethesda foreclosures and possible bargains.
Why do people who live in Kensington love Kensington? One of the many reasons is the small town atmosphere on Howard Avenue, the famed Antique Row, by the MARC train station. Today was a glorious example of why K'town exudes such charm. It was the annual sidewalk sale, and all the shops had select items out on the sidewalk under gorgeous sunny skies.
I went to the Farmers Market and purchased some fresh tomatoes and my favorite Honey Crisp apples. I bought a half a 
smoked chicken for tonights' dinner from "Old Smokey". I also purchased a gift set of spice rubs which may go to someone nice for Christmas, or may end up in my pantry!
In a few weeks, children of all ages will be gathering in costume on Perry Street in Kensington, for Halloween trick or treeting. Dubbed "Scary Perry", an entire street is shut down and morphs into a haunted alley with spooky decorations that take weeks if not months to put together. Its all over after one night, so don't miss it. Take Connecticut Avenue north, stay to the right onto University Boulevard. Make a right at the Getty Station, and Perry Street is on your left.
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Award-winning Bethesda Specialist. Find or sell your Bethesda home. Luxury Homes. Relocations to Washington DC area. 1st time buyers, foreign nationals, diplomats. "Agent immobilier bilingue".
The Washington DC area is one of the country's most vibrant metropolitain areas and a wonderful place to live. The mix of private enterprise, non-profit associations and U.S. and international government agencies, attracts new residents every day and keeps long-time residents active. The sights of our nation's capital, the many museums (many of them with free admission), and a thriving theater and arts community contribute to its quality of life. According to the national rankings in numerous magazines, Montgomery County MD and some of the Northern Virginia suburbs boast many of the best public high schools in the USA.
Whether you are arriving in this area from somewhere across oceans, across the country, whether you are an investor or are just moving a few blocks away, you will want someone with passion, knowledge and uncompromising commitment to your needs and interests to be your guide in any real estate transaction.
Dana specializes in Montgomery County, MD (with particular knowledge of Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Kensington, Rockville, and Silver Spring); Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, in Northern Virginia, as well as the adjacent communities of Washington DC.
To search the entire region's inventory of homes for sale, city by city, or zip code by zip code, according to your price range and other criteria, click here. No need to register or provide personal data!
Statement of Purpose
As your agent, my job is to help you make the best decision about buying or selling your home, whether or not that results in a fee paid to Keller Williams and me ~ My goal is to work so well on your behalf and deliver such service that you will want me to be your family real estate consultant for life ~
What Makes Me Different
No one is going to work harder than me to find the best possible price for your home ~ I will listen to your needs and understand the deep emotional issues facing the buyer - "Your home is my home" - I will provide you with the same level of effort and quality of service as if I were buying or selling my own home ~ My passion for solving the special needs of my international and French-speaking clients makes me a better agent for all my clients.
When selling homes I give my clients' properties the best international exposure on the internet, by investing substantially in search engine optimization and quality virtual tours. I will always tell you the truth about your home's market value and what it will take to get it sold. As a full time real estate professional and consultant, I offer full service, and go the extra mile for each and every client.
In 2009, Dana was the Top Producing solo agent at Keller Williams in the DC/Maryland Region.
Dana has the proven systems and marketing skills to get your home sold in a smooth and profitable transaction. She goes the extra mile to master the changing market with new technologies and savvy sales techniques. She will never puff the suggested list price of your home to get the listing.
With a unique understanding of international cultural nuances, one of Dana's specialties is working with international clients. She has the professional expertise to be the ideal agent to take newly arrived international buyers by the hand and walk them through the complexities of home buying. Her State Department-certified French interpreting skills allow her to function at the highest level in transactions with the francophone client. Solving the special needs of the international client has helped to make Dana a "problem solver" for all her clients.
She is equally well-versed in working with first-time home-buyers, who benefit for the extraordinary customer care that is Dana's hallmark. And swhe has the proven marketing and sales skills to master the changing market when it comes time to sell your home.
She has assisted Foreign Embassies in making property purchases and has developed special lender relationships that allow her to cater to the unique needs of the diplomatic and foreign community. Diplomats with A1 or A2 visas can call Dana for more information on special lender programs that may allow them to obtain a mortgage in order to purchase a property or residence in America.
Always seeking new ways to improve the services offered to her clients, she regularly participates in continuing education classes, above and beyond what is needed to maintain her licenses in 3 jurisdictions. The latest series completed is the National Association of Realtors' GRI, a designation held by only 19% of Realtors® nationwide.
A special note to Dana's francophone clients: Je suis dévouée à la satisfaction de mes clients. Pour votre accueil dans la region de Washington : Agent immobilier bilingue servant la région de Washington DC, Maryland et Virginie, avec une connaissance particulière de Bethesda. Je propose de vous accompagner dans vos démarches, en vous guidant avant même votre arrivée sur le territoire américain.
Vous désirez achetez, vendre, louer une résidence principale ou secondaire, un bien immobilier aux Etats-Unis... laissez-moi vous guider dans ce parcours.
Diplomate? Visa A1? J'ai le programme qui peut vous permettre d'acheter un bien immobilier aux Etats-Unis, avec un emprunt immobilier de premiere classe.
"Dana is dedicated to safeguarding the interests of her clients. She works hard to ensure that they get the best price for their property." Ray and Samita Sidhu - Rockville MD home sold
"Dana came through with flying colors in selling our home. She did everything she promised and more. Within 5 days we had a ratified contract, greater than the asking price. I think the success of the sale of my family home was due to Dana's experience in the market; her ability to see what needs to be done & take charge of doing it; her frankness & practical thinking; and her desire to do the right thing for her clients." Sandy Y. Clinton - Kensington MD home sold
"Dana was the most honest, helpful, and effective realtor I've ever had the pleasure to work with." Troy W. Brooks, DMD - Bethesda MD condo sold
"In addition to excellent performance on the expected services, Dana worked hard to negotiate a non-standard purchase contract that met both our needs and those of the sellers." Jeff and Donna Gathers - Alexandria VA home buyers
"It was the most relaxed experience I have ever had buying or selling a home. You handled everything efficiently and with no bother. Thank you." Kathryn Wiemers - Kensington MD home sold
"We were extremely lucky to have Dana with us. She impressed us with her energy and professionalism through the whole process. She was not only very knowledgeable about real estate but also about financing. She stood by us and we relied on her during difficult times, which speaks to her extraordinary character." Mourad and Andreina, international buyers, Washington DC
"Dana helped me find and purchase a house in Washington DC while I was still posted overseas. She was perfectly accessible and reliable. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anybody looking to buy in the DC area, particularly fellow diplomats who will most benefit from her experience." David Cvach, Counselor, French Embassy - buyer in Washington
"Dana was always one to two steps ahead of me, trying to provide guidance in ways I didn't realize I needed. This helped me feel prepared and ready for each step in the homebuying process." -- Shana Yudowitch-- first time home-buyer, Silver Spring MD.
"I really appreciate all of your hard work, patience, availability, and persistence throughout the whole process. I couldn't possibly have asked for more... I plan on recommending you to ANY and EVERY one who is thinking of buying a home. You are worth your weight in GOLD." Angela Sandford, first time home-buyer, Silver Spring MD.
"Excellent accueil et disponibilité des notre arrivée a Washington de France. Excellente compréhension de nos besoins. Tres bon ciblage du type de maison qui correspondait a notre budget. Nous avons beaucoup apprecié votre professionalisme ainsi que votre accueil chaleureux" -- Catherine B. -- international relocation to Bethesda
"You were very accessible, organized, looked out for my interests and asked great questions to lender, inspector, etc." -- Helen Casteel - first time homebuyer, Silver Spring MD
We especially appreciated your availability, kindness and knowledge of the area. Your research really respected our needs and choices, which made us gain time" -- Cecile Juhel -- international relocation
"Dana a fait preuve de ponctualité, disponibilités, et de professionalisme, tout au long de notre recherche, avec sérieux et avec sourires! Bravo!" -- Celine and Manuel Poupin -- international relocation
"Tout est parfait dans votre façon de travailler: clarté des explications, ponctualité des rendez-vous, perséverence et efficacité" --Albert Waoulo -- moved to Silver Spring from Senegal
"Votre Disponibilité, réactivité, explications du marché immobilier et bien sur, votre grande sympathie ont été particulièrement appréciés." -- Nathalie et Olivier Esposito -- moved to Bethesda from Oman
"The service was over my expectations... very fast, efficient, no pain!" -- Yannick Lestiboudois -- moved from Washington DC to France
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