Neighbors Helping Neighbors Stay at Home

Dear Residents of Rollingwood:
There is a new organization called Chevy Chase At Home. Part of a national aging-in-place “village” movement, CC@H is a non-profit organization providing services, assistance and friendship so older neighbors can continue their active lives while staying in their own homes.

After a successful year in five Chevy Chase municipalities (Chevy Chase Village, Town of Chevy Chase, Chevy Chase Section 3, Chevy Chase Section 5 and the Village of Martin’s Additions), CC@H has extended its service area to include Rollingwood. We’ve already heard from some of your neighbors eager to join us.

CC@H offers memebers supportive personal services, by trained volunteers, that enhance independent living; cultural, educational and social opportunities; recommendations for help with household maintenance; and timely information about events and activities. See the Benefits List on the back for details. You may want to check out hte web site, www.chevychaseathome.org.

CC@H has two types of membership:

• Full Membership provices access to all CC&H personal services plus the Reource Bank, Help Desk and all our social and educational programs. The cost is $350 per household per year (well below the fees for other area “villages” that have hte same objectives as CC@H.)
• Associate Membership, for those not in need of personal service, provides access to the Resource Bank, Help Desk and all of CC@H’s social and educational programs. The cost if $250 per household per year, $200 of which is tax-deductible. As Associate Members, residents can help guarantee that CC@H will be here for them if and when they need Full Member services.

If you are not in a position to become a member, you can help by being a trained, insurance-protected volunteer – driving, teaching computer skills or helping with social events – or by making a tax-deductible donations. To be a volunteer, call 301-657-3115.

What are my benefits if I am a Full Member of Chevy Chase At Home?

• Transportation to medical appointments, grocery stores, social engagements and more.
• Personal contacts, including home visits, companionship on walks, and daily phone calls.
• Household assistance such as lugging recycle bins to the curb, installing smoke detectors, walking dogs, changing light bulbs and making minor home repairs.
• Help with computers, iPads, iPhones and other hi-tech devices.
• Educational and Social Program participation, including attendance at Meet & Mingle, which features informative presentations or hands-on art, music and exercise programs, and always provides good things to eat and good conversation; Brunch Bunch, which meets monthly at the Olympia Cafe for coffee and conversation; and Lecture Series, which brings in experts to the Chevy Chase Village Hall to talk on topics such as who does well in old age, Alzheimer’s, and sleep disorders.
• Support Group that brings those with aging parents together to discuss the challenges of care-giving facilitated by a geriatric psychiatrist.
• Use of the Resource Bank, which provides names of local tradespeople and home care agencies that charge resonable fees and have been used and recommended by your neighbors.
• Access to the Help Desk, which identifies government agencies, non-profit organizations and other local resources that offer needed assistance.
• CC@H Newsletter delivered to your door and e-mail announcements of upcoming events.

What are my benefits if I am an Associate Member?

• Educational and Social Program participation.
• Use of the Resource Bank and access to the Help Desk.
• CC@H Newsletter delivered to your door and e-mail announcements of upcoming events.
• Support for a vital community resource that will be there for you – and your neighbors.

How do I access my benefits?

• For transportation, personal contacts, household assistance, help with computers, use of the Resource Bank or access to the Information Connection, call 301-657-3115. You will receive a response within 24 hours.
• For requests for transportation, personal contact, house hould assistance, and help with computers, we ask that you call the CC@H office a week in advance. Transportation is usually limited to a 10-mile radius.
• After a volunteer is assigned to assist you, he or she will call you and confirm the assignment.
• To participate in a CC@H educational or social program, you do not need to make a reservation. Just show up. However, if you need transportation in order to attend, please call the office.

What Has Been Done?

A recent public safety meeting addressed the efforts that police and local businesses have taken to keep residents safe, including nighttime patrols and increased surveillance.

Below is a list of several simple precautions Bethesda-Chevy Chase residents should take to avoid becoming crime victims.

Common Sense

Keeping the doors to your car and home locked may seem like a fairly obvious way to prevent theft. However, being vigilant about the security of your belongings can make all the difference.

Stay in Well-Lit Areas

It’s never a good idea to isolate yourself – especially at night. This goes for your home as well. Having a porch or carport light on not only increases visibility, but also makes your home appear occupied.

Keep Valuables in Your Car Hidden

Whether your car is locked or not, leaving valuables, like electronic devices, in plain view can be an easy invitation for potential thieves. Ladies, if you’re planning to leave your purse in the car, be sure to lock it in the trunk before arriving to your destination.

Be Alert, Don’t Walk Alone

Many mugging victims are targeted because they are not paying attention to their surroundings. If you have to walk by yourself, don’t let yourself be distracted by your cell phone or music-playing device.

If It Seems Suspicious, Speak Up

Looking out for your neighbors is always an effective way to prevent neighborhood crime. The Montgomery County Police Department offers ways to report suspicious or criminal activity anonymously by phone or online.  There is also the option of filing reports involving theft and vandalism through an online form.

What are your thoughts on the recent increase in crime? Please share your opinions with us.

All the recent information indicates that there is relatively low demand for Chevy Chase homes for sale, which is causing list prices to decrease overtime.

This means that those Chevy Chase home buyers who enter the market now stand to get a great deal on a Maryland home for sale.

Continue reading to learn more about this recent development in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Chevy Chase Homes

Here’s a look at the most recent Chevy Chase real estate market data:

• Currently there are 123 active listings on the market as well as 11 pending sales.
• The $800,000 to $1,000,000 price range seems to have the largest number of pending sales right now.
• What’s more, the $200,000 and under price range has a relatively large inventory of homes for sale. There are 28 listings in that category.
• The average list price for all properties on the Chevy Chase real estate market is $996,299 right now.
• Within the last six months, 150 contracts have closed in this Maryland community.
• The average price on these homes sold has been $854,066.
• Within the last six months, the $200,000 to $400,000 price range has seen one of the highest number of sold listings.
• During that same six month period, about 20 listings have not sold.
• The $200,000 and under price range saw the most number of failed listings with 5 properties.
• Current active listings have been on the market for an average of 151 days.
• During the last six months, the average sold price of homes has been $854,066 while the average days on the market have been 53.
• Properties priced between $2 million and $2.5 million sold the quickest in the last six months in Chevy Chase.
• Meanwhile, the average sold price for homes sold in the last month has been $756,152, while the average days on the market has been 69.
• By comparing the date from the last six months to the last month, we see that the demand for Chevy Chase homes has decreased
• Currently, the housing inventory number for Chevy Chase, MD is about 4.9 months.

Relocate to Chevy Chase, MD Today!

Just like in Bethesda, MD, it certainly is a home buyer’s market here in Chevy Chase.

If you’ve been thinking about investing in Chevy Chase real estate lately, I recommend you do it now while prices are still at unprecedented lows.

For more expert advice on the best way to navigate the local housing market, contact me, Melinda Estridge, today!

As your Chevy Chase area REALTOR, I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have as well as offer you such helpful Maryland home buying resources as:

• History of Chevy Chase
• Chevy Chase Neighborhoods
• Maryland Home Buying Guide

Until next time,

Melinda

What Are The Issues?

The Site Selection Advisory Committee has been reviewing possible sites for the future school since November 2011. In earlier meetings, it was determined that 10 acres is the minimum amount of land needed to build the school. However, 20 acres is preferred.

The school’s ideal location would be in the central part of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase cluster. It should not be too close to Westland Middle School, which is located in the western part of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase cluster.

Which Locations Are Under Review?

So far, the list of 25 possible public sites has been narrowed down to 11 locations. These include the following:

• Rock Creek Hills LP
• North Chevy Chase LP
• Lynnbrook LP/ES
• Rosemary Hills / Lyttonsville LP
• WSSC Lyttonsville
• Grace Episcopal School
• Norwood LP
• Westland MS
• Meadowbrook LP
• Mongtomery County Bus Lot
• SHA Property / I-495 Intersection

Other Montgomery County Concerns

The Meadowbrook Park location, currently under review, is located in a floodplain.The Rock Creek Hills Local Park site was developed using funds from the State of Maryland’s Program Open Space. Program Open Space places restrictions on land usage for a twenty-year period. However, this expires February 5, 2012 for the Rock Creek Hills LP.

Find Out More

These sites will be reviewed again on the February 8 meeting at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School at 7 p.m. This meeting is open to the public. To find out more information, visit the Montgomery County Public Schools website.

Do you have any thoughts on where the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Middle School #2 should go? Please feel free to share your opinions with us.

Capital Economics expects the housing crisis to end this year, according to a report released Tuesday. One of the reasons: loosening credit.

Recent Credit Trends

The analytics firm notes the average credit score required to attain a mortgage loan is 700. While this is higher than scores required prior to the crisis, it is constant with requirements one year ago.

Additionally, a Fed Senior Loan Officer Survey found credit requirements in the fourth quarter were consistent with the past three quarters.

Where Is the Development Going to Be?

With 250,000 square feet of land already approved for development, the borders for the Chevy Chase Lake development are: Jones Bridge Road (north), Jones Mill Road (east), the East West Highway (south) and Columbia Country Club (west).

What Are the Development Plans?

The development will favor low to mid-rise individual buildings, which will be located in close proximity to a Purple Line light rail station. Approximately 700 to 780 residences are planned for construction, with more commercial buildings located closer to the Purple Line station. The tallest building in the development currently stands on 8401 Connecticut Avenue. Environmental concerns, including storm water management and tree planting is currently being taken into account.

What You Won’t See

Lisa Fadden, the project contact and Vice President of Public Affairs for the Chevy Chase Land Company, insists that the Chevy Chase Lake development will not be a place for luxury retail. She is open to suggestions concerning the types of shops and restaurants the community would like to have. Plans for high-rise buildings have also been abandoned.

When Will This Take Place?

Don’t expect to see these buildings any time soon. According to Chevy Chase Patch, a finalized plan is not expected until the spring of next year. Construction will most likely take place during a 15 to 20 year block of time.

Do you think the development plans for Chevy Chase Lake are a good idea? Feel free to share your opinion with us!

With the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Restaurant Week in full force, here’s a list of local restaurants participating in the event. You won’t want to miss out on this special event, ending January 29.

Also be sure to check out new nearby restaurant openings and find out what local restaurants are offering cooking classes.

Participating Restaurants

Two and three course meals are offered for the following prices: $13 or $16 for lunch and $33 for dinners. This does not include tax, tip or drinks. Whether you’re in the mood for sushi or steak, spaghetti or salmon, you’re certain to find some amazing dishes at the following restaurants.

American Cuisine

Redwood

Persimmon Restaurant

Oakville Grille and Wine Bar

American Tap Room

Newton’s Table

Nest Café

Grape Seed

Argentinian Cuisine

Divino

Asian Cusine

Raku

Passage to India

French

Brasserie Monte Carlo

Bezu

Mon Ami Gabi

Le Vieux Logis

La Ferme

International

Clydes

Old Anglers Inn

K Town Bistro

Food Wine and Company

Italian Cuisine

Assaggi Mozzarella Bar

Geppetto Restaurant

Tragara Ristorante

LIA’s

Cesco Osteria

Irish Cuisine

Irish Inn at Glen Echo

Mediterranean Cuisine

Chef Tony’s

Tavira

Lebanese Taverna

Spanish Cuisine

Jaleo

Guardado’s

Seafood

Freddy’s Lobsters and Clams

Southern

Louisiana Kitchen and Bayou Bar

Steakhouse

Capital Grille

Local Changes

Two new restaurants will be opening soon in Bethesda.

The Majestic Bar and Grill will repace Gaffney’s on Wisconsin Avenue. The Majestic’s owner has described the new restaurant as a one of a kind gastropub.

Smoke BBQ Bethesda will replace Asian Café on Cordell Avenue.

Cooking Classes

Mon Ami Gabi will offer classes starting January 21 at 10 am. Learn to cook things like: four mushroom soup, sea scallops with butternut squash puree, and warm chocolate pudding cake.The cost is $50 per person.

L’Academie de Cuisine has all kinds of classes, from beginners to advanced chefs, to different kinds of cuisine. Check out this Bethesda cooking school for information on prices and class times.

Tell us your favorite Chevy Chase-Bethesda restaurant.

The Improving State of the Real Estate Market

Winter is upon us and we look forward to our spring real estate market, which many Realtors will tell you, begins late January into early February. Perhaps this “early start” is due to New Year’s resolutions to move up, size down, relocate, or buy that “dream home”.

Buyers start coming out in droves to view open houses and consider all possibilities of making a purchase in the current market. In most of the Washington DC regions, we have seen a steady drawdown in inventory with only a few sub-markets showing increases (and those are mostly outside The Beltway). While the number of buyers has waned, it is not so great to keep sales from remaining steady.

What is Different in Today’s Market?

The real difference is that there are fewer inventories than over the past few years. Ultimately this is a good trend for home sellers as less inventory means more price stability. We do not anticipate any appreciation in our market this year.

Many buyers in our area and those coming from other real estate markets have not been able to sell their current homes for a profit — many have lost money on homes they purchased between 2004 and 2008.

Buyers that I see today are cautious, taking a lot longer to make a decision about buying a home. They realize that the appreciation gains of the past are not likely to occur again for a long time. They want to buy wisely and for the long term. Buyers who would come to town to buy for a few years and then sell or relocate are a thing of the past. Today, people moving to our area for only a few years, are renting rather than buying.

The Keys to Successful Selling

Price, location and condition are still the most important criteria to buyers. The fewer repairs, updating and redecorating, the better. In our market we still see houses for sale that sit for many months with no results and numerous price reductions. There are also sellers who after months of no results, simply take their home off the market and decide to stay until the market gets better.

Unless a seller is very motivated they may not be successful. Condition and staging have become more important than ever. I listen to buyers going through open houses making comments about needed upgrades and improvements more than ever before. The days of living with tired carpeting, dated wallpaper and older windows is a thing of the past. Buyers want low utility bills, energy efficient upgrades, low maintenance and a user friendly floor plan.

Our Market Remains Healthy

The good news for our real estate market is that we have fared better than most of the country. Sellers are still able to sell in a timely manner if priced competitively. There is no need to be on the market for a long period of time and sellers do not have to accept contracts contingent on the buyers selling their home.

Two Important Changes in Our Industry for Homebuyers and Sellers:

1. FHA has reverted to their loan limits of $725,000 from $625,000. This will provide a larger buying pool for buyers who have less than a 20% down payment.

2. Our contracts now provide that homes are sold in completely “as is” condition. Previously our sales contracts stipulated that mechanical, electrical and plumbing in the house would be in normal operating condition. This language has been deleted. The seller is now no longer required to make any of these repairs. Buyers will still have home inspections and will still have the option of requesting repairs or credits for repairs but the seller will be under no contractual obligation.

Looking Ahead

It has always been difficult to choose the very best time to buy or sell a home. Whenever forecasters have tried to predict the bottom of the market, it is usually on the way up. We probably have a more normal real estate marketplace than I have seen in many years, with opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Interest rates still remain historically low, prices have stabilized and there are many good opportunities regardless of your goals.

We look forward to a successful spring in real estate.

Nonprofit Support

The Solomon Dixon Foundation, or Cleaning for Chemo program, provides free house cleaning services for individuals undergoing chemotherapy treatments.  Inspired by a cancer survivor, the Foundation’s goal is to alleviate patients’ stress by providing a clean home they can return to. Tasks include vacuuming, dusting, sanitizing showers, sinks and counters, emptying trash, keeping the home tidy and more.

Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 or older and available on weekends. Please contact the Solomon Dixon Foundation for more information and to access the volunteer application.

Assisting the Elderly

Friendly Visitors is a program that pairs volunteers with senior citizens who are unable to leave their homes due to medical conditions.  This is a wonderful opportunity to provide support for the elderly and to develop a long term friendship.

Requirements

Friendly Visitors is currently looking for someone to assist in the Silver Spring area. Volunteers must be at least 21 and commit to one hour a week visits for one year. An orientation is required, which is scheduled February 15 at 6:30 p.m. Contact the Mental Health Association of Montgomery County for more information or other volunteer opportunities.

Environmental Opportunities

If you love nature, enjoy learning new things, and have a knack for public speaking, you might be interested in working with the Montgomery County Nature Facilities in Bethesda. Volunteers help run programs for all age groups, focusing on environmental and cultural topics.

Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 or older and pass a background check. Training will be done online and on location. Contact the Montgomery Parks Volunteer Services Office for more information.

Do you volunteer for a local organization? Feel free to share with us.

That’s because activity on the local housing market remained slow, while average days on the market remained high.

Continue reading to learn more about recent Chevy Chase real estate market activity, and why it will likely prove advantageous to buyers like you.

Chevy Chase Homes for Sale

Here’s a look at the most recent trends on the Chevy Chase real estate market, based on recent market data:

• Currently there are 4 sales pending and 64 active listings on the market.
• The $600,000 to $900,000 price range saw the most activity during this time, based on the number of pending contracts in this range.
• The average list price for all properties on the Chevy Chase real estate market is $1,435,020.
• During the last six months, 106 contracts have closed.  The majority of those contracts fell within the $600,000 to $900,000 range.
• The average sold price on those 106 homes was $1,092,596.
• During that same period, 9 listings failed to sell for one reason or another.
• Currently, the average number of days on the market for active listings in Chevy Chase is 109 days.
• During the last six months, the average number of days on the market for sold properties has been 40 days.
• Properties in the $2.1 to $2.4 million price range have sold the fastest over the last six months.
• Currently, there is a 3.6 month housing inventory on the Chevy Chase real estate market.

Your Chevy Chase Real Estate Experts

The housing inventory alone suggests that it’s a slow time on the Chevy Chase real estate market for area home sellers.

While this is bad news for them, it’s great news for interested home buyers like you.

After all, home sellers are interested in selling their home in as little time as possible so they can move on to their next home.

But  right now, homes for sale in this area are staying on the market for more than 3 months!

This will likely cause interested home sellers to drop their list price in order to attract more buyers.  This is advantageous for home buyers because it means they stand to get a great deal on an impressive Chevy Chase estate.

For more information on how recent market activity may affect you – or for expert advice on how to effectively navigate the Chevy Chase real estate market – contact me, Melinda Estridge.

When you call, my team of Chevy Chase REALTORS and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have as well as provide you with such helpful tools as:

• Buy a home in Chevy Chase
• Home buyer guide
• Featured Chevy Chase home

Until next time,

Melinda