NEW LISTING! Crescent Plaza #317

Come and Get It!

It won't last - so you guys get first crack at it!

Large, Corner, 1BR with large private balcony facing Woodmont.

714 Sq. Feet - FABULOUS!

I can only keep is secret for a short time. Call me today for a preview ! 703-216-9100

Under Contract - Crescent Plaza - #712

Under Contract!

The market is still strong for units at Crescent Plaza. We still have one of the more attractive "Downtown" properties, especially at the sub-$400K price point.

The buildings patience with my constant open houses on the weekends is paying dividends. I have been keeping a list of folks with interest in the building and have been successful in soliciting these buyers to return.

The larger one bedroom units tend to sell quickly as do those with a balcony. We have been able to get premium prices for these units as well. The smaller one bedroom units are still finding buyers - but the time on the market tends to be up to 90 days.

Call me today if you are planning to sell this Spring. I am happy to speak with you confidentially as to what your unit may be worth!

New Listings Coming Soon!

The fall selling season is here - and the Bethesda/Chevy Chase market is vibrant. While last year at this time there were close to 10 units on the market for sale. Currently - there are only two units on the market and both are being shown quite a bit.

What does this mean?

The glut of inventory in the condo market in Bethesda/Chevy Chase is gone. New construction units at The Adagio and The Chase are almost sold out, and this has allowed the inventory to sell in our building. This bodes well for all units for sale at Crescent Plaza - and I'd love to have a few more to show.

Within the next two weeks I will be putting 2 separate one bedroom units on the market. Both units are on upper floors - and have parking included with the sale. Both of the units have upgraded kitchens and one of them has extensively upgraded the trim package with Crown Moulding and overhead spot lighting in the family room.

Call me if you would like to see either of these units before they formally are released to the public. If you have a friend or family member that loves the building - why not give them a call? I promise I will take very good care of them.

With the market heating up - I really need 2 additional listings to allow me to market the building efficiently. Why not call me today? I have all the latest data on sales in the building and local market. The time is now!

SOLD - Unit # 301 - 1BR / 1BA $357,800

The Market is still Brisk!

Unit #301 went to settlement on October 9th. The sales price for this 732 square foot unit was $357,800. ($488 per foot). This unit was on the market for 111 days. This is not a bad marketing time for a unit in the lower 3 floors. This unit sold for 96.7% of original sales price.

The market in Bethesda is still good and has maintained its vigor. The competition from new condos in the area has cut into the market a bit, but the Crescent Plaza location is still a winner.

I predict the next unit to sell will be #618. Keeping my fingers crossed!

SOLD - Unit # 517 - 1BR / 1BA $ 372,000

Who says the market is slow?

Unit #517 went to settlement on September 22nd. The sales price for this 714 square foot unit was $372,000. ($521 per foot) This unit was only on the market for 26 days which is a good indication that Crescent Plaza is still a hot ticket in Bethesda.

The condo sold for 98% of its list price which was consistent with the last sale in the building. Unit #904 sold in 21 days at $385,000 ($525 per foot) which was within approximately 4% of the initial list price.

The market is good and getting better. There are still a limited number of purchasers looking at any given time. Pricing your unit correctly is still very important. If not priced correctly, the home will languish on the market and ultimately sell for less.

LIVE MUSIC ! Flanigan's Harp and Fiddle

One of the greatest advantages to living in the Bethesda area is the wealth of Arts and Entertainment available, most often for free. Flanigan's has been around for over 20 years. Originally, it was located in the basement of what is now the Lionsgate Condominium. When the property was sold to construct the Lionsgate, Flanigan's moved and renamed itself Flanigan's Harp and Fiddle.

Change is good they say, and for Flanigan's it was fabulous. What was once a dark basement bar - a dive - with the expected odor of stale beer and worse, has reinvented itself. A lovely upscale location has brought in all the regulars from years past, and a new throng of fans. Irish themed, there are few bars that pour a better pint of Guinness. The food is typical pub-grub, it will fill your belly, but is not haute cuisine

The real beauty of this local bar is the music. The venue is small, and is a wonderful - intimate place to hear music. Check it out. Have them pour you a pint, and see how great our local music scene can be!

This week at Flanigan's Harp and Fiddle:

Sat. 9/19 40 Thieves - Irish
Sun. 9/20 Mary Ann Redmond - Blues
Wed. 9/23 The Colliders - Rockabilly
Thur. 9/24 Mary Ann Redmond - Blues
Fri. 9/25 The Brandon Combs Band - Funk/Rock
Sat. 9/26 The Flying Cows of Ventry - Irish
Sun. 9/27 Mary Ann Redmond - Blues

Flanigan's is located at:

4844 Cordell Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
(301) 951-0115

Tell the Bartender that Gerry sent you!

WALKABILITY ! The new buzzword

WALKABILITY! This is going to be the new buzzword for urban real estate. As was reported last week, Crescent Plaza has received a PERFECT score of 100!

I will keep you apprised of the evolution of WALKABILITY in the Real Estate world. As this concept becomes more ingrained in the consumer's search criteria, it can only mean rising prices for Crescent Plaza.

Check out the story done by MARKETWATCH to learn more about Walkability.

Speed Cameras Replaced in Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase has replaced its existing speed cameras with expensive, latest generation, "Laser" cameras. This will allow them to catch more then one driver at a time if speeding in Chevy Chase village.

The funds raised by these fines are supposed to be used to increase public safety in Chevy Chase village. Fox 5 DC news reports that the funds are actually being used to fund capital improvement projects and buy new lockers in the police department locker room.

Real Estate Broker Gerry Dunn, who often lists and sells units in Crescent Plaza, has been called a speed camera "watchdog" in the DC area. He is interviewed for this news report. You may recognize him as the agent that often holds open units for sale in the building.

The best advice this post can offer is to drive the speed limit in Chevy Chase. Big Brother is alive and well and looking to ticket you if you choose to speed!

How do you feel about Speed Cameras? Are they a necessary part of public safety, or an invasion of privacy? Please comment!

Bethesda Central Farm Market

We are in the midst of harvest season for most local farmers. It is worth checking out the Bethesda Farmers Market on Sunday mornings from 9am to 1pm. The market is set up in the parking lot along Elm Street adjacent to Jaleo.

It is scheduled from June through October, with in season offerings changing each week. Look for the last of the good tomatoes over the next few weeks.

The market is not the largest in the area, but it is worth getting there early for first choice of just picked produce and fresh fruit. It is so difficult to ever eat tomatoes again from a supermarket after slicing and salting a fresh Heirloom variety from the farm.

Give it a try and let me know what your think! You have the ability to comment on the post. PLEASE DO!

What other local events make this building and its location so fabulous?

Sunday 9/13 - COFFEE AND BAGELS!

FREE COFFEE AND BAGELS!

I am holding an open house in unit 618 on Sunday from 10am to 1pm. Don't forget to stop by and say hello. I will have bagels from BETHESDA BAGEL and freshly brewed, strong coffee to start your day.

I am looking forward to meeting all the residents of Crescent Plaza - whether owners or renters. I will have a list of units in the building that have sold with final sales prices, and a list of those currently on the market. This is a great opportunity to get an update on the state of the current market

If you want an idea of what your unit could sell for in this market, please let me know. I can take a look and give you a detailed analysis of what to expect. If you are currently renting in Crescent Plaza, ask me how easy it is to buy!

I hope to see you in Unit 618 this Sunday!

Walkability? Crescent Plaza is PERFECT !

All of us are aware of the real estate adage "Location, Location, Location". The physical location of the property effects every aspect of marketing and sale. In Chevy Chase, Bethesda and most close in suburbs, Walkability has become a buzzword with potential buyers.

A new website has been developed to provide buyers with a objective analysis of how walkable a property is. This site, Walkscore.com , will allow you to compare various locations to determine how convenient they are to shopping, restaurants, public transportation and city conveniences.

If you live in Crescent Plaza, you already know how convenient the location is to all amenities. You will be pleased to hear that Crescent Plaza was awarded a perfect 100 for walkability.

What does my score mean?

Your Walk Score is a number between 0 and 100. Here are general guidelines for interpreting your score:
90–100 = Walkers' Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people get by without owning a car.
70–89 = Very Walkable: It's possible to get by without owning a car.
50–69 = Somewhat Walkable: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.
25–49 = Car-Dependent: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.
0–24 = Car-Dependent (Driving Only): Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!

When marketing a condominium in the Chevy Chase and Bethesda area this walkability score is a must have in your marketing materials. Why wouldn't you exploit the beauty and convenience of Crescent Plaza by telling people how close you are to EVERYTHING!

If you are getting ready to prepare your home for sale, feel free to contact me regarding how to find this and other valuable marketing material.