Author Archives: Beth Stanton

Why Buy A Home With Go Brent Team?

As a homebuyer, Go Brent Team offers you value. We are all full-time agents who have an unrivaled command of the local market.

We will:

  • Provide you with a free consultation to get a clear picture of your ideal home.
  • Help you choose an experienced lender.
  • Offer on-going updates of properties in your target neighborhoods, schedule appointments, and assist you to compare homes.
  • Advise you on offer terms, prepare an offer, and negotiate on your behalf.
  • Assist you with vendor selections and coordinate services.
  • Coordinate preparation for settlement and complete the transaction.
  • Serve as an on-going resource.

As your buyer agent, we’ll work to ensure you are aware of the best properties available in your desired area, price range, and location. We can also suggest other neighborhoods that you may have overlooked but might want to consider. Often times, we also learn of new listings before they actually hit the market which can offer you an advantage.

Recently Sold To Go Brent Team Buyers!

We assisted our buyers with the purchase of these homes.

We negotiated the sale of these homes for our buyers before they hit the market.

Thinking of buying a new home?

Please contact us to schedule a free consultation! Our team is licensed in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. and our buyer agents, Tammy Thomas, Debbie Gerald, and Cari Jordan, look forward to working with you.

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Silver Spring Cares Welcomes New Organizations

Haven’t been to the Silver Spring Cares website lately? Well, we’ve been super busy exploring all of the amazing organizations right here in Silver Spring. Who knew we had such a wealth of folks working hard to better the lives of so many right here in Silver Spring; and we’ve only scratched the surface!

Since our launch in June, we’ve added 11 new organizations! Welcome to Carpe Diem, Silver Spring Village, Hope Restored, Comfort Cases, Identity, One Montgomery Green, The Arc of Montgomery County, Difference Makers, Create Arts Center, Passion 4 Learning, and Adventist Community Services!

Be sure to clear your kitchen counter for Casseroles for A Cause on Saturday, October 7th! Learn more and sign up to host at http://www.silverspringcares.org/casseroles-for-a-cause/.

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Haven’t been to the Silver Spring Cares website lately? Well, we’ve been super busy exploring all of the amazing organizations right here in Silver Spring. Who knew we had such a wealth of folks working hard to better the lives of so many right here in Silver Spring; and we’ve only scratched the surface!

Since our launch in June, we’ve added 11 new organizations! Welcome to Carpe Diem, Silver Spring Village, Hope Restored, Comfort Cases, Identity, One Montgomery Green, The Arc of Montgomery County, Difference Makers, Create Arts Center, Passion 4 Learning, and Adventist Community Services!

Be sure to clear your kitchen counter for Casseroles for A Cause on Saturday, October 7th! Learn more and sign up to host at http://www.silverspringcares.org/casseroles-for-a-cause/.


FREE First-Time Home Buyer Seminar – September 27

Join Debbie Gerald with Go Brent Team of Keller Williams Capital Properties and Ramez Fahmy, Branch Manager at Caliber Home Loans for an informative seminar on how to purchase your first home.  The seminar is offered on Wednesday, September 27 from 7:00-8:30pm at the Silver Spring Civic Center in downtown Silver Spring. There is no cost or obligation, just plenty of information! Please register in advance.

Homebuyers are invited to come discuss the ins and outs of purchasing and financing your first home. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and learn how to start the home buying process.

A little more about your hosts:

As a member of Go Brent Team, a top-ranked DC Metro area team helping 40 clients to buy homes last year, Debbie Gerald specializes in educating first-time homebuyers on the home buying process and the many avenues available when purchasing your first home. Debbie is an expert in the marketplace and an experienced contract negotiator; she also provides clients with superior service. Buyers know they can count on Debbie to guide them as they search for the right home.

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Caliber Home Loans Branch Manager Ramez Fahmy offers buyers 20-years experience in mortgage lending. Ramez is dedicated to providing superior service and expert guidance to first-time buyers throughout the home financing process. Caliber Home Loans offers competitive rates and fees along with innovative mortgage solutions to first-time homebuyers. Last year Ramez helped over 100 clients finance their home purchase. (NMLS#: 476394)

Can’t attend but want more information about home buying process? Email Debbie or call 301.873.0422.

Value Added: Outdoor Living

Nothing quite says relaxing like the thought of sitting outside on your porch during a beautiful evening. And with the dog days of summer behind us, sitting outside becomes a reality again.

Outdoor spaces can be very appealing for buyers, especially for those who enjoy being outside and like to have the space and ambience to entertain. While many buyers may not specifically have porches, patios, or backyard studios on their “must have” list, outdoor spaces certainly can add value for some buyers as it extends the living space of the home.

Several of our current listing offer great outdoor spaces – take a look!

26 Eastmoor Drive | Woodmoor (For Sale)

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113 Eastmoor Drive | Woodmoor (For Sale)

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2970 Forsythe Avenue | Forest Glen Park (For Sale)

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104 Southwood Avenue | Northwood Park (For Sale)

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217 Williamsburg Drive | Woodmoor (Under Contract)

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If you’re interested in seeing more, contact us today!

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New Real Estate Pricing Stats for Mid-Year 2017

Can you believe we’re more than halfway through 2017? Our real estate pricing stats are updated through mid-year 2017. The stats cover the past ten years of home sales. We have stats available for zip codes in Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and Kensington. Some zip codes show that home prices are near, or exceed, where we were at the top of the market.

We’re happy to share this data with you! Fill out the form below to request your copy.

The Advantage of Pre-Sale Home Preparation

Pre-sale home preparation is one of the most important things you can do to add value in the mind of the buyer. Go Brent Team’s home preparation can raise the value of your property by leading the eye to attractive features while minimizing flaws.

We offer advice regarding all phases of property preparation. While some sellers paint, refinish floors, and take on other major projects, some clients do very little. We will advise you on which improvements will add value and, if appropriate, arrange for the work and oversee the contractors.

Even if major improvements to the house are not on your agenda, we can recommend minor changes and inexpensive adjustments that can make a big difference in attracting buyers. Cleaning, small repairs, and landscaping can go a long way in making an appealing visual statement, both in online photos and in person.

Considering selling? Ensure your home makes the best impression when it hits the market. Contact us for a free consultation today!

“We dreaded going through the prep work to get ready to sell. The fact that Go Brent Team could arrange for the contractor, mover, hauler, cleaner, and window washer was a huge load off our minds. You really, really surpassed our expectations. We thank you!”

— Ken Brown & Donna Creedon, sold in Silver Spring after just 5 days on the market

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Montgomery Co Tax Bills Are Coming – Are You Receiving the Homestead Tax Credit?

Tax Bills are Here – Ensure You’re Receiving Tax Credits!
Homestead Property Tax Credits and New Mo Co Tax Credits for Elderly & Military Retirees

It’s July, for Montgomery County homeowners this means that tax bills will be arriving in your mailboxes shortly – the County estimates mailing bills in mid-July (bills will also be available via the County website).

Homestead Property Tax Credits

Tax Bill Example
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When you receive your bill you should look to see if you are receiving the Homestead Property Tax Credit (you’ll see “County Property Tax Credit”). This tax credit was established to help homeowners deal with large assessment increases on their principal residence. The Homestead Credit limits the increase in taxable assessments each year to a fixed percentage.

To prevent improper granting of this credit, a law was enacted in 2007 that requires all homeowners to submit a one-time application to establish eligibility for the credit. There are several criteria to be met, but the main conditions are that the property is your principal residence and you must have lived in it for at least six months of the year, including July 1 of the year for which the credit is applicable.

If you are not seeing a homestead property tax credit on your tax bill, you should determine the status of your Homestead eligibility by looking up your property on the Real Property Database.

Homestead Exemption Example
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Look at the bottom of the page, where it says Homestead Application Status. If it says “No Application,” then you should reapply to capture this credit on future tax bills.

For more info, check out frequently asked questions about Homestead Property Tax Credit, or contact the Homestead unit directly at 1-866-650-8783 or visit their website.

Tax Credits for Elderly & Military Retirees

Earlier this year the Montgomery County Council also enacted new legislation granting property tax credits for elderly individuals and for military retirees. Owners who are 65 or over and who has owned and lived in the dwelling for at least 40 consecutive years or those who are 65 or over and a military retiree may qualify depending on the assessed value of the home.

For 2017 taxes only, applications will be accepted until September 1, 2017. If you wish to receive a credit for your 2017 taxes, you must apply by September 1, 2017. For all other tax years, you must apply by April 1. This tax credit will not be issued on the July property tax bill; instead it will be calculated and issued on a subsequent revision of your tax bill, with the tax credit appearing as a line item deduction on the bill.

You can read more about the new tax credit and how to apply here.

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Staging Sells!

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) recently issued a report that home staging offers a distinct advantage to sellers – a speedy sale.

Go Brent Team routinely offers complimentary staging – our staging strategy has been honed over the last 15+ years and focuses on transforming a property into a welcoming, enticing space to attract the largest pool of potential buyers thereby resulting in a quicker sale for the highest possible price for our sellers!

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Over the past decade, we’ve built a substantial inventory of furniture, rugs, books and general décor to lend to clients. Years of experience arranging furniture in all types of homes, plus a retail background in home furnishings and décor merchandising, gives a strong base of knowledge. Our complimentary service includes furniture, décor as well as the labor! This represents a significant cost savings for sellers.

We also assist our clients with a plan to declutter and depersonalize the home to ensure that photos showcase the home rather than possessions.

Want to know more? Contact us for a consultation.

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Boomers, Millennials, and the McMansions No One Wants via Realtor.com

photo via Tom Merton/iStock; hobo_018/iStock; pamspix;iStock

We recently came across this article from realtor.com that digs into the current housing market for both baby boomers and millennials.

“Younger and older generations alike are gravitating toward smaller dwellings in more urban, walkable suburbs and cities, with restaurants and coffee shops around the corner.” – Realtor.com article

“This is spot on,” per Liz Brent. “The outer zip codes of Silver Spring have not recovered from the crash in 2008 and unless there is significant development other than housing and transportation fixes, they likely will not recover. Meanwhile, what we are seeing the innermost zip codes, in Takoma Park (20912) and Silver Spring (20910, 20901, and parts of 20902), is that very few houses stay on the market for any length of time and we continue to see multiple offers, particularly on renovated houses.”

Celebrate Independence Day with Local Fireworks Displays!

Many of you will surely be headed downtown for the Independence Day parade, A Capitol Fourth Concert, and the amazing fireworks display. If you’re planning on spending Independence Day on the National Mall, you can find a schedule of events, best firework viewing areas, and lots of other details on the National Park Service site. If you don’t want to venture downtown, here are some terrific July 4th events you can take in closer to home:

MONTGOMERY COUNTY MID-COUNTY SPARKLES

Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Mill Road

Live music will begin at 7:30 PM, featuring Gringo Jingo Ultimate Santana Tribute Group with fireworks at 9:15 PM. The viewing areas will be at the front of the school on the ball field and at the Newport Mill Middle School, 11311 Newport Mill Road. No on-site parking at either school or at adjacent properties, except for handicapped parking. Shuttle buses will pick up passengers, beginning at 6 PM, at Westfield Wheaton Plaza in the parking lot in between the North Building and the CVS store and at the Wheaton Metro Station Georgia Avenue side. Low lawn chairs and coolers are welcome. Food vendors will be on site. No alcoholic beverages are permitted. Rain date for the fireworks only is July 5th. No shuttle service will be available on the 5th.

128th ANNUAL TAKOMA PARK INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION

Parade, Carroll & Ethan Allen Avenues

Fireworks, Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Road

The parade begins at 10:00 AM, rain or shine, at the intersection of Carroll and Ethan Allen Avenues. It will travel south on Carroll Avenue, turn right on Maple Avenue, and continue to Ritchie Avenue. The evening celebration will be held at Takoma Park Middle School starting at 7:00 PM with entertainment provided by bilingual folk-rock band Elena & Los Fulanos, the Takoma Park Community Band, and The AcroAirs from Washington Adventist University. Fireworks display is slated to start at 9:30 PM. Limited parking is available in the parking lot of the Takoma Park Middle School and on nearby side streets. There will be food vendors on-site.  Rain date is slated for next clear evening.

CITY OF COLLEGE PARK & THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

University of Maryland, Lot 1 adjacent to Campus Drive

Free concert featuring The Nightlife Band from 7:00-9:00 PM followed by a 30-40 minute Fireworks Extravaganza at dusk! Fun for all ages with concessions open at 5:00 PM (hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, snow cones, soda and bottled water). Grass seating is limited, so bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Personal coolers are also allowed, but alcohol is not permitted. Rain date for fireworks only is July 5th.