Tag Archives: Go Brent Team

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.

FREE First-time Homebuyer Seminar – Saturday, July 22 at 10AM

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 Saturday, July 22 from 10-11am 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.

The Launch of Silver Spring Cares

Liz Brent

We are excited to announce the launch of Silver Spring Cares, our new local non-profit. Founded earlier this year, Silver Spring Cares is the brainchild of Liz Brent, Associate Broker of Keller Williams Capital Properties and founder of Go Brent Team. The Long Branch apartment building fire and explosion in the summer of 2016 showed how powerful the generosity of Silver Spring residents could be. Always a people-connector, Liz sprung into action thinking of different ways to easily connect the needs of our more vulnerable neighbors with those with the ability to give. Hence, Silver Spring Cares was born.

Silver Spring Cares works to strengthen the Silver Spring community through the power of connection. Whether you are looking to donate items, donate funds, or donate time, Silver Spring Cares is your destination for information on our community’s needs and opportunities for service. By engaging the diverse needs and resources of our residents, we can create a community in which all of us may thrive.

Heather Foley

Silver Spring resident Heather Foley will serve the non-profit’s Director. Heather was a Marketing Team Leader for Whole Foods Market for 9 years. In addition to marketing, she was responsible for community engagement and managing all corporate donations including The National Zoo, National Geographic, and countless others. Heather has severed on several non-profit boards and most recently has worked with the DC Diaper Bank and Shepherds Table.

Check out the website for a list of participating non-profits, to find out about volunteering or donating, or learn about SSL hours. Silver Spring Cares is still growing and adding new organizations daily; if you know of a great organization that should be a part of Silver Spring Cares, please email us to let us know. You can also “Like” Silver Spring Cares on Facebook to stay up-to-date with local organizations and upcoming opportunities.

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Your Guide to Father’s Day 2017

Father’s Day is this week and if you’re still looking for a plan on how to spend the day, why not change it up with a little taste tour? We’ve put together a short list of local tasting rooms with incredible drink selections (and food, of course) that will satisfy your palate on a day that’s dedicated to you! Relax, take in the hops, and find your new favorite spot.

Anxo Cidery & Pinxtos Bar

photo via Eater DC

Begin your Father’s Day in Brightwood at ANXO Cidery & Pinxtos Bar. Anxo has a great selection of House Ciders and a Catalan-inspired menu featuring various Tapas and Pintxos!

Address: 711 Kennedy St. NW, Washington DC 20011
Phone: 202-722 2696
Website: www.anxodc.com

Hellbender Brewing Co.

photo via City Brew Tours

Next, head over to Hellbender Brewing, Co. Grab a seat at one of their communal tables with a board game and immerse yourself in their tap room. Enjoy pints of your favorite beers plus a selection of one-offs and rare finds you can’t get elsewhere. Still hungry? Grab some DC-made 8 Myles Wings from 4-7pm to go with those pints!

Address: 5788 2nd St NE, Washington, DC 20011
Phone: 202-827-8768
Website: www.hellbenderbeer.com

Denizens Brewing Co.

photo via Eater DC

Your tour ends at Denizen’s Brewing Co. right here in Silver Spring. This local brewery churns out fantastic beer, is dog-friendly, and has corn-hole for you to play right in their fantastic beer garden. Denizens is the perfect place to unwind for the remainder of your day.

Address: 1115 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301-557-9818
Website: www.denizensbrewingco.com

YTD Market Stats Round Up

Below are data statistics for single-family home sales year to date in 20910, 20901, 20912, and 20895.

Interested in what’s happening in another zip code or are you looking for information on the market in your specific neighborhood? Contact us for local market insights.

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73 Homes Sold in 20910

Highest Priced Sale – $1,213,990
Average Home Sold Price – $637,453
Average Days on Market – 22

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136 Homes Sold in 20901

Highest Priced Sale – $805,334
Average Home Sold Price – $471,015
Average Days on Market – 29

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46 Homes Sold in 20912

Highest Priced Sale – $1,050,000
Average Home Sold Price – $536,202
Average Days on Market – 28

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110 Homes Sold in 20895

Highest Priced Sale – $1,575,000
Average Home Sold Price – $623,168
Average Days on Market – 32

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Will Tesla’s New Solar Roof Drive Sales?

image via Tesla.com

Car manufacturer Tesla is looking to drive sales with their new solar roof product, which offers a seamless blend of both solar and normal tiles. The company is hoping a beautiful solar roof will attract customers, especially those who consider the current “add-on” panel option clunky. In an effort to make solar roofs more appealing to homeowners, Tesla is planning to offer four types of shingles, which will better blend aesthetically with home styles. A lifetime “infinity” warranty is also catching people’s attention. Business Insider offered some great information on Tesla’s new product.

Forbes recently estimated the total cost of installing a new Tesla roof with Powerall battery at about $58,200. Wow, can you say sticker shock! So, maybe you aren’t going to get a new Tesla solar roof, but you are interested in more traditional solar panels. There are tax benefits and energy savings opportunities that are appealing to homeowners, but what about when it’s time to sell your home?

image via Tesla.com

Go Brent Team agents discussed solar panels at our last team meeting. Here’s what was said:

  • When considering a home with solar panels, buyers typically have questions regarding who owns the panels and how things will work when they purchase the property.
  • Most buyers aren’t specifically looking for a home with panels; some may see them as a nice perk, others may not like the look of the panel and decide against a home because of it.
  • Listing agents don’t feel that there’s a local sales track record demonstrating if the market sees solar panels as a plus or minus.

Marty Stanton, title attorney at KVS Title LLC, said they have begun dealing with more home sales that involve solar panels. “Solar panels are considered a fixture, meaning they convey with the home. When sellers own the solar panels, it’s straightforward, they convey and become the property of the new homeowner. The agreement to maintain the panels and the warranty for the panels are simply assigned to the new owner. He cautions buyers, “If the solar panels are leased, prospective buyers should request to review the lease agreement. Essentially, the panels will convey with the home but the new homeowner then becomes responsible for the terms and conditions of the lease, which may include the remaining balance for the panels.”

image via Solar City

Stanton says a cost-benefit analysis can help buyers to determine if the panels will provide them with a real benefit. “Real estate agents can assist buyers to negotiate the panels’ lease as part of the home sale contract. If the buyer ultimately chooses to assume the lease, they’ll need to sign some additional documents at closing. It’s not complicated, but buyers should be aware they are entering into a legal agreement with a third-party and ensure they understand their legal and financial obligation.”

It will be interesting to see how Tesla influences the solar roof market. As more homeowners consider “green” options, this too will shape the local real estate market.

You can be assured that Go Brent Team is always working to keep up with the latest shifts in the real estate market. Whether you are considering solar panels or other home improvement options, we’re always available for free consults to discuss how decisions you make may affect your home’s value.

Montgomery County to Consider Zoning Amendment on Short-Term Rentals

Short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vacation Rentals by Owner (VBRO) continue to grow in popularity typically due to their affordability and convenience. Currently, these 30 day or less rentals are illegal in Montgomery County unless they are licensed as a hotel or Bed & Breakfast; however, this prohibition is weakly enforced and there are hundreds of Montgomery County listings on sites like Airbnb. Though the county doesn’t allow it, it still collects the local hotel/motel tax on rentals. The Montgomery County Planning Board has put together a proposed zoning text amendment (ZTA) that would regulate any short-term rental activity in Montgomery County.

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Silver Spring Airbnb Listings

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Takoma Park Airbnb Listings

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Just in Silver Spring and Takoma Park alone, you can see numerous short-term rentals.

Montgomery County follows Arlington County as the latest jurisdiction in the area attempting to put together proposed regulations, which states:

“…that a property can be used as a short-term residential rental for a maximum of 90 days in a calendar year and the use must be licensed. Each license would be issued for a term of one year and renewable for additional one-year terms, subject to payment of a license fee.

Occupancy in a short-term residential rental is limited to six adult guests per night. A maximum of two overnight guests may stay in each bedroom. A record of all overnight visitors must be maintained and ready for inspection by Health and Human Services (HHS) staff.” viamontgomeryplanning.org

A similar debate is now underway in the District as well.

The Montgomery Planning Board will meet to discuss the new short-term rental rules on May 11th.

For more information and coverage, visit montgomeryplanning.org

Getting Your Home On the Market Quickly

There are lots of times we talk about free consults and long-term planning for future sellers. But what if you want to get your house on the market ASAP?

Well, Go Brent Team can do that too!

A client recently hired us and wanted to get their house on the market as quickly as possible. We sprung into action! Within a week, we helped them prep the house, ensured all their paperwork was complete, and arranged for professional photographs. The following week we designed and printed color brochures, listed the house in the MLS, and held a weekend open house. By the end of week 3, the home was under contract.

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Are you thinking of making a move? Whether you want to be on the market in 3 weeks or 3 years, Go Brent Team is happy to help you plan for what’s next! Contact us to schedule your free consultation.

Dive In With Our Local Pool Round Up

photo via Forest Knolls Pool

April 15th may be tax day to most but for many it’s the official start of summer – it’s the time to send in summer pool dues! In addition to our local Montgomery County pools, there are many local pools with awesome swim teams, snack shacks, social events, and holiday celebrations.

If you are looking to join a pool we’ve compiled a list of some local ones along with links for membership info:

Calverton Swim Club

Address: 12615 Galway Drive
Phone: 301-572-4203
Website: calvertonswimclub.com
Membership Status: Memberships are available at this time. Learn More

Connecticut Belair Swim & Tennis Club

Address: 3901 Ferrara Drive
Phone: 301-946-4500
Website: cbpool.net
Membership Status: Memberships are available at this time. Learn More

Daleview Swim Club

Address: 901 Daleview Drive
Phone: 301-434-9555
Website: www.daleview.org
Membership Status: Memberships are not available at this time but the pool maintains a wait list. Learn More

Forest Knolls Pool

Address: 11105 Foxglove Lane
Phone: 301-593-9883
Website: forestknollspool.com
Membership Status: Memberships are available at this time. Learn More

Franklin Knolls Pool

Address: 820 E Franklin Avenue
Phone: 301-585-2153
Website: www.franklinknollspool.org
Membership Status: Memberships are not available at this time but the pool maintains a wait list. Learn More

Glenwood Pool

Address: 10012 Gardiner Avenue
Phone: 301-681-7599
Website: www.glenwoodpool.org
Membership Status: Memberships are not available at this time but the pool maintains a wait list; there is a $50 registration fee. Learn More

Hillandale Swim & Tennis Association

Address: 10116 Green Forest Drive
Phone: 301-434-4782
Website: www.hillandalepool.com
Membership Status: Memberships are available at this time. Learn More

Kemp Mill Swim Club

Address: 11805 Stonington Place
Phone: 301-593-7506
Website: swim.kempmill.org
Membership Status: Memberships are available at this time. Learn More

Kenmont Swim & Tennis Club

Address: 2900 Faulkner Place
Phone: 301-933-0047
Website: www.kenmont.com
Membership Status: Memberships are not available at this time but the pool maintains a wait list; there is a $50 registration fee. Learn More

Northwest Branch Pool

Address: 10850 Lockwood Drive
Phone: 301-593-9462
Website : www.nwbranchpool.com
Membership Status: Memberships are not available at this time but the pool does maintain a wait list. There is a $50 fee to be put on the waiting list but it will be credited towards your dues. Learn More

Robin Hood Swim Club

Address: 225 Mowbray Road
Phone: 301-384-9732
Website: www.robinhoodpool.club
Membership Status: Memberships are available at this time. Learn More

West Hillandale Swim Club

Address: 915 Schindler Drive
Phone: 301-439-4208
Website: www.westhillandaleswimclub.org
Membership Status: Memberships are available at this time. Learn More

YMCA Silver Spring

Address: 9800 Hastings Drive
Phone: 301-585-2120
Website: ymcadc.org
Membership Status: Memberships are available at this time. Learn More

Selling Your Home In A Strong Real Estate Market

We’re experiencing a strong local real estate market! Many of our listings are going under contract within 2 weeks, while some homes are selling just days after listing.

When homes sell quickly, many sellers think it doesn’t really matter who lists their home. Stick a sign in the yard and it’s done, right? Well actually, not really.

However you perceive the market, your home is likely your most valuable asset and selling it is an important business decision. The Realtor you hire will act as your advocate throughout the process.

Why hire Go Brent Team?

  1. Our agents are full-time Realtors and experts in the marketplace. We are the #1 team, sales and volume, in the combined area of Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and Kensington. We will assist you with pre-market preparation and professionally market your home to appeal to the widest pool of buyers.
  2. We are highly experienced contract negotiators; last year, we negotiated 116 sales for clients. This means we diligently work to evaluate offers, negotiate counter offers, and advise on terms, conditions, and home inspection items. All of these can affect your bottom line as a seller, so experience and expertise shouldn’t be overlooked when choosing an agent.
  3. We’re a team! We have the support and organization in place to always assist you quickly and efficiently. Your agent will guide you throughout the transaction and team members are in place to expertly handle specific parts of the transaction.

If you are thinking of buying or selling, contact us for a free consultation. Not moving? We appreciate your referrals – we’re happy to talk with your friends, neighbors, or colleagues.

We’re pleased to have assisted these clients this year: 

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