After working here in Silver Spring for almost two decades, it’s no secret that we at Go Brent Team love serving our neighbors in this incredible community. Whether it’s buying or selling homes, recommending local partners, or providing real estate advice, we’re always here to help put the spotlight on the best that Silver Spring has to offer.
Now, the spotlight is on us! Get to know more about Go Brent Team: our neighborhoods, favorite local spots, and local service recommendations – all the things we love about living and working in Silver Spring.
Liz Brent
SEVEN OAKS RESIDENT FOR 21 YEARS
I’ve lived in Silver Spring’s Seven Oaks neighborhood for 21 years now. The walkability is a huge plus since the kids could walk to schools and we have easy access to downtown Silver Spring. Kaldi’s Social House is my favorite local spot, it’s conveniently located next door to my office, and so stopping in for morning coffee is a must! I love that they are now offering lunch too.
A great local service provider I’ve found and worked with over the years is Diana Hyatt at the local M&T Bank on Georgia Avenue.
Debbie Gerald
SLIGO PARK HILLS RESIDENT FOR 4 YEARS
I grew up in Silver Spring then moved away, returning 9 years ago to renovate and sell a home in Woodside Park, and then moving to Sligo Park Hills 4 years ago. The close proximity to downtown Silver Spring and Takoma Park was really important to me; I also enjoyed meeting my neighbors, many of whom are the second-generation residents. Kaldi’s is my local coffee shop and I also head to 8407 Kitchen Bar fairly regularly; Woodside Deli’s Turkey Ruebens are also a favorite (think takeout!).
Fantasy Nails at the Woodmoor Shopping Center in Four Corners is my favorite nail salon.
Cari Jordan
WOODMOOR RESIDENT FOR 17 YEARS
I’ve really loved living in Woodmoor for the past 17 years. I enjoy the sense of community – meeting friendly neighbors out in the community walking dogs or playing with kids. When my kids turned 10, I felt very comfortable with them walking themselves to and from friend’s homes in the neighborhood. My kids now also walk to the Sweet Frog in the Woodmoor Shopping Center. Speaking of the shopping center, we really appreciate the great wine and craft beer selection at the Woodmoor Market, and Santucci’s subs can’t be beat! With two kids and a dog life is busy, so KitchKat is a local business that I now use for fresh meal delivery or we may run over to Wheaton for Thai food from Ruan Thai or Ren’s Ramen for amazing, homemade ramen noodle soup.
Two Coconuts in Kensington, owned by a Woodmoor neighbor, is my go to place for hostess and personalized gifts.
Susanna Drayne
NORTH WOODSIDE RESIDENT FOR 16 YEARS
Living in North Woodside has been terrific, especially with the walkability to stores, schools, daycare, and Metro. Living near Sniders is also a big plus – I can do a week’s worth of food shopping in about 30 minutes! Fenwick Beer & Wine has been a welcome addition to the local scene. Not only do they have a phenomenal selection of wine and beer, but they also host free Friday evening tastings.
A great local shop we use regularly is the Jalal Barber Shop on Georgia Avenue near Seminary Place.
Linda Magolda
WOODSIDE PARK RESIDENT FOR 2 YEARS
I live in Woodside Park, where I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s. I left the area and lived in New Jersey for the better part of 40 years, and just recently returned to Silver Spring to be closer to my family. The neighborhood holds memories for me, and coming back has been very nostalgic. I often walk with my dog, and enjoy the beautiful homes, trees, and landscaped gardens. The community is filled with friendly people — many fellow walkers and runners, and of course, canine buddies (and neighborhood cats too!)
The downtown I remember as a child was a smaller place; today’s city is bustling. I especially enjoy going to the year round Farmers Market in the heart of Silver Spring, and must also mention Sniders and Mrs. K’s Toll House Restaurant, which have been around as long as I have! Silver Spring was a fun place to be growing up as a child, and it’s equally as exciting returning as a seasoned citizen.
Tammy Thomas
WOODSIDE PARK RESIDENT FOR 33 YEARS
Having lived in Woodside Park for 33 years now, I truly appreciate the unique homes offering so much charm and appeal. Of course, our neighbors make this place special and we look forward to our annual Luzerne Block Party each year. Silver Spring offers so much — we enjoy dining at Mi Rancho and Mrs. K’s Toll House Restaurant, walking around the weekend farmers market, shopping at Sniders, and frequenting the Woodmoor Pastry Shop. It’s also wonderful to have Sligo Creek Park’s walking trails and golf course close by; I have fond memories of teaching our daughters to ride their bikes there!
For a special treat, we head to Velatis on Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring; this local business has been making delicious caramels and other sweets since 1866.
Beth Stanton
WOODSIDE RESIDENT FOR 13 YEARS
We moved to Woodside from a nearby Silver Spring neighborhood (Sligo Branview) — we were looking to be closer to Metro, and were hopeful that downtown Silver Spring’s revitalization would come to fruition. So now 13 years later, we’ve love living inside the Beltway, walking to downtown Silver Spring, and having easy access to DC! Living and working in Silver Spring offers me a great work/life balance – I’ve got a 5-minute commute down Georgia Avenue and I’m able to be home with my kids after school. One of my favorite local restaurants is the Big Greek Café – their Greek salads are delicious! My kids are huge fans of Olazzo, and I recently learned they do catering which has come in handy when I need to feed a crowd.
There are many local businesses that I depend on, but two come to mind. John Greenan & Sons Jewelers on Fenwick Lane is a wonderful family-owned business. From watch batteries to jewelry repairs to gifts, it’s a local place I know I can trust. I like to entertain and was thrilled to find We’re Having a Party, located off Brookeville Road, for dependable but inexpensive party rentals – think tables, chairs, tablecloths, and more.
Go Brent Team agents offer free consults. We offer expert advice on a wide range of real estate topics. We can help whether you have specific real estate questions you need addressed right now or you simply are gathering information to make future decisions.
Many buyers want assistance deciding if the time is right to purchase a home. Sometimes buyers want to get a clear picture of what the home purchasing process entails or are simply gathering information on specific neighborhoods. Homeowners typically want to weigh options in terms of selling or renting. Many homeowners want assistance as they plan improvement projects; our services range from helping to pick paint colors or finishes to providing input on renovation or improvement projects. Whatever you need, Go Brent Team is happy to help!
How we can help
We offer a no pressure, low-key, informative, and discrete approach. Consults with Go Brent Team agents usually last an hour, and there is absolutely no charge. Since the majority of our business is done through word-of-mouth referrals, we simply ask that you pass along our contact information to anyone who is considering buying or selling.
We welcome all inquires – common consult topics include:
Selling and Preparation for Selling Buying and Preparation for Buying Selling vs. Renting Buying vs. Renting Moving vs. Renovating Renovating vs. Over-Improving Home Improvement Ideas “Best Bang for the Buck” Renovations What’s My Home Worth?
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We obtained Liz Brent’s name from our list serve almost 3 years ago, and asked her to come out for a general evaluation to get an idea of what she might list our house for, as well as where we might get the most “bang for the buck” in terms of home improvement projects.[/wolf_testimonial_slide]
Do you renovate, build an addition, or move to a home that “has it all”? What options are realistic for you and your current home? How do you best finance your dream home or renovation?
Join Liz Brent for a Home Expo on Tuesday, January 12 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Kaldi’s Social House (918 Silver Spring Avenue). Talk with neighborhood experts who will be ready to answer your specific questions:
This lovely stone and siding home was built in 1940 by Blanche Kreuzburg, owner of Mrs K’s Toll House Restaurant for her son, Richard. Mrs. K had a passion for antiques and first-rate workmanship, so she hired only the finest craftsmen to assist in the construction. Young Mr. Kreuzburg considered 400 Greenbrier Dr a pastoral refuge and said that this quarter acre site was chosen for its enchanting views of nearby creek and forest land. Note the carved acorns above the living room mantel, signifying the Seven Oaks by which the neighborhood is known.
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This prime location allows you to walk to all of the following: Sligo Creek Park (playgrounds, picnic areas, tennis and basketball courts), and miles of trails, the revitalized Downtown Silver Spring town center (shopping, entertainment and year-round farmers market), the public library, and the local public elementary & middle schools. Enjoy easy access to the Silver Spring Metro station, the MARC Train and the Beltway – all about a mile away.
It’s a special time of year! Azaleas are out, the heat and A/C are off, and windows are open. That’s means…It’s dehumidifier time!
Yes, we need to talk dehumidifiers people. Not as exciting as the azaleas in bloom or the savings in your utility bills, but a very important topic nonetheless. We’ve had a lot of rain, and even if you’ve been lucky and haven’t had any water seepage, you can bet you’ve got a higher level of moisture in the lower level than most times of year. Unless you’ve got a basement that is mostly above ground and there is no moisture intrusion at all (meaning you keep your gutters clean, the downspouts are extended and there is good positive grade around the foundation), you’ve got a breeding ground for moisture and mold. Some dehumidifiers fill up every day until the air dries out some.
So first step – get a dehumidifier! Next step, address any moisture concerns. Need help or advice? Contact us: info@GoBrentTeam.com or 301.565.2523.
It was a LONG, WET week but the sun is shining and the weekend is here! The weather looks promising — sunny and 70º so it should be a great weekend to get out and do something fun. Here’s a round-up of a few local Silver Spring and Takoma Park events that just might fit the bill:
Annual Touch Truck @ Silver Spring Nursery School Saturday, May 3 from 10AM – 1PM Trucks of every kind for children to explore. There will also be live music, food, arts & crafts, a book fair, and face painting.
Woodlin Spring Fair @ Woodlin Elementary in North Woodside Saturday, May 3 from 2PM – 5PM Inflatable Obstacle Course, “Just Dance” Dance Off, Face Painting, Live Band, Flower Sale, Food & Bake Sale, Raffles, and more!
Old Takoma Art Hop Saturday, May 3 & Sunday, May 4 from 10AM – 6PM The 5th annual Art Hop will showcase a variety of art including photography, jewelry and wearable art, paintings, sculptures, collage and mixed media works. Come see the work of over 70 of artists in shops, restaurants, and galleries throughout Old Town, the Takoma Junction and Takoma DC.
Takoma Park House and Garden Tour Sunday, May 4 from 1PM – 5PM Historic Takoma’s 2014 House and Garden Tour showcases the “Spirit of Holly Avenue.” The self-guided tour, includes several spectacular homes and gardens.
Fiesta Asia (Ellsworth Dr. & Fountain Plaza) Sunday, May 4 from 10AM – 6PM Asia Heritage Foundation hosts performances, food, crafts, interactive activities, and shopping.
Taste of Fenton Village (between Thayer & Silver Spring Avenues) Sunday, May 4 from 1PM – 6PM This family-friendly “restaurant crawl” offers $2 – $5 sample appetizers and tasting plates with international flavors. Rain or shine, 31 Fenton Village restaurants will welcome event attendees to sample their diverse cuisines and cultures at the same time.
So right now at this very minute, it’s snowing. And the last thing you’re likely thinking about is your incoming Kindergartener starting school next fall. Really, we are all just desperately trying to hold it together until Spring Break. Our thoughts are drifting to the end of this school year, summer camps, the pool, the beach. But wait! Montgomery County Public Schools have Kindergarten Orientation Programs scheduled for this April and May (and yes despite the snowy day, April is just a week away).
Children who will turn 5 years old on or before September 1, 2014 are eligible for Kindergarten during the 2014-2015 school year. Don’t miss your chance to attend orientation with your kindergartner; the orientation program is designed to help parents enroll children and assist students in becoming acquainted with future friends and the school environment. You can call your home school to make an appointment for orientation. You can also obtain more information by visiting Montgomery County Public Schools website.
