The winter season brings little inventory but as you know the DC-area market typically explodes come Spring. If you intend to buy or sell in 2019, now is the perfect time to meet with an agent to ensure you have a strategy in place and don’t miss out.
Go Brent agents are full-time Realtors who have an unrivaled command of the local market. In 2018, we successfully assisted our clients to buy and sell 145 homes.
Go Brent is expanding once again! We are excited to welcome Don Bunuan to the team. Don is a realtor licensed in Maryland and DC.
“A successful full-time realtor, Don works with both buyers and sellers. Don is best known for his honesty, integrity, attentive service, and ability to effectively communicate with clients. A lifetime DC-area resident, Don focuses his business efforts on the Hyattsville area as well as the Route 1 corridor. Prior to starting his real estate career, Don worked as both a high school teacher and managing grants and contracts for the Department of Education. Don’s excellent communication and negotiation abilities, along with his experience writing contracts, serve him well as he helps clients navigate the process of buying or selling a home.”
As a dynamic real estate team, Go Brent looks for full-time agents who are dedicated to providing our clients with excellent customer service. If you are a real estate agent licensed in Maryland and/or Washington, D.C. and are interested in learning more about our team, please contact us: liz@gobrent.co.
Today is #GivingTuesday, celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving as a global movement that celebrates giving, generosity, and change for people throughout their communities. #GivingTuesday allows us to unite as one and to encourage more small acts of kindness.
Here are a few Nonprofits celebrating #GivingTuesday in our local community today:
Silver Spring Village
The mission of Silver Spring Village is to build and sustain a supportive network of neighbors helping neighbors remain in their own homes and be engaged in their community as they age.
Residents of various close-in Silver Spring neighborhoods serve on a volunteer basis on the board of directors and on the board’s committees. Our (part-time) Executive Director develops strategies and plans and, together with our (part-time) Director of Volunteer Services and many volunteers, ensures their implementation.
This #GivingTuesday, whatever you give will be DOUBLED or TRIPLED. All donations will be matched dollar for dollar – with gifts of $1,000 or more receiving a 2-for-1 match, up to a total of $30,000 to support our new Partnership to Independence Program!
Few theatres provide challenging arts opportunities for adults with disabilities and fewer still encourage them to be artists as well as audience members. ArtStream’s six Inclusive Theatre Companies invite actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities to collaborate with theater professionals and trained volunteer mentors to develop and present original musical theatre productions. Participants can also take theatre-based classes to boost self-confidence and strengthen communications and social skills. And the arts can heal, just as they can educate and entertain. Partnerships with schools, community organizations, and others ensure that adults and children can access the arts in a way that is meaningful, powerful, and healing. Your contribution makes it happen.
Friends of the Library, Silver Spring Chapter (FOLSS), is an all-volunteer organization of people who care about our library. FOLSS raises money to augment public funding for programs, materials, and equipment at the Silver Spring Library. We raised funds to pay for the state-of-the-art Early Literacy Center on the Silver Spring Library’s fifth floor; we also fund programming for Summer Reading, Library Lovers’ Month, and various other teen and adult programs during the year. Every dollar of donated funds goes directly to programming, materials, and services that benefit our local community.
Crossroads Community Food Network is building a healthier, more inclusive food system in our community. At the heart of this integrated network of food growers, makers, and consumers is Crossroads Farmers Market, where nutrition incentives make healthy food more affordable and at the same time helps support local farmers and vendors — 3/4 of whom are immigrants themselves.
Shepherd’s Table is using #GivingTuesday to expand their food service program that provides those in need with nutritious meals 365 days a year. Join their effort to DOUBLE their impact in the community!
Silver Spring Cares is kicking off their 2nd Annual Winter Clothing Drive to benefit Linkages to Learning at JoAnne Leleck Elementary at Broad Acres. If you find yourself with winter items you no longer need, consider donating your items to the drive. This will help ensure our Silver Spring residents are warm and healthy this winter season! Silver Spring Cares will be going around town picking up donations now through November 30th, just simply sign-up here to schedule your pick-up.
Items accepted: Winter Coats, Jackets, Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Boots, Sweatshirts, Sweaters, Pajamas, Pants, Fleece, Socks, etc! Basically, if it’s warm and in great condition, it’ll happily find a new home this winter! Please only consider donating items that are in excellent and clean condition. Please do not donate items that missing buttons, have stains or tears.
Silver Spring Cares will be hitting the streets to collect your donations. Simply place your clean and gently used donations in a clearly labeled bag and place on your porch for pick up.
Sign up here when you’re ready for pick up. Once your request is received, you will receive an email to confirm pick up. Please be aware that we are only able to pick up within a 20-minute drive of downtown Silver Spring. Have more questions? Email heather@silverspringcares.org. Thanks for helping make Silver Spring a great place to thrive!
We live in a fantastic area for holiday events and activities for everyone. Now that Halloween is over and November has started, it’s officially time to start talking and thinking about the holidays. Many get started in November so mark your calendars. Lots of lights, lots of crafts and lots of fun! These holiday activities have something for all interests and ages.
Every year the fountain gets transformed into a gorgeous themed Christmas tree! Last year it was the bikes and the lights. What will it be this year? Come on down to the lighting and street fest. This is a great family event and who doesn’t love a surprise tree and holiday shopping?!
Date: Saturday, November 10th from 6-9pm Where: Downtown Silver Spring Fountain/Ellsworth Ave. Cost: FREE
If you love walking through the gorgeously maintained gardens during the fall and spring you will absolutely adore how they are transformed into a twinkling walkway of holiday delight! With some holiday-themed creatures and some regular sparkly tree lights, bring your strollers and puffy coats to walk through the garden wonderland.
Dates: Runs from November 16th through January 1, 2019 Where:Brookside Gardens 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902 Cost: $25 per Car/Van (Sunday-Thursday) // $30 per Car/Van (Friday-Saturday)
Held in downtown Silver Spring, line up along Ellsworth and up around Georgia Avenue. There are so many incredible performances like Girl Scouts, cultural dancers and fun floats that march along to kick off the holiday season. The exciting parade traditionally heralds the start of the holiday season. It also is televised live on News Channel 8 and rerun on Thanksgiving Day. Check it out live or on TV!
Date: Saturday, November 17th at 10am Where: Downtown Silver Spring Cost: FREE
The Smithsonian’s famous National Zoo hosts a light display with fun activities for the family!
Walk up and down the zoo hill for events like “snow” tubing and riding the carousel. The lights abound on trees, walkways and bushes throughout the zoo. Some animal houses are even open late for viewing. As always, there is food and drinks available for purchase.
Dates: November 23rd through January 1, 2019 Where: Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008 Cost: FREE (rides and activities cost money via ticket books purchased at the event)
For the 5th year in a row, the brewery will be transformed into a crafters’ marketplace for one day only — perfect for visitors to start (and finish) their holiday shopping with unique wares from more than 40 local artists & artisans in a unique indoor setting. There will be live Music by Reed Appleseed & DJ Budman, food trucks, and games & activities for everyone and lots of delicious DC Brau beer!!
Date: Saturday, November 24th Cost: VIP TICKETS – $10 EACH: Includes early admission at 1PM for an extra hour of shopping and a free branded DC Brau tote. // GENERAL ADMISSION – FREE – doors open at 2PM.
A fairly self-explanatory event that supports local businesses the day after Black Friday. Shop small. Shop local. Support your neighbors and friends on SBS!
Date: Saturday, November 24th Where: Main Street Takoma Cost: Whatever you are willing to spend at local businesses in Takoma Park
Get free tickets to this annual kick-off concert for the Washington, DC, holiday season, performed by the talented musicians of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” at DAR Constitution Hall. Be sure to log on and print your free tickets for entry! Enjoy the sounds of the holiday season with this fantastic free concert!
Date: Saturday, December 1st @3pm Where: DAR Constitution Hall Cost: FREE
After a stream of positive responses from the community, our friends at Silver Spring Cares are putting together their THIRD Casseroles for a Cause! From October 21st – 28th, Silver Spring Cares will partner once more with Shepherds Table, Interfaith Works – Carroll House Men’s Shelter, The Arc Montgomery County, and Difference Makers. to help collect delicious casseroles that will keep freezers full for many of our vulnerable neighbors in the community, especially in the upcoming winter season.
“Love to Cook? Love to Volunteer? Do Both from Home!”
What’s even more exciting is that our partner organizations have requested more casseroles! The need is even greater this year as typical donation resources are being shared with other timely issues facing our community. By filling the freezers now in October, organizations will be better situated to prepare and plan for the upcoming holiday and winter season.
Join Go Brent’s Debbie Gerald and Caliber Home Loans’ Ramez Fahmy for a free First-Time Homebuyer Seminar.
We’ll discuss the ins and outs of purchasing and financing your first home/condo. If you’ve been thinking about buying in the near future, this is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn about the buying process.
When: Saturday, October 27 from 10:00-11:30AM Where: Silver Spring Civic Center in downtown Silver Spring
There is no cost or obligation, just plenty of information! Can’t attend but want to know more about the home buying process? Contact Debbie for more information.
It’s FINALLY fall! Yes, fall means back to school and moving away from the dog days of summer, but it also means crunchy apples, bright orange pumpkins, delicious treats, and crisp autumn air. We’ve gathered a list of the most fun and most entertaining fall festivals and autumnal events in the area. Take your family, go on a date, even take a stroll alone! These fun festivals have something for everyone.
The Smithsonian’s famous National Zoo hosts an amazing treat-filled event – BOO AT THE ZOO!
Come dressed up in costume ready to trick or treat at over 40 treat stations! There is candy as well as non-food items to collect as you walk around and explore the zoo. Many animal enclosures are open as well for zoo-goers. The decorations and spooky art installations make for a hilariously scary walk from station to station. Beer and food are available for purchase at the zoo as well. Come ready to say “boo!” And collect yummy treats! All ticket holders get a free treat bag to hold your goodies!
Festival Info:
When: Friday, October 19th, Saturday, October 20th & Sunday, October 21st from 5:00 – 8:00pm
Address: Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008
Cost: $20/per person for FONZ members, $30/per person for non-FONZ members
Parking Pass: $15, or you can take METRO at the regular commuter cost of the trip
Come down on a Sunday afternoon to Veterans Plaza for the Silver Spring Fall Fair! You can taste yummy fall cookies, sip on hot chocolate or apple cider while your kiddos decorate pumpkins! Walk around, meet your neighbors, look at local arts & crafts vendors and celebrate FALL!
Festival Info:
When: Sunday, October 21st from 1:00– 6:00pm
Where: Veteran’s Plaza – Downtown Silver Spring Silver Spring, MD 20910
Bring your kids to Brookside Gardens for a fun pumpkin-filled evening! Children can dress up in their Halloween costume, march through the gardens in a costume parade and paint pumpkins. There are also pumpkin treats to try all while listening to award-winning storyteller Gary Lloyd present “Pumpkin Tales for the Young” telling tales that are more funny than scary.
Join in the Halloween fun at Pumpkin Rock n’ Roll – a full-blown Halloween extravaganza. Participate in a costume parade and enjoy family-friendly attractions including live musical performances, food trucks, inflatable rides and slides, and a hay maze. Don’t miss the main event: The Pumpkin Roll, a derby race of Halloween pumpkins-turned-boxcars.
Located in upper Montgomery County, Butler’s 38th Annual Pumpkin Festival is the place to be on the weekends in October! Families will certainly enjoy this festival with kids! There are so many activities and fun stations, that everyone will have done something they loved by the end of the day. Check out the straw pyramid, pumpkin coach rides, a combine slide, pedal tractors and even get your face painted! There are lots of food vendors to tackle all your fall-food cravings as well!
Festival Info:
When: Weekends in October (13th-14th, 20th-21st & 27th-28th)
Where: Butler’s Orchard 22222 Davis Mill Road Germantown, MD 20876
Cost: $12/per person CASH ONLY AT THE GATE* (children 24 months & younger free)
*You can use a credit/debit card if you buy tickets at the market
The Gaver Farm Fall Fun Festival has so many activities you will have to pack it all in to get everything done! They have everything from pumpkin picking and corn mazes to duck races and a petting zoo. New this season are cool jump pillows for kids. Take a weekend to enjoy the farm air and activities at Gaver!
Festival Info:
When: Open Now thru November 4 from 10:00am-6:00pm daily
Where: Gaver Farm 5501 Detrick Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771
Cost: $13.50 per person weekends, $9 per person weekdays, kids 2 & under free.
Come enjoy this beautiful farm for their fall festival! They have a corn maze, hay rides and pumpkin- activities galore! Come enjoy fall with arts and crafts and farm-hand activities that the family and kids will love. While enjoying the festival, pick out some pumpkins to buy for your porch or house! They have a large selection. There are many other activities and events that you can purchase separately at the farm as well like punkin’ chunkin’, pumpkin painting and scarecrow making!
Missing Middle Housing are residential structures such as bungalows, duplexes, triplexes, etc. — dwellings that have have become quite uncommon for developers over the last 70 years. The Montgomery County Planning Department recently presented their Missing Middle Housing Study to the Planning Board on Sept 20, 2018, a study addressing the absence of MMH structures within Montgomery County and their case to revive them within the county’s current housing needs.
The study also recognizes the challenges that should arise if missing middle housing were to be developed within the county’s current housing state but also presents the positive potential it would have for the county’s increasing population, as well as the opportunities it would have for those residents who seek more affordable housing options.
“I wish we had zoning that would encourage highest and best use for housing; we can’t fix our workforce housing shortage without zoning changes,” says Liz Brent. “Who are we to determine when development stops? Are we really prepared to say to the people who fight our fires, provide our emergency services, work in our restaurants, and teach our children that we don’t care how far they have to travel to get to their jobs?”
From the Montgomery County Planning Department’s Press Release:
“It’s clear from the study that, currently, the smaller developers who could create most of the Missing Middle housing types are finding it difficult to do that here,” says Paul Mortensen, a senior urban designer in the Planning Director’s office, who co-authored the report. “The study indicates ways we can streamline the development process for these housing types because the needs of the county are changing and there is a huge market demand for this type of adaptable housing.”
Are you ready to find your dream home? Let Go Brent be your guide! [wolf_spacer height=”16″]
If you’ve decided to embark on your home buying journey, it’s time to schedule a free consultation with a Go Brent agent. Once we have a sense of your ideal home, we’ll ensure you’re aware of the best available properties in your desired area, price range, and location.
As well-connected experts, we’ll be in touch with other agents and may learn of new listings before they hit the market. And yes, while home searches on the internet can be fun, it can also be a time suck for you. Let us work on your behalf – we’ll send you on-going property and neighborhood updates, plus offer you flexibility for scheduling appointments.
Then when you find “the one,” you can count on our strong command of the sales contract; we’ll prepare a solid offer, minimize your risk, and negotiate on your behalf.
This year, we’ve worked with 50 clients who have purchased homes in Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Kensington, Rockville, Potomac, and Gaithersburg. We’ve helped first-time homebuyers, clients purchasing larger “move-up” homes, as well as clients who are downsizing. And if you are thinking of simultaneously buying a new home and selling your current home, we can assist with that too.
When you choose Go Brent, you’ll work with a full-time agent with an unrivaled command of the local market.
Want to know more? Learn more about our team or contact us to schedule your free consultation!
