NEW STORE IN BETHESDA

The Apple Store is Open
After months of secrecy (that really wasn't a secret), the new Apple store has opened on Bethesda Ave in Bethesda. The new space is directly across from the old Apple store, but easily three times as big as the old location. I ducked in to the new location today to retrieve my 15 year old daughter who was hungrily eyeing a new computer - funny how her "old" IBM is suddenly unsalvageable! The store is beautiful, even on a grey rainy day, but I was struck by how empty it seemed. There probably were just as many people in the new store as there had been on similar days in the space across the street, but the new space is so big that people seemed lost in it. The old space which almost crushed everyone into one another created a visual energy level that said to passersby that something exciting was going on inside. How could it not be exciting - look at all those people there. No doubt Bethesda will grow into the new space quickly. Betheda Avenue is enhanced by the sleek storefront which replaced the old Blockbuster, but I miss the congestion of the old location!

For any questions about real estate in Bethesda or Chevy Chase, or if you are planning to relocate to my home town, just give me a call at 240-401-5577 or check out my website, www.homesinchevychasebethesda.com

KENWOOD CHERRY BLOSSOMS

The long winter is finally coming to a close and the cherry trees exploded last week in a cloud of pale pink and white blossoms. Spring is finally returning to Washington as the peak blooming period for Washington's beloved and oh-so-delicate cherry trees took place in the first week in April. Thousands of tourists and Washingtonians alike took advantage of the warmer weather to stroll around the Tidal Basin or take out a paddleboat. The traffic came to a standstill as tourists dodged between the cars on their way from the Lincoln Memorial or Washington Monument to the Tidal Basin. Fortunately, however, the Tidal Basin is not the only place to enjoy the blossom. Some very smarat tourists have discovered that cherry trees also line the street of Kenwood, just over the District line in nearby Bethesda, MD. The streets of Kenwood are lined with cherry trees, and when in bloom, neighborhood children set up lemonade stands for the visitors who are picknicking on front lawns or among the cars threading their way through the neighbhood. On weekends, even the adjacent streets are full of couples and families taking a stroll in the sunshine. But even if it's slightly congested, it will be nothing compared to downtown DC, and I can guarantee you'll feel as though you're walking through a soft sweet smelling cloud.

If you want to check out real estate in Kenwood, or anywhere else in the DC metro area, just visit my website, www.homesinchevychasebethesda.com

Most Expensive Home Sales in Bethesda/Chevy Chase 1st Quarter 2009

Top 5 Sales in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, MD in 1st Q 2009 (edit/delete)
The top sale in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, MD in the first quarter of 2009 was a condo at the Somerset , 5630 WISCONSIN AVE #1405, which sold for $3,635,000. This 3 bedroom, 3 bath condo, a FSBO, is 3396 sq ft unit with a monthly condo fee of $2100 and annual taxes of $23,783.

8813 CHALON DR, BETHESDA listed for $3,499,000 and sold for $3.100,000 on January 30. This home was a custom built all brick 6/7 BR,8.5 Ba Colonial with over 9000 fin sq.ft. on 1.3 ac. Some of the amenities included custom woodwork, a 2 story marble foyer, 2 staircases, 5 Fpls, top of line finishes, materials & features throughout.

On January 21st, 6409 GARNETT DR, CHEVY CHASE sold for $2,900,000 (with a list price of $3,100,000.) Sitting on nearly 1/2 an acre, this 12 year old home has 5 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, a pool, 3 car garage and a semi circular drive. It even has an elevator to go to all 3 levels and 6400 square feet of living space.

5320 Wapakoneta sold on March 2, 2009, for $2,680,000, without ever going on the market. This is another custom home with an elevator, copper roof and gutters, slate deck, 3 stone and wood fireplaces, a sun room, gym, wine cellar, theater, and mud room with lockers. 6350 square feet of living space on a 12,000 sq ft lot!

Number 5 in the top sales was another condo at the Somerset - 5630 WISCONSIN AVE #305, CHEVY CHASE- for $2,395,000 (listed and sold). 2710 sq feet, a $1900 a month condo fee, renovated by Frank Bell with high ceilings, cherry hdwd flrs,(din/liv rm) custom builtins,grand liv rm, balcony,sep din rm, study,Chef's kit,Master suite,addit bed/bA 2PK SP/ Amenities inc indr/outdr pools,tennis,clubhse,gym,spa.

Update on Kenwood Forest

Market Update on Kenwood Forest One of the best neighborhoods in Chevy Chase is Kenwood Forest, a community of nearly 400 townhouses and one level one bedroom or studio condos, created between 1978 and 1980 from an apartment complex built after WWII. While prices have dropped over the last 2 years, buyers still call me frequently asking to be notified whenever a new listing comes on the market. Small wonder since Kenwood Forest townhouses are well designed with at least 2 baths upstairs and a half bath on the 1st floor; the community is very well maintained with amazingly low condo fees; and homeowners can walk to two metros and every imaginable cuisine in the many restaurants of Bethesda. Want more info about Kenwood Forest, just check out www.kenwoodforest.com for floorplans and answers to all your questions.

Basic Statistics - grouped by Status
Provides Basic statistics on listings


Status: ACTIVE (1)
List Price Bedrooms Baths FB HB DOMM DOMP Lot Sqft Yr Built
Min $533,000 3 3 2 1 39 39 - 1980
Max $533,000 3 3 2 1 39 39 - 1980
Avg $533,000 3 3 2 1 39 39 1980
Status: CNTG/NO KO (1)
List Price Bedrooms Baths FB HB DOMM DOMP Lot Sqft Yr Built
Min $568,000 3 3 2 1 6 6 - 1980
Max $568,000 3 3 2 1 6 6 - 1980
Avg $568,000 3 3 2 1 6 6 1980
Status: SOLD (8)
List Price Bedrooms Baths FB HB DOMM DOMP Lot Sqft Yr Built
Min $375,000 2 3 2 1 2 2 - 1977
Max $599,000 3 4 3 2 100 100 - 1982
Avg $524,469 3 3 2 1 25 31 1980
Status: All (10)
List Price Bedrooms Baths FB HB DOMM DOMP Lot Sqft Yr Built
Min $375,000 2 3 2 1 2 2 - 1977
Max $599,000 3 4 3 2 100 100 - 1982
Avg $529,675 3 3 2 1 25 30 1980

HERE COME THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS

Cherry Trees Are Blooming Again
It happens every year! The 3750 cherry trees around the Tidal Basin burst into bloom and the city explodes with tourists. Most of the trees are Yoshino Cherry, but there also are Kwanzan Cherry, Akebono Cherry, Takesimensis Cherry, Usuzumi Cherry, Weeping Japanese Cherry, Sargent Cherry, Autumn Flowering Cherry, Fugenzo Cherry, Afterglow Cherry, Shirofugen Cherry and Okame Cherry.

In 1912, the people of Japan sent 3,020 cherry trees to the United States as a gift of friendship. The First Lady, Mrs. Taft, and the Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese Ambassador, planted the first two cherry trees on the northern bank of the Tidal Basin. These two original trees are still standing today near the John Paul Jones statue at the south end of 17th Street. Workmen planted the remainder of the trees around the Tidal Basin and East Potomac Park.

Then in 1927 school children created the first festival when they reenacted the earlier tree planting. By 1934 the festival had grown to a three day celebration, and then in 1935 the first Cherry Blossom Queen was crowned. By the early 1990s the festival had become a 2 week celebration.

If you haven't ever had a chance to walk around the Tidal Basin when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, you have missed one of the truly wonderful DC experiences. Families bring small children, grandparents, and family pets for picnics and a leisurely stroll around the Tidal Basin. Another wonderful event is to rent a paddle boat and see the blossoms from a water view.

I hope you get a chance to enjoy the blossoms this year!