Is it really a 45 minute commute to DC from the neighborhoods that OP is looking at? I live in Bethesda inside the Beltway and it can take me that long to get to the Metro Center area (in my car) during rush hour. Same deal on the way home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The OP did not ask about Mcmansions....all these losers need is a spark about mcmansins and the rout is on...lol

Yes she didn't ask about them. But that is all that is in those neighborhoods so it was bound to come up.

McMansions? What are you talking about? Falconhurst has some of the best builders from the 1980's and 1990's---Gene may, Jeffrey Schneider, crowell and baker, WE Miller, Cullinane, etc. Those houses are some of the largest and best built houses in this area. Yes, you are right, some didn't age well--but I don't think I would call them McMansions---it's more like tired Mansions. The houses are solid homes. I can't talk about Potomac manor or Avenel---but Falconhurst was and is pretty amazing. Drive down Bentcross or iron gate drive ---one mistake a lot of people make is they think teversall (sp?) on newbridge is falconhurst. Teversall was built buy William berry and he built large homes that weren't really that well constructed--BUT, they are at the price point that OP is pointing out. If I could find a house in Falconhurst for 1.5 million I'd jump on it.

Newbridge isn’t Falconhurst? What are the boundaries? Who sets them?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The OP did not ask about Mcmansions....all these losers need is a spark about mcmansins and the rout is on...lol

Yes she didn't ask about them. But that is all that is in those neighborhoods so it was bound to come up.

Interesting perspective. So which neighborhoods in the DMV would you suggest the OP consider with the criteria mentioned?

Anonymous wrote:McMansions? What are you talking about? Falconhurst has some of the best builders from the 1980's and 1990's---Gene may, Jeffrey Schneider, crowell and baker, WE Miller, Cullinane, etc. Those houses are some of the largest and best built houses in this area. Yes, you are right, some didn't age well--but I don't think I would call them McMansions---it's more like tired Mansions. The houses are solid homes. I can't talk about Potomac manor or Avenel---but Falconhurst was and is pretty amazing. Drive down Bentcross or iron gate drive ---one mistake a lot of people make is they think teversall (sp?) on newbridge is falconhurst. Teversall was built buy William berry and he built large homes that weren't really that well constructed--BUT, they are at the price point that OP is pointing out. If I could find a house in Falconhurst for 1.5 million I'd jump on it.

Who are the best current luxury home builders in this area? All I can think of right off my head are Jim Gibson(Gibson Builders), and Phil Leibovitz(Sandy Spring Builders).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The OP did not ask about Mcmansions....all these losers need is a spark about mcmansins and the rout is on...lol

Yes she didn't ask about them. But that is all that is in those neighborhoods so it was bound to come up.

McMansions? What are you talking about? Falconhurst has some of the best builders from the 1980's and 1990's---Gene may, Jeffrey Schneider, crowell and baker, WE Miller, Cullinane, etc. Those houses are some of the largest and best built houses in this area. Yes, you are right, some didn't age well--but I don't think I would call them McMansions---it's more like tired Mansions. The houses are solid homes. I can't talk about Potomac manor or Avenel---but Falconhurst was and is pretty amazing. Drive down Bentcross or iron gate drive ---one mistake a lot of people make is they think teversall (sp?) on newbridge is falconhurst. Teversall was built buy William berry and he built large homes that weren't really that well constructed--BUT, they are at the price point that OP is pointing out. If I could find a house in Falconhurst for 1.5 million I'd jump on it.

Anonymous wrote:The OP did not ask about Mcmansions....all these losers need is a spark about mcmansins and the rout is on...lol

Yes she didn't ask about them. But that is all that is in those neighborhoods so it was bound to come up.

The OP did not ask about Mcmansions....all these losers need is a spark about mcmansins and the rout is on...lol

Anonymous wrote:All 3 neighborhoods are full of ugly and outdated McMansions from the 80s and 90s.

These huge mansions in Potomac look gorgeous when they are new but their fake brick/stone/stucco veneers do not age well at all. Not to mention most of them have horrible landscaping.

Anonymous wrote:All 3 neighborhoods are full of ugly and outdated McMansions from the 80s and 90s.

Yup. These 3 neighborhoods have seriously ugly McMansions.

All 3 neighborhoods are full of ugly and outdated McMansions from the 80s and 90s.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would open up your neighborhoods a bit more. Specifically since you have a young family I would be very careful about buying in an area like falconhurst or avenel which really don't have a lot of young families. I assume you would like your kids to have others to play with? These neighborhoods will be cheaper around 1-1.2 million but I personally think they have better family feel and are less cold. For the record we are also a young family and live in one of the neighborhoods mentioned below and feel like the family feel is great and we have extremely friendly neighbors/neighborhood events and a great community feel.
Fox hills
Copenhaver
Fox hills west
Bedfordshire

I used to live in one of these neighborhoods and sold in the 800's. I believe the lots in all these neighborhoods are less than .50 of an acre -- more like .25 or .30 -- much less land than what the Op wants. Maybe the houses have appreciated in the last few years but I doubt that much. These neighborhoods are great (I loved living in mine) but not what the Op is looking for). I do love Country Place and the lots are bigger than Bedfordshire (some people move from Bedfordshire to CP to upgrade) but it's a longer commute than the areas around PV.

Forgot about country place. Definitely that one too. I know it's not the acreage the OP asked about but some are very close. Mine is just under .5 acre. My point was that for a young family I don't think OP will be happy in the neighborhoods in the op. Also my DH commutes to DC are it takes him 35 minutes door to door. He leaves for work at 9 but he doesn't actually drive home during rush hour so that Might be why it doesn't seem so bad to him.

Also yes there are houses in those neighborhoods for 800k but there are also ones over a million. Ours was 1.1. It's 5000 sqft.

Anonymous wrote:I would open up your neighborhoods a bit more. Specifically since you have a young family I would be very careful about buying in an area like falconhurst or avenel which really don't have a lot of young families. I assume you would like your kids to have others to play with? These neighborhoods will be cheaper around 1-1.2 million but I personally think they have better family feel and are less cold. For the record we are also a young family and live in one of the neighborhoods mentioned below and feel like the family feel is great and we have extremely friendly neighbors/neighborhood events and a great community feel.
Fox hills
Copenhaver
Fox hills west
Bedfordshire

I used to live in one of these neighborhoods and sold in the 800's. I believe the lots in all these neighborhoods are less than .50 of an acre -- more like .25 or .30 -- much less land than what the Op wants. Maybe the houses have appreciated in the last few years but I doubt that much. These neighborhoods are great (I loved living in mine) but not what the Op is looking for). I do love Country Place and the lots are bigger than Bedfordshire (some people move from Bedfordshire to CP to upgrade) but it's a longer commute than the areas around PV.

I would open up your neighborhoods a bit more. Specifically since you have a young family I would be very careful about buying in an area like falconhurst or avenel which really don't have a lot of young families. I assume you would like your kids to have others to play with? These neighborhoods will be cheaper around 1-1.2 million but I personally think they have better family feel and are less cold. For the record we are also a young family and live in one of the neighborhoods mentioned below and feel like the family feel is great and we have extremely friendly neighbors/neighborhood events and a great community feel.
Fox hills
Copenhaver
Fox hills west
Bedfordshire

I looked at Avenel's covenants/rules/etc. when they were publicly accessible on their website, a couple of years ago. They sounded extremely restrictive to me, but people with different tastes may be pleased with them. Basically, the association controls everything that can be seen from the street. They hire a contractor to do the landscaping. You can't park on your own driveway. I don't know how strictly the rules are enforced. Driving through, it certainly seems like a well-regulated place. Personally I'd be miserable there.

My husband and I are looking at moving from NW DC to Potomac. Primarily because we want a larger home for our growing family, more green space (at least .5 acres, but would like more) and good public school districts (haven’t decided on private schooling yet, so want that as a fall back option). We work in DC and can go as far out as Potomac Village (max 45 min commute) and as high as $1.5-2m. I love the look, feel and amenities of the neighborhoods mentioned: Avenel - both Bethesda and Potomac sections, Potomac Manors, and Falconhurst.

I would like some insights on the neighbors, communities, amenities from those who live or have lived there or are very familiar with the communities. No stereotypes, please. What are some of the not so obvious pluses and minuses of each. We are middle aged but have a very young family, including a new born and a toddler and plan to live in the home for at least the next 10 years.

On a separate but related note, It also seems that property prices have plateaued in these areas and listings are staying on the market for quite a while - 1year+. It’s great if you’re a buyer, looking for more space, but Im wondering if I’m missing some demographic trend that’s driving this.

Many thanks in advance for your inputs.