Silver Spring Cares has teamed with local restaurants and Small Things Matter to feed families facing food insecurity while keeping restaurant employees working. Read the story here.
Tag Archives: Real Estate
Get Out in Front of the 2020 Spring Market!
There’s little inventory now but as you know the DC-area market typically explodes come Spring. If you intend to buy or sell (or both) in 2020, 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 the past three years, we’ve successfully assisted our clients to buy and sell nearly 400 homes.
We work throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties and Washington, DC; from first-time homebuyers to seasoned home sellers, we’ve got you covered. Put our expertise to work for you – contact Go Brent to schedule your free consultation.
We look forward to talking with you!
Go Brent Agent Spotlight: Natalie Thomas
As a native Washingtonian, Natalie Thomas has grown up in Silver Spring’s Woodside Park and had even purchased her first home in Woodside Forest. She definitely knows her way around from boutiques to bakeries and everything in between.
Get to know Natalie in this latest agent spotlight as she takes you through her favorite spots in and around the DC-Metro area.
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Growing up here and having been fortunate enough to travel to various cities, I have really come to appreciate the beauty and diversity of our metropolitan area and just how much it has to offer. There is a little something for everyone here – whether urban, suburban, waterfront, or mountains – our metropolitan area has it all.
While we live in a very transient area, I have come to love this about our area because it brings people from all over the world together! I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
TEMPT YOUR TASTEBUDS: FOOD SPOTS!
More of a foodie? Well, the food scene just keeps getting better. With so many different cultural influences in this city, no cuisine is left unturned.
PassionFish – Bethesda 
Barcelona – Cathedral Heights 
Buena Vida – Silver Spring
Where do your tastebuds take you for a nice dinner out with family or friends?
- Barcelona – 14th St or Cathedral Commons (DC)
- Mi Rancho, Olazzo (Silver Spring)
- Blacks Market (Kensington)
- Le Diplomate (14th St)
What are of your favorite places to order in from?
- Amina Thai (Silver Spring) – Grubhub delivers.
- Jewel of India (Silver Spring) – Postmates delivers.
- Spring Garden (Silver Spring) – Free delivery.
Favorite Happy Hour spots?
- Urban Butcher (Silver Spring)
- Mrs. Ks (Silver Spring)
- Olazzo (Silver Spring)
- Ruths Chris (Bethesda)
- Blacks (Bethesda)
- Gringos & Mariachis (Bethesda)
- Jaleos (Bethesda/DC)
- PassionFish (Bethesda)
Favorite Mexican Restaurants?
- Lauriol Plaza (Adams Morgan)
- Gringos & Mariachis (Bethesda)
- Mi Rancho (Silver Spring)
- Uncle Julios (Bethesda)
What’s the best breakfast or brunch spot in the area?
- Buena Vida – Great brunch spot – unlimited small plates (Silver Spring)
- La Pain Quotidien (Bethesda)
LET’S TALK SHOPPING!
Wildwood Center 
Friendship Heights 
Reddz Trading
Where’s the best shopping in the town? Are there any good boutiques?
- Friendship Heights (DC) – Great combination of high-end retail mixed with off-price apparel chains like Marshalls and TJ Maxx. My favorite part of shopping in Friendship Heights is having access to all different types of retail while being able to pop in and out of shops and enjoy the outdoors.
- Reddz Trading (Bethesda) – Second hand designer clothing store. Unique designer finds at unbeatable prices.
- Wildwood Center (Bethesda) – Mix of boutiques and designer stores.
GET ACTIVE!
Love the great outdoors and mountains? Within an hour you can be hiking at the Shenandoah National Park or sipping wine at a vineyard with mountain views. Our nation’s Capital is full of history from the Capitol, to the White House, to the monuments or museums.
Gravelly Point Park 
OrangeTheory – Silver Spring 
Billy Goat Trail
Are there any good hikes or bike trails?
- C&O Canal (DC) – Hiking and biking
- Great Falls (MD) – Billy Goat Trail
- Rock Creek Pkwy (MD) – Hiking and biking
- Harpers Ferry (VA)
- Gravelly Point Park (DC) – Great walking/biking trails
- Patapsco Valley State Park (MD) – Great hikes
- Sugar Loaf Mountain (MD) – Hiking
- Theodore Roosevelt Island (DC) – Walking
Are there any recommendations for workout classes in the area?
- Yoga: Blue Heron Wellness (Silver Spring)
- Pure Barre (Silver Spring)
- Orange Theory (Silver Spring)
LOCAL BREWS & SIPS
Denizens Brewing Company 
3 Stars Brewing Company 
Kaldi’s Social House
So many to choose from. What are some of your favorite local breweries?
- Denizens (MD) – I love that you can bring your dog and sit outside.
- 3 Stars Brewing Company (DC) – love that you can bring in your own food and get a cold beer.
Best coffee spots in the area?
- Kaldis (Silver Spring)
- Blue Bottle Coffee (DC – Wharf) – AMAZING DRIP COFFEE
HAVE A SWEET TOOTH?
Pie Sisters 
JennyCakes Bakery 
Dolcezza
What’s the best bakery in town?
- Nothing Bundt Cakes (Silver Spring)
- Jenny Cakes Bakery (Kensington)
- Baked & Wired (Georgetown)
- Pie Sisters (Georgetown)
- Tout de Sweet Shop (Bethesda)
- Velatis (Silver Spring)
- Dolcezza (DC)
- District Donut (DC)
FUN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD!
The best part about our city is that most of these activities are free and can be enjoyed through so many means of transportation – kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, scootering, or even a Segway tour!
Great Falls 
Eastern Market 
Union Market
What are fun weekend activities to do in the neighborhood?
- Farmer’s Market
- Kayak/Paddle Board (DC)
- Yoga Class/Barre Class
- Union Market (DC)
- Museums (DC)
- Vineyards/Breweries
- Hikes/Biking
Favorite Farmers Markets?
- Silver Spring
- Capitol Hill – Eastern Market
Are there any cool historical spots worth visiting?
Pretty much anything downtown! White House / Capitol / Museums / Monuments, etc.
What’s your favorite park to take the kids and / or pet to or just take a scroll in?
Great Falls – It’s by far my favorite walk in the area…gorgeous/scenic views.
Interested in keeping up with Natalie? Follow her on instagram!
Go Brent Agents Recognized by Washingtonian
Go Brent is local, small and mighty! We are excited to have five agents recognized in Washingtonian’s Top Agents List which hit newsstands this month. Liz Brent, Cari Jordan, Debbie Gerald, and The Thomas Group – Tammy Thomas & Natalie Thomas were all listed among Washington’s Top-Producing Agents.
Washingtonian magazine annually recognizes agents and teams producing the highest sales volume in the area.
We’re proud of our agents’ good work and thrilled to work with such amazing clients.
Go Brent Welcomes Don Bunuan
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.”
To learn more about Don, visit his team profile.
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.
Planning Department Addresses Missing Middle Housing in Montgomery County
What is Missing Middle Housing?
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.”
Read full press release from the Montgomery County Planning Department…
Are You Ready to Find Your Dream Home?
Are you ready to find your dream home? Let Go Brent be your guide!
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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!
New Real Estate Pricing Stats: Mid-Year 2018
We have real estate pricing stats with data through mid-year 2018. The stats cover the past ten years of home sales. We have stats available for zip codes in Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and Kensington. Some zip codes show that home prices are near, or exceed, where we were at the top of the market.
We’re happy to share this data with you! Fill out the form below to request your copy.
Staging Sells!
Go Brent offers clients complimentary staging!
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Our staging strategy has been honed over the last 15+ years and focuses on transforming a property into a welcoming, enticing space to attract the largest pool of potential buyers thereby resulting in a quicker sale for the highest possible price for our sellers!
Over the past decade, we’ve built a substantial inventory of furniture, rugs, books and general décor to lend to clients. Years of experience arranging furniture in all types of homes, plus a retail background in home furnishings and décor merchandising, gives a strong base of knowledge.
Our complimentary service includes furniture, décor as well as the labor! This represents a significant cost savings for sellers.
We also work with clients to evaluate existing furniture placement and assist with a plan to declutter and depersonalize the home prior to listing for sale.
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Our Summer Picks: What Our Team is Into This Summer!
With just a few weeks of summer left, we thought we’d share what’s captured our interest and kept us busy, aside from real estate. From books to podcasts, here’s what we’re into this summer…how about you?
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Debbie Gerald
LovesThe Moth Radio Hour Podcast on NPR. “Just people telling stories, you never know what you will get!”
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Liz Brent
Reading Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover; a book club pick for Now Read This from PBS NewsHour and The New York Times. Also enjoying local blog by Casey Anderson at Montgomery Planning.
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Cari Jordan
Enjoying The Habitat Podcast, just finished watching The Staircase documentary on Netflix, and starting to read Jenny Mollen’s Live Fast, Die Hot.
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Susanna Drayne
Favorite books this summer so far: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, This Could Hurt by Jillian Medoff, and The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin. Binged the 30 for 30 Podcast about Bikram Choudray of Bikram yoga.
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Beth Stanton
Hooked on Audible — just finished listening to A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles and started Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Also reading An American Marriage by Tayari Jones.
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Heather Foley
Listening to Slate’s new podcast Better Life Lab and reading Differently Wired by Deborah Reber. Checking our family-friendly podcasts too: Wow in the World, Brains On! & The Adventures of Eleanor Amplified.
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Marty Milam
Loving the podcast My Favorite Murder!
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Any of these on your summer list? Anything you recommend? Let us know what you’re into this summer!
