Rockville Real Estate Listings 2/25/11

Here’s our weekly community-produced real estate listing.

The Gallery Of New Listings contains pictures and descriptions of the new homes on the market as of yesterday, click on this link or the photo above for the information.

Gallery of New Listings contributed by Lisa AbramsRE/MAX Realty Services, (O)301-652-0400, (C)301-437-6742, [email protected]

More information on local real estate is also available from Hillstrom Homes, one of our advertisers. They have a site specifically for Rockville: RockvilleHomes.com.

The data included in this post is a compilation of many different databases obtained from various sources, Rockville Central makes no claims as to its accuracy, you should not assume it is error-free.

Rockville Real Estate Listings 2/19/11

Here’s our weekly community-produced real estate listing, along with a graph showing the low stock of housing listings.

The Gallery Of New Listings contains pictures and descriptions of the new homes on the market as of last Thursday, click on this link or the photo above for the information.

Neighborhood Facts:

As you can see by the graph….new listings vs. active listings are way down. 6 to 9 months worth of inventory is healthy. Montgomery County has less than 4 months worth of inventory, which is an unhealthy low. To give you a comparison Florida has 60 months worth of inventory!

Gallery of New Listings and Neighborhood Facts contributed by Lisa AbramsRE/MAX Realty Services, (O)301-652-0400, (C)301-437-6742, [email protected]

More information on local real estate is also available from Hillstrom Homes, one of our advertisers. They have a site specifically for Rockville: RockvilleHomes.com.

If you are a local real estate broker and you would like to send along the details and a picture of one of your new listings, please email [email protected] and we’ll feature it. Keep in mind, Rockville Central accepts contributions on all sorts of things. The data included in this post is a compilation of many different databases obtained from various sources, Rockville Central makes no claims as to its accuracy, you should not assume it is error-free.

Tax Free This Weekend For Energy Star Products Plus Info For Loans, Nonprofits And Businesses

In the current issue of Energy InfoWIRE, The Montgomery County Energy Programs Team reminds us that this weekend is Maryland’s Tax Free Weekend for Certain ENERGY STAR Products. Marylanders will get a break from the state’s 6 percent sales tax on qualifying ENERGY STAR products from February 19 to 21, 2011. During Shop Maryland Energy weekend, the following ENERGY STAR products are tax free:

• Air conditioners
• Clothes washers and dryers
• Furnaces
• Heat pumps
• Boilers
• Solar water heaters (tax-exempt at all times now)
• Standard size refrigerators
• Dehumidifiers
• Programmable thermostats
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs

Learn more at: http://www.comp.state.md.us/shopmd/default.asp

Here’s some other detailed information to help you save and go green:

Maryland Clean Energy Center Home Energy Loan Program

The Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) is offering loans for projects that increase the energy efficiency of participating residences who qualify for financing. Unsecuritized loans are available for up to $20,000 at a 6.99% interest rate. Measures typically include insulation and HVAC equipment upgrades but are not necessarily limited to these improvements. Property must be a single family detached or townhome and be a primary residence. Homeowners must have a complete home energy audit to determine the scope and cost of potential projects. Auditors must be MCEC approved and certified. Contact MCEC for any other information on this program.
Learn more at: the MCEC Loan Program Website

NonProfit Energy Alliance – Helping NonProfits Reduce Energy Costs and Purchase Clean Energy

The Nonprofit Energy Alliance (NPEA) is an informal group of nonprofits united for the purpose of using their collective power to obtain cheaper and greener electricity. Since NPEA’s kick-off in May 2010, 26 nonprofits are saving between 10 and 20% on their energy bills, totaling an estimated $250,000. NonProfit Montgomery, the NonProfit Roundtable, the Montgomery County Arts and Humanities Council and Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light (GWIPL) are now organizing the third Alliance (NPEA III) . Participation is open to any nonprofit in DC or Suburban MD that pays for electricity as an owner or renter.

Bethesda Green Launches Greening Condos Series

Bethesda Green, ecobeco, and event sponsors are presenting a free series of panel discussions focusing on greening condominiums. The five monthly sessions are scheduled at Bethesda Green on the first Wednesday every month through July. Sessions will start at 7 pm with networking and light appetizers. Formal presentations begin at 7:15 pm and conclude at 8:30 pm. Greening Condos targets residents, boards, property managers, and companies that provide green services to condominiums. The goal is to make it easier for residents to take action to improve their building’s environmental impact, to save energy, and to lower their utility bills for both units and common areas.

Montgomery County Green Business Certification

The Montgomery County Green Business Certification Program is an exciting initiative to help and recognize businesses and organizations that voluntarily go above and beyond basic day to day green office measures to reduce their environmental impact. Certified businesses are listed in the County’s online Green Business Directory and showcased through press releases, short videos and other promotional activities. To date, the Program has certified 23 organizations ranging in size and diversity from a multi-national hotel chain to a small orthodontics office. The Program has also attracted the attention of close to 20 jurisdictions across North America, including Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Montgomery College provides on-going training courses.

The Montgomery College Going Green website can assist businesses in making the changes necessary to get certified.

Borders In White Flint Slated To Close

Borders, the bookstore chain, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Manhattan today and will be closing almost 1/3 of its stores including the Borders Books and Music in White Flint Mall. Although White Flint is slightly out of our coverage area, the mall is a local shopping destination. Over the years, I’m sure most of us have shopped at the multi-level store down the Pike.

The news is filled with stories about how Borders and Barnes & Noble are struggling financially. At one point last year Barnes & Noble was seeking a buyer and a possible financial deal with Borders was floated.

Last year I attempted to purchase a book as a present at Borders and they had no selection. On the way home I found several books on the subject in Barnes & Noble. Telling? Perhaps.

Do you still buy books in a store? Or on Amazon? Or only electronically for your reader?

Times change. We no longer have Tower Records in Rockville either.

Rockville Real Estate Listings And Foreclosures 2/12/11

Here’s our weekly community-produced real estate listing along with a graph of the Median Age of Homes. Rockville’s housing stock is actually quite young.

The Gallery Of New Listings contains pictures and descriptions of the new homes on the market as of last Thursday, click on this link or the photo above for the information.

Neighborhood Facts:

Gallery of New Listings and Neighborhood Facts contributed by Lisa AbramsRE/MAX Realty Services, (O)301-652-0400, (C)301-437-6742, [email protected]

More information on local real estate is also available from Hillstrom Homes, one of our advertisers. They have a site specifically for Rockville: RockvilleHomes.com.

If you are a local real estate broker and you would like to send along the details and a picture of one of your new listings, please email [email protected] and we’ll feature it. Keep in mind, Rockville Central accepts contributions on all sorts of things. The data included in this post is a compilation of many different databases obtained from various sources, Rockville Central makes no claims as to its accuracy, you should not assume it is error-free.

Rockville Real Estate Listings And Foreclosures 2-5-11

Here’s our weekly community-produced real estate listing along with a chart of the home use in Rockville at the end of 2010.

The Gallery Of New Listings contains pictures and descriptions of the new homes on the market as of last Thursday, click on this link or the photo above for the information. Again, only four more this week. Lisa Abrams reports multiple bids are back.

Neighborhood Facts:

Gallery of New Listings and Neighborhood Facts contributed by Lisa AbramsRE/MAX Realty Services, (O)301-652-0400, (C)301-437-6742, [email protected]

Real Estate Listing Map

View Larger Map

Foreclosure Map

View Larger Map

More information on local real estate is also available from Hillstrom Homes, one of our advertisers. They have a site specifically for Rockville: RockvilleHomes.com.

If you are a local real estate broker and you would like to send along the details and a picture of one of your new listings, please email [email protected] and we’ll feature it. Keep in mind, Rockville Central accepts contributions on all sorts of things. The data included in this post is a compilation of many different databases obtained from various sources, Rockville Central makes no claims as to its accuracy, you should not assume it is error-free.

Did You Pay PEPCO For Power When You Had None?

TBD is reporting a new investigation into whether Pepco charged customers for electricity when their power was out.

In her article, Pepco charging customers during power outages, Elahe Izadi writes:

The Maryland Public Service Commission has initiated an investigation (yes, another one) into Pepco’s bill stabilization adjustment system, which is the same thing that smooths out your electric bills during extreme winter months. But the PSC says that the system may have also let Pepco charge for electricity that wasn’t actually delivered. A hearing date has been set for Feb. 22.

Read the article for a statement from Montgomery County Councilman Roger Berliner containing the phrase “perverse disincentive” which explains what he thinks PEPCO should do about it. They’ve also posted a copy of the PSC order for the investigation.

For years I’ve wondered if PEPCO was doing this and always suspected they were. Now we’ll find out.

Do You Know What You’ve Been Missing?

January ended and if you haven’t purchased your Rockville Rewards Card, you’ve missed out on another month of specials:

January 3-9: Free appetizer at Gordon Biersch
January 10-16: 20% off at Timpano’s
January 17-23 save $25-$90 with specials at Aveda
January 24-29 50% off platter order at Bean Bag Catering

By contributing $25 to one of 15 area non-profits, you can join this community effort and have your very own Rockville Rewards Card. These local organizations need your help and this is a fun way to give it. Along the way, you can also discover Rockville businesses and receive a discount.

With the purchase of a card, you’ll continue to have access to Everyday Rewards and Weekly Hot Deals through June 30, 2011. The sooner you make the contribution, the more you can save and experience in Rockville. There are almost 70 Everyday Rewards and you won’t believe the restaurants, services, retail, health & beauty, activities, and events offering specials!

If you hurry, this week has a double duo of savings with a Rockville Rewards Card:

• 40% off entire purchase at Color Me Mine: “This week only, head into Color Me Mine, and get 40% off your entire purchase. Head in to create a memorable piece perfect for a Valentine’s Gift. Just pick your piece, paint, and the folks at Color Me Mine, will fire it and have it back to you in a week’s time. Cannot be combined with any other coupons, promotions, offers, specials and cannot be used for parties.” Color Me Mine Location, 33 F Maryland Avenue, (301)-251-2010
• Three Scoops for $3.00: “3 full scoops of Ice Cream, Yogurt or Sorbet, scooped in a cone or cup. Enjoy the latest scoop on all the yummy treats, and the fun events we are concocting for you. We are here to give you a great little vacation, a bit of self-indulgence, and joy for the belly and soul. Fresh baked waffle cones have an additional cost.” Ben & Jerry’s Location, 199-F East Montgomery Avenue, (301)-610-0560

Go to the Rockville Rewards site and click on the organization you want to help to find out how to purchase a card directly.

Several businesses are also selling the Cards on behalf of the organizations: The Bean Bag Deli & Catering Company, Decorating Den, Oro Pomodoro, Rockville REDI, Upscale Resale Thrift Shop, Wagging Tails Thrift Store, and VisArts, Too.

Join me in purchasing a Card!

Rockville Real Estate Listing And Foreclosures 1-29-11

Here’s our weekly community-produced real estate listing along with a graph showing the Percentage of Homes Owned over the past 30 years.

The Gallery Of New Listings contains pictures and descriptions of the new homes on the market as of last Thursday, click on this link or the photo above for the information. Only a few were added this week. Lisa Abrams passes along this advice, “Our inventory is very low, if anyone wants to sell, this is the time, there are more buyers than sellers in the metro area.”

Neighborhood Facts:

Gallery of New Listings and Neighborhood Facts contributed by Lisa AbramsRE/MAX Realty Services, (O)301-652-0400, (C)301-437-6742, [email protected]

Real Estate Listing Map

View Larger Map

Foreclosure Map

View Larger Map

More information on local real estate is also available from Hillstrom Homes, one of our advertisers. They have a site specifically for Rockville: RockvilleHomes.com.

If you are a local real estate broker and you would like to send along the details and a picture of one of your new listings, please email [email protected] and we’ll feature it. Keep in mind, Rockville Central accepts contributions on all sorts of things. The data included in this post is a compilation of many different databases obtained from various sources, Rockville Central makes no claims as to its accuracy, you should not assume it is error-free.

The Tower Building Continues To Earn High Marks

Photo from The Tower Companies website

Today The Tower Companies, Washington DC’s largest builder of USGBC LEED® Certified buildings, announced three of their existing buildings have been certified by EPA as Energy Star buildings. I was please to know The Tower Building in Rockville led the list.

I’ve always admired The Tower Building, whether I was driving past on I-270 or biking along Wootton Parkway. The building’s futuristic design always seemed a step above the other new architecture in our City. When it was completed ten years ago, this 265,000 square foot, multi-tenant commercial office building was the first new construction green building in the DC Metro region.

The Tower Companies designs the buildings then continues to work with tenants to improve their overall green rating. In post on the PR Newswire, the certification for the Tower Building was explained:

It received an Energy Star score of 90. According to Tower’s Chief Sustainability Officer, David Borchardt, two factors contributed to the high rating; their 134,000 SF GSA tenant, Health and Human Services already met the new GSA standards for Energy Conservation. Furthermore, Tower replaced all garage lighting, which must be on 24/7, with more efficient lighting, realizing an energy savings of nearly 35%.

How do they encourage energy conservation? Their ideas are good advice for everyone:

• Creating more energy efficient build outs, including lighting and temperature control of spaces.
• Taking advantage of utility rebates and installing more energy efficient motor control devices, allowing heating and cooling systems to run more efficiently.
• Finding opportunities to turn off unused equipment and lights; replacing inefficient lighting when a fixture or bulb needs to be replaced.

Here’s a full description of The Tower Building, and if you are interested in seeing the interior, the Gallery on the Tower website provides a little tour.

The Tower Building, designed by Kishimoto Gordon Dalaya PC, is powered by 100% wind energy and was the first green office building in the Washington metropolitan area when construction started in 1999. In 2003 it was awarded The Apartment and Office Building Association’s prestigious “Green Office Building of the Year” award. In 2009, The Tower Building achieved US Green Building Council LEED Silver certification. Rising 10-stories over a campus of lush woodlands and eco-sensitive planning, The Tower Building is the subject of Case Studies by the Urban Land Institute, US Environmental Protection Agency and US Department of Energy for its advanced sustainable features; years before the US Green Building Council (USGBC) established the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Amenities include health-food café, a state of the art fitness center, onsite parking, and bicycle storage, lockers, showers, a meditation/yoga room, and an ATM and beautiful art covers the walls; building grounds feature open fields, and tree-filled walking areas and biking trails. Two bus routes pass by, which provide easy access to two metro train stations.

Colombo Bank In Deeper Trouble

Rockville Central friend Sean Carr alerted us to an article in The Daily Record concerning the continuing problems with Colombo Bank’s operations.

Although Colombo Bank began its history 96 years ago in Baltimore’s Little Italy, its headquarters moved to Rockville in 2002. Currently the bank has four locations: one in Baltimore, two in Montgomery County, and another in Washington, D.C.

Last Friday, federal regulators issued a second cease-and-desist order related to the bank’s operation. Already facing a June hearing for its loan practices loan including the underwriting and capital levels required to cover bad loans, Colombo must now deal with another order.

A cease-and-desist order is one of the strongest enforcement actions the Office of Thrift Supervision can take. The holding company’s board agreed not to make any “golden parachute” payments to officers as well as abide by restrictions on buying or redeeming shares of stock without written permission from the OTS. This is the third cease-and-desist order in the last seven years and it doesn’t bode well for the Bank’s ability to survive.

The Daily Record article provides the financial background:

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., as of Sept. 30, 2010, Colombo Bank had assets of $169.7 million, compared with $169 million the prior year. The bank also reported a $2.39 million loss for the quarter, compared with a $2.01 million loss for the same quarter in 2009.

The article also points out the management difficulties:

Colombo also needs to have an approved management plan in place, according to the orders. Former Colombo CEO Lester Johnson resigned in 2010 and the bank has not named a new chief executive.

Washington developer Morton Bender is the majority shareholder and chairman of the board at Colombo.

Without more capital from the primary shareholder, the bank could be forcibly closed. Considering its balance sheet, it continues to be a bad prospect for a merger.

Rockville Real Estate Listings And Foreclosures 1-22-11

Here’s our weekly community-produced real estate listing along with a comparison of the number of properties which are rented in the 20850 versus the rest of the city, the county, and the nation over the past 30 years.

The Gallery Of New Listings contains pictures and descriptions of the new homes on the market as of last Thursday, click on this link or the photo above for the information.

Neighborhood Facts:

Gallery of New Listings and Neighborhood Facts contributed by Lisa AbramsRE/MAX Realty Services, (O)301-652-0400, (C)301-437-6742, [email protected]

Real Estate Listing Map

View Larger Map

Foreclosure Map

View Larger Map

More information on local real estate is also available from Hillstrom Homes, one of our advertisers. They have a site specifically for Rockville: RockvilleHomes.com.

If you are a local real estate broker and you would like to send along the details and a picture of one of your new listings, please email [email protected] and we’ll feature it. Keep in mind, Rockville Central accepts contributions on all sorts of things. The data included in this post is a compilation of many different databases obtained from various sources, Rockville Central makes no claims as to its accuracy, you should not assume it is error-free.

Rockville Real Estate And Foreclosures 1-15-11

As you might have guessed, people simply don’t list their properties for sale over the holidays, neither before or after. But finally we have some new listings! Here’s our weekly community-produced real estate listing.

The Gallery Of New Listings contains pictures and descriptions of the 16 new homes on the market, click on this link or the photo above for the information.

Neighborhood Facts:

This week we have an analysis of the December 2010 sales for the 20850 zip code at this link. If you compare the statistics for 2009 to 2010, the average sale price and median sale price have gone up — while days of the market has gone down. Good news for Rockville.

Gallery of New Listings and Neighborhood Facts contributed by Lisa AbramsRE/MAX Realty Services, (O)301-652-0400, (C)301-437-6742, [email protected]

Real Estate Listing Map

View Larger Map

Foreclosure Map

View Larger Map

More information on local real estate is also available from Hillstrom Homes, one of our advertisers. They have a site specifically for Rockville: RockvilleHomes.com.

If you are a local real estate broker and you would like to send along the details and a picture of one of your new listings, please email [email protected] and we’ll feature it. Keep in mind, Rockville Central accepts contributions on all sorts of things. The data included in this post is a compilation of many different databases obtained from various sources, Rockville Central makes no claims as to its accuracy, you should not assume it is error-free.

Help And Save With A Rockville Rewards Card

Yesterday I purchased my Rockville Rewards card from Community Ministries of Rockville. This new program designed by the Rockville Chamber of Commerce as part of the Buy Rockville campaign “combats the increased needs in our community”.

Simply put, you can purchase a card for $25 from one of the nonprofit organizations (or local businesses selling them on behalf of the organizations), then use the card for discounts and deals. The cards are currently valid until June 30, 2011 so the sooner you purchase one the longer you can enjoy the benefits.

Everyday Rewards categories include Business to Business, Events, Health & Beauty, Food & Drink, Retail, Services, and Activities. All you have to do is present your card. Here are some examples of the savings:

• Talk of the Town – 10% off any party rental, excluding entertainers & performers.
• Acqua Nails – 10% off any service, until 02/15/11.
• VisArts at Rockville – VisArts Too – 10% off any item
• Bark! Pawsitive Petfood – Bark! Pawsitive Petfood in Congressional Plaza. $5.00 off your first purchase of $25.00 or more!

If you’re into dining out, these are deals:

• The Bean Bag Deli & Catering Company – Come in to The Bean Bag deli & Catering Co for Breakfast or Lunch Mon-Sat. and receive 10% off your in-store order. Excludes delivery orders.
• Ben & Jerry’s of Rockville – 15% off of any scooped cone, sundae, shake, mash, smoothie or coffee ‘Joe’ drink. Also $3.00 off any ice cream or yogurt, handpacked cake.
• Cake Dreams – 10% discount on cupcake and basic cake purchases. Excludes custom cakes and cupcakes.
• Gordon Biersch – 10% off total check, excluding alcohol.
• Il Pinito – 20% off total check. Dine in only. Not valid with any other offers. One card per table.
• Jackie’s Wine Club – From 4-7 p.m. daily, enjoy 15% off!
• Lola’s Cafe & Bakery - From 3-7 p.m. daily, enjoy 15% off!
• Oro Pomodoro Pizzeria Ristorante – Get 10% off entire check excluding alcohol. Valid for Lunch & Dinner Dine-In only. Not valid on Fridays & Saturdays. Cannot be combined with other offers.
• The Potomac Grill – 25% of total check up to $20 dollar maximum discount. Valid 1 card per table, not valid on holidays or New Year’s Eve.
• Potomac Pizza – 10% off dine-in or carry-out purchase. Expires 5/31/11
• Robeks Fruit Smoothies – Buy One Get One Free Smoothie or Frozen Yogurt!
• Timpano Chophouse and Martini Bar – 10% off your total bill when you dine. Offer is valid in our dining room only for lunch or dinner. Offer not valid in the bar & lounge, on holidays, banquets.
• Phillips Seafood: Receive a complimentary appetizer, order two (2) full-priced entrees and present your Rockville Rewards card. All offers subject to black-out dates & availability.

When you register your card online by providing your name, email, and zipcode, you will receive notification of Weekly Hot Deals. Quite frankly, anything hot sounds good to me right now.

The organizations can make up to $25,000 each if they sell all their cards so join me in purchasing one!

Here are the organizations you can help:

The Arc of Montgomery County
Bikes for the World
Child Center and Adult Services
Community Ministries of Rockville
Jobs Unlimited/Upscale Resale Thrift Shop
Literacy Council of Montgomery County
Manna Food Center
Montgomery County Humane Society
Montgomery County Stroke Association
Musical Theater Center
Pain Connection-Chronic Pain Outreach Center
Premier Homecare
Rockville Community Nursery School
Rockville Concert Band
VisArts of Rockville

“Give a little, get a lot.”

Possible New Grocery Store In Town Square

The lack of a grocery store has not helped Town Square businesses.

Federal Realty shared with the City that they are very close to lease agreement with grocery store for Town Square. However, the agreement will depend on their obtaining a beer and wine license for the store.

At last night’s meeting, Assistant City Manager Jenny Kimball, informed the Mayor and Council that they will be asked to endorse the license request at their next meeting on January 10, 2011. Federal Realty will be providing additional information before that date.

As we know, A&P had signed a 20-year lease for the space but indicated they wanted to end the lease agreement in March 2010 after continuing to pay but failing to open a Superfresh in Town Square. Federal Realty has been seeking a replacement ever since. As a side note, A&P has been in red ink for quite some time and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this past Sunday.

Since A&P had failed to obtain a special exception from the Maryland State legislature when a bill to sell beer and wine at the store never even made it out of a House of Delegates subcommittee, Councilmember John Britton asked if this request would need to go to the legislature again. If so, he wanted to get it on the agenda with the District 17 State Delegation which visiting the Mayor and Council meeting later in the evening. Specifically, he wanted to know if this would be a second beer and wine license for the store which would require State action.

City Manager Scott Ullery responded that this would be the first grocery store of this company in Maryland and no legislation would be required.

Now, all we can do is speculate as to which new grocery store chain would like to move into Maryland and our Town Square. Will the lease agreement be successful? If it is, please Federal Realty, include a date by which the company must open the grocery store. Let’s not make the same mistake twice!