Take a Hike in Western Maryland

The thermometer is expected to soar this weekend, a sure sign that spring is on its way. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-50s on Saturday and Sunday, which makes this the perfect weekend to get an early start on some of Washington D.C.’s finer outdoor activities.

It’s not hard to find good walking trails in and around the DC area, but if you’d like something a little more arduous, you need to only take a short drive north. There’s a fantastic mountain to wander up and down and it’s just a brief drive beyond the city limits.

Forty miles northwest of D.C., Sugarloaf Mountain resides in the tiny town of Barnesville, MD, which is about seven miles south of Frederick.

The mountain has an elevation of almost 1,300 feet, and while that’s not that high, it’s easily one of the tallest peaks within an hour’s drive of Washington.

It’s free to hike the mountain’s five main trails, which traverse the entirety of the park. When beginning a hike, start by heading to the summit first. It’s actually the shortest and quickest trip.  To get to it, after leaving your car in the parking lot, take the eastern fork of the White Trail.

There, while hiking slowly upward, you’ll catch nature at its finest. Rocks are covered in shiny green moss. The trails littered with crunchy leaves, still abundant from autumn. Fallen trees are everywhere and they make for great balance beams to wander on. Then there’s the wildlife. On any day at Sugarloaf, expect to see squirrels, rabbits, foxes and deer. But there are snakes too, so keep your eyes open.

After about a mile on the White Trail, you’ll reach a fork. From there, take the Orange Trail (also known as the Sunrise Trail). You’ll be able to tell if you are on the right path by the trees. Every so often, a tree is marked with a swath of paint the color of the trail you are on.

The Orange Trail is a steep climb, rising 400 feet in a quarter-of-a-mile, taking you right to the summit. There, you’ll get sweeping views of the scenery below, farmland and trees as far as the eye can see.

The hike to the summit is only about a mile one way, but the trip can easily be extended. From the summit, hikers can take either the Red or Green Trail, which head to different parts of the mountain.

If you choose the Red Trail, you’ll take a short descent and merge with the Blue Trail. This path will take you to the mountain’s second peak, which comes in a bit lower, at 1,000 feet.

Don’t stop there though, because the trail continues on to White Rocks, which is absolutely worth the extra time.  It’s a massive rock outcropping that climbers love to scale. But you don’t need to be a expert rock climber to enjoy the area. It’s easily navigable on foot and worth a trek just for the views.

After hiking around White Rocks, continue on the Blue Trail, which lazily winds back down to the mountain to the parking lot, where your trek is finished. This route in total is about five miles, and if you hike at a brisk pace, it can be completed in a couple of hours.

Then it’s just a quick commute back to Washington, which makes Sugarloaf Mountain a very easy and enjoyable escape to do, but an escape nonetheless.

- David

Rockville, Maryland Market Report – 1/4/11

Although November 2010 sounds like such a long time ago, it really has only been around 45 days.  Remember we all had the holidays just around the corner and FLASH -Here we are in a brand new year with many positive things to look forward to.

Looking back – Rockville, Maryland had an increase in Average Sales price in November 2010 in comparison to November 2009.  This was not a small increase either – prices went up from $382,927 (2009) to $435,976 (2010).  This was due in part to less inventory and favorable interest rates.

The number of active listings is down from 495 in November 2009 to 461 in November 2010.

Overall Montgomery County’s Housing Market is well on its way to a slow but sure recovery.   The Average Sold Price of $468,000 is up 16.15% from November of 2009, and up 5.31% from last month.

Here is another bit of good news.  The average Sold Price to average List Price Ratio is 93.09%.  Of course I would rather see 98% (or even 100%) of List Price but 93.09% is not bad at all!

Market data and commentary provided by Kathy Fleskes, Managing Broker, Rockville Regional Office.

Search for homes in Montgomery County, and all of the DC Metro: www.averyhess.com

Maryland’s Magnificent Chicken

Many Washington, D.C. residents bemoan the fact that this area doesn’t have an indigenous cuisine to its name. Because of the transient nature of this town, it seems there isn’t a food for Washington to call its own.

That may be a blessing in disguise. Because of the constant influx of newcomers, the D.C. Metro area has a great number of ethnic restaurants.

From authentic Thai to fantastic Middle Eastern food, there is no dearth of meals from any different country.

The best though, might be in a little shop on a main drag in Wheaton, Maryland that channels the flavor of Peru.

El Pollo Rico serves just one dish, which reflects its nomenclature: the most delicious, decadent chicken in town.

The décor in the restaurant is sparse, with white vinyl floors, plain tables and chairs and bright walls, painted in red, yellow and green.

However, when one first walks into El Pollo Rico, the simple decorations are the last thing that people notice. Instead, it’s the overwhelming smell, a combination of sweet and savory spices that please the senses.

The scent comes from the store’s secret spice rub, which is heavily patted over the hundreds of chickens that are roasting in plain sight. Just behind the register sit large brick rotisseries. Sunk into the walls these ovens hold massive heaps of ashen coals, fires that have been going all day and are constantly being stoked.

Above them are approximately fifteen spits, all sitting on a giant wheel. Each is laden with ten to fifteen birds. Each row spins on its individual spit, while the entire contraption constantly rotates, bringing the birds to within inches of the scorching flame then whisking them away. It creates a crisp and crackling skin, but prevents them from being burnt.

These chickens are the only item on the menu and they come in only three portions. A quarter chicken, a half or a whole.

And while all those portions may seem large, the birds are too irresistible to stop eating. The flesh inside is thick and juicy, and a quarter chicken goes down faster than you think. With any order comes a choice of sides: a soupy coleslaw, steamed white rice or thick cut French fries.

Order the fries — they pair amazingly with the restaurant’s two wonderful dipping sauces.

The two sauces come complimentary with any order, and are an exercise in contrast. One is a thick, mayonnaise-based sauce; the other, a biting, vinegary blend of diced jalapenos. Stir the two together for the perfect match, a smooth, creamy yet spicy sauce that tastes wonderful slathered on top of fries or chicken.

El Pollo Rico has one other location in Arlington, VA. At either restaurant, be sure to bring cash. It’s not that the meals are expensive, fifteen dollars will get you a whole chicken and two sides, it’s that neither location takes credit cards.

And even if it requires a trip to the bank, it is worth it to enjoy an out-of-this-world bird.

-David

Rockville, Maryland Market Report – 11/9/10

Here’s my overall analysis:  There have been less unites for sale than one year ago when had Home Buyer Stimulus #1. So comparing this time period to last year is not an equal comparison. But that said, here are the statistics for Rockville, Maryland:

• # of Homes for Sale: 543 (compare to 520 in August and 495 in September 2009)
• # of Homes Sold: 96  (down from 113 in August, and down from 125 at same time last year)
• Median Home Price:  $397,366 (up from $415,354 in August, and up from $400,507 one year ago)
• Average days on the market: 65 (up from 55 in August, and down from 74 one year ago).

Being located in the center of the county and having many transportation, shopping and entertainment options makes Rockville a very desirable place to live. You can enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants along Rockville Pike and in the Town Center.  With the end of daylight savings time, you can enjoy long evenings with the family in one of the many lovely communities spread around Rockville.

Data, commentary and analysis provided by David Hess, Executive Vice President, Avery-Hess, Realtors

Find Your Home. Plan Your Life. www.averyhess.com

Silver Spring, MD Market Report – 11/01/10

The stats in Silver Spring really bounced around in September. One month does not make a trend so rather than pontificate, here are the stats:
Market statistics for Silver Spring, Maryland:

• Homes for sale: 1,436 (up from 1,359 in August and up from 1,243 one year ago)
• Homes Sold: 180 (down from 212 in August but almost the same 183 sales as one year ago)
• Median sold price: $297,214 (down from $335,196 in August, and up from $276,986 one year ago)
• Average days on market: 75 (pretty stable most of this year and nearly the same as one year ago when it was 76)

My prediction is that the market will be slow until after January due to the uncertainties of the elections, repeal of ObamaCare, the negative attention over foreclosure “Robosigners,” and the general malaise among many people caused by their concerns and anxiety for the future of the American Free Enterprise system. For those who are focused on their goals to buy a house, there may be some opportunities over the next 60 days to score a good deal.

Market data and commentary provided by David Hess, Executive Vice President and Managing Broker.
Search for homes in Silver Spring, and all of the DC Metro: www.averyhess.com

Rockville, Maryland Market Report – 10/6/10

Here’s my overall analysis: There is around a four percent increase in homes for sale this year compared to the number for sale one year ago. However, the numbers of units sold is about about nine percent lower.  The current average days on market, is still below what it was last year but it does continues to rise. Houses are on the market for about a month less than they were this time last year and today’s prices are slightly higher. Interest rates are lower and are pretty much at the lowest level they have been in 30 years. My expectation is for a stable market for the balance of the year.
Market Statistics for Rockville, Maryland:

• # of Homes for Sale: 520 (compare to 515 in July and 498 in August 2009)
• # of Homes Sold: 113  (down from 122 in July, and down from 124 at same time last  year)
• Median Home Price:  $374,250 (up from $349,600 in July, and up from $365,750 one year ago)
• Average days on the market: 55 (up from 42 in July, and down from 74 one year ago).

Being located in the center of the county and having many transportation, shopping and entertainment options makes Rockville a very desirable place to live.

Data, commentary and analysis provided by David Hess, Executive Vice President, Avery-Hess, Realtors

Find Your Home. Plan Your Life. www.averyhess.com