Homes for Sale Bethesda

Homes for sale in North Bethesda, MD

Being situated only seven miles outside Washington, D.C. isn’t the only reason why Bethesda in Maryland is so livable. Named after a local church built in 1820, Bethesda sits in the southern part of Montgomery County, Maryland’s most populous county.

Known for its shopping destinations, diverse dining options, and a thriving public art scene, Bethesda simply bustles with urban energy. However, it is also a prime choice for those looking to boost their quality of life and homes for sale in North Bethesda, MD.

With its robust job market, top educational institutions, close-knit communities, and natural views, it’s no wonder that homes for sale in North Bethesda, MD are a hot commodity. In fact, Niche ranks Bethesda as the 6th best place to live in Maryland, with an overall livability grade of an excellent A+.

Georgian-estate-for-sale-in-Bethesda

An 8-bedroom, 12,900-square-foot Georgian estate for sale in Bethesda, MD

About Bethesda, MD

Map-of-Bethesda

Bethesda, which covers about 13.2 square miles, is a census-assigned area northwest of the nation’s capital. In the 17th century, it was populated mostly by tobacco farmers. Bethesda remained a small village until 1890, when streetcars were first introduced.

With rapid urbanization marking the early 20th century, Bethesda farmlands soon gave way to subdivisions and soon resulted into homes for sale in North Bethesda, MD. Marketed as an idyllic community for urban workers who needed respite from noise and pollution, Bethesda developed its first suburbs such as Woodmond, Battery Park, and Drummond.

The far northern area of Rockville Pike became famous for its mansions and wealthy inhabitants. The Norwegian Royal Family once lived there when they were in exile during World War II.

Where is Bethesda?

Bethesda’s proximity to Washington, D.C. already makes it an excellent bedroom community for those working in the capital. As an unincorporated area, Bethesda doesn’t have official boundaries. Maryland Route 355, also known as Wisconsin Avenue, is its major thoroughfare, connecting it to neighborhoods in North Bethesda and Rockville, and ending in Frederick. Meanwhile, its southward road passes through areas near the National Institutes of Health (NIH Campus) all the way to Washington D.C. and Georgetown.

Downtown Bethesda is about two and a half miles from Washington’s western side. It sits at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue, Old Georgetown Road, and East-West Highway. The Washington Metro’s Red Line can also be found in this spot.

What’s the climate like?

If you like both warm summers and plenty of snow, then add this to your real estate home listings in North Bethesda, MD. Its hot (May to September) and cold (December to March) seasons last for an average of three months each. Throughout the year, the temperature typically stays within the range of 27°F to 87°F. Summer is the best time to enjoy Bethesda’s outdoors, as the area gets about 197 days of sunshine annually.

However, if you plan to live here, make sure to have a raincoat and umbrella on the ready as Bethesda receives about 43 inches of rain a year. That’s 10 inches more than the national average.

Who lives here

With a current population of over 63,000, Bethesda is known for its highly educated and well-off residents. Center Square even recognized it as “the best educated place” in the US. According to the news website, around 85.9% of its adult population finished at least a bachelor’s degree (or higher), which is more than double the state rate. As a result, Bethesda’s incomes are higher, with each household earning an average of $164,142 annually. Maryland’s median household income is noticeably lower at $84,805.

Which are the top employers

What accounts for Bethesda’s highly educated populace? Perhaps it’s because the facilities and institutions around town employ topnotch talents. These include the Walter Reed National Medical Center, the flagship complex of military medicine in the US; the Uniformed Services University, which trains medical professionals eventually employed by the Department of Defense and the Public Health Service; and the National Institutes of Health, the country’s official medical research agency.

Homes for sale in Bethesda, MD

5404-Albemarle-Street

5404 Albemarle Street in Bethesda, MD features hardwood floors, oversized windows, crown molding, and custom built-ins

As a highly attractive place to live, Bethesda has a generally vibrant real estate market, with some homes on real estate listings getting multiple offers. While properties stay on the market for an average of 46 days, Redfin reveals that the most coveted homes in Bethesda sell at 2% more than its price list and stay on the market for only 8 days.

What’s the real estate market like?

As of January 2022, Realtor.com reported Bethesda’s median listing home price was $825,000 with a higher median sold price of $950,000. The sale-to-list price ratio was 99.68%, meaning that almost all homes sold at their asking price.

However, the fact that home prices have trended down compared to peak levels in August 2021 presents the perfect opportunity for buyers going through real estate home listings to take advantage of purchasing some of the best homes for sale in Bethesda, MD at prices lower than the median price two years ago.

To take a broader perspective, Neighborhood Scout states that the area’s real estate appreciation is up by almost 143% since the year 2000. Compared to Maryland and the whole US, the website gave this performance a high grade 9 out 10 – proof that homes for sale in Bethesda, MD are a great investment.

Meanwhile, homeownership is high (65.3%) in Bethesda, greatly outnumbering renters (34.7%). As of February 2022, NeighborhoodScout reports that there are about 25,835 homes and apartments in the area.

What types of properties are available?

Bethesda has a wide range of home architectural styles complementing its streets flanked with lush and stately trees. One can find all kinds of design sensibilities here –from stylish townhouses and chic condominiums to multi-story Colonial-style with brick facades and Mid-Century Modern homes. Luxury condos are typically found along Route 355 or Wisconsin Avenue.

No matter the design sensibilities of homes for sale in Bethesda, MD, all pay homage to the area’s original goal – to provide a peaceful sanctuary for those wanting to escape the noise and hustle of modern living.

The best neighborhoods in Bethesda, MD

Bannockburn-in-Bethesda

The interior of this 4-bedroom home in the neighborhood of Bannockburn in Bethesda, MD offers a glimpse of the property’s 0.45-acre lot. The neighborhood is known for its community amenities, easy access to downtown, and is a part of the Whitman/Pyle school district.

Bethesda’s gorgeous and friendly neighborhoods are designed to foster a strong sense of community and also best option to sell or list your home in North Bethesda, MD. Its walkability, diversity, and high safety rating are more reasons people continually search for homes for sale in Bethesda, MD.

Battery Park

Fronted by Old Georgetown Road on the northeast and Wilson Lane on the south, Battery Park was founded by military officers in 1923 after World War I. Originally intended to provide homes exclusively for military personnel, the development was eventually opened to the general public because of the latter’s strong interest.

Today, Battery Park is peppered with single-family homes in Colonial and Cape Cod styles, as well as bungalows. Despite its suburban location, Battery Park exudes an urban vibe because residents can easily walk to the Metro, shops, and restaurants. The Capital Crescent Trail, an 11-mile bike and footpath, provides access to Georgetown and Rock Creek Park.

Columbia Forest

This high-end neighborhood features mostly single-family homes and high-rise apartments, with many properties built from 1940 to 1969.

Located near West Chevy Chase heights, this community is notable for having a highly educated population. More than 55% of its residents are holders of a Ph.D., a master’s degree, and degrees in medicine and law. Additionally, Columbia Forest’s peaceful surroundings, assorted housing options, and above-average safety rating makes it ideal for families, retirees, students, and cosmopolites.

Bannockburn

Another wealthy community, Bannockburn is considered more affluent than 99.8% of US neighborhoods. As a result, single-family homes here are typically larger, with most having 4 or 5 bedrooms. Its residents are mostly professionals in managerial and executive positions with diverse ethnicities.

Fort Sumner

Situated in South Bethesda, Fort Sumner derives its name from the Civil War Fort originally built in the area. However, the fort gave way to residential development in 1956. Fort Sumner is now a family-friendly neighborhood filled with trees, and close to the Walt Whitman High School. Like Battery Park, it lies near Georgetown and the Capital Crescent Trail. Annual summer picnics and the Halloween parade heralded by a Glen Echo fire truck keep this neighborhood tightly-knit.

Drumaldry

Inside The Courts of Wyngate Subdivision sits Drumaldry, a neighborhood of over 100 single-family homes in the style of California homes built in the 1970s. While the home exteriors mostly feature glass and defined lines, their interiors boast of high ceilings and free-flowing floor plans. Location is also a prime benefit since Drumaldry is inside the Beltway or Interstate 495, which girdles Washington, DC.

Living in Bethesda, MD

Mother-and-Son

Bethesda is consistently cited as a great place to live. It gets top scores in outdoor activities, public schools, family livability, nightlife, health and wellness, and commute.

Here is a breakdown by the best real estate agents of what makes Bethesda an ideal community:

Bethesda has plenty of job opportunities

Other than government institutions and medical facilities, Bethesda’s other major employers include Lockheed Martin, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Cambridge Information Group, as well as the hotel chain, Marriott International, ranked 19th as a Great Place to Work in a survey of the World’s Best Workplaces in 2020. The breadth and depth of employment opportunities in Bethesda make it a premier area for career advancements in the healthcare, finance, technology, and defense industries, to name a few.

Local businesses that thrive in the area are an additional source of employment. These include a plethora of restaurants, cafes, retail shops, and other establishments.

If you’re thinking of starting your own business, the excellent location, efficient infrastructure, strong customer base, convenient location, sterling amenities, and strong support for startups are only some of the reasons why Bethesda is ideal for entrepreneurs.

Bethesda offers convenience and mobility

Most of the area’s beautiful outdoor spaces and amenities are walkable and bikeable from key locations. Thus, there are plenty of public spaces to unwind in at the end of the day.

Adding to the convenience are over 90 free bike parking racks and the city’s major metro line. In fact, commuters prefer going through Bethesda because its efficient transit system makes it easier to travel to other parts of Virginia.

Nearby Washington, D.C. is only a 30-minute drive or bus ride away. One can take the Metro to the Washington Union Station.

Bethesda is diverse

Bethesda has a diversity rating of 90 according to best neighborhood.org. This rating is based on the percentage of multiracial and multiethnic people living in close proximity. Local officials actively promote multiplicity, as seen in Bethesda’s 2017 downtown plan, which included social inclusivity in its urban design to “fulfill the needs of a diverse population.”

Bethesda has excellent schools

Thanks to the Montgomery County Public Schools, Bethesda residents have a wide range of elementary, middle, and high schools. Many are the best rated in the region because they beat the state average on college aptitude and exam scores.

For private schools, Bethesda is home to the Georgetown Preparatory School. Founded in 1879, it is the country’s oldest Catholic school for boys and one of the priciest boarding schools in the US.

Meanwhile, Landon School is an independent school for boys from grades three to 12. The children of Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton as well as President Joe Biden’s grandchildren attendedSidwell Friends School, which offers classes from pre-kinder to high school.

When it comes to tertiary education, there are many universities in nearby Washington, D.C. such as Georgetown University and Howard University.

Bethesda boasts major parks

Cabin-John-Regional-Park

Cabin John Regional Park is a haven for those into soccer, tennis, and year-round hockey and ice-skating, thanks to the indoor Cabin John Ice Rink. The park’s many picnic grounds, seven camping areas, and more than five miles of biking and hiking trails make for ideal outdoor recreation and activities. Kids will love exploring the adventure playgrounds and riding the miniature train, while dog owners can let their fur babies socialize at the dog park.

If you want more, Glen Echo Parkhas its own cultural and fun activities all year round. The park’s centerpiece, the Dentzel Carousel, was built in 1921 and remains a must-ride experience for kids and kids at heart. Now in existence for 100 years, the carousel was honored by a virtual history program that looked into its segregated past, the closure of the park, and the restoration of the carousel’s intricately carved animals. Today, Glen Echo is a venue for children’s theaters, galleries, and various programs for social dance, art, and nature.

Bethesda dazzles with festivals and attractions

In 2002, the state recognized downtown Bethesda as an Arts and Entertainment District. The title is well deserved with galleries, theaters, independent movie screenings, and impressive public art accessible throughout the city. In addition, there are foreign language workshops for kids and fitness sessions for seniors. Exhibits, painting competitions, outdoor movies, and summer concerts are regular activities.

This year, the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival has been scheduled at the Woodmont Triangle from May 14 to 15, 2022. The festival showcases the works of 130 artists and offers live entertainment and restaurants, besides.

Two farmers markets serve the community: the Bethesda Central Farm Marketon Arlington Road (open on Sundays), and the Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market along Wisconsin Avenue (open on Fridays and weekends). Patrons get their fill of fresh produce, artisanal eats, and handmade merchandise year round.

Live performances shine at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. The wood-paneled concert hall, which houses 1,976 seats, is famed for its superb acoustics. In April 2022, performers booked include Broadway star Lea Salonga, iconic pianist George Winston, and jazz legend Wynton Marsalis.

Discerning foodies and shoppers will enjoy trying out Bethesda’s choices. Notable restaurants include Raku Asian Dining in Woodmont Avenue; TripAdvisor’s top-rated seafood restaurant Chef Tony’salong Pook’s Hill Road; and Guardados, which specializes in Spanish and Latin American cuisine, on Del Ray Avenue. Meanwhile, Downtown Bethesda is a shopping paradise with over 700 businesses offering everything from fashion to home design, health and beauty services to so much more.

Discover the best homes for sale in Bethesda, MD

Judy-Martin-Reminder

With her over 30 years of real estate experience, Judy Martin is the Best Real Estate Agent in North Bethesda, MD agent to work with when it comes to buying the best homes for sale or even if you want to sell or list your home in North Bethesda, MD. The secret to her success and longevity? Prioritizing her clients at all times.

As a Best Real Estate Agent in North Bethesda, MD, Judy’s mission in building lasting relationships and delivering top services has helped her build a loyal and satisfied customer base that sings her praises. Through clear and consistent communication, Judy lets homebuyers land great properties as investments and forever homes in their dream locations.

This 2020 C21 Masters Emerald Awardee and Best Washingtonian 2019 Top Agent is excited to help you buy, sell, or list your home in North Bethesda, MD ! Call July Martin at 301.379.1700 or email [email protected] to help you get started on your worthwhile home investment today!