Rockville’s many historic homes draw buyers who also value the community’s easy access to commuter lines and the great nearby amenities, such as shopping and entertainment.
The city dates back to Colonial times and became the seat of Montgomery County when it was created in 1776. The enclave still has many of the homes built for those who worked for the local government early on, including the Beall-Dawson House, which was constructed in 1815 by Upton Beall, the clerk of courts. The 2 1/2-story brick, Federal-style home is now owned by the city of Rockville and is operated as a museum by the Montgomery County Historical Society.
The Rockville Historic Preservation Office and the Historic District Commission designate a property as historic if it is at least 50 years old and meets certain criteria for architectural, cultural, historical or archeological significance. These homes get a plaque that informs passers-by about the house.
There are at least 67 Rockville houses, encompassing many different styles, designated as historic. Patrick and Elana Zimmerman are newer owners of a home built in either 1896 or 1900 (the exact year is in question). Patrick Zimmerman knows the area was founded in the 1890s and houses were built there up until the 1960s. “We were drawn to this house, and we haven’t seen another house that we could have afforded that we like as much as this one,” he said.
The Rockville location is as much of an attraction as the home itself, Zimmerman said, noting his home is close to a Metro station, bus line and the Rockville Town Square shopping district.
Town Square has a downtown feel, with retail shops and restaurants, as well as new condominiums and apartments above street-level stores. The goal is to make it a focal point by drawing pedestrian traffic and offering farmers markets, concerts and community celebrations. Additional shopping and restaurant options are found along Rockville Pike going both north and south.
Lisa and Carl Bretscher have owned a historic home on Reading Avenue for 11 years. “We were attracted to it because of its location and that it was a historic home,” said Lisa Bretscher, who remains smitten by the home’s two fireplaces and dual staircases.
At 101 years old, Ruby Tyler is 22 years older than the Adams Street house she occupies. “I’ve been in this house for 73 years,” she said of the house that her family has lived in since 1937.
She said having the historic designation has advantages because help is available for maintenance. The nonprofit group Peerless Rockville helps owners with home renovation, restoration and modification contractors, suppliers and vendors and by providing information on tax incentives and assistance programs.
Buyers must be informed of maintenance standards required for a historic home upfront, said Alan Bruzee, a realtor with Long & Foster.
Market Statistics for Zip Code 20850
September 2010
Average List Price: $508,404
Average Sold Price: $479,169
Average Days on Market: 83
Average Sales Price as Percentage of Average List Price: 94.25%
September 2009
Average List Price: $551,395
Average Sold Price: $525,119
Average Days on Market: 70
Average Sales Price as Percentage of Average List Price: 95.23%
