A market driven by Washington and much more
Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Potomac and the county's many other communities vary considerably, but all benefit from proximity to Washington.
Service Area
Home inspections in Montgomery County
Montgomery County is one of Maryland's largest and most expensive residential markets, with proximity to Washington and an unusually deep employment base.
Radon testing requiredBook a few days ahead
Towns we inspect
- Rockville
- Gaithersburg
- Germantown
- Silver Spring
- Bethesda
- Potomac
From the inspector
What I see as a home inspector
Stephen P. Sinnott
Chief Inspector
Montgomery County contains everything from older postwar housing to luxury renovations and major new construction.
Expensive finishes should never substitute for evaluating the underlying building. Older electrical systems, sewer lines, drainage, additions and decades of remodeling deserve attention, while new homes should still be inspected for installation and workmanship defects.
What I look at closely in Montgomery
- Radon
- Older electrical
- Sewer lines
- Drainage
- Additions
- Decades of remodeling
- New-build workmanship
Required before settlement
Radon testing is required for most Montgomery County home sales.
With limited statutory exceptions, a single-family detached home or townhome must be tested for radon before the sale is completed. Montgomery County is classified as an EPA Zone 1 area, the highest predicted potential for elevated indoor radon.
Radon Testing in Montgomery County- Test performed less than one year before settlement, using a County-approved device
- The seller performs the test or gives the buyer the opportunity to
- Both buyer and seller must receive the results
- Generally excluded: condominium and cooperative units, and homes in Barnesville, Kensington and Poolesville
Confirm current requirements with your agent or the county before settlement.
Services
Inspections for Montgomery homes
Radon Testing in Montgomery County
Pre-settlement testing for most single-family and townhome sales.
/services#specialty-testing-servicesResidential Home Inspection
Buying or selling. A hand-written report for your property within 24 to 48 hours.
/services#residential-inspectionsNew Construction Inspections
Pre-drywall, final walkthrough and punch list, and one-year warranty inspections.
/services#new-home-services
New construction in Montgomery
A smaller new-home market
Montgomery County continues to produce new housing despite being heavily developed. Future supply increasingly depends on redevelopment, infill, townhomes, condominiums and multifamily housing rather than traditional large subdivisions.
New construction inspections →Communities currently building
8 communities- Kings Valley ViewGermantownToll Brothers
- Polaris SquareNorth BethesdaTri Pointe Homes
- One CentralGaithersburgBeazer Homes
- Creekside at Cabin BranchBoydsPulte Homes
- The GroveRockvilleWormald Homes
- Farmstead DistrictRockvillePulte Homes
- Ferry CrossingPoolesvilleMid-Atlantic Builders
- Alvermar Woods EstatesPotomacGreen Building Group
Market commentary
The state of the Montgomery market
A home inspector’s perspective, by Stephen P. Sinnott.
Federal government, biotech and healthcare
The county is home to major federal institutions including NIH, FDA and NIST and has a nationally important biotechnology and life-sciences sector. Major private employers and federal contractors add to an employment base that extends directly into Washington, D.C.
Schools and housing costs
Montgomery County Public Schools are an important draw, and school assignments can strongly influence buyer interest. The challenge is cost. High prices, taxes and financing costs mean buyers increasingly evaluate not only location but the condition and future maintenance expense of the home.
My outlook
The county's access to Washington, federal employment, biotechnology, healthcare and highly regarded communities gives it unusually strong fundamentals. Affordability may restrain portions of the market, but demand for well-located housing should remain substantial.
Real estate markets change, but the fundamentals of a community usually change much more slowly. My approach is to look beyond a monthly sales number and consider why people want to live in the area, what supports employment and what buyers are actually purchasing when they walk through the front door.
Stephen P. SinnottChief InspectorCentury Home Inspections
Market and economic information should be reviewed periodically as new public data becomes available. Commentary regarding property condition reflects the author’s professional experience inspecting residential properties in Maryland.
Other areas we serve
- Anne Arundel CountyWaterfront & Bay homes
- Baltimore CityRowhome & rental specialists
- Baltimore CountyFull county coverage
- Carroll CountyOur home county
- Frederick CountyNew construction hub
- Harford CountyI-95 corridor
- Howard CountyEstablished & renovated homes
- Kent CountyHistoric & waterfront
- Prince George’s CountyMajor new construction market
- Queen Anne’s CountyWaterfront & Kent Island
- Washington CountyGrowing new-home market
- Not sure we cover you?Contact us
Book a few days ahead
Buying in Montgomery County?
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Serving Anne Arundel, Baltimore City & County, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s & Washington County