Daniel Kotz Realtor

09/01/2026

I have been raising my kids in Bethesda long enough to know fall means one thing first, pumpkins before pumpkin spice.

Comment GUIDE and I will send you the Bethesda Neighborhood Guide.

The mornings finally cool off, the orchards open, and every weekend turns into an excuse to get the kids outside before the days get short.

A few things we are looking forward to this fall around Bethesda and Montgomery County:

🎃 Pumpkin picking and hayrides out at Gaver Farm in Mount Airy
🍎 Apple picking through the orchard rows at Butler’s Orchard in Germantown
🌽 Corn mazes and farm days at Homestead Farm in Poolesville
🍂 Fall walks along the Capital Crescent Trail into downtown Bethesda
☕ Slow Saturday mornings on Bethesda Row before the crowds show up

After eight years raising a family here and selling here, this is the stretch of the year that reminds me why people choose Bethesda over anywhere else. It is not the school rankings or the walkability scores everyone quotes. It is Saturday mornings that look like this.

If you are thinking about a move before the holidays, comment GUIDE and I will send it over.

- Daniel Kotz, your local Bethesda real estate advisor with helping you sell, buy, and actually love where you live in Bethesda, MD.

Follow for Bethesda new construction, honest reads on this market, and what actually makes this town worth the price of admission.

08/28/2026

My father built and remodeled homes in this area for 30 years. I worked on his crews before I ever showed a house, then ran the remodeling business for six years before I got my license. That’s the lens I bring to every walkthrough in Bethesda, whether it’s a spec home going up or a resale that needs a second look before you write an offer.

Licensed since 2017. Over $100M sold, most of it right here in Bethesda. I live in North Bethesda with my wife and four kids, and I work this market because I know it from the inside walls out.

If you’re buying or selling in Bethesda and want someone who actually knows what they’re looking at, send me a DM.

- Daniel Kotz, your local Bethesda real estate advisor with helping high-achieving professionals sell, buy, and actually love where they live in Bethesda, MD.

08/27/2026

Part 3: The top builders in Bethesda, MD over $3 million

Rounding out the series. I’ve covered under $2M and the $2M to $3M range, so today it’s the top end: who to look at once you’re buying above $3 million in Bethesda.

Kehoe Group is where I’d start. Kevin Kehoe is a longtime local resident of the Bethesda Chevy Chase area, and it shows in the work. He’s built a strong business doing both custom and spec homes, and he always has something in the pipeline.

Francis Development is next. Antonio Francis built his business from the ground up, starting with smaller homes and working his way to this price point. I currently have a client in a Francis home, and they’ve loved working with him and his family. Great homes, great people behind them.

The third name is one I’m relatively new to but paying close attention to: Aarden Homes. I’ve seen a handful of their builds recently in the over $3M range and have been very pleased with the quality.

If you’re buying above $3M in Bethesda, these three should be on your radar.

Which one caught your eye: Kehoe, Francis, or Aarden? Who did I miss?

A bonus part 4 is on its way.

- Daniel Kotz, your local Bethesda real estate advisor with helping high-achieving professionals sell, buy, and actually love where they live in Bethesda, MD.

📍 Bethesda, MD | Chevy Chase, MD | Luxury new construction

08/26/2026

Part 2: Top builders between $2M and $3M in Bethesda, Maryland.

Following up on the last post. Once you cross the $2M mark in Bethesda, the builder pool opens up. Here’s who I’d point buyers to in this range.

ERB Properties is where I’d start. I’ve got buyers living in ERB homes and I’ve personally sold several. The quality consistently holds up, and people are happy after moving in, which isn’t something you can say about every builder in this market.

Douglas Construction is the other name worth knowing. Doug has been building in this area for a long time, and between ERB and Douglas, you’re looking at the two biggest infill lot builders in Bethesda right now, which means more active inventory to actually choose from.

To give you a third option I’d suggest, Meridian Homes (run by the Lerner Brothers), just with fewer homes available at any given time, so it takes more patience to land one.

Bottom line: if I had a buyer shopping $2M to $3M in Bethesda, I’d start with these three.

Which one would you want to see a full walkthrough on: ERB, Douglas, or Meridian? Who did I forget? Tag them!

Stay tuned for part 3, $3m and up.

- Daniel Kotz, your local Bethesda real estate advisor with helping high-achieving professionals sell, buy, and actually love where they live in Bethesda, MD.

📍 Bethesda, MD | Montgomery County new construction

08/25/2026

The top builder I’d take my clients to in Bethesda, Maryland under $2,000,000

Got asked this recently and had to really think it through — not every builder in Bethesda is building at every price point, so the answer isn’t as simple as one list.

Under $2M in Bethesda, you’re realistically looking at townhomes. Single family new construction at that price is rare here. When I’m walking clients through townhome communities, EYA is the first builder I take them to. Long local track record, and I’ve got clients who are genuinely thrilled in their EYA homes.

One caveat: there are a few neighborhoods mostly outside Bethesda where you can still land a single family home under $2M, and a couple builders doing solid work there. ERB Properties being one. I’ll get into that in the next video.

If you’re weighing builders or price points in this range, comment CONNECT, I am happy to walk through what fits.

- Daniel Kotz, your local Bethesda real estate advisor with helping high-achieving professionals sell, buy, and actually love where they live in Bethesda, MD.

08/24/2026

5 parks close to Bethesda that my kids love.

Falls Road Local Park (Falls Road, Potomac) — Home to Hadley’s Playground, built so kids of every ability can play together. Accessible surfacing, three play structures, a soccer field right next to it. This is the one we keep coming back to.

Cabin John Regional Park (Tuckerman Lane, Rockville) — Huge open space, a miniature train ride, climbing structures and bike trails nearby. Worth the extra few minutes in the car, especially with a mixed-age group of kids.

Norwood Local Park (4700 Norwood Road) — Two playgrounds split by age group, five tennis courts, and enough open field for the kids to actually run. This is the one that works for a full morning, not just a stop.

Willard Avenue Neighborhood Park — Bridges over small streams, a playground with four slides and real climbing structure. Less crowded than Cabin John, more scenery than a standard tot lot.

Battery Lane Urban Park (4960 Battery Lane) — Recently renovated, right in downtown Bethesda. Wide paved paths mean strollers and scooters both work. Our go-to for a quick stop between errands.

Drop your favorite below. And if you’re looking at Bethesda and want the full breakdown of neighborhoods, schools, and what’s actually behind the finish on new construction here, comment GUIDE and I’ll send it to you.

- Daniel Kotz, your local Bethesda real estate advisor with helping high-achieving professionals sell, buy, and actually love where they live in Bethesda, MD.

08/24/2026

08/24/2026

What matters when buying new construction in Bethesda, MD? After years working construction sites growing up in a kitchen and bath remodeling business, here’s what I actually evaluate, and what I ignore.

❌I don’t care how pretty the kitchen looks. I care what the cabinets are made of. A quality five piece cabinet door and a flat pack box look similar in photos. One holds up for 20 years. The other starts failing at the seams by year three.

❌I don’t care if the listing photos are perfect. I care what’s behind the drywall. Structural quality doesn’t show up in a photo. Well thought out low voltage runs, aren’t visible to a camera.

❌I don’t care if you want to waive the inspection to win a bid in this market. I care if you understand exactly what you’re waiving.

❌I don’t care how many homes you’ve toured. I care why you passed on each one. That tells me what you actually want.

❌I don’t care what the spec sheet says the square footage is. I care whether the mechanicals were sized for the house. An oversized or undersized HVAC system is one of the most common corners cut in spec builds, and it’s invisible until your first summer electric bill or the unit that’s straining by year two. I check the tonnage against the square footage before I check the granite.

Most buyers don’t know which questions to ask on a new construction showing. That’s not on them, nobody teaches this. If you’re touring new construction in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, or Potomac and want to know what to actually check before you fall in love with a kitchen, send me a message. I’ll walk you through it.

- Daniel Kotz, your local Bethesda real estate advisor with helping high-achieving professionals sell, buy, and actually love where they live in Bethesda, MD.

08/23/2026

My list…

📍 Kenwood

The estate play. Some of the largest lots in Bethesda, cherry blossoms every spring, and a level of privacy you’ll never get in Manhattan at any price.

📍 Edgemoor

For the person who still wants to walk everywhere — downtown Bethesda, the Metro, restaurants on Woodmont. In-town living without giving up space.

📍 Chevy Chase Village

Historic homes, tree-lined streets, walkable to Connecticut Ave and 20 minutes to DC. The closest thing to a true neighborhood feel this close to the city.

📍 Potomac (River Falls / Avenel)

Acreage. Room between neighbors. The kind of space that doesn’t exist inside the five boroughs — still 25 minutes to downtown DC.

📍 Kenwood Forest / Springfield

Newer construction, deep lots, same zip code as Kenwood at a slightly lower buy-in. Where a lot of my build-to-suit clients land.

Comment GUIDE and I’ll send you my breakdown of Bethesda’s best neighborhoods.

- Daniel Kotz, your local Bethesda real estate advisor with helping high-achieving professionals sell, buy, and actually love where they live in Bethesda, MD.

08/21/2026

Four neighborhoods I’d tour first — and why:

📍Wyngate - Established, tree-lined streets with a strong sense of place. A steady pick for buyers who want classic Bethesda character within reach of downtown.

📍Kenwood - Tree-canopied streets, larger lots, close to the C&O Canal trail system. A classic pick for buyers who want space and quiet without leaving Bethesda proper.

📍Burning Tree - Quiet, low-traffic streets with some of the area’s larger lots. Worth a look if privacy and space top your list.

📍Edgemoor - Some of the area’s most established architecture, walking distance to downtown Bethesda’s core. Worth a look if character and location both matter to you.

Every family weighs commute, schools, lot size, and walkability differently. I am happy to talk through what matters most for yours. Comment GUIDE for my local Bethesda guide!

- Daniel Kotz, your local Bethesda real estate advisor with SERHANT helping high-achieving professionals sell, buy, and actually love where they live in Bethesda, MD.

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