Silver Spring, Maryland, Realtors report that housing sales are still near record highs.

"Silver Spring is a large, unincorporated area that stretches from the northern tip of the District of Columbia 12+ miles into the suburbs of Montgomery County, Maryland," says Realtor David Maplesden . "It abuts Prince Georges County on the east and Rockville, Kensington and Olney on the west. To the north, it borders Burtonsville and Brookville."

Maplesden explains, "Due to Silver Spring being such a large area that covers both the inside and outside of the I-495 Beltway, it should be noted that what is today known as East Silver Spring, the residential area closest to downtown Silver Spring's high developing area, has different characteristics and is closer in feel to Takoma Park, with its market operating close to that of Takoma Park, than do the outlying areas of Silver Spring. Silver Spring is composed of bands of development. The close-in areas were built in the 1920's; as we go out in two to three increments, we progress through different ages of houses from the 20's close-in through present day new construction in the far out corners of Silver Spring."

"Most of Silver Spring is now developed," he advises, "but there is rural land and still some private land to be developed in the outer sections, especially if current zoning is changed. All buyers considering purchasing in Silver Spring outside the Beltway should be aware of the proposed interconnector highway that is planned to link I-95 in the Laurel area with I-270 in the Gaithersburg area. The exact alignment has not been decided on, but there are two or three proposed alignments being considered and it seems increasingly likely that this highway, which has been under discussion for over 30 years, will eventually become a reality. Silver Spring buyers inside the Beltway should be aware of several proposed alignments of the proposed "Purple Line" of the Metrorail System, running from Bethesda to New Carrollton that passes through Silver Spring."

"According to the fourth quarter," continues Maplesden, "2004 edition of the Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc. (MRIS) 'Quarterly Economic and Market Watch Report', a local database used by Realtors in the Washington D.C. area, housing sales reached another record high. Specific to the Silver Spring area, the average price of a home was $380,000. The price change over one year increased by 23.76 percent. Total number of homes sold in the last 2004 quarter were 136. The percentage change in number of homes sold in 2004 was 1.77 percent and the average days on the market was 25. Finally, the percentage of asking price versus list price was 100.2 percent. As we go into the Spring season, we notice that inventory is low and buyers are numerous which is likely to cause a continued appreciating market. We will continue to see such appreciation of home values until one of both of two things happen: the first being that interest rates increase significantly, i.e. above 8.5 percent in a short time, or secondly, the local economy slows significantly, i.e. unemployment increases. Neither appears likely at this time."

Says Realtor Kitty C. Christopher , "Surrounding boundaries hit DC, Bethesda, Kensington, Rockville. Your main routes... Beltway, Metro Train, Connecticut Ave., Georgia Ave., New Hampshire Ave., Crosstown from Rockville Pike to Randolph Road."

She adds, "Silver Spring is centrally located in Montgomery County and conveniently accesses DC and Baltimore plus many surrounding business areas. The metro system and buses make traveling public transportation easy, making job opportunities accessible."

"Get that pre-approval letter and write your best good faith deposit," suggests Christopher.