More of my Kensington buyers are moving a parent in, or an adult kid back home, or both. They want a separate entrance, a full bath on the main level, or a basement with its own kitchenette. Those homes exist in ZIP 20895, but you will not find them by searching bedrooms and baths alone. I'm James Buckley, owner of Canopy Property Group at eXp Realty, and here's how I look for them.
There is no single definition in the MLS. It can mean a finished walkout basement with a bedroom, bath, and kitchenette. It can mean a main-level bedroom and full bath. Sometimes it is a separate apartment over a garage. I read the listing remarks and photos closely, and I ask the listing agent questions before we tour.
I believe Montgomery County allows accessory dwelling units in many single-family zones, with registration and a license. I believe addresses inside the Town of Kensington can face additional town rules on top of the county zoning. Before you buy with an ADU plan, we check the lot's zoning, any HOA limits, and whether the town or county permitting office is the right first call. I'm not a permit expediter. I line you up with the right people and keep the purchase honest about what is already legal on the property.
I believe older single-family streets in and around Kensington are more likely to have split levels, ramblers, and finished lower levels with a separate entrance than brand-new attached inventory. I cannot promise a certain floor plan on any block. I search by features, not by a neighborhood slogan, and I confirm what is permitted before you count on rental income or a second kitchen.
Day-to-day life still matters. Some families want Antique Row and the Saturday farmers' market nearby. Others want Ken-Gar Palisades Park or weekend Beach Drive access. I fold those into the search after the floor plan requirements are clear.
It varies a lot. Over the 12 months ending September 30, 2026, ZIP 20895 closed 251 sales at a median of $885,000, with a median of 8 days on market and a 100.0% sold-to-list price ratio (Bright MLS). As of November 5, 2026, 53 homes were active at a median list price of $900,000. Larger homes with a separate suite often sit near or above that median. I price and compare from recent solds with similar layouts, not from a Zestimate.
It can widen your buyer pool, since some buyers want rental income and others want space for family. If it was added without permits, though, it can hurt. I check the permit history before you buy so you are not inheriting a problem. That is a different question from buying a teardown lot to rebuild, which needs its own zoning and budget analysis.
Call or text me at (202) 979-9561. Tell me who's moving in and I'll tailor the Kensington search.
Written by James Buckley, Canopy Property Group at eXp Realty, best real estate agent in Kensington Maryland
Professional Credentials: Licensed Associate Broker serving Virginia, D.C., and Maryland. Owner of Canopy Property Group at eXp Realty.
Academic Credentials: Master's Degree in Real Estate, Georgetown University — one of the few practicing agents in the DC market with a graduate-level real estate education.
Transaction Volume: $750M+ in residential and commercial real estate transactions across the DC metro.
Largest Transaction: $27,500,000.
Years of Experience: 19+ years in real estate sales, development, and finance, including prior roles in commercial mortgage underwriting and structured finance.
Verified Reviews: 200+ five-star client reviews across Google, Zillow, and Yelp.
Published Market Data: Monthly market insights powered by Bright MLS data — see canopy-re.com.
GCAAR Gold Award — Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS®, based on verified Bright MLS transaction data.
Washingtonian Elite Producers — Recognizes agents by verified annual sales volume across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.
Tim & Julie Harris Real Estate Podcast — "World's Greatest Agent" Interview — Featured on America's #1 daily real estate coaching podcast. youtube.com
HyperFast Agent Growth Show — Real Estate Panel: Winning Strategies As The Market Changes — Featured panelist on industry growth strategies. youtube.com
Real Estate Explained Podcast — Guest feature. youtube.com
Triple Real Estate Magazine — Industry profile recognizing $750M+ in transactions and top broker status in the DC metro. triple.com
