Canopy Property Group is one of the most experienced real estate teams in the D.C. metro area, with over $750 million in transaction volume and countless families served across Virginia, Maryland, and D.C
The hardest part of moving up or moving across town isn't finding the next home. It's the timing. You need the money from this sale for the next purchase, and you don't want to move twice. I'm James Buckley, owner of Canopy Property Group at eXp Realty, and lining up both sides in ZIP 20895 is a big part of what I do.
Selling first gives you certainty about your money, and you can make a stronger offer. Buying first means you don't rush the next home, but you may carry two payments. Most of my sellers land somewhere in between. We get the current Kensington home ready to list while we shop, then time both contracts. This is the same problem for move-up buyers, lateral movers, and downsizers. The tools change with your equity and your risk tolerance.
After settlement, you pay the buyer a daily or monthly rate to stay for an agreed period. It's written into the contract. It gives you time to settle on the new home and move once. In Kensington, that can mean staying through the kids' school year or until the next place on Connecticut Avenue or near the MARC station is ready.
It can be in a fast market. Over the 12 months ending September 30, 2026, Kensington homes sold in a median of 8 days at 100.0% of list price across 251 closed sales (Bright MLS). As of November 5, 2026, 53 homes were active at a median list price of $900,000. Sellers with several offers often pass on contingent ones. If your home is already listed or under contract, the contingency looks much stronger. Sometimes we write an offer with financing and inspection contingencies to protect the buyer and keep the sale contingency off the table by using a bridge or rent-back instead.
I do, with the lender, both title companies, and the other agents. One person watching both sides keeps a small delay from becoming a crisis. My listings have a 101.2% Sale Price / Original List Price ratio and a median of 7 days on market, which helps the sell side keep pace with the buy side.
Call or text me at (202) 979-9561 and we'll map out the timing for both homes.
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
