At first glance, this Temple Hills home seems to be a humble one. The brick rambler has a winding sidewalk and an assortment of landscaping in the front lawn. There is a long, covered porch in front of the home, and a separate two-car garage off to the side. It seems fairly simple and cozy on the surface.

But inside, the home starts to take on a more unexpected atmosphere. A ceramic tile entranceway opens into the living room, which is dominated by a built-in illuminated book case. Large windows follow the outer wall, letting in plenty of natural light. The space bends around to the dining area, with a chandelier hanging down in the center.

The kitchen is open and spacious, with a ceramic tile floor, Corian countertops and hardwood cabinets. There is an open space to the side for a breakfast area, which has its own set of glass-front cabinets and counters as well as a small working area.

There are three bedrooms on this level, each with a double-sized closet in them. There's one full bathroom in the hallway, and a second private one in the master bedroom.

The finished basement of the home is the true draw. The stairs have the same carpeting used on the U.S. Senate floor, according to the owner, who says he helped install it and brought home the leftovers. At the foot of the stairs is a small sitting area before a granite gas fireplace.

To the left is a full wet bar with a granite counter and glass tiles for the base. Next to the bar is a wooden dance floor, surrounded by short stone walls and mirrors. This space is lit by a variety of different lights and has a sound system installed. Additionally, there is an open area with low hanging lights for a billiard table next to the dance floor.

In the back, there is a media room, with a large entertainment center dominating the far wall. It has inset lighting overhead and wood paneling on the walls, with a chalk board in the back of the room. Next to the media room is a full bathroom with wood paneling on the walls and around the sink. This room has both a whirlpool tub and sauna for both convenience and comfort close at hand.

The walk-out basement opens onto a fenced-in patio with a built-in brick barbecue pit and a gazebo next to the curving in-ground pool. There is also plenty of outdoor lighting and a sound system for entertaining on warm summer nights. The deck above, located just outside of the kitchen, has a covered portion which overlooks the pool below.

Located close to the beltway and just off of Route 5, it's easy to get around; however, the home itself is located in a quiet, peaceful neighborhood, despite its proximity to the major roadways.

Specialties of the house

g Address: 4910 Brentley Road, Temple Hills

g Price: $439,950

g Year built: 1957

g Square feet: About 3,200

g Lot size: 0.6 acre

g Taxes: $5,259

g Bedrooms: 3

g Bathrooms: 3

g Contact: Donald Frederick, Re/Max united real estate, 240-601-4690

*List price for homes may be subject to change.