The schools are one of the attractions of the Parkwood community, and this cozy Cape Cod feeds to Kensington Parkwood Elementary, North Bethesda Middle and Walter Johnson High schools.

It also is close to the Grosvenor-Strathmore station on the Metro Red Line. It is near Rock Creek Park, the Cedarbrook Swim and Tennis Club, the National Naval Medical Center, a MARC train station, the National Institutes of Health, historic Kensington and downtown Bethesda.

A grassy front yard with beautiful, fresh landscaping, including a lovely hydrangea, leads to the 1951 brick house, which has three levels of bright, updated, move-in-ready interiors. Window treatments include plantation shutters in the main-level bedrooms. Original hardwood floors, sunny windows and freshly painted walls can be found throughout the house, which has new windows, along with interior and exterior Pella doors.

At the front of the house is a living room, formal with crown molding. A small dining room, which leads to the kitchen, has a rustic chandelier and two windows.

The recently updated kitchen offers a ceramic-tile floor, a Samsung stainless-steel microwave, a stainless-steel sink, an electric range, a Whirlpool refrigerator and a new light fixture, as well as Formica countertops, freshly painted white cabinets, brushed-nickel hardware and new appliances.

A back door leads to a shady, landscaped, cement patio with a gas hook-up for a grill and a fenced, grassy backyard. There is a Beiler's (Amish-built) custom shed at the back of the property.

Down a set of carpeted stairs, the fully finished basement has wall-to-wall, Berber carpeting and painted, wood-panel walls on one side of the huge recreation room. Around the corner is a small alcove suited for a bookcase or entertainment center.

A short, tiled hallway leads to the utility room, which has another full refrigerator and plenty of storage. The laundry offers more shelving, plus a new, energy-efficient, front-load washer and dryer and a utility sink.

A renovated full bathroom gleams with white and new fixtures, a shower, a tile floor and a sink. A second back door offers access to a short, exterior staircase that leads to the backyard.

There are two bedrooms on the main level — one slightly larger than the other — and each have a ceiling fan and windows on two walls. The bedrooms share a hallway, full bathroom with the original, 1950s tiling, a tub/shower and an updated light fixture.

Through a door and up a set of hardwood stairs is the master bedroom, which has a beautiful wood railing, a ceiling fan and bright windows at either end of the room. There is an under-eave storage space in addition to the closet and plenty of room at the top of the stairs for a sitting or dressing area.

Recent updates include attic insulation; an interior, French drain and sump pump installed in 2006; a patio; and lower-level bath installed this year.

Specialties of the house

Address: 10006 Thornwood Road, Kensington

Style: Cape Cod

Price: $549,000

Estimated taxes: $5,326

Lot size: 0.17 acre

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2 full

Contact: Kathy Byars, McEnearney Associates, 240-372-9708