With just under a decade of real estate experience, I still get a thrill over what’s happening in this area’s sometimes unpredictable real estate market.
Knowing the ins and outs of this vast region isn’t easy - it takes time and energy and a lot of patience to know the real estate markets of Reston, Falls Church, Alexandria, Fairfax County, Arlington County, Mclean, Ashburn, Manassas and other jurisdictions in the Northern Virginia area. To be able to effectively search out and then write... Read Full Story
View from Balcony
Living/Dining Room
Almost new 2 bed, 2 bath condo at the Residences at Station Square, one block to Clarendon Metro , in the heart of Clarendon, with excellent shopping, dining & easy living nearby. Gold’s Gym is in the building, Whole Foods is 2 blocks away, Cheesecake factory, Crate & Barrel, Barnes & Noble, the list goes on!! Beautiful outdoor pool & community room. This is a 7th floor corner unit w/lots of windows, a balcony w/a broad view of trees and sky... Read Full Story
Beginning on, or around January 15th (tomorrow), the Department of Real Estate Assessments will be mailing all Arlington, VA property owners (including detached single family homes, townhouses, and condos) their assessed property values. All assessments are for 100% of value, meaning the assessed value = current sale price (if the property were placed on the market today). The assessment also includes last years’ property value. Formulas for calculation vary, but the Department uses... Read Full Story
I just found myself scarfing down another yummy burger from Five Guys Burgers . This seems to be a new chain of burger joint that is taking our NorthernVirginia area by storm. I know of at least 6, Arlington Virginia, Reston Virginia, Alexandria, Virginia, Annandale Virginia and Ashburn Virginia as well asGeorgetown, D.C. but apparently there are dozens of locations all throughout our state.
I was introduced almost a year ago by a pretty terrific colleague (especially now that’s shes... Read Full Story
The proposed Stimulus package by President Bush will take affect sometime before June, say reports. Aside from the obvious advantage of $600 for singles (earning less than $75K) and $1,200 for married couples (earning less than $150K), there’s an additional benefit for the housing market.
The stimulus package will help those markets - like Northern Virginia, where home prices are higher. It will aim to make getting a mortgage easier, refinancing easier, and prevent foreclosures. The... Read Full Story
Many of you are questioning what’s going on at the old Clarendon Center on Clarendon Blvd in Arlington. It’s especially relevant to me since the condo I have listed at 1205. N. Garfield is next door! Sources say that the development project will create the following in the area between N. Highland St and N. Garfield St and Clarendon Blvd:
A 12-Story Residential Building
A 9-Story Office Building
6-Story Office Building (Back side, facing the car lot across from 1021 Clarendon)
And... Read Full Story
Yesterday, January 10th, when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was asked if we’re headed into a recession, Bernanke said that we’re approaching a time of slow growth, but not a recession. In an attempt to help the economy and mitigate any risk of a recession, there have been discussions of another possible interest rate cut when the Federal Reserve meets again at the end of this month. Experts are predicting another half percentage point decrease in rates, bringing rates to 3.75... Read Full Story
In today’s ”buyers” real estate market it’s a wonder why I had to pull out all the stops to get my buyers to the closing table.
After ratifying the contract and with a settlement date set for 5 weeks out, USAA offers my client a great conventional fixed rate mortgage at 100% financing. They appraise the place at $1,000.00 over contract price and with 6 days left before the scheduled closing USAA calls the buyer. USAA insists the values of this local real estate market (Reston, VA) had... Read Full Story
Fannie Mae , a publically traded financial services company that helps lenders serve homebuyers, has been issuing declining market flags during recent computerized underwirting review. The flag calls for a closer look at the property’s appraisal to verify the value accurately reflects current market conditions. Unfortunately, it appears most of Northern Virginia is included in this “declining market” area (speculation from the Washington Post says this includes Alexandria, Arlington... Read Full Story
Fannie Mae , a publically traded financial services company that helps lenders serve homebuyers, has been issuing declining market flags during recent computerized underwirting review. The flag calls for a closer look at the property’s appraisal to verify the value accurately reflects current market conditions. Unfortunately, it appears most of Northern Virginia is included in this “declining market” area (speculation from the Washington Post says this includes Alexandria, Arlington... Read Full Story
