Happy 4th of July!
July 3rd, 2008 Categories: Life in the District, The Road Less Taken
There’s always something fun about this holiday. If you are planning to go down to the Mall to see the fireworks– they don’t start until 9:15pm. But there is tons of things to do while you’re waiting. Click here to find some great viewing spots. And don’t forget– there is no parking allowed this year on the shoulder of the George Washington Parkway!
If you’re like me and don’t like the crowds– look through this list for a local fireworks display in your neighborhood. From Arlington to Leesburg– just about every local area will have an event. You folks in Vienna will have to be happy with a laser display after last year’s accident.
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Is This What It’s Come To?
June 13th, 2008 Categories: Going Green, The Road Less Taken
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Shirlington Crest: What Housing Slump?
June 11th, 2008 Categories: Buyers, Nauck, Neighborhoods, Shirlington
While buyers are out there sitting on their futures, there are people seem to be ignoring all the media stories and buying up Shirlington Crest.
The sales office opened the end of 2006– with what they called “pre-sales” and now the sales office is in full force. The first phase is already sold out and people are flocking to get one of the best deals in Arlington.
Stanley Martin was finally able to break ground a few weeks ago after getting all the needed permits from Arlington County– and the development is starting to take shape.
The prices for these townhomes are good. When first announced in late 2005, the townhomes were expected to be priced in the $700,000s. When the plans were finally released, they were expected to sell in the mid-$600,000s. But I have to applaud Stanley Martin for not ignoring market conditions and settling on a base price starting in the $560s—$580s for the first phase. That is a fabulous price for a new 2–car garage in Arlington– not one you will find anywhere else. I expect prices in start increasing as they continue to sell into the second and third phases.
Sure- there is no metro in walking distance- but there is a new bus station with a short ride to the Pentagon metro. And it is walk-able to Shirlington Village- which is proving to be one of Arlington’s more popular urban villages.
If you take a walk through the models that are now open– you will find that the townhomes themselves are not big– about 1800 sq ft of living space (not including the garage). But that’s consistent with the other homes in the area– only Windgate end unit townhomes are larger- but there aren’t garages in Windgate and they are townhome condos. (Still a great place to live– I know– I live there!) One unquie feature of these townhome is the roof terrace– not something you will find anywhere in the neighborhodd.
If you walk through the models– don’t fall in love with “the Barn”– an end unit that has a gambrel roof- they ditched that model in favor for a modified version on the other popular end unit model. And thank goodness for that! Another smart move by Stanley Martin. (That unit is for sale btw- for a steal!)
Do’s & Don’ts To Know BEFORE You Buy
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Honor The National Moment of Silence - Memorial Day 2008 3PM
May 25th, 2008 Categories: Life in the District, The Native Tourist, The Road Less Taken
Growing up, Memorial Day didn’t mean much more than the day the beaches opened. After living in the DC area for the past 20 years, you can’t help but learn the true meaning of Memorial Day. Going back as far as the Civil War, we have been remembering those whose lives were taken for the sake of our freedom.
We here in DC are surronded by memorials and events that remind us just how much people have given to keep this country free. Rolling Thunder, the dedication of the WWII Memorial, the Iwo Jima Memorial just to name a few of the things in this town that make you think.
So, as you are getting ready to enjoy your extra day off, whether at the beach or a BBQ– stop whatever you are doing at 3pm today– Memorial Day and say thank you and remember.
These are just a few of the events I’ve attended over the past 20 years– all in my own backyard.
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Remember
May 23rd, 2008 Categories: The Native Tourist
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Panda Friday!
May 9th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News, The Road Less Taken
What better way to get back into my writing that starting out with something light! It’s cold and rainy here in DC- we had over 3 inches of rain over night- so everyone needs something to make then smile!
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Time To Get Answers: Tuesday April 22, 2008 Buyer Seminar
April 20th, 2008 Categories: Around Arlington County, Buyers, Mortgages & Loans, Nauck, Neighborhoods, Real Estate News, Shirlington
Save the date– this coming Tuesday, April 22, 2008– AFTER WORK!
My office has gotten together to sponsor a buyer seminar– GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED!
Put down the Washington Post Real Estate Section for the night and talk to real estate people who are on the front line of today’s market.
* Learn why FHA is not your grandmother’s mortgage anymore
* Talk to a Loan Officer– no commitments
* Learn the state of the Arlington Market
* Is buying a Short Sale or Foreclosure property really for you?
* What happens AFTER I found the home of my dreams?
There is a reason why it’s called a BUYER’S MARKET! IT’s THE TIME TO BUY!!!
OK– that’s all the slogans I’m going to use.
This is a real seminar for people who have thinking of buying a home at sometime in their lives. We’re going to be there to answer your questions. There is no hard sell.
It’s an opportunity for you to speak with real professionals who are working in the front lines of this market.
Got a place to sell? Come by to find out what’s going on in the market. We’ll answer your questions. We won’t turn anyone away.
And– we’ll have snacks!
So come out on Tuesday night– make the time. There’s plenty of free parking. And when they ask you how you heard about this– tell them I sent you. Or meet me to see that I’m a real person!
WHERE:
North Fairlington Community Center
3005 S. Abingdon Street
Arlington, VA 22206
TIME:
6:30–8:30PM
Make the commitment: call (703–772–5555) or email to RSVP.
BUT– don’t let that stop you. Come anyway.
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I’m HERE- and Back Online
April 20th, 2008 Categories: Blue Plate Specials, Real Estate News
A few of us real estate bloggers where cyber attacked this past week.
Fortunately for me, most of my files was still in tact when these malicious attacks where stopped. But that doesn’t make it any less devastating for my fellow bloggers across the country who had at large part of their business shut down.
Our wonderful hosts have been doing a great job getting many large files of many bloggers back on line- but certain things are still not working properly and we are finding them as we go along.
If you have tried to reach me over the past week and have not heard back from me- please accept my apologizes and contact me again. CALL ME- 703-772-5555
My next few posts will also be picture-less. Until everything is back up and working.
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It’s Spring! Get Out And Enjoy
April 2nd, 2008 Categories: Shirlington, The Native Tourist, The Road Less Taken
Spring is one of the best times of year here in the DC area. If you don’t mind the tourists.
It’s that time of year: the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Nats opened their new stadium, and everyone is running for something.
Most of us don’t have to brave all the tourists and traffic down at the Tidal Basin to see the Cherry Blossoms. They bloom all over the area.
Even Shirlington!
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Holy Cow Batman!! It’s A Flying Squirrel!!!
March 8th, 2008 Categories: Around Arlington County, Blue Plate Specials, The Road Less Taken
Arlington TV has started a “At The Nature” program to provide a condensed version of some of the activity of the Arlington County Nature Center Program.
Living in a county that’s 90% developed sometimes we forget that where we live was once wilderness with a few farms. But when we see the wildlife here – we’re reminded. Maybe they will do an episode on the red fox here in South Arlington.
They have many events scheduled for the spring. So shake off the winter and get out and enjoy the soon-to-be warmer weather! The trees are budding so the Cherry Blossoms aren’t far away.
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