Archive for February, 2008
OPEN SUNDAY 1-4 PM: 3243 Sherman Street, Fairfax, VA 22030
February 29th, 2008 Categories: Listings, Neighborhoods, Outside The Beltway
We’ve lowered the price and the owner is ready for an offer. So - come take a second look at this one-of-a-kind split level home in Fairfax.
The signature feature of this home is it’s 400 sqft. Great Room which is an addition to the original home. Anchored by a wood-burning fireplace & built-in shelving it holds many warm memories for the owner. It’s hosted the owner’s own 18 piece Big Band, super bowl parties, Christmas dinners, birthday parties and all those memories that one builds in a lifetime.
It’s time for the owner to move on, he’s ready for an offer from someone who can appreciate the features of this home and not worry that it doesn’t have granite counter tops. That’s something easily added by the next owner.
I’ve already written about the great features of this home. But now its time for you to see it for yourself. Come out on Sunday - take a look at a home that shows pride in ownership, has been well taken care of and is a great place to live. If you can’t make the open house, please visit my virtual tour, or contact me for a private showing or for more information.
| Discussion: 3 Comments »
This Just In: VA Supreme Court To Northern Virginia: No New Taxes!!
February 29th, 2008 Categories: Around Arlington County, Local Real Esate Sales Numbers & Things, Outside The Beltway, Sellers
Today the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority is unconstitutional. You can read the entire decision here.
The NVTA was created by the Virginia General Assembly earlier this year, to levy taxes for Northern Virginia transportation projects. I wrote about these increases in more detail back on July.
In an unanimous opinion, the court said that legislators improperly delegated taxing powers to the unelected members of the NVTA.
This decisions affects the recent increase in the grantors/transfer tax homeowners pay when they sell their homes, in addition to some other taxes that were increased in in January to help pay for the $300 million needed in bonds to finance planned transportation projects.
It’s still unclear what happens next. It’s also unclear whether people who have paid the higher grantor tax will be refunded. If you fall into this category, contact your state representative or your title company for more information. As of this afternoon – no one really knows.
But late this afternoon, Arlington County released a press release urging the Virginia General Assembly to “act quickly” to fund the project already planned.
In Arlington, these project are:
- Rosslyn Metro station access improvements
- Columbia Pike streetcar
- Crystal City/Potomac Yard transit improvements
- Columbia Pike improvements
- Re-alignment of existing roadway on Wilson Blvd
- Old Dominion Drive multi-modal improvements
- Lee Highway at Harrison Street improvements
More broadly, the other major Northern Virginia projects impacted by this decision are:
$28M for improvements to the Fairfax County Parkway
$15M to widen the Prince William Parkway from four lanes to six lanes between Hoadly Road & Old Bridge Road
$11M for improves bus service between the Braddock Road metro stop in Alexandria and the Crystal City/Potomac Yard corridor.
What’s not been said here is that Metro-to-Dulles project will have even more problems to deal with as the projects struggles to get started. Once again, the Northern Virginia commuter is left stranded by its government in Richmond.
People who relocate here from other parts of the country always ask me why there is no metro extending to areas where people really live in affordable neighborhoods. I always tell them– it’s because the capital of Virginia is in Richmond. And don’t you ever forget that.
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Just When You Thought Ballston Was Complete: A New Project
February 28th, 2008 Categories: Around Arlington County, Ballston, Buyers, Neighborhoods
Arlington County announced a new development project on the corner of North Glebe & Wilson Blvd. Also known as old the Bob Peck site, the new project will include:
- 400,000 square feet of office space,
- 36,000 square feet of retail space,
- 90 units of affordable housing,
- 28 town homes.
I drove around there today and realized that it’s very big space– almost 5 acres. That’s pricey real estate across from the metro $26 Million to be exact when the Peck family sold it to JBG in 2006. That’s a little more than $5M/acre!
There were also two old homes boarded up on Wakefield and another small apartment building that appear to be part of the project as is the Staples, according to the press release.
These new buildings will compliment the Ballston Mall and the other new building that emerge in recent years. One-by-one Arlington has lost it’s old landmarks. The latest, Bob Peck, was a car dealership with its 1950s retro entrance, has been around even longer. The Washington Post had a nostalgic send off when the dealership closed in 2006.
It was a time when Arlington was almost a small town– part of the post WWII boom. If you ever get a chance to watch an Arlington Historical Society show on cable access- you will hear some of those residents talk about growing up in Arlington. It sounded like a real Leave It To Beaver neighborhood.
Today its a whole another Arlington. As I roam Arlington showing property I can see the many layers of Arlington. There are the farm houses that have been here since the early 1900s, the Sears Bungalows from the 1920s-30s, the colonial developments from post-WWII boom, 70s decay, 80s revitalization up until the high-tech buildings of today.
I guess when the Bob Peck Dealership went up in the 1950s, there was someone that said- gee, with all this development I’m going to have to ride my horses all the way out in Bailey’s Crossroads.
| Discussion: 4 Comments »
Arlington County Plans to Raise Your Property Tax: Time To Have Your Say
February 27th, 2008 Categories: Around Arlington County, Local Real Esate Sales Numbers & Things, Sellers
Mark your calendars for public hearing at the county.
WHEN: March 27, 2008 (Budget) March 29, 2008 (Tax rate)
TIME: 7 PM, scheduled (could be sooner if other agenda items end quickly)
WHERE: Room 307 #1 Courthouse Plaza, 2100 Clarendon BLVD.
What Are The County’s Plan:
1. Your Arlington 2008 real estate tax assessment increases 3.7% from your 2007 tax assessment.
2. Raise your tax rate to .838 per $100 of assessed value. A 6.2% increase over the 2007 tax rate of .789 per $100.
What Does This Mean To You?
Your real estate property tax is made of of two parts. The first is the value of your home (your tax assessment) which varies widely in a county made up of single family homes, townhomes and condo homes. The second, is the rate at which the county taxes that assessed value. Your property taxes is the major source of the local government’s revenue stream.
If the county goes forward to raise these rates, your 2008 property taxes will be going up. If you plan to attend the meeting & want to have a say, you’ll have to sign up before hand. Here are the county’s procedures on how to do that. You can even register online here. If you have any further questions: call the County Clerk’s office at 703–228–3130.
Copy of proposed resolution fixing real estate tax rate for CY 2008 is on file and available for review in Office of Clerk to County Board, Room 300, #1 Courthouse Plaza, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. A copy of the county’s proposed budget- which is driving this tax increase can also be found on the county’s web site.
The Local Governments’ Dirty Little Secret
Most of the local municipalities in the area will be raising local real estate taxes in 2008. Many homeowners wonder how that can happen when they are seeing their neighbor’s home for sale sit on the market and ultimately sell for much less than they would have a few years ago and every night the news report about this falling real estate market.
Well– one of the residual effects of the current real estate market is that the local governments are getting less tax revenue. Every time there is a “short sale” property on the market in your neighborhood, that is one less home the local government will be able to tax. And every time that house for sale cuts its price, that is less tax money the local government will collect to support it’s local services.
Even if the local government cuts its budget, it will need to make up for that lost tax revenue somewhere- and that somewhere is mostly from the other homeowners who think that this down-turn in the real estate market is not about them. Because, after all, they are responsible and pay their mortgage on time and every month.
The local government loved the last real estate market when home prices where raising at 15–20% every year. It was a time when homeowners found their tax bill rise just as quickly. The local governments all found a way to use that money. Now it’s hard to stop spending that money.
The other dirty little secret is that most of the counties inside the beltway have shown a rise in average sales price of property. That’s right– a rise. We have such a spotty market– it changes zip code to zip code. Some zip code have seen increase, while others have seen decreases. But…on average, we have seen prices rise.
What’s a homeowner to do?
Our taxes increase in sellers market, our taxes increase in a buyers market. Maybe it is better to rent! Oh wait– rents have gone up more than 30% since 2004. Someone has to pay for a landlord’s tax increase.
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
A Big WOW For Shirlington: US Patent Office Will Be Our Neighbors
February 21st, 2008 Categories: Around Arlington County, Real Estate News, Shirlington
The last office building planned for Shirlington is almost complete. Randolph Square will have over 200,000 square feet of office space, retail stores and a nice new parking garage to add some much needed parking.
The exciting news is that this shiny new building now has a bright new tenant: The US Patent Office.
The building is scheduled to open in April- just in time for the spring and bring with it the US Government.
Welcome to the neighborhood – you’re going to be here for the next 10 years. I hope you enjoy our little secret.
My last picture was taken when the weather was warmer– I’m such a whimp in this cold weather. It’s much further along now. I’m just too cold to stand outside to take some pictures.
And many thanks to one of my favorite local blogs: Shirlington Village Blog for being the first with the scoop.
Related Post:
| Discussion: No Comments »
Barry Manilow: He Really Is Music
February 15th, 2008 Categories: Blue Plate Specials, The Native Tourist, The Road Less Taken
Ok– I’m a dork and proud of it. This Christmas I received one of the best gifts ever– tickets to see Barry Manilow’s Vegas Show when it came to town this past week. We had great seats and a great time!
Have a great weekend and don’t forget to visit me at my open house Sunday from 1–4pm.
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Don’t Spend It All In One Place
February 14th, 2008 Categories: Mortgages & Loans, Real Estate News
This president loves to tell Americians to go out and spend money. So now you can. Don’t spend it all in one spot.
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
3243 Sherman Street Offered For Sale: Open Sunday 1-4PM
February 13th, 2008 Categories: Listings, Neighborhoods, Outside The Beltway
Located in beautiful Mosby Woods, a subdivision with old-town charm and pristinely kept single-family homes, 3243 Sherman Street offers space, design and features not evenly matched by its lovely neighboring homes.
With a fantastic floor plan perfect for entertaining and relaxing at home, its almost 3,000 square feet is more than enough space for a growing family. This house is a wonderful place to call home.
Some of the unparalleled features of this home include the following:
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400 square foot Great Room anchored by a wood-burning fireplace & built-in shelving. All en-wrapped with two walls of Anderson windows and enhanced with track-lighting, recessed lights & ceiling fan. -
Attached extra long garage with work bench, extra storage and access to both the kitchen & back yard
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16’x13’ Eat-in Kitchen with ample counter & cabinet space, separate pantry & picture window & pass through to dining room
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Refinished hardwood floors on the main level -
Master Bedroom with walk-in closet, en-suite bathroom & private balcony
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Unmatched storage with additional built-in storage throughout the home & under the home storage
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Energy-efficient windows throughout
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Second, third & forth bedroom all at least 11’x 9’ with space-saver closets
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Walk-out basement hosting a 16’x18 recreation room & a second wood-burning fireplace & 18’x17’ utility room -
Low-maintenance backyard with mature trees, deck and patio
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A quick drive to all major commuter routes: I66, I495, Rt. 50/29, Rt. 123, Lee Highway- yet no highway noise
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Close to the Vienna Metro
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Convenient to all shopping in Fairfax City, Tysons, Fair Oaks, Fair Lakes, Fairfax Corner & Wegmans.
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Priced $30K below 2007 Tax Assessment
Come experience the convenience, space and style of 3243 Sherman Street for yourself. Come visit me at my open house this Sunday from 1-4pm. Or view my virtual tour anytime.
| Discussion: 3 Comments »
I Have A New Cell Phone Number 703-772-5555
February 13th, 2008 Categories: The Road Less Taken
Yes– I did something you should never do when you have a small business. I changed my cell phone number. 703–772–5555 is a great number– who wouldn’t want to keep it?
If you read my recent interview with the Real Estate Tomato, you might have picked up on the fact that I had to get a new blackberry. My old blackberry was so over - we had a good time together, it paid for itself many times over- but its time had come.
Don’t forget my new phone number:703–772–5555
I used to work in the telecom industry– for a long time. I know a lot about phones, and phone numbers and how everything works. So when it came time to go phone shopping– I’m pretty savvy. And being savvy, I know you can keep your phone number no matter what company you use. I also know that phone companies- while they have all this sexy marketing – still have old billing and ordering systems.
Did I tell you my new phone number is 703–772–5555?
I ordered a new blackberry– I knew exactly what I wanted and that was a new phone company. I contacted this new phone company– told them what I wanted. I decided on a plan and a phone and anxiously awaited delivery of my new phone. When it was delivered- it was the wrong one. So I returned it – without activating it.
703–772–5555 Write it down because I went through a lot to get it.
Common sense would tell you: why would you activate it if you weren’t going to keep it? But this was way too logical for my new phone company. So it seems that their systems got confused when I wanted a different phone. It wouldn’t let go of my old phone number. They came up with a great idea of giving me a temporary phone number. As a small business person I know changing a phone number that already has a brand is not a good idea. But the phone company couldn’t think of anything better. They assigned me a new number.
703–772–5555
That’s a pretty good number. I know, I studied telephone numbers and how one number can be more attractive than another number. And this number is much more attractive then my old number.
I’m taking the chance– I’m keeping it. I’ll keep my old phone number active until I get all my “stuff” changed or until my old blackberry finally dies. But– thanks to the Internet and my blog– people will know that I haven’t gotten out of the business. You’ll be able to find me here. I’ll always be inside my computer.
Luckily for all of us, the phone companies weren’t involved with developing the Internet routing schemes. Unlike my old phone number, I can take BeltwayRamblings with me if ever the time comes for me to leave The Real Estate Tomato.
But I’m keeping 703–772–5555
And for all my telecom friends out there that knew me when– it really is true: The phone number does matter and some companies have better numbers than others.
So call me on my new number 703–772–5555 I’d love to hear from you.
| Discussion: 3 Comments »
This Goes In The: What the….? File
February 1st, 2008 Categories: Around the City of Alexandria, The Road Less Taken
I was over shopping at Target today in Potomac Yards and did a double take when I noticed all the fire hydrants in the parking lot have an antenna attached to them.
I know there has to be some good explanation for it- but I couldn’t find it.
Living in the DC area where I do– just a short distance from the Pentagon you get used to seeing things you can’t explain. You hope that it all has something to do with Homeland Security and not big brother. I’m still convinced that the Air Force Memorial is there to protect the Pentagon.
But this one has me stumped. I think it may be for police radios.
I wonder how many other people notice the antenna on the local fire hydrant.
| Discussion: 9 Comments »