Archive for the 'Ballston' Category
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.
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3Q07 Arlington Sales: 1,831 Reasons Why Arlington Beats the National Trend
November 20th, 2007 Categories: Around Arlington County, Ballston, Buyers, Clarendon, Columbia Pike, Courthouse, Crystal City, East Falls Church, Local Real Esate Sales Numbers & Things, Nauck, Pentagon City, Real Estate News, Rossyln, Sellers, Shirlington, Virginia Square
I haven’t been known to publish much Arlington real estate sales data on this blog. Mostly because I’m still testing the best way to present it. So bear with me while I give you some numbers. Sooner or later I’ll find a format that I like.
And don’t worry– I’m not going to list 1,831 lines of data. But– you know what that number is? It’s a way to get your attention. NVAR released it’s 3Q07 sales data. They publish all sorts of interesting and not so interesting stuff. It depends on your point of view. If you want to see it all– by county for the metropolitan area, by zip code, I encourage you to visit their website to get your number fix.
But, if you don’t have the time and want to know the Arlington sales for 3Q07, stick around.
Note– these numbers does not discriminate between condos, townhomes and single family homes.
1,831 – the number of homes still on the market 9.30.07 – the last day of the quarter.
45 – the average number of days on the market for all Arlington homes sold in the third quarter of 2007.
$571,900 - the average sales price for homes sold in Arlington.
95.9% is the average amount of money a person got in their sold price when compared to their original list price.
11.1% – the average increase– yes, I said increase, in the sales prices for Arlington homes sold in 3Q07 when compared to the 3Q06.
Now, these numbers are put together by economists employed by the Realtors Association. So you would expect a certain spin. Well, the data doesn’t spin. Sometimes my head spins when I have to look at all this data- but the data, in itself, doesn’t spin.
What does have spin– after all, we are in Washington, DC, where everything has spin; where the term spin doctor originated; where people make a very good business out of being Spin Drs, but I digress. What does have spin: the economists’ opinion. And what is their spin? That on a scale of 1–5 where 1 is a total buyer’s market and 5 is a total seller’s market, Arlington is a 3. Yes - it’s right in the middle.
I don’t depend on an economist’s opinion to tell me how the Arlington real estate market is running. After all– I’m in the middle of the market everyday. I know how I feel about the market. So I look at the data– toss is around in my head. Then I agree or disagree.
This month I agree.
Here’s why:
- I’ve been busy all year with people interested in buying Arlington real estate;
- All my appraisals for my sales have come in OVER the sales price;
- I have competed– yes competed– with other buyer agents for the same listing;
- Arlington unemployment is still under 2% (1.9% to be exact). That’s considered a worker’s shortage. So people are moving here with new jobs.
I spend a good amount of time trying to make this chart look pretty and fancy and use colors that match my blog. I just have to post it here. It is all the Arlington zip codes and the percent change of sales of 3Q07 sales when compared to 3Q06 sales.
This chart says that all the zip codes in Arlington, except for Shirlington, have seen an increase in the average sales price when you compare 3Q07 to 3Q06. Why Shirlington? After all– I write about Shirlington all the time and what a great place it is to live. Well I don’t have the answer for that right now- but I’m going to look a little deeper into it. I suspect it may have something to do with Fairlington sales, which make up the largest part of the sales.
Just in case you can’t read the chart- here are the data points:
- 22201: 11.79%
- 22202: 2.9%
- 22203: 2.72%
- 22204: 2.39%
- 22205: 12.65%
- 22206: -4.23%
- 22207: 17.26%
- 22209: 50.76%
- 22213: 3.65%
So– if you are waiting for the prices to drop in Arlington, maybe Arlington isn’t for you. Maybe you aren’t ready to buy. Maybe it’s a lot of things.
But I can tell you this– it isn’t because the real estate market is bad in Arlington. The data doesn’t lie.
| Discussion: 8 Comments »
The Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden in Arlington, VA
October 10th, 2007 Categories: Around Arlington County, Ballston, Neighborhoods, The Native Tourist
It’s almost mid-October and it was 92 degrees today here in the DC area. We broke a record set back in the 1930s. I can’t even imagine what it was like to live in 92 degrees in the 1930s. It was the time before air-conditioning. So hot was hot- there was no escape.
I know what the houses were like in the 1930s because we still have many of them around. It was before WWII, FDR was president & the term “urban sprawl” wasn’t even a concept, let alone the common place it is here today. Yes, life was different in the 1930s.
So instead of searching for the beautiful color of the changing leaves, I went to the Bon Air Rose Garden today. The roses where still in bloom and the leaves at still green. I love this little park. It’s maintained by the county and has a loyal following. I’m glad that Arlington County has given us a rose garden.
The smell of roses just fill the air. The bike path passes right through it. There are rows and rows of roses. A few tennis courts, basketball & volleyball courts, a tot lot and lawns with picnic tables to sit.
The Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden sits off of Wilson Blvd on North Jefferson Street. I wonder what it would be like to live in the houses across the street from this rose garden. As you leave for work each day- you can really stop to smell the roses.
So while I wait for the leaves to change and fall to arrive– I hope you will enjoy my visit to the rose garden.
There is another rose garden in the DC area more people have heard about- it sits behind the gates of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. I was fortunate to visit that rose garden once. I was disappoint. It’s nothing like Arlington’s rose garden. But much more historic for sure and visited by people more famous than me.
| Discussion: 3 Comments »
Wilson Blvd & Oakland Street: The Start of Something Big?
October 2nd, 2007 Categories: Arlington Urban Villages, Around Arlington County, Ballston, Condos, Neighborhoods, Virginia Square
I was driving down Wilson Blvd on Saturday heading to pick up clients and had a “WOW” reaction when I saw the tearing down of this building on the corner of Wilson Blvd & Oakland Street. I often see the cranes going up and the buildings being built– but rarely get to see the destruction that precedes the new birth.
While there is no sign up yet on what’s to come, it appears to be the home of a new residential building– The Amelia Residences at Virginia Square.
Originally scheduled as am 8–story building with 108 unit condominium, 147 underground parking spaces and 3500 square feet of retail at street level, it is now simply called a “residence.” In Developer speak that means that there is a possibility that is won’t be offered as a condo- but as rental apartments instead. The developer is Dittmar- which is a long-time local builder with a solid reputation. Even Arlington County’s press release from 2004 would not commit to condos.
This is a great location– between Ballston & Virginia Square Metros. Virginia Square is the home of the George Mason Law School and still one of the least developed areas of the Orange Line Corridor.
3801 Wilson Blvd– keep you eyes on it.
| Discussion: 4 Comments »
Ballston Arts & Craft Market: Support Your Local Artist
August 12th, 2007 Categories: Ballston, Blue Plate Specials, The Road Less Taken
We had a break in the weather around here in DC this weekend. It was a perfect time to enjoy some outdoor events.
It’s a rare Saturday when I don’t have to work– I took advantage of the perfect weather to visit the Ballston Arts & Craft Market in Welburn Square at 9th & Stuart Streets, North, in Ballston. Check out their Blog for the scheduled vendors & music at the next two markets.
Held on the second Saturday of each month between June & October, it’s a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon, meet some local artists & support the local economy. There was even some live music.
I did some early Christmas shopping & met some talented artists. It’s not a big event, instead small & local. Just the right size. These are my favorite vendors where I dropped a dollar or two.
Artisan Frame & Photo Work (Paige Ireland, Photographer)
I just loved Paige’s photography. Original work, NOT digitally enhanced. Great shots around DC, vintage cars & other eye catching work. Her original touch is creating framed windows with her work.
Lemair Handcrafts (Lisa Lemar & Christopher Proto)
Original pottery that really caught my eye. They also create unique items from jewelry to handbags. Their pottery is lead-free & dishwasher safe.
HadMatter(Erika Rubel)
Erika’s work just may have been my favorite of the day. Very unique designs using vintage postcards & other materials for original art that doubles a place to hang your keys & other things.
Maverick Chic & Accessories (Lara Wheeler)
Lara didn’t just take beads and make jewelry– she used her imagination and created bookmarks, ornaments for your cell phone, sneakers & my favorite– little creations for the zippers of your sweaters & pull-overs.
The next Arts & Craft Market events Saturday September 18th and October 13th 10AM-4PM after that. Hope to see you there.
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This Sunday Visit Two Wonderful Arlington Open Houses- 1-4 PM
August 10th, 2007 Categories: Ballston, Blue Plate Specials, Buyers, Listings
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For Sale: Stately Brick Colonial in North Arlington, VA.
August 9th, 2007 Categories: Around Arlington County, Ballston, Buyers, Listings, Neighborhoods
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Longing For Luxury? Incredible Price for N. Arlington Colonial
Location: Highview Park
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Information
Contact Information
Mary De Luca 571-237-5843
Pricing Asking Price: $949,000.00 Flexibility: Negotiable Property Location 1900 Culpeper Street, N Links
Features
Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3 Parking: Paved Driveway Year Built: 2001 Subdivision: Highview Park Lot Size: 8,743 Garage Size: 2 School District: Yorktown Agent Name: Mary De Luca Broker: Long & Foster MLS #: AR6480190 Taxes: 6,507 Levels: 3 HOA Fee: No HOA Fee Attributes
Appliances Range/Oven Full Refrigerator Washer/Dryer Dishwasher Sink Disposal Microwave
Interior Amenities Fireplace Hardwood Floors Kitchen Island Vaulted Ceilings Basement
Exterior Amenities Patio Fenced Yard Grass Lawn Automatic Sprinkler |
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For Sale: Vintage Arlington Brick Colonial
August 6th, 2007 Categories: Ballston, Listings, Neighborhoods, Real Estate News
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Classic Brick Colonial in Arlington Forest
Location: Arlington Forest Commuter Blues? Find the cure in this charming 3 bedroom/2 full bath traditional colonial on a shady tree-lined street in historic Arlington Forest.
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Information
Contact Information
Mary De Luca 571-237-5843
Pricing Asking Price: $618,500.00 Flexibility: Negotiable Property Location 344 Edison Street N. Links
Read more about Arlington Forest
Features
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Parking: Driveway Year Built: 1941 Subdivision: Arlington Forest Lot Size: 6,050 Garage Size: None School District: Washington-Lee Agent Name: Mary De Luca Broker: Long & Foster MLS #: AR6493000 Taxes: $4,855 Levels: 3 HOA Fee: NONE Attributes
Appliances Range/Oven Full Refrigerator Washer/Dryer Dishwasher Sink Disposal
Interior Amenities Hardwood Floors Basement Attic Build-in Book Shelves Plantation Shutters Replacement Windows
Exterior Amenities Patio Fenced Yard Grass Lawn Tool Shed Covered Entrance Porch |
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