Julie Nesbitt is an ABR who has served buyers in some of Alexandria’s most exclusive neighborhoods. She is a top producing agent who has listed and sold property in Northern Virginia. In addition to helping folks buy, sell and rent property in Northern Virginia, Julie is the primary administrator of the property management services performed by Nesbitt Realty and Condo Alexandria. Call Julie at (703)765-0300.
It's hard to tell exactly what will sell your home. But it's fairly easy to spot things that will prevent your house or condo in Northern Virginia from selling. Whenever possible, follow these tips for the maximum impact.
Byron condominium is located in Falls Church VA1. Remove clutter and clear off counters. Throw out stacks of newspapers and magazines and stow away most of your small decorative items. Put excess furniture in storage, and remove out-of-season clothing items that are cramping closet space. Don't forget to clean out the garage, too.
2. Wash your windows and screens. This will help get more light into the interior of the home.
3. Keep everything extra clean. A clean house will make a strong first impression and send a message to buyers that the home has been well-cared for. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates, mop and wax floors, and clean the stove and refrigerator. Polish your doorknobs and address numbers. It's worth hiring a cleaning service if you can afford it.
4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows to air out the house. Potpourri or scented candles will help.
Quality designs to fit the Carlyle District expectations5. Brighten your rooms. Put higher wattage bulbs in light fixtures to brighten up rooms and basements. Replace any burned-out bulbs in closets. Clean the walls, or better yet, brush on a fresh coat of neutral color paint.
6. Don't disregard minor repairs. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they'll give buyers the impression that the house isn't well-maintained.
7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, add new mulch, trim the bushes, edge the walkways, and clean the gutters. For added curb appeal, place a pot of bright flowers near the entryway.
8. Patch holes. Repair any holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.
9. Add a touch of color in the living room. A colored afghan or throw on the couch will jazz up a dull room. Buy new accent pillows for the sofa.
10. Buy a flowering plant and put it near a window you pass by frequently.11. Make centerpieces for your tables. Use brightly colored fruit or flowers.
12. Set the scene. Set the table with fancy dishes and candles, and create other vignettes throughout the home to help buyers picture living there. For example, in the basement you might display a chess game in progress.
13. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light. Show off the view if you have one.
14.Accentuate the fireplace. Lay fresh logs in the fireplace or put a basket of flowers there if it's not in use.
This large living room offers a fireplace as a focal point. The contiguous sun room provides lots of light.15. Make the bathrooms feel luxurious. Put away those old towels and toothbrushes. When buyers enter your bathroom, they should feel pampered. Add a new shower curtain, new towels, and fancy guest soaps. Make sure your personal toiletry items are out of sight.
16. Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that's not possible, crate them or confine them to one room (ideally in the basement), and let the real estate practitioner know where they'll be to eliminate surprises.
17. Lock up valuables, jewelry, and money. While a real estate salesperson will be on site during the showing or open house, it's impossible to watch everyone all the time.
18. Leave the home. It's usually best if the sellers are not at home. It's awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there.
For more information or to set up an appointment call Julie at (703)765-0300.
Holmes Run Acres is a community of single family homes in Fairfax County at Falls Church. Holmes Run Acres developed around 1950 is located in Falls Church. Single family homes in Holmes Run Acres generally cost from $510,000 to $599,900.
Holmes Run Acres is close to Luria Park, Berkley Park. Holmes Run Acres is near Gallows Road and not far from Annandale Road.
Recent studies suggest that single women currently make up approximately 47 percent of the condominium buying market in the United States. The reason is pretty obvious, if you think about it. Condominiums are an increasingly popularly housing choice for single women because of the various benefits that condos offer including convenience, security, and often virtually maintenance-free living.
For starters, security matters. For single women living alone in large, urban areas, one of the many benefits of living in a condominium are 24-hour concierge and security desks, video and security cameras in hallways and stairwells, and gated or enclosed parking areas. So if you're thinking about buying a condo, carefully consider first the kinds of security features and amenities that are available in the unit; very often peace of mind is worth its weight in condo fees. Additionally, it's important to know your potential new neighborhood. Condominiums tend to be located in urban areas where there are other young, working professionals as well as families. Make sure you know your neighborhood inside and out before you make an offer on a condominium and check the local county website for crime rates, local community news, and other annual statistics and reports.
Next, convenience is the key. Another factor that is crucially important when considering buying a condo if you are living as a single professional woman. In many condominium communities and developments there are office personnel to receive packages as well as other day-to-day business services such as dry cleaning, tailoring, and spa and fitness facilities. Some of the larger condominium developments also feature even more advanced amenities such as a grocers, bank branches and ATM's, and many other services that make a single working woman's life just a little easier.
Finally, consider maintenance in relation to time and money. Many single family homes require lengthy, time consuming and ongoing maintenance such as painting every three to five years, worrying about pipes freezing during the winter or getting the rain gutters cleaned. While it's true that you as a condo owner must be financially responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of your condo's common area, typically condo associations oversee the day-to-day management of the property itself. What does this mean for the busy single woman? Well, if the doors stick and the roof springs a leak, you can bet that your sassy self won't be called upon to find someone to fix it. But be sure to check your condo buildings' rules and regulations first. Most condo associations have a list of rules and regulations that you will have to agree to before you purchase a unit in the building. These rules may limit the number and weight of pets; how many visitors you can have at a time including how often and for how long; if you can rent out your unit; and when you can have work done in your unit. Ask the listing broker for the complete set of building rules and regulations.
Before you make an offer on a condo you want to be sure to consider what matters to you most as a busy single woman and those major concerns include safety and security, convenience and location, and matters of maintenance compared to other home ownerships costs. Happy Hunting Miss Independent!
Alexandria’s Founder’s Walk feels like a small town but with all the conveniences of the big city. Close to shopping, major highways and the metro, the attractive 201 condo community basks in lots of sunlight and includes a clubhouse (great to rent for parties) and swimming pool.
Founders Walk in Alexandria
The Van Dorn Metro is in the West End of Alexandria inside the Beltway on Eisenhower Avenue.
Old Town Commons in Old Town Alexandria featuring LEED standards by the U.S Green Building Council is a townhomes community equipped with ENERGY STAR® labeling for energy efficiency, developed by EYA.
Old Town Commons is a brand new development in Old Town Alexandria VA
Such LEED certified buildings are to:
Reduce operating costs and therefore increase asset value
Help conserve water and energy
Reduce waste sent to landfill
Create healthier and safer living environment for residents
Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and such incentives in cities
Highlight an owner’s commitment to environment stewardship and social responsibility
Along with the LEED certification of Old Town Commons, quality construction and safety is also featured with its engineered wall, floor, roof and insulated party wall systems. Old Town Commons also carries CPVC plumbing, brick veneers, fire sprinkler system, programmable thermostat and carbon monoxide detector for every level. Pre-construction meeting, pre-drywall orientation and pre-settlement orientation including 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty™ is provided for occupants.
Being true to its environment friendly feature, Old Town Commons is conveniently equipped with ENERGY STAR®:
This is the second floor of a Old Town Commons townhome
Double pane windows and exterior doors
Low F\flow flush toilets
3rd party inspected house wrap and energy seal package
Electric water heater and optional solar hot water rough-in
Insulation in roof and exterior walls
CFL light fixtures
Optional rough-in for solar electric panels or solar hot water system
Real estate agents are go betweens for buyers and sellers for real estate property.
All real estate agents have to be licensed by their state or such as of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Every real estate agent has to be affiliated with a real estate broker. A broker is a real estate profession with higher educational requirements and a minimum of 3 years of full time real estate experience.
A realtor and broker have to be a member of the National Association of Realtors.
Both realtors and brokers agree to follow the high standards of ethics and participate in any continuing education programs.
A real estate agent represents a buyer or seller, renter or landlord, having their best interest at heart.
Agents can work in a dual capacity in certain circumstances representing both parties.
A real estate agent’s duty is to truth and honesty and will explain what obligations state law imposes.
It is alright for you to shop around and decide on which agents and agencies you could work with comfortably, it is fair and ethical that you work with only one agent to help you buy or sell your home. This is the reason why real estate agents will ask you if you already have representation prior to working with you.
For more information or to set up an appointment call Julie at (703)765-0300.
Nesbitt Realty is a family-business and we are ready to serve you.
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Lorton
Located just south of Fort Belvoir, Gunston Cove has ready access to Interstate 95, the Virginia Railway Express, and with its newly completed homes offer a rare chance at that zero mileage home. With two car garages, a fireplace, and luxuriously open floor plans you can easily feel at home in this new community. These new homes in Lorton range between 2400 and 3200 square feet. Gunston Cove homes are listing starting in the upper 400s.
Will and Julie Nesbitt cross the street in Shirlington
Walk Score helps people find walkable places to live. Walk Score calculates the walkability of an address by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. Walk Score promises to measure how easy it is to live a car-lite lifestyle---not how pretty the area is for walking.
Each home listed for sale is given a Walk Score. That number is between 0 and 100. Here are general guidelines for interpreting your score:
90–100 = Walkers' Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people can get by without owning a car.
70–89 = Very Walkable: It's possible to get by without owning a car.
50–69 = Somewhat Walkable: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.
25–49 = Car-Dependent: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.
0–24 = Car-Dependent (Driving Only): Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!
Walk Score isn't perfect ...
Home buyers need to be aware that Walk Score is just an approximation of walkability.
Walking to a restaurant on a Fall evening in Del Ray
For example, the Skyline communities of Falls Church generally have a higher Walk Score than the New Alexandria community of Belle View. River Towers has pleasant tree-lined walkways with easy access to neighborhood shops, parks, libraries, the Potomac. Skyline Square is convenient as can be, but broad and busy 4 lane roads make walking inconvenient, if not dangerous. But River Towers doesn't score as high on Walk Score as Skyline Square.
So, there are a number of factors that contribute to walkability that are not part of the algorithm used to calculate Walk Score:
Public transit: Good public transit is important for walkable neighborhoods. Not to fear: you can also search for homes near a metro station.
Street width and block length: Narrow streets slow down traffic. Short blocks provide more routes to the same destination and make it easier to take a direct route.
Street design: Sidewalks and safe crossings are essential to walkability. Appropriate automobile speeds, trees, and other features also help.
Safety from crime and crashes: How much crime is in the neighborhood? How many traffic accidents are there? Are streets well-lit?
Pedestrian-friendly community design: Are buildings close to the sidewalk with parking in back? Are destinations clustered together?
Topography: Hills can make walking difficult, especially if you're carrying groceries.
Freeways and bodies of water: Freeways can divide neighborhoods. Swimming is harder than walking.
Weather: In some places it's just too hot or cold to walk regularly.
Walking near Cameron Mews in Old Town Alexandria
Thus, the tools on our site are a great starting point in your search for homes and neighborhoods of Northern Virginia, but there really is no substitute for your Condo Alexandria realtor. We know the areas and neighborhoods where you want to live and we can really help you sort to the wheat from the chaff.
Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and closing costs. Then, talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage. This will save you the heartache later of falling in love with a house you can't afford.
2. Research before you look.
Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much you'd be willing to spend each month for housing. Is walkability important to you? How about proximity to the Metro? Perhaps you want your new home to be in ? Whether you want a condo in Arlington or a single family home in Kingstowne, a townhouse in Cameron Station or a studio in Crystal City, Nesbitt Realty probably has a search tailored to your needs. If you have trouble finding the search that you need call us and we'll be glad to help you out.
3. Be realistic.
Seminary Hill is in Alexandria 22304
Once you've zeroed in on a list of homes that fit your budget and criteria, then it's time to start viewing property. It's OK to be picky, but don't be unrealistic with your expectations. There's no such thing as a perfect home. Use your list of priorities as a guide to evaluate each property. We still have a buyers' market, but that doesn't mean people are giving real estate away. Although homes have dropped in price 10% to 20% from the high-water mark a few years back, prices in Northern Virginia have tightened up and I'm not seeing further erosion in prices.
4. Don't ask too many people for opinions.
It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion, but be ready to make the final decision on your own. Your home is a personal choice. In the end you're the one who will pay the mortgage and you're the one who will live there, so make sure you're pleasing yourself, not your advisers.
5. Decide your moving timeline.
When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area? All of these factors will help you determine when you should move.
6. Think long term.
Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in this home for a longer period? This decision may dictate what type of home you'll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that will best suit you.
Bob Murphy is a home inspector
7. Consider a home inspection.
A home inspection is an option for every home buyer. A home inspector is a professional whose job it is to check the home out for defects. Whether you purchase a condo, townhouse or single family residence, a home inspection is an important option to consider.
8. Get help from a REALTOR®.
Hire a real estate professional who specializes in buyer representation. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer's representative is working only for you. Here's the best part about employing a Realtor to represent you: buyer's reps are usually paid out of the seller's commission payment, so there is no expense to you the buyer.
For more information or to set up an appointment call Julie at (703)765-0300.
Recent studies suggest that single women currently make up approximately 47 percent of the condominium buying market in the United States. The reason is pretty obvious, if you think about it. Condominiums are an increasingly popularly housing choice for single women because of the various 
Next, convenience is the key. Another factor that is crucially important when considering buying a condo if you are living as a single professional woman. In many condominium communities and developments there are office personnel to receive packages as well as other day-to-day business services such as dry cleaning, tailoring, and spa and fitness facilities. Some of the larger condominium developments also feature even more advanced amenities such as a grocers, bank branches and ATM's, and many other services that make a single working woman's life just a little easier.
Finally, consider maintenance in relation to time and money. Many single family homes require lengthy, time consuming and ongoing maintenance such as painting every three to five years, worrying about pipes freezing during the winter or getting the rain gutters cleaned. While it's true that you as a condo owner must be financially responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of your condo's common area, typically condo associations oversee the day-to-day 
if the doors stick and the roof springs a leak, you can bet that your sassy self won't be called upon to find someone to fix it. But be sure to check your condo buildings' rules and regulations first. Most condo associations have a list of rules and regulations that you will have to agree to before you purchase a unit in the building. These rules may limit the number and weight of pets; how many visitors you can have at a time including how often and for how long; if you can 
