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Author: K Michael Nesbitt

I spent four years in the US Navy and the next twenty in the mid west. I love the mountains and appreciate the fact that I get to see them all the time now. I am a bit of a sports fan. I enjoy dabbling in the world of fiction novel writing. I am also a licensed real estate agent in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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2 Good Reasons to Appreciate Speed Humps

Are They Really Helping Me? Anyone who has read me thus far knows that I am new to the area.  Knowing this supports my thoughts about something so mundane to the common road traveler.  As I have been motoring around the northern Virginia area over the last several weeks, I have noticed that the words speed and humps can actually be put together to mean something rather useful. When I first saw a sign with these words on it, I was a bit confused, but I usually am on a daily basis.  This particular confusion quickly turned to curiosity as to the need or usefulness of the sign and the hump it refers to.  I have seen a speed bump, but this animal was a different species, for sure.  It may sound ludicrous or maybe unnecessary to discuss these items on our roadways, but let me say a few things first, before you dismiss the importance of this article.speed hump In shopping centers, many people blow by or simply ignore the many stop signs put up by the door ways.  They also ignore the fact that they should use the standard equipment on their vehicle known as the blinker.  Ignoring these two things leads to a lot of mishaps in parking lots.  These speed humps have actually drawn notice to themselves and made people slow down, thus making it safer for everyone.  I have actually seen them come into use as I was walking into a couple of stores.  Instead of speeding by at the speed of light, operators of vehicles have to slow down, or damage their cars.  For this reason, I love the speed hump. On roads that are not well marked or have crazy turns, it is easy for the operator of a vehicle to mis-judge speed necessary to traverse the next bend and end up off the road.  With the addition of a speed hump before the tough bend in the road (in neighborhoods at slower speeds) the speed of the vehicle is slowed and the turn is easily driven.  The addition of the speed hump in this circumstance is a great help to everyone involved. Here in northern Virginia, Alexandria and Fairfax County, things are a bit more smooth on the roads because of the speed hump. If you want to sell your home, Nesbitt Realty can sell the property in {Location_Name} fast and at the best price. Our Realtors are experienced and familiar with the real estate market in Northern Virginia. A Realtor can help you determine the best listing price for your property. We know how to market your home to get the best price as quickly as possibly. Nesbitt Realty knows how the home selling process in {Location_Name} works, so we are ready to assist you every step of the way. Nesbitt Realty has access to the MRIS (our local multiple listing service). MRIS is the MLS database that agents use to find homes for sale in the area. Our agent will add your property to it. Working with a Realtor will make the home selling process run smoothly and much simpler than if you attempt to do it on your own. We're a local family-run business and we appreciate the opportunity to serve your needs. Learn more about selling your home
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3 Reasons to Love Montebello

Are These Condos Just Like All The Others? I have just had the chance, within the past couple of days, to conduct my first quarterly inspection of a few properties in the Montebello development in Alexandria, Virginia.  I have driven by the complex countless times on the way to the laundromat, restaurants and other various shops out on Route 1., but this was a chance to see it for what it truly is.  Seeing this from the roadway, it looked the same as any other in the area and I expected nothing different.3E03730A-9C1A-4CDD-A54B-464B348B8FB7 The first thing that I realized is that this a gated community.  This, to me, is a huge plus.  There are other gated communities in the area, but this was turning out to be a bit different.  When I got through the gate, after talking with the security guard, I took a right and headed for what I was told was building number 1.  The address is 5901 on the first building and there is a tranquil little jaunt up toward the building through lush trees and over a creek.  I only mention this, because it's nice to see the Virginia come out in this place.  Personality is how I like to describe this and this made me like it right away. After arriving at the correct building I saw initially that parking was ample and depending on what floor you would be living on, you would probably be able to see your vehicle from the window of your condo.  That to me is another good thing. I liked the look of the lobby, the elevator and the decor all together in the hallways.  It looked as if it was cared for very well.  The presentation before getting into the condo is important to me.  When I finally got into the first condo I saw the second very good thing about this complex.  The rooms are very spacious.  The condo I inspected that day was a 1 bedroom, two bath and it was very spaciously comfortable inside.  I could easily see all of my possessions fitting well inside this place. As I worked my way around in inspection mode, I realized the third great feature about this Montebello complex - the views from the balcony.  Now, it's not the DC view, but what it is - is a breath of fresh air.  It truly is a relief to me to get just a bit off the busy streets and come up there to see a view of lush greenery.  This day I happen to be on the tenth floor.  Trees and grass are the view from up there (a nice change from the mundane concrete) and it is going to be so beautiful shortly, when the turning of the leaves begins.  I smiled and got back to work.  I completed the inspection, complimented the condo and left, knowing that for the price paid - this was definitely worth it.  I've seen many different properties during this current inspection process, but this complex is turning out to be one of my favorites.  Is it time for you to move to Montebello?

In {Location_Name} who sets the price?

Agents at Nesbitt Realty understand that no matter what you've been told Realtors in {Location_Name} really have no control at all over the real estate market, only the plan behind marketing. Our Realtors never determine the asking price - the seller does. We can provide Realtor advice, but the seller makes the final decision. This not only applies to the list (asking) price, but it especially applies to the selling price. By the same token, we cannot control the offer price.  We can only present the offers that are actually made.  None-the-less, if the seller does things right and takes each step by step, together we’ll set a listing price in the right area and have no problems selling your property. [Learn more about selling your property]
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5 Easy Steps to Change the Furnace Filter in your Wall Unit

Do I need to Change the Furnace Filter? Is it getting less desirable to take a deep breath in your condo or apartment, because it 'tastes' different?  Or, is that musty smell in a unit that you want to rent, the only thing keeping you from signing that lease?  It may simply be time to replace that old, nasty furnace filter. If this is a new place you've just moved into, there is no way for you to know if the previous tenant kept up  with the changing of the filter, as they should.  Over time, when a filter gets clogged and full of debris that it has trapped, it will begin releasing the abundance of trapped particles right into your air for you to enjoy. The following steps will assist you in changing out this filter, so you can breathe easier.  Do not attempt to proceed with the following steps without first turning the unit off. The only thing you may need is a pair of gloves, to make things easier to grip during this process.
  1. With the power off, locate the front panel of the unit.
  2. Reach under the front of this panel with both hands and pull upward on the left and right side of panel until it lifts up and off.  Lay this panel off to the side so it is not in the way.
  3. Locate the filter at the bottom of the unit.  It will be laying down parallel to the floor.  Gently slide it out of its track.  You may need to wiggle it back and forth to complete this step.  Visually inspect the filter and do not be surprised to see a layer of filth that pre-dates the Carter administration, resulting in simply not being changed in an appropriate amount of time.  Dispose of the old filter.
  4. Install the new filter on the track, replace the front panel and turn unit on to enjoy clean air once again.
  5. Repeat this process of changing out the filter every one to three months, depending on the quality of filter you install.                                                                                        Many Condominiums in the Alexandria area have these wall units.  Please refer to the above instructions for safe and quick installation of your new filter.  For information on ordering filters that you can't find in your local store, call 3M (1-888-445-9476).  They will help you get the new filters sent out to you quickly and painlessly.  Now, you don't have an excuse to avoid changing out that disgusting filter, do you?                                                                                “Using a real estate agent is a very good idea,” says the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). "All the details involved in home buying [and selling], particularly the financial ones, can be mind-boggling. A good professional can guide you through the entire process and make the experience much easier."

    What’s the Difference Between a Real Estate Agent and a Realtor?

    Realtor Logo
    National Association of Realtors
    More than two million people have earned real estate licenses but only a small percentage of these are Realtors. Realtors are members in good standing of the National Association of Realtors, their state association of Realtors and a local real estate board. Realtors are held to high standards of ethical behavior and must undergo continuing education annually to remain accredited. All agents of Nesbitt Realty are Realtors!

    What Does a Realtor Do?

    Realtors are required by law to:
    • perform necessary and customary acts to assist in the purchase or sale of real estate.
    • perform these acts in good faith and with reasonable care.
    • properly account for money or other property placed in his or her care.
    • disclose “adverse material facts” which are, or should be, within the agent’s knowledge.
    MLS
    The MLS is a database of homes listed for sale.
    A Nesbitt Realty Realtor will be well acquainted with the important things buyers want to know about your property's neighborhood. When it comes to selling your home, a Realtor will save you time and aggravation. We will get your home on the market instantly with the MLS. When an offer comes in on your property, our Realtor will help structure the deal to maximize your proceeds. He or she will guide you through the mounds of paperwork. Nesbitt Realty pays for all advertising, schedules all open houses and makes sure potential buyers are qualified. The money they can save you is often more than the cost of our commissions. [learn more]
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At Least 3 Reasons to Choose Gold’s Gym

Why Did I End Up Here? I am from a place that is a bit more rough than it is out here in Virginia.  I am truly used to things being out in the open and borderline scary when it comes to thinking of my next membership in a gym.  In choosing a place to workout here in my new world of Alexandria, Virginia, I had many choices. Now, I am not a huge guy looking to shed a couple of ounces and get back into posing shape for the next mag shoot, but I do have some desires when it comes to choosing where is choose to sweat. I took some time deciding which gym to settle down on and I am happy to report that after a couple of weeks, I am satisfied with my choice.  After walking into a very subtle looking Gold's Gym on Route 1 in Alexandria, I noticed initially that it was very clean.  Good point number one to put into my mental bank. I sat down with a member of the staff, who explained everything that I could possibly want to know about the facility and then we took a tour.  Good point number two was the way I was treated by the staff.  They were professional and made me feel comfortable.  I signed up for a membership and have been going there everyday since. The third thing or things about the place that jumped out to me when I think of positives to take away are as follows:  the friendliness of the staff, the spacing in between the pieces of equipment, how helpful the staff is if I need anything at all or if I just have question and the good thing to me is that the staff is made up of real people.  No, I don't mean that they may be robots, like Sheldon from TBBT would love to be, but that they just aren't all huge bodybuilders that may keep some people from feeling welcome. Other positives about this facility include a four lap pool (salt water), a sauna in the locker rooms,  a spa (to take away any stress not fully pushed aside by a morning of pumping iron), tanning beds and massage table. Aerobics and Spinning classes, just to name a couple are among many classes offered by the staff, which are included in the price of membership.  I also noticed that the price of membership was very reasonable, for what is all included and I plan on being a member of this facility for a long time to come. The only real draw back to the gym is that the hours are not what I would like.  It is not open 24 hours and the closing time is a bit early for my taste.  Other than those two small issues, I am very pleased with my experience here at the Gold's Gym Alexandria.  Is the world of fitness calling your name?
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When the time comes to purchase a home, there are five basic ground rules for smart shopping in {Location_Name}: #1 – Get your financing before you get your home Even though you may be eager to find your new home, receiving financing beforehand is important so that you do not become disappointed down the road, such as if you were to find the perfect home only to find out that you can't receive financing for the price of the home. Receiving financing ahead of time will allow you to know your price range and will give you credibility among listing agents because they will know you are serious about the home buying process. Knowing how much you can afford will save you from wasting time with unaffordable properties, and the listing agent will know what properties in {Location_Name} to show you within your price range. Looking at the various types of mortgages offered is an important step in the home buying process because today's mortgage options offer more than just simple 15 or 30 year financing. Home buyers need to talk with financing specialists to find the mortgage that will best fit their needs. #2 – Look at the community, not just the home Everyone knows that location is important, but this is especially important when looking for a new home. Even though you may find your perfect home, you need to look at the community as well. Being familiar with the area in which your home is situated is important for you and your family because you will want to make sure that your new community has access to things that are important to you. Things that may be important are traffic, commute time, proximity of places to shop, and access to public transportation. If you have children, you'll want to consider the school districts, recreational activities, and general community atmosphere. If you believe you have found your perfect home, consider driving around town and through the various neighbors or talk to other residents in order to get a feel for the community. #3 – Be fair with your first offer Before making either a lowball offer or an offer that is over-the-top, research the local market and compare the asking prices of various homes nearby as well as homes in {Location_Name} that have sold recently to get a general idea of a fair offer. This process of comparing similar homes in the area is known in the real estate industry as "comps" and is one of the best ways to determine the fairness of an offer. #4 – Always get a home inspection Home inspections are a must when considering making an offer on a home. A home inspection will find possible defects before you purchase the home. You may not want to put up the money to have a home inspection, but the cost of this is negligible in comparison to the price of a home and the cost of potentially having to fix something major down the road. As far as finding the best home inspector, ask around in the community to find someone that others speak highly of since many of the best home inspectors rely on word of mouth for advertising. #5 – Do not alienate the sellers of the home Personal animosity between buyer and seller has caused many real estate deals to fall apart. Examples of this would be if the seller feels alienated or if the buyer nitpicks over every detail. A smooth real estate transaction is more likely to occur if goodwill between buyer and seller is maintained. [learn more about the home buying process]

Properties in

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Understanding Personal and Real Property

Are Personal and Real Property Different? Through my training I have come to understand many terms that had previously eluded me.  Two of those terms, which on the surface appear very similar, are personal property and real property.  The difference is subtle, but important when determining what items are staying with a property or what is going to be leaving when the sale is complete. Personal property is broken down in simple terms to mean anything that is movable or unattached to the land.  There can be tangible personal property (cars, yachts, championship rings or horses).  Other personal property is intangible (stocks, notes, mortgages or leases).
Principal Broker watches as hardwood floors are installed
Principal Broker watches as hardwood floors are installed
The other type of property is that of real property and it is simply anything that is not-movable and attached to the land.  This can include permanent plantings, such as trees, perennial flowers and grasses.  Fixtures are also real property, because they are attached.  Items that were once personal property, such as bricks, mortar and 2x4's for a wall, can become real property once they have been made into a wall and now are part of the land. Developments, including housing and other buildings are also considered real property and will convey with the property, because they are not able to be moved.  Contact Nesbitt Realty to acquire your next dream real property and you can have a new place to put all of your personal property.  Is this the year to step up and get the home of your dreams? Featured Home for Sale in Old Town Alexandria
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Testimonials

Thе bеѕt testimonials tо a gооd buyer's agent аrе ѕаtіѕfіеd рrеvіоuѕ buyers. Ask fоr thrее references and саll them tо tаlk аbоut thе agent. Listen саrеfullу to whаt thе rеfеrеnсеѕ ѕау and tаkе notes tо review аt a lаtеr tіmе. Or you can check out what others are saying about Nesbitt Realty. Onсе you hаvе аll the іnfоrmаtіоn, іt'ѕ time tо mаkе a decision аbоut what agent you're going to сhооѕе. Confirm thаt thе аgеnt will work with уоu аnd ѕtаrt lооkіng fоr уоur hоmе. Yоu might want tо send a роlіtе nоtе to the оthеr аgеntѕ thаt уоu have gone wіth a different аgеnt аnd thanking thеm fоr their tіmе; іf the аgеnt уоu choose doesn't wоrk оut, уоu mіght bе gіvіng оnе оf thеm a call. Learn more about buying real estate in {Location_Name}

Why Belle View?

Learning From the Locals

This past week I had the opportunity to conduct quarterly inspections on several units that we manage in the Northern Virginia area.  Being new to the region, I was excited to see some of these properties for the first time.  This was not only going to give me valuable insight to the area, but it also would give me the chance to compare this area and the properties with what I already knew from the mid-west.

One thing that drew my attention right away was the amount of cars parked up and down the street on the way to my first inspection.  Parking spaces are precious in this area and after talking with the tenant in the first condominium I was to inspect, I realized why this was the case.

The Martha Washington library in Belle View has books, audio books, dvds, and more
The Martha Washington library in Belle View has books, audio books, dvds, and more

She explained to me that she loved living in her Belle View condo because of how beautiful the area is and how wonderful her condo is.  She also told me that she likes being in an area where so many people are physically active.

A point well taken, as I see many people daily walking, running, riding bicycles or just relaxing by the Potomac River from early in the morning to late in the evening.  This brings me to her last point about the area.  This area is inviting people to be active because it is so safe.

I learned much about the condominiums in this area inside and out.  I learned a lot about the area adjacent to these condos as well.  But, more importantly, I learned that some of the people in this area are not only intriguing, but also kind and vivacious.  Is this the neighborhood you're ready to call home?

3 Things to Love About Virginia

What Differences I See From MO to VA I have only recently found myself a new resident of the state which boasts that it is 'For Lovers'.  I hail from the 'Show Me' state and I am truly looking forward to learning more about this beautiful land that I now find myself. The fist thing to note as far as differences from Missouri to Virginia is the way the roads are laid out.  A few things you won't ever see in Missouri are: EZ -Pass lanes, red curbs or pink roadside signs. But, the character of this state is enhanced with the way the roads are cut into the landscape.  The personality of the land is not lost on the roadways.  Driving around is not something that will put me to sleep, it is, instead an enjoyable passing of the time, except in rush hour of course.Blue Ridge Mountains Secondly, the air seems different to me.  Although more people reside in Virginia, it strangely seems easier to breathe here.  I'm not sure if that is just a state of mind that I am experiencing, but it sure feels real to me.  Maybe it has something to do with all the beautiful greenery around us here in Virginia.  There are so many trees all over that it seems like driving from one place to another is just a jaunt through a forest (sometimes, that's exactly what it is). A third obvious difference, to me, that jumps out right away is the distant scenery.  The lush mountains that seem to surround me in certain places, like Front Royal, are beautiful to behold.  The mountains are also not like others that I have seen around the country.  They are alive and vibrant.  The mountains in Virginia are home to many, many species of animals, insects and other wildlife.  These mountains are the first thing that attracted me to this area of the country as a small boy.  When we would take family summer vacations out here, I would stare in wonder at the majestic mountains and hope that the day would come when I could move here on my own.
Kelly
Show me that Virginia is for lovers!
That day has come and I appreciate every moment I have in this state of wonder and beauty.

Understanding the NVAR

What is the NVAR? The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR) was  established in 1921.  This association was initially called the Alexandria-Arlington-Fairfax Real Estate Board and began with around forty charter members. The NVAR today has more than 11,000 members, who are responsible for about $11 billion in housing sales.  This is a local association which is one of hundreds of local and state associations as part of the NAR (National Association of Realtors).  The NAR currently boasts more than a million seminary ridgemembers. The NVAR makes available to its members services such as: educational opportunities, professional standards enforcement, reviews of legislation, multiple listing and services for lock boxes, to name a few. Another fascinating fact about the NVAR is that it assists, by sharing knowledge about how the industry functions, leaders in real estate from several foreign countries.

What is the MRIS?

The MRIS in a Few Words The Metropolitan Regional Information System (MRIS), which was founded in 1993, is one of the nation's largest Multiple Listing Service (MLS) systems.  The MRIS is respected for its customer service and powerful data base.
Mount Vernon manor
Nesbitt Realty serves Mount Vernon VA
The MRIS also routinely keeps up with a changing market with their growing portfolio of technical solutions and software, including apps, designed to assist the broker and agent in their pursuit for excellence. The MRIS serves more than 46,000 real estate professionals and has over 69,000 listing that are active today. The MRIS provides our local MLS.  What is an MLS?

What it is like on the Metro in Northern VA?

Aubrey Nesbitt and Kelly Nesbitt in Ballston
Aubrey Nesbitt and Kelly Nesbitt in Ballston
First Impressions of the DC Metro This week I had the opportunity to ride the DC Metro for the first time.  After recently moving to the area and previously experiencing other mass transit systems, I was curious.  I rode the Metro from Huntington to Ballston, transferring from the Yellow to the Blue rail at Pentagon and then from the Blue to Silver at Rosslyn. Keeping in mind the numerous trips I have taken on the L in Chicago, the subway in New York and the Metro in St. Louis, I reached a couple of conclusions: First of all, the rail cars themselves are pretty much the same on all four, New York being more used and St. Louis Metro being the newest.  The ease of purchasing a card here on the DC Metro and transferring from one rail car to the other seemed to be easy enough for even me to figure out. The next thing that I did notice was that the amount of time I spent waiting for the next rail car to come was longer than I expected.  One thing that slowed things down that day was the shutting down of an area of the rail due to a fire response team reacting to some non-disclosed issue.  Other than that, the waiting was not horrible and the rail cars were not over-crowded. Ballston,_Arlington_County,_VirginiaThe last thing worth mentioning is the price that was paid to travel there and back.  I paid $2.00 for the card and it cost me $7.15 for the round trip.  After returning to the origination of my trip I realized that this price was a good deal, because I didn't have to pay to park my car. The DC Metro seemed to be safe and without a doubt was a good deal for the wallet.