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Author: Stuart Nesbitt

Stuart Nesbitt is a Realtor® licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia. His office is located in Fairfax County near the City of Alexandria in Belle Haven. He was born and raised in Northern Virginia and attended Fairfax County schools. Call him at any time to discuss your real estate needs.
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A Distinctive Family-Friendly Neighborhood in Mount Vernon

The feeling of space is the first thing that hits you when you visit Mount Vernon Grove. The large homes in this area have lots of green space, which makes for wonderful gardens and plenty of room for the kids. The houses were built in the 1970's, in a classic colonial style, but over the years have been upgraded. Many include features such as garages, attractive flooring and some appliances. Mount Vernon Grove is situated a short distance from the Old Mount Vernon road, nestled in a beautiful part of Fairfax County.
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For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

  • Julie Nesbitt

    Julie Nesbitt
    Julie Nesbitt knows the back trails and by-ways of Northern Virginia real estate.

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  • Enjoying Winkler Botanical Preserve

    We had a great time walking the trails. 

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  • Don’t take chances with real estate.

  • REDUCED: 7202 Churchill Rd, McLean

    Open House, Sunday, 1-4 BIG PRICE DROP! 7202 CHURCHILL ROADMcLean, VA 221016 Bedrooms5.5 Bathrooms6,752 SF $1,695,000

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  • Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services

    Fairfax County
    Established in 1974 with a mission to reduce homelessness, increase community support and promote self sufficiency, the Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is operated by a multi-denominational board of directors and staff managing over 70 housing units. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is located in the Mount Zephyr Business Center at 8305 Richmond…

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How are rental agents paid?

I just received this:

I am a student interested in the field of real estate. I understand that a real estate agent makes money on the sale of a property based upon a percentage of the final sale price. I was wondering how a real estate agent makes money on a lease of a rental property?

Thanks for the help, Jim

A landlord lists his property with a real estate agent for a number of reasons. The landlord benefits from the agent's experience and connections, but also because the agent has access to the MLS (or Multiple Listing Service) and other venues for promoting the rental property. There are many ways that a rental listing can be charged, but most usually the landlord agrees to pay a portion of the first month's rent to the listing agent.  The more the rent, the higher the commission paid.  Landlords are generally happy to pay this because a listing agent saves them time and money (as compared to ads in the paper plus dealing with calls from unqualified renters). If the renter has his own agent, the listing agent will pay a predetermined portion of the commission to the selling agent (as the renter's agent is called).  Please let me know if this helps.

Leasing a rental

Leasing a rental is a very serious decision which warrants a great deal of attention before a final decision is made. When choosing a rental property, renters in Northern Virginia have a variety of factors to consider including, but not limited to, price, size, location, amenities, length of stay, proximity to Metro, type of home (condo, townhouse, single-family, etc.). A smarter renter will consider all of their options before making a decision to ensure they are making the best possible decision. But the number of choices can be overwhelming. It's hard to know that you're not missing something. A rental agent can help you make sense of your options. Best of all a rental agent costs the renter nothing. [Learn more] For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

5 Reasons Buying Real Estate is Better Than Renting

Are you considering renting in Northern Virginia?  With remarkably low interest rates, perhaps you should consider buying?  Here are 5 solid reasons that buying is better than renting.  
    1. Be your own landlord. The landlord picks the paint colors.  The landlord decides whether pets or smoking is allowed.  If you are the landlord, you make the decisions.  And you decide whether to extend your lease or not.
    2. Paying the principal is forced savings. Everyone knows that paying off a mortgage is better than paying rent forever.
    3. Fixed-rate mortgages never rise – and eventually you pay them off. With mortgage rates at record lows, people who buy now are locking in real bargains.
    4. Good schools. Family-sized rentals are harder to come by in areas with excellent public schools.
    5. Spacious properties in pleasant neighborhoods. Sizable homes in attractive communities are almost always owned – not rented.
Using a systematic approach is often the best way to go about buying a home in {Location_Name} in order to ensure that decisions are based on information and reason instead of impulse and emotion. While the process of buying a home can be emotional and, consequently, your emotions can cloud your judgment, keeping those emotions under control is imperative. Since our Realtors are locals, they can provide you with an objective opinion that is guided by experience and in-depth knowledge about the market and what it will bear. Our real estate pros can provide you with a small-town business experience while saving you thousands on your purchase. [learn more]   For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.  

Don’t Let Buyers Move in Before Closing

Sometimes a seller will ask to take possession of the property prior to closing. If the buyers need a place to live until their property closes, tell them to stay with a friend, relative, in a hotel, or send them on a vacation, but whatever you do, avoid allowing them to take possession of the property prior to closing.
Carlyle Towers Bedroom
Carlyle Towers Bedroom
The liability is too great and the risk of failure to close too severe when sellers let buyers move in early, but if such a situation is unavoidable, here are some of my key recommendations.
  • Insist that the buyers sign a separate lease agreement with a two- or three-month security deposit.
  • Use a lease agreement generated by an attorney or other real estate professional.
  • Make sure that there is appropriate insurance in place. Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover the situation.
  • Document the condition of the property with extensive photos and videos.
For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

  • 5 Sure Signs That Its Time To Sell Your Home

    When should I sell my home? This is not always the easiest question to answer. A lot of people don't plan on living in their first, second, or even third home forever, but still knowing when to let go and move on can be tricky. It can feel like ending a long term relationship, it's…

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  • Tips On How To Sell Your Home When You Have Kids

    Nesbitt Realty
    Selling your home can be a stressful event but having kids around can create more stressful moments for parents who are seeking to sell their home.

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  • 6 Budget Tips For Staging A House To Sell In Arlington

    If you are trying to land a great deal for your property in Arlington, then you can't afford to overlook home staging. You'll want to hold a terrific open house- one that leaves the attendees entranced.  And the good thing is, you can do that without having to break the bank.

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  • How To Make Your 2-BR 2 BA Garden-Style Condo More Interesting For Property Shoppers Considering Palazzo At Park Center

    How To Make Your 2-BR 2 BA Garden-Style Condo More Interesting For Property Shoppers Considering Palazzo At Park Center thumbnail
    It's pretty obvious, but staged places sell. What can you do if your residence is already adorable?

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  • Staging Hints For Sellers With A Place At Stratford On The Potomac In 22308

    Staging Hints For Sellers With A Place At Stratford On The Potomac In 22308 thumbnail
    Are you planning to list your residence? A home that isn’t staged may sell if properly prices. On the other hand, a staged place of residence will sell faster and for more money. What steps can you take now to sell your split foyers-style house in a Split Foyer-style community?

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Renter expectations

Stuart NesbittOne of the most important roles as a realtor is to set expectations for rental clients with regards to
  • Availability
  • Budget
  • Turn-around
  • Space
Some of the biggest shocks to renters include:
  • Having pets drastically reduces what's available.  Large pets narrow the selection even further
  • Expecting a landlord to keep a rental vacant for over a month greatly reduces your chance of getting the unit
  • Short term leases (less than a year) cost a landlord substantially, both due to lost income from vacancy and the cost of restoring and finding a new renter
  • If you've looked at a half a dozen units and everything is way off the mark, then things are very unlikely to improve.
As a realtor it's important to convey this information.  As a renter it's important that your realize that ignoring your realtor's advice will quickly land you without a realtor.  No one likes to be ignored, but more importantly your realtor doesn't want to waste your time and the realtor's time chasing possibilities that will never happen.

Stay Within Your Budget

The first step for any renter is to establish a realistic budget. Without a budget you will not be able to make an informed decision about the type of property in {Location_Name} that you are able to afford, and you may eventually find yourself struggling to pay your rent. When drawing up a budget you need to consider your fixed costs. These are payments that must be made monthly and they cannot be altered. You need to subtract your fixed costs from your monthly income. These could include car insurance, travel costs, school fees, and debt repayments. Then, you should also subtract your living expenses such as food, entertainment, and medical bills. Once you have subtracted all these costs, you will be able to determine the amount that you have available to spend on rent per month. It is important to be realistic when you draw up  your monthly expenses; and it is a good idea to include an additional amount to be set aside for emergencies, savings, and unexpected expenses. Once you have a clear idea of your rental budget, you may then start looking for a property that suits both your lifestyle requirements and is within your budget. This is a good time to contact a Rental Agent. Rental Agents have access to all the available rentals. They can ensure that you get good value for money; and best of all, they cost the renter nothing. [Learn more.]

A Family Brokerage Celebrates Christmas

Nesbitt Realty prides themselves in being completely independently owned and operated. Check out the decorations ABR Realtor Julie Nesbitt set up.  

Cherrydale — Spacious Estates Located in the Heart of Arlington

blossoms around Cherrydale sign
Cherrydale is a popular neighborhood in Arlington County VA
Cherrydale is a neighborhood in Northern Arlington, Virginia. It is centered on the intersection known as the Five Points consisting of Quincy Street, Military Road, and Old Dominion Road and boasts single family homes. Cherrydale Estates are primarily brick homes built between 1900-1930's surrounded by large trees and quiet streets. At first glance you would think you were in a small town. The Washington Monument is only 3.5 miles away and Georgetown is roughly 2 miles away.  Interstate 66 is minutes away providing quick commuting into Northern Virgina. Ballston Metro and Virginia Square Metro are also in very close proximately providing quick commuting. Cherry orchards inspired Dorsey Donaldson to name the area “Cherrydale” in his 1893 application for a post office. Only a few remains of the original cherry orchards survive, all on private residential property.
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Stuart Nesbitt, RealtorStuart Nesbitt is a Realtor™ licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia. His office is located in Fairfax County near the City of Alexandria in Belle Haven. He was born and raised in Northern Virginia and attended Fairfax County schools. Call him at any time to discuss your real estate needs.

400 Acres of Fun at Locust Shade Park

Locust Shade Park is located at 4701 Locust Shade Drive in Triangle VA 22172 of Prince William County known for its facilities offering an array of recreational activities in its 400 acres of land. Locust Shade Park has its own marina where boating and fishing is offered on an 8 acre lake. Locust Shade Park Facilities:
  • Batting Cages
  • 6 Tennis Courts
  • 500 Seat Amphitheatre
  • 3 Playgrounds
  • Horseshoe Pits
  • Fitness Trails
  • Nature Trails
  • Volleyball Court
  • 8 Picnic Pavilions
  • Picnic Areas
  • Mini Golf Course
  • Driving Range
  • Snack Shops
  • Tournament Golf Course
  • Volleyball Court
Programs, festivals and events are also held at Locust Shade Park.
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For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.