The Many Musicians of Old Town

If you like street music, then you'll find no better spot to wander than Old Town Alexandria. Through-out the week, especially on weekends, musicians gather in Old Town at street corners and near the waterfront to play music for tips and applause. Most are highly talented professionals, some are learning to play their instrument in front of a crowd. I enjoy them both in different ways. Here in Old Town Alexandria, you'll find everything from a lonely saxophone, to steel drums to an entire band. Below I've collected a few photos to give you a taste of Old Town's many musicians. bluegrass This foursome was phenomenal singing and playing old time mountain music. It was a great throwback to the Carters because the gal in the front on the guitar was a great singer. The banjo player and bass were on point, and I love the texture that the mandolin (seated behind guitar) provided. Glass Harp The glass harp as played by Jamie Turner is an old town treat one simply must hear in person to appreciate.
harpist
Harpist
This miss not only strummed the harp to perfection but also sang beautifully. waterfront musicans At the waterfront behind the Torpedo Factory there are often a few soloists serving up music for passers-by. banjo and guitar I heard some fine picking and strumming from this pair.

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  Will Nesbitt   About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria and Nesbitt Realty. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.

Potomac River Waterfront Properties

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What is a “Regency”?

Regency
Regency
Although they borrow from the Georgian's classic lines, Regency homes eschew ornamentation. They're symmetrical, two or three stories, and usually built in brick. Typically, they feature an octagonal window over the front door, one chimney at the side of the house, double-hung windows, and a hip roof. They've been built in the United States since the early 1800s and you can find a number of examples of the Regency in Northern VA.
typical Regency
Typical Regency
  • 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.

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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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What is a “Stick” home?

stick home
illustration of a Stick
A member of the Victorian family, the Stick house boasts a lot of detailing. However, few Stick homes incorporate all the possible features. Typical characteristics include gabled, steeply pitched roofs with overhangs; wooden shingles covering the exterior walls and roof; horizontal, vertical, or diagonal boards--the "sticks" from which it takes its name--that decorate the cladding; and porches.
Photo of a Stick
typical Stick
You'll find traditional sticks in the Northeast and their sister, the Western Stick, in California. The Western Stick is rectangular with sliding glass doors, a small chimney, and large panes of glass.
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  • 1800 Old Meadow Rd #405, McLean Real Estate Update

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  • Architectual Style Check List

    What shape is the house, overall? Rectangular and symmetrical: National, Colonial, Neoclassical, Greek Revival, Italianate Square and box-like: American Foursquare L-shaped: Folk and National styles Complicated and asymmetrical: Queen Anne and other Victorian styles, Chateauesque Rounded corners: Pueblo, Art Moderne Single story or 1½ story: Cape Cod, Ranch, Craftsman, Cottage styles Does the roof have…

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  • Choosing A 5-bedroom Bungalow-style Bungalow For Sale In Northern Virginia

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Murphy’s Irish Pub in Old Town

Murphy's Harp
The harp is over the hearth at Murphy's
Murphy's Grand Irish Pub is located in Old Town Alexandria on King Street just a few paces from Washington Street/the George Washington Parkway. Murphy's serves up Irish classics and pub fare. The prices are reasonable and the food is good. Murphy's also has a calendar of events filled with various musical entertainment. Together with Eamon's and a few other places in Alexandria, Old Town has plenty to warm the Irish heart.

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inside Murphy's
Inside the pub, Murphy's is almost as dark as Guiness beer.

Pending Home Sales on an Upswing

Pending home sales increased again in March, affirming that a surge of home sales is unfolding for the spring home buying season, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.
single family residence
Gambrel roof in Waynwood
The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in March, rose 5.3 percent to 102.9 from 97.7 in February, and is 21.1 percent above March 2009 when it was 85.0; this follows an 8.3 percent increase in February. The data reflects contracts and not closings, which usually occur with a lag time of one or two months. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said favorable affordability conditions have been working with the tax credit. “Clearly the home buyer tax credit has helped stabilize the market. In the months immediately following the expiration of the tax credit, we expect measurably lower sales,” he said. “Later in the second half of the year, and into 2011, home sales will likely become self-sustaining if the economy can add jobs at a respectable pace, and from a return of buyer demand as they see home values stabilizing.” Regional Numbers * The PHSI in the Northeast declined 3.3 percent to 75.1 in March, but remains 27.2 percent higher than March 2009. * In the Midwest the index increased 1.2 percent to 98.9 and is 18.5 percent above a year ago. * Pending home sales in the South jumped 12.7 percent to an index of 121.2, which is 28.3 percent higher than March 2009. * In the West the index rose 1.9 percent to 99.9 and is 8.8 percent above a year ago. “Another encouraging sign is the improvement in the availability for jumbo and second-home mortgages,” Yun said. “As bank balance sheets strengthen, it is just a matter of time before lending of non-government-backed mortgages steadily opens up.” Source: NAR

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5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score

Credit scores range between 200 and 800, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score: 1. Your payment history. Did you pay your credit card obligations on time? If they were late, then how late? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also impact your history.Credit Cards photo credit: Andres Rueda photo credit: Andres Rueda 2. How much you owe. If youowe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that you are overextended. However, it’s a good thing if you have a good proportion of balances to total credit limits. 3. The length of your credit history. In general, the longer you have had accounts opened, the better. The average consumer's oldest obligation is 14 years old, indicating that he or she has been managing credit for some time, according to Fair Isaac Corp., and only one in 20 consumers have credit histories shorter than 2 years. 4. How much new credit you have. New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay them promptly. 5. The types of credit you use. Generally, it’s desirable to have more than one type of credit — installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example. For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score, visit www.myfico.com.

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A walk on the waterfront

Fortune Teller at waterfront
Fortune Teller in Old Town
I took a walk on waterfront in Old Town Alexandria VA last night. The temperature was absolutely perfect as was the humidity. There were crowds, but it wasn't too much. I saw folks rushing to the Nina Dandy and other boats for an evening of cruising. There were several street musicians playing King St. At the pass-thru under the Torpedo Factory, a gentleman was playing the saxophone. And down along the water a street magician was showing his stuff. The balloon men were there creating animals and entertaining the children. A fortune teller was portending the future. A parrot rescue group had a flock of parrots and similar birds which were available for photos. But then a light misting rain started to fall and the crowds scattered. At first they hid in the Food Court and on the trolley. The musicians were the first to pack, and they packed quickly to ensure their instruments weren't damaged. The mule drawn carriage pulled off and soon the streets were quiet. We walked around a bit, enjoying the peace and quiet. And then we were gone as well.
Street Magician
Street magic at the water front in Old Town Alexandria VA

Will Nesbitt About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria and Nesbitt Realty. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.

How I met my wife.

Julie Nesbitt
Julie Nesbitt 2010
One of my friends when I was a Defense Language Institute in Monterey California was a fellow soldier named Jay Cook.  Jay Cook always reminded me of Clark Kent. He had broad shoulders and brown hair. Jay was a big strong guy and was the type of guy that I thought should have no problem with the ladies.  But for the glasses and perhaps the self-confidence Jay was Superman. One Saturday afternoon in Monterey, Jay and I were walking down Alvarado Street and Jay was asking me, "How do you do it? How do you meet all these girls?" I've always had a great affection for Jay, mainly because Jay always seemed to assume that I was Superman, even though I thought he was the real Superman.  Jay has a way of complimenting a guy's ego that is so sincere, one can't help but drink it in. I mean seriously---coming to me for advice about women is like coming to Willie Nelson for tax advice or fashion advice from Dennis Rodman.  Willie Nelson can tell you how to avoid paying taxes, but not how to do it without going to jail. Dennis Rodman can tell you how to dress, but can't really tell you how to look good. At any rate, far be it from me to tell Jay that I'm not expert on women. Instead, I just replied with confidence, "You just have to talk to the women, Jay. " As we entered into Baskin-Robbins to get an ice cream cone, I told Jay, "Just be yourself. Watch this ..." Normally I wouldn't have had the confidence to talk to a stranger, but Jay had pumped me up and I wasn't going to disappoint. There was a gorgeous oriental girl (back then nobody said "Asian" but that's another story) behind the counter.  I started joking around with her about flavors as we picked our selections.  When she looked away, I winked at Jay and said, "Watch and learn, young Jedi." I asked the girl who would one day be my bride, "Will you go out with me?" Julie replied, "Maybe." We exchanged phone numbers ... which is to say. I took her phone number. I lived in a barracks and didn't have a phone in my room. Mobile phones were only for the rich so I didn't have a number to give her.  I came to memorize that number more than 25 years later I still remember those 10 digits. As I left Baskin-Robbins, I told Jay, "That's how you do it." It was probably the first time I'd ever done such a thing. And it was probably the last time. I definitely owe Jay Cook a debt of gratitude, because my wife and kids are the best things in my life. For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.
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    Julie Nesbitt checks out at Costco
    The blizzard was in effect and my parents took me to Costco and Walmart for groceries and other products. It is so very nice having everything I needed provided for me. I remember purchasing a vast array of essentials. Will and Julie Nesbitt, get me to the stores and make it so easy, to sit at home…

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A Good Time to Buy a High-End Home

exterior
Corner view
Some of the best housing deals are on high-end homes, many over $1 million. Some of them need TLC or they aren’t in the most-coveted locations. But there are plenty of desirable properties and lots of sellers who are getting impatient. Buyers with cash have the best opportunities. Buyers who need a mortgage should move especially quickly. With the Federal Reserve ending its purchases of mortgage securities this month, the mortgage market is likely to rise from its current low level. Even if prices fall further, the rising cost of borrowing could eliminate any savings. As Kenneth Rosen, chairman of the Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics at the University of California, says, this is a "very good time to be a buyer at the high end." Source: The Wall Street Journal, Nick Timiraos and James R. Hagerty (03/27/2010)
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    Arlington
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  • 5 Questions to Ask a Home Inspector in Northern VA

    home inspector
    Home buyers in Northern Virginia are well advised to interview a home inspector before hiring that inspector. What should you ask if you're going to hire a home inspector in Arlington, Alexandria or Fairfax County? Here are a few ideas for questions.

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  • What Is Title Insurance?

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  • We rebate money to buyers.

  • Are You Looking To Buy A Home In Alexandria?

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