Will is the principal broker of Nesbitt Realty and Condo Alexandria. He is licensed in anywhere in the Commonwealth of Virginia, but focuses on those communities found in and around Alexandria, Arlington, Mount Vernon and Springfield/Franconia.
Will has been involved in real estate management, sales and investment for more than twenty years. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army. While in the army, he studied Russian at Monterey's Defense Language Institute. He is also a "veteran of the dotcom wars" and built most of the sites associated with NesbittRealty.com
Will currently resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Old Town, overlooking New Alexandria. He is a former president of the Mount Vernon Youth Athletic Association and founded the Alexandria Fun with Friends Group. Will is the author of BattlestorM, a tabletop fantasy game, which was published by Ral Partha Publishing in the late '90's, and Arthur's Realm, a boardgame available at the Gamecrafter.
The National Association of Realtors writes, "Consumers want their real estate agent to be tech-savvy and offer lower fees than their competitors, finds a new survey by the real estate brokerage Redfin of nearly 1,000 recent home buyers and sellers." This is like a mission statement of Nesbitt Realty. Our agents are well-versed in the best real estate technology tools in the business and (unlike other brokers---including Redfin) Nesbitt Realty NEVER CHARGES ADMIN FEES!
Brothers working together at the office
NAR says, "About 62 percent of buyers and sellers said they are looking for lower fees in a real estate transaction. However, 22 percent of those surveyed said that low fees actually made them worry about the quality of the service." Admin fees are usually about $500 per transaction in Northern Virginia. These fees are often the life-blood of the large-chain brokerage. But what if you could get the same services as you would get from a national chain, but deal with a family-business? That's why our clients love Nesbitt Realty.
Buyers and sellers are also taking notice of what technology agents are using to help them on their house hunt or sale. Fifty-seven percent of buyers and sellers surveyed said the technology their real estate agent uses is important to them. On the other hand, 31 percent of consumers surveyed said “the only thing that matters is the quality of the agent.”
Nesbitt Realty uses the same Internet, the same MLS, the same advertising streams as the big brokerages. We use the same or better technology tools and we do it without charging our clients an admin fee.
It's also said that besides low fees and technology, the majority of buyers surveyed also indicated that they valued responsiveness in a real estate agent. In fact, it was the most sought-after trait for an agent among buyers. Forty-seven percent of buyers surveyed rated responsiveness as key — even over professionalism, local expertise, and experience.
Will Nesbitt
Our agents pick up the phone. We don't roll you over to voicemail. Not only can you talk to your Nesbitt Realty agent, you can always reach out the principal broker, father and founder of Nesbitt Realty, Will Nesbitt.
Sellers, on the other hand, rated responsiveness as the least important quality to them in a real estate agent. Instead, 44 percent of sellers said “experience selling homes like mine” was the most sought-after trait for them in a real estate agent. You might be surprised to learn that we agree with the respondents. That's why if Nesbitt Realty is not the best brokerage for your property, we'll be the first to tell you. We know what we are good at selling and we know when another agent would be a better fit.
We are a family-run business. You don't have to settle for a national chain.Source: “What Buyers, Sellers Want From Their Agent,” NAR Blog (March 23, 2015)
The kitchen is one of the most important aspects of a home for sale. Some people will only purchase a home with a kitchens can that is luxurious, spacious and open. Others are quite happy with a kitchen that is functional, clean and has just enough room to work. Here's a random sampling of kitchens in the Northern Virginia real estate market.
Park Place Studio Kitchen
Kitchen
Here’s an example of an older but serviceable kitchen.
Fancy an Island?
Nothing beats a professional grade range
House with a nice kitchen
Many kitchens are open with views toward the balcony and the city or river beyond
This is new kitchen in at Potomac Branch.
A small but nice kitchen
Granite counters and glass doors together with stainless steel appliances
Westview at Ballston and Eastview at Ballston offer 1 bedroom, 1 bedroom and den or 2 bedroom newly built condos within walking distance to the Ballston metro. Some condos here have sunrooms; patios, balconies, decks or porches.
Interior of an Eastview condo at Ballston Metro
Living area with balcony at Westview
Westview is conveniently located near the Ballston Metro.
Kitchen here have granite countertops, maple cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. The bathrooms are nicely appointed. The community has a state-of-the-art fitness center; rooftop pool and sundeck. Underground parking available on site.
Amenities
Add a fence for privacy and distinction
Owning a home is an expensive proposition. There’s maintenance, landscaping, utilities, renovations, and, of course, taxes. It’s your civic duty to pay the latter, but it’s also your right not to yield a penny more than your fair share.
It’s possible to trim your property tax bill by appealing the assessed value of your home. But making a case against your real estate assessment, the basis for your property tax bill, requires doing a bit of homework. Initial research can be done online or by phone over two or three days, but the process can stretch out for months if you’re forced to file a formal appeal.
There are a few things to keep in mind as you weigh an appeal. The board can only lower your real estate assessment, not the rate at which you’re taxed. There’s also a chance, albeit slight, that your assessment could be raised, thus increasing your property taxes. A reduction in your assessment right before you put your house on the market could hurt the sale price. An easier route to savings might lie in determining if you qualify for property tax exemptions based on age, disability, military service, or other factors.
Read your assessment letter
A real estate assessment is conducted periodically by the local government to assign a value to your home for taxation purposes. An assessment isn’t the same as a private appraisal, and the assessed value of your home isn’t necessarily how much you could sell it for today. Real estate assessment letters are mailed to homeowners annually, or perhaps every two to three years, depending where you live.
The letter will include some information about your property, such as lot size or a legal description, as well as the assessed value of your house and land. Additional details—number of bedrooms, for example, or date of construction—can often be found in the property listing on your local government’s website. Your property tax bill will usually be calculated by multiplying your home’s assessed value by the local tax rate, which can vary from town to town.
If you think your home’s assessment is higher than it should be, challenge it immediately. The clock starts ticking as soon as the letter goes out. You generally have less than 30 days to respond, though the time frame varies not just between states, but within each state. Procedures are often outlined on the back of the letter.
Gather evidence
Start by making sure the assessment letter doesn’t contain any mistakes. Is the number of bathrooms accurate? Number of fireplaces? How about the size of the lot? There’s a big difference between “0.3 acres” and “3.0 acres.” If any facts are wrong, then you may have a quick and easy challenge on your hands.
Next, research your home’s value. Ask a real estate agent to find three to five comparable properties—“comps” in real estate jargon—that have sold recently. Alternatively, check a website like Smarthomeprice.com to find approximate values of comparable properties. The key is identifying properties that are very similar to your own in terms of size, style, condition, and location. If you’re willing to shell out between $350 and $600, you can hire a private appraiser to do the heavy lifting.
Once you identify comps, check the assessments on those properties. Most local governments maintain public databases. If yours doesn’t, seek help from an agent or ask neighbors to share tax information. If the assessments on your comps are lower, you can argue yours is too high. Even if the assessments are similar, if you can show that the “comparable” properties aren’t truly comparable, you may have a case for relief based on equity. Maybe your neighbor added an addition while you were still struggling to clean up storm damage. In that case, the properties are no longer equitable.
Present your case
Once you’re armed with your research, call your local assessor’s office. Most assessors are willing to discuss your assessment informally by phone. If not, or if you aren’t satisfied with the explanation, request a formal review. Pay attention to deadlines and procedures. There’s probably a form to fill out and specific instructions for supporting evidence. A typical review, which usually doesn’t require you to appear in person, can take anywhere from one to three months. Expect to receive a decision in writing.
If the review is unsuccessful, you can usually appeal the decision to an independent board, with or without the help of a lawyer. You may have to pay a modest filing fee, perhaps $10 to $25. If you end up before an appeals board, your challenge could stretch as long as a year, especially in large jurisdictions that have a high number of appeals. But homeowners do triumph. According to Guy Griscom, Assistant Chief Appraiser of the Harris County (Texas) Central Appraisal District, of the 288,800 protests filed in his Houston-area district in 2008, about 58% received reduced assessments.
How much effort you decide to put into a challenge depends on the stakes. The annual U.S. median property tax paid in 2008 was $1,897, or 0.96% of the median home value of $197,600. Lowering that assessed value by 15% would net savings of about $285.
This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but is not intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Readers should consult a tax professional for such advice, and are reminded that tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.
The zipcode of 22310 is in Fairfax County VA but is an Alexandria address. The area is called Franconia or Rose Hill. The Greendale Golf Course is in this area as is Lee District Park and Franconia Park and Loftridge Park.
Ron Ginyard has the experience you need to successfully realize your real estate goals.
Short sales abound, but many real estate sales associates do not possess the time, training, or temperament to process this type of transaction. In particular, many sales associates would rather use the time that would be lost processing paperwork to instead pursue marketing, lead generation, and other more productive activities.
Rather than distract themselves from their core tasks, sales associates handling a short-sale listing can benefit from the involvement of a short-sale negotiator, but they must be careful to adhere to rules on agency relationships, insurance, and compensation.
Home owners may choose their own negotiator, although they often do not have the expertise to select the best professional; selling sales associates may retain a negotiator as part of their team, or this individual may be an independent contractor that they hire; or the buyer's sales associate may bring in the negotiator, although this may lead to agency issues since the buyer's sales associate then begins to represent the seller.
In any case, it is critical for listing and selling sales associates to be certain of their Errors & Omissions policies, which may or may not cover these activities. They also must take care to address how the negotiator will be paid — out of commissions that have been earned or as a separate or negotiated fee.
Second Liens Roadblock for Short Sales
Second mortgages have become one of the biggest roadblocks to closing short sales. There are about 450,000 properties in some stage of the foreclosure process with at least one junior lien, according to real estate research firm CoreLogic. These second liens are a primary challenge for Freddie Mac, said Mark Johnson, who oversees short sales…
The foreclosure mess is making it harder for banks to sell properties. ForeclosureRadar, which tracks foreclosures in five Western states, says the number of properties coming to auction in Arizona, California, and Nevada has declined by more than 30 percent. Investors are backing away from sales because they fear that the properties they buy will…
This real estate scheme usually happens when the borrower owes more on the property than the current value. The borrower then pretends they have a financial hardship and can not make any more payments. Someone, an accomplice, who is working with the borrower submits a low offer to buy the property. The lender agrees with the…
Here's a random sampling of homes in the 22308 area. 22308 encompasses most of the Fort Hunt area which is renown for single-family homes near the Potomac River between Mount Vernon VA and Old Town Alexandria VA.
Washington Monument as seen from WWII Memorial
Washington DC is the jurisdiction at the center of the National Capital Region. If you're considering purchasing rental property the area, there is a hidden premium to purchasing a property in DC that many landlords don't know about until it's too late.
According to the Washington City Paper a potential DC landlord needs to be aware that: "D.C.’s housing code is designed to protect residents. It takes up about 70 pages and covers everything from heating and lighting requirements to weatherproofing to repair and maintenance protocol. Of course, city employees aren’t the only ones in town who know the code in and out. Certain tenants have become experts as well. "
Take it from a DC Landlord who said, "Trust me, if you don't have to rent your house/apt out... don't! The rules do little to protect the landlord. I had 'squatters'/house-sitters who decided to cook drugs in my apt. The only reason they probably left was because the DEA was hot on their ass. In the meantime, I had to go to lots of expense to go thru the court system and when I got my house back - it was torn up. I try to screen but the article and previous posters are right. There are career renters who know the rules and will do anything to screw you. Good luck!"
Another DC Landlord says, "The tenant laws in DC are absolutely ridiculous. They MUST be changed. I live in a condo building and a few people have purchased units with the sole intention of renting them out. While we have had a few really good, respectable tenants, we have had one tenant who is just the pits. She deals drugs from her unit, works as a prostitute (using her unit as her 'office'), has been in trouble with the law, and is really bothering the people who live in this building. When the unit owner tried to evict her, he discovered that the process could take more than a year, despite the police reports and other evidence against this low life. He has spent thousands of dollars in legal bills and has admitted that he has now lost more money than he has made off the unit. If you own a property in DC, DON'T rent it out. It's just not worth it in the long-run."
The Lease Never Ends
Tenants in DC cannot be evicted because the lease ends. They just can't. Tenants can only be evicted if the landlord occupies the property themselves or sells to someone who intends to occupy the property themselves. Only investors buy occupied units and investors don't buy in DC because of the difficulties of tenant management. If you are going to claim to occupy your DC rental, you'd better not own a larger and better home elsewhere because you might have difficulty establishing that you actually intend to occupy the property.
The City's Office of Tenant Advocacy is there to advise tenants of their "rights".DC Government provides a bank of resources for tenants.
In DC tenants have significant "rights" that that they don't have in most jurisdictions in the US. For example, tenants may only be evicted for 1 of 10 specific reasons, one of these reasons is NOT because the lease has ended. In DC tenants have a right to "perpetual tenancy" which means that if you rent someone an apartment in DC and they comply with the lease, and pay the rent, that lease is good until they move or die, no matter what it says about the end date. To raise the rent you must adhere to specific guidelines and directives required by the city.
Emily Fairbanks practices law and property management in Washington DCEmilie Fairbanks, an attorney practicing landlord tenant law, writes, "Tenants can demand a jury trial no matter how little they owe or what the lease violation is. Your case will be certified to the Civil Division, a process I will explain fully later, but for now you just need to know it is often very long. Perhaps up to a year. During this time, the lease violation may very well continue and in nonpayment of rent cases you won't be getting any rent, some, hopefully all of the monthly rent going forward from the first court date, will be paid into the court escrow. "
If you decide to sue your tenant for non-payment of rent, be advised that tenants have the right to a jury trial for even the smallest amounts of rent. It will take 6 months to a year to get your day in court and during that time, the landlord will likely not be receiving any income. At best the tenants will be paying into a court escrow account. At worst they will be paying nothing.
The motto of the Office of Tenant Advocacy is "Putting People First". In case you didn't know, tenants are people, but landlords are not. The Legal Division provides the following services:
Legal Rights - Advises tenants of the powers they possess over the landlord and how to manage the landlord
Representation - The tenant can qualify for a free lawyer . . . the landlord does not.
Tenant Petition Filing - Petitions are useful roadblocks to eviction/resolution. Petitions are also a great way to harass a landlord into surrendering. The city will help tenants complete and file tenant petitions. The city will help tenants draft other court documents. The landlord must hire an attorney to navigate the system.
Resolution - This means that the city will help explain to the landlord the facts of life and why surrender is the landlord's best possible option.
Tenant Hotline - There is no landlord hotline to provide an “Ask the Director” forum or to respond to inquiries about rental housing law.
Maintenance
At some point every rental unit anywhere will require maintenance. When that happens you'll likely find that maintenance services in Washington DC generally cost 20% to 100% more than neighboring jurisdictions. Excessive licensing requirements and burdensome regulation discourage small businesses from working in Washington. In addition, many tradesmen based in Virginia and Maryland won't travel into the city to work. Many handymen have told me that they won't work in DC because they can't leave tools unattended for even a moment without risking theft of those tools. Locking down tools and trucks each time you turn your back makes a job take longer and makes the price go up. DC has fewer tradesmen who have higher overhead. Naturally the prices are higher.
Virginia and Maryland are very different.
Nesbitt Realty manages properties in Virginia and we have managed property in Maryland. We do not manage property in DC specifically because of the strong "tenants rights" laws in DC. Those laws make managing property burdensome to the point that it makes no sense for our business. In Virginia, we operate largely in Arlington County, the City of Alexandria and Fairfax County. We find that the laws in Arlington and Alexandria are tenant-friendly but manageable. The laws of Fairfax County are probably closer to what is found in most jurisdictions in the US.
If you're thinking of buying an investment property / rental property in the National Capital Region, you'll find a micro-economy that is recession-proof with a steady supply of renters. So owning a rental in this area can be a smart move. If you've settled on buying in this area, Virginia is probably your best choice, followed by Maryland. If you are a landlord, the District of Columbia is a risky financial endeavor filled with pitfalls awaiting the unwary.
For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.
Sellers think their homes are worth more than their real estate professional recommends, and buyers think these same homes are worth less.
Will Nesbitt
It’s a difficult disconnect that makes selling properties a challenge. Successfully marketing a home requires that the price be set carefully -- or it will languish on the market. Among the considerations:
How many homes are for sale in the neighborhood? The more homes on the market, the more important it is to list at the lower end of the scale. No matter where you price your home, buyers are going to want to understand the rationale behind why your house is the cheapest or most expensive. In the end, buyers will pick the house with the most value.
Take short sales and foreclosures into consideration when pricing. If the competing properties are in lousy condition, they are less of an issue, but if they are well taken care of, yet priced 25 percent below market, they can be a serious factor.
Negotiate decisively. Many buyers have options so when you counter an offer, be prepared for the possibility that the counter might be the end of the discussion.
If you have to . . . cut the price. If no one shows up for an open house, if no one calls and if there are no offers, then the price is too high. That means it's time to make a meaningful price cut.
Real Estate Photography Tips For Sellers in {Location_Name}
Exterior of House
Move cars away from front and / or rear of house and close garage doors.
Move trash cans and recycling bins inside or away from house.
Remove newspapers from driveway and sweep leaves.
Open deck furniture umbrellas, remove grill covers and put any deck cushions on furniture.
Hide toys and sporting equipment in garage or storage containers.
Interior of House
Turn on all interior lights and open all blinds. Make sure any burned out light bulbs have been replaced.
Clean vertical surfaces that reflect light such as mirrors, refrigerators, windows, television screens, etc.
Hide all pet beds, toys, bowls, etc. in a closet or storage container.
Remove items other than non-religious framed art or decor hanging from walls.
Keep in mind that items being moved from room to room will show in photos of other rooms, so please hide items in closets and / or storage areas that will not be photographed
Kitchen
Clear off countertops
Remove hanging dish towels and small area rugs.
Hide garbage can along with pet food bowls, mats and other items.
Bedroom
Make beds and be sure the mattress or any objects under the bed are not showing
Hide all personal items such as books, phones, remotes, etc. (Tip: You can hide them under the pillows!)
We suggest that personalized decor be removed from children's rooms so their names and pictures don't show in the photos which will go on the internet.
Foyer
Make it look as large as p0ssible by removing shoes, coats, throw rugs, etc.
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Fort Hunt.
Dining Areas
If dining area is small, remove extra leaves from tables to make the room look larger.
Show off the woodwork on the table by removing protector, tablecloths or placemats.
Remove extra dining chairs from the room so it doesn't look overcrowded and smaller than it really is.
Living Areas
Keep the floors as clear as possible to emphasize the beauty of any wood floors
Make sure all televisions and computer monitors are turned off, and if portable hide from view
Clear surfaces such as end tables and coffee tables of items that are not decorative, and hide all magazines, books, remotes, tissue boxes, etc.
Bathrooms / Powder Rooms
Wash all mirrors. Even the smallest splatter mark is magnified in photos.
Hide the trash can, toilet brush, bathmats and plunger.
Remove family bath and hand towels. (Tip: Don't forget to remove the robe hanging on the back of the door.) You can keep a clean decorative / nice towels hung neatly.
Remove All toiletries from the counter and the shower/tub area, such as shampoo bottles, razors, toothbrushes, etc.
Make sure the toilet paper roll isn't empty or hanging down off the roll.
Reviving A Stale Listing In 22314 In Alexandria In 22314
Do you have a abode similar to 124 Roberts Ln #201 in Alexandria that hasn't sold? Did you know that in Fort Ellsworth:
Reviving A Stale Listing In Alexandria, Virginia In Alexandria
Do you have a property similar to 301 N Beauregard St #114 in the City of Alexandria that isn't getting any action? Did you know that in The Fountains:
Italianate homes, which appeared in Midwest, East Coast, and San Francisco areas between 1850 and 1880, can be quite ornate despite their solid square shape. Features include symmetrical bay windows in front; small chimneys set in irregular locations; tall, narrow, windows; and towers, in some cases. The elaborate window designs reappear in the supports, columns, and door frames.
Old Town Alexandria has a number of Italianate homes.
Old Town is in Alexandria 22314
1800 Old Meadow Rd #211, McLean Real Estate Dispatch
How Much Do Mid 20th-Century Others Cost At Regency in 22102 in Fairfax County? Will Nesbitt works real estate all over this area but has special expertise in 22102 and residences like 1800 Old Meadow Rd #211. Check out the prices and pictures of this home at 1800 Old Meadow Rd #211. Not to mention,…
1800 Old Meadow Rd #405, McLean Real Estate Update
Looking at Listings At Regency? Ponder This Condo. Should you make an offer buy 1800 Old Meadow Rd #405? Sometimes, the answer to a question is more questions. Are you seeking a 3-bedroom Traditional-style condo in 22102 in Fairfax County? Can you afford $660,000? Is it actually worth $675,000 or $625,000? Do you need 2…
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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Italianate homes, which appeared in Midwest, East Coast, and San Francisco areas between 1850 and 1880, can be quite ornate despite their solid square shape. Features include symmetrical bay windows in front; small chimneys set in irregular locations; tall, narrow, windows; and towers, in some cases. The elaborate window designs reappear in the supports, columns, and door frames.
Old Town Alexandria has a number of Italianate homes.
