I hit the jackpot!

Here's a republish of an article I wrote back in 2008. It's still true, years later. I hit the jackpot! Yes ... that's right. I hit the jackpot. I won the lottery. Mine is the lucky number. I won't be giving up my blog or my real estate business because I won the jackpot. In fact, I'll be working harder than ever.  But today, I pause to give thanks to God and family and friends and clients for this wonderful life of mine. To tell the truth, I didn't hit the lottery today. I won the lottery on the day I was born and I've been reaping the benefits ever since. The best part is ... I didn't even have to buy a ticket. You see, I was born in the United States of America, which means that I already have life better than most of my fellow man. I've never known war, or famine or pestilence. I've enjoyed an ever increasing standard of living since the day I was born.  If you were born in North America you probably won the lottery too. crystal turkeyBut ... It gets better than that. I was born in the Commonwealth of Virgina, the Mother of States, the Mother of Presidents, the Capital of the Confederacy and the Pride of Dixie. The Commonwealth of Virginia, where Captain John Smith founded Jamestown. The state which George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and James Monroe and William Henry Harrison and John Tyler and Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson all called home. The state where Robert E. Lee fought and eventually surrendered. The home of the Pentagon and the USPTO and the epicenter for the technology revolution. The Commonwealth of Virginia, most beautiful state in the Union, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sparkling beaches of the Eastern Shore. The Old Dominion cradled me as she cradles the Chesapeake Bay, one of the largest and most important estuaries on the Atlantic. It gets better than that. I was born in Fairfax, one of the most prosperous counties in the nation. I make my home where where the Piedmont meets the Tidewater, on a ridge overlooking the Potomac River in a place called Belle Haven---one of the nicest neighborhoods in Fairfax County and Alexandria.  My trusted, loyal and beautiful wife is busy making a Thanksgiving feast. My sons are healthy and headed for home. Life could be better ... but I really don't know how. So, today, I give thanks. Thanks to God, family, friends, clients and country for all that I have been given. I rededicate myself to the purpose of good and wish you and all of yours a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. I hope your Christmas is merry and expect you to have a prosperous and healthy New Year. Belle Haven view   For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.  

Welcome Nesbitt Realty’s New Intern: Matt Pfremmer

Matthew Pfremmer started working as an intern with Nesbitt Realty on 11/04/2013. Pfremmer is a registered Eagle Scout. Pfremmer recently moved from Berlin, Germany, where he was born and raised. Matt's interests include: music, technology, and making a positive impact on the world around him.

Properties in

October 2013 Photo Album

Alexandria’s Fire Boat

charthouse
The Charthouse is at waterfront in Old Town Alexandria.

The story of Alexandria, especially Old Town, is rich in seafaring traditions. Alexandria is not really a great seaport anymore but yet and still many seagoing vessels---including pleasure boats, cruise liners, transport ships, tour ships and ships of war---ply the waters of the Potomac River and some of these vessels dock at the Alexandria Waterfront. Additionally, when the weather warms it is not uncommon to find thousands of residents and visitors can be found along the waterfront.
Alexandria waterfront
The dock at Old Town Alexandria VA
Because Alexandria has citizens and mariners in harms way, the the City of Alexandria Fire Department has developed the Marine Operations Team. to assist in the protection of citizens and mariners who use the various waterways in and adjacent to the city either for business or recreation. The City of Alexandria Marine Operations Team consists of 24 members and a Team Leader (Battalion Chief) trained and training as Marine Firefighters, Swift Water Rescue Technicians, Lifeguards, Boat Operators and Crewmembers. Shown below is the Fireboat 201 Vigilant---a Class 'C' fireboat equipped with a 1500 gpm PTO pump and a full compliment of equipment as required by NFPA 1925. The Vigilant is a swift vessel capable of speeds greater than 40 knots. When needed, paramedics are deployed aboard Vigilant to give the vessel an Advanced Life Support capability.
Alexandria Fire Boat
Alexandria Fire Boat
The city also deploys two Zodiac all-weather inflatables are used by the Marine Operations Team to gain rapid access to persons in distress in the marine environment. They can also be utilized to assist members of the Hazardous Materials in deploying booms. Alexandria and other regional swift water rescue teams operate regardless of the environment or jurisdictional boundary.

For Sale in Old Town

For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.

Pentagon Row- Comfort & Convenience By The Metro

Pentagon City                       Located at Joyce Street and Army-Navy Drive, the Shops at Pentagon Row feature main stream fashion retailers and commercial restaurants as well as the Arlington Visitors Center. Shoppers can enjoy the charm of Main Street while shopping in an urban village setting. The Shops at Pentagon Row are located near Metro's Blue and Yellow Lines; near the Pentagon City Station.  Pentagon Row boost the following retailers:
  •  A Visual Affair
  • Bed Bath & Beyond
  • Best Foot Forward
  • DSW Shoe Warehouse
  • Harris Teeter
  • Hudson Trail Outfitters
  • Jouvence AVEDA
  • LA Fitness
  • LOFT
  • Mattress Warehouse
  • Metropolitan Nail Bar
  • Pacers Running Stores
  • Pentagon Row Cleaners
  • Pentagon Row Ice Rink
  • Rite Aid
  • Solar Planet
  • Sprint
  • Sur La Table
  • The Vitamin Shoppe
  • World Market
For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

King Street Trolley — a great way to get to know Old Town Alexandria

king street trolley logo
King Street Trolley
Around Old Town Alexandria, parking can sometimes be a hassle, (unless you want to pay to park in a garage), but a great way to explore Alexandria is to take the Metro to King St. and then hop a ride on the King St. Trolley. There is no charge to ride the trolley, and it makes stops about every two blocks between the King St. Metro and the Potomac. The Trolley was designed to complement service by the National Harbor's new Water Taxi. The National Harbor is located across the Potomac in Maryland and is the site of a brand new convention center. The convention center and many restaurants are already open in this brand new area landmark. Additionally boat service is available up and down river from the Strand in Old Town. The length of this circuit can be walked in about 20 minutes, so many choose to take the trolley to the Potomac and then walk back to the Metro through Old Town.
King Street Trolley
Trolley at King Street
The Trolley makes it final stop before returning to the Metro near the Torpedo Factory. Just as the name implies, the Torpedo Factory was torpedo factory in the early part of the last century. Today the Torpedo Factory Art Center is a world-renowned art center with three floors of open studios and galleries. Here, one can observe artists and purchase original artwork. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is on the Potomac waterfront. Street musicians and entertainers play nearly every night weather permitting, and tourists and locals alike enjoy walks down by the waterfront.
Train arriving at King Street Metro
A train arrival at busy, convenient King Street Metro
The trolley runs its route from 10 am to 10 pm every day. A printable map is available for those who know nothing about the area. For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

Green Spring Gardens

Green Spring Gardens and Horticultural Center in Annandale is an inspiration for gardeners and a destination for tourists and visitors. Whether you are local or just visiting Northern Virginia, Green Springs Garden is quiet get-away to be seen. Green Springs features a valley centered over a wooded stream. The naturalist plant gardens showcase native species while the green houses are filled with tropical plants. Green Spring Gardens feature a wide variety of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, annuals, bulbs, and vegetable. Check out the horticultural reference library or visit the gift shops to stock your own library. The Garden Gate Plant Shop has plants, gardening gloves, collectible china, wind chimes and other gift ideas. Green Spring's grounds are open dawn to dusk every day of the year. The Horticulture Center is open Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 4:30 pm, and Sunday, noon to 4:30 pm. The Horticulture Center is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's holidays. Park grounds are open from dawn to dusk..
For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

Iwo Jima Memorial

Iwo Jima MemorialThe Marine Corps War Memorial honors fallen U.S. Marine Corps members depicting one of the most famous incidents of World War II. The incident was witnessed by news photographer Joe Rosenthal whose picture of six men raising the American flag on Mt. Suribachi won the Pulitzer Prize and later became the symbol of the war effort in the Pacific. The depiction was also used by the American government to sell war bonds and to promote the war effort. Finally, the picture inspired sculptor Felix DeWeldon, who created a life size model of the photograph, which was later cast into bronze and brought to Washington, D.C, in September 1954. The names and dates of every principal Marine Corps engagement since the founding of the Corps is burnished into the base of the statue, as well as the inscription: "In honor and in memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since November 10, 1775." The Memorial is located on Marshall Drive, between Rt. 50 and the Arlington National Cemetery in Rosslyn. The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial is administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Telephone 703-289-2500 for further information about scheduled events. For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.