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Category: Will Nesbitt

The author of this blog, specializing in internet sales of Northern Virginia real estate, with a special interest in condo living.

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What’s so great about a condo?

There are many types of condominiums.   Some condos look like houses or townhouses; most look like high-rises or garden-style apartments. Even though a condo can look look like a townhouse or house, owning a condo differs from owing a fee simple property in many ways. There are aspects of condo living that some may view as advantages or disadvantages, and you should be aware of these before you buy.
serving condo owners, sellers and buyers in Northern VA
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Here are a few basic benefits and considerations of condo living to help you make your decision.

The City

Busy folk who love being close to the action often choose a condominium because condo developments most often occur in the city. In the Carlyle District, in Arlington and places like Skyline Square, land is at a premium. But in all these examples, your condo is well served by public transportation. These condos are also close to the culture and opportunities of the city. Of course the downside to being in town is that you're in the city---that means traffic, hustle and bustle and other disadvantages of living downtown. For example, the USPTO is crawling with people during rush hour. Crystal City is a pass-thru for many many commuters. Most homes and townhomes have a lawn or yard of some kind, but few condo owners have a yard or personal green space.

Community Living

A condominium owner is part of a community. The community lifestyle has many advantages. For example, the owner of a condo can leave things on a whim. There is no yard to worry about, and the building is secure. Neighbors and condo staff will watch the property while you're on travel or vacation. Most condos in Alexandria, Arlington, Crystal City and Falls Church have security features such as buzzers, a concierge or a guard service. If you travel often for business or pleasure (or if this is a second home), there are no worries while you're out of pocket. Many condos have clubs, activities and the opportunity to socialize with neighbors. But, shared walls and common areas mean that you are more likely to hear your neighbors. If you need your home to be a hideaway where you can escape from people, you have to deal with the fact that you might encounter neighbors in the hallway. Nosy neighbors are found everywhere, but it's a lot easier for them to keep tabs on you as you come and go in a condo. The community will set standards and make decisions about common areas. For example, many condo association have rules about pets so that the common areas are not over-run with pets and pet debris.

The Association

You can take part in the decision making (by voting or by being a board member), but you must abide by the rules of the community. As you may know, condos are governed by a set of rules called Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs). This can include restrictions on noise levels, pet ownership, renovations, and even what kind of curtains you can put in your windows. Every unit owner is a member of the condo association, which also has an elected board. The association serves to enforce bylaws, handles maintenance and repair issues, etc.Because the condo association is made up of homeowners rather than property-management professionals, the association may be weak and inefficient. Most associations oversee a paid management firm. Also, if you want to make renovations to your unit or rent your unit out, you may have to get approval from the condo association.This purpose of this oversight is most usually designed to make sure that you don't remove any load bearing walls or short circuit community electricity.

Maintenance

Homeowners have a lot to worry about, but condo owners on the other hand ...
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Condo owners generally don't mow lawns. They don't clean gutters. They don't even have to hire or pay landscapers. In a condominium someone else takes care of the exterior, the common areas, the snow removal and more. For example, someone else makes sure there's money enough to pay for the new roof. Of course, that service comes at a price: the monthly condo fees. The association collects these fees to pay for maintenance and repair of the common areas. All homeowners pay for maintenance, but the owner of a single family residence can save money by mowing his own lawn. The owner of a single family home can defer payment a little longer if money is tight. Of course, by aggregating the fees of maintenance, condominium owners often have enough money to pay for amenities that are not common in a single family residence. For example, a swimming pool is pretty standard in a condo.

Affordability

Some condos in Northern Virginia list are every bit as expensive as single family houses elsewhere. Condos in Crystal City, condos in Arlington and condos in Alexandria (especially in the Carlyle District) can be quite pricey. But some condos are surprisingly affordable. This makes a great option for first-time buyers and singles who may find single-family houses unaffordable. Condominiums are more sensitive to trends in the real estate market than single-family homes. Now that the prices have dropped there are some tremendous bargains for shoppers.

Amenities.  

Most condominium developments offer a range of amenities in the common areas. It's pretty standard in Northern Virginia to have access to a swimming pool, gym or tennis courts in most condo complexes.
Condominiums are found in all shapes, sizes, prices and types. Are you looking for a high-rise condo, a mid-rise or a garden-style condo? Maybe you'd prefer a townhouse?

The term "garden-style" condo usually refers to a condominium residence in a building that has less than three stories. Most garden-style condos have balconies or patios for each residence. Many garden-style condos have a main entrance that opens to a common-area hallway. Additional common areas include the green space and "gardens" surrounding the structures. If you're interested in garden-style condos you'll have a lot of options in Northern Virginia.

From the suburban feel of Kingstowne to the central location of Bolling Brook from the vintage charm of Belle View to the chic feel of Carlyle Square, are just some of the many Northern Virginia condominium communities we feature.


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Mid-rise condos are taller than garden-style condos, but smaller than high-rise condos. Mid-rise condos in Northern Virginia are 5 to 8 stories tall and are generally found close to or inside the Beltway.


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High-rise condos have more than 9 floors. They are generally found inside the Beltway and are often located near Metro stations, public transportation, or major commuter traffic arteries like I-395.


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

Ronald Reagan National Airport in Crystal City / Arlington

National Airport
Main concourse of Reagan National Airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, formerly Washington National Airport, is on the Potomac River across from Washington DC. Along with Baltimore Washington International and Dulles International, Reagan National is one of three major airports serving the Washington Metro area. Reagan National is easily my favorite of the three airports for a number of reasons. Dulles and BWI are massive sprawling airports with shuttle buses and mobile lounges. Reagan National barely has enough room for the runway. I always like smaller airports. They feel like they are scaled to human beings. There is plenty of security at National, but it seems to move along more smoothly than Dulles or BWI. Dulles and BWI are outside the Beltway at the periphery of the Washington Capitol Area.  Reagan National is at the heart of everything, wedged at the confluence of DC, Alexandria and Arlington.  For me, it's a long drive just to get to BWI or Dulles, but Reagan National is here, and it's accessible by Metro. Reagan National is a station on both the Yellow and Blue lines. Extended parking is available at Dulles or BWI, but on the shuttle bus, the ride from the parking lot to the terminal seems like a mile or more.  At Reagan National, extended parking is at my house.  Because instead of taking a shuttle, I can take the Metro to the airport. The runway is short at Reagan National, and it launches planes up over GW Parkway and at the Washington Monument, requiring a steep climb and a hard left on take off. Some folks find this terrifying, but I have to admit I love it.  I know it's a safe path, because planes take off here day and night, so I sit back and enjoy the abrupt take-off and turn. Reagan National is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, although many ticket counters and restaurants in the airport close during off-hours. Reagan National is located within the Commonwealth of Virginia, but it has a Washington DC address to identify the airport's location more easily for travelers. The Perimeter Rule and the High Density Rule affect flights at Reagan National. Under the Perimeter Rule, nonstop aircraft flights are limited to a range of 1,250 miles or less. In 2000, Congress permitted the FAA toNational Airport allow six round-trip flights to points outside the perimeter. The High Density Rule (or "Slot" rule) limits the number of landings or takeoffs allowed in an hour. The rule affects Reagan National because of the Airport's limited airfield capacity. Reagan National is located in Arlington County near/in Crystal City. It is most easily accessed from the George Washington Parkway. There are a good many condos and homes in the Crystal City area and they're all just a metro stop away from Reagan National.  The take-off and approach to Reagan National is down the Potomac, so that area residents get very little noise or fly-over from the jets at Reagan National.
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For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

Basic Condo Selling Tips

It should be obvious, but start by choosing a selling agent that cares about you and your condominium. The agent you choose should also understand the benefits and challenges of the condominium lifestyle.
Halstead
Halstead at the Meto
An agent who has never lived in a condo or owned property in a condo might not appreciate the benefits of life without guttering, lawn care or exterior maintenance issues. Your Condo Alexandria agent knows how a condo community functions and just how great it is to own a condominium. A Condo Alexandria agent understands why some units are more than others. A Condo Alexandria agent can help others understand what a great view you have or how nice it is to be close to the parking lot. Each condo has its own benefits. We find your unit's benefits and make them obvious so that the buyer who wants your condominium can find it.

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For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.
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Nesbitt Realty sells real estate, fine homes & condominiums in Northern Virginia

Homeowners are special people

Of course as a homeowner you'll be responsible for maintenance and repairs on the house. As a condo owner, many of these responsibilities are handled by the condo association. Either way, you're the type of person who has taken charge of his or her life. You can paint your wall any color you want. You don't need your landlord's permission to get a pet.
dog
Fred
As a homeowner you're more likely to be a part of the neighborhood watch and the garden club. According to some studies, home owners are more likely to vote, and more likely to participate in local government activities. As a condominium owner you have become one of America's landed gentry. According to the Rossi and Weber National Survey of Families, home owners possess significantly higher levels of self-confidence than renters. Tax advantages are one of the biggest financial benefits of home ownership. The typical home owner that pays a $1,000 house payment will realize tax savings of about $120 each month. (As a general rule, most homeowners can deduct most or all of their interest payments on their home loan, property taxes and loan points, but check with your tax advisor about your situation.) What this means is that next year your rent won't go up, but your liability will go down. Generally if you can afford the cash flow, it's cheaper to buy than to rent. Because you're a homeowner, you know what this means. This increase confidence and wealth will have an impact on your family life as well. According to Boehm & Schlottmann, University of Tennessee, "Children of home owners are 59% more likely to become homeowners. Their children are also 25% more likely to graduate from high school and 116% more likely to graduate from college." As an owner, you'll stop paying rent and you'll start building ownership equity. A survey of consumer finance by the Federal Reserve Board found that the median net worth of most modest-income owners is almost $60,000 compared to less than $10,000 for renters in the same income group. In many cases, your home will provide you with more privacy than rental living. For some, this means a quieter living environment, for others it's the ability to have a grow garden, have a backyard barbecue or a build a garage. You'll have the freedom to make whatever changes or improvements you like. Now that you control your living environment, you can make adjustments as your family changes or just as your personal taste dictates.

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

Fairfax County Public Schools Named “Achievement District”

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is one of 388 school districts in the U.S. to be named an Advanced Placement (AP) Achievement District by the College Board.  The list recognizes school districts that make AP courses available to a broader pool of students as well as maintain or increase the percentage of students who earn a score of 3 or higher on AP tests. To be named an AP Achievement District, school districts must:
  • Increase participation in or access to AP courses by at least four percent (for large school systems).
  • Show a steady or increasing percentage of exams taken by minority students, including African American, Hispanic, and Native American students.
  • Maintain or improve performance levels when comparing the percentage of exams scoring a 3 or higher in 2010 to those in 2008, or if a school already has 70 percent of AP students scoring a 3 or higher.
From 2008 to 2010, FCPS increased the number of students participating in AP from 14,220 in 2008 to 15,270 in 2010 while improving the percentage of students earning AP exam scores of 3 or higher, the score typically needed to earn college credit, from 72 percent in 2008 to 74 percent in 2010. Projected enrollment for Fairfax County Public Schools for the current school year is 175,296.  It is the largest school district in the state and the 11th largest in the U.S.    

Northern Virginia leads the economic way for DC area

The Washington, D.C. area has emerged from the recent recession with Northern Virginia leading the way, a George Mason University economist recently told local Realtors. George Mason University economist Stephen Fuller said the economic recovery has been underway for about 17 months and is stronger than analysts expected. He pointed to bright spots for the No. Virginia economy: 1) Employment: Fuller said the manufacturing segment has led the economy out of the downturn with increased hiring for 17 months in a row. Gross domestic product is higher now than when the recession started in November 2007. 2) Housing Shortage: He also predicted a future housing shortage for the region. According to Fuller, the area likely will absorb about 700,000 more people in  coming decades and needs to build about 35,000 housing units per year to keep up  with demand. While some apartment developers may err on the side of overbuilding, Fuller said  more condominiums and smaller townhouses and single-family house are  being  built. The number of larger single-family developments is declining But don’t uncork the champagne just yet.  He also said consumer confidence remains low, despite the good economic news.

McLean’s Spring Hill Rec Center gets indoor, outdoor facelift

Last summer it was the interior. Now, if you’ve passed by the growing mounds of dirt surrounding McLean’s Spring Hill Recreation Center, there’s no doubt it’s time for the exterior. Changes started last August when the center closed for renovations to the air conditioning system, locker rooms, classrooms and fitness room.  Those were completed in October.  The center, managed by the Fairfax County Park Authority, includes a heated indoor 25-yard by 25-meter pool with ramp and two one-meter diving boards, a poolside spa, beach and wading areas. This is the first renovation to the center since it opened in 1988. Parking will double when 250 new spaces are completed in June. A new entrance, replacing the one on Art Nauman Lane, will take a little longer since it will include a new traffic light on Lewinsville Rd. in front of Spring Hill Elementary and the Rec Center. Finally two new artificial turf fields for soccer will be built near the corner of Lewinsville Rd. and Spring Hill Rd. Those are in addition to the two turf fields that opened at the center in 2008. For now it’s a bit of mess. (Wear your work boots when you visit Spring Hill Rec.) But soon its transition will benefit all in the McLean, Tysons Corner and Fairfax County communities.

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Biking the Mount Vernon Trail

Julie and I rented bikes in Old Town last week. We then biked the Mount Vernon Trail to Mount Vernon and back.  The trail here is pleasant with some ups and downs that can be a little challenging, but not too tough.  The views along the river and through the forest are great. Along the way the trail passes through the Dyke Marsh. We stopped there to take some pictures and drink some water.   Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria.
Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria.
Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria.

Julie in Spring of 2010

Julie Nesbitt is one of the hard-working real estate professionals at Condo Alexandria.  As many people know, she's a force behind much of what gets done here.  We snapped a few publicity photos of her this Spring.  Which one do you like best?