Design Trends to Watch in 2016

What are the hot trends to look out for in 2016 in home design? Here are a few predictions from the remodeling and design site Houzz on some of the big trends to expect.
1. Two shades of kitchen cabinets. The upper cabinets may be a white or neutral but then more designers are trying out deeper colors or wood tones for the lower cabinets.  
2. Formal dining rooms are back. More home owners are opting to keep the dining room and not turn it into an office. The formal dining room is expected to get more attention this year.
3. Multi-purpose kitchen islands. The “workhorse” kitchen island is about more than just adding workspace in the kitchen, but also for adding more storage, prep sinks, and a way to add extra seating.   4. Mirrors that make a statement. Medicine cabinets are heading out and now wood-framed, modern, or vintage mirrors are adding more style to bathrooms.  
5. “Barely there” kitchens. Kitchens are fading into the backdrop as the open layouts infuse more seamlessly into the living room or other spaces in the home. Aiding that trend, more kitchens are featuring open shelves to add to that openness.
            6. Sunrooms are hot. Houzz identified this as one of the top dream spaces for home owners. Some home owners are finding ways to even transform tucked away corners in their home into a sunroom with a few chairs to relax near windows.
7. White kitchens dominate. White kitchen walls and cabinets and even countertops is a trend with staying power, Houzz predicts. To add some splash to the all-white kitchen, designers are adding touches of color through the tile floors or floor-to-ceiling bookcases.
8. Powder rooms get more bold. Wall coverings are getting punched up in powder room, that include everything from custom graphics to textured walls. Also, designers are mixing in ornate chandeliers or furniture-like pieces to add some more pizzazz to these spaces.  
9. Farmhouse style guides the entryway. Farmhouse style is catching on, particularly for the mudroom. Simplicity in the storage solutions and durable materials are taking charge.

Six Reasons to Love Belle View

The location of a community can make it seem frustrating or relaxing.  This is true about one neighborhood in New Town Alexandria - Belle View.  This neighborhood offers many pleasant attractions that keep the tenants happy about the place they live.  Not only is Belle View close to the Potomac River and the beautiful bicycle and walking path, but it is also within walking distance to many conveniences.  To name a few...
  1. Safeway grocery store
  2. Subway restaurant
  3. SPOKESetc. bicycle shoppe
  4. Dunkin Donuts
  5. CVS pharmacy
  6. US Post Office

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How FHA is Helping Buyers Obtain Condo Financing

First-time buyers are hurting. It’s hard for them to save for a down payment, credit restrictions remain tight, and there are few affordable homes for them to choose from. What’s more, wage gains are modest, home prices keep going up, and now interest rates could be heading up, too. The Federal Reserve has sent signals that it could start raising short-term interest rates as early as this month and more rate hikes could happen throughout 2016. VRE 35And yet there’s some good news, too, because FHA has announced changes to its rules to make it easier for buyers to get federally insured financing for condominiums. This is important because condos have traditionally been one of the best ways for new home owners to get into home ownership. Under administrative changes FHA has announced, second homes are no longer considered “investment property” for purposes of determining the owner-occupancy ratio of a condominium project. Prior to the change, if someone who owns a unit in a condo project uses the unit as a second home, that unit doesn’t count as part of the project’s 50-percent owner-occupancy threshold, which FHA requires. Under that rule, if fewer than half the units are owner occupied, someone who wants to buy a unit in the project can’t get FHA-backed financing. That hurts if FHA is the only viable financing option. But the FHA change has wider implications than that because it sends a signal to conventional and other mortgage financing sources that it might be time for them to rethink their owner-occupancy ratios as well. FHA announced two other changes: a streamlined recertification process, and an expansion of the types of insurance condo owner associations can have for their project to be eligible for FHA financing. These three changes are key because they address one part of condo financing that has nothing to do with the creditworthiness of the borrower: they address the hoops the condo project has to go through before FHA will permit a borrower to apply for its mortgage insurance. It’ll be helpful to watch how things change in the months ahead to see if the eased requirements lead to more households obtaining FHA financing for condo purchases. But for now, REALTORS® can take satisfaction in knowing FHA responded to concerns NAR had been raising for the last three years. And more changes are in the works, according to the agency. Details are in the video above. The FHA announcement is one of the stories in The Voice for Real Estate for the week of November 23, 2015. Another segment looks at NAR’s new member benefit for keeping REALTORS® integral to real estate as transactions increasingly go digital. Under the benefit, REALTORS® get free access to two products from zipLogix®: its forms software program and its transaction management platform

In search of an all-utilities-included, affordable condo?

Columbia Knolls condos in Arlington VA offer generous amenities, such as swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, all included in condo fee. Built in 1961, Columbia Knolls condos are as affordable as $200,000 approximately. Additionally, they are close to Barcroft Elementary School and Campbell Elementary School.

Want a convenient detached at reasonable price in Fairfax County?

Detached properties at Woodmill Estates in Alexandria VA are reasonably priced between $700,000 and $800,000. They are conveniently located close to Ft Belvoir and Mount Vernon, plus they offer amenities like porch or private pool. Woodmill Estates detached houses were built between 1960 and 1980 and they are close to Hollin Meadows Elementary School and Belle View Elementary School.

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woodmill estates

Bel Air Market Update

Bel Air is a community of single family homes in Fairfax County at Falls Church. Bel Air was built around 1950. Single family homes at Bel Air generally cost from $350,000 to $450,000. Bel Air is close to Bel Air Park, Sleepy Hollow Park. Bel Air is near Annandale Road and Barrett Road.

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Falls Church

Facts about Darwin Heights

Darwin Heights is a community of single family homes in Fairfax County at Falls Church. Darwin Heights was built around 1954. Single family homes at Darwin Heights generally cost from $410,000 to $490,000. Darwin Heights is served by Westlawn Elementary School, Jackson Middle School, Falls Church High School. Darwin Heights is close to Westlawn School Site Park, Bell Air Park. Darwin Heights is near Annandale Road and Gouthier Road.

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FairFax County real estate agents.
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in FairFax County.

Lakeford is near Jefferson District Park.

Lakeford  is a community of townhouses in Fairfax County at Falls Church. Lakeford was built around 1986. Townhouses at Lakeford generally costs from $410,000 to $490,000. Lakeford is served by Pine Spring Elementary School, Luther Jackson Middle School, Falls Church High School. Lakeford  is near Metro, easy access to I-66/I-495, Rt.50, Tyson’s & Mosaic District. Lakeford is close to Jefferson District Park, Hollywood Road Park. Lakeford is near Shreve Road and not far from Mary Street. Compare To:

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Falls Church real estate agents.
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Falls Church.

New Providence Village is convenient to Capital Beltway.

New Providence Village is a community of condos in Fairfax County at Falls Church. New Providence Village was built around 1984. Condos at New Providence Village will set you back from $310k to $390k. New Providence Village is served by Pine Spring Elementary School, Jackson Middle School, Falls Church High School. Great condo community with lakefront walking path, abundant unassigned parking. New Providence Village is convenient to Near Mosaic District, Dunn Loring Metro, Hospital, Shops, and Restaurants. Easy access to Rt 66, 495, and Rt 50 from New Providence Village neighborhood. New Providence Village is close to Pine Spring Park, National Memorial Park. New Providence Village is close to Capital Beltway and Pine Spring Road.

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22042 real estate agents
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in 22042.

Reasons to Live in Farrington

Farrington is a condominium community located in the heart of Alexandria.  The community is made up of one, two, and three bedroom units. This condominium community could be just the place you are looking to call home.
  • Location: Miles from Washington Dc and Old Town Alexandria
  • Affordability: One of the last communities in Northern Virginia with properties available under 200K and condominium fees under $450 a month
  • Commuting:  Located within a half mile of I-95, I-495, and Rt 1 providing easy access to major highways. For those who prefer public transportation, Huntington Metro and Bus station is also less than a half mile walk.
  • Entertainment: Minutes from Hoffman entertainment district featuring a movie theater and a variety of restaurants.

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