Saturday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Springfield Town Center hosts a small farmers market every Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is working with Smart Markets to provide some of the freshest fruits and veggies.
Smart Markets was established to provide well-managed, guaranteed producer-only farmers' markets in Northern Virginia.
When operated with vision, commitment and enthusiasm, farmers' markets can bring together a diverse population around a shared objective: supporting families by buying and serving real food — with real flavor.
When you shop at a farmers' market, you are supporting local farmers, preserving small farms, and promoting sustainable agriculture. You are buying real food that is actually healthy for you, your family, the economy, and the environment, both locally and globally.
Check out the local Springfield properties for sale. The Springfield Town Center is bringing life back into the heart of Springfield!
Ballston Common Mall
Bring the kids to take part in the annual Halloween trick or treating all throughout the mall. If you have a lazy teen who will be going off to college soon, why not send him over to Ballston Common Mall's yearly college fair? Or you can simply shop in over 200 of their stores.
Ballston Common Mall has something for every single person in the family. If you're looking to kick back and enjoy a good laugh, then the Comedy Spot is just the hangout spot for you. If you’re treating yourself to hair and nail treatments, you can choose from four beauty salons. Or if you want to keep the kids busy with something fun and energetic, you can always send them over to the nearby Kettler Capitals IcePlex for ice skating or to play hockey. Something that the whole family can enjoy is the Ballston Common Mall big movie theater! As you can see, this mall offers a diverse mix of services and goods. From their CVS Pharmacy to their Cyber Star Services they cater to every person's wants.
The mall's main features are their Macy's, Macy Furniture Gallery, Gourmet Restaurants and the Sport & Health Club. Ballston Common Mall stretches out over 1.3 million square foot piece of land, it has four levels and is located at the corner of Glebe Road and Wilson Boulevard only four miles from Washington D.C in Arlington Virginia. Ballston's mall is quickly becoming the new "downtown" of Arlington.
Some folks like to imagine that buying a condo is like buying a house without yard work. In some ways this is true, but it many ways it does not tell the full story. There are real differences between buying a condo, whether you are a first time buyer seeking affordability, or if you are a long-time homeowner down-sizing.
Legal
Consider the legal limitations of condominium ownership. For example, the title of a single family home provides to the owner near total control of any legal use of the property. That means total control of the landscaping, the colors of the house and the types of windows and doors you have.
But condos are titled differently. The governing documents in a condominium complex describe common areas and shared resources. The common area and shared portions of the property are controlled by a---sometimes burdensome---democratic apparatus of owners in the complex. The association might restrict the color you can paint your door. It is not uncommon for the association to decide what plants are planted and what types of windows you may install.
On the other hand, some homeowners associations make similar restrictions. A cynic might note that a homeowner does not have control over the street or "common area" that is controlled by the county. In a real sense we all have an association with the community at large. It's just a matter of where the community starts and what responsibilities we cede to the community.
In a single family home, community control begins at the curb, but in a condo, community control begins somewhere just beyond the paint on your walls.
Lifestyle
Because the community has shared elements, condo owners don't just have neighbors. Instead, condominium owners actually live next door to their investment partners. Condominiums force a relationship with your neighbors that goes beyond what the owner of a single family home might find. If your neighbor ruins the carpet outside his door, he ruins your carpet too.
Life is simpler in a condominium: you don't need to worry about maintenance. Many times some or all of the utilities are managed by the association. Often the building insurance is managed by the condo association. Freedom from responsibility means less control and fewer choices about the community: but do you really care who cleans the gutters? Do you really want to spend your life picking the insurance company? If not then, a condo might be for you.
Condo Benefits
Condos are a lifestyle choice. In Northern Virginia, where prices are high and choices are limited, condo ownership makes a lot of sense. However, condo ownership has unique challenges and aspects that you should fully understand before buying.
If you choose a condo specialist like us, you'll know that we have answers to important questions.
The Torpedo Factory Condominiums are located between Alexandria's Potomac waterfront and the historic and famed Carlyle House. Click the link if you're interested in prices and availabilities at the Torpedo Factory Condos.
The Torpedo Factory condos are very close to the Torpedo Factory Art Center and as such are found in one of the most desirable locations in Northern VA. The Torpedo Factory is within walking distance of numerous restaurants, the waterfront, King Street and the King St. Trolley.
The roof lines and architectural details of the Torpedo Factory are very appealing, and as you can see the grounds are very well-kept. Following an Old Town tradition, the walkways in the Torpedo Factory condo community are not concrete, but rather are paved with bricks.
In the summer, annuals and crepe myrtles blossom around every corner. Ever wonder what's in those dormers at the Torpedo Factory?
Solitude from a busy world.
When you are looking to buy or rent a home, a licensed real estate agent provides a variety of unique skills and connections to ensure you get a much better home.
First and foremost a Realtor brings security. People know what they want in a home, but very few people realize the litany of potential pitfalls that can ruin your new nest.
Second, a Realtor brings diversity. Unless you're going to limit your selection to public listings, and kiss good-bye some of the best homes in the market, then you need a Realtor to grant you access.
Third, a Realtor brings you economy. Whether buying or selling, no-one has access to market information to the degree a Realtor does. This ensures that you're not overspending on your new home, or underselling your old one.
Finally, a Realtor brings you peace of mind. The process of finding a new home, or someone to buy or rent your existing home can be daunting. Challenges from financing, to proper title transfer, to negotiating your price require attention to detail, and can be very stressful, and time consuming if not handled properly.
To learn more about how a licensed real estate agent can assist you contact us.
The answer depends upon what you want. Aside from the obvious differences of having more green space with most single family homes, such as those in Belle View versus the tighter knit community potential in a high-rise condominium or townhouses there are other, harder to see, but no less profound differences.
Single Family Home Benefits
Absence of monthly homeowners or condo fees
Less stringent rules and regulations
No homeowners or condo association that can impose restrictions without your consent
Fewer parking restrictions and fees
Condo and Town House Benefits
No need to save money to cover what condo fees will cover:
Roof repairs/replacement
Common area repairs
Yard Maintenance
Maintenance, paving, and plowing of the driveway, sidewalks, and curbs.
Siding and gutter maintenance or repair
Some have controlled access
On site community amenities from club rooms to pools and exercise rooms
Many have improved public transit service, shuttles to metro service, etc
Richmond Highway Express, nicknamed "REX" is a bus route operated by the WMATA (the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) in partnership with Fairfax County, the City of Alexandria, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Federal Government. The REX is a limited stop express bus that serves the Richmond Highway corridor. Before the REX, riders from Fort Belvoir had many stops to make along Richmond Highway enroute to Huntington Metrorail Station and to the King Street Metrorail Station.
REX buses operate every 15 minutes in both directions on Richmond Highway during weekday rush hours. During non-rush hours and on Satuday the REX comes through every 30 minutes. Then on Sunday the bus only operates every 60 minutes. Buses operate between 5:30 AM and 10:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM on Sunday.
The REX uses special technology which allows REX buses to sustain green lights in order to move more quickly up and down Rt. 1. The REX bus has low-floor buses for quicker boarding and SmartCard for quicker paying. In addition the REX has only a limited number of stops:
Jackson Loop (North) & Gunston Road (Fort Belvoir)
REX passengers may transfer at any Richmond Highway stop to Fairfax Connector routes, and may transfer at Huntington and King Street Metro stations to rail service as well as other local bus service such as Alexandria’s DASH.
To stand-out from other Metrobuses and other area bus lines, REX buses are purple-blue with a golden yellow logo featuring the image of a running lion. The lion references the three lions emblazoned on the Fairfax County seal, which references the family crest of Lord Fairfax. Bus stop signs use the same color scheme, and stand out among the other bus stops along Route 1.
Woodrow Wilson Bridge at Old Town Alexandria
The Woodrow Wilson Bridge is close to Porto Vecchio and Belle View Condominiums. On June 6th, 2009 the long-awaited bicycle crossing of the Potomac at Woodrow Wilson Bridge was completed. The bridge now connects the Mt. Vernon Trail to the National Harbor in Maryland allowing pedestrians and bikers to traverse the river near I-495 just outside Old Town Alexandria VA near the George Washington Parkway. The completion of the mile long bike-pedestrian trial is one of the final milestones in the massive Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project which was started a number of years ago. The "Active Transportation Lane" crossing is open to walkers, joggers, bikers, roller-bladers, scooters and virtually any form of unmechanized traffic.
The Alexandria Times reported that "Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson and other federal, state and local officials were among the first to utilize the new river crossing after a ceremony on the Maryland side of the river."
The reviews from bikers have been very positive. TheWashCycle.com says, "It's a flawed masterpiece and a fantastic resource. The ride is great, with the overpass as a small park over the Beltway. The views are stunning (and the telescopes free)..."
Woodrow Wilson Bridge at Old Town
The Woodrow Wilson Crossing is easily accessed by communities like Belle View, River Towers, Porto Vecchio, the Bearings South and parts of Old Town Alexandria which are near the bridge.
Bike path on the George Washington Parkway at the Belle Haven Marina
About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Nesbitt Realty and maintains Condo Alexandria. 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.
A landlord asks us:
Here is a view of the courtyard at the Royalton
I should know the answer to this question but does the 2 year lease actually assure me of rental income for that time period? In other words, if the tenant breaks the lease after 12 months do I have any financial recourse/protection or do I simply take my losses and start looking for another tenant?
Yes . . . and no.
The way our leases (and most leases in the Commonwealth of Virginia) are written, the lease is structured so that the tenant is agreeing to pay a large sum of money for a fixed period of occupancy. That large sum is then divided into monthly payments.
For example, if the monthly rent is $1,000 then a tenant is promising to pay $12,000 for a one year lease. For a two year lease of the same property the tenant is agreeing to pay $24,000 but will make monthly payments of $1000. The promise is to pay $12,000 not to pay $1,000 per month and this is an important distinction in the law because it means that if the tenant breaks the lease he is still obligated to pay the entire lease amount.
But here's where it gets a little complicated. If the tenant breaches his contract and defaults on the lease, then the landlord can sue and recover the entire amount left on the lease from the tenant. At the same time, the landlord is obligated to attempt to mitigate his damages. That means that if the tenant does breach the lease the landlord must try to find a replacement tenant. However, the tenant is responsible for all the landlord's damages. For example, if there is an expense for finding a new tenant, the old tenant must pay that cost. If there is any vacancy between the tenants, the old tenant must pay that to cover the landlord's loss. And a court will back the landlord up to that point.
However, if and when a new tenant is identified then the tenant is off the hook for any further debt which may be left on the lease. The court will not allow the landlord to let a property sit vacant just because the tenant breached a lease. So the tenant has an obligation to find a new tenant and to minimize vacancy and to pay for any vacancy. But the landlord has an obligation to mitigate his damages.
In theory the tenant has obligated himself to pay two years of rent, but in reality things happen and we already have established practices to extract a tenant from a lease.
For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.
The Torpedo Factory condos are very close to the Torpedo Factory Art Center and as such are found in one of the most desirable locations in Northern VA. The Torpedo Factory is within walking distance of numerous restaurants, the waterfront, King Street and the King St. Trolley.
The roof lines and architectural details of the Torpedo Factory are very appealing, and as you can see the grounds are very well-kept. Following an Old Town tradition, the walkways in the Torpedo Factory condo community are not concrete, but rather are paved with bricks.
In the summer, annuals and crepe myrtles blossom around every corner. Ever wonder what's in those dormers at the Torpedo Factory?
Solitude from a busy world.
For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.
To stand-out from other Metrobuses and other area bus lines, REX buses are purple-blue with a golden yellow logo featuring the image of a running lion. The lion references the three lions emblazoned on the Fairfax County seal, which references the family crest of Lord Fairfax. Bus stop signs use the same color scheme, and stand out among the other bus stops along Route 1.
