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Home Owners Want More Color in Their Houses

Seventy-four percent of home owners say they want more pops of color in their houses, according to a nationwide survey conducted by Sherwin-Williams. Twenty-nine percent of home owners surveyed say the living room or family room are the areas of a home that they're most looking to spice up with color, according to the survey. Nineteen percent of respondents said they want a more colorful bedroom, and 10 percent said the kitchen. While grays and beiges are still the most popular choices, more home owners are reaching for colors like burnt orange and baked clay as well. They're also showing more willingness to incorporate pops of color in social areas of the home “because it’s an environment you want to feel energetic in,” says Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams. About 39 percent of home owners say the artwork is the most colorful element in their homes, not their walls. However, 23 percent of home owners polled cited the walls as the most colorful element in a home, making it the second most-popular response in the survey. Source: “Bright Ideas for Colorful Homes,” The Wall Street Journal (April 15, 2013)

  • Map Of New Constructions For Sale In Northern Virginia

    For a few purchasers, only brand new will do. If that's you, I know the local real estate market.

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  • Map Of New Constructions For Sale Around The Beltway

    For a few home buyers, only newly constructed will do. If you're trying to find a recently-built home, I'm your whiz on newly constructed homes in Northern Virginia.

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  • Map Of New Homes For Sale Around The Beltway

    For collected shoppers, only newly-built will do. If you want to acquire a new residence, I know the local real estate market.

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  • Are You Looking For A Local Agent To Help You Find A New Home?

    For a few purchasers, only new will do. If you want to purchase a brand new residence, I know the local real estate market.

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  • Map Of Newly Constructed Residences For Sale In Northern Virginia

    For some home shoppers, only new will do. If that's you, I know the local real estate market.

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Downsizing Baby Boomers Head to Urban Areas

Home prices in urban areas have not fallen by as much the last few years as they have in the suburbs. And prices in urban areas are recovering much faster too, according to John McLain of the Urban Land Institute. Why? Some say it’s because of new moving patterns among the baby-boomer generation. walk-friendly An increasing number of baby boomers are reportedly leaving their big homes in the suburbs and heading to urban areas for retirement, drawn by walkability, proximity to public transportation, diversity, and being closer to their children. "[Boomers] want to buy something that's secure, and it's been pretty well demonstrated that suburban housing is not as secure an asset as anyone thought it was or that it used to be," McClain said. Developers are taking note of the trend and beefing up construction in urban centers. Condos and apartments near downtown areas are popping up to accommodate more baby boomers. The nation’s largest home builders are still investing in active-adult communities in the suburbs but confidence in the sector has been recovering at a much slower rate than the overall housing market, according to the National Association of Home Builders. "The idea of living out in the suburbs, just with older people, has really disappeared," McClain says. Source: “Boomers to Blame for Rising Urban Home Prices,” CNBC (April 13, 2013)

  • Julie Nesbitt

    Julie Nesbitt
    Julie Nesbitt knows the back trails and by-ways of Northern Virginia real estate.

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  • Enjoying Winkler Botanical Preserve

    We had a great time walking the trails. 

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  • Don’t take chances with real estate.

  • REDUCED: 7202 Churchill Rd, McLean

    Open House, Sunday, 1-4 BIG PRICE DROP! 7202 CHURCHILL ROADMcLean, VA 221016 Bedrooms5.5 Bathrooms6,752 SF $1,695,000

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  • Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services

    Fairfax County
    Established in 1974 with a mission to reduce homelessness, increase community support and promote self sufficiency, the Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is operated by a multi-denominational board of directors and staff managing over 70 housing units. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is located in the Mount Zephyr Business Center at 8305 Richmond…

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Help Customers Keep Homes Healthy

A new study by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development has found that many homeowners may be unsuspecting victims of medical problems -- ranging from asthma attacks to lung cancer -- caused by components and conditions in their residences. Environmental Protection Agency Researchers say more than 20 million housing units have a lead-based paint hazard, while over 6.8 million homes have radon exposures above the level considered safe. The problem is that too many homeowners and renters are unaware of the link between their dwellings and their health.  Radon exposure, for instance, has no immediate symptoms; and carbon monoxide poisoning can initially present flu-like symptoms.  Furthermore, exposure to some toxins may be confused with seasonal allergies. Researchers assert that a reduction in illness and accidents relies heavily on consumers being vigilant about the dangers in their housing.  Nancy Harvey Steorts, a Northern Virginia real estate agent and former chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, remarks, "People spend more time looking at the kitchen countertops than they do at issues that can cause serious health problems.  There are so many elements to having a home that's truly safe." Source: "Many Factors Can Turn a House Into an Unhealthy Place to Live," Washington Post (04/13/13)

  • Home Prices In Arlington Continue To Hike

    Glendale
    The housing market in Arlington County is getting more and more expensive as potential buyers continue to have fewer homes and condos to choose from.

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  • Inlet Cove is near Fort Belvoir and Potomac Mills

    Inlet Cove outside Belvoir
    Inlet Cove is alongside Route 1 This neighborhood of townhouses is near grocers and eateries Inlet Cove is close to Fort Belvoir, Alexandria, and Potomac Mills shops, in the city of Woodbridge Interior to these properties are multilevel Inlet Cove is serene

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  • Pending Home Sales on an Upswing

    home inspector
    Pending home sales increased again in March, affirming that a surge of home sales is unfolding for the spring home buying season, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in March, rose 5.3 percent to 102.9 from 97.7 in February, and is 21.1…

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  • A Good Time to Buy a High-End Home

    Station Square
    Some of the best housing deals are on high-end homes, many over $1 million. Some of them need TLC or they aren’t in the most-coveted locations. But there are plenty of desirable properties and lots of sellers who are getting impatient. Buyers with cash have the best opportunities. Buyers who need a mortgage should move…

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  • Who is today’s homebuyer and why are they buying?

    Nesbitt Realty 703 765 0300
    The National Association of Realtors recently did a study about the characteristics of home buyers. Some of the findings might surprise you. Thirteen percent of buyers purchased a home with one or more parents and grandparents together with adult children. There were several reasons given for purchasing a multi-generational home. Cost savings; Children over the…

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A Growing Segment of Buyers: Female Baby Boomers

Single women make up the second largest segment of home purchases, with one out of every five homes purchases by a single woman, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. With more than 25 million single women over the age of 45 -- whether never married, divorced, or widowed -- it is making up a growing demographic, according to a recent report by FOX News. “Single women see homes as more than just a place to live, it’s a symbol of success, and provides roots and security,” says author Jan Cullinance, author of the AARP book The Single Woman’s Guide to Retirement. These single buyers tend to look for a home that is low-maintenance, with a sizable kitchen, walk-in closets, laundry near the master bedroom, and universal design principles to allow aging in place, Cullinance says. Some builders are reportedly adding two master bedrooms to help accommodate the 40 percent of single women who choose to have non-romantic roommates, according to AARP. Some single boomer women are also choosing cohousing communities, which are known as CCRCs or continuing care retirement communities. These communities allow you to progress from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing care on the same campus, Cullinance says. Source: “Single Female Boomers: Choose Your Castle Carefully,” FOX News (April 11, 2013)

Are Home Prices Rising Too Fast?

Some housing analysts are concerned that the sudden rise in home prices could make homes more unaffordable again if the price increases outpace income growth, The Wall Street Journal reports. Average housing costs for home buyers who took out a mortgage were around 22.5 percent of average incomes, according to John Burns Real Estate Consulting. That is down from 38.5 percent in 2006, the peak of the housing bubble. The historical average is about 33 percent. But with home prices rising in many markets and, in some, rising at a faster pace than income levels, will more people soon be priced out of the market? Housing analysts say that, for now at least, lower mortgage rates are offsetting the higher prices of homes. Borrowers have seen their purchasing power rise by around 33 percent over the past four years due to the low interest rates, The Wall Street Journal reports. For example, a borrower can make a $1,000 monthly mortgage payment and qualify for a $222,000 mortgage at today’s low interest rates, compared to 2008 when they’d likely qualify for $165,000 when mortgage rates were around 6.1 percent -- nearly double what they are today. Borrowers are able to withstand home-price increases because of the low rates, not because household incomes are growing, The Wall Street Journal reports. If mortgage rates tick back up to the 6 percent or 8 percent range, homes may look overpriced relative to incomes, according to housing analysts. Source: “Why Rising Interest Rates Could Eventually Curb Price Gains,” The Wall Street Journal (April 10, 2013)

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Homes for Sale Near the George Washington Parkway

Just off the George Washington Parkway there is a trail that runs from Old Town Alexandria to Mount Vernon. The trail goes all the way to DC and has several parks along the way. The trail has a detour to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and goes all the way to National Harbor. The trail is in use year round, however people really start to come out in the warmer seasons like Spring and Summer. Nearby neighborhoods include Belle View, Fort Hunt, Mount Vernon, and Old Town. The Potomac River has plenty of great fishing spots - in the past I would go with friends on a small paddle boat through the Potomac and catch a variety of fish including bass. Just off the parkway there is the Belle Haven Marina which is a great place to store boats at. Just across the Potomac is National Harbor. The parks off the George Washington parkway are a great place to get some outdoor recreation. There is plenty of room for activities like ultimate frisbee, throwing a football, or playing soccer. Also the parks have grills that are great for outdoor BBQs. This area has tables that are great for having a picnic.  
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Aubrey NesbittAbout the Author --- Aubrey Nesbitt is a native of Northern Virginia who attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a veteran of the US Army and helps his family business by providing informational articles like this one. In addition to photography and blogging, Aubrey provides administrative support for the office.
   

Domain Condominium condo association information

If you would like information on condo documents, insurance or maintenance, please contact the office, below:condos

Domain Condominiums

5038 Domain Pl. Alexandria, VA, 22311 If you would like to buy a condo, give Condo Alexandria a call.
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Aubrey NesbittAbout the Author --- Aubrey Nesbitt is a native of Northern Virginia who attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a veteran of the US Army and helps his family business by providing informational articles like this one. In addition to photography and blogging, Aubrey provides administrative support for the office.

Questions for your condo agent

condo Realtor
Think of Nesbitt Realty for condos and condominiums in Northern VA
Here are some common questions to ask your agent, your mortgage broker and yourself when you are thinking of buying a condo.
  • How much can I afford per month?
  • Is the condo is my price range?
  • Do I like the community?
    • Where are the grocery stores, shopping malls, bars?
  • Is there enough space for my needs?
  • What is the condition of the condo unit?
  • Do the common areas need repairs, renovations?
  • How old is the condo?
  • Is there a parking facility?
    • Is parking assigned?
    • Is there a fee to park?
    • Is there guest parking and if so where?
  • Does the condominium have access to public transportation?
    • Metro or bus only?
    • Shuttle or Limo service?
  • What are the chances that this condo will increase in value?
  • What type of security system is in place?
  • Does the condominium association allow pets? If so how many and what type?
  • What are the condo fees and what they include?
  • What is the condo association policy about renters?
  • How much is in the reserve fund?
  • Does the condo association have a certificate of insurance?

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

Historical Wargames: Just For Fun

One of my interests has always been history and military history. As a part of that interest, I enjoy playing wargames to better understand why commanders made the decisions they made. I also enjoy the camaraderie of good friends and folks who share similar interests. For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.