Category: Real Estate

The Henry is a brand new condominium development in Old Town Alexandria. Most condos are at the Henry are ready for delivery and construction is nearly complete. The builder's representatives that we know and have worked with at the Henry are professional, knowledgeable, honest and hard-working, but it's their job to represent the builder's interest and it's their job to tell you why the Henry is a great place to live. As buyer's representatives, it's our job to learn as much about your needs as possible to make recommendations that make sense for your specific needs. That's one of the reason I like to take a look at the worst parts of a community first. Every home for sale on the market has advantages, but it's not the advantages of a property that make the sale. Buyers buy homes when they can make peace with the worst parts of living at a particular address.

• More about why I'm writing this article?

  It may interest the reader to know that I was contacted yesterday by a buyer who is currently living overseas in Switzerland. This potential client is familiar with Northern Virginia but doesn't know exactly where or what to buy just yet. Everyday we help people like this find homes in Alexandria and Northern Virginia. For their benefit I'm going to put together a few opinions and facts about the types of homes that most interest them. This particular buyer is looking for brand-new construction in Old Town Alexandria. At a start hat criteria makes a very short list. This is because brand-new construction is not common in an area that is one of the oldest and most historic settlements in Northern Virginia. The list of developments that are under construction or just completed includes the Henry, Old Town Commons, the Oronoco, and 900 N. Washington. I am also recommending that this buyer take a look at the Eclipse (nearby in Crystal City), Potomac Yard (just north of Old Town) and the Carlyle District (which if not new, is nearly new). As time permits I'm going to make public some of the thoughts I'm going to share with this client, in the hopes that it will not only benefit this client but others who might be looking for similar opportunities.

One can find glowing details about the amenities and features of the Henry, as well as information about models that are on sale now elsewhere on this site or by talking to builder's representatives. But what people really want to know is "what's the catch?". My clients often say, "Tell me the worst things about this purchase and I'll make the decision about whether this is a good buy for me or not." So, I'm providing this is a critical look at the Henry and the value of what a buyer might find at the Henry.

• About the location of the Henry