I hit the jackpot!

Here's a republish of an article I wrote back in 2008. It's still true, years later. I hit the jackpot! Yes ... that's right. I hit the jackpot. I won the lottery. Mine is the lucky number. I won't be giving up my blog or my real estate business because I won the jackpot. In fact, I'll be working harder than ever.  But today, I pause to give thanks to God and family and friends and clients for this wonderful life of mine. To tell the truth, I didn't hit the lottery today. I won the lottery on the day I was born and I've been reaping the benefits ever since. The best part is ... I didn't even have to buy a ticket. You see, I was born in the United States of America, which means that I already have life better than most of my fellow man. I've never known war, or famine or pestilence. I've enjoyed an ever increasing standard of living since the day I was born.  If you were born in North America you probably won the lottery too. crystal turkeyBut ... It gets better than that. I was born in the Commonwealth of Virgina, the Mother of States, the Mother of Presidents, the Capital of the Confederacy and the Pride of Dixie. The Commonwealth of Virginia, where Captain John Smith founded Jamestown. The state which George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and James Monroe and William Henry Harrison and John Tyler and Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson all called home. The state where Robert E. Lee fought and eventually surrendered. The home of the Pentagon and the USPTO and the epicenter for the technology revolution. The Commonwealth of Virginia, most beautiful state in the Union, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sparkling beaches of the Eastern Shore. The Old Dominion cradled me as she cradles the Chesapeake Bay, one of the largest and most important estuaries on the Atlantic. It gets better than that. I was born in Fairfax, one of the most prosperous counties in the nation. I make my home where where the Piedmont meets the Tidewater, on a ridge overlooking the Potomac River in a place called Belle Haven---one of the nicest neighborhoods in Fairfax County and Alexandria.  My trusted, loyal and beautiful wife is busy making a Thanksgiving feast. My sons are healthy and headed for home. Life could be better ... but I really don't know how. So, today, I give thanks. Thanks to God, family, friends, clients and country for all that I have been given. I rededicate myself to the purpose of good and wish you and all of yours a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. I hope your Christmas is merry and expect you to have a prosperous and healthy New Year. Belle Haven view   For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.  

What’s the difference between a Mid-Rise Condo and A High-Rise Condo?

Mid-rise condos have 4 to 8 floors. High-rise condos are 9 stories or more.  Most high-rise condos are located near the center of the city, which may provide a better commute to work. Most condos also include a variety of amenities, including laundry services, pools, convenience stores. Some condos even small grocery stores located within the building itself.

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

October 2013 Photo Album

7 Things a Homebuyer Should Know About Alexandria VA

  1. Alexandria is an independent city.  Alexandria is not part of any county and the city government performs the functions of the county government.
    The George Washington Masonic Memorial at night
    The George Washington Masonic Memorial at night
  2. Many homes with an Alexandria address are not in Alexandria at all. A large number of homes with Alexandria addresses are found in Southern Fairfax County.
  3. Alexandria is a historical city with roots reaching back to the colonial era.  Many historical figures (like George Washington and Robert E. Lee) lived, worked and played in Alexandria.
  4. The Alexandria area is broadly divided into the following areas: Old Town, Del Ray, West End, Arlandria, Seminary Hill and Mount Vernon.
  5. Alexandria VA is served by the Yellow and Blue Lines of the Metro and by Amtrak and the Virginia Railway Express.
  6. Depending on whether the home is inside or outside the City of Alexandria, Alexandria homes are served by either the Alexandria City public schools or the Fairfax County public school system.
  7. Nesbitt Realty is a family-operated brokerage serving Alexandria and Northern VA.

Latest Listings in Alexandria

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Weekend Festivities In Old Town- Farmers Markets & More!

Art Festival
Old Town Alexandria Art Festival
                    Old Town Alexandria is a vibrant community. Festivals and Farmers Market's are a common activity during the weekend.  Weekends in Alexandria offer a wide variety of farmers markets, where Old Town's Market Square bustles with the same energy as the days when George Washington would send down his produce from Mount Vernon. Whereas Del Ray's market kicks in early Saturday mornings, the West End and Four Mile Run showcase their fresh goodies on Sundays. Find fresh flowers for your home or a jar of jam to take home as a creative souvenir; but first make sure you have enough room in your suitcase. For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.  

Landmark Sketches of Alexandria by John Moll

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Richmond Highway Express

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:
  • King Street Metro (Alexandria)
  • Dulaney Street/PTO (Alexandria)
  • Eisenhower Avenue (Alexandria)
  • Kings Highway
  • Beacon Center
  • Lockheed Boulevard
  • Arlington Drive
  • Belford Drive South
  • Ladson Lane
  • South County Center
  • Frye Road
  • Lukens Lane
  • Sacramento Drive/Cooper Road
  • Old Mill Road/Mt. Vernon Memorial Highway
  • Dewitt Hospital (Fort Belvoir)
  • Langfitt Loop (Fort Belvoir)
  • 16th Street & Belvoir Road (Fort Belvoir)
  • 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.REX bus at King St. Metro 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.    

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

Old Town Alexandria’s Waterfront

waterfront in Old Town
Old Town waterfront
                Alexandria's history as a colonial seaport is well-known in the area, and is one of the reasons that this city to calls to visitors from around the country and around the world. Alexandria's seaport was once a bustling place of industry and commerce, but the cargo ships and packets from foreign seas are long gone now. Today, Alexandria's waterfront is geared more toward the pleasant than the practical.

Where the Water Meets the the Road

At the end of King St. where the road meets the water, there are brick walkways and wooden decks. Plenty of benches and gazebos are there and in the evenings this is a place to find street musicians and other performers practicing their craft before wandering walkers . In the left side of this picture is the Torpedo Factory, an Alexandria landmark. The Torpedo Factory was what the name implies: an edifice dedicated to the construction of naval weapons of war. But as the industry's needs grew beyond the space here on the Alexandria waterfront, the building was repurposed as an art and crafts center. The building now houses a good many artists is is a wonderful place for tourists and residents alike to visit.

The Torpedo Factory

The Torpedo Factory and the waterfront are very close to the Torpedo Factory condos---high end condos in Old Town. For a list of prices and to check the availability of condos click the Torpedo Factory Condos. If you're interested in searching condos, townhouses and houses around Old Town you might find this post useful.
trolley at King Street
King Street Trolley

Metro Access

Among other things, the waterfront at Alexandria is nice because it's metro accessible. Simply take the Metro to King St. Station and then ride the free trolley to the Waterfront. The trolley is a service of the City of Alexandria for visitors and residents. It's a fun and easy way to make your way across Old Town.

Nearby Parks and Trails

 
Waterfront Park in Old Town
Waterfront Park on the Potomac in Old Town
Parks and paths line the waterfront these days. It's the perfect place for a walk on a Spring day.
park on Potomac River
Park along the Potomac in Alexandria VA
Benches are found at just the right places. These photos were taking on a weekday morning, but in the afternoons and evenings the waterfront wakes up. Tourists, joggers and walkers share this open public space. For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association — Old Town’s Atheanaeum

Located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, The Athenaeum is home to the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association (NVFAA). Constructed between 1851-52, the Athenaeum is a Greek revival building with a rich history. The building is named after the Greek Goddess of wisdom, Athena. Over the years The Athenaeum has taken many names and was used for many functions. Together with the Lyceum, the Athenaeum is a foundation of Alexandria's Greek neo-classic buildings. The building has a long history of use in Alexandria. Before the Civil War, Robert E. Lee banked here, when the building was known as the Bank of the Old Dominion. During the Civil War it was occupied by Federals and home to the Union Army Commissary Headquarters. In 1905, the bank was converted from commercial to industrial purposes. The building was used by the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop as a place to grind talcum into powder. In 1925, the talcum factory became the Free Methodist Church. NVFAA purchased the Athenaeum in 1964. Since then, restorations have taken place using the funds from the members of the NVFAA and the National Park Service Save America's Treasure Grant. Recent art exhibits include Song For Europe by Mark Cameron Boyd is participatory installation using his signature "text bisection" process on a series of chalkboards to address four different languages from European origin such as Greek, Latin, French, and English. This exhibit is on display from August 16th - September 21st. Music is another art form featured at The Athenaeum. Yoga classes are available at The Athenaeum. Instructor Betsy Huffman welcomes drop-ins. Class fees are only $18 per class. Classes are Mondays 11:30am The Athenaeum is available for rentals for weddings, receptions, parties, business meetings and seminars.

Gallery Hours: Thursday, Friday, & Sunday: Noon-4pm Saturday 1pm-4pm

The Athenaeum 201 Prince St. Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 548-0035

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

Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library

The Barrett Library was built in 1937 and named after Kate Waller Barrett (185?-1925), to honor her memory as a humanitarian, social crusader, and political reformer. Mrs. Barrett was a very accomplished woman who received her M.D. from the Woman's Medical College of Georgia in 1892. Dr. Barrett opened a home for unwed mothers in 1893 with the financial aid of Charles Crittenton. By 1909 there were over 90 homes and national headquarters in Washington D.C. Dr. Barrett also was involved in veterans' relief, woman's suffrage, and the restoration of the Arlington Mansion. The library renovated and expanded its facilities in 1995. The Foundation Center at Barrett Library collaborates with the Alexandria Library to strengthen the nonprofit sector with the appropriate knowledge about U.S. philanthropy and training for its patrons. The Barrett Branch also offers the SummerQuest children's programs and “Let’s Talk Books” a Barrett book discussion group held every second Wednesday of each month at 7pm. Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm Friday 9am-6pm Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday 1pm-5pm Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library 717 Queen Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 838-4555 Old Town Alexandria is a great place to live or work. For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.