There are several key steps that your Virginia Licensed Real Estate Agent will help you through. Knowing what these are in advance can help you not be surprised later on:
Nesbitt Realty never makes any money from your loan. This frees us to make the most objective recommendation possible.
Know your budget, consult with a financial institution about what you can be pre-approved for.
Know your needs, including:
Number of bedrooms
Location
Walking distance to a bus stop
Walking distance to a metro stop
Price
Property condition
Age of the property
Garage Parking
Schools
Amenities (for condos)
Indoor/Outdoor pool
Putting Greens
Tennis courts
In unit washer/dryer
Utilities included in condo fees
Basketball courts
Bowling
Concierge service
Controlled access
Realize that something will have to give to get what you want, prioritize your needs so that you can get the most important features.
Budget time and money:
Finding any home is easy. Finding the right home requires time invested in looking at properties.
Money for down-payments and closing costs can vary from a couple percentage points to a cash purchase where you provide the entire amount up front.
Budget
Establishing your budget before beginning the home search in {Location_Name} is an important consideration. Some experts suggest that you can expect to pay 25% of your salary towards your mortgage. Fortunately for people living in Northern Virginia, many job centers offering high paying salaries are available. These places include the Mark Center, Inova Hospitals, USPTO, NOVA Community College, Fort Belvoir and Reston Town Center.
Size
When considering buying a home in {Location_Name}, you must answer several important questions, such as whether or not you would like roommates, or whether or not you are married or plan to start a family. The answers to these questions will help you determine whether you might prefer a 2 bedroom condo in Courthouse or a 1,000,000 home in Mount Vernon.
Location and Atmosphere
{Location_Name}has neighborhoods to suit everyone's needs. Arlington is a bustling city with all of the big-city amenities, such as businesses and shopping, and is only a short distance from DC. If you would prefer a small-town atmosphere, Woodbridge can offer this at only a short commuter from the bigger cities. Alexandria, a nice middle ground between Arlington and Woodbridge, has plenty of nightlife, restaurants, and shopping in a variety of neighborhoods like Old Town, West End, and Fairfax County.
Type
Condo? Townhome? Single family home? Each has their own advantages and disadvantages. Condos can offer some amenities, like a pool, fitness center, or dry cleaner, all conveniently located in the condo community, but they come at the cost of condominium fees. Single-family homes do not have these extra costs, unless they are located within a neighborhood that has a home owner's association, but they also do not have the conveniences that a condo or townhome has to offer.
Commitment
Since a mortgage is such a long term commitment, factoring in job security when preparing to purchase a home in {Location_Name} is vital. For those who end up having to leave the area, whether it is temporary or permanent, hiring a property manager is an option so that you can rent out your home and collect rent on it while you’re gone.
Credit Score
The first step to buying a home in {Location_Name} is to get pre approved if you want to be considered a serious buyer. This can speed up the home buying process. Some ways to improve your credit score are to always pay your bills on time or, if you do not have credit, you can build your credit by opening a credit card, use it monthly, and pay the bill on time.
At the 2009 Alexandria Art Festival
This weekend Julie and I went to Old Town with the Alexandria Fun with Friends Group to enjoy the Alexandria Art Festival. The Art Festival occurs every year around this time and features artists and craftsmen from around the area.
2009 Art Festival in Old Town Alexandria
King Street closes to vehicular traffic and artists set-up stalls in the street. It's an easy way to enjoy lots of art from lots of folks. The weather was very co-operative, neither too hot nor too cold.
2009 Old Town Alexandria
This 12 foot tall image of a koi caught my eye, as did many smaller pieces.
Arts Festival in Old Town Alexandria
I found that my camera was drawn to the larger pieces, but this is probably because I knew they would photograph well. There were many smaller items for sale too. However, many of us felt that this year's festival seemed to offer more pieces that would be welcomed in a restaurant or hotel lobby than usual and a few number of the smaller pieces that look nice in a home.
Harpist
There were several musicians playing up and down the street. This harpist sang like an angel, but I have to admit that my favorite was the steel drum player.
People walking King Street during Art Festival
We walked all the way up to Washington Street before turning around and making way back to the Potomac. After some discussion the group voted to eat at the Charthouse. At the Charthouse, the ladies had a little wine and we enjoyed some relaxed conversation and then dinner. For my part, I think the food at the Charthouse is good, but not great. Even though it's a little pricey, it's worth it because of the pleasant views of the Potomac that are offered.
About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria and Nesbitt Realty. 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.
Wow! I just got this from Jeremy W. This really makes me proud to work with Nesbitt Realty.
Howdy Mr. Nesbitt--
Entrance to Belle View condominiums
I wanted to take a moment to highlight the exceptional service I received from one of your agents, Ben Fornshell. Within a few hours of emailing Ben, we made an appointment to meet the following day in order to tour Belle Haven. After meeting up at your office, we walked along the well-kept streets while Ben shared some of his experiences with the community; calmly strolling through a neighborhood on a sunny day while viewing properties is not a typical experience when searching for a new home. After touring several, I stepped into one particular unit and realized I was home. Ben walked me through the particulars before we parted. Later that day, he met with me a second time, well after working hours, to show the unit to my skeptical wife.
She eagerly concurred and five days later, we signed the lease--beating out several other applicants largely because of how well-prepared our package was. Ben's relaxed and informative approach was a sea-change to the aggressive apartment-pushers usually lurking in real estate and is a great credit to your business and profession.
Further, his stance made it more than clear that he wasn't merely looking to push someone into a vacant unit: he was assisting a new neighbor.
Please convey my very great appreciation for his hard work and dedication. If you'd like to post this message anywhere online, please feel free; I only ask that you omit my last name for privacy.
Sincerely,
--Jeremy
For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.
Summertime in Alexandria is loads of fun. Tourists descend on our fair city, but we're glad to have them as our guests.
At the Torpedo Factory and Potomac in Old Town
One of the places that you have to visit when you're in town is also a favorite spot of residents: the Alexandria waterfront. The docks behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center are always bustling with activity. Every few paces you'll find a street musician, street magician and other entertainer. There are numerous restaurants here: most of them quite nice.
Admiral Tilp offers river tours in Alexandria VA
If you're looking for a little fun on the water, you might want to take a cruse on the Admiral Tilp. The Admiral Tilp is docked here at the end of King Street and Union Street. The Admiral Tilp departs on the hour, so if you miss her, she'll be back. The Admiral Tilp offers a narrated tour under the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, past National Harbor and down to Jones Point. The on-board guide provides a historical and contemporary context to what you will witness on board.
For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.
Then check out Stratton House Condos in Arlington VA. Surrounded by single family homes, they are still close to transportation, Metro buses, shopping and more.
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in 22102.
Condos at the Colonies in Mclean VA are at walking distance to Silver Line Metro and health club. Easy access to I-495, I-66 and Route 123. Only minutes to Tysons malls. Additionally, the condos offer amenities like swimming pool and tennis courts.
The Colonies, built in 197, are not far from the Westgate Elementary School.
Tower Villas in Arlington VA are located just two blocks from the Virginia Square metro. Residents love the spacious rooms and garage parking of Tower Villas.
Condos at Tower Villas were built in 1974 and the community is served by Ashlawn Elementary School, Swanson Middle School and Washington-Lee High School.
Alexandria is an independent city (Virginia cities have no county affiliation), which derives its governing authority from a charter granted by the Virginia General
Assembly. Changes in the structure and powers of the City government are made by amending the Charter. This requires action by the General Assembly, usually upon the request of the City Council, following public hearings. The present City Charter was granted in 1950; it was amended extensively in 1968, 1971, 1976, 1982, and 1983. By referendum in 1921, an overwhelming majority of the voters approved the adoption of the council-manager form of city government, which went into effect in September 1922. This form of government centralizes legislative authority and responsibility in the elected City Council.
Administrative authority and responsibility are held by the City Manager, who is appointed by the City Council. The City Council is composed of a Mayor and six Council members who are elected at-large for three-year terms. Any in-term vacancy is filled by a special election unless the vacancy occurs within six months of the end of the term, at which time a judicial appointment is made. The Mayor, who is chosen on a separate ballot, presides over meetings of the Council and serves as the ceremonial head of government. The Mayor does not have the power to veto Council action. Council members traditionally choose the person receiving the most votes in the election to serve as Vice Mayor. In the absence or disability of the Mayor, the Vice Mayor performs the mayoral duties. The Mayor receives a salary of $30,500, and other Council members receive a salary of $27,500 per year.
Council determines the needs to be addressed and the degree of service to be
provided by the administrative branch of the City government. Under Alexandria's Charter, the Council has power to:
Determine policy in the fields of planning, traffic, law and order, public
works, finance, social services, and recreation;
Appoint and remove the City Manager;
Adopt the budget, levy taxes, collect revenues, and make appropriations;
Appoint and remove the City Attorney;
Authorize the issuance of bonds by a bond ordinance;
Appoint and remove the City Clerk;
Establish administrative departments, offices, and agencies;
Appoint members of the Planning Commission, and other City
authorities, boards, commissions, and committees;
Inquire into the conduct of any office, department, or agency of the City
and make investigations into municipal affairs;
Provide for an independent audit; and
Provide for the number, titles, qualifications, powers, duties, and compensation of all officers and employees of the City.
Council meetings are shown live on cable channel 70 and repeated at a later time. The council meetings can also be viewed via computer on streaming video. Past sessions of Council meetings can be watched via computer or on videos available from the Office of Citizen Assistance.
From time to time the city issues press releases which Condo Alexandria posts here.
If you like street music, then you'll find no better spot to wander than Old Town Alexandria. Through-out the week, especially on weekends, musicians gather in Old Town at street corners and near the waterfront to play music for tips and applause. Most are highly talented professionals, some are learning to play their instrument in front of a crowd. I enjoy them both in different ways.
Here in Old Town Alexandria, you'll find everything from a lonely saxophone, to steel drums to an entire band. Below I've collected a few photos to give you a taste of Old Town's many musicians.
This foursome was phenomenal singing and playing old time mountain music. It was a great throwback to the Carters because the gal in the front on the guitar was a great singer. The banjo player and bass were on point, and I love the texture that the mandolin (seated behind guitar) provided.
The glass harp as played by Jamie Turner is an old town treat one simply must hear in person to appreciate.
Harpist
This miss not only strummed the harp to perfection but also sang beautifully.
At the waterfront behind the Torpedo Factory there are often a few soloists serving up music for passers-by.
I heard some fine picking and strumming from this pair.
About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria and Nesbitt Realty. 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.
River Towers bus stop
You might be surprised to learn the variety of sizes found in condominiums. Condos range from studios and one bedroom apartment on up. You may even find three or four bedroom condos. Of course, the penthouse suite is often quite nice on the top floor. Even condominiums with the same number of bedrooms can have different floor plans and different numbers of bathrooms and half-baths. For example, there are 2 bedroom 1 bath configurations; and 2 BR 2 BA configurations.
Establishing your budget before beginning the home search in {Location_Name} is an important consideration. Some experts suggest that you can expect to pay 25% of your salary towards your mortgage. Fortunately for people living in Northern Virginia, many job centers offering high paying salaries are available. These places include the Mark Center, Inova Hospitals, USPTO, NOVA Community College, Fort Belvoir and Reston Town Center.
Alexandria is an independent city (Virginia cities have no county affiliation), which derives its governing authority from a charter granted by the Virginia General
Assembly. Changes in the structure and powers of the City government are made by amending the Charter. This requires action by the General Assembly, usually upon the request of the City Council, following public hearings. The present City Charter was granted in 1950; it was amended extensively in 1968, 1971, 1976, 1982, and 1983. By referendum in 1921, an overwhelming majority of the voters approved the adoption of the council-manager form of city government, which went into effect in September 1922. This form of government centralizes legislative authority and responsibility in the elected City Council.
Administrative authority and responsibility are held by the City Manager, who is appointed by the City Council. The City Council is composed of a Mayor and six Council members who are elected at-large for three-year terms. Any in-term vacancy is filled by a special election unless the vacancy occurs within six months of the end of the term, at which time a judicial appointment is made. The Mayor, who is chosen on a separate ballot, presides over meetings of the Council and serves as the ceremonial head of government. The Mayor does not have the power to veto Council action. Council members traditionally choose the person receiving the most votes in the election to serve as Vice Mayor. In the absence or disability of the Mayor, the Vice Mayor performs the mayoral duties. The Mayor receives a salary of $30,500, and other Council members receive a salary of $27,500 per year.
Council determines the needs to be addressed and the degree of service to be
provided by the administrative branch of the City government. Under Alexandria's Charter, the Council has power to:
This foursome was phenomenal singing and playing old time mountain music. It was a great throwback to the Carters because the gal in the front on the guitar was a great singer. The banjo player and bass were on point, and I love the texture that the mandolin (seated behind guitar) provided.
The glass harp as played by Jamie Turner is an old town treat one simply must hear in person to appreciate.
At the waterfront behind the 
I heard some fine picking and strumming from this pair.
