Outdoor Volleyball is Fun in Old Town

Old Town Alexandria has several parks next to the water. During the summer time pick up volleyball games happen often. Along Union St. there are parks that have a dog park, trails, a basketball court, a playground, and plenty of green grass . These parks are a great resource within walking distance of several neighborhoods. Condominiums near the volleyball courts include Alexandria House and Port Royal and Old Town Commons. Old Town is a very walkable area. Grocery stores in the area include Safeway, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods.The nearest metro to the parks is King Street metro station.

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Northern Virginia’s homes and condos for walkers

The area outside the Springfield station
There is plenty of parking at the Franconia Springfield Metro Station.
Are you seeking a condo or home that is friendly to a car-free or car-lite lifestyle? If so, you might want to check out our property search by Walkscore.  Walkscore is a numeric rating of how near sites, restaurants and transit are for a given address.  A Walkscore more than 70 is very walkable, while a Walkscore under 40 pretty much requires that a resident here own a car.  What follows are the "most walkable" homes and condos on sale today in Northern VA.

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We also provide links to homes near the metro.
  • 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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Another happy customer

Another happy customer
I don't know who was happier to close this one ... me or Drew.  He had staked out a short sale for about 6 months. Finally, Drew decided to move on, and when he did things happened quickly.  Drew ended up getting a great 1 bedroom condo that was just a block from the USPTO / his place of employment. The Jamieson is a great building in a great location and I'd love to show it to you if you want to go take a look while they still have condos left here.  I know Drew's excited about his new home and I'm glad we were finally able to put this one away. When all was said and done, Drew's mom snapped this photo at Walker Title.  It was good to finally get to closing!

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What to Consider Before Buying a Home

Budget

A house on moneyHow much you can afford is very important to consider when buying a new home.  As a rule of thumb, some experts suggest paying 25% of your salary towards your mortgage. Fortunately, for people living in Northern Virginia, there are several job centers like the Mark Center, Inova Hospitals, USPTO, NOVA Community College, Fort Belvoir and Reston Town Center in the area which offer high paying salaries.

Size

Would you like to have roommates? Do you have a wife and plan to start a family? These are questions to consider before taking the step towards home ownership. Depending on your circumstances you might prefer a 2 bedroom condo in Courthouse, instead of a 1,000,000 home in Mount Vernon.

Location and Atmosphere

Northern Virginia has a vast array of neighborhoods. For example, Arlington has a bustling metropolitan scene that is just a few metro stops away from DC. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there is Woodbridge, which is a quieter small town type of area, which attracts commuters. Alexandria is a nice middle ground in between the two aforementioned neighborhoods. Alexandria 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 of these homes has their own advantages and disadvantages. Condos are nice because some include amenities, like a pool, fitness center, or dry cleaner, all conveniently located in the condo community. Some may prefer a home, because there aren’t any condominium fees.

 Commitment

Nesbitt Realty office
The Consultation Room at Nesbitt Realty
A mortgage is a long term commitment.  It is important to factor in job security when preparing to purchase a home. For those who end up having to leave the area, whether it is temporary or permanent, there is the option of hiring a property manager so that you can rent out your home and collect rent on it while you’re gone.

 Credit Score

To be considered a serious buyer, the first step to buying a home is to get pre approved. Getting pre approved can speed up the home buying process. One way to improve your credit score is to always pay your bills on time. Another way to build your credit is to open a credit card and use it monthly and pay it on time.

Simple Steps to Buy a Home

Will Nesbitt sits in the consultation room
Will Nesbitt in the consultation room
I'm going to buy a home, what's the process?
  1. Go to your bank or lending institution to obtain pre-approval.  As part of this you will discover what amount it is willing to lend.  This is important both to know your budget and to ensure that your offers are accepted.  Failure to pre-approve can ruin your chances for success later.
  2. Sit down with a Realtor to see what's available, what meets your needs, and to discover the hidden dangers in home buying.
  3. Once you have found a property you wish to buy you can proceed with an offer.  Your Realtor will provide invaluable assistance by performing a competitive market analysis, a snapshot of recent home sales and their amounts, to determine what will make an offer that gets you the best possible price, without having the seller walk away.
  4. The seller reviews the offer; if it is rejected, the seller may make a counteroffer.  This process can continue back and forth until both parties ratify and accept the offer making the offer a ratified contract.
  5. A ratified contract then puts into motion a host of background tasks that proceed invisibly to ensure your new home is in good order:
    1. Home inspected for condition, damage and hidden surprises
    2. Appraisal to ensure the banks investment is covered by the value of the home
    3. Loan approval to secure funds for the purchase of your home
    4. Title Search to ensure the seller really has full right to sell your home
    5. Walk-through inspection to ensure nothing changes at the last minute with the property
  6. At settlement the lender's money and the title transfer come together to deliver you ownership of your new home.
  7. Now it's time to move in!
For more information or to set up an appointment call Julie at (703)765-0300.

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  • Selling A House As Is: What Does It Mean To You As The Buyer?

    Arlington
    What goes through your mind when you see the term "as-is" in a property listing in Arlington? While some people may see this as a warning, others like real estate investors may see it as an opportunity. But what exactly does "as-is" mean?

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  • 5 Questions to Ask a Home Inspector in Northern VA

    home inspector
    Home buyers in Northern Virginia are well advised to interview a home inspector before hiring that inspector. What should you ask if you're going to hire a home inspector in Arlington, Alexandria or Fairfax County? Here are a few ideas for questions.

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  • What Is Title Insurance?

    Title insurance protects the policy owner against loss in the event that the property’s title or legal ownership is something other than insured. It helps ensure that the property owner is assuming clear title for the real estate being purchased. Title insurance is different than other types of insurance in that it offers protection against…

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  • We rebate money to buyers.

  • Are You Looking To Buy A Home In Alexandria?

    Today we're featuring this property for sale at River Towers in Alexandria Virginia. We highlight properties that are interesting, unique or just good deals. This 1 bedroom property is listed for $168,000. We like to keep our eyes open for home buying opportunities for our clients.

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Questions to ask your real estate agent

questionsReal estate agents are licensed real estate professionals. The Commonwealth of Virginia requires that licenses be posted in a prominent place in the office of the real estate broker. If you don't see that license, ask if the agent is licensed and ask if the license is current. Agents also carry a license on their person. Agents are required to train and take courses, so ask about your agent about their training, and about what resources they use to locate either properties for sale or prospective buyers. If you are buying or selling a home, make sure the real estate agent has access to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). The MLS charges agents a pretty hefty monthly fee and believe it or not some agents let their access to the MLS lapse. Make sure your agent has full access to the MLS. If you are selling property, ask your realtor to provide you with prices of comparable properties sold in your area so you can be sure you are listing your property for a fair and reasonable price. This is called a Comparative Market Analysis or CMA. A CMA can help you and your agent determine how long it takes the agent on average to sell property. This can also help point to the best marketing plan for selling your property. Buyers should ask about the type of properties the agent specializes in, condos, commercial, townhouses, luxury, area, etc. Also as a buyer you should provide the agent any additional information about things like local schools and community information. Buying and selling property can be simple with the help of a good real estate agency. Spend the time to find the right real estate agency for your needs. We appreciate the opportunity to show what we can do for your business. Contact us to learn more about what we can do for you. For more information or to set up an appointment call Julie at (703)765-0300.

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Selling Your Condo: Helpful Tips

Realtor LogoWhen you begin thinking about selling your condo, it is a good idea to begin by enlisting the help of a licensed Realtor. Unless you are otherwise experienced in the business of buying and selling condominiums, hiring the help of a qualified professional will enable you to reach a large market of potential buyers, and a good agent will work overtime to help you sell your home. In addition, hiring a Realtor will help ensure that all of the paperwork pertinent to the transaction is executed properly. Once you decide to sell your condo, begin by following the helpful tips listed below to prepare you for the process of selling your condo and enable your Realtor to do their job most effectively.
  • Begin by making a list that summarizes all of the information regarding your specific condo unit as well as the building and area it is located in. This list should emphasize all of the features that your condo has to offer. What makes your condo unique compared to others in the nearby area? What elements of the condo have you found to be most convenient and important to you? What are the amenities that your condominium building offers to residents who live there? For example, location is a major selling factor. If the unit is located near mass transit or other commuter-friendly areas, you should use that as a selling feature. This list should include everything that the specific condo unit and the condominium building feature. Finally, be sure to include any other information that you believe is relevant or applicable to the property. Once your list is completed, give it to your Realtor. This list will aid both you and your Realtor in advertising, marketing, and ultimately selling the property.
    condo
    For condo buying or condo selling in Northern VA call Nesbitt Realty
  • Next, head out and go to see the competition firsthand or, at the very least, do some internet research to locate other condos for sale in your neighborhood. It is important to know the general price point that other people are asking. In today's market, it is critical that you price your condo competitively if you want it to sell. Becoming knowledgeable about the market you are selling in is crucial. Ask your Realtor what they know about the area surrounding you condo and be sure to keep the lines of communication open if you discover any new or interesting information.
  • Let your neighbors know you want to sell your condo. Many times, your neighbors may have friends, family or co-workers who could be potential buyers. You can then post flyers or create postcards to place in the lobby of your building to let neighbors and others in your community know that your condo is for sale. Never underestimate that word of mouth is often an incredibly effective marketing tool particularly because people often like to live in a building where they know someone.
Finally, remember that selling your condo is more than selling a piece of real estate. Selling your condo is about selling a place to live that supports a particular lifestyle. Therefore, you want to target those that would be most interested in owning property. Through the process of maintaining effective lists that highlight the features of the property, understanding the nearby and local market, and informing neighbors of your desire to sell, you and our Realtor can both knowledgeably and efficiently sell your condo even in a buyer friendly market. For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.

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Want an affordable condo in Alexandria that includes all amenities?

Pavilion on the Park in Alexandria VA offers a lange variety of amenities included in the condo fee. Amenities include parking, pool, gym and more. Condos at Pavilion on the Park were built in 1967 and they cost anywhere from $180,000 and $210,000 each. Schools serving the community are: Patrick Henry Elementary School, Francis C. Hammond Middle School and T.C. Williams Middle School. Compare to: pavilion on the park

The convenience of Arlington Village

Arlington Village in Arlington VA is a convenient location, close to Pentagon, DC, Columbia Pike, shops and restarants. Community amenities are also great, including pool and tennis courts. Condos at Arlington Village were built in 1939 and their prices vary from $300,000 to $350,000 each. Schools serving the community are Patrick Henry Elementary School, Jefferson Middle School and Wakefield High School. Compare to:

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arlington village

The Many Amenities of Porto Vecchio

Porto Vecchio is a community of luxurious condominiums located at 1250 South Washington Street on the South End of Old Town Alexandria.  This mid-rise condo building was built in 1983 and features a brick exterior designed in the Mediterranean style.  Located directly on the George Washington Parkway, living at Porto Vecchio makes for easy commuting into Washington D.C. or Arlington.
balconies
Porto Vecchio offers large Balconies
Porto Vecchio offers its residents many amenities, to include:
  • Tennis Courts
  • Party Room
  • Sauna
  • Gym
  • Garage Parking
  • Storage Rooms
  • Bicycle Trail
  • Pet Friendly
  • 24 Hour Security
Love the outdoors?  The Porto Vecchio condos are located near the well-loved Mount Vernon Bike Trail.   For golf enthusiasts, Porto Vecchio is also very close to Belle Haven Country Club. The residents of Porto Vecchio are served by Lyles Crouch ElementaryGeorge Washington Middle School, and T.C. Williams. Porto Vecchio condos for sale:

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