A New Year - Finally! Happy New Year!!

Out with the OLD...In with the NEW!!! We finally get to say good-bye to 2008 and go into tomorrow with a clean slate. New promises to ourselves, to each other, and to our future.

Wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy, prosperous, and successful 2009.

New Years Resolution to Join a Gym? Here are the Arlington Options

Making new years resolutions for 2009? I bet one of this includes joining a gym!! Here's a list of some of the gyms around Arlington:

Gold's Gym: Locations in Ballson, Clarendon, Rosslyn,S. Arlington (Glebe Rd)

Bally's: Pentagon City

Sport & Health: Courthouse, Crystal City

Fitness First: Courthouse

The Energy Club: Shirlington

LA Boxing: Clarendon

Bikram Yoga: Alexandria (not Arlington, but close enough!)

A Poll at Marist College said 60% of resolutions are kept....I hope you're part of that!!!

Happy New Year!

2008 Arlington Real Estate Market Snapshot - Recession? What Recession?

A friend brought a recent Fortune article to my attention, titled "Top 10 Worst Real Estate Markets for 2009." To my utter surprise, #10 was Washington, D.C. He followed this link with "Do you agree?"

My answer is short, but sweet - No. As a matter of fact, (excuse my language) Hell No.

Although I made a plea for everyone to stop reading the newspaper about real estate, I know it's likely to happen. I myself also read the paper...from what I am reading, Arlington and the District seem to be labeled as nearly "Recession-Proof." Or at least one of the best places to live during a recession. So being the economist and statistician that I am, I took my local zip code in Arlington to compare numbers from 2007 and 2008. Take a look below:

Single Family Homes in the Zip Code 22201
Neighborhoods: Lyon Park, Lyon Village, Clarendon, Ashton Heights, etc.

Compare January - June

2007:
40 Properties Sold
Average Sale Price: $885k (not including any seller subsidies)
Range: $505k to $2.2M
Average Day on the Market: 106

2008:
28 Properties Sold
Average Sale Price: $906k (not including any seller subsidies)
Range: $470k to $1.6M
Average Days on the Market: 62

That's a 2.4% INCREASE in the average SOLD price....it's also selling faster, nearly 1/2 the time from 2007

Now Compare July - December

2007:
60 Properties Sold
Average Sale Price: $986k (not including any seller subsidies)
Range: $412 to $1.6M
Average Day on the Market: 104

2008 (YTD):
32 Properties Sold (3 more currently under contract)
Average Sale Price: $907k (not including any seller subsidies)
Range: $507k to $1.5M
Average Days on the Market: 86

With the last 6 months of the year, we see 2008 still has properties selling faster than 2007. While we can't firmly compare prices until December is done, as of this writing, prices dropped about 8% from this time last year.

I can't say that I see a HUGE neon blinking sign that says "run away, run fast" for the local market. I think once we get past the holidays and our new President begins his economic stimulus plan - you should see consumer confidence increase and these numbers will all even out. Our local supply of homes is less than this time year, and with rates as low at they are....I can't imagine HOW D.C. made that horrible Top 10 list.

Arlington Neighborhood Spotlight: Shirlington

Shirlington is known as the "Arts, Culture, and Entertainment District." Located right off of I-395 in the 22206 zip code, Shirlington is close to Washington, D.C., Regan Airport, The Pentagon, Pentagon and Crystal City. Shirlington has condos, townhomes, and apartments that are close to the numerous shops, restaurants, retail stores, movie theater, library, education center, and so much more. Located just a short bus-ride away from the metro, there are several places to invest in Shirlington:

Condominium Buildings:

IO Piazza
Shirlington Village
Quincy Tower

Townhomes:
Shirlington Crest

If you're interested in more information on Shirlington Real Estate, please feel free to contact me.

A Plea From Your Local Realtor - STOP Reading the Newspaper

I opened the Washington Post this morning to an article about how magnet manufacturers are losing profits because Realtors can't afford to pay for magnets to send to their clients. The article goes on to discuss how many Realtor are leaving the National Association of Realtors this year. I would normally link to the full article, but I DO NOT WANT YOU TO READ IT. Let me explain...

- Many (not all) of those Realtors that are leaving the National Association of Realtors were people who jumped in while the market was hot. All they had to do was stick a "For Sale" sign in the ground and their job was done. In this market, it's not that easy.

- For those of you who don't know - most of us are 100% commission based. It's quite unnerving if you're not correctly prepared. So for some, the threat of no paycheck for the next 6 months, was enough for them to go back into a salaried job.

- The paper doesn't print good news. There's a country song by Terri Clark called "Slow News Day"...my favorite line is: "Lately I pray for a slow news day, cause everything goods not bad enough for the front page." If you really want to know what's going on in YOUR specific area, call a Local Realtor in that area. The paper here in DC, can't tell you what's really going on in a specific suburb of Arizona, or Florida, or Oklahoma, etc. Just like they don't see properties here in Arlington or Falls Church that are drawing 2,3, or even 6 contracts at a time. I had buyers put an offer on a house that was $20k above asking, they were 1 of 7 offers, and they still didn't get it. The journalist doesn't see that. He's not a Realtor - he's a journalist.

Here's the bright side...

There are many Realtor that are new to the industry, myself included. And guess what? We're still surviving. Still doing this full-time. And I don't see any chance of leaving this industry anytime soon (unless I win the lottery and can buy a small island in the Caribbean).

If you really want to know what's going on in your local market - call your Local Realtor.

Arlington Virginia Real Estate Market Statistics - November 2008

It's time to take a look at how Arlington is holding up as we begin to wrap up 2008. Below are some market statistics for November 2008.

Arlington County - Total
136 properties sold

Arlington County - Condominium Market
53 Condos Sold
Average Days on the Market: 78
Average Sale Price: $330k (about 13% less than last year)

Arlington County - Single Family Homes
65 Detached/Single Family Homes Sold
Average Days on the Market: about 2 months (62)
3 Bedroom House: $556k (ranging from $222 to $1.2M)4 Bedroom House: $746k (ranging from $257 to $1.7M)

These statistics may show a slight price decline...but let's highlight the opportunity here:

There are TREMENDOUS opportunities here to buy. There should be a sign that says "Arlington Real Estate On Sale" next to the "Welcome to Arlington" signs. See below:

Active Listings Below $200,000
In 2007: 49
In 2008: 76

Listings Sold Under $200,000
In 2007: 5
In 2008: 11

With interest rates below 5% for the first time in years!!!!! and prices like these....now really is the time to jump into buying.

Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Update - November 2008

Now taking a look at the Greater Northern Virginia Real Estate market, let's take a macro view of the market. The follows statistics are for Arlington County, Fairfax County, the cities of Alexandria, Fallls Church, and Fairfax, and the towns of Vienna, Herndon, and Clifton.

Average Sales Price
2008: $423,088
2007: $513,930

Days on the Market
2008: 91
2007: 99

# of Sales
2008: 1,100
2007: 1,065

Absorption Rate
2008: 7.61
2007: 9.12

What does this mean?

We've had MORE sales, in a SHORTER amount of time, and the inventory is lower this month than in 2007. The sales price is less than this time last year - but these are signs of a strong and rebounding market.

There was an article in the New York Times that said, we may not know when the bottom was until years from now...but there's no question that there are great opportunities out there to buy real estate. So do you want to be the one's saying "I wish I had bought in 2008" like some sellers are thinking "I should have sold in 2004!"?

Falls Church, VA - How Starbucks Is Their Shameless Claim to Fame

Wikipedia has just brought the following to my attention:

"Falls Church was ranked as having the highest number of Starbucks stores per capita, with 7.7 stores for every 10,000 people, or 8 stores."

Considering the very small city of Falls Church has about 11,000 residents, and is only about 2.2 sq miles - that's quite an achievement.

If you're looking for a shorter line for your next caffeine fix - take a drive to your nearest Starbucks in Falls Church!

**Fairfax was ranked 16th, and Vienna was 17th. Northern Virginia appears to be a VERY caffeinated community! :)

BikeArlington - "Arlington's Car-Free Diet"

With new years resolution quickly being formed, i'm sure some of them may involve more physical activity! Well, why not join in on "BikeArlington - Arlington's Car-Free Diet." A program developed for:

"BikeArlington is an initiative of Arlington County, Virginia - where people have many options for moving about their community. Ultimately, BikeArlington is an effort to build on an existing partnership between Arlington citizens, businesses and County staff to encourage more people to bike more often."

They offer group rides, if you're interested in socializing while you workout. Otherwise, check out the bike paths, trails, and on-street rides that are along the 86-mile paths around Arlington.

For more information, visit their website.

Things You Should Know About Buying New Construction

There are new construction condo buildings constantly being built and sold here in Northern Virginia. There are some important things you should know when considering whether to buy new or not:

New Condominiums

1. Most condominium developers mandate a 1 year before before you can sell your condo. They want to avoid fighting with resale units as they try to get through their own inventory.

2. Developers control how the building is run, rules, costs/budgets, etc. until 75% of the building has been sold. Once sales have hit at least 75%, the Condo Association is formed and control is turned over to the residents. It's at this point when many associations will cut or add services that may affect the monthly dues, and/or pet restrictions.

3. Buying new gives you more bargaining power. Developers have SO many millions invested in these buildings, (depending on the market) they're willing to work with special requests to get the unit sold. Have a 120lb Rottweiler you want to keep in your unit? Ask them to grandfather your puppy in. Buying a floorplan you like, but would love if they added an extra wall here or there? Put that request in your offer. Need a 2nd parking space and don't want to pay the extra $30-$40k (in Arlington), ask them to include that with your unit? There is so much you can ask for when you're paying the prices Arlington and the rest of Northern Virginia commands.

4. Free and clear title. Buying new means that the title search VA requires for the past 60 years, should come back free and clear - i.e. insurable and marketable title. **Just make sure all of those mechanic's liens have been paid off before you settle!

Here's a list of the current buildings thare are being sold by developers:
Liberty Center (Ballston)
The Phoenix at Clarendon Metro (Clarendon)
The Wooster and Mercer Lofts (Courhouse)
Vista on Courthouse (Courthouse)
Turnberry Tower (Rosslyn)
The Waterview (Rosslyn)

The Phoenix Condominium at Clarendon Metro in Arlington, VA - New Resource

If you're looking for more information on the new condominium building in Clarendon (Arlington, VA) - The Phoenix at Clarendon Metro - you've found a great new resource!

Today I launched a new blog: "An Insider's Look at the Phoenix Condominium"
http://www.thephoenixinarlington.com/

As a resident and Realtor, i'll provide updated information on the building as it becomes available! Please check the website for sales information, policies, etc.

Feel free to contact me with any questions regarding the condo building, or any other buildings in Arlington!

"Arlington Takes a Bite Out of Hunger Week" - Ends Tomorrow!

This past week has been "Arlington Takes a Bite Out of Hunger Week" here in Arlington County to help the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). Local facilities are accepting donations of:

Soups
Cereals
Canned Goods
Pastas
Peanut Butter

These donations will be presented on Tuesday, December 16th to the AFAC. You still have the rest of the weekend to donate! Visit the complete list of donation sites, here.

Arlington Virginia Condo Spotlight: The Waterview

Another luxury condo building located at the corner of N 19th St and N Lynn St in Rosslyn, just at the foot of the bridge into Georgetown. The building is adjacent to Hotel Palomar - hotel residences are located on floors 15 and Under, while 16-30 are strictly for residents of the Waterview.

They've spared no cost for details in these units, they include:
-SubZero Stainless Steel Refrigerators
-Viking dishwashers, ranges (gas cooking), microwave ovens
-Granite countertops
-Hardwood flooring
-Built in surround sound
-Floor to ceiling glass - if you're on the side of the building with views of the Georgetown Waterfront and the Monuments, it's gorgeous

However, prices in this building run well above usual prices in the area. Condo fees are based on square footage and run DOUBLE of those from associations at other luxury buildings. Oh, and they say if you buy a unit over 2,000 sq ft they can "probably" give you 2 parking spots.

They have a 1,700 sq ft unit for $2M, with condo fees just above $1,000/month. That is excessively high for Arlington. The views in this particular unit are spectacular, but it's all about YOU and what you want and need.

(The unit shown below is their model unit for a 2 bed/2bath unit...this is the living/dining room, and the kitchen is the left)

Want to take a look at some of the units in The Waterview, or comparable units in other luxury buildings in Arlington - call me!

Sellers REJECT an Offer! How to NOT Sell Your House! - UPDATE

For those of you who read my blog about my attempt at buying a condo in Arlington - and got rejected! - I wanted to give you an update on the property. They did a small price reduction (4%) after about 45 days on the market....and have now withdrawn it, after 70 days on the market.

In this market, I think it's important to keep a level head. That's where Realtors come in, we're here to help keep emotions at bay when dealing with buying and selling. Sometimes seller's don't really need to sell, just like some buyers don't really need to buy...but if you're actually serious about buying and/or selling, it's important to objective.

You've got an offer...work with it! Even if it's low, try and get them to come up a little...if they walk, they walk! But at least you didn't just tell them to Buzz Off!

Northern Virginia Metro News: Silver Line to Dulles Gets the Green Light!

I was so excited to see this morning's Washington Post, with the headline that read: "Silver Line To Dulles Wins Crucial Federal Okay"

The new Silver Line of the metro will be about 23 miles, cost about $5.2B, but will run from Falls Church along Tysons Corner and out to Dulles Airport, in Leesburg. If you've ever sat in the traffic around Tysons Corner and the "Mixing Bowl" (395/495 interchange)....i'm sure you're just as excited as I am! They estimate the project to be completed by 2015.

This is why: "Its backers say it will be a major commuting route for as many as 60,000 riders a day, providing an alternative for the thousands of drivers who take the jammed Dulles Toll Road each day from their homes in Reston, Herndon and the outer suburbs to jobs in Tysons Corner and the District." that's 60,000.......that's almost as many cars NOT on the road during rush hour!

"With 120,000 jobs and two malls but only 17,000 residents, Tysons is Virginia's leading jobs center and a critical retail hub. But it is an automobile destination dominated by eight-lane highways and acres of parking."

...if you're reading this and thinking, "now would be a great time to invest in real estate near the future silver line.!" you're right. Let's talk!

Dog Parks in Arlington, VA - Woof!

If you're looking for new places to take your dog, here's a list of dog parks all around Arlington, Virginia! (Grouper, my nephew, is to the right!)

Benjamin Banneker Park
1701 North Van Buren Street
Arlington, VA 22205
*Lights on until 8:00 pm

Fort Barnard
at the corner of South Pollard Street and South Walter Reed Drive
*Lights on until 9:00 pm

Fort Ethan Allen Park
3829 North Stafford Street
Arlington, VA 22207
*Lights on until 7:00 pm

Glencarlyn Park
*301 South Harrison Street
Arlington, VA 22204

Herndon & 13th Street Park
1299 N. Herndon Street
Arlington, VA 22201

Shirlington Park
*2601 South Arlington Mill Drive
Arlington, VA 22206

Towers Park
801 South Scott Street
Arlington, VA 22204
*Lights on until 10:00 pm

Utah Park

3191 South Utah Street
Arlington, VA 22206

If you're looking for a place near a dog park, let me know! I'm happy to help you find a new home. 703.283.6120

Arlington Virginia's Best Business Awards 2008 - The Winners!

Every year Arlington residents vote for the Best Business Awards (ABBIES). This year, over 4,000 people voted on their favorites in the following categories. Here are the winners:

Arlington's Best "Bargain" Restaurant
Delhi Dhaba

Arlington's Best Coffee Shop
Murky Coffee

Arlington's Best Customer Service
PetMAC Marketplace and Adoption Center

Arlington's Best Date Restaurant
Carlyle

Arlington's Best Family Friendly Restaurant
Whitlow's on Wilson Bar & Grill

Arlington's Best "Great Neighbor" Business
The Java Shack

Arlington's Best "Green Business"
Whole Foods Market

Arlington's Best Happy Hour
Whitlow's on Wilson Bar & Grill

Arlington's Best Live Music Venue
IOTA Club & Cafe

Arlington's Best Neighborhood Bar
Whitlow's on Wilson Bar & Grill

Arlington's Best New Business
Saffron Dance

Arlington's Best Performing Arts Venue
Signature Theatre

Arlington's Best Place to Dance the Night Away
Clarendon Ballroom

Arlington's Best Place to Find an Unusual Gift
Le Village Marché

Arlington's Best Place to Work Out
Saffron Dance

Arlington's Best Post Theater Spot
Busboys and Poets

Arlington's Best Power Lunch
Harry's Tap Room

Arlington's Best Vintage/Thrift Shop
Goodwill of Greater Washington (S. Glebe)

Arlington's Best Visual Arts Venue
Arlington Arts Center

Arlington's Best Window Display
Crate&Barrel

Congratulations to all of the winners!!

Arlington Virginia Condo Spotlight: The Odyssey

The Odyssey Condominium is located at 2001 N. 15th St in Arlington Virginia. It's just a few short blocks from the Courthouse metro stop. Built in 2005, the building features 306 residential units, 346 parking spots, and a newly added Peruvian-Chinese Restaurant (named Yaku).

Amenities for this luxury high-rise in Arlington include a rooftop pool with views of the monuments downtown, a rooftop gym, community/business room, & more.
Standards for this building include hardwoods, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, lots of sunlight and a balcony.

If you're interested in more information on this, or any of the condo buildings in Arlington, VA - please feel free to contact me!

Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Update - October 2008

It's Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Update Time! Once again, The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors has published the Year-To-Date Market stats through October 2008 for the following counties and cities: Arlington & Fairfax County, the cities of Falls Church, Alexandria, Fairfax, and the towns of Herndon, Vienna, and Clifton. See stats below:

Total Year to Date Sales
2008: 14,970
2007: 15,778

Total October Sales
2008: 1,457
2007: 1,123

Average Sales Price
2008: $427,402
2007: $520,829

Average Days on the Market
October 2008: 94
October 2007: 89

Absorption Rates (ie. # of months to sell through the current supply of inventory)
October 2008: 6.04
October 2007: 9.23

I'm always available for more statistics for the area, or specific areas. Call anytime: 703.283.6120

How Will the President-Elect Change the Washington DC Real Estate Market?

In short - very little.

It's funny that the Washington Post featured an article todaydiscussing administration changes and their effects on the D.C. and Northern VA real estate markets. I had lunch today with one of my best friends who happens to work in the West Wing - just like her, many of her fellow West Wing-ers will be out of a job as of January 20th. So inevitably I asked, "so...who's helping the big guys transition to the area?"

Her response - "most of them already live here. And the ones that are out of a job in January will stick around."

Quickly deflating my balloon of Hope, I realized that I had just had a "duh" moment. Junior staffers currently working at the White House mostly rent, and the ones that will be coming in will most likely follow suit. As for the Chief of Staff, his Deputy, the rest of the President's Cabinet...they'll probably take jobs with lobbying firms right here in Washington.
While I would love to help President Bush sell his beautiful 1600 Pennsylvania Ave house, looks like he already has a buyer for it.

The greatest effect of the election will be in policies implemented, and any rescue plans he plans to implement to jump-start the economy. In case you're not up to speed, here's a recap of what Obama plans to do to help the housing market as part of economic recovery plan.

Fairlington Real Estate - October 2008

Image a place 10 minutes from the hub of the U.S. - Washington, D.C. - that has a leash-free dog park, family friendly, suburban feel to it...and it's affordable. Well, if you were at this place, I would say: "Welcome to Fairlington Virginia."
Fairlington has it's own community center which features a gym, a library, activies, kid park, etc. The neighborhood has condos and townhomes, all built around 1940s and 50s.

October sales for Fairlington were reported as the following:

12 Total Sales
22 Days on the Market
$395,000 Average Sales Price - but this ranges from 1 bedroom condos, to a 3 bedroom, 3 bath townhouse

There are several properties on the market in Fairlington right now, and I am happy to show you any of them. It's a great place to live, and a great place to invest. Rents can range from upwards of $1,200 and short sales and bank owned properties are VERY hard to find - i.e. prices are stable and they retain their values. The metro is just a short bus-ride away.

Give me a call for more information - 703.283.6120

Clarendon Earns Nationwide Praise

The front page article of this month's "The Citizen," Arlington's local newspaper reveals what the locals know: Clarendon is One of the "Great Places in America!" This time, the praise comes from the American Planning Association (APA).

Honors were also given to Wilson and Clarendon Blvd - Wilson is a one-way street East towards Washington, Clarendon is the counterpart one-way street heading West - for "Great Streets" in America.

I did a blog in September about CNN's rankings for Arlington County - and this article gives even more praise. Clarendon earned this years ranking for the following reasons:

1. 50% of residents walk, bike or use the metro to get to work

2. 20% of residents don't own a car

3. The above-average use of metro systems

4. All of the revitalization of the area..

..There are so many reasons Clarendon and Arlington in general are great places to live...call me for more information!

Neighborhood Spotlight: Ashton Heights in Arlington VA

There are so many great neighboroods in North Arlington that it's hard not to have something good to say! Originally created around 1910, it's come a long way...in fact, it Ashton Heights was: Voted "Greenest Neighborhood in Arlington" for 2007. Located near the Ballston/Virginia Square Metro stations, it's right in the heart of Northern Arlington. See the map below for boundary locations: Glebe, Irving, Rt 50, Wilson, and 10th.

Taking a look at the past 6 months of sales in the area, we see the following:

4/1/2008 - 10/30/2008
# of Closed Sales: 13

Average Sales Price: $654,687
Range: $500,000 - $872,000

Average Days on the Market: 78

4/1/2007 - 10/30/2007
# of Closed Sales: 18

Average Sales Price: $814,584
Range: $525,000 - $1,380,000

Average Days on the Market: 59

It appears that these samples are very different. The sales price this time last year was higher, but the sample size was weighted heavily towards the upper end. The days on the market is consistent with the general North Arlington market - about 2.5 months.

Cherrydale Virginia Real Estate - Year to Date Sales

Back in August I did a blog introducing you to the history of Cherrydale. Today, I wanted to take a closer look at the real estate trends in the neighborhood. I've pulled numbers from April 1, 2008 to present, and am comparing the numbers to the same time frame of 2007 (4/1/07 - 10/30/07). Let's take a look at how the numbers shape up:

April 1, 2008 - October 30, 2008
# of closed sales: 11
(Currently Under Contract: 2)

Average Sale Price: $1,002,607
Sale Price Range: $625,000 - $1,350,000

Average Days on the Market: 73

April 1, 2007 - October 30, 2007
# of closed sales: 13

Average Sale Price: $923,599
Sale Price Range: $400,000 - $1,678,443

Average Days on the Market: 44

Given that the range of 2007 is greater, it's not surprising that the average sale price was lower than it is thus far this year. The biggest difference comes with days on the market: a 66% increase in the amount of time it takes for something to go under contract.

How do we interpret these stats? I think they're indicative of the entire North Arlington real estate market - stable, but a little slower. The bigger houses (those around and above $600k) are taking longer to sell - and it's no wonder since jumbo money is so tight and hard to come by these days. BUT...and this is a big BUT...things ARE selling. North Arlington with it's proximity to the District and job stability, hasn't seen a large decline in overall prices. Small dips here and there, but as you can see - the numbers do not lie!!

Looking for more specific information? Feel free to call or email: Laura.Rubinchuk@kw.com or 703.283.6120. I'm always available to chat!

Arlington Neighborhood Spotlight: Lyon Village

Another historic neighborhood of Arlington, Lyon Village, is located near Clarendon. Bordered by Lee Highway, Wilson Blvd, Veitch and Kirkwood Roads, Lyon Village is known for it's suburban feel of tree-lined streets and 1920s and 1930s mix of single family homes. The neighborhood is also just a few blocks from both Clarendon and Courthouse metro stations.

The community has it's own park, located at 1800 N. Highland St. The park has a basketball court, tennis courts, picnic tables, playground, and a spray park in the summertime for kids.

Home Prices in Lyon Village:
Currently, there are 5 properties for sale in Lyon Village. Prices range from $750k to $2.7M

Recent sales in Lyon Village:
2 Condos and 10 Single Family Homes
4 Bedroom homes on average sold for $915k
5 Bedroom homes on average sold for $1.28M

There is so much information on this neighborhood, and Lyon Park, I am more than happy to provide more details. Feel free to contact me anytime.

Arlington Virginia Real Estate Condo Market - September 2008

Here's a recap of the Arlington Condo Market for the month of September:

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Units:
# of Units Sold: 20Average Days on the Market: 60Average Sale Price: $298,276Average Seller Subsidy: $3,721Average Net Effective Sale Price: $294,555
Range: $165,000 to $385,000

2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Units:
# of Units Sold: 10Average Days on the Market: 55Average Sale Price: $516,650Average Seller Subsidy: $2,599Average Net Effective Sale Price: $514,051
Range: $445,000 to $610,000

If you're interested in more information on specific buildings, locations, units, etc. i'm always here to help.

Arlington Neighborhood Spotlight: Lyon Park

Lyon Park is one of the many residential neighborhoods located throughout Arlington. Lyon Park consists of about 5,000 residents. It was founded in 1919 by developer Frank Lyon. It's also on the National Register of Historic Places as a planned community. Lyon Park goes from Clarendon, to Rt 50 to Pershing St in Arlington - all in all, about 102 acres originally were used to form Lyon Park. Lyon Park has it's own community center, citizens association, Women's Club, and so much more. It's a very community orientated area.

Today, there are mostly Single Family homes (Cape Cods, Bungalows, Ramblers, etc) and some townhomes throughout the area. Currently there are 10 properties in this neighborhood that are up for sale. Prices range from $550,000 to $2,400,000.

There is so much to offer in Lyon Park and the surrounding area of Arlington County - please feel free to call or email me with any questions about the area, buying, or selling!

Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Update - September 2008

Sales reports are finally in for September here in Northern Virginia. This report includes all sales for Fairfax and Arlington counties, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Vienna, Herndon, and Clifton.

Here's how September wrapped up:
Total # of Sales: 1,650
Average Days on the Market: 93
Absorption Rate: 5.52 months
Average Sale Price: $407,748 (down about 23% from 9/07)
YTD Average Sales Price: $465,891 (down about 14% from 9/07)

Arlington Market:
There were 202 sales in Arlington in the month of September.
Of those, only 12 were over $1m.
Only 68 of the remaining sales were over $500k.

What does this mean? High price homes are sitting longer in this market, as the crack down has really tightened up lending.

There are still some good deals happening here in Arlington, many with built in equity. Want to see what your options are?

Call me...703.283.6120

The Residences at Station Square in Arlington VA - Urban & Chic

The Residences at Station Square condominiums located in Clarendon (Arlington, VA), is comprised of 3 buildings built in 2005 and 2006. The buildings are located at 1205 N. Garfield St, 1201 N. Garfield St, and 1220 N. Fillmore St. The buildings have 309 condominiums, and over 600 parking spaces for both residents and retail store visitors. They have "urban lofts" as well as tradition style condos.

Amenities Include:
-Outdoor pool (ground level, located in the courtyard of 1201 N. Garfield St)
-A Gold's Gym (as of this writing, Gold's offers a monthly membership for residents at $29/mo; located in the 1220 N. Fillmore St building)
-A Community/Party room (located near the pool in 1201 N. Garfield St)
-A business center (also located next to the community room in 1201 N. Garfield St)

Located just 1 block from the Clarendon Metro, and about 2 blocks from Clarendon shopping, featuring: Whole Foods, Potterybarn, Barnes & Noble, Crate & Barrel, Ann Taylor Loft, Apple, and more.

Past Sale Information:
Since April, there have been 8 sales in the building - 4 2 bedroom units, and 4 1 bedroom units

2 bedroom, 2 bath unit information:
Average Sale Price: $554,500
Average Days on the Market: 125
Sale Range: $515k - $590k

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Unit Information:
Average Sale Price: $377,225
Average Days on the Market: 37
Sale Range: $362k - $400k

For more information on these buildings, or any other Arlington condo building, please feel free to call me!

Hello, My Name is Laura Rubinchuk, and I am a Real Estate Agent. Cue to the Firing Squad.

Many of my blogs have been personal stories that have happened over the past few days. This one won't be any different! After the softball game on Friday night I was recruited to play in, we headed to Old Town Alexandria for dinner to commiserate.

During dinner, some said, "Laura, what do you do?" When I answered that I am a real estate agent, I think half the table almost fell off their chairs. Partly because most people around Northern VA my age are Federal employees, and partly because most of the group worked at the Patent Office. After this announcement, for about a half hour, I had nonstop questions. Here some highlights:

Q: "How did you get into real estate?"
A: "When I was looking for a place to buy, I got along really well with my agent. I was so miserable in my federal contractor job, that he said 'why not give this a try?' I have always been interested in real estate investing, so after this gentle shove, my love affair with sales began."

Q: "Do you get reimbursed for your gas?"

A: "I wish! We pay for everything basically. I do get to deduct my business mileage on my taxes - that's the one nice thing!"

Q: "My agent did ****, was he right?"

A: "Every agent does things a little differently. So I would trust your agent!" If there was an "easy" button for this one, I hit it, because I immediately changed the subject!

Q: "Where do you work mostly?"
A: "Mostly I work in Arlington and Falls Church. But I have done business in Woodbridge, Reston, Alexandria, and other places in Northern VA. I go where my business takes me!"

It's funny how much people don't know about the Real Estate profession. Mostly because they haven't gone through the process of buying and/or selling. I happen to be an open book, so when clients ask me about the business, I answer honestly.

There's a lot to real estate, both buying, selling, investing, and from the agent's side. If you're ever interested in knowing more - feel free to ask!

Washington D.C.'s Eastern Market

I had some out of town guests stay with me this weekend in Arlington. Since the weather was so beautiful this weekend, I took them into the Southeastern Quadrant of Washington D.C. to the Eastern Market.

For those of you who have never been - GO! It's a local treasure! Here's a clip of the history from their website:

"Built in 1873 and designed by architect Adolf Cluss, Eastern Market is the last of Washington's 19th century markets to remain in continuous operation. It is easily accessible by Metro and adjacent to numerous restaurants and shops in the picturesque Capitol Hill neighborhood.
The South Hall is the last remaining traditional market in Washington. Weekends are enlivened by an outdoor Farmers Market, the Market Festival, an Arts & Crafts Fair on Saturdays and The Flea Market at Eastern Market on Sundays. With all these attractions, Eastern Market has become an Internationally recognized destination."

There are a ton of local vendors for produce, jewelry, clothing, refinished furniture, local artwork & photography, and "fair food" (i.e. roasted nuts, lemonade, etc.). It also has a large meat and cheese vendor open all week. It's located on 7th St SE and North Carolina Ave. Open at 9am on Saturday and Sunday.

Rec Leagues for Softball, Soccer, Basketball etc in Arlington VA

On Friday I was recruited to play softball for a co-ed rec league that's based out in Alexandria. My old college teammate asked me to join them for a makeup game - and then told everyone that I played 1st base in college. Seeing as how that was years ago - she only set me up for failure! (That's me on the right at bat...key the song "Glory Days")

In case you're interested, I did have an error (the first ball that was actually thrown to me after 3 long innings), but I redeemed myself with a triple! I'm still unsure if i'll be invited back.. :(

For those of you that are interested in meeting some new people in Arlington, below is some information on local recreational sports teams in Arlington County. It's a great way to make new friends, network, and get some exercise!

Arlington offers the following sports:
Ball Hockey (looks a lot like street hockey)
Basketball
Dodgeball
Flag Football
Ice Hockey
Kickball
RugbySoccer (both indoor and outdoor)
Softball (my personal favorite)
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball

Information for registration and deadlines can be found here.

Home Styles - What's the Difference?

Walking around the office lately I heard someone say, "I have a buyer for Arlington, but he only wants a Colonial!" Followed by someone else who says, "I would only buy a rambler! I'm just not a Colonial guy." So it dawned on me, aside from the typical "I like it!" comments, do you know the difference between Single Family Home(detached) styles and what makes them unique? These pictures are from the MLS of homes currently on the market. Here's a quick synopsis of some common terms:

Colonial: Typically a 2-story house, often with a basement, with a center entrance or a side door. Some also have garages to the side of the home.

Contemporary: Usually modern and/or non-traditional characteristicsusing various shapes, material, and designs. With the new requests for more openness (kitchen/family/dining etc), much of the interior designs have open space.

Rambler: More often than not, this is a single level home built on a slab. Sometimes in the shape of an "L," other times a "U." If you see a 2-level rambler, the 2nd level is almost always a basement!

Split Foyer: Ever walk through a front-door to be greated by 2 sets of stairs - one that goes up to the kitchen and one to the basement? This is called a Split Foyer style of home. The basement, or bottom level, is usually a considered a separate level.

Cape Cod: Often called "Cute" (yes, that's a professional term), a Cape Cod is marked with a peaked roof (usually attic or crawl space), above the main level of living.

Split Level: Usually one half of the house is "taller" than the other. The taller side usually has 2 floors off the main living level (the shorter half). Sometimes living space is above the garage.

Arts & Crafts: Typically built with wood, stone, and/or brick. Many times these homes include built-ins cabinets, fireplaces, porches, and open floor-plans.

Restoring Faith in the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market

Perception is everything. One article that someone happens to read or hear about, may cause some fear about the economy. Add a need for a $700B proposed Bailout plan for the National Economy, and no wonder most Americans fear that we're headed for a 1929 flashback. Here's my arguement for why Northern Virginia homeowners are better off than most.

1. You're near/in in the Capital of the U.S.A. Come January, you're going to have an entirely new influx of people caused by the administration change. People who have been here for years will be selling, new people will be buying. Government agencies are based here - job security.

2. Unemployment in the DC Area is the lowest in the U.S. Dr. Stephen Fuller from George Mason University spoke at the 2008 Economic Summit. Below is one of his slides that shows DC's unemployment at 4.1% - the lowest of all the major cities, and below the national average:

3. Demand. If you remember your Econ 101 classes: when demand goes up, prices will go up. With people constantly coming into this area, and with job stability - there will always be people looking to buy real estate.

4. Price are coming back up. Most economists believe that Arlington, and other pockets of Northern VA, have passed the low point of the bell curve and prices will begin coming back up. Although official September numbers have yet to be released, August prices were up 2% from 2007.

With lending restrictions tightening everyday, and the unknown around the corner from the bailout bill (if it's passed)...now is the best time to buy. Buy low....sell high. The market will come back...not overnight. Real estate is not an overnight investment. But, with prices GENERALLY doubling over 10 years - now's the best time to jump in!
Call me if you're interested in specific markets of Northern Virginia - i'm a statistics girl, so I need to see concrete numbers to believe, so i'm happy to provide them if you're interested!

Martina McBride Concert at the Nissan Pavillion - Last Show of 2008!

Last night I had the opportunity to experience my first concert at Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, VA! Nissan Pavilion has some seating and lots of lawn space for concert goers. Lucky for me, a friend of mine actually won tickets off the radio from our local country channel - WMZQ 98.7 FM- and she took me! Can you believe this is her SECOND pair of tickets that she's won from the radio? I didn't know people actually did win tickets! Our seats weren't great - but considering that a) beggers can't be choosers since they were free, and b) it was POURING rain last night, I can't complain!

The opening act for Martina was newcomer Jason Michael Carroll, who did a few songs, including his hits "Living Our Long Song" and "Alyssa Lies"

Then came Country's Best New Artist: Jack Ingram. Jack was a huge crowd favorite, even taking a few minutes between songs to go out into the first few rows and give hugs, and took a picture with a fan before announcing: "That's going to be on MySpace tomorrow!" Jack's set included hits like: "Maybe She'll Get Lonely," "Measure of a Man" and "Barbie Doll"





The headliner, Martina McBride, did about an hour and a half of past hits and a couple from the new CD, "Waking Up Laughing." Her biggest hit was her new song "For These Times" where she asked people to write on a whiteboard things they wish to see in their lifetime, which she then flashed on the screen during her performance. Fans wishes included "Bring Our Troops Home Safely," "Go Redskins!." "Higher Teacher Salaries," "Low FIXED Interest Mortgage Rates." "Martina for President 2008," and "Cure for Cancer." With each new one, a roar came from the crowd- it was much more emotional than you'd expect!

Because it's outside ampitheather, this years' concert schedule is over! But check www.livenation.com for more concert information for 2009!

Now Licensed in Washington D.C.

It's official! This Keller Williams Agent is now licensed in both the state of Virginia and the District of Columbia!

Looking for a new condo or townhouse in Georgetown, Dupont, Logan Circle, Adams Morgan, Woodley Park, Columbia Heights, or any other neighborhood in Washington, D.C.? Give me a call!!

Looking to Buy New in Arlington? Get Them Before They're Gone!

With some buildings originally planned as condos, now converting to rentals - the existing new construction condos are going fast.

Former plans for condos, have turned Zoso into 144 luxury rentals in Clarendon (located behind Clarendon 1021 on N. Fillmore Street).

Current construction of the old Clarendon Center on Clarendon Blvd between Highland and Garfield, will also be rentals (244) and an office/retail mixed-use building.

So what can you buy?

Courthouse - Mercer & Wooser Lofts: Read my old blog about all the amenities and features of this total luxury building here.

Clarendon: The Phoenix At Clarendon Metro: Hardwoods, stainless steel appliances, granite, and all colors your choice, come standard in this building. I just happen to call it home!! One bedroom's are all gone, but inventory remains for Junior 1 Bedrooms, 2 bedrooms, and 2 bedroom with dens. Read more here.



Ballston/VA Square: The Residences at Liberty Center: Beautiful luxury units with large wall windows, granite, hardwoods, stainless steel appliances, gorgeous rooftop views (from the gym and the pool!), and so much more. Search floor plans and more here.

Construction Along Columbia Pike Near Arlington Village - Update

If you've been driving down S. Walter Reed and Columbia Pike recently, you may be interested in what Hallstead is building on that corner! Construction currently looks like this:

The building will be an 8-story building that consists of 269 condominiums, 450 parking spaces, and over 42,000 sq. ft of retail space. Within this retail space will be the Arlington Free Clinic.
Delivery of the residential spaces was due for July 2008, but as I drove by today - it appears the cranes are still out! Retail space and the building is due to open in November 2008.

The Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization has this photo on their website of an artistic interpretation of what they expect the final product to look like:

Curious about other construction sites? Give me a call...703.283.6120

September 20th and 21st in Arlington, VA!

Here are some fun events for the upcoming weekend:

Saturday, September 20th

Taste of the Pike: Outside Arlington Mill Community Center, from Noon to 7pm

Culinary Specialities from all over Columbia Pike: a variety of the Pike's popular restaurants and food vendors, including Rincome (Thai), San Vincente (Salvadoran), Dama (Ethiopian), Hector Palomo Catering (Peruvian), Pan American Bakery (Latin American), Rina's Fresh Fruit & Smoothies, and Big Daddy's BBQ (Southern American).

The festival will also feature a colorful global market with arts and crafts booths, and live entertainment including performances by a diverse set of musical and heritage dance groups including Sutera Malaysia, Estrellita de Amazonias (Peruvian singer), Saffron Dance, YesOn2Salsa Dance Studio, Mongolian School of the National Capital Area, Grupolfawa (Panamanian), Decada Prodigiosa (Peruvian musical ensemble), and more.

Arlington Mill Community Center: 4975 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204


Admission is free.
For more information, visit http://www.columbiapikepartnership.com/.

Sunday, September 21st:

Vintage Crystal: An event from 2-6pm that will showcase wines from around the world and culinary samples from restaurants in Crystal City and the metropolitan area. Also, jazz harmonicist Frederic Yonnet, along with other talented musicians from DC's own Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, will add jazz flavors amid an open air market featuring local artisans' work.

Vintage Crystal takes over the courtyard at 2200 Crystal Drive on Sunday, September 21 from 2 - 6 PM.
Tickets: $20, sold on-site the day of, and will include sips, tastes, sounds, a commemorative wine glass, and access to Crystal Market, where patrons can purchase paintings, ceramics, glasswork, jewelry and other hand-made items. **Designated driver tickets are $10 and admission for kids is free.

For more information, visit http://www.crystalcity.org/.

Arlington County Virginia Police Department Crime Reports

It's always nice to know as much about the area as possible when moving to an unfamiliar town. While some things are better left explored - like new restaurants, hang outs, monuments, etc., crime statistics shouldn't be one of them. The people down at the Arlington County Police Department are very nice, and are willing to pull information for you with a simple phone call.
Arlington is divided into Districts:

District 1: Cherrydale, Ashton Heights, Lyon Park, Old Glebe, Dominion Hills...etc (Mainly the Ballston/VA Square area out towards McLean)
District 2: Clarendon, Courthouse, Rosslyn, Colonial Village, Lyon Village, Arlington Ridge, etc (mainly the Clarendon, Courthouse, Rosslyn corridor)
District 3: Penrose, Arlington Heights, Columbia Heights, Glencarlyn, Claremont, Fairlington (mainly the corridor along Columbia Pike)
District 4: Barcroft Hieghts, Route 1 Near Reagan DCA Airport, Arlington National Cemetery (mainly Pentagon City, Crystal City, etc).

There are specific numbers you can call for each district. Once you've given them an address, or location, they can supply with you the past 12 months of reports, within a 4-5 mile radius of that location.

When you've found an area you're happy with - call me for available properties

The Washington Post Describes the "Freshman 15" - 15 Things You Need to Know About Washington, D.C.

This blog comes straight from the Sunday Article titled "The Freshman 15 - What Every First-Year College Student Needs to Know About Washington." I found myself laughing at some of these as a nearby resident in Arlington, so I thought I would share with you what the experts advise as "must know" information about the Washington, D.C. Metro area:

1. Stand to the Right....Instructions on riding the metro.
2. Recognize that the Nats are a major league team. Even though they may not win enough games, or have the popularity of the Yankees or Red Sox, they actually ARE a Major League National Team. Go Figure.
3. Don't dance at indie-rock shows. Recognize the seriousness of local DC residents. Stoic faces and stiff bodies, only.
4. Maintain residency in your home state (if your new home is in the District). Ever wonder why the DC license plate says "Taxation without Representation," read this one to find out why.
5. Forget the fake ID. Underage? Don't even bother.
6. Remember that the Metro shuts down at 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Never get stranded in Adams Morgan or Dupont after a night out of maxing out your credit card and no cash.
7. That police car is probably not pulling you over. Those flashing lights and sirens are scary no matter how old, or how long you've been driving. Find out why they drive with their lights on.
8. Yield to cars in traffic circles. Logan Circle, Dupont Circle, Thomas Circle...so many! Why? And how to navigate them.
9. Better yet: Ride the bus. You have less of a chance of losing cell service if you ride the bus. (*Although, some of you may not know that Verizon has an exclusive deal with the DC Metro system for cell "towers" down under.)
10. Even better: Walk. Be a tourist!
11. There is no J Street. This is tricky when people tell you that streets go in alphabetical order, you'll be walking around in circles if you don't know this one!
12. NoMa is a neighborhood. Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, Dupont....now add NoMa to your list of vocab.
13. Take your palate global. You can find cuisines from every country in the District - go ahead, be adventurous.
14. Sample go-go. Information on local music unique to the DC scene.
15. Get the tourist stuff out of the way now. I can tell you that even after living here, I still only go to the monuments and museums when I have out of town guests. Go look now, so you know where to take people when they visit - and keep the painful tourist traps to a minimum!

While We're Talking About Cars....Information on Arlington County Personal Property Taxes - Cars Included

Yes, you read that correctly - Arlington County charges taxes on your car, in addition to your real estate. Assessments are based on commonly used guides such as the N.A.D.A. or your sales price, if it's not a commonly listed car. General rules for property taxes pertaining to cars:

*You have 60 days to file a tax return from moving into Arlington, or buying a car.
*Vehicles included in property taxes include: automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, motor homes, trailers, semitrailers, boats, and aircrafts.
*All vehicles located in Arlington County are subject to personal property tax, including vehicles not registered in VA, vehicles that do not run, and that are temporarily absent from Arlington County.
*After registering the car with Arlington County, they will issue a decal to be placed on your front windshield; they're $24 -->
*Tax bills are issued on or around July 15th, and payment is due by October 5th.

For more information on this, see the online information packet from the Commissioner of Revenue.

The Tale of the Real Estate Agent vs. The Used-Car Salesman - Who Do YOU Think Won?

So, if there's ONE thing that has really changed about me since I became a Realtor - it is my absolute lack of patience for bad salespeople. And I don't think I could have scripted a more infuriating story about an absolutely terrible, and I mean AWFUL, salesman.

Some background: I grew up with a used-car salesman for a father, yes, that's right (*insert used-car salesman joke here*). Which also means, I never had to actually go buy a car - I always got it wholesale! (insert another joke here). So after some research on my own, I made an appointment with a salesman at the dealership in Arlington, and headed down to fight!

Upon my arrival, after many minutes of waiting to be helped...I tell my guy I want a certain color, a certain model, and I know you have 2 of them in stock - let's talk. His reply: "ok, well, why don't you look around the lot, and see what you like." Lesson #1: Actually LISTEN to what the customer tells you THEY want. Especially when they've already given you all of the specifics. This should have rang "Easy Sale" to this guy.

Upon telling him that i've already narrowed it down to these 2 vehicles (again), already test-drove them, already know i'm going to buy one of them - he proceeds to tell me in 3 different ways that he's the sales manager, and that his office is upstairs, paying no attention once again to me, or my wants/needs. Lesson #2: In any type of sales, you sell YOURSELF first, and your product later. From this moment on, it only got worse.

With my requested trade-in value in hand, we begin the scary price negotiation! After asking me the same question 2 different ways, and my answer apparently not getting through to him - he writes the complete opposite down on his "appraisal sheet" and attempts to decrease my car's value by about $3k (the question was whether the car had ever been into an accient, which it hadn't. AFTER running a Carfax report, which showed it had NEVER been in an accident, he proceeded to check yes, anyway!) Lesson #3: Attempting to swindle your customer out of a few thousand dollars, is not a way to earn trust or business.

Needless to say, the rest of the 1.5 hours of this experience was equally as unpleasant. So the exchanged ended with me saying, "Please give me back my keys" since they were hiding them, and I turned on my heels, and left.

I called the other dealership, spoke to a GREAT salesman who actually LISTENED to what I wanted, PREPARED what I had asked for, and MET my needs. In fact, he nearly surpassed my asking value for my trade-in, AND gave me a deal on the sales price, which increased my buying power to purchase an EVEN better model than I had originally anticipated - all for the same amount.

Some Lessons Learned From Today's Experience:
1. LISTEN to your customer
2. Sell YOURSELF to your customer
3. If you can't exactly meet the wants of your customer (which sometimes you can't), find an alternate method to at least meet as many of their needs as possible.
4. LISTEN to your customer

At the very least, I hope this experience gave you something enjoyable to read! It gave me a good laugh....after the fact. :)

Labor Day Weekend 2008 in Washington DC and Northern Virginia

I can't believe how fast the summer flew by!! As Labor Day weekend is now upon us, I wanted to wish you all a happy, and safe Holiday weekend! Here's what's on the Calendar of Events for the Nations Capitol for the 2008 Holiday:

Labor Day Concert
Who: The National Symphony Orchestra
What: Free Concert!
Where: U.S. Capitol - West Lawn
When: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 8pm (Gates Open at 5)
How: Admission is free! No tickets necessary

Hope you all enjoy your long weekend, with many BBQs, sunshine, and swimming!!

Google-ing Yourself - Surprised By What You Find?

Every so often I like to type in "Laura Rubinchuk" into my google search to see what pops up - and i'm never disappointed by the hits that pop up! It seems my activerain, localism, and a few particular blogs have finally made it to the top. Before my adventure into blogging, my search results were always (mostly embarrassing) past Softball statistics and game recaps from my University of Rochester days as a Yellowjacket Softball player. I will be happy when those stats are finally on the LAST pages! (**Now I know you may be tempted to see how good - or bad - I once was, but please, spare yourself the trouble!)

I still find it interesting though what pops up - comments I have left on other peoples blogs, on websites about technology (in particular, one comment about how unhappy I was with a MacBook Pro and its' inability to work with real estate software), and other non-real estate related topics. Just makes me always remember to be careful in this technology driven area, where information is constantly at your fingertips, to be careful of where you leave your mark!! Especially on social networking sites, where I tend to dance the line between professional and personal lives, I always monitor photos/comments carefully to make sure it's painting the picture I want to portray!

Technology is a GREAT thing, but just remember, even if you delete it - someone, somewhere can find it online!