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!

FHA Wikipedia - Great Resource for First Time Home Buyers!

Part of the reason I love working with first-time homebuyers is getting to teach them things about the process. I know with the constant changing guidelines (be it lending, Northern Virginia Association of Realtors paperwork changes, etc) I learn something constantly! I think you have to in order to grow...so this is why I love sharing new resources for the ever eager home buyer.

For questions like, what does PMI stand for? What does LTV mean? How about FHA? :) The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) came up with a Wikipedia site of their own: check it out here.

For home buying process questions, give me a call! I'm always happy to help :)

Condo Spotlight in Rosslyn/Courthouse in Arlington: 1800 Wilson Blvd

Located at 1800 Wilson Blvd in Arlington, minutes from the Courthouse and Rosslyn Metros, this luxury condo building built in 2007 has left no detail unattended to.

Units feature: granite counter-tops, maple cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, gas cooking, hardwoods in the units.
Bathrooms feature: granite vanity tops, porcelain bathroom fixtures, and ceramic tile. Community amenities include: a fitness center, business center, library, and storage areas. The building is home to several retails stores and directly across from several restaurants.

The building has units that are either 1 bedrooms, 2 bedrooms, or 2 bedrooms with a Den.
Currently there are several units for sale, both 1 bedrooms and 2 bedrooms.

For more information, please feel free to call or email me!

Laura Rubinchuk
Keller Williams Realty
703.283.6120
Laura.Rubinchuk@kw.com

FHA Down Payment Assistance Programs Ban Effective Oct 1

Beginning October 1, 2008, legislation will take effect that prohibits many (but not all) Down-payment Assistance Programs funded by the seller. Note: Down-payment assistance from family members, government programs, or charities that are not seller-funded are still permitted. This means, you must have settled and closed by September 30th of this year to still benefit from these programs.

For more information about this provision of the Housing Stimulus Bill, click here.

Also noteworthy: I'm not a lender, so if you're looking for more information on what programs have been nixed, give one of my preferred lenders a call and they'll be happy to discuss options with you. Gleyde Schatz, with InterCoastal Mortgage can be reached at Gleyde@icmtg.com or by cell: 703.431.7531

Celebrity Foreclosures - Ed McMahon Saved!

For those of you who have better things to do than read gossip magazines, Ed McMahon was very close to being foreclosed on for defaulting on his $4.8M loan for his home in Beverly Hills, in Los Angeles.

Thanks to a private buyer, Ed no longer has to worry about that! The former "Tonight Show" and "Star Search" TV host has agreed to sell his home and wiggle his way out of foreclosure.

Perhaps during his time with American Family Publishing, he should have kept one of those big checks to pay off all of his debts!!

Another Hollywood Role Model!

Buying Bank-Owned Properties & Patience - A MUST For A Successful Transaction!

It came as no surprise to me this morning at noon, when I found out my 2pm settlement was being postponed for AT LEAST a week, due to the carelessness of the foreclosure department of the bank (seller's side).

"Oh that property? Yeah, I never sent that paperwork to the bank to get signed"...when just yesterday someone else told us they'd be overnighting the package to my settlement attorney.

CLASSY! And Professional!

So now we wait until next Friday - at the EARLIEST! I don't blame my buyer at all for being furious! I was too! When everybody - the agent, the buyer, the lender, the underwriter, the settlement attorney - EVERYBODY has done their jobs to get this to the closing table - this is where the foreclosures are just making a mess and mockery of the system. They have too many properties, don't know how to do them properly, and frankly - don't care! Other properties have been delayed days, weeks, and even months while banks get their acts together to get the paperwork signed in order to pass ownership on to the buyers.

Just remember..be patient! What's the old saying? "You get what you pay for!" Just remember you're getting a good deal...and good things come to those who wait!!

.....I won't even go into waiting for a short-sale to happen.

Arlington County's Real Estate Assessments, Taxes, and Tax Rates - Explained!

A real estate assessment is Arlington County's appraisal of the value of each piece of real property located in Arlington.

Arlington County's website explains how they performed the 2008 Assessments; their description is below:

The 2008 assessment is an estimate of the fair market value as of January 1, 2008.

Residential assessments were based primarily on neighborhood sales occurring from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007, and further refined using sales occurring in the summer and fall of 2007. The real estate tax rate determines the amount of the tax which is levied on the property. A uniform tax rate for all real property is set by the Arlington County Board.

Tax rates in Arlington are expressed in dollars per one hundred dollars of assessed value. For example, in 2007 a tax rate of 81.8 cents per $100.00 would result in a real estate tax of $3,272 on a property assessed at $400,000.

Tax Rate x Assessment = Tax
Tax Rate X Assessment = Tax
($0.818/100) * $400,000 = $3,272
.00818 * $400,000 = $3,272

If you have any questions about appraisals, assessments, or anything else associated with buying, selling, or being a homeowner in general, please don't hesistate to call!

Laura Rubinchuk
Keller Williams Realty
703.283.6120

Bankrate.com's 2008 Top 10 Most Expensive States for Closing Costs

Bankrate.com just released it's annual 2008 Closing Cost Estimates by state. Topping the list for the 2nd year in a row was New York. Check out the estimates for the Top 10 Most Expensive below:

Bankrate.com says: "Nationwide, the average origination and title fees on a $200,000 mortgage this year totaled $3,118, according to Bankrate's annual survey of closing costs. The fees in the survey don't include taxes, insurance or prepaid items such as prorated interest or homeowner association dues."

New York: $4,016
Texas: $3,975
Florida: $3,683
Oklahoma: $3,558
New Mexico: $3,465
New Jersey: $3,432
Pennsylvania: $3,411
Alaska: $3,409
Colorado: $3,358
California: $3,321

YAY For Virginia NOT making the list!!

Make sure you go over your Good Faith Estimate (GFE) from your lender very carefully - this will detail their INITIAL estimate of your closing costs. Then use this to compare to the HUD-1 given to you a day or 2 prior to your closing. It should detail every closing cost for the seller, and the buyer!

If you're looking for a great lender, I have a few that I can recommend. They'd be more than willing to go over these costs with you!

Oh, and Keller Williams doesn't charge an "Admin Fee" - ever!

Luxury Living at its Best: The Wooster and Mercer Lofts in Arlington, VA

Luxury living at its best: The Wooster and Mercer Lofts located at 1600 Clarendon Blvd in Arlington, VA features 87 condos, all loft styles, with exceptional quality. Concrete structure with brick facade, 10-ft ceilings in the "Open Flats" and 17-foot ceilings and floating stairs in the "Mezzanine Lofts," and 21-ft living spaces and private roof terraces in the penthouses. With limestone and Waterworks fixtures in the bathrooms, beautiful hardwood floors, and massive windows throughout - these units must be seen!

The building features an in-ground swimming pool, sunning terrace, concierge desk, fitness center, club room, underground parking, bike storage, and all just minutes from Washington, D.C., and both the Courthouse and Rosslyn metros, right in the heart of Arlington.

A sample of the units for sale:
2 bed, 2 bath, corner Penthouse: $1,199,990
1 bedroom with den, 2 bathrooms: $949,900
1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms: $765,850

Arlington County Regulations on Balcony and Grill Uses

With Labor Day weekend approaching very rapidly, and BBQs planned, I thought I would provide an overview of Arlington County Regulations about appliances on your balcony.

The Arlington County's Fire Prevention Office says:
"Residents in high-rises, duplexes, townhouses and multi-family dwellings are reminded that cooking on balconies, with any flame producing device, is prohibited by County Code. Only electric cookers and electric grills are allowed on balconies of these type of occupancies. Read more.

No charcoal cooker, brazier, hibachi, grill or any gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquid or liquefied petroleum gas-fired stove or similar device except for electric cookers or grills shall be ignited or used on the balconies of any apartment building, stacked units, or other structures with similar occupancy."

The are only 2 acceptable appliances for a balcony: Electric Grills and Electric Cookers.
For more information on county codes and regulations, visit the Arlington County Website.

Ice Skating in August? Try Arlington's Kettler Capitals IcePlex!

This summer when it hasn't been raining, it's been HOT and HUMID! So why not try something new to cool off? How about indoor ice skating in the summer! Located in Arlington, VA across from the Ballston Mall, Kettler's Capitals IcePlex offers free public skating every day of the week. Here's the schedule for open skating:

Monday - Friday: 2 - 3:30 pm
Tuesday & Thursday: 7:30 - 9pm
Saturday: 12 -1:30pm, 4:15 - 5:45pm, 7:30 - 9pm
Sunday: 12:30 - 2pm, 3:30 - 5pm

There's also an Adult Only Public Skate on Wednesday from 7:30 - 9pm

Admission rates are $7, and an additional for $3 for skate rental.

Keller Williams Realty Earns Highest Overall Satisfaction with Buyers!

According to a recent national survey, conducted by JD Power and Associated, Keller Williams Realty received the Highest Overall Satisfaction ratings from home-buyers among all the largest, full-service real estate firms in the country!

The results were determined in 3 categories: satistifaction with their agent, office and services provided. At the top of all 3 categories, Keller Williams beat out the competition!

The survey asked more than 3,200 people who bought or sold a home between April 2007 and June 2008.

For full details of the article and results, visit the Inman article here.

Buying a home soon? Call this Keller Williams Agent today!

Arlington County - Submarkets Explained!

It occurs to me as I write these blogs, that when I talk about the submarkets of Arlington - you might not know all of them or where they are!! So I wanted to put together a little geography lesson!

The DC Metro Area has 5 lines: Blue, Yellow, Green, Red, Orange (much easier than number trains in my opinion!)

The end of the Orange Line serves Vienna VA through Arlington to Foggy Bottom (Georgetown) and into DC and ends in Maryland

The Arlington "Orange Line Corridor" consists of the following submarkets: Rosslyn, Courthouse, Clarendon, Virginia Square, & Ballston. The end of the Blue Line serves Springfield VA through Alexandria, Old Town Alexandria, Crystal City, the Pentagon, and Foggy Bottom (Georgetown), it also runs through DC and ends in Largo, MD.

The Yellow Line runs from Huntington and ends at Fort Trotten in MD.
The Arlington submarkets along the Blue and Yellow lines include:Pentagon City, Crystal City, and Neighboring Old Town Alexandria

Shirlington and Columbia Pike are the other 2 submarkets of Arlington, that may be a short walk, or quick drive to one of the metro stops shown on the above maps.

If that's too much to swallow, or if you want to learn more specifics about the area, buildings, housing costs, or fun places to visit - feel free to call or email me!

Laura Rubinchuk, 703.283.6120

Arlington, VA Real Estate Market - July 2008

Time for a real estate market update for the Arlington Area. I like to do a recap by zip code:

22201 (Clarendon, Courthouse, and Neighbors)
# of Sales: 38 (21 condos, 17 were Single Family/Townhomes)
On Average: Sold for 97% of the Original List Price
Spent 54 Days on the Market
Sold for On Average: $535,547


22202 (Crystal City, Arlington Ridge, and Neighbors)
# of Sales: 12 (6 condos, 6 were Single Family Homes/Townhomes)
On Average: Sold for 93% of the Original List Price
Spent 87 Days on the Market Sold for On Average: $490,908

22203 (Ballston, Ashton Heights, and Neighbors)
# of Sales: 18 (14 condos, 4 were Single Family Homes)
On Average:Sold for 95% of the Original List Price
Spent 57 Days on the Market Sold for On Average: $458,403

Some Stats About Arlington Virginia!

I've heard rumors that people speculate that the Arlington area will soon be a Mini-Manhattan (at least rental prices are closely reflecting that similarity!). So I took a look at the Arlington County Website for some statistics about the area.

The Clarendon Forecast looks like this: It appears that the area will TRIPLE in size between 2000 and 2020!

The Ballston Forecast:

Looks like Ballston will see a 50% increase or so in their population and housing stats!

Courthouse:

Courthouse is already a packed area, with about double the amount of people in Clarendon, so it's no surprise that most of the growth will occur in the other 2 main areas along the Orange Line!

If you want to know more information about Arlington and the pockets within the city, give me a call!

Laura Rubinchuk, 703.283.6120

Summer Concert Series in Arlington: Rock at the Row - Pentagon Row

Well, better late than never! Each Thursday of the summer beginning in June, Pentagon Row (normally an area for shopping), lights up with a concert from different musical types each week.

This Thursday, August 7th, is the final concert of the 2008 Summer Series. The show starts at 7pm and will feature a swing band named: Jokers Wild.

The website describes the series as follows:

"Rock out the Summer at the 6th Annual Rock at the Row Summer Concert Series. Join us on Thursday nights from 7pm - 9pmbeginning June 5th thru August 7th. Enjoy live music from your favorite local bands, food sampling, giveaways, merchant specials, and even the chance to win a one-year Saab Sampler lease from International Motors. That's one convertible, one sedan and one wagon for four months each! Gather friends and family and grab front row seats to a FREE outdoor concert! In the event of rain, concerts will not be rescheduled. For more information, please call 703-413-6691."

A Day of Work at Murky Coffee in Arlington

Part of the reason I decided to leave Corporate America and pursue the lifestyle of a Realtor, is simply that I can't sit still everyday in the same spot. Apparently my Keller Williams office is no exception! Last week a friend of mine "worked from home," and we spent the morning doing some work at Murky Coffee in Arlington (located in Clarendon, where Clarendon Blvd and Wilson Blvd split - across from Silver Diner).

A nice change from you local Starbucks, Murky had an assortment of beverages and food, but the environment was better. Full of tables, chairs, background music, and Internet capabilities - it was a welcome chance to brainstorm new ideas while people watching!

Try a new cup of Joe there...and while you're nearby, call me to check out a condo
Laura Rubinchuk, 703.283.6120

Just Sold!! A Happy First-Time Homebuyer in Arlington

Just Sold!! On Friday, we closed on a beautiful 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo in Arlington VA at the Williamsburg Condo building. My happy first-time homebuyer is moving into this condo with a large balcony (that gets great sun), hardwood floors, a gas fireplace, a pool, gym, and just a few blocks from the Courthouse Metro stop!

Even sweeter? We negotiated a price about $20k less than the appraisal and got closing cost assistance.

Congrats to him!! And i'm happy to help if you're interested in buying in Arlington!

Call me! Laura Rubinchuk, 703.283.6120

Looking For New Places to Find a Good Drink in Arlington, Georgetown, Adams Morgan or Alexandria?

With so much to do in the area around Washington, D.C. and Arlington, it's easy to find someplace new to explore everyday! With 48% of the area being SINGLE, it's even more of a reason to get there and meet new people everyday!

A friend recently found a spreadsheet that details Happy Hours (both food and drinks)in Arlington, Alexandria, Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, Adams Morgan, Dupont, and many other locations around the area! It separates by location and day of the week - a great resource for trying something new! Since I can't post the spreadsheet, shoot me an email and I would be happy to send it to you!!!

Happy networking!! "It's 5 o'clock somewhere..."

Laura Rubinchuk, Laura.Rubinchuk@kw.com, 703.283.6120

Looking For a Russian Speaking Agent? You Found Her!

Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. are melting pots for different nationalities, ethnicities, cultures, religions, you name it! I'm no exception! The daughter of 2 Russian immigrants (fresh off the boat in 1980), we grew up speaking Russian in my household, and continue to do so today. So! If you're looking for an agent who is fluent in Russian - look no further!!!

I'm happy to help with any new transplants to the Virginia area...call me to find out what Russian sounds like with an American accent! :)

Laura Rubinchuk, 703.283.6120

p.s. the picture is of traditional Russian nesting dolls - who doesn't love them?

Tax Free Shopping in Virginia - August 1 - 3rd!!

Everyone's favorite time of year!! Or at least, for those of us who love to shop -
TAX FREE WEEKEND!!!

Friday, August 1 - Sunday, August 3
Applied to: Clothing and footwear under $100School supplies under $20

In case you're looking for some places to shop, check out these websites:
Tyson's Corner, McLean
Pentagon Row, Arlington (Crystal City)
Potomac Mills, Woodbridge
Leesburg Outlets, Leesburg

Help the economy - Happy Shopping!!

If you want some more recommendations of good bargain shopping or specific places, feel free to give me a call...703.283.6120

'Extreme Makeover' Makes Dreamhome, Now Foreclosure

The NAR published a story today about one of ABC's "Extreme Makeover" past projects:

The sad story of the Harper's and how they were picked for an Extreme Makeover is below:
After losing their 2 year old son to a tragic accident (he choked on his food and paramedics couldn't save him in time), they put in long hours to get their family out of the projects of Brooklyn. They finally saved up enough money to buy a 1,400 sq ft, 4 bedroom ranch just outside of Atlanta.

What they didn't know, was that they had just purchased a 1,400 sq ft nightmare. Plagued by frequent septic tank backups and floods, their possessions and health were soon to be threatened. They sought shelter in their minivan, before THAT was in an accident and taken from them. After attempting to fix a couple of the rooms in the home, a rainstorm produced a gaping hole in the ceiling of one of those rooms.

Cue ABC's Extreme Makeover....and now they live in this:


Or at least, they used to.

3 years later? The Harper Family used the renovated property as collateral to get a $450,000 loan. Now they are unable to pay the bills and the property will be auctioned on the steps of the Clayton County Courthouse on Aug. 5.

Could've been such a good Cinderella story! Just another example of the need for better money management lessons for the US.

Condos vs Townhomes - What's the Difference?

There's so many different types of properties on the market and being built these days, that I thought I would do a focus on what the difference is between some of the real estate ou there - beginning with Condominiums and Townhomes.

Condominiums, i.e. Condos
Similar to the layout of an apartment, a condominium is a "suite" of rooms designed for living. It may be part of a high-rise, or just a single unit in a smaller building. Buying a condo will also offer a different type of ownership (this is really getting into the details of things....with condo ownership, you own your unit outright, but the common areas of the condo building you own 'in tenancy' with the other condo owners in the building)

Townhomes, i.e. Townhouse
A townhouse is a single-family residential unit that is generally part of a group of attached units, all with individual property rights. Ownership of such units is similar to single-family homes where you're responsible for the exterior and landscaping.

Trying to figure out which one is right for you? Let's talk...
Laura Rubinchuk, 703.283.6120

2008 Arlington County Fair - August 6th - 10th

It's almost time for the 2008 Arlington County Fair!!! Here are the details of the upcoming event:

When: August 6 - 10, 2008
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Center
3501 2nd Street South
Arlington, VA
Features:
Opening ceremonies
Midway Rides and Games provided by Cole Shows Amusement
Competitive Exhibits and Awards Program
Entertainment
Famous Racing Pigs
(200+) Vendor displays and exhibits
Sponsor Promotions
Arlington County Police K-9 demonstrations
Petting Zoo
Pony Rides
Family, Kids and Seniors Events and Activities
Rock Climbing Wall
Traditional and Diverse foods (cotton candy! funnel cakes! corn dogs!)

Indoor Hours of Operation:
Thursday, August 7 - 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Friday, August 8 - 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Saturday, August 9 - 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Sunday, August 10 - 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Outdoor Hours of Operation:
Wednesday, August 6th: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Thursday, August 7th: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Friday, August 8th: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Saturday, August 9th: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sunday, August 10th: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

CNN Gives More Reasons to Move to Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax County Virginia!

In the annual "Best Places to Live" survey done by CNN, they incorporate some fun categories to see how your city ranks among the nation.

My previous blog had rankings for Hunter Mill (#19) and Reston (#37)...but did you know the following:

CNN's Ranking of "Skinniest" Counties (Ranked by Avg Body Mass Index (BMI)):
#7: Alexandria, VA (Avg BMI: 25.41)
#13: Arlington County, VA (Avg BMI: 25.77)
#25: Fairfax County: (Avg BMI: 25.97)

No wonder you always see so many people running on the streets of Arlington and Alexandria!

"Most Singles" (Ranked by % singles over 30)
#7: Washington, D.C. (48.5%)

Falls Church, VA School Information - Public, Private, Fairfax - oh my!

We have a very interesting set up here in Northern Virginia. We have Arlington County, Fairfax county, the cities of Falls Church, Alexandria, Fairfax, and the towns of Vienna, Herndon and Clifton.

You mean the city of Fairfax isn't within Fairfax county? Or Vienna? And Alexandria isn't part of Arlington County? HUH????

Let's attack Falls Church today.

Falls Church is located along 495, 66, 267, Rt 50...you can get there from any major road. Falls Church CITY has it's own Public School System made up of 4 schools:

Mount Daniel Elementary(pre-k through 1)
Thomas Jefferson Elementary (2-4)
Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School (5-7)
George Mason High School (8-12)

HOWEVER, the property location will determine whether you are located within the boundary for Falls Church City schools, or Fairfax County Public Schools.

For agents, you can use this boundary checker for the school information for your listing also. I spoke to a FCPS rep this morning, and she said they go by the Boundary checker so it's the most accurate we can get!

Falls Church School Identifier