Washingtonian's "75 Best Bars" Highlights 5 in Arlington

There's always somewhere new to explore in the Washington, D.C. area, and the March issue of the Washingtonian highlights some new ones. Of the 75 "Best Bars" in the area, 5 from Arlington were ranked. They are:

Eatbar (adjacent to Tallula) - 2761 Washington Blvd, Arlington - 703.778.9951

Liberty Tavern- 3195 wilson boulevard, arlington - 703.465.9360

Guarapo - 2039 Wilson Blvd. Arlington - (703) 528-6500

Carpool - 4000 Fairfax Drive, Arlington VA - (703) 532 7665

Galaxy Hut - 2711 Wilson Blvd, Arlington - (703) 525 - 8646

Jaleo was an honorable mention(they have 3 locations throughout the area) for having the
best sangria.

Cafe Asia was ranked as having the best happy-hour specials. (Their sushi isn't bad either!)

Arlington Virginia Real Estate Sales 2009 Year to Date

I can't believe we're already into March! Nor can I believe it actually snowed on March 1st and 2nd!! Here the numbers for January and February 2009 (as of 3/2/09):

Total Arlington Sales: 209
22201 - 23
22202 - 15
22203 - 30
22204 - 58
22205 - 14
22206 - 28
22207 - 22
22209 - 15
22213 - 4

Did you know the even zip codes (22202, 22204, 22206) are the South Arlington Zip Codes? All of the other Zip codes are North Arlington.

22201 - Of the 23 sales, 4 were townhomes, 14 were condos, and 5 were single family homes.

22202 - Of the 15 sales, 5 were single family homes, 6 were condos, and 4 were townhomes.

22203 - Of the 30 sales, 8 were single family homes, 3 were townhomes, and 19 were condos.

22204 - Of the 58 sales, 15 were single family homes, 15 were townhomes, and 28 were townhomes.

22205 - Of the 14 sales, 12 were single family homes, 2 were towhnomes, and none were condos.

22206 - Of the 28 sales, 2 were single family homes, 19 were townhomes, and 7 were condos.

22207 - Of the 22 sales, 15 were single family homes, 4 were townhomes, and 3 were condos.

22209 - Of the 15 sales, none were single family homes, 2 were townhomes, and 13 were condos.

22213 - Of the 4 sales, 1 was a single family home, 1 was a townhome, 2 were condos.

Who had the most expensive sale? 22207 - in Lee Heights for just over $1.44M

Look for more specific market data by zip code to follow.

The Williamsburg Condominium in Arlington, VA - 2008 in Review

The Williamsburg Condo is located at 1276 N. Wayne St, Arlington, VA 22201 - right on the edge of clarendon and courthouse. The building is a short walk to either metro stop, located near Whole Foods, Barnes and Noble, Office Depot, the Courthouse, Cheesecake Factory, and many more bars, restaurants, and shopping. The Williamsburg was built in 1992, and was built well!!

The 13-story, 266 unit building features a pool, sauna, gym, outside gazebo, conference and community room, on-site management, underground parking, and much more.

Of the 20 sales in the building last year, NONE were distressed properties! Not one was a short-sale or bank-owned property...great for the resale of these units for the current owners. Here are the averages for the building:

1 Bedroom Units: Sold in 29 days for $368,733
1 Bedroom w/Den Units: Sold in 80 days for $462,700
2 Bedroom Units: Sold in 36 days for $543,073
3 Bedroom Units: Sold in 49 days for $715,000

There are 6 properties currently for sale at The Williamsburg, all are 2 bedroom or 2 bedroom w/den units (as of 2/11/09)

Laura Rubinchuk
Keller Williams Realty
McLean, VA
703.283.6120

2008 Review of The 1021 Clarendon Condominium

After taking a look at Station Square, I thought we'd compare it to it's neighbor on 1021 N Garfield St - 1021 Clarendon. This condo building was built in 2005. The sheer number of units in the building - 417 - can explain some of the variations in the building. This building in particular has been hit pretty hard in 2008 by short sales and foreclosures. Although it is FHA approved, there are many investors in the building that may have gone belly up on their investments (condo fees tend to eat into cash flow), and caused some of the units to be lost.

28 Units Sold in 2008
1 bedroom units: Average Sale price: $371,500, 53 Days on the Market (DOM)
1 bedroom w/den: Average Sale price: $422,123, 15 DOM
2 bedrooms units: Average Sale price: $524,000, 96 DOM
3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 parking spots: $680,000, 48 DOM

Through public notices, I know of 2 more that are up for auction in the next month...many of the properties sold in 2008 were short-sales, and the ones that were sold at auction don't factor in to these numbers. These sales only reflect those shown in our local MLS.

It's interesting to see how different buildings, even 10 feet from one another, fair differentlyin this market. There's a lot to consider when debating where to buy your next/first/future home, or investment. Now is a great time to grab a deal....so if you're interested in learning why and where, i'm always open to questions!

2008 Review of The Residences at Station Square Condominium in Arlington, Virginia

Located at 1201 N. Garfield, 1205 N. Garfield, and 1220 N. Fillmore St in Arlington, Virginia, these are the 3 buildings that make up The Residences at Station Square Condominium.
The building was built in 2005/2006 (different buildings were finished at different times). At the tender age of 3, 17 different units changed hands last year. Here's a recap of the sales (all average sales prices are NET, difference of sales price and any subsidy provided by the seller to the buyer):

17 Total Units Sold
Studio: $284k, 56 days on the market (DOM)
1 bedroom: $372k, 12 DOM
1 bedroom w/den: $440k, 104 DOM
2 bedroom: $545k, 85 DOM
2 bedroom, 2.5 bath - some with den: $709k, 74 DOM
(Prices ranged from $649,900 for a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath to $850k for a 2 bedroom w/den, 2.5 bath unit)

This newer building is just 2 blocks from the Clarendon Metro, 2-3 blocks from Whole Foods, Restaurants, Shopping, etc. It features a pool, office, a Golds Gym, and a party room.

Arlington Virginia Restaurant Spotlight: Mexicali Blues

Good Margaritas are hard to find, so i'm happy to share my local Margarita house - Mexicali Blues in Clarendon, Arlington, Virginia. Great Mexican food, great service, great place. Whether it's sitting outside on Wilson Blvd during the warm weather, or inside enjoying their food, Mexicali Blues is sure to hit the craving for Mexican.

Their menu offers great Guacamole, Fajita Steak Salad, or Tacos. Check out their full menu here.

They have seasonal beverages to spice up the menu, so visit often to try their latest sampling!

Located at 2933 Wilson Blvd in Arlington, just 2 blocks from Station Square Condo, 1021 Condos, The Phoenix, and more.

Open Sun-Thurs, 11am to 10pmFri & Sat, 11am to 11 pm

2009 Arlington Tax Assessments - Now Available!

Thinking the Arlington real estate market is down in the dumps? Not according to the Arlington tax assessor. With the exception of a few neighborhoods in Arlington, your taxes are going up.

Arlington assessments are calculated in the following way:

The general tax rate is $0.848/$100 of assessed value.

Looking for the taxes on a future property you've been eyeing? Check it online here.

Then call me to find out how we can find you a new home in Arlington, Virginia.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!!

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

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 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

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.

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