July, 2009:
Kayaks and Canoes with the Alexandria Fun with Friends Group
The goal of the Alexandria Fun with Friends Group is to have fun and make friends through gaming get-togethers, social activities and local excursions. This group has has also organized events around laser tag, karaoke, bowling,
ballroom dancing and the theater. We’ve even hosted a few barbecues. Most of us are not experts in these activities, but some of us are, and we enjoy teaching others about our favored hobbies. Our group provides a great venue for making friends and staying active around Alexandria.
On Saturday July 26th, the group will be renting kayaks and canoes at the Belle Haven Marina. We’ll probably to paddle upstream to Jones Point, disembark, stretch our legs and then coast downstream back to the marina. Some folks like to head for the marsh to see waterfowl.
The marina offers kayaks, canoes and I think they have johnboats or rowboats if that’s your preference. The idea is to hit the river before things get too hot, work up an appetite and then take in a brunch at a nearby restaurant.
The boats rent for between $20 and $35 per hour. We’ll take at least an hour and might get a discount if we have enough people.
There is no charge or obligation to join the group. Sign up here and more details here.
BTW … he’s a nice dog.
About the Olympus of Landmark — condos in the West End of Alexandria VA
The Olympus is a unique high-rise with a curved layout that gives its rooms spectacular curved vistas. It was opened in the mid 70s and stands at the meeting of Yoakum Pkwy and Stevenson Ave. Included in the extras of the Olympus you will find:
- Outdoor swimming pool surrounded by trees
- Controlled entry with 24 hour security
- Tennis courts
- Hot tub and sauna
- An exercise room
- Party room
- Utilities are included in condo fees
- Parking garage
To learn more about the Olympus and what’s available in the area call us any time at Condo Alexandria or simply click Olympus Condo Search.
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(all data current as of
5/17/2012)
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$239,000 : 6301 Stevenson Ave #1516, Alexandria3 beds, 2 full baths
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
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About the Author — Ben Fornshell is a licensed real estate agent with Condo Alexandria. To learn more about available rentals and purchases in the area check out our free search.
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A stroll through Parkfairfax in summer
Parkfairfax is one of the gems of Northern Virginia. Parkfairfax offers vintage garden-style condos in a quaint neighborhood inside the Beltway and close to conveniences of Shirlington, Del Ray and Alexandria VA. It’s perfect for commuters who head to Washington DC or to most parts of Northern Virgina.
The site is heavily wooded with mature landscaping that is hard to find in the newer developments.
Most of the buildings are plain brick, but there are quite a few painted brick buildings here in Parkfairfax.
Most residents opt to customize their homes with potted plants and decorative touches. In the summer under the shade, Parkfairfax is a great place to take it easy over a glass of lemonade.
There are plenty of open spaces under the woods where you can find benches to relax and trails to walk There are even playgrounds for the kids.
Parkfairfax has elegant touches like the pilasters and shutters. The roofs here are not tar-paper shingles.
Call us for a tour of what’s available or to check prices click Parkfairfax homes for sale.
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(all data current as of
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$226,000 : 3312 Martha Custis Dr #217-33, Alexandria1 bed, 1 full bath
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$228,000 : 3418 Martha Custis Dr #306-34, Alexandria1 bed, 1 full bath
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$329,900 : 1627 Preston Rd #946-16, Alexandria2 beds, 1 full bath
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$335,000 : 3607 Gunston Rd #524-36, Alexandria2 beds, 1 full bath
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$234,900 : 3203 Gunston Rd #110-32, Alexandria1 bed, 1 full bath
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
Parks of Aurora Highlands near Crystal City
Several parks are located near and in the neighborhoods of Aurora Highlands and Crystal City.
- Nina Park — pre-school age playground, no pets allowed
- Eads Park — multi-use field, school age playground
- Nelly Custis Park — school age playground
- Virginia Highlands Park — lighted artificial turf soccer field, lighted baseball fields (locked – accessible by permit only), multi-use fields, school age playground, pre-school age playground, lighted tennis courts, lighted basketball courts, and volleyball court
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(all data current as of
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$699,900 : 814 24th St S, Arlington4 beds, 2 full baths
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$985,000 : 729 22nd St S, Arlington4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
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$1,690,000 : 609 24th St S, Arlington7 beds, 7 full, 1 part baths
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
Places of Worship
Are you looking for proximity to a particular house of worship?
Whether you are seeking a church, mosque, synagogue or temple—yes, alphabetical order is intentional—Fair Housing Laws pretty clearly state that houses of worship locations are not the purview of real estate professionals. These rules were written in another era when segregation, even by denomination, was more common in America. While it is true that some neighborhoods have a few more folks from this religion or that, I’m not aware of any neighborhoods in Northern Virginia that are exclusively or even mostly a certain religion.
I personally thinks it make sense to investigate the schools in an area to make sure they suit your needs. As realtors we can provide information about schools. By the same token, I think many folks would like to know that there is a nearby house of worship that serves up their preferred flavor of faith-based teachings, but this is outside the realm of the research I can perform for you.
When we speak of religious matters, it must be understood that this information is not intended as an endorsement of
or an attack upon any particular religion. Nor should it be implied from this information that any particular creed or religion is favored by our brokerage. But I do think it’s sad that I have to write that, because it should be understood by implication.
photo credit: Per Ola Wiberg ~ OFF, Computer crash
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About the Author — Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria and Will Nesbitt Realty. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County. |
History of the Valley and Ridge Region
The Valley and Ridge Region is beyond the Blue Ridge. The Valley and Ridge region consists of ridges of mountains divided by broad and fertile valleys.
The Shenandoah Valley may be the most famous part of the Valley and Ridge Region west of the Blue Ridge.
Stonewall Jackson’s Valley campaign was battled out through the region. The cities in the region developed near the early railroad system and this worked into the strategy of the War Between the States.
Important cities in the Region:
- Manassas
- Harrisonburg
- Roanoke
All these three cities were important railroad junction. The railroads followed the valleys and met at a gap making a locomotive to cross a ridge.
Crystal City Basics
Crystal City is an urban village in Arlington County Virginia. Crystal City is home for numerous defense contractors, the United States Department of Labor, Public Broadcasting, the EPA and many satellite offices for The Pentagon. While Crystal City only has more than 6,000 residents, more than 60,000 people work a normal business schedule in Crystal City.
Crystal is not a “planned community”, in the sense that developers did not design and follow a master plan. Nonetheless, Crystal City is a community with a plan. In the middle of the last century, the area now called Crystal City had few residents. The area east of Aurora Highlands had several motels which served National Airport (which later came to be known as Reagan National Airport). Many train-tracks served the busy Potomac Yard station (now a shopping center) and warehouses were located in the vicinity.
But in 1963 things began to change with the construction of several office buildings and condominiums. One of the first of these condos was Crystal House, so named for an ornate crystal chandelier in the lobby. Subsequent buildings followed with similar names such as Crystal Gateway and Crystal Park. It only made sense to call the new urban village Crystal City.
The builders at Crystal City largely followed a pattern of building that was considered avant-garde at the time. These structures feature the grand sweeping curves of textured concrete with plenty of glass. The proportions of the lobbies and common areas are large and airy and the buildings themselves seem to flow along the city streets and complement the abundant landscaping details.
Crystal City is bounded by some of the busiest commuter arteries of Northern Virginia. While the buildings here are both residential and office, the broad circulating avenues of Crystal City allow traffic to flow through Crystal City and at the same time encourage underground pedestrians to shop by foot. In Northern Virginia’s 100 degree summers, the rains of spring and the icy cold of winter, this is a big benefit to residents of Crystal City.
While the underground shops and passages of Crystal City remain, today Crystal City is slowly being redeveloped into a more traditional urban feel. Restaurants and shops are starting to open at street level. Arlington County is encouraging the redevelopment by change some traffic patterns to make streets like Crystal Drive function as city streets, rather than as circulating roads.
Even with these changes, today it is still easy for residents each of Rt. 1 along the Crystal Drive corridor to walk from the north side of Crystal City almost all the way to the Eclipse at Center Park entirely underground. Crystal City together with nearby Aurora Highlands and Pentagon City is an ultra convenient place to live for folks who work in Arlington, the Pentagon or Washington DC. Contact us today to learn more about this neighborhood and its many unique advantages.
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About the Author — Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria and Will Nesbitt Realty. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County. |
How do I determine the value of a property when making a choice of where to live?
Licensed real estate agents can provide you with a competitive market analysis, this is based on:
- Comparable properties in the area
- Adjustments for differences in size and condition of the property
- Differences based on location or the sale/rental date of the property
While real estate prices are fluid and certainly open to negotiation there are very real trends that affect not only the housing market as a whole, but localized areas as well. This can include everything from:
- New construction
- Zoning changes
- Condemned properties
- Traffic pattern changes
It is important to remember when assessing property that there are three factors that will most influence the price
- Location
- Value of improvements (the home or unit)
- Uniqueness of property
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About the Author — Ben Fornshell is a licensed real estate agent with Condo Alexandria. To learn more about available rentals and purchases in the area check out our free search.
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Why buying a condo is not like buying a house.
Some folks like to imagine that buying a condo is like buying a house without yard work. In some ways this is true, but it many ways it does not tell the full story. There are real differences between buying a condo, whether you are a first time buyer seeking affordability, or if you are a long-time homeowner down-sizing.
Legal
Consider the legal limitations of condominium ownership. For example, the title of a single family home provides to the owner near total control of any legal use of the property. That means total control of the landscaping, the colors of the house and the types of windows and doors you have.
But condos are titled differently. The governing documents in a condominium complex describe common areas and shared resources. The common area and shared portions of the property are controlled by a—sometimes burdensome—democratic apparatus of owners in the complex. The association might restrict the color you can paint your door. It is not uncommon for the association to decide what plants are planted and what types of windows you may install.
On the other hand, some homeowners associations make similar restrictions. A cynic might note that a homeowner does not have control over the street or “common area” that is controlled by the county. In a real sense we all have an association with the community at large. It’s just a matter of where the community starts and what responsibilities we cede to the community.
In a single family home, community control begins at the curb, but in a condo, community control begins somewhere just beyond the paint on your walls.
Lifestyle
Because the community has shared elements, condo owners don’t just have neighbors. Instead, condominium owners actually live next door to their investment partners. Condominiums force a relationship with your neighbors that goes beyond what the owner of a single family home might find. If your neighbor ruins the carpet outside his door, he ruins your carpet too.
Life is simpler in a condominium: you don’t need to worry aboutmaintenance. Many times some or all of the utilities are managed by the association. Often the building insurance is managed by the condo association. Freedom from responsibility means less control and fewer choices about the community: but do you really care who cleans the gutters? Do you really want to spend your life picking the insurance company? If not then, a condo might be for you.
Condo Benefits
Condos are a lifestyle choice. In Northern Virginia, where prices are high and choices are limited, condo ownership makes a lot of sense. However, condo ownership has unique challenges and aspects that you should fully understand before buying.
If you choose a condo specialist like us, you’ll know that we have answers to important questions.
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About the Author — Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria and Will Nesbitt Realty. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County. |
