Condos, condominiums, townhouses and more in Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church & Fairfax County

February 17th, 2010:

Harborside Luxury Townhomes

Are you seeking a luxury residence in the Lyle’s Crouch School District of Old Town Alexandria. Perhaps you need look no further than Harborside. These spacious homes feature the details that you’d expect from a fine home but are found in one of the best neighborhoods in Northern Virginia.

Showing properties 1 - 2 of 2. See more Harborside.
(all data current as of 5/21/2012)

  1. 2 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 2,080 sq ft
  2. 4 beds, 3 full, 3 part baths
    Home size: 5,024 sq ft

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

About George Mason University

Here’s how George Mason University describes itself:

George Mason University, located in the heart of Northern Virginia’s technology corridor near Washington, D.C., is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. With strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering, information technology, biotechnology and health care, Mason prepares its alumni to succeed in the workforce and meet the needs of the region and the world.

Mason professors conduct groundbreaking research in areas such as cancer, climate change, information technology and the biosciences. Mason’s Center for the Arts brings world-renowned artists, musicians and actors to its stage. Its School of Law is recognized by “U.S. News and World Report” as one of the top 40 law schools in the United States.

Minutes Away from Washington, D.C.

Founded in 1972, the university has grown into a major educational force as a state institution, and gained national distinction in a range of academic fields.

What is a “Cape Cod”?

drawing of a Cape Cod style home

Some of the first houses built in the United States were Cape Cods. The original colonial Cape Cod homes were shingle-sided, one-story cottages with no dormers. During the mid-20th century, the small, uncomplicated Cape Cod shape became popular in suburban developments. A 20th-century Cape Cod is square or rectangular with one or one-and-a-half stories and steeply pitched, gabled roofs. It may have dormers and shutters. The siding is usually clapboard or brick.

Here's a Cape Cod made of stone.

There are many neighborhoods filled with Cape Cods in Northern Virginia. Often these homes were built just after WW2 for soldiers returning from the war, but many were built as late as 1960 and some continue to be built today.  If you’d like to see a neighborhood of mature Cape Cods, many with additions, you might want to explore Bucknell Manor.

6 Home Office Tips

When you work from home, potential distractions can abound that jeopardize your efficiency, says Jennifer Shelby, who works in public relations from her Worcester, Mass., home. For example, Shelby learned to dress for work even when at home and avoid the temptation to stay in her PJs.

Here are other pointers for ensuring an efficient, productive home office:

  1. Establish a professional routine without too many breaks. But establish some breaks with time frames. For example, Shelby regularly takes a few minutes periodically to walk the family dogs. Jeffrey Crane, founder of Concept to Creation, a Gilbert, Ariz., company that consults on home design, also works from home and often uses his breaks to grab a glass of water, check on his children, and eat lunch away from his desk.
  2. Have a door or partition to set physical boundaries and establish rules with family.
  3. Have a dedicated work line to pare nonwork calls.
  4. Include locked cabinetry if work involves confidentiality.
  5. Plan the space to expand, perhaps with extra storage.

Maintain a healthy work and family balance by leaving work at a set time unless a project must get done.

By Barbara Ballinger

Five Reasons to Hold an Open House

Not all real estate practitioners are enthusiastic about the effectiveness of open houses, but here are five good reasons to consider holding one:

  1. The odds are low but sometimes open houses lead to a sale.
  2. Home sellers like them. They like seeing their real estate professional working hard for them.
  3. Visitor feedback is good for sellers.
  4. Other real estate practitioners tour open houses and they sometimes produce sales.
  5. Open houses engage people, including friends and neighbors who might bring in a buyer.

Source: Inman News, Mary Umberger (02/17/2010)

Home Price Reductions Level Off

The share of homes on the market with price reductions declined to an average of 21 percent as of Feb. 1, according to Trulia.com, which has been tracking the information since April 2009. Will Nesbitt, principal broker of Condo Alexandria, said, “I’m seeing the end of price erosion.  The market appears to have stabilized in Northern Virginia.”

This is a significant decrease compared to November 2009, when 26 percent of homes had at least one price reduction

The total dollar amount cut from home prices dropped to $22.6 billion as of Feb. 1, down from $28.1 billion in November, a 19 percent decrease.

The average discount for price-reduced homes is holding steady at 11 percent off the original listing price.

Here are the cities with the largest decrease in listings with price reductions between last November and this month, according to Trulia.

  • San Francisco, -46
  • Oakland, Calif., -43
  • Sacramento, -42
  • San Jose, -40
  • Indianapolis, -39
  • Seattle, -37
  • San Diego, -33
  • New York, -33

Source: Trulia.com (02/16/2010)

Mortgage Applications Decline Slightly

Mortgage applications decreased 2.1 percent last week compared to the previous week on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the weekly Mortgage Bankers Association survey.

On an unadjusted basis, applications were down only 0.5 percent. The unadjusted purchase index increased 1 percent compared with the previous week, but was 18.4 percent lower than it was the same week a year ago.

Interest rates mostly held steady:

* 30-year fixed-rate mortgages remained unchanged at 4.94 percent.
* 15-year fixed-rate mortgages remained unchanged at 4.33 percent.
* 1-year ARMs decreased to 6.67 percent from 6.68 percent.

Source: Mortgage Bankers Association (02/17/2010)

Activities at Montebello condos

Montebello is a great community at least in part because of the strong sense of community at Montebello. For example, Montebello has a number of clubs that cater to a variety of interests. Some of these clubs include:

  • Book Discussion Group,

    Winter on Mount Eagle Drive

  • the Bus Club,
  • the Digital Arts Club,
  • the Garden Club,
  • the Kids Club,
  • the Music Club,
  • the Naughty Knitters,
  • the Pet Club,
  • the Spanish Club,
  • the Travel Information Club and
  • the Women’s Club.

Montebello also has seasonal Bowling and Tennis Leagues. Do you like playing cards? You might want to show for the following.

  • Canasta — Every Thursday, 2 p.m., Card Room
  • Duplicate Bridge — Every Monday, 7 p.m., Community Center Lounge
  • Party Bridge — Every Wednesday, 7:00 p.m., Party Room 4

Mark the following activities and events on your calendar.

  • Living Arts Series — Sat., Feb. 20, 2 pm, PR 2. DVD lecture on “Art Across the Ages” by Prof. Ori Soltes, Georgetown Univ. The second of multiple sessions.
  • Montebello’s Saturday Night Live — Feb. 20, 7-9:30 pm, in CC, featuring the Vintage Jazz sounds of Nancy Lisi & Doug Everton. See bulletin boards for more info.
  • Guest Speaker — Sunday, Feb. 21, 7:30, CC. “Intro. to Behavioral Economics,” by resident Dr. …. See bulletin boards for more details.
  • Fireside Fridays — Feb. 26, 6:30-8:30 pm in the CC. Enjoy the mellow sounds of pianist Eric Schwarz.
  • Pot Luck Dinners — Sun., Feb. 28, 6:30 pm, PR TBA, Hosts: TBA

In March we can look forward to:

  • St. Patrick’s Day Sing-a-long —  Wed., March 17
  • Book Swap — March 20 (bring books March 19).
  • Taste of Montebello — Sun, March 21
  • Delegate Scott Surovell — Tues. eve., March 23
  • Home Tour — April 18. Call …. to list your home on the tour.

Montebello also has several fitness activities to enjoy.

  • Aerobics — Low-impact aerobics class on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m., Lower Level Community Center. $3/class
  • Stretchnastics — Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m., Lower Level Community Center. No fee.
  • T’ai Chi — 12-week session began on Thursday, January 7, 2010. in PR4 at 7:00 PM. Fee: $125 for 12-week session, due by second class; or $15 per class for those who have learned the first third of the T’ai Chi form we practice. Informal, comfortable clothes are worn. Come see what it’s all about!
  • Water Aerobics — Mondays & Thursdays (4pm-5pm) and Saturday mornings (11am-12 noon), indoor pool
  • Yoga — Mondays, PR 4, 3:30 pm all classes drop-in rate $17
  • Evening Hatha Yoga — Tuesday evenings, 7 pm, lower level of the CC. STRETCHING, TONING, BREATHING & RELAXING. Classes are for all levels. Walk-ins welcomed. Experienced Certified Yoga Instructor. ($10/class)

Northern Virginia pushes on …

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Map of Unemployment

Despite the struggling economy, Northern Virginia pushes forward.  Watch the DC area carefully in the video above.

Alexandria House amenities and information

Lobby of the Alexandria House

A place to check mail in the Alexandria House lobby.

The Alexandria House condo community has the following amenities:

  • a penthouse party room overlooking the Potomac;
  • a location in the heart of Old Town;
  • 24-hour desk;
  • security;
  • extra storage rooms.

looking south from Alexandria House

Alexandria House condos

Bedroom at Alexandria House

Floor to ceiling glass in the bedrooms with access to the balcony.

The Alexandria House condos often feature

  • separate dining rooms;
  • wood floors;
  • open floor plans;
  • renovated and updated kitchens
  • sweeping views;
  • large units;
  • spacious balconies;
  • plenty of windows and light;
  • underground parking.

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The multiple listing data appearing on this website, or contained in reports produced therefrom, comes in part from Metropolitan Regional Information Systems ("MRIS"). The information provided is for the viewer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties the viewer may be interested in purchasing. All real estate listings include detailed information about them that includes the name of the listing brokers and therefore may reference real estate listing(s) held by a brokerage other than the broker and/or agent who owns this web site.

All listing data, including, but not limited to, square footage and lot size is believed to be accurate, but the listing agent, listing broker and respective Multiple Listing Services and their affiliates do not warrant or guarantee such accuracy. Therefore, all data should be personally verified through personal inspection by and/or with the appropriate professionals. Listing data last updated 5/21/12 11:54 AM PDT.

The listing information on this web site is from various brokers who participate in IDX.

Copyright 2012 MRIS. All rights reserved.

This IDX solution is (c) Diverse Solutions 2012.