If you're in the market for a condo, one of the first decisions you need to make is whether to by a newly built condo, or to by a previously owned condominium. Both have advantages and both have pitfalls. Here are a few thoughts to consider.
The majority of condos that are sold are existing condos. This is neither an advantage or a disadvantage---simply a fact. The majority of marketing materials and advertisements you will see for condos is for new construction. This means that it is easier to find ads, pretty pictures and floor plans for new condos.
One of the advantages of buying an existing condo is what you see is what you get. There will be no surprises, good or bad. There will be no change orders. You won't have to look at a model and a floorplan to get an idea of what you are buying. Instead, you can tour the property that you will actually buy.
You can move into an existing condo as soon as your loan and title work are finished. There will be no construction delays. Construction delays can be sizeable and in today's market it is even possible for the builder to fold-up shop before the project is completed.
All properties, condos included, have kinks. That is to say, there are unexpected problems with the construction, lay-out or plan. In an existing condo, the owners have already discovered, identified and usually solved those problems. In a new condo, you never know what the problems will be. If anyone could have predicted that unexpected problem it wouldn't exist!
Existing condos are in established neighborhoods. The traffic patterns are set. The views are what they will be. Established neighborhoods have a tendency to have "enough" shopping outlets. Established neighborhoods have very predictable values in the future. New neighborhoods can have unexpected increases or decreases in value.
One of the disadvantages of buying an existing condo is that you might not have some of features you want. This can be simple things like have the cable wired on the wall where you prefer to put your TV. You might have to compromise on your laundry room and be forced to share a community laundry. You might find that the layout is not exactly as you would like it. A newly built condo always has the latest features and if it is brand new construction the builder can sometimes tailor the unit to your demands.
Let's face, brand new buildings are often more appealing than old condos.The materials, the stylings, even the smell of a new condo is enticing. New condos are fun and bright and designed to appeal to the latest notion in the buying public. A new condo will not require any special assessments or repairs. It's in perfect shape.
To weigh your options between new and previously owned condos, contact Will Nesbitt Realty at Condo Alexandria.
Washer and Dryer in the Unit?This week I was in a condo selling for over a million dollars. It was a beautiful condominium home with excellent views, a state of the art kitchen and all the upgrades one might expect ... except the unit didn't have a washer and dryer.
Because my office is in River Towers, and we also serve Belle View, I often confront the question of a washer and dryer in the unit. (Neither River Towers nor Belle View have laundry in the unit.) I've talked to the older residents of River Towers about this and surprisingly many of them resist the idea of putting laundry in the unit. They like their laundry-rooms right where they are---thank you very much. This might seem baffling to some of the younger generation, but laundry rooms have a number of distinct advantages:
In a luxury community, most people don't do their own laundry anyway, so they don't care if the laundry is outside the unit. My tip to folks who are shopping for homes in Northern Virginia: don't box yourself in. If you won't consider a unit with a laundry room, you're walking past some of the best neighborhoods in Northern VA. Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||||
Rent at The Fountains with all utilities included for only $1199Will Nesbitt | Condo 1 Alexandria | request more info | 703 765 0300
301 N. Beauregard, Alexandria, VA (posted 8/22/09) Rent includes ALL utilities. Conveniently located near i-395 with easy access to DC, Arlington, Tyson's Corner and more.
1BR/1BA Condo / $1195/month
DESCRIPTION
RENTAL FEATURES
COMMUNITY FEATURES
More information about the Fountains:
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||||
The Fountains at 301 N. Beauregard
The Fountains is located close to
I-395 and is well served by public transportation, including DASH
buses. From the Fountains, DASH buses follow I-395 to the Pentagon Metro and DC.
The Fountains is a very short drive from Arlington's Rosslyn and Crystal City. Shirlington
is just down the road on I-395. The Fountains is in Alexandria just a few blocks from
Old Town. But the community is still relatively close to Tyson's Corner and Springfield.
To see prices, more pictures and a map click the
Fountains.
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||||
Bilevel condominiums --- lofts and townhouse style lay-outsFor some people one of the benefits of condo living is that everything is on one level. Many there are no stairs inside the unit of some condominiums. For those in wheelchairs, for the elderly, or for those who just like life without stairs, this is a big advantage. But for some people, life on one level is just not enough. Lofts and bilevel condominiums offer condo-style living, but doesn't limit life to just one level. One of my favorite examples of this is found in the top floor units at the Tiers of Manchester. 
The Tiers are "swiss-style" condominiums. Their roof lines echo the high-pitched roofs favored in Alpine cottages. In Switzerland these roof provide the pitch needed to get excess snow off the roof. But in Manchester Lakes, these roofs provide opportunities for dramatic overlooks in the condo itself.
The pitch of the roof allows for high angled ceilings and the placement of a loft over-looking the living area.
It's difficult in a photograph to show how this brings a real feeling of spaciousness to the condo. The lofts here also provide bonus space for storage and closets under the eaves of the roof. The loft is easily accessed by way of a spiral staircase that only adds to the dramatic feel of these condos.
In Kingstowne has a good many condominiums with lofts and the Tiers of Manchester and Eton Square are just two of my favorites. To check pricing and availability on these go to Tiers or Eton Square.
Lofts are dramatic and very appealing but they aren't for everyone. Another alternative in you're looking for a multi-level condo is the townhouse style layout found at the Sycamores at Van Dorn.
The Sycamores is one of many garden-style condos in this area that offer townhouse-style floorplans in a garden-style condo. This give you all the benefits of condo life (low maintenance, amenities) with the homey feel of a townhouse. In condos such as these, the bedrooms are upstairs but the kitchen and living room are downstairs. In some condos like the Sycamores and Old Town Village, most or all units have a townhouse style unit. In other condos, such as Eton Square in Kingstowne or Worldgate near Reston, on the the top floor units have the townhouse-style unit. But there is yet one more way to get a multi-floor condo.
Some high-rises offer units with multiple floors. For example the Fountains in the West End of Alexandria VA, have units that occupy two floors. The Fountains is also one of the most affordable condominiums in Northern Virginia and features a convenient location that is easily accessible via I-395 or public transportation. The Atrium in Arlington VA is a high-end condominium in Rosslyn that has dramatic two-level units with two-story windows. There are plenty of choices these days. Contact us to find a property that will fit your tastes, budget, commute!
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||||
Landmark Mall
To contact the office send mail or call: Landmark Mall
5801 Duke St (703) 354-8405 Mall HoursMonday-Saturday: 10:00am-9:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pm Memorial Day: 10:00am-9:00pm Department store and restaurant hours may vary.
One of the fun features of Landmark Mall is the kiddie train. The train takes on passengers at the center of the mall and then---toot-toot!---the train shuttles its little passengers around the mall and back to the play-are at the mall's center.
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||||
Alexandria's West EndLike the Eisenhower Valley, the West End of Alexandria is a mix of units and types. Condos and high rises abound in "Condo Canyon" near Landmark and Lincolnia. But development from the 1950's and 1960's is also found tucked on side streets and around unexpected corners. The homes around and near Seminary Road are regarded by many as stately and highly desirable. Another interesting neighborhood in the West End is Cameron Station. Cameron Station is a newer development of townhouses and condos, but the stylings and architecture imitate the best of Old Town. Cameron Station is relatively close to both Landmark Mall and Old Town. The West End is well connected to Washington DC via I-395. The West End is the newest and largest part of the city. The West End has a diverse selection of restaurants and shops as well as Landmark Mall and several fine hotels. Fort Ward Park and Museum is found in the West End of Alexandria. 
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||||
The Fountains --- condos in the West End of Alexandria VA
The Fountains Condominiums at 301 Beauregard is conveniently located near the Duke St. and I-395. This high-rise condo community is in the West End of Alexandria VA. It's located just a few blocks from Van Dorn and Landmark and Lincolnia. Every condo at the Fountains has plenty of light and windows. Many condos at the Fountains have balconies with views toward the city or the Blue Ridge. The Fountains is an older building but very well-maintained. The carpets in the common areas are in top shape, as are the amenities of the Fountains. The Fountains Management OfficeFor facilities questions, condo documents, insurance questions and more please contact:
Fountains 301 Condominiums (703) 354 2978 (fax) Buying, Selling or Renting at the Fountains?
You can reach an agent by phone at 703 765 0300 or by email here. Here are driving directions to the office of Condo 1 Alexandria.  Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||||
It's all worth it: a happy ending.Real estate agents work hard. Well, let me rephrase that. I work hard, and every successful real estate agent I know works hard. I put in long hours. I juggle multiple tasks. I self-motivate. But sometimes, when you're exhausted ... sometimes when your motivator needs motivation, you have to wonder if it is all worth it? On a day after you run into a demanding renter --- a client who really won't make you any money in the best case --- makes unreasonable demands on your time, you can feel a little worn down. Sometimes transactions blow-up. Sometimes a real estate agent ends up working late into the evening for the chance to make money ... but doesn't make anything. I remember the days when crawled out of a warm bed on a Saturday morning, and rushed to make an early appointment and then was stood up. But this isn't a post about poor little me. This is a thank you to God and to friends and family and life. In a slowing market, I am busier than ever. My phone rings all day long. And, I'm happy to work the long hours I do. I don't think there is any secret to my success. I just work hard and try to take care of people. And, the best part is that when I take care of people, people take care of me. Sometimes we forget that simple truth, but I was reminded of that this Sunday. Sunday evening, I was exhausted. My wife was not feeling well. I wanted to go home, curl up and hide from the world for a few hours. But, a client of mine wanted me to come to her new home at the Fountains condominiums. She had asked us over to share a meal and to check out the improvements she had made to the home. I was too tired to have fun. I didn't want to go. I called her and told her this. She wasn't very happy. She told me she had been hard at work cooking and that her efforts would be wasted. I told her my wife was not feeling well. (She wasn't.) This client is Brazilian, and she said that in Brazil she would have kept her thoughts to herself. But here in the US, she was going to blurt out her disappointment. I groaned to myself. My wife is a gourmet cook. I've seen her silently suffer after she worked hard at preparing a meal that guests blew off. So I had no choice. Tired or no, I had to drag myself to the Fountains to meet my client and her husband. Guess what? It was one of the best dinners I've ever eaten (that my wife didn't make). It turns out my client is a wonderful cook and a generous host. Her condo was tastefully decorated with items from Brazil, her childhood, her familial roots in Austria and with interesting pieces art from around the world. The meal was well-prepared with foods that took time, love and effort to make the right way. While we enjoyed foods from her Brazilian and European heritage, her husband put a little Brazilian music on the stereo. Then after dinner, her husband pulled out his guitar and played a few classics in Brazilian and Spanish. He was amazingly talented. While he sang, she translated. It was quite a performance. The best part was when he played an original tune. And to think what a fool I would have been if I hadn't gone.
I was exhausted and needed some good food. The universe had carefully pre If you do what is right, the universe, and God, will look out for you, providing exactly what you need exactly when you need it.
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · |
pared
me exactly what I needed and I was about to walk away from it! This only reinforces
my belief that you should always do what is right.
