Buy Alexandria Real Estate: July 2008

You have a career, a family, a daily commute, school, finances, friends, leisure time, hobbies, health & fitness, travel plans, etc. That's a lot of balls to keep in the air at once.

• Do you really want to take on the monumental task of trying to sell your home on your own?
  
  
• Can you separate your emotions from your home purchase and negotiate effectively?

• Are you familiar with all the contract language and disclosures required to purchase a home in Virginia or D.C.?
  
  
• Have you kept up with all the latest trends and market data for the areas that interest you?

Think about those questions as you watch the following video:

Convinced? Give me a call today at 703-626-0715, start your home search online, or contact me by e-mail about selling your home.

Tonight on NBC you can watch the Miss Universe 2008 Pageant.

If you do, you'll catch a glimpse of Miss Columbia, Taliana Vargas, a beautiful 20 year old Columbian who is 5'11" with brown hair and black eyes.

I just learned that she lives here in Alexandria, Virginia with her mother and Greek stepfather as well as her five brothers and sisters.  Taliana studies Social Communication and Languages in the Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, Virginia.

Come to Alexandria... It's where the beautiful people live.

ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA HOME SEARCH

Miss Universe airs on NBC tonight from 9-11 p.m. EST.  Click here for Miss Universe information.

Are you wondering about Northern Virginia real estate and pondering what has sold recently?

Here's some information about the most expensive home sales in Northern Virginia (Arlington County, Alexandria City, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, and Falls Church City) for June 2008.  All information was obtained through MRIS.

JUNE'S MOST EXPENSIVE SALES

Single Family Detached Homes:

• 1028 Towlston Road, McLean, VA 22102 -- Sold on June 26th for $5,800,000.
  This 7 bedroom 7 full bath home features about 20,000 square feet of lving space with a game room, theatre, exercise room, steam and sauna rooms and a grand circular double staircase.  It was built in 2007 and sits on almost 2 acres.
  
  
• 6717 Wemberly Way, McLean, VA 22101 -- Sold on June 11th for $3,340,000.
  Built in 1995, this colonial on a three acre lot has spacious rooms for entertaining and 6 bedrooms and 6 full baths on 4 levels.  Over 10,000 square feet of elegant living.
  
  
• 6832 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101 -- Sold on June 16th for $3,300,000.
  10 bedrooms! 10 full baths! Hardwood floors on four levels!  3 kitchens! Parking for 20 cars!  I've run out of exclamation marks.
  
  
• 804 Great Cumberland Road, McLean, VA 22102 -- Sold on June 12th for $3,250,000.
  On 5 acres, this home features a 2 story billiard room and a custom paneled library.  With a pool, spa, outdoor stone fireplace, tennis court and gazebo, this home is for the outdoor and sports fanatic.  Built in 1978 and renovated and expanded including a gourmet kitchen with all the best appliances.
  
  
• 11005 Beach Mill Road, Great Falls, VA 22066 -- Sold on June 6th for $3,000,000.
  5 bedrooms 4 bathrooms totalling 9,000 square feet on 2 acres features a mineral springs pool, spa, grand patio and lots of charm.

No surprise that 4 out of the top 5 are in McLean, generally considered the ritziest suburb of Washington D.C.  

SEARCH FOR AVAILABLE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA 

Townhouses: 

• 1203 Stuart Robeson Drive, McLean, VA 22101 -- Sold on June 24th for $1,700,000
  This expansive townhouse in McLean was built in 1990 and was updated with a gourmet kitchen.  Its 3 levels include 3 bedrooms, 4 full and 2 half bathrooms within this gated community.
  
  
• 737 S. Union Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 -- Sold on June 30th for $1,578,000.
  Location.  Location. Location.  In the heart of Old Town Alexandria, this 2003-built 4 bedroom 3 full and 2 half bathroom townhouse makes walking to everything a breeze.

• 611 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 -- Sold on June 19th for $1,549,000.
  Also in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, this historic 1795 townhouse features classical architectural details, heart pine floors, fine moldings, four fireplaces, and an English walled garden.  All with two off-street parking spaces... a hot commodity in Old Town.
  
  
• 1420 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, VA -- Sold on June 30th for $1,050,000
  This impressive 4 bedroom 4.5 bathroom townhouse in downtown McLean was built in 1999 with high ceiling, a gourmet kitchen with granite counters and sophistcated entertaining spaces.

Over 2400 townhouses are currently available in all price ranges throughout Northern Virginia.

SEE AVAILABLE TOWNHOUSES IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Condominiums: 

• 1300 Crystal Drive #1202, Arlington, VA 22202 -- Sold on June 30th for $1,200,000.
  Every popular Crystal Gateway condominium with views of the DC Skyline, Potomac River and National Airport.  This huge 2,650 sq. ft. condo is larger than many single family homes!  It features 2 balconies, an Italian marble luxury bathroom, and all kinds of amenities, including indoor and outdoor pools.  The Crystal City metro station is right around the corner.
  
  
• 602 Tivoli Passage Way #18, Alexandria, VA 22314 -- Sold on June 13th for $750,000.
  A townhouse style condominium in Old Town Alexandria.  An open floor plan, 12 foot ceilings and Paladian windows compliment this unit with patio, surround sound and gourmet kitchen.  The location across the street from Trader Joes, 3 blocks to the Potomac River and 5 blocks to King Street can't be beat!
  
  
• 1300 Crystal Drive #406, Arlington, VA 22202 -- Sold on June 13th for $669,900.
  While just over half the price of the other sale, this condo at Crystal Gateway measures in at 2,139 square feet.  It has bulit-ins throughout, including a library and entertainment center and lots of bookcases.  With a fully remodeled kitchen and new carpets and hardwood floors, this one looks like a deal!
  
  
• 1830 Fountain Drive #1002, Reston, VA 20190 -- Sold on June 20th for $647,000.
  Built in 2005, the Paramount condo in Reston usually has a sale on this list.  This 2 bedroom condo has plenty of space to spread out -- 1834 square feet.  It features great views, a corner balcony, upgraded kitchen with granite and stainless steel appliances, and a jacuzzi.
  
  
• 11776 Stratford House Place #907, Reston, VA 20190 -- Sold on June 25th for $625,000.
  Another Reston condo right near Reston Town Center.  With 1641 square feet of living space and a marble foyer and bathrooms, this 2 bedroom 2 bath condo also features a state of the art kitchen and bay windows with views of the Reston Town Center and sunrise and sunset!

SEE AVAILABLE CONDOMINIUMS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA 

Just another sign that you never know who is reading your blog.

Apparently some of the powers that be at RE/MAX are reading mine -- right here on Active Rain.

Yesterday morning, I was surprised and pleased when I got an e-mail from my broker (and from several other people in my brokerage) congratulating me on appearing in the RE/MAX Mid-Atlantic July 2008 Newsletter.

Wow!  I had no idea.  Nobody contacted me for the article.  That's right.  I had no idea.

Here's the article:

They even included a link to my Active Rain post Racing for the Cure with RE/MAX.

Here's the front page of the newsletter:

Keep on blogging.  You never know where you may end up!

Ooh-Rah!

What better way to celebrate freedom, independence, honor our troops, veterans, and learn about our nation's military history (and celebrate my birthday on July 2nd) than visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps in across the street from Quantico Marines Corps Base in Prince William County, Virginia?

36 miles south of Washington, D.C., the architecture of this impressive museum rises above travelers on Interstate 95.  Modeled on Joe Rosenthal's famous photograph of the Marines raising the flag on top of Mount Suribachi during the World War II's Battle of Iwo Jima, the museum houses exhibits detailing the Marines involvement in conflicts from World War II through the present Global War on Terrorism.

Upon entering the parking lot, visitors are awestruck by the size and beauty of this museum (just opened in November 2006).  No fee to park, and even better, no admission charge to the Marine Corps Museum.  The entrance into a glass and steel enclosed rotunda treats guests to the Leatherneck Gallery ("leatherneck" being a nickname for Marines) where several Marine planes hang overhead, including a Harrier jet.  Other displays include a Korean War helicopter battle scene.  The walls are adorned with famous quotations regarding the U.S. Marines Corps.

The first exhibit that we visited was called "Making Marines" which simulates to some degree the Marines boot camp experience on Parris Island.  While I've never been in the military, this display gave me some interesting flashbacks from my several viewings of the movie Full Metal Jacket.  You have the opportunity to listen to a Drill Sergeant bark degrading orders at you, try on a Marines Corp supply backpack, do some pullups and even pay a few bucks to shoot on an M-16 simulated rifle range.

The rest of the museum is organized according to conflict:  World War II, The Korean War, The War in Vietnam, and the Global War on Terrorism.  Each exhibit details the Marines' involvement, the major battles, shows the weapons and ammunition, provides information on efforts on the homefront, and displays some of the tanks, artillery, and air support from each conflict.

Of particular note is that the museum owns and displays both original flags that were raised in Iwo Jima.  While exploring the galleries, you feel as if you are in the midst of some of the battles and can really appreciate the hardships and the sacrifices that our young men and women make by serving in the Corps.

On the second level of the museum, there are two dining options.  The Mess Hall serving cafeteria style food and Tun Tavern, where we ate lunch.  Tun Tavern replicates the historic tavern in Philadelphia where the Marine Corps was born.  They had a nice assortment of pub food and some good beers on tap at an affordable price.

After exploring the museum, we strolled through the adjacent park with some memorials dedicated to Marines from the various wars.

I'd highly recommend a visit to the National Museum of the Marine Corps.  It gives you a new appreciation for our troops and you'll be sure to learn something new.

As of early July 2008, approximately 24% of the homes currently on the market for resale in Alexandria, Virginia are townhouses.  Townhouses are spread throughout the City of Alexandria, but the highest concentrations are found in Old Town Alexandria, and the West End of the City, particularly in the Cameron Station, Townes at Cameron Parke, Stonegate, and Summers Grove communities. 

There are all styles, sizes and ages of townhouses in Alexandria.  They range from brand new construction to several townhouses that are as old or older than our nation itself, including this townhouse built in 1770!

How much do townhouses in Alexandria cost?

In June 2008, there were 60 sales of Alexandria townhouses at an overall average net sales price of $538,783.  Additionally, these townhouses sold quickly at an average of only 45 days on market. (Make sure to read Alexandria Virginia Townhouses Sell Faster Than Condos or Single Family Homes).

Townhouses that sold in June sold for an average of 94.70% of the original listing price.

Of the 184 townhouses currently on the market in Alexandria (as of July 4, 2008), there are:

• 33 two bedroom townhouses at an average listing price of $519,851
  
  
• 122 three bedroom townhouses at an average listing price of $676,135
  
  
• 26 four bedroom townhouses at an average listing price of $882,667
  
  
• 2 five bedroom townhouses at an average listing price of $1,997,000

The chart below details the average asking prices for townhouses in the Alexandria communities with the most currently available inventory. 

Alexandria has been somewhat immune from the drops in price that have occurred throughout other parts of Northern Virginia.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR SEARCH FOR AN ALEXANDRIA TOWNHOUSE