megaphoneThe 2009 Urban Mobility Report conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute ranked the D.C. Metro area #2 in wasted hours attributed to congestion (i.e. traffic!). The 395/495 interchange – you could spend a massive amount of your life tied up in this bottle neck. The report showed for 2007, travelers wasted, on average, 62 hours annually in traffic. SHEESH! Only 2nd to L.A. (at 70 hours).

Here’s a little tip if you’re trying to save a few hours of your life…sign up for Arlington Alerts!!

The system will send you an email or a text message when there’s something you should know. Here’s an example of the Alerts I received today:

Severe Weather Watch for Arlington County:National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm wastch for Arlington County through this evening.”

Traffic Alert: I-66 in both directions in Rosslyn are blocked as a result of a downed tree. One eastbound lane getting by. Crews are on the scene.”

Trust me! This is news you want to get, and as early as possible!

To sign up for the Alerts, visit the Arlington Alert website.

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For those of you who are single, if the fact that just over 40% of Arlington is single isn’t enough….how about that the median household income is about $108,000?

CNN released their “Best Cities for the Rich and Single” list and Arlington, VA ranked #2.

If you’re looking for some new restaurants, bars, cafes, live music…etc to try out, try visiting one of the places voted by the Arlington Best Business Awards (ABBIEs) (list taken below is from the ABBIEs website found here):

  1. Arlington’s Best “Bargain” Restaurant
    Delhi Dhaba
  2. Arlington’s Best Coffee Shop****NO Longer in Arlington, moved to DC
    Murky Coffee
  3. Arlington’s Best Customer Service
    PetMAC Marketplace and Adoption Center
  4. Arlington’s Best Date Restaurant
    Carlyle
  5. Arlington’s Best Family Friendly Restaurant
    Whitlow’s on Wilson Bar & Grill
  6. Arlington’s Best “Great Neighbor” Business
    The Java Shack
  7. Arlington’s Best “Green Business”
    Whole Foods Market
  8. Arlington’s Best Happy Hour
    Whitlow’s on Wilson Bar & Grill
  9. Arlington’s Best Live Music Venue
    IOTA Club & Cafe
  10. Arlington’s Best Neighborhood Bar
    Whitlow’s on Wilson Bar & Grill
  11. Arlington’s Best New Business
    Saffron Dance
  12. Arlington’s Best Performing Arts Venue
    Signature Theatre
  13. Arlington’s Best Place to Dance the Night Away
    Clarendon Ballroom
  14. Arlington’s Best Place to Find an Unusual Gift
    Le Village Marché
  15. Arlington’s Best Place to Work Out
    Saffron Dance
  16. Arlington’s Best Post Theater Spot
    Busboys and Poets
  17. Arlington’s Best Power Lunch
    Harry’s Tap Room
  18. Arlington’s Best Vintage/Thrift Shop
    Goodwill of Greater Washington (S. Glebe)
  19. Arlington’s Best Visual Arts Venue
    Arlington Arts Center
  20. Arlington’s Best Window Display
    Crate&Barrel

If you’re looking to find a new place to live in Arlington, call me at 703.283.6120! Or search current Arlington inventory

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The MonroeLocated at 3625 N 10th St, Arlington, VA 22201 – The Monroe was completed in 2007. Another high-rise condo, this building features 79 units – some well over 1,500 sq ft. Amenities include a gym, library/community room, rooftop deck, ground level courtyard, and a concierge staff. The units feature hardwoods, granite, balconies, stainless steel appliances, some with extra storage all just 1/2 block from the VA Square Metro stop. Ground level units have private entrances from the street.

Some nearby shops include Starbucks, Cosi, 7-Eleven, Bank of America, Brueggers Bagel, Marvelous Market, and more.

Search The Monroe at VA Square Homes For Sale

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Arlington, Virginia Neighborhood Spotlight: Lyon Village

On July 25, 2009, in Arlington, by Laura Rubinchuk

A 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.

Prices in this area of Arlington have generally been higher than neighboring Lyon Park. But there are have been several new houses added to the neighborhood in recent years.

Search Lyon Village Homes For Sale


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Arlington, Virginia Neighborhood Spotlight: Lyon Park

On July 24, 2009, in Arlington, by Laura Rubinchuk

Back in October of 2008, I did a brief history of Lyon Park. Here’s a short synopsis:

Lyon Park is one of the many residential neighborhoods located throughout Arlington. Lyon Park consists of about 5,000 residents. It was founded in 1919 by developer Frank Lyon. It’s also on the National Register of Historic Places as a planned community. Lyon Park goes from Clarendon, to Rt 50 to Pershing St in Arlington – all in all, about 102 acres originally were used to form Lyon Park. Lyon Park has it’s own community center, citizens association, Women’s Club, and so much more. It’s a very community orientated area.

Looks like it’s a good time to buy in Lyon Park or sell quickly! Look at the numbers for the past 3 years:

January 1 – June 30, 2009

16 Properties Sold

Price Range: $480k – $1.05M

Median Sales Price: $721,200 after 18 Days
Average Sales Price: $784,088 after 33 Days

January 1 – June 30, 2008

10 Properties Sold

Price Range: $468k – $1.56M

Median Sales Price: $762,425 after 75 Days
Average Sales Price: $861,533 after 80 Days

January 1 – June 30, 2009

19 Properties Sold

Price Range: $550k – $1.5M

Median Sales Price: $700,000 after 93 Days
Average Sales Price: $789,908 after 120 Days

Call me if you want to discuss the real estate market in Clarendon, Lyon Park, or any part of Arlington, VA!

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A North Arlington neighborhood consisting of about 600 single family homes, Waycroft-Woodlawn is bordered by N. Glebe Rd, Rt 66, 17th St, and N George Mason Drive, just to the north of the Ballston area and metro. The neighborhood spans over the zip codes 22205 and 22207, and includes Woodlawn Park (a family-friendly area for the community).

Search Waycroft- Woodlawn Homes For Sale

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My Best Day on the Job as a Realtor

On July 21, 2009, in Arlington, First-Time Buyers, by Laura Rubinchuk

thank youA few weeks ago, I was filling out a questionnaire that asked: “Please describe your best day on the job.” I told a story of a past client – but I think yesterday, by far, has been my best day on the job.

In our crazy market right now, things fall apart, buyers get skiddish and walk, appraisals come in far below what they should, etc. etc…the list goes on and on!! Also, in this technologically advanced world where so much information is available just by Google, sometimes clients can view a Realtor as a door opener and taxi…but sometimes, you have clients who really make you think “This is why I sell real estate.” That was the kind of day I had yesterday.

A house came on the market in Arlington in 22207 (a neighborhood full of McMansions priced well above $1M) just under $600k. A regular sale – no banks involved. Within 48 hours, they had 4 offers…escalation clauses are most certainly back in action in our area! The kicker – we were the lowest of the 4 offers. When we sat down to write the offer, I explained the entire contract to my clients and what makes a “strong offer” in the eyes of the listing agent and seller. After explaining risks and benefits to different contingencies, my buyers took my advice and wrote the strongest offer they could have, while still retaining several “outs,” just in case. (My personal belief, and advice I always give to my clients – unless you’re going to tear it down and don’t care if it may be rotting from the inside – get a home inspection, just in case.)

Their settlement was yesterday….at the attorney’s office, some tears were shed while signing paperwork.It’s a very humbling experience when people are SO GRATEFUL for your help. For someone to say, “I just feel like this was fate. And you were instrumental in making this happen. Thank you.”

Partly because I suggested we look at the house the day it came on the market, partly because of the way we worked together, and partly because some people are just so nice, so grateful, and so appreciative of everything you do for them, that it re-instills in you why you continue to do this. Just in case you ever lose sight of your “Big Why” of this career – think about your Best Day on the Job…what was it?

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June 2009 Real Estate Statistics in Falls Church, VA

On July 16, 2009, in Falls Church, by Laura Rubinchuk

Statistics for Falls Church City and the city of Falls Church within Fairfax County are both grouped into the summary statistics below.

Single Family Homes

Price Range: $183,500 – $1,207,000

Median Sale Price; $468,000 after 34 days

Average Sale Price: $506,813 after 77 days

Townhomes

Price Range: $159,800 to $815,000

Median Sale Price: $430,000 after 18 days

Average Sale Price: $435,163 after 47 days

Condos

1 bedroom, 1 bath

Average Sale Price; $170,075 after 134 days

2 bedrooms, 2 baths

Average Sale Price: $226,359 after 96 days

As you can see, there’s a million dollar difference in some of the houses for sale in Falls Church. A more accurate market analysis can be available if you’re interested in one! Please call or email me for more information.

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McLean, Virginia real estate statistics for June 2009 are very interesting. For 22101, sales volume is up about $11M from last year, the # of properties sold is greater, but the median is about the same. For 22102, sales volume is up about $4M because the number of properties sold is almost double 2008, probably because the median sales price is lower (by about $200k). Let’s take a look:

22101

A total of 58 properties sold

Single Family Homes

Price Range: $470k to $2.2M

Median Sale Price: $754,000 after 38 days

Average Sale Price: $923,000 after 105 days

Townhouses

Price Range: $515k to $900k

Median Sale Price: $636k after 145 days

Average Sale Price: $664k after 138 days

22102

A total of 43 properties sold

Single Family Homes

Price Range: $725k to $3.0M

Median Sale Price: $1,098,000 after 122 days

Average Sale Price: $1,251,408 after 227 days

Townhouses

Price Range: $295k to $720k

Median Sale Price: $329k after 101 days

Average Sale Price: $443,100 after 108 days

Condos

1 bedroom, 1 bath

Average Sale Price: $216,400 after 18 days

2 bedrooms, 2 baths

Average Sale Price: $383,605 after 75 days

Averages in McLean are easily skewed by the higher end luxury homes that sell. Take a look at the median to see where most of the action is taking place. Housing prices are more affordable than in years past – which is why the sales volume and # of sales have grown so much this year.

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June statistics are in! I’ve broken down the different types of properties in Arlington by North (Zip codes: 22201, 22203, 22205, 22207, 22209, 2213) and South (22202, 22204, 22206). These stats are for June 2009, and attempt to capture the market as a whole, simply based on location and type. Information given is average sale price (net, after any subsidy) and average days on the market for the property.

Single Family Homes

North Arlington: $780,771 and 68 Days

South Arlington: $477,085 and 65 Days

Townhouses/Duplexes

North Arlington: $606,869 and 45 Days

South Arlington: $367,958 and 66 Days

Condos

1 bedroom, 1 bath

North Arlington: $327,584 after 31 days

Sout Arlington: $213,590 after 75 days

2 bedroom, 2 bath

North Arlington: $451,402 after 55 days

South Arlington: $341,301 after 42 days

Like my usual disclaimer, these stats are BROAD and shouldn’t be used to value your personal properties or any you’re interested in pursuing. Many things go into determining value for a specific property, so please let me know if you’re interested in a detail comparative market analysis. These stats are for general information purposes only!

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