The 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.
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):
- Arlington’s Best “Bargain” Restaurant
Delhi Dhaba - Arlington’s Best Coffee Shop****NO Longer in Arlington, moved to DC
Murky Coffee - Arlington’s Best Customer Service
PetMAC Marketplace and Adoption Center - Arlington’s Best Date Restaurant
Carlyle - Arlington’s Best Family Friendly Restaurant
Whitlow’s on Wilson Bar & Grill - Arlington’s Best “Great Neighbor” Business
The Java Shack - Arlington’s Best “Green Business”
Whole Foods Market - Arlington’s Best Happy Hour
Whitlow’s on Wilson Bar & Grill - Arlington’s Best Live Music Venue
IOTA Club & Cafe - Arlington’s Best Neighborhood Bar
Whitlow’s on Wilson Bar & Grill - Arlington’s Best New Business
Saffron Dance - Arlington’s Best Performing Arts Venue
Signature Theatre - Arlington’s Best Place to Dance the Night Away
Clarendon Ballroom - Arlington’s Best Place to Find an Unusual Gift
Le Village Marché - Arlington’s Best Place to Work Out
Saffron Dance - Arlington’s Best Post Theater Spot
Busboys and Poets - Arlington’s Best Power Lunch
Harry’s Tap Room - Arlington’s Best Vintage/Thrift Shop
Goodwill of Greater Washington (S. Glebe) - Arlington’s Best Visual Arts Venue
Arlington Arts Center - 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
Located 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
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 fam
ily 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
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!
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
A 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?
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.
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.
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!
