He did a comparison of McLean and Langley for The McLean Ear (now the McLean Patch) 2 years ago, so here is an excerpt from that post:

“McLean ranked 102, Langley ranked 118…After examining both schools, there really aren’t a lot of differences in the scores and numbers.  What I would do is visit the schools and try to meet with the principal to get a feel for the management style.  Another option would be to attend an event at the school.  A play, a sporting event or a fundraiser are all great ways to meet school staff, fellow parents and students.”

How do you evaluate the schools in Arlington?

There are only 3 high schools in Arlington – Yorktown, Washington & Lee, and Wakefield. There are 5 middle schools in Arlington – Gunston, Kenmore, Jefferson, Swanson, and Williamsburg. There’s even more elementary schools (click here for the Arlington Public School website).

There’s an online website that has report cards from each school that will help you sort through statistics, test scores, safety, demographics, etc.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education Report Card

Search the Arlington Boundary Locator to find the schools associated with your address

Single Family, Detached
North Arlington Average Net Sale Price: $868,630 after 53 days
Range: $407,000 – $3,100,000
South Arlington Average Net Sale Price: $567,959 after 77 days
Range: $323,000 – $1,114,000

Townhomes
North Arlington Average Net Sale Price: $640,160 after 57 days
Range: $435,530 – $930,000
South Arlington Average Net Sale Price: $347,314 after 89 days
Range: $221,535 – $700,000

1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Condos
North Arlington Average Net Sale Price: $320,139 after 35 days
Range: $202,000 – $412,000
South Arlington Average Net Sale Price: $239,340 after 59 days
Range: $107,692 – $305,000

2 Bedroom, 2 Bathrooms Condos
North Arlington Average Net Sale Price: $553,858 after 79 days
Range: $260,000 – $794,000
South Arlington Average Net Sale Price: $405,012 after 54 days
Range: $267,500 – $519,700

Mothers of North Arlington (MONA)

MOMS Club of South Arlington

Arlington Parks and Playgrounds

Arlington Pools

Arlington Civic and Citizen’s Associations

Arlington Day Care and Early Childhood Programs (the lists for N and S Arlington will also provide a list of available Nannies)

Arlington County’s Family Resource Website

DC Urban Moms and Dads

There’s also a slew of local bloggers who offer tips, places to visit, and things to do in and around Arlington

Today, as I watch my little 401K float down, I am once again reminded of this life lesson they taught me so long ago. In our market, where prices are sky high, sometimes investment properties are hard to find, but they’re out there. You can find some moneymakers with some patience, some luck, and the right number cruncher. I bought my first investment property at 24 in my hometown in Albany, New York, which I recently sold to buy one in Arlington.

For recent posts and tips on becoming a real estate investor, read some of my old posts.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

• Banks now must respond with 30 days. If they need more, they can take up to 60 days IF they provide weekly updates to everyone. A final decision must be rendered by day 60.
• The 30 day clock starts when the borrower (the seller) submits a short sale offer from a buyer and completes a response package.
• If the short sale is under the government’s Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA) program, the 30 day clock starts when the borrower (the seller) submits the completed package requesting consideration of a short sale to the bank.
• If the bank makes a counteroffer, the borrower (seller) has 5 business day to response, then the bank has 10 business days to respond.

Now, that sounds great in theory. Wouldn’t it be nice for everyone, especially the sellers, not to have to drag their feet for 6 months waiting for a bank response? Here’s the one (fatal) flaw of the new guideline: There is no mention of any repercussions for failing to meet the 30 (or 60) day deadline. It’s possible this may change in the future, but as of right now, that’s where we stand. So we can hope for the best, but likely there will be an adjustment period for everyone involved as they roll out this new policy.

For a complete list of available short sales in Arlington, click here.

Ask your agent for a link to your MLS listing. Go through the pictures, read through the comments, check the condo fee and what’s included, etc. A second set of eyes, particularly ones who know the property even better than the agent, can’t hurt. You might catch a mistake, you might suggest a revision that’ll improve the listing.

Remember, 90% of people start their home search online, so this internet advertisement in the form of your MLS listing is the first introduction they have to your property. Make it right!!

When is a back up offer written?
When a seller has accepted a contract on their property and they now have a ratified contract, sometimes agents will encourage buyers who “lost” out to write and submit a back up offer.

What are the terms of a back up offer?
You are the lady in waiting. Should the winning offer fall through, you’re there to step in and continue. Most of the time, agents will tell you the price has to be at least what the other one was. Now other terms are subject to your financing, so you’ll still need whatever length of time your lender requires to complete your loan, so it might be another 30 days before you can close (some lenders can get it done faster, truly depends on your type of financing and your lender).

When would a back up offer be accepted?
You have no standing or say in anything until the current offer falls apart. When does that happen? Usually the home inspection, appraisal, or the buyers get cold feet and void for whatever reason. Now, in a situation where the buyer got cold feet and voided for no particular reason – that might be a great situation for you. However, if the buyer voids the current contract because something was wrong on the home inspection or the property didn’t appraise for their sale price, now you’ve agreed to pay at least that price for something that’s a) wrong with the property with no guarantee the seller will repair it or credit you for repairs, or b) has been deemed above market value by an appraiser.

Why would you want to pay more for something than you have to?

My reasoning is this: if you missed out, it wasn’t meant to be. Keep looking. Tell the agent you’re interested if the current contract falls through, but don’t waste your time and miss other opportunities waiting for something that might never happen. If the opportunity comes up to pursue the property again, ask what happened. If something major came up on the inspection, now the seller has to disclose it and you’re in a better bargaining position.

Now, as a listing agent, obviously it’s in the best interest of a seller to entertain backup offers. If the current contract asks for a large credit for repairs or something of the sort, you know you have another buyer waiting in the wings who may benefit you more financially. Sellers always win with backup offers. Buyers (almost) never do.

1. If you have a family and….are looking for a small town feel: the City of Falls Church

2. If you have a family and….want to be where development is headed: Herndon

3. If you’re single and….want to be in the center of it all: Clarendon

4. If you’re downsizing and…want your money to go a long way: Chantilly

Obviously there were other parts of Maryland and DC mentioned, but these are the Virginia highlights. Pick up the latest edition to read why these areas got picked. In the mean time:

Search Falls Church Real Estate For Sale    Search Clarendon Real Estate For Sale

Search Herndon Real Estate For Sale          Search Chantilly Real Estate For Sale

*This blog doesn’t aim to encourage or discourage buyers from pursuing one of these areas if you don’t fall under the particular category mentioned. It simply is a recap of an article published.

1. About a week prior to closing, you’ll set up the utilities in your name. You should schedule your move with the condo/HOA board if there is one too. They may require advance notice along with a move-in fee, so you can coordinate that with your closing date.

2. At closing, they’ll collect your mortgage payment for the month (called “prepaid interest” and escrow accounts) along with any condo/hoa fee. So your condo and mortgage payments will start at the same time, not the 1st of the following month, but the 1st of the next month after that. For example, if you close April 25th, your first mortgage and condo payments won’t be due until June 1st (you pay your mortgage in arrears, so one June 1st you pay for the month of May).

3. Depending on the county in which you now own real estate, you’ll receive your Deed within a few months. Make sure you put this in a safe place, like a fireproof safe or at the bank. You’ll want to do that with all of your closing paperwork for that matter.

4. Once closing takes place, you’ll be able to enroll in Direct Debit for your mortgage payment and condo/HOA fees. Likely there will be some delay in communication if your loan is sold before you can sign up, but you should hear from the Condo or HOA management company shortly after closing with information on how to sign up.

5. Move in, paint, remodel, decorate, enjoy!! Whatever your plans are for the property, after closing you can finally take a deep breath and enjoy it!

Search Highview Park Townhomes For Sale