Just Like The Song, Sellers Say "Take Me As I Am": Buying "As-Is" - 04/30/09 01:36 PM
Bob Dylan said "Take me as I am, or let me go..."
How applicable this statement is in this housing market. Here are some things you should know about buying anything "as-is"...
 
1. What kinds of properties are usually sold "as-is"?
Almost every short sale and/or bank-owned property I have seen has been sold "as-is." The banks make no representations about the house or any of the mechanical, electrical, or structural systems of the property or the appliances (if any) of the house. Also, many estate sales or older homes can be sold "as-is," and with the common occurrence of … (0 comments)

Observations from a Weekend Open House: Buyers Know More Than We Think! - 04/27/09 11:54 AM
Yesterday, I held a great listing on 934 N. Daniel St in Arlington, VA. It's located in a great neighborhood of single family homes called Lyon Park. Close to the Clarendon metro, close to the major highways leading to Tysons Corner as well as downtown D.C. Currently there are 11 properties listed in the neighborhood, with 3 under contract. In our market, you can count on a few open houses every weekend, regardless of how long the property has been listed.

The house I held open, has been on the market for 25 days, still listed at the original list price … (1 comments)

Clarendon Spotlight: New Restaurant to Try in Arlington, VA - 04/24/09 02:29 PM

Located in the lobby near the 1220 N Fillmore entrance to Station Square Condominium, Le Pain Quotidien, has now opened! It's located on the corner of Fillmore and Clarendon Blvd, under the Gold's Gym (how ironic!). Check out their website and menu here.
 
 
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Great Grapes! 2009 at Reston Town Center - 04/22/09 12:44 PM
This weekend, Saturday April 25th and Sunday, April 26th Reston Town Center will host the 3rd Annual Great Grapes! Festival.
The Great Grapes! Festival hosts over 200 wines and 20 Virginia Wineries for samples, classes, pairing, and more for local patrons who visit the Reston Town Center from Noon to 6pm.
More information is available online at UncorkTheFun.com, including admission info, event schedules, and vendor participants. 
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Ok, So....I Lied. My Blogging Confession! - 04/12/09 08:20 PM
Ok, I admit it. I lied. (gasp!) When I wrote my initial blog about the Cherry Blossom Festival for 2009, I hadn't been to it yet. Ever. Here's why: I am a workaholic. I have never actually had the time to stop, and admire the flowers! That is...until today!!
With my first day off in a few months, I took advantage of the gorgeous weather today and went down to see the last day of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington. From what I can tell, it must have been beautiful! :)
There were only a few trees left in full … (0 comments)

Buying New? A Term You Should Know: Capital Contribution - 04/06/09 02:30 PM
Here's a term you don't hear often: Capital Contribution.
-What is a capital contribution? A "fee" that is incorporated into your closing costs at settlement to be contributed to the working capital fund of the homeowners association. Consider it the equivalent of a minimum balance to opening a bank account.
-How much is it usually? While every development is different, in Northern Virginia it's usually equivalent to 2 months of the condo fees.
-Who pays for it normally? First time buyers of a new construction project foot the bill for this one.
Come on, there has to be a catch to … (1 comments)

The Annual Tap Water Flush in Arlington and Washington, D.C.: April 6th - May 4th - 04/06/09 02:02 PM
Did you wake up this morning to make your coffee and detect the faint smell of chlorine? I did, before I remembered today is the first day of the annual flush of the aqueduct system around the Washington Metro area. Local authories will be using chlorine to treat the water drawn from the Potomac River that serves Arlington County, Falls Church, and the parts of Fairfax County whose water is through the Falls Church system.
The flush begins today, April 6th, and will continue until May 4th.
For more details, please refer to the Washington Post article from March 31st.
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Green Living Expo in Arlington, Virginia - 04/04/09 12:57 PM
Arlington County has put together an program called "Green It!" A series of FREE workshops to help educate the community on environmentally friendly ways to live, work, and commute. The except below is taken from the Arlington County website on upcoming events:
Appliance Energy Use DemonstrationSaturday, April 11th, 3 - 4 PM.   Compare the energy use of various everyday household appliances, and see how much "vampire" energy is being used by some of those appliances. This demonstration will be taking place as part of Arlington's Home Show and Expo!  At the Home Show and Expo, come and get your questions answered … (0 comments)

March 2009 Real Estate Market Snapshot - Arlington, VA - 04/03/09 12:17 PM
It's that time again...a closer look at Arlington Virginia real estate stats for March 2009.
160 Properties sold in Arlington in March!
Condos in Arlington
1 bedroom, 1 bathAvg: $290,953Avg DOM: 89 days
2 bedroom, 1 bathAvg: $271,240Avg DOM: 64
2 bedroom, 2 bathAvg: $422,590Avg DOM: 87
*Please note: these statistics reflect ALL of Arlington for the month of March. It may not be an accurate reflection of your current property value. Please email me for more detailed statistics.
Townhomes in Arlington
Days on the Market range from 0 to 288 (avg was 67)Avg Sales Price: $451,509
Single Family Homes
Days … (0 comments)

Neighborhood Spotlight: Colonial Village, Arlington, VA - 04/01/09 02:45 PM
This week's Neighborhood Spotlight is on Colonial Village in Arlington, VA. The condominium subdivision has 3 parts (C.V. I, II, and III). Originially built in the 1930s/40s, it was redeveloped into the current condo community in the 80s. The neighborhood has 212-units and 74 parking spaces (NOTE: All parking spaces are BACK-IN ONLY!). Most of the units are 1 bedroom or 2 bedrooms, with a few studios; all of the units have 1 full bath. Colonial Village is located a few blocks from the Courthouse Metro stop (see the map below).

 
I was quoted in an article for DC … (0 comments)

 
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Laura Rubinchuk Schwartz Your Northern Virginia and D.C. Realtor

Arlington, VA

More about me…

Keller Williams Realty

Address: 6820 Elm St, McLean, VA, 22101

Cell Phone: (703) 283-6120

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