Common Mistakes Real Estate Agents Make - And They Make ALL the Difference - 09/28/09 05:14 PM
With the $8,000 tax credit, interest rates, and lower prices, i've had a ton of buyers that i've been working with lately. In doing so, you get to see the process from another side - and it becomes VERY clear what makes a world of difference when a buyer is house shopping. This past weekend was a particularly frustrating one for me, representing the buyer. I know i've learned a tremendous amount of changes I can make when helping sellers to attract more buyers.
Here are the most aggravating and common mistakes real estate agents make:
1. No Pictures: Our MLS allows for up to … (4 comments)

American Flatbread to Open in Clarendon – October 5th - 09/27/09 07:33 PM

For those of you Whole Foods shoppers who buy American Flatbread’s frozen pizzas, here’s some great news!

American Flatbread will be opening a new restaurant in the ground-level retail shops of the Zoso Lofts Apartment building at 1025 N. Fillmore Street, Arlington VA 22201 in Clarendon on October 5, 2009.
American Flatbread started in Vermont in 1987. Their pizzas are made from Organic ingredients in a Primitive, wood fired oven. They support local farmers for their produce. They even brought a portable oven to Clarendon Day 2009:
 

Aside from various styles of “flatbreads” (i.e. pizzas!), they’ll feature … (0 comments)

August 2009 Real Estate Market Update - Falls Church, VA - 09/25/09 10:58 AM
The stats for August in Falls Church, VA includes both the city of Falls Church and the part of Falls Church within Fairfax County.
Detached Houses
Average Net Sale Price: $514,397 after 49 DOMRange: $190,000 to $1,183,000
Townhouses
Average Net Sale Price: $405,722 after 43 DOMRange: $116,750 to $613,000
1 Bedroom Condos
Average Net Sale Price: $180,446 after 86 DOMRange: $83,500 to $263,900
2 Bedroom Condos
Average Net Sale Price: $301,629 after 48 DOMRange: $141,000 to $534,500
Everything is up in Falls Church City - sales price, median sales price, sales volume, units sold, and days on the market (this one surprises me!). 
… (0 comments)

August 2009 Real Estate Market Update - McLean, VA - 22101 and 22102 - 09/25/09 10:50 AM
McLean VA is home to many businesses and personal residential pieces of real estate. The zip of 22101 is heavily populated with Businesses, so I've broken out the August statistics by zip code:
22101
Detached Houses
Average Net Sale Price: $1,078,628 after 101 DOMRange: $500,000 to $2,585,000
Townhouses
Average Net Sale Price; $779,722 after 36 DOMRange: $480,000 to $1,200,000
 
22102
Detached Houses
Average Net Sale Price: $1,099,125 after 155 DOMRange: $738,000 to $1,950,000
1 Bedroom Condos
Average Net Sale Price: $211,000 after 24 DOM
2 Bedroom Condos
Average Net Sale Price: $455,693 after 82 DOM
 
The real estate market … (0 comments)

Arlington VA Real Estate Market Update – August 2009 - 09/25/09 10:36 AM
I’ve been so focused lately on individual condo building and townhouse community blogs, that I neglected my monthly market updates! So here goes with the numbers:
August 2009 Sales for Arlington County Virginia
Detached Properties

North ArlingtonAverage Net Sale Price: $815,959 after 73 days on the market (DOM)Range: $350,000 – $1,769,000
South ArlingtonAverage Net Sale Price: $535,547 after 94 DOMRange: $205,000 – $950,000
Studio Condo
North ArlingtonAverage Net Sale Price: $228,150 after 25 DOM
1 Bedroom Condos
 
North ArlingtonAverage Net Sale Price: $311,106 after 41 DOMRange: $134,000 – $447,820
South ArlingtonAverage Net Sale Price: $196,937 after 90 DOMRange: $70,000 – … (0 comments)

Clarendon Day, September 26, 2009: Arlington's Biggest Party - 09/24/09 02:58 PM
The Clarendon Alliance is hosting the 12th annual Clarendon Day party this Saturday, September 26th, 2009 from 11am - 7pm. 
"It'll Knock Your Brown Flip Flops Off"
What: Food, Live Music, Kid's Carnival, retail shopping booths, a 5k/10k and a Fun Run.
Food: 19 local restaurants will be serving food:
American FlatbreadClarendon GrillCrepe Deli CateringDelhi ClubDelhi DhabaEar's SandwichesEl ChapparalHard Times CafeKabob BazaarMac'sLa TascaMexicali BluesRagtimeRestaurant 3Rockland's Barbeque and Grilling CompanyTallula/EatBarLiberty TavernWhitlow'sWillow
Music: 2 stages (Clarendon & Highland, and Wilson & Irving) featuring live music all daysee the full schedule here

Play: Puppet show, storytelling, face painting, magician...so much more!
Shop: A … (0 comments)

4-Bedroom Homes: What Will They Cost You In Arlington Virginia? - 09/23/09 08:27 AM
CNNMoney.com published an article this morning called: Same 4-Bedroom house - wildly different prices. They provided a list of the most expensive and most affordable cities for a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath house with 2,200 sq ft. Well, their headline rings true: different cities, WILDLY different prices:
  
So where does Arlington, VA fit in? Well that depends...
South Arlington: defined as the zip codes of 22202, 22204, 22206
Average Sale Price for a 4-Bedroom, 2.5 Bath with 2,200 sq ft since January 1, 2009: $614,245
North Arlington: defined as the zip codes of 22201, 22203, 22205, 22207, 22209, 22213
Average Sale … (2 comments)

Wealthy & Young, Finding Their Way to the Washington, D.C. Metro Area - 09/22/09 04:36 PM
The Washington, D.C. Metro area took 16 of the top 50 counties across the U.S. for the Highest Share of the Wealthy & Young. What does "Wealthy and Young" mean? Anyone in the age group of 25-34 making at least $100,000. 
The Top Spot went to Loudoun County, who has 10% of its population represented by this demographic. Loudoun County includes the towns of Hamilton, Hillsboro, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, and Round Hill. It also includes the cities of Ashburn, Dulles, Aldie, Sterling, South Riding, and many other neighboring areas.
Search Loundoun County Homes For Sale
Taking 2nd place was Arlington County. This comes … (1 comments)

Arlington County Expected Decline in Real Estate Revenue for 2010 - How This Affects Your Value - 09/17/09 07:12 PM
Washington Business Journal released an article on Monday, September 14th, 2009 that said Arlington County is expected to see a 5 - 12% decline in Real Estate Revenue during 2010. 
TRANSLATION: Revenue from Real Estate TAXES are expected to decline. Taxes collected on the ASSESSED value, not necessarily the MARKET VALUE.
Arlington County Real Estate Tax Assessments are calculated as follows:
Annual Tax Rate * County Assessed Value = Taxes Collected
2010 Tax Rates: $0.865 per $100 assessed value
Assessments for 2010 are the county's appraisal of value on January 1, 2010, based on sales from July 1, 2008 to June … (2 comments)

New Construction in Clarendon: Clarendon 3131 - 09/08/09 06:04 PM
A new construction project on N. 9th Street on the corner of N. Irving Street is the home of Clarendon 3131. Located at 3131 N. 9th Rd, Arlington, VA 22201, just 3 blocks to the Clarendon metro.
The development will be home to 14, large 2 bedroom-condo units, and 2-bedroom luxury townhomes.
Condos will start in the upper $500ks, and the townhomes will be just under $1.2M.
Condos on the first floor units will have a private front-yard, and elevated units will have balconies. Standards will include hardwood floors throughout, granite, upgraded cabinetry, recessed lighting, luxurious baths, and covered parking for … (0 comments)

Real Estate Jargon: What is a Duplex, or Duet? - 09/06/09 09:03 AM
It's hard to keep up with real estate terminology when they're constantly coming up with "cuter" ways of calling a house a house. Sometimes referred to as a Duplex, and most recently a "Duet," is a single piece of real estate but serves to house 2 "families" or sides (by "families" I mean anyone living in the side - whether it's a single individual or a family of 5). There are several styles of Duplexes, and how they're bought/sold are can vary from state to state.
For example, in the state of New York, the most common style of Duplex (in … (6 comments)

Arlington, VA Neighborhood Spotlight: Berkshire Oakwood - 09/03/09 01:52 PM
Located in the western part of Arlington County, near the East Falls Church Metro, is the neighborhood of Berkshire Oakwood. The neighborhood has somewhere between 1,700-1,800 homes. This area is in the Arlington-East Falls Church area, which broke away from Falls Church in 1936, when it formally joined Arlington County. Located in the 22207 zip code, bordered by Lee Highway (Rt 29), Fairfax Blvd (and Rt 66), and many other side streets including John Marshall and N. Trinidad, Berkshire Oakwood is a very popular area.
Originally built homes were mostly constructed in the 1930s and 1940s, however, Berkshire Oakwood has been … (0 comments)

Arlington, VA Neighborhood Spotlight: Alcova Heights - 09/03/09 11:34 AM
A neighborhood of about 500 homes, most of which were built in the 1930s and 1940s, Alcova Heights is located in South Arlington. The neighborhood is bordered by Glebe Rd (Rt 120), Arlington Blvd (Rt 50), Columbia Pike (Rt 244), and S. George Mason Drive, in the zip code 22204.

Most of the detached properties are brick colonials, but there are some bungalows, and contemporary homes. Some have also been updated since their original construction.
… (0 comments)

J.D. Power & Associates Ranks Keller Williams #1 in 2009 for Home Buyers - 2nd Year in a Row - 09/03/09 10:28 AM
J.D. Power & Associates created a study last year to measure customer satisfaction of home buyers and sellers. For the 2nd year in a row, Keller Williams Realty ranked #1 amongst home buyers in overall satisfaction.
CONGRATULATIONS KELLER WILLIAMS ASSOCIATES!!
 
The overall satisfaction is determined by three factors: the individual agent, the office, and the additional services. Additional services provided by the agent includes recommendations of home inspectors, appraisers, and home warranties; buyers ranked the importance of this service 12% higher than last year.
The picture below was taken during the official announcement made by KW CEO Mark Willis during … (0 comments)

DC Metro Will Close 3 Stops in Arlington, VA for Labor Day Weekend - 09/03/09 09:13 AM
The Washington, D.C. Metrorail will be closing the Pentagon City, Crystal City, and Ronald Reagan National Airport metro stops from 9:30pm this Friday, September 4th until Midnight, Monday, Sept 7th. All stations will reopen at 5am on Tuesday, September 8th for regular business hours and travel.
For those travelers needing to pass through these areas, a free shuttle bus will be available for Yellow and Blue lines.

… (0 comments)

Washington, D.C.'s 21st Blues Festival - Saturday, September 5th, 2009 - 09/01/09 02:51 PM
This Saturday, September 5th, is the 21st Annual Blues Festival in Washington, D.C. This event is FREE, and this year will be held in celebration of the Society's Founder and First President, John Cephas. 
 
The event will be held at the Carter Barron Amphitheater, located at4850 Colorado AveWashington, D.C. 20011
Noon - 7:30pm
 
 
Here's a lineup of the talent that will be entertaining the crowd:
12:20 - 12:55: Capital Blues Ensemble1:05 - 2: Billy Thompson & Friends2:10 - 3:15: Michael Hill's Blues Mob3:25 - 4:35: Eddie Turner4:45 - 5:55: Eugene "Hideway" Bridges6:05 - 7:20: Teeny Tucker
If you're … (0 comments)

Vintage Crystal 2009, Crystal City with a Latin Twist! - 09/01/09 02:38 PM
Where did the Summer GO??? It's already time for the 3rd Annual Vintage Crystal Event! This year, the event features a Latin Twist - tequila, salsa dancing, and more. Event details are below:
When: September 20, 2009, 2 - 6pm
Where: 220 20th St South, Arlington - Crystal City
What: Entertainment by music and dancing, wine tasting, food sampling, and more.
$20 gets you samples and a commemorative glass
More details are available at their website.
… (0 comments)

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

Arlington, VA

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Keller Williams Realty

Address: 6820 Elm St, McLean, VA, 22101

Cell Phone: (703) 283-6120

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