Parc Reston- One and two bedroom condos within walking distance of Reston Town Center         Sam: Are there any 1 and 2 bedroom condos within walking distance of Reston Town Center? I have looked at several properties inside Reston Town Center's boundaries and they were a bit more than I am prepared to pay. I am looking for the best of both worlds of course. Do you have any ideas?                   Steve: Sam, I would suggest that we go visit some of Reston's garden style condos at Parc Reston. This community is right across Reston Parkway from Reston Town Center's Macaroni Grill Restaurant.               In fact you do not even have to cross Reston Parkway, there is a tunnel under the road direct from Parc Reston. See the picture of the tunnel to the left?                             ... 05/01/2010

As of April 9, 2010, there were 379 active listings in Reston. During the month of March, 2010, there were 89 closed residential sales (up from 65 sales in February), 191 new listings and 143 pending sales. The average sales price was $371,721 (down from $392,003 in February); the median sales price was $340,000 (down from $356,000 in February); the average number of days on market was 52 (unchanged from 52 in February). 04/29/2010

04/28/2010

With 6 days remaining until the deadline for the first time home buyer credit, as a first time buyer you might be thinking that it is too late to take advantage of the $8,000 credit if you have not already started the process.    NOT TRUE!!   Here is a to do list and schedule for you to follow to get the credit. Tuesday - Give The Earl of Real Estate Team a call to get the process started.  We will get you into contact with one of our lending partners that will be able to pre-approve you over the phone. We can schedule an appointment with you for a consultation on Tuesday Evening or Wednesday.   On Wednesday, we can assist you in finding a list available properties that match your qualification and wants and needs.  We can be out looking at properties on Wednesday or Thursday.   On Thur... 04/26/2010

  How did Reston get its name? How did it come to exist?   Sally: Do you know how Reston got its name? Was it because it is a  REStful place to live?             Steve: No Sally, Reston is a peaceful place to live…but the name Reston was derived from the initials of Robert E. Simon, ( R.E.S.) the man behind the outstanding design, vision, and creation of Reston.             That is a sculpture of him to the right sitting on a bench at Lake Anne Center. I will write about the history of Reston from time to time, since it is an intriguing topic for anyone interested in real estate development and the thought process that goes into designing a livable community…                   rather than slapping up buildings, selling them and running off to do it again somewhere else, great aethetic c... 04/21/2010

Are you looking for a home at a bargain price that could benefit from some loving care?   You might want to cast your eyes on the homes which are available as foreclosed or short sales in Reston Virginia ... I've put together a link to a list of homes which are offered by their owners for less than their current mortgages or have already been foreclosed by Lenders on the resale market on a 1st come,1st served basis.  You need a Realtor to show them and help you through the process ... And Yes, they've already factored in the Realtor cost so you can get the sort of help you'll need to land one of these bargains.  Visit www.reston-area.com/forsale.htm and  look to the links at mid-page for Foreclosed and Short Sale Homes. 04/18/2010

The inventory of homes for sale in Reston's Town Center area was about 55 homes active on the market as of 15 April 2010. The available homes run the full spectrum of condos through townhomes from brand new to about 15 years in age.  Prices ranged from a low of about $200k to a high of $1.5 million.  Visit Available Homes at http://www.restontowncenter-homes.com/ to view currently available Reston Town Center Homes. 04/18/2010

The inventory of homes for sale in Reston's Town Center area was about 54 homes active on the market as of 15 April 2010. The available homes run the full spectrum of condos through townhomes from brand new to about 15 years in age.  Prices ranged from a low of about $200k to a high of $1.5 million.  Visit Available Homes at http://www.restontowncenter-homes.com/ to view currently available Reston Town Center Homes. 04/18/2010

The inventory of Lakefront  Community homes for sale in Reston was 30 homes active on the market as of 15 April 2010.  Direct Lakefront homes have been selling off at a faster rate than other homes in the Reston area. If you'd like to live on one of Reston's lakes ... This might be to moment to come out of for a look.  Visit Available Homes at http://www.reston-lakefront.com/ to view currently available Lakefront Homes in Reston Virginia. 04/18/2010

The inventory of Condos for sale in Reston was about 110 homes active on the market as of 15 April 2010 with new contracts running at about 55 a month.  Consequently, the absorption rate for these homes is about 2 months worth on the market.  Condos sales have picked up in the Reston area. If you've been hanging back, this might be the moment to re-start your shopping.  Visit Available Homes at http://www.reston-condos.com/ to view currently available condos in Reston Virginia. 04/18/2010

The inventory of townhomes for sale in Reston was about 105 homes active on the market as of 15 April 2010 with new contracts running about 60 a month. Consequently, the absorption rate for these homes is about 2 months worth on the market. This might be a good time to jump back into the market ... There's a great selection and prices may be the best you've seen in three or four years. Like to see currently available Townhomes in Reston ... visit http://www.reston-area.com/forsale.htm 04/18/2010

The inventory of single family detached homes for sale in Reston was about 55 homes active on the market as of 15 April 2010 with new contracts running about 22 a month. Consequently, the absorption rate for these homes is about 2 months on the market. If you've been considering buying a single family, this might be the moment. Like to see currently available Single Family homes in Reston ... visit http://www.reston-area.com/forsale.htm 04/18/2010

Susan: You have written before that Reston Virginia is not only pleasing to my sensibilities, but that I can live with imagination and die peacefully within a five block radius if I move to Reston…. Steve: Yes Susan: I live in Philadelphia and just can’t capture the idea you are trying to get across…you got pictures?                     Steve: Yup…. If I can get them uploaded….(if not imagine a lovely well planned urban center amidst what was once considered the souless ‘burbs near Dulles Airport)…                                             We have behind me Reston Town Center  where you can live, work, hit the library,  avoid the police station,cross over Reston Parkway to St Andrews Episcopal,come back have lunch with three part harmony,cross over Baron Cameron, pick up some mulch at... 04/17/2010

Location: KW Reston Office11700 Plaza America Dr, Ste 150Reston, VA 20190 US View Map When: Wednesday, May 5, 6:00PM     Phone: 703-858-1118     Please join us for an evening of fun!  We are holding a Texas Hold 'em Tournament to benefit Reston Interfaith.   We will have appetizers, drinks, lively competition and great prizes for our winners.   We ask if you RSVP that you will attend the event we can count on your donation of $25 to the Reston Interfaith.  Arrive at 6pm, Tournament starts promptly at 7pm.  $25 Buy-In, Optional $25 Re-Buys until 8pm.  Optional $50 Add-on at 8pm. Prizes awarded for the top players.    We will have a maximum of 40 Players, so confirm your spot now.  Couples welcome, non-players welcome. RED (Renew, Energize and Donate) Day is a Keller Williams Realty serv... 04/16/2010

  Live and work in Reston VA. Yes this is a long blog post with lots of pictures. It has to be long to scratch the surface of the economic and natural beauty that can be found here. You can get to all these offices easily by bicycle or internal commuter bus. It is time you relocate to the US' first planned community and the hottest job market in the country...most of the world comes here too! Makes for great food!!! Man that's a good photo.  United Healthcare...water front. OK. So you do not think that buildings are beautiful. Well, unless you are a subsistence farmer, you will need a job and a building to work in.     Jobs are nice...so are pay checks. Reston has an unemployment rate of less than 3%, while the current national number is over 9%.   Money Magazine ranked Reston 37th best... 04/16/2010

It was a beautiful weekend!  Here is a local bunch of guys racing their model sailboats out in Lake Anne.       for more information; visit their website:  Northern Virginia Model Yacht Club                     Contact James Downing of the Downing Real Estate Group, if you are selling, buying or have questions! Office: 202-362-5800   Cell: 703.244.3971 Licensed in Washington DC, Virginia & Maryland. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Chevy Chase5028 Wisconsin Ave NW  Suite 100 * Washington DC 20016     04/12/2010

Let's face it, if you want your real estate agent to sell your property for the highest price in the shortest period of time you should spend a ton of money fixing it up right? Nah. Your goal should be to NET the most money for your house including keeping update and remodeling cash in your pocket. Do not put on a new roof if it is not leaking. I have yet to hear a buyer exclaim "oh what a lovely roof!" Do not put in replacement windows unless yours look REALLY REALLY BAD. Yes buyers like newer windows but if everything else in your house is great, they won't care too much. Now if all your neighbors and the other homes for sale that you are competing with have replacement windows you will have to make  price concessions...maybe.....this is one area where a good real estate agent can sav... 04/12/2010

Northern Virginia home sales: Real estate market report for the region. Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Arlington and Fauquier counties homes sales.   The cherry blossoms have come and gone along with our record snow fall. Is the bloom off the real estate rose as well? Will home sales price increases in Herndon, Reston and Fairfax melt away?         Has the Northern Virginia real estate market bottomed? No one really knows, but the signs are encouraging.   The existing inventory of re-sale homes is approximately 2/3 of what it was last year at this time. Short supply and strong demand has edged prices upward. Although Northern VA home prices took a beating between 2006 and 2010, we have been spared the devastation that occurred in the "Sand" states of Florida, California,and Nevada. F... 04/12/2010

I was recently contacted by a member of the Sustainable Reston Initiative, which is a committee of the Reston Citizen's Association. They are working to let people in the Reston, and the general Fairfax County area,  know about the elimination of certain bus routes and bus service to Reston. There are many Reston residents who depend on this service to provide transportation to and from their places of employment. It is important that all sides of every issue be heard and I am happy to provide this information to the public via  Diane Blust of the Sustainable Reston Initiative. Diane provided me with the following link to their Initiative and more information about their efforts:   http://www.restoncitizensassociation.org/Initiatives/SustainableReston/   I’m a member of the Sustainable ... 04/02/2010

1808 Golf View Ct Reston VA Town house for sale.   Tom: I am interested in buying a town house in Reston. I know there are hundreds out there, but how many 3 bedroom, 2+ baths, 3 level homes between $300k and $360k are for sale today? Steve: Tom, there are only 8 to choose from with one being a short sale. Tom: Well, what I would really like is an all brick home with newly refinished hardwood floors on the main  2 levels, new carpet in the basement, new stainless steel appliances in the kitchen with new hardwood floors and a new top to bottom paint job.  I know that it is too much to ask in this price range, but if it could border Hidden Creek Golf Club, back to common area, have plenty of parking and be within walking distance of Reston Town Center, and have a commuter bus stop at the ... 04/02/2010