All of this is walking distance to sought after Tuckahoe Elementary, the East Falls Church Metro and the Williamsburg Shopping Center (with lots of yummy restaurants like Peking Pavillion and Backyard BBQ, as well as the highly anticipated Italian Deli opening later in October), as well as the Falls Church City Farmer’s market, State Theater and much more.

6730 27th St North, Arlington, Virginia 22213 is in a prime position in the Arlington area for commuting to virtually anywhere in DC Metro Area, just minutes to 66, 495, the Dulles Toll Road and Route 50.

Priced at $889,000 – it is that highly sought after and rarely available price range for the “move up” buyers who need a more space.

It will be open Sunday, October 24 if it does not sell first!

This building is fantastic – solid all brick construction, most units have balconies or patios, great ameneties:   Gym, Pool with lifeguard, Conference/ Party room, secure entry, wheelchair ramp and automatic doors with key fob, tons of guest parking right in front.   And it is quiet – you cannot hear your neighbor sneeze in the next unit over.

This unit, 3830 9th Road North, #305 E sold within one day on the market for a net of list price of $349,000 (actually $7,500 over with a subsidy to net).   This is the highest net price for a 1 bedroom/1 bath in Lexington Square all year!

This market is great for sellers because inventory is low, interest rates are low and qualified buyers are ready to buy.   The Arlington Virginia real estate market is doing quite well, in spite of the negative national news – if you have the right Realtor to market and help you price your property right. All real estate is local, and micro-markets can flourish while others are struggling.  Lexington Square is a sought after building.   The Arlington Virginia condos that are selling fast and for top dollar, show extremely well, have excellent photographs and extensive internet marketing – that is what I do for you.

If you are looking to sell your condo in Lexington Square, give me a call or email. I will create a marketing, showing, staging and pricing plan for you that is sure to get you similar results.  My plan will get your house prepped for sale with the least amount of expense to you.

What can you expect to get in North Arlington real estate for a budget of up to $675,000?   The detached homes available in this price range in North Arlington are mostly older, 1950s built 3 bedroom/ 1 bath up and then perhaps another bedroom and bathroom in the basement with various levels of remodeling.  You might find a newer kitchen in this price range, probably original baths.   The most common styles are ramblers, which are one level homes with basements, colonials and Cape Cods.

Here is a North Arlington 22207, home for $599,000 that I recently listed and got under contract after a week.  It settles on Wednesday.  Just under a mile to the EFC Metro and in a fantastic neighborhood with shops, restaurants and lots of activities just a few steps away.

It is nicely remodeled, 3 small bedrooms, 1 bath up and a 1/2 finished basement with a full bath there.

It’s on Sycamore Street, which is a fairly major street, or it would have been more like $625K.

Common characteristics of homes under $675,000 are 3 bedrooms and 1 bath on the main or bedroom level.  It is very rare to find a master bathroom in this range in detached homes in North Arlington.  This home on 2220 N. Harrison Street is currently listed by a McEnearney colleague of mine, Betsy Twigg.  it is beautifully updated with an open kitchen with granite, main level family room and nice basement rec room.  Great backyard too.   It is listed a $675,000 and has only been on for a few weeks.  This home also was one of my first ever listings back in 2005, I know it well and it’s a great house!

I’ve been recently looking for homes in this range with clients who really wanted a master bathroom, as well as a 1/2 bath on the main level.   These are tough to find in this price range in North Arlington, but we did it!

They ended up ratifying an offer on a nice townhouse in Cathcart Springs, close to Ballston, listed at $672,000. It had lots of bathrooms, a great basement entertaining area with a fireplace,  a huge master closet, a nice backyard space and a roomy floor plan.  Total square footage of 2574.  1716 of that is above grade.

A townhouse is something you might want to consider if room configuration is more important to you than yard space or the ability to expand, as many of these houses only have one bedroom level bath with little room to spare.   Most houses in the $675,000 and under range in North Arlington are about 1800 to 2200 square feet including the basement.   Meaning base square footage times all levels.  Finished or above grade, they are usually 1200-1400 square feet.

The properly finished basement is usually a pretty important feature in these homes as the above grade living area is kind of small.   If you are looking at a home with an unfinished basement, without a bathroom, you can count on spending $30,000-$40,000 to finish it nicely with drywall and recessed lighting and install a bathroom.  If it has a bathroom, you can probably do it for $20,000 or so.

I  know this price range very well, so if you are looking for a North Arlington Realtor to guide you through the home buying process, contact me for a consultation.  I am very honest and will be straight with you about what you can expect to find and not in North Arlington in this price range.  And even if your laundry list is long, I can usually find it!

There is something so exciting about being a first time homebuyer.  Even 2nd time if it is your first detached house. I remember the feeling so well.  The excitement of possibilities of the things you can do with your house, the determination of making it happen (and boy it can be tough), the dreams of painting your own walls and planting your own trees and having your very own piece of earth that belongs to you.

I held open a house yesterday that is the perfect home for a first time buyer, after all, it was my first home. I met a couple who literally had stars in their eyes about this house, and I was so excited for them.   The energy they were sending off was palpable, you could tell the guy wanted to write an offer and move in tomorrow.   They might buy it or they might calm down and decide to wait.  Either way, it’s a great feeling when you find that first house that really gets you excited.    And when you go through and buy it, it’s even better.

It can sometimes take months of searching through hundreds of houses, and sometimes it takes only one or two.

This is a picture of me in this house in Arlington, Virginia, our first house circa 2001, happily scrubbing away at my worn out, hideous old kitchen that we were in the process of remodeling.   Why do I look so bug-eyed and delirious? The first time homeowner high. We remodeled that ugly kitchen, and made it beautiful, but even before we did that, I loved it, because it was ours.

Coral Gundlach, CRS

Realtor serving Arlington, Alexandria, Annandale, Vienna, Falls Church, Fairfax and Loudoun County Virginia

www.coralgundlach.com

Check out my Facebook page for fantastic pictures of my listings!

I am completely in love with Arlington, Virginia.  Even though I moved here 9 years ago from arguably one of the world’s most beloved and traveled cities – San Francisco – I have always felt at home in Arlington and know most of its true treasures.

One of the ways I felt so at home when I moved here was I bought a house (that does help one feel more at home than renting) for the first time and I had some awesome Realtors who showed me where the best places to eat are.  I don’t mean 4 star restaurants, but the dives and take out joints that will become your staples.   When you are new to a city, knowing where to get good grub is very important, and for those first few days unpacking, take out or delivery will probably give you a better meal than cooking if you can’t find your pots and pans!

So, step one:  Buy a house! Nothing makes you feel more at peace and connected to your community than home ownership. After literally throwing away tons of money in rent in San Francisco for 3 years, I was determined to buy a house when we got here.    And of course, we could not afford what we wanted and had to make compromises.  Luckily, we found this house (see below).  It was not this cute when we bought it but it met our basic criteria:   North Arlington, short commute for my husband, easy Metro access, good schools for when we had kids, 3 bedrooms 2 baths, a basement.  Not too picky.  it needed a ton of work and we did it.   And a lovely couple bought it from us when we were ready to move on and now they are selling this gem.

And fortunately for some lucky buyer, it is being listed again this week: 2818 N. Sycamore St, Arlington, VA 22207.  3 bedroom, 2 full bath, two level home with lovely finishes.  Open Sunday, July 25, 1-4 pm.

This house, as you can see, is a charmer, loaded with curb appeal. From the landscaped yard to the flagstone walkway and extra-wide front stairs to the red door – this house will grab you before you even go inside!   Then the interior delights even more with sunshine streaming through ample windows in every room.

Everything’s been updated: Kitchen has nice white 42 inch cabinets, windows are replaced with low-e glass and efficient dual panes, both baths have new tile floors and vanities, all bedrooms have closet organizers, custom wooden blinds adorn nearly all rooms.  Plus, the basement is roomy and has a nice sized rec room with high ceilings, recessed lights and new berber carpet.

All of this in Berkshire Oakwood, one of Arlington’s most beloved neighborhoods, walkable to East Falls Church Metro, shops, dining, Falls Church City farmers market and a quick commute to almost the entire DC Metro area!

Listed at $599,000, it is sure to grab another buyer as it did myself and the current owners.  It is a charmed place to live!  Click on the link to my Facebook page for more pictures.

Now, once you buy this charming house, here are some of the best take out and hang out joints to help you out on those nights of unpacking and getting your bearings in your new community of Arlington:

Lost Dog Cafe: Oh how I love this place.  They have over 52 specialty sandwiches such as the Fat Molly and The Big Dog and about 30 kinds of pizza, plus shakes, malts, ice cream and they even deliver beer!  Located in Westover, about 1.5 miles from this house – they most certainly do deliver here.  And not only do they make great food and deliver it, they are also a wonderful charity for homeless pets.  The Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation is one of the area’s biggest advocate for lost animals and keeps thousands of pets each year from being euthanized by placing them in homes.

Thai Thai: Some of the best Thai food in Arlington, located about 2 miles away in the shopping center on the corner of George Mason and Lee Highway.   Although they tell you they will deliver in 40 minutes, they usually get to your house in 10.   Spectacular Panang Curry and Pad Thai!

Westover Beer Garden:  Okay, I really love this place too and technically it’s not a take out place, but rather a cool place to hang out and meet new friends/neighbors.  Right across the street from the Lost Dog, this place has created a college type garden party in the outdoor space adjacent to the Westover Market.   They have live bands and lots of cool exotic beers on tap.  If you want to feel like you are at a college party, but know that it’s okay to bring your baby – stop by the Beer Garden.  They are open every day and have live music every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

That’s all the takeout/hang out tips for now.  There are more, but I will save them for my next blog.  Come see this adorable house this Sunday, 1-4.   2818 N. Sycamore Street in Arlington.  There’s tons of street parking!

Living Room – Features a fireplace with striking granite surround, hardwood floors, picture window and is open to large dining room with French Doors leading to awesome deck overlooking roomy, private landscaped
backyard.

The yard offers so much - front detailed landscaping and pathways providing a storybook curb appeal.  Back yard has a trex deck accessible from both family room and dining room, flagstone patio, koi pond and lots of lush landscaping including Crepe Myrtles, Japanese Maples and many more surrounding it all.

3 bedrooms and 2 baths up - plus one more bedroom in first lower level (that is ground level with tons of daylight) with private entrance along with a lovely office with full sized windows overlooking backyard and pond, and another bonus room currently used as bedroom.   Lowest level also has a full kitchenette with granite counters and a rec room with gas fireplace and laundry room with front loading washer and dryer.

Tons of updates including – all new kitchen in 2007, Trex deck in 2007, Custom window treatments and blinds in 2007, New granite hearth and gas fireplace in 2007, LG HE Front loading washer and dryer in 2007, Bryant High Efficiency Heat Pump in 2009, new bathroom vanities and sinks 2010.

All of this on one of Arlington’s prettiest streets with rolling hills, nestled between Little Falls Road and Williamsbug Boulevard. Walking distance to the award winning Nottingham Elementary, and a quick commute to DC, Fairfax, Tysons or Bethesda.   ART bus service runs during rush hour to the East Falls Church metro, which is only a bit over 1 mile away.    Take out and dining options are plentiful at the Williamsburg Shopping Center with Backyard Barbeque, Peking Pavillion, Williamsburg Deli and you even can walk up to 7-11 or CVS for sundries.

What a better place to celebrate Independence Day than right outside our Nation’s Capital?   If you would like to view the fireworks this Sunday, July 4, 2010, but don’t want do drive into DC, stay in Arlington to see the show.   You don’t have to trek into DC and brave the crowds on the mall, stay right here in Arlington and view the show from some of Arlington’s outdoor attractions.

The  Marine Corps War Memorial, aka, Iwo Jima and Gravelly Point are both great places to see the fireworks in DC.  If you are going to Iwo Jima, the Orange Line metro to Rosslyn is your best bet.   Gravelly Point can be reached via the George Washington Memorial Parkway, but pack a cooler and some chairs and leave early because this will be a popular spot!

Check out this article from Arlington County’s website for more great info on viewing fireworks in Arlington, Virginia this year, 2010.

Happy Independence Day!

Spectacular views of the national fireworks from Arlington : County Manager : Arlington, Virginia.

Coral Gundlach, CRS, Realtor

McEnearney Associates

www.coralgundlach.com

A huge part of my job as a real estate agent, post contract, is to make sure everyone else does theirs. This is often when we really earn our commission, and can make the difference between closing the sale or watching it all fall apart.   A good agent checks in regularly with the lenders, title companies, co-operating agents, inspectors and clients, of course, to see how things are progressing. After a few bad termite inspector experiences, I decided to start attending them in person, especially if the house has a lot of wood or is in a woodsy area, which is the case with my most recent contract.  The buyers for this house are also very detail oriented, and currently overseas, so I wanted to be there to explain first hand should he find something.    It’s a new inspector for me who was highly recommended, and I like him because he only inspects, and does not provide treatment (see previous blog for why). Anyway, he asked me why I was there, and said no one ever meets him there and frankly seemed a little weirded out by my presence.

I went on to explain that a colleague of mine ALWAYS attends termite inspections, just for the above reasons, and I thought that was a good practice and am starting it myself with this inspection.  He asked “why so much distrust?”   I was a little taken aback that he would assume distrust, but explained that it had nothing to do with not trusting the inspector, but everything to do with representing our clients to the fullest extent, and making sure we understood the scope of the problem first hand if there was one.

Same thing goes for attending all aspects of a transaction, and with follow ups to the lenders, title companies, etc.   I hope no one I work with assumes distrust because I am on top of the details, it simply means I am doing a thorough job representing my clients.  So if you are working with me as either a buyer, seller, lender, title company or inspector – expect to hear from me often, and know it’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s that I am doing my job and making sure all pieces of the puzzle fit together.  It can make or break a transaction, and I’ve made them stick together many times this way.

If you are looking for a thorough and responsive real estate agent in Northern Virginia, give me a call to find out how I can help you buy or sell a home. You will hear from me often, and know that your sale is running smoothly.

Congratulations Arlington, County Virginia!  Parenting Magazine just ranked Arlington as the best place in the Whole Country to raise a family.  No arguments here.  As a parent and resident in Arlington County, I can vouch that our public schools do live up to the hype.  Our North Arlington Mom’s club, MONA, is one of the greatest resources for everything from parenting to vacation tips and more and is so strong it practically has the clout of the Better Business Bureau if a mom posts a bad review of a business; we have a wonderful variety of parks, including two spray parks for our scorching summer days.

Kids during the summer have a variety of camps to choose from, and even procrastinating parents can usually find something for the kids to do.

And then there is the real estate factor.  I am so lucky to be a real estate agent and homeowner in Arlington, Virginia. This county has incredible resilience.  People in the DC Metro area really want to live here, and will pay to do so.  The average sales price for detached homes in North Arlington so far this year is $851,687. Wow.  That’s out of 334 detached home sold this year so far.  Average Days on Market:  44.

And compared to the rest of the DC Area, check out how Northern Virginia’s prices have improved in 2010.     The George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis just crunched the numbers and they tell quite a story.  Look at the real estate recovery in Northern Virginia compared to DC and Maryland.

If you are considering between buying in Northern Virginia, Maryland or DC, check out these slides to see that Northern Virginia’s housing recovery is well on its way.  And for sound, honest real estate and guidance in Northern Virginia, call or email me to get started!

First of all, I must give mad love to this place.  Definitely one or Northern Virginia’s treasures.   It’s located on Columbia Pike, and easily accessible from Alexandria, DC, Arlington or Annandale.   

It usually plays slightly older movies, like between theater and DVD release.     For a discounted price, you can go see a 3 or 4 month old movie, drink beer and eat junk food all at the same time.     It also has stand up comedy and is a great place to watch sporting events.  We stuck with the beer and saved our appetite for Bangkok 54 next door – A a Washingtonian “Cheap Eat”must visit for the best Thai in Arlington.

Back to How to Train Your Dragon:  The premise of the movie is that the Vikings have always trained to kill dragons.  Dragons are the enemy, we kill them, and that was the end of the thought process on this subject with the Vikings.  Until a little guy named Hiccup befriends a wounded dragon by accident, and learns that when working together, dragons and Vikings can actually accomplish  a lot more.   There’s a big moment in the movie when the kid is supposed to fight the dragon and ends up gently touching him on his face and makes him giggle and not a threat.   The kid was ostracized by his community for thinking this way; yet eventually the Vikings “get it” and learn to work together with the dragons to kill a big bad monster dragon who wants to kill them all.

I feel like many people approach negotiations the way the Vikings did the dragons.  The other side is the enemy, and you try to kill them.  That’s not the way I approach negotiations in Northern Virginia real estate, you can enjoy great success by figuring out what the other party wants and – gasp – giving it to them.  That doesn’t mean your side loses, but it means you both win because you get what you give.   If you make it clear to the other side that you are not out to stiff them, they are likely to handle you the same way.

Most of my real estate transactions are smooth and not acrimonious, because I approach negotiations this way.   Both parties want to sell the house, HOW they get it done, usually is a win-win, if we learn how to tickle the dragon.