Vienna

Driving between McLean and Vienna this weekend?

Just in case you missed the press release, Route 123 between McLean and Vienna VA will be closed June 12 and 13 as they demolish a 495 (The Capital Beltway) overpass. Yes sir, 123 will be blocked off with no realistic notice as to what your options are for detours.

This VDOT map of a detour plan looks like a nightmare to me, so here is where my local Vienna and McLean driving experience can help you.

Two Tysons Corner Detour Options

• Take International Drive in Tyson’s Corner which turns into Spring Hill Road, then turn right on Lewinsville Road.
• Take Route 7 and turn on Magarity Road to Great Falls Street.

When I am with some real estate clients this weekend, I think we will avoid the whole Tysons Corner area or at least give it a wide berth.

Like I have said, living in Northern Virginia requires you to have a driving strategy.

Any thoughts on this project? Leave a comment!

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Vienna

Two Real Estate Markets in One

Northern Virginia home buyers looking to move to Vienna are witnessing an interesting spring real estate market in May. Well, at least I find it interesting because detached homes in the $530,000 range are seeing one market while the $1,000,000 plus range is seeing another.

Last weekend, a RE/MAX Presidential team colleague put a 1960’s Town of Vienna home on the market at $539,900 and had seven (7) offers! Yes, even without the “home buyer tax rebate program”, people know that living in Vienna is valuable. Obviously the schools are good and commute times are decent, but the unique sense of community is the key with the W&OD Bike Trail, Concerts on The Town Green, The Vienna Farmers’ Market, and Memorial Day Weekend’s Viva Vienna festival!

Maybe it’s Nielson’s Frozen Custard Shop?

On the other hand, people wanting to move to Vienna in the $1,000,000 price range have ninety four (yes, 94) homes for sail sale to look at! And having represented some buyers in this price range recently, I know that there is negotiating room. If you want to talk about the real estate market then send me an e-mail or call me. See some of the stats that I posted recently for a couple of Vienna zip codes on the Vienna Home Blog.

This sharp contrast between the two price ranges is a pattern that I have seen over the past year. Higher-end buyers were impacted by the lack of credit available for loans in the “Super Jumbo” category last year, but mortgage guys that I know (from reputable banks) can now get these loans done up to $2,000,000.

That’s what I love about the real estate business!

When you are going into “battle” against six other real estate offers then you will need one negotiation strategy, and if you are in the higher end market then you will need another. If I didn’t like the competition involved in this business, then I wouldn’t still be doing it after 19 years.

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Vienna

Earth Day in Vienna, VA 2010

The 40th Earth Day arrived today and the weather is truly spectacular in Northern Virginia. This year the focus across the board is on energy efficiency and replacing older appliances with Energy Star qualified appliances like A/C or heating systems, hot water heaters or refrigerators. Like I wrote last week, the Commonwealth of Virginia has started a rebate program and there may also be tax credits available to you.

Invasive Plants | Vienna’s Northside Park

This Sunday morning I will be helping the Northeast Vienna Citizens Association’s (NEVCA) project in Northside Park removing invasive plant species and replacing them with native plants. NEVCA received a grant from Fairfax County and volunteers are encourage to participate as this is the second phase of the project.

When I have selected plantings for my home, I have selected native species that would thrive in our climate plus show their natural beauty. I selected the Southern Hawthorne Trees in my front yard and have always had compliments. Their foliage is dense so they create privacy, they bloom with wonderful white flowers in the spring, turn wonderful colors in the fall, and display bright red berries until January or until the birds pick the trees clean. Overall a nice selection as mature trees add value to real estate resale values.

Town of Vienna VA Green Expo is tonight

The Town of Vienna, VA is a member of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program and is celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day with an evening activity at the Vienna Community Center on Park Street. There will be a tree planting at 6:00 p.m.

Hope to see you there, and please say hi!

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Vienna

Vienna, VA Home Sales Stats | Hyper Local March 2010

March came roaring in like a lion in the real estate market as buyers literally surged in once the snow melted and the sun started to shine making our world green again, so next month’s numbers will be impressive.

The driving part of the surge was buyers at the lower end buying homes that allowed people to move up to larger homes in these zip codes. The $8,000 first time buyer credit pushed the move-up buyer who could get a credit up to $6,500 when they entered into a contract by April 30th and settle by the end of June.

But please know that this information is reported from MRIS which is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate but should be considered pretty darn close.

Keep in mind, mortgage rates were still super low (around 5%).

Home sales numbers for 22182 in March 2010:

Spring did arrive early in March this year!.

Home sale numbers for the Town of Vienna, 22180, March 2010

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