Arlington Real Estate Guide January 22, 2014 by Northern Virginia Media Services

SunGazette A R L I N G T O N

Where in the World is Mark Middendorf? Right here in Arlington selling houses. This new year brings many changes to the real estate market. You need a professional who; HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD FOR GETTING CLIENTS THE MOST MONEY FOR THE SALE OF THEIR HOUSE Twenty six years of sales with satisfied clients.

KNOWS THE LATEST MARKET TRENDS AND CONDITIONS

Buyers want turn key condition and I have the knowledge to help you achieve that before you list.

EXPERTISE IN EVERY STAGE OF THE LISTING AND SELLING PROCESS

Hands on staging, knowledge of finance trends and guidelines, fluency in contractual matters to assure a smooth transaction straight through to settlement.

KNOWLEDGE OF THE ENTIRE REAL ESTATE MARKET TO PREDICT LOCAL TRENDS Helping sellers and buyers all around the D.C. area, I know how to guide you towards your long term goals.

This year the Northern Virginia contract has changed again. Lenders have loosened guidelines allowing 3% down mortgages, appraisal guidelines have shifted, buyers needs and qualifications have changed. Let Mark Middendorf help you with one of the largest financial decisions you are about to make. You get one chance to sell your house and I want to maximize your investment and make it the best real estate transaction youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever had.

Call Mark Middendorf at 703.928.3915 Mark.Middendorf@longandfoster.com

Sun Gazette

McEnearney ® ASSOCIATES, INC. REALTORS

ARLington

$1,499,000

FALLS CHuRCH

$895,000

ARLington

$335,000

SE U pm O -4 H 1 N 5, PE 1/2 O N SU

1 Light to DC for Easy Commute!

Just Listed in Marlborough

Beautiful updates throughout

Beautiful 5,400-SF, 6-bedroom, 5.5-bath home. Gorgeous, dark hardwood floors, custom 3-piece molding, and coffered ceilings. Theater room in basement with stadium seating. Thoughtful main level office/bedroom with attached full bath. Walk to Clarendon, schools, parks and more.

Expanded center hall colonial with 2-car garage in Haycock. Longfellow, McLean district. Large master suite plus 4 more bedrooms upstairs, fireplace in family room, open airy sun room, maple cabinets and granite countertops in kitchen. Finished LL playroom, gym or media space. 6510 Truman Ln 22043

Don't miss this opportunity to live in Dundree Knolls and enjoy all the Pike has to offer! Located near dining, shopping and transportation, this one level 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo shines! Updated kitchen and baths plus new flooring and paint throughout.

Brian Blackburn

Betsy twigg

Leigh Blecki

703.447.3085 www.BrianBlackburn.com MLS# AR8528188

703.967.4391 www.Betsytwigg.com

703.304.1545 www.LeighBlecki.com MLS# AR8534993

Thinking of A Career in Real Estate? Join Our Team at McEnearney Associates in Arlington and Share the Benefits of…

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• A market leader who is committed to you

• Top-notch professional development

• Unparalleled marketing • The best management team in the business • A dedicated support staff

• The latest technology ARLington

$274,000

Modern Light-Filled Condo 940 SF; updated kitchen with breakfast bar; luxurious bath with marble floor and countertop, designer tile backsplash. Largest balcony with southern view exposure allows the light to spill in. Rich hardwoods throughout, walk-in closet and pantry. Walk to 2 Metros, shops, Memorial and bike paths.

Michelle Sagatov 703.402.9361 Era Lelwela 913.620.2064 www.MichelleSagatov.com MLS# AR8524735

To learn more, contact

Karen Trainor, Managing Broker 703.717.6311 ktrainor@McEnearney.com

ARLington

$1,475,000

Welcome Home! 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths and 4,700 SF of living space. Wonderful treed corner lot. Master bath with soaking tub/glass shower surround and walk-in closets. Wainscotting and custom trim throughout. Excellent commuter location to DC and easy walk to shops in Clarendon!

Brian Blackburn

703.447.3085 www.BrianBlackburn.com MLS# AR8528218

Dunn LoRing

$736,000

Close to Mosaic District and tysons! 3-level, 2-car garage, END townhome. Large gourmet kitchen/family room combo, rich hardwoods, gas fireplace. Custom closet organizers throughout. Luxury master bath. Vaulted 9' ceilings. Lower level rec room leads to brick patio and landscaped yard. Newer windows and roof. Dunn Loring Metro 1 mile.

Debbie Hauter

703.470.4070 www.McEnearney.com MLS# FX8529724

McEnearney.com

703.525.1900

4720 Lee Highway | Arlington, VA 22207

Local Real-Estate Pros Looking for Healthy ‘15

Buck and Associates

Sun Gazette

2519 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201 www.3930group.com

Helping You Reach Your Real Estate Goals Linda and Sam Wardle Selling | Buying | Investing | Leasing Staging | Home Improvement Consultations At 3930 Group, nearly 30 years of experience has taught us that being trusted, dedicated and professional real estate advisers, not salespeople, is paramount to success. Our highest priority will always remain serving as committed fiduciaries to our clients. We look forward to showing you why we are consistently among the best in the business.

10208 Old Hunt Rd, Vienna, VA $998,000 Elegant 4 bed, 3 bath brick Colonial beautifully situated on near 1 acre lot in a charming Vienna cul-de-sac. Meticulously maintained, thoughtfully renovated featuring gorgeous kitchen and beautiful hardwoods throughout main and upper levels. The perfect home for parties and large gatherings all year round.

Linda Wardle REALTOR® Linda@3930group.com 703.598.7943 Licensed in VA

DAVE FACINOLI Staff Writer

With the Spring Market fast upon us, let us put our years of experience, success and expertise to work for you in 2015!

SOLD

YOUR HOME

703-309-0411

703-855-2553

ingrid.wooten@lnf.com www.IngridWooten.com

andrea@lnf.com www.AndreaNielsen.com

The INGRID WOOTEN & ANDREA NIELSEN Team Contact us at: andrea@lnf.com or 703.855.2553 to get the process started!

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A Top Producing Team in North Arlington, specializing in Clarendon/Lyon Village J A N U A RY 2 0 1 5

The start to the 2015 real estate market across the local area seems to be strong, but how will the rest of 2015 go? Given the relatively stagnant economy and generally flat growth in personal income in the local area, do top real-estate professionals in the area expect to see average home prices rising in 2015? And which communities of the Northern Virginia market are primed to do best this year? The Sun Gazette asked some local Realtors those questions. Here are their thoughts: Rob Ferguson, Re/Max Allegiance: “I think we will see an uptick all over Northern Virginia, but it’s hard to say how much. It might depend on how much the low interest rates, like 3.75 [percent], stay where they are or tick down, which isn’t getting much publicity right now, and the gas prices staying low. People will have more disposable income, so they might feel better about buying, and we are already seeing a push from that. We’ll see more first-time buyers – that area has been sluggish since August.” Karen Briscoe, Huckaby, Briscoe, Conroy Realty Group: “I think 2015 will be a very good year. In 2014 it was a minor-adjustment year. I think the average home prices will rise 5 to 6 percent across the board. The under-$1 million homes will do the best and inside the Beltway closer to the city always does best. The upper-bracket homes depend on so many factors, it’s hard

to break down. I think the game-changer in 2015 will be the Silver Line for the homes out in Tysons, Reston and Great Falls.” Billy Buck, Buck & Associates: “Condos were flat last year, and I’d like to think they could be up 3 to 5 percent this year. The expectations are the same for single-family homes and townhouses. Also, interest rates. You can’t take for granted they will stay low, so take advantage of where they are right now – historic lows.” Dawn Wilson, Keller Williams: “I think Arlington will continue to see rising prices and across all types of houses. The biggest gains will be the single-family homes under $1.6 million.” Steve Wydler, Long & Foster: “I am cautiously optimistic we are going to have more appreciation at a modest rate, like 3 percent. There are a lot of things going well, like the stock market, oil prices, job growth and consumer confidence. Jobs are the fuel to real estate, so the entire market could benefit. Plus, the lower gas prices might help the outer markets have a stronger year.” Dee Murphy, Long & Foster: “I think prices will go up across the market – under a million, 3 to 5 percent – but anything over a million could still be a tough sale. There will be a lot of new listings, but prices will still rise. The spring market will come early this year and that will drive prices up. Because of the bad weather, the spring market came late last year, and that threw off the rhythm of the market for the whole year. Things that usually happen in March didn’t

Sam Wardle REALTOR® Sam@3930group.com 703.296.5255 Licensed in VA

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Sun Gazette

Home Sales Down in 2014, But Prices Hit Record Sales of homes across Northern Virginia’s inner suburbs retreated slightly after two consecutive years of solid growth, but the average sales price of all homes that sold hit a new record in 2014. A total of 18,696 residential properties went to closing last year, according to figures from RealEstate Business Intelligence analyzed by the Sun Gazette. That’s down 8.2 percent from the 20,355 sales reported in 2013, and is down 43 percent from the record of 32,735 sales set in 2004, but is the second highest sales figure in the past five years. The 2014 figure is down about 43 percent from the record 32,735 sales reported in 2004. Figures represent sales in Arlington and Fairfax counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church. Total sales volume for the year was $10.3 billion, down from $11 billion a year before and a record $15.7 billion in 2005, but only the second time since 2006 that overall sales have topped $10 billion. The average sales price of $552,139 was up 2.2 percent from $540,034 in 2013, hitting a new record and representing the fifth consecutive increase since the recession. Looking back on 40 years of sales data from across the suburbs, the average price has grown from $58,739 in 1975, surpassing the $100,000 mark for the first time in 1981, the $200,000 mark in 1991, the $300,000 mark in 2002 and the $400,000 mark in 2004 before peaking at just above $538,000 in 2007. It then dropped for two years, to $431,018 in 2009, before starting a rebound. In the spirit of fun, here’s a trip down memory lane both at the state of the market and some of the local and national events that played a role in our lives: 1975: The average sales price is climbing close to the $60,000 mark, and more than 14,200 homes are sold in the local area. Interest rates, however, are on the rise, hovering at around 9 percent for a 30-year conventional loan. Nationally, Jerry Ford is in the White House, the Red Sox and Reds are in the World Series and NBC debuts “Saturday Night Live.” 1976: The nation’s bicentennial year is a good one for the local real estate market. Home sales increase 2.3 percent over a year before, and the average sales price is up 6.2 percent. 1977: Jimmy Carter takes the oath of office as president, Elvis “leaves the building” for

4 Decades of Home Sales Across Northern Virginia YEAR

1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

AVERAGE SALES PRICE

TOTAL SALES

For year

Change

For year

Change

$58,739 $62,373 $66,722 $71,639 $79,389 $90,744 $100,050 $103,631 $105,388 $108,049 $113,120 $121,922 $142,163 $162,850 $174,975 $174,616 $204,886 $202,534 $209,381 $210,557 $211,098 $214,102 $220,932 $229,151 $238,496 $252,374 $285,159 $319,293 $364,684 $441,253 $537,116 $537,741 $538,463 $461,039 $431,018 $469,018 $483,160 $504,338 $540,034 $552,139

N/A +6.2% +7.0% +7.4% +11.4% +11.7% +10.3% +3.6% +1.7% +2.5% +4.7% +7.8% +16.6% +14.6% +7.4% -0.2% +17.3% -1.1% +3.3% +0.6% +0.3% +1.4% +3.2% +3.7% +4.1% +5.8% +13.0% +12.0% +14.2% +21.8% +21.7% +0.1% +0.1% -14.4% -6.5% +8.9% +3.0% +4.4% +7.1% +2.2%

14,260 14,593 17,953 22,802 23,043 19,527 15,155 12,435 17,877 18,093 22,422 27,052 24,128 24,879 19,780 23,278 15,761 16,818 16,287 15,747 13,783 15,289 16,795 22,264 22,715 26,062 27,741 27,936 30,580 32,735 29,235 20,753 18,042 17,400 19,035 17,858 16,704 18,623 20,355 18,696

N/A +2.3% +23.0% +27.0% +1.0% -15.3% -22.4% -18.0% +43.7% +1.2% +23.9% +20.6% -11.8% +3.1% -20.5% +17.7% -32.3% +6.7% -3.2% -3.3% -12.2% +10.9% +9.8% +32.6% +2.0% +14.7% +6.4% +0.8% +9.4% +6.6% -10.7% -29.0% -13.1% -3.5% +9.3% -6.2% -6.5% +11.6% +9.3% -8.2%

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL NOTES OF INTEREST

VOLUME (Billions)

$0.84 $0.91 $1.1 $1.6 $1.8 $1.7 $1.5 $1.2 $1.8 $1.9 $2.4 $3.3 $3.4 $4.0 $3.4 $4.0 $3.2 $3.4 $3.4 $3.3 $2.9 $3.2 $3.7 $5.1 $5.8 $6.5 $7.9 $8.9 $11.1 $14.4 $15.7 $11.1 $9.7 $8.0 $8.2 $8.4 $8.1 $9.4 $11.0 $10.3

‘Saturday Night Live’ debuts Democrat Carter wins election R.I.P. Elvis Presley John Paul II becomes pope Incident at Three Mile Island GOP’s Reagan trounces Carter Egypt’s Sadat is assassinated It’s a boy for Charles, Diana Riggins is Super Bowl MVP ‘Cosby’ is nation’s top TV show Michael Jordan’s rookie year Shuttle ‘Challenger’ explodes Iran-Contra scandal tops the news Bush manhandles Dukakis Earthquake strikes Bay Area Americans With Disabilities Act First Gulf War starts ... and ends L.A. riots after Rodney King verdict Bill Clinton is inaugurated GOP takes control of Congress O.J. Simpson found not guilty Richard Nixon dies after stroke Tiger Woods wins the Masters Monica Lewinsky in the news Clinton acquitted by Senate Florida determines presidency Terror attacks strike on 9/11 New war in Iraq looms Joe Gibbs returns to Redskins Kerry falls to Bush in election Katrina swamps Gulf Coast Democrats win back Congress Oil prices through the roof Economy plunges; Obama wins Unemployment hits double digits GOP makes a comeback Economic malaise lingers ‘Derecho’ storm slams region Democrats win Va. statewide races U.S. Reps. Wolf, Moran retire

Sales totals, average sales prices and volume come from data of RealEstate Business Intelligence and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors, as analyzed by the Sun Gazette, and may differ from other published figures. Totals are based on sales figures for Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church. Percentage changes and historical notes compiled by the Sun Gazette staff.

the final time. The number of homes sold in Northern Virginia experiences 23-percent growth, and the average sales price is up 7 percent. The total sales volume in Northern Virginia passes the $1 billion mark for the first time. 1978: The Washington Bullets have their best year ever. “The White Shadow” and “WKRP in Cincinnati” make their TV debuts. Despite a

slightly frosty economic environment across Virginia and the nation, home sales locally are up 27 percent, and the average sales price is up 7.4 percent. 1979: The Iran hostage drama begins, and John Wayne breathes his last. Irish terrorists kill Lord Mountbatten. The federal government bails out Chrysler, and interest rates start heading upward in a hur-

ry. Nelson Rockefeller dies, creatively. The number of homes sold increases just a bit, but the average sales price is up 11.4 percent. 1980: Ronald Reagan wins a landslide victory over Jimmy Carter, Mount St. Helens blows its top, and the U.S. skips the Summer Olympics. The spike in interest rates take a chunk out of the sales market (down 15.3 percent), but average sales

prices are up nearly 12 percent. 1981: Assassinations and attempted assassinations make “In the Community, With the Community, For for an ugly year. “Dallas” and “Dukes of Hazzard” provide some relief on TV. Actor Jack Albertson dies. Home sales drop precipitously, down 22.4 percent, but average sales prices show double-digit increases. The average sales price rises to Continued on Page 16

Survey Lays Out Factors Impacting Home’s Value

Sun Gazette

YO U ’ R E I N V I T E D We’re McNeill Baker Design Associates, architects specializing in custom homes. We’re very proud of our recent collaboration with Rose DiNapoli Interiors and Jacoby Contracting, and we’d be very pleased to show you this amazing transformation. AFTER

BEFORE

port is a helpful reference, so you can gauge how your area compares to other parts of the country.” Local industry plays a role as well. In the case of Los Altos, which is ranked as the most expensive market in America, the continued success of many tech companies contributes to the boom. This information can be useful, whether you’re planning to put your property on the market or you’re looking to relocate. For example, if you are scoping out a neighborhood where home prices are on the verge of increasing, area features to look out for include cultural institutions – such as art galleries and performance spaces – as well as such factors as unique architecture and proximity to mass transit and other trendy areas. Edwards also recommends doing some quantitative research, including talking to your Realtor about how fast properties are selling in your area and whether business owners are investing in the neighborhood. “Buying or selling a home is a huge emotional and financial decision,” says Edwards. “By doing your homework beforehand, you will be able to take some of the uncertainty out of the process.” Remember, while this information is very useful for homeowners and prospective home buyers, it’s by no means a replacement for a professional real estate agent who understands local conditions.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has detailed the most popular features in new single-family homes in 2014. Builders from across the country were surveyed on what features they were most likely to include in a typical single-family home this year, revealing that convenience, livability and energy efficiency are top priorities. “Newly constructed homes can suit the specific requirements of today’s home buyers,” said 2014 NAHB chairman Kevin Kelly, a home builder and developer from Wilmington, Del. “And now is a great time to consider buying a new home, as consumers can take advantage of competitive home prices and low interest rates to find the perfect new home for their families.” Home builders are including features

that are practical and functional for the daily lives of today’s home buyers. T he features that are most likely to be included in a typical single-family home include a walk-in closet in the master bedroom; low-E windows; a laundry room; and a Great Room. Energy efficiency is a key theme with Energy-Star rated appliances, programmable thermostats and Energy-Star rated windows at the top of the list. These features help make the home more comfortable and can save the home owner significant money over the long term. On a median per square-foot basis, home owners spent 78 cents per square foot per year on electricity, while owners of newly constructed homes spent 65 cents per square foot per year, according to data from the Census Bureau’s American Housing Survey.

Sunday, January 25, 2015, 2 pm to 5 pm 1900 N. Quintana Street Arlington, Virginia 22205

M c NEILL BAKER

From the intersection of I-66 and N. Sycamore Street, travel north on N. Sycamore Street to Washington Boulevard. Turn right and travel 2 blocks to N. Quintana Street. Turn right and 1900 will be on your right.

DIRECTIONS:

D E S I G N

A S S O C I A T E S

McNeillBaker.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL US AT 703 / 992-9707

“Coral is an absolute master in pricing and offer strategy.” - Susan Schonfeld, Coral’s client For Sale

Under Contract

Multiple Offers

6707C Washington Blvd Arlington 3 level townhouse $599,000 Walk to EFC Metro

4401 Lee Highway #59 Arlington 1 bedroom, 1 bath $225,000 Two more coming soon!

710 Bruce Court Herndon 4 bedroom/2 bath $355,000 Sold over asking price

If you are thinking of selling this spring, now is the time to start planning. In 2014, I helped 28 clients buy and sell, totaling over $17 million in sales. On average last year, my listings got over 99% of asking price within seventeen days on the market. Call to see how I can help you get similar results in 2015.

www.coralgundlach.com • (703) 200-3631 Century 21 Redwood Realty 1711 Wilson Blvd • Arlington, VA 22209

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Builders Focus on Specific Needs

Open House

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(StatePoint) – It may seem like the size of your home is the be-all and end-all of your home’s value. But there are many other factors that come into play when determining the listing price of a particular home. A new report offers some insights. The Coldwell Banker Home Listing Report, the most extensive home price comparison tool currently available in the country, ranks the average listing price of four-bedroom, two-bathroom homes in nearly 2,000 markets across the country. Analyzing more than 51,000 similarsized listings, it addresses how much a home in one market would cost if the same home were located somewhere else in the United States. For example, the report reveals that for the price of the average home in Los Altos, Calif., you could purchase 30 similar-sized homes in Cleveland; nine homes in Charlotte; eight homes in Chicago; five homes in Miami; or two homes in Seattle. But why are there such discrepancies? It comes down to the “l”-word. “It’s amazing how much location impacts a home’s value,” says Coldwell Banker Real Estate consumer specialist Jessica Edwards. “Typically, urban markets are more expensive, while suburban and rural areas tend to be more affordable,” she said. “However, many factors contribute to the average price of a home, such as commute time or proximity to the waterfront. The Home Listing Re-

Sun Gazette

INSIDENOVA pocket-sized. Inventory Across Arlington Now no matter where you are, you can get all your local news, sports, and traffic. Download the InsideNoVa app, then follow all the news in Northern Virginia, anywhere you go.

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DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE INSIDENOVA APP AT THE ITUNES STORE OR GOOGLE PLAY.

Lower Than at Start of 2014 The Arlington real estate market entered 2015 with slightly less inventory, based on generally solid December sales figures. But within individual ZIP codes, the figures were (as they usually are) decidedly more mixed. Some areas of the county had stronger months than others, and in one ZIP (Rosslynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 22209) the number of properties on the market in December was actually below the total from a year before â&#x20AC;&#x201C; good news for sellers, if the lack of availability translates into a feeding frenzy among potential buyers when the spring market hits. Figures for the local area: 22201: Sales in December totaled 40,

down from 44 a year before. The average sales price of $701,960 was up 13.7 percent from a year before, while the median sales price of $632,500 was up 25.5 percent. Homes that went to closing in December spent an average of 40 days between listing and ratified sales contract, an improvement from the 41 days required a year before, and garnered 96.9 percent of listing price, down from 97.9 percent. At the end of the month, there were 66 properties on the market, up from 41 a year before. 22202: Sales totaled 15, up from nine. The average sales price of $669,367 was up 2.8 percent, while the median sales price of $610,000 was down 9 percent. Homes spent an average of 53 days on the market, down from 64, and garnered 94.9 percent of listing price, down from 95.7 percent. There were 38 properties on the market, up from 27. 22203: Sales totaled 26, up from 25. The average sales price of $442,156 was down 18.6 percent, while the median sales price of $416,000 was down 32 percent. Homes spent an average of 49 days on the market, up from 32, and garnered 96.7 percent of listing price, down from 97.9 percent There were 58 properties on the market, up from 41. 22204: Sales totaled 40, up from 34. The average sales price of $389,483 was down 15 percent, while the median sales price of $361,500 was down 14.6 percent. Homes spent an average of 59 days on the market, up from 31, and garnered 94.7 percent of listing price, down from 96.7 percent. There were 76 properties on the market, up from 57. 22205: Sales totaled 22, up from 10. The average sales price of $743,848 was down 4.9 percent, while the median sales price of $690,000 was down 8.8 percent. Homes spent an average of 41 days on the market, up from 40, and garnered 99.2 percent of listing price, up from 98.9 percent. There were 16 properties on the market, up from 11. 22206: Sales totaled 32, down from 34. The average sales price of $416,963 was up 12.7 percent, while the median sales price of $391,000 was up 7.6 percent. Homes spent an average of 47 days on the market, up from 37, and garnered 96.8 percent of listing price, up from 97.7 percent. There were 34 properties on the market, up from 22. 22207: Sales totaled 46, up from 41. The average sales price of $1,030,806 was up 10.2 percent, while the median sales price of $890,838 was up 10 percent. Homes spent an average of 60 days on the market, unchanged, and garnered 96.6 percent of listing price, up from 96.4 percent. There were 87 properties on the market, up from 62. 22209: Sales totaled 21, up from 14. The average sales price of $639,900 was down 1.8 percent, while the median sales price of $595,000 was down 8.8 percent. Properties spent an average of 56 days on the market, up from 43, and garnered 94.4 percent of listing price, down from 96.4 percent. There were 53 properties on the market, down from 59. 22213: Sales totaled two, down from seven. The average sales price of $605,000 was down 30.3 percent, while the median sales price, also $605,000, was down 11.7 percent. Homes spent an average of 64 days on the market, up from 51, and garnered 95 percent of listing price, down from 98.5 percent. There were 13 properties on the market, up from 11.

Pre-War Classic Has Been Updated for Today

Sun Gazette

A Close-In Waycroft Location Offers Proximity While Retaining Serenity Featured Property

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as was the Hardi-Board siding on the front of the home. Andersen replacement windows were installed 10 years ago, offering decades’ more usage. Our view is that homes constructed in the immediate pre-war era (1939-40-41) are among the most sought-after, due to the high quality of construction and attention to detail. When you couple that with a thoughtful and energetic expansion and renovation, there’s even more to love. And when it’s set in a community that is close to the pleasures of urban-vil-

lage living – but set just apart – you’ve got a triple winner. Well worthy of exploration and consideration. Articles are prepared by the Sun Gazette’s real estate advertising department on behalf of clients. For information on the home, contact the listing agent. For information on having a house reviewed, contact the Sun Gazette’s real estate advertising department at (703) 738-2520.

Facts for buyers

Address: 1510 North Edison Street, Arlington (22205). Listed at: $949,500 by Carol Temple, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (703) 568-1100. Schools: Glebe Elementary, Swanson Middle, Washington-Lee High School.

Market knowledge and dedication to customer service. That is how Carol Temple produces exceptional results. Life Member, NVAR Million Dollar Club NVAR Top Producers Club Certified Residential Specialist

carol@ArlingtonHouses.com

703-568-1100

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Constructed near the end of the prewar period in 1940 and fully updated and expanded twice in the past two decades, our featured property offers the opportunity to own a quality colonial in popular Waycroft, just a mile to the Ballston Metro station yet set back in an enclave of serenity and style. Handsome formal rooms, quality traffic flow and right sizes for living throughout are the highlights of the three-level property, which features updates galore to go with its sense of style. The property currently is on the market, listed at $949,500 by Carol Temple of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All-season curb appeal is among the highlights of the property, which is surrounded by tall trees and verdant landscaping. It makes a commanding first impression. Once inside, note the attention to detail, which includes crown moulding, box-bay windows and hardwood flooring. The overall appeal is one of charms and delights. A greeting in the foyer brings us to the handsome formal living room, with a desirable wood-burning fireplace to take some of the chill off the winter months. The large dining room is prepped to welcome a crowd, and features a corner china closet for added ambiance. The architect-designed expansion made room for an exceptional, large kitchen area that features abundant countertop space and cabinetry, along with room for breakfast dining as well as a walk-in pantry. It adds an extra dimension to the property. The family room/den, located adjacent to the living room, is an informal spot that overlooks the deck, patio and lush, fenced yard. Up to the second level we go, where you will find three bedrooms and two full baths, including amenities such as cedar closets and a jumbo-sized walk-in closet. Hardwood flooring is found throughout. From the upper level, we have access via pull-down stairs to the attic, which provides additional storage opportunities. The lower level is home to the inviting recreation room, with the home’s second wood-burning fireplace. (The fireplace screens here, and in the living room, convey). There also is a full bath, utility room with shelving and even a second refrigerator and freezer here. Bonuses? Consider the fact that the HVAC system (including gas heat) and hot-water heater were installed in 2012,

Owned and Operated by NRT Incorporated

www.ArlingtonHouses.com

Sun Gazette

Don’t Just Get “Close” to Reaching Your Goals.

Instead, Get Close to Reach ALL Your Goals.

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REALTOR® Karen Close will get to “The Heart of the Matter” to make your next move a complete success.

Your home is more than one of the largest financial investments you make. It’s also a huge personal investment in terms of being the place where memories are made and where families grow together. Karen Close understands. She believes it’s not good enough to almost achieve your real estate goals. The key to Karen’s success spanning her 30-year real estate career is her ability and desire to truly listen to her clients, their goals and aspirations, their fears, their desires. Then she draws upon her years of expertise, local knowledge and vast resources within the real estate community to turn ALL of those goals into reality. That’s exactly how Karen Close gets to The Heart of the Matter for her clients. Discover what she can do for your next move by giving her a call today.

Direct: 703-517-9477 Office: 703-748-5489 KarenClose.com

Sales Softer But Prices Up Across State in November Softer statewide home sales but slightly improved median prices were the hallmarks of the Virginia real estate market in November, according to new figures from the Virginia Association of Realtors (VAR). And the combination of improving economic conditions and still-low interest rates may help keep the winter downturn at a minimum this season. “Although we cannot expect sales to increase before February, decreasing unemployment and mortgage-interest rates may usher in an early spring for the real-estate market,” noted analysts from the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech, which dissects each monthly VAR sales report. A total of 6,482 properties went to closing in November statewide, down 6.7 percent from the 6,949 transactions a year before, according to the new data. The year-overyear decline is the ninth in the 11 months reported so far in 2014. Total sales across Virginia were the lowest since February, part of the expected annual fluctuations. “Sales decreased 22 percent from October to November 2014,” Virginia Tech analysts noted. “Sales will likely continue to decline substantially in December and January, but typically increase in February.” The median sales price of all residential properties sold in November – an even $250,000 – was up 2 percent from the $245,000 reported a year before.

Nationally, median prices rose at a far higher rate in November, the Virginia Tech researchers said that was because Virginia largely already had rebounded from recession troughs. “While many areas of the country are still waiting for housing prices to recover, Virginia’s prices have recovered and stabilized,” analysts said. Adding up the sales and prices, and the total volume for the Virginia market in November stood at $2.02 billion, down 3.5 percent from a year ago. Homes that sold in November spent an average of 81 days between listing and ratified sales contract, up from 77 days a year before but below the average 87 days required two years ago. With fewer buyers in the hunt during the late-autumn and winter months, homes tend to linger on the market longer than those in spring and summer. The average 30-year mortgage-interest rate nationally in November was 4 percent, according to FreddieMac, down from 4.04 percent a month before and below the 4.26 percent a year before. “Low rates, and the threat of higher rates in the spring, may spark an increase in sales in early 2015,” the analysts suggest. Figures include most, but not all, sales during the period. All figures are preliminary, and are subject to revision. Full figures can be found on the Web site at www.varealtor.com/homesales. – Scott McCaffrey

Pending Home Sales Post Modest Gain in November Pending home sales slightly improved in November and are above year-over-year levels for the third straight month, according to the National Association of Realtors. All major regions except for the Midwest experienced a slight gain in activity in November. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, increased 0.8 percent to 104.8 in November from a slightly downwardly revised 104.0 in October and is now 4.1 percent above November 2013 (100.7) – the highest year-over-year gain since August 2013 (5.6 percent). Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, says signed contracts inched forward in November and have been fairly stable but haven’t broken out even as the economy picked up steam this spring. “The consistent economic growth and steady hiring we’ve seen the second half of this year is giving buyers enough assurance to consider purchasing a home before year’s end,” he said. “With rents now rising at a seven-year high, historically low rates and moderating price growth are likely to entice more buyers to enter the market in upcoming months,” Yun said. Yun also notes that falling gas prices will likely boost consumer confidence and allow prospective buyers the opportunity to save additional money for a down payment. NAR’s 2014 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (released in November) found that the

median down payment ranged from 6 percent for first-time buyers to 13 percent for repeat buyers. “There’s still misperception out there that a much higher downpayment is needed, while that’s not the reality,” adds Yun. The PHSI in the Northeast rose 1.4 percent to 89.1 in November, and is now 7.0 percent above a year ago. In the Midwest, the index decreased 0.4 percent to 100.0 in November, and is now 0.5 percent below November 2013, according to NAR officials. Pending home sales in the South rose 1.3 percent to an index of 119.7 in November, and are 5.1 percent above last November. The index in the West increased 0.4 percent in November to 98.5, and is now 4.9 percent above a year ago. Total existing-homes sales this year are expected to be around 4.94 million, a decline of 3.0 percent from last year (5.09 million), but are then forecasted to rise to 5.30 million in 2015. The national median existing-home price for all of this year will be close to $208,000, up 5.6 percent from 2013, and is likely to moderate to a pace between 4 and 5 percent next year. Existing-home prices rose 11.4 percent in 2013. The index is based on a large national sample, typically representing about 20 percent of transactions for existing-home sales. An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001, which was the first year to be examined.

Baby Boomers Heading to Lower-Cost Localities Metro areas with a lower cost of living and sunnier weather are poised to see an increased number of Baby Boomers moving in and buying a home as some delay retirement and remain participants in the labor market, according to new research by the National Association of Realtors. NAR analyzed current population trends, housing affordability and local economic conditions in metropolitan statistical areas across the U.S. to determine housing markets most likely to see a boost in sales from leading-edge Baby Boomers. Boise, Idaho and Raleigh, North Carolina were identified as top standouts for baby boomers for their solid job growth, share of self-employed workers and affordable home prices. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, says Florida and Arizona cities attract many Baby Boomers. In addition, the share of men and women working after their 65th

birthday has increased, setting the stage for elevated baby boomer buying activity in metro areas with a dynamic local economy, adequate housing supply and a lower cost of living. “A broadly improving economy and rebounding home prices are giving baby boomers the opportunity to sell and move to support their retirement lifestyle. Furthermore, our research identified cities movers are gravitating to while still remaining in the workforce as a business owner,” Yun said. NAR’s research reviewed 100 metro areas that have lower state taxes, solid job market conditions, and strong migration patterns (on a percentage basis) of baby boomers moving to that particular area to determine which housing markets are likely to see a boost from this generation. Cost of living, housing affordability and inventory availability were also considered.

The top markets positioned to see an influx of Baby Boomer homebuyers are (listed alphabetically): • Albuquerque, New Mexico • Boise, Idaho • Denver • Fort Myers, Florida • Greenville, South Carolina • Orlando, Florida • Phoenix • Raleigh, North Carolina • Sarasota, Florida • Tucson, Arizona Other markets with strong potential for attracting baby boomer homebuyers include: • Chattanooga, Tennessee • Dallas • McAllen, Texas • Riverside, California • Tampa, Florida “These metro areas are attractive to

Baby Boomers because of their housing affordability, lower tax rates and welcoming business environment,” says Yun. “With Baby Boomers working later in life, these factors will likely play as much of a deciding role of where Boomers eventually retire as will areas with a warm climate or variety of outdoor activities.” According to a NAR generational study of homebuyers and sellers released earlier this year, Baby Boomers represented 30 percent of all buyers, had a median household income of $92,400 and bought a home that cost $210,0004. NAR also recently analyzed current housing conditions, job creation and population trends to determine the best markets for aspiring, leading-edge Millennial homebuyers. Visit www.realtor.org/millennials to find out more about millennials and homebuying.

Existing-home sales are forecasted to rise about 7 percent in 2015 behind a strengthening economy, solid job gains and a healthy increase in home prices, according to National Association of Realtors chief economist Lawrence Yun in a newlyreleased video on his 2015 housing market expectations. In the NAR-published video, Yun discusses his expectations for the U.S. economy and housing market in 2015 and points to the expanding economy, continued growth

in the labor market and home prices rising at a moderate but healthy clip as his reasons for an expected increase (from 2014) in new and existing-home sales. “Home prices have risen for the past three years cumulatively about 25 percent, which boosts confidence in the market and traditionally gives current homeowners the ability to use their equity buildup as a downpayment towards their next home purchase,” says Yun. “Furthermore, first-time buyers are

expected to slowly return as the economy improves and new mortgage products are made available in the marketplace with low down payments and private mortgage insurance,” he said. Despite his forecasted increase in sales, Yun cites the anticipated rise in interest rates, lenders being slow to ease underwriting standards back to normalized levels, and homeowners unwilling to move because they are comfortable with their current low interest rate as potential speedbumps that

could slow the increased pace of sales this year. With one month of data remaining in 20141, Yun expects total existing-homes sales to finish the year around 4.94 million (down 3.0 percent from 2013), but then rise to 5.30 million in 2015. The national median existing-home price for 2014 will be close to $208,000, up 5.6 percent from 2013, and is expected to moderate to a pace between 4 and 5 percent in 2015.

Sun Gazette

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Sun Gazette

County, Region End 2014 on Healthy Note

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Ending a relatively soft 2014 relatively high all year. on a high note, the Arlington real During the month, the numestate market in December turned ber of new listings coming on the in its best year-over-year perfor- market (120) was down nearly 17 mance of the year. percent from a year before, while Sales of residential real estate the number of pending sales (172) last month totaled 242 properties was unchanged. countywide, up 12.6 percent from Figures represent most, but not the 215 transactions a year before, all, homes on the market. All figaccording to figures reported Jan. ures are preliminary, and are sub12 by RealEstate Business Intel- ject to revision. ligence, an arm of the local mulN.Va. Home Sales Stop Yeartiple-listing service. long Slide with Strong December: It was only the second time Home sales across Northern Virduring the year that monthly sales ginia, which had seen year-overposted a double-digit increase year declines the first 11 months from the year before. of 2014, ended the year on a strong Average sales prices also rose, note, with $114 million more in albeit more modestly. The average overall sales than a year ago. price of all properties that went to A total of 1,596 properties closing in December across Ar- changed hands across the region lington was $645,962, an increase in December, up 10.5 percent from of 3.4 percent from $625,040 a year the 1,444 transactions a year bebefore. fore, according to figures reported That increase was inflated Jan. 12 by RealEstate Business Insomewhat by the larger percent- telligence, an arm of the local mulage of single-family homes in the tiple-listing service. December sales mix. Nonetheless, Figures represent sales in Arprices were up in all three seg- lington and Fairfax counties and ments of the market: the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax • The average sales price of sin- and Falls Church. gle-family homes rose 0.1 percent The average sales price for all to $880,991. homes that went to closing last • The average price of attached month was $572,712, up 3.3 perhomes, such as townhouses and cent from a year before. Two of the rowhouses, rose 0.3 percent to three legs of the market posted in$471,803. creases in average sales – attached • The average price of con- homes were up 6.2 percent to dominiums rose 3.8 percent to $422,919 and condominiums were $429,901. up 8.3 percent to $358,482 – but The median price of all homes the single-family market saw a dethat sold in December was cline of 1 percent to $732,595. $571,000, up 4.8 percent from a Total sales volume for the year before. The median is the month was $914 million, up 14.1 point at which half of homes sell percent from $800.9 million a year for more, half for less. before. Total sales volume for the Homes that sold in Decemmonth was $156.3 million, up 16.3 ber spent an average of 65 days percent from a year before. between listing and ratified sales For homes that went to closing contract, longer than the 49 days in December, the average number required a year before. Sales prices of days between listing and ratified last month averaged 95.9 percent sales contract was 51, an increase of listing price, down from 96.8 from 42 days for homes that sold in percent. December 2013. Homes that sold Conventional mortgages replast month garnered an average of resented the means of transacting 96.3 percent of listing price, down sales in 1,049 cases, followed by from 97.2 percent. VA-backed loans (199) and cash Conventional financing repre- (184). sented the method of transacting The high inventory levels seen sales in 169 cases, followed by cash during much of 2014 are begin(34) and VA-backed loans (20). ning to ebb, although there were At the end of the month, there still significantly more homes on were 438 homes on the market the market in December (3,234) across the county, an increase of than a year before (2,500). The 33.5 percent from a year before. number of new listings coming on But the strong December sales the market during the month was figures helped to chip away at ex- up 8.2 percent from a year before. INSIDENOVA pocket-sized. isting inventory, which had been Where is the market heading? It

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could be a mixed bag: The number of pending sales during the month was down slightly from a year ago, but the number of new pending sales saw strength. Figures represent most, but not all, homes on the market. All figures are preliminary, and are subject to revision. D.C., Inner Core See Healthy End to Year: Increases in sales and average prices helped spur D.C. and its inner core to a strong finish to what admittedly was a soft 2014. A total of 3,937 properties went to closing in December, up 8 percent from the 3,644 transactions a year before, according to figures reported Jan. 12 by RealEstate Business Intelligence, an arm of the local multiple-listing service. Figures represent sales in the District of Columbia; Arlington and Fairfax counties and the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church in Virginia; and the counties of Montgomery and Prince George’s in Maryland. The average sales price for all homes that sold during the month in the region was $504,681, up 4.3 percent from a year before, with the average price of single-family homes falling slightly (down 0.2 percent to $583,036) but attached homes (up 8.6 percent to $431,652) and condominiums (up 10.3 percent to $387,507) seeing healthy gains. Total sales volume for the month was $1.99 billion, up 12.7 percent from $1.76 billion a year before. It took longer for homes to sell in December than a year before; properties that went to closing during the month spent an average of 60 days between listing and ratified sales contract, up from 48 days a year before. Properties garnered 96.3 percent of listing price, down from 97.1 percent a year before. Conventional mortgages represented the most common means of transacting sales, at 2,259, followed by cash (638) and FHA-backed loans (533). At the end of the month, there were 8,267 properties available for sale, up 19 percent from a year before but lower than the high levels of inventory that had been seen much of the past year. The market could see strength headed into 2015, as the number of new pending sales reported during December was up nearly 11 percent from a year before, even

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Arlington Home Sales Lower In 2014, But Prices Were Up The Arlington real estate market started 2014 on a positive note, and ended the year on the same. It was just the long stretch in between that caused headaches. Sales across the county last year totaled 2,695, a decline of 6.1 percent from the 2,870 transactions reported in 2013, according to a Sun Gazette analysis of data provided by RealEstate Business Intelligence, an arm of the local multiple-listing service. It was an up-and-down year; there were five months (January, February, September, November and December) where year-over-year sales were above those of 2013, with the remaining seven months showing declines. The best month, compared to 2013, came in December, when sales were up

nearly 13 percent from a year before. The worst-performing month was in March, where sales were down 20 percent from a year before. The 2014 market peaked in May with 310 sales, then underperformed throughout most of the summer until rebounding in September. The good news for sellers: The average sales price of $620,573 recorded in 2014 was up 3 percent from the $602,428 in 2013, according to the Sun Gazette analysis of the data. Real estate professionals and their firms depend on total sales volume for their success, and the overall volume of $1.67 billion in 2014 across Arlington was down 3.3 percent from the $1.73 billion a year before. Six months of the year showed an improvement in volume, six posted a decline.

Year-End Arlington Home Sales Preliminary data from RealEstate Business Intelligence, and includes most, but not all, home sales across the county during each month.

Sales January February March April May June July August September October November December Total

2014 130 164 176 255 310 283 275 233 224 221 182 242 2,695

2013 127 160 221 295 330 313 283 291 203 258 174 215 2,870

Change +2.4% +2.5% -20.4% -13.6% -6.1% -9.6% -2.8% -19.9% +10.3% -14.3% +4.6% +12.6% -6.1%

Volume January February March April May June July August September October November December Total

$68,573,225 $96,837,618 $109,258,427 $150,739,305 $203,046,138 $184,152,837 $177,779,135 $138,661,402 $136,144,006 $135,057,826 $115,872,864 $156,332,712 $1,672,445,495

$66,325,245 $94,841,583 $131,975,015 $179,870,181 $206,293,494 $195,553,040 $167,361,187 $172,993,406 $126,864,212 $154,277,057 $98,230,081 $134,383,551 $1,728,968,052

+3.4% +2.1% -17.2% -16.2% -1.9% -5.8% +6.2% -19.9% +7.3% -12.5% +18.0% +16.3% -3.3%

though the number of total pending sales was down. Figures represent most, but not

all, homes on the market. All figures are preliminary, and are subject to revision.

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U.S. Population Growing, Some Areas Do So Faster State Growth 2013-14

Bonair Neighborhood

Most Populous States Rank 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

State California Texas Florida New York Illinois Pennsylvania Ohio Georgia North Carolina Michigan

Population 38,802,500 26,956,958 19,893,297 19,746,227 12,880,580 12,787,209 11,594,163 10,097,343 9,943,964 9,909,877

5628 7th Street N Arlington, VA 22205

Fastest Growing States Rank 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

State North Dakota Nevada Texas Colorado D.C. Florida Arizona Utah Idaho South Carolina

% Change +2.16% +1.71% +1.70% +1.59% +1.51% +1.49% +1.45% +1.38% +1.34% +1.27%

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau

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This sun-filled home has been thoughtfully updated and is ready for you. This stunning home offers four bedrooms, three full and one half bathrooms, gleaming hardwood floors, open gourmet kitchen, sun room and spacious deck. The main level showcases a magnificent living room with a wood burning fireplace, a sparkling gourmet kitchen with generous cabinetry, an attractive dining room, and sun room. The kitchen overlooks perfectly to a lovely sun room that overlooks a picture perfect backyard. The lower level offers a stylish family room, half bath and laundry room. The second upper level offers a master suite and a spa-inspired bathroom, and plenty of closet space. The first upper level offers three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Ashlawn, Kenmore and Washington-Lee School pyramid.

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age as the youngest of the baby boom generation enters their 50s.” The largest decline in the nation was in North Dakota, with a decline of 0.6 years between 2012 and 2013. The median age in four other Great Plains states – Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota and Oklahoma – also dropped. Alaska and Hawaii also saw a decline in median age. The median age fell in 403 of the nation’s 3,143 counties, many of which were in the Great Plains. Williams, N.D., the center of the Bakken shale energy boom, led the nation with a decline of 1.6 years. Next to Alaska, North Dakota had a heavier concentration of males (51.1 percent of the total population) than any other state. The nation as a whole grew older as the oldest Baby Boomers became seniors. The nation’s 65-and-older population surged to 44.7 million in 2013, up 3.6 percent from 2012. By comparison, the population younger than 65 grew by only 0.3 percent. The nation is a study in contrasts when it comes to local age structure, census data shows. There was a more than 42-year difference in the median ages of the county with the highest median age (Sumter, Fla., at 65.5) and the county with the youngest median age (Madison, Idaho, at 23.1). Non-Hispanic, single-race whites remained the nation’s largest group with a population of 197.8 million. The total of all other groups was 118.3 million, or 37.4 percent of the population. NonHispanic single-race whites made up 52.4 percent of the population under 18. Asians were the fastest-growing group from 2012 to 2013, though that distinction has alternated between Asians and Hispanics over the years.

This fabulous Bonair home offers a formal living room that opens beautifully into a grand dining room. The open breakfast room is expansive and blends perfectly into a chef’s dream of a kitchen and sun room. This enchanting beauty offers a deck just off the kitchen that overlooks a wonderful backyard and detached two-car garage. There are three bedrooms located upstairs and one additional bedroom on the lower level—perfect for an Au pair! The lower level also offers a marvelous recreation room, that’s perfect for entertaining. Ashlawn, Kenmore and Washington-Lee School pyramid.

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By adding an average of 803 new residents each day between July 1, 2013 and July 1, 2014, Florida passed New York to become the nation’s third most populous state, according to new U.S. Census Bureau state population estimates. Florida’s population grew by 293,000 over this period, reaching 19.9 million, while the population of New York increased by 51,000 to 19.7 million. California remained the nation’s most populous state in 2014, with 38.8 million residents, followed by Texas at 27 million. Although the list of the 10 most populous states overall was unchanged, two other states did change positions, as North Carolina moved past Michigan to take the ninth spot. Another milestone took place in Georgia (ranked 8th), which saw its population surpass 10 million for the first time. North Dakota was the nation’s fastest-growing state over the 12-month period. Its population increased 2.2 percent, followed by the 1.7-percent growth in Nevada and Texas. Each of the 10 fastest-growing states was in the South or West, with the exception of North Dakota. Six states lost population between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2014: Illinois (9,972 or -0.08 percent), West Virginia (3,269 or -0.18 percent), Connecticut (2,664 or 0.07 percent), New Mexico (1,323 or 0.06 percent, Alaska (527 or 0.07 percent) and Vermont (293 or 0.05 percent). The United States as a whole saw its population increase by 2.4 million to 318.9 million, or 0.75 percent, according to the estimates. In addition to the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the new statistics also include estimates for Puerto Rico. On July 1, 2014, Puerto Rico had an estimated population of 3.5 million, a decline of 47,000, or 1.3 percent, from one year earlier. During 2015, the Census Bureau will release estimates of the 2014 population of counties, cities and towns, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas as well as national, state and county population estimates by age, gender, race and Hispanic origin. Nation’s Median Age Is Increasing, But Not Everywhere: The median age declined in seven states between 2012 and 2013, including five in the Great Plains, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates. In contrast, the median age for the U.S. as a whole ticked up from 37.5 years to 37.6 years. These estimates examine population changes among groups by age, gender, race and Hispanic origin nationally, as well as all states and counties, between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2013. “We’re seeing the demographic impact of two booms,” Census Bureau Director John Thompson said. “The population in the Great Plains energy boom states is becoming younger and more male as workers move in seeking employment in the oil and gas industry, while the U.S. as a whole continues to

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Small Exterior Upgrades Can Add the Most Value Homeowners often consider various remodeling and replacement projects as a way to add value to their homes. Some projects add more value and better recoup their costs than others, according to Realtors who rated small and exterior projects as the most valuable home improvement projects in the 2015 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report. Compiled annually in collaboration with Hanley Wood’s Remodeling Magazine, the report compares changes in home improvement project costs with Realtors’ perceptions of what those projects contribute to a home’s price at resale. “It can be a daunting task to even decide on what home improvement projects to undertake, let alone to physically tackle and complete them,” said National Association of Realtors president Chris Polychron, executive broker with 1st Choice Realty in Hot Springs, Ark. “Realtors know what buyers are looking for during their search, and curb appeal is and always will be important. That explains why Realtors once again rated exterior projects as some of the most attractive and valuable for homeowners.” Just as they did last year, Realtors identified a steel entry door replacement as the project expected to return the most money, with an estimated 101.8 percent of costs recouped upon resale (compared to an estimated 96.6 percent recoup last year). The steel entry door replacement is consistently the least expensive project in the

annual Cost vs. Value Report, costing little more than $1,200 on average and was the only project on this year’s list to recoup more than 100 percent of its cost at resale on a national level. Realtors also identified several other projects that would make the biggest financial payoff upon resale, most on the exterior of the home. Rounding out the top 10 projects in terms of cost recouped include a manufactured stone veneer (newly included in this year’s report) at 92.2 percent, a garage door replacement – midrange project (88.5 percent), a siding replacement with fiber cement (84.3 percent), a garage door replacement – upscale project (82.5 percent), vinyl siding replacement (80.7 percent), a wood deck addition (80.5 percent), a minor kitchen remodel (79.3 percent), wood window replacement (78.8 percent), and foam-backed vinyl siding replacement (77.6 percent). Realtors provided their insights into local markets and buyer home preferences within those markets for the report. Since 2003, replacement projects resulted in a higher financial return than remodeling projects. Realtors reported a 2015 average return for replacement projects at 73.2 percent (slightly below the 2014 number of 73.7 percent), while remodeling projects fell to 60.8 percent in 2015 (down from 65.1 percent). This results in an overall cost-value ratio of 62.2 percent, a drop from 66.1 percent.

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Modern Elegance in the Heart of Cherrydale

Sun Gazette

Classic Pre-War Home Has Been Expanded to Meet Needs of Today’s Lifestyle Featured Property

you at the top of the stairs. The master retreat is a sumptuous spot, perfect for down-time at the end of a busy day, and the master bath is a showstopper, with a tub and shower on different sides of a glass enclosure. The shower tile is the high-end, art-style Hirsch brand. Two additional bedrooms are found on this level, each with full bath. Laundry facilities are found here as well. The walk-up lower level is home to a large recreation room, bonus room, half bath and access to the garage area. Set on nearly a quarter acre, the home’s fenced rear yard features the original barbecue and a stone patio. The location is a standout, with easy access to the Lee Heights Shops in one direction and the amenities of Cherry-

dale in the other. Add it up, and it’s a winner. Articles are prepared by the Sun Gazette’s real estate advertising department on behalf of clients. For information on the home, contact the listing agent. For information on having a house reviewed, contact the Sun Gazette’s real estate advertising department at (703) 738-2520.

Facts for buyers

Address: 4108 Lee Highway, Arlington (22207). Listed at: $1,475,000 by John Mentis, Long & Foster Real Estate (202) 5490081. Schools: Taylor Elementary, Swanson Middle, Washington-Lee High School.

“Your Life is Changing. I Can Help!”

Long & Foster Real Estate, Arlington Office, Arlington, VA – 703-522-0500 | Top 20 Northern Virginia Long & Foster Agent

John Mentis, Realtor®

Cell: 202-549-0081

john.mentis@longandfoster.com www.facebook.com/mentis.homes

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home, but the porch is new – and it fits perfectly with the overall ambiance. On the first floor, the formal living and dining rooms are connected to the kitchen to create an airy space; the (wood-burning) fireplace and mantel in the living room are original to the home. The kitchen is a creative use of space, with a long center island, hand-made tile, and maple cabinetry that was built by hand on-site. The three pantries are both functional and aesthetically appealing. The screened-in porch of the original design was incorporated into the living space, and can serve as a sun room, den or playroom, accentuating the versatility of the layout. So, too, does the main-level bedroom. The upper level is bathed in natural sunlight, with a wall of windows greeting

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What a winning combination: a classic pre-war home set in sought-after Cherrydale that has been expanded, updated and invigorated to retain its charm while providing modern conveniences for 21stcentury living. The result is a “contemporary colonial” with intriguing exterior architectural lines and an open, welcoming floor plan designed to mesh well with both daily living and entertaining in style. It’s a result that is sure to please. The property currently is on the market, listed at $1,475,000 by John Mentis of Long & Foster Real Estate. Set back from the street and featuring a deep front lawn, we note the effort to mesh classic with contemporary as we amble up, where the flagstone front of the main level is from the original (1930s)

Sun Gazette

Price Gains Holding Steady in Most Metros Home prices showed continued growth in a majority of metropolitan areas in the third quarter, but all four major regions saw increases at or below 5 percent from a year ago, according to the latest quarterly report by the National Association of Realtors®. The median existing single-family home price increased in 73 percent of measured markets, with 125 out of 172 metropolitan statistical areas1 (MSAs) showing gains based on closings in the third quarter compared with the third quarter of 2013. Fortyseven areas (27 percent) recorded lower median prices from a year earlier. The number of rising markets in the third quarter was mostly unchanged from the second quarter, when price increases were recorded in 71 percent of metro areas. Sixteen areas in the third quarter (9 percent) had double-digit increases, a sharp decline from the 54 areas (33 percent) in the third quarter of 2013. Nineteen areas experienced increases in the double-digits in the second quarter of this year. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, says home prices in the third quarter continued to stabilize towards a healthier rate of growth. “Home-price gains returned to more normalized levels of low- to mid-single digit rate of appreciation in many metro markets as inventory levels steadily increased,” he said. “Moreover, there are a good number of local markets that are still remarkably affordable with median prices at or under $200,000.” The national median existing singlefamily home price in the third quarter was

$217,300, up 4.9 percent from the third quarter of 2013 ($207,100). The median price during the second quarter of 2014 increased 4.2 percent from a year earlier. Total existing-home sales, including single family and condo, increased 5.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.12 million in the third quarter from 4.87 million in the second quarter, but are still 3.8 percent below the 5.32 million pace during the third quarter of 2013. Yun adds, “Given the improving labor market and historically low interest rates, more buyers are anticipated to enter the market next year.” Total housing inventory continued to make strides at the end of the third quarter at 2.30 million existing homes available for sale, which is 6.0 percent higher than a year ago. The average supply during the third quarter was 5.4 months; it was 5.0 months in the third quarter of 2013. A supply of 6 to 7 months represents a rough balance between buyers and sellers. NAR 2014 President Steve Brown, coowner of Irongate, Inc., Realtors in Dayton, Ohio, says traditional buyers are entering a more favorable market. “With inventory levels at a rate closer to supporting overall demand, bidding wars are occurring less – giving buyers more time to view homes and secure financing,” he said. “Additionally, Realtors® across the country continue to report less investor activity and fewer all-cash sales in their markets compared to earlier in the year.” 4

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John Plank Real Estate Services, Inc.

Long & Foster Real Estate john.plank@longandfoster.com (703) 528-5646

#1 Sales Agent for 20+ years Over 1,500 Homes Sold Over 25 Years of Full Time Experience BSBA, R.E. Investment & Construction Associate Broker Licensed in VA, DC & MD

You Deserve The Best! Buying? Selling? Both? Over the last 20 years, no other agent has successfully listed and sold more homes in and around Arlington than John Plank. Proven, customized, comprehensive marketing & listing program with an exceptional record of success. My unparalleled market knowledge of current & historic trends benefits buyers and sellers alike. My negotiating skills and creative techniques optimize your bottom line. Avoid stress and surprises with a caring, dedicated responsible professional. I pride myself on my reputation, commitment to integrity and serving the needs of my clients. I look forward to being of service.

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Distressed homes – foreclosures and short sales generally sold at discount – accounted for 9 percent of third quarter sales, down from 14 percent a year ago. “Distressed sales are becoming less prevalent in many parts of the country and will likely be in the low single-digits percentage-wise at this time next year,” adds Yun.

MORTGAGE RATES According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate on a 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage held steady during the third quarter to an overall average rate of 4.14 percent, down from 4.23 percent during the second quarter of the year. They were 4.4 percent in the third quarter of 2013. Slightly lower mortgage rates and an uptick in the national family median income ($65,562) kept affordability in the third quarter roughly in line with the second quarter. To purchase a single-family home at the national median price, a buyer making a 5 percent down payment would need an income of $48,334, a 10 percent down payment would require an income of $45,790, and $40,702 would be needed for a 20 percent down payment. Metro area condominium and cooperative prices – covering changes in 61 metro areas – showed the national median existing-condo price was $211,000 in the third quarter, up 2.7 percent from the third quarter of 2013 ($205,500). Forty-one metro areas (67 percent) showed increases in their median condo price from a year ago; 20 areas had declines. MOST EXPENSIVE MARKETS The five most expensive housing markets in the third quarter were the San Jose, Calif., metro area, where the median existing single-family price was $860,000; San Francisco, $744,400; Anaheim-Santa Ana, Calif., $697,000; Honolulu, $677,600; and San Di-

ego, $517,800.

LEAST EXPENSIVE MARKETS The five lowest-cost metro areas in the third quarter were Youngstown-WarrenBoardman, Ohio, where the median singlefamily home price was $84,500; Cumberland, Md., $93,200; Rockford, Ill., $98,100; Decatur, Ill., $101,900; and Toledo, Ohio, $107,000. REGIONAL RESULTS Regionally, total existing-home sales in the Northeast rose 7.0 percent in the third quarter but are 5.2 percent below the third quarter of 2013. The median existing singlefamily home price in the Northeast was $261,700 in the third quarter, up 2.2 percent from a year ago. In the Midwest, existing-home sales increased 7.4 percent in the third quarter but remain 4.7 percent below a year ago. The median existing single-family home price in the Midwest increased 5.0 percent to $172,700 in the third quarter from the same quarter a year ago. Existing-home sales in the South climbed 3.6 percent in the third quarter but are 0.8 percent below the third quarter of 2013. The median existing single-family home price in the South was $189,400 in the third quarter, 4.5 percent above a year earlier. In the West, existing-home sales rose 4.8 percent in the third quarter but remain 7.2 percent below a year ago. The median existing single-family home price in the West jumped 4.9 percent to $302,300 in the third quarter from the third quarter of a year ago. NAR releases quarterly median singlefamily price data for approximately 170 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). In some cases the MSA prices may not coincide with data released by state and local Realtor associations. Any discrepancy may be due to differences in geographic coverage, product mix, and timing.

Realtors Want Congress to Tackle Needs of 1st-Timers Congress and the Obama Administration must address key policy issues in order to facilitate a healthy real estate market that serves current and future homeowners and drives the national economy forward, said the National Association of Realtors in testimony before the U.S. Senate Banking Subcommittee on Housing in December. “The housing market hasn’t been this unwelcoming to first-time buyers since 1987,” said 2014 NAR conventional finance and lending committee chair Mabel Guzman, a broker for AT-Properties in Chicago. “Tight credit, high fees and low inventory have combined to make it prohibitively expensive for millions of responsible, creditworthy prospective buyers to own a home.” If this is the direction that the housing market is taking, we’re headed down the wrong path,” Guzman told lawmakers. While home prices and sales, as well as household wealth, are all up from a year ago, constrained access to mortgage credit for minorities, young buyers, and low-and moderate-income earners remains a serious problem. Restrictive pricing policies at the Federal Housing Administration and the Federal

Housing Finance Agency continue to disparately impact individuals with shorter credit histories and lower down payments, making it harder for them to buy a home, Realtor leaders contend. NAR estimates that in 2013, nearly 400,000 creditworthy borrowers were priced out of the housing market because of high FHA insurance premiums. By lowering its fees, FHA could provide greater access to homeownership for historically underserved groups. Realtors also want action to help those who were caught up in the impact of the recession. “Congress should take action to help all of the distressed homeowners who completed short sales in 2014 by passing the Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act. This bipartisan legislation will extend an expired provision that has helped millions of distressed American families by allowing tax relief for homeowners when lenders forgive some portion of the mortgage debt they owe,” said Guzman. “If this provision is not extended, hundreds of thousands of American families who did the right thing by short selling their home will have to pay income tax on ‘phantom income.’”

Realtor Q&A: What Temp for Open Houses? We reprise this favorite story from last year’s Winter Real Estate Guide. DAVE FACINOLI Staff Writer

Ambiance plays a big part in introducing a home to a prospective purchaser, and getting the temperature right – or wrong – can have an impact on that first impression What is the best temperature to have a home set at while the property is on the market during any season? The Sun Gazette asked some local real estate experts that question. Here are their thoughts: Lilian Jorgenson, Long & Foster: “It is so important the buyer feels welcome and comfortable arriving to view the home. We want them to feel at home and take their time to see if this is the right house for them. So, winter temperature should be around 72 or 73 degrees and summer temperature at 70 degrees.” Mark Middendorf, Long & Foster: “It is a very seasonable thing. In the winter, you don’t want it too warm when people are walking around looking at a house with large coats on, because they usually don’t stay long enough to take their coats off. But then you don’t want it too cold, because that can deteriorate a property very quickly. In the summer you don’t want a house too cold for a buyer who is wearing shorts and flip-flops. If the carpet is cold, the walls are cold and the wood is cold, that isn’t good. Probably around 70 degrees is the best temperature.”

Casey Samson, Samson Properties: “Homes need to be at 70 degrees. Not 68, not 72, but 70 degrees. Homes that are too hot (72) make people feel uncomfortable and want to leave. Homes that are 68 are too cold and give the home a cold barn feel. I make sure temperature is a part of my final instructions/security check.” Billy Buck, Buck & Associates: “We typically let the sellers govern that choice, but if they are indifferent, my choice would be 68 degrees if the house is still occupied.” Karen Close, Long & Foster: “The temperature should be a welcoming ‘I want to stay in this house’ temperature, so that people feel comfortable walking through. So I guess 65 to 68 degrees. The goal would be a temperature where people won’t want to get out and would want to stay in the house.” Eric Ritland, American Realty Group: “I do like it to be on the cool side, in the mid 60s, so people coming in with their coats on in the winter don’t get too warm and are comfortable in their coats. Same in the summer – keep it on the cool side, too. So maybe overall, 66 degrees. Houses on the cool side show better.” Dianne Van Volkenburg, Long & Foster: “If a house is vacant during the winter, we like to keep it set at 69. Or maybe we get there a half hour early and turn it up a little before we show it and turn the gas fireplace on if the home has one. It is important to have a house comfortable. But every house is different, depending on the sun angles. We have a house that has a lot of glass, so it gets warm and the temperature

should be set lower.” Dean Yeonas, Yeonas and Shafran: “I prefer it to be cooler rather than warmer, so about 72 degrees. If it is a real cold day outside and there is an open house, have the fireplace going.” Karen Briscoe, Huckaby, Briscoe, Conroy Realty Group: “The setting should be approximately 70 degrees in the winter and summer. Wikipedia explains that the temperature should not be noticeable and feels neither hot nor cold. If it is too hot or cold the focus of the buyer is diverted, and you don’t want that. You want them focusing on the house and the features. So you want a temperature such that it isn’t even thought about.” Rob Fersuson, ReMax Allegiance: “You definitely want it to feel comfortable, so around 70 degrees so the house has that warm feeling. There is nothing worse than walking into a cold house. The buyers will have a hard time looking because all they are thinking about is how cold it is.” Doty Abt, Long & Foster: “If you walk into a cold house in the winter you won’t stay very long because you might think something is wrong with the heat. The opposite is true in the summer if the house is too warm. Your clients have to be comfortable.” Dawn Wilson, Keller Williams: “I’d say 69 to 71 degrees is about right. If it’s too cold, buyers are uncomfortable and worry about something being wrong with the heat in the winter. Sometimes sellers want people to remove their shoes before walking around. Then if a tile or wood floor gets

Sun Gazette

too cold, buyers don’t like that. You want the buyers comfortable.” Kelly Tierney, Re/Max Distinctive: “My optimal temperatures in the winter would be 65 to 68, and in the summer 68 to 72. In the winter, you don’t want a buyer having to take their coats and gloves off and then have to put them right back on if they are taking a quick look. In the summer, you don’t want people coming in and then melting or freezing.” Jack Shafran, Yeonas and Shafran: “Generally, 70 degrees is about the right comfort zone. But on a nice spring or fall day it’s nice to show the home with the windows and doors open to let the outside in. In the winter, you can set a nice ambiance by having a fireplace going to warm one room. In the summer, if the temperature is set too low it can turn buyers off if it’s a 90-degree day outside and they might be reaching for a sweater inside.” John Mentis, Long & Foster: “If the property is vacant in the winter I like it about 64 degrees. If it’s occupied, about 68 to 72, but my preference is on the cooler side, because it’s always easier for buyers to keep a coat on. In the spring and summer about 70 to 72. That’s cold enough to let buyers know the air conditioning is working.” Dee Murphy, Keller Williams: “I’m always thinking of the economics of my sellers. So, if a house is vacant, they should keep it at 66 to 68 degrees in the winter. In the summer, as hot as it gets around here, that’s more tricky. You always want a house Continued on Page 22

ARLINGTON LONG & FOSTER HHHHHH

DECEMBER 2014

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Congratulations to our HHHHHH

TOP PRODUCERS

Top Producer Top Sole Practitioner Top Selling Agent

Dick Nathan Top Listing Agent

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Peggy Richardson

John Plank Real Estate Services Top Team

LONG &FOSTER ® ARLINGTON We Are Arlington’s Realtor

4600 Lee Highway • 703-522-0500 • arlington.va@longandfoster.com

Sun Gazette

A Look Back at 40 Years of N.Va. Real Estate Sales

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Continued from Page 4

more than $100,000 for the first time. 1982: LeAnn Rimes makes her musical debut with a “waaaahhh” in the delivery room. The Equal Rights Amendment goes down to defeat. “Gandhi” sweeps the Oscars and Toto is tops at the Grammys. After peaking at nearly 18.5 percent, interest rates are slowly declining, but total home sales are still down 18 percent. Double-digit price increases are gone, too. 1983: “The Love Boat” is still bringing in the viewers, and Sally Ride makes history in space. The U.S. invades Grenada, surprising the British (who thought it was theirs), and Carolyn Jones of “The Addams Family” fame dies. Home sales are up a whopping 43.7 percent (biggest annual increase in our survey) and the average sales price increase slightly. 1984: Walter Mondale carries Massachusetts and D.C. in the presidential election, but Ronald Reagan wins everything else. “Amadeus” is boffo at the Academy Awards. And in the local real estate market, it is a quiet year, with sales up 1.2 percent and average prices up 2.5 percent. 1985: “Live Aid” brings music and humanitarianism together. Phil Collins can do no wrong in the music world, and Miss Utah is named Miss America. Interest rates are still high, at more than 12 percent, but sales rise a solid 23.9 percent. Average sales prices are up modestly, too. 1986: William Rehnquist is nominated chief justice, and the nation celebrates the first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Actress Donna Reed ascends the staircase to heaven. Home sales increase more than 20 percent, and the average sales price is up a respectable 7.8 percent. 1987: The Iran-Contra scandal dominates the headlines, followed by a stock market crash. U2’s music is the rage, Cher wins an Oscar and Sonny becomes mayor of Palm Springs. Mortgage interest rates drop to under 10 percent for the first time since 1979. But home sales plummet more than 11 percent, even as average sales prices are up 16.6 percent. 1988: Michael Dukakis tries but fails to win the presidency, but the effort provides a career boost to comedian Jon Lovitz. The federal government gives amnesty to 1.4 million illegal aliens. Roy Orbison and his shades go to the hippest corner of rock-and-roll heaven. Interest rates spike up briefly, but

both home sales and average prices increase. The total sales volume surpasses $4 billion locally. 1989: The Exxon Valdez causes a mess in Alaska, and an earthquake strikes San Francisco. U.S. troops invade Panama and arrest Manuel Noriega. Ronald Reagan returns to California after eight years in the White House. Home sales drop 20 percent (totaling less than 20,000 for the first time since 1984), but average sales prices rise to nearly $175,000. 1990: Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait and provokes President Bush into sending troops to Saudi Arabia. Joe Pesci wins an Oscar for “Goodfellas.” The Cincinnati Reds win the World Series. And while home sales are up 17.7 percent, the average sales price dropped for the first time in recent memory, down 0.2 percent. 1991: Coalition troops liberate Kuwait, and President Bush’s approval rating tops 90 percent. The Senate is busy debating the appointment of Clarence Thomas, while the House of Representatives is trying to explain why members bounced more than 8,000 checks at its bank. Home sales plummet more than 32 percent (worst drop in the survey), but sales prices rise 17.3 percent to more than $200,000. 1992: Bill Clinton wins the White House. Eric Clapton’s “Unplugged” is a massive hit. Notre Dame tops Florida in the Sugar Bowl, and Barry Bonds is the National League’s MVP. Interest rates continue a slow decline. Home sales are up 6.7 percent, but average sales prices drop 1.1 percent. 1993: A bomb explodes under the World Trade Center. Janet Reno becomes the first female attorney general. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” becomes military policy. The world loses a classy lady with the death of Audrey Hepburn. Home sales drop 3.2 percent, but average sales prices rise 3.3 percent. 1994: NAFTA comes into being, baseball players go on strike, Aldrich Ames is arrested for spying, and Republicans take control of Congress. “Cats” is the Broadway musical that just won’t die. Dull year in real estate - home sales down slightly, average sales prices up a bit. 1995: A total of 168 people die in the Oklahoma City terrorist bombing. Congress repeals the 55-mph speed limit. The Dow Jones Industrial Average tops the 5,000 mark. Mortgage money is available for about 9 percent. Home sales drop 12.5 percent, while average sales prices are up a bit. To-

tal sales volume drops to $2.9 billion, lowest since 1985. 1996: Unabomber Ted Kaczynski is arrested, Cuba Gooding Jr. wins an Oscar and Atlanta hosts the Olympic Games. President Clinton wins 31 states and D.C. on the way to an easy re-election. Home sales are up 10.9 percent, and the average sales price are up 1.4 percent. 1997: Madeleine Albright is sworn in as the nation’s first female secretary of state. The Dow Jones average drops more than 550 points on Oct. 27, but rebounds the next day. Fashion mogul Gianni Versace is murdered. Home sales rise 9.8 percent, and average sales prices are up 3.2 percent to more than $220,000. 1998: “Titanic” sweeps the Oscars, and Americans learn of new uses for cigars as the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal takes some unpleasant turns. Jerry Seinfeld leaves TV, Mark McGwire sets a new home-run record, and actor Jack (“Hawaii Five-O”) Lord dies. The real estate market swells, with average sales up 32.6 percent, average sales prices up 3.7 percent, and total volume surpassing $5 billion. 1999: Cable television continued to play a greater and greater role in our daily lives. Home sales were up slightly, with average home sales prices rising to nearly $240,000. A home mortgage could be found with an average interest rate of 7.8 percent. 2000: The presidential election essentially ends in a tie, another Summer Olympic Games comes and goes, and the Washington Redskins continue to find success elusive. Home sales rise 14.7 percent, the average sales price tops the quartermillion-dollar mark for the first time, and sales volume grows to $6.5 billion. 2001: More than 3,000 people die in terrorist bombings on Sept. 11, and the nation mobilizes for a new kind of war. While the economy suffers, the attacks don’t dampen Northern Virginia’s hot real estate market, with total sales rising 6.4 percent and the average sales price up 13 percent to $285,000. Total sales volume tops $7.9 billion. 2002: The Bush administration continues its planning to disrupt the “Axis of Evil,” and focuses on Iraq. The stock market begins to recover from its doldrums, but unemployment remains a concern. While home sales are up only slightly, the average sales price rises over $300,000 for the first time, and total sales volume is $8.9 billion. 2003: The war in Iraq seems

to be going well, but cleaning up after the military victory proves to be a thorny and deadly task. Could it be: Red Sox vs. Cubs in the World Series? (Alas, no.) Home sales show no sign of slipping, with average prices also heading up considerably throughout the metropolitan area. Sales volume tops $10 billion for the first time. 2004: The insurgency in Iraq is all over the headlines, and becomes one of the focal points of the presidential campaign. While the national economy continues to struggle toward recovery, the local economy continues to roar along. Joe Gibbs gets off to a shaky start in his return to the Redskins, and baseball is finally set to return to D.C. RIP Rodney Dangerfield, Ronald Reagan, Julia Child and Isabel “Weezie” Sanford. The average home value continues to rise (up 21.8 percent), and sales are modestly up from a year before. 2005: All good things come to an end: Actor Eddie Albert joins Eva Gabor in a “Green Acres” heaven reunion. Chicken King Frank Perdue and civil rights icon Rosa Parks also die. The war in Iraq continues as the Bush administration enters its second term. On the real estate scene, the bull market of the past six years is coming to a close, although parts of the of local marketplace still showed spark. Sales volume tops $15 billion for the first time, but that will be the high-water mark for the local market. 2006: The war in Iraq drags on, the Redskins continue to disappoint and the local real estate market shows the effects of slowing sales and moderating prices. Long-term, the market has proven to be a success, but for those who bought at the height of the boom, there will be challenges if they need to sell their properties in the short term. Total sales volume drops to $11.1 billion, the first decline reported since 1999. 2007: The first few months of the year see the real estate market attempting to shake off the doldrums, with inventory not so high and prices seeming to hold steady. Hopes in the real estate industry that the market would sprout to life in spring prove unfounded, as the market continues to meander generally downward. The inner suburbs hold up the best, but by mid-year, even they are flat or declining. At the end of it all, home sales are down 13.1 percent from the year before, but – for the 15th year in a row – average home sales posted an increase. 2008: Economic calamity strikes the nation late in the

year, brought on in large part by what had been the overheated real estate market. Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama battle it out for the presidency, and while the military surge in Iraq produces some results, there are plenty of other challenges facing U.S. foreign policy during the year. The newspaper industry continues to struggle. Sir Edmund Hillary, Charlton Heston, Jim McKay and Suzanne Pleshette die. Home sales across Northern Virginia are down about 4 percent, to the lowest point since 1996, and average sales prices plunges more than 14 percent, perhaps the largest drop ever in the local area. 2009: The economy remains the big story; it continues to wobble but doesn’t collapse. Meanwhile, the new Obama administration must decide what to do in Afghanistan, the latest military flashpoint. Terrorism rears its head at Christmastime, about the same time the local area is buried under a foot and a half of snow. Michael Jackson, Ed McMahon and Walter Cronkite die, and Redskins fans have almost nothing to cheer about except the arrival of yet another new coach. Home sales rebound, increasing 9.3 percent, but average sales prices are at their lowest point since 2003. 2010: Republicans grab back control of the U.S. House of Representatives, setting up a showdown with President Obama over the nation’s priorities. Meanwhile, the economic situation continues to wander along in the weeds, and while there is some progress in extricating U.S. forces from Iraq, Afghanistan continues to be a problem that seems to defy a solution. The local real estate market can’t seem to find its footing, although it is buoyed by federal tax credits that help a bit. Elizabeth Edwards, Gary Coleman, Lena Horne and Teddy Pendergrass were among those who left us. In the Northern Virginia area, home sales were down 6.2 percent from 2009 figures, although they were up compared to 2008. And the average sales price saw a rebound, up 8.9 percent to $469,018. 2011: The economy continues to stumble along, and the folks in Washington seemed more interested in brinksmanship than bipartisanship. The stock market teetered and tottered, and threats of a doubledip recession have loomed. The local real estate market continues to show both signs of progress (higher average sales Continued on Page 22

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Spacious 5 Three levellight-filled light-filled bedroom, 3 1/2 bath brick front colonial home on 1/2 acre. Three with 4BR, 2BA, fully finished levels2HBA with sits in a quiet generous room cul-desizes. Kitchen with S/S applisac backing to trees. ances and corian Main level family counroom tertops. Gleaming hardhas fireplace, wooda floors. Cozykitchmain en granite levelwith family roomcounwith Penny fireplace. Private deck ters and SGD to large Johnson lovely deck. A rec-room, den/office and hugeoverlooking storage area is natural on the views. McLean High School pyramid. Great location near Route 7, 703-587-0440 lower level. Must See! penny.johonson500@ I-495 and 2 just miles from the newly opened Silver Metro line.

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Spacious light-filled 5 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath home on 1/2 acre. Three fully finished levels with generous room sizes. Kitchen with S/S appliances and corian countertops. Gleaming hardwood floors. Cozy Barbara Ann main level family room Farmer with fireplace. Private ABR, GRI deck overlooking lovely natural views. McLean High School pyramid. My Personalized Great location near Route 7, I-495 and just 2 miles from the newly Service is the Keystone opened Silver Metro line. to Your Satisfaction

703-827-BARB 703-966-8675

Falls Church List Price $1,075,000

The Romer Team

COMING SOON! Ann Romer This 3 BR, 2.55 BA CRS, GRI, ABR home would be a (703)597-4289 wise purchase as a RltrAnn@aol.com residence or investTheRomerTeam.com ment property. Updates include new windows & wrapped trim 2009, roof 2012, master bath 2012, hall bath 2012, HVAC, carpet 2015, ss appliances 2015 and SO much more. Hurry! This lovely home is a great buy in a wonderful area and will not last!!

Walter Burns Associate Broker 703-568-8988

Postcard Perfect Colonial RECEIVED 6 OFFERS SOLD For Over List at $875,000 McLean List Price $850,000

Insurance

$374,900

ASHBURN FARM

$2,699,000

Outstanding stone and brick Colonial on beautifully landscaped acre in the heart of Langley Forest. Panel library, dramatic two story marble foyer, main level Bedroom (1 of 5) with hot tub and shower, spectacular large kitchen w/downview custom cabinets, top-of-the-line appliances and vaulted ceiling. Upstairs main bath also has downview cabinets. Wine cellar, bar area, exercise room and large bedroom on lower walkout level. 5 Bedrooms, 5 baths and 3 half baths.

Sun Gazette

...inviting you home! NORTH ARLINGTON/COURTHOUSE HILL HIGH $600S

GORGEOUS CONDO IN HEART OF CLARENDON/COURTHOUSE! Over 1000 sq ft. Rarely available. 2-level 2br/2ba condo includes soaring ceilings, hardwood floors, fireplace, balcony plus garage parking! Walk to everything Courthouse and Clarendon has to offer!

HIGH $500S

JUST LISTED! NORTH ARLINGTON/BALLSTON 2 bed/3.5 bath, 1 car garage, low HOA fees townhouse. 3 Blocks from VA Square Metro.

900 N Stafford Street # 2231, Arlington, VA

623 N. Piedmont St., Arlington, VA

www.chrissyandlisa.com Chrissy O’Donnell | 703.626.8374

julia@juliaavent.com Julia Avent | 703.850.6606

dixiemyrealtor@cox.net Dixie Rapuano | 703.801.2145

$919,000

FALLS CHURCH CITY NEW CONSTRUCTION

COMING SOON!

COMING SOON! AMAZING LAKE BARCROFT HOME WITH STUNNING CONTEMPORARY ADDITION!

This amazing 4br/3,5ba home in sought-after Lake Barcroft includes updated open kitchen with granite, stainless steel appliances & breakfast bar. Main-level addition features incredible master suite with en-suite bath — contempo ‘floating’ vanity & must-see walk-in shower. Wonderfully landscaped and expansive 1/2 acre lot on quiet, cul-de-sac.

W I N T E R R E A L E S TAT E G U I D E

ON TOP OF THE BALLSTON METRO! Rare, 3 bedroom, 2 bath unit with 2 balconies and 1 parking spot. 2nd parking available for sale. 1410 square feet, new hardwood flooring and new carpet. Floor plans, video and photos at www.900nstaffordst2231.com

BALLSTON AREA

2330 14th St N 405, Arlington, VA

FALLS CHURCH/LAKE BARCROFT

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 5

$699,500

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 10/26/14 FROM 2 TO 4

COMING SOON!

N ARLINGTON

BANNER IF NECC

FABULOUS CUSTOM HOME IN THE HEART OF FALLS CHURCH CITY Newly Constructed farmhouse-style home with 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 2-story breezeway, cathedral ceiling, large bonus room & open floor plan. Expected delivery: Spring 2015

3408 Greentree Dr, Falls Church, VA

607 Oak Haven Drive Falls Church City, VA

www.chrissyandlisa.com Lisa DuBois | 703.350.9595

peggy@peggyveroneau.com Peggy Veroneau | 703-447-0634

FALLS CHURCH/LAKE BARCROFT

$774,900

FOR SALE! SPACIOUS, UPDATED & GORGEOUS! This gorgeous 3/4 br, 3ba open floor plan features a mainlevel family room, fully renovated kitchen with granite, en-suite master with walk-in closet. Loads of upgrades! Lower level rec room with bar area, den, plus bonus room. Sited on half-acre wooded lot! 3311 Potterton Dr, Falls Church, VA www.chrissyandlisa.com Lisa DuBois | 703.350.9595

www.byinvitationrealty.com

703.677.8730 4784 Lee Hwy | Arlington, VA 22207

NORTH ARLINGTON

$659,000

UNDER CONTRACT! DARLING CAPE IN HISTORIC MAYWOOD! This 2-3br/2ba brick home is just one light to DC! Eat-in kitchen w Corian counters, gleaming hardwoods and tons of storage! Large lower level family/rec room with den which could be used as additional bedroom. 2322 Fillmore St, Arlington, VA www.chrissyandlisa.com Chrissy O’Donnell | 703.626.8374

Preferred parnter with:

NORTH ARLINGTON

NEW CUSTOM HOMES BCN Homes specializes in the N. Arlington new home market, offering a turnkey approach to land acquisition, design & construction. BCN has lot inventory available throughout Arlington with home prices ranging from the $1.4m’s to $3m+. Contact me today for additional information and learn more about what BCN can do for you! cait.e.platt@gmail.com Caitlin Platt | 202.577.5846

CITY OF FALLS CHURCH

HIGH $600’S

UNDER CONTRACT! ONE-LEVEL LIVING IN THE HEART OF THE CITY! 3br/2 ba home features updated kitchen and gleaming hardwoods. Great corner lot backs to Cherry Hill Park with possibilities for future expansion. Walk to restaurants, shops and more! 322 Park Ave, Falls Church, VA www.chrissyandlisa.com Chrissy O’Donnell | 703.626.8374

Do-It-Yourself Warriors Need to Mind Their Safety (ARA) - When the weekday professional decides to become a DIY weekend warrior and home improvement projects are on the to-do list, safety is an important detail that should not be overlooked. Home accidents are one of the leading causes of injuries for adults in America. According to recent industry reports, seven million Americans suffer home injuries each year with home improvement injuries being the most common. Here are a few safety tips that may just save do-it-yourselfers from a weekend visit to the ER. HEAD There are many vulnerable and accidentprone places on the human head, which makes it one of the most important places on the body to protect. Safety glasses or

goggles protect eyes from dust, debris and flying pieces wood and metal. Ear plugs help save hearing from the high decibellevel noises created by power tools. Dust masks and respirators are essential for keeping small particles and chemical fumes out of the airway and lungs. And any project involving overhead building requires a hard hat – construction workers don’t wear them just because they’re stylish! HANDS Hands and arms are essential tools for the do-it-yourselfer, but because of this they’re also very prone to injury. Avoid stitches, gashes and broken fingers by using extra care and by always having several pairs of gloves nearby. Wrist-length gloves protect hands and

allow for extra gripping power, while elbow-length gloves protect from sparks and flying debris. LEGS Crawling around the bare ground or on floors is not only painful on knees, but can do a great deal of damage as well. Invest in a good-fitting pair of kneepads for comfort and to provide extra grip to prevent slippage. If a project involves walking through loose debris or materials, shin guards will help prevent an excruciating whack to the lower leg by a piece of wood or metal. TOES The experts at Wolverine boots and shoes tell us that the human foot has more than 26 bones in it, and wearing footwear to

Sun Gazette

protect those delicate bones is important no matter what the job. The next time a home improvement job takes some heavy lifting, choosing a boot with a safety-toe will help protect the feet. It’s also important to select a rubber outsole that provides slip-resistant, non-conductive security on a number of surfaces. Unlike knee pads or gloves, which come in standard sizes, it is important to find a work boot with a proper fit. When purchasing boots, it’s important to try them on, fully lace them and walk around in them to make sure the fit is snug and secure. By doing a bit of homework before starting your next home improvement project, you can find the perfect protective gear that will keep you comfortable, safe and ready for anything the task at hand might throw your way.

Easy Weekend Projects Can Add to Overall Ambiance

LIGHT THE WAY Interior designers agree: lighting has a huge impact on how a room looks. How light falls on your furnishings will affect how they look in the room. “Plus, drab, out-dated lighting can also have a big affect on how you feel about your home,” Denny says. If your new décor still seems tired, it might just be a problem of poor lighting. Consider how your room is lit at the differ-

and turns it back on until you’re ready. A ROOM’S CROWNING GLORY Few room enhancements speak of elegance and style the way crown molding does, but many do-it-yourselfers may think the job is beyond their abilities. Yet crown molding can be a weekend project within the abilities of virtually anyone who can handle a ladder and a caulk tube. The secret? Products like So-Simple Crown Molding, a light-weight crown molding made from a dense EPS (Styrofoam) composite. It installs with just caulk-

ing and comes with precut corners. No nails required. In the past, crown molding was made of wood or MDF (particle board), and was the domain of the finish carpenter or old school do-it-yourselfer who builds their house from scratch. Now anyone can claim “bragging rights” for installing crown molding with this easy-to-handle material that looks exactly like real wood crown molding. There are many beautiful styles of crown to choose from – decorative, contemporary to classic. You should choose the style that is right for you.

1,699,900

Stunning, light-filled and open floor plan includes 6 bedrooms, 6.5 baths and boasts over 7,000 square feet of living space on a 10,070 square foot lot. This spectacular home is in the sought-after Nottingham, Williamsburg, Yorktown School District. The owners have taken great pride in their home and have invested over $100,000 in updates and improvements! Five bedrooms and 4 baths are located on the upper level and other features include beautiful Brazilian cherry floors, two gas fireplaces, an open gourmet kitchen with an eat-in area, a finished lower level rec room with a wet bar, a workout room/guest suite, a media room, a two car garage, and more!

6506 N. 36th Street Arlington, VA 22213

Ferguson Real Estate Team

703.926.6139

www.fergusonrealestateteam.com

W I N T E R R E A L E S TAT E G U I D E

PUNCH IT UP WITH PAINT Color has a huge impact on how a room feels and painting is one of the easiest DIY projects to accomplish in a weekend. “Paint’s impact may seem obvious, but it’s surprising how many people overlook its power to make over the most tired décor,” Denny says. Repainting can allow you to create a whole new look for a room without changing a stick of furniture or a single piece of artwork. For color ideas, draw inspiration from design elements you already love in your room’s décor, be it a particular hue of red in the pattern of a throw pillow or a shade of green in your favorite painting. If the color is already present in your décor, chances are you can make it work on your walls.

ent times of the day when you use it most. If it seems dim at times when you would like it to be bright, you may consider replacing existing light fixtures with brighter, more stylish options, possibly even ones that adjust on a dimmer according to changing illumination needs throughout the day. Don’t be intimidated by working with electricity when replacing light fixtures. Seek advice online or from the experts at your local home improvement store. Always be sure to turn off power at the electrical box, and tape the breaker off while you’re working so that no one comes along

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 5

(ARA) - You’ve got a weekend to work with and the inspiration to do something to dress up your home. You don’t need to spend like a diva or wield a hammer like a home improvement show host to achieve a high-impact do-it-yourself project. Many value-enhancing, elegance-adding improvements can be accomplished in a weekend with minimal effort and expense. “You can find a weekend project that’s right for your budget, skill level and decorating goals,” says home improvement expert Mike Denny of So deSimple Crown Molding. “Look around your home and consider the details, those little things that you can do to really punch up a room’s warmth and appeal. You’ll be surprised at the projects that come to mind, and many will be things you can do in a day or less.” At a loss where to begin with your weekend home improvements? Here are three ways to improve your home’s value, style and warmth:

Sun Gazette

Local Real-Estate Pros Looking for Healthy 2015 Continued from Page 3

happen until May.” Casey Samson, Samson Properties: “On my radio show in 1992 I told listeners, ‘If prices ever went down in Northern Virginia, I would jump in the Potomac.’ Man, was that water cold. That is what you get for making predictions. With that said, rates are so low, prices softened in 2014, confidence is high and we are back to getting 20 to 25 people at our open houses. As long as the knuckleheads in D.C. don’t do anything stupid, we are in for a solid year in all markets.” Donna Moseley, TTR Sotheby’s: “We are enjoying a nice start in 2015. Our transactions are up about 50 percent already. We are very optimistic and we think the opening price points will stay very strong. I don’t really have an explanation why. It’s just flat busier. I don’t think we will have a runaway market and it will continue to be a market with a lot of negotiating. Prices could be up 5 percent in some areas. We expect singlefamily homes to be better than last year and homes over a million to be about flat.” Dean Yeonas, Yeonas and Shafran Real Estate: “I think resale prices incrementally will rise, maybe 2 to 3 percent, inside the Beltway for sure. Single-families inside the Beltway at the million-and-under price point is the hot spot. Condos along the Orange Line will do well and anything under a million for townhouses will also do well. Also, in Arlington and McLean, land prices are up, so there is more building go-

ing on. So the new-home prices will creep up, maybe as much as 10 percent.” Betsy Twigg, McEnearney Associates: “Single-family homes will be the best, followed by condos and townhouses. Anything under a million will go up. From $1 million to $1.4 million will be stable. Anything above $1.5 million, particularly new building, will be flat at best or see a decrease, because there is a glut on the market.” Casey Margenau, Fine Homes & Estates: “Everything is working to be a very strong market for sellers, with gas prices down and so many other factors. Real estate usually lags the stock market by six months or so, and the stock market has been on a tear. I think the overall market will be up 2 or 3 percent. Last year, D.C. and North Arlington were on fire, and McLean and the town of Vienna were catching fire. That will all continue, along with areas where properties that are geographically desirable. I think the market will continue to move farther out in the suburbs with the brisker trends. One of the most improved areas could be Great Falls.” Natalie Roy, Keller Williams: “This is already shaping up to be a banner year. Buyers are coming out of winter hibernation early, and new listings, priced competitively, are going under contract quickly. I expect prices to remain constant, unless inventory balloons. In that event, prices could drop, bringing more balance to the market and giving buyers more choices. One segment of the market, retiring Baby Boomers, is on the increase. They are looking for homes of-

fering one-story living, particularly master bedrooms on the main floor. It is a trend that will only grow.” Mark Middendorf; Long & Foster: “We should see some appreciation in the $600,000 to $800,000 range if we can get some inventory there. But there is a lot to choose from in the upper brackets, over a million. So there might be some adjustments there. In Arlington, I think the Bluemont neighborhood west of Ballston is being discovered more. I think buyers will find better prices in some of those undiscovered neighborhoods.” Jack Shafran, Yeonas and Shafran Real Estate: “Prices will increase, but at what percentage, no one really knows. I think it will be better than flat. Down-payment requirements will be loosened, and that will help all phases of the market across the board. Carol Temple; Coldwell Banker: “I anticipate prices rising at a manageable rate of 3 to 5 percent, with Arlington County and the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church leading the pack. Single-family homes are always in demand, and are more abundant than townhouses and condominiums. Buyer demand for townhouses will continue to strengthen and prices will climb. Condominiums have proved to be a solid fit for all ages, and are no longer seen as an entrylevel purchase. At the risk of sounding like a mother who can’t choose her favorite child, I believe that all segments of the market will continue to pick up strength. It is easy to become seduced by the specter of rising

prices.” Craig Mastrangelo, Re/Max Allegiance: “With a rise in inventory the past three to six months, and most likely more this coming spring, prices will have a tendency to stabilize, especially in the $1.4million-plus (new-home construction) market. An increased inventory can lead to longer days on the market. The $500,000 to $1 million is still strong, and even if the spring market has more new listings than the same time as last year, the current demand for ‘moderate priced’ homes should still be strong. Obviously factors affecting the buying market include stable (read: low) interest rates and continued strong job growth.” Joan Stansfield, Keller Williams: “Experts are predicting that nationwide, homes will appreciate another 4 percent in 2015, and that rates will increase by a full percentage point by the end of the year. Yet we know that in Northern Virginia, homes in certain areas inside the Beltway are likely going to appreciate at a higher rate than 4 percent, and the areas near the Silver Line have a flurry of investor activity, driving prices upward. Upper bracket homes in parts of Northern Virginia are taking longer to sell, which is a clear indicator that lower bracket homes and condos are in higher demand. Of course, as always, weather will play an important part, as the frigid weather in January and February of 2014 created a delay in our spring market.” Our thanks to local real-estate professionals who shared their thoughts!

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 5

W I N T E R R E A L E S TAT E G U I D E

Carol, Jerry & Jinx

Our past clients have always been our biggest fans! Become a fan; give us a call! “You made this process work seamlessly and you made me feel like a valued friend. I truly felt that I was in the hands of a trusted, professional couple who really cared about the people they work with. Thank you so much for all you did ... I truly value your friendship & your counsel. Most Sincerely,” Dian P. “Particularly impressive, we believe, was your proactive approach to the issues, attention to detail, and effort to keep us fully informed throughout the process. Best wishes to you in the future. Sincerely,” Diane S. “We truly appreciate all the wisdom, insight, knowledge, and professionalism you brought to our search for a home. You really made this happen for us and we are so grateful. Thank you so much! Sincerely,” Jenny, Jason S.

“Now that we're beginning to settle in after our move, we want to express our gratitude for your expertise in selling our house in Arlington. We valued your professionalism and wisdom throughout the process. You made it painless!” Kathy & Mike, Mc “Ther is no way I culd av ted jt aboy to mang eveythn o aesly -- and get th pl old fr  o ft! Tak Car,” Cynthia B. “Thank you so much for the excellent service you gave us in selling our home in Arlington and buying one in Reston. You anticipated concerns and had plans of action ready. During the weeks we all worked together, we came to see you as friends we could count on. If you need a reference at any time, count on us. And please stay in touch. All the best, " Steve T. and Stephenie O.

NVAR Lifetime Top Producers! The #1 Family Team in Arlington! We do more business than over 99% of all the agents in Northern Virginia! Call us, 703-622-4441, to buy or sell, because you deserve the Best!

Survey Lays Out Factors Impacting Home’s Value

Sun Gazette

YOUR ORANGE LINE SPECIALISTS® PLEASE COME TO OUR HOME BUYERS SEMINAR

Co-sponsored By:

Date: January 26, 2014 Time: 7-7:45pm

Location: Lyon Village Community House 1920 N. Highland Street. Arlington, VA 22201 RSVP BY SATURDAY JANUARY 24TH Team.Cathell@gmail.com

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• Spacious floor plan with hardwood floors throughout

N OP D E AY N 14P

main level

• 9’ Ceilings on main level, updated kitchen and family

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• 2 or 3 bedrooms with 2 full baths

• Private backyard, fully fenced with stone patio • Attached one car garage

CALL OUR DIRECT LINE www.teamcathell.com team.cathell@gmail.com Each office is independently owned and operated.

703-975-2500

TeamCathell

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TeamCathell

SOLD

Stacey Romm 703.298.8197

Stacey.Romm@longandfoster.com

Pat Evans 703.919.4338

Patrick.Evans@longandfoster.com

Don’t wait to your azaleas to bloom to list your home!! With low inventory, and buyers out there, let’s talk about getting your home ready to list. We have the experience, the knowledge and the resources to make your home “Ready to Sell!!!” Long & Foster Arlington

4600 Lee Hwy Arlington, VA. 22207

Office 703.284.9219

W I N T E R R E A L E S TAT E G U I D E

Builders Focus on Specific Needs

ASHTON HEIGHTS CHARMER

36 N. Oakland Street • Arlington • $689,000

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 5

Sun Gazette

Temps Continued from Page 15

to be comfortable. What you don’t want are extremes. A house should feel like your house should feel if you lived in it.” John McNamara, TTR Sotheby’s: “The home needs to be warm, a minimum of 68 to 70 degrees when a buyer walks through in the winter. A cold home can be a mindset and a turnoff. It’s the same in the summer for the upstairs if a house is hot.

40 Years Continued from Page 16

prices) and areas of concern (anemic sales figures). But the full story won’t be known until January rolls around and the final figures are in. 2012: Presidential politics dominates the year, and voters in November return Barack Obama with a decisive but not overwhelming victory. Republicans lose seats in Congress. Economic conditions remain soft, while questions remain about the amount of U.S. debt. The Redskins rebound in the second half of the year to reach the playoffs, while the Nationals also have a good season. Whitney Houston, Neil Armstrong, Dick Clark and Andy Griffith were among those who died during the year, while Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian dominated gossip sites. “Honey BooBoo” became famous through cable TV. The Northern Virginia real estate

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 5

W I N T E R R E A L E S TAT E G U I D E

AY NDM. U . S P 4 EN O OP 1 T

You want a house set at 70 to 74 in the summer. The upstairs can be cooled by adjusting the vents.” Steve Wydler, Long & Foster: “I always tell my listing clients to keep it at a comfortable level. In the winter you can have it a little cooler and in the summer a little bit warmer. You want to make a property a pleasant environment for the buyers to tour.” Casey Margenau, Re/Max Distinctive: “If a house is occupied, the temperature is whatever the occupant feels comfortable with. If it’s vacant, you need to control

the temperature to protect the wood products and keep the moulding from cracking. Too cold and too hot will damage the property. But no one is not going to buy a house if the temperature is two degrees off what they like.” Terry Belt, Keller Williams: “I always recommend that the thermostat be set and kept to whatever temperature will provide a comfortable feeling for the season, where one does not need to put on or take off clothing to remain comfortably warm in the fall/winter and cool in the spring/summer. Not all thermostats and HVAC systems

work the same. For example, a 72-degree setting in one home could feel like 68 degrees in another. So whatever temperature in a particular home will achieve the comfort objective.” Debbie McGuire, Keller Williams: “We recently had a vacant home that was set at 60 degrees, but we had to turn up the heat because it was uncomfortable and the buyers will leave and won’t linger. You want them to linger. So, 68 degrees is probably perfect in the winter and probably 72 is fine in the summer.”

market showed a rebound both in total sales (up 11.6 percent from a year before) and average sales price (up 4.4 percent and again over the half-milliondollar mark). 2013: The stock market rebounded, unemployment receded a bit and more people were questioning why the rich got richer while everyone else didn’t during the economic rebound. President Obama’s approval ratings declined, in part to a botched rollout of his health-care package, but Republicans didn’t benefit much. A partial shutdown of the federal government served to reinforce the view of many that the nation’s leaders seemed to either not know, or not care, what they were doing. The travails of the Washington Redskins took center stage for much of the fall, with the team posting a lousy record and coach Mike Shanahan sent packing with a going-away gift of millions of dollars. Virginians reversed course, electing

Democrat Terry McAuliffe as governor – but Republicans kept their tight grip on control of the House of Delegates. Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher, Tom Clancy, James Gandolfini and Eydie Gorme were among those who left us. The local real estate market continued its rebound, with average prices in the inner suburbs of Northern Virginia setting a record at $540,043 and the number of sales surpassing the 20,000 mark for the first time since 2006. 2014: The search for a missing Malaysian airliner captivated cable-TV viewers during the year, and ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine led to a Malaysian aircraft being shot out of the sky. Racial tensions ranged from a police shooting in Ferguson, Mo., to the remarks that cost an NBA owner his franchise. The economy seemed to be in two-steps-forward-one-back mode, while the potential that the Ebola virus might impact the U.S. was on the minds

of many. Republicans cleaned up in the midterm elections, and prospective candidates for the 2016 presidential election started their preparations. Among those who left our midst during the year: Robin Williams, Joan Rivers, Marion Barry Jr., Shirley Temple Black and Mickey Rooney. It was a relatively soft year for local real estate, with the Northern Virginia market posting year-over-year declines every month but December, when it rebounded with a double-digit increase. With 18,696 sales, the market was down 8.2 percent from a year before, but the average price rose to a record $552,139.

Arlington North

An American Classic

Character and style rare in a new home. Four finished levels offers five bedrooms, fantastic kitchen, sleeping porch off the master bedroom, and two car garage with dumb waiter to kitchen. Details of 3033 N Florida St. at betsytwigg.com

Arlington North

$295,000

Arlington North

$1,325,000

$1,795,000

A Neighborhood Landmark

Revived and renovated by Arlington Restoration Builders, this expanded home offers up to six bedrooms, four sparkling new bathrooms, two car garage and a large level lot. Details of 5510-19th St. N. at betsytwigg.com

R T DE AC UNNTR CO

Here at the Sun Gazette, we watch the “local” media try its best to cover the community, but it’s hard to do without an experienced news team – and the Sun Gazette has the most experienced team in Northern Virginia. We get it right, in print and online.

$1,729,900

A New Tradition

Nearly finished five bedroom five and half bath home with front and rear porches. Details of 3501 John Marshall Dr. at betsytwigg.com

Arlington North

L SO

$735,000

Arlington North

$1,189,000

A Place to Begin

A Snowy Treat

Let your DIY skills earn you a walk to Metro location. One bedroom at the Hyde Park with over 900 square feet of space awaiting your imagination. Details of 4141 N. Henderson Rd. #402 at betsytwigg.com

A Fond Farewell

Tastefully renovated and expanded one level home with screened in porch and slate patio garnered five offers.

Downsizing empty nesters passed on to a new owner an expanded center hall colonial with fine appointments throughout.

Details of 5449-20th Street, N. at betsytwigg.com

Details of 1700 N. Jefferson St. at betsytwigg.com

Betsy Twigg

“Successfully selling homes in every real estate market for a very long time.”

McEnearney Associates

703-967-4391

btwigg@mcenearney.com | www.betsytwigg.com

4720 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

Sun Gazette

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 5 W I N T E R R E A L E S TAT E G U I D E

FI N E P RO P E RTI E S I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Sun Gazette

John Mentis, Realtor® “Your Life is Changing. I Can Help!” Long & Foster Real Estate

4600 Lee Highway

Arlington, VA 22207

BEST YEAR YET! 2014

Whether you were buying or selling… SELLERS

BUYERS

50%

A detached home, townhouse, or condo...

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 5

W I N T E R R E A L E S TAT E G U I D E

Detached house 37%

Townhouse 40%

Condo 23%

In Northern Virginia or Washington, D.C. ...

Washington, D.C. 24%

Arlington 24%

Alexandria 18%

Fairfax Co. 32%

Other Areas 2%

THANK YOU FOR MAKING 2014 MY 4TH CONSECUTIVE "BEST YEAR YET!" Over 82% of my 2014 business was from repeat clients, client referrals, and agent referrals. Experience for yourself what keeps bringing them back. Contact me for a private consultation. Office: 703-522-0500 Cell: 202-549-0081 e-mail: john.mentis@longandfoster.com

website: www.johnmentis.com