Sun Gazette Arlington Fall Real Estate Guide 2015

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A R L I N G T O N

Where

in the

World is Mark?

Right here in Arlington helping you with one of your largest investments.

Whether you are buying or selling, call Mark Middendorf to ensure a smooth and stress free transaction. A real estate transaction should be a wonderful and pleasant experience and I can help you achieve that.

Mark Middendorf

703.928.3915

mark.middendorf@longandfoster.com

Voted Best Realtor by Washingtonian Magazine

...inviting you home!

ARLINGTON/BELLEVUE FOREST

$1,375,000

REBUILT AND EXPANDED IN 2012!

GREAT FLOW & ABILITY TO EXPAND FURTHER!

Julia Avent 703.850.6606 | julia@juliaavent.com

Barbara Jones 703-867-6338 | barbarajones@mris.com

CLOSE TO METRO!

ALEXANDRIA/SHIRLEY FOREST

$699,000

OPEN SUNDAY 10/10 1-4PM!

POTOWMACK CROSSING Great 2BR/1BA unit located behind tennis court with views of xx trees and a sea of green. Freshly painted and hardwood floors throughout. Lots of closets, w/d in unit. Community pool, tennis, and exercise room. Great location next to coffee shop and restaurant, and closet to metro & bike path. FHA & VA approved.

| FAL L R EAL E STAT E GU I D E | SU N G AZ ET T E

BEAUTIFUL 4BR/3.5BA ON QUIET CUL-DE-SAC! Center-hall colonial features open floor plan, large eat-in kitchen w/ granite & SS appliances, great room w/ fireplace, main level den/home office plus landscaped yard w/ hot tub!

Close to shopping, restaurants & commuting routes!

6201 Homespun Ln, Falls Church, VA 22044

$265,000

ANNANDALE

$660,000

JUST LISTED!

3849 30th St. N, Arlington, VA 22207 www.3849N30thSt.com

ALEXANDRIA/OLD TOWN

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$914,000

COMING SOON!

5BR/3.5BA — can easily convert half bath to full; build out the master over carport; enclose carport into garage; build out mudroom/office/ family room off the kitchen. Great flat rear yard & school tier. Next to Donaldson Run park — in minutes you will be in the middle of the woods. Hike down to the Potomac River. Close commute to DC.

2

FALLS CHURCH/SLEEPY HOLLOW

RENOVATED IN TRURO! Beautiful 4BR/2.5BA on a cul-de-sac in sought-after Woodson School pyramid! Gleaming hardwoods, renovated kitchen w/ stainless steel apps! Secluded low maintenance backyard backs to parkland! 2-car garage, new HVAC, low HOA dues!

4416 Ossian Hall Ln, Annandale, VA 22003 Dixie Rapuano | 703.801.2145 dixiemyrealtor@cox.net

FALLS CHURCH

$864,900

NEW CONSTRUCTION - NEW PRICE!

TOTALLY RENOVATED HOME IN SHIRLEY FOREST! Gorgeously remodeled home features a stunning marble kitchen with high end appliances! Enjoy your private backyard from your light-filled sun room. Quiet neighborhood near parks and bike trails! Easy access to D.C. via Rt 395!

INSTANT EQUITY & STUNNING VIEWS! 6BR/4.5BA! Gourmet kitchen w/ maple cabinets, 6’ granite island & breakfast nook. Hand-scraped hardwoods! Stone & Hardiplank exterior. Huge wrap around deck! Backs to Dowden Terrace Park! Easy access to Rt 395, Mark Ctr, Alx Hsp.

1628 Abingdon #101, Alexandria, VA 22207

5544Fillmore Ave, Alexandria, VA 22311 www.5544FillmoreAve.com

3827 Lacy Blvd, Falls Church VA 22041 www.5544FillmoreAve.com

Julia Avent 703.850.6606 | julia@juliaavent.com

Irene Xenos | 703.956.0418 irene.xenos@remax.net | irenexenos.com

Irene Xenos | 703.956.0418 irene.xenos@remax.net | irenexenos.com

VIENNA

$575,000

FALLS CHURCH CITY

SOLD!

FOR SALE! CONTEMPORARY IN KEMPER PARK NEIGHBORHOOD! Lovely 4BR/2.5BA contemporary home on a half acre lot in the Madison School pyramid! Cathedral ceiling and large windows in living room, vaulted ceiling in dining room. Walk in closet in master bedroom. Property is being sold “As Is”.

Dixie Rapuano | 703.801.2145 dixiemyrealtor@cox.net

703.677.8730 4784 Lee Hwy | Arlington, VA 22207

Preferred partners with:

ARLINGTON/ BALLSTON

$774,990

SOLD!

NEWLY CONSTRUCTED FARMHOUSE-STYLE HOME 5BR/4.5BA, large foyer, mudroom, cathedral ceilings, huge bonus room, custom built-ins & open floor plan! Attached 2-car garage with storage loft. Walk to Lincoln Pk, W&O trails, & downtown FCC, less than 1 mile to East & West FC metros.

2421 Hunter Mill Rd, Vienna, VA 22181

www.byinvitationrealty.com

$1,310,000

SPACIOUS BALLSTON END-UNIT TOWN HOME 3BR, 2 full, 2 half bath in desirable Cathcart Springs. Updated eat-in kitchen, stainless steel apps, granite & pantry; hardwood floors 1st & 2nd levels, crown molding; large attached master bath and walk-out basement to private patio!

607 Oak Haven Drive, Falls Church, VA

430 Park Drive N., Arlington VA

Peggy Veroneau | 703.447.0634 peggy@peggyveroneau.com

Peggy Veroneau | 703.447.0634 peggy@peggyveroneau.com

What Do Real-Estate Pros Talk About with Their Clients?

Hint: Commuting Tips Are Good, Politics Can Be Tricky DAVE FACINOLI Staff Writer

It’s normal for real estate agents to spend a considerable amount of time with their clients during the process of buying or selling a property.

Some were asked by the Sun Gazette what topic of conversations (other than real estate) comes up most often. Politics, sports, local government, the weather – what do people like to talk about when they’re out and about?

How are their answers: Kelly Tierney, Re/Max Distinctive: “Usually the conversations are about the neighborhoods – schools, restaurants, transportation, shopping centers. With families, you talk about them and learn their backgrounds. I never discuss politics, religion and sex.”

Lizzy Conroy, Huckaby, Briscoe, Conroy Realty Group: “Traffic and weather are probably the two biggest topics, and people like to talk about their work and kids if they have them. Also, current events and the difference between what it is like to live around here compared to other places around the D.C. area.”

Gloria Adams, TTR Sotheby’s: “It’s very interesting. If people are not from this area they want to learn about the area, like theaters, shopping centers, local activities and things like that. We talk about pets. We tend to shy away from politics.”

‘Traffic and weather are probably the two biggest topics, and people like to talk about their work and kids.’

‘They mostly want to know about traffic.

Being the back-road queen, I’m happy to share the best routes.’

Lizzy Conroy, Huckaby, Briscoe, Conroy Realty Group

Joan Stansfield Keller Williams

Joan Stansfield, Keller Williams: “They mostly want to know about traffic and routes to avoid traffic. Being the back-road queen, I’m happy to share the best routes and times of day to avoid traffic. The next topics are the best restaurants and events in the area.”

Steve Wydler, Long & Foster: “People like to talk about the community and what it is like to live there. They want to know the most important things about the community: What do you do on weekends and where are the sources of the hubs located in relation to the homes?”

Lilian Jorgenson, Long & Foster: “Actually, the conversations for relocation buyers always center on location to buy versus getting to work, and the schools, and access to shopping and recreation.”

Casey Samson, Samson Properties: “Most of our conversation revolves around

the home or the town. I’m not much of a small-talker. Never politics. If I see pictures of Marines, football, baseball or something that catches my eye when I am looking at their home, we will talk about that. If either buyer is wearing a Nationals’ cap, we are good for the day. Ninety percent of our conversation is professional, though.”

Archie Harders, Long & Foster: “Family, their experiences outside the real estate market, and restaurants.”

Mark Middendorf, Long & Foster: “I like to talk about the neighborhoods – like the parks, recreation, restaurants, shopping, community pools and how accessible is public transportation. Anything that impacts the community lifestyle.”

Dean Yeonas, Yeonas and Shafran Real Estate: “If they have kids, schools is always a big question. We talk about churches, music clubs, restaurants, bars,

and kind of the lay of the land. I try to stay away from politics.”

Ann Wilson, Keller Williams: “The No. 1 topic for young families are the schools. They want to be in the best school districts, and they have done their homework. For singles, the biggest thing is they want to know how much of a walking distance it is to Metro.”

Donna Moseley, TTR Sotheby’s: “It depends on where people are from. If they are outside the area, they have more entertainment and social-based questions and what types of opportunities there might be for sports and church and things like that.

This year, we have a lot of talk about who are reputable contractors to use.”

Dawn Wilson, Keller Williams: “We talk about what amenities are in the community, like pools, walking paths, parks. We talk about family stuff, and sports comes up a lot. People have a big interest in pro sports or sports that involve children. People ask how close the schools and public transportation are, and if they can walk there.”

John McNamara, TTR Sotheby’s: “The main topic is absolutely getting a sense of the community and the area. They want to talk about the things they can’t see from the street and where it is in relation to here.”

Adam Gallegos, Arbour Realty: Continued on Page 19

S U N G A ZE T T E | FAL L R E AL E S TAT E G U ID E | OCTO BER 201 5

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CARROLL COUNTY, VIRGINIA

ABSOLUTE AUCTION SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 • 11:00 AM 10.5± AC. MOUNTAIN RETREAT

Affordable-Housing Boosters Get Armed with the Facts as Focus Shifts to Funding Plan SCOTT McCAFFREY Staff Writer

Private retreat owned by retired country music artist Ricky Van Shelton features a 1,920± SF 3 BR, 2 BA rustic log home overlooking Crooked Creek and beautiful landscaping by Bettye Shelton, Master Gardener. Most of the property, which is located on both sides of the creek, is hardwood forest. Other improvements include a “country store” used as a music/entertainment room, a partially finished log cabin, tool and equipment sheds, and a bridge for driving across the creek. Great location 5 mi. from I-77, Exit 8 (Fancy Gap) and less than 3 mi. from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Address: 3115 Millstone Rd., Woodlawn, VA 24381. Sale held at Fancy Gap Elementary School, 63 Winding Ridge Rd., Fancy Gap, VA 24328.

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Passage by the Arlington County Board of a new affordable-housing plan ends one chapter but begins another in the long-running saga of how to retain homes for all income levels across the community.

And boosters of affordable housing in the county are working to ensure advocates have the right information as they make their pitch for additional housing funding.

Several dozen county residents descended on Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington Sept. 30, as the Alliance for Housing Solutions presented “The Nuts and Bolts of Affordable Housing,” described as a teach-in on issues ranging from financing projects to leveraging public-private partnerships.

“This is a complex issue – there are no easy answers,” said Mary Rouleau, executive director of the Alliance for Housing Solutions. “This year, we took a different approach, [looking at] some fundamental things. People who support affordable housing don’t always know the nuts and bolts.”

And it’s not just the enthusiastic layman that has a learning curve. “There are still a lot of things I need to learn,” said Rouleau, who has headed the nonprofit for the past five years.

The Sept. 30 event was the 13th annual Leckey Forum, sponsored by the Alliance for Housing Solutions and named in honor of the late Thomas Leckey, an advocate for housing in the community.

Areas of the church became classrooms. In one, Mike Scheurer of Cornerstones Housing Corp. and Yoomi Ahn of the Arlington County government were exploring how affordablehousing projects get financed using federal tax credits. In another, Kedrick Whitmore of Venable and Susan Bell, a former county housing director who is now a consultant, were detailing zoning issues.

Despite a sky-high median household income of $106,000 for a family of four, Arlington has large pockets need.

EHO PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”

This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-9753. Email: fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov.

Web site: www.fairhousing.vipnet.org

According to county data, 20 percent of renters in the community spend more than 50 percent of income on keeping a roof over their head.

“Housing costs just keep going up – that’s been true for more than a decade,” Ahn said.

County Board members voted unanimously in September to support an affordable-housing plan that had been in the works for three years. The goal: To stem the exodus of housing for low- and moderate-income households.

But the proposal allocates no additional dollars to housing issues, meaning advocates will have to compete during next year’s budget cycle with those seeking funding for a host of other community priorities.

Rouleau said the Sept. 30 forum was a chance to get geared up.

“We’ve got to start out ahead of the 11th hour; we’ve got to go to the community early and often, with good information,” she said. “Most people in Arlington are willing to go where the facts lead them.”

While the plan was decried both by those who thought it went too far and those who thought it didn’t go far enough, advocates for affordable housing said its adoption moved the community in the right direction.

“There’s a renewed acceptance and interest in providing housing for those who are already here,” said Kathryn Scruggs, a longtime advocate and until recently housing chair of the Arlington County Civic Federation.

Scruggs served on the task force that put together the plan that, with some revisions, was adopted by County Board members. She said that the long gestation period gave the public a chance to review the proposal and get behind it.

“I’m confident that the County Board’s 5-0 vote made it clear: they heard from so many citizens,” Scruggs said. “They got an earful.”

The Arlington County government does not own or operate any public housing, and voters twice in the past 15 years have turned down referendums to start up a housing authority. (Most housing-advocacy groups also opposed creation of a housing authority, as did most elected officials.)

Instead, the government partners with developers and nonprofits, using cash from the government’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund to provide loans supporting specific housing projects.

Moving forward on the affordable-housing plan likely will mean a combination of government funding, incentives to developers and creative thinking. County ordinances will have to be rewritten, and the local government likely will have to go to Richmond to seek changes in state law.

The Sun Gazette is the community’s source for news and information, in print and online. Count on us!

SCOTT McCAFFREY Staff Writer

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S U N G A ZE T T E | FAL L R E AL E S TAT E G U ID E | OCTO BER 201 5

Its promoters paint the picture of transit system offering an eight-minute trip between Baileys Crossroads and the Pentagon, available 24 hours a day and cruising nonstop at 37 mph above the congestion of Columbia Pike in fourperson pods run on solar power in a network that can be built at one-fifth the cost of the proposed, then discarded, streetcar system.

A fantasy? Maybe. But nearly 100 people descended on Walter Reed Community Center Sept. 28 to hear the backers of “Jpods” make the pitch that South Arlington’s main commercial corridor is the right fit for next-generation, privately-funded transit.

“It should be aesthetically delightful,” said Bill James, who heads the Minnesota-based firm aiming to sell the transit concept to local community and political leaders, during a presentation before the Columbia Heights Civic Association.

The goal? To get a fledgling network in place – perhaps as early as 2016 – then begin expanding through Northern Virginia. (And beyond: Representatives from the Montgomery County, Md., Civic Federation were among those attending to learn more about the proposal.)

More than a few roadblocks stand in the way. To begin with, the firm would need regulatory approval from both the state and county governments, far from a sure bet in either case.

County Board Vice Chairman Walter Tejada, who attended most of the twohour program, said that despite some areas of concern, he’s willing to look at the “personal-pod” proposal without a jaundiced view.

“It shows the potential for a new transportation network,” Tejada said.

“It’s environmentally friendly, it seems to be low-cost, it seems to be very modern. We should have an open mind.”

The Jpod concept is one of a number of transit ideas along the same vein competing for public acceptance, and while James’ firm has gotten some nibbles of interest, it has yet to land a deal with any U.S. locality. He seemed undaunted.

“If you want to date a pretty girl, ask a million pretty girls – one of them will forget to say ‘no,’” James chuckled as the gathering passed its second hour.

Stefanie Pryor, who heads the Arlington County Civic Federation and attended part of the forum, expressed concerns that if other communities won’t jump in, Arlington (in the wake

of the streetcar pullback) might be gunshy in taking the leap.

“Nobody wants to be first,” acknowledged Pryor, former president of the Penrose Neighborhood Association in the Pike corridor.

Like many visionaries, James was a little gauzy when pressed on details; participants hurled questions including how the system would deal with snow, how it would address rider security and how much a ride would cost.

“What we’re going to charge is as much as we can that you are pleased to pay,” he said, declining to be more specific. One hint he gave: the business model is based on variable pricing, depending on the time of day and ridership levels at any one moment.

At two points in the night, issues arose that might prove to break any potential deal in its infancy: • James suggested that he’d like to see the elevated system take up lanes of traffic on Columbia Pike, turning the space underneath them into bicycle lanes.

That would be illegal under current state law, which requires Columbia Pike to be maintained with at least two lanes of vehicular traffic in each direction. His less-preferred option would be to build stations along sidewalk right-of-way, then cantilever the skyway tracks out above the street.

• Backers of the proposal say their business model allows them to pay a 5percent tax on gross receipts to the local jurisdiction, but not pay any other taxes or fees. And if the Arlington government doesn’t cotton to such an arrangement? “If they won’t, they won’t – I won’t build here,” James said. “If they want to charge a whole bunch of things for a whole bunch of things, we can’t do it . . . we have to justify [our costs] to investors.”

Those costs are pegged at between $8 million and $20 million a mile. Were they to get approval, backers of the Jpod proposal say they would aim to build a demonstration project between Pentagon City and Penrose Square, then inch westward out to Fairfax County.

The November 2014 decision by County Board members to scrap the streetcar project means the Columbia Pike corridor will continue to rely, for now, on bus service. Expected increases in density along the five-mile stretch between the Pentagon and Fairfax County could lead to such a large traffic crunch that more buses would prove unfeasible.

“We’ve got to think of different ways,” Pryor said. “You either go up or you go under.”

John Plank Real Estate Services, Inc. Long & Foster Real Estate john.plank@longandfoster.com (703) 528-5646

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An artist’s conception shows how the “Jpods” transit system might work above a large thoroughfare. Boosters of the concept recently came to the Columbia Pike corridor to suggest it as an alternative to the now-discarded streetcar project.

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Are ‘Personal Pods’ the Future for the Columbia Pike Corridor?

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New Federal Rules Will Impact Real Estate Closings, But the Long-Term Implications Remain Something to Ponder DAVE FACINOLI Staff Writer

New regulations promulgated by the federal Consumer Protection Finance Bureau, and currently in the implementation phase, are changing rules related to financing and closing of real-estate transactions.

The Sun Gazette asked local real-estate professionals their views on the short-term and long-term impacts of the changes.

Here are their answers: Natalie Roy, Keller Williams: “Short term there will be hiccups, because the new mortgage rules represent a big change from current practice. I am telling clients to be patient and expect longer closing periods.

I work with excellent lender partners who have been hosting workshops for agents on the new rules, so we are better prepared.

Long term, once the kinks are worked out, everything will fall into place. Real Estate agents are quick learners.”

Casey Margenau, Casey Margenau Fine Homes and Estates: “If people have real estate agents who know what they are doing, nothing will change as far as the transactions. But you will need to have about 45 days for a closing. The new paperwork is awesome and so much easier.

Saying that, when you have done something one way for 30 years, then change, it will be confusing for a while.”

Billy Buck, Buck & Associates: “There has been tons of preparation and I

‘It will cause some confusion for anyone who is not staying up with all the rules and regulations.’

‘There will be a learning curve for everyone. The process will be slower for a while, but we’ll get things going.’

Mark Middendorf Long & Foster Real Estate

Gloria Adams TTR Sotheby’s

think people will be more prepared. But it’s something new and even with all the training in the world, we can still have bumps.

There will be a learning curve.”

Mark Middendorf, Long & Foster: “It will cause some confusion for anyone who is not staying up with the rules and regulations and getting the proper training. It will impact the lenders more than the Realtors, and will cause more paperwork on the lenders’ part.”

Dean Yeonas, Yeonas and Shafran Real Estate: “I don’t think it will change the number of sales, but I think there will be issues because the process will be different, and that will require changes and adjustments. The timing of walk-throughs will change and there will be no more quick 30-day closings. Forty-five days will be the quickest you can close now. Every name of every document is changing. Closings will

not be called closings anymore. They will be called ‘consummations.’ It’s a case of the government getting way too involved.”

Lilian Jorgenson, Long & Foster: “Getting financing today is worse than ever. Every time they change something it impacts the consumer big-time. We really need to ease up on the lending to get sales moving again.”

Gloria Adams, TTR Sotheby’s: “It will be a process of adjustments, and we have had several meetings to understand it all. There will be a learning curve for everyone. The process will be slower for a while, but we’ll get things going.”

Steve Wydler, Long & Foster: “There is a lot of industry swirl about that right now. There will be a settling-in time for agents, lenders, buyers and sellers to deal with. Things will need to be taken care of well in advance and thought through. If

there is not a good system in place, that could create a lot of chaos.”

Archie Harders, Long & Foster: “I think that the consumers won’t notice much unless they have had a very recent transaction. People expect these procedures to change, and I expect to hear comments like ‘wow, I don’t remember the process being like this at all.’ I hope to hear fewer complaints about last-minute requirements from lenders. We’ll see.”

David Howell, McEnearney Associates: “I think we’ll see a few hiccups and delays in settlements in the short term.

Overall, I think the mortgage industry and settlement providers have done an admirable job getting ready for this, and it won’t take very long for settlements to proceed as smoothly as they have in the past. However, I do think that the new mortgage rules will require buyers to do their homework up front, because switching lenders or loan programs midstream will add days – or even weeks – to the approval process.”

Ann Wilson, Keller Williams: “I think it’s going to require lenders to be a little more focused on getting clients the information they need well before they are getting it now. If that is not provided, closings will be delayed, and no one wants that.

It will probably take about three months to sort out.”

Kelly Tierney, Re/Max Distinctive: Continued on Page 20

BILLY BUCK IS INTERVIEWING FOR LISTINGS • CALL 703-855-BUCK 00

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Grand Home Features Over 5,000 Square Feet of Sumptuous Living Space Featured Property

you can configure it as you see fit and are sure to have space left over.

A bonus room is on this level as well, and it has a full bath nearby, you can use it as a bedroom or for a host of other purposes.

We’ve already issued one “Bonus alert!” today, but a second is in order – above the detached one-car garage you will find a delightful in-law suite with vaulted ceiling and half bath. It’s yet another exceptional surprise along our

tour.

So many features, and the location is almost hard to top anywhere in Arlington. In fact, it may just be a perfect package, beckoning its first owners.

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

Facts for buyers

Address: 1815 North Bryan Street, Arlington (22201).

Listed at: $1,779,000 by Billy Buck, Buck Residential Real Estate (703) 855-2825.

Schools: Key Elementary, Swanson Middle, Washington-Lee High School. at (703) 738-2520.

BILLY BUCK

Associate Broker, Buck & Associates, Inc. Office: 703.528.2288 Direct: 703.855.2825 billy@buckrealtors.com • www.buckrealtors.com

Buck & Associates R E AL

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SINCE

1976

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We amble to Lyon Village for our featured property, a stunner that pays homage to the Arts-and-Crafts styles that grace so many Arlington communities, while looking squarely toward the future with the 21st-century amenities every household desires.

With over 5,000 square feet of available interior space, you have room to stretch out and enjoy both daily living and entertaining and style. All this, and you are a short walk to Clarendon and Courthouse, making you part of Arlington’s urban-village lifestyle while still being set back.

The property currently is on the market, listed at $1,779,000 by Billy Buck of Buck Residential Real Estate.

Attention to detail is evident when we first spy the home from a distance. The stone-and-Hardiplank exterior and solid wood-stained front door connote seriousness of design purpose; the cheerful front porch bids us a hearty welcome.

The formal living room is to our immediate left as we enter the home, while the dining room is to our right. Both are comfortable in size, but avoid overpowering the senses.

The strategically placed kitchen area stretches much of the depth of the main level, providing plenty of open ambiance and top-quality accoutrements. Designed with the gourmet chef in mind, you’ll enjoy an eight-foot island, Viking Professional appliances and copious amounts of sunlight.

The highlight on this level is the expansive family room, with fireplace and walk-out access to the deck. It is large enough to be arranged as you see fit, and will be a focal point both for everyday life and those special moments, at holiday time or any time of year.

The master retreat occupies the entire rear of the second level, with the bedding area featuring a tray ceiling with fan and access to a private balcony overlooking your domains. Twin walk-in closets and a sumptuous bath also are part of the package.

Three bedrooms, each with a ceiling fan, are found here; one is en-suite and the others share a bath. Laundry facilities have their own space on this level.

Bonus alert! A fully carpeted loft, with a roof deck, sits above the second level.

Whether used as a home office, artist retreat, craft area – you name it – it showcases attention to detail.

The fully finished, walk-out basement provides a recreation room with nearly 900 square feet of space. It’s so large,

7

Arlington Seeing Most Year-Over-Year Price Appreciation The year-over-year increase in median home-sales price for the first eight months of the year was higher in Arlington than any other jurisdiction across the Washington area.

That’s according to RealEstate Business Intelligence, which tracks data for the local multiple-listing service.

Arlington’s median sales price of $563,750 for the January-to-August period was up 6.4 percent, by far the largest of jurisdictions across the metro area. The District of Columbia, which saw median prices rise 5 percent to $524,900, was second on the list.

(Sales include all types of properties, from single-family homes and townhouses to condominiums.)

The city of Falls Church remained the priciest jurisdiction in the region, but its $645,000 median sales price during the first eight months of the year was down 7.5 percent – making Falls Church one of five jurisdictions out of 13 to see lower year-over-year median prices.

Region-wide, counting D.C. and the inner suburbs, the median sales price of $415,500 for the first two-thirds of the year was up 1.3 percent from the same period in 2014.

Among other jurisdictions in the inner suburbs: The median sales price of $495,500 in Alexandria was up 3.2 percent; the median price of $485,750 in the city of Fairfax was up 1.2 percent; the median price of $479,900 in Fairfax County was up 3.2 percent; the median price of $400,000 in Montgom-

ery County was down 1.2 percent; and the median price of $230,000 in Prince George’s County was up 4.6 percent.

Among localities adjacent to the urban core, median sales prices were $430,000 in Howard County (down 1.2 percent), $399,990 in Loudoun County (up 2.6 percent), $326,000 in Prince William County (up 2.5 percent), $310,245 in Anne Arundel County (down 1.5 percent) and $268,000 in Frederick County (down 0.7 percent).

Year-Over-Year Va. Home Sales Still in Positive Territory: Home sales and median sales prices across Virginia in August were higher from a year before, adding up to a 3.2-percent increase in total sales volume, according to new figures.

Sales for the month totaled 9,981, according to preliminary figures reported Sept. 22 by the Virginia Association of Realtors (VAR). That’s up 5.3 percent from a year before, although it follows the traditional trajectory in declining from sales totals earlier in the summer.

“Seasonality appears more pronounced this year than in 2014 – Virginia experienced a relatively steep climb in sales from January to June of 2015, and now seems to be headed into a deeper descent,” noted the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech, which provides data analysis for VAR. That would not be an unusual pattern, the analysts noted: “The second half of the year often mirrors the first half – steep increases in the spring are

often followed by steep declines in the fall.”

The median sales price of all homes that went to closing in August was $266,500. While lower than prices in June and July (also typical of market seasonality), the median price was up 1.7 percent from 12 months before.

Total statewide sales volume for the month stood at $3.22 billion, up from $3.1 billion a year ago.

“Virginia is likely to experience smaller year-over-year changes this fall, following the relatively high peak of sales in the summer,” Virginia Tech analysts suggested.

Homes that went to closing in August spent an average of 69 days on the market between listing and ratified sales contract, an improvement from the 73 days required a year before.

Based on data from FreddieMac, the average 30-year mortgage rate nationally in August was 3.91 percent, the lowest in three months.

“With a stable inventory supply across price categories and interest rates remaining low, there is valuable opportunity for buyers to leverage a relatively low cost of borrowing,” said Deborah Baisden, president of VAR. Full data can be found at http://varealtor.com/homesales.

Va. Sales in 2nd Quarter Strongest Since 2008: Despite a small year-overyear decline in median sales prices, Virginia’s homes market posted its strongest second quarter since 2008, according to

new figures from the Virginia Association of Realtors (VAR).

Buoyed by a very strong June market, a total of 31,650 properties went to closing during the quarter, up 9.9 percent from the 28,811 sales recorded during the same period in 2014, according to preliminary figures reported July 28.

Year-over-year sales were up in six of seven geographic areas across the commonwealth, led by 13.9-percent increases in Central Virginia and in the Roanoke/Lynchburg/Blacksburg area.

Hampton Roads saw an 11.5-percent increase in sales, followed by Southwest Virginia at 9.8 percent, Southside Virginia at 9 percent and Northern Virginia – by far the largest corridor of the commonwealth – up 8.4 percent. The Central Valley reported a decline of 1.1 percent in overall sales.

“The strength of these second-quarter results points to sustained improvement in Virginia’s residential real estate market,” said VAR president Deborah Baisden, whose organization represents about 30,000 real-estate professionals across Virginia.

The big boost for the quarter was provided in June, when statewide sales rose 21 percent from a year before. Activity in April and May was slightly higher than the same months in 2014, but did not climb as dramatically as June.

While sales were up, the median sales price of all properties that changed hands during the quarter was down 2.6 percent to $259,990.

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Autumn is here --- where will you watch the big game, roast the turkey or carve the pumpkin?

These exceptional Arlington homes await your choice...

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Arlington North

Arlington North

$785,000

$925,000

Just Listed in Clarendon

Commuter’s Dream House

Walk to Westover Village from 3 BR 2.5 bath center hall colonial with recent HVAC, hot water heater, double pane windows, kitchen and bath updates. Sunroon off living room, wood floors two levels, gas fireplace living room, deck open to large level yard, big rec room, storage, garage.

McKinley, Swanson, Washington-Lee.

Walk to Metro and everything else from all brick end townhouse with 2 garage spaces. New HVAC and hot water heater, 2 or 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, living room fireplace flanked by built-ins, overlooking landscaped courtyard.

Nearly new home with fine appointments, fireplaces in living, family and rec rooms; offices on main and upper levels, kitchen open to breakfast area with doors to patio. Mudroom and laundry room lead to two car garage.Wood floors,extensive built-ins, moldings and the craftsmanship of a truly custom home.

Details of 1201 N. Inglewood St. at betsytwigg.com

Details of 1320 N. Cleveland St. at betsytwigg.com

Details of 4066 Lorcom Lane at betsytwigg.com

McEnearney Associates

703-967-4391

$1,699,900

$1,649,000

Just Listed in Lacey Forest

Betsy Twigg

Arlington North

Arlington North

Let’s Talk Turkey Be in this spectacular home in time for Thankgiving. Space for everyone with 4 bedrooms and 4 baths upstairs,a fifth bedroom and bath on the lower level along with rec room for watching the big game. Entertainment sized dining room and kitchen offering Shrock cabinetry and JennAir appliances. Big island for grazing before dinner.

Details of 3501John Marshall Drive at betsytwigg.com

“Successfully selling homes in every real estate market for a very long time.” btwigg@mcenearney.com www.betsytwigg.com

4720 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

U.S. Now Has 10 Cities with Populations of 1 Million-Plus

WHAT MAKES CAROL TEMPLE UNIQUE?

Owned and Operated by NRT Incorporated

NO HYPE. NO DRAMA

PROVEN RESULTS. When you think Arlington real estate, think Carol Temple.

835,957 residents.

The only change in the rank order of the 15 most populous cities between 2013 and 2014 was Jacksonville, Fla., and San Francisco, each moving up one spot to 12th and 13th place, respectively, passing Indianapolis, which fell from 12th to 14th.

Other highlights: • For the first time since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, New Orleans (384,320) returns to the list of the 50 most-populous cities this year, with Arlington, Texas, dropping off the list.

• Irvine was one of four California cities among the 15 largest numerical gainers (Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose were the others). It was also the only city in the U.S. to be among both the 15 largest numerical gainers and the 15 fastest growing.

The Orange County municipality grew by 11,420 people, or 4.8 percent, over the period to reach a population of 248,531 in 2014.

• Four areas crossed the 50,000population mark for the first time since the 2010 Census; all of them were in the West. In alphabetical order by state, these areas were: Cerritos, Calif. (50,004), Commerce City, Colo.

(51,762), Caldwell, Idaho (50,224) and Burien, Wash. (50,188). One area in the Midwest dropped below the 50,000 mark this year: Saginaw, Mich. (49,844).

• Among the 50 largest places in the country, three moved more than one position on the total population ranking list since 2013. In addition to Indianapolis, Memphis, Tenn. (656,861 population in 2014) fell three positions, putting it in 23rd place; and Louisville, Ky. (612,780) dropped two positions to 30th.

• Of the 19,509 incorporated places in the United States, around 76 percent (14,819) had fewer than 5,000 people in 2014. Only about 3.8 percent (749) had populations of 50,000 or more.

703-568-1100

www.ArlingtonHouses.com Carol@ArlingtonHouses.com

OPEN HOUSE Sunday October 11th 1:00- 4:00 pm

Offered at

735,000

$ N. ARLINGTON

2637 N Greenbrier Street

Renovated & expanded brick colonial, sold “as is”, nestled on corner lot in Milburn Terrace. The home’s 2-story addition (1990) provides 3 bedrooms (upper level), 2 full and 1 half bathroom on 2 finished levels of living space. The main level addition includes a family room, eat-in kitchen and half bath, while on the upper level one finds a great room with vaulted ceilings. The home’s addition added a 1-car attached garage and is connected to the original cellar- providing an abundance of storage! Convenient to county athletic fields, public parks, Lee/Harrison Shopping Center and public bus transportation. 2 miles to East Falls Church Metro Directions: Lee Hwy & Glebe; West on Lee Hwy; Right on Harrison; Right on 27th Street. Left at stop sign (N Greenbrier Street); house on right on corner. Park on 27th Street in driveway

RE/MAX Allegiance Craig Mastrangleo

703-932-3622

craigmastrangelo@gmail.com

S U N G A ZE T T E | FAL L R E AL E S TAT E G U ID E | OCTO BER 201 5

San Jose, Calif., is now among the 10 U.S. cities with a population of 1 million or more, according to estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

California now has three cities with 1 million or more people (Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose), tying Texas (Houston, San Antonio and Dallas) for the lead among states.

When the 2013 estimates were released last year, San Jose stood just shy of the 1 million mark. The 2014 population estimates released today show the city passing the 1 million milestone in the updated 2013 estimate.

New York remained the nation’s most populous city, and gained 52,700 people during the year ending July 1, 2014, which is more than any other U.S. city.

Half of the 10 cities with the largest population gains between 2013 and 2014 were in Texas: Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth.

Each added more than 18,000 people.

The Lone Star State also had six of the top 13 fastest-growing cities by percentage: San Marcos, Georgetown, Frisco, Conroe, McKinney and New Braunfels.

San Marcos, situated between Austin and San Antonio, was the fastest-growing city for the third consecutive year, with its population climbing 7.9 percent between 2013 and 2014 to reach 58,892.

The West was home to eight cities among the top 15 fastest-growing cities with a population of 50,000 or more.

Four were in California.

Each of the 15 fastest-growing cities between 2013 and 2014 were in the South or West, as were all but two of top 15 numerical gainers.

The lone exception, aside from New York, was Columbus, Ohio, which gained 12,421 people over the period to make it the nation’s 13th largest numerical gainer.

Ohio’s capital was the nation’s 15th most populous city in 2014, with

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Hispanic Women Becoming Key Force in Buying Homes (PR Newswire) – The Hispanic population has become a catalyst for the U.S. housing market, and new data released in September by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) shows that Hispanic women, in particular, are essential to unlocking this buying power, based on their perceived roles within the household.

The national study of more than 1,000 Latin American/Hispanic women ages 25 to 60 reveals that 91 percent of respondents think buying a home is the best financial investment they can make – and they are taking charge of this commitment.

Sixty-one percent of Hispanic women surveyed believe they will play a larger role than their partner in their next home purchase, specifically when it comes to: researching homes to visit (59%), researching communities or neighborhoods (58%), deciding which home to eventually purchase (54%) and researching the finances, such as mortgage options (43%).

The concept of Latina women being primary decision-makers translates into the home as well. On average, those surveyed believe that they are responsible for 69 percent of household purchase decisions over $100, and one-third believe they are in charge of all such decisions.

“Historically, we’ve been able to broadly project the influence the His-

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panic demographic would have on our industry by the sheer population growth alone,” said Sherry Chris, president and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. “However, it’s vital to understand that Latina women in particular are a driving force behind decisions related not only to the home, but the actual home-buying transaction process.”

According to the survey results, the Hispanic population will be driving a significant amount of real estate activity in the near future.

Nearly half believe they will live in their current home for only 5 years or less. Of significant interest, they view their next move as an investment opportunity. More than half would look to rent out their former home as an additional source of income versus selling.

The majority (66%) of those surveyed who have never owned a home, as well as 84 percent of non-homeowner Millennial respondents, are confident they will be able to buy one at some point in their lifetime – and, on average, believe this will be within the next 3 years.

“Our organization is committed to helping the Hispanic population achieve home-ownership and educating real estate influencers on how to help them at every juncture,” said Teresa Palacios Smith, 2015 NAHREP national president. “Thanks to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate’s continuous support, we’ve been able to focus on the Latina demographic and help the industry better understand the nuances sur-

I sell more because I do more, and I’m ready when you are.

Denny Kaydouh 703.244.7474 Dennysells@Verizon.net

rounding the modern Hispanic woman as a consumer and how she’s impacting her family’s lifestyle within the home.”

While Hispanic women are increasingly bilingual and value the Spanish language as part of their culture, tradition and identity, survey findings on the importance of the Spanish language when it comes to participating in a home transaction may surprise real estate professionals and marketers.

Sixty-one percent (61%) of respondents do not think it’s important that their real estate professional speaks Spanish. However, not to discount the desire of the remaining 39 percent who value this attribute, they are overall evenly split in their reasoning: a Spanish-speaking sales associate would make them feel more at ease with the steps of the transaction process (26%), would make them feel the sales associate understands their culture and lifestyle (26%) and would help them better connect with extended family members who play an active role in the transaction process (22%).

Focusing specifically on the group of Latinas who are currently looking to purchase a home, 48 percent feel it’s important for an agent to speak Spanish, which highlights the need for recruiting strategies that target Hispanic agents.

The study showed a more resounding preference than language: the agent’s gender. 73 percent of Latina respondents prefer to work with a female agent in lieu of a male.

Additional insights include: • Home Is Where the Heart Is: Hispanic women want to see and host their loved ones often. 87 percent would like their home to be the main gathering place for family celebrations. Respondents also claim the top reason for purchasing a home today would be to provide an ideal environment for their family.

• Affinity for Multi-Generational Living: 62 percent would buy a home with room for more people than currently live with them. This is in line with the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate 2013 survey results, which found that 63 percent of Hispanics would likely have their parents, grandparents or other extended family members living with them at some point.

• Family Ties: 34 percent of those surveyed would prefer a less desirable home closer to their family than their dream home, no matter the location.

• Puttin’ on the Ritz: Hispanic women value certain luxury amenities to help their families live their best lives in their home. The top desires are an in-ground pool (50%), a gourmet chef ’s kitchen (50%), a spa-like bathroom (47%), a “smart” home (31%), an outdoor kitchen (29%) and a built-in home theater system (29%).

The Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate & NAHREP Hispanic Women Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,002 U.S. Latin American and Hispanic women ages 25-60.

Incorporating Similar Styles Can Aid Home’s Architecture (StatePoint) – Adding the right design elements to your home can complete what its architecture hopes to accomplish. But knowing just what to incorporate to complement – rather than detract – from the style of your home can present a challenge.

For example, those who’ve embraced te recent resurgence of bungalows, Arts and Crafts-, Mission- and Prairie-style homes will want to ensure that they maintain the simplicity and warmth of their building’s construction when making upgrades.

When it comes to home upgrades, the choices you make should not happen arbitrarily. Look for product offerings that will unite your home’s design style and appeal.

Luckily, many manufacturers offer home products to match a wide variety of styles. If you have such a home design and are looking to make improvements, here are some ideas to think about: Materials Maintain the rustic feel of your home without sacrificing modern performance by seeking out manmade products that mimic nature.

Energy-efficient fiberglass entry doors have the look of real oak, while polymer shake roofing – which looks like real wood but is made of high-performance materials – will resist deterioration, fire spread and fading from the sun.

Get the look of wooden trim, shut-

ters, louvers and balustrade systems with easy-care polyurethane products that require minimal upkeep, while resisting insects, decay and moisture.

Style Give a nod to your low-pitched roof and open eaves with perfect exterior accompaniments. After all, these are some of the first elements that visitors see.

Consider fiberglass entry doors, which have embraced different architectural trends in its current offerings.

Designer glass accents in doorlites and sidelites provide contrast and warmth, enhancing the entryways of Craftsman-, Prairie-, Bungalow- and Arts and Crafts-style homes.

Likewise, consider adding silkscreened Mission- and Prairie-style windows. They have the right architectural look and feel, yet still allow for light to filter through. They can match your home’s architectural style while offering privacy.

Color Relaxed and refined, Craftsman style homes offer a variety of opportunities to welcome color. While simplicity is the hallmark of this design style, that doesn’t mean the colors have to be simple. Consider bright colors with contrasting white trim to add personality.

Arts and Crafts style homes, as well as Bungalows, look great with the texture and color of a shake roof,” says Kate Smith, chief color maven with Sensational Color.\\\

Survey Says: Virginia Slightly Happier Than Average Feeling downright cheerful this morning? Have an extra spring in your step?

Perhaps you should: Virginia ranks slightly above average – 19th – in a new “Happy State in America” survey.

The Web site WalletHub studied 25 different metrics, collated them into three broad categories, and came up with the ranking of the happiest and least happy states.

First, a definition: “Happiness is more than a feeling of joy or excitement.

It relies on various aspects of a person’s life – from emotional well-being to job satisfaction,” researchers said.

Criteria ranged from reported depression rates to obesity to amount of sleep residents get; the amount of participation in sports activities; the number of hours worked; public safety; volunteerism; and divorce rates.

Which states ended up where? Here are the rankings, including the District of Columbia:

Top 10: Utah, Minnesota, Hawaii, Colorado, North Dakoka, Nebraska, Washington, Iowa, Massachusetts, Wyoming.

Second 10: South Dakota, Idaho, Vermont, California, Kansas, New Hampshire, Delaware, Wisconsin, Virginia, Texas.

Third 10: Montana, Connecticut, Alaska, Maryland, District of Columbia, Arizona, New Jersey, Oregon, Illinois, North Carolina.

Fourth 10: Pennsylvania, Maine, New York, Nevada, New Mexico, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina, Louisiana.

Bottom 11: Rhode Island, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, West Virginia.

How much does where you live influence your happiness? “More than you think,” suggests Ramani Durvasula, an associate professor of psychology at California State University, Los Angeles.

“Biding time in a place you don’t like can take a toll,” Durvasula said. “I think any place could be turned into ‘home’ if you can take the time to find those people and activities [who line up with your preferences]. But not every place can offer that.”

But Dan Haybron, a professor of philosophy at Saint Louis University, said it’s a complicated picture. Where you live “often makes less difference than we expect,” he said.

“You might think you’d be a lot happier in sunny California than in Cleveland, but if you end up living in the same kind of community, leading the same kind of lifestyle, it isn’t clear you’d be happier,” he said. “Also, the market might neutralize a place like California – yes, it’s beautiful, but because of that it’s expensive and crowded, and so not as happy-making as one might have thought.”

Researchers long have contended that while having more money does im-

prove happiness, there are limits.

“Although there is a clear relationship between income and well-being, it is not very strong,” said Daniel Sacks, an assistant professor of business economics and public policy at Indiana University.

Sacks notes that having a stable marriage provides as much of a “happiness bump” as a quadrupling of income – and not many people ever experience that.

Azim Shariff, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Oregon, notes that social relationships – romantic and platonic – are the key factor to having a positive outlook on their lives.

“People who have close relationships in their lives are almost invariably happier than those who don’t,” he said. “If you want to be happier, get closer relationships or spend more time with the people you’re already close to.”

For information on the survey, including methodology, see the Web site at https://wallethub.com/edu/mostleast-happy-states-in-america/6959/.

Tampa Best Place to Retire, According to New Survey 82nd overall.

While the District of Columbia was low on the list (doing well only in the “activities” category), Virginia has its share of communities in the top half of the ranking.

Chesapeake was 52nd, Richmond 57th, Norfolk 58th (one ahead of rival U.S. Navy bastion San Diego) and Virginia Beach 72nd.

Ranked at the bottom at 150th was Newark, N.J., followed by Jersey City, N.J.; Providence, R.I.; Aurora, Ill.; and New York City. Also in the bottom 10: Yonkers, N.Y.; Chicago; Boston; Worcester, Mass.; and Detroit.

(The full list, with methodology, is at http://wallethub.com/edu/best-placeto-retire/6165/.)

Finding a retirement-friendly locale is no guarantee of a successful retirement, noted Sudipto Banerjee, a research associate at the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

“Recent studies have shown that most of the people who run out of money at the end of life had little savings at the beginning of retirement,” he said, encouraging those of all ages to “prepare a good estimate of routine expenses and make sure there is still room for some discretionary spending” before plunging into retirement.

And, just maybe, holding off on retiring in the first place.

“My first suggestion is that the typical

Program Looks at Arlington House Gardens The Arlington Historical Society will present Carlo DeVito discussing “Mrs. Lee’s Rose Garden: The True Story of the Founding of Arlington” at its next public program, slated for Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Reinsch Library auditorium on the main campus of Marymount University.

The discussion will touch on the intersection of the lives of Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee, Robert E. Lee and Montgomery Meigs before and during the Civil War, when the Arlington House estate was confiscated by the federal government and a portion of the grounds was turned into the nucleus of what is now Arlington National Cemetery.

The program is free, and the community is invited.

For information, call (703) 942-9247 or see the Web site at www.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

individual should probably work much longer and save much more to support a longer retirement,” said Joshua Pollet, an associate professor of finance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

“With greater financial resources, there are more options,” said Pollet, who said an overly heavy reliance on Social Security and home equity means that

many retirees will be forced to downsize or move to a locale with a lower cost of living, even if they don’t want to.

MacDonald, the professor at Kansas State, also worries about those who jump into retirement without a plan, and that they ultimately will have to deal with “the reality that all of us will live longer than the people we observed as models of what to do and how to plan.”

THE BIRCHES - A Very Special Place Rarely available - two townhomes located in this exclusive community in heart of North Arlington. The enclave of 24 homes encloses a private park with mature trees, walkways and cluster of benches. Each home has private Georgetown patio with gate opening onto park. Between Old Dominion & Glebe, amazing location - leave your car at home and walk to restaurants, banks, shops, etc. Easy access to DC, airports, metro.

4720 North 24th Street, $849,000 - Coming Soon Gorgeous sun-filled end unit with windows on 3 sides - every room is large & light! 4BR, 3.5BA, 2FPL, updated kitchen w/stainless & granite, freshly painted with designer palate, gleaming hardwoods on main and upper level, new carpet on lower level.

Stunning built-ins for Family room. Koy pond and extensively hardscaped and landscaped patio.

4716 North 24th Street, $799,000 - Contract Pending Amazing price for all this space! 4BR, 3.5BA, 2 FPL, 3 finished levels, spacious w/2700+ finished SF (largest model). Gorgeous hardwoods on main and new carpet on upper/bedroom level. Replaced windows (double paned), HVAC in 2007, new master shower. Large brick patio w/lovely landscaping. This home is ready for new owner to decorate & make your own!

Jennifer Caterini

Realtor & Relocation Specialist

703.609.6258

JenniferC@c21Redwood.com www.JenniferCaterini.com

S U N G A ZE T T E | FAL L R E AL E S TAT E G U ID E | OCTO BER 201 5

The District of Columbia ranks 138th out of 150 American cities as far as the ability to enjoy a financially secure and mentally stimulating retirement, according to a new survey, while some Virginia communities do appreciably better.

It was Tampa that led the list of top retirement areas, based on a survey by Wallethub.com that looked at both economic and quality-of-life factors.

Also in the top five: Scottsdale, Ariz.; Boise, Idaho; Cape Coral, Fla.; and Orlando. Rounding out the top 10 were Sioux Falls, S.D.; Baton Rouge, La.; Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Overland Park, Kan.; and Peoria, Ill. To reach the top of the rankings, communities had to place high in four areas – affordability, activities, quality of life and health-care accessibility – calculated using two dozen metrics.

“Today’s retirees maintain youthful attitudes, and many have more financial resources and time to participate in community activities,” said Maurice MacDonald, a professor of personal-finance planning at Kansas State University.

Some localities found themselves ranked high in one or two areas, but not in others – Henderson, Nev., for instance, was tops nationally in quality of life among the 150 cities studied, but lower rankings in other areas dropped it to 35th overall. Memphis was top of the heap in affordability, but only registered

11

EN OP

313 N Manchester Street

-4 ,1 AY D N SU

Listed for $658,000

5601 8th Street North

Arlington, VA 22203

It’s a Nature Lover’s Oasis. This stunning 3 bedroom 2.5 bathroom home was designed and constructed in an era that incorporated spacious light filled areas with clean lines and classic character. The home’s fantastic flow extends throughout its two levels to include a renovated kitchen with granite counters, abundant cabinets and updated appliances. The stunning dining room opens to the gracious deck, which the homeowners compare to a tree-house. The deck sits high among the beautiful trees and is perfect for watching the hummingbirds, orioles, warblers and finches who will be your new neighbors. The newly-carpeted lower level is amazing! This finished level offers plenty of storage and a generous recreation room with a wall of windows. There is another large room down here that is perfect for an extra bedroom - lots of large windows and a roomy closet. www.313NManchesterSt.com

Arlington, VA 22205

Glistening floors. Soothing paint colors. Natural light flooding in through huge windows. Think you’ve landed in Restoration Hardware? Nope, you’re at this charming four bedroom, two and half bath Arlington rambler. Situated on a corner lot with a two-car garage, this home sits in one of Arlington’s most sought-after neighborhoods. www.5601-8thStN.com

EN OP

, AY ND U S

4 1-

Listed for $775,000

5611 7th Street North

Arlington, VA 22205

Everything’s coming up roses at this cheerful urban beach house. Follow the aroma from the beautiful backyard rose garden to enter this adorable 4 bedroom 1.5 bathroom home. The living room is bright and cozy - featuring an all brick hearth fireplace - with both gas and wood burning options, a huge bay window and glistening hardwood floors. The adjacent eat-in kitchen is spacious and bright - sunlight pours in through the bay window and the side door to highlight the beautiful stain glass cabinet, stunning chandelier, crown molding, abundant cabinets and lots of working space to make yummy meals in your charming home. A door from the kitchen leads to a wonderful side deck overlooking a spacious lot - it’s like having two backyards! www.5611-7thStN.com

Listed for $625,000

1001 North Vermont Street, #1005 Arlington, VA 22201 Largest one-bedroom (682 sf plus nearly 200 sf private balcony) in highly desirable building, steps from Ballston Metro. Meticulously maintained penthouse unit on quiet floor has modern kitchen with granite countertops, ample storage, and underground reserved parking space ideally situated just 50 feet from elevator.

Rooftop pool and gym and access to storage cage. Walking distance to movies, shopping, great restaurants.

Listed for $379,000

1805 Crystal Drive #610S

Arlington, VA 22202

Stunning view of the Washington Monument from every window in this home! This recently renovated two bedroom, one bath condo sits within minutes of the Metro, National Airport, lots of restaurants and shopping! Amenities include fitness center and pool.

Listed for $470,000

ANN WILSON

Associate Broker GRI, CRS, ABR, EcoBroker, CLHMS 2101 Wilson Boulevard Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22201

703.328.0532 fax 703.224.6001

cell

www.AnnWilsonHomes.com

Some Baby Boomers Prep to Help Care for Grandkids Forget warmer climates – more Baby Boomers are retiring near their adult children to help care for grandchildren.

According to the Mayflower Movers Insights survey, one in four U.S. adults with children are more willing to move closer to their adult children now compared to one year ago. And half of Americans believe that Boomers are more needed in the same town as their children and grandchildren than they were five years ago.

“Every day, our Mayflower agents across the country are moving hundreds of families to their new homes, and many agents report that they’re seeing more Boomers move to be near their children and grandchildren,” said Melissa Sullivan, director of marketing communications for Mayflower. “This survey data supports the trend that our agents are seeing in the field, and helps us not only analyze where our customers move, but understand the reasons why.”

Forty percent of survey respondents said their friends and family members age 50 or older have moved in the last year to be closer to their children and grandchildren in order to provide care for grandchildren.

Additionally, one in five Americans said their friends and family members moved because their children needed additional help with their kids because both parents work. This new data complements the results of a 2013 Bureau

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| FAL L R EAL E STAT E GU I D E | SU N G AZ ET T E

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of Labor Statistics survey, which found that 59.1 percent of all U.S. families with children under the age of 18 had two working parents.

“Both my son and daughter-in-law work full-time and neither wanted to leave their jobs when my granddaughter was born, but they also didn’t want to spend a fortune on day-care,” said Wanda Dobson, a Mayflower customer who recently relocated from Rolla, Mo. to St. Louis to be near family and provide support with childcare.

“I wanted to be able to see my grandkids grow up so I decided to move to St. Louis to help care for the baby while mom and dad are at work.,” Dobson said.

“Family dynamics have shifted dramatically over the last 50 years, largely due to the increasing number of families with two working parents, high rate of divorce, large number of cohabiting couples, and single parents,” said Dr. Philip Cohen, a professor of sociology at the University of Maryland who studies household and family structure.

“All of these factors have led to an increased need for childcare across the U.S. and therefore an increased reliance on grandparents for support,” he said.

Once Fleeing the Coop, Millennials are Returning Home: The Mayflower Movers Insights study also found that one in four U.S Millennials (age 18 to 34) have moved back to their hometown in the past five years.

When asked why they’re moving home, 68 percent of Millennial respondents cited that they wished to be closer to family, friends and significant others.

An additional 18 percent said they were moving to help care for family members.

“After college, my husband and I moved to Los Angeles to start our careers,” said Ashley Luther, a Mayflower customer. “But when we wanted to buy a house, we decided to move back to our hometown of St. Louis because it offers a much more affordable cost of living and allows us to be closer to family as we settle down and think about having children.”

Ashley and her husband are not alone in following this logic. One-third of U.S. Millennials who do not currently live in their hometown would consider moving to their hometown at some point in their life.

The top three reasons for considering a move are to be closer to family, friends and significant others (67 percent), to care for family (29 percent) and to settle down and start a family (17 percent).

“Boomers had fewer children than previous generations, and therefore had more time to devote to nurturing their relationships with their kids. These stronger relationships probably are a big factor that is drawing Millennials back to live in their hometown near their parents,” Cohen said. “Many of these Millennials appear to be moving back to their hometowns to receive help from their parents with childcare, but there’s also a large number who are returning to provide care for their aging parents.”

Look Back on N.Va.’s Real Estate Growth It’s been a healthy year so far on the local real estate scene – sales have been in positive territory, and prices are not getting to out of reach that they create worries about another “bubble.”

With the end of 2015 not far off on the horizon, let’s take a look back at how the local market has performed over the long span of 40 years.

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.

Continued on Page 14

4 Decades of Home Sales Across Northern Virginia YEAR

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%

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

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL NOTES OF INTEREST

‘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

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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.

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S U N G A ZE T T E | FAL L R E AL E S TAT E G U ID E | OCTO BER 201 5

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

13

Growth Has Been Keyword in N.Va. Real Estate Market

OCTOB ER 20 15

| FAL L R EAL E STAT E GU I D E | SU N G AZ ET T E

Continued from Page 13

14

Century 21 New Millennium 6631 Old Dominion Dr McLean, VA 22101

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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 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 hurry. 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 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 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 Continued on Page 16

It’s Something New: A Dutch-Style Farmhouse A New Home Features More Than 5,300 Square Feet of Impeccable Space Featured Property

The country kitchen is a standout, with granite countertops, walnut center island and adjacent butler’s pantry. A morning room adds to the flexibility of this part of the home.

On the main level also can be found a family room, and from this vicinity you can amble out the French doors to the flagstone patio.

There’s a play room on the main level for the younger set, and a bedroom with full bath.

Four bedrooms are found on the up-

per level, none more exciting than the master retreat with its private balcony, dressing area and custom walk-in closet.

French doors from the upper level lead us to the spacious, private rear yard.

The strong community atmosphere of Lee Heights is appreciated by all who live there, and if this home becomes yours, it’s something you will love, too.

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: 2413 North Vernon Street, Arlington (22207).

Listed at: $1,995,000 by Henry Hyde, Re/Max Allegiance (703) 362-6494.

Schools: Taylor Elementary, Williamsburg Middle, Yorktown High School.

expert advice and counsel to Arlington Henry Providingbuyers and sellers for 30 years!

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S U N G A ZE T T E | FAL L R E AL E S TAT E G U ID E | OCTO BER 201 5

Our quest for the best in the local real estate market brings us to sought-after Lee Heights, where situated high above the treetops we spy a new Dutch-style farmhouse.

It’s a unique look for the region, and it’s a unique property – large but welcoming, and like all the Starbuck homes that proceeded it, conceived with care and featuring fine craftsmanship and unsurpassed custom finishes.

The result is a home with a pre-war ambiance but all the amenities of a forward-thinking denizen of the urban village that is Arlington.

The property currently is on the market, listed at $1,995,000 by Henry Hyde of Re/Max Allegiance.

The home makes the most of its verdant lot, with 5,300 square feet of interior space coupled with more than 4,000 square feet of outdoor living space – even a separate, detached carriage house with additional upper-level storage. (And for those who find climbs taxing, the elevator whisks you from ground level to the top of the home in comfort.)

The highlights of the main level start with the sun-streaked, spacious living room, with a gas-burning fireplace adding to the overall effect. The dining room provides plentiful space, as well.

15

N.Va. Market Has Seen Ups and Downs Over the Decades Continued from Page 14

OCTOB ER 20 15

| FAL L R EAL E STAT E GU I D E | SU N G AZ ET T E

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

16

$399,900

is available for about 9 percent. Home sales drop 12.5 percent, while average sales prices are up a bit. Total 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

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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 quarter-million-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 double-dip recession have loomed.

The local real estate market continues to show both signs of progress (higher average sales 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 Continued on Page 20

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Nationally, Realtors Saw Decline in Average Business in ’14 After gradually climbing for three consecutive years, the decline in existing-home sales in 2014 resulted in a slight reduction in Realtor business activity and income last year, according to the 2015 National Association of Realtors Member Profile.

The survey also found that Realtors are increasingly more comfortable using multiple communication channels, including social media, to connect and interact with their clients.

The survey’s results are representative of the nation’s Realtors; members of NAR account for about half of the approximately 2 million active real estate licensees in the U.S. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, says business activity for a typical Realtor was slightly subdued last year because of lower sales and more mem-

bers.

“Existing-home sales didn’t surpass year-over-year levels until October, which is likely the reason the typical member had 11 transactions last year versus 12 in 2013,” he said. “Slightly fewer transactions resulted in the median gross income of a Realtor falling to $45,800 from $47,700 in 2013.”

Added Yun, “Despite the modest setback, median gross income last year was still the second highest since the downturn and up over 5 percent from 2012 ($43,500). Furthermore, NAR membership at the end of 2014 stood at 1.1 million, up 5.5 percent from 2013.”

As is to be expected, median gross income and number of transactions generally increase with experience. Last year, Realtors in business for more than 16 years earned $68,200 and made 13

transactions. On the contrary, those with three to five years earned less than half that amount ($37,400) and had 10 transactions.

Incomes also varied by license type, as members licensed as brokers in 2014 earned $65,300 ($66,300 in 2013), while the median earnings for sales agents decreased $1,100 from the previous year to $33,900.

According to the survey, a majority of Realtors (91 percent) report their firm has an online presence and two-thirds have their own personal Web site – operational for a median of seven years.

Sixty-five percent of the respondents use social or professional networking sites – an increase of 4 percent points from 2013 – and 12 percent have a blog.

Realtors also use a variety of communications methods when interacting

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with current clients or customers, with 93 percent preferring e-mail, followed by telephone at 91 percent and textmessaging at 85 percent.

NAR president Chris Polychron, executive broker with 1st Choice Realty in Hot Springs, Ark., says the survey’s findings reveal that Realtors are continuously adapting to consumers’ online and communication preferences to better serve their needs.

“To put it in perspective, only 35 percent of Realtors used social media in 2008, and text-messaging was the preferred method of communication among only 40 percent in 2010,” he said.

“Attracting potential clients online and communicating with them through various platforms helps Realtors stay a step ahead – especially as Millennials become more active buyers in the years ahead.”

Women represent 58 percent of all Realtors, accounting for 53 percent of brokers and 63 percent of sales agents.

More than three-quarters (77 percent) of all members cite real estate as their only occupation, and 84 percent (82 percent in 2014) are certain they will remain in the business for at least two more years.

Last year continued the recent trend of more new members to NAR. Although median years of experience in real estate remained at 12 years for the second straight year, more members (17 percent) reported they have been in the business for two years or less (13 percent in 2013).

The median age of members inched to 57 years (56 years in 2013), elevated from the 1999 to 2008 range between 51 and 52 years. Two percent of all Realtors are under 30 years of age, 18 percent are between ages 30 and 44, and 25 percent are 65 and older.

“The slight increase in median age last year is likely another example of the overall national trend of Baby Boomers delaying retirement and staying in the workforce later than previous generations,” Yun said.

For the seventh consecutive year, the typical Realtor said they work 40 hours per week. Over half (58 percent) are licensed as sales agents, 26 percent are brokers, 18 percent broker associates and 3 percent appraisers. Sales agents are more likely to primarily specialize in residential brokerage.

While only 18 percent of members have personal assistants, the use of personal assistants is more common among more tenured members, broker-owners and managers.

The Sun Gazette’s quarterly real estate guides come out once every three months, but you don’t have to wait that long to find news of the local real-estate marketplace – you can find it weekly in print and 24/7 online, all of it coming from the most experienced local-news team to be found in Northern Virginia.

Survey Says: Typical D.C. Home Was Constructed in 1977 and Is About 20% Larger Than Its National Counterparts Home values in the Washington area may be significantly higher than the national average, but as every local homeowner knows, that top-of-the-line status comes with a price tag attached.

Multiple price tags, apparently.

Homeowners in the Washington area have median mortgage payments 74 percent higher than the national average, with median real-estate taxes 94 percent higher and median annual property-insurance bills 19 percent higher, according to figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The figures come from the most recent housing profile, issued by federal officials over the summer and based on the 2013 American Housing Survey – the most comprehensive look at housing trends across the nation.

Those doing the survey looked at 70,044 properties across the nation, each one representing 1,896 of the 132.8 million housing units across the nation.

In the Washington region, there were 2,994 units surveyed, one out of 753 of the 2.26 million units in the metropolitan area.

All types of housing units were looked at, from the most humble condo to homes glitzy enough for Wayne Newton.

The data show that the typical U.S. home was built in 1975 and has a total of 1,500 square feet. In the Washington region, homes were slightly newer (the median year of construction was 1977) and about 20 percent larger (1,800 square feet).

Of all homes surveyed, the original purchase price nationally was $116,000, while in the D.C. region it was $240,000.

Of homes purchased new over the previous four years, the median prices were $238,000 and $429,000, respectively.

The current median value of all homes surveyed was $160,000 nationally and $369,500 in the D.C. region.

Of homes purchased new in the previous four-year period, those figures were $240,000 and $495,000, respectively.

About 36 percent of all homeowners nationally report having no mortgage, significantly higher than the 21.5-percent total reported in the Washington area. The median monthly mortgage

payment for those who had housing loans were $997 nationally and $1,740 across the region.

Taxpayers paid a median $1,800 in real estate taxes nationally, with residents of the D.C. region ponying up nearly double that amount ($3,492).

Property-insurance costs totaled $756 a year nationally, $900 in the local region.

Nationally, 64 percent of all housing was in the single-family-detached segment of the market, while only 50 percent of homes in the local region were in that category.

Nationally, 57 percent of all properties nationally were owner-occupied, while in the local region, the average was slightly higher at 60 percent.

Among other tidbits from the survey: • A total of 31 percent of homes nationally included children under 18, compared to 33 percent in the Washington region.

• Altogether, 55 percent of homes nationally reported one or more pets, compared to 46 percent in the D.C. re-

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Real-Estate Pros Dish on Kinds of Small-Talk That Occurs With Clients on House-Hunting Effort Continued from Page 3

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“Having grown up in Northern Virginia, I’m often able to impart insider knowledge about the areas we are visiting. It’s also nice to get to know people on a personal level.

Discussion subjects range from sports and children to restaurants and favorite hobbies. The longer it takes to find a home, the better I get to know my clients.”

Carol Temple, Coldwell Banker: “The most prevalent topic is the street disrepair and the difficulties of getting around.

People ask why streets aren’t fixed. People want to know about conveniences and how they want things to be handy and nearby, like shopping centers and grocery stores.

They might talk about vacations.”

Billy Buck, Buck & Associates: “Conversations can be light and topical, like last night’s sports event, to as serious as the time of a commute. I like to keep things light. You have so many transient clients, they like to share stories about what it is like to live elsewhere and where they are from.”

Betsy Twigg, McEnearney Associates: “The most principal topic is about access to schools and parks, where is the best bakery or beer garden, and where are the appliance stores. We also deal with a lot of anxiety with clients. We spend a lot of time being psychotherapists. We are recipients of a lot of angst. We have to keep comforting people.”

Jack Shafran, Yeonas and Shafran Real Estate: “It’s the topics you have the most in common, like schools, religion, friends, neighborhoods, that are discussed.”

Craig Mastrangelo, Re/Max Allegiance: “What they like, where they eat,

what activities they do outside of work, helps foster a stronger professional relationship. Plus, as local residents ourselves, I’m sure Realtors have been told about, and taken advantage of, information passed on to us by clients about little-known restaurants, exhibits, etc.”

Natalie Roy, Keller Williams: “People mostly talk about their families or pets, and because we are in the nation’s capital, current events. This past month, I had folks equally excited about their pope sightings and about what they did on Clarendon Day. When biking to a property, comments range from ‘what a pretty neighborhood’ to ‘are we there yet?’”

Casey Margenau, Casey Margenau Fine Homes and Estates: “Schools are the main thing, and clients want to know what makes a house worth more money.

They want to know where the market is going.”

John Mentis, Long & Foster: “The majority of the conversations are about what the clients’ quality of life will be like, what will traffic and the commute be like.

Things like that.”

Ann McClure, McEnearney Associates: “I think probably the biggest thing that comes up is traffic and commuting strategies. Things like: What is the worst road in terms of traffic and what is the best road and what is a slug line? Second is, what kind of area amenities will I find around here – parks, shopping, trails, entertainment. Where is the best Peruvian restaurant? People seem fascinated by the helicopters they see buzzing around. I get that question a lot: ‘Do you think the president is in one of those three helicopters?’”

gion.

• In what might be related to the previous item – since many of those household pets are of the feline persuasion – fewer homes nationally (9 percent) showed signs of mice than homes locally (15 percent).

• While 29 percent of homes nationally had four or more bedrooms, the figure was much higher – 48 percent – in the local area.

• About 45 percent of homes nationally had one or more working fireplaces, with the local area (65 percent) considerably higher.

• While two-thirds of homes across the U.S. reported having central airconditioning, the figure (91 percent) was much higher in the D.C. area.

The American Housing Survey is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. National data are collected every other year; data from metropolitan areas are collected on a rotating schedule.

Full data, including figures from other metropolitan areas, can be found at www.census.gov.

19

Looking Back at 40 Years of N.Va. Real Estate Continued from Page 16 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 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.

2015: We’ll have the year-end data ready for you in January!

New Federal Regulations Will Have Impact on Closings Continued from Page 6

“The 30-day closings will be a thing of

the past. Now closings will take more like 60-days-plus. We are all learning at once, so we all have to adjust. There will be growing

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pains.”

Donna Moseley, TTR Sotheby’s: “In the short term I think we all anticipate there will be flow-of-information adjustments and getting everything into a routine and to be very communicative. I think the public will not understand why the process will now take more time. In the long term it will all turn out to become the routine, and everything will run smoothly.”

Dawn Wilson, Keller Williams: “I think that companies that already have been providing good service will be fine.

But companies that have struggled, that will exasperate that problem, and maybe some of those companies will get out of the business. There are hiccups anytime there is a change, especially when computer systems change.”

John McNamara, TTR Sotheby’s: “Right now it will throw a wrench into the process because no one knows how this will transpire in the short term and there is a lot of uncertainly. The closing process will change and won’t be as immediate.”

Adam Gallegos, Arbour Realty: “I’m personally not as worked up about the new rules as some. It will certainly affect the timeline of home sales, but we will all adjust accordingly and real estate will carry on.”

Carol Temple, Coldwell Banker: “People are going to have to trust their agents, and it will be important to work with reputable lenders and agents. Those who do will sail through. Those who don’t, it might be a lot of boo-hoos.”

Betsy Twigg, McEnearney Associates: “There will be some initial learning curves, but after a month or so things will be figured out. People are getting prepared.

Plus, since this is all so new, there will be additional changes in the future.”

Jack Shafran, Yeonas and Shafran Real Estate: “To me, they are just adding

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more layers of bureaucracy to an already over-regulated mess.”

Craig Mastrangelo, Re/Max Allegiance: “The short-term effect will certainly be a learning curve for all real estate professionals, but the intended transparency for the consumer should help buyers and sellers alike have a better understanding of the closing documents for all parties concerned.”

John Mentis, Long & Foster: “This is trying to make the process more transparent for the buyer in the long term, but there won’t be much impact on buying and selling. The angst right now is not knowing how to deal with this, but people will figure it out.”

Joan Stansfield, Keller Williams: “In the short-term, we know that the new mortgage rules will create delays in closings for buyers and sellers. Gone are the days of 30-day closings. A big issue will be handling walk-through items after the closing disclosure is finalized. In the short-term, as a Realtor, it will be critical to align your buyers with seasoned, reliable lenders and title companies. For the long-term, there’s no way to know the impact on the local or national real estate market.”

Lizzy Conroy, Huckaby, Briscoe, Conroy Realty Group: “Then next three months will be a learning curve and adjustments to figure out all of the new documents and rules to get everything clarified.”

Casey Samson, Samson Properties: “If agents allow buyers to use anyone but a very good, local, correspondent lender after Oct 1, it will be a dumpster fire. If you use professional local lenders it should be no problem. Top-producing listing agents, as always, avoid buyers with Internet lenders or brokers. We have seen that movie and know how it ends.”

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RE/MAX BY INVITATION UPDATE!

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Buyers Are Paying More Attention to Feng Shui Principles (PR Newswire) – Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate and the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) over the summer released findings from a national survey of Chinese-Americans that reveal the impact of the ancient design philosophy, feng shui, on this population’s home-buying mindset and preferences.

While Chinese aesthetic and cultural traditions have long fascinated the Western world, this study sheds light on its influence in the U.S., as Chinese-Americans and international Chinese buyers represent an increasingly powerful force in the nation’s housing market.

The majority (76%) of ChineseAmericans surveyed are familiar with the principles of feng shui, which are considered to dictate spatial arrangement and building design to produce a harmonious flow of energy. Furthermore, over half of those who are familiar follow the practice in their daily lives.

The prevalence of this unique art extends to home-buying; 81 percent of those Chinese-Americans surveyed who are also homeowners indicated that feng shui factored into their most recent home purchase.

This segment of the population is particular about adhering to feng shui in the home and they’re also discerning about the real estate professionals they work with during the process. More than a third (36%) would avoid an agent if they had no knowledge of feng shui principles.

“It’s critical for real estate professionals to understand all consumer drivers within the home search,” said Sherry Chris, president and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. “For this population, feng shui applications are as essential as other traditional characteristics of a home. Understanding these considerations is part of being a sophisticated service provider as well as an invaluable resource for our clients during the home buying and selling processes.”

A staggering 86 percent of all respondents stated feng shui will play a role in a future home buying decision and 79 percent are willing to invest more for a home that incorporates its principles.

As such, feng shui often carries a large premium, with respondents willing to pay an average of 16 percent more.

On the flip side, for sellers, incorporating feng shui into the foundation of a home may also affect its future on the market, as 90 percent of Chinese-Americans believe implementing its principles increases a home’s resale value.

“As the Asian-American community’s influence in the real estate market continues to grow, feng shui principles are gaining much needed attention and have already influenced real estate developers and interior designers alike,” said Carmen Chong, 2015 AREAA national chairwoman. “This research proves there is a significant financial incentive for investors and sellers to consider the application of feng shui in their

properties.”

“For an agent, understanding these principles can dramatically improve the opportunity for success within the Asian American market,” Chong said.

There are many elements of feng shui that range from design to the location of the home. When undergoing the home buying process, 75 percent of surveyed Chinese-Americans indicated they had at least one deal-breaker that goes against feng shui principles that would prevent them from purchasing a home.

These include: the home being located at the end of a dead end street (31%), the home’s back stairs directly facing the front door (29%), the home having a sloped backyard (29%) and the home’s front and back doors being aligned with each other (24%).

Accordingly, when asked to rank the feng shui principles most important in a home buying decision, 71 percent of Chinese-Americans indicated the cardinal direction the home is facing in their top three choices, followed by the location of the home on the street and the location of the stairs.

Additional findings: • A Family Tradition: Many feng shui principles that still hold close to home today have been passed down through generations. Nearly half of Chinese-American respondents (49%) are more likely than their parents to take feng shui into account when deciding on a home, including 69 percent of those who practice feng shui.

That said, 85 percent would bring along a family member other than a significant other when house shopping.

• Home is Where There’s Feng Shui: A home’s amenities and the surrounding neighborhood are important when looking to buy, but as findings show, many prioritize feng shui.

In fact, 41 percent of Chinese-Americans think it is important when looking for a home. Two-thirds of those who practice feng shui (66%) feel the same – making it the second most important consideration among that group, only behind neighborhood safety.

• Elements of Design: 87 percent of Chinese-Americans have essential feng shui elements they desire for their kitchen, including it being organized and free of clutter (64%), its colors complementing each other (32%) and the kitchen stove not being directly below the master bedroom (29%).

The careful arrangement of space and design continues in the bedroom, where 72 percent of Chinese-Americans have essential elements incorporated. These include avoiding the bed directly facing the door (41%), mirrors being placed away from the bed (34%) and the ceiling having a consistent height with no slopes (25%).

The Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Feng Shui Survey was conducted

by Wakefield Research among 500 Chinese-Americans ages 18+ between May 29 and June 8, 2015, using an e-mail invitation and an online survey.

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Conor Sullivan was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Arlington, VA where he currently resides with his wife and two young sons. Since he began practicing Real Estate in 2009, Conor has closed over 200 transactions totaling well over 100 million dollars in sales. Conor and the JC Advantage Sales Group pride themselves on unparalleled client services and responsiveness. Using innovative marketing techniques, along with traditionally proven strategies, they continue to deliver for their sellers. As an Accredited Buyer’s Representative, Conor uses his experience and local knowledge to give his buyers an edge in our ultra competitive market. The guiding principle and ethical promise behind Conor and the JC Advantage’s business model is to always place the clients best interests above all.

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John Mentis, Realtor® “Your Life is Changing. I Can Help!”

Long & Foster Real Estate

4600 Lee Highway

®

Arlington, VA 22207

RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE AREA'S TOP PRODUCERS BY

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Less than 1% of area real estate agents so recognized.

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Whether you were buying or selling…

SELLERS

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BUYERS

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50%

50%

A detached home, townhouse, or condo...

Detached house 37%

Townhouse 40%

Condo 23%

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

Alexandria 18%, Arlington 24%, Fairfax Co 32%, Washington DC 24%, and other areas 2%

BEST YEAR YET! 2014 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

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