Sun Gazette Fairfax Real Estate Guide January 22, 2014 by Northern Virginia Media Services

2015

G R E A T

SunGazette

F A L L S

•

M c L E A N

•

O A K T O N

•

Winter R E A L

E S T A T E

Vienna

H U N T E R

V I E N N A

G U I D E M I L L

R O A D

$2,499,000

w w w. 2 3 1 0 h u n t e r m i l l . c o m International LLC

703.459.4141

Offered by Fouad Talout Long & Fosters Realtors® 703-459-4141

January 22, 2015

Karen Briscoe

Lizzy Conroy

We work with Buyers, Sellers, Investors in ALL Price Ranges. 2013 Banner Year and - Over 80 homes sold!

Shouldn’t webebe working for You? Shouldn’t WE working for YOU in 2014? W NE

! CE I PR

G IN M CO

N! O SO

8400 Martingale Dr. McLean

$834,570

! ER CT D A UNNTR CO

4833 S. 28th St. #B Arlington

ST JU

! ED T S LI

McLean

Vienna

G IN M CO

W NE

$1,690,000

$1,745,000

$1,370,000

N! O SO

Vienna

W NE

Herndon

ST JU

1604 Great Falls St. McLean

2306 Stryker Ave.

$1,060,000

! ED T S LI

$1,195,000

1318 Woodside Dr. McLean

ST JU

716 Forest Park Rd. Great Falls

$850,000

$1,595,000

! CE I PR

12203 Windsor Hall Way

E! M HO

10127 High Hill Ct. Great Falls

$418,900

1620 Forest Lane $315,900

! T TED S JUPLE M CO

204 Oak St. SW

! ED T S LI

24 Millard Ct. Sterling

W NE

E! M HO

$3,575,000

! LD O S

508 Lost Acre Lane Great Falls

$1,199,000

www.insidenova.com

HBC Realty Group Community Charity Champions has Raised $36,000 for Local Charities and Organizations Over $16,400

Sun Gazette

Bill Detty Bill Detty

Kari Govan Kari Govan

Jeanina DiVittorio Gray McBay

Jenny McClintock

703-734-0192 w w w. H B C R e a l t y G ro u p . c o m

Serving VA, DC and MD Each Keller Williams Realty office is independently owned and operated.

DAVE FACINOLI Staff Writer

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

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

January 22, 2015

Local Real-Estate Pros Looking for Healthy 2015

Continued on Page 26

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Just Listed!

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PROUD SPONSORS:   

   New 2 Story Addition 

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TH on 17th Fairway 

www.insidenova.com

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Sun Gazette

www.insidenova.com

January 22, 2015

Sun Gazette

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

4 Decades of Home Sales Across Northern Virginia YEAR

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

AVERAGE SALES PRICE

TOTAL SALES

For year

Change

For year

$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

Change

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

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL NOTES OF INTEREST

VOLUME (Billions)

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

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

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

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

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

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

prices are up nearly 12 percent. 1981: Assassinations and attempted assassinations make “In the Community, With the Community, For for an ugly year. “Dallas” and “Dukes of Hazzard” provide some relief on TV. Actor Jack Albertson dies. Home sales drop precipitously, down 22.4 percent, but average sales prices show double-digit increases. The average sales price rises to Continued on Page 18

5 January 22, 2015

MCLEAN

$3,700,000

OAKTON

CLIFTON

$2,950,000

VIENNA

$2,100,000

GREAT FALLS

$1,575,000

$3,295,000

VIENNA

$2,975,000

LEESBURG $2,699,000

MCLEAN

$2,299,000

VIENNA

$1,999,999

OAKTON

$1,960,000

OAKTON

$1,499,999

GREAT FALLS

MCLEAN

BEACON HILL

$1,495,000

BEACON HILL

ALEXANDRIA

$1,225,000

OAK HILL

$2,195,000

$1,650,000

$1,489,000

ALSO FOR RENT - $6,950

MCLEAN

$1,425,000

MCLEAN

$1,249,000

$1,060,000

ALSO FOR RENT - $4,600

VIENNA

$975,000

MCLEAN

$949,900

VIENNA

$949,000

DUNN LORING

McLean Sales Office, 1355 Beverly Road, Suite 109 * 703-790-1990

www.insidenova.com

Ranked #135 NATIONWIDE in REAL Trends’ Top 250 Sold more than 1,900 homes for a dollar volume more than $1.25 Billion dollars!

$765,000

Sun Gazette

www.insidenova.com

January 22, 2015

Sun Gazette

An Italianate Palace Celebrates Lush Living 10,000 Square Feet of Luxury Spreads Across 4 Living Levels in Oakton Featured Property

Glamor and elegance converge at Villa Belvedere, an exceptional Italianate-style mini-estate situated atop a gently rolling slope along Chain Bridge Road in Oakton, providing easy access to all of Northern Virginia while showcasing a rarified world of exceptional luxury and style. From the professionally landscaped lot to the unique architectural elements of the all-brick villa, the property puts an emphasis on superlative design. For those lucky enough to step through the Brazilian-mahogany double doors and explore the interior of the property, it’s a world of light and spacious design, perfect for both entertaining in style and for daily living. The property currently is on the market, listed at $2,485,000 by Fouad Talout of Long & Foster Real Estate. We are welcomed into the soaring, 21-foot foyer, which sets the tone of exuberance for all that will follow. The handcarved, wrought-iron-and-gold-filigree staircase is the first of many showstopper moments on our exploration of the property. In the formal living room, a stately gas fireplace watches over proceedings, flanked by unique recessed niches perfect for highlighting favorite pieces of art or furniture. The view from here, and the adjoining arcade, over the rear yard and gardens is exceptional. A grand dining/banquet hall features Malaysian-cherry flooring, a triple bank of windows overlooking the front lawn and a sparkling crystal chandelier to pro-

vide exceptional ambiance for hosting a soirée. From here, we pass through the butler’s pantry to the kitchen, designed for the serious chefs among us with topquality appliances. But this space also pays homage to more aesthetic appeals, with antique-white Thomasville cabinetry, Norwegian Labrador antique-granite countertops, a professionally designed Travertine backsplash and a convenient center island. The adjacent breakfast salon showcases style with a crystal chandelier and French doors that lead out to the covered terrace, a perfect spot to enjoy a morning croissant overlooking the tranquil gardens. A two-story family room is a study in sumptuous informality, with a 21-foot stone log/gas fireplace boldly situated between recessed built-in shelving. A twostory wall of Palladian-style windows faces the rear yard and drenches this space with natural light. The fine appointments continue in the library, a place perfect for quiet reflection, featuring a wet bar, ceiling fan and gas fireplace. Rounding out the main level, and proving the versatility of the design, is a master suite, which also would work well as a convenient guest room or in-law space. It provides a private exit to the brick-covered terrace, and offers a sumptuous full bath. The second level is highlighted by a

multi-level master retreat, designed to be the utmost in elegance and featuring a large bed chamber, glorious master bath (one that would make the ancient Romans envious) and, two steps up, a separate sitting room with picturesque views and walk-out access to a covered balcony. Three additional bedroom suites are found on the second level, each with tray ceilings, lighted ceiling fans and amplyproportioned baths. The Captain’s House is located at the top of a lovely centerpiece staircase, marking the home’s fourth level. Known as a belvedere, it’s where the home’s name originates, and it takes the concept of an open floor plan to exceptional heights. Marvelous vistas abound. The expansive lower level features an entertainment/recreation room, while the billiards room is highlighted by a granitetopped bar. There also is a cinema room

(decorated in warm Tuscan red-and-black hues), a home gym, two additional bedrooms with ample closet space, and a 750-bottle wine cellar clad in California mahogany. From the lower level, you have multiple walkout access to the stone patio and the aforementioned rear gardens, ready to host a springtime celebration. Inspired and eclectic, Villa Belvedere showcases architecturally-arresting design coupled with a warmhearted appeal. Well worthy of consideration. Articles are prepared by the Sun Gazette’s real estate advertising department on behalf of clients. For information on the home, contact the listing agent. For information on having a house reviewed, contact the Sun Gazette’s real estate advertising department at (703) 738-2520.

Facts for buyers

Address: 2909 Chain Bridge Road, Oakton (22124). Listed at: $2,485,000 by Fouad Talout, Long & Foster Real Estate (703) 4594141. Schools: Oakton Elementary, Luther Jackson Middle, Oakton High School.

EXPERIENCE you can trust... NEGOTIATING skills that work for YOU! CONTACT FOUAD TALOUT TODAY AT 703.459.4141

Fouad.Talout@gmail.com

7 January 22, 2015

!!!!!!!!!Jack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Fouad!!!!!!!!!Pascale! !!!!!!!!Spahr!!!!!!!!!!!!Talout!!!!!!!!!!Karam!

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Sun Gazette

January 22, 2015

Before you make your next move.™

Berkshire Hathaway will offer our clients: •

World Class Client service • Marketing coverage • Stability, Strength, Quality

Susan Wisely Forest

Owner, Choose Wisely Group, LLC REALTOR®, Top Producer, Licensed in VA Susan@choosewiselygroup.com

Marie Williams

REALTOR®, Licensed in VA & MD Marie@choosewiselygroup.com

Kristine Kozlowski

www.insidenova.com

Client Relations Manager, REALTOR® Kristine@choosewiselygroup.com

Sun Gazette

(703) 927-9413

www.ChooseWiselyGroup.com

We have a system that works with proven results. Each office is independently owned and operated. If your house is currently listed with another broker this is not intended as a solicitation of that listing.

1600 Tysons Boulevard 8th Floor McLean, VA 22102 Office: 703-691-7653

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

Associate Broker Serving Northern Virginia since 1998

January 22, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

Arden St., Dunn Loring $880,000

Brothers Rd., Vienna $1,500,000

Contact me today to sell your home!

703-980-6400 kris@kristracy.com www.kristracy.com

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau

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

www.insidenova.com

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

Sun Gazette

January 22, 2015

FALLS CHURCH

$1,295,000

Spacious and elegant lakefront home features 5BR/4BA, formal living/dining rooms, family room, great landscape and views. Located on beautiful Lake Barcroft just 6 miles to DC.

McLEAN

ARLINGTON

703-524-2100

OAK HILL

$1,100,000

ALEXANDRIA

www.cbmove.com/FX8461779

ARLINGTON

$425,000

ARLINGTON

$1,087,900

$314,900 Lovely 3 BR, 2 BA duplex with huge fully fenced back yard with patio, 1-car driveway, walk-out basement and hardwood floors throughout. Close to shops, restaurants and metro. Please call for additional information.

Spacious 5 bedroom / 4.5 bath home on 1.01 acres. Features include a gourmet kitchen with granite island and breakfast area, finished basement with walk out, and luxurious master retreat. Contact Lisa for more information.

LISA DECARLO 571-239-8690 www.cbmove.com/Vienna

CAROL KALINOWSKI 703-631-1393

NESHA KHARGIE 703-867-0259 www.cbmove.com/FX8489135 McLEAN

$1,087,900

1110 sq. ft. BIG 1 BR with balcony & deeded garage space. Renovated kitchen & bath. Customized closets + extra closets added to B.R.

Renov. 1BD 1BA condo. Brand new bamboo flooring, new kitchen, stainless steel appl. Fee includes all utilities. Assigned Parking.

All brick colonial, cul-de-sac near shops, restaurants, parks. 9â&#x20AC;&#x2122; ceilings, skylights, sunroom, large garage w/ workbench. Remodeled kitchen, s/s appliances.

703-524-2100

www.CBregional.com

FAIRFAX CITY

www.CBregional.com

703-524-2100

www.CBregional.com

VIENNA

LORTON

2014 Holiday Coloring Contest WINNERS!

LISA DECARLO 571-239-8690 www.cbmove.com/FX8526588

W NE

Pictured in the front row from left to Pictured in the front row from left to right: right: Julia Drolet Julia Drolet Caden Williams Caden Williams Sarah Cuddihy New construction in the heartSarah of Cuddihy Avery Canedo Avery Canedo Fairfax! 2300 sq ft, 3 bedroom, 3 bath. Lily Morel Lily Morel Gorgeous!

OAKTON

www.insidenova.com

W NE

Sun Gazette

G TIN S I L

Beautiful townhome in a prime location. Features include granite countertops, Brazilian Cherry hw floors, gas range, masonry fireplace, deck, and patio out back. 3 br/3.5 baths. Contact Lisa for more information.

LISA DECARLO 571-239-8690 www.cbmove.com/Vienna

W NE

$307,000

G TIN S I L

Step into 1-Level Living in this 1,392 SF condo! 2 Bdrm/2 Bath/Den & Sunroom. Great commuter location near shopping, restaurants, parks, and public transportation. Call to see this picture perfect, movein-ready home!

RALPH AND SHARRON JONES

703-609-7071

www.cbmove.com/FX8530848

Arlington-McLean Kendra Wright

G TIN S I L

LISA DECARLO 571-239-8690 www.cbmove.com/FX8532024

Thank you to all of the artists

OAKTON

$767,900

Beautifully maintained and updated Colonial situated on a private Cul de Sac in Miller Heights. Features include updated kitchen with new cabinets, granite, hw floors, and ss appliances. Huge deck overlooks Difficult Run.

Thank youwho to all of the artists participated in the contest! who participated in the contest!

$698,765

$345,000 Cozy townhouse within miles of metro, shopping, restaurants, and Cameron Run Park. Great deck out back, bathroom on every level, freshly painted, and a new water heater. 3 br/ 3.5 baths. Contact Lisa for more information.

Congratulations to our 2014 Holiday

Coloring Contest WINNERS!

$795,000

Single level living in this updated & expanded rambler. .52 acres in Vienna. MICHAEL HULING 703-409-8296 www.cbmove.com/FX8464412

OAKTON

$654,990 Congratulations to our

MICHAEL HULING 703-409-8296 www.cbmove.com/FC8419442

$399,000 3BR, 2 BA hardwood floors new tilt & clean windows, renovated kitchen and baths. Gated community with undercover parking.

www.CBregional.com

ICE ED PR ROV P IM

Beautifully updated home on private half-acre lot! Updated KT & BAs, skylights, gorgeous HW flrs, sunsplashed rooms, new carpet/fresh paint. Deck overlooking wooded fenced yard. Chantilly HS pyramid.

McLEAN

703-524-2100

www.CBregional.com

$625,000

$389,000 Quiet soughtafter end unit in the heart of Courthouse! 1BR with 1.5 BA. Open interior with plenty of natural light. Updated kitchen w granite counters and SS appliances.

Immaculate Expanded Cape Cod, 6 BRs, 5 full BAs, den, study, ample storage, 3 car garage (framed for studio loft), LL in-law suite.

www.CBregional.com

FAIRFAX

$1,200,000

ALEXANDRIA

W NE

G TIN S I L

$325,000

McLEAN

Fabulous furnished studio condo in the heart of Carlyle Square! SS appliances, Pottery Barn-style furniture. Wall of windows w/courtyard view. Walk to Metro, shops, restaurants, movies, park, Whole Foods. Garage space too.

G TIN S I L

THE KALINOWSKI GROUP 703-631-1393 www.cbmove.com/AX8529891

For questions call

Branch Vice President

(703) 938-5600

CBregional.com

Owned and Operated by NRT LLC

(703) 524-2100

W NE

$819,000

Amazing location & super value for this updated, unique property. One level living w/2 car garage. Almost $70k of updates. Lower level unfin. Rich hardwood floors. 3 bedrooms & 2 full baths. Just mins to DC/Arl/MD. Hurry!

LISA MOFFETT 703-517-6708

www.cbmove.com/FX8528778

There wasn’t much reason to shout “hallelujah!” over the condition of the Fairfax County real estate market in 2014, but it ended the year on a decided uptick. Sales across the county totaled 1,130 in December, an 11.6-percent increase from the 1,013 transactions posted a year before, according to figures reported Jan. 12 by RealEstate Business Intelligence, an arm of the local multiple-listing service. It was only the second time during 2014 that year-over-year sales rose in the Fairfax market; the other, a modest 2.1-percent increase, came back in February. Average sales prices also were higher, although only slightly so. The average sales price of all properties that went to closing in December across Fairfax was $550,848, up 1.5 percent. That increase did not extend to the single-family segment of the market, which saw average prices decline 1.5 percent to $707,756. But average prices were up in both the townhouse/rowhouse sector (up 4.6 percent to $369,386) and among condominiums (up 8.8 percent to $287,661). The median sales price – the point at which half of homes sell for more, half for less – was $465,500 for all properties in December, up 5.3 percent from $442,000 a year before. Total sales volume in December was $662.46 million, up 13.2 percent from $549.69 million Of homes that went to closing last month, the average length of time between listing and ratified sales contract was 68 days, up from 51 days a year before, and the average sales price represented 95.7 percent of listing price, down from 96.6 percent a year before. Conventional mortgages represented the method of transacting sales in 735 cases, followed by VAbacked loans (145) and cash (125). Inventory, which had been somewhat bloated throughout most of 2014 compared to a year before, remained 32.5 percent higher in December, with 2,330 properties available for purchase. The number of listings coming onto the market in December (721) was up 16.5 percent from a year before. Where is the market headed?

Total pending sales were down slightly in December compared to a year before, suggesting a somewhat flat start to 2015. The good news: The number of new pending sales during the month was up by double digits over a year before. Figures represent most, but not all, homes on the market. All figures are preliminary, and are subject to revision. N.Va. Home Sales Stop Yearlong Slide with Strong December: Home sales across Northern Virginia, which had seen year-overyear declines the first 11 months of 2014, ended the year on a strong note, with $114 million more in overall sales than a year ago. A total of 1,596 properties changed hands across the region in December, up 10.5 percent from the 1,444 transactions a year before, according to figures reported Jan. 12 by RealEstate Business Intelligence, an arm of the local multiple-listing service. Figures represent sales in Arlington and Fairfax counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church. The average sales price for all homes that went to closing last month was $572,712, up 3.3 percent from a year before. Two of the three legs of the market posted increases in average sales – attached homes were up 6.2 percent to $422,919 and condominiums were up 8.3 percent to $358,482 – but the single-family market saw a decline of 1 percent to $732,595. Total sales volume for the month was $914 million, up 14.1 percent from $800.9 million a year before. Homes that sold in December spent an average of 65 days between listing and ratified sales contract, longer than the 49 days required a year before. Sales prices last month averaged 95.9 percent of listing price, down from 96.8 percent. Conventional mortgages represented the means of transacting sales in 1,049 cases, followed by VA-backed loans (199) and cash (184). The high inventory levels seen during much of 2014 are beginning to ebb, although there were still significantly more homes on the market in December (3,234) than a year before (2,500). The

number of new listings coming on the market during the month was up 8.2 percent from a year before. Where is the market heading? It could be a mixed bag: The number of pending sales during the month was down slightly from a year ago, but the number of new pending sales saw strength. Figures represent most, but not all, homes on the market. All figures are preliminary, and are subject to revision. D.C., Inner Core See Healthy End to Year: Increases in sales and average prices helped spur D.C. and its inner core to a strong finish to what admittedly was a soft 2014. A total of 3,937 properties went to closing in December, up 8 percent from the 3,644 transactions a year before, according to figures reported Jan. 12 by RealEstate Business Intelligence, an arm of the local multiple-listing service. Figures represent sales in the District of Columbia; Arlington and Fairfax counties and the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church in Virginia; and the counties of Montgomery and Prince George’s in Maryland. The average sales price for all homes that sold during the month in the region was $504,681, up 4.3 percent from a year before, with the average price of single-family homes falling slightly (down 0.2 percent to $583,036) but attached homes (up 8.6 percent to $431,652) and condominiums (up 10.3 percent to $387,507) seeing healthy gains. Total sales volume for the month was $1.99 billion, up 12.7 percent from $1.76 billion a year before. It took longer for homes to sell in December than a year before; properties that went to closing during the month spent an average of 60 days between listing and ratified sales contract, up from 48 days a year before. Properties garnered 96.3 percent of listing price, down from 97.1 percent a year before. Conventional mortgages represented the most common means of transacting sales, at 2,259, followed by cash (638) and FHA-backed loans (533). At the end of the month, there were 8,267 properties available for sale, up 19 percent from a year be-

In 2014, Fairfax Home Sales Were Lower, Prices Were Up Home sales across Fairfax County tumbled 9.2 percent in 2014 compared to the year before, but average sales prices eked out a small improvement, according to year-end data. A total of 13,291 properties went to closing last year, according to figures from RealEstate Business Intelligence analyzed by the Sun Gazette. That’s off from 14,636 sales reported in 2013. Year-over-year sales were down every month besides February (a 2.1-percent increase) and December (11.6

January 22, 2015

Fairfax, Region End 2014 on Healthy Note

percent), with June, July and August posting double-digit declines and May reporting 21.2 percent fewer sales than a year before. But average sales prices remained unaffected, with the average price of $539,238 in 2014 up 1.6 percent from $530,882 a year before, according to the Sun Gazette analysis. That increase mirrors a general trend across the region. Sales volume across Fairfax County was $7.167 billion for the year, down 7.8 percent from $7.77 billion in 2013.

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

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

2014 677 789 966 1218 1392 1560 1395 1317 1008 1019 821 1130 13,291

2013 712 773 1048 1331 1766 1838 1586 1489 1115 1061 904 1,013 14,636

Change -4.9% +2.1% -7.8% -8.5% -21.2% -15.1% -12.0% -11.6% -9.7% -4.0% -9.2% +11.6% -9.2%

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

$332,504,747 $394,314,537 $503,416,283 $653,985,429 $776,017,786 $889,877,818 $762,472,755 $741,294,946 $523,471,406 $525,523,290 $441,584,202 $622,548,114 $7,167,011,313

$358,418,001 $368,516,319 $553,578,657 $696,059,258 $963,703,498 $1,018,466,535 $871,377,979 $782,486,388 $599,014,682 $554,067,937 $454,606,035 $549,692,368 $7,769,987,657

-7.2% +7.0% -9.1% -6.0% -19.5% -12.6% -12.5% -6.5% -12.6% -5.2% -2.9% +13.2% -7.8%

fore but lower than the high levels of inventory that had been seen much of the past year. The market could see strength headed into 2015, as the number of new pending sales reported during December was up nearly 11

percent from a year before, even though the number of total pending sales was down. Figures represent most, but not all, homes on the market. All figures are preliminary, and are subject to revision.

Local ZIPs Show Mixed Results as Year Comes to Close Average and median sales prices showed improvement from a year before in some areas, but not so in others. The same was true of the number of days homes spent on the market before finding a buyer. Year-over-year sales and average sales prices tend to vary more significantly within ZIP codes due to the relatively small number of sales each month.

Figures for the local area: 22066 (Great Falls): Sales in December totaled 21, up from 18 a year before. The average sales price of $1,131,560 was up 2.7 percent from a year before, while the median sales price of $910,000 was down 6.9 percent. Homes that went to closing in December spent an average of 207 days on the market between listing and ratified sales

contract, up from 106 days a year before, and garnered 88.6 percent of listing price, down from 92.9 percent. At the end of the month, there were 116 properties on the market, up from 109. 22101 (McLean): Sales totaled 31, unchanged. The average sales price of $1,400,260 was down 4.8 percent, while the median sales price of $1,100,000 was up 19.6

percent. Homes spent an average of 72 days on the market, down from 90, and garnered 95.1 percent of listing price, down from 96 percent. There were 138 properties on the market, up from 87. 22102 (McLean/Tysons): Sales totaled 31, up from 27. The average sales price of $920,177 was down Continued on Page 12

www.insidenova.com

The local real estate market ended the year on a positive note, although the news was decidedly mixed within ZIP codes served by the Sun Gazette. Home sales in December were either higher or flat compared to a year before, according to figures reported by RealEstate Business Intelligence, an arm of the local multiple-listing service.

Sun Gazette

January 22, 2015

Small Exterior Improvements Add Most Value Homeowners often consider various remodeling and replacement projects as a way to add value to their homes. Some projects add more value and better recoup their costs than others, according to Realtors who rated small and exterior projects as the most valuable home improvement projects in the 2015 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report. Compiled annually in collaboration with Hanley Wood’s Remodeling Magazine, the report compares changes in home improvement project costs with Realtors’ perceptions of what those projects contribute to a home’s price at resale. “It can be a daunting task to even decide on what home improvement projects to undertake, let alone to physically tackle and complete them,” said National Association of Realtors president Chris Polychron, executive broker with 1st Choice Realty in Hot

Springs, Ark. “Realtors know what buyers are looking for during their search, and curb appeal is and always will be important. That explains why Realtors once again rated exterior projects as some of the most attractive and valuable for homeowners.” Just as they did last year, Realtors identified a steel entry door replacement as the project expected to return the most money, with an estimated 101.8 percent of costs recouped upon resale (compared to an estimated 96.6 percent recoup last year). The steel entry door replacement is consistently the least expensive project in the annual Cost vs. Value Report, costing little more than $1,200 on average and was the only project on this year’s list to recoup more than 100 percent of its cost at resale on a national level. Realtors also identified several other

projects that would make the biggest financial payoff upon resale, most on the exterior of the home. Rounding out the top 10 projects in terms of cost recouped include a manufactured stone veneer (newly included in this year’s report) at 92.2 percent, a garage door replacement – midrange project (88.5 percent), a siding replacement with fiber cement (84.3 percent), a garage door replacement – upscale project (82.5 percent), vinyl siding replacement (80.7 percent), a wood deck addition (80.5 percent), a minor kitchen remodel (79.3 percent), wood window replacement (78.8 percent), and foam-backed vinyl siding replacement (77.6 percent). Realtors provided their insights into local markets and buyer home preferences within those markets for the report. Since 2003, replacement projects resulted in a higher

financial return than remodeling projects. However, the gap between replacement and remodeling projects became bigger this year as both categories declined in value. Realtors reported a 2015 average return for replacement projects at 73.2 percent (slightly below the 2014 number of 73.7 percent), while remodeling projects fell to 60.8 percent in 2015 (down from 65.1 percent last year). This results in an overall cost-value ratio of 62.2 percent, a drop from 66.1 percent last year. The biggest contributing factor to the slip is the consistent rise in costs for these projects, with home values rising at a slower pace. As in previous years, the Pacific region experienced the best overall cost-value ratio of 74 percent. The region, which encompasses California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii, typically sees higher cost-value ratios on account of higher resale values.

ZIP Codes

www.insidenova.com

Continued from Page 11

Sun Gazette

14.9 percent, while the median sales price of $800,000 was up 25 percent. Homes spent an average of 85 days on the market, up from 68, and garnered 91.1 percent of listing price, down from 94.7 percent. There were 106 properties on the market, up from 74. 22124 (Oakton): Sales totaled 39, up from 24. The average sales price of $712,443 was down 10.6 percent, while the median sales price of $696,000 was up 1.5 percent. Homes spent an average of 92 days on the market, down from 112, and garnered 95.4 percent of listing price, down from 95.6 percent. There were 71 properties on the market, up from 42. 22180 (Vienna): Sales totaled 42, up from 19. The average sales price of $739,102 was down 5.8 percent, while the median sales price of $599,888 was down 10.5 percent. Homes spent an average of 42 days on the market, up from 19, and garnered 97.3 percent of listing price, down from 98.7 percent. There were 72 properties on the market, up from 41. 22181 (Vienna): Sales totaled 13, unchanged. The average sales price of $583,962 was down 15.1 percent, while the median sales price of $392,000 was down 42.4 percent. Homes spent an average of 45 days on the market, down from 53, and garnered 98.3 percent of listing price, up from 96.8 percent. There were 29 properties on the market, up from 26. 22182 (Vienna/Tysons): Sales totaled 26, up from 25. The average sales price of $840,019 was down 2.4 percent, while the median sales price of $834,500 was up 1.2 percent. Homes spent and average of 88 days on the market, up from 41, and garnered 94.4 percent of listing price, down from 99 percent. There were 53 properties on the market, up from 34. 22027 (Dunn Loring): Sales totaled three, compared to zero a year before. The average sales price was $823,333, while the median sales price was $875,000. Homes spent an average of 63 days on the market, and garnered 96.6 percent of listing price. There were three homes on the market, up from two. Figures represent most, but not all, homes on the market. All figures are preliminary.

We reprise this favorite story from last year’s Winter Real Estate Guide. DAVE FACINOLI Staff Writer

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

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

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

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

January 22, 2015

Realtor Q&A: What Temp for Open Houses?

Continued on Page 21 Buck and Associates

The smart move for a big home.

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

Helping You Reach Your Real Estate Goals

Jumbo financing gives you the freedom to

Linda and Sam Wardle Selling | Buying | Investing | Leasing Staging | Home Improvement Consultations At 3930 Group, nearly 30 years of experience has taught us

SunTrust Mortgage, Inc. makes it easier to buy bigger homes. We offer access to larger loan amounts without the high interest rates typically associated with jumbo* financing.

that being trusted, dedicated and professional real estate advisers, not salespeople, is paramount to success. Our highest priority will always remain serving as committed fiduciaries to our clients. We look forward to showing you why we are consistently among the best in the business.

To learn more about our diverse jumbo financing options, contact me today.

Kathy L. Neal Senior Loan Officer 703.906.7039 Cell 703.556.8944 Office

*For loan amounts over $417,000 Equal Housing Lender. SunTrust Mortgage, Inc. - NMLS #2915, 901 Semmes Avenue, Richmond, VA 23224, toll free 1-800-634-7928. CA: licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, IL: Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, MA: Mortgage Lender license #-ML-2915, NH: licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department, NJ: Mortgage Banker License - New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, and RI: Rhode Island Licensed Lender. ©2014 SunTrust Banks, Inc. SunTrust and SunTrust Mortgage are federally registered service marks of SunTrust Banks, Inc. How can we help you shine? is a service mark of SunTrust Banks, Inc. Rev: 9.16.14

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

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

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

www.insidenova.com

NMLSR # 169588 kathy.neal@suntrust.com suntrust.com/kathy.neal

Sun Gazette

LONG & FOSTER

RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE • MORTGAGE • TITLE • INSURANCE

15 January 22, 2015

January 22, 2015

RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE • MORTGAGE • TITLE • INSURANCE

Long & Foster McLean Congratulates Top Producers – for DECEMBER 2014

WE DID IT!

LONG & FOSTER LONG & FOSTER We surpassed our $1 BILLION sales goal for 2014! Thanks for your support. ®

Joyce Perl 703-905-7250

TOP TEAM

TOP AGENT

Lilian Jorgenson 703-407-0766

RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

McLEAN FALLS AT CHINQUAPIN

•

John Jorgenson 703-352-3000

MORTGAGE

ALSO FOR RENT - $4,600

•

TITLE

•

Rosemary Hayes Jones 703-475-6066

Warren Kluth

Laurie Mensing 703-965-8133

703-244-1111

INSURANCE

RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

SPACIOUS F UNIT

www.893ChinquapinRd.com Just Listed: 5 BR/4.5 BA on private, cul-de sac street. Immaculate, move-in condition offering full walk out LL, deck, screened in all purpose porch, backup generator, backs to parkland, Langley, immediate occupancy available.

Laurie Mensing 703-965-8133 www.LaurieMensing.com

Extraordinary home set on a 2AC lot with over 5,000 sqft. FULLY RENOVATED! Spacious eat-in kit with large island, granite counters, backsplash, maple cabinets & SS appliances. 2-story family room with vaulted ceil & 2 sidedKWstone fireplace to living room. Weichert Realtors - Mc Lean / McEnearney Washington Fine Large deck backing to 22101 woods overlooking the pool. Associates Properties

Lilian Jorgenson 703-407-0766 No one has more expertise selling homes than Long & Foster®.

MARCH DELIVERY

McLEAN $1,959,000

McLEAN $439,900

McLEAN $2,449,000

14%

www.Lilian.com

Y ER V I N L O DE SO G G N RI IN SP COM

MORTGAGE

•

TITLE

•

INSURANCE

The Choice is Obvious.

McLEAN $1,249,000

#1 in McLean

23% Long & Foster

McLEAN $1,995,000

•

Alexandra Wilson 202-579-5313

EXCEPTIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP

The Choice is Obvious.

N ! SU M N 1-4 P E OP /15, 5 1/2

Jon DeHart 703-405-7576

The Lewis Team 703-760-7653

www.TracyDillard.com

www.Lilian.com A re-designed master bath, customized closets, mirror accents & gleaming wood laminate floors. Bright & sunny with a magnificent urban view. Huge living room combined with a dining room off the gorgeous kit. Located in the middle of everything! Incredible amenities!

Lilian Jorgenson 703-407-0766

McLEAN $1,755,000

$2,699,000 #1 in McLean

McLEAN

McLEAN $1,250,000

NEW PRICE

FOR SALE

14%

www.TracyDillard.com

Spectacular sun-filled 6 BR/ 6.5 BA 2012 Craftsman home with spacious rooms and upgrades galore. Elegant living and dining rms. Gourmet kitchen w/ granite counters, SS appl. & large Carrera marble island. Family rm w/ gas FP. Large master suite w/ walk-in closets. LL w/exercise rm, rec rm & wet bar. Loft w/ BR/BA, Bonus room. 2-car garage.

Tracy Dillard 703-861-5548

BUILD YOUR CUSTOM HOME

23% Long & Foster

The Wydler Brothers 703-873-5020

Stunning Basheer Edgemoore home with gourmet kitchen, a two-story family room, custom built-ins and neutral paint. Media room, exercise room and huge flagstone patio provide relaxing living spaces on a .93 acre Weichert Realtors KW - Mc Lean / McEnearney Washington Fine landscaped lot in the prestigious RESERVE. 22101 Associates Properties

www.TracyDillard.com Solid well-built 5 bedroom, 4 bath all brick home with great curb appeal in Evermay. Premium .35 lot with landscaping and flat backyard. Granite counters. Hardwood floors throughout the main level. Walk-out lower level offers two bedrooms, one full bathroom, and a laundry room. 3 fireplaces. Oversized 2-car garage. Minutes to DC and Tysons.

Tracy Dillard 703-861-5548 No one has more expertise selling homes than Long & Foster®. Tracy Dillard 703-861-5548

SUN DRENCHED CONTEMPORARY

GREAT FALLS

McLEAN $2,385,000

VIENNA $1,575,000

McLEAN $459,000

COMING SOON!

$998,500 Award winning Green Builder Fisher Custom Homes latest custom design and efficiency. Over 7500 SF of finely appointed finishes with great flow on level lot. This location has it all. Walk to parks, schools, and central McLean. 5 BRs, 6.5BAs, 2FPs. FX8375952.

Susan Fadoul-Westbrook 703-402-1717

Award winning Green Builder Fisher Custom Homes latest custom design and energy efficiency. Over 5100 SF of finely appointed finishes with great flow on level lot with side-load garage. 10’ ceilings, epicurean kitchen, wetbar & butler’s pantry. 5 BRs, 4.5 BAs, 2 FP. Broker’s Welcome.

Susan Fadoul-Westbrook 703-402-1717

GREAT VALUE ON MODERN HOME

Sharon Hayman 703-402-2955

POLO POINTE GATED ESTATE

FALLS CHURCH

Timeless Elegance All brick colonial built to perfection sited on 1+acre lot in popular Wickens. Open, flowing floor plan with 2-story Great Room. Ensuite Bedrooms. Master with Sitting Room and fireplace perfect for cozy evenings. Exercise Room, Recreation Room with Entertainment Bar walks out to rear yard.

Sharon Hayman 703-402-2955

You’re Invited to a free HOME BUYER SEMINAR

Built in 2014, this brand-new Craftsman home is located in the heart of Falls Church City. Covered front porch and shaded backyard. HUGE finished basement, gourmet kitchen w/ new appliances, 5 bedrooms, and 4½ baths.

John Jorgenson 703-352-3000

VIENNA $1,775,000

$1,360,000

John Jorgenson 703-352-3000

McLean Offices Long & Foster McLean Office 703-790-1990 • 1355 Beverly Rd, Suite 109, McLean, 22101 703-873-3500 • 6862 Elm Street | 703-790-1990 • 1311AVA Dolley Madison Blvd.

WHEN

Wed, Feb 11, 2015 • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Long and Foster McLean WHERE 1355 Beverly Rd • Suite 109 • McLean, VA 22101

www.gowithjohn.com Arts-and-Crafts exterior with modern, stylish interior basked in natural light. Gourmet kitchen with full range of appliances. 5 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. Finished basement. Sizable lot w/ backyard perfect for summer gatherings.

Source: Information based on data supplied by MRIS and its member Association(s) of REALTORS, who are not responsible for its accuracy. Does not reflect all activity in the marketplace. January 1, 2011 – December 31, 2011. Information contained in this report is deemed reliable but not guaranteed, should be independently verified, and does not constitute an opinion of MRIS or Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. ©2012 All rights reserved.

WOW APPEAL best describes this condo. Turn the key and move in. Priced to Sell. 2 Bedroom/2 Baths with balcony, garage space in secured stylish building at Tysons Galleria Area. Why pay rent why you can own! Kitchen with granite and newer appliances. Huge closets. Perfect Condition. Contact Sharon Hayman for detailed brochure or showing.

Stunning contemporized 5 Br, 4.5 Ba, open floor plan, sky lights, huge gourmet kitchen, deck, 1/85 acre, private but convenient to shopping, Tysons, Silver Line, and airport.

Pat Molineaux 703-282-6440

Refreshments will be served. If you can’t make it in February, we are doing it again March 11th

RSVP Kathy Walsh

NMLS 240644 • Senior Mortgage Consultant

703-244-4076 • kathy.welsh@phmloans.com

Offices Office Long & McLean Foster McLean 703-790-1990 • 1355 Beverly Rd, Suite 109,• McLean, VA 22101 703-873-3500 • 6862 Elm Street | 703-790-1990 1311A Dolley Madison Blvd.

www.insidenova.com

www.gowithjohn.com

John Jorgenson 703-352-3000

This beautiful light filled contemporary offers over 3000 square feet of living space and features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and 3-car garage with circular driveway on a private lot, 1.8 acre wooded lot. Beautifully maintained and improved, there are new windows, new roof, new floors, refinished hardwoods, and more.

Barbara Johnson 703-608-5278

BRAND NEW!

OAKTON $624,900

$1,274,000

www.gowithjohn.com

www.10110WalkerWoodsDr.com

What to expect and how to prepare for buying a home

FALLS CHURCH

Sun Gazette

Susan Fadoul-Westbrook 703-402-1717

COZY BRICK RAMBLER

Charming, immaculate, and meticulously cared-for brick rambler with side-load 2-car garage in Fox Vale Estates. Well-appointed kitchen opens to huge sunroom w/ view of treed backyard. 4 spacious bedrooms. Extensive basement.

NOW IS THE TIME to build your custom dream home OR customize finishes in an exciting new design by award winning Fisher Custom Homes. This lot at 7200 Matthew Mills Rd. is convenient to schools, library, community center, and parks. Less than 1 mile to Rt. 495. CHURCHILL, COOPER, LANGLEY. FX8483649.

Sun Gazette

January 22, 2015

Planning for healthy aging

E T

W O N

In just two short years, the first wave of baby boomers will turn 65. For some, this milestone birthday may signal retirement; for others it may not. For all boomers, it should mean an increased focus on health care. Baby boomers can take steps now to help ensure many more healthy years. A focus on early prevention - including regular tests for certain cancers and heart disease, a healthy diet and exercise - is an important start to staying healthy well into the golden years. Most baby boomers will count on Medicare to support them in their efforts to stay healthy. In fact, Medicare has long been a source of comfort for those 65 and older who otherwise wouldn’t have health coverage. But as more people older than 65 seek care, they may find it increasingly difficult to get in to see a doctor, or they may find that their choice of doctors is limited because of planned Medicare payment cuts to physicians.

Prevention “As we age, we have an increasing role to play in our health care to ensure our golden years are healthy ones,” says Dr. J. James Rohack, president of the American Medical Association. “Have regular discussions with your physician about any health problems or concerns you may have and make sure you are up-to-date on preventive exams.” At age 50, it’s important to start annual exams for colorectal cancer, and men should have a prostate exam. For those boomers who weigh less than 154 pounds, screenings for osteoporosis should start at age 60. It’s also important to start annual exams with a physician before you reach age 65 to: * Monitor and discuss blood pressure, cholesterol, needed vaccines and tests to monitor or prevent disease. * Identify activities and goals to address healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco use cessation, moderating alcohol use and attention to stress and mood. * Discuss screenings needed to prevent and/or monitor degenerative or chronic disorders in vision, hearing, bone density, cancer and obesity.

Access to care, choice of physician

Courtesy of ARAcontent

GO TO INSIDENOVA.COM AND VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES BY JANUARY 31! Winners will be announced in Sun Gazette on March 5th

www.insidenova.com

Weighing in with legislators is another way boomers can take charge of their health care, because what happens in Washington in the next couple months, with regards to the health-reform debate, could have a significant impact on their ability to see their doctor of choice. A recent AMA/AARP poll shows that nearly 90 percent of people 50 and older are concerned that the current Medicare physician payment formula threatens their access to care. Without permanent repeal of the broken Medicare payment system as part of health reform, physicians face steep payment cuts which might force them to limit the number of new Medicare patients they can treat. “Without health-reform action by Congress, the 21 percent payment cut planned for this January puts many physicians in the difficult position of not being able to treat new Medicare patients and still keep their practice doors open,” says Rohack. “For years, Congress has taken short-term action to stop the cuts and preserve seniors’ access to care, but they can no longer put a Band-Aid on the problem. It’s time for permanent action to preserve the stability and security of Medicare and ensure seniors can keep their choice of physician.” As the health system reform debate continues, and final legislation approaches, a permanent fix for the broken Medicare physician payment formula must be included to preserve access to care for the millions of baby boomers headed toward Medicare enrollment age. Replacing the physician payment formula with a system that better reflects the costs and practice of 21st century medical care will help improve quality and reduce costs by allowing physicians to increase care coordination, reduce costly hospital admissions and adopt health information technology. “I encourage all baby boomers to take preventive action now to prepare for a long, healthy life, and to ensure that their physician will still be there for them when they begin relying on Medicare,” says Rohack.

Sun Gazette

www.insidenova.com

January 22, 2015

Sun Gazette

Gracious Living in Sought-After Evermay Home Is Set on Cul-de-Sac, Offering 5,000+ Square Feet of Stylish Living Featured Property

We travel to the sought-after Evermay community in McLean to tour our featured property, an outstanding example of 1970s elegance. Set away from traffic on a quiet culde-sac, the property is large and bright, with an exceptional ambiance and cheerful personality that is welcoming both for daily living and for entertaining in style. Offering more than 5,000 square feet of interior space, it is augmented by private, bricked-walled rear gardens. All this, and you are close to the amenities of McLean and Tysons, as well as top commuter routes. The property currently is on the market, listed at $1,360,000 by Gloria Adams of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. Situated at the highest point in Evermay – 263 feet – the property is exceptionally situated and makes a grand first impression. The dramatic entrance features a walkway flanked by six brick planters containing holly trees. First impressions continue to be impressive as we amble toward the solid, all-brick home, and are welcomed inside to begin our tour. Traffic flow throughout the formal rooms makes for easy living in comfort. The grand foyer, with gleaming marble underneath and a shining brass/glassglobe chandelier, sets the tone for all that will follow. In the formal living room, we find a warmhearted gas fireplace (with marble

hearth extension) and special top lighting. The dining room is home to an Austrian-crystal chandelier, plus amenities that include a mirrored wall. The kitchen is a standout, with solidcherry cabinetry, top-quality appliances and Corian countertops. There also is a breakfast bar and French doors leading to pantry. The soaring family room, with its dramatic, vaulted and beamed ceiling, is a showstopper, with an elevated gas fireplace, brick flooring and wall, 22-candle chandelier and marvelous vistas of the rear grounds. The covered rear porch features a pleasant flagstone sitting area that leads to the patio. The master retreat is the highlight of the upper level, featuring built-in cabine-

Gloria Adams

TTR Sotheby’s International Realty gadams@ttrsir.com

try, a unique mirrored dressing area with large closet and sumptuous bath. Two additional bedrooms are found on this level. The walk-out lower level is home to the light and inviting recreation room, with a wet bar and unique faux-painted treatment of solid-wood-wall paneling. There also is a huge brick fireplace. Two additional bedrooms can be found on the lower level, rounding out this exceptional abode. 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) 7382520.

Facts for buyers

Address: 1230 Perry William Drive, McLean (22101). Listed at: $1,360,000 by Gloria Adams, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty (703) 356-6645. Schools: Franklin Sherman Elementary, Longfellow Middle, McLean High School.

703.319.3344 • Cell: 703.356.6645 Your TNT Agent (Trustworthy-Neighborly-Tenacious)

1322 Merchant Lane,

McLean, VA

Offered at $2,500,000

6316 Stoneham Lane,

1328 Round Oak Court,

C A R

NEW PRICE!!! Charming 5BR (3BRs on main level), 5BA brick home with lovely landscaped back yard and pool. Granite counter tops, updated baths, hardwood floors, crown molding, finished walk out lower level with fireplace and french doors to the patio and pool. Exercise room/bath on lower level, large 2 car garage, cul-de-sac, and minutes to DC/Tysons/Pot Sch. Lovely property.

McLean, VA

Offered at $998,000

Offered at $1,360,000

Private retreat just minutes from D.C., beautiful Mid Century Modern home on a level & landscaped 2.55 acres. Open floor plan featuring a two story great room w/ a ceiling to floor brick FP, 1st floor master w/ access to the stone terrace, 2 master Ba & large sitting room, bright sun room & more! Stone terrace overlooks luxury pool. Adjoining 1 acre lot available for sale see FX8466045.

McLean, VA

Offered at $1,225,000

1230 Perry William Dr,

NEW PRICE! Lovely large Colonial with original owners. Great location...well maintained, beautiful private grounds, hardwood floors, seven skylights, central heat/air conditioning, spacious room sizes, finished lower level is walk-out, very light and bright, opening to a picturesque landscaped backyard with privacy and views...great entertaining/family living. Minutes to DC, Tysons, Pentagon.

McLean, VA Gracious living in Evermay’s most desired area. Quiet culde-sac away from traffic. Bright, large 5Br, 3 full Ba, 2 half Ba, 3 gas fireplaces, many custom upgrades. Over 5000 sqft roofed living area. Private brick-walled rear gardens, lovely garden. Level driveway to garage and same-level to pantry and kitchen. New cedar shake roof 2011. Move-in condition, EZ to DC/Beltway/ Tysons/Dulles/Nat’l. C/LA for apt/details.

8104 Ridings Court,

Offered at $1,399,500

McLean, VA New Price!!! Org owners say “sell”. Former Model Home and in great condition... hardwoods on two levels, beautiful room sizes, front and back stairs, master w/sitting room, updated master/bath, zoned heat/ air systems, lovely grounds front and back, deck, 3 gar garage, all brick. Langley School pyramid. Minutes to Tysons/McLean. Don’t Miss!

1227 Meyer Court,

Offered at $1,195,000

January 22, 2015

Properties For Sale

McLean, VA Original owner in convenient Evermay! Great value in this super location, approx. 5000 sqft in 2-lvl rambler filled with sunshine! Spacious 5 bedrooms, bonus room, 3 baths, cozy kitchen/ family rm. Sold “as is! All brick, plaster walls, quality construction. Minutes to DC /Tysons/Potomac School/ MD.

Properties Rent/Lease 6304 Long Meadow Road,

McLean, VA

Offered at: $5,400/Monthly

D E S

4061 Columbia Pike,

Absolutely stunning redo of large Colonial in closein Evermay. Contemporary interior, new kitchen, deck, bathrooms, beautiful hardwood floors, geothermal for lower/main levels, heat pump on upper level. Culde-sac, great location to DC/ Capitol Hill/MD/Tysons. Walk to The Potomac School. Call for appointment to see... beautiful!

Arlington, VA

1688 Chain Bridge Road,

Offered at $2,900/Monthly

D E S

McLean, VA New on Market. Charming Cape Cod in great condition and in superb location. Expansive yard with privacy and green space. Hardwood Floors main level, Skylights, and Jacuzzi with Separate Shower. Call for appointment to see.

6665-A Old Dominion Road,

McLean, VA

Offered at: $26.00/Sqft - Commercial Office Space Offered at $3,000/Monthly

Beautifully maintained newer Centex townhouse in great location. Metro bus in front of townhouses. Gleaming hardwoods, neutral wall to wall carpet, deck of kitchen/family room. Neutral d~cor. Small enclave of townhouses, close to shops, restaurants, LB on rail. Owners will consider selling. Don’t miss.

703.356.6645 c 703.319.3344 t 6723 Whittier Ave, Suite 101 • McLean, VA 22101

Gloria Adams gadams@ttrsir.com

CALL GLORIA ADAMS FOR DETAILS

www.insidenova.com

Prime commercial office space available in center of McLean in Dominion Office Park. Convenient, modern offices totaling 1,700+ sqft. High ceilings, 2 floors, and 6-7 individual offices in the space. Ideal for professional business such as law, accounting, architect, or IT. Zoned C-8 with abundant parking. Rare opportunity to lease in center of vibrant McLean! Security Deposit is one month.

Sun Gazette

www.insidenova.com

January 22, 2015

Sun Gazette

A Look Back at 40 Years of N.Va. Real Estate Sales Continued from Page 4

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

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

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

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

year, brought on in large part by what had been the overheated real estate market. Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama battle it out for the presidency, and while the military surge in Iraq produces some results, there are plenty of other challenges facing U.S. foreign policy during the year. The newspaper industry continues to struggle. Sir Edmund Hillary, Charlton Heston, Jim McKay and Suzanne Pleshette die. Home sales across Northern Virginia are down about 4 percent, to the lowest point since 1996, and average sales prices plunges more than 14 percent, perhaps the largest drop ever in the local area. 2009: The economy remains the big story; it continues to wobble but doesn’t collapse. Meanwhile, the new Obama administration must decide what to do in Afghanistan, the latest military flashpoint. Terrorism rears its head at Christmastime, about the same time the local area is buried under a foot and a half of snow. Michael Jackson, Ed McMahon and Walter Cronkite die, and Redskins fans have almost nothing to cheer about except the arrival of yet another new coach. Home sales rebound, increasing 9.3 percent, but average sales prices are at their lowest point since 2003. 2010: Republicans grab back control of the U.S. House of Representatives, setting up a showdown with President Obama over the nation’s priorities. Meanwhile, the economic situation continues to wander along in the weeds, and while there is some progress in extricating U.S. forces from Iraq, Afghanistan continues to be a problem that seems to defy a solution. The local real estate market can’t seem to find its footing, although it is buoyed by federal tax credits that help a bit. Elizabeth Edwards, Gary Coleman, Lena Horne and Teddy Pendergrass were among those who left us. In the Northern Virginia area, home sales were down 6.2 percent from 2009 figures, although they were up compared to 2008. And the average sales price saw a rebound, up 8.9 percent to $469,018. 2011: The economy continues to stumble along, and the folks in Washington seemed more interested in brinksmanship than bipartisanship. The stock market teetered and tottered, and threats of a doubledip recession have loomed. The local real estate market continues to show both signs of progress (higher average sales Continued on Page 21

19 January 22, 2015

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Continued from Page 18 prices) and areas of concern (anemic sales figures). But the full story won’t be known until January rolls around and the final figures are in. 2012: Presidential politics dominates the year, and voters in November return Barack Obama with a decisive but not overwhelming victory. Republicans lose seats in Congress. Economic conditions remain soft, while questions remain about the amount of U.S. debt. The Redskins rebound in the second half of the year to reach the playoffs, while the Nationals also have a good season. Whitney Houston, Neil Armstrong, Dick Clark and Andy Griffith were among those who died during the year, while Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian dominated gossip sites. “Honey BooBoo” became famous through cable TV. The Northern Virginia real estate 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.

January 22, 2015

Looking Back at 40 Years of N.Va. Real Estate

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to be comfortable. What you don’t want are extremes. A house should feel like your house should feel if you lived in it.” John McNamara, TTR Sotheby’s: “The home needs to be warm, a minimum of 68 to 70 degrees when a buyer walks through in the winter. A cold home can be a mindset and a turnoff. It’s the same in the summer for the upstairs if a house is hot. You want a house set at 70 to 74 in the summer. The upstairs can be cooled by adjusting the vents.” Steve Wydler, Long & Foster: “I always tell my listing clients to keep it at a comfortable level. In the winter you can have it a little cooler and in the summer a little bit warmer. You want to make a property a pleasant environment for the buyers to tour.” Casey Margenau, Re/Max Distinctive: “If a house is occupied, the temperature is whatever the occupant feels comfortable with. If it’s vacant, you need to control the temperature to protect the wood products and keep the moulding from cracking. Too cold and too hot will damage the property. But no one is not going to buy a house if the temperature is two degrees off what they like.” Terry Belt, Keller Williams: “I always recommend that the thermostat be set and kept to whatever temperature will provide a comfortable feeling for the season, where one does not need to put on or take off clothing to remain comfortably warm in the fall/winter and cool in the spring/summer. Not all thermostats and HVAC systems work the same – a 72-degree setting in one home could feel like 68 degrees in another. So whatever temperature in a particular home will achieve the comfort objective.”

Sun Gazette

January 22, 2015

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Sun Gazette

January 22, 2015

‘Quaker Hamlet’ Is Both Sumptuous, Stylish Well-Situated Estate Showcases a Bucolic Setting, Attention to Detail

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Ideally located in the heart of Loudoun County’s horse and wine country, Quaker Hamlet enjoys easy access to Middleburg and Purcellville, with fine shops, excellent restaurants, art galleries and wonderful sporting clubs. It is a unique and exquisite estate and an ideal family or equestrian compound. Love of nature and the beauty of the land is evident everywhere. An exceptional property, in pristine condition and offering privacy and seclusion in an idyllic setting, it is the perfect start to a new year profiling high-quality estates across the local area. The property currently is on the market, listed at $2,350,000 by Mary Ann McGowan of Thomas and Talbot Real Estate. Step back in time upon entering this extraordinary historic estate, boasting two main residences and a guest house, amidst towering trees, brilliant gardens and a sparkling spring fed pond. The manicured grounds encompass 25 gorgeous acres with two stunning stables, a wonderful paneled office, a heated and air-conditioned kennel, and an attached two-bay garage with workshop. Stone pillars mark the entrance; a long drive bordered by flowering fruit trees and majestic oaks leads to this secluded enclave of antique buildings. The exquisite landscaping, complemented by old stone walls, picket fences and a splendid English garden, create a tranquil and magical setting in the heart of the fabled horse country. The handsome manor house, circa 1780, has been expanded and restored over the years, with meticulous attention to maintaining the integrity and character

of the original home. It is constructed of bricks used as ship’s ballast and German lap siding. Additions and renovations created a three-bedroom/three-bath home with all the modern amenities for a gracious country lifestyle. Superbly detailed and beautifully appointed, one enters from a wide covered porch into the foyer of the charming living room with deep set windows, the first of three fireplaces, and a cozy reading niche. Adjacent is the formal dining room with high ceilings, a fireplace with antique mantel and lovely built in cupboards. Next is the updated kitchen, the centerpiece of family gatherings, showcasing the hand made, hand planed cabinetry of reclaimed heart pine. Corian countertops grace the center island and counters and premium appliances provide all the requirements for a true chef’s kitchen. Opening to the kitchen is the library/ family room, also lined with beautiful reclaimed heart pine book shelves and offering access to both the enclosed screened

porch and the spacious rear deck. Both enjoy magnificent views of the sweeping lawns and picturesque pond. The second level includes the three bedrooms, baths and a stairwell to the floored attic, providing excellent storage. The second residence is a Cape-style home, thoughtfully designed with a master bedroom suite on the main level. It includes a front to back living room with fireplace, a formal dining room with French doors accessing the rear deck, a modern kitchen and a fabulous glass enclosed sun room, bathing the rooms in natural light. There are two additional, very large bedrooms on the second level, each with a private bath. Across from the English garden, which is enclosed with a picket fence, is a fabulous office, handsomely paneled and highlighted by a lovely picture window, custom cabinetry, and high ceilings. A one-bedroom guest house is located on the circular drive and is ideal for guests or living quarters for the farm staff. Further down the drive is the spectac-

ular Long Barn, circa 1800, once used for cattle and now offers eight large, finished stalls – with additional room for more. The open loft level is huge and ideal for multiple uses. The second historic bank barn overlooks the pond, paddocks and includes 10 stalls and a breathtaking loft with soaring ceilings. The stone exterior and enormous wood beams are precious remnants of the area’s early history. Articles are prepared by Middleburg Life’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 Middleburg Life real estate advertising department at (540) 687-6059.

Facts for buyers

Address: Quaker Hamlet. Listed at: $2,350,000 by Mary Ann McGowan, Thomas and Talbot Real Estate (540) 687-5523.

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Sun Gazette

January 22, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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