Open Houses in Vienna & Reston – Sunday, May 30

TGIF! And that means it’s time for our Theme Song of the Week and a look at what homes will be held open this weekend.

First, see if you can guess what the song is. Here’s the hint > > > > It’s Friday!  (Yup – same hint as last week – but it’s a different song!)

Ok, give up?

The answer is “Friday I’m In Love” by The Cure. We think this is what you’ll be singing when you see the homes we’ll be holding open this weekend! (Scroll down for open house details.)

Here’s where you will find us this weekend:

~ Sunday, May 30th from 1PM to 4PM – 12102 Kinsley Place in Reston- $774,589

~ Sunday, May 30th from 2PM to 4PM – 9606 Podium Drive in Vienna – $919,000

~ Sunday, May 30th from 2PM to 5PM – “Thistle Ridge” in Vienna – $1,499,900 & Up

12102 Kinsley Place in Reston – $774,589

 

This unique luxury 4-story end unit townhome with turret bay windows, exquisite rooftop terrace and two car garage is in West Market, a secluded enclave just steps to Reston Town Center!

Directions: West on Dulles Toll Road, Right Fairfax County Parkway, Right New Dominion Parkway, Right Crescent Park, Left Market St (park on street – entry is on Market St)

More Info about 12102 Kinsley Place in Reston

9606 Podium Drive in Vienna – $919,000

 

This home offers a unique opportunity & value! With a fabulous addition, lots of updates & a wonderful lot in an established, sought after neighborhood – you get the best of both worlds – an existing home, move-in ready now – that can compare in size with many new homes in the area. And at a much lower price!

Directions: From Tysons – South on Rt 123 into Vienna, Right Beulah Rd, pass Wolftrap ES, left Abbotsford Dr, Right Percussion, Left Baton, Left Podium Drive to #9606.

More Info About 9606 Podium Drive

Thistle Ridge in Vienna – $1,499,900 & Up

Thistle Ridge is a breathtaking new home community from master builder Sekas Homes in Vienna. 9 new homes will be built on beautiful cul-de-sac lots! Three are pre-sold. Six opportunities remain! Prices start at $1,499,900.

Directions to Thistle Ridge: From Rt 123 in Vienna, Proceed North on Beulah Road. Bear left on Clarks Crossing Road. 2nd Right on Brookside Lane. Right on Thistle Ridge to #9604.

Search the MLS for homes in Reston & Vienna

Read about “Life in Vienna, VA“

Just Listed on Timber Lane in Vienna!

 

This charming rambler on a spacious .30 acre wooded lot is close to downtown Vienna and in the sought after Madison High School pyramid! Brimming with updates, it is picture-perfect and move-in ready! Listed at $539,000

More Info about 905 Timber Lane in Vienna

Vienna Oakton Weekly Real Estate Market Update

Here are last week’s stats for Vienna (22180, 22181, 22182):

• Number of Contracts: 27
• Average Days on Market: 101 days
• Inventory: 248 homes on the market
• Number of Months Supply of Homes: 2.2

These statistics are virtually identical to the statistics we reported for Vienna two weeks ago . . . and with one exception are fairly consistent with what we have seen throughout the Spring. The one change is that this past week, the percentage of homes that went under contract in Vienna above $800,000 was much higher than in previous weeks. We had been averaging about a 17% rate and this week 33% of the homes that went under contract in Vienna were listed above $800,000. Not only were these homes above $800,000 – but they were above $1,149,000!

• Could this be a carryover from the high rate of sales in the lower price ranges during the period prior to the expiration of the HomeBuyer Tax Credit – a “trick-up effect” so-to-speak? Possibly.
• Could this be a sign of returning consumer confidence as the economy turns the corner? Possibly.
• Could this just be a “fluke” in statistical tracking? Possibly.

Stay tuned to our blog as we continue to track local market trends. It remains to be seen.

Here are last week’s stats for Oakton (22124):

• Number of Contracts: 3
• Average Days on Market: 101 days
• Inventory: 81 homes on the market
• Number of Months Supply of Homes: 2.4

The level of contracts over this past week is the lowest we have seen since mid-February.  But the number of months supply also remains very low at 2.4 months. Time will tell us whether this is a trend – and sales are slowing – or whether this is just a “blip on the radar screen”.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling, contact The Belt Team for a more in-depth discussion & analysis – because it’s only the neighborhood YOU live in (or YOU want to live in) that matters!

And PS – If you live in (or want to live in) Vienna, make sure you are also reading our blog about Life in Vienna Virginia. It’s called TheresNoPlaceLikeVienna.com !

All It Takes Is a Pat on the Back

  

(photo from hugpug.com)

Realtors, like many of you, work LONG hours. Most successful Realtors work 7 days a week, with 12-18 hour days. A day off happens rarely. Why do we do this? Mostly because we really care about the clients we serve. We realize that we have a unique opportunity to help people at important times in their lives. We are not doctors making life or death decisions, but we do take very seriously the fact that our clients invite us in at key moments in their lifetime. Sometimes they are getting married and buying their first home ~ sometimes they are retiring and moving “down South”. Sometimes it’s a divorce or death that causes a move ~ and sometimes they are expecting their fourth child and need a larger home! No matter the reason, moving is important to them . . . AND to us!

The emails/letters below came in recently and reminded us of why we do what we do. Thank you to Richard & Jan Sanchez and Julius & Jean Coles for making our day. Sometimes all it takes is a pat on the back!

********************************

Pauline,

Richard and I just want to thank you for EVERYTHING you have done.  I know it hasn’t been easy, dealing with contractors, installers and Sears.  We are so thrilled to have sold the property and we know we could not have done it without you.  You are such a professional and always upbeat and encouraging.  Thank you again for everything. 

JAN

********************************

 Dear Gail,

On behalf of my wife and me, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation for all that you & your team did to sell our home at 318 Lewis Street NW, Vienna, VA. From the first time we met at our initial interview with you until the day of the closing, you have shown your true professionalism and to be one of the top Real Estate Agents, if not the top, for Northern Viorginia.

My wife and I appreciate all the wise counsel that you provided throughout the sales process of our home. We were truly amazed that you were able to obtain a firm contract on our home in just seven days, for we had expeced the sale to take at least two months. What is more remarkable is that you were able to negotiate an excellent price for our home and to steer us calmly through some very difficult negotiations and a less than welcome inspection report. While we were somewhat frustrated with these developments, your calmness and sound advice helped us to reach a mutually agreeable solution to all the problems that arose and to finalize a contract for the sale of our home. We will be eternally grateful for all your help and the support provided by The Belt Team.

Thanks again for being such a wonderful and highly professional Real Estate Agent. My wife and I would recommend you to anyone seeking to sell their home in Northern Virginia.

Sincerely,

Julis & Jean Coles

********************************

When you are ready to buy or sell a home, make sure you contact The Belt Team !

The Belt Team . . . Serving all of your real estate needs in Vienna, Oakton, McLean, Great Falls, Arlington, Reston, Fairfax and the entire Northern Virginia Region! Contact us today for a FREE home valuation or buyer counseling session!

Thank You Giant Shoppers!

Thank you to all who participated in our Food Drive for SHARE of McLean!

Last week, Keller Williams Realty celebrated RED Day. RED stands for Renew, Energize, Donate. And RED Day is a national community service initiative by the 77,000+ agents and staff of Keller Williams Realty. All kinds of activities took place around the country – from home building to blood drives to visiting nursing homes & more.

Locally, our office collected food & supplies for SHARE of McLean. SHARE is run by a coalition of religious & civic organizations and provides lower income families in McLean, Great Falls & Pimmitt Hills with a food pantry & emergency assistance program. You may be surprised to know that there are MANY families in these areas who need help and the number has been on the rise.

This year, we are proud to say that thanks to your generosity, Keller Williams McLean collected 2,800 POUNDS of food for the food pantry (in addition to cash & Giant gift cards).

Thank you for helping us GIVE WHERE WE LIVE!

3 Open Houses in Vienna – May 23rd

TGIF! And that means it’s time for our Theme Song of the Week and a look at what homes will be held open this weekend.

First, see if you can guess what the song is. Here’s the hint > > > > It’s Friday! And it’s 5 o’clock somewhere!

Ok, give up?

The answer is “Happy Hour” by the Housemartins. They sing “It’s Happy Hour again, and again, and again…” We think this is what you’ll be singing when you find your dream home to live in. You never know, maybe that’s what you’ll find at one of our open houses this weekend! (Scroll down for open house details.)

Here’s where you will find us this weekend:

~ Sunday, May 23rd from 1PM to 4PM – 10240 Dunfries Rd in Vienna – $849,000

~ Sunday, May 23rd from 2PM to 4PM – 408 MacArthur Ave NE in Vienna – $1,149,900

~ Sunday, May 23rd from 2PM to 5PM – “Thistle Ridge” in Vienna – $1,499,900 & Up

10240 Dunfries Road in Vienna – $849,000

Welcome to this fabulous home that’s move-in ready and full of updates, sited on a gorgeous “acre” lot backing to Fairfax County parkland in close-in Vienna and in the sought after Madison High School pyramid!

Directions: From Tysons: South on Route 123, Right Flint Hill Rd, Left Vale Rd, just past the pond turn Left on Dunfries. Or from Oakton: Take Hunter Mill Rd, Right on Vale, Right on Dunfries. Or from METRO: Nutley to Maple Ave (Rt 123), Left Maple, Right Flint Hill, Left Vale, Left Dunfries.

More Info about 10240 Dunfries Rd

408 MacArthur Ave NE in Vienna – $1,149,900

Brand new from Sekas Homes! 3 Finished levels, 2 story foyer, 9′ ceilings, oak stairs, gas fireplace in family room, gourmet stainless steel kitchen with spacious pantry, awesome master suite. Energy Star certified & Sekas quality. Great location close to town, parks & schools!

Directions: From Tysons – South on Rt 123 into Vienna, Right Beulah Rd to just past Cynthia Ln, Left MacArthur to home on right.

More Info About MacArthur Ave

Thistle Ridge in Vienna – $1,499,900 & Up

Thistle Ridge is a breathtaking new home community from master builder Sekas Homes in Vienna. 9 new homes will be built on beautiful cul-de-sac lots! Three are pre-sold. Six opportunities remain! Prices start at $1,499,900.

Directions to Thistle Ridge: From Rt 123 in Vienna, Proceed North on Beulah Road. Bear left on Clarks Crossing Road. 2nd Right on Brookside Lane. Right on Thistle Ridge to #9604.

Search the MLS for homes in Vienna

Read about “Life in Vienna, VA“

Just Listed In Vienna, VA – Close to Vienna Metro!

List Price: $450,000

Charming Vienna Woods rambler less than a mile from Vienna Metro!  This is a fabulous opportunity to get into the wonderful community that is The Town of Vienna (read more about Vienna here).

 

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Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Could Things Be THAT Different Than What I Read In General About The Regional Real Estate Market? (Plus Our Weekly Vienna Oakton Real Estate Update)

Did you see the article in yesterday’s Washington Post about the housing market’s recovery, shrinking supply and rising prices? If you have been reading our blog, you were already aware of these trends. If not, it was good info.

The article also gave some interesting statistics about inventory and the number of months housing supply as it relates to the health of our real estate market in the D.C. area and in several local counties. Again, good info.

However, as I read the article, it only reinforced how important it is for “real buyers and sellers” (those actually IN THE MARKET to buy or sell a home) to consult a Realtor who can provide & help analyze the information & statistics about the specific area you want to buy or sell in.

The article in The Washington Post said, “When prices softened and the mortgage market unraveled in mid-2007, the region’s supply started building up again. It peaked at 16 months in January 2008 before dropping off to the current level of 6.6 months.”

The article also stated that Prince William County & Arlington County both have a 5 month supply of homes and that “the five-to-six-month range <is> widely considered to be optimal.”

But what about Fairfax County? What about my specific city? What about my school district or neighborhood?

Could things really be THAT different than what I read in general about our regional real estate market?

YES!

As an example, here are the statistics for what we are seeing in the micro-markets of Vienna and Oakton, VA.

In Vienna, we have only a 2.3 month supply of homes. Traditionally, we would call that a Seller’s Market (as opposed to a Balanced Market or a Buyer’s Market.) Active listings are averaging 104 days on market. 32 homes sold over the past week. This is the 3rd highest week of sales in 2010. Average days on market for the homes that went under contract was only 27 days.

In Oakton, we have only a 2.4 month supply of homes. So we are also in a Seller’s Market in Oakton. Active listings are averaging 92 days on market. 6 homes sold over the past week and average days on market for the 6 homes that went under contract was 103 days.

If you are thinking of buying or selling, and would like to sit down to talk about “YOUR” market, contact The Belt Team. It would be our pleasure to help ensure you are making the right move!

Tax Credit Has Expired – 3 Tips for Selling Your Home

Check out “This Month In Real Estate“. . . .

The HomeBuyer Tax Credit has expired. How did that affect sales in the 1st Quarter of 2010 and what effect will the expiration have on post-tax-credit sales?

Plus – 3 Tips for Selling Your Home in Today’s Market!

Open Houses in Vienna and Oakton – May 15 & 16

TGIF! And that means it’s time for our Theme Song of the Week and a look at what homes will be held open this weekend.

First, see if you can guess what the song is. Here’s the hint > > > > Theres is NO RAIN forecast this weekend. Woohooo!

Ok, give up?

The answer is “Walking on Sunshine“. Check out this video, it’s sure to put a smile on your face. And then to ensure you KEEP smiling, stop by one of our open houses! (Scroll down for open house details.)

OPEN SATURDAY, MAY 15TH FROM 1PM TO 4PM

10240 Dunfries Road in Vienna – $849,000

Welcome to this fabulous home that’s move-in ready and full of updates, sited on a gorgeous “acre” lot backing to Fairfax County parkland in close-in Vienna and in the sought after Madison High School pyramid!

Directions: From Tysons: South on Route 123, Right Flint Hill Rd, Left Vale Rd, just past the pond turn Left on Dunfries. Or from Oakton: Take Hunter Mill Rd, Right on Vale, Right on Dunfries. Or from METRO: Nutley to Maple Ave (Rt 123), Left Maple, Right Flint Hill, Left Vale, Left Dunfries.

More Info about 10240 Dunfries Rd

PARADE OF HOMES FROM MASTER BUILDER SEKAS HOMES

Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16th – 11AM to 5PM

The Belt Team & Sekas Homes are participating in this weekend’s “Parade of Homes” sponsored by the Northern VA Building Industry Association. Our model home at Thistle Ridge will be held open, and all of the homes in our Sekas Vienna Oakton Portfolio will also be open for touring on both Saturday & Sunday (May 15/16) from 11AM to 5PM.

Thistle Ridge (pictured above) is a breathtaking new home community from master builder Sekas Homes in Vienna. 9 new homes will be built on beautiful cul-de-sac lots! Three are pre-sold. Six opportunities remain! Prices start at $1,499,900. 

Directions to Thistle Ridge: From Rt 123 in Vienna, Proceed North on Beulah Road. Bear left on Clarks Crossing Road. 2nd Right on Brookside Lane. Right on Thistle Ridge to #9604.

SEKAS HOMES ON THE PARADE OF HOMES ROUTE

• Thistle Ridge in Vienna $1,499,900 & Up  (Model of Your Choice)
• 1729 Creek Crossing Rd  Vienna $1,299,900  (Covington model)
• 10157 Palmer Drive in Oakton $1,199,900  (Covington model)
• 9622 Prelude Court in Vienna $1,199,900  (Lenox model)
• 10161 Palmer Drive in Oakton $1,149,900  (Lenox model)
• 408 MacArthur Ave in Vienna $1,149,900  (Cheshire model)
• 10141 Palmer Drive in Oakton $1,129,900   (Cheshire model)

PARADE OF HOMES ROUTE

• From Thistle Ridge to Prelude Court: Left on Brookside, Right Clarks Crossing, 3rd left on Percussion, 1st left onto Prelude Court.
• From Prelude Court to Creek Crossing Road: Go back to Percussion Way, Right on Percussion, Right Clarks Crossing, Left Beulah, Right Old Courthouse, Right Creek Crossing Road.
• From Creek Crossing Road to MacArthur Avenue: South on Creek Crossing (toward Westerholme Way), Right Beulah Rd, Left MacArthur Ave
• From MacArthur Avenue to Palmer Drive: Southeast on MacArthur (toward McKinley), Right Beulah Rd, Right    Maple Ave (Rt 123), Take Maple Ave/Rt 123 from Vienna into Oakton, Left Hibbard St, 1st right on Palmer Dr

Search the MLS for homes in Oakton & Vienna