10 Steps to Getting Top Dollar for Your Home in Arlington

5500 HOLMES RUN PKWY, Unit 1517, Alexandria VA, 22304
Condo with nice kitchen
When you decide to sell your home in Arlington you should immediately begin referring to it as a house. You’ve become emotionally attached to this place and it’s now time to say goodbye. Your home is where the heart is. Your house is a product for sale, so start detaching yourself by making some changes that will help you with the sale of the house. You probably have accumulated a lot of clutter over the years. This must be the first step. 1. Unclutter your home. Start in the basement and either throw things out or rent a locker off premises to store it until you move but prospective buyers need to see what the house looks like behind all your stuff. This means going room to room and clearing everything out that makes it look junkie and disorganized. 2. Neutralize the personal nature of your home. You may love the native tapestry on the living room wall from Bora Bora but I’ll guarantee 95% of your prospects will have it on their mind when they leave your home and not in a good way. Knick knacks and generally all things that you’ve previously enjoyed should be stored away until after the sale, that includes grandma’s spoon collection that takes up half a wall in the kitchen. Replace these things with neutral items like picture frames or vase with a simple arrangement. 3. Minor cosmetic work. Once you remove the clutter you will see all the things that you’ve been meaning to get to over the years. Painting where necessary, new carpet/s, moldings repaired, cracked plaster and re-taping/ repairing drywall. When making these improvements think neutral colors for any coverings be it paint or carpets. If you have hardwood floors sand them and finish them. Area rugs can look amazing. Whatever you do, don’t over do it. Try and think like a buyer.
Nesbitt Realty (703) 765 0300 buying, selling, renting, and property management
4. Hire a professional cleaner. Once you have the house cleared you should hire a professional cleaning crew to wash the walls, windows, work over the kitchen and bathrooms, clean the floors and shampoo all carpets that don’t need to be replaced. Your house should be spotless and kept this way for the duration. 5. Staging each room. If your rooms are smaller rearrange the furniture to make the room look bigger. For example removing some furniture is better than having too much cramped in. Set your furniture up in conversation pit style. Like a gourmet coffee house, make it cozy. Pull couches away from walls to give the appearance of depth. Remove wall clutter, one or two pictures but no more. Generally make it look inviting. 6. Kitchen and bathrooms. These are the most important rooms in your home to a buyer. Make sure they are impeccable. Plumbing fixtures should be working properly and look like new or they should be replaced. Use a good cleaner or even a metal polish to make them gleam. Showers and tubs need to be spotless! Sinks and vanities need to be pristine and uncluttered. Kitchen cupboards should be orderly, doors opening and closing properly, drawers the same. I can’t stress enough how important these two rooms are to your potential outcome. 7. Doors and windows. First thing prospects see when they walk in your home is a door. Make sure its painted or cleaned up and that it will open and close properly. This goes for screen doors as well. Often screen doors are a problem people let go. Not anymore. Windows should all be cleaned and be sure if someone wants to open them that they work properly. If they have been painted closed as is the case with some older homes, now is the time to get them to open. Do whatever it takes. 8. Garages and workshops. These are the second most important areas. Again remove all clutter from the garage and make it accessible so you can actually park your car in it! As for the workshop, try and organize it so the handy person prospect will appreciate what they can do with their “new shop” when they move in. It’s all about your prospect picturing themselves in your house. 9. Family effort. Everyone in your family needs to be on board with the presentation of the house. This means your kids need to buy into the project and keep their rooms tidy. Bribe them if you need to but everyone has to help maintain the appearance of the entire house. 10. Odors and pets. Wow, is this ever important. If you have pets only you really love them. When you walk into a house with dogs or cats you immediately smell them, especially if you don’t have your own. Keep litter boxes fresh and clean daily. Restrict your animals if at all possible to certain areas of the home until after the sale. Vinegar and water will do wonders when you clean their areas every other day until the sale is complete, and top it off with effective air fresheners wherever you need them. Vacuum often with carpet fresh powders two or 3 times a week. This sounds like quite a bit of work and it is. Try and remember that by following these tips you could easily add five to ten thousand dollars to the sale price of your home, maybe more. A little elbow grease now will be a solid investment.  

Properties in Arlington

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, March 30th* Noon-2pm...Why rent when you can own this beautifully updated- TURN-KEY ready* 1 bedroom & 1 bath meticulously maintained condo in the highly sought-after Arlington area* Recent Home Inspection report is available upon request*ALL UTILITIES included in Condo fee: Electric, Gas, Water, Trash, Sewer*The open floor-plan between the living//dining area, kitchen, balcony and bedroom creates a seamless flow for everyday living, working or entertaining*This unit is move-in ready*Updated Kitchen - Stainless steel appliances w/built in microwave, gas stove, and a pass-through breakfast bar to living area*Kitchen also features granite countertops, tile back-splash and tile flooring *Large, private balcony to enjoy a cup of coffee or glass of wine*Plenty of storage w/custom built-ins, several linen closets and other storage closets*Updated bathroom with marble tile floors and subway tiles in shower/tub combination*Freshly painted February 2024 from ceiling to baseboard * Heating / AC system was replaced in June 2022*The Circle Condominium amenities include: a rooftop terrace with stunning panoramic views of DC, private outdoor pool, BBQ areas w/ picnic tables and grills, community room, digital laundry facilities, and on-sight building management. Bike and storage areas are available for an additional fee *The Circle Condo walk-ways lead to the W&OD trail. Minutes from Market Common at Clarendon, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods & Farmer's Market, The Italian Store, Lyon Village, Theaters, Grocery Store and Restaurants*Quick access to Rosslyn, Georgetown, DC, Amazon's HQ2, Reagan National Airport & the Pentagon. Close to commuter routes I-66, GW Parkway, less than a mile to Courthouse METRO (Orange & Silver lines), and ART transit bus and METRO bus run at the end of the street for convenient access to DC. *Enhance your urban lifestyle and call this condo HOME*Assigned parking space #17* Seller has a Home Inspection Report available for your review* [2030 N Adams St #911, Arlington, VA]

Welcome to this stunning highrise condo located at 1300 Army Navy Dr, Arlington, VA. This 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom unit offers 664 square feet of city living at its finest. The parquet floors create a warm and inviting atmosphere, complemented by the open views from the private balcony. The galley kitchen is equipped with a gas stove and refrigerator, perfect for preparing delicious meals. The building amenities include a pool, tennis court, and a common roof deck, providing ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Additionally, the service level is top-notch with a dedicated concierge, security system, and private storage included. Residents will appreciate the convenience of central AC, gas heat, a laundry room 20 feet from the unit, and assigned parking space. The building also offers guest parking for visitors. With an elevator for easy access, this condo ensures both comfort and practicality. ***Condo/HOA Fee includes ALL UTILITIES*** Located in a prime location, this condo provides easy access to all that Arlington has to offer. Don't miss the opportunity to make this sophisticated urban retreat your own. Schedule a showing today and experience the epitome of city living in this remarkable condo. [1300 Army Navy Dr #710, Arlington, VA]

Built in 2018! This Exceptional Penthouse with OWN private rooftop and an extended wrap-around balcony offers exclusive living experience in Arlington's desirable area, minutes from Georgetown and DC, It features a spacious and well-designed 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom layout, enhanced by an open floor plan that radiates modern elegance. The interior boasts Calacatta quartz countertops, a gourmet kitchen with top-tier stainless steel appliances, a gas range, and light hardwood flooring throughout. The home is brightened by ample natural light through large windows and benefits from recessed lighting. The charm of your future home is amplified by its custom marble bathrooms with LED mirrors and a convenient front-loading washer/dryer. The residence includes a customized closet offering plenty of storage space. One of the unique highlights of this property is its expansive private rooftop. Accessible via an office area on the upper level, the 500 sqft rooftop deck provides spectacular views of Arlington and a glimpse of the D.C. skyline, ideal for relaxation or entertaining guests. This condo comes with one covered parking space, adding convenience to its list of features. Its location is a key asset, situated conveniently close to the metro, a variety of restaurants and retail options, and easy commute to Georgetown and Washington D.C. [1245 N Pierce St #12, Arlington, VA]

Julie Nesbitt

View posts by Julie Nesbitt
Julie Nesbitt is an ABR who has served buyers in some of Alexandria’s most exclusive neighborhoods.  She is a top producing agent who has listed and sold property in Northern Virginia. In addition to helping folks buy, sell and rent property in Northern Virginia, Julie is the primary administrator of the property management services performed by Nesbitt Realty and Condo Alexandria. Call Julie at (703)765-0300.