Our Region in the Top 10 for Eco-Friendly Homes

Azalea blossomIn some parts of the country, energy efficient and eco-friendly homes are easier to find. The real estate brokerage Redfin recently ranked cities that have the greenest homes, basing its rankings on the number of homes for sale that boast green features—such as solar panels, LEED certification, and Energy Star appliances—as well as taking into account each city’s carbon-dioxide emissions ranking. "The residents of these cities are reducing their environmental footprint and saving money at the same time" by lowering their monthly utility bills, says Julie Jacobson, a real estate agent with Redfin. The following cities emerged on the top of the brokerage’s list for greenest cities for homes:
  1. San Francisco
  2. Washington, D.C.
  3. Sacramento, Calif.
  4. Boston
  5. Portland, Ore.
  6. Philadelphia
  7. Phoenix
  8. Los Angeles
Source: “10 Cities With the Greenest Homes,” AOL Real Estate (April 19, 2013)
  • Julie Nesbitt

    Julie Nesbitt
    Julie Nesbitt knows the back trails and by-ways of Northern Virginia real estate.

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  • Enjoying Winkler Botanical Preserve

    We had a great time walking the trails. 

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  • Don’t take chances with real estate.

  • REDUCED: 7202 Churchill Rd, McLean

    Open House, Sunday, 1-4 BIG PRICE DROP! 7202 CHURCHILL ROADMcLean, VA 221016 Bedrooms5.5 Bathrooms6,752 SF $1,695,000

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  • Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services

    Fairfax County
    Established in 1974 with a mission to reduce homelessness, increase community support and promote self sufficiency, the Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is operated by a multi-denominational board of directors and staff managing over 70 housing units. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is located in the Mount Zephyr Business Center at 8305 Richmond…

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What Buyers Do—and Do Not—Want

With the U.S. housing market finally picking back up, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) conducted a large study to pinpoint how recession may have influenced consumers' lifestyle preferences and home wish lists.  Released this month, the survey found that Americans desire:
  • Energy Star appliances above all else
  • energy-efficient laundry rooms
  • high-end amenities such as kitchens with double sinks, French doors, and whole-house technology
    kitchen
    Kitchen
What homeowners and buyers do not want, meanwhile, are:
  • elevators
  • golf course homes
  • laminate countertops
NAHB also determined that the outer suburbs are favored when it comes to home location, with just 8 percent of those queried citing a preference for living in a city center.  That is a departure from what those in the apartment sector believe: that recession and escalating gasoline prices are creating demand for urban lifestyles. "What Home Buyers Want," CNBC Europe (Feb 25, 2013) © Copyright Information Inc. 2013

Award Winning Green Condos at Old Town Commons

With a convenient location in Old Town Alexandria between the Braddock Road Metro and the Potomac River, the elegant Old Town Commons condominium are in a class of their own.  All of these luxurious condos are new or in the process of being built.  All offer private rear yards, beautiful views of Old Town, and easy access to the Braddock Road Metro.
waterfront on the Potomac
Old Town Commons are minutes away from the Old Town waterfront.
  The Old Town Commons host 380 residential units with a variety of  3 to 4 bedroom floor plans.  The buildings were developed by EYA and purposefully designed to meet the LEED for Homes standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council.  As part of their green design, these new condos boast nontoxic pest treatment, low flow flush toilets, recycled construction materials, low VOC paints and finishes, heat reflective roofing and CFL lighting, including ENERGY STAR® appliances.  Not only do these features save residents a significant amount of money, they also earned Old Town Commons the “Most Innovative Infill Community” award in 2010. Old Town Commons is located only minutes away from downtown Old Town Alexandria.  The nearby Mount Vernon Bike Trails and Charles Houston Recreation Center provide residents a variety of local recreational activities. Old Town Commons residents are served by Maury Elementary SchoolDouglas MacArthur Elementary SchoolGeorge Washington Middle SchoolWest Potomac High School, and TC Williams High School. Homes for sale in Old Town Commons:

Properties in Old Town Commons