Category: Arch Hall

Old Town is called Old Town because it is the oldest part of Alexandria. Old Town was originally laid out in 1749 it is a nationally designated historic district. Many of Old Town’s 4,000 historic buildings houses, art galleries, antique shops and restaurants are historic sites. Once the site of the second-largest slave market in the United States, Old Town’s Market Square now contains a large fountain, extensive landscaping and a Saturday morning farmers’ market.

Old Town is known for its illustrious residents and guests. George Washington called it home. Robert E. Lee worshiped at Christ Church and Thomas Jefferson entertained at nearby Gadsby’s Tavern. Old Town Alexandria offer a full menu of dining choices with restaurants ranging from fast-food to white tablecloth. A night on the town can be had at spots such as the Oyster Bar and Club Room at Union Street.

Some of the most desirable addresses in Old Town are found on the south side along the Potomac River. St. Asaph’s Square and Porto Vecchio are two condo communities in the south end. St. Asaph’s Square is found in a neighborhood near Lyles Crouch Elementary.

Porto Vecchio straddles the Mount Vernon trail which runs upriver toward Reagan National Airport and downriver toward Mount Vernon. Many residents of Porto Vecchio have views of the Belle Haven Marina or the Belle Haven Country Club.

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The best way to update a property is to paint it. It’s a job that many sellers can do themselves.

Here are six suggestions for making the work go quickly.

1. Move the furniture. Get as much furniture as possible out of the way, and then cover what’s left with plastic drop cloths held in place with masking tape.
2. Buy good paint. Top-quality latex interior paint will hide what’s underneath and make the job go faster.
3. Tape the edges. Taping the edges with painters tape will speed up the job and make the results more professional.
4. Work top down. Paint the ceiling first, then the walls, then the windows and trim and finally the baseboards. This will cut down on time spent repairing drips and splatter marks.
5. Cut in the corners. Applying a three-inch band of paint around the edges will allow you to fill in the middle with a paint roller.
6. Apply paint generously. Trying to stretch the paint won’t save sellers any money if they have to repaint.

Source: Paint Quality Institute (09/21/2010)

 

For more information or to set up an appointment call Julie at (703)765-0300.