drawing of a Craftsman house
Popularized at the turn of the 20th century by architect and furniture designer Gustav Stickley in his magazine, The Craftsman, the Craftsman-style bungalow reflected, said Stickley, "a house reduced to it's simplest form... its low, broad proportions and absolute lack of ornamentation gives it a character so natural and unaffected that it seems to... blend with any landscape."
Typical Craftsman
The style, which was also widely billed as the "California bungalow" by architects such as Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene, featured overhanging eaves, a low-slung gabled roof, and wide front porches framed by pedestal-like tapered columns. Material often included stone, rough-hewn wood, and stucco. Many homes have wide front porches across part of the front, supported by columns.
Northern Virginia has many Craftsman homes, especially in Arlington and in parts of Alexandria in and around Del Ray.
1800 Old Meadow Rd #211, McLean Real Estate Dispatch
How Much Do Mid 20th-Century Others Cost At Regency in 22102 in Fairfax County? Will Nesbitt works real estate all over this area but has special expertise in 22102 and residences like 1800 Old Meadow Rd #211. Check out the prices and pictures of this home at 1800 Old Meadow Rd #211. Not to mention,…
1800 Old Meadow Rd #405, McLean Real Estate Update
Looking at Listings At Regency? Ponder This Condo. Should you make an offer buy 1800 Old Meadow Rd #405? Sometimes, the answer to a question is more questions. Are you seeking a 3-bedroom Traditional-style condo in 22102 in Fairfax County? Can you afford $660,000? Is it actually worth $675,000 or $625,000? Do you need 2…
What shape is the house, overall? Rectangular and symmetrical: National, Colonial, Neoclassical, Greek Revival, Italianate Square and box-like: American Foursquare L-shaped: Folk and National styles Complicated and asymmetrical: Queen Anne and other Victorian styles, Chateauesque Rounded corners: Pueblo, Art Moderne Single story or 1½ story: Cape Cod, Ranch, Craftsman, Cottage styles Does the roof have…
Most people have heard of the MLS, but many are unclear as to exactly what it is. MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service.The MLS is a database of homes listed for sale.
The Multiple Listing Service is probably your best tool as a home buyer and your best friend as a home seller.
But what exactly is the MLS?
The MLS is a database.
In the old days MLS databasing was done on filing cards and notebooks. Today that information is aggregated on computers. MLS data includes information about what properties are for sale and certain details about those properties such as condo amenities, number of bedrooms, garage parking. Almost everything you'd want to know about a given property is cataloged on the MLS.
Much of that information is public, such as the selling price and the address. Some of that information is private, or reserved for those who have professional access to the MLS. For example, real estate agents know which properties are vacant. The general public doesn't need to know this information as sharing that information might pose a risk to some property owners.
Yes, the MLS is a database, but it is also something more.
The MLS is a marketplace.
The collection of information on the MLS serves as the primary repository of details about real estate for sale or rent. MLS data is the foundation for most websites, and it is the primary reference point for most real estate professionals. As properties are contracted and sold, the data is constantly updated. Today, most agents and websites have data that is practically up to the minute.
The MLS is not free, but it's free to you the consumer. Agents and brokers pay fees for access to MLS data and to fees to maintain and improve the system. Professionals like me make that data available to the public for the purpose of helping buyers and sellers connect.
The MLS is a tool.
Like all tools, the MLS gives the best results when wielded by a professional. (More on this below.)
The MLS is for sellers.
Home sellers want access to the maximum number of buyers, in the most cost effective manner. When compared to the expense of newspaper, radio or other ads, the MLS is incredibly targeted and very affordable. The professionals who use this data will only bring qualified buyers shopping for property in your price range. It doesn't get better than that.
When a seller chooses a real estate agent with MLS access, the seller's sales force is equal to the number of agents who are using the MLS. The larger pool of prospective buyers the greater the chance that the property will sell quickly and for a fair market value.
The MLS is for buyers.
The MLS makes home shopping extremely convenient. MLS data does not cost the buyers a dime. Thanks to the internet and sites like NesbittRealty.com you can search MLS listings 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Many consumers find that a "self-search" through the MLS is a good starting point for finding the right home.
A real estate agent is for you.
In the old days consumers needed an agent to help them look through the data. These days its easy for the public to access most of the data available. So, you can do it yourself.
But if you try to find a home on your own or you try to sell without an agent, you'll quickly discover why most people choose to employ a professional. It's true: you could probably cut your own hair, change your oil filter and fill your own cavities. But why would you?
These days the problem isn't that the data is hard to find. The data is often up to the minute. These days, the problem is that there is too much data. Buyers are overwhelmed with choices. Sellers are drowned out by the noise of available information.
That's one reason why when it's time to get serious about buying or selling, a real estate professional can help guide you through the process.
Most agents know the tricks and secrets of the MLS.
As an agent, I have access to more complicated tools and search processes not available to the consumer. I work with the MLS every single day. The MLS is one of the most important tools in my toolbox. Once you have an idea of what you want to accomplish, I can employ the MLS in ways that you haven't imagined.
Lewinsville Park is a heavily-used district park with athletic fields, sport courts, playground, garden plots, historic house and seasonal farmers market. Spring Hill Park has athletic fields, a playground, picnic area and a RECenter with an indoor pool and fitness facilities. The 41-mile Cross County Trail traverses a portion of the western edge of the McLean District along the Difficult Run stream valley.
From May to December Lewinsville Park is the home of the Mclean Farmer's Market.
Lewinsville Park is a pick-up point for Fairfax County's free mulch. Fairfax County operates a brush grinding operation which produces double-shredded wood mulch for residents. Leaf mulch also is available on a seasonal basis, usually November through March.
Lewinsville Park is off Chain Bridge Road in McLean, Virginia. The neighborhoods here are generally very pleasant and upscale. You can learn more about homes for sale in this neighborhood by checking-out West Mclean.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation and is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with field offices across the United States. One of these offices is a a federally owned and operated research facility in McLean, Virginia named the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. The Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) isTFHRC is the home of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA's) Office of Research, Development, and Technology.
TFHRC provides Federal Highway Administration and the world highway community with the most advanced research and development related to new highway technologies. The research focuses on providing solutions to complex technical problems through the development of more economical, environmentally sensitive designs; more efficient, quality controlled constructions practices; and more durable materials. The expertise of TFHRC scientists and engineers encompasses more than 100 transportation-related disciplines that are put to use in the research laboratories housed at TFHRC. These laboratories provide a vital resource for advancing the body of knowledge that has been created and developed by our researchers. The end result is a safer, more reliable highway transportation system.
The Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) is located at 6300 Georgetown Pike in McLean, VA22101. If you're looking for a home in close proximity to TFHRC you might want to check in Langley.
If you're thinking of buying a new construction in your next home, you probably already know that every new home development will have its own sales staff. These people are often friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable about the newly built home. However, these folks work to sell this property only. The on-site staff of a builder knows the property as-well-as or better than anyone around and they are there to assist you but they work for the builder.
When in the market for a newly built home, it's a good idea to employ your own advocate, an agent who does not work for the builder, to look out for your interests. We don't work for the builder ... we work for you. Our agents know the entire area, not just one property. We know the pitfalls and benefits of buying new, and best of all it won't cost you one dime more than if you use the onsite staff. You have a right to representation:exercise that right today!
Will Nesbitt -- principal broker of Condo Alexandria / Nesbitt Realty
I'm often asked for recommendations for financing. First-time home buyers often don't know where to begin, but even veteran purchasers like to know who I suggest. This is also important for relocation buyers. Condo Alexandria\ Nesbitt Realty never makes any money off of loans and our only goal is to see that your transaction happens smoothly and at the lowest cost. My recommendations are based on direct experience, so this list only includes folks I know personally.
One distinction for first-time buyers: a mortgage broker is a company that arranges for loans with lenders. Mortgage brokers don't technically make the loans, rather they get a cut from the bank for finding borrowers. Mortgage bankers actually loan the money. Mortgage bankers usually have good prices. Mortgage brokers with low overhead can sometimes beat the banker's price. On the other hand, mortgage brokers without a conscience can hammer the consumer. In other words, mortgage brokers often have more discretion on their price.
Condominium Mortgage
Condominium Mortgage is a mortgage broker in Alexandria VA. Although we used to send the bulk of our loans to Condominium Mortgage and American Affordable Mortgage, many of the lenders that provided loans to to these Condominium Mortgage have gone out of business. This company now focuses on buyers with top-flight credit and bankable incomes, providing discount loans for high-end buyers.
Alexandria Financial
Dillon Lee runs a nearly one man brokerage in Alexandria VA. Dillon has years of experience and can help all types of buyers. He specializes in keeping his overhead low to pass savings on to consumers. You won't always get Dillon the first ring, but once he answers he is a great loan officer. Call him at 703 360 8868.
Don Bucci
Don Bucci is a friend of mine dating back more than 25 years ago to my time in the Army. Don works for a mortgage banker with an office in Richmond VA where he resides. Don can sometimes beat Northern VA prices because of lower overhead working in Richmond. On the other hand, Don can't meet with you personally if you're buying a home in Northern VA. His number is 804 400 0864.
Kelly Garant
Kelly works for Wells Fargo. I think the "big boy" banks like Wells Fargo and Bank of America often have great prices, but it's tough to get an experienced and accountable loan officer for these big banks. (Tip: NEVER call the 800 number for a mortgage.) You can get Kelly at 703 442 5338. She works for the big bank but you'll get the service you expect from a small lender.
James Thompson
James is fairly new to my acquaintance but he's impressed me with his attention to detail, pricing and work ethic. James works for AmericaHomeKey, Inc. You can call him at 240 499 1140.
Gregory Williams --- Home Mortgage Consultant, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage 7620 Little River Turnpike, Suite 300, Annandale, VA 22003, (703) 333-5560
Kenneth A. Cyr, CMPS Mortgage Banker, Mortgage Planning Specialist, Asst. Manager Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 101, Springfield VA 22151. Call him at 703.426.6968
A few more tips ...
Credit Unions promise great rates but there is often a funding fee or other fee that basically makes the price the same as a mortgage broker or mortgage banker. The trouble is the service at credit unions is often poor.
Above all, we're I've seen the biggest problems is with out-of-the-area fly-by-night Internet lenders who hang customers out to dry after promising a great rate.
Recently, I've also seen a pattern of delayed closings with Bank of America. Bank of America has had an influx of business since the onset of the financial crisis and they don't appear equipped to handle the volume of loans they are trying to do.
Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria / Nesbitt Realty.
