Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM) are a 15 year old FHA product available to your clients.  It seems they aren't used often out of lack of understanding and are really not much more difficult than a standard FHA loan.  Today's market conditions mean home buyers are increasingly using FHA financing.  If you have a client that is looking at an FHA product, or you work with FHA products regularly, have you considered offering an EEM to your client?  An EEM can be used on either a home purchase or a refinance. Energy Efficient Mortgages consist of testing a home to determine which energy improvements make economic sense if rolled into the financing of the home.  These improvements can be windows, doors, HVAC, insulation, appliances, etc. that will result in a DECREASED monthly payment when i... 08/21/2009

Virginia wines, not always taken seriously, are now competing head on with wines from California and France.  But a bit of background first. In 1976 a British wine merchant organized a wine competition in Paris in which French judges did a blind tasting of top-quality chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon wines from France and California - except that the judges did not know that any of the wines were from outside of their country. Surprise, surprise - the California wines rated best in each category.  Known as the Judgment of Paris, the contest rocked the wine community and forever changed the perception of grapes grown and bottled in this country. Fast forward 30 years.   The Washington Post invited six area wine professionals to a similar tasting but this time the unknown wines were from... 08/20/2009

The benefit of living in a walkable neighborhood has gone to a whole new level with the Web site Walk Score, www.walkscore.com.  Launched in the summer of 2007 by a group of tech geeks in Seattle, the site got over 1,000,000 hits in just four weeks from visitors who wanted to know a property’s Walk Score!     The site uses Google Maps and business listings to compute a Walk Score for  any address in the   United States.  It bases the assigned points on the distance to local amenities and then averages the score.   Matt Lerner, one of the co-founders, says that since the site launched they have received lots of emails from users saying that walkability is the number one priority they focus on when buying a house. That should come as no surprise to residents of Old Town Alexandria and Del... 08/19/2009

Northern Virginia abounds in history - and no where more so than in Alexandria.  Old Town Alexandria is closely connected to the shipping business that flourished along the Potomac River.  Del Ray, on the other hand, owes its early history to the development of one of the first electric railways in the country and later, the Potomac Rail Yard. Once known as the Town of Potomac, Del Ray was annexed by the City of Alexandria in 1930.  The occasion was commemorated January 1, 1930 with a “gala program of music and dance” at the fire station.  At midnight, a siren wailed to mark the New Year and the official annexation.  The action was originally controversial and a majority of the townspeople refused to re-elect council members who favored joining the city. To see a great video on the elec... 08/19/2009

The real estate trend in Alexandria’s 22341 zip code for July 2009 is about stability and fewer days on the market.  Zip code 22314 embraces all of Old Town Alexandria, moves north up the GW Parkway to take in Potomac Greens and west on King Street past the Masonic Temple. What we are seeing in July 2009 is the same number of sales as in July 2008 but with a decrease in the average number of days on the market from 105 in 2008 to 87 in 2009. On the other hand, the average sales price in July 2008 was $1,026,178 while the average for July 2009 was $673,892.  As alarming as this may seem at first glance, it is worth nothing that in July 2008 there was one property that sold for over $4 million, two that sold for over $2 million and three that sold for over $1 million.  By contrast, in 200... 08/19/2009

  Carlyle Towers is a landmark in Alexandria. The towers are located between King St. Metro and the Eisenhower Metro in the Carlyle District. Carlyle Towers is part of the new skyline of Alexandria that serves the neighborhoods surrounding the USPTO and the US District Court. One of the most obvious benefits of life at Carlyle Towers is the veranda. Many units have sweeping views of the city, but some look back toward the Blue Ridge Mountains. Others peek beyond the city to the Potomac River. Perhaps my favorites are those with a view of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial. The rooftop pools are just one of many features residents enjoy at Carlyle Towers. Residents have access to fitness rooms, saunas, hot tubs, a library and party rooms. The rooftop deck has putting greens ... 08/18/2009

Fords Landing Luxury Waterfront Townhomes In Alexanria VA Ford's Landing townhomes is a premier upscale prestigious luxury town home community on the Potomac River waterfront just a short drive from Washington DC.  Ford's Landing is located in Old Town Alexandria VA.  These fine luxury Fords Landing townhouses are complete with garages, hardwood floors, gourmet kitchens with granite counters and some homes in Ford's Landing have an unobstructed Potomac Riverviews. The Ford's Landing town homes comunity is served by  Lyles-Crouch Elementary School, George Washington Middle School, and  T.C. Williams High School. For tastefully elegant Luxury town homes on the Potomac waterfront the choice is clear!  Own a Ford's Landing Town Home! Alexandria VA Luxury Waterfront Town Homes   Ford's Land... 08/18/2009

Saturdays are for the Del Ray Farmers Market and running errands.  But Sunday’s, even on a hot summer day, are for strolling, convertibles and brunch:       Come see us some time! 08/16/2009

Cameron Station Townhomes for Sale Alexandria VA 22304 Cameron Station Town Homes. Cameron Station in Alexandria VA is an award winning master planned community of Town Homes, condominiums, and shops. Find Cameron Station Town Homes for Sale in Alexandria VA.  There are luxury garage brick town homes, and more. Search Town Homes listings for sale in Cameron Station.  There are currently 23 active town homes for sale in Cameron Station and there have been 57 Cameron Station town homes sold YTD since the 1st of January 2009.  That is impressive. Alexandria VA Town Homes for Sale   23 'Active' Cameron Station Town Homes for Sale (HI / LO) $849,900 / $397,500  0 'Cntg/KO'  Cameron Station Town Homes for Sale  4 'Cntg/NO KO' Cameron Station Town Homes for Sale  10 'Contract' Cameron Station... 08/14/2009

Warwick Village Town Homes Alexandria VA Market Update Warwick Village Town Homes. Warwick Village in Alexandria VA is a town home community located in the Del Ray area near Mt Vernon Ave.  Warrick Village townhomes are an older brick town homes community in the city of Alexandria that are priced reasonably and have a great location for those that want to work or live in Alexandria near washington DC. 2 'Active' Warwick Village Town Homes for Sale (HI / LO) $465,000 / $399,000 0 'Cntg/KO'  Warwick Village Town Homes for Sale 0 'Cntg/NO KO' Warwick Village Town Homes for Sale 4 'Contract' Warwick Village Town Homes for Sale 11 'Sold' YTD Since 1/01/2009 Warwick Village Town Homes for Sale  (HI / LO)  $459,980 / $299,900 08/14/2009

Alexandria City VA Town Homes for Sale. Alexandria VA town homes are selling quickly even in this market!  Why?  Because the city of Alexandria VA has a an incredible location.  There are a lot of choices for town homes in Alexandria, there are garage town homes, new town homes for sale, luxury town homes overlooking the Potomac water front and yes...even penthouses.  The reason Alexandria is so sought after is obvious...it is close into the DC area, and it is convenient to all roads, Ronald Reagan National Airport, there is easy access to Metro (WMATA) via the Braddock Road Metro, King Street Metro, Huntington Metro,  and Van Dorn Metro stations. (WMATA MAP) There are currently 162 Alexandria City VA Town Homes for Sale.   (HI / LO)  $5,700,000 / $239,900 162 'Active' Alexandria City ... 08/14/2009

Del Ray is one of Alexandria’s best and most sought after neighborhoods.   Those of us who live here like it because it is compact, easy to navigate and we can walk to all the great shops and restaurants. There aren’t any parking buildings or big parking lots but that’s ok because we don’t really need them - except when we do - especially when folks from other neighborhoods come to see what all the fuss is about! But not to worry, parking just got better.   Shops and restaurants along Mt. Vernon Avenue have done a terrific job of working with each other and with at least one city-run service to create new parking opportunities. For instance, from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday-Friday, the lot behind Cheestique, Let’s Meat on the Avenue and the Caboose is leased to the Alexandria Department of... 08/14/2009

The Cindy Jones Team is proud to present our new listing in the Hollindale neighborhood of Alexandria, VA.  Located minutes from the GW Parkway and Fort Hunt road this home offers privacy and convenience all at the same time.Check out the chef's kitchen with high end stainless appliances.  Newly refinished hardwood floors, fresh paint and three updated bathrooms.  The backyard features a waterfall, private gazabo and deck.  The entry level features a huge family room with woodburning fireplace and private 4th bedroom. This home is priced to move at $574,900 and all of the work the owners have put into the home getting it ready for the market will impress you.Available on Saturday August 15th for showings.Call the Cindy Jones Team at 703-346-2213 for more information and to arrange your ... 08/14/2009

I never really envisioned writing a post about “mosquito busters” but an article in this morning’s Washington Post couldn’t help but catch my eye.  It seems that mosquito busters are all the rage this summer in Alexandria - and especially in Del Ray.  Most of the article focuses on the extensive, and expensive, steps that folks are taking to ward off the pesky mosquito. A local family, the Hartells, decided to fight back against the Asian tiger mosquito in just about the most drastic way possible. For an annual fee of $699, two men carrying backpack blowers, and dressed like extras from Ghost Busters, spray the Hartells yard with encapsulated pyrethroid, a botanical based insecticide derived from chrysanthemums. And they don’t just do it once - they do it every 21 days, April thru Octob... 08/13/2009

Yesterday, we visited with by far the most unusual business in Alexandria's eclectic Del Ray neighborhood - the Exotic Planterium, Card and Comic Collectorama. The Exotic Planterium was started some 34 years ago by owner Dennis Webb and we think it is fair to say that little, if anything, has changed since then. Randomly stacked boxes of merchandise prevent the front door from opening all the way, it is almost impossible for two people to stand side by side and the ancient air conditioner is on its last legs.  It's dusty, dirty, cluttered and a throwback to another time and place -  yet intriguing. It was tempting to be dismissive but after talking to Dennis it was easy to see how he had made this his life's work. Where to start?  Dennis graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in hor... 08/11/2009

Midtown Alexandria Station is located at the Huntington Metro in Fairfax County, Alexandria VA. The Midtowns are new condos with fantastic appeal inside. One of the best things about life at the Midtown is the "party level" located on the 7th floor just above the tracks of the Yellow Line. The party room at Midtown Alexandria Station is an asset to owners and residents.The north wall in this room features 20 or so feet of glass with views of the Beltway, Yellow Line and the Carlyle District. High-ceilings make for a perfect party atmosphere. Although the building is quite high, the Midtown has a staggered roof-line with this roof deck approximately halfway up the building. The roof features a nice sized pool with plenty of area around the pool to lounge and catch some rays. The pool le... 08/10/2009

The Eclectic Nature Gift and Garden Center in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood is one of those special places that simply makes you happy. Perennials, annuals and garden accessories fill the side and back yard while the adjoining house - with every room painted a different color - is chock-a-block with gift items and unique home furnishings. It has an Alice in Wonderland appeal coupled with great design and whimsy. Opened 5 years ago by Christy Beal, the Eclectic Nature and Gift Center is a true reflection of both her extensive background in landscape design and her inherent artistic nature. The one time head landscaper at the Belleview Country Club was doing just fine with her own design company but “got bored” and wanted a larger outlet for her imagination and talent. When I asked, w... 08/09/2009

Cities are wealth-generators. That is to say, good jobs and opportunities are found in cities like Alexandria, Fairfax and Arlington. Though we all enjoy wealth opportunities, many of us don't enjoy concrete and asphalt. There is something to be said for the greenery of the rural living. Even in New York City, folks enjoy Central Park. If you're one of those folks who need to live within easy commute of Washington D.C., Alexandria or Arlington, but you also need your little piece of nature, then you may owe yourself a visit to River Towers. River Towers is found at the end of a looping horseshoe drive tucked between Belle View and a national wildlife preserve. Like all the homes of New Alexandria, River Towers has easy access to the Potomac and Belle Haven Marina, as well as the shops ... 08/07/2009

Potomac West Interiors and Antiques in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary this year with owner Susan Driscoll at the helm. Growing up almost next door to Mt. Vernon, Susan came to her interest in antiques early and at the age of 14 bought her first antique, a radio, at the now defunct Thieves Market. Fast forward to a career as a trade broker in a barter clearing house and then a life change that called for a new line of work. Susan initially tried her hand at buying and selling antiques as a small independent dealer but soon realized that she would never make a living scouring flea markets and yard sales. And from that Potomac West Interior and Antiques came into being. Susan reasoned that if she could rent space to other dealers plus collect a perce... 08/07/2009

First Thursday in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood is all about the Avenue - Mt. Vernon Avenue.  And the theme for the August celebration was “Health and Wellness on the Avenue.”   The Del Ray Business Association arranged a stellar line up of  speakers around the theme of holistic medical practices including our favorite Stacey  Swartz of the Neighborhood Pharmacy.  Also new to First Thursday were “pedicabs” - thanks to the generous sponsorship of Dr. Richard Stone and eye2eye. For a slide show of pictures from this great neighborhood celebration, click here: First Thursday On Mt. Vernon Avenue in Alexandria, VA   08/06/2009