Are Andresen

Living Here Category

Merrifield Updates

At the Dunn Loring/Merrifield Metro Station work continues on the phase one WMATA parking garage. As soon as that parking garage is finished, the construction of one of the two new apartment buildings on the site will start. The project will include a Harris Teeter, retail and 500 apartments.

Across the street at Halstead Square residential leasing has started and new commercial businesses like BlackFinn American Grill and Lost Dog Cafe are moving in.  Construction of a final building in the project is scheduled to start late summer next year.

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Walmart Coming to Tysons Corner and Tysons West

Tysons West is a new development adjacent to the Tyson West metro stop on the new Silver Line through Tysons Corner. The property was formerly occupied by the Moore/Cadillac/Hummer dealership.

The project will include an urban Walmart, a 24-hour fitness center, and a variety of other restaurants, offices, retail and residential rental units.

The location is fantastic right next to the metro stop. Also, Dulles Toll road puts you within easy reach of Washington DC, Dulles Airport, I-66, I-495 and not to mention Tysons Corner Mall. The project started in 2011 and is scheduled for completion in 2013 – the same time the new Silver Line is scheduled to open. Read the rest of this entry »

Does A Pocket Listing Line Your Pocket?

To my great joymsn real estate ran an article today on “pocket listings”. As the inventory of homes for sale in many areas have become quite sparse, buyers and their agents have had to become creative in their search for non-listed properties.

I do often get calls from purchasers (working with and without other agents) asking if I have “anything coming up” or anything “not listed”in communities where we specialize (like Idylwood Towers, Gates of McLean, Pimmit Hills, Fountains at McLean.) My answer is always the same: “we have properties coming up for sale in those communities all the time. Please have your agent monitor those neighborhoods in the MLS/MRIS and you will know when they are available.If you do not have an agent I will be happy to set up an automatic email for you.”

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Three Great Rental Homes in Tysons and Herndon

We do a lot of rentals this time of year and currently we have three great rental homes available.

2013 Edgar Court, Falls Church VA 22043

This property is available immediately and is listed at $1800. It is a 3 bedroom and 1 bath home with a fenced rear yard. There is ample storage in the large stand alone shed, a small lean-to shed as well as an attic. The home is on a street with little traffic and has a long driveway. Read the rest of this entry »

Homes For Sale Near the Bike Trail in Falls Church and Arlington

The extensive network of bike paths in the Northern Virginia area is a gift many appreciates. Paths like the Washington and Old Dominion Trail(W&OD), Custis Trail and Mount Vernon trail are all very popular with bikers, runners, walkers and rollerbladers of  all ages. 

On a typical morning the trails will be full of residents doing their morning jog and commuters using the trails to get in from the suburbs to work in areas like Tysons Corner, Arlington and Washington DC. On the weekend large groups of bikers and joggers will take over the trail interspersed with families out for some family fun.

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Merrifield Mosaic District Opening Soon!

The Mosaic District in Merrifield is nearing completion and finishing touches are taking place on streets and buildings throughout the urban community. The Angelika theatre will open in September, Target in October and by Christmas most/all of the remaining stores and restaurants will be open.

Mosaic will also house Mom’s Organic Market, Hotel Sierra, Black’s Bar and Kitchen, matchbox, Taylor Gourmet, a bakery, a butcher and other boutique style shops.  The Eya townhomes are for sale in the $600,000 range and upwards. The new development has more than  100 new town homes built by Eya.

Contrary to media reports, I would dare to propose that the construction at the  Rt 29/Gallows Road intersection is incomplete. Construction is still going on and they also seem to have quite a bit of work left on Gallows from Merrifield Garden center and up towards Wilton House and the Merrifield/Dunn Loring metro station.

The Angelika theatre is hosting some “shorts” for the DC Shorts Film Festival 9/14-9/16.
The schedule is here: http://dcshorts.com/films/schedule/ .

What To Do About Dangerous Trees

After the severe thunderstorm that took place in July there has been concerns from many homeowners regarding their own and the trees of their neighbors. The storm caused a number of trees to fall completely and also left others in a damaged and potentially hazardous state.

If the tree is on public/county land, contact the following agencies:

• Near public streets and roads: Call VDOT at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623), TTY 711
• Fairfax County Parks: Call the Park Authority’s Operations Division at 703-324-8594, TTY 711
• Northern Virginia Regional Parks: Call the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority at 703-352-5900, TTY 711.
• Stormwater management ponds: Call the Maintenance and Stormwater Management Division at 703-877-2800, TTY 711
• Public school property: Call the Fairfax County Public Schools at 571-423-2350, TTY 711.

If the tree is on private property, the property owner is responsible for maintaining their trees. Fairfax County has no authority to force a tree removal on private property unless it is  a public hazard. See our article from last year called “My Neighbor’s Tree is Ruining My Driveway“.

In general a homeowner can remove a tree on their property as they wish. However, conservation easements are common in Northern Virginia (may also be called things like  Resource Protection Area – RPA, or an Environmental Quality Corridor.)  See our article called “What RPA means and why you should care.”

If the tree is in a conservation easement, you will need contact the Urban Forest Management Division at 703-324-1770 for them to come by and take a look before you do anything.

Tysons West Brings New Development & Walmart To Tysons

Tysons West is a new development adjacent to the Tyson West metro stop on the new Silver Line through Tysons Corner. The property was formerly occupied by the Moore/Cadillac/Hummer dealership. The project will include urban Walmart, 24-hour fitness, a renovated Sheraton Premier Hotel and a variety of other restaurants, offices, retail and residential rental units.

The location is of course fantastic – right next to the metro stop and Dulles Toll road puts you within easy reach of Washington DC, Dulles Airport, I-66, I-495 and not to mention Tysons Corner Mall. The project started in 2011 and is scheduled for completion in 2013 – the same time the new Silver Line is scheduled to open.

Some details:

• 250,000 sq/ft Retail/office in phase 1
• 300-400 residential rental units
• 440+ hotel rooms (already existing)

My Tenants’ Dog Ate My Hardwood!

Being a landlord is stressful and challenging at times. The move-out inspection and subsequent security deposit disbursement even more so. You may have had wonderful experiences with a tenant that always paid on time. You may have baked them apple pie for the holidays and sent birthday cards to their children.

However, when they move out and it comes time to assess the condition of the property (and return the deposit), that is all water under the bridge. Fights over security deposits is a “favorite” in small-claim courts throughout the country. Fights can and do get personal and in the end it is about being right – not over getting the $200 that one originally was arguing about.

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1br/1ba at Fountains at McLean For Sale

We are just about to list a ground level 1br/1ba at the Fountains at McLean. The unit is inside one of the controlled access buildings and comes with one garage spot. The Elm model is 626 sq/ft and has a nice balcony overlooking the interior courtyard with trees, flowers and fountains. There is also a great storage closet on the balcony.

The unit has just been refreshed with new flooring and paint and is ready for you to move right in.

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