Featured Listing: 637 S. Columbus Street

This adorable end Old Town home with southern exposure sparkles from top to bottom. Gleaming hardwood floors, beautiful crown moldings, large windows on three sides and freshly painted walls welcome you as soon as you cross the threshold. The remodeled eat-in kitchen boasts granite countertops, table space and exposed wooden beams. From the spacious living room with fireplace you can enjoy the view through French Doors to the private brick patio with space for a table and grill. Upstairs is a full bath with two bedrooms—each with double closets and plenty of light! Located in a quiet courtyard within easy walking distance to shops and restaurants, this home is the picture of perfection. Please e-mail us at sue@suegoodhart.com for more information!

Hot Tip for Mother's Day

So, I finally got around to using a gift certificate to Circe Day Spa here in Old Town last week. It was so nice to relax and be pampered for a change. While there, I was thrilled to see they are running some great specials for Mother’s Day! $50 Facials, $50 One-Hour Massages and the list goes on. Naturally, I took home a flyer and left it on my husband’s dresser. Fellas- the mother of children is so worth it. Ladies- just doing my part to further the cause. Here’s a link to their website for more info: http://www.circedayspa.com/

Open Houses, March 29th

2942 PADDOCK WOOD CT, OAKTON, VA - $349,900

47 FORT WILLIAMS PKWY, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $649,000

2508 DEWITT AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $929,900

1127 BAYLISS DR, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $825,000

270 CAMERON STATION BLVD, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $514,900


2417 CAMERON MILLS RD, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $699,900

3504 HOLLY ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $959,900

1016 WAYNE ST S #804, ARLINGTON, VA - $499,900

Cherry Blossom Festival

This week end is the beginning of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Peak bloom is expected April 4th although there are certainly trees out there who didn’t get the word and are in full bloom now! April 4th watch the parade along Constitution Avenue which starts at 10. Following that is the Japanese street fair along Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues – arts, crafts, food, music, dance and martial arts. April 11th – fireworks over the southwest waterfront. Nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

Ragtime

The Broadway musical “Ragtime” is coming to Kennedy Center from April 18th to May 17th. Turn back the clock to the beginning of the 20th century and enjoy the story of a poor Jewish immigrant selling wares on the street, a wealthy Victorian couple offering aid and a Harlem jazz pianist. Vivid characters, vibrant costumes and wonderful score! Kennedy-center.org

Bastille

At the very end of Royal Street in Old Town Alexandria is a restaurant called Bastille. Long time Alexandrians will remember the complex as Smoot Lumber – now repurposed as a warehouse furniture store, auction gallery and restaurant with outside seating. There are two prix fixe menus and an ala carte menu with entrees beginning at $21. We enjoyed dinner with friends there recently and the rockfish special was served with braised Jerusalem artichokes and the grilled branzino with sage scented risotto. Excellent food all around and tasty and beautiful desserts. Extensive wine list, but about 99% French. They did manage to find a California pinot and sauvignon blanc for us, however.

Casual dining and most folks opted for no jacket or open necked shirt and jacket.

Wolf Trap Announces Summer Schedule!

Click here to read today's Washington Post article on this summer's attractions at Wolf Trap. From Elvis Costello to Bill Cosby, B.B. King to Tony Bennett, the Indigo Girls to Jackson Browne, the National Symphony Orchestra to a performance of High School Musical, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Featured Listing: 705 S. Pitt St

Welcome to this wonderful Yates Gardens home with lots of light & beautiful hardwood floors! The completely renovated kitchen with granite countertops leads to a full-sized separate dining room. Through the windows and door in the dining room, you can enjoy meals while looking out onto the lovely gardens and large brick patio. The main level, with floor to ceiling windows features a wonderful living room with a fireplace as well as a cozy alcove with built-in bookcases. Two bedrooms & a full renovated bath upstairs complete this picture perfect Old Town home!

Open Houses, Sunday, March 22nd

Please come visit us at one of our many open houses this weekend!

423 N COLUMBUS ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $1,059,000

705 PITT ST S, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $669,900

270 CAMERON STATION BLVD, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $514,900

1208 I ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $765,000

1244 TAYLOR ST N, ARLINGTON, VA - $549,500

Featured Listing: 423 N. Columbus St

423 North Columbus Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

This wonderfully restored Old Town home is the perfect combination of old house charm & modern convenience. A French Oak mantle from the 1900’s & an antique French Oak mirror from the late 1800’s frame the elegant living room while the dining room features custom picture & chair rail moldings along with a custom stain glass transom light. The master suite has been entirely renovated including the installation of a skylight, extensive custom closets & an all new bath with tile, shower fixtures, granite counters. The renovated kitchen has hardwood floors, granite counters & stainless appliances. Outside there is a screened-in porch overlooking the gardens.

Please visit us at our open house this Sunday, March 22nd.

For more information, please click here.

Federal Reserve Surprises Financial Markets

Federal Reserve Surprises Financial Markets

Courtesy of Cindy Small, Union Mortgage Group

Here we go again, with the talking heads on financial news misinterpreting the impact of the Fed's actions on home loan rates.

Here's the scoop. What the Fed just announced is huge – they have committed to buy another $750B in Mortgage Backed Securities, and $300B in Treasuries.

But what does this mean and why do you care?

Their actions provide a demand for Mortgage Backed Securities, which should help keep a ceiling on home loan rates moving much higher in the foreseeable future. That's good news, for home buyers who are seeing the bargains out there and understanding that now is the time to act. Good news for those who are ready to refinance too.

But an important distinction – this does not mean rates may move significantly lower. Depending on exactly which coupons the Fed purchases when they go shopping for Mortgage Backed Securities, their actions may keep a lid on rates, but not push them very much lower. And based on what they've been buying since the beginning of this year when they started their purchasing program – that is exactly how it has played out.

Present home loan rates are within inches of historic lows. What is keeping you on the sidelines from acting now to refinance and get some dollars back into your own pocket, where they belong – or moving forward to buy the home of your dreams, while it is still on sale?

If you have questions – call me. You know there's no pressure, but let's discuss options and see if there is something we should be looking at to improve your situation.

Thank you to Cindy Small from Union Mortgage Group for providing us with this information!

Consumer Confidence

We wanted to do our part so we went to Macy’s to get a trench coat for my husband. The one we liked was marked $275. Pretty pricey. But the clerk said it was marked down to $99.99 today. So we took a second look. He then offered a chance to open a Macy’s account and save 20%. Okay. I then offered a Macy’s gift card I’d had for $30.00. And then slid my coupon from the paper over. That brought the price down 10% more. Final price: $52 and change. And then he said he’d validate our parking ticket. You just can’t afford not to go out and shop nowadays!

TAKE FIVE!

Every third Thursday in the new Kogod courtyard of the American Art Museum there’s live jazz, cool drinks and stunning art from 5-8 p.m. The March 19th program includes arrangements by Count Basie and an exhibition of swing dancing.

Open Houses Sunday, March 15

All of the following listings will be from 1-4pm on Sunday, March 15th. Please stop by and say hello!

47 FORT WILLIAMS PKWY, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $649,000

9412 MACKLIN CT, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $1,175,000

2508 DEWITT AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $929,900

6910C MARY CAROLINE CIR #C, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $235,000

3504 HOLLY ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $959,900

1200 SAINT STEPHENS RD, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $879,000

Before you talk to your lender...

Check your credit report (annualcreditreport.com). Fix any errors. It may take a long time. Improve your score by reducing what you owe and never missing a payment date. Stop applying for new credit cards. Stay well below your credit card limits. Gather records the lender will want to see – pay stubs, proof of rent, copies of bills, tax returns and brokerage/401K statements. Save money toward your down payment. You may need anywhere from 3%-20% of the sales price. With prices and mortgage rates down and government assistance for first time buyers, this is a perfect time to visit a lender and a real estate agent and start the hunt for a new place to live.

Talk to your tax advisor!

If you are a first time home buyer or haven’t owned a home in the last 3 years, you may be eligible for a tax credit (not a deduction, a credit against any tax owed). The credit is 10% of the purchase price not to exceed $8000 for a purchase used as your principal residence and if you plan to stay 3 years at least. There are income limits – up to $75,000 for single buyers and $150,000 for joint filers. The credit is pro rated for incomes of $95,000 (single) or $170,000 (joint) and above that, there is no eligibility for the credit.. This credit is for homes purchased between January 1, 2009 up to December 1, 2009. If you have purchased a home this year, you can apply the credit to your 2008 or 2009 returns. If you have already filed your return this year, you can file an amended return to claim the credit. If you prefer to wait until 2009, you can always lower your withholding for the rest of the year to reflect the credit you are due.

Art Selection for Beginners

A well-placed piece of art can dramatically improve the look of a room and the feel of your home. This doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune on a piece of artwork or know everything there is to know about art. Plenty of great pieces are things found by their owners that fit with their personality, regardless of price. So when you are out shopping, walking through town or even visiting a friend's home just keep an eye out for something that makes sense for your home and your budget and make it work for you!

However, if you would like some help finding your "aesthetic sensibilities" or want to learn what matches your tastes, interests and needs, Aesthetica Art Consulting is there to help. While I have not yet personally used this company, I saw an article about them today in another blog so I went to their website and it's a great concept! They help anyone from art aficionados to beginners so don't worry about your current knowledge of the art world! For more information, visit http://aestheticaartconsulting.com/

Featured Property: 220 N. Patrick Street

Welcome to this 1880’s townhome full of light and charm in the heart of Old Town! Come home to your private off-street parking or walk to Metro, shops and restaurants. Throughout the residence, you will find crown molding, plantation shutters, exposed brick walls and hardwood floors.

The main level, with crown and chair rail molding, includes a gracious living room with built-in bookcases, a spacious separate dining room, and updated kitchen—each with their own fireplace! The updated classic black and white patterned kitchen also boasts wainscoting, newer appliances, sub-zero fridge, and peek-a-boo cabinets. A soaking tub and wainscoting complete the updated bath while a walk-in closet adds today’s practicality to the home’s nostalgic allure. From the ornately decorated front exterior of the home to the enclosed rear patio with space to entertain plus gardens, brick retaining walls and walkway, you will be proud to call this Old Town residence home.

For more information on this property, please visit our website: www.suegoodhart.com

Open Sunday, March 8th

Please visit us at one of our many open houses this weekend! We would love to see you. They will all be this Sunday from 1-4pm. Enjoy the weather!

220 N. PATRICK ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $529,900 COMING SOON!

1127 BAYLISS DR, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $849,900

270 CAMERON STATION BLVD, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $524,900

2417 CAMERON MILLS RD, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $714,900

1402 ROUNDHOUSE LN #75, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $529,000

21 KENNEDY ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $399,900

1012 DINWIDDIE ST S, ARLINGTON, VA - $469,000


please visit our website at www.suegoodhart.com for more information on these and other listings!!

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Alexandria always celebrates early and this year, the parade is Saturday, March 7th from 12:30-2:30 beginning at King and West Streets and ending at the reviewing stand at King and Royal. Prior to the parade, there’s a classic car show on N. Pitt and King at 10:00 and at 10:30, a Fun Dog show at Market Square/City Hall. The weather is expected to be in the 60’s so it should be a great day. Lots of folks gather after the parade at Pat Troy’s or Murphy’s for some green beer.

Spring Home Maintenance

Spring is just around the corner! Now is the perfect time to prepare your home for the new season. Here's how!

• Replace your smoke alarm batteries and furnace filter
• Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter
• Always have a multipurpose fire extinguisher accessible
• Make sure the light bulbs in all your fixtures are the correct wattage
• Review your fire escape plan with your family
• Protect all your electrical appliances from power surges and lightning
• Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer
• Check for damage to your roof and chimney
• Run through a severe weather drill with your family
• Repair all cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walks to help provide a level walking surface
• Check all the fascia and trim for deterioration
• Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function
• Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer
• Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged

Moving?

Are you planning a long-distance relocation or even a local move across town? If so, please remember I can help. As a Realtor®, I work with people every day going through the buying and selling process, so I know how stressful it can be to relocate. I want to make certain that your next move is a positive, smooth experience even if it’s just across town.

Whether you are looking for a home down the street, a second home for vacation or an investment property, we at McEnearney Associates, Inc., Realtors can find it for you. As an affiliate member of the industry’s largest broker-to-broker network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, McEnearney Associates can help you find, list and sell, or manage properties in virtually any community worldwide. Through our affiliation, we work in cooperation with over 700 quality brokerage firms to identify buyers and sellers for properties all over the world.

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® only works with the finest firms, and I would love to put you in touch with a top broker in your destination area. We make our relocation services available to you at no extra charge, so the next time you get ready to list or buy please give me a call. I can be reached at 703-263-8321.

I look forward to assisting you with all your real estate needs – no matter where they may be.

Featured Listing: 1127 Bayliss Drive

Welcome to this expansive home located on a quite cul-de-sac approximately 1 mile to King St Metro! The totally renovated kitchen by Cameo Kitchens overlooks the spacious family room with fireplace and exposed brick wall. Completing the main level are an elegant dining room with chair rail molding, a formal living room and a sun room leading to a deck.

The upper level has four bedrooms and two baths including a lovely master suite with a sitting room and private bath. A fully finished walkout basement has a kitchenette, a recreation room, bedroom and full bath. From the basement, the French Doors lead to a brick patio & generous sized lot.

For more information, please click here!