Flower Mart

It’s always fun to go to the National Cathedral for their annual Flower Mart. Plants, herbs and food on display on the beautiful grounds May 1st and 2nd. www.cathedral.org.

Design House

From April 24th to June 27th, you have an opportunity to visit the Washington Design Center to see their Design House and explore all the designers who exhibit at the usually “closed except to the trade” center. Monday through Friday 9-5 and Saturday 10-3 at 300 D Street, SW. Designcenter.com

Featured Listing: 251 N Quaker Lane

This gracious center hall colonial with a large entrance foyer features 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths and is sited on three quarters of an acre in the heart of Alexandria. The family room, off the renovated kitchen with granite counters, cherry cabinets & stainless steel appliances, features a wall of picture windows overlooking the backyard. The spacious updated master suite has a custom walk-in closet, laundry and heated tile bathroom with steam shower, cherry cabinets, granite countess and ceramic tile floor. Enjoy the hot tub on the balcony off the upper level master suite with views of the Masonic temple and Old Town city lights. The lower level features a recreation room and an in-law suite complete with bath and kitchenette.

Alexandria Elections

Tuesday, May 5th Alexandria will be electing City Council and School Board members. The following candidates are running: Bill Euille, current Mayor, for Mayor. For Council, Kerry Donley, Rob Krupicka, Tim Lovain, Del Pepper, Paul Smedberg, Justin Wilson, Phil Cefaratti, Frank Fannon, Alicia Hughes and Rich Williamson. For School Board, there are three separate districts. Go to the Virginia State Board of Elections site to see the candidates in your District.

Anxious for summer?

Here’s a reason to head for the Eastern Shore even before summer begins. The 7th annual St. Michael’s Food & Wine Festival is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, 213 N. Talbot Street.

www.stmichaelsfoodandwinefestival.com

Featured Listing: 1745 N Cliff Street

Gleaming hardwood floors, decorative crown moldings, oversized windows and large archways frame the bright and spacious rooms of this renovated, pristine townhome in the heart of Del Ray. The main level of the home has an inviting living room that feeds into a separate dining area overlooking the renovated kitchen. Upgraded with granite counters, all new appliances and gorgeous wood cabinets, the kitchen is immaculate. The upstairs of the home boasts two bedrooms and an updated bathroom and the finished lower level features a recreation room, full bath and laundry room. Accessed from the kitchen and dining area, the fenced stone slab patio area has room for a table space and gardens.

1934: A New Deal for Artists

The 56 paintings on display are the result of the six-month Public Works of Art Program from 1933-1934, in which the government commissioned artists to decorate public buildings. This display will run until January of 2010 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum for FREE! The display can be viewed daily from 11:30am until 7:00pm.

Click here for more information and The Washington Post editorial review.

Save on Next Year's Taxes

If you are going to replace a major system in your house or an appliance, you could get a tax credit (not a deduction – a credit) of up to 30% of the cost if you buy high efficiency or energy saving units. The credit is good up to $1500. www.energystar.gov.

No Opens this Weekend!

Due to Easter, we will not be holding any open houses this weekend. However, stay tuned for our list of opens on the 19th!!

Washington Business Journal Insight on DC Real Estate

An excerpt from the Washington Business Journal on the current DC housing market:

"Just as surely as tulips and daffodils poke out of Washington’s moist spring soil, homebuyers are waking up from their own long hibernation. This time, though, they are ready to make deals.

Local real estate agents say the market has returned with a furor in the past month, leaving agents not washed out by the economic storm scrambling to keep up with a burgeoning swell of buyers at all points on the price spectrum.

On the last Sunday in March, nearly 200 people coursed through an open house for a $1.6 million red-bricked row house on Q St. NW, tucked between the Dupont and Logan Circle neighborhoods."

Thank you to Maureen McEnearney Dunn for sending this article our way!

Spring Design House Opening Party

Join The Washington Design Center on Thursday, April 23, from 6-8 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the fabulous "Urban Elegance" Spring Design House. Walk through the gorgeous eight rooms of the Design House the evening it is unveiled. Designers and V.I.P. guests will enjoy snapping pictures in the black & white photo booth, appetizers, a signature cocktail, music by a house DJ, valet parking and much more, all in a metropolitan setting. Tickets are $50. Click here to register, or call 202.646.6114 for more information.

When Spring finally gets here…..

Do something fun, learn to sail! Belle Haven Marina, just off the GW Parkway is a local treasure. Nestled in the beautiful Dyke Marsh on the banks of the Potomac is the Mariner Sailing School. Offering classes for adults and children age 8 and up, the sailing school has instruction on Sunfish and Flying Scots. The Marina is open March – November. For more information visit their website www.saildc.com Anchors Aweigh!

Arlington Home Show

April 11th from 10 to 4 at the Walter Reed Community Center.

More than 50 exhibitors including design/build/remodeling experts, insulators, driveway impressions, gutter helmut systems, Brinks Home Security, water proofers, replacement window experts. 10 free classes and free energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs. Special discounts for home show attendees and a raffle at the end of the show. Enjoy Big Daddy’s Barbecue at the show.

Featured Listing: 1502 Russell Road

This sunny, pre-war 1920’s home is situated on a double lot in the heart of Rosemont. With elegant and livable spaces, an abundance of windows throughout the home, five bedrooms, two fireplaces, and private driveway for 5 cars, this home is the picture of perfection. The renovated center-island kitchen with walk-in pantry is open to a breakfast area and family room with a fireplace. The master suite includes two walk-in closets, one with a full length mirror and dressing area and a luxurious bathroom with cherry cabinets, a soaking tub and walk-in steam shower. Surrounded by mature trees and gardens, the exterior grounds include a deck, a large stone patio and several different seating areas, plus a large green space accessible by a stone staircase. For more pictures and information on this listing, please click here.

Open Houses for Saturday, April 5

1502 RUSSELL ROAD, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $1,459,000

637 COLUMBUS ST S #637, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $489,900

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

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

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

1300 PEGRAM ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $859,900

1200 SAINT STEPHENS RD, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $839,900

220 PATRICK ST N, ALEXANDRIA, VA - $529,900