Arlington's Best Business Awards (ABBIEs) Winners 2009

The votes are in! Be sure to support your local Arlington businesses. Winners for this year's ABBIE awards for Arlington include:

1. Arlington’s Best “Bargain” Restaurant
   Lost Dog Cafe
2. Arlington’s Best Boutique
   ShoeFly
3. Arlington’s Best Brunch
   Carlyle
4. Arlington’s Best Customer Service
   Pacers Running Stores
5. Arlington’s Best Dessert
   Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
6. Arlington’s Best Family Friendly Restaurant
   Lost Dog Cafe
7. Arlington’s Best Happy Hour
   Whitlow's on Wilson Bar & Grill
8. Arlington’s Best Late Night Spot
   Bob and Edith's Diner
9. Arlington’s Best Place to Learn Something New
   Arlington Public Library
10. Arlington’s Best Neighborhood Bar
    Whitlow's on Wilson Bar & Grill
11. Arlington’s Best New Business
    Lost Dog Cafe, South Arlington location
12. Arlington’s Best Community-Based Nonprofit
    Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC)
13. Arlington’s Best Performing Arts Organization
    Signature Theatre
14. Arlington’s Best Place to Care for Your Pet
    Ballston Animal Hospital
15. Arlington’s Best Place to Dance the Night Away
    Clarendon Ballroom

First Time Home Buyer Credit May Be Extended through 2010

Well, it appears that the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit *MAY* have some life left in it. Check the article here: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aGuiU0lB58kg

Basically, in some form, it will likely be extended through the end of 2010 for FTHB's and MAY be opened up to any purchaser making as much as $300k/year.

First-time homebuyers who close before April 1 would get the full $8,000, and the credit’s value would be reduced by $2,000 in each successive quarter until expiring at the end of the year.

Metro DC Area Real Estate Heating Up!

Most if not all of our transactions this year have involved several parties to the negotiation of the contract meaning multiple buyers and multiple contracts. There are buyers who are lurking and realize this is a great time to buy. Now if we could only start seeing the inventory increase. Supply is low. Laws of supply and demand signify that prices are and have been stabilizing and will begin to see some increase especially when you have two or more buyers involved. The market is heating up!!!

Now let me clarify which properties are the ones that buyers are interested in buying in this stabilizing market. Those homes that show well and and are priced right. Even properties on busy roads such as Military Highway are selling with multiple offers and escalation clauses because they show well and are priced well. Not some property where the listing agent got the listing by telling the seller some ridiculous number which the agent knows he or she is going to have to have to come off that number by about 100k. Sellers beware!

On another note, Yahoo just showed statistics that the Washington DC Metro area is ranked #1 with the highest population of highest paid people between the ages of 26-34 in the nation above NYC and California. Arlington is ranked the #2 city for the most highest paid young professionals in the nation. This is good news.

If you're looking to buy or sell, contact us and we'll help you navigate this market that's heatin' up!

Old Homes Waste Energy and Easy Green Improvements

Homes built before 1983 biggest energy wasters

Targeting existing homes for energy savings will go much further to curb greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. than focusing on newer homes, panelists said Wednesday at a talk on green building during the International Builder Show here in Las Vegas. New homes, in general, are already built more efficient, but older homes can be big energy wasters.

Indeed, homes built before 1983 are to blame for 70 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions related to single-family energy consumption in California, said Mike Hodgson, president of Consol, who detailed results of a study conducted this fall for the California Homebuilding Foundation.

A $10,000 investment in retrofitting a 1960s home for energy efficiency could make a big impact: It could save 8.5 tons of carbon, Hodgson said. Meanwhile, increasing energy efficient of a new home by 35 percent over current state requirements would reduce emissions by only 1.1 tons.

Changes to older homes that are needed include replacing mechanical units that are 20 years or older, replacing water heaters that are 15 years old, and upgrades to ceiling insulation. If such energy savings measures are taken to existing homes, in 7 years, gas emissions could drop by 33 percent in California alone, Hodgson said.

Hartman said that green building is “revolutionizing everything we do with building. We’ve been doing things all wrong. We need to put a halt on how we do the insulation, energy, and caulking in a building.”

Hartman, who performs energy audits on homes, says on average he sees duct systems that leak 30 percent and sloppy building practices that haven’t focused on cutting energy costs.

He said more education is needed in the building industry and among home owners on how to retrofit homes for greater energy savings. He also said incentives need to be available from the federal government so people will make the needed changes to their older homes.

It’s easier than you think to be green

Home improvements don’t have to be epic to relieve utility costs. Here are a few ideas to start thinking green:

∙ Turn up the air conditioner thermostat.
∙ Change air filters often.
∙ Plant trees on the south and west sides of the home to provide shade and reduce interior temperatures.
∙ Landscape with drought-resistant or indigenous plants, which retain more water.
∙ Add motion sensor lights, to save electricity.
∙ Install a gas fireplace in an addition, such as a den or sunroom, which will extend heat to that room.
∙ Replace appliances with Energy Star–rated versions. Energy Star appliances exceed government energy-efficiency standards by 10 percent to 25 percent.
∙ Invest in new, more efficient heating and cooling systems.
∙ Paint your home’s exterior a light color. Darker colors retain more heat.
∙ Plug up air leaks, which are the equivalent of leaving a window open all year. Sealing leaks can save more than 10 percent on energy bills.
∙ Install double-glazed windows with low-emission glass, which allow maximum light while keeping out heat and cold.
∙ When replacing roofing, install light-colored shingles made of metal or tile to reflect heat.
∙ Add insulation in walls.
∙ If designing a new home that faces the afternoon sun, design the house with a shading porch and windows that are higher up on the wall than normal—near the overhangs—to minimize the sun’s heat. The windows will be shaded by the overhang and will allow more desirable reflected, rather than direct, light to penetrate.

The Arlington County website also has pertinent information on AIRE, Arlington Inititiative to Reduce Emissions including information on energy audits and solar energy, and options to buy green power.



Green in 10 years

In the next decade, green could become to buildings what seatbelts are to cars. “When I was a kid, seatbelts were optional,” says green architect Peter L. Pfeiffer, of Barley & Pfeiffer Architects in Austin, Texas. “Now they’re so pervasive, they’re not even an issue.”

In the future, he says, buyers will stop looking at price per square foot and consider the durability, quality, and integrity of the building, as well as how it fosters a healthier living environment, which Pfeiffer and other green proponents say are natural benefits of green building design and materials.

What’s more, homes will be more likely to support themselves using solar energy panels that enable owners to sell excess energy back to the power grid, says Karla Martin, director of marketing for McStain Neighborhoods, a green builder in Louisville, Colo.


Source: realtor.com

Best of Arlington 2009

Bret Brock, Broker of Brock Realty has been recognized by Best of Arlington 2009 as one of the best Realtor's in Arlington, VA.
Bret has been serving his clients in the Arlington, VA and surrounding areas for over 15 years! I don't think he can believe it's been that long! He is a native of Arlington and attended Arlington schools including Taylor Elementary, Saint Agnes, Williamsburg Middle School and Yorktown High School. Bret attended University of Richmond in Richmond,VA. He resides in Arlington and our office is located in Arlington as well.
If you would like to put his expertise to work for you call 703-538-6030 or send him an email at bret@brock-realty.com You can learn more about Bret and BrockRealty at our website www.brockrealty.com.
Congratulations Bret!

Multiple Offers and Sold Over List Price!

Not good news but GREAT news for the real estate market and the state of our local economy!!
We were able to obtain multiple offers and secure a sales price over the list price in just two days on market for our clients of this townhouse in Falls Church just across the Arlington border. It was listed for just under $500k. For homes under $500k we will continue to see a great demand in this market.

Clarendon, Urban Village

Clarendon has it all for just about everyone at any age. With it's central metro accessible location, restaurants, nightlife, shops, and park who wouldn't want to live near this urban oasis. Clarendon has definitely seen a transformation over the years with several newcomers on the scene. Here are a few of our favorite places.
Starting with the toddler set, a quick stop at Kinderhaus Toys, then a stroll over to the water fountains and a dash around the enclosed playground makes for a nice afternoon or evening. Those with a second wind can hit the Barnes and Noble kids section and then onto Boccato for a cool gelato and expresso for mom or dad. A meal at kid friendly Cheescake Factory or Faccia Luna is always fun.
Now for those of you without little ones tagging along, dinner at Eventide and Liberty Tavern are tops on my list currently for dinner. Other favorites include Restaurant 3, Faccia Luna and Mexicali Blues, and Harrys Tap Room, and Delhi Club. Tons of nightlife including Clarendon Ballroom, Mister Days, Clarendon Grill, Whitlows, Ri-Ra, O'Sullivans, Iota, Galaxy Hut, Eleventh Street Lounge and more. Now which one to choose?
So now onto Real Estate. Lyon Village or Lyon Park neighborhoods are 'close' to Clarendon and you could potentially be in walking distance depending on what you define as walking distance. These are both charming neighborhoods with many homes that have been renovated or updated to keep the look and feel of the bungalows, cottages and craftsman homes that were original to the area. Does this sound appealing to you? We can get you in one of these neigborhoods. Give us a call or email.

You live on which street??

Take a look at this picture. At first glance it looks like a normal sign but read the sign and it just doesn't roll off the tongue quite right...thirty first'th' street. This sign really does exist right on Harrison Street just North of Yorktown Boulevard right here in Arlington. I drive by almost everyday and get a kick out of this checking to see if the County made the fix. Maybe in 30 years it will still be there and we will be saying to our kids, "There's that ol' street sign thats been there since you were 4 years old!"

Skinny Houses. Fat Profits?

How about a 12' wide house? Thats right a Twelve-Foot-wide! Hey, and its done rather elegantly...all you have to drop is basically a million bucks, and its yours! Ok, $950,000, but with closing costs, then add on your new James Bond-esque furniture - which by the way shouldn't be too large - your probably at the big $1M.
And why not? Most of the rooms in your house now aren't more than 12' wide/long, are they?

This house located basically on the Orange Line Metro, in one of Arlington's trendier spots - Lyon Park - basically synonymous with Clarendon - shopping, bars, nightlife...."Trendy Downtown Arlington".
The house is just 12' wide but offering over 2000sf on 4 finished levels. Seems like there's gotta be somebody willing to take this chance....its been on the market 180+ days. Its brand new.....what's the problem?
Its got all the bells and whistles that you'd want in a new home.....okay, not all of them - but a good many....definitely the finishes and quality that have given the builder the great reputation that he's earned over the last 15 years in the New Home Market in North Arlington.
It started off at $1,150,000 and has been reduced a couple times...
Why so small? The lot that the Builder (Mickey Simpson Ltd) had to work with was only 30' to begin with, and with setbacks on respective sides of 8' and 10' that left them with a 12' wide house.
You see, the Builder bought the property a few years back along with the adjacent 50' wide lot with the intention of building 2 new homes there. He thought he was going to be able to get (2) 40' lots out of the combination and build two 22' wide houses............rather than the 50' & the 30'. When he found out the County wouldn't let him re-subdivide and re-draw the lines of the lots this was what he was left with, and it was his effort to try and save some money on the investment.

I think its a pretty cool house. Would I pay a million for it? No. Not with my family of 4, but it could be a great fit for a single person or younger couple. And when the market gets better I expect to see more of this type of housing in our "downtown" neighborhoods - and it will be embraced. I expect this house will sell in the next 90 days, and then again in the next 3-6 years at a much higher price - the buyer will make some good money on this investment buying it in 2009 and selling it in 2015+/-.

Its tough to be a pioneer...for both the builder and the buyer in this market. But if you're willing to take some chances, there's some interesting product out there and buying it small might just payoff bigtime. Feel like pioneering? Give me a call!

Click the following URL to see the listing:
http://matrix.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Email.aspx?ID=30995359171