Ben Fornshell, Fairfax County, Fort Belvoir, Lorton, neighborhoodsGunston Cove in Lorton VALocated just south of Fort Belvoir, Gunston Cove has ready access to Interstate 95, the Virginia Railway Express, and with its newly completed homes offer a rare chance at that zero mileage home. With two car garages, a fireplace, and luxuriously open floor plans you can easily feel at home in this new community. These new homes in Lorton range between 2400 and 3200 square feet. Gunston Cove homes are listing starting in the upper 400s.
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||
Alexandria, Crystal City, Fairfax County, Falls Church, Fort Belvoir, Hayfield, schools, Sully, VirginiaNorthern Virginia Area School InformationHere's a list of resources for area schools. 
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||
Alexandria, Fairfax County, Fort Belvoir, Hayfield, Lorton, market conditions, Springfield, VirginiaBase Realignment and Closure (BRAC) impact on area real estateHow will BRAC affect area real estate? Well, one of the big pieces to that puzzle was solved at the end of last month when the announcement was made that Fort Belvoir was going to add the Mark Center to its list of holdings rather than heading for Springfield. Donald Carr Director of Public Relations for the US Army at Fort Belvoir contacted me in response to my recent post. He said, "of the total 19,300 jobs, 4,400 are coming to main post Fort Belvoir; 8,500 to the EPG (Engineer Proving Grounds); and, 6,400 to the Mark Center. Additionally, only about 500 of the 19,300 are actually new population incoming to the region." This makes clear that there will probably be no great regional surge in home values as a result of these changes. In fact, many service members may opt to stay where they are and drive across town to new offices and locations. The official press release regarding the Mark Center: The U.S. Army announced today, Sept. 29, that the Mark Center in Alexandria, Va., will be the future home of the 6,400 personnel associated with the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure, Recommendation # 133. The decision puts in place the last piece of the Fort Belvoir, Va., BRAC initiative that sites more than 19,000 workers to the installation. The BRAC 133 jobs - a collection of Defense Department-level agencies whose move is being managed by the Washington Headquarters Service - are the last remaining of those being realigned to Fort Belvoir. "The decision concludes more than a year of work by hundreds of people in the Army, surrounding communities, and all levels of government to develop proposals and options for review by the selection board," said Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment Keith Eastin. Following completion of Fort Belvoir's BRAC Environmental Impact Study in Summer 2007, the Army's Record of Decision, or ROD, directed placement of all but the BRAC 133 jobs. The jobs originally would have been placed at Fort Belvoir's Engineer Proving Ground in Springfield, Va. However, because another 8,500 jobs of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency were also placed there, significant concerns for traffic impacts in the area prompted the Army to agree to limit EPG to the NGA jobs, and to look elsewhere for the BRAC 133 jobs. In September 2007 evaluators began work to study alternative sites, including the General Services Administration warehouse site in Springfield and commercial sites in the region. BRAC legislation and follow-on language in the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act allow the Army to purchase land in the National Capital Region to facilitate Fort Belvoir's realignment. "Any non-DOD site selected would have to become part of Fort Belvoir in order to comply with the law," Eastin said. The Army must now buy the Mark Center property to make it part of Fort Belvoir. In arriving at the Mark Center decision, Eastin said the Army considered multiple factors, including project timelines, transportation management and site adaptability. "The Mark Center site resolves security issues, improves space requirements and mission relationships, and minimizes changes to existing living, working, and quality of life issues," he said. "The Mark Center site minimizes to the greatest extent practicable disruption of current commuting needs and mission coordination requirements of the workers," said James Turkel, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who led the evaluation team. "It will also require little to no change in contractor support relationships, as well as changes to residency or schools requirements for the workers." Eastin echoed the point. "The new commute for the realigned personnel supports their mission by keeping them in close proximity to the Pentagon agencies and senior leaders they support," he said. Post officials said putting the jobs at the Alexandria City site reduces the number of jobs coming to Fairfax County's part of the post to 12,900 - 4,400 to Fort Belvoir's main post, and 8,500 to Engineer Proving Ground. The Army must now purchase the Mark Center property to meet BRAC law and plans to make the purchase before the end of the year. Construction is scheduled to begin on the site in January 2009, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||
Alexandria, Fairfax County, Fort Belvoir, Lorton, roads and transitRichmond Highway ExpressRichmond Highway Express, nicknamed "REX" is a bus route operated by the WMATA (the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) in partnership with Fairfax County, the City of Alexandria, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Federal Government. The REX is a limited stop express bus that serves the Richmond Highway corridor. Before the REX, riders from Fort Belvoir had many stops to make along Richmond Highway enroute to Huntington Metrorail Station and to the King Street Metrorail Station. REX buses operate every 15 minutes in both directions on Richmond Highway during weekday rush hours. During non-rush hours and on Satuday the REX comes through every 30 minutes. Then on Sunday the bus only operates every 60 minutes. Buses operate between 5:30 AM and 10:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM on Sunday. The REX uses special technology which allows REX buses to sustain green lights in order to move more quickly up and down Rt. 1. The REX bus has low-floor buses for quicker boarding and SmartCard for quicker paying. In addition the REX has only a limited number of stops:
REX passengers may transfer at any Richmond Highwaystop to Fairfax
Connector routes, and may transfer at Huntington and King
Street Metro stationsto rail service as well as other local bus service such as Alexandria’s
DASH. To stand-out from other Metrobuses and other area bus lines, REX busses are purple-blue with a golden yellow logo featuring the image of a running lion. The lion references the three lions emblazoned on the Fairfax County seal, which references the family crest of Lord Fairfax. Bus stop signs use the same color scheme, and stand out among the other bus stops along Route 1.
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · |
Reston in the SnowLake Fairfax is one of Northern Virginia's best recreational assets and a treat for those who live in the urban forest surrounding this body of water. Here are few pictures taken nearby after the recent snow.
 Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · |
Marlan ForestA choice location and woodsy feel make Marlan Forest (and its conjoined sister development Marlan Heights) a highly desirable address. Set just across the George Washington Parkway from the Potomac River, Marlan Forest gives its residents easy access to the Mt. Vernon bike path for walking, running, biking and wildlife viewing. It is bordered on the west by Ft. Hunt Road, which, along with nearby Route 1, provides abundant shopping opportunities. Wilson Bridge is a stone's throw away, the Parkway connects commuters to Alexandria and other points north, and the area is served by the Huntington Metro stop. The "forest" in Marlan Forest is more than just a name; it is a fact. Builders took pains to spare as many trees as possible, and so today's residents are blessed with the luxury of towering old growth trees in and around their yards. Homes tend to be beautifully landscaped, adding to the lush, green feel of the development. Most of the homes were built in the '50's--a variety of ramblers, Colonials and Cape Cods, avoiding the cookie-cutter feel of some developments. Prices range from $500K to just over $1 million, with an average price of about $800K. Buyers are also drawn to the Fort Hunt/Mount Vernon area by the excellent Fairfax County Public Schools, county services and safety.
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · |
Celebrate Black History Month in Northern Virginia -- February 2010The Workhouse Arts Center is mounting an exhibition of works by several well-known African-American artists. The Center is located in Lorton on the site of the defunct prison. Sully Mansion in Chantilly, built in 1799, offers guided tours which highlight the lives of its early 19th century owners, tenant farmers and slaves, whose original quarters have been preserved. Guides at Mount Vernon Estate emphasize the lives and contributions of the resident slaves. Be sure to visit the gift shop for further materials highlighting the African American experience in America in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Attend gospel music concerts, movies and cultural celebrations in Arlington County. Visit the website of the Arlington County Publc Libraries for a list of exhibits, programs, brochures and suggested readings in Black History. Check out the Alexandria Black History Museum at 902 Wythe Street. Its collection includes documents related to the first public schools for African Americans, records of Civil War exploits by black soldiers, a large collection of historic photographs and even some African artifacts. The Robert H. Robinson library was originally established in 1940 because the Alexandria public libraries were segregated. The museum and library also have their own adjacent park. Then take a walk through beautiful, historic Old Town. Finally, cross the river to celebrate the life Frederick Douglass--abolitionist, businessman and journalist. Frederick Douglass House is located on the banks of the Anacostia River. On February 14 historians will celebrate Douglass' birthday with readings, tours, films and music. Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · |
Tax Credit Encourages Buyers to Shop EarlyThe homebuying season is starting early this year, thanks to the expanded first-time and move-up homebuyer tax credit. Typically, the busiest time for home shopping starts in March and continues through May, but this year buyers who want to take advantage of the tax credits have to have a signed contract by April 30 and close the deal by June 30. That is getting people off the couch. "The tax credit will absolutely have an effect," says Pete Flint, CEO of residential real estate search engine Trulia.com. "It is going to shift demand from the later part of the year to the first part. January and February will be very strong. The next three months, there will be a surge in demand." Source: USA Today, Stephanie Armour (01/20/2010)
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · |
Fun for the Whole Family at Upton Hill Regional ParkUpton Hill Regional Park, located at 6060 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia, offers local residents and visitors alike a versatile, wooded recreational commons in the heart of one of the most densely populated areas of Northern Virginia. The park features an outdoor swimming pool complex that includes a lap pool, a full-sized recreational pool, a separate kiddie pool, multiple water slides, and a children's water house with a huge bucket that fills up with water and empties out onto everyone in its path!! The park also features a deluxe miniature golf course as well as batting cages that include baseball and softball both. Although the park facilities are presently closed for the winter season, the park itself remains open every day for hiking, picnicking, and playing on the playground. The batting cages and mini-golf facilities will reopen for the season in March of 2010. The water park and swimming pool complex will reopen Memorial Day weekend. In addition, Upton Hill Regional Park hosts and annual Easter Egg Hunt in early March and welcomes the whole family to come and join in the festivities. Children can enjoy hunting for eggs filled with candy as well as a moon bounce, coloring, and other games. The Easter Egg Hunt is recommended for children ages 2 through 10 and reservations are required. Call 703-534-3437 for more information or to make reservations.
Located between the Arlington and Fairfax
County line at the intersection of Patrick Henry Drive and Wilson Boulevard, Upton
Hill Regional Park is a great venue with a wide range of activities that provide fun
for the whole family! In 2007, the Park's facilities underwent a $2 million renovation
as part of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority's effort to attract local
residents and visitors to an innovative, public facility representative of both the
area and the local governments' commitment to its community.
View Larger Map Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · |
The McLean House CondominiumsThe McLean House Condominiums are located in the heart of McLean, Virginia, and are one of the areas most sought after condo communities. Located at 6800 Fleetwood Road in McLean, this condominium community is a premier location in a unique area of Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. The McLean House Condominiums are located conveniently close to both the Langley and McLean Shopping Centers, and the surrounding neighborhood is home to a wide variety of restaurants, parks, banking centers, and grocery stores. The McLean House feature gourmet kitchens with granite countertops, specialized track lighting, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, walk-in closets, balconies, and a washer and dryer in each unit. Other facilities include basketball and tennis courts, a beauty salon, an exercise room, an outdoor pool, and a 24-hour security desk in the main lobby. The McLean House is located within a short driving distance of many of the areas major highways including I-495, the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and Chain Bridge Road. The McLean House Condominiums provide quick and easy access to a multiplicity of business and retail centers while also maintaining a calm, suburban appeal, making this condo community an ideal residential location in Northern Virginia. View Larger Map Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · |
Midtown Alexandria Station --- Condos on the Yellow Line Metro near Alexandria VA
The Midtowns is a beautiful building with excellent vistas. It's on the Metro and close to I-495 (the Beltway). There are bargains to be found here, but you have to know where to look. Although the Midtowns still has an on-site staff for sales of new condos, the on-site staff will not show you any pre-owned condos at the Midtowns. If you're thinking of buying a brand new condo you might find this article by the Boston Condo Guy helpful. The short story is that having you're own representation doesn't cost you anything, so you would do well to contact Will Nesbitt of Condo 1 Alexandria to tour the property at any time. 
The hallmarks of a Midtown condo are expansive windows, many with pleasant city, river and sunset views. The kitchen features Italian cabinetry, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and gas cooking. Berber carpeting is standard as are the stylish and modern light fixtures. The bathroom has equally stylish fixtures with generous oversize tubs. Many units have built-in computer nooks. The common areas are very sleek and stylish with broad hallways and tiled floors. The club room has an amazing city view and is well-proportioned with stylish furnishings. There is a rooftop deck (half-way up the building) with recreational amenities such as propane grills, pool and shaded picnic tables. The focus of the rooftop deck is an expansive swimming pool with sundeck, Jacuzzi and beautiful landscaping. On the same level the fitness room is ready with tread mills, work out machines and more, all beside a wall of windows. 
The lobby has a view of the Huntington Metro entrance and features a bright new cyber cafe with high-speed Internet access. The front desk is attended and access to the building and the garage is controlled. The garage has a structured parking scheme with reserved spaces and there is guest parking outside. There are several condo communities in this neighborhood, the most obvious being the Huntington Club, the Hunting Creek Club and Montebello. All three developments are much older and somewhat cheaper. If you're seeking a bargain you probably will prefer the Huntington Club. Montebello offers a gated community and famed amenities. Hunting Creek Club offers views that equal or exceed the Midtowns in a structure that lacks the appeal and newness of the Midtowns.
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · |
Belle View after the December storm of 2009
Belle View condos for sale 
Belle View is beautiful year round. Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · |
Kingstowne homes and condos for sale -- an overview
Kingstowne real estate includes
2788 townhouses (many with a one or two-car garage), 712 condominiums, 421 luxurious
single-family houses and 1213 rental apartments. In total there are 5100 pieces of
real estate, providing 5100 homes in a planned community that provides a suburban
lifestyle in the Franconia/Springfield area of Northern Virginia's Fairfax County.
These numbers go up even higher if you include nearby Franconia and Springfield.
Kingstowne is located just outside the Capital Beltway I-495 and close to I-395. (Interstate
395 feeds directly into downtown Washington DC from Kingstowne.)
Click Kingstowne to
see a map of homes for sale in Kingstowne. (Check here for latest
sales updates.) You might find the following links useful if you're search for
a home in Kingstowne or near Kingstowne.
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · |
Population Density in Fairfax CountyPopulation Density by Census Block Group in Fairfax County, Virginia as of January 2007  
Note: Population of city of Fairfax is not included. Source: Fairfax County Department of Systems Management for Human Services Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · |
The 
