Month: August 2017

7 Must-Try Restaurants in Vienna VA

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If there’s one thing that Vienna’s residents have in common, it’s the love of good food – and they know exactly where to find it. These local favorites are unique to Vienna and although they differ in price range and cuisine, they all feature authentic and inspired dishes, quality ingredients, top-notch service, and vibrant venues.

Bazin’s on Church

 

A Vienna staple, the award-winning Bazin’s on Church offers creative and contemporary American cuisine in a charming and lively bistro setting. Bazin’s is known for serving the best melt-in-your-mouth sea bass in NoVA and signature favorite – the jumbo lump crab meat spring rolls. Their varied menu is complimented by a global wine collection with over 400 options and a distinct focus on California’s best offerings. In addition, Bazin’s celebrates the gluten-free lifestyle with innovative creations by the head chef and owner Patrick Bazin. Friendly and knowledgeable staff, a Sunday brunch to die for, and a beautiful setting, are just some of the reasons this restaurant fills up almost every night, so I highly suggest making a reservation or prepare to wait for your table.

Plaka Grill

 

When Vienna residents are in the mood for Greek, they head to Plaka Grill. This casual style restaurant serves up generous portions of classical Greek fare made with the freshest ingredients. Their signature made-from- scratch Plaka Gyro combines the traditional gyro with the Plaka Grill twist – a serving of French fries joins the flavorful grilled meat inside the soft pita. Vienna’s own Peter Drosos, Plaka Grill’s chef and owner, grew up in his family’s local restaurant and then obtained his culinary arts degree in Greece where he worked in various establishments and perfected the art of souvlaki and gyros. Reasonable prices, an excellent beer selection, delightful staff, and
festive atmosphere make Plaka Grill the number one location for gyros in Fairfax County.

Sushi Yoshi

 

Sushi Yoshi is Vienna’s answer to traditional Japanese and fusion cuisine. Reservations are necessary at this popular venue where the fish is always fresh and the distinct flavors burst on your palate. Order a Bento box for heaping portions of a variety of dishes or the Sushi Yoshi take on Chirashi, is also a local favorite. Perfectly crafted sushi, stunning presentations, great prices, beautiful indoor décor, and a quaint tree-shaded outdoor patio are why Sushi Yoshi has become one of Vienna’s preferred dining destinations for lunch or dinner.

Taco Bamba

 

Celebrity chef Victor Albisu is known for his appearances on Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay (and he did), Fox TV’s Hell’s Kitchen, and Telemundo’s Top Chef Estrellas. He has even cooked for President and Mrs. Obama. However, Vienna knows him best as the chef and owner of Taco Bamba where creative and unique taco and torta combinations are loaded with tender and savory meat, fresh and plentiful fillings, and tangy house-made sauces. Served in a casual and upbeat indoor and outdoor atmosphere, complete with a margarita bar and salsa bar, the only complaint is that Taco Bamba is so popular that the lines are long at times – but the incredible food is well worth the wait!

Clarity

 

Winner of countless awards, Clarity’s reputation for fine dining is well deserved. Featuring a daily changing menu with the freshest of seasonal ingredients, this upscale restaurant is known for its diverse menu, impeccable presentations and attentive, knowledgeable service. Your experience will begin with homemade bread fresh from the oven and olive oil for dipping. Expect to be delighted throughout your entire meal ending with their delicious and decadent desserts. At the chef’s bar, you can admire the energy and expertize involved in creating your meal. You will certainly not mind paying top dollar for your exceptional meal and if you dine at lunchtime, you will receive the same superb quality at more affordable prices.

Church Street Pizza

 

Whether you prefer by the slice or the whole pie, Church Street Pizza is where locals satisfy their desire for traditional NY style pizza. Relish in the perfected proportions of crispy yet chewy thin crust, light and flavorful tomato sauce, fresh and ample toppings and high-quality cheese that stretches from hand to mouth. Casual and homey, this no- frills spot is all about the pizza. The reasonable prices, friendly staff, and addictive salads round out the quintessential pizza parlor experience.

Maple Ave Restaurant

 

Enjoy eclectic American cuisine in a casual yet elegant setting at the Maple Avenue Restaurant. With high-end, farm-fresh ingredients, creative and inspired dishes, reasonable prices, and excellent customer service, you will certainly need to make advance reservations at this cozy venue. The weekend brunch is a must and menu favorites include the ricotta pancakes and truffle egg scramble. Although you may find their menu options are limited, it’s because they know what foodies want and they do it phenomenally well.

July 2017 Housing Market Update for Washington DC Metro Areas

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July 2017 Housing Market Update for Washington DC Metro Areas

July Home Sales and Median Prices

The following analyses of the Washington, D.C. housing markets are based on July 2017 MRIS housing data.

  • The Washington D.C Metro Median sales price of $439,900 was up 1.1% or $4,900 compared to last year but was down 3.3% or $15,100 compared to last month. This is the highest July price of the decade.
  • Sales volume across the DC Metro area was over $2.8 billion, up 6.8% from last year.
  • Closed sales of 5,157 were up 2.2% compared to last year but were down 16.0% compared to last month.
  • New contract activity of 5,116 dropped 2.9% compared to last year and 14.2% compared to last month.
  • New listings of 6,282 were up 0.9% compared to last year.
  • Active listings of 10,276 are down 6.1% compared to last year and down 2.0% compared to last month. This is the 15th consecutive month of declines in year-over-year inventory levels.
  • The average percent of original list price received at sale in July was 98.3%.
  • The median days-on-market for July 2017 was 14 days, three days lower than last year.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A FULL VERSION OF THIS REPORT

The DC Metro Area Housing Market Update provides unique insights into the state of the current housing market by measuring the number of new pending sales, trends by home characteristics, and key indicators through the most recent month compiled directly from Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data.

The DC Metro Area housing market includes: Washington, D.C., Montgomery County and Prince George’s County in Maryland, and Alexandria City, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and Falls Church City in Virginia.

 

Contemporary Homes: 506 PLUM STREET SW, VIENNA, VA 22180

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Vienna Contemporary Homes: 506 PLUM STREET SW, VIENNA, VA 22180

 

506 PLUM STREET SW, VIENNA, VA 22180

Asking Price: $1,450,000 | Beds: 5 | Sq. Ft.: 4,802 | Type: Single Family Home

Slick and sophisticated this contemporary style home of open cleanliness is a rare find in Vienna VA.

The open floor plan combines living room, family room and kitchen – the space is filled with natural light and soft neutral colors giving the sense of peace and calm.

Architecturally unique, this new construction home features modern kitchen with extra-long waterfall quartz island, floor to ceiling windows and doors; hardwood floors throughout the main level and master bedroom, luxurious master bathroom, and fully finished basement with wet bar.

What I love about this house:

  • Location: walking distance to Vienna shopping and restaurants; 1.7 miles to Vienna Metro station and 2.9 miles to Dunn Loring Metro station; 0.4 miles to Meadow Lane Park.
  • Design: homes with contemporary design rarely come on the market in Vienna VA. This is not a “cookie cutter” craftsman home.
  • Price: – an average price for new construction homes in Vienna VA is $1,525,000. The asking price of  $1,450,000 is a great value.
  • Appreciation: Considering that in the last 10 years, the values of single family homes in Vienna’s 22180 zip code have increased on average 11.9 percent, this house is a great real estate investment.

If you are ready to make a move, click here to schedule a Private Showing.

Contemporary Homes: 506 PLUM STREET SW, VIENNA, VA 22180

Also Read:

Moving to Vienna, VA? Reasons You Will Love Living Here!

 

Contemporary Homes: 506 PLUM STREET SW, VIENNA, VA 22180

To schedule a private showing, please click HERE.

What Makes Your New Home Truly Energy Efficient?

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What Makes Your New Home Truly Energy Efficient?

Because many municipalities’ building codes require energy-efficiency features in new homes, buyers assume that the newer a home, the more energy efficient it is. Two certifications that actually certify the energy efficiency of homes are Energy Star and LEED for homes.

Energy Star

Energy Star is very familiar to American consumers as a mark of energy-efficient home appliances. It is also awarded to homes constructed by Energy Star certified builders, referred to as Partners. Since its inception in 1995, the Energy Star Homes program has achieved a market share of more than 20 percent in over 15 states. As of 2013, there are approximately 1.46 million Energy Star homes. About 100,000 new certified homes are constructed every year.

An Energy Star home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30 percent more efficient than standard homes.

Energy Star Partner builders commit to working with credentialed contractors, such as for HVAC, and raters to meet EPA standards, which are adjusted for regions and climate conditions. Builders who use a collection of standard building plans may submit plans for review and approval by the EPA. “Approved plans are recognized nationally and include the necessary notes, details, specifications, and checklists that are required for acquiring the Energy Star certification. To achieve the Energy Star certification, homes must be built to comply with Energy Star requirements and involve a minimum of two HERS inspections; one during construction and one at the completion of construction.”

When a home has been certified, an Energy Star label is affixed to the circuit breaker box of the home and a certificate is provided for the homeowner.

LEED for Homes

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awards the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification to homes that meet rigorous standards for energy efficiency. “Given the time, expense, and team commitment involved in achieving a LEED certification, even the first award level—Certified—is a major accomplishment. Qualifying for LEED certification is a time-intensive and complex process requiring detailed documentation and independent verification by a LEED Accredited Professional (AP). A property owner who wishes to achieve LEED status should consider hiring a consultant who specializes in LEED certification.”

LEED Certification for Homes, which was launched in 2007, is awarded at four levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. According to the USGBC, as of 2012 there are about 23,000 LEED certified homes in the United States and about 1,000 new single-family homes are certified each year.

To find more information about New Construction Homes, please click HERE.

10 Most Beautiful Waterfront Properties in Northern Virginia

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10 Most Beautiful Waterfront Properties in Northern Virginia

Looking for waterfront property in Northern Virginia?

Here is a list of 10 beautiful properties located in Alexandria VA, Falls Church VA, McLean VA and Reston VA.

View all Waterfront Homes for sale in Northern Virginia, click on the image below

Situated directly on the Potomac River and, yet, only 10 miles to Washington DC, this waterfront property features 2 boat sips & electronic boat lift.

Stunning waterfront oasis on the shore of Little Hunting Creek. Brick patio with landscaped gardens. Entertaining paradise: porch, hot tub, patio waterside with LED lights! Kayak/canoe from yard.

Located on the shore of Lake Barcroft, this property features Putting Green, beach and boat dock withover 4900 square feet of living space.

This spectacular waterfront property on the shores of Lake Newport features hardwood floors throughout the entire home,  custom cabinets, large island, and, of course, tranquil private setting with beautiful lake views.

Can’t get better than this! The views of Lake Barcroft from nearly every room. Expansive outdoor decks and patios for entertaining. Dock provides space to moor a pontoon and store kayaks or canoes. Just 8 miles to Washington DC.

10 Acres Estate with 750 feet of river frontage. This luxurious home offers exquisite interiors, stunning landscaping, incredible outdoor Living with heated pool, grill station and Tuscan wood fire oven.

This stunning waterfront property is sitting on over 3 acres along the bank of the Potomac River. This incredibly private setting boasts unbelievable sights and sounds of the river.

Stunning Contemporary home with dramatic views of Lake Thoreau. Dock with pontoon boat ready for your relaxation. The property is less than mile away from the Metro. 

Enjoy a year long views of Lake Thoreau from this expansive deck. This waterfront home features large lower level with two bedrooms, recreation room with wet bar, walls of glass and patio.

Stunning waterfront townhouse on Lake Audubon. Enjoy panoramic views from all levels. This property offers gourmet kitchen, butlers pantry and cozy family room area, 2 decks, 2 balconies, and 2 porches.

If you are looking to purchase waterfront property in Northern Virginia, please feel free to contact me to set up a consultation.

View all Waterfront Homes for Sale >>>

Land Development for New Homes: Before Groundbreaking

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When we drive around the long-established neighborhoods of familiar market areas, it’s easy to forget that they were once bare land. At some point, a developer, subdivider, or builder saw the potential in that piece of land and decided to transform it from bare land to building lots and new houses.

How does land transition from a bare undeveloped state to shovel-ready building lots? Before any construction goes up on bare land, a lot of steps have to be accomplished.

The process starts with market and land studies commissioned by a developer, who may also be a builder. Feasibility studies of the proposed development assess the potential market demand and supply for new homes and the competition. An initial survey along with an environmental assessment and soil analysis verifies suitability of the land for residential construction.

Also Read:

How to Vet A Parcel and Buy A Perfect Lot in Northern Virginia: 8 Land Purchasing Questions to Ask.

If these studies yield positive results, the developer hires an engineering and architectural firm to draw preliminary plans and specifications for the development. The plans show placement of roads and utilities—electric, gas, water, sewer, drainage—and preliminary platting of building lots.

Of course, the local governing body (township, city, or county) must approve the plans. When the land development has cleared all of these hurdles, the developer can move to close on the financing to acquire the property, stake the lots, and begin installation of utility infrastructure and temporary roads.

Compared to new land development, infill development takes advantage of existing infrastructure, streets, and utilities. Zoning disputes can, however, hamstring infill developments, particularly when transitioning from commercial uses to residential and mixed use.

If you are looking for more information about New Construction Homes, please click HERE.