Alexandria, in fact, all of Northern Virginia, is full of history and historic properties.  Narrow stair cases, high ceilings and interesting floor plans can be appealing but what happens when an owner wants to change something?  What does it really take to renovate a historic home in Alexandria? Bottom line - a good relationship with your neighbors and the local historic preservation committee. You can almost always renovate anything you want on the inside. Take a Victorian kitchen to one straight out of the Jetson's?  No problem.  But try to move a roof line or add an extra room, particularly if it can be seen from the street and, well, you've got trouble. Sticking points for getting approval generally revolve around color, architectural style and details and additions. Alexandria his... 08/29/2009

Marina Towers condominiums are situated just off of the George Washington Parkway at the north end of Old Town Alexandria.  Marina Towers is not far from Reagan National Airport and is at the last stop light before Arlington and Washington DC. The Towers themselve have a fantastic view of the Potomac River. Marina Towers is has the following amenities: Indoor Gym Outdoor pool Verandas by the river Great access to the George Washington Bike Path All utilities included Ample parking for residents and guests To learn more about Marina Towers and other real estate in Northern Virginia check out Condo Alexandria or click Marina Towers to see a map and what's for sale now.   08/29/2009

The Carlyle District is part of Alexandria VA. The Carlyle District differs markedly from the colonial stylings of Old Town, but the brick high-rises of the Carlyle District compliment the historic structures of Alexandria. More than 5,000 people reside in the Carlyle District, and that number is expected to double by 2010. In addition to the many residences of the Eisenhower Valley (The Royalton, Carlyle Towers, Carlyle Square, The Exchange, and more) the Carlyle District is home to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Carlyle District is home to both residences and commercial space, giving it an urban vibrant feel where many restaurants flourish despite being so close to the many restaurants of Old Town. The Carlyle District is served by both the King St. Metro and the ... 08/29/2009

Times are tight for sellers. The past couple of years we've seen declining values and this has whittled away at equity in condos and other real estate. When it's time to sell, folks are looking to maximize return.  Remodeled and renovated condos always sell more quickly and fetch higher prices.  So let's take a look at remodeling on a budget.  You have to start with the basics. Paint --- Paint is the cheapest, most effective way to increase the value of your condo.  Paint costs $25 to $75 per gallon, but has a tremendous impact on the feel and value of your condo.  Together with some strategically placed caulking, this is the first step of a "remodel".  Fixtures --- Lighting fixtures date a unit. If your fixtures are from 1972, your condo will feel like 1972.  A lighting fixture that i... 08/28/2009

Some basic facts It covers 5.3 square miles or 3,400 acres Has approximately 22,000 residents 5,340 residences (2,799 are town homes) Kingstowne Townhome Market Report Homes Sold and Settled Year-To-Date 2009 Vs. Total Year 2008 2008 2009 +/- % Number of Homes 123 101 Average List Price 454,467 437,659 -4% Average Sales Price 444,986 429,388 -4% Seller Contribution -6,671 -5,825 -13% Net Sales Price 438,315 423,563 -3% As of 8/28/2009 COMMUTING It is about 10 minutes to the Blue Line Metrorail stations at either Franconia-Springfield or Van Dorn Street. Your selection of station will probably depend on where you live in Kingstowne. It's about a 15 or 20 minute drive to the Yellow Line Metrorail station at Huntington Avenue. Fairfax Connector Kingstowne Bus Routes 231 and 232 each provi... 08/28/2009

Some basic facts It covers 5.3 square miles or 3,400 acres Has approximately 22,000 residents 5,340 residences (587 are detached homes) Kingstowne Detached Home Market Report Homes Sold and Settled Year-To-Date 2009 Vs. Total Year 2008 2008 2009 +/- % Number of Homes 16 14 Average List Price 687,534 641,506 -7% Average Sales Price 658,672 620,036 -6% Seller Contribution -3,758 -4,750 +26% Net Sales Price 654,914 615,286 -6% As of 8/28/2009 COMMUTING It is about 10 minutes to the Blue Line Metrorail stations at either Franconia-Springfield or Van Dorn Street. Your selection of station will probably depend on where you live in Kingstowne. It's about a 15 or 20 minute drive to the Yellow Line Metrorail station at Huntington Avenue. Fairfax Connector Kingstowne Bus Routes 231 and 232 each ... 08/28/2009

Some basic facts It covers 5.3 square miles or 3,400 acres Has approximately 22,000 residents 5,340 residences (712 are condominiums) Kingstowne Condominium Market Report Homes Sold and Settled Year-To-Date 2009 Vs. Total Year 2008 2008 2009 +/- % Number of Homes 11 4 Average List Price 315,331 261,113 -17% Average Sales Price 306,899 259,750 -15% Seller Contribution -4,970 -5,461 +10% Net Sales Price 301,929 264,289 -12% As of 8/28/2009 COMMUTING It is about 10 minutes to the Blue Line Metrorail stations at either Franconia-Springfield or Van Dorn Street. Your selection of station will probably depend on where you live in Kingstowne. It's about a 15 or 20 minute drive to the Yellow Line Metrorail station at Huntington Avenue. Fairfax Connector Kingstowne Bus Routes 231 and 232 each pr... 08/28/2009

For the most part, front yards do not exist in Old Town Alexandria. Instead, colorful window boxes, stately urns, clustered pots of flowers and geometric topiaries welcome visitors and home owners alike. Enjoy a "walk" with me through the streets of Old Town. Are you interested in knowing more about living in historic Old Town Alexandria? I'm just a phone call away at 703.927.4554. Thanks for stopping by, Michael 08/26/2009

Every day new products are invented, new uses for old products are discovered, and employment opportunities created for millions of Americans. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is a federal agency in the Department of Commerce that strives to protect the economic interests of inventors and the welfare of the public. According to the USPTO, the purpose of these patents is to "promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for limited times to inventors the exclusive right to their respective discoveries (Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution)." The USPTO is one of the very few government services that actually completely fee funded. This is as compared to the US Postal Service and Amtrak, which are both fee funded but run deficits re... 08/26/2009

Union Station in Alexandria VA is a historic train station located between King and Duke Streets at the foot of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial. The station is within site of the USPTO and nearby Carlyle District. The station backs up against the King St. Metro, making it an excellent transfer point for riders of the VRE (Virginia Railway Express). Both Amtrak and VRE stop at the station and DASH and Metrobus lines stop at the King St. Station. Alexandria's Union Station shares a name with Union Station in nearby Washington DC. Locals usually refer to the station in Washington as Union Station and the station in Alexandria as Alexandria Station. Both stations were so-named because at one time they united several lines/companies. The Amtrak code is for this station is AL... 08/25/2009

The Sentinel of Landmark stands guard in Alexandria's West End at 6300 Stevenson Avenue Alexandria, VA. You can reach the condo management at (703) 823-1951. The Sentinel is located directly across the street from the Olympus of Landmark.The Sentinel has both one and two-bedroom floor plans. All condos at the Sentinel include private balcony, washer/dryer, dishwasher, electric range, expanded basic cable TV. The Sentinel also has : On-site convenience store Fully-equipped fitness center Garage parking Nighttime security guard ... a sentinel if you will Party room Patio with gazebo and grills Playground Swimming pools Tennis courts Click the Sentinel of Landmark for prices and a map of this community. 08/24/2009

You might already know of the Olympus at Landmark because of it's convenient location in the West End of Alexandria VA or because of it's ground-breaking curved design, but you might know know of the amenities of the Olympus. The pool of the Olympus is open all summer long and is found on the south west side of the building. The Olympus was built in 1974, but the fitness room is sleek modern and nicely appointed. There are number of work-out machines and weights. Wall-mounted TV's are there to pass your work-out or if you prefer you can overlook the pool from the work-out room. Just off the fitness room and the lobby is the party room / meeting room. Reserve use through the on-site concierge and you've got the perfect place for a meeting or a party. Condo fees are on the high-side at t... 08/24/2009

The Olympus is located at 6301 Stevenson Ave. in Alexandria VA. In the summer, the birch trees in the Olympus courtyard spring to life offering a shady escape from the busy city. The building's unique curved shaped offers intriguing vistas and not just from the oversized curved balconies that each unit enjoys. The Olympus is located in the West End of Alexandria between I-495 and I-395 near Landmark Mall. The Sentinel of Landmark is across the street, but there are many condominiums in this area, including Alexandria Knolls Canterbury Square Cameron Station Duke Garden Edsall Bluff EOS-21 (Twenty One) Exchange at Van Dorn the Fountains the Greenhouse Northampton Olympus at Landmark Palazzo at Center Park Parkfairfax Pointe at Park Center Saxony Square Seminary Hill Seminary Walk Temple... 08/23/2009

Would you like to get to know Old Town Alexandria VA? I'll tell you one of the best ways to see a few sites and learn more about our fair city: take a carriage ride. Our carriage was pulled by a hard-working mule. Her owner tells us she loves to pull. As she clopped slowly down the side streets of Old Town, her owner filled in details about houses and locations that we passed. For me, most of the information was old hat, but I couldn't help but think this would be a great way for a tourist or new resident to get to know the city. The fee for the ride was down right reasonable and I was impressed with the mule's strength as she pulled up and down hill along Old Town's waterfront. After she dropped us off we snapped this picture from Market Square. There in front of Burke and Herbert she... 08/23/2009

The Torpedo Factory condominium complex is located at 115 N. Lee St. in Old Town Alexandria just 1 block from King St. and across the street from the Carlyle House. The Torpedo Factory offers 1, 2 and 3 bedroom condominium homes centered around a well-kept courtyard.  The Torpedo Factory doesn't offer the standard condo amenities like a pool and fitness room.  Instead, the neighborhood is the amenity here.  The Torpedo Factory is surrounded by restaurants, shops and tourist attractions.  It's only one block from the Potomac Waterfront and is across the street from the Torpedo Factory Art Center. If you're looking for a home in historic Old Town and you don't want the maintenance that townhouse will require, you'll definitely want to check out the Torpedo Factory.Click the Torpedo Factor... 08/23/2009

AlexandriaVA Townhomes may be the perfect home to buy for those that need fast access around the Washington DC, area via I-495, Route 1, I- 95, Alexandria VA, Arlington, Metro, the Pentagon or National Airport. Location, location, location says it all! Alexandria VA town homes are perfect solution for those on the go, yet they offer garages, formal living and dining rooms, gourmet kitchens, and fantastic master suites. In Old Town Alexandria VA there are historic town homes for sale and even luxury town homes wiht Potomac river views for sale. Alexandria town homes has something for everyone. ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA TOWNHOMES: Arch Hall Beauregard Heights Beauregard Station Cameron Station Town Homes Carriage Works Del Ray Fords Landing Town Homes Hearthstone Hume Springs Jefferson Homes L... 08/23/2009

The Upper King Street Fresh Farmers' Market is held at 1806 King St. aat the King Street Gardens Park. The King Street Gardens Park is a short walk east from the King St. Metro station. The market is open from 3 pm to 7 pm on Wednesdays. The market is open through-out the late spring and summer until October 28, 2009. King St. Gardens Park is easily access from both Old Town and Carlyle District. Some of the communities within walking distance of the Farmer's Market include: Carlyle Towers The Royalton 1600 Prince Carlyle Square Colecroft Seminary Walk   08/22/2009

Huntington Walk is a nice little garden-style condo community on Rt. 1 in Fairfax County across from the Target south of Alexandria. The units are very nicely priced and in good shape. Many have updated kitchens and patios or balconies.  The laundry is common, but the building is nice sturdy brick. Huntington Run is the younger sister of Huntington Walk. The units are about the same size as Huntington Walk, which is to say as, very generously proportioned. The unit has laundry in the unit, but the building is siding. Huntington Run and Huntington Walk won't break your budget, but will put you near the Metro. Click Huntington Run or Huntington Walk for prices and more information. 08/22/2009

The Cindy Jones Team is proud to present our new listing in the Hollindale neighborhood of Alexandria, VA.  Located minutes from the GW Parkway and Fort Hunt road this home offers privacy and convenience all at the same time.Check out the chef's kitchen with high end stainless appliances.  Newly refinished hardwood floors, fresh paint and three updated bathrooms.  The backyard features a waterfall, private gazabo and deck.  The entry level features a huge family room with woodburning fireplace and private 4th bedroom. This home is priced to move at $574,900 and all of the work the owners have put into the home getting it ready for the market will impress you.Available on Saturday August 15th for showings.Call the Cindy Jones Team at 703-346-2213 for more information and to arrange your ... 08/21/2009

EarthCraft Virginia recently rolled out the EarthCraft Renovation Program (www.earthcrafthouse.com or www.ecvirginia.org).  The Renovation Program is a performance program based on achieving a 30% improvement in energy usage.  Please consider incorporating home performance in your project if you or someone you know are considering on making significant improvements to your home.  Incorporating green aspects in your renovations often can be met by smart design and planning.  Example: Traditional walls are built with studs 16" apart from each other.  Proper planning and code compliant design allows studs and floor joists to be 24" apart from each other allowing for a 30% or more reduction in framing lumber.  The reduction of wall and ceiling space for framing allows for increased insulati... 08/21/2009