Progress as of June 21, 2010

Tysons Area Construction

Tysons Area Construction

Tysons Area Construction

Tysons Area Construction

Tysons Area Construction

Tysons Area Construction

Tysons Area Construction

Courtesy of Jeff Wu

Neighborhood Specialist

Tysons Corner Condos Sold May 2010

16 Condos (Condominiums) were sold in the Tysons Corner area in Northern Virginia in May 2010.  This includes 22182 (Vienna) and 22102 (McLean)  zip codes.  Properties ranged from a one bedroom one bathroom condo at the Fountains At McLean asking $218,000, with 624 square feet, all the way to a two bedroom two and a half bath condo in the One Park Crest building with 1620 square feet asking $728,000.  Here are some quick stats:

* Tysons Corner Condo real estate changed hands in these condo communities in May 2010 = Fountains at McLean (4), Gates of McLean (3), One Park Crest (2), Regency  At McLean, Rotonda, The Colonies (3), The Westerlies, and Westwood Village

* Average Days on Market = 24

* Average Sold to List Ratio = 99.15%

* Average Subsidy $479 (only 3 had any subsidy)

* Bank Owned or “Foreclosure” properties in Tysons Corner = 2

* Short Sale Transactions in Tysons Corner Condos = 0

* Up 46% over the number of Tysons Corner Transactions settled in May 2009 (same month, previous year)

* up 5.5% over the number of Tysons Corner Condos sold in April 2010 (previous closed month)

Data from MRIS

Route 123 will be closed at the Beltway from 9:30pm tonight (Friday) until 5:00 am Monday. All traffic in and out of Tysons Corner will be detoured. The old Beltway bridge is being demolished and traffic is moved to a new bridge over Route 124.

When you leave the shopping areas, you will have to take Route 7. If you’re coming from McLean, you will be directed to Route 193 (Georgetown Pike).  Expect serious delays!

 The following ramps will be closed:

• I495 north to Route 123 south
• I495 south to Route 123 north
• Route 123 south to I495 south
• Route 123 north to I495 north

 The following ramps will be open:

• Route 123 north to I495 south
• Route 123 south to I495 north
• I495 south to Route 123 south
• I495 north to Route 123 north

If that isn’t enough, crews will be working on the Dulles Metrorail guideway piers over the Beltway, and the  Orange Line between East Falls Church and West Falls Church will be closed this weekend. The stations will be closed Saturday, June 12 at 7am and reopen on Monday June 14 at 5am. Traffic will be moved between the stations by shuttle bus. If you plan to take the shuttle bus, allow an extra 30 minutes to your travel time.

 Inbound traffic should plan to park at East Falls Church station and ride Metro from there. Parking is free on weekends.

 For more information on the metro project check out MetroOpensDoors.com.

Courtesy of Jeff Wu, Neighborhood Specialist

 Want to know your home’s value?  

For more information on homes in Tysons, McLean, Reston and the surrounding area,  contact Jeff at Jeff@AgentKnowsHomes.com,

 Cell: 240-994-7938, Office: 703-556-4222

The League of Women Voters of Virginia will be attending the League of Women Voters National Convention this week (June 11- June 15) in Atlanta, Georgia.  Many people still do not understand what the League of Women Voters “do” for the voter.  Each league in each town will publish the Voters’ Guide; hold a debate, and answer questions,  pertaining to an election.  The Voters’ Guide will give a pro and con view of the issues on the ballot. In short, The League of Women Voters helps to simplify the issues to be voted on.

At the national convention, the delegates from The League of Women Voters will adopt their program/agenda. Between July 2010 and June 2012 the leagues will implement the programs that were chosen at the convention.  The programs chosen reflect what the leagues want to support.  Prior to the national convention each league has the chance to give voice to what they consider to be important by participating in the program planning stage. 

This year’s proposed program, based upon the responses’ of the leagues:

Retain current positions on:

• Representative Government
• International Relations
• Natural Resources
• Social Policy

Concurrence to amend/update:

• Arms Control

 A Study on:

• Federal Role in Public Education

Some of the additional programs that will be considered for study or review:

•  Campaign Finance Reform
• Citizen’s Right to Vote
• Economic Growth and Job Creation
• Environmental Protection and Pollution Control
• ERA
• Financial Industry
• Foreclosures
• Health Care
• Individual Liberties
• Natural Resources
• Privatization
• Presidency
• Representative Government
• Trade

So contact the League of Women Voters of Virginia; let them know you are interested in what they “do”.

 Want to know your home’s value?  For more information on homes in Tysons, McLean, Reston and the surrounding area,  contact Jeff at Jeff@AgentKnowsHomes.com,

 Cell: 240-994-7938, Office: 703-556-4222

Update on the evolution of the Tyson’s Corner area  from the Dulles Metro construction, the public/private partnership HOT Lanes project, and life in general.

Photo Blog #3

 Want to know your home’s value?

  For more information on homes in Tysons, McLean, Reston and the surrounding area,  contact Jeff at Jeff@AgentKnowsHomes.com,

Cell: 240-994-7938, Office: 703-556-4222

For Memorial Day, Fairfax County VA will be honoring the men and women who have protected, served, and defended our country.

According to Wikipedia, the literal translation of the word hero means “protector” or “defender”; that a “hero (male) or heroine (female) came to refer to characters who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self sacrifice – that is, heroism – for some greater good of all humanity, originally of martial courage or excellence but extended to more general moral excellence.”

By definition, not only are our folks serving in Iraq and Afganistan heroes, but our volunteer firemen, our police officers, our Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and the people who answer to the call of an emergency in our community are our heroes as well.  These are the people we will be honoring on Monday, May 31^st all across the country.

Memorial Day – originally called “Decoration Day” – unofficially began in 1865 as a way to honor fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. Memorial Day has since become an occasion to honor fallen soldiers from all wars after WWI.

On Monday, when you’re sitting at the pool or lying on the beach, think about the meaning of the holiday and join in a national “moment of remembrance,” which will occur at 3PM EST. Vienna  will honor our military men and women with a concert at 10AM at Flynt Hill Cemetary, 2845 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, Virginia 22181. The Vienna Community Band will perform.

Jeff Wu Neighborhood Specialist

 Want to know your home’s value?

 For more information on homes in Tysons, McLean, Reston and the surrounding area,  contact Jeff at Jeff@AgentKnowsHomes.com,

Cell: 240-994-7938, Office: 703-556-4222

Last night at the annual meeting for the MCA (McLean Citizens Association) there were a couple of high interest speakers.  It was a full room, as the seats were all full, and the back row was lined with late comers (including myself) standing and leaning against the wall.  The speakers of interest were first from the HOT lanes project and second the Fairfax County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Sharon Bulova.

The most energy came at the opportunity to pose questions after the HOT lanes project speaker.  Many in the room, in fact the general sentiment, seemed to be against the project.  It is billed as a solution to help solve traffic problems in our area and the Virginia side of the beltway surrounding our nations capital.  There will be 2 lanes added to each side that will be accessible by those with 3 total riders or more, or those willing to pay the dynamic pricing.  The HOT lanes is a public private partnership that has drawn some concern based on the for profit motive of the private partner.  The crowd last night, likely all or mostly McLean residents, voiced a passionate concern for the limited or lack of benefit for McLean residents and also the potential negative impact on McLean roads.  It is anticipated by more than a few present that some will try to avoid the bad traffic and the HOT lanes on the beltway by jumping onto McLean and surrounding area local roads.

Many felt there was not enough time to voice questions or opinions in the short time allowed after the HOT lanes speaker.  However, the president of the MCA, Rob Jackson, did set the stage prior to the HOT lanes presentation by stating it would be a limited presentation and a limited amount of time for questions.  He also reminded all that there would be a much more detailed presentation and public forum for questions and discussion on June 9th.

Many in the room left after the HOT lanes speaker. 

Chairman, Sharon Bulova, had a interesting presentation.  She mentioned a strong interest in the county budget.  The county is required to have a balanced budget.  A memorable quote was, “Budgeting is where counties set their priorities.”

I don’t like Wolf Trap because the events or the people I want to see seem to be scheduled only on weeknights. When is Mary Chapin Carpenter playing Wolf Trap – on a weeknight !  When are Al Jarreau and Counting Crows playing – on a weeknight! I understand that Wolf Trap is a small venue and that Friday and Saturday nights  pull a bigger crowd and a bigger pay check at larger venues like the Nissan Pavilion. I understand it, but I don’t like it.

What do I like about Wolf Trap? Everything else! I like the rustic open feel of the Filene Center and the Barns; I like the lawn seating; and I particularly like that they offer educational programs and the Children’s Theatre-In-The-Woods.  I like that it is considered a national park for the performing arts. We, in the Mclean, Reston and Tysons Corner areas, are so lucky to have this unique treasure in our backyard.

The 2010 season starts this week. The season kicks off with the operetta The Mikado and includes final performances of Riverdance.   Click this link for a complete look at the 2010 season calendar.

Although Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is supported in part by the National Park Service and the Foundation, less than 2% comes from government funds and only 50% support comes from ticket sales. Donations from individuals and corporate sponsors are greatly appreciated and go a long way to ensuring that Wolf Trap is able to fulfill part of its mission – keep ticket prices low enough so that all can come and enjoy. If you are interested in supporting  this wonderful backyard treasure click here for the Wolf Trap website support page.  There are many ways you can support the Wolf Trap experience.

If you would like to stay up to date on all things Wolf Trap and the entertainment industry in general, check out Graham Binder’s blog “Wolf Trap From the Inside Out.”

Jeff Wu

Neighborhood Specialist

Want to know your home’s value?

For more information on homes in Tysons, McLean, Reston and the surrounding area,  contact Jeff at Jeff@AgentKnowsHomes.com, Cell: 240-994-7938, Office: 703-556-4222

Sold (April 2010)

In April 2010, just last month, there were 3 properties sold in this Tysons Corner condo community.  The sales in the Rotonda were a 1 bedroom 1 bathroom 992 square foot “C” Model, a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom 1685 square foot “J” Model, and a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom 1132 square foot “F” Model.  These properties were sold for an average of

- 98% of asking price, and 97.8% of asking vs. net sold price

- An average of 107 days on the market

- An average subisdy of $400 per transaction

The 3 Tysons Corner Condos sold in April 2010 is 1 less than the 4 sold in March 2010, a month prior.  And it is exactly even with the 3 sold in April 2009.

Sold in April 2010 - Tysons Corner Real Estate - Rotonda Condos

Almost Sold (Under Contract)

There are 8 properties under contract in the Rotonda Condominium community right now.  These range from a 1 bedroom 1 bathroom short sale property asking $219,900 all the way upto a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom, also a short sale, asking $505,000.

5-17-10 under contract in Rotonda condo community in Tysons Corner Real Estate

For Sale

As Tysons Corner real estate goes, there are 9 properties available for sale in the Rotonda.  These properties range in price from a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom, self described short sale, asking $275,000, all the way upto a 3 bedroom 3 bathroom, normal sale, asking $645,000.  Of the 9 properties for sale, only one – the lowest priced one, is a short sale.

05-17-10 for sale now (Rotonda Condominium) Tysons Corner Real estate

Rented (April 2010)

5 Rotonda properties rented in Tysons Corner in the month of April 2010.  They averaged 71 days on the market.

For Rent

There are 10 properties available to rent right now in this Tysons Corner Community.  They range in asking price from $1,345 a month to $3,300 a month.

data from MRIS

Vienna Real Estate sold April 2010 - 22182 zip code

22182 is one of two zip codes that create our Tysons Corner area.  The other being 22102.  It is really only a part of both that creates the Tysons Corner area.  However, I’m focusing right now on all of 22182.  Whether it’s in Tysons Corner area or not, it’s still called Vienna.  In the last closed month, April 2010, there were 21 single family homes sold.  Here are the facts =

* Homes sold in the neighborhoods = 

BACHMAN PROPERTY, CINNAMON CREEK, DAVID C MOLUMBY PROP, DUNN LORING GARDENS, EUDORA, FRANCIS YOUNG ESTATES, LITTLE RUN FARM, MIDDLETON TWO,  RICHLAND HUNT, SADDLEBROOK FARMS, SHOUSE VILLAGE (2), SPRING RIDGE, SYMPHONY HILL WEST, SYMPHONY MEADOWS II, TAMARACK, TYSONS WOODS, WAVERLY, WAYSIDE, WOLFTRAP VALE, Woodland Estates

*Sold Prices ranging from $490,000 to $1,640,000

* Seller subsidy on 4 transactions

* 1 is described as a bank owned or foreclosure property

* 1 is described as a short sale situation

* Average days on market is 110 (7 were on the market a week or less)

* Acreages ranged from 0.19 to 2.77

The 21 sold properties in the 22182 zip code of Vienna was just slightly better than the Vienna Real Estate sold in April 2009 (20), a year earlier, and suprisingly even with the homes sold in March 2010, just one month before.

Data from MRIS