Author: Kristen K. Foley, REALTOR®

I am a licensed REALTOR(R) in Northern Virginia. My focus areas are Old Town Alexandria, Alexandria City, Fairfax County, Falls Church City and Arlington.
area info, Things to Do

Farmers Markets in the metro area

Posted on by Kristen K. Foley, REALTOR®

Hi All…I have just fallen in love with farmers markets and there are a ton of them around the area.  Here is a list:

ALEXANDRIA MARKETS:

Old Town Farmers’ Market on Market Square, 301 King Street.  It opperates on Saturdays from 5 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. year round.  There is even FREE parking in the Market Square garage during the hours of the Farmers’ Market.  This market is in the heart of Old Town and is thought to be one of the nation’s oldest continually operating farmer’s markets.  This is what the alexandria website has to say about it:

George Washington sent his produce from Mount Vernon to be sold at the Farmer’s Market. Today, the market offers Alexandrians a way to reconnect to the past, while participating in an ongoing local and national tradition. According to an 1876 edition of the Alexandria Gazette, some things have not change because “to sell it here you’ve got to grow it or make it at home.”

Del Ray Farmers’ Market on the Corner of East Oxford & Mount Vernon Avenues.  This market opperates on Saturdays from 8 a.m. – Noon and is open year round.  Also a great place to spend a day because of all the local boutiques, restarants and shops.  Stop in St. Elmos for a coffee, in ACKC Cocoa Bar for a delectible treat or in Kiskadee to feed your fashion bug.

Four Mile Run Farmers’ & Artisans Market at 4109 Mt Vernon Ave, open Sundays, June 20 through October 31, from 8 a.m to 1 p.m.  Here is the Alexandria.gov’s synopsis:

The Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market brings fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provide an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strive to reflect the diversity of the community, and improve the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors.  It is part of an overall vision to expand and improve Four Mile Run Park and the surrounding neighborhood.  The market will be located at the entrance to Four Mile Run Park,where every day, walkers stroll up the park and bikers whiz down the Four Mile Run Trail that connects to Crystal City, DC, Shirlington and the Mount Vernon Trail. The market is managed by the Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market Management Team, in cooperation with the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market in King Street Gardens Park, 1806 King Street.  Open Wednesdays, May through October, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dates and times subject to change.

West End Farmers’ Market in Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Drive.  This one is actually in my “hood”.  I can walk to it from my home in Cameron Station.  It is open Sundays, May through November from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Dates and times subject to change.

ARLINGTON MARKETS (information taken directly from arlingtonvirginiausa.com):

Arlington Farmers Market
Since 1979, with over 30 local vendors. Master Gardeners on site each week until 11 a.m. to diagnose and cure whatever ails your section of the great outdoors.
Day: Saturdays, year-round
Time: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: 2100 Clarendon Boulevard |  Court House

Antiques and Collectibles Market at Courthouse
Features furniture, art, china, silver, jewelry, books, photographs, vintage clothing, linens, lamps, chandeliers, bronzes, decorative arts, antique tools, and other treasures.
Day: Saturdays, year-round
Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Located on North 15th Street, next to Courthouse parking lot. | Court House

Ballston Farmer’s Market
Featuring produce, cheese, breads, gourmet sauces, maple syrup, and much more! Plus free lunchtime concerts and chefs’ demonstrations. For more information, call (703) 528-3527
Day: Every Thursday, starting May 2010
Time: 3 – 7 p.m.
Location: Welburn Square at 9th Street North and North Stuart Street | Ballston

Ballston Arts and Crafts Market
Features original arts and crafts presented by the artists themselves. Live music and coinciding events at local restaurants and businesses round out the event. For more information, call (703) 528-3527.
Day: Second Saturday of every month, starting May 8, 2010.
Time: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Location: Welburn Square at 9th Street North and North Stuart Street | Ballston

Clarendon Farmers’ Market
Locally-produced breads and pastries, organic vegetables, flowers, soap, sorbet, and more! For more information, call (703) 812-8881
Day: Wednesdays, year-round
Time: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Clarendon Metro Park |  Clarendon

Columbia Pike Farmers’ Market
In its 15th season, the Columbia Pike Farmers Market brings the best fresh products straight from the field to your table. Terrific selection of local produce, organic meats, flowers, pastries, jams, and coffee. For more information, call (703) 892-2776
Day: Sundays, year-round
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Pike Park at the corner of South Walter Reed Drive and Columbia Pike, in front of the Rite Aid Pharmacy

Crystal City Farmers Market
Need to pick up a few items before the weekend? Head to the Crystal City Farmers Market.
Day: Tuesdays, May 18 – October 26
Time: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th Streets |  Crystal City

Rosslyn Farmers’ Market
Pastries, organic fruits, herbs, and locally-grown vegetables. For more information, call (703) 522-6628
Day: Thursdays, May 13th – October 22th
Time: 11:45 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: North Lynn Street at Metro Park |  Rosslyn

THERE ARE TOO MANY TO TYPE IN THE REST, SO CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OTHER FARMERS MARKETS IN THE AREA.

Enjoy and happy Wednesday!

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DIY, House and Home, Tips and Tricks

5 Kitchen Cost Cutting Tips

Posted on by Kristen K. Foley, REALTOR®

Below is a link to the Service Master Website giving some great tips to reduce the cost of updating your kitchen.  Enjoy!

http://www.servicemagic.com/servlet/RedirectServlet?m=newsletter&template_id=4268&todo_id=888591987&D=STATIC&targetPage=/templates/newsletter/homefront/07_2010/homefrontArticle1.jsp&entry_point_id=9971286

Although I have to say…the tip about flooring is something I wouldn’t necessarily recommend.  While laminate flooring can save money, in this area people want and expect hardwood and do not consider laminate an upgrade most of the time.  Remember that you want to get as big of a return on investment as possible, so I would not skimp in that area.  Go with good quality, durable and neutral flooring and you are in good shape.

Also…if you are changing out appliances…there are ways to get great prices on new ones, like waiting for sales, buying the floor sample, playing superstores against each other on pricing and discounts, etc…but don’t cheap out and get black instead of stainless.  People want stainless, it is a higher-end look and if you are replacing them anyway, get something that is going to have impact.  Most people are not excited about black appliances, so unless it just is the perfect fit for the decor, splurge for stainless.

Happy Tuesday!

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Financing-home loans, Real Estate

Interest Rate update from Weichert Financial

Posted on by Kristen K. Foley, REALTOR®

Hi!

Courtesy of our friends at Weichert Financial, here are some interest rate updates as of July 3, 2010:

Fannie Mae 30 Year Conforming Fixed Rate
4.375% with 1 point – 60 day lock

Fannie Mae 15 Year Conforming Fixed Rate
3.990% with 1 point – 60 day lock

Historic Lows!  Take advantage if you can.

On a side note: If you are eligable…VA Loans (not shown above) are very advantages now…in additon to being able to put down as low as 0%, if you put down as little as 10%, your funding fee decreases exponentially…this is a huge savings over paying PMI with a conventional or FHA loan and although the previous reputation of this type of loan is that it is “difficult”, it is now a fantastic option for veterans and is a very strong loan program when compared to a conventional loan putting down less than 20%.  It is much easier to obtain now and does not take as long to get approved as was once the case.  If you have any questions, feel free to reach out and I can set you up with a loan officer to discuss your options.

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Things to Do

Fireworks, and other 4th of July fun in the DC metro area and Northern Virginia

Posted on by Kristen K. Foley, REALTOR®

Check out these sites to find more 4th of July fun events in the DC metro/Northern Virginia area:

http://www.arlingtonunwired.com/top5.php

http://visitalexandriava.com/attractions-activites/calendar-of-events/

Remember…be careful this 4th of July.  Don’t drink and drive, don’t play with fireworks and be responsible…but have fun!

Happy Saturday!

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Real Estate

Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline extension

Posted on by Kristen K. Foley, REALTOR®

What great news…for those folks who were under contract by April 30, 2010 but were not able to close by June 30…you will now be able to receive the tax credit if you close by September 30, 2010.  Here is an article from Weichert Insights on the issue…enjoy!

On Friday, July 2, President Obama signed two important pieces of legislation into law to help homebuyers.

The first one extends the closing deadline for the homebuyer tax credit until September 30, 2010, for any transactions that had ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, but did not close by the June 30, 2010, deadline. The legislation creates a seamless extension, and therefore, there will be no gap between June 30 and the date the President signed the bill into law.

Due to the high volume of home sale transactions that needed to be closed by June 30, there were up to 180,000 homebuyers who were eligible for the tax credit, but were unable to close before the deadline. The extension will enable the majority of these home sales to close, and for the buyers to receive the tax credit.

In addition, the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides flood insurance to homeowners in participating communities in flood-prone areas who could not otherwise obtain coverage due to cost or in eligibility, was also extended until September 30, 2010. As a result, buyers in these areas can now obtain mortgages and transactions can move forward. This bill is retroactive and covers the lapse period from June 1, 2010, to the date of enactment of the extension.

Happy Friday!

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Decorating, DIY, House and Home, Tips and Tricks

How to pick paint colors for your walls

Posted on by Kristen K. Foley, REALTOR®

Hi All,

Here are some great tips for choosing paint colors for your home.

1) Choose colors that blend not only with your furniture, but also with your flooring and style of decor’

2) Choose an accent color…something that will bring out the beauty of the things you are furnishing your home with, not just your favorite color.  For instance…say you have a beautiful Persian rug under your dining room table…choose a wall color that is a color that has been incorporated into that rug, not the main color of the rug.

3) Pick swatches up and hold them up in different areas of the house with and without natural light (if available) in the dark and under incandescent and/or flourescent lighting (depending on what is in the space).  Light changes color’s appearance and every home makes colors look a little different because of the way the light casts in that particular home.  If you like the way the swatches look, now go get a half pint of the color (they are like $4.00) and paint areas in that room that you want to see how the color will look…let it dry and then decide if you want to paint the whole room that color.  Make sure to paint a large enough section so that you can get an idea of how it will look in your space, but not so big that it will be difficult to paint over.

4) Remember…colors lighten up when you spread them across a larger space…so a color that looks dark on a small space may not look as dark once you paint the entire wall.  Additionally, if that color sample has been painted on a very light wall, then it up against that light color will be perceived as much darker than it actually is, so keep that in mind.

5) Choose a paint that has great coverage so that you don’t have to put on 3 or 4 coats.  Don’t just get the stuff that is the cheapest.  If you get the cheaper stuff but have to use 2 gallons as opposed to one, you have spent the same or more money, but it has taken you more time.  Benjamin Moore is the best, but I recently used Behr Premium Plus ULTRA and it is wonderful!  It is Paint and Primer in one and it is about $30 cheaper per can than Benjamin Moore.  This stuff only needs one coat over a light color and possibly two over a darker existing color.

6) Take your time…if you are not sure about the color, DO NOT paint the whole room just yet.  Sleep on it…get some other opinions…let it sit for a few days…you do not want to paint the whole room and hate it and then have to do it all over again.

7) Get a professional painter for large rooms with high ceilings or for 2-story stair wells…don’t kill yourself…get a professional to do the work, they have the tools and experience necessary to do it right and not hurt themselves in the meantime.  Save the small (bedrooms, bathrooms, etc) for the DIY job.

Here are some links to more great tips and tricks:

http://interiordec.about.com/od/interiorpainting/a/a_paintingtips.htm

http://www.doityourself.com/scat/paintandsupplies

Happy Wednesday!

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Uncategorized

Comcast…get with the program!

Posted on by Kristen K. Foley, REALTOR®

Hi All,

I now understand why Comcast can’t keep customers.

Why do they tease you with a promotional price for a package…get you hooked…and then jack the price up?!  Then, when you ask them to honor the original price, they act like you have 3 heads…

Not to mention if you threaten, the person in the retention department tells you what you want to hear to hook you in again and then the next person you speak with to renew your plan acts like the person from the retention department was on crack to tell you that because “it just  can’t happen”.  I can’t take the poor service and mediocrity any more.  Now that Verizon Fios is in town, they have gotten a little better, but if they don’t want to have to deal with upset customers anymore why don’t they just get a price and stick with it….enough with all of this promotional rope you in stuff…it is very difficult for customers to be excited about paying 1/3 more per month for the same package they were getting before.

Anyway…just a suggestion…

I am finished complaining now… 🙂

Happy Tuesday!

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Financing-home loans, Real Estate

Is it a good time to buy?

Posted on by Kristen K. Foley, REALTOR®

Of course people think that Real Estate Agents just want people to buy so they can make money, but I just want to share what is actually happening in real estate…and why right now really is a GREAT time to buy/or to “move up” if you are in a position to do so.  Additionally, if you are thinking of selling, it is a great time now as well in Northern Virginia (contrary to what the news is saying).  In Northern Virginia we actually have a shortage of inventory meaning buyers are competing over houses.  The buyers are out because of the great interest rates, so it is a great time to put your house on the market.  We currently only have about a 3 month supply of homes when a stable market calls for a 6 month supply.  Anything over 6 months is a buyers market.

Here is some great info from Weichert Insigts that I wanted to share.  It offers a great illustration of  what todays prices and interest rates actually mean to the cost of a home now vs. later.  This is great news for buyers AND sellers…that doesn’t happen often, so take advantage.  Enjoy!

Waiting Doesn’t Make Cents!

Historically low-interest rates and attractive home prices have combined to make the current housing market one of the most affordable in decades.  While patience can sometimes be a virtue, for those who think a home purchase is in their near future, waiting just doesn’t make “cents”.

For example, the monthly payment to purchase a $300,000 home with 10 percent down and a 30-year fixed mortgage at an interest rate of 5 percent would cost $1,449.  Yet, if rates rise to 6 percent and home prices increase 5 percent, that same purchase would end up costing an additional $3,000 a year.

Figures from the National Association of Realtors shows the favorable gains that recent first-time buyers have enjoyed in housing affordability.  The average sale price of a typical starter home dropped nearly 24 percent from 2007 to 2010. That equates to a savings of $40,000 on the purchase of a home.

The same report shows that interest rates dropped from approximately 6.5 percent to under 5 percent to make a home purchase even more affordable. As a result, a first-time buyer’s monthly payment dropped nearly $400 from $1,083 to $709 and the income needed to qualify to purchase a starter home dropped from $52,000 in 2007 to $34,000 today.

While holding off on buying might have been a good strategy a few years ago, today’s market conditions are just too favorable to wait for a better opportunity that isn’t likely to come. With home prices appearing to stabilize or increase in many markets (including many areas in Northern Virginia), and with signs pointing to interest rates on the rise, it seems likely that a home purchase will cost more in the future than it does today.

Happy Sunday!!!

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