This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.
Many consider golfing the perfect sport. I can definitely agree with that on those glorious days when the sun is shining and a light breeze carries the aroma of honeysuckle through the air.
On those days, nothing beats grabbing the clubs and heading over to one of the two amazing Reston golf courses: Hidden Creek Country Club and Reston National Golf Course. Legendary golf architect Ed Ault built both of these beautiful courses.
So, for you golf enthusiasts, here is the lowdown on Reston golf courses.
The Hidden Creek Country Club course is a classic, playable design renowned for its meticulously landscaped tees and greens where beautiful plants and flowers adorn each hole. This PGA-quality course is a favorite for serious golfers.
Located in South Reston, Reston National Golf Course is Reston’s public golf course. This secluded course is full of shaded fairways that provide a tranquil environment for any kind of golf outing you can imagine. Visit the restaurant or the clubhouse before or after your game to prolong the fun.
This is a sponsored article from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
There were 37 new properties came on the market this week in Reston with total number of homes for sale holding steady at just under 250. Here are a few of the new listings.
1579 Inlet Cluster, 4BR 3.5Bath $525,000
11990 Market Street #1801, 2BR 3Bath $1,350,000
11212 Chestnut Grove Square #9, 3BR 2Bath $269,900
This is a sponsored post from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
In my most recent Just Listed column, I had said that we were adding new listings at about the same rate they were going under contract. I would like to amend that now and just say what a lot of agents have been feeling for the past couple of weeks — the market has slowed a bit.
Only 15 properties went from a pending to sold status last week. That is down by about 50 percent from the week prior. In Reston, that’s not a catastrophe but it is something to be aware of as you think about buying and selling over the summer.
For buyers, it may signal that you can be a little more aggressive in your offers. For sellers, it may mean that this is not the time to push the market in terms of pricing. Here are a few that sold this past week.
- 11604 QUAIL RIDGE CT. Listed at $849,000. Sold at $840,000
- 12160 ABINGTON HALL PL #201. Listed at $425,000. Sold at $425,000
- 2225 GUNSMITH SQ. Listed at $389,900, Sold at $385,000
- 2283 HUNTERS RUN DR. Listed at $319,900. Sold at $308,000
As always, if you maintain awareness of the real market for your home and price it there, you will be rewarded with a quick sale at a great price.
This is a sponsored article from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
We continue to stay even adding new houses to the market at about the same pace that they are going under contract. Thirty-five new properties were added this week with a total inventory of approximately 240.
The market does have a decidedly slower feel to it unless you happen to be selling a certain type of property — the classic “family” home for less than $675,000, in which case you’ll likely get multiple offers!
Here are a few of the new listings for this week.
11400 WASHINGTON PLZ W #405, 0BR 1 Bath Studio $185,000
2026 BEACON PL, 3BR 4.5 Baths $925,000
11441 WASHINGTON PL W, 3BR 2.5 Baths $585,000
This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
One of the many benefits of living in Reston is having access to the 15 Reston Association Pools in our community. (Even if you aren’t an RA member, you can still get a pass to the RA pools.)
Like most amenities in Reston, the pools were situated throughout Reston with the idea that people could walk to their neighborhood pool — and they do. Every pool features lap lanes, areas to splash around, and plenty of lounge chairs.
But over the years, each pool has developed it’s own personality and attracts people for different reasons. Here’s a lowdown on what each pool offers so you can plan your day in the sun (or shade).
For children of all ages
- Autumwood (11950 Walnut Branch Road, North Reston)
This pool’s large wading area with a fountain is great for toddlers. There is also a covered picnic area and playground nearby. - Glade (11550 Glade Drive, South Reston)
With a 20-foot slide, this pool is a favorite for kids of all ages! Parents can relax in the spa while the kids are sliding or diving off the one-meter diving board. There is also a wading pool for the little ones - Hunters Woods (2501 Reston Parkway, South Reston)
This pool features separate water basketball and volleyball areas, a diving board, and children’s splash area. For the parents, there is a large spa. The pool also features an ADA ramp into main pool. - North Hills (1325 North Village Road, North Reston)
This pool features two shallow play areas, one of which has a fountain. For family day at the pool, there are also picnic tables, a grass beach area, and a picnic pavilion with grills. And don’t forget the spa. - North Shore (11515 North Shore Drive, North Reston)
This heated pool is a family favorite. It opens early in the season and is the last pool to close in September. The pool features a spa, wading pool, ADA ramp to the pool deck, ADA hydrolift chair into the main pool, and shaded upper deck with picnic tables. - Shadowood (2201 Springwood Drive, South Reston)
This is a smaller and quieter pool than Glade, but feature a small slide for the kids. There is also a wading pool and small picnic area. - Uplands (11032 Ring Road, North Reston)
This is the premier pool for families with toddlers. The zero-depth children’s pool (0-3 feet deep) has interactive fountains, a cold-water spa, and an interactive sand pit. The pool also has an ADA in-water wheelchair.
For serious swimmers
- Lake Newport (11601 Lake Newport Road, North Reston)
This is Reston’s only 50-meter pool and is a favorite for serious swimmers. There is also a sand volleyball area, and two one-meter diving boards, a wading pool, and a covered picnic area with grills.
For sun worshippers
With plenty of sunny spots, these pools are great if you want to get some serious rays.
- Dogwood (2460 Green Range Road, South Reston)
- Golf Course Island (11301 Links Drive, North Reston). There is also a large playground with grills next to the pool — perfect for summer parties.
- Lake Audubon (2070 Twin Branches Road, South Reston). In addition to your pool amenities, there is a boat ramp to Lake Audubon nearby if you want to take out your canoe or sunfish.
For shade seekers
If you want to spend the day at the pool without spending a day in the sun, these pools are perfect for you.
- Lake Thoreau (2040 Upper Lake Drive, South Reston)
- Newbridge (11758 Golf Course Square, South Reston)
- Ridge Heights (11400 Ridge Heights Road, South Reston). This pool is heated. It opens early in the season and is one of the last pools to close.
- Tall Oaks (12025 North Shore Drive, North Reston)
For spa lovers
If you love the Jacuzzi as much as the swim, visit these pools:
- Glade
- Hunters Woods
- Lake Thoreau
- North Hills
- North Shore
Which pool is your favorite?
This is a sponsored post from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
There were 31 properties sold this week in Reston.
In my Just Listed column last week, I mentioned that we were adding properties at about the same rate as we were selling them.
The current inventory of home is 242 — at the rate those home are being sold we currently have about a two-month supply. This is still a very strong seller’s market, although the slowing increasing days on market does indicate that things aren’t quite as fast as they were a few months ago.
The exception to this would be in the single family homes priced in the mid-$500K to mid-$600K range, where they continue to move very fast.
Here are some of the properties that sold in Reston this week:
11990 MARKET ST. #312. List Price: $749,900. Sold Price: $740,000.
1210 WOODBROOK CT. List Price: $650,000. Sold Price: $640,000.
12368 BROWN FOX WAY. List Price: $640,000. Sold Price: $641,500.
1542 MOORINGS DR #1C. List Price: $280,000. Sold Price: $280,000.
11768 BAYFIELD CT. List Price: $374,500. Sold Price $370,000.
This is a sponsored article from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.
Total property inventory is holding steady in the 225 range. A big improvement over the very constrained numbers we’d been seeing over the past year.
The momentary lull that many agents, myself included were talking about last week seems to be over with more showings and properties going under contract this past week. This week we added 30 new properties for sale. The new listings are almost equal to the number of properties going under contract.
Here are a few of the new listings for this week.
11739D SUMMERCHASE CIR #1739-D 1BR, 1 Bath $204,000
1666 PARKCREST CIR #200 2BR, 1Bath $230,000
1978A VILLARIDGE DR #1978A 2BR 1 Bath $275,000
2151 POND VIEW CT 4BR, 3.5 Bath $430,000
This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.
Lovely Lake Audubon is one of Reston’s gems. The South Reston homes built around Lake Audubon are worth a look if you love lakeside living. Lake Audubon Terrace is a good neighborhood to start — about half of the townhomes are direct lakefront property.
These three-level townhomes have three- and four-bedroom models that feature brick and siding. Some of the units have one-car garages, and all have two assigned parking spaces (with plenty of visitor parking available).
The cluster, located on Thrush Ridge Road and Glade Court, was built between 1983 and 1988.
Residents have lake access, complete with a private dock. It is in close proximity to one of Reston’s premier hiking trails, the Turquoise Trail. The Walker Nature Education Center is just down the street. You are just minutes away from nature and all that the Reston Association trails have to offer.
Cluster residents attend Reston’s Sunrise Valley Elementary, Langston Hughes Middle and South Lakes High schools. South Lakes Village Center, with its Safeway store and restaurants, is an easy walk.
See what properties are available in this South Reston neighborhood by visiting All Reston Real Estate.
This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.
If you are doing an exterior home improvement project and are a member of Reston Association, you know you need to work the RA Design Review Board. But they aren’t the only people who need to be involved. When you’re doing an exterior home improvement in Reston, you also need to work with Fairfax County for your permits and be aware of any easements on your property.
Fairfax County administers structural codes, zoning, types of property use and regulations related to health and safety issues. The County also issues permits, inspects construction and holds bonds. Contact the county before you begin any work to verify what permits are required.
Any exterior change to your property needs to accommodate any easements. For example, utility companies have the right of easement for the underground installation, replacement and maintenance of their equipment, supply and transmission lines and drainage facilities, including ingress and egress for such purposes. Your property deed and site plan should indicate any easements that might affect a planned addition or alteration.
Utilities: Virginia makes is easy for you to work with the utilities–just call “Miss Utility” at 811. They’ll come out and mark the underground lines.
County Parks: If you have a property adjacent to Fairfax County Park Authority land (and there is quite a bit in Reston), contact their Planning and Development Division early in the planning phases to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Involving everyone who has a say in your exterior renovation early in the process is the best way to make sure the process goes smoothly. Now that summer is almost here, it’s a great time to start making those calls!
This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.
Reston is a pedestrian-friendly place, and the West Market community in Reston Town Center is the perfect embodiment of that.
Built in the late 1990s, this neighborhood is within walking distance of Town Center (and all the great restaurants, shops, and entertainment there), Lake Anne Plaza, grocery stores (Trader Joe’s and Harris Teeter), the W&OD trail, and the YMCA.
You don’t need a car to live here, but if you do have one it is a quick hop onto Fairfax County Parkway and the Dulles Toll Road.
West Market comprises two condo communities: Lincoln Park Condominiums and Madison Park Condominiums. The Lincoln Park community has 104 luxury, two-story townhome style condos. Madison Park has 122 condominium units, 24 of which are townhouses, accommodated within seven buildings.
Five different builders came together to create a community with a diverse architectural style — many people notice the rounded exteriors that are unlike anything else in Reston. Spacious common areas include a club house, which includes a main hall and kitchen for meetings and gatherings, a fitness center and sauna, and an outdoor pool.
West Market is a great choice for anyone wanting to live in the Reston Town Center area without actually being in Town Center.
Photo by Karen Fegani.
This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.
For me, Memorial Day weekend is the beginning of summer. The sun is usually shining, and the weather here in Northern Virginia is perfect. One of the many great things about living in Reston is how many choices for things to do on Memorial Day weekend there are — from lounging at the pool to going on wild adventures. Here are some fun things to try out this year.
Go jump in a pool
The Reston Association pools will be open Memorial Day weekend. While the water is still a little cold for me, it’s fun to watch all the children splashing around in the water. If you can’t wait until Memorial Day to go for a swim, Ridge Heights pool in South Reston and North Shore Pool by Lake Anne are both heated and will open May 10. You can buy your pool pass online, which makes it easy to be ready for opening day!
Watch the Rolling Thunder rumble into town
For motorcycle enthusiasts, the Ride of the Patriots is a four-day event over Memorial Day weekend, with a ton of activities at (or beginning) at Patriot Harley-Davidson, located just West of Fairfax Circle on Fairfax Boulevard (Map). The highlight for many locals is Rolling Thunder® on Sunday. It’s awe-inspiring to see thousands of motorcycles rolling toward the Pentagon, united in the cause to bring full accountability for the Prisoners Of War-Missing In Action (POW/MIA) of all wars. Learn more about Rolling Thunder and the Ride For Freedom here.
Sample some wine, learn some history
May 24, The Winery at Bull Run
A good time for a good cause… What more could you want? Visit the historic Manassas National Battlefield, then sit back for some live jazz band and award-winning wine. Get into the spirit by wearing seersucker suits and sundresses, and feel like you’ve stepped into a bygone age.
The fundraiser supports Opportunities, Alternatives, and Resources, and organization that rebuilds lives and breaks the cycle of crime for thousands of individuals and families, providing support to families and opportunities for citizens to successfully return to the community after involvement with the criminal justice system.
Address: 15950 Lee Hwy, Centreville, VA
Times: 2:00PM to 5:00PM
Contact: Brandon Cosby
Phone: (703) 246-3184
Admission: $50
ViVa! Vienna! Festival
May 24 – May 26, Historic Vienna
For those who have lived in Northern Virginia for any length of time, ViVa! Vienna! has become an annual must-attend Memorial Day event. This family and community oriented celebration includes amusement rides, food, crafts, vendors and entertainment — fun for all ages! Vendors include handcraft artisans, retail vendors, professionals, political parties and candidates, and community and non-profit organizations. 100 percent of proceeds go to charitable, community and humanitarian organizations.
Address: 245 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA
Times: Saturday & Sunday 10am-10pm; Monday 10am-6pm
Phone: (703) 255-4742
Admission: Free to attend; Food and Rides cost extra
This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.
Lake Anne Plaza is home to some of Reston’s funkiest mom-and-pop shops. Lake Anne has always welcomed small businesses — in fact, you won’t find any chain stores here. Instead, you’ll find small business owners that bring a little something special to our community.
It’s always worth a trip to the plaza to see visit the shops. Next time you’re at Lake Anne Plaza for the farmer’s market (which starts this Saturday), dinner on the lake, or a summer concert, visit one of these shops–you never know what you’ll find.
Reston’s Used Book Shop is the place “Where Books and People Meet.” With thousands of gently used books lining the shelves, you are guaranteed to find a great read. In fact, a few generations of young Restonians have gained a life long love of reading by perusing the vast children’s selection. Once a month, you can also attend a great bluegrass jam too.
Small change consignments has been a warm nurturing place to buy and sell children’s clothes, toys and equipment since 1981. This friendly neighborhood shop is a gathering place for parents and grandparents looking for brand name and imported clothes, shoes, dancewear, cleats, toys, videos, strollers, cribs, high chairs, exercisers and joggers — most at well under half the original price. For people with growing families, a visit to small change is a must.
If you’re in the mood for a great fresh juice or some of the best kale chips you’ve ever tasted, pop into New Family Naturals ~ Holistic Healing Center & Juice Bar. Their inventory is small, but always interesting. You can find some of the best natural/organic snacks, soaps, and other items on the shelves. And did we mention the kale chips and juice? You will feel yourself getting healthier just walking into the shop.
Lake Anne Florist, Virginia Wine and Gourmet
Whether for a large celebration or an intimate personal observance, you can find fresh floral arrangements and unique gift baskets to help make the occasion memorable. When flowers aren’t enough, you can find Virginia’s Finest™ specialty food items made locally and throughout the state of Virginia. And then there is the local wine selection. Virginia has some very fine wines, and it’s fun to taste them and try something new (yes, they have frequent wine tastings).
Nestled in the same space as the Lake Anne Florist you’ll find some of the finest chocolates in the DC area. The word chocolate says it all, really. Milk, dark, semi-sweet, with nuts, without nuts, truffles–you name it, you can find it at Chesapeake Chocolates. Their signature item is a solid chocolate crab in your choice of dark, milk, or white chocolate. Unlike the real thing, these chocolate crustaceans are available year round. A chocolate treat is a great balance for that healthy juice you get at New Family Naturals!
These are just a few of the shops you’ll discover down at Lake Anne Plaza. Visit today and see what else this historic shopping district in Reston has to offer.
This is a sponsored article from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.
There were 26 new properties that came on the market this week, bringing the total inventory to right around 190.
Days on market has crept up especially in higher priced homes with the average hovering around 40.
Long & Foster is having a companywide Open House extravaganza this Sunday so there should be lots to see. Below are a few of the houses that are new to the market this week.
11405 PURPLE BEECH DR 4BR 3 Baths $899,900
2258 COMPASS POINT LANE 4BR 3.5 BATHS $1,495,000
2009 LAKEWINDS DR 3BR 3.5 BATHS $749, 000
This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.
Perfect for singles or young families, Woodcrest Cluster is a neighborhood of quaint, Colonial-style townhomes located in North Reston.
This small development of 63 townhouses is walking distance to North Point Shopping Center (grocery store, restaurants and more) and Lake Newport Pool. It is surrounded by Reston’s walking paths.
These adorable two- or three-level townhomes have an average of 1,000 square feet of living space, two bedrooms, and 1 1/2 or 2 baths. Several of the homes feature fireplaces. Many of the homes have fenced-in back yards–perfect for letting the dog out! Surrounded by wooded areas, they afford privacy and are light and bright.
The proximity to Reston Parkway, Fairfax County Parkway, and Route 7 — and Dulles Airport for those who travel — make commuting a breeze from this location. Armstrong Elementary School is walking distance, and Herndon Middle School and Herndon High School are a short ride away.
This is a sponsored article from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.
Growing inventory is giving those in the hunt for a home more to choose from as the Spring market gets rolling.
This week, 44 new properties were listed for a total of 181 properties on the market in Reston.
1676 Chimney House Rd, 3BR 2.5 Baths $579,900
11400 Washington Plz W #904 1BR 1 Bath $250,000
2020 Upper Lake 3BR 3.5 Bath $1,275,000
