Bristow, VA

Braemar Townhouses continued to be in demand as we started the Fall selling season in September 2009. Overall, between the months of September and October, there were 5 Breamer townhouse resales, which I divided into two categories: Garage Townhouses and Townhouses with No Garage. When comparing sales prices, it is always best to compare like to like.

Braemar Townhouses without Garages gained some ground this report. After only two resales, the average sales price has gone up 10.6% since last report (July-August 2009) to $212,000 this report (September-October 2009). Average seller subsidy (closing assistance from seller to buyer) was up 65% to $2,998. And if you were thinking of selling your Braemar Townhouse without a Garage, you can expect to have it under contract (if priced to current market conditions) in just under two weeks. That's nearly identical to last report.

Braemar Garage Townhouses lost some value this report. After three resales, average sales price is down to $215,000 since last report...a 7.9% loss in two months. Average seller subsidy is up 14.7% since last report, to $5,698 this report. And if you are thinking of selling your Braemar Garage Townhouse, you can still expect to have it under contract (if priced to current market conditions) in a week's time.

I prepare the Braemar Townhouse Report every two months. The next one will be out in January. If you would like to receive a hard copy, send me an email and I'll add you to my mailing list. Otherwise, you can check my website to see average sales prices of Braemar Townhouses dating back to 2006. Go to www.nvarealestate.net and click the link on the left for Braemar Townhouse Report Online. The two categories will look like this:

In the meantime, if you are thinking of buying or selling a Braemar townhouse, don't hesitate to call.

No one knows Braemar better!

Chris Ann Cleland, Long & Foster, Realtor, Licensed in Virginia

703-402-0037, chrisann@LNF.com

NORTHERN VIRGINIA HOME FINDER

and then contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.

The house was warm, so I knew there was a furnace.

The water was hot, so I knew there was a water heater.

I just couldn't find them! The layout of the (lovely) basement made it hard to get my house geography. The six "bedrooms" were placed in a weird array. The former laundry room was no more, in favor I guess of rent from another "bedroom" and the local laundromat. But I was undaunted in my search.

I knew where they should be, I just couldn't see how to get to them!

Finally, behind a "bedroom" bureau, I saw some peg board on the wall! HA! It was screwed tightly to the wall but I did peek in.

The furnace! The water heater! And I saw another door.

That door was in the garage, hidden behind a tool shelf. Though heavy I moved it. Wow, the door worked!

What you can't see here are dimensions. I could barely fit between the two units to get to the front of the furnace. That front is about 15" from the peg board. Finally getting the cover off, I could see that it was extremely dirty and rusty inside, and the blower was quite dirty.

I was worried that the filter had not been replaced in a while, like, um, a loooong while, and politely went to remove it. Instead of finding a very clogged filter, I was happy to discover that there was none! Well, that how-often-do-we-have-to-replace-the-filter problem was solved!! Just remove the little sucker! And hide the furnace room... Out of sight, out of mind!

You also can see that the water heater is stressed, with some flame out happening when it turns on. And the vent from the water heater was angled downward. And it's been there a while! Well, those are just minor problems anyway.

The rest of this lovely home was just as laugh out loud!! I believe it will cost as much to bring the house back into an American condition, as it does to buy it. Welcome to my world in Northern Virginia.

My recommendation: When you can't find something, it helps to have a compass with you, a map of the terrain and a good guide. Gimme a call!

"Must See the Newly Renovated Basement!"

Dèjà veux!

This might seem similar to my previous post. And it is.

When the heat pump in that previous post did not come on, the first thing I checked was the panel box to see if the breaker for the heat pump was turned off.

I was able to peek into the box, literally, and see that it was on. So I knew the heat pump had electrical power.

Entering the basement I was able to see a fine new paint job.

And this clever, nearly square, nearly level, neatly-cut hole around the panel box.

Can you see what is wrong with this hole?

No, it is not that wire. That is the cable for the security system which is connected to the window just to the right of this photo. It goes from the window, into that hole and then somewhere else.

You can hardly see it.

But that isn't what I meant about what is wrong with the panel box. Can you see it now?

It's OK, I'll wait.

Hint: That's the original panel box, with the original stickers placed there in 1977. So that isn't it.

I'm still waiting...

THAT'S RIGHT! Ding, ding, ding! The clever, nearly square, nearly level, neatly-cut hole around the panel box is a bit small. No can openo the dooro. (Para tradujir eso - no se puede abrir la puertita, lo más sea...) The security cable is just an extra decorator's touch.

My recommendation: If you see or hear that a house you will be showing your clients is newly remodeled, ask a couple of questions. A good question to start would be: "Gee, was it done professionally?" and/or "Was there a permit pulled to do the work?" If not, caveat emptor!