Transportation Costs Are Affecting Housing Statistics in Northern Virginia
August 20th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News
Transportation costs, now second only to housing as a percentage of the household budget (with food a distant third) are altering buying patterns for home owners in Northern Virginia.
A Washington Post article, “Gas Prices Apply Brakes to Suburban Migration“, noted that housing prices in far out Loudoun and Prince William counties have collapsed while those in the inner suburbs - like Alexandria and Arlington - have increased or at least stayed the same.
When gasoline was cheap it was easy to build miles of highway and then buildings and houses beside those highways but with fuel prices topping $4 a gallon, there has been a dramatic shift in how we travel.
Americans drove 9.6 billion fewer highway miles in May 2008 than in May 2007. In the Washington area mass transit is setting new records for ridership. - the WMTA recorded an 8.5% increase in April over the previous April. And its not just MetroRail, Metro Buses are busier than ever too.
| Currently No Comments »
July’s Market Report Shows Decrease in Inventory, Slight Rise in Sales for Northern Virginia and Alexandria
August 15th, 2008 Categories: Monthly Statistics
Inventory in Northern Virginia’s Arlington and Fairfax Counties dropped slightly last month while new listings and houses under contract rose slightly. Alexandria City County saw a small drop in inventory and listings but a rise in contracted houses.
Overall, the three counties are holding steady thanks to continued favorable mortgage rates and smart pricing on the part of agents and home owners.
Pricing continues to be the biggest factor in moving from “for sale” to “sold” but as transportation costs consume a larger portion of monthly budgets, home buyers are adding a “close in” location to their list of must haves.
With four MetroRail stations serving Alexandria, three serving Fairfax County and eleven serving Arlington County, Northern Virginia offers home buyers a number of transportation alternatives.
Following are market statistics by county. I encourage you to look at them and then give me a call at 703.927.4554 and let’s talk about what they mean to you.
We’ll be listing market figures for some of the outlying areas in Virginia and Maryland next week so be sure and check back with us.
Michael
| Currently No Comments »
Angelo’s Orchid Diner is Authentic, Cozy and a Real Bargin
August 14th, 2008 Categories: On the Road
Angelo’s Orchid Diner in New Bedford, MA is authentic, cozy and my latest find in “Road Food”.
I know you are used to reading about Alexandria and Northern Virginia on these pages but I thought a few pictures from “away” was appropriate in August. Besides, you may find yourself in New Bedford one day and you’ll be glad to have this information!
I had ventured into town looking for internet access when a water main rupture forced a detour for all traffic. I took a left, a right, and another right and there it was - Angelo’s.
It’s small - one row of maybe 12 booths and on the other side a long counter and perhaps 25 stools. I headed straight for the counter and my favorite diner breakfast - eggs and corn beef hash.
Add hash browns, toast, coffee and tax and my TOTAL bill was $6.04. Now that’s what I call “Road Food”.
Ummmmmmmmm, wonder lunch would be like?
Virginia
Thanks to my spouse and managing partner who is in Massachusetts for a few days with her mum. Michael
| Currently No Comments »
