Welcome to Luxury For Less, a weekly column highlighting the best deals in luxury real estate. Written by Brandy Schantz of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, Luxury For Less offers tips and tricks navigating the competitive real estate market and securing the home of your dreams. To learn more, visit ttrsir.com.
If you are searching for a home right now or know someone who is, you know how difficult this market is.
Homes are going under contract quickly and often with multiple offers. I’ve heard of as many as 30 offers on a single home. Inventory is very low and demand does not seem to be waning. I am advising all my buyers to be ready to see a home the day it goes on market or, if possible, before it goes on market.
Unfortunately, if you wait to view homes on the weekend, the homes you are interested in will probably be under contract. A well-priced home will sell quickly in this market so this week’s reduced listings largely give us a peek into how the other half lives.
There are fewer buyers in the higher price ranges so these homes tend to take longer to sell. This week, there are a lot of motivated sellers for some very luxurious listings with some very drastic price cuts.
In Vienna, 8518 Wedderburn Station Drive features a breathtaking backyard that must be seen. Spend your summer lounging by the pool during the day and sitting in the hot tub at night. This 6 bedroom, 5.5 bath home is meant for relaxing. The basement even has a sauna and wine cellar!
The home was originally listed for $2,600,000. This week, the home was reduced to $2,100,000. The home was built in 2013 but new builds of this size and quality sell for significantly higher prices.
In McLean, 906 Turkey Run Road has the most dramatic price cut of all of our featured listings. This home was just reduced by $1,400,000. It was originally listed for $11,400,000 and now is being sold for $9,500,000. This custom built Mediterranean home has its own gym, theater and state-of-the-art wine cellar.
The backyard is as magnificent as the home featuring a pool with jets and a fire pit. Turkey Run Road is a prestigious neighborhood in McLean and features some of the community’s most lavish homes.
Check out all of this week’s Luxury for Less listings:
- 8518 Wedderburn Station Drive Vienna (Reduced $129,000)
- 1707 James Payne Circle McLean (Reduced $34,000)
- 828 Springvale Rd Great Falls (Reduced $24,000)
- 11325 Fox Creek Farm Way Great Falls (Reduced $100,000)
- 11324 Fox Creek Farm Way Great Falls (Reduced $200,000)
- 906 Turkey Run Road McLean (Reduced $1,400,000)
The properties listed are a small selection of properties available in the Tyson’s Corner area. For a full list of properties listed on MLS and private exclusives, please contact Brandy Schantz.
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Val Sotillo, Northern Virginia-based Realtor and Falls Church resident. Please submit your questions to her via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!
Question: Can you tell me about some of the walkable neighborhoods you suggest living in around Tysons?
Answer: Falls Church City is a charming community with a Downtown vibe. It’s a roughly 2-square-mile city with so much to offer. It is a walkable, bike friendly, vibrant downtown so that people don’t have to leave their community to get services, goods and entertainment.
Top Reasons that Make Falls Church City an Awesome Neighborhood:
Great Location
Metro — The West Falls Church station and the East Falls Church station, both on the Orange Line, are about two miles and one mile away, respectively.
It’s located just a few minutes from I-66, 495, Dulles Access Toll Road and just 4 miles from Tysons.
For joggers and bikers, the W&OD Trail runs east/west through the northern part of the city with intersections at North Washington Street, Little Falls Street, Great Falls Street, North Oak Street, North Spring Street, North West Street, Grove Avenue and West Broad Street.
Many Things To Do Within The City Limits.
The area has many parks with climbing equipment, playgrounds, a public library and a Saturday morning farmers market. During holidays, the city sponsors events like a July 4th parade that runs along Broad Street, the area’s main street.
There’s also a range of ethnic restaurants. My favorite are Plaka Grill (Great Greek food. Try their beef souvlaki!), Northside Social (everything from great coffee and avocado toast, to amazing pizza and wine)and Lucky Thai. Plus a number of bars like Ireland’s Four Provinces, Mad Fox Brewing Company and Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (they have trivia on Wednesdays). There’s also the State Theater with great shows every week.
Many Housing Options
There are different options from detached homes, townhomes and condos. In Falls Church City, there are currently 22 properties for sale, ranging from a one bedroom condo for $397,000, to a $1.45M 6 bedroom home built in 2006. You can see all active listings here.
Twenty properties are currently under contract, ranging from a one bedroom condo condo at $385,000 to a 5 bedroom Craftman house at $1.6 million.
In the past 6 months, 15 condos were sold for a median price of $399,000, 10 townhouses were sold for a median price of $626,000, and 54 single family homes sold for a median price of $925,000.
One of my favorite buildings in Falls Church City is Spectrum, a Condominium built in 2008. It’s located in 444 W Broad Street and it features a “green” rooftop. The roof provides a great view and it is covered with sedum plants that provide a multitude of benefits including thermal insulation for reduced energy consumption, filtering storm water and increased sound insulation for residents.
Great Quality Of Life.
This small city Ranked as No. 1 Healthiest Community in U.S. in 2018. Need I say more?
Changes on the Horizon
While the area has a timeless quality to it, things will change a bit in the next few years. Founder’s Row is a mixed use project located at the corner of W. Broad and N. West Streets.
It will include a 6-8 screen dine-in movie theater with 850 seats, 5,000 square feet of office and 60,000 square feet of retail-restaurant space and 72 senior and 322 market rate apartments. I’ll tour it for you as soon as possible!
If you’d like more information, or would like a question answered in my weekly column, please reach out to [email protected]. I hope to hear from you soon.
Val Sotillo is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with Real Living At Home, 2420 Wilson Blvd #101 Arlington, VA 22201, 703-390-9460.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
I’m sure you’ve thought of the big names: Care.com, WhiteHouseNannies.com, etc.
But how do you find local babysitters that won’t charge an arm and a leg? Where are these secret parent sanity saving humans hiding?
Let me share our secret… your local high school.
Did you know that Madison, Marshall, McLean and Langley have career centers in the school? My husband, the genius that he is, sent an email to the career center specialist listed on the school websites with a job posting.
We included a job description, typical hours, number of kids, any requirements, etc and they posted it on the job board at the school. We got a great high school babysitter after reading through the kids who responded.
I’m sure this could also work for after school care, mother’s helper, local businesses looking for some extra support, etc.
I don’t want to post emails for individuals staff at the schools, but it’s really easy to find on the website:
Editor’s Note: This biweekly column is sponsored by Dominion Wine and Beer (107 Rowell Court, Falls Church). This week’s Guide is written by Arash Tafakor of Dominion Wine and Beer.
One of the most repeated questions I get from customers is, “What’s the difference between Shiraz and Syrah?”
The simple answer from a wine merchant is nothing, there’s no difference: same grape, different name. While Australia and some other regions call the grape Shiraz, other regions such as France, California and Washington state call the grape Syrah.
But there are definitely differences in styles and taste profile; all based on the climate the grape is grown in. It has almost become industry standard that in warmer climates, the wine is called Shiraz and in cooler climates the wine is called Syrah. We will explain what Petite Syrah or Petite Sirah is another time, but Petite Syrah is a completely different grape.
France
Syrah wine is originated in the Rhone region of France. Appellations in Northern Rhone such as Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage use only Syrah grapes for their red wines while Syrah in Southern Rhone is used to blend.
Syrah from Northern Rhone tend to have more earthy-tasting notes than your typical red. Premium Syrah typically come from Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage and Saint-Joseph. These regions produce Syrah that contains an intense level of tannins, complex flavors and a long wonderful finish.
Want to try a Syrah from France? We recommend Saint Cosme Côte-Rôtie 2016, review below.
Saint Cosme Côte-Rôtie 2016, Côte-Rôtie, France
“The 2016 Côte-Rôtie comes all from the Côte Brune side of the appellation, which is all schist soils. Fermented with no destemming and aged mostly in older barrels, it’s a rock star Côte-Rôtie and offers loads of blackberry fruits, spice, tapenade, cured meats and pepper. With medium to full body, a deep, layered mid-palate, present tannins and a huge finish, it needs short-term cellaring but is an undeniably gorgeous Syrah that will have two decades of longevity.”
94 Points — Jeb Dunnuk
Australia
In the early 2000s, Australian Shiraz sales were booming. American wine consumers couldn’t get enough Australian Shiraz. The brand Yellow Tail was created and, along with other quirky Australian wines, took over grocery store’s wine shelves. Wine makers in Australia realized this and started producing high-end Australian Shiraz like crazy which led to the market being flooded with it.
Wine consumers probably have noticed wine shelves containing less and less Australian Shiraz the past few years. People are simply not buying these wines anymore. Now that consumers are not drinking Australian Shiraz as much as before, the wine is much better than what it was ten years ago. Australian wine makers have perfected their craft and make top quality wines.
Australian Shirazes are grown in Australia’s hot, dry climate. The warm climate produces powerful wines with dark ripe fruit, jammy and silky smooth. Top quality Shiraz producing regions in Australia are the Barossa Valley, Mclaren Vale and Coonwarra. Want to try an Australian Shiraz? We recommend Molly Dooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz 2016, review below.
Molly Dooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz 2016, Mclaren Vale, Australia
“The 2016 Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz displays a heavy overlay of smoky, maple syrup and caramel oak but also rich chocolate, boysenberry and plum fruit. It’s full-bodied and velvety in texture, with a coarse, slightly open-knit finish. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.”
92 Points — Robert Parker
Welcome to Luxury For Less, a weekly column highlighting the best deals in luxury real estate. Written by Brandy Schantz of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, Luxury For Less offers tips and tricks navigating the competitive real estate market and securing the home of your dreams. To learn more, visit ttrsir.com.
There is no denying that Vienna has changed a lot in recent years.
Where small ramblers once stood, there are now large custom built homes throughout the town. The Maple Ave Commercial (MAC) planning is controversial and there are plenty of neighborhood debates on how Vienna should proceed with development.
Keep Vienna Small has become a rallying cry as popular as Keep Portland Weird and everyone is passionate about their personal view on how Vienna should or should not change. The Capital One Headquarters, The Boro, and other development is bringing jobs, shopping and more congestion to the area.
Vienna is popular because despite being just 16 miles from Washington, D.C. and just outside of Tysons Corner, the town feels small and friendly. Everyone seems to know your name in Vienna and neighbors often meet on the trails to chat, walk the dogs, or stroll to their favorite restaurant for a drink.
New development and passion for this great, small town have driven prices to a peak and homes are now selling for as much as $2.5M in the town limits. These high prices also come with large spaces.
If you are priced out of the custom build market or feel that 6,000 sq. ft. is just too large for you or too much upkeep, living in Vienna may seem impossible. Cadence on Center is a new townhome development in the center of the town. This development features luxury homes without the big detached home prices or the required upkeep. Center Street is in the heart of Vienna and walkable to Church Street, the community center and the popular trails.
Buying a luxury townhome is a great way to enjoy the amenities of Vienna and live in a new, customized home without breaking the bank. There are only 5 homes left in this community. If you are interested in viewing these beautiful, luxury townhomes, call or email me for an appointment.
Below are the current listings for Cadence on Center:
If you are looking for deals on other homes in the Tysons area, here are this week’s luxury for less properties:
- 10431 New Ascot Drive Great Falls (Reduced $100,000)
- 7112 Benjamin Street McLean (Reduced $155,000)
- 3301 Slade Run Drive Falls Church (Reduced $47,600)
The properties listed are a small selection of properties available in the Tyson’s Corner area. For a full list of properties listed on MLS and private exclusives, please contact Brandy Schantz.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
A few years ago, the Kustard shop on Church Street consolidated into a small cart inside of Kiln & Co on Church Street.
Kiln & Co. is a paint your own pottery shop that hosts classes, camps, parties and stop in and paint anytime opportunities. In the back of the Vienna location, you’ll find Kustard & Co. dishing out custard, making Krazy Shakes, unlimited toppings, milkshakes, Sundaes, shakes, cones, floats and other sweet treats.
They’re also always giving back to the community by attending PTA events, local 5K races and events by dishing out ice cream, sometimes even for free.
They have 3 locations:
- 138 Church St. NW (inside Kiln & Co.) — closed Tuesdays
- 455 S. Maple Ave. (in the Target/Tinner Hill building)
- 1631 Washington Plaza N. (Reston) — by appointment in the Winter
Is there a local business that regularly supports your organization? We’d like to spotlight them. Please email me at [email protected] or leave a note in the comments section below.
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By John V. Berry, Esq.
This article covers the availability of different forms of leave for Virginia private sector employees under Virginia law.
Vacation or Annual Leave
In the Commonwealth of Virginia, private sector employers are not required to provide employees with vacation or annual leave benefits, whether they are paid or unpaid. If an employer chooses to provide this type of leave to employees, however, it must comply with the terms of the employer’s established policy or employment contract.
A private sector employer must pay an employee for accrued annual/vacation leave upon separation from employment if its policy or contract provides for such payment. The courts in the Commonwealth of Virginia have not provided much guidance with respect to leave rights, so an employer is generally free to mostly develop their own annual leave/vacation leave policy.
This means that even if there is a vacation/annual leave policy, the employer could make it a “use or lose” policy or deny payment of annual leave if the employer’s policy is silent on the issue.
Sick Leave
There is no requirement for employers to provide private sector employees with sick leave benefits, whether they are paid or unpaid under Virginia law. However, if an employer chooses to provide sick leave benefits to employees, it must comply with the terms of the employer’s established policies or applicable employment contract.
That said, an employer in Virginia is still subject to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other federal laws regarding sick leave that must be given to an employee. Generally, under FMLA, the federal law provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
In the Commonwealth of Virginia, the law does not require private-sector employers to give employees bereavement leave. Bereavement leave is taken by an employee usually due to the death of a close relative.
An employer may choose to provide bereavement leave and may be required to comply with any bereavement policy or practice it maintains. Generally, however, there is no entitlement to bereavement leave.
Holiday Leave
In terms of holiday leave, Virginia law also does not require private employers to provide this type of leave to employees. This applies to both paid and unpaid leave. In fact, Virginia employers can require an employee to work holidays.
A private-sector employer does not have to pay an employee premium pay, such as 1½ times the regular pay rate, for working on holidays, unless such time worked qualifies the employee for overtime under the governing overtime laws (e.g., Fair Labor Standards Act). If an employer chooses to provide either paid/unpaid holiday leave, it must comply with the terms of their established policy or employment contract.
Jury Duty Leave
In Virginia, a private sector employer is not required to pay an employee for time spent on jury duty. However, there is a provision of the Virginia Code which makes it against the law for an
employer to discharge or take any other adverse action against an employee for jury duty service if the employee has given reasonable notice of their required service.
In addition, an employer cannot require an employee to take sick, annual or vacation leave when responding to a jury summons or service on the jury if reasonable notice to the employer has been given.
Military Leave
Similar to federal law, under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), Virginia has laws that protect the employment status of the men and women who serve in the armed forces.
Virginia law prohibits employers from discharging or otherwise discriminating against an employee because he or she is a member of the Virginia National Guard, Virginia State Defense Force or naval militia. The Virginia law covers all public and private employers, regardless of size. An employer that violates this provision can be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Voter Leave
The Commonwealth of Virginia does not have a law that requires an employer to grant its employees leave, paid or unpaid, to vote. This should be changed, in the author’s opinion, but that is the case today. However, Virginia law does require an employer to provide an employee time off to serve as an election officer if the employee has given reasonable notice of the need for leave.
Such leave need not be paid by the employer. The leave does not need to be paid. A Virginia employer that fails to allow an employee to take time off to serve as an election officer can be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Conclusion
If you are in need of employment law advice or assistance, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook or Twitter.
Welcome to Luxury For Less, a weekly column highlighting the best deals in luxury real estate. Written by Brandy Schantz of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, Luxury For Less offers tips and tricks navigating the competitive real estate market and securing the home of your dreams. To learn more, visit ttrsir.com.
As a realtor at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, I see plenty of beautiful and luxurious homes.
The D.C. Metro area real estate market may not be New York City or Los Angeles but we certainly have our fair share of beautiful homes and swanky addresses. TTR Sotheby’s private exclusive listings currently include a breathtaking home with unparalleled views of the Potomac in McLean priced at $62,950,000 and a stunning estate in Georgetown for $18,750,000.
I am often at awe with the beautiful architecture, interior design and stately elegance of these homes. McLean is well known for its large homes, prestigious addresses and powerful, wealthy residents. One of the swankiest neighborhoods in McLean is Ballantrae Farms.
Ballantrae Farms features prominent homes with even more prominent owners. If you are seeking a home where you can rub elbows with the elite; CEOs, politicians, leaders of industry, Ballantrae Farms is the prestigious address you are looking for.
1285 Ballantrae Farm Drive McLean is currently on the market for $2,700,000. This custom built home features approximately 7,720 finished sq. ft. and over 10,000 total sq.ft. This home features elegant details and large spaces for entertaining. The home was built by international builder and developer John Georgelas as his own personal home. Relax at the outdoor courtyard pool or entertain at the large wet bar. The home needs some modern touches but in Ballantrae Farms, under $3M, the possibilities are endless.
Here is the listing for 1285 Ballantrae Farm Drive:
1285 Ballantrae Farm Drive McLean
The properties listed are a small selection of properties available in the Tyson’s Corner area. For a full list of properties listed on MLS and private exclusives, please contact Brandy Schantz.
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Val Sotillo, Northern Virginia-based Realtor and Falls Church resident. Please submit your questions to her via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!
Question: I’ve submitted two offers on homes in the past couple of weeks and both times lost to multiple offers. Is the inventory going to increase? What can I expect as spring is approaching?
Answer: Periods of low inventory and high demand, like what we’re currently experiencing, can be frustrating for buyers. If you’ve been looking for homes and are concerned about the lack of options you’ve seen in the market, do not give up because the inventory is already increasing and will continue to increase over the next few months.
What To Expect From The Spring Market
The spring market can be a great time for buyers because you’ll see a significant increase in inventory and a better chance of finding that perfect home.
You will also see a very similar increase in the amount of properties going under contract, which is an indicator of the not-so-good news (for buyers) that there will be a lot more competition. Be ready to make your best offer.
See the chart below for a month to month breakdown on New Listings in Fairfax County since 2014. This chart highlights how the lack of new inventory you’ve seen over the winter is going to increase significantly starting this month and will almost triple over the next few months.
See the chart below for New Pending Contracts (properties going under contract) in Fairfax County since 2014. Contract activity is seasonal, just like new inventory.
What Can You Do To Get Ready For This Market?
Spring can be a frustrating season because you may watch your dream home go to other buyers who have made smarter, but not necessarily higher offers. So be prepared to make a strong offer with these tips:
- Financing — Have a pre-approval letter from a reputable local lender who has reviewed all relevant documents and is able to close quickly. A strong lender letter gives the seller confidence you will close on the home on time, without complications.
- Don’t Play Games — We all want to negotiate a great deal, but when a seller has multiple similar offers, they often put more weight in who they think is most likely to close with the least complications. In that scenario it pays off to make it clear how much you want the home instead of acting like you could take it or leave in an attempt to negotiate a lower price. This is not a hagglers market so don’t expect a lot of negotiations.
- Contingencies — Understand how an Escalation Addendum works and consider giving up your right to negotiate repairs using a Pass/Fail contingency or doing a pre-inspection instead to make sure there are no major issues with the property. You can also offer to cover up to a certain dollar amount in the event of a low appraisal, if you are offering to pay above the asking price.
Good luck on your house hunting! If you’d like more information, or would like a question answered in my weekly column, please reach out to [email protected]. I hope to hear from you soon.
Val Sotillo is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with Real Living At Home, 2420 Wilson Blvd #101 Arlington, VA 22201, 703-390-9460.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
A Vienna staple since July 2010, Caffe Amouri is more than just a local coffee house.
Their mission is built around community, which is easily seen by their participation in school “Walking Wednesdays” where they provide coffee for parents, Vienna Idol and about 20 or so other charities or fundraisers. They encourage sustainability; they encourage customers to reuse coffee sleeves and only take straws when necessary.
They recently expanded the space located on Church Street to allow for more seating, large tables for collaboration, a roasting sample area and some outdoor seating. They have WiFi, although they turn it off on the weekends to encourage people to actually engage with each other (oh, the horror!). They also have open mic nights, Penny University (free classes & talks) and other events (check the online calendar).
Now to get to the good stuff: the coffee and the food.
My husband loves the white mocha and the iced coffee, I’m a traditional Cappuccino girl, and my kids love their hot chocolate. But their menu is so big they have a binder of coffee options and tea, along with some specials (honey cinnamon latte!) that make for nice out of the ordinary drinks. They have local treats at the register like granola, gluten free sweets, cookies and nuts. There’s also a sandwich menu (breakfast and lunch).
Other things you might not know: there’s a strong inventory of table games to borrow in the back. There’s parking in front, on the street and in the back; there’s a rear entrance. If you park there while they’re roasting, you’ll often see things floating around the air from the roasting.
My favorite thing is the trivia. Every day at the register there’s a new question posted. If you get it right, they take 10 cents off your drink.
