Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
You might think I’m crazy… If the floor really was lava, the air temp would be similar to what it is today. BUT September is just a few days away, and September brings all the fall things — football, apparently pumpkin spice lattes and apple season.
So, with a nod to the coming change in weather and hopefully cooler temps, I bring you a list of places to go apple picking.
Keep in mind COVID protocols might vary by farm and some may require advance purchase of tickets. Check websites for details.
- Marker-Miller Orchards: Peaches, blackberries, apples, tomatoes and so many other goodies
- Crooked Run Orchard: Apples, peaches and some blackberries
- Stribling Orchard: Several varieties of apples and grass fed beef,
- Mackintosh Fruit Farm: Apples, peaches, Asian pears, nectarines, veggies. Plus, they have cider donuts, baked goods, pies, local cheese, eggs and more.
- Hollin Farms: Apples, some veggies, dig your own potatoes
- Great Country Farms: Apples, corn maze, farm play area, jumping pillow and more attractions. BONUS: This is across from Dirt Farm Brewery and Bluemont Vineyard, so if you’re looking for an adult treat after the kids play, just cross the street!
There are also closer in options like DePaul’s Urban Farm, the Vienna Farmers Market or Reston Farm Garden Market. (Check out their weekend Fall Fest… discounted tickets end on Tuesday!)
More details on local fall festivals is coming soon… stay tuned!
Address: 904 Country Club Dr. NE, Vienna
Neighborhood: Westwood Manor
Listed: $1,050,000
Open: Sunday, Aug. 29, 1-4 p.m.
The Listing of the Day is a pristine 4 BD/2.5 BA colonial with a garage, well sited on a 12,700-square-foot lushly landscaped lot.
Recent improvements include:
- Kitchen with warm wood cabinets with silent-close drawers, stainless appliances, granite tops, and center island, and thoughtful details cooks and bakers will appreciate
- Renovated primary bathroom with sleek glass enclosed shower, stylish tile, lighting and accessories
- Renovated hall bathroom with deep soaking tub and large vanity
- Quality Pella windows with true divided and Pella front door with sidelights
- 50-year architectural shingle roof
- Fresh interior and exterior paint
Among the desirable details are a main level bedroom or office; gas fireplace with stone surround in the family room; doors open to the patio and fenced rear yard with two gates; a second tucked away patio surrounded by mature trees and shrubs and meandering walking paths; expanded primary bedroom with dressing and double closets, wood floors on main and upper levels; and versatile lower-level rec room for media, play, office or gym.
Near the heart of Vienna’s restaurants, shops, services, library and bike path, plus an easy commute to Tysons and business and government centers around the region.
Westbriar Elementary School, Kilmer Middle School and James Madison High School.
An appealing home brimming with light, character and value.
Believe it or not, Labor Day is just around the corner, marking the unofficial end of summer.
Whether you have plans to travel, host family and friends, or just want to decompress amid the back-to-school chaos, get your home professionally cleaned ahead of the three-day respite.
And Well Paid Maids, based in the D.C. area, is here to help.
Well Paid Maids isn’t your typical cleaning company. It’s committed to paying its workers a living wage of at least $20 an hour or more. Even more: Cleaners are employees — not contractors — meaning they get benefits like health, dental and vision insurance; 22 paid days off a year; and 100% employer-paid commuting costs.
What better way to honor our country’s workers than to support a company that pays fair, livable wages?
It also uses healthy and sustainable cleaning products, rated “low concern” or “lowest concern” by the Environmental Working Group.
So whether you want to return to a clean home after vacation or host your family and friends for the weekend, book your summer cleaning today before spaces fill up. It takes less than 60 seconds!
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, FAIRFAX! Yes, I intentionally used all caps because I’m that excited to be working from a quiet home today. ALONE.
I hope everyone who has a child returning or starting school today has a wonderful first day of school!
I walked in my front door at 8:45 a.m. and, naturally, began cleaning up the mess that was left from the tornado of the first day of school chaos. I also looked at all the stuff that was never touched, even in 18 months of days at home.
If you’re like me and can’t wait to purge all the things from your home when the kids aren’t looking, please keep these organizations in mind as you’re looking to donate gently used goods.
- Women Giving Back — Sterling, Virginia
They’re accepting women and children’s casual, professional and formal attire, shoes (like new), maternity apparel, and winter gear. They don’t accept books, toys or car seats. You can drop off items this Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. (In-season attire only.) - Second Story — Vienna, Virginia
They have a page they’re updating for donation needs, so please check it again, but as of right now, they need hair products, headphones, baby-proofing items, sweatpants, gender neutral shirts, and they’re always looking for food donations. - Hope of Northern Virginia — Falls Church, Virginia
They accept like-new clothing and may accept other baby necessities. - A Wider Circle — Silver Spring, Maryland
They accept furniture, baby items, kitchen items, bedding, professional clothing and accessories. If you have lots of items — or large ones — you can call them for a pick up, or you can drop off at their location in Silver Spring. - Children’s Hospital — Washington, D.C.
Don’t forget about Dr. Bear’s Closet. It’s looking for brand new, in-original packing, non-toxic and no latex items with tags.
I hope everyone has a great first week of school!
Capital City Sports Academy recently opened in Bailey’s Crossroads and is here to support adults and youth athletes get back into their training routines as summer comes to an end.
The goal when working with any client — from adults with desk jobs to student-athletes — is to help them get stronger, faster and help meet their fitness goals.
Adult classes are a blend of both strength and conditioning training, with traditional weighted movements and explosive exercises to burn calories on the turf. Our environment is targeted toward anyone who has grown tired of the traditional commercial gym and wants to train hard and achieve goals.
So, whether you’re raising a student-athlete or you’re ready to work toward your fitness goals, Capital City Sports Academy can help. Schedule your first free session online.
Capital City Sports Academy
3431 Carlin Springs Road Suite E, Falls Church, VA 22041
capitalcityathletes.com
703-775-1535
Instagram | Facebook
Participate in a study about our transportation network and receive up to $100.* Simply install a device in your vehicle and drive like you normally do.
With changes in our vehicles and how we drive, there are challenges to building up a steady fund to invest in roads and improve transit — the things we rely on to stay connected and keep our economy strong.
This study, called DriveTU, is looking at new, sustainable and equitable ways to fund roadway improvements and is being conducted by Transurban and the Eastern Transportation Coalition.
By being a part of DriveTU, you contribute to the conversation on whether a pay-as-you-drive system is more sustainable and more equitable. Instead of using a gas tax to fund roadway improvements, governments are examining a pay-as-you-go model — often called a mileage-based user fee (MBUF).
DriveTU participants have the opportunity to lend their voice on this issue, provide study insights and earn $100 — just by driving like they normally would.
Are you ready to drive? Enroll now to find out if you’re eligible for DriveTU.
*Incentive payouts not applicable to state or federal government employees. All other participants must meet all pilot program application and completion criteria.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
I often see people asking for outdoor dining options for various reasons. The rain we’ve been getting lately can sometimes kill that option, but there are some with covered options as well.
Please remember that restaurants are still short-staffed, so be kind, tip well and visit often!
Outdoor covered options:
- Mama Tigre
- Open Road, Mosaic (permanent covered patio)
- Danor Plaza, Vienna: Chi Mc Korean Fried Chicken, Pazzo Pomodoro, Zenola (tent), Crepe Amour (the others each have a few tables covered under the walkway)
- Patsy’s American (permanent covered patio)
- Simply Social Coffee
- Tony’s NY Pizza
- True Food Kitchen, Mosaic (permanent covered patio)
- Bartaco, Mosaic (permanent covered patio, partially)
- Vienna Inn (tent)
- PizzaRoni (tent)
- Hawk & Griffin
- Trio Grill
- Bear Branch Tavern
- Café Renaissance
- Bazin’s on Church
- Blend 111
- Chipotle/Crumbl have a few tables in front
- Nostos Restaurant
- CLARITY Restaurant
- Santini’s
- The Sandwich Shop
- Fosters Grille
- Sweet Leaf Cafe
- Anita’s (tent)
- Sushi Yoshi
- Silver Diner (tents)
- Mosaic: Urbano, Sisters Thai, Our Mom Eugenia (entire back half of the complex has outdoor seating that’s uncovered
- Caboose Brewing Co (Vienna and Fairfax locations)
Honorable mentions:
- Mookie’s BBQ (Great Falls)
- Liberty BBQ (Falls Church)
- Pizzeria Orso (Falls Church)
- Dominion Beer and Wine (tent, Falls Church)
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
The countdown is on to the start of school! Just two weeks to go — and a strong prayer that they open and safely stay open five days a week. That leaves just a few more summer days to try and squeeze in as much summer fun as we can.
Looking for inspiration of what to do to fill your final days of summer? Here’s my Tysons summer bucket list:
- Go swimming: Try out one of the local pools for something new. (Watermine is a top hit, and Great Waves is built for the daring. You can find a full list of options here.)
- Attend an outdoor concert like Chillin’ on Church, set for Friday, Aug. 20, at 6:30 p.m.
- Attend a Nationals baseball game. There are two day games coming up, one on Aug. 15 at 1:05 p.m. with a kids lunch box giveaway and Aug. 18 at 4:05 p.m. against the Blue Jays. Pro tip: If you want to eat before or after the game, try All-Purpose Pizzeria or The Salt Line.
- Make the kids tired! Take them for an outing to the Go Ape ropes course, spend the afternoon at a trampoline park like Flight or SkyZone, or head to Kings Dominion.
- Try a new restaurant during Restaurant Week — it starts today! You can also check out the Chesapeake Crab, Wine and Beer Festival at National Harbor on Aug. 14.
- See something new, like the Circus Vazquez at Tysons. (Get discounted tickets here.)
Let me know what’s on your summer bucket list!
Is now the right time to buy a condo or co-op? In many cases, it’s definitely worth the research! While there continues to be a dearth of inventory for single-family homes, condos and co-ops are in many cases… aplenty.
Condos, in general, took a hit during the pandemic as buyers and renters wanted more square footage and were at times fearful of shared spaces like elevators and frustrated by amenities that were left locked up.
As the world begins to open back up, we must look at this corner of the real estate market as a potential opportunity. Many condos and co-ops are sitting on the market longer, causing inventory to creep up and prices to be strained.
When buying a condo or a co-op, you need to do your research…
- Are there any special assessments?
- Is there an underlying mortgage?
- What are the monthly condo fees and what do they pay for?
- How much have the condo fees gone up year over year?
- Where do you do your laundry — in the unit, down the hall or in the basement?
- Is parking deeded to the unit? Or is it assigned?
- Does the building allow for renters?
These are all key questions that help determine the potential resale value down the line or attractiveness to potential tenants.
Now, let’s take a deeper look at some active listings and see how they measure up.
12000 Market Street #379, Reston, VA 20190, listed for $320,000 with a $405/monthly condo fee.
This one-bedroom is bright, spacious and luxurious. The best part? The Reston Town Center Metro station is set to open next year. Imagine walking less than a half mile from this beautiful courtyard-facing condo to your nearest Metro stop. This pet-friendly gem has only been on the market a mere seven days.
1800 Old Meadow Road #622, McLean, VA 22102, listed for $496,000 with an $827/monthly condo fee.
This two-bedroom unit is over 1,400 square feet, an end unit, and has a wrap-around balcony that faces both south and west. A pedestrian bridge will be constructed beginning this year to cross over the Beltway and provide easier access to Tysons. This unit has been on the market for 44 days and would make any owner happy — as long as they don’t have a pet (sorry, these furry friends are not allowed).
4200 Cathedral Avenue NW #1102, Washington, DC 20016, listed for $239,000 with a $664/monthly condo fee.
This one-bedroom is steps away from the Glover Archbold Trail in the sought-after Foxhall neighborhood of D.C. Somehow, this top-floor unit has been on the market for 104 days with no price drop.
7037-D Haycock Road #904, Falls Church, VA 22043, listed for $585,000 with a $679/monthly condo fee.
How about a condo that doesn’t feel like a condo? This two-bedroom is close to the West Falls Church Metro, has two floors, two parking spots and an extra storage unit.
3320 Woodburn Village Drive #13, Annandale, VA 22003, listed for $228,900 with a $532/monthly condo fee.
This two-bedroom condo is close to Inova Fairfax Hospital, has great outdoor space and is over 1,000 square feet. 43 days on market, folks!
4420 1st Place NE #11, Washington, DC 20011, listed for $215,000 with a $277/monthly condo fee.
A low condo fee, pet friendly and close to Catholic University… I scratch my head wondering why no one has scooped up this one-bedroom in the last 107 days.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
Hi all! Laura here. This week’s column is a bit of a departure from the norm, but I want to ask: What topics would you like to see covered here?
Let me know! Then next week, we’ll get back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Have a great week!
