The real estate market is hot right now — so hot that many homes are selling over asking price. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t seeing price reductions on properties.

This past week, nine homes in Tysons, McLean and Vienna were reduced in price, according to Homesnap. These included:

• 6122 Franklin Park Road, McLean — Reduced: $250,000 on March 15 — Now: $5,638,990
• 7004 Poppy Drive, McLean — Reduced: $60,000 on March 11 — Now: $1,990,000
• 1650 Silver Hill Drive #2209, McLean — Reduced: $61,000 on March 13 — Now: $1,238,000
• 8220 Crestwood Heights Drive #1313, McLean — Reduced: $10,000 on March 16 — Now: $444,900
• 1946 Kennedy Drive #202, McLean — Reduced: $10,000 on March 11 — Now: $315,000

In the market? Check out the latest in Tysons area real estate.

Photo via Tierra Mallorca/Unsplash

This past week 29 properties were sold in Tysons Corner, McLean and Vienna, according to Homesnap.

These ranged from a $4 million McLean home with a private tennis court to a $300,000 2 BD/2 BA penthouse-level condo.

The recently sold properties include:

• 1144 Langley Lane, McLean — 7 BD/6.5+ BA — $3,950,000
• 1481 Waggaman Circle, McLean — 6 BD/6.5 BA — $2,675,000
• 1117 Pekay Street SW, Vienna — 6 BD/6 BA — $1,575,000
• 9514 Woody Lane, Great Falls — 5 BD/4.5+ BA — $1,175,000
• 6520 33rd Street, Falls Church — 3 BD/ 2 BA — $922,000
• 8380 Greensboro Drive #414, McLean — 3 BD/2 BA — $579,500
• 1808 Old Meadow Road #1415, McLean — 2 BD/2 BA — $300,000

In the market? Check out the latest in Tysons area real estate.

We want to send a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who has liked and followed us on Facebook and Twitter.

However, if you only get our stories via these social channels, you’re probably missing out.

Algorithms decide exactly what you get to see on these platforms, and sometimes that means important local stories might not make it to your feed. These are news stories unfolding around Tysons, McLean, Vienna, Falls Church and Merrifield.

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Tysons’ Pet of the Week is Shelby, a 3-year-old mix breed who sits low to the ground.

Shelby is available for adoption through Operation Underdog WV. Here’s what they have to say about her:

Meet short stack Shelby! This little low-rider is super cute. She is about 35 pounds and 3 years old. She does well in a crate and appears to be well house-trained.

Shelby is a little apprehensive of new people, so a quieter home and patient intros are best for new human friends. Once she is given a little time to know you, she becomes a snuggler and loves to give kisses.

She likes dogs that are smaller than she is but is nervous around larger dogs. She enjoys sniffing around the yard and eating snacks.

Are you and Shelby the perfect match?

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’ve begun daydreaming again about a night away from home — four new walls to look at, no little humans yelling about Google Meets or being hungry… again.

So here are my suggestions for the best places for a night away. Keep in mind some options are more active with spas, pools, golf courses, fitness options and more while others are just a quiet, tucked-away space to rest and rejuvenate. The recommendations just depend on what type of experience you’re looking for!

Listed in no particular order:

1. Salamander Resort & Spa, Middleburg, Virginia — Here you’ll find a spa, restaurants, wineries, an infinity pool, hiking trails, zip lining and, for golf fans, access to the club at Creighton Farms.
2. The Inn at Little Washington, Washington, Virginia — Find a top-rated restaurant at The Inn, and the quaint town of Washington is perfect for exploring.
3. Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels, Maryland — On the beautiful Chesapeake, Inn at Perry Cabin has a spa, restaurants, pool, fitness center, golf and tennis.
4. The Inn at Vaucluse Spring, Stephens City, Virginia — This is a romantic bed and breakfast perched along the Shenandoah Valley.
5. Nemacolin Resort, Farmington, Pennsylvania — Nemacolin has many types of lodging, a spa, golf, ax throwing, zip lining and tons of restaurant choices.
6. The Omni Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia — Filled with historic charm, this huge spa features hot springs, a water park, golf and lots of other family-friendly activities.
7. The Tides Inn, Irvington, Virginia — Find a spa, wine trail, sailing school, golf and newly redesigned rooms that open today!
8. The Greenbrier Resort, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia — This resort contains a spa, a casino, pool, arcade, bowling and so many other activities to keep you busy!
9. Lansdowne Resort, Leesburg, Virginia — Located in historic Leesburg, Lansdowne Resort has a spa, golf course and more.
10. Tidewater Inn, Easton, Maryland — Explore the spa, luxury accommodations, historic Easton and Hunters’ Tavern.

If you try one of these places or are familiar with them, please leave a tip for our readers in the comments below!

According to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Programs rankings, Virginia Tech’s 100% online Master’s in Information Technology is the nation’s fourth best and is ranked No. 1 for veterans.

The VT-MIT program, a joint venture offered through the College of Engineering and the Pamplin College of Business, maintains a top five ranking for the eighth consecutive year. The top placement attests to the program’s enduring commitment to supplying professionals in the field of information technology with the interdisciplinary and emerging skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

“The VT-MIT program appeals to individuals interested in the intersection of the more technical information technology capabilities and the people skills needed to manage today’s complex workplace,” said Parviz Ghandforoush, the program’s executive director and an associate dean for graduate programs.

The program combines a variety of disciplines within the College of Engineering and the Pamplin College of Business, including computer science, electrical and computer engineering, accounting and information systems, business information technology, and management.

“The VT-MIT program’s top rankings and the appreciative testimonials of our students and graduates underscore the superior quality of our program and its critical relevance for anyone seeking to move ahead professionally,” said Pamplin College of Business Dean Robert Sumichrast. “In today’s innovation-centered workplace, business knowledge and technology expertise have become critical dual strengths for career advancement.”

This year, U.S. News & World Report also ranked the master of information technology program as the No. 1 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology Program for Veterans.

“For veterans looking to enter the corporate job market, the VT-MIT program offers courses and certificates to mitigate the shortage of professionals in such IT fields as cybersecurity, data analytics, big data, health information technology and software development,” Ghandforoush said.

According to U.S. News & World Report methodology, veterans and active-duty service members gain the most from distance education that is affordable, accessible and reputable. The 2021 Best Online Programs for Veterans rankings measure these factors in consideration of financial benefits available specifically to people with military experience.

Learn more about Virginia Tech’s 100% online Master of Information Technology degree and 10 graduate certificate options at vtmit.vt.edu.

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 weather is turning, the COVID numbers are going down, and we’re all yearning for more social interaction. So whether you’re looking to catch up with an old coworker, meet your mom friends or grab a coffee after a run, there are a lot of options around town for a coffee date.

• Simply Social and Crepes & Karak Cafe: Take your pick from indoor seating, outdoor seating or the parking lot, which is never full. You can sit in your car with the windows down, or bring a folding chair and sit six feet apart.
• Caffe Amouri: Once you order your coffee, settle in on one of the nearby park benches, or  stroll over to the Town Green, which has ample space to spread out.
• StarNut Gourmet: This international cafe has plenty of indoor seating, and some space outdoors to sit in your car. Or you can park in the large Total Wine lot across the street with your folding chairs.
• Greenberry’s Coffee: Here, you’ll find a large patio with tables to sit outdoors.
• Northside Social Falls Church: This area favorite has a large patio or covered outdoor patio for seating. You can also walk over to Cherry Hill Park.
• Rare Bird Coffee Roasters: Although there’s no real outdoor seating, you could walk over to Cherry Hill Park.

Ever been to an open house on a Tuesday? Me neither… until last week.

My client and I walked into a single-family home in Reston priced in the golden $700,000s for (what I thought) was a private showing. The cul-de-sac was packed with cars, and I counted at least five other groups touring the home at the same time.

When I noticed the listing agent sitting at the kitchen table, I asked her if I had my time wrong. She replied, “No, we just had so much interest we decided to open it up today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.” She also informed me that six offers had already come in on this listing before it went on the market officially. By Wednesday evening, the house was under contract.

Is this a true depiction of today’s market? Not exactly, but in some areas and particularly with detached single-family homes, this is our new reality.

The average sales price is up more than $50,000 compared to last year. Despite interest rates starting to creep back up, this will continue to be a seller’s market for the foreseeable future. If you are looking to buy a home (especially a detached single-family home) be prepared to bid well above asking.

This month instead of highlighting active or coming soon listings, I want to share with you some homes sold in the past few weeks that went tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars over list price.

4508 45th Street NW, Washington, DC 20016
Sold $212,000 over list price

2502 Duxbury Place, Alexandria, VA 22308
Sold $86,189 over list price

10664 John Ayres Drive, Fairfax, VA 22032
Sold $81,000 over list price

10433 Heritage Landing Road, Burke, VA 22015
Sold $65,000 over list price

46492 Hollymead Place, Sterling, VA 20165
Sold $54,000 over list price

Even an hour-plus commute from D.C…

Read More

General Counsel, P.C. is pleased to announce we have convinced Joanna M. Foard to relocate from sunny and warm Florida to join our legal team to build and lead a family law practice.

As recently awarded by the Orlando Family Magazine (from where she relocated), she is an awesome attorney in the family law category. Her 120 (and growing) incredible client reviews within Avvo testify to her legal skills and devotion to her clients.

“She fought for me and was very responsive,” one review read. “Joanna was superb,” and “Joanna Foard has been my family law attorney for the past several months, and I have felt so supported and attended to,” other clients wrote. “Best lawyer ever!” concluded another client.

If you want to read more reviews, I highly recommend you visit Avvo.

Joanna has several other awards and accolades, including, just within this past year: AV Distinguished Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell; Orlando Magazine Women of the Year, 2020; 2020 Rising Star from Super Lawyers Magazine; 2020 Legal Elite by Florida Trend Magazine.

“We are excited for Joanna to join General Counsel, P.C.,” said Merritt Green, the firm’s founder and managing partner. “Joanna is not only a tremendous family law attorney, but she is a great person and community leader. We have looked to add a family law practice to the firm for a few years but could not find the right person. We feel fortunate to have Joanna joining General Counsel, P.C.”

And Joanna already has connections to the D.C. area.

“With family here in the D.C. metro area and having attended college at Catholic University, I’m happy to have relocated to the D.C. area and finding General Counsel, P.C. was a perfect fit,” she said. “General Counsel, P.C. is a great firm with a 16-year history of serving clients in the D.C. metro area. They work as a team, and I have been welcomed as family. I am excited to start serving clients and to build General Counsel, P.C.’s family law practice.”

Joanna provides full-service family law representation, including divorce, equitable distribution of property agreements, child support, alimony, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, custody, parenting plans/timesharing schedules, modification of child support orders and/or alimony, enforcement actions, relocation actions, and paternity actions. Initially, Joanna will solely be representing clients in Virginia (not D.C. or Maryland).

Information on General Counsel, P.C.’s Family Law practice can be found at Family Law Practice. As a resource, she has created a Guide to Divorce that is available for free download.

Joanna’s biography can also be found on our website.

If you would like to contact Joanna, she can be reached at [email protected] or via telephone at 703-556-0411.

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].

Today marks the opening day for Town of Vienna residents to register for summer camp through the town. Starting at 8 a.m. today, residents can log into Webtrac to reserve a spot. Non-resident openings become available on March 8 at 8 a.m.

A catalog was mailed to all homes, but you can find a copy online. You can also find summer camps through Fairfax County.

There are many independent camps throughout the area as well. Additionally, many of the private schools offer summer camps, such as Congo Camp (Congressional School), Green Hedges or Summer on the Hill (Flint Hill School). There are sports camps offered by our local teams, like Nats Baseball Camp, D.C. United Summer Camp and Jr. Wizards Summer Basketball Camp.

Also remember to look for small, local providers who offer specific offerings, like karate schools, STEM camps, etc. There are a lot of options for summer camps around town.

To all my fellow parents: Summer camp means a few hours where they’re happy, seeing other kids and out of the house. How many days are there to go?