The Tiers and Tiers II Condos In
Manchester Lakes Alexandria VA 22310

Tiers I Condos at Manchester Lakes

The Tiers and Tiers II condos of Manchester Lakes are perfect for residents who want a unique floor plan along with a loft and garage.  The Tiers condominiums include three different floor plans:

• the main level Solarium model, two bedrooms and one bath, patio
• the mid-level Chalet model, two bedrooms and two full baths, balcony, loft, and 1-car garage
• the top-level Retreat model, two bedrooms, two full baths, balcony, spiral staircase to loft, and 1-car garage

Both Tiers I and Tiers II communities have a pond and residents enjoy all of the Manchester Lakes amenities.  And all home types include a wood-burning fireplace, and washer and dryer (or hookup).

Tiers I is adjacent to the condos of Essex House, and residents have the benefit of Fairfax County Public Schools, including Franconia Elementary, Mark Twain Middle, and Thomas Edison High School.

The Tiers I and Tiers II communities are pedestrian- and pet-friendly, and the courtyard areas also have grills.  Both are also walking distance to the restaurants and shops of Kingstowne.

Tiers II Condos

Other Tours of Manchester Lakes Condos in Alexandria VA

• Essex House Condominiums Tour

Selling in The Tiers at Manchester Lakes: List Your Tiers I or Tiers II Condo

Buying in The Tiers at Manchester Lakes: Tiers Condos For Sale

Manchester Lakes On The Map

Old Town Alexandria VA Open Houses
 Harbor Terrace Condo At 521 Bashford Lane Unit 6
 Open House 1-4, Sunday February 21, 2010
 

 Come and see this affordably priced and conveniently located home in Harbor Terrace Condos at 521 Bashford Lane Unit 6 in Old Town Alexandria VA 22314.  Features include:

• Loft unit with wood-burning fireplace
• Vaulted ceilings
• Updated bathroom with pedestal sink
• Updated appliances
• Updated light fixtures throughout
• Customized closets by Closets By Design
• Two parking permits for open community parking for residents,  plus off-street parking
• Additional storage closet
• Washer and dryer in unit
• Berber carpet

The Harbor Terrace condominium community is conveniently located at the north end of the northeast quadrant of Old Town Alexandria.  It is less than five minutes from Reagan National Airport, one traffic light from Washington DC, and Old Town conveniences include walking and bike trails, grocery, dining, and a short walk to the Potomac River waterfront.

Don’t Miss: Harbor Terrace Photo Tour

Must See: Guide To Alexandria Condos

Must See: All Condos For Sale In Harbor Terrace

Essex House Condos Tour In Manchester Lakes Alexandria VA
Two Bedroom Condos, Upper Floor With Loft

Part of the Manchester Lakes planned community in Alexandria VA (22310), Essex House condominiums offer comfort, convenience, and a walkable community that’s close to shops and restaurants.

Just under 10 minutes from the beltway (I-495), Essex House residents benefit from the Fairfax Connector bus service that goes directly to the Franconia-Springfield metro (end of the blue line) and being just two red lights to the I-95 HOV lanes. 

Highly acclaimed Fairfax County Public Schools nearby include Franconia Elementary, Mark Twain Middle School, and sought-after Thomas Edison High School.

In addition to enjoying the amenities of Manchester Lakes, Essex House residents can take advantage of recreational activities at the nearby Lee District Recreation Center, Greendale Golf Course, Hilltop Golf Club, and the family-friendly Top Golf in Kingstowne.

 The spacious floor plans in Essex House condos offer two model types.  The Coventry and the Gentry models are both two bedrooms and square footage ranges from 981 (without the upper level loft) to 1301 (with the upper level loft).  The lower level units have an enclosed patio, and the upper level units have private balconies.  Upper level units with lofts are highly desired, as the spiral staircase access to the loft is very contemporary, and the added square footage of the loft is perfect for storage, a home office, or recreational den.  All homes have a wood-burning fireplace and washer/dryer (hookup).

Selling In Essex House: List Your Essex House Condo For Sale

Buying In Essex House: Essex House Condos For Sale

Manchester Lakes Real Estate Sales Update For January 2010

How did the condos and townhomes for sale in Manchester Lakes (Alexandria 22310) compare in January 2010?  Take a look at you’ll notice that the high number that stands out is the current number of active condos for sale. Home sellers in the Tiers, Tiers II, Surrey, Essex House, and Victoria Crossings are likely competing with the neighboring Kingstowne condos for sale (see Kingstowne stats for January 2010).

The community of Manchester Lakes continues to draw first time home buyers with the affordable condos.  The townhomes in Manchester Lakes rarely come on the market, but when they do, they are usually sold pretty quickly.  Last month, one townhome went under contract.  I’ll be keeping a close eye on the Manchester Lakes condo activity over the next couple of weeks.  Condo home sellers should be sure that when they check the competition that their listing agent not only stays on top of the immediate 22310 condo inventory, but also the adjacent 22315 condo inventory. 

See Also: Kingstowne Real Estate Market Update for January 2010

Kingstowne VA Real Estate For Sale And Market Statistics For January 2010
Townhomes For Sale Saw The Most Activity | More Condos Hit The Market

How did the real estate market in Kingstowne (Alexandria 22315) do last month?  The numbers are enlightening, especially for the townhomes.   The number of townhomes for sale that went under contract was up from 6 units last month to 13, and as you can see, the bulk of that inventory that was absorbed by ready buyers that were in the $400,000 – $499,999 price range.

While the real estate market for condos for sale in Kingstowne VA also witnessed a slight increase in units sold, up one unit from 5 last month to 6, there were also more Kingstowne condos for sale that entered the market.  Condo home sellers in Eton Square, Chancery, Stratford Place had stiff competition as the units that sold were split evenly between the $200k price range and the $300k price range.

Detached homes for sale in Kingstowne VA remained calm with 5 homes actively for sale, and only one that went under contract.

The Kingstowne VA real estate market seems pretty balanced,and as I’ve been saying in my previous posts, I think the traditional spring market is here and now.  If the tax credit is not extended again, I believe that many buyers may lose their motivation to buy and exit the market.

See Also: Kingstowne Market Stats for December 2009

See Also: Kingstowne Real Estate Video Tour

See Also: Sold in Kingstowne – 6974A Ellingham Circle in Eton Square

See Also: Sold in Kingstowne – 6431 Castlefin Way in the North Village

Alexandria City (VA) Real Estate Market Statistics Update For February 2010 |
We Sold More Than Last Month

Click for Full View of Image

More sellers who had their homes on the market last month are breathing a sigh of relief.  We (collectively) sold more houses in January than we did in December, and from where I’m sitting, that’s a positive sign for the winter market.  Here’s the breakdown by house type:

• The number of Alexandria City detached homes sold (not settled, but homes that went under contract) increased from 7 to 21.
• The number of Alexandria City townhouses/rowhouses sold increased from 32 to 41.
• The number of Alexandria City condos sold jumped from 53 to 78.

In the Alexandria City (VA) detached homes that were for sale, the bulk of the activity was in the price range of $799,999 and below.  The market practically comes to a complete halt once you hit the $800,000 mark.  Of the 20 detached homes listed for  $1M+, only 2 went under contract and both of these were listed between $1,250,000 – $1,499,999.

In the Alexandria City (VA) townhomes that were for sale, the bulk of the homes that were snapped up were priced between $400,000 and $600,000.  Luxury townhomes in Alexandria that were priced over $1M+ are still waiting or the perfect buyer.

The $300,000 and under price range is still where the action is for Alexandria City (VA) condos for sale with 30 units selling in the price range of $200,000 – $299,999 and 28 units selling in the price range of $100,000 – $199,999.  Still looking for a good deal, well here inside the beltway, there were 8 condos that went under contract with a list price of under $100,000!  And who says you can’t find anything close in?!

So, what does this mean if I want to list my luxury home for sale in Alexandria VA?  Be prepared for a marathon, not a sprint.  Just because a buyer is looking to spend ‘a cool mil’ or more doesn’t mean value is thrown out the window.  Luxury homebuyers are looking for quality and VALUE just like other buyers.  There’s lot of competition, and buyers are generally slower to act when there is more to choose from.  Even in the upper bracket, buyers don’t want to see a neglected home in need of repair, but a practically lived in (i.e. staged) home that allows them to envision a life there.

What about if I want to list my townhome for sale?  You’ll likely sell, and your days on the market will depend more on your price.  If you experience longer days on the market…then you’re probably selling the competition first.  Higher priced homes that need work ‘force’ the better priced homes in move-in condition to sell faster.

And if I’m listing my Alexandria VA condo for sale?  You’ll be in the most active part of the market if your asking price is below $300,000.  Be prepared for a quick sale, but the tables may turn on you if you’re moving up, because you may be in competition with other buyers for the townhouses.

Bottom line, I think the spring market is here.  If you’re on the fence about selling, I wouldn’t try to make a grand entrance in April or May.  If the $8000 tax credit and $6500 move-up credit is not extended, you just may be ‘Tardy for the Party’.

See Also: Listing Soon? – List Your Home With McEnearney Associates Because Results Matter

Get snOver It |
Protecting Your Wood Floors During The Snowpacalypse of 2010

During winter, using ice melt compound is necessary for keeping walkways and roads clear of snow and ice.  No matter how hard you try, some of that compound that’s on the bottom of your shoes is going to make it inside.  The residue is unsightly on hard surface floors. 

On carpets, you may not see it, but the damage can be even worse.  The most commonly used compound is calcium chloride in small white pellet form.  It has two characteristics that are very relevant – it’s alkaline and it loves water.  Calcium chloride pulls moisture from the air and leaves a moist, oily film on carpets and hard surface floors.  It can also cause the slip resistance of hard surface floors to be compromised.

• Use doormats or runners at all entrance and exit areas to capture as much of the residue as possible.
• Vacuum the mats often and clean using the wet extraction method.
• Keep one or two replacement sets of mats for the winter season.
• Clean carpets by vacuuming at least three times a day.
• Clean carpets by wet extraction after each snowstorm or after each use of ice melt compound.
• To clean the oily residue from hard surface floors, use water or floor cleaner. DO NOT wet mop, as the mop itself can become contaminated with significant amounts of residue and spread to the rest of your floors.

Selling Old Town Alexandria VA Real Estate? |
List Your Home With McEnearney Associates Because Results Matter

Results DO Matter when it comes time to sell your home.

In the second half of 2009, McEnearney Associates sold the properties we marketed in less time and for a higher percentage of the original listed price. (By the way, we started tracking this performance in Northern Virginia in 1999, and we have sold our listings in less time and closer to list price in twenty-one of the last twenty-two semi-annual periods.  Since we opened our first office in Washington in 2007, we have added DC, Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties to our evaluation.)

Market conditions have varied widely in the eleven years we have been tracking these numbers, from balanced markets, to sellers’ markets to the current buyers’ market. And we have adapted to these changing conditions, outperforming the market regardless of what the market conditions are. My company’s carefully assembled team of the most productive Sales Associates in the Washington area makes all the difference for you.

Highest Average Net Sales Price*

Generally speaking, more expensive properties take longer to sell and typically sell at a deeper discount to the original list price. That makes it even more remarkable that our listings sold, on average, more rapidly and closer to the original list price than the listings of these other fine real estate companies.

    

Mason Neck Homes In Hallowing Point River Estates |
Wildlife And Waterfront Tranquility

Just ten minutes from Fort Belvoir is the tucked away waterfront community of Hallowing Point River Estates in Mason Neck. Homes in Hallowing Point River Estates are custom built on perched or level lots with Potomac River views or snuggly surrounded by mature trees. On any given day, neighbors can see deer, owls, eagles, and lots of other wildlife roaming around comfortably.

Homeowners of Hallowing Point River Estates enjoy the private amenities of a serene waterfront beach park with pavilion, picnic tables and grilling areas, available for private parties and community gatherings, a gated area with boat launch and dock directly off the channel for deepwater boating, all off the beaten path of I-95.

See also: Hallowing Point Home For Sale at 6025 Chapman Road

Alexandria VA Short Sale Listing Agent Earns The Gold |
Experience Counts When Helping Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure

A couple of years ago, many people had never hear of a short sale. Now, short sales are right in the mix of all homes for sale regardless of price point and zip code.

There are still many brokers who don’t even show short sales when working with buyers, but homeowners in Alexandria VA who are facing a financial hardship have a resource they can count on when it comes to understanding the alternatives to foreclosure.

After helping homeowners in 2009 with successfully closed short sales, I was awarded the Certificate of Designation as a Gold Member of the Certified Default Resolution Specialist network of agents who have been trained by the America’s Home Rescue team of instructors and Realtors.  I had the pleasure of meeting Michael and Stacy Spickes (co-founders of America’s Home Rescue) back in May of 2008 when I was Chair of the Education Advisory Committee at NVAR and officially invited them to teach agents how to help homeowners and how to work short sales.

This past year, I represented these sellers and helped them understand their options in avoiding foreclosure:

• 4852 Eisenhower Avenue Unit 341 in Alexandria VA at The Exchange at Van Dorn
• 4854 Eisenhower Avenue Unit 248 in Alexandria VA at The Exchange at Van Dorn
• 2451 Midtown Avenue Unit 1515 in Alexandria VA at Midtown Alexandria
• 7362 Ardglass Drive in Lorton VA in Worthington Woods
• 1030 Gardenview Loop Unit 401 in Summerhouse Condos
• 17760 Avenel Lane in Dumfries VA in Southbridge (homeowner had NO MISSED PAYMENTS)
• 5419 Moultrie Road in Springfield VA in Ravensworth (listed by Susan Bruce Anthony, short sale negotiated by me)

I was also able to consult with three other homeowners and help them with either a successful loan modification, or evaluate their current situation and offer recommendations on keeping their home(s). 

When it comes to foreclosure prevention, experience counts and RESULTS MATTER.   If you need the help of  a knowledgeable and experienced short sale agent and are facing a financial hardship, please give me a call at 703-623-8759, or visit my website for a confidential consultation.