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Free shuttle buses start next Monday, November 23. It runs every 10 mins between 10am to 2:30pm. The kick-off event is 11:00am this coming Monday at Tysons Corner Center's main stop near Nordstrom entrance. They're giving away restaurants' gift certificates (they said while supplies last) to bus riders.

Check out map, here.

This is like a mixed feeling. On one hand, it's exciting to watch the recent development around the area. And on the other hand, this project creates headaches for businesses and those working out of Tysons, McLean areas, especially surrounding Route 123 and Route 7. So, expect major changes along the 1-mile construction zone on Route 7 and Route 123. 

 

Some of the traffic changes coming in the next couple of weeks, via Dulles Metro:

• The service roads along the edges of the east and west bound lanes of Route 7 will be closed so that the edges of Route 7 itself can be pushed out to the edges of the service roads and beyond to make room for construction of the rail line and stations in the median of the road bed.
• Near the two stations to be built along Route 7-Tysons Central 7 (near SAIC and Marshalls) and Tysons West (between Spring Hill and Tyco Roads), the eastbound lanes will balloon out into the parking areas of some businesses.
• Also, along the eastbound lanes, crews will be building retention walls to support the new road bed as crews must build up many existing service roads to the levels of Route 7.
• Mid-block left turns will be eliminated. Drivers will be encouraged to make U-turns at the existing signalized intersections: Westwood/Tyco, Spring Hill and Gosnell/Westpark.
• A major lane shift has already taken place on Route 7, beginning at the Route 123 overpass.
• The traffic signal at Route 7 from the Route 123 exit to Winchester and Reston has been removed.
• The ramp from Route 7 to southbound Route 123 has been relocated.

Construction Maps

  

  

You can read more, here and here.

Note: This is the story I posted for  on Active Rain, a social networking site for real estate professionals. Since it's members only, I can't even link the post. So, here is the post in its entirety.

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About a month ago, I attended a forum hosted by the Switzerland Embassy on "Green Building Policy and Design: Best Practices from Switzerland," in DC. This forum was geared towards promoting Made in Switzerland green building certification, which takes a different approach than the widely recognized LEED certification over here. Their approach is a bit simpler than LEED. LEED has a more complicated scoring tools before coming up to the platinum, gold, and standard certification systems.

The point that I want to make is this: why is it residential Realtors, being in the forefront of green revolution, not jumping the bandwagon in droves? I don't get it. Whatever you call it, be it green, sustainable, eco-friendly, trends - is real. It's here for us to seize the opportunities. Yeah, foreclosure and short-sale, may be the 'subject of interest' for the moment. The trend won't last forever. Foreclosures and short-sale supplies will disappear before you know it. On the other hand, green home, is here to stay.

There are many shades of green. This is a topic, which deserves a post on its own. For now, let's just talk about the trend in the new homes market from NAHB (National Association of Home Builders). Okay, NAHB may be in new homes, they're different, you say. However, we should see their efforts on pushing green as the 'best indicator' of what's coming in the pipeline for residential market.

Here's the latest survey from NAHB and MetLife Mature Market Institute done in September of 2009:

• 37% of consumers want an 'environment-friendly' home
• 94% of builders says that their buyers want more energy-efficient new homes
• 55% said buyers specifically want Energy Star-rated homes
• 25% of builders said buyers want homes with more recycled materials and less materials overall.

What's more, Kevin Morrow, NAHB Sr. Program Manager for Green Building Standard, said the bright spot of this recession is "builders building green homes are doing okay.." Hmm, wonder why not too many builders jumped the bandwagon sooner?

For us, Realtor magazine has an online exclusive talking about consumers interest on being green and the eco-friendly speak, published sometime in 2007. So, where are we today? Sadly, we're not there yet. We're kinda late in the game. Seriously.

The thing is, resale homes, is a huge and "untapped" market! For all purposes, i.e. remodeling, retrofitting, and more, which sometime in the future the same homes after 'green remodeling' will be bought and sold with green home label. Consider this:Energy Star plans to enter the resale market. Now, if we look at the alternative energy companies (selling solar, solar water heater, geothermal systems, etc.), they have targeted the residential market - long before any other clean, green industries enter the market! - because they see the 'upside' potential.

So, where do you see want to see yourself fit in this green revolution?

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For the purpose of Full Disclosure: I am currently in transition from being an agent to be a Realtor Outreach for GreenandSave.com, because I want to make a difference. GreenandSave, has a 20 year legacy in the 'Green' Energy saving market. NAR uses G&S data for their education curriculum. GreenandSave provides information on green home trends, tools, and marketing program for Realtors. Visit GreenandSave for more details. Enter promo code "REALTOR2, " and we will donate $10 to your local real estate association.

More than 5,000 Arlingtonians voted for their favorite local businesses and venues in the 2009 People's Choice Arlington Best Business, ABBIE awards. The winners were announced by County Board Chairman Barbara Favola yesterday. 

I've been to the two big winners Whitlow's on Wilson and Lost Dog Cafe. We had meetups scheduled at Whitlow's a few years back. They've got this big room on the side of the restaurant that you can use for events. It's separate from the restaurant for privacy. The other place, Lost Dog Cafe, I used to go there with my former co-workers. Their sandwiches are out of this world! So I'm not surprised that these two places received the most votes for venues and businesses from residents.

And the winners are.. (h/t Shop Arlington)

1. Arlington’s Best “Bargain” Restaurant
   Lost Dog Cafe
2. Arlington’s Best Boutique
   ShoeFly
3. Arlington’s Best Brunch
   Carlyle
4. Arlington’s Best Customer Service
   Pacers Running Stores
5. Arlington’s Best Dessert
   Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
6. Arlington’s Best Family Friendly Restaurant
   Lost Dog Cafe
7. Arlington’s Best Happy Hour
   Whitlow's on Wilson Bar & Grill
8. Arlington’s Best Late Night Spot
   Bob and Edith's Diner
9. Arlington’s Best Place to Learn Something New
   Arlington Public Library
10. Arlington’s Best Neighborhood Bar
    Whitlow's on Wilson Bar & Grill
11. Arlington’s Best New Business
    Lost Dog Cafe, South Arlington location
12. Arlington’s Best Community-Based Nonprofit
    Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC)
13. Arlington’s Best Performing Arts Organization
    Signature Theatre
14. Arlington’s Best Place to Care for Your Pet
    Ballston Animal Hospital
15. Arlington’s Best Place to Dance the Night Away
    Clarendon Ballroom

Remember BRAC? The Base Realignment Area Closure recommendations that became law in November of 2005. The decision to close over 4M SF of leased offices in Arlington is going to impact Arlington. With it, Arlington stands to see 17,000 jobs to relocate outside the area into Fort Belvoir and beyond. Related posts here, here.

So, I asked Arlington County's BRAC Transition Center team to talk about the transition. And they agreed to be my guest in an online chat. They'll answer questions dealing with economic, workforce, transportation, local Arlington issues, and BRAC impact for the greater DC Metro. 

Here is the panelists line up:

• Adam Beebe, Manager of Business Development
• Andrea Morris, Arlington County BRAC Coordinator
• Sandra Smith, Director of the BRAC Transition Center

This is such a rare opportunity to have three members of the Arlington County transition team to participate in a live chat. This chat is open to the public. FREE. And you can sign up below.

According to MRIS data, Washington DC October '09 home sales inched up to almost 41%. Sales up because prices are down in single home and townhouse/ rowhouse market. The total number of homes sold up from 414 units to 582 units while the average sales dips -16.76% from $398,450 to $380,000. The median price (50/50 up or down prices) off -3.66%, down from $394,450 a year ago to $380,000.

This is where the segment of the residential market got hit the hardest: single family home (that includes rowhouse). Average home sales off -34.84% from $1,020,059 to $664,710. Ouch! The townhouse/ rowhouse segment, also see the average sales price down -14.35% from $545,562 to $467,279.

On a month to month trend from '08 to '09, the number of homes under contracts is the highest over a year span. The number of homes went under contract is a little bit above the 450 units mark. The trend is encouraging, but looking at the data (listings and under contracts), DC still have more than a year of homes supply. Home inventory for single home and rowhouse stands at a bit over 14 months! A *strong* buyers' market. Motivated sellers are willing to talk to you.

 
image: GCAAR

Condo sales last month is better than in '08. October sales up 25.9% from 189 units to 238 units with average sales around $412,983. The median price (usually use in comparison) is at $355,000 down from $360,000. The number of active listings also decline -18% from 1,459 units to 1,197 units. Condo inventory shows that it is still a buyers' market. It stands at 6.52 months.

Seventy-eight percent of condo sales is under $499,999! First-time home buyers? This trend corresponds to the type of financing use to purchase homes. One-third of purchases were financed with either FHA or VA loans.

Here's the breakdown:

Conventional     268

FHA                  173

VA                     12

Assumption        32

Cash                  85

On all types (single home, rowhouse, townhouse, condo, co-op), we are seeing a trend that inventory is down. Maybe sellers are decided to stay put. They are not selling their homes at this market, unless they're forced to make some life changing decision..

TEXTING got the owner crash his car to saltwater lagoon. Read the story first on Christian Science Monitor that leads to this video. You can read the story here. The car is for sale now. (you can buy a mansion here with $1.6M).

Announcement from Chairman of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Sharon Bulova, for upcoming town meeting.

I hope you'll join me for my Town Meeting at 7 p.m. on November 18th: "Energizing Fairfax County - Climate Change and Energy Efficiency!" 

 

This will be an opportunity for you to learn about what is happening in our region and in Fairfax County to conserve our energy resources. Speakers include Stuart Freudberg of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Mark Gibb of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and David Molchany, Deputy County Executive for Fairfax County. Bud Thompson (Great Falls Citizen Association) and Mark Lowham (West*Group) will share "What's going on in the Community."

 

We will be holding the meeting in Cavalier Hall at recently renovated W.T. Woodson High School, located at 9525 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22031.  People attending can park in the Main Street lot and come in through entrance 1 or can park in the lot off of Pickett Road near the tennis courts and use entrance 7 or 8.  Once inside, follow the signs directing you to Cavalier Hall.  I hope to see you there!

 

In case you cannot make it on the 18th, the Town Meeting will be broadcast on cable channel 16 on Friday, Nov. 27, at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m.  Additionally,the video will be available on-demand through the county's website at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cable/channel16/vod.htm.

Stumbled into this reading after seeing a relative struggling to move around the house on her own. She's diagnosed with cancer. Her body is so frail that she can't even move on her own without assistance. To do the activities of daily living, becomes a big challenge for her. Most houses in this area, have steps to go up and down, very inflexible layout and difficult places to reach.

A typical rambler house (in this area) just don't give the flexibility to live independently forever, in my opinion. Which brings me to the first time I saw universal design implemented was at the recent Solar Decathlon competition.

The Interlock House caters to older adults who want to live independently, economically, and sustainably in their own home while retaining the security of an established neighborhood and support network. To appeal to this demographic, the house incorporates numerous features designed to prolong the number of years that a person can live independently and comfortably. The house features universal design, with no steps or difficult places to reach. This ensures uninterrupted ease of use and compensates for the sensory and mobility losses associated with aging. Certain features, such as the enclosed sun porch and ventilation, may help individuals with certain chronic conditions. For instance, arthritis sufferers may benefit from the therapeutic warmth of sitting on the sun porch.

Why is it builders don't push for this kind of design? The target market is there. Waiting for something to happen. Not all wants to live in a retirement home when they get older. Most people, if they can, will postpone the move and stay in their house until the time come (that forces them) to downsize.

A good reading to start with..

Universal Design in Housing

MRIS, the provider of multiple listings (database that real estate professionals use)  in our region, is now green. Erik Feig, who is the General Counsel of MRIS, will be my guest tomorrow to talk about the expansion of their eco-friendly attributes available to properties listed.

So come and join the conversation.

Sounds like Allegro Apartments, the largest apartment building in Columbia Heights, is heading for a foreclosure auction on the 18th of November. Well what do you say, how can the company stay afloat - in this market - if only 58% of its units are leased? (I think Allegro was built a condo, then was converted into apartments because of market shift).

As my colleague reported in this week's paper (subscribers only), the building's developer, Metro Properties Inc., hasn't rented enough apartments to pay the bills. The company was served a foreclosure notice in October from one of its lenders, New York-based iStar FM Loans.

[via Washington Business Journal]

It's the commercial market. The problems are on multiple fronts. Barclays Capital tagged the number at $6.4 billion of commercial real estate investments that would not qualify for refinancing the first 10 months of 2009. There's $1.7 trillion (with a T) of commercial loans sitting on banks' books. And 30 U.S. big cities have at least $1 billion of troubled loans.

So, unlike residential, this real estate bust is different.

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• Big properties seen holding huge loan risks (lansner.freedomblogging.com)

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Forbes ranks 40 major cities in the US that are most toxic. Rankings is based on poor air quality, lack of clean water, and high rate of Superfund sites. Because Forbes lumped Washington DC metro area with West Virginia, we have 33 Superfund sites, 98 facilities releasing toxic chemicals, and air quality ranks number 7 (based on 2007 numbers). We're not as bad as Atlanta, which is bottom of the list. But, still, not good. Among the 40 cities, Washington DC- Arlington-Alexandria, DC-MD-VA-WVA metro area is number 18 on the list. 

A 'Superfund' site, is.. (via EPA)

A Superfund site is an uncontrolled or abandoned place where hazardous waste is located, possibly affecting local ecosystems or people. 

Think about this: Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News or VA-NC metro area is "cleaner" than DC. You kinda wonder why. Well, they only have "6" Superfund sites vs us 33!

You would think that crowded places such as New York City would be the most polluted place. Instead NYC is better than DC. Ranks 9 on the list. 

Here's why.

High population density--the contrast to Atlanta's sprawl--can be a good thing in terms of toxicity. Limiting traffic has helped urban centers like New York City, which are often associated with grit and grime. A highly efficient subway system keeps New York outside the worst 20 cities in terms of toxicity.

[via Forbes]

So having a good public transportation would help.

See how your cities stack here..

Short sales volume on the rise. Big bank like Wells Fargo sees their short sales volume have doubled from January to September, according to Reuters. While first lien holders willing to reduce their payoffs, secondary lenders are gaining more power in negotiating the payment with primary lenders. These junior lenders know they're holding the bag. It's about 'deal or no deal.' That's why these lenders are now asking 10 % of short sales up from average payoffs of just $1,000 to $3,000 a year ago.

Read more here..

If you're resident, why do you live in Fairfax county? What is it that attracted you to live there? Was it because Fairfax is in the fast lane?

Fairfax County is developing a comprehensive 10-year plan for bus services. So, they're asking residents for feedback and recommendations to make sure that their plan meet the needs of residents. The goal is to improve efficiency and the effectiveness of bus service in Fairfax. The county proposes bus rapid transit (BRT)/ enhanced bus and neighborhood shuttles/ circulators, and transit centers. (h/t Coalition for Smarter Growth)

 

This is the list of recommendation from Coalition for Smarter Growth.

• Protect and expand transit funding. More budget cuts may be coming. Both Fairfax and the state (Virginia) should increase transit funding.
• Provide dedicated bus lanes to make bus service faster and more reliable, offering a more efficient and less expensive commute.
• Link expanded bus service to redesigned, pedestrian-friendly centers and corridors like Tysons Corner, Springfield, Richmond Hwy/Route 1, Dulles Corridor, and Baileys Crossroads to help reduce traffic and provide more travel options.
• Invest in “real-time” bus information so that riders can use their smart phone to easily find schedules and next bus arrival times.

If you take bus, it's worth taking the time to at least skim it or read the recommendation summary on pg 18. You can browse the map and transit plan, here. (162 pg long). Attend townhall meetings scheduled this month throughout the county, then submit your comment online.

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• Great Places to Work in Fairfax (metrodcliving.com)

They're putting it on interactive map. The new feature from Arlington Economic Development site - is so cool - that you can spend a whole day looking at it. You can play around and see what buildings, projects, etc. It's color-coded for different type of buildings, whether it's residential, commercial, mixed, government, and more. You can also view it using bird's eye view tab.

Arlington is an example oYou can see from the map what area that have more hotels or commercial developments. Developments line up is along the orange metro line.

The images below is: Ballston.

 

 

Check it out here..

Saw this last night on PBS NOW. Danish government along with Better Place working together to put electric cars on the road. Interestingly, the U.S. and Denmark started looking for alternative to reduce their oil dependency - by working on clean power like solar, etc. - at about the same time. In the US, it was during Carter era in the 70's. The stark difference is: Denmark seriously working on it since then and taking it to the next level, while the US slept at the wheel. Oh well..