Super Spy Hill/Beautiful Boulevard Manor

Most recently I’ve worked to help some really terrific clients purchase their first home in a neighborhood of Arlington Virginia called Spy Hill/Boulevard Manor.  Spy Hill homes are up on the hill, and Boulevard Manor homes are on the relatively flatter section of the neighborhood, but together they cover such a small area of Arlington that they are grouped together.  This old Washington Post article still conveys a lot of information about the Spy Hill neighborhood of Arlington, but keep in mind that the prices have changed a lot since 1995.  The neighborhood is remains a great neighborhood for a cardio workout, climbing some of those hills — that’s tough to change!

My clients purchased a small but wonderful home that had all the right space for them. The kitchen was upgraded, the bedrooms were sizable enough, there was a large enclosed “sunroom/porch/family room” off the back of the house, and the downstairs offered lots of additional space for relaxing and entertaining, with an additional room downstairs for whatever. All of this in North Arlington, convenient to everything, for about $500,000 all told. Not bad. Include also the great neighbors, easy commute, access to all sorts of neighborhood amenities, and you’ve got the typical Arlington lifestyle.

Boulevard Manor Home in Arlington Virginia

Someone asked me yesterday if there are any single family homes for sale in Arlington that are priced under $800,000. She’s just moving here from out of town, and clearly she’s already adjusted her expectations! But of course you can find homes priced below $800,000, and Spy Hill/Boulevard Manor is only one of many Arlington neighborhoods where you could be looking. The home above was listed at $525,000, and my clients got it for close to $500,000.

But, on the flip side, this being Arlington and all, there are of course more expensive homes to be found just around the corner. Like this one, part of a new development of homes by builder Kevin Smith:

Spy Hill Home, Arlington VA

There were a cluster of homes that Mr. Smith built a few years ago. Alas, they have not been selling super well. The one pictured here has been listed at $1.2 million, and was recently taken off the market. Sales among the less expensive homes in the neighborhood have been much more brisk.

Inventory Situation in Arlington 22203

Compared to other Arlington neighborhoods, the Ballston area seems to have pretty good pickings of homes for sale, that is, inventory has not dropped as much over the past month or so as it has in other Arlington Virginia neighborhoods. Still, the number of homes for sale in and around Ballston is not so big. Take a look:

Price trends over time in Arlington, VA 22203

Have a taste of Ballston in May

Mark your calendars for a fun-filled weekend in May, when Arlington County will partner with the Ballston Virginia Square Partnership to celebrate community, connections and friendship – topped off with good eats. The 22nd Annual Taste of Arlington is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, from noon to 5 p.m. on Wilson Boulevard in front of Ballston Common Mall. Neighbors can enjoy live local entertainment, children’s activities, special exhibits and delicious food from Arlington’s finest restaurants. This year’s event will highlight the businesses, restaurants, the arts and community organizations of Arlington’s many urban villages.

Admission is free but guests must purchase ticket books for restaurant tastes and beverages. Proceeds from Taste of Arlington will continue to benefit Community Residences, Inc., a local non-profit organization that assists people with disabilities to live independently in the community.

Click on the pic for more info.

Fabulous Arlington Forest

Arlington Forest is a wonderful and AFFORDABLE North Arlington neighborhood that’s close to Ballston and has it’s own little shopping center that puts an Outback Steakhouse, a wonderful Thai restaurant called Crystal Thai, the neighborhood pizzeria, and a terrific home decorating store called Country Curtains, all within walking distance.  Arlington Forest was described in a Washington Post article as a neighborhood where:

there is little room for what are often derided as McMansions — the homes in the neighborhood date to just before World War II.  It’s a place of tiny lots with two-story houses and two-lane street, most nearly empty from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays.

Pulling the neighborhood stats today provides a result that is very indicative of the real estate activity in Arlington Forest, Arlington Virginia.  The average price of homes for sale in the neighborhood is $596,540.  This price reflects the basic box colonial found everywhere in the neighborhood.

Two homes are currently under contract.  Those two homes had been expanded and renovated beautifully, and they were listed at $650,000 and $850,000.

You can occasionally find a short sale or foreclosure in this neighborhood, but even those homes tend to be well take care of and may provide a good way to own your first home in a desirable North Arlington neighborhood.

Typical Arlington Forest Homes

Renovated home in Arlington Forest

22203 at your Fingertips

Check out this link for more details about the neighborhoods surrounding Ballston, population info, development plans, and more.  It’s really great information that the County publishes.  Look here for information about Virginia Square, which as they say really is a minute’s walk to everywhere.

Ballston Area Condos and Townhomes

Although I’ve made 22203 my default zip code for Ballston, the area actually branches into the Arlington zip of 22201. Following is a list of the condominium and townhouse communities located in and around Ballston. You can search specifically for what you seek here.

CONDOS

Alta Vista Condominium
1216 Stafford St N
Hi-Rise, built 1989

Arlington Oaks

Arlington Oaks
in the area of 202 Trenton St N
Garden Style, Built 1940

Ballston 880 Condominium
880 Pollard St N
High-Rise, built 2000

Ballston Court Condominium
area of 1137 Utah St N
Garden style, built 1987

Ballston Mews Condominium
area of 780 Vermont St N
Townhouse, built 1983

Ballston Park Condominium
1050 Stuart St N
High-Rise, built 1996

Ballston Walk
area of 4806 Fairfax Drive
Townhouse style, built 1985

The Berkeley

The Berkeley Condominium
1000 Randolph St N
High-Rise, built 2004

The Continental
851 Glebe Road
High rise built 2003

Eastview At Ballston Condominium
1001 N Randolph St
High-Rise, built 1989

Hawthorn Condominium
820 N. Pollard St
High-Rise, built 2006

Hyde Park Condominium
4141 Henderson Rd N
High-Rise, built 1974

The Jefferson Condominium
(Jefferson Retirement Condos)
900 Taylor St N
High-Rise, built 1992

Laurel Woods Condo
area of 1204 Stafford St. N, Arlington, VA 22201
Townhouse Style, built 1975

Liberty Center

Liberty Center (Residences at Liberty Center)
888 N. Quincy St
High-rise, built in 2007

Lexington Square Condo
3835 9th St. N
High-Rise, built 2000

Monroe At Virginia Square Condominium
(The Monroe)
3625 19th St N
High-Rise, built 2006

Olde Ballston Square
area of 4203 11th St N
Townhouse Style, built 1981

Old Ballston Towne
area of 1154 Taylor St N
Townhouse Style, built 1981

Summerwalk I & II Condominium
1029 Stuart St N
Mid-Rise, built 1985

Tower Villas
3800 Fairfax Drive
High-Rise, built 1974

Virginia Square Condominium
901 Monroe St N
High-Rise, built 1998

Wentworth Place Condominium
3515 Washington Blvd
Mid-Rise, built 1960

Westview at Ballston Metro Condominiums
1001 Vermont St N
High-Rise, Built 2000

Windsor Plaza Condominium
1050 Taylor St N, and 1045 Utah St N
Mid-Rise Style, built 1994

TOWNHOMES

Ballston Area Townhouses
Area of 1182 Vermont St. N
Built around 1984

Ballston Crest
Area of 501 Thomas St. N
Built around 1995

Ballston Mews

Ballston Mews
Area of 732 Vermont St N
Built around 1982

Ballston Place
Area of 4423 7th St. N
Built around 1982

Ballston Walk
Area of 4810 Fairfax Dr.
Built around 1985

Bromptons at Ballston
Area of 1021 Stafford St. N
Built 1997

Cathcart Springs
Area of 4508 4th Rd. N
Built around 1980

Courts of Ballston
Area of 734 Tazewell St
Arlington, VA 22203
Built around 1996

Olde Ballston Square/Towne
Area of 1112 Taylor St. N
Built around 1980

Thomas Street Mews
Area of 504 Thomas St. N
Built 2000

Townes of Ballston
Area of 608 Tazewell St. N
Built around 1989

Vermont Court
Area of 1117 Vermont St N
Built around 2002

PLEASE keep in mind that these are condos or townhouses, and as such more than likely have a condo fee or Home Owners Association (HOA) fee associated with their ownership. Details are specific to each community, and change over time. One way to find out more is to contact the Associations for each community directly.

Wherever possible I’ve inserted a link to the specific communities information. However, I can do a quick MLS search (or you can here) for any of these buildings to let you know what’s sold, for how much, what the current inventory is, what taxes look like, the price per square foot, etc. Just let me know what you’d like.

[I've compiled a lot of information here, and made every attempt to update and verify it as I put it together. However, I cannot completely guarantee its accuracy. Please let me know what you're looking for and I'll update the info, and always be sure to conduct your own due diligence before buying or selling any real estate.]

A long, long time ago …

in a galaxy far, far away, Ballston was no more than a metro stop near an IHOP (International House of Pancakes). Then came urban planning, not to mention the Capitals Ice Skating Rink , and of course a number of very high end condominium buildings, and there you have it — ta da! Transformation.

Want to know something more about the present day neighborhood?

Check out the Ballston neighborhood association.