Open Houses

I will not be holding any open houses this weekend in observance of the Holiday Season! I wish you and your families a very happy and safe weekend.

Christmas in Old Town Alexandria

This Sunday, December 21st from 3-5pm the area's premier English handbell ensamble, "The Colonial Ringers and the Canterbury Ringers" will perform Christmas music at The Lyceum in Alexandria. Afterwards, enjoy the wonderful Christmas light display down King Street to get you in the mood for the season. Happy Holidays!

To rent or to buy? That is the question.

It is a great time to buy! We have gotten word that interest rates are down to 5% with a point and home prices are lower than they have been in years. Especially for first time buyers, I can't imagine a more perfect time to purchase your first home. First time buyers will also stimulate the housing market by allowing those they purchase from to buy another home, setting off a chain reaction. If you want more information on how to make your first purchase, please contact me and I would be happy to help!

That being said, many people feel like they are just not ready to make that next step to buying a home. If that is the case, I would be happy to speak with you to assess your options and determine the best choice for you. If renting is the right move for you at this time, please take a look at my many rental listings! They range from $2,650 to $1,750 in neighborhoods all over Alexandria including Old Town, Del Ray, and down the George Washington Parkway to Fairfax County Alexandria. Take a look at the Active Listings Section of my blog or my website http://www.vickibinkley.com/ for more information on these wonderful rental opportunities.

Again, whether you are looking to rent or to buy, please contact me for help with your various real estate needs!

38th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk

This weekend brings to town an Alexandria Tradition, The 38th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend. Hosted by The Campagna Center, the weekend is rated one of the top 20 events of the South by the Southeastern Tourism Society. While there are plenty of events throughout the weekend, some of the more popular events are the Taste of Scotland event and the actual Christmas walk. The Taste of Scotland will be held at the Alexandria Masonic Temple today, Friday, December 5 at 8pm. The walk will talk place on Saturday from 11am-1pm. The parade will begin at the corner of Wilkes and South Saint Asaph Streets in Old Town and end at King and Royal Streets. Santa Claus will even make an appearance! For a full list of events, ticket information and a history of the Annual Scottish Christmas Walk, please take a look at the following website. Enjoy the weekend!

http://www.scottishchristmaswalk.com/events.html#parade

Featured Listing: 8628 Woodlawn Court

This week I would like to feature my listing at 8628 Woodlawn Court. Located just minutes to Fort Belvoir and a major commuter bus line, it is the picture of suburban convenience. Nestled into a full one acre lot, this home is perfect for those who want to move right in, update a home to their specifications, subdivide the lot (there is enough space for two homes), or build the home of their dreams. The possibilities are truly endless at 8628 Woodlawn Court.

Inside the home, you will find generous rooms, an eat-in kitchen, seperate dining room and hardwood floors. The outside, surrounded by plenty of trees and green space is sure to delight with its extended driveway winding up to the home, one acre lot and side porch.

For more information on this home, please contact me or visit the following website:

http://vickibinkley.com/search/listing.php?listing_type=res&listing_key=10444781741

Open Sunday, 1-4pm

This Sunday, I will be holding open 823 Empress Court in the Waynewood neighborhood of Alexandria. The price of this lovely home has been reduced to $739,000- a great buy for the size, condition and location of this home! Please come by this Sunday the 22nd between 1 and 4pm. I would love to show you the many lovely features of this home.

Giving back for Thanksgiving

We are only one week away from Thanksgiving! Below are some lovely ideas-from giving your time to donating your money- for how to give back to others this year.

Turkey Trot Food Sorting on Thanksgiving Day-Alexandria (ALIVE-http://www.alive-inc.org/volunteer_opps.htm)

Volunteers are needed to help organize and sort food at Alexandria's 33rd Annual Turkey Trot at 8:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, November 27. Runners register for the race around 8:30 a.m., bringing canned food donations for ALIVE!'s food pantry as their entry fee. Please come and help make Thanksgiving a blessing for others! For more information or to volunteer, please call the ALIVE! office at 703-837-9321.
For more information about ALIVE's volunteer activities, contact Lisa at mailto:volunteers@alive-inc.org?subject=Volunteer or complete our volunteer form and email it to us.

Adopt a Family for the Holidays- Fairfax (Our Daily Bread-http://www.our-daily-bread.org/)

We need your help! As of Nov. 14, 2008, our referral list needing assistance for the holidays has exceeded the total number of referrals served last year. We have over 1,000 families to serve this Thanksgiving. If you can contribute or adopt a family, please do so today. Our Daily Bread's new secure donor form is now online! Help a disadvantaged family in Fairfax County have happier holidays by providing food and gifts for the children. You can adopt a family for Thanksgiving, December holidays, or both. Read more here.

3rd Annual Bringing in the Birds with Bucks! D.C. (Capital Area Food Bank-http://cafbdc.org/)

Help provide a Thanksgiving meal to Senior Citizens in our Brown Bag Program.
Just $15 can brighten a senior's holiday with a Thanksgiving basket.Click Here to Donate Now!

Please visit me at my open houses!

This weekend, two of my Alexandria listings will be open for public viewing. 823 Empress Court in sought-after Waynewood and 9 Leadbeater Street in popular Del Ray. Both properties will be open on Sunday from 1-4pm. Please stop by, take a look around, and say hello!

823 Empress Court is listed at $749,000 and features a classic colonial floorplan. Large formal rooms, updated kitchen, sunroom, and large backyard are some of the highlights of this delightful home. River views in winter, a short walk to the GW bike path and the Potomac, the home is situated in a sanctuary just minutes to Old Town and the District.

9 Leadbeater Street, priced at $439,000 is located right off Mt.Vernon Avenue, just steps to the restaurants and shops of Del Ray. The home is like new with a cook's kitchen, updated bathrooms, spacious living and dining areas, fresh paint and new floors. The backyard is fenced in, has a large deck, ponds and a storage shed. There is even off-street parking. It is a must see!

For more information on these properties or any of my other listings, please visit my website.

http://www.vickibinkley.com/

Featured Listing: 9313 Old Mansion Road

Enjoy the secluded feel of this exquisite and classic home. Stunning both inside and out, it is situated on an expansive lot on Old Mansion Road in Alexandria. The grounds include a 24' gazebo-style covered patio, various gardens and walkways. The main level features a grand foyer, formal living and dining rooms complete with crown and chair rail molding, a family room with exposed wood beams and a large renovated kitchen. Stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, breakfast bar and an eat-in breakfast area framed by two white columns make this kitchen stunning and practical. Upstairs, you will find a large master suite with luxurious bath, three other bedrooms and a large hall bath with two sink and vanity areas. Not to be forgotten is the spacious basement that includes a playroom and a private study, providing plenty of extra living space. Please inquire for more details or visit my website. http://www.vickibinkley.com/

Featured Listing: 7797 Newington Woods Drive

Nestled on a corner lot surrounded by lush landscaping, fountains, and a private garden with a fish pond, this spacious Springfield home is a dream. Inside, gleaming hardwoods make the living room, formal dining room, breakfast room and updated kitchen sparkle. Upstairs you will find a large master bath and two additional bedrooms. On the lower level is another bathroom and a large recreation room with brick woodburning fireplace. The home also boasts a large deck and a patio on which to enjoy the lovely views of the pond, gardens and fountains. Please visit my website for more information or call me to schedule a viewing!

http://vickibinkley.com/search/listing.php?listing_type=res&listing_key=90018398398

Halloween Fun in Old Town Alexandria

Halloween is right around the corner. If you need some ideas to get you in the right...spirit, look no further than Old Town Alexandria. You can find everything from ghost tours that take you to old haunted buildings and abandoned cemeteries to an artistic performance of Edgar Allen Poe's own visit to Alexandria shortly before his death, along with readings of some of his most famous poems. Old Town is also a great place for kids to trick or treat since the abundance of townhouses allows them to stop at more houses in a shorter amount of time. Whatever your preference for the Halloween holiday, Old Town has enough activities to suit any preference. Visit some of the links below for more ideas!

http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?attrID=22984

http://www.alexcolonialtours.com/graveyard.html

http://www.footstepstothepast.com/

Welcome to 823 Empress Court

This Waynewood colonial one block from the Potomac River is a rare find. Completely updated from top to bottom, this wonderful home with four bedrooms and three and a half baths features a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and silestone counters, a sunroom with fabulous winter river views, and an extensive landscaped backyard. Other updates include new paint, windows, crown moldings, and flooring on lower level. This beautiful home truly has it all. Inquire for more details or visit the website below.

http://vickibinkley.com/search/listing.php?listing_type=res&listing_key=90011740870

Welcome to my blog!

I have decided to start a weekly blog posting to keep the residents of Alexandria informed about fun things happening in the area, as well as changes in the local real estate market. I would love to hear your feedback about my blog and welcome any suggestions you might have for how to make it better and more relevant to your lives. Please enjoy and spread the word to your friends!