We Serve the Greater Alexandria Area

The City of Alexandria, located in the commonwealth of Virginia, sits on 15.5 square miles of land directly adjacent the Potomac River, seven miles south of neighboring Washington, D.C. Many of the nearly 160,000 people living in the city work in public service fields and commute daily to the nation’s capital. The city is among the largest and highest-income earning communities in Virginia, making it a highly desirable area for property investment.

The city consistently ranks among the best places to live in the United States because of its proximity to other urban areas as well as its impressive park system and unique cultural history.

Founded in 1749, Alexandria, Virginia is home to many rich architectural areas. The historic center of town, known colloquially as Old Town, features a wide variety of restaurants, theaters, and antique shops. The area was rated one of the prettiest places to live in the south by Southern Living, and among the best value travel destinations by Money magazine. In 2017, tourists spent approximately $790 million in the city, generating $26.6 million in tax revenue.Old Town’s main thoroughfare, King Street, is an eclectic mix of over 200 boutiques and restaurants, which sit alongside museums and other compelling architectural must-see attractions near the waterfront.

King Street spans 5.1 miles and features a trolley that guides city residents and tourists along its course. The brick-lined streets of Old Town bustle with traffic, lending ambiance to this booming cultural and business district.

Key landmarks like the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, constructed to resemble a historic lighthouse in ancient Egypt, City Hall (built in 1871), and the Pope-Leighey house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright are big draws to tourists in the state of Virginia and the nation at large.

Nature lovers will also enjoy a stroll in Huntley Meadows Park and those interested in learning more about the cultural heritage of the city may relish a tour of Christ Church, completed in 1773. The city is a key location for architectural tourism and careful attention has been given to restoring and preserving historical buildings in the area.

Alexandria’s Residential Charm

The city features an alluring blend of new development and historic areas, consisting of urban and suburban living areas. Houses and buildings constructed in the late 1800s stand side-by-side with new apartment, condo, and storefront development. This rich mix of development presents many options for property development.

Highly desirable neighborhoods, like Northeast and Fairlington/Bradlee are home to refined mansions and smaller houses alike and an excellent public education system. The area has been rated among the healthiest places to live by Forbes Magazine. Other notable neighborhoods include Seminary Hill, Del Ray and Old Town West, each of which reflect the nuance and vibrancy of the local community.

The compact design of neighborhoods makes the city highly walkable and contributes greatly to the overall feeling of community in the city. Water taxis, bike sharing services, and the city’s Metrorail system ensure reliable and quick transit across and beyond the city. Nestled up to the Potomac River, the area offers great views and a diverse range of activities out on the water, including sightseeing cruises of the nation’s capital.

A Stable and Growing Economy

The median income is $87,319 and the median home sales price as of 2018 is $538,100. Listing prices average $401 per square foot and rental properties average $2,100 per month, which speaks to the high desirability of neighborhoods in the city in comparison with other areas in the state.

Top employers in the area include the Department of Commerce, located in downtown Alexandria, and the Department of Defense in nearby Washington, D.C. Many city residents work at the Institute for Defense Analyses and in related civil service fields.

The region boasts one of the highest rates of median expendable income in the nation in comparison with cities like San Jose and Durham, NC.

The city’s beautiful neighborhoods, strong public-school system and services, and steadily employed workforce make it a great area for property investment. Relatively high property values, rates of employment and expendable income ensure a strong return on investment. There are many opportunities for those interested in getting into the rental property business for the first time or in expanding on existing rental properties.

As with any investment in property, a thorough understanding of local property values and city services can significantly improve opportunities for success in the market.

Call us for a comprehensive market analysis of your rental property.

Del Ray, Virginia is a community that is ever evolving, changing, and morphing with the youth of America who flock to the neighborhood in search of affordable, safe, and comfortable housing. Situated within easy reach of Washington, DC, the neighborhood seems to embrace the concept of the ideal American community with all its challenges, rewards, setbacks, and advances. Like the American dream, this neighborhood experience is one that is always changing—upgrading to a new and better model.

Huddled within the confines of Alexandria, Virginia, the Del Ray neighborhood is full of trees that hover over lush lawns. The sidewalks bulge up in places, but that is not a subject of condemnation, rather, it is an indication of age and maturity mixed with an ever-changing influx of youth. Along these sidewalks, residents walk dogs, jog, push strollers, and provide a safe place to run and jump and do cartwheels for the youth. Basketball backboards line some streets, and in the fall months, youth gather together for a friendly street game. The sound of balls bouncing on the streets fills the air with expectation.The bluster of winter surrenders to the burgeoning spring when leaves reach for the distant sun, their soft green presence creating a halo around each tree. Living in this community quickens the pace of spring into the breathless summer when the young splash the neighborhood swimming pools and play baseball on well-kept diamonds.

The fall brings an instant surprise of color to the cheeks of the neighborhood. Greens surrender to orange, red, and rust-colored spangles that witness the area youth bouncing their basketballs and firing away at the basket. Halloos and fist-pumps celebrate success followed by chiding banter.

Many who live in this neighborhood work in the Washington, DC area. Sloughing the cares and concerns of their labor, they come home to a safe and comfortable environment. The central business area of the neighborhood is along Mount Vernon Avenue. On this street, cozy businesses still exist, turning a kind smile on the world, attracting customers with a wink and a nod instead of the brazen splash of colorful advertising.

The neighborhood attracts first-home buyers with affordable and varied housing. The average home price in the Del Ray area runs at $401.00 per square foot. That makes the normal three-bedroom home of 1400 square-feet come in at a price of $561,400. If you prefer more room in your home, the price-per-square-foot ratio remains the same. The homes in the area are varied. In some sections you may find the standard ranch-style one-floor home, in others, you find Craftsman Homes and Continental styles as wells as modern condos and townhouses. Within walking distance, there are homes worth over a million next to homes that you can purchase for far less.

Renting a house, condo, townhouse, or apartment is easy in Del Ray. Homes rent for an average of $2.02 per square-foot. The average monthly payment for a home runs around $2100.00 per month, close to the average for the Washington Metro area. However, for that price, you get the peace of mind of living in an area that is free from the bustle of Washington while being close enough to drive or use public transport with ease.

The options to transport from Virginia to Washington are considerable. You can make the 10-minute drive yourself, use a bus, or call a taxi. The George Washington Parkway and I-395 are close at hand. The Braddock Road Metro station for the Blue and Yellow lines is placed in the southern section of the neighborhood and is within walking distance of nearly every home. With a large number of Universities in the Alexandria, Virginia and Washington, DC area, many students exercise the option to live in the Del Ray neighborhood. Often seen walking from homes to transports carrying notepads and laptops, students find the peace and tranquility of the area to be conducive to study.

Families, students, and visitors find many things to do in the neighborhood that are unique to its makeup. The cozy eateries and coffee shops along Mount Vernon Avenue provide a diverse diet with considerable ethnic diversity. “First Thursday,” is a monthly event celebrating the season and the month that is beginning. Every first Thursday of the month, shops take to the streets to present something new, something different, and something very Virginia. Sometimes the events are classic, sometimes they are quirky, and sometimes they are weird, but they are always fun. The yearly “Music Festival” accents summer months, and every fall the “Art on the Avenue” celebration takes over Mount Vernon Avenue with new and classic art presentations. The “Halloween Parade” encourages participants of all ages. Seniors walk amongst children, masked, joking, and playing roles while bands offer various music styles from block to block along the Avenue. At Thanksgiving, the “Turkey Trot” is a forty- year tradition that is a lively way to open the season, to be immediately followed by the neighborhoods Holiday Tree Lighting.

For those looking for the night-life, the scene is sublime with an outdoor cinema where you can enjoy family-friendly films while lying on the ground covered by a blanket munching on home-made popcorn. For indoor entertainment, visit the Birchmere where famous musical performers play your favorite tunes while you sit close to bask in their talent. The 500-seat auditorium is famous for its acoustics and its friendly confines.

Lake Barcroft, Virginia, located in Fairfax County, is an unincorporated community that is categorized as a census designated place (CDP). Washington, DC lies just nine miles northeast of the community. A CDP includes an unincorporated community and the population in the surrounding countryside. This designation provides a basis for census-related statistical information.

History

The community grew out of the construction of the dam that was started in
1913 and completed in 1915. The dam was built to supply water to Alexandria, Virginia. In 1949, Alexandria started using the Occoquan Reservoir as its source of water. So in 1950, the dam along with 680 acres of land were purchased by Colonel Joseph Barger and Associates for $1 million to develop this community. The Lake Barcroft Community Association (LABARCA), a homeowner’s association, was established by the residents of the community. This group formed the Barcroft Lake Management Association (BARLAMA) in 1970 and bought the lake, dam, and other common areas for $300,000. LABARCA and BARLAMA combined in 1992 to form a homeowner’s association known as the Lake Barcroft Association (LBA).

Demographics

The 2010 United States Census reported the population of the community as 9,558 living in 3,603 households. Among the population, 91.4-percent had earned a high school degree or higher and 60.6-percent had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. The population earned a median household income of $116,435 and a median per capita income of $55,676

From 2012 to 2016, 73.8-percent of the population owned their homes with the median value of homes reported as $629,900. Those with a mortgage were paying an average of $2,811 monthly for housing costs. Those without a mortgage were paying an average of $896 monthly. Renters were paying an average of $1,549 monthly.

Things to do in Lake Barcroft, Virginia

Lake Barcroft

The LBA owns five beaches and a community park to give residents who do not own lakefront property access to the lake. These areas are only open to residents and their guests. The LBA provides lifeguards in the summer. Community activities, such as Fourth of July fireworks and end-of-summer Labor Day activities, are organized by the LBA and held beside the lake. Except for lifeguards, no one can operate a gas-powered motorboat on the lake. Most residents opt for canoes, small sailboats, or an electrically powered boat.

Largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegill populate the lake. Muskrats, kingfishers, Canada geese, and ducks are among the species living alongside the lake.

Residents can safely swim and fish in the lake.

Mount Vernon, Home of George Washington
George Washington’s great-grandfather acquired part of the property in 1674. The Washington family increased the size of the property over time. It was originally called
Little Hunting Creek Plantation. Washington’s half-brother named it Mount Vernon, and Washington did not change the name when he became sole owner in 1761.

The house was built in stages from 1758 to 1778 on the site of his father’s home. After Washington died in 1799, the property remained in the family but was allowed to decline.
In 1858, The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association acquired the property and has maintained the home and property ever since.

Woodlawn and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House

Both Woodlawn and the Pope-Leighey House are located on the same site. The site was originally part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. In 1799, Washington presented the land as a wedding gift to his nephew, Lawrence Lewis and Eleanor “Nelly” Parke Custis Lewis, the granddaughter of George’s wife, Martha. The house has had several other notable owners and has been the focus of a couple restoration projects. In 1949, this house museum became the first location to be operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded nonprofit organization.

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright built the Pope-Leighey House in 1940 for journalist Loren Pope. Robert and Marjorie Leighey bought the house in 1946. The National Trust for Historic Preservation moved the house to this site after Mrs. Leighey gave it to them to prevent it from being demolished during the expansion of Highway 66. Mrs. Leighey was allowed to remain living in the house in its new location for her lifetime. In 1995, the house had to be moved 30 feet up the hill due to the instability of the ground underneath it.

Lincolnia, Virginia is a city that really has a lot going for it. It has a great deal of history, great demographics, and a great community feel with a population of just over 25,000 people. Real estate in this community is very plentiful. Here is some more information about this great little community:

History

There are many historical buildings within the general vicinity. This would include the Ravensworth Plantation in nearby Springfield, the Fort Ward Museum and historical site, the Green Spring Gardens, the Alexandria Black History Museum, and the Bruin Slave Jail among many other sites.

Green Spring Gardens

Located just 6 minutes from the town in Alexandria, VA, the Green Springs Garden Park is an immense floral garden with an ancient plantation house as a background. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 and it is said to have been constructed and completed in 1784. It was donated to Fairfax County by a prominent family in 1970.

Ravensworth Plantation

The Ravensworth Plantation was built in 1796. Although it burned in 1926, the estate is still open to the public. The plantation had a lot of involvement in the Civil War and was actually protected by both sides. It even had reports of individuals sleeping on the grounds right under the noses of a Union Encampment.

Fort Ward Museum

Finally, the Fort Ward Museum is a former Union Army installation that has been 90 to 95% restored. Almost all of the original walls are now intact.

Bruin’s Slave Jail

Bruin’s Slave Jail is an 18th-century building that was used to house slaves. Slave trader Joseph Bruin would capture the slaves and then house them in this building until they were sold.

Alexandria Black History Museum

Finally, nearby Alexandria also has an excellent Black History Museum. Open since 1940, the museum highlights all of the contributions African Americans have made to Alexandria and the rest of the nation. The museum features a number of unique elements, including miniature dollhouses depicting many now-non-existent African American sites, a reading room, and an art gallery among many other attractions.

Things To Do In And Around Lincolnia
Nearby Alexandria has many things to do. First of all, it has been voted best travel destination and it was named the South’s Prettiest Cities 2018. Here is just a random sampling of some of the great attractions in Alexandria, which is just a quick drive away from this town.

Old Town Alexandria

Old Town Alexandria is located along the waterfront and it has over 200 restaurants and hundreds of shops to choose from. Here you can also receive the key to the city museum pass, and you can also walk along in King Street, which has been voted one of America’s greatest streets. This street offers a trolley which runs every 15 minutes between Union Street and the King Street intersection. It is completely free!

Mount Vernon Trail

Mount Vernon Trail is also nearby to Lincolnia. The National Park Service offers several Virginia residents opportunities to learn to ride and bike safety classes for kids on this trail that runs for 18 miles through the old town to George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. There is a lot of great scenery, including DC monuments and the Reagan National Airport. There are also a whole host of natural settings, including many individuals who love to bike and jog.

Old Town Food Tour

Finally, there are a lot of individuals who enjoy the Old Town food tour, this would include a walking tour of various landmarks and historical architecture with stops at at least five different restaurants. Chefs at these restaurants work hard to give you an impressive, and tasty, tour of the Old Town part of Alexandria, Virginia.

Property Management in The Lincolnia and Alexandria Area

The greatest thing about the Linconia area is that you get all the benefits of nearby Alexandria but with a much less lower crime rate. For example, the overall crime rate and this town is 55% lower than the national average. This town is safer than 73% of the other cities throughout the United States and Virginia, whereas Alexandria is only safer than 35% of the rest of the cities in this country. And in this small suburb of Alexandria Virginia you only have a 1 in 79 chance of becoming a victim of any type of crime whatsoever.

Lincolnia Property Management

The overall age of the houses in this area is immensely respectable as well. Most of the homes built in this suburb where in the 1985 Style, and the area has a median housing price range of around $550,000. This town is definitely a hidden gem within the state!