Most people don’t think you need a real estate agent when you’re looking for an apartment to rent. This is a myth. If you’re renting in Reston, it can be a big help to have an agent who can help you find the right rental. An experienced Reston real estate agent can also help you when it’s time to negotiate your lease. A real estate professional will explain all the elements of the lease.

One of the more centrally located buildings is the Avant. It’s in Reston Town Center, and the ground floor has retail businesses, including CVS Pharmacy, Crafthouse Reston, and Bartaco. There are multiple sizes and layouts of apartments, everything from studios to three bedrooms. Some units also include a bonus room that can be used as a den or study. Walk in closets and ensuite bathrooms are typical for the master bedroom. The units also have balconies where residents can enjoy the view. The interiors are fully upgraded, with hardwood floors, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. Almost all units have a washing machine and dryer.

Choose Reston Real Estate to Rent with Lots of Amenities

The Avant also has great amenities for its residents. The Great Room is a great place to relax on its cozy couches. Challenge friends to a friendly game of pool or shuffleboard. If you need more space to entertain, you can reserve the dining room, which has a catering pantry. It’s easy to stay fit in the state of the art fitness center, which also has a yoga room. There’s an outdoor pool as well. Residents enjoy warm weather on the patio and can use the gas grills for a barbecue. Meet other pet owners in the pet area of the outdoor space. If you need to work, head to the cyber cafe and coffee bar. It’s a great place to meet new people, too.

Feel free to contact the office to get information about renting in Reston. Find out more about The Avant.

Winter may not seem like the optimal time to tackle a renovation project for your Reston property, but there are a few projects that could be great to take care of during the colder months. People often do have more free time during the winter and the dryer conditions can be optimal for some projects, so why not knock out a few projects? Here are a few ideas. 

Winter is a great time to add more insulation to your Reston property. First and foremost, this will save you money on your heating bills, so why not do it in the winter? Adding insulation is something that a homeowner can do on their own, but can also be hired out to a professional.

Finish the Basement or Add a Room to Your Reston Home

Remodeling a bathroom or finishing a basement can also be great winter projects. Adding more living space or even an extra bedroom or bathroom by finishing a basement can add value to a home and also increase your happiness with your Reston home. Work in the basement is great in the winter because it is usually warm and you will not be yearning to be outside. A bathroom is another great option for a winter project. This is a fairly small project that does not require much work to be done outside.

Adding a room or a deck are other ideas for winter projects. This may seem a little odd since it is so cold, but the cool dry air is actually ideal for digging. Digging a foundation for a new room or footers for the deck can be great winter projects. Plus, even though it is cold, it might be nicer to work on a deck in the winter instead of under the beating summer sun. Keep your free time in the summer open for vacation and exploring and consider taking care of remodeling projects during the winter.

Anyone looking for somewhere to live in Reston should check out Weatherstone Cluster homes. This cluster was built between 1993 and 1996, making it one of the newer clusters in the area. These townhouses have three stories, with three bedrooms and either three or four bathrooms. The main floor contains the kitchen, dining area, and living room. The kitchen is nice and big, with lots of cabinets and plenty of counter space, as well as an island for meal preparation. The kitchen leads out to the back deck, which is perfect for dining alfresco and grilling out. Upstairs are three bedrooms. The master bedroom has an ensuite bathroom. Each spacious bedroom has a large closet. On the bottom story, most townhouses have a rec room and powder room. The laundry area is also on that floor. There’s an attached garage, too.

Reston Real Estate Owners in Weatherstone Cluster Enjoy the Community

Weatherstone Cluster has its own tot lot with a small playground, where young children will enjoy playing and climbing. Parents can relax on the benches and chat. The cluster also borders Bright Pond. It’s a nice place for a stroll or a jog or to take dogs for a walk.

People from Weatherstone Cluster homes can easily take advantage of everything Reston real estate offers. Reston Parkway and Wiehle Avenue intersect near the cluster. The Silver Line is three miles away via Wiehle Avenue, giving quick access for commuters to get into Washington DC. Reston Town Center is also about three miles from the cluster. There are lots of great eateries and shops there, as well as grocery shopping. For recreation, North Hills Pool is less than a mile away.

Kids in the cluster can attend several strong public schools. Aldrin Elementary has rave reviews from parents for great teachers and a positive atmosphere.

Give the office a call, and we’ll set up a tour of Weatherston Cluster.

Barcelona Wine Bar offers a hip and delicious dining opportunity to those living in Reston real estate. The interior is rustic, yet modern with gorgeous woodwork, and warm lighting. The restaurant is located at 12023 Town Square in Reston. It opens for lunch and dinner at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Patrons are invited to stay late and enjoy the vast wine selection and good times with friends. Bring along a designated driver or call for a ride to ensure you get back to your Reston real estate safely.

Eat Delicious Tapas Near Your Reston Home

The menu of this tapas bar pays homage to the culture of Spain. The chefs use seasonal ingredients and the menu offers specialties from Spain and the Mediterranean. The menu includes charcuterie and cheese plates to start and then a wide variety of salads, plates to share, and tapas. Try the squid ink fideos, duck leg, chorizo with sweet and sour figs, hanger steak, mussels, roasted beets, crispy calamari, and much more. Be sure to order wine with your meal. Barcelona Wine Bar offers a huge selection of wines from Spain and South America.

It is a great idea to make a reservation before leaving your Reston home, as this is a busy place. There is also a nice room where you can hold your own private event. Whether you want to host a small gathering of friends or family, or want to put together a large event, the team at Barcelona Wine Bar can make it happen. Guests will be wowed by the chef’s creations and the amazing selection of wines.

There are Barcelona Wine Bar locations in Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Each location is unique, but shares the same vision of bringing people together to enjoy great food. Read more about the Reston location, view the menu, and make a reservation online. 

The Reston Community Center is a wonderful asset to all who call Reston home. There are many great classes, chances to create art, and opportunities to play games and socialize with others who live in Reston real estate coming up in January. Get fit by participating in Boot Camp. This class works to improve balance, flexibility, and muscular strength. It takes place every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 10 a.m. Anyone 18 years and over is invited to participate. Other available fitness classes offered on Fridays on a drop-in basis are Zumba Gold from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and Hi Lo Strength from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. Purchase a 20-visit renewable pass for just $50 and swipe it each time you come before class begins.

People of All Ages from Reston Real Estate Enjoy Activities

The Reston Community Center also offers many free activities. Tot Time occurs on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. This is a great chance for caregivers and children under the age of four to come socialize and play. Books, toys, games, and music are provided for all to enjoy. Intermediate and advanced Bridge players are also invited to come play each Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chess players ages 13 and older can participate in the Chess Club on Thursdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Another opportunity to socialize is the Current Issues Discussion Group, which meets on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon.

Artists and craftspeople who call Reston home are invited to come to the community center for Open Ceramics Studio on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. and/or Open Woodshop on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a fee to utilize these spaces and the materials, but reservations are not required. Find a full calendar of events and more details on classes at the Reston Community Center. 

The new year is just around the corner, and it’s a good time for Reston real estate owners to take stock of what worked well in 2019 and what they want to change in 2020. In addition to thinking about health or professional goals, think about what goals you might have for your home in the new year. Maybe you’re considering selling your Reston home. Or you might just want to be better organized in the house you currently own. Either way, we have some tips to help this be the year you really feel in control of your home life. 

Getting Organized Will Help You With Reston Home Buying or Selling

One of the things that many people struggle with is paperwork. It tends to pile up in little drifts on countertops and tables. A better way is to put your mail in one designated spot. Go through it once or twice a week. Recycle or trash junk mail immediately. For bills and other important papers, you’ll need a user-friendly filing system. Label file folders for each of your bills, keep one for work documents you need to keep, and kids’ school correspondence, if you have kids.

Lots of home owners want to get better about a regular cleaning schedule. So, write down a schedule! Look at your calendar and figure out how you want to schedule cleaning. Divvy chores up between all members of the household. Then make sure that cleaning supplies are easily accessible. Each bathroom should have cleaner and rags, for example. If you have more than one story in your house, keep a broom and vacuum cleaner on each one.

Finally, the new year is a great time to organize and clear out storage spaces. As you put away holiday decorations, group them together. Consider getting storage containers that are all the same color, so you can find them fast next year. After all the holiday meals and marathon baking, your pantry might be overfilled. Go through it and get rid of anything that’s out of date or that you won’t use soon.

Give our office a call if you want to discuss selling or buying Reston real estate in 2020. We’d be happy to talk about your plans.

One of the best loved restaurants near Reston homes is Mon Ami Gabi, conveniently located in Reston Town Center. New Year’s is right around the corner. If you’re looking for something fun to do to ring in the new year, check out the New Year’s Eve events at Mon Ami Gabi. There’s brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Hour is from 4 to 7 p.m. Dinner will be served from 4 p.m. to midnight. Choose something delicious off the menu, like the Wild Escargots de Bourgogne or try half duck l’orange, one of the new dishes. The prix fixe lunch is another great choice, and it’s only $19.95.

Enjoy January 1st, 2020 on Reston Real Estate in Your PJs

Reston real estate owners who are planning to do something else on New Year’s Eve can still enjoy the great food at Mon Ami Gabi on New Year’s Day. And you can do it in your pajamas. Enjoy the first day of 2020 eating tasty food in the comfort of your jammies, and you’ll get a gift card equal to the price of your meal for another occasion. Brunch will be served from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids are welcome, too, and they have their own menu. Adults can order off both the brunch and lunch menus. Happy Hour is from 4 to 7 p.m. Enjoy drinks and small plates. Dinner will be served until 10 p.m.

People from Reston homes who love brunch and breakfast will love the Extended Holiday Break Brunch. It runs from Thursday, December 26th through January 1st, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy classic egg dishes along with great cocktails for a relaxing meal with family and friends.

Visit Mon Ami Gabi to find the menu options both for the special events and for regular hours. You can also make reservations online or call 703.707.0233. 

When you’re ready to get serious about shopping for Reston property, you need to have a good financial plan. You also need to have a realistic perspective. Buying Reston real estate is a big step, and there are lots of details to keep track of. With the rise of reality television programs that showcase buying, selling, and remodeling real estate, there’s been a shift in perspective about home ownership. Many people think of a house as primarily an investment. While that is true, a house is primarily where you live your life. You celebrate holidays, have friends over, and spend time with family there. You need to prioritize a home that will work for you now and over the next five years, at least.

Before you even start browsing online listings, take some time to think about what works in your current space and what you hope to change in your new space. Consider your reasons for moving. Think about how much space you need, the quality of local schools, the length of your commute, and nearby amenities. There will almost certainly be some compromising, but it’s important to map out your priorities.

Buying Reston Real Estate? Make a Budget and Check It Twice!

You also need to make a budget. This will help you calculate how much of a house payment you can pay comfortably. Most mortgage lenders want to see a debt to income ratio at or below around 40%. As you make your budget, you’ll see which debts you can pay off. In addition, you’ll be able to find ways to save. A 20% down payment is ideal, but it’s not always possible. However, you should try to put down a sizeable amount. This will give you more flexibility about how much you can borrow. You’ll be able to avoid mortgage insurance, which will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Be sure to shop around to get the best mortgage. The difference of half a percentage point in the rate doesn’t seem like much. However, over the life of the loan, it can add up to thousands of dollars. For most people, either a 15-year or a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the best choice. A stable house payment helps you budget. You also don’t have to worry about a higher house payment coinciding with a loss of income.

Contact our office so we can discuss your housing needs and help you find the right Reston property.

The holidays are a wonderful time for those living in Reston to get together with family, friends, and coworkers. If you are hosting a party at your own home, here are a few easy tips to get your home ready for guests during the winter. This is not the time to start any huge home improvement projects, but it is a great time to do some cleaning, organizing, and fine tuning. 

Pay special attention to your floors and your bathrooms before guests arrive. Spotless floors make the whole house look cleaner. Get rid of those sticky spots and dust bunnies and make your floor shine. If you have carpets, clean them with a carpet cleaner yourself or hire a professional. Just be sure to do this a few days in advance so they have time to dry. Spotless bathrooms will also help guests in your Reston property feel right at home. Clean everything, even brighten up the grout by using a little hydrogen peroxide. Place some tasteful holiday themed decorations and be sure all of your drains are working smoothly.

The kitchen is another place to clean and fine tune. Check that all appliances are clean and in good working order, especially if you are cooking for your guests yourself. Give the stove and the refrigerator a good scrub, clean out any old food, and declutter the countertops.

Make Reston Property Safe for All Holiday Guests

Lastly, take a look around the inside and outside of your home and make sure that it is safe for guests. If there will be children coming to a gathering, make a space for them that is kid friendly free of breakables and with some fun things to do. It is also a good idea for those living in Reston to make sure that there is ample lighting outside of the house and that all sidewalks and entryways are clear. The winter nights get dark earlier and it is important to make sure guests make it to your door safely.

There are many things for Reston real estate owners to consider before selling. Advice comes in from friends, families, and Realtors about what to update, how to stage, and what paint colors to use. It is important to do your own research and find a reputable and knowledgeable Realtor to help you through the process. Some improvements do make sense before selling, while others may not actually pay off.

Minor Fixes Do the Trick When Selling Reston Property

The most talked about rooms when considering selling Reston property are the kitchen and bathrooms. Some people may say that these rooms need to be totally redone before selling. It is true that remodeling these rooms can increase the value of the home, but you will likely not get a large return on investment. These projects are very costly. Many times, sprucing up these rooms in a minor way will still do the job to draw in buyers. Consider updating the appliances to stainless steel, or get rid of the old countertops and install granite, quartz, marble, or concrete. Also choose neutral paint colors for the kitchen and bathroom, as well as the rest of the house. Fresh paint makes everything look clean and bright, and neutral colors make the home more appealing to more buyers.

It is a no brainer that your Reston real estate needs to be clean before going on the market, but the current trends show that a home also needs to be staged. Empty houses aren’t cutting it right now. Professional stagers know how to bring attention to the best features of your home and draw attention away from the shortcomings. The cleanliness of the outside of the home is also as important as the inside. When potential buyers drive up to the home, they will immediately make a judgement about the home. Make it a good first impression by cutting the grass, trimming the hedges, planting flowers or buying nice potted plants, and touching up the paint on the house and front door.