Parkfairfax Update

2/16/09-Shirlington is bumping today. Had to park on the 4th level of the parking level just to get to the Hair Cuttery. I know, why should I go to get a haircut.....keeps me from having to clean-up the tiny hairs. And Hana is REALLY good. Same price as the barber shop in Bradlee; either of which are walking distance from Parkfairfax; but I was in a hurry. If you know of someone who wants a detached house, look at 1706 Crestwood Drive, $525K. It has 3 bedrooms/3 baths and plenty of room to add on. It needs a new kitchen. The basement is totally unfinished so "have your way" with it. We'll hold an open house there Feb. 22nd from 1-4pm. Come see us. Parkfairfax real estate is doing well. Only 6 available as of today. We put 2 "under contract" this week, maybe 3 after tonight. Let's celebrate and walk over to Shirlington for dinner sometime.

February 6, 2009In 2001, my husband Rob & I were first-time home buyers when we met John & John at an open house. By early Summer we were closing on 3738 Gunston Road, and our love affair with Parkfairfax had begun. It was a romance that would only last for 2 years, but it left a big impact on my life. The early months were filled with hard work, as we stripped paint down to beautiful plaster and demolished the kitchen walls. I learned a lot about home ownership and remodling, and that a girl can fall in love with a Viking range as easily as she can a GE. When the work started wrapping up and we came up for air, Rob & I were able to finally start appreciating the finer points of life in Parkfairfax. We had an easy commute to Alexandria and DC, the pedestrian bridge to Shirlington made for a nice stroll to dinner or a movie, and, as Spring rolled around, we began to enjoy nature awakening all around us. This is unexpected in Northern Virginia, that you could live a stones throw from 395 and still be surrounded by tall trees and beautiful gardens. I often think of my neighbor Trudy Gongorra's, and wish that I had taken the time to learn more about gardening from her. I also miss the azalea sale, and hope that it is still thriving. Rob & I have been living in Williamsburg for almost 6 years now, but we return to the area for work or to catch a show at the Birchmere. We drive through the neighborhood every chance we get. And we're happy to still count all of the John & John Team - John, John, David and Carter - as our friends. Alison Heittman

Feb. 5, 2009-Just finished speaking with Rob and Alison Heittman who designed www.Parkfairfax.com and www.JOHNandJOHN.net. Soon you'll see "google earth" and there will be " live voices" to accompany each listing's highlights. Despite the cold weather and dismal economic news, another JOHNandJOHN Team Parkfairfax listing went "under contract".

This weekend the 1st VERY nice 3 bedroom (RARE) is coming on the market for sale $414,999. See www.Parkfairfax.com for photos. With interest rates at historic lows, we expect many people on Sunday to view it. An architect made the enhancements to the kitchen and else where within the unit. Also, the best bargain of the week is coming up at Pavilion on the Park, a highrise condominium just off Duke St, near Landmark, 5340 Holmes Run Parkway #1115. $199,999 for 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and the views are vast, uninterrupted and green for miles.

Tonight is "The Little Dog Laughed" at The Signature Theatre in Shirlington. Several of us will be dining at Shirlington Thai, pre-theatre. If you're there, please drop by our table and say HI!

Yesterday on the icy roads, we had the opportunity for an appointment out Washington Blvd/Rt# 50 around lunch time. I'd read about The Great Wall Grocery Store, in the Gold's Gym shopping center on Gallows road. If you like unique items to eat, you'll enjoy this grocery store. Live fish are swimming in tanks. "Which one would you like, sir?' Fresh vegetables galore and fresh fruit of more varieties thaN is imaginable. While walking by all the live frogs, turtles, jelly fish, pig's feet, crabs....I spotted laquered ducks hanging behind a glass wall. Behind it was a huge pig on a meat hook (fresh bacon, pork chops). The laquered duck peaked our tastebuds. The woman "thankfully" asked if she could chop it into pieces for us. It WAS so beautiful, head-on. Duck soup tonight.

The Fairlington CVS on Quaker Ln, very near Parkfairfax/Shirlington has a photo enlargement machine. Saw Stan and Victor while there. Anyway, the photos of my brother and my parents and I on a vacation in Bermuda at Christmas-time WAAAAYYYY back when I worked for Delta(when I was MUCH younger) have been enlarged and are ready for Valentine's Day gifts.

1/27/2009-Paige (Jefferson Park), John & John (Parkfairfax/Shirlington) went to lunch at Majestic Cafe in Old Town today. Wow, was it cold. Paige said we had the 3 most attractive coats in Old Town. Her's was a fantastic designer suede with fur sleeves on the cuff and neck. And this fur was so unique....it was gorgeous. It was her Mom's. John M. wore a black suede and John W. wore a brown suede. (WHO CARES! WE DO! )What a good meal. Grilled scallop salad (JW), brot sandwich, with rosemary bread, 3 relishes (Paige) , and a cheese burger (JM). Very attentive wait staff, and VERY good food. The skylights add a glow that adds to the ambiance. There's a parking lot, metered, across the street...it was full, of course. So I parked in front of Arts Afire, the most attractive designer jewelry and glass store in the country. Joe Egerton, my dear friend is the owner. See them online at http://www.artsafire.com/, America’s Largest Glass Jewelry Gallery. We wanted to go in and shop, but Paige needed to get home to pick up Conrad, who's a star at George Mason Elementary. We talked much longer than we anticipated and enjoyed each others company! Soon, you'll see Paige's home for sale on http://www.johnandjohn.net/ And you'll want it!!

John Welch, originally from Dallas, GA, now from Alexandria, VA went to the dentist today for my 6 month check-up. Had the OPPORTUNITY to get a new "crown", which consists of a new computer-generated porcelain filling. No longer is a crown necessary. This was amazing technology. Let me know if you need a dental referral, will be happy to help.

Another Parkfairfax property went "under contract"yesterday, January 13th; a 2 bedroom/2 level "fixer-upper on Gunston. Actually, everything, to our knowledge was in normal working order. Congratulations to the new buyer who plans to renovate!!!

This was a grand weekend for Parkfairfax & walk-to Shirlington Real Estate. Several condominiums and detached home went "under contract" as a result of the pent-up-demand for real estate, the 37 year low 30 year fixed mortgage rates, and the "hope" generated by a new administration coming into political office and by being associated with The JOHNandJOHN Team. Being close to I395, Quaker Lane, Fairlington, Shirlington's shopping, library, metro, restaurants, and theatres make Parkfairfax in Alexandria and Shirlington in Arlington "must" place to live and work. Amazing how close Alexandria and Arlington is made by Shirlington-a 5 minute walk.

On a more personal note, our laptop computer that we use at home or while at open houses died. After determining $300 to repair. We decided to purchase a new one. The Sony Style shop in Pentagon City is where we went to look because they sold the Sony Vios, our current laptop. They were giving 25% off some floor models. Their customer service wasn't great, but Chris, our salesperson/computer genius was VERY knowledgeable. If you see us with our new RED (remember discount) computer, you'll know it!!