Into Fitness?

Athletes, would-be athletes and nature lovers should head south from Old Town Alexandria.

Stretching along the Potomac River from the southern border of Old Town to Mount Vernon Estate is the Mt. Vernon bike path.  Eight miles of asphalt allow locals and visitors to walk, run or bike while enjoying river views and wildlife sightings.  Bald eagles, ospreys, blue heron, cormorants, egrets, ducks and geese are among waterfowl commonly spotted along this corridor, while deer, groundhogs and fox sightings are frequent.  Combine cardio and conservation by following a nature trail through Dyke Marsh.

 Along the bike path is a fitness course and several points of access for canoes or kayaks.

Businesses in the nearby Belle View shopping center allow you to rent a bike, tone up at Curves or take karate lessons.  Adjacent to Belle View is the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, which provides Fairfax County residents with an indoor pool and ice rink.  Farther south on Route 1 is a Gold's Gym.

Local communities such as River Towers, Porto Vecchio and Belle View also offer their residents tennis, swimming and basketball facilities as well as their own in-house gyms.

Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC

Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County ·

Belle View after the December storm of 2009

Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC

Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County ·

Belle View Condos

Check what's available now.

Here's a price report based on the last two years of sales and rentals.

Belle View Condos are located near the intersection of Belle View Blvd, Fort Hunt Road and the George Washington Parkway in Alexandria, VA. With easy access to I-495/I-95, and Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1). The Belle View Condos were built in the 1940s, and is a 15 minute commute to D.C.

Amenities include:

• Open spaces
• Outdoor pools
• Park Trails
• Ample Public Parking
• Wood Floors
• Tennis Courts
• Children's Playgrounds
• Community Washer/Dryer
• Electric Heat, Central A/C
• Gas and Water included in Condo fees

About the Author ---  Ben Fornshell is a licensed real estate agent with Condo 1 Alexandria.  To learn more about available rentals and purchases in the area check out our free search.

Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC

Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County ·

A little feedback from an appreciative client

Howdy Mr. Nesbitt--
I wanted to take a moment to highlight the exceptional service I
received from one of your agents, Ben Fornshell. Within a few hours
of emailing Ben, we made an appointment to meet the following day in
order to tour Belle Haven. After meeting up at your office, we walked
along the well-kept streets while Ben shared some of his experiences
with the community; calmly strolling through a neighborhood on a sunny
day while viewing properties is not a typical experience when
searching for a new home. After touring several, I stepped into one
particular unit and realized I was home. Ben walked me through the
particulars before we parted. Later that day, he met with me a second
time, well after working hours, to show the unit to my skeptical wife.
She eagerly concurred and five days later, we signed the
lease--beating out several other applicants largely because of how
well-prepared our package was. Ben's relaxed and informative approach
was a sea-change to the aggressive apartment-pushers usually lurking
in real estate and is a great credit to your business and profession.
Further, his stance made it more than clear that he wasn't merely
looking to push someone into a vacant unit: he was assisting a new
neighbor.

Please convey my very great appreciation for his hard work and
dedication. If you'd like to post this message anywhere online,
please feel free; I only ask that you omit my last name for privacy.

Sincerely,
--Jeremy

About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria and Will Nesbitt Realty. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.

Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC

Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County ·

$1499 --- FURNISHED rental in beautiful Belle View --- on the Potomac, metro accessible, near shopping, parks & more

6609 East Wakefield Dr. Alexandria, VA (posted 8/24/09)

Rent includes most utilities. Located near Belle View shopping center, GW Parkway, Route 1 and the Beltway

2BR/1BA Condo / $1499/month Bedrooms --2 Bathrooms --- 1 full, 0 partial Sq Footage --- 793 (big!) Parking --- Ample public Pet Policy --- No pets Deposit --- 1 month rent

Click photo for more pictures & availability.

DESCRIPTION

• Nicely maintained condo ready to go.
  
• Furnished
  

RENTAL FEATURES

• Air conditioning
• Central heat
• Dishwasher
• Refrigerator
• Stove/Oven
• Laundry area - inside
• Swimming pool
• High-speed internet

COMMUNITY FEATURES

• Guest parking
• Clubhouse
• Laundry on-site
• Storage space(s)
• Fitness center
• Swimming pool(s)

Contact Ben Fornshell for more information.

Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC

Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County ·

Washer and Dryer in the Unit?

This week I was in a condo selling for over a million dollars.  It was a beautiful condominium home with excellent views, a state of the art kitchen and all the upgrades one might expect ... except the unit didn't have a washer and dryer.

Because my office is in River Towers, and we also serve Belle View, I often confront the question of a washer and dryer in the unit. (Neither River Towers nor Belle View have laundry in the unit.) I've talked to the older residents of River Towers about this and surprisingly many of them resist the idea of putting laundry in the unit. They like their laundry-rooms right where they are---thank you very much.

This might seem baffling to some of the younger generation, but laundry rooms have a number of distinct advantages:

• community --- You get to know your neighbors in the laundry room. This creates a sense of community and you know who belongs in the secured areas and who is a stranger.
• maintenance --- You don't have to worry about buying a new washer when the old one breaks down. More importantly you don't have to worry about your personal laundry flooding a neighbor's condo.
• square footage --- Laundry takes up space. You have more space in your unit if you have a community laundry room
• more washers --- Many folks like to wait and do an entire week of laundry at one time. If you have a laundry room you're not limited to one small washer. You have many washers available.

In a luxury community, most people don't do their own laundry anyway, so they don't care if the laundry is outside the unit. My tip to folks who are shopping for homes in Northern Virginia: don't box yourself in. If you won't consider a unit with a laundry room, you're walking past some of the best neighborhoods in Northern VA.

Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC

Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County ·

Mount Vernon RECenter

Mount Vernon Rec Center

The Mount Vernon Recreation Center is a county run facility with a multitude of activities and services including a fully equipped weight room and work-out facilities. In addition to the Mount Vernon Rec Center, the county provides indoor pools at nearby Lee District Rec Center and George Washington Rec Center. For a complete list of area pools and swimming related activities, check the Alexandria Masters Swim club.

The Rec Center has year round ice skating and ice hockey.

There is a heated indoor pool, sauna, and diving platforms.

Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC

Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County ·

Pictorial tour of Belle View

If a picture's worth a thousand words, then our guided photo tour of Belle View will speak volumes.  See first hand the shops, condos, and nearby George Washington Park.

About the Author ---  Ben Fornshell is a licensed real estate agent with Condo 1 Alexandria.  To learn more about available rentals and purchases in the area check out our free search.

Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC

Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County ·

Belle View --- quiet condos on the Potomac

Belle View is a residential condominium community on the Potomac River just outside Old Towne Alexandria Virginia. Belle View offers 1, 2 & 3 bedroom residences for sale or rent in a pet-friendly neighborhood that is a throw-back to a quieter time. 

For more information about Belle View condominiums please contact Condo 1 Alexandria, an independent real estate brokerage, committed to providing outstanding service and value to buyers and sellers. We specialize in condominiums and properties in and around Belle View, New Alexandria and Old Town. We are known for developing quality working relationships with our clientele; relationships based on respect, integrity, and trust.

Condo 1 Alexandria is proud to have developed beneficial relationships with lenders, inspectors, contractors, and a wide range of housing professionals. We pride ourselves on building a solid foundation for your home to rest upon. Whether you are purchasing, selling, or both...we ensure that you have the support you need to make to make sound decisions and receive the best deal possible. We go the extra mile for you!

If you need assistance, please contact Will Nesbitt. He will take the time to listen to your needs and dreams. Will works tirelessly to facilitate your goals without compromise. Will Nesbitt and Condo 1 Alexandria are committed to treating every client as if they are our #1 priority.

Whether you are buying, selling, or simply considering a move, we will be happy to speak with you.

We specialize in condominiums and the area surrounding Belle View!

Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC

Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County ·

Fire Department responds to a call in Belle View

Units from the Fairfax County and Alexandria City Fire and Rescue Departments responded to a call yesterday from Belle View condominiums in New Alexandria VA. New Alexandria has an Alexandria postal address, but is actually part of Fairfax County.

Fire and rescue units from Fairfax County's nearby Sherwood Hall station arrived before units from the City of Alexandria. Fairfax County officials responded with fire trucks, an ambulance and police cruisers. Police blocked off westbound Belle View Boulevard in front of the Belle View Shopping Center to give rescuers room to work. By the time Alexandria responders arrived it appeared that Fairfax County had the problem well in hand.

By the time these pictures were taken the fire was under control and/or extinguished, but smoke and burnt plastic could still be smelled in the streets. Residents and witnesses said they believed the fire was from a second story unit and may have been a kitchen fire. At least 1 person was taken to the hospital for further examination, but there were no apparent injuries other than smoke inhalation.

The Incident Commander wrapped up with an after-action report and life soon returned to normal in Belle View.

Will Nesbitt is the Principal Broker of Condo 1 Alexandria and serves home buyers, sellers and landlords throughout Northern Virginia.

Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC

Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County ·