New Condominiums: Whitman, 1800 Wilson, Cameron Station and Byron

[This is a long due post, because I visited these condominiums a couple of weeks ago.]

Having gone through so many different new condominiums the last few years, there is only few things that separates one condo to another, i.e. location, structural, exterior, interior including features offered and prices. You might not care what a building is built from. But, from noise level perspective, a better quality condominium building is usually built on concrete using class A material. Once inside, you can tell the difference. Building built on wood, have high noise level!

The WHITMAN

The WHITMAN

This new condominium is located directly across the street from the new Washington Convention Center in Mount Vernon neighborhood. What is different about Whitman, is they have two-level homes with private courts [read: facing the street] on lower level. The living quarter is on the first level and sleeping quarters is on the second level. Feels like a townhome living but ownership is still condo.

Standard features include hardwood floors in living areas, gourmet kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, walk-in closets, ceramic tile baths and full-size stacked W&D.

Amenities: party room with billiards, fitness center, rooftop pool, and 24/7 front desk.

These are some of the units they still have (as per visit).

• 1 BR den/ 1.5 baths include 1 parking space in the price are priced from $529,900 to $569,900. Condo fee $421/mo.
• 1 BR with den/ 2 baths also come with 1 parking space

are priced from the lowest $499,900 to $689,900 with 1414 s.f. of living quarters. Condo fee $505/mo.

• 2 BR/ 2.5 baths (parking incl.) are priced from $589,900 to $719,900. Condo fee $589/mo.

The Whitman offers incentive. The catch- you gotta use their 'preferred' lender and/or title company.

1800 WILSON

1800 Wilson, is the new condominium located in Rosslyn-Courthouse corridor on Wilson Boulevard. It is conveniently located between two Metro stations, Rosslyn and Courthouse, and walking distance to everything - shops, restaurants, etc. This is one of the few new construction condominium that offers live/work condo, a condo hybrid.

With more and more people working at home at least part of the week, it's perhaps not surprising that condo developers around the country are beginning to promote live-work units as part of their mix of offerings.

via MSN

If I remember it correctly, Wilson is built on light construction (read: stick wood). So- noise level should be something to think about when buying a new condo in a building like this.

Standard features include 9' ceilings, hardwood floors in foyer, kitchen, living and dining room, gas cooking, and SS appliances. Amenities include fitness center, e-lounge and business center, lobby and landscape courtyard.

They're sold out on 1 BR or 1 BR/dens! All of units sold include one parking space, additional parking is available for a cool - $35K and only for those who buys 2 bedrooms. Some of the units still available are 2 BRs and 1 BR lofts.

• The 1 BR/ loft (876 s.f. to 902 s.f.) priced from the lowest $464,900 to $474,900.
• The 2 BRs (1050 s.f. to 1079 s.f.) are priced from $540,000 to $569,900.
• The biggest unit is the 2 BR and loft with 1243 s.f., 18' ceilings and National Cathedral views is available for $679,900.

CAMERON STATION CONDOS

This is the latest residential condominium inside Cameron Station subdivision. Cameron Station is a community of townhomes, single homes and condominiums. It's a very popular subdivision in the City of Alexandria. There's a lot of activities here - people move up from condo to townhouse, move out to another area or downsized from single to condo.

The big plus here: GREEN FEATURES - that is the use of energy efficiency appliances and windows. The green features include, energy conserving insulation, central AC, energy efficient gas heat, 30 to 50 gallon quick recovery electric water heaters, and aluminum insulated windows. I noticed also that they offer front-loading washing machine, which is part of energy-efficient appliances.

The big difference between the existing condominiums and its newest addition is - the condo fee. Condo fee pays at this new Cameron Station include a $90 fee on top of your Association fee, around $230 per month. So- you are looking at a difference of almost $100 for amenities that are already offered by the community anyway. I don't get it..

Standard features include, 42" kitchen cabinet, corian countertops, ceramic tile floors in all baths, walk-in closets, ceramic tile tub/shower surround in full bath, Duron two-toned interior paint.

You still have plenty of choices available at Cameron Station condos from 1 BR all the way to 3 BR.

• The 1 BRs condos are priced from the low $348,000 (783 s.f.) to high $427,000 (1039 s.f.).
• The 2 BRs starts at $432,490 (1128 s.f.) to high $462,980 (1177 s.f.).
• The 2 BRs with den starts at $462,690 (1258 s.f.) to $520,072 (1359 s.f.).
• 2 BR lofts starts at $550,982 (1443 s.f.) to $715,038 (1793 s.f.).
• 3 BRs starts at $537,490 (1545 s.f.) to $695,038 (1860 s.f.).

I don't know who the target market is for the condos priced from the $500's because it competes head-to-head with popular housing type at Cameron Station - the townhouses. A new townhouse by N.V. Homes start at $650K with 2000+ s.f. Why would you want a condo if resale is going to be a challenge later on?

The BYRON

This brand new condominium is located on Broad Street aka Route 7 in the City of Falls Church. It is near the proposed Falls Church City Center. I watched the development of this building on what used to be the site of Red Lobster restaurant. Developer converted the 2-acre lot into 90 condominium units!  See how smart growth works? Going up as opposed to side expansion.

The size of the condos here are huge. I think at one time, I heard that this condo was targeted for people who are thinking of downsizing. The one bedroom with den size starts at 1032 s.f., is a little bit bigger than a typical 1 BR/den. The price also reasonable -- Falls Church price -- without 'the premium' of walking to the Metro thing. Although, it is only less than a mile from East or West Falls Church Metro, and George bus (FC rapid transit) stops at site.

This is a building built on class A office construction -- meaning it's on concrete and steel -- which makes a big difference in terms of "noise level."

Standard features include, hardwood floors in foyer, living, dining, kitchen, den and powder rooms. fireplace, SS appliances, granite kitchen countertops, 9' ceilings, hot water dispenser, full size W&D, 6-ft soaking tub, ceramic tile and flooring in full baths.

Amenities: Club room, fitness room, underground parking space (included in the price), Falls Church metro bus stop at site, and lots of parking space for residents and guests.

• The only 1 BR/ den with 1.5 bath approximately 1032 s.f. is priced at $438,900. Condo fee $277 a mo.
• The 2 BR/ 2.5 baths with 1298 s.f., priced at $548,900. Condo fee $352 a mo.
• 2 BR/ den with 2.5 baths have 1537 s.f. of living space, is on the market between $612,900 to $652,900. Condo fee $416 a mo.
• 2BR/den with 2.5 baths with 1661 s.f. to 1825 s.f. priced from $698,900 to $776,900. Condo fee $448 to $493 per mo.
• 3 BR/ 3 baths with 1998 s.f. (this is huge unit!), price from $808,900 to $854,900. Condo fee $542 per mo.

Their condo fee is rather low, because there is no pool. Less amenities - less condo fee. Having a pool tends to increase the condo fee.

All of these condominiums offer incentives. The catch with incentives - you have to either use their preferred lender or title company.

One more thing, regardless who you are dealing with, make sure that you use the service of a Realtor. The sales rep works for the builder and not- you!

It's all about representation. A builder's rep does NOT represent you! They represent the builder and their interests! And a Realtor, represents YOU. Big difference.
 

Comments

[Colby Moore]

Green features, huh. There has been a big buzz about these green living options available in the real estate market. Consider these kinds of properties because the green systems installed in them can save you a lot of money in utility costs and such in the long run.

[denise soto]

nice looking properties. Maybe next month when my houseclosesout of escrow.I might like living closer to the office.
Great looking site