Re-Spring2016

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

SPRING 2016 | PAGE RE-1

Real Estate Spring 2016

F.C. Victorian Society Working to Preserve Heritage of Little City

by Matt Delaney

Falls Church News-Press

A power clique had assembled on Oak Street, but they weren’t interested in the power we associate with storied antagonists. For the Victorian Society of Falls Church knowledge is the greatest power of all, as they’re caretakers of the city’s historical lineage and the progressive identity that defines it.

An upper-echelon of past and present members chatted in the parlor of the Mount Hope house – Midge Wang, co-founder and program chair; Keith Thurston, another co-founder; former president Linda Lau and current president Terry Hooper; and Gus

Knapp, membership chair.

As you might’ve guessed, the group promotes the Victorian Era’s (1837-1901) heritage in Falls Church because of that period’s significance to the area.

“The interesting thing about Falls Church is that it grows up in the Victorian Era as a bedroom community for Washington D.C.,” Lau said.

“It was after the Civil War that Falls Church really got populated and that was the buildout of Victorian homes,” Thurston added.

“The preponderance of the built history of Falls Church is of the Victorian Era and the houses that are here really influenced the houses that were built around them.”

The Victorian Era’s stamp on the community is still visible today as over 90 houses from the period densely populate a 2.2 square-mile radius.

Impressive, given that it’s been over a century since the Victorian Era was in full swing, but the Victorian Society of Falls Church wasn’t founded until 1995 – who was shepherding this history before their formation?

In short, everyone was. Growth during the Victorian Era gave citizens a sense of belonging to Falls Church and the proud oversight of that growth laid the foundation for the city.

Continued on Page RE-2

THE COOPER-FLAGG HOUSE at 206 E. Jefferson Street was built in 1889. It is a Queen Anne style house with classic lines and a tower to provide light and air circulation. The house has won several awards for its restoration. (Photo: Drew Costley/News-Press)

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R EA L E STATE

PAGE RE-2 | SPRING 2016

Over 90 Victorian-Era Homes Still Stand in Falls Church City

Continued from Page RE-1

“Falls Church is not as transient as the rest of Metro Washington.

Our statistics of being born, living and staying here are significantly better,” Thurston said.

“Creating a township in the Victorian Era [started] the selfgovernance model [that’s] the centerpiece for [our] community.”

“It’s fascinating that we haven’t changed,” Wang added.

“If you look around the state there are towns that had a factory…and everything revolved around that business, but when it closed they became ghost towns. Falls Church is exactly what it was then – a community for middle-level exec-

utives of the government. There’s not many places like that.”

Today’s residents remain financially invested in the city’s history as Victorian houses usually sell faster and at higher prices than regular homes. And some of the homes have been converted into historical sites or are being used as office buildings.

The Cherry Hill Farmhouse, for example, is a historical site used for many of the City’s and Victorian Society’s events throughout the year. Built in 1845, the Cherry Hill Farmhouse is a Greek Revival-Farm House style structure whose deed was held by many different hands before it was given to the City of Falls Church in 1959.

The earliest record the Victorian Society has of the house is that its property was deeded to John Tramwell in 1729. In 1845, William H. Harvey bought the 66-acre farm and built the house, as it stands today.

Guided tours of the farmhouse are given Monday – Thursday between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and on Saturdays (April – October) from 10 a.m. – noon. Private tours are available for groups of ten or more.

Another example is the Everhart-Marshall House, which was built in 1895 by local builder Weston Turner. The EverhartMarshall House is a Greek Revival-Modified Queen Anne style home. Today the building is

THE CHERRY HILL FARMHOUSE was built in 1845 by William H. Harvey. After changing hands several times, the farm house, a Greek Revival-Farm House, was given to the City of Falls Church in 1959. (Photo: Drew Costley/News-Press)

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

THE EVERHART-MARSHALL HOUSE was built in 1895 by local builder Weston Turner. It is a Greek Revival-Modified Queen Anne style home. Today the building is used as office space, housing three separate law offices. (Photo: Drew Costley/News-Press) used as office space.

But the preservation of Victorian style homes doesn’t quite do the the Victorian Era justice in the eyes of Society members.

The group is known for their imaginative living history programs where members will don period attire to perform civilian Civil War re-enactments or fashion shows. The result is an engaging form of education that rivals the conventional wisdom of historical text.

“When you come out and talk to somebody, they may listen and interact, but when you have a group of people dressed correctly in that period it spurs a lot of interest,” Wang said.

The popularity of the Society’s programs extend beyond city limits and attract history aficionados from all over the country as a result.

“Not everybody in the Victorian Society of Falls Church is from the city,” Lau said.

“We reach out to a lot of different areas and we’ve worked closely with [them] and a variety of their events. By doing the liv-

ing history for these events we’ve brought attention to the historical aspects of Falls Church.”

While the Victorian Society has been well-received by most of the city’s inhabitants, there is one cloud that lingers in minds of every member: who to entrust their passion among newer generations.

“A lot of us are worried that younger people aren’t interested in history,” Thurston said.

“They don’t get exposed to history other than the facts they have to memorize in school,” Knapp added. “But when they get a chance to see it, they actually do get interested because it’s something they haven’t really thought about.”

Groups founded on reprising the past seem destined to end in the future, but, just like Falls Church, the Victorian Society proves to be dynamic. The Society intended to pay homage to the Victorian Era with their existence, but in reality, their crafty maintenance of a dwindling niche represents Falls Church’s progressive nature better than any re-enactment.

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SPRING 2016 | PAGE RE-3

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PAGE RE-4 | SPRING 2016

R EA L E STATE A Falls Church News-Press Advertorial

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

R EA L E STATE

SPRING 2016 | PAGE RE-5

F.C. Boasts Stellar Home Value-School Quality Ratio

by Patricia Leslie

Falls Church News-Press

Do Falls Church property owners get for what they pay for?

In terms of property taxes, school and home values, residents surveyed say yes.

Property owners believe the Falls Church schools are well worth the taxes they pay, and home buyers willing to pay the prices, agree.

In its 2014 profile of home buyers and sellers, the National Association of Realtors reported that 29 percent of buyers said good schools are deciding factors in their purchasing decisions, and 22 percent said proximity to good schools is important, too.

When it comes to national rankings, Falls Church schools are near the top. Of about 13,500 school districts in the U.S. and in a listing of the 100 best districts in the nation, the Falls Church School District ranked 83, reports Niche which has been tracking and analyzing education statistics figures since 2002.

Falls Church scored second best school district in the state, after Arlington, which was ranked 44th nationally. (Fairfax County came in at 279 nationally.)

Of all public high schools in Virginia, the city’s George Mason High ranked fifth (the same ranking by U.S. News & World Report). Other city schools included in the report were Mary Ellen Henderson Middle, fifth in the state in middle schools, and

Thomas Jefferson Elementary at 17th.

Although area home sale prices have been relatively flat recently, latest information from real estate tracking services Trulia and Zillow show home median prices in Falls Church are anything but low. For zip code 22046, prices range from $655,200 – $712,500, and for zip code 22043, $551,000 – $555,000.

Long and Foster Real Estate reports the Falls Church median home sales price is $747,000.

Like Falls Church resident Joe Muskett said, it’s a matter of “location, location, location,” and to be sure, he threw in another “location.”

“This is all about resale, too,” said Muskett, a coach and educator who has lived in the Falls Park neighborhood for 22 years.

The Musketts have raised four children here, all grown. While he washed his truck and scrubbed tires in his driveway, Muskett’s grandson scampered around his feet.

“People complain that we have high taxes which you can’t deny, but where are you going to find resale values and schools like we have inside the Beltway? Here, it’s as good as it gets.”

Falls Church has “great schools and a great community,” but the town is starting to take on some citified airs, Muskett said, an opinion shared by others.

Over near the library on a grey day, Robyn Roche was out walking. She and her family have lived in their house off the W & OD Trail for 20 years.

THIS HOUSE AT 407 S. SPRING STREET is located in the same zip code as Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, which is ranked in the top 20 in elementary schools in the state. (Photo: Patricia Leslie/News-Press) “I sometimes pinch myself, I’m so grateful to be here,” Roche said.

She’s a chief financial officer for a trade association and has a daughter in the tenth grade at Mason.

“Part of the reason we are here is because of the schools, and I understand why taxes are high.

“My only concern is the fiduciary responsibility of the folks in the city administration.“

THIS TOWNHOUSE COMMUNITY is located on Haycock Road across the street from George Mason High School, the fifth highest ranked public high school in Virginia, and has two units that are listed for under $600,000. (Photo: Drew Costley/News-Press)

“I wonder if they’re mindful of the amount of money coming in,” and she questions whether “the spirit of the city” is deteriorating.

On Parker Street, Gale and Anne Sommers were outside unpacking their car. They think taxes are “reasonable,” but they are also concerned about the city’s growth.

Anne Sommers is a parttime office assistant for Falls Church schools who said Thomas Jefferson Elementary is “jam packed.” She is troubled about the many new residents who are moving into rentals, coming for the schools and “squishing three people into a one bedroom apartment.”

She said the schools are crowded and becoming more so: “We get calls every day.”

“The schools are great,” she said, and her husband agreed.

Falls Church taxes are “pretty consistent with what Fairfax and Arlington pay,” Gale Sommers said.

When the couple decided to buy a bigger house almost 20 years ago, they couldn’t find anything affordable inside the city, so they added onto their house where they have lived for 37 years and raised their children.

Taking down Christmas lights from a tree outside their home on Kent Street were Jon and Mary Sanford who kept a close eye on their son, Henry, 5, a kindergar-

tener at Mt. Daniel Elementary riding his bicycle around on the quiet street.

The Sanfords are government employees and she is “happy to pay taxes for good schools. I am fine with taxes,” Mary Sanford said. “I have no complaints about what we have to pay for taxes relative to the kids in the community getting a good education.”

Before Henry came along, the Sanfords lived in Alexandria where “the schools aren’t good,” and where their residence was zoned for a school which failed to meet accreditation standards.

Eight years ago, the Sanfords “stumbled” upon their house in Falls Church which they bought and remodeled.

They knew the house was in a good school district which made moving to Falls Church attractive, especially if they ever decided to have children.

Mary Sanford praised Mt. Daniel and the teachers. “The ratio of teachers to kids is fantastic,” she said. Henry’s class has 19 students with a teacher and a paraprofessional. Henry pulled up to the curb on his bike and stopped riding long enough to confirm his mother’s statements.

“I couldn’t be happier living here, “said Mary Sanford, “and I couldn’t be happier with [the] school experience so far.”

There’s no place like home… and good schools.

R EA L E STATE

PAGE RE-6 | SPRING 2016

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F.C. Realtor Stacy Hennessey To Be Featured on HGTV

by Liz Lizama

Falls Church News-Press

Ranked among the top 10 beaches in the world and the best in Central America, according to TripAdvisor, West Bay Beach in Roatan, Honduras, draws many scuba diving enthusiasts like Falls Church realtor Stacy Hennessey and her son, Ryan. The two travelled to the island to learn how to scuba dive and ended up falling in love with the beautiful beaches and friendly locals. As a realtor, Stacy was immediately interested in purchasing investment property, so the “House Hunters International” film crew followed her along for the journey.

“I’m in real estate, so I constantly look at prices,” said Stacy of her decision to search for a vacation home while in Roatan.

She connected with an agent in the area who showed her and Ryan homes in West Bay Beach.

“I told myself if one comes up in the market within our price range, we’ll do it.”

While the first trip proved unsuccessful, Stacy scored a deal when she returned to Roatan for the second time. “They dropped it $100,000 – this one unit,” said Stacy. “It was a no-brainer to be honest because it was affordable. I knew what the rents were per week and that I could make money off it.”

Stacy primarily rents the 1,500-square-foot two-bedroom waterfront condo on VRBO.com, a popular vacation rental site, but also works with an on-site management company. In the last few months, she refurnished the home, painted and replaced the countertops.

“I think if you’re going to use it as an investment property, you really need to find a good property manager and go that route,”

said Stacy. “For me, I was lucky because I worked with a property manager to find the rental. That way you really learn the market.”

She advised prospective buyers to visit VRBO’s website to check on rental prices and calendars to see how often similar units are booked. In addition, she recommended checking on flight schedules and routings. “You have to find out how easy it is to get there, like how many flights are going to the island, because if it’s not many flights, you are going to have a hard time booking your property,” said Stacy.

“Put yourself in the shoes of the renter, and it’s all about location,” she added.

Noting the high cost of electricity on Roatan Island and a nearby well to supply water to her unit, Stacy also stressed the importance of becoming familiar with the property’s utility sources.

Though laws differ in every country, Stacy said Americans can own property in Roatan but cannot take out a mortgage, so purchases must be in cash.

Stacy relies on her management company to handle regular cleaning and maintenance of her unit but urges owners not to rely solely on management companies to handle the marketing.

“Your pictures – it’s worth spending money on a professional photographer and market it yourself through VRBO,” she said.

“You can Airbnb too, it’s popular now.”

Stacy and Ryan admitted being nervous to see themselves on television when it airs Mar. 16 on HGTV, but the mom and son duo very much enjoyed the 22 hours of filming for House Hunters International.

“It was really fun, and they were incredibly professional,” said Stacy of the HGTV crew.

LOCAL REALTOR STACY HENNESSEY recently bought this home in Roatan to use as a vacation rental. Hennessey’s search for a Roatan property was documented on the HGTV show “House Hunters International.” The house has a waterfront deck, a pool and a hammock for maximum relaxation. Hennessey (center) speaks with potential buyers during an open house in Falls Church in the photo on the right. (Photos: Courtesy of Stacy Hennessey & Liz Lizama/News-Press)

“It was great spending time with Ryan too and doing something completely different.”

For Ryan’s part, he was initially less interested with the real estate, but more with scuba diving. “I was enjoying the island for what it was, and when she brought the

up that she was seriously interested in a place, of course I supported,” he said. “Anyone would be supportive of that. Of course I would love to come back here a million times.”

The episode begins in Falls Church where Stacy’s daughters,

Rebecca and Taylor, are also featured.

Stacy, who recently purchased a four-unit property in Annapolis, Maryland, with plans to rent out for almost double the mortgage, will return to Roatan in the next few weeks to vacation with friends.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Real Estate

SPRING 2016 | PAGE RE-7

Top Falls Church Home Sales

December-February

#1 $1,899,990

#2 $1,760,000

#4 $1,646,105 #3 $1,650,980 Top 5 F.C. Home Sales December 1, 2015 - February 29, 2016 Address

BR #1 2154 Crimmins Ln. 6 #2 1218 Ellison St. 6 #3 2143 Crimmins Ln. 6 #4 6519 Manor Ridge Ct. 6 #5 2134 Emilys Ln. 5

FB

6 4 6 6 5

HB 1 2 1 0 1

List Price

$1,899,990 $1,795,000 $1,665,855 $1,646,105 $1,519,900

Sale Price

$1,854,990 $1,760,000 $1,650,980 $1,646,105 $1,499,900

Zip

22043 22046 22043 22043 22043

Date Sold 1/28/16 1/15/16 12/18/15 12/28/15 2/2/16

Source: MRIS, Inc.; Photos: Falls Church News-Press

#5 $1,499,900

R EA L E STATE

PAGE RE- 8 | SPRING 2016

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Falls Church Area Housing Market — 4th Quarter 2015 Report Zip Code

Area

Average Price

Number of Homes Sold

Average Days on Market

22046

Falls Church City

$726,333

48

48

22041

Bailey’s Crossroads

$428,190

69

57

22042

Sleepy Hollow

$489,136

98

47

22043

Pimmit Hills

$701,252

85

50

22044

Lake Barcroft

$467,000

30

57

Home Sales Vs. 1 Year Ago

Home Prices Vs. 1 Year Ago

Change in # of Homes Sold: 4Q ‘15 vs 4Q ‘14

Change in Average Home Price: 4Q ‘15 vs 4Q ‘14

-5.88%

Change in Falls Church City (22046)

+2.46%

Change in Falls Church City (22046)

+27.78%

Change in Bailey’s X-roads (22041)

+19.48%

Change in Bailey’s X-roads (22041)

+5.38%

Change in Sleepy Hollow (22042)

+4.65%

Change in Sleepy Hollow (22042)

+11.84%

Change in Pimmit Hills (22043)

+25.58%

Change in Pimmit Hills (22043)

-3.23%

Change in Lake Barcroft (22044)

-2.52%

Change in Lake Barcroft (22044)

Source: Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc. Copyright © 2016 Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.