Fort Hunt Road is a scenic byway that leads from Rt. 1 South of Alexandria, Virginia to Fort Hunt just north of Mount Vernon. I live in this area because of two conflicting—but equally cherished—qualities of the area. Succinctly, the area is both urban and rural.

Quiet Neighborhoods
In many ways, the area is quiet and reminiscent of a time past when Virginia was a bit more "southern". Streets lined with mature hardwoods lead to quiet homes and tranquil neighborhoods. The nearby Potomac River is a perfect neighbor and many parks are in the area. At the same time, the neighborhood is close to culture, services and employment. The neighborhood is not only close geographically, but the traffic patterns, established long before the rise of Northern Virginia's suburbia, favor the area and are relatively free from traffic and congestion. This means that commutes are shorter by miles, but more importantly, much shorter in terms of time spent travelling.

In this area renters and buyers can find a cross-section of homes which will suit their needs. Everything is here, from high-rise condo's, to brick garden-apartments, to townhouses, to cottages, to single-family houses and large manors.

But Convenient ...
This demographic cross-section ensures that the services that support the are have similar diversity. It's a big advantage to live in an area where you don't have to drive far to enjoy everything the modern world has to offer. From fast-food and dollar-stores; to warehouse restaurants and big-box stores; to gourmet restaurants and high-end boutiques, you'll find what you need here.

This area is surrounded by urban services, high-rises and major commuter arteries. Mass Transit is well-developed and accessible from all points in the community. The Huntington Metro has 4500 parking spaces and is within walking distance of many local neighborhoods.

Real estate agents, also known as realtors, act as go-betweens for buyers and sellers of real estate property. Generally real estate agents work for one party, either the buyer or seller, to represent their clients’ best interests. Sellers agents want to obtain the highest price possible, while buyers agents are tasked with the opposite. When choosing a real estate agent, make sure you ask about their obligations under state law, as some states have different rules governing realtors. Find out up front what fees you may be responsible for paying to the real estate agent. And don’t be afraid to interview several agents and agencies to find the one that you feel most comfortable working with.

Locating Real Estate Agents & Agencies
Most real estate agencies advertise heavily in local newspapers, billboards, and mass transit areas such as bus stops. You’ll also see signs on properties for sale that provide the contact information for the agent handling the sale of that property. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations of real estate agents that they have used. They will tell you if they liked or hated their real estate agent. You want a realtor who is professional and experienced. Larger real estate agencies often have minimum standards for their agents that include business practices, ethics, and customer satisfaction.

What to Expect From a Real Estate Agent
Your real estate agent is there to represent your best interests. Make sure you read any contracts before you sign them so you know exactly what to expect. Sellers agents should be aggressively marketing your property, including running advertising and holding open house events. As a buyer, you should expect your realtor to listen to your needs and your budget, and show you properties that fit your criteria. Some national real estate agencies may offer additional services to their clients, such as helping to set up utilities, recommending services such as carpet cleaners, and other extras. Most agents will ask you to sign an exclusivity contract for a set period of time, but if you are uncomfortable with the terms don’t hesitate to ask the agent for a shorter period of exclusivity.

Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent
Keep in mind that a licensed real estate agent is a professional who has obtained some type of license from their state. Ask if the agent is licensed and if their license is current. Ask about their training, and about what resources they use to locate either properties for sale or prospective buyers. If you are buying or selling a home, make sure the real estate agent has access to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). If you are selling property, ask your realtor to provide you with prices of comparable properties sold in your area so you can be sure you are listing your property for a fair and reasonable price. Find out how long it takes the agent on average to sell property, and what their marketing plan would be to sell your property. Buyers should ask about the type of properties the agent specializes in, and what additional information they can supply about things like local school and community information.

Buying and selling property can be simple with the help of a good real estate agency. Spend the time to find the right real estate agency for your needs.