Latest Round of Overpriced Condos in Clarendon in Arlington -- Part VII
Posted by Jay Seville on Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 at 8:04am.Plenty of Overpriced Condos in Clarendon, Rosslyn & Ballston in Arlington
Yes it's time for another installment of the overpriced condo series. I have a feeling there will never be a lack of
NOTE: This post contains my personal opinions only and does not reflect the opinion of RE/MAX Allegiance and cannot be taken as advice for your particular situation. My opinions are just that. Speak with your agent for advice or call me for input 703-624-3270. If y ou disagree on anything in particular feel free to state your concerns below.

And before I get the party started, if you are seriously considering buying a clarendon condo then do read this guide to buying on the orange line in
Therapy for OCD--truth & common sense & consumer advocacy
1. 888 QUINCY ST N #PH207 This unit at Residences at Liberty Center with 1248 sq ft is listed at $841,000. Uh yeah....1400 sq footers at Station Square 1 block to Clarendon metro have maxed at 750,000 with most selling around $700,000ish. It is a much more sought after area which makes this smaller condo--even if the finishes are nicer--at least $100,000 overpriced in my opinion. I'd be afraid for my buyers to pay more than $625,000 which is about $220,000 below their list price. Not to mention the condo fees there are a beast. 
2. 880 POLLARD ST #704 2/2 $549,000 with 955 sq ft. at Ballston 880. There has been an active listing there of same size priced at $479,000 and several foreclosures there in low $400,000 past year. the Ballston 880 was heavily purchased by investors and many have gotten burned or are having to rent out their units for cash flow. In my opinion it's at least $75,000 overpriced.
3. 2001 15TH ST N #1611 listed at $1,225,000 in my favorite condominium in the greater Clarendon area: Odyssey. Is this a 2000 sq ft unit? One would think so with this list price. No it's just a plain old larger condo of 1451 sq ft. you know the ones that usually sell for $675,000-750,000 in 
4. 3625 10TH ST N #310,
And sure enough look at this comp from March 2007--unit 301 --a 2/2.5 unit closed for $599,000 by a colleague within my brokerage of RE/MAX Allegiance. This means the unit is a solid $100,000 overpriced. Can you believe this nonsense!#@! How do they get away with this--consumer ignorance that's how. For my frank advice on picking the right consultant--like myself--on buying a condo in Clarendon, 
More Overpriced Condominiums in Arlington on Orange Line
5. 2001 15TH ST N #114,

6. 880 POLLARD ST N #1001,
7. 1220 FILLMORE ST N #905,
8. 1021 GARFIELD ST N #227,
These 1BR are worth $360-370,00ish now which makes this a farce. Again the ol' 399 would be a more appropriate list price.
And here are some active listings in Clarendon 1021:
***SHORTSALE **LOCATED 2 BLOCKS METRO,LOTS OF LIGHTS FACING "S"**BALCONY&EXTRA...
Great Price for an 8th Floor end condo in popular Clarendon Condo. This unit has great views...
1 BEDROOM and DEN with BALCONY and COURTYARD VIEW. Beautiful hardwoods, gourmet kitchen w/...
Fully upgraded large master bedroom + den in luxury Clarendon building. Courtyard level living...
Back on the Market.* TWO BLOCK FROM CLARENDON METRO * LUXURY HI-RISE CONDO * SURROUNDED BY...
Large 2 bedroom 2 bath 2 master suites unit featuring many upgrades to include: granite counter...
Upgraded ceiling fans, kitchen and bath fixtures, carpeting, blinds and custom paint throughout....
Excellent 2 BR. 2BA.w/rare fireplace! Conv.loc. 2 blks to clarendon metro sta., Wholefood,...
BRAND NEW CONSTRUCTION *** PRIME LOCATION!!!!! PENTHOUSE w/13 ft ceilings and clerestory windows....
Luxury 2BR/2BA on 8th Floor, Great View, Hardwood Floors, Convenient to Metro and Shopping,...
Top floor 3BR 2BA Condo in Clarendon 1021 near METRO. Two parking spaces and extra storage...
Stunning 2 bedroom/2 bath PENTHOUSE CORNER RESIDENCE w/ 13ft Volume Ceilings, Clerestory windows...
Stunning 2 bed/den 2.5 bath 2 LEVEL RESIDENCE w/luxurious finishes: Jennair & Bosch appl,...
Stunning 2 bed/den 2.5 bath 2 LEVEL RESIDENCE w/luxurious finishes: Jennair & Bosch appl,...
Stunning 2 bed/den 2.5 bath 2 LEVEL RESIDENCE w/luxurious finishes: Jennair & Bosch appl,...
9. 1024 UTAH ST N #915,
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NOTE: This post contains my personal opinions only and does not reflect the opinion of RE/MAX Allegiance and cannot be taken as advice for your particular situation. Speak with your agent for advice or call me for input 703-624-3270.
Blog Tags
- odyssey condo (6)
- condo fees (2)
- clarendon condos (13)
- clarendon 1021 (4)
- clarendon 1021 condo (4)
- arlington virginia real estate (13)
- buyer advice (3)
- monroe at virginia square condo (3)
- Station Square (2)
- residences at liberty center (2)
- ballston 880 (1)
- westview at ballston (1)
- buyers (15)
- overpriced condos (10)
24 Responses to "Latest Round of Overpriced Condos in Clarendon in Arlington -- Part VII"
Thanks Jay, I really appreciate these well researched lists of overpriced condos.\r\n\r\nTo me it\'s just amazing when people list as high as do, especially when there is plenty of inventory out there to compare against.
Posted on Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 at 12:45 PM.
Now it\'s got 764 views...\r\nActually, I just bookmarked this blog site, found it by googling Arlington real estate. I must say, I do love The Odyssey building too. Maybe some day I will decide to sell my townhouse and get an apt high up in the sky with the views of the monuments.
Posted on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 at 3:31 PM.
Now it\'s got 764 views... Actually, I just bookmarked this blog site, found it by googling Arlington real estate. I must say, I do love The Odyssey building too. Maybe some day I will decide to sell my townhouse and get an apt high up in the sky with the views of the monuments.
Posted on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 at 3:32 PM.
Posted on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 at 3:36 PM.
I can\'t agree with you more. I work with professional developers and I help them figure out unit price by producing forecasting model that monitors per sq ft cost/sale. I can\'t tell you how many times I have had to deal with developers that get sticker shock from what they think their property is worth to what it is actually worth.
Posted on Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 at 2:18 PM.
Posted on Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 at 3:24 PM.
Everyone situation is different and your opinion is effecting the ability for all of these places to sell, forcing all of these places to go to foreclosure. Thanks!!!
Posted on Sunday, July 6th, 2008 at 9:18 PM.
ha..very good article, there is nothing better than the truth, these over price units and some buyers naivity are the reason for this hard hit on the housing business. I mean people get these overprice units without doing their homework and then put themselves in deep$#@^. I heard about someone buying a condo and couldn\'t make the second month payment..BS. This blog has pin point info to make you think and research before you do something stupid. I sure will pass it on to all my friends to look it up since alot of my friends and i are thinking of buying soon. Thanks man
Posted on Sunday, July 6th, 2008 at 9:18 PM.
Posted on Sunday, July 6th, 2008 at 9:25 PM.
Sounds like you have a bone to pick with fellow realtor Frank Llosa. Here is his blog: http://blog.franklyrealty.com/. In short, he advocates \"lying\" on county records. e.g., instead of buying a condo for $400k, record it as $410k with $10k cash back. That tricks everybody around you into thinking that you overpaid.\r\n\r\nSidenote, I lived in Arlington from 2005 to 2008 and I\'m thankful that I rented an apartment the whole time instead of buying a condo. I was floored by the amounts of money people around me were willing to pay for the privilege of ownership, as if owning was ALWAYS better than renting. They either had deep pockets or were much more willing to pay for ownership than I was. A coworker bought a 1 bedroom in Eastview for $370k. Freakin\' 20 years old and 634 square feet according to county records. After a more detailed search of those records, I found that a few unfortunate souls were on the wrong end of a flip and paid $480k+ for their 1 bedrooms at Clarendon 1021.
Posted on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 4:09 PM.
Posted on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 4:16 PM.
I think OCD (overpriced condo syndrome) is a hilarious! \r\n\r\nThanks for helping everyone to keep it real!
Posted on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 5:20 PM.
Anything in Clarendon is a great buy. You can try to time a bottom point in the market, but housing prices will begin to rise again. Remember that (1) the population size is always rising, (2) new construction costs always are on the increase, (3) DC Metro is a transient area and always will be -- transient locations are always good for increasing home values. Today\'s prices will look cheap 7 years down the road.
Posted on Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 at 2:52 PM.
Jay: I think that it may be helpful to explain how you do your research on some of these condos. For example when we were looking at places in Station Square we found that there is a huge range of upgrades available, some units have fireplaces, wood floors, storage units, stainless steel appliances, ceramic tiles, patios, etc. and others don't. Just looking at the previous closing prices can be a bit misleading - I assume that you do additional diligence above and beyond simply reviewing prior closing prices?
Posted on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 at 10:03 AM.
Posted on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 at 10:06 AM.
I think Arlington has some of the most absurdly over-priced condos in the area. When you had new 1BRs going for $150-175K back in 2000-2001 and they are now going for $350+, it's just a ridiculous appreciatoin that was fueled by mainly speculation. It's pretty obvious due to the #'s that went rental. 1021 is a perfect example of a condo that is overpriced PLUS their cabinets, counters, bathrooms, floors and appliances are all LOW CONSTRUCTION GRADE. It was a rental that got turned to condos at the last minute. I laugh when I see what people are trying to sell 1BRs for in there. They are worth $300K at the low end. I love how people think Granite and SS appliances = 50K or more.
Posted on Thursday, August 14th, 2008 at 3:00 PM.
I like your approach to real estate. Love your blog as well when you do it. I think both Odyssey and 1021 presetn incredible buying opportunities. they are the two elite buildings on teh Orange line and when the dust settles they will appreicate faster then there counter parts. So getting into a unit now at a good price only will allow you to be in a great position later on. In looking at the records you are probably 10-15k off in 1021 for 1 bedroom. There is a big range difference for 640 sq feet versus 750 sq feet.Everyone wants to live in Clarendon. The ody is a diverse building and hard to price because most floor plans and views are really different. Keep up the great work..
Posted on Thursday, August 14th, 2008 at 3:00 PM.
Jay,can you comment on 2. 880 POLLARD ST again. I can see 5-390k for 2Br/1bth for 2 units there; and 0k for 820 Pollard St. You can't deny it is not buyer's market in Clarendon/Ballston areas. Properly priced?
Posted on Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 8:38 AM.
Stay far, far away from buying a condo on the orange line. The days of condo speculation and flippers supporting ever higher and higher prices are long over. Realtors want to get deals done, which is understandable, but buyers can lose serious amounts of money by jumping into these massively mis-priced apartments. I have more than one friend who bought a 2/2 in a new building for 0k, only to find that it is impossible to sell it a year later (when life changes and requires you to be somewhere else) for a 0k loss because one can find a brand new 2/2, with some dealing, for 0k. There is so much supply available, and so many new condos coming online in the next five years, that competition in selling orange line condos in Arlington is just too intense. Returning to fundamentals, someone has to have a very well-paid job to support each of these 0k condos, and there just don't seem to be enough such people. We're not going to see orange line condos heading up to Manhattan-esque prices; there's too much room to build and things will just push out a bit further from the orange line. If you pay 0k for a 2/2 condo, be prepared to see it stagnate and, hopefully, in 7 years or so you might break even. Or there will be another brand new building selling 2/2 condos for 0k, with inflation. Also, keep in mind that buildings are depreciable assets, particularly in a neighborhood where another one can always be built next door. After five years, no one wants your old condo when they can pay the same for a brand new place. See, e.g., the condo portion of Courthouse Hill and that condo building on Clarendon not far from there.
Posted on Monday, January 26th, 2009 at 8:51 PM.
Posted on Monday, January 26th, 2009 at 8:56 PM.
I signed to buy into the Joule, but they canceled me after construction delays brought the ones in line before me past the two-year contractual date and bailed out.
So Happy I am.
And now I just wait.
Posted on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 1:01 PM.
So, is the answer to rent for the foreseeable future? It seems buying will lead to having a home that you cannot sell when you wish to. Is there any area other than Ballston that is preferred for those of us who work in DC and need ready and convenient access to Metro? Or should I just continue to rent? thanks much
Mary
Posted on Sunday, June 14th, 2009 at 8:07 PM.
Dictated by MyCaption.com
--sent from BlackBerry Storm 703-624-3270 Jay Seville JustNewListings.com RE/MAX
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Posted on Sunday, June 14th, 2009 at 9:23 PM.
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Jay Seville
Posted on Saturday, June 21st, 2008 at 8:00 AM.