Karen Hall, Alexandria Realtor

02/28/2024

BEHOLD: 5304 Esabella Ct 🏡 ♥️

Tell your friends, share the link, come to an open house. 😁

Discover your dream home where every desire is met, from playing in the quiet cul-de-sac to working in your private office surrounded by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. This home is perfect for entertaining large groups or enjoying serene nights with friends under the stars on the deck. As you enter,....

12/22/2022

My oldest, Tristan, graduated last weekend from UNG with his Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and a minor in Business Administration.

Tristan has made me a proud mom for so many reasons. I love his tenacity and ability to adapt. His class experienced shutdowns in the middle of their college experience, which changed everything.

It affected their relationships with professors, methods of learning and testing, and their time with friends. So he basically learned all the life lessons we say college is really meant to teach, and then some that no one ever prepared for (or wanted).

Tristan has more good qualities than I can even begin to list. One of my favorites is his ability to keep calm under pressure, even better than I do in some ways. Seeing your oldest graduate college is so significant. It's very different from high school, where they're just tracking time, doing what they're told until they're allowed to be done. In college, you have to be self-motivated. You're there because you made the decision to go. That is so different!

I can't wait to see where he goes in life. No matter what he chooses, he's already made me proud. ❤️

12/22/2022

A new tradition my family is building as the kids get older is visiting the Downtown Holiday Market in DC. It allows us to support local businesses and artists while doing our Christmas shopping. We all walk around and pick out things we like from the local exhibitors, and then split up to go buy each other gifts! 🎅

Time is short as it only runs through December 23. Here are my 5 favorite local businesses from the Holiday market:

1) Rebound Designs uses recycled book covers to make notebooks, purses, and tablet covers. I love how creative their products are, and that they're able to put old books to new use!

2) Lost & Forged sells handcrafted silver creations (rings, bracelets, necklaces, money clips, and more) using reclaimed vintage materials. They make the most beautiful, unique pieces, and they get bonus points for their sustainability.

3) Because Science & Circuit Breaker Labs sell all kinds of science-inspired gifts like office supplies, houseware, and of course my favorite, jewelry! They also host activities and events frequently, which is a great, educational way to keep your kiddos occupied while they're on Christmas break.

4) Narrow Passage sells antiques, specializing in nostalgic and eccentric things! They have so many unique pieces. Pay a visit to their shop, it's so creative!

5) The Capital Candy Jar sells small batch candy that's made locally! It's delicious! Plus, you can feel a little less guilty about indulging in a sweet treat when you know it's supporting a local small business.

Alright Fairfax County, enjoy shopping local. If you have any other local gift ideas, please let me know. Merry Christmas! 🎄

- Karen

12/21/2022

Having just survived a 10 hour trip from Georgia back to Virginia, I thought it would be a great time to share 10 tips for road trips, if you are visiting family for the holidays.

10. Be sure and pack extra phone charging options for passengers (you probably need your phone plugged in for the GPS). This should prevent at least one conflict.

9. Check first to make sure where you want to grab breakfast is open as early as you are leaving (also a reminder that Chick-Fil-A is closed on Sunday).

8. Don't fill your entire trip with plans, that way there is room for spontaneity.

7. If traveling in a caravan, walkie talkies are still cool and lots of fun. Especially if you end up on someone else's channel!

6. Hydration is important - that means water too, not just coffee and soda. 😉

5. Snacks consumed on a holiday road trip, "lickies and chewies" as we call them, don't have calories so this is the time to get your favorite candy or drink you never have.

4. It could be a great opportunity for listening to an audio book or podcast, just be sure and prepare your passengers accordingly.

3. Seat heaters are your best friend when sitting for super long.

2. Get plenty of sleep the night before you drive, for safety reasons.

1. Schedule your first morning home with time for a guilt-free sleep in, and try not to make any plans that next day if you can help it. You need to give yourself time to recover from the long trek!

What are your BEST road trip tips?

12/20/2022

As the holiday season of 1938 came to Chicago, Bob May wasn’t feeling much comfort or joy. A 34 year old advertising copywriter for Montgomery Ward, May was exhausted and nearly broke. His wife Evelyn was bedridden, on the losing end of a two year battle with cancer. This left Bob to look after their 4 year old daughter, Barbara.

One night, Barbara asked her father, “Why isn’t my mommy like everybody else’s mommy?”

As he struggled to answer his daughter’s question, Bob remembered the pain of his own childhood. A small, sickly boy, he was constantly picked on and called names. But he wanted to give his daughter hope, and show her that being different was nothing to be ashamed of. More than that, he wanted her to know that he loved her and would always take care of her.

He couldn’t afford to buy his daughter a gift for Christmas, so Bob decided to write a special bedtime story just for her (and make a homemade picture book).
In early December, Bob’s wife died.

Though he was heartbroken, he kept working on the book for his daughter. A few days before Christmas, he reluctantly attended a company party at Montgomery Ward. His co-workers encouraged him to share the story he’d written.

After he read it, there was a standing ovation.
Everyone wanted copies of the book.

Montgomery Ward bought the rights to the book from their debt-ridden employee. Over the next six years, at Christmas, they gave away six million copies to shoppers. Every major publishing house in the country was making offers to obtain the book.

In an incredible display of goodwill, the head of the department store returned all rights to Bob May. Four years later, he became a millionaire.

The bedtime story he wrote for his daughter was titled “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

12/20/2022

Sometimes I wish helping people buy and sell were like those Hallmark movies you see around Christmas time. Everything would be perfect and predictable. There would be no uncertainty. You'd know there is always a happy ending. The homebuyer would have an 800 credit score. They’re moving from a big city to a charming small town. The home is vacant and there are no issues with moving deadlines. The buyer has plenty of savings, almost zero debt, and they're working in a high paying job that they love. The house is in perfect condition (and the inspection is so flawless the home inspector is finished in just 20 minutes). The seller's agent calls me a few days before closing not panicked or angry....but simply to tell me they appreciate my hard work and love my haircut. The loan officer rents one of those planes that spell messages in the sky with white smoke. The message they spell out above our office in the morning sky says CLEAR TO CLOSE KAREN, WE LOVE YOU. As the plane flies away, a beautiful gift-wrapped box parachutes down to Earth and lands on my doorstep. I open it up, and it's a platter of fresh tacos. They're still warm! Wow, the loan officer really loves me. We close in less than a week and everyone is happy. The Washington Commanders win the Super Bowl.

Like Hallmark movies, this is completely unrealistic. Random things almost always go wrong. That's why you need an EXPERT real estate agent to guide you through the process.
That's me, Karen Hall.

P.S.
My personal cell is (703) 508-0561. If you're thinking of buying or selling a house, shoot me a text or give me a call!

12/19/2022

There's something really special about someone who can impact multiple generations within your family. Meet Dr. Smith. He was my very favorite professor when I got my psych degree at University of North Georgia (you know, just a few years ago 😉). Fast forward a bit and he's now Tristan’s very favorite professor too. And there's good reason for that...

Dr. Smith, although he might not be the type to admit it if you ask him directly, cares deeply about his students. He's the kind of professor that you're afraid to disappoint, the kind you WANT to make proud. He's also the kind of professor that's there when you need him. I knew I could always count on Dr. Smith. Plus, he has a sarcastic, dry sense of humor that's my absolute favorite! So when it was time for my son to head off to college, I knew he was in great hands. I knew there was nobody better equipped to shuttle Tristan into adulthood than people like Dr. Smith. This man got to walk with me during my formative years, and I could not be happier that he got to walk with my son during his too.

Professors have an incredibly important job, teaching and shaping young adults. The impact one good professor can have on the future of humanity is massive, and often under-appreciated. If you know a professor, thank them today for their work.

Thank you, Dr. Smith!

12/15/2022

I helped 28 families find their dream home this year. Here’s what that *really* means....

37 children got a new living room to play with their toys in

19 dogs have a new paradise of a backyard to run around in

7 cats are climbing the freshly put up Christmas tree (and probably breaking a few ornaments while they’re at it)

24 moms are decorating their garland in a new spot this year

I absolutely love helping families turn houses into homes. I will never get over how emotional it can be to hand a set of keys to someone across the closing table and watching the smiles grow larger across their face.

Thank you to my customers that have turned from strangers to friends to family. I don’t take the task of finding your forever home lightly, and it’s an honor to be chosen to represent you at the closing table. ❤️

11/21/2022

New Listing! 5454 Broadmoor St, Alexandria
- 5 beds / 2 baths
- Large great room & expanded kitchen
- Retro entertainment space
- Great location
- In-ground pool
- and much more

- Karen

P.S. If you have any questions about this listing (or other homes for sale here in the greater Alexandria area), feel free to call (703) 508-0561

11/03/2022

Homeowners! One thing that most people forget to do is to change your air conditioning filters. Whether you're renting or you own your home, it's important to change your filter every 90 days (most professionals say to change it every 45 days for max efficiency).

Oh, and last tip.... don't use the space around your AC unit for storage - it should be easily accessible!

- Karen

11/02/2022

Here Are 3 Costly Mistakes To Avoid When Remodeling Your Bathroom: 

3. Choose your vanity countertops first, then the floor. There are SO many choices of flooring, but finding the perfect vanity countertops may be a different story - so start with the counters first and then I guarantee you'll find a beautiful floor to compliment the rest!

2. Pay attention to where the sink is on the vanity! You might find a great deal on a beautiful vanity, but once you get home to install it you may realize that the sink doesn't line up with the rest of the layout. Your great deal might not be a great deal after all.

1. Open bottom vanity's are beautiful, but your flooring may not have been laid originally to go under the vanity. So you may end up replacing all of the floors.

I could list 10 more common mistakes, but I won't bore you! If you have any questions about real estate here in the NOVA area, or you're looking to do a few projects around your house to get ready to list, give me a call - I'd love to help! My personal cell is: (703) 508-0561

- Karen