Old Town Alexandria Virginia Real Estate Agent — Patricia A Smith

Start by getting pre-approved with a lender so you know your budget and can make a strong offer. Then we tour homes including off market listings submit an offer, and once accepted, complete inspections, appraisal, and financing during the contract period before closing. Even with homes taking about 41 days in 2026, the best ones still move fast, so being fully underwritten and decisive matters. I guide you through every step.

We price your home using current 22314 comparables ("comps" — recent sales of similar nearby homes), prepare and stage it, then market it with professional photography across Compass, Bright MLS, Zillow, and more. In August 2026, 22314 homes sold at a median 99.6% of list, but only move-in-ready, competitively priced homes do that. Presentation and pricing strategy are everything.

Old Town is still competitive, but it is cooling. As of October 2026, the 22314 median rose 2.9% to $849,133, yet homes took 41 days to sell, 11 more than a year earlier, and fewer sold above list. Buyers have more room on homes that sit, while the best homes still draw offers. See the Housing Pulse for every signal.

It depends on price and loan type. Old Town condos can start in the $250K–$400K range while the 22314 median was $849,133 over the three months ending August 2026. Down payments range from 3–5% on many loans up to 20% to avoid mortgage insurance, plus closing costs of roughly 2–5%. Veterans and active military may qualify for zero-down VA loans. I will connect you with trusted local lenders.

Real estate commissions are negotiable and not set by law. Following recent industry changes, buyer and seller agent compensation is discussed and agreed upfront in writing. Sellers also budget for prep, staging, and standard closing costs; buyers budget for inspections, appraisal, and closing costs. I will walk you through every number before you commit so there are no surprises.

Escrow is a neutral third party that holds your deposit and funds until the sale closes, protecting both sides. A contingency is a condition that must be met for the deal to proceed common ones cover the home inspection, appraisal, and financing. If a contingency is not satisfied, you can typically renegotiate or walk away with your deposit. I make sure your contract protects you.

Old Town is served by Alexandria City Public Schools, an independent city division. Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy and the Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School serve the area, feeding George Washington Middle and Alexandria City High School (the former T.C. Williams), which holds a GreatSchools rating of 4/10. Always confirm current attendance boundaries for a specific address.

It depends on your lifestyle. Choose the Historic District for waterfront walkability, Del Ray and Rosemont for a family Main-Street feel, Carlyle and Old Town North for low-maintenance condos near Metro, Fords Landing or Yates Gardens for quiet townhomes, and Cameron Station or Potomac Yard for newer construction. I will match neighborhoods to your priorities.

Absolutely — relocation is a specialty. Having moved often as a child, I know how stressful it is, and I work with many clients moving to the DMV to serve our country. I offer virtual tours, neighborhood video walkthroughs, and remote document signing, and can coordinate everything so you can buy with confidence before you ever arrive in Alexandria.

Get fully pre-approved, understand your true monthly cost, and explore low-down-payment and first-time-buyer programs including Virginia Housing options and VA loans for service members. With rates near 7.40% in October 2026, knowing your real monthly payment matters, and a strong, clean offer still wins the best homes. I was interviewed by The Washington Post on exactly this, and I will coach you through it.

The median 22314 home took about 41 days to go under contract in August 2026, though well-priced, move-in-ready homes can go faster and unique or higher-priced properties may take longer. The full timeline from listing to closing is usually 30–60 days once you have an accepted offer. Pricing and presentation are the biggest levers on speed and final price.

Historically, yes. Old Town benefits from constrained supply, a diverse and stable buyer pool, walkability, and proximity to D.C., the Pentagon, Reagan National Airport, and Amazon's HQ2 — which is why the area rarely sees dramatic downturns. Condos and townhomes also offer strong rental demand. I help investors evaluate cash flow, appreciation potential, and the right buildings.

Online estimates are a starting point but often miss condition, upgrades, and hyper-local Old Town nuances. I provide a complimentary, data-backed home valuation using recent 22314 comparable sales and an in-person walkthrough, so you get a realistic price range and a strategy to maximize your return. Call 571-525-8250.

Patricia A Smith of Compass is one of Old Town's most experienced agents. Patty and David Smith have helped DMV buyers and sellers since 2006, with more than $500 million in lifetime sales and about $50 million a year. They ranked in the top 1% of Coldwell Banker agents worldwide from 2019 to 2025 and were named to the RealTrends Top 1,000 for 2026. Call 571-525-8250 to talk through your move.

Usually, yes, but check the rules first. Long-term leases work in most homes, though many condo and HOA communities cap rentals or set minimum lease terms. Renting short term for more than 10 days a year needs a City of Alexandria Short-Term Residential Rental Permit from Planning & Zoning, at $350 a year if you do not live there or $100 if you do. Hosts also collect sales and lodging taxes. I review the condo documents and permit rules before you offer.

Trader Joe's at 612 N Saint Asaph St is open 8 AM to 9 PM daily. Two blocks away, a large Harris Teeter with a pharmacy sits at Madison and St. Asaph streets. On Saturdays, the Old Town Farmers Market runs 7 AM to noon, now on the 100 block of N Royal St while Market Square is renovated. See everyday amenities for more.

The Mount Vernon Trail runs 18 miles along the Potomac right through Old Town. On the river, Founders Park and Oronoco Bay Park sit north of King Street, and Windmill Hill Park has a playground and sand volleyball. Jones Point Park, beneath the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, has fishing piers and a canoe launch.

King Street and the waterfront hold more than 200 independent shops and restaurants. Local favorites include Vermilion at 1120 King St, Landini Brothers at 115 King St since 1979, The Majestic at 911 King St and Le Refuge on N Washington St since 1983. For river views, try Ada's on the River. See my Eat & Shop picks for more.

Reagan National is about 3 miles north, roughly 8 minutes by car off-peak on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. By Metro, take the Blue or Yellow line from King St-Old Town. The airport is three stops away, past Braddock Road and Potomac Yard.

Yes. The Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library at 717 Queen St serves Old Town, phone 703-746-1703, and stays open until 8 PM Monday through Thursday. The system's Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library is at 5005 Duke St, phone 703-746-1702.