Real Estate Information

The south Arlington community of Nauck (also known as Green Valley or Johnson's Hill) is a historic community that dates all the way back to the civil war.  The rich history is evident throughout the community centers, parks, and homes.  Nauck is known for several Arlington staples such as "Superman Hill", the Nauck town center, the historic Green Valley Pharmacy, the Beenie Weenie half smoke eatery, and the Walter Reed Community Center (pictured)

The neighborhood has several community centers, parks, and places to go for a walk or a morning jog. You can read more about this great community at our community page.

An example of one of the wonderful homes found in the community is 2800 19th Street South, a four level home with three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms.  This home is quite fitting to the neighborhood and has a lot of character as well as some updated features such as upgraded stainless steel appliances.  This great property also features a spacious two-car garage with a private driveway.  Outside the home there is a hot tub gazebo which is great for a warm soak at night.

With hardwood floors, multiple gas fireplaces, and three spacious bedrooms, this is a great place to call home.  The proximity to Washington DC, the metro, and all the hot spots of Arlington are just an added bonus to the home itself and the tight-knit and wonderful community of Nauck.  If you are looking to relocate into the Arlington area, this could be a good fit.

You can view the sale listing for 2800 19th Street here.  If you have any questions about this property, or are looking for help in purchasing a new home, you can search the Nellis Group page or give us a call at 703-930-0655.

At this time of year, I think about growing up in England and my family still over there, celebrating together. My family home is in the center of the small market town of St.Ives, in Cambridgeshire, which sits on the river Ouse, and whose origins began over one thousand years ago. 

I love to go back in mid-December when there is a Christmas market and concert to welcome in the holiday. The small warm shops twinkle with lights and decorations and there is a Christmas tree in the main square, there are only 8 hours of daylight and the temperatures can be biting cold. The town has an old-fashioned feel that I love and miss.

We celebrate the Christmas holiday very similarly to the United States with church services and choir concerts being a large part of the holiday. In the UK, two days are celebrated – the 25^th December being Christmas Day, and the 26^th December, which is called Boxing Day.  Boxing Day evolved according to a couple of different theories, the most popular being that because servants were required to work on Christmas Day, they were able to take the 26th off. They were presented with “Christmas Boxes” as they left for the day, which contained presents, or special treats. The second theory is that boxes were placed in churches so parishioners could deposit coins for the poor. The contents of the boxes were then distributed on December 26, also known as the Feast of St.Stephen.

On Christmas Eve the British don’t leave out Milk and Cookies for Father Christmas (Santa Clause) but rather Mince Pies and Sherry to warm him up over the cold British Isles. Our favorite Christmas treats are Mince Pies and Sausage Rolls rather than Cookies. Christmas Day is always a Roast Turkey with all the trimmings and for dessert we have Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce, an extremely rich pudding made with dried fruit. Traditionally a coin is hidden in the Pudding and the person who finds the coin will have luck the following year. We also share “Christmas Crackers” at the dinner table. Christmas Crackers are popped by two people pulling on either end and inside contain a small gift, a joke and a paper crown. We wear the crowns as we eat our dinner – this way everybody in the Kingdom can be King or Queen for a day. Christmas crackers have become popular in the U.S. in the past few years with many major retailers selling them in boxes of 12 usually.

Finally, Queen Elizabeth II comes on national television every Christmas Day to make her annual speech. Most folks gather around the TV to hear her talk for a few minutes about the events of the past year and her hopes for the coming year. Although a lot of folks try to play down their interest in the speech, usually most will tune in regardless.

I hope I can get back there in the next few years to celebrate again.

    As The Nellis Group continues to evolve we are always looking for the X-FACTOR. The X-FACTOR is part of our core values and the attempt to always expand our business and bring in excellence for our clients. If you know someone that has the skills below or if you are that person please contact us TODAY...

Looking for a creative genius. Video, Visuals & Vision are a must for capturing all types of media. Well versed on MAC and PC. Graphic Design background is a plus. Ability to do basic html, manage online marketing campaigns and blogging with content on all platforms including engaging consumers on social media. Additional work with homes listed for sale, internet buyers and additional web sites.

         Momma's (Vicki Nellis) Cinnamon Rolls

   I wanted to share the best cinnamon roll recipe ever.  My wonderful Mom would get up early every Christmas morning to make these delicious treats. We all looked forward to them every year.  The cinnamon rolls were so much work she only made them once a year.

    I do remember one year she made them for my birthday which was so so special.  Last year James Nellis got up early to make them for us. We look forward to him making them again this year.

    I can promise anyone that makes these for their family will be well loved! I have attached the recipe below:

Rolls

3 1/2 to 4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 packages regular or fast-acting dry yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons)

1 cup milk

1/4 cup butter or margarine (1/2 stick), room temperature

1 large egg

Cooking spray to grease bowl and pan

Filling

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 cup butter or margarine (1/2 stick), room temperature

1/2 cup raisins, if desired

1/4 cup finely chopped nuts, if desired

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon butter or margarine, room temperature

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 to 2 tablespoons milk

1. In a large bowl, stir 2 cups of the flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, the salt and yeast with a wooden spoon until well mixed. In a 1-quart saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until very warm and an instant-read thermometer reads 120°F to 130°F. Add the warm milk, 1/4 cup butter and egg to the flour mixture. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, stopping frequently to scrape batter from side and bottom of bowl with a rubber spatula, until flour mixture is moistened. Beat on medium speed 1 minute, stopping frequently to scrape bowl. With a wooden spoon, stir in enough of the remaining flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, until dough is soft, leaves side of bowl and is easy to handle (dough may be slightly sticky).
2. Sprinkle flour lightly on a countertop or large cutting board. Place dough on floured surface. Knead by folding dough toward you, then with the heels of your hands, pushing dough away from you with a short rocking motion. Move dough a quarter turn and repeat. Continue kneading about 5 minutes, sprinkling surface with more flour if dough starts to stick, until dough is smooth and springy. Spray a large bowl with the cooking spray. Place dough in bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place about 1 hour 30 minutes or until dough has doubled in size. Dough is ready if an indentation remains when you press your fingertips about 1/2 inch into the dough.
3. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 sugar and the cinnamon; set aside. Spray the bottom and sides of a 13x9-inch pan with the cooking spray. Sprinkle flour lightly on a countertop or large cutting board. Gently push your fist into the dough to deflate it. Pull the dough away from the side of the bowl, and place it on the floured surface.
4. Using your hands or a rolling pin, flatten dough into a 15x10-inch rectangle. Spread 1/4 cup butter over dough to within 1/2 inch of edges. Sprinkle with sugar-cinnamon mixture, raisins and nuts. Beginning at a 15-inch side, roll dough up tightly. Pinch edge of dough into the roll to seal edge. Stretch and shape roll until even and is 15 inches long. Using a sharp serrated knife or length of dental floss, cut roll into 15 (1-inch) slices. Place slices slightly apart in the pan. Cover pan loosely with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place about 30 minutes or until dough has doubled in size. Remove plastic wrap.
5. Move the oven rack to the middle position of the oven. Heat the oven to 350°F. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove rolls from pan; place right side up on a cooling rack. Cool 5 minutes.
6. In a small bowl, stir glaze ingredients until smooth, adding enough milk so glaze is thin enough to drizzle. Over the warm rolls, drizzle glaze from the tip of a tableware teaspoon, moving the spoon back and forth to make thin lines of glaze. Serve warm.

Makes 15 rolls

  If you are looking for a great picture with Santa.  Pack your kids up and head to Tysons Galleria.  The kids will enjoy getting their picture taken with Santa. Tysons Galleria is a beautiful mall located in Tysons Corner, Virginia in Fairfax County. Your family will enjoy the festive atmosphere at Tysons Galleria. Many families from Maryland, Washington DC & Virginia travel to this mall due to the many shops, restaurants and unique stores it contains.

Santa has already arrived and will be at Tysons Corner through Christmas Eve.  Please see the hours below to visit with Santa: Monday - Saturday: 10am - 8pm (Break 1pm - 2pm and 5pm - 6pm) Sunday: 12pm - 6pm (Break 2:30pm - 3:30pm) Christmas Eve: 10am - 6pm (Break 1pm - 2pm)

The address for Tysons Galleria is Tysons Galleria is: 2001 International Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102. Call for more information on Tysons Corner at 703-827-7730

Go there soon to avoid the Holiday Rush for Santa Claus

   There was a Facebook Challenge issued 7 days prior to the Marine Corps Marathon this year. The challenge was to raise $10,000 dollars in 7 days or less. If this was accomplished then James Nellis would shave his head for Brain Cancer. Thank you to all of our clients and friends that made it possible to raise not only that amount but in total over $20,000 to beat Brain Cancer.

    Team Cure in total raised just over $50,000. There are no words that can be used to express the gratitude we have for you partnering with us so that someone else may not lose their life to brain cancer. Our goal is that people facing brain cancer in the future will be able to smile with a solution in hand. May the next mother, wife, father, brother, sister be healed from this dreaded disease.

    Every year Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) does a banquet to sponsor the local sports ministry in the Northern Virginia/Washington DC area. Every year they highlight 2 students that have excelled both on the field and off. These are students that have exhibited the character and integrity that FCA desires in each of their athletes. Here is the photo from last year's banquet with James Nellis, Steve Able, Adam Braucher & the 2 winners: Yafet & Rebecca.

     It is rare that both students would come from the same high school. This year both came from a high school located in Vienna, Virginia: Marshall High School located off of Rte 7, just down the road from Tysons Corner, VA. For more about the ceremony go to: FCA Annual Event

  Recently we were contacted by buyers wanting to move to Northern Virginia. They were relocating because of a new government job. It is vital for a client relocating to Northern Virginia and Washington DC to understand some of the nuances of the area. Here are the 3 things to know prior to moving to the Metro DC Area:

1. Location: Never consider distance on a map when determining where to live. Everything is based off of commute time rather than map distance due to daily traffic and rush hour

2. Schools: Whether you are single or have 7 children schools will impact your resale. Make sure to check out the right resources to compare schools prior to buying a home.

3. Alternative Transportation: In the local area we have services unknown to other cities including: Metro, VRE & Slugging

    Here is what the client had to say about Carol French with The Nellis Group: "Carol was amazing!! She was very knowledgeable about the area and what to look for as a 1st time home buyer. The staff and the entire Nellis Group was excellent!"

     Find out more about Relocation with The Nellis Group

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