Why Old Town is Different
Old Town Alexandria is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Northern Virginia — and one of the most challenging for home buyers. Pre-1900 rowhouses, balloon-frame construction, and a hundred years of incremental renovation mean that no two properties are the same. My job is to find what matters before you sign.
The Most Common Issues I Find
In the last year, the most common findings in Old Town: outdated electrical panels (Federal Pacific and Zinsco still showing up), knob-and-tube wiring in attics, original cast iron drain lines that are at end-of-life, deferred exterior caulking that has allowed moisture behind brick, and basement moisture intrusion from inadequate grading. None of these are deal-breakers. All of them affect price or require disclosure.
“Marc found three things during our Old Town inspection that our agent didn't know to look for. That inspection saved us significant money in negotiations. — Sarah K., Old Town Alexandria”
What Buyers Should Ask For
Before closing on any Old Town property, push for: a sewer scope (cast iron lines in this area are aging), an electrical panel evaluation, and any documentation on roof age. These three items cover the most expensive categories in historic properties.