Welcome to Kami’s Korner where we’ll take a deep dive into Arlington’s condominium market by focusing on what’s coming next. From emerging developments to shifting trends, this space will spotlight the opportunities and insights shaping the future of condo living in Arlington.

Thinking about selling your home and moving into a luxury condominium? For many empty nesters, the idea sounds wonderful in theory: less maintenance, better location, more time, lock-and-leave convenience. But then reality sets in. Where will all my stuff go? Will I have enough room? Can I still host Thanksgiving? What happens to my gorgeous furniture? And, most importantly, am I really ready to give up my house?

Most are worried about simplifying without feeling like they’ve diminished their life. Let’s explore some of the details you might look for to make that transition more exciting and less stressful. I’ll bet you have been comfortable in your house for three decades and now desire a lifestyle shift but don’t want to make a housing mistake.

There is an art to downsizing without downgrading.

Having sold thousands of new condominiums to Baby Boomers, I’ve learned that one of the biggest competitors for a new condominium isn’t another community. It’s the buyer’s existing home. There are certain elements which will help make this transition an enjoyable one where you don’t have to trade the things you love. In fact, finding a condominium that allows you to bring a lot of what you already value (while eliminating the parts of homeownership you no longer want) is the key to the perfect fit. 

Will I have enough space? Remember the basement, attic and garage you’ve accumulated over three decades? They’re not coming with you.

The right condominium can make you realize you didn’t actually need all that stuff. The wrong one will have you wondering where you are going to hide the Christmas decorations.

Most empty nester couples cannot fit in less than 1,400 square feet unless they have another home elsewhere (like a family house in Rehoboth or weekend cabin in West Virginia.) 1,400 sq ft gets you a larger than average 2 bedroom with walk-in closets, 2 bathrooms (so no one is in your primary bathroom), and perhaps an additional powder room, linen closet, pantry, or spacious utility room. Anything smaller means you are on top of one another and likely won’t have the storage capacity you need.

The ideal size for this demographic in Northern Virginia is a 1,700-2,200 square foot 2 bed plus den or 3 bedroom, with 2.5-3 baths. The den is critical and its placement should be an extension of the living room, not down the hall and cut off from the rest of the layout. During a party it expands the entertaining space while leaving the bedroom areas private…but on Tuesday it becomes a cozy spillover room to watch TV, read, and relax while your partner is cooking or watching videos of the grandkids on the laptop at the kitchen island. Don’t worry, you can still shout to one another. Some traditions shouldn’t be lost.

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