Continuing my coverage of all things home-related, let's meet a real estate agent that resides right here in Del Ray. This month, we're turning the realtor spotlight on Jen Walker of McEnearney Associates.
I've run into Jen at various Del Ray neighborhood events for years and she has always tolerated my peeking into an open house she's been hosting (I'm nosy like that). So, I was delighted when she agreed to answer a few questions for "The Home Front."
Q: Where are you originally from and what brought you to the area?
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A: I'm originally from Griffin, Ga., and came here 25 years ago because of a work transfer.
Q: How long have you been working in real estate and how did you get your start?
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A: When I first started in 1999, I worked for a small real estate company in Del Ray, located right behind St. Elmo's. In 2000, I moved to McEnearney Associates. I had worked with Nancy Dunning on several contracts and talked to her about joining up with McEnearney. I believe in small, independent companies and knew if I ever went to a bigger agency, it would be McEnearney or nothing. It's a company that was started in Alexandria with a focus on local communities.
Q: How long have you lived in Del Ray and do you have a favorite aspect about the neighborhood?
A: I've lived in Del Ray since 1999. Although we're in an urban area close to D.C., it's similar in many ways to the small town where I grew up. It's a community where people know each other's names, including dogs and kids, and a place where I know the shop owners and they know me. I doubt there are many communities where a neighbor borrows eggs to make cupcakes and then brings you some.
Q: Has Del Ray maintained its value in the real estate market of this region?
A: In 2007, when the housing market was declining, we were still seeing competitive bidding and increasing home values here. Del Ray continues to do as well, if not better, than other areas in the Northern Virginia market. I think it's the diversity of homes, the relative location to other parts of the D.C. metro area and the immense concentration of local amenities—many within walking distance of most homes.
To contact Jen or learn about properties she has listed for sale, visit her website.