Dream Move to Ashby Ponds a Reality Thanks to Hot Real Estate Market, Expert Advice

For years, Fairfax Station residents John and Elisabeth Franklin knew that one day they would call Ashby Ponds, developed and managed by Erickson Senior Living, in Ashburn, Va., home. In January, the couple's vision became a reality.

"We knew, from the first time we saw Ashby Ponds, that there was no other place for us," says Elisabeth. "At the time, we were not ready to move. So, we joined the priority list and took advantage of the opportunities to visit and attend events."

During this time, the couple met with both sales counselor Dana Bradshaw and director of sales Holly Henderson.

“They were both so helpful and instrumental in helping us make our move to Ashby Ponds,” says Elisabeth.

In late 2020, Dana called the Roberts to let them know that their desired apartment home, the deluxe two-bedroom, two-bath with porch Windsor, was available.

“That was the catalyst and from there, everything went quickly,” says Elisabeth. “Dana provided us with the names of three preferred realtors, all familiar with working with Ashby Ponds. She encouraged us to do our research, which we did, to find the person we were most compatible with.”

The couple chose to work with Meg Olympia with Long and Foster. Since Ashby Ponds opened in 2008, Olympia has helped hundreds of new residents sell their homes quickly and for top dollar.

“Meg is wonderful,” says Elisabeth. “She hit the ground running. It was really a rapid process. She sold our single-family house in just one day.”

Ashby Ponds offers prospective residents assistance through Erickson Realty and Moving Services to help maximize the profit on their homes and expedite a speedy sale. The program offers help with every aspect of the moving process, including consultative home visits; professional real estate advice and marketing, staging, downsizing, packing, moving, and an array of other services.

The lightning fast sale is typical in today’s currently hot real estate market, a direct result of low inventory and record low mortgage interest rates. According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales have risen by almost 20% across the nation.

“We are currently in a seller’s market,” says Olympia. “Many homes, if priced correctly, are going under contract in less than a week, some as quickly as a couple days. We are seeing multiple offer situations with escalation clauses with homes selling on average $30K- $75K above list price. In addition, because the inventory is so low compared to the high demand, buyers are striking all contingencies to be competitive. This is an excellent time to be selling a home.”

An added benefit of the hot market is the fact that most sellers are forgoing staging their homes and making cosmetic upgrades. 

“Meg is not one to stage a home and for that we are grateful,” says Elisabeth. “The only thing she suggested was removing personal items, specifically photographs. We put those away and then a wonderful photographer came out to our house, took photos, and two days later they were on the website.”

Reflecting on their move, the couple are thankful for the many resources Ashby Ponds provided and the experts, like Olympia, who made the process as seamless and stress-free as possible.

“For more than 30 years, our house was a wonderful home to us and our two boys,” says Elisabeth. “But now we are ready to enjoy a new phase in our lives. Meg, Dana, and Holly were so helpful in making that happen. They held our hands through the entire process. We are so grateful.”

To learn more about the maintenance-free lifestyle at Ashby Ponds, please request a brochure or schedule a personalized tour!