NOVA Properties

I find it funny how all the other bad reviews have suddenly disappeared for this woman and now all these 5 star reviews have popped up out of the blue all around the same time frame (within days apart). This company must have begged for someone to leave a nice review to weed out the bad ones. Wow, still unprofessional and fake to this day. But don’t take my word for it. Work with this woman and find out for yourself how rude she is.

Emelia’s personality is not for everyone, to be sure. She is direct, often to the point of what some might consider rude. (I certainly considered her rude at times.) NOVA Properties’ policy of having the tenant pay the first $ 100 of repairs is non-​standard and, I agree with other reviewers, beyond the normal terms of renting. It is especially insulting when she says, of an owner, «they don’t feel like spending the money» (on a standard repair, like a front door that is cracking due to normal wear and tear). No kidding — I don’t feel like spending the money either, which is why I am a renter.
BUT
Emelia got stuff done. I sometimes had to self-​advocate pretty hard to get Emelia to agree to go through with evaluation and repairs (including some plumbing repairs, mice in the attic, dead trees in the backyard) but she always responded to my requests, was willing to negotiate (and grateful when I project managed the scheduling, etc), and ultimately, handled it.
Pro-​tip: I found that Emelia responded better to when I asserted myself in a demeanor similar to her own, than when I was demure and supplicating. I think she has no patience and little respect for anyone who’s not hard-​nosed, so it (weirdly) benefits the renter, at least, a female one, to be direct and assertive. Lean In, and you may find that you get further with her.

I worked with NOVA properties from 2007 until 2013 — both as my property manager and then real estate brokers. I highly recommend trusting them as your property manager, broker, or to rent property through (my tenants were always happy). I am extremely pleased with NOVA’s experience, aggressiveness, honesty, and hard work. Note, that this relationship lasted throughout the real estate crash in 2008 and the economic crisis. I was overseas for most of this time. We maintained our relationship via email and phone. I could not have lived overseas and continued with my life without their professionalism and excellent service.
As to the other comments on Unilocal that are less than positive, I think my 6-​year relationship with NOVA out trumps any singular experience. With a relationship over 6 years, we had differing points of view, but always resolved them by working together and having phone conferences. Most of the differences were in favor of the tenant, such as me needing to replace A/​C units or appliances to keep the tenant comfortable. Emelia and Karina always told me good or bad news immediately with no sugar coating. They are up front people. When it comes to property and rental income, this is exactly how I wanted them to be.
My property was rented the entire time with the exception of a month when the tenant was switching. I also had Emelia and Karina manage renovating my property when we decided to put it on the market. I trusted them with a huge responsibility for a very long time and results were as profitable for me as possible given the real estate and rental market.

Thanks to Emelia Beltran and Karina Srebrow, Nova Properties, my Alexandria condo sold a few days ago after being on the market for about a week. I attribute this successful outcome to their combined market knowledge, advising, follow-​through and representation. This team pays attention to what makes real estate move — or not — in northern Virginia. Since they were introduced to me by a friend who has benefited from their expertise at least twice in the past couple of years and holds them in high regard, I abandoned my preconceived notions, held my ego in check, and paid close attention to their suggestions about what would make the condo sell. The punch list included such things as fresh coats of paint in more attractive colors, an update to the floors, and professional staging. Once we discussed each item, I made a decision. In all cases except for one item I didn’t want to change, they got bids and had the work done, exactly as agreed, within very short time frames. I helped maintain the momentum by paying invoices quickly. We did all of this long-​distance, mostly by email. I’m fully satisfied by the work that was done by this team, and will seek their services again in the event that I return to Virginia.

I have had the distinct pleasure of working with both Emelia Beltran and Karina Srebrow of Nova Properties in various capacities, including renting, purchasing, and managing real estate. They both have deep expertise and robust experience in all of those domains, in addition to selling real estate. Not only have I rented a lovely and well-​maintained home in a highly sought-​after neighborhood in Arlington from them, but they both helped me find a similar home in the same area that met my specific criteria, which is no easy feat in such a competitive area and market. With regard to their property management services, they have done an excellent job with selecting qualified tenants and making sure that repairs are completed in a timely manner.
I have greatly benefited from their unparalleled knowledge about real estate in Northern Virginia and extensive networks in related fields and highly recommend working with Emelia and Karina.

Absolutely DO NOT rent from Emelia Beltran of NOVA Properties. It has been an awful experience from the start. Not only is she unprofessional and rude, she also places unrealistic burdens on residents.
For example
1.should any appliance break due to normal «wear and tear», tenants are responsible up to $ 100.
2. tenants are charged for EVERYTHING with little to no notice (i.e. termite inspections, gutter cleaning, re-​caulking the tub every few months, etc.)
3. if more than two holes exist in a wall, tenants are responsible for the cost of re-​dry walling.
4. tenants are responsible for maintaining the yard (which was in terrible condition), but not provided with the tools to do so.
When we request anything from small repairs to large items (the 20 year old furnace needed replacing in the dead of winter) it is an absolute battle. Upon move-​in inspection it was noted that one of the downstairs bedroom window locks was broken. We requested repeatedly for it to be fixed and nothing was done. Things that were promised to us upon move in (fixing the hall light and bathroom fan, no outlet covers, removing paint cans, etc) were never taken care of and then new charges, service orders, and demands were submitted to us with little or no notice.
We paid our rent on time every month and kept the house very well maintained, but were never treated with respect. I have countless rude and unprofessional emails from her that never addressed any actual issue we had.
In short, save your sanity and avoid this business and this property manager.
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