Missing: $500k homes in Alex.; Amazon forges ahead in Arl.; Mortgage rates go lower; and more

It's challenging to keep up with local news, particularly the items that may impact your life, your commute, or your community. That's why each week we compile a few interesting developments happening in the area.

Washington Business Journal: Amazon's NYC exit doesn't change Arlington's HQ2 plans, but there's room for more

"Amazon.com Inc.'s decision to bail on New York City does not change its HQ2 plans for Arlington, company and local officials said, but Virginia should be able to accommodate more jobs and more space if the e-commerce and web services giant opts to grow its presence here."

Washington Business Journal: Alexandria's disappearing $500,000 home

"Until 2017, the number of homes in Alexandria assessed at $499,999 or less always topped the number assessed at $500,000 or more. Significantly even, as recently as 2015. Those days are over as rising assessments and demand, combined with low for-sale inventory, erode the supply of moderately priced homes."

WTOP: Mortgage rates just fell to a 12-month low

"For all the fretting over rising mortgage rates, they continue to do just the opposite. Mortgage rates have been steadily falling or holding ground since last November, and the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is now the lowest in a year.

The Washington Post: Study claims older homeowners are preventing millennials from buying houses. But is that true?

"Are senior homeowners preventing millennials from buying houses? Could the decisions of millions of older owners to “age in place” rather than sell their homes explain why millennials are lagging behind in homeownership? A provocative new study from federally chartered mortgage investor Freddie Mac suggests the answer may be yes."

UrbanTurf: What Wharf? A 1,000-Unit Mixed-Use “Waterfront” Community Planned for Woodbridge

"In addition to a potential water-transit pilot program, Woodbridge could be getting a massive mixed-use development. In October, Buchanan Partners applied to Prince William County to rezone the 145-acre vacant site at the intersection of Prince William Parkway and Minnieville Road (map) in order to deliver Quartz District, a sprawling mixed-use development with 125,000 square feet of commercial space, 175,000 square feet of office space, and up to 1,000 townhouses and multifamily residences."

Washington Business Journal: Exclusive: Reston poised to benefit from Google's growth plans

"Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL) plans to nearly double its footprint in Reston as part of a much larger expansion its chief executive announced Wednesday."

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