Rolling on the River-Occoquan River Festival July 27, 2008

Occoquan River at Belmont Bay

 

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to be able to enjoy a water taxi ride between Old Town Occoquan, Belmont Bay or Occoquan Regional Park Then you need to come to the Occoquan River Festival this Sunday July 27th to take a ride on the two water taxis; Half Shell or Miss Rivershore that will be running between the festival locations to find out.

Water taxis aren't new to our area but they fell out of use almost 100 years ago.  Now with commute times increasing and roads become more congested local officials are looking at ways to revive the use of water taxis in the area.  A test run of water taxis from the proposed Harbor Station development on the Potomac River was conducted last year and the new National Harbor development has water taxis running between PG County and Old Town Alexandria on a daily basis.

Besides providing a fun way to get around for the day, the taxi routes will give local officials and members of the Occoquan River Communities the opportunity to see how effective water taxis might be to connect local waterfront communities and potentially lead to service to the DC area.

The taxis will begin running at 11 am with the first water taxis leaving from Belmont Bay and the Town of Occoquan.  The taxis will make stops at each of the locations where festival activities are taking place throughout the day.   The cost for a ride is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

So park your car at one of the festival locations and take a ride on the Occoquan River.  Join the team of volunteers who have made the Occoquan River Festival event a reality and get to know more about the Occoquan River Communities this weekend.  

Occoquan River Festival Schedule of Events

Additional posts on the Occoquan River Festival include:

No Pirates Allowed on This Cruise Ship

Celebrating Women Who Fought for Equal Rights

Milwaukee Custard Joins the Occoquan River Festival

Occoquan River Communities-New Plans and Plenty of Excitement

 

 





 

 

Good Buy Foreclosures in Prince William County (Bristow Edition)

Early this week we published an update on foreclosure good buys in the Woodbridge area of Prince William County.  Today we are going to take a look at newer homes in the Bristow area of Prince William County.  Just as before these are all homes that were built from 2004 forward so in many cases the homes are move-in ready.

With the proposed changes to FHA financing raising the required down payment for 3 to 3.5% and the elimination of the down payment assistance programs buyers who have been sitting on the fence for awhile should feel a new sense of urgency to purchase and close on their new home before September 30, 2008.

These properties are fully available and ready for a buyer to snap them up.  A few of them are new listings at great prices so if you are thinking of make a move to the Bristow area of Prince William County then give me a call and lets talk about getting you in your new home.

ML# Address ListPrice AdvertisedSubdivision Style Type BR Full BA Half BA LVL FP Lot Size YR BUILT
PW6803863 9898 EARLS FERRY CIR $253,900 BRAEMAR Colonial Patio Home 3 2 1 1 0 2696 2004
PW6821110 9507 LOMA DR $271,900 BRAEMAR Colonial Detached 3 2 1 3 0 7187 2005
PW6801588 9871 EARLS FERRY CIR $277,900 BRAEMAR Other Semi-Detached 4 3 0 2 2 3010 2005
PW6759818 9226 CASCADE FALLS DR $344,900 VICTORY LAKES Colonial Townhouse 4 2 1 3 1 3907 2004
PW6828086 10939 A P HILL CT $386,900 NEW BRISTOW VILLAGE Colonial Detached 5 4 1 3 1 16065 2005
PW6821991 10860 CATLETTS STATION CT $399,000 NEW BRISTOW VILLAGE Colonial Detached 4 3 1 3 1 7340 2006
PW6818049 13639 AMERICA DR $477,900 LINTON CREST Colonial Detached 4 4 1 3 1 15233 2005
PW6698868 8473 HESSIAN HILL CT $531,900 BARRETTS CROSSING Colonial Detached 4 2 1 3 2 20573 2005

 Bristow Virginia HomeBristow Virginia Home

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Utilizing Technology, Experience and Uncompromising Service is Cindy Jones commitment to her clients. If you are buying or selling a home in Northern Virginia including Alexandria, Fairfax County, Loudoun County or Prince William County give Cindy a call at 703-346-2213. Stop by VaRealEstateTalk & or Cindy's Northern Virginia Real Estate website for more information.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

 

Make Showing Foreclosures Fun

Delirious, yes that might be the word to use.  In the early morning when sleep eludes you, the mind begins to spin.    Did Americans really land on the moon or was it all a Hollywood hoax?  Are all of the houses with foreclosures signs in front of them real or are they just holograms?  What could we possibly find today when showing houses that we haven't seen before?

As the sun rose it came to me.  I was in foreclosure overload and I needed to come up with a new way to deal with the stress.  And then I figured what to do.   Turn showing foreclosures into a game of Scavenger Hunt. 

That's right Scavenger Hunt.  Instead of dreading opening the door and wondering what you might find, make a list of things to look for.  This could be both fun and educational at the same time.  If you find it you can check it off the list AND depending on what you find you can also take the house off the list as well.  At the end of the day if you have found everything on the list you can reward yourself with a glass of your favorite cool beverage.  If you end up with nothing on the list you can reward yourself by writing an offer.  It's a win/win!

So what would you put on your foreclosure scavenger list?

Foreclosure Scavenger HuntBroken Windows
Missing Appliances
Mold
Roaches
Dirty Carpets
Missing Plumbing
Falling Ceilings
Sagging Gutters
Squatters
Fleas
Feces


Oh and my new favorite....rats!

So before you head out on your next house hunting trip make up your list.  Have a little fun with what can become a stressful day.  If you really want to spice up the game give everyone on the search a whistle to blow when they find an item on the list.  Just imagine how much fun that would be!

 

 

Celebrating Women Who Fought For Equal Rights


Women's Rights in 1917On July 27th as part of the Occoquan River Festival a new memorial will be dedicated to the 150 plus women who were imprisoned for their battle for fair and equal rights in Northern Virginia.

How appropriate in an election year that the Turning Point Plaza will be dedicated at Occoquan Regional Park at 10am.  Not far from the sight where the Plaza is located is what remains of the  complex where these women were housed in deplorable conditions.  

The first parade to bring recognition to the women’s rights movement took place in Washington DC on March 9, 1913 with over 5000 participants marching on Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration day.  In 1917 the first women arrested in our area arrived at Lorton Prison.  It has been reported that they were physically abused and made to live in filthy conditions.  It was the action of these women between 1916 and 1920 helped bring about the 19th amendment to the Constitution giving women the right to vote

The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area have been instrumental in the creation of this memorial, but they have a larger vision, a brick wall memorial to all women imprisoned for the suffrage movement, as well as a place to honor all women that have fought for women's rights.  So make sure you take a moment on Sunday July 27th to stop by for this event.  It is a time to once again remember how far we have come as a country and how a few dedicated women made a big difference in the lives of all of us today.

 

 

The Pentagon and Fairlington-Another Great Neighbor Connection

Fairlington in Arlington VA Just a stoplight away from the Pentagon and tucked in the trees off of I-395, sit the seven neighborhoods that make up the community of Fairlington.  The connection between military families stationed at the Pentagon, Fort Meyer or other Military District of Washington facilities remains as strong today as it did in the 1940’s when Fairlington was first built.

Originally Fairlington was constructed as a garden apartment complex to house defense workers and their families during World War II.  The community remained popular as a rental complex for almost 30 years and then in the early 1970's the property was converted to condos.   In 1998 the areas of North and South Fairlington were added to the Virginia Landmarks Register and in 1999 they were added to the Federal registry of National Historic Places.

Fairlington Townhouses in AlexandriaThe rolling hills, tree lined streets and the variety of housing styles has made Fairlington a popular place for both first time home buyers and long time residents.  The community has multiple pools and tennis courts and is a great walking community.  Owners are actively involved in maintaining the charming feel of the community.   Fairlington addresses cross county and city boundaries of Arlington and Alexandria.   

With Old Town Alexandria less than 5 miles away and the new revitalized Village of Shirlington with its multiple restaurants, shops and Harris Teeter Grocery Store close by it is easy to see why after 60 years this community continues to thrive. 

Sample of homes currently available for sale in Fairlington:

 

Address Price Neighborhood Type BR BF LVLS
4669 34TH ST S $350,000 FAIRLINGTON COMM Townhouse 1 2 3
2967 COLUMBUS ST S #A2 $355,000 FAIRLINGTON VILLAGE Townhouse 1 2 2
4912 29TH RD S #3322 $374,950 FAIRLINGTON VILLAGE Townhouse 2 2 3
4885 28TH ST S #B $394,000 FAIRLINGTON VILLAGES Townhouse 2 2 3
4501 36TH ST S $402,900 FAIRLINGTON ARBOR Townhouse 1 2 3
3613 TAYLOR ST S $410,000 FAIRLINGTON GLEN Townhouse 2 2 3
4826 27TH RD S $439,000 FAIRLINGTON VILLAGE Townhouse 2 2 3
3477 WAKEFIELD ST S $439,900 FAIRLINGTON ARBR Townhouse 2 2 3
4692 36TH ST S #B $474,899 FAIRLINGTON MEWS Townhouse 2 2 3
4404 34TH ST S $547,000 FAIRLINGTON ARBR Townhouse 3 3 3

If you are considering buying a home while you are stationed at the Pentagon you might want to dust off your VA Certificate of Eligibility. If you find yourself headed to the Pentagon give me a call at 703-346-2213. We can talk about your housing needs, financing options and get your started towards buying your new home in Northern Virginia.

 

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Utilizing Technology, Experience and Uncompromising Service is Cindy Jones commitment to her clients. If you are buying or selling a home in Northern Virginia including Alexandria, Fairfax County, Loudoun County or Prince William County give Cindy a call at 703-346-2213. Stop by VaRealEstateTalk & or Cindy's Northern Virginia Real Estate website for more information.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

 

Good Buy Foreclosures in Prince William County (Woodbridge Edition)

It isn’t unusual these days to find buyers vying for the cream of the crop foreclosures in Prince William County.  With sales up over 50% from a year ago and prices down over 30% the perfect storm has formed in the Woodbridge area.   With FHA financing becoming  the norm for most buyers, finding a home that will pass the discriminating eye of the FHA appraisal has become critical.

 More and more buyers are looking at the newer neighborhoods of Belmont Bay, Port Potomac and River Falls (to name a few) at homes where the paint has barely dried from when the builders finished.  Homes are available in every style and price range for first time, move up buyers or empty nesters.  With the convenience of the VRE, slug lines and Omni ride most of these homes make it easy for their owners to get into DC and for military families the proximity to either Fort Belvoir or Quantico make them a great find.

 As an example this list shows homes in a variety of price ranges in Woodbridge that were built in 2004 or later. 

Address Price Subdivision Type BR BA 1/2 BA LVL FP
5065 ANCHORSTONE DR #307 $247,900 COUNTY CENTER CONDOS Townhouse 3 2 1 2 1
830 BELMONT BAY DR #402 $258,900 RIVER CLUB 1 AT BELMONT Mid-Rise  2 2 1 1 1
15974 CANADA GOOSE LOOP $265,000 RIVERSIDE STATION Townhouse 3 2 1 3 1
16517 BOBSTER CT $275,000 RIVER OAKS Townhouse 3 3 1 3 1
2774 WAKEWATER WAY $284,900 PORT POTOMAC Townhouse 3 3 1 3 1
16270 RADBURN ST $380,000 PORT POTOMAC Detached 4 3 1 3 1
15304 AUBURN HILLS DR $384,900 WITHERIDGE ESTATES Detached 4 3 1 3 1
14516 GENERAL WASHINGTON DR $398,900 SARATOGA HUNT Detached 4 2 2 3 1
443 BELMONT BAY DR $448,900 BELMONT BAY Townhouse 3 3 1 3 1
13162 QUADE LN $489,000 DALE CITY Detached 4 4 0 3 1
4345 NORBURY CT $680,700 COVENTRY GLEN Detached 4 4 1 3 3
4367 WINDERMERE VIEW PL $999,000 RIVER FALLS Detached 6 5 1 3 4



If you are looking for a good value in a property in Prince William County give me a call at 703-346-2213.  We can talk about your housing needs, financing options and get your started towards your new home in Prince William County.  You could be in your  new home in 60 days or less!

Port Potomac in Prince William CountyRiver Falls in Prince William CountyRiver Falls in  Prince William County

 

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is Cindy Jones commitment to her clients. If you are buying or selling a home in Northern Virginia including Alexandria, Fairfax County, Loudoun County or Prince William County give Cindy a call at 703-346-2213. Stop by VaRealEstateTalk & or Cindy's Northern Virginia Real Estate website for more information.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

 

Grab Your Passports and Join Me in My New Location

Passport for Move to PW CountyIt seemed about time to change my Active Rain profile to accurately reflect where I live, work and play.  When I first joined Active Rain my office was in Burke in Fairfax County and my home was in Belmont Bay in Prince William County.  A few months ago I moved my office to Lake Ridge in Prince William County and it seemed fitting that I should also move my Active Rain profile to Prince William County as well.

It was tough packing up the boxes and getting out my passport to make the official journey to Prince William County.  Clients had to be told that I was moving, mail had to be forwarded and most of all my readers had to know where they could find me.  Alright this is a stretch, except for the passport part, it is a joke around Northern Virginia that once you cross over the Occoquan River that you somehow have moved to another country or perhaps it is just another dimension.

I’m still traveling up and down I-95 and fearlessly driving through the Springfield interchange looking for the best deals for my clients.   It only seemed right to give my official “homeland” the respect it is due and display it proudly on my Active Rain profile.  So when you get a chance, stop on by and say Hi!  I promise you don’t need a passport but a little bit of sunscreen to block the reflection off the water in Belmont Bay.

 

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Utilizing Technology, Experience and Uncompromising Service is Cindy Jones commitment to her clients. If you are buying or selling a home in Northern Virginia including Alexandria, Fairfax County, Loudoun County or Prince William County give Cindy a call at 703-346-2213.  Stop by  VaRealEstateTalk & or Cindy's Northern Virginia Real Estate website for more information.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

 

"Just the Facts Ma'am!" Fairfax County VA Market Report (LOCALISM FEATURED)

Northern Virginia Real Estate Facts

Even though Joe Friday actually never uttered those words they have become associated with his character in Dragnet. However they seem appropriate to use when we try and talk to our clients about the current Northern Virginia real estate market.

With the news about Countrywide, IndyMac, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae buyers are finding even more reason to be skittish about the real estate market. In reality things are okay. Notice I didn't say great because they aren't great if you are a seller today. They are okay for realistic sellers who have over the years built up equity in their home. For the sellers who bought a few years ago the current Northern Virginia market isn't at all what they would like it to be.

For buyers though it seems to be the time for the sharks to be circling in the water. Offers of 50 cents on the dollar fly off the fax machines in huge numbers. Folks it is time for just one more reality check. Houses aren't selling for 50 cents on the dollar. In FACT houses that are priced right are selling at just around 93% of list price.

Total Units Sold 2008 538 704 929 1,073 1,278 1,453
Avg. Sold Price 2008 $472,016 $467,979 $466,378 $466,894 $469,049 $484,855
Avg. List Price 2008 $519,342 $513,320 $510,716 $504,723 $509,294 $521,945
Sale Price as % of List Price 2008 90.89% 91.17% 91.32% 92.50% 92.10% 92.89%
Avg. Days On Market 2008 132 123 118 107 93 87
Total Units Sold 2007 1,004 1,039 1,261 1,142 1,271 1,423
Avg. Sold Price 2007 $531,143 $508,545 $529,382 $528,347 $546,042 $574,939
Avg. List Price 2007 $569,781 $544,350 $559,797 $550,674 $573,161 $602,706
Sale Price as % of List Price 2007 93.22% 93.42% 94.57% 95.95% 95.27% 95.39%
Avg. Days On Market 2007 106 113 104 84 79 68

To stick to the facts shows that Northern Virginia prices overall are lower and the number of homes selling is lower but we aren't having a fire sale. Yes there are some neighborhoods and builders (I'll be glad to show them to you) where there are some unbelievable price reductions and a good buyer's agent will show you why.

So before you decide to write an offer that is sure to leave you frustrated take another look at the neighborhood facts. If the average home sale is at 93% of list price then offering 50% of list price is only going to get you the rejected stamp. If you are realistic you might just get the Northern Virginia home you want at a sales price that everyone can live with.

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Utilizing Technology, Experience and Uncompromising Service is Cindy Jones commitment to her clients. If you are buying or selling a home in Northern Virginia including Alexandria, Fairfax County, Loudoun County or Prince William County give Cindy a call at 703-346-2213. Stop by VaRealEstateTalk & or Cindy's Northern Virginia Real Estate website for more information.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

 

Fort Belvoir and Kingstowne –Putting Out the Welcome Mat

Putting out The Welcome Mat We don’t always get to decide who are neighbors are going to be.  We take our chances when we see new houses going up around us.  Deciding to put out the welcome mat often helps pull your new neighbors in and makes them feel welcome.  And this is case with Fort Belvoir and Kingstowne. 

When the earth movers first arrived on a large expansive of dirt between Van Dorn and Beulah roads everyone waited with anticipation to see how the newest neighborhood would grow.  And grow it has.  Into a community divided into three villages made up of commercial and residential space including 5200 hundred residences.  With two main streets that lead to the gates at Fort Belvoir the connection between the two communities has grown.  Many owners in Kingstowne also work at Fort Belvoir either as active duty Army assigned to the post or as civilians supporting the Army’s mission.

Happy Family in Kingstowne Virginia

 

For military families who decide to live in Kingstowne they can take advantage a variety of recreation options including 18 tot lots, three multi-purpose courts, almost 22 miles of hiking and biking paths, and community centers which offer swimming pools and a fitness center.  There is a wide selection of eating options in the neighborhood including Bone Fish Grill, The Noodle Company, Panera Bread, Chipotles and King Street Blues.  With the addition of the new  AMC movie theater complex and the close by miniature golf course it easy to see why Kingstowne continues to be a popular neighborhood for military families to live.

 

Besides its location close to Fort Belvoir another key to success of the neighborhood is the easy access to two metro stations within a short distance of the neighborhood.  Some residents can walk to the Springfield Metro or take a quick drive to the Van Dorn Street Metro Station which makes the neighborhood popular with military families who need to get to the Pentagon or other Military District of Washington sites besides Fort Belvoir.

With the proposed BRAC changes in the works both Kingstowne and Fort Belvoir will see even more growth in the future.  Hopefully the great relationship that has already been forged between the two neighborhoods will continue to grow with the expansion of Fort Belvoir’s mission. 

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Utilizing Technology, Experience and Uncompromising Service is Cindy Jones commitment to her clients. If you are buying or selling a home in Northern Virginia including Alexandria, Fairfax County, Loudoun County or Prince William County give Cindy a call at 703-346-2213.  Stop by  VaRealEstateTalk & or Cindy's Northern Virginia Real Estate website for more information.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

 

Minutes From Quantico-Peace and Quiet on 3.3 Acres

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Description
This beautifully maintained and updated home offers the opportunity for you to buy a nice home nestled on 3 beautiful acres in North Stafford County. The owners have made this home a showplace and you will know it the minute you turn up the driveway. Don’t be fooled by the front exterior. This home has over 3400 square feet inside. With the welcoming sounds of water greeting you at the entry courtyard you will already feel yourself starting to relax. Once you open the front door you know you have found a place that feels like home. Beautiful hardwood floors in the foyer, dining room and great room are the first thing you will notice.

Check out the vaulted ceilings in the family room and gas fireplace with marble surround. The kitchen features granite counters, ceramic tile floors 42 inch oak cabinets and a gas cooktop. The dining room has a custom coffered ceiling and large windows overlooking the front water feature.

Enjoy a master suite with vaulted ceilings and two walk in closets. The master bath has a luxury walk-in glass block shower with multiple shower heads. The second and third bedrooms are located on the opposite side of the great room providing privacy. The large walk-out lower level recreation room is ready for your final touches with exterior walls, ceilings and lights installed.

Spend time on the trek deck with electronic awning or on the front patio with fire pit. The 3 acre property is just the right mix of woods and green space giving you both for play space and privacy. This home is a gem and ready for new owners. Make sure you put this home on your must see list. You won’t be disappointed!
Features
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Parking: Garage
Year Built: 2002
Subdivision: Cherry Hill Estates
Lot Size: 3 Acres
Garage Size: Double
Square Footage: 3400
Agent Name: Cindy Jones
Broker: RE/MAX Allegiance
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Real Estate Agent: Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real  Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World)
Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services
Woodbridge, VA
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RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World

Cell Phone: (703) 346-2213
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