No Snow Storm Should Keep You Away from this Montclair Mews Townhouse - 01/30/10 06:07 PM
OPPS YOU MISSED IT-THIS TERRIFIC MONTCLAIR MEWS TOWNHOUSE WENT UNDER CONTRACT IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS!
Are you ready to make a move? Tired of looking at dumps?Then your new home is waiting for you in the Montclair Mews neighborhood in Prince William County.
Completely remodeled kitchen Updated Bathrooms Backs to Woods Master bedroom with loft Third Bedroom on LL with Full Bath Walk out Lower Level Recreation Room Walk to Starbucks, Panera, Target and more
Walk to Commuter Parking Lot Easy Access to I-95  
$179,000 OPEN SUNDAY JANUARY 31, 2010 FROM 1-4PM Not a Short Sale- close within 90 days … (8 comments)

Relocating to the to National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in Springfield VA? - 01/28/10 07:48 PM
With the new National Geospatial-Intellegence Agency (NGA)being built on the old Fort Belvoir Engineering Proving Ground almost 6500 employees will be working in to the Springfield and Lorton area in the next few years.
For employees who will be moving to the new facility finding homes nearby will be important. Traffic in and out of NGA will be tough.  Let’s face it anytime you move a significant amount of employees from diverse locations to one place no matter how well the various government agencies plan commuting will be a pain.
Fortunately there are a number of terrific communities that provide … (4 comments)

ActiveRain Member Cindy Jones Shares Northern Virginia Information On Blogtalkradio - 01/28/10 06:25 AM
If you are up and moving Friday morning call in to Blog Talk Radio.  Find out what Carra Riley and I will be talking about over a cup of coffee.
Via Carra Riley CRB, CRS, GRI (Carra Riley Inc.- Real Estate Consultant, Author, Speaker ):
Activerain Member Cindy Jones Share Northern Virginia Information on Blogtalkradio
Meet Cindy Jones our guest expert from the activerain members series on Blogtalkradio from Woodbridge, Virginia. The show will air on Friday January 29, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. EST, 7:00 a.m. AZ time. Cindy will be sharing current trends in the real estate market area of Northern Virginia as well as some … (10 comments)

Sellers - Is YOUR Home Sale Slip-Sliding Away? My List of Top 6 Boo Boos for Northern Virginia Sellers - 01/27/10 04:27 PM
 
In our current Northern Virginia market where inventory is low making sure you are working with an agent who is on top of your listing and avoids these 6 common mistakes is crucial.
Don't be swayed by an agent that promises you the moon and then delivers only cheese.  If they told you they would provide photos, color brochures, internet exposure and so much more, make sure they deliver.  The first 10 days your home is on the market is critical.  If after that time none of the marketing is done then you may want to reconsider your choice of … (8 comments)

Springfield VA-Kings Park Detached Home Goes into the SOLD Column - 01/27/10 04:20 PM
This Kings Park remodeled King model situated on a quiet corner lot has gone into the SOLD column. The owners a terrific military family were able to use the USACE Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP) to assist them with the sale.  They are already at their new duty station in Okinawa and we were able to coordinate all of the final required HAP paperwork electronically.If you are a military family and qualify for the USACE HAP program give me a call at 703-346-2213.   With muliple HAP sales already closed in 2010 I have the experience you need put your home in … (3 comments)

Wordless Wednesday-Nightmare on Elm Street - 01/27/10 08:02 AM
 

When I came across this tree on the Woodlawn Estate it reminded me of trees you see "come alive" in horror movies.
Woodlawn was built between 1800-1805 for George Washington’s grand-daughter Nelly Custis-Lewis on an original 2,000 acre home site.  The home on the estate was designed by William Thornton, who created the US Capitol.   Situated at the top of a hill known as Gray’s Hill the back porch of the home has a view of the Potomac River and was the first property owned by the National Historic Trust formed in 1951.  You can still tour the grounds and … (20 comments)

Port Potomac Offering Both New and Resale Homes in Prince William County VA - 01/25/10 02:43 PM
Port Potomac is one of the popular new Prince William County Communities designed and developed in the last few years in Prince William County.  Multiple builders including Ryan Homes, Drees Homes, NVR and Kettler Brothers have helped shape Port Potomac.


Port Potomac features easy access to the Rippon Landing VRE, I-95 and PRTC commuter lots. The neighborhood is also popular with military families stationed at Quantico, Fort Belvoir and the Pentagon. Nearby shopping includes the Potomac Mills Mall and the new Stonebridge Shopping Center with Wegmans grocery store.
If the Port Potomac neighborhood sounds like a good fit for … (11 comments)

Pohick Church-We Hope George Washington Didn't Sleep Here - 01/24/10 05:56 PM
Northern Virginia offers residents and visitors alike the chance to find history around every corner. Most people can easily find the big attractions in both the history and tourist books but it is the little places that you don’t know about that can also be a fun stop on your exploration of the area.
Pohick Church in Lorton VA is one of those places.  Called by many historians as the “Mother Church of Northern Virginia.”  When the Virginia General Assembly met in 1732 they established an area known as Truro Parish, and Pohick Church became the first Parish Church within the … (11 comments)

Considering a Move to Lorton VA? A Quick Tour Community Tour To Wet Your Whistle - 01/20/10 07:31 PM

 
 
More details and links to Lorton Virginia information.View Current Lorton Virginia Homes for Sale  
If you are considering a move to Lorton or any Alexandria City or Arlington, Fairfax or Prince William County community give me a call at 703-346-2213.  Let's talk about whether now is the right time for you to buy a new home in Northern Virginia.  No hassle, no pressure, just straight talk about today's real estate market.
 
… (31 comments)

Gainesville Virginia-Carterwood Townhouse Goes Into the SOLD Column - 01/19/10 06:39 PM
It's time to celebrate another military family making a PCS move from Northern Virginia to a new duty station. The good news the home was SOLD with the assistance of the US Army Corps of Engineers-Homeowers Assistance Program (HAP).  It is often said that timing is everything and in this case it was even more critical.
The owners needed to get to their new duty station immediately as the husband, an active duty Marine will be deploying to Afghanistan within a few days.  Getting the family settled before he leaves was a top priority. 
 
 
If you are a Northern … (7 comments)

Walk to the Pentagon From Daventry in Springfield Virginia - 01/18/10 08:45 AM
Cindy have you lost your mind? You can't walk to the Pentagon from Daventry in Springfield (VA). It's 20 miles. You will be arrested as soon as you set foot on I-395 aka Shirley Highway. What is wrong with you?
Alright already but you can walk to the direct Pentagon Slug Line at the entrance to the Daventry neighborhood. From there you will be whisked safely down the highway to the drop off point at the Pentagon. If you aren't familiar with the term "slug lines" in relation to Northern Virginia commuting don't panic. It is a unique and legal way … (9 comments)

The Shortest Distance to a Settlement Isn’t Always a Straight Line - 01/17/10 03:02 PM
Over the last few weeks three of my listngs using the US Army Corps of Engineers Home Owners Assistance Program (HAP) have finally gone to  settlement. There hasn’t been anything quick about the first few of these transactions.  One of the biggest reasons was due to the delay in the publishing of the final guidelines and review by Congress.  Since most PCS orders arrive in the summer it didn’t take long to figure out that a number of these transactions were going to be the length of a short sale to complete. Fortunately every buyer involved in the transactions I was … (9 comments)

Speechless Sunday-Chelsea Market in New York City Brightens Up a Winter Day - 01/17/10 01:41 PM

 
During the Inman Connect Conference in NYC this past week I was invited to an event sponsored by HGTV at the Food Network Studio located in Chelsea Market.  The event was fantastic and the food prepared by the talented chefs was amazing.  Add to the Food Network Studio tour there was the food at the Chelsea Market itself.  There is no doubt that I could have spent hours wandering through all of the shops featuring fresh food of all types.  A good excuse to head back to NYC again soon.
… (18 comments)

Is Your Blog Just “White Noise” or Are You Engaging Your Audience? - 01/15/10 04:34 PM
One of the compelling questions asked during both Rain Camp and Inman Connect in NYC this past week was whether our blogs are making the connections we needed them to make.  There are blogs we read that capture our attention and keep us coming back for more.  However there are just as many and perhaps even more blogs you click past as they do not compel you to stay.
There were a few key reasons outlined that were powerful suggestions on how to create a blog post that would keep a reader engaged.  First and foremost was the length of a … (119 comments)

WHAT A DAY !!! RainCamp NYC was INCREDIBLE - PHOTO RECAP !!! - 01/13/10 07:35 AM
 
Sheldon is on top of it.  Even after a great party at Latitude in NYC he was home and publishing photos.  If you have a chance to attend a RainCamp in your area do so.
Information gathered and friends made at Rain Camp-Princeless!
 
 
 
Via Sheldon Neal -- That British Agent -- (Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited):
This truly was everything it was advertised to be and more !
 
The entire day was choc full of info and recommendations, and lists of new amazing websites to make our lives and our Soicial Media exploits easier … (16 comments)

RainCamp: ActiveBrad and ActiveBob Interview An Inpromptu RE Panel - 01/12/10 03:52 PM
When ActiveBrad and ActiveBob ask you to step up to the plate you have to say YES.  For all of the great work they do in managing Active Rain and the craziness that comes with it.
Via C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.net REMAX People Realty):
RainCamp: ActiveBrad and ActiveBob Interview An Inpromptu RE Panel
Patricia Kennedy, Sheldon Neal and Cindy Jones are onstage with ActiveBrad and ActiveBob. This is the highlight of my afternoon so far. Did you know that Patricia Kennedy used to work for Ralph Nadar and worked with an attorney with a journalism background? This person was her writing mentor … (8 comments)

Barrington In Fairfax Station-Beautiful Traditional Homes On Large Lots - 01/12/10 10:30 AM
For buyers relocating to Fairfax Station looking for classic homes on larger lots still within commuting distance to DC then the Barrington neighborhood in Fairfax Station may be what you are looking for. Bordered by Fairfax County Parkland and Lake Mercer the community of Barrington includes 475 executive homes made of brick and stucco homes on large treed lots.
Families who live in Barrington will find a neighborhood packed with activities. In the summer the community swim team, Blue Fins has meets all summer and an active Mother's of Barrington (open to all women in the community) meets one night a … (2 comments)

Ten Four Good Buddy-What’s Your Handle? - 01/10/10 03:30 PM
With the explosion of social networking more agents are jumping on the bandwagon to create an on-line identity. A few years ago the National Association of Realtors ® came down hard on agents who were using the word Realtor® in their websites and now they are on the look out for agents who are using the word Realtor® in other on-line forums as well.
In a recent edition of VARBuzz, a blog maintained by the Virginia Association of Realtors® they provided a few examples of Twitter names that would be in violation of the NAR guidelines.
Unacceptable uses: • @ArlingtonRealtorJoe • … (15 comments)

Speechless Sunday-A Juxtaposition in Time - 01/10/10 08:26 AM


Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó in Loreto, Baja California founded in 1697. As I was snapping this picture I noticed the clock added at some point in time to this Baja California mission. With all of the history of the mission and the area it was a striking difference between new and old. … (11 comments)

Enjoy All That Lorton Virginia Has to Offer - 01/09/10 04:19 PM

Located just a few miles from the main gate of Fort Belvoir the neighborhoods that make up the Lorton area have a long tradition with the military and military families in Northern Virginia. Lorton history goes back to our first Commander in Chief, George Washington. There are older neighborhoods such as Harborview which are just as popular today as they were when they were built in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Over the last 10 years a "new" Lorton has emerged which has brought a renewal to southern Fairfax County.Most of the "new" Lorton growth came about when a prison  complex … (4 comments)

The First Settlement of The Year in Lorton Virginia-A Special One - 01/07/10 03:40 PM
Each settlement we are involved in as real estate professionals means a new beginning for both sides of the transaction.  The first settlement of 2010 in Lorton Virginia was special for a number of reasons.  The fact that this one took a little extra time to happen is just one of the reasons this settlement was important to two families.
However the most important thing that makes this one stand out is that my clients are active duty military and the home was being sold under the guidelines of the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) set last fall.  The … (8 comments)

There is a Difference Between “I Can’t and I Won’t” - 01/05/10 06:44 PM
Today was the dreaded day to head to the local mega Verizon store to find a new phone.  My two year old Treo had done its last sync and wouldn’t allow me to make any outgoing calls. Fortunately the store wasn’t crowded and a sales person quickly appeared by my side.  Since I already knew I wanted a Droid they didn’t need to sell me anything, just wrap it up and send me on my way. When they brought up my account is when the trouble began.  It seems by the official Verizon clock my two year timeframe for an additional … (80 comments)

Northern Virginia Buyers-Updated Addendum Spells Out Your Rights - 01/05/10 08:01 AM
Everytime a Northern Virginia buyer sees these remarks in the MLS:
“Must use seller selected settlement company” “Seller to determine settlement company” “Short sale being professionally negotiated by XYX settlement company and buyer must use for settlement”  They ask why can't I use my own settlement company?The answer is you can!
Now an update to our Virginia Jurisdictional Addendum spells out a Virginia buyer’s right to choose even more clearly than before:
“The Provisions of the Consumer Real Estate Settlement Protection Act (CRESPA) may not be varied by agreement and rights conferred by this chapter may not be waived.  The seller … (15 comments)

Know Your Forms - New RESPA Closing Documents On The Way!!! - 01/04/10 05:48 PM
 
Gary has provided a valuable look at the new HUD-1 and GFE (Good Faith Estimate) that went into effect on January 1, 2010.  Hopefully the new forms will provide the details that buyers need to be able to make a more informed decision about what lenders are charging and keep the last minute "junk" fees from appearing on loan documents.
If you are a Northern Virginia buyer thinking about a new home in 2010 give me a call at 703-346-2213.  We can talk about the new Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and talk about your plans for a new home.
 
… (6 comments)

Speechless Sunday-The Long Walkway to the Dining Hall - 01/03/10 06:42 PM

Prior to closing in 2002 this was one of the walkways that inmates used to get from the barracks to the dining hall and other prison buildings at  the former reformatory.
The brick in many of the buildings were created and fired in a kiln on site.  Now the buildings are used as part of the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center and are a great place to view local artists at work.
… (21 comments)

Military Relocation-Housing and Transportation Costs for Northern Virginia - 01/03/10 03:53 PM
Thinking of buying a home in the Northern Virginia area? Wonder what the cost of owning that home and commuting in the area might cost you per year? Transportation and housing affordability are a big part of the buying process. The Urban Land Institute has developed a calculator to help show how these costs vary among different locations.
One of the first decisions that Northern Virginia buyers look at is whether they should buy a home "inside or outside" the beltway. Commuting is a big part of that decision. The calculator gives you a chance to play with the numbers and … (1 comments)

Belmont Bay-Water & Golf Course Views from This Terrific Rental Property - 01/02/10 08:47 AM
Easy access to Fort Belvoir, Quantico and The Pentagon … (7 comments)

Welcome to the New Year-How Will You Say 2010? - 01/01/10 05:31 AM


We have reached 2010.  Yea no more listening to news broadcasters saying Two Thousand OH Nine.  Last time I checked OH was not a number.  So here is to 2010 and a year of hearing the same news broadcasters saying Twenty Ten.
No matter how you decide to say 2010 may it be a great year for you!
 
… (25 comments)

 
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Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services

Woodbridge, VA

More about me…

CJ Realty Group, Inc.

Address: 12804 Marblestone Drive, Woodbridge, VA, 22192

Cell Phone: (703) 346-2213

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