Have You Checked Your Slogan For Possible Trademark Infringement? - 02/27/11 02:50 PM
For anyone who reads Inman News, the last 48 hours has produced a flurry of blogs, Facebook updates and Tweets regarding the lawsuit The Lones Group, Inc. vs. Daniel Rothemal and Strong Team Realtors, Inc.  The final outcome of this lawsuit, should it go to trial, should be of interest to every Realtor and will also become a casebook lesson in brand management.One of the parts of the lawsuit that caught my attention was the possible trademark infringement.  Back in 2004 when I first started blogging my Wordpress Blog had embedded in the  header  "Utilizing experience, technology and excellent customer service."   … (68 comments)

A Military Family Speaks Out About The Restrictions On DoD HAP Benefits - 02/26/11 09:20 AM
Over the last few months I've had the privilege to speak with Lt. Col Meredith, featured in this video, about the time-frame restrictions on the current Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Benefits.  Currently the program allows for home purchases or ratified contracts prior to July 1, 2006.Last year, for example I had two homes in the Port Potomac neighborhood of Prince William County to sell for military families.  One family closed before July 1, 2006 and the other closed on July 22, 2006.  One used DoD HAP benefits to sell their home.  The other had to do a short sale and … (5 comments)

Surviving Your Serengeti-My House Holds The Clue To What Animal Am I - 02/25/11 09:54 PM
A few months ago I started seeing Stefan Swanepoel's tweets about his upcoming book, Surviving Your Seregenti and was immediately intrigued.   I took the quiz, laughed and then tears came to my eyes.  Looking around my house the connection to what animal am I was very evident and had been for many years.  When the book was available for download I added it to my iPad.You see it turns out I am an Elephant and my house has a small herd of elephants I've been collecting over the years.   When you think about a career in real estate the ability to … (16 comments)

Resales Competing With Builder Closeouts-Make Sure You Do Your Homework - 02/25/11 05:05 PM
Throughout Northern Virginia builders are pulling out all the stops to close out communities that were stalled during the housing slowdown.  In those same communities homeowners are trying to sell their own properties.  It's great for buyers to have a choice but as a seller have you included the new construction in your pricing strategy?Most agents concetrate on looking in the MLS for pricing stratagies, setting price based on short sales, foreclosures and of course "regular" sales.  Not many take a look at the local tax records to find the sales that aren't in the MLS, such as For Sale By … (4 comments)

The Real Estate Industry Makes It A Challenge to Go Paperless - 02/24/11 05:27 PM
Back in 1988 I was the first Director of Operations for the newly forming distance learning initiatives at the University of Phoenix.  No one understood the evolution that was coming to our nations higher education system.  Over the next 15 years I worked to help hundreds of colleges and universities through the conversion of paper registration systems to web based "self-service" operations and academic departments move to on-line courses with electronic textbooks.When my profession changed full time to real estate I had expectations of an industry that would at least be in the same generation of technology.  Imagine my shock to … (23 comments)

Coming Soon-Lorton Detached Home Only Mintues From Fort Belvoir - 02/24/11 09:55 AM
If you have been looking for a large detached home in the Laurel Hill section of Lorton Virginia then Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group have one about to hit the market.  This home features a two story family room, a screened in porch and a fully finished lower level just for starters.  Add the 4 upstairs bedrooms, the first floor office and a few other goodies and you have close to 3800 finished square feet.  The Laurel Hill community is one of the new Lorton VA communities built starting in 2004 and is close to Fort Belvoir and NGA in … (7 comments)

Check the Timing For Responding to HOA and Condo Documents-You Might Be Surprised - 02/23/11 11:44 AM
In Northern Virginia we have a large number of neighborhoods with homeowners associations (HOA) and the closer you get to DC the more condominiums (COA) you will find.  Our contracts spell out the delivery and receipt of documents and the time-frame for review of these documents for buyers.Unfortunately many agents misinterpret the time-frame and advise their clients they have three days AFTER the deliver of documents to respond.  This is incorrect.  If you read the contract it says WITHIN three days.  If the documents are delivered at noon on Friday the clock starts ticking then.  Not on Saturday.  So the time-frame … (18 comments)

Yes You Can Buy Or Build a Custom Home in Fairfax Station Virginia - 02/22/11 07:47 PM
It's easy to drive through the Fairfax Station area in Northern Virginia and see why so many owners are proud to call it home. Not only are there terrific planned communities such as Crosspointe, Barrington and South Run but Fairfax Station also offers the opportunity for a buyer to find a one of kind custom homes as well.In pockets scattered off of Route 123 (Ox Road) you will find custom homes on 1, 5 or even 10 acre wooded lots that reflect their owners and the builder's individual style and taste. Though most of the available open land has already been … (12 comments)

In Virginia It's George Washington Day Not President's Day - 02/21/11 10:07 AM
Around the country most people are celebrating today as President's Day.  Created in 1971 to honor all of the United States presidents many think the day was only to combine Abraham Lincoln's Birthday and George Washington's Birthday.  However by law it is for all of our past presidents.
In Virginia though the day is officially George Washington Day.  Let's face it when it comes to Virginia history, George Washington was our leading citizen.  With his home Mount Vernon a living monument to his presence in our area.   Fairfax County also has other historic monuments standing as part of George Washington's … (18 comments)

I'm sorry I Just Can't Answer Your Question - 02/19/11 07:51 PM
It is never easy to be on either side of a multiple offer situation.  Whether you are representing the buyer who doesn't understand why their offer wasn't selected or representing the seller who had to make the choice between offers.
Over the last few weeks I've had a couple of properties where multiple offers were received in a matter of days.  The owners had some tough decisions to make.  Not one that I envy them having to make.  My role is to provide guidance, not make the final decision for them.   I can't disclose to the buyer's agent or the buyer's … (38 comments)

Harborside Condominiums-Final Closeout Only Two Units Remaining - 02/19/11 08:44 AM
The builder says SELL and has dropped the price on the two remaining units at Harborside Condominium in Belmont Bay.Both remaining units offer large rooms and feature 2 Bedrooms with 2 Full Bathrooms. The kitchen features, stainless steel appliances, granite counters, ceramic tile floors and ample room for a table. The master bedroom has a huge walk-in closet and the master bath has a soaking tub and separate tiled shower. Garage parking and extra storage on the same floor as your unit is standard feature at Harborside Condominiums.
Harborside Condominiums in Belmont Bay are located less than 10 miles to the … (16 comments)

Northern Virginia Buyers-Multiple Offers Are Real In All Price Ranges - 02/18/11 09:59 AM
Last night the owners of the home I recently listed in Herons Bend reviewed 4 offers which came in over a 72 hour period.  This home wasn't the most expensive home on the market in Prince William County but priced at an even $500,000 it also wasn't the cheapest.  This is the second home I've put on the market in the last few weeks that had multiple offers quickly.What does that mean for a buyer?  As the agent who called me this morning said "he who hesitates may lose out."  Now this doesn't mean throw caution to the wind and do … (12 comments)

We've Got The Boardwalk But Sorry We Don't Have Any Fries - 02/16/11 07:53 PM

Fortunately when you take a walk through the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Lorton VA you aren't tempted by a big bucket of fries.  Instead you spend your time on the lookout for Eagles who call this park home.  The 2200 acre park is listed as one of the top 10 Eagle watching spots in the United States.In the winter all is quiet but shortly the Eagles will be rebuilding their nests from the winter storms and it will be time to pull out the binoculars to keep an eye for the hatching of the next generation.
… (17 comments)

Divided Light Windows-Just When You Think You've Seen It All - 02/15/11 05:05 PM
When you are touring a home in the higher price brackets you have a certain level of expectations.  Granite counters, hardwood floors, ceramic tile and yes nice windows.They don't necessarily have to be new windows but today while touring a home with a client we encountered windows that made us take a second look.  From the outside and from a distance the windows appeared to be very nice divided light windows.  When we went up to check to see if they were the original wood windows or new replacement windows we were in for a surprise.The "divided" light windows were created … (24 comments)

A Closed Short Sale Is Always Time For A Sigh Of Relief - 02/15/11 04:40 PM
This morning my short sale listing in the Lake Ridge neighborhood in Prince William County Virginia went to settlement.  Anyone who works with short sales knows that no matter how carefully you plan, no matter how hard you work wth the lender, you hold your breath until the lender approves the final HUD-1.  This one took a little time,  due to the first buyer walking the day the approval letter arrived but the home was in great condition and the buyers got a great deal.Timing on this settlement couldn't have been better.  Shortly after closing one of the former owners and … (10 comments)

Bristow Virginia-Sweetheart Of A Home for Your New Love Nest - 02/14/11 08:32 AM
Want to celebrate next Valentines Day in front of your own fireplace?  Then you need to check out this 5100 SF home in the Tartan Village section in the popular Braemar neighborhood.  This home has everything you would expect and more.  With 5 nice size bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms there is plenty of room to spread out.  The kitchen and family room are made for gathering and the lower level recreation room could be the ultimate "man cave." This home also has a nice deck and fenced backyard to enjoy during warm weather.If you are looking for a new place to … (3 comments)

If You Like 5's Then This Is The House For You-Herons Bend in Manassas VA - 02/13/11 12:09 PM

Click on the photo of the kitchen at 10961 Meanderview Court to take a tour of this lovely home in the Herons Bend Community in Manassas VA.  Why 5's?5000 Finished Square Feet5 Acres of Property$500,000
Check out the soaring ceilings in the family room with the stone fireplace.  The master suite offers a luxury master bath and a sitting room.  Want a media room?  Then look at the space in the lower level.  Enjoy the change of seasons from the no maintenance deck or sit by the Koi Pond.Herons Bend is located less than 10 minutes from a VRE … (28 comments)

Putting Active Rain Contests To Work For You - 02/12/11 09:27 AM
Ever wonder what to do with all of the great blogs you write for Active Rain contests?  Active Rain offers all of us an opportunity to create a great deal of content.  A few years ago one of the contests gave me an "AH-HA" moment.  We were challenged to right a series on one subject.  As I worked through the series I realized it would be one that I could use over and over again.  But how to put it together for prospective customers and clients to use?After some research and some experimentation I came across ISSUU not to be confused … (25 comments)

Kings Park-Another Generation Sees The Value Of This Springfield Neighborhood - 02/11/11 07:22 PM
It isn't hard to figure out what the developer of Kings Park was planning when they laid out the plan for the community and the homes. With one look at the street names Thames, Victoria, Trafalgar and Cromwell among others you might think you have made a trip back to England. Then when you add the names of the five original models; King, Queen, Princess, Duke and Duchess, you realize absolutely there is a royal connection!
My family bought our very first home in Kings Park in 1981.  Over the last few weekends I had a wonderful couple out looking for … (6 comments)

Are You Sure You Live in Woodbridge VA? The 2010 Census May Say Differently - 02/11/11 07:10 PM
Besides giving residents of Prince William County an update on the population increase, the 2010 U.S. Census has also moved the boundaries of Woodbridge and renamed a significant portion of the area to Marumsco.Say what?  In what appears on a new census map most of what was Woodbridge is now Marumsco, in fact the new area makes up most of what residents think of as the postal address of Woodbridge.  Now in reality of course this is all on paper and nothing changes for the residents of the area.  All services such as mail or Prince William County governement services remain … (4 comments)

Mr. Telemarketer-The Devil Made Me Do It - 02/09/11 05:30 PM
We've all had those moments.  The phone rings and the friendly voice on the other end introduces themselves and asks how your day is going.   Then the pitch starts.  In this case I'm not even sure what company Mr. Telemarketer was representing but the pitch was obviously canned.Telemarketer:  Would you like to dominate your market?  Me:                  Why of course I would.Telemarketer:   Did you know that you could dominate your market with Social Media?Me:                  I'm wondering before you called me to help me dominate my market with social media did you do any research?Telemarketer:   What do you mean, research on you?Me:                 Yes … (42 comments)

Another Buyer Says YES to Marina Landing in Belmont Bay - 02/09/11 07:51 AM
This past weekend another buyer made their reservation to own one of the 12 waterfont Marina Landing townhouses in Belmont Bay.
The townhouses at Marina Landing offer three full levels with a large 2nd floor patio overlooking the Belmont Bay Marina and plenty of windows to take in the views of the Occoquan River.  Marina landing owners will enjoy all of Belmont Bay amenities including waterfront walking paths, community pool and tennis courts. If you are a boater you can rent a slip at the Belmont Bay Marina and be able to walk across the street to your boat. Golfers … (10 comments)

Could You Lose Out On The Home of Your Dreams Because Your Agent Isn't Tech Savvy? - 02/08/11 09:05 PM
In today's real estate market timing is everything.  I'm not talking about just finding the right home but also getting your offer presented and signed as well.  Even though the national news continues to talk about the slow recovery of the housing market, Northern Virginia and the DC Metro area are an exception.  As a result it is not unusual to see multiple offer situations on homes. So what happens after you have toured the perfect house, you've talked through all of the details with your agent and are ready to sit down and write an offer.  Does your agent pull … (56 comments)

Will Using Department of Defense HAP Benefits Hurt My Credit Rating? - 02/07/11 09:28 AM
With all the stories with how short sales and foreclosures impact a homeowners credit scores it is a question that makes sense for military families to ask.  Though many think that a Department of Defense HAP sale is "like" a short sale it isn't.  Sure the purchasers needs to wait a bit while the government process the paperwork but unlike a short sale the lender does not have to approve the sale.  Here is the good news:
 
 
If you are a military family who owned a home in Northern Virginia and PCS'd in the last few years you may … (4 comments)

Speehless Sundays-Just a Few Moments of Inspiration on a Winter Morning - 02/06/11 07:46 AM


Just a few seconds of Sunday morning inspiration. Any day that I can get up and enjoy a walk along the waterfront is a good one. It's nice to see the sunrise after a few gloomy and cold days. Hope you have a great week. "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Ralph Waldo Emerson … (24 comments)

Potomac Heritage Trail-Two More Pieces Come Together To Expand the Woodbridge Trail - 02/05/11 05:57 PM
Add up the miles and the Potomac Heritage Scenic Trail (PHT) runs 830 miles between the Potomac River and the Alleghany Highlands in the Ohio River Basin. Compared to the Appalachian Trail which runs 2175 miles from Georgia to Maine the PHST is just a small trail.
In Prince William County (VA) part of the Potomac Heritage Scenic Trail runs through the town of Occoquan, Belmont Bay, Leesylvania State Park and ends at Quantico Marine Corps base.  Currently only small portions of the trail are open to the public but this week the Prince William County Board approved transfer of a … (4 comments)

From Concrete Bunker To World Class Hosptial-Fort Belvoir Community Hospital - 02/04/11 07:41 PM
For 54 years Dewitt Hosptial at Fort Belvoir has done an amazing job of serving military families stationed at Fort Belvoir.  My daughter was born at Fort Belvoir in 1980 and over the years our family has accessed the facility for a variety of services.As part of the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC 05) DeWitt Hospital will take on a new an important missions for military families in the Northern Virginia area.  Located just inside Pence gate the site is just down the road from the current DeWitt Hospital but it is easy to see how this new facility will … (16 comments)

The Reserve at Port Potomac-New Homes With Access To Port Potomac's Top Notch Amenities - 02/04/11 07:28 PM
The Reserve at Port Potomac offers 60 new home sites tucked off of Port Potomac Boulevard in Prince William County, VA.  The Reserve at Port Potomac is being built by M/I Homes and offers 5 classic floor plans ranging in size from base size of 2500 to over 3100 SF.  Finished square feet can be enhanced by completed lower level recreation rooms and a variety of floorplan options.  Most of the homes are standard with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 Baths but can go up to 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths.Current base prices for the 5 floor plans range from $429,900 for … (2 comments)

Saying Good-Bye To A Chunk of Commuter Parking Spaces At Potomac Mills Mall - 02/03/11 05:23 PM
On the heels of the news from CNN that DC commuters face the worst traffic in the nation, Woodbridge VA commuters learn they are about to lose a major commuter lot to progress.Well I guess you can call it progress if you are a fan of Potomac Mills Mall and the upcoming expansion of the mall.  For commuters that means the loss of 725 parking spaces.  From the current parking capacity of 1,000 spaces to 275.  The news is not going over well with local commuters.  The lot is one that is filled to capacity every day and a solution for … (16 comments)

Port Potomac-The Winter Chill Won't Keep Owners From Keeping In Shape - 02/03/11 05:10 PM
If you are looking for a home in a neighborhood with top notch community amenities then you will want to include the community of Port Potomac in Woodbridge VA on your tour list. The clubhouse was designed after the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg and provides Port Potomac residents with top of the line options for recreation. Inside the clubhouse you will find a large gathering space with multiple seating areas and a full bar. You can reserve the clubhouse for a private event and it is a neighborhood meeting place as well. Head downstairs to the indoor pool and fully equipped … (6 comments)

A plea to HUD and REO sellers: Turn up the HEAT! - 02/02/11 09:09 PM
 
Over the last few days I've been in 4 Northern Virginia homes where the utilities were off.  Now we haven't had the same degree of extreme weather as other parts of the country but it is cold and damp.  What was even worse than the cold was the dark.  Ever try to tour a finished underground basement without lights.  Oh and by the way 2 of these homes were NOT foreclosures or short sales.
 
Via Richard Weisser Coweta Fayette Real Estate:
There is nothing worse when showing property than to have the interior of the house is colder than … (4 comments)

You Have Moved From Your Vacant House - Now to Get It SOLD - 02/02/11 09:06 PM
 
Vacant houses happen for a variety of reasons.  Though I won't tell a seller to spend thousands on rental furniture or home staging I will suggest that once the house is empty that we take another look at the home for cleaning and painting. A cold empty house in the winter is almost always an immedidate turn off to buyers. 
 
Via Myrl Jeffcoat (Real Living Great West Real Estate):

Real Living Great West Real Estate(916) 635-0420http://www.myrljeffcoat.com
 
 
… (0 comments)

Agents Are Paid For A BPO Why Not A CMA? - 02/02/11 07:48 AM
All across the country thousands of real estate agents are being paid by servicers and lenders to complete BPO’s.  Most BPO companies have a form that looks surprisingly similar to a CMA and in some cases even an appraisal. For BPO’s agents are paid to take at least an exterior photo and often interior photos of every room.  Some agents do these by the hundreds in the hope of getting a listing from a lender.  Each time the agent is paid for their work.  It may not be much, in fact when I used to do BPO’s I wondered if they … (82 comments)

Northern Virginia Military Families Are On The Move-Spring Can't Be Far Behind - 02/01/11 07:22 PM
A sure sign that spring is coming is when military families start receiving their PCS orders.  Today I put a great townhouse in the Woodbridge VA community of Riverside Station on the market.  Within hours a military family on a house hunting trip toured the property.  The home is owned by a military family who are selling the home using the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) benefits. This is the second home I've listed this week for military families who left Northern Virginia in the last few years and made the decision to rent versus complete a short sale.  … (10 comments)

 
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Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services

Woodbridge, VA

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CJ Realty Group, Inc.

Address: 12804 Marblestone Drive, Woodbridge, VA, 22192

Cell Phone: (703) 346-2213

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