Going Green With Blogging-Let The Three R's Help You - 07/31/11 06:56 PM
When you see recycling symbol do you only associate it with trash and saving the environment? Well I've got another use for the symbol and it is about blogging.
Reuse is a simple as pulling out an old post. The nice thing about generic posts such as "how to" or "Speechless Sunday" posts is they are usually timeless. It doesn't matter how old they are they can be copied from your archives and used again. This is great when you have have writers block and can't think of anything new to say. Many times new members of Active Rain won't have … (18 comments)

The Reserve at Port Potomac-60 New Homes With Access To Port Potomac's Top Notch Amenities - 07/31/11 06:50 PM
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 $419,900 for the Barkridge model up to $454,990 for the Devonridge model. … (2 comments)

Eagles Pointe-New Section of Villas Available For Immediate Delivery in Woodbridge VA - 07/31/11 06:47 PM
Back in Fall 2007 my first post on Eagles Pointe in Woodbridge VA focused on the deals the developer was offering in a blowout weekend sale. Following the sale weekend and through the end of December of 2007, 15 homes went to closing priced between $438,000 to $710,000. Since most of the original sales were not recorded in the MLS it is unknown what other incentives the buyer's were able to include in their purchase. Interesting to note that one of the homes purchased during that time-frame was a re-sale foreclosure that the original buyer defaulted on within 8 months of … (1 comments)

DoD HAP Benefits-Did You Rent Your Home When You Left Northern Virginia? - 07/31/11 11:37 AM
My phone is still ringing with questions coming from military families about eligibility for theDepartment of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP).
Last week I had two phone calls from families outside the area who had PCS orders in 2009 with leases expiring in the next few months of 2011.  I put together this quick video last year for other Northern Virginia (or former Northern Virginia) military families who might have the same question about DoD HAP benefits.

In addition to this video here are a few other posts I've written about the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program( HAP) … (6 comments)

Speechless Sunday-The Art of Camouflage In The Sand - 07/31/11 07:54 AM

If you are looking for industrious creatures you may want to add sand crabs to your list.  They rarely seem to slow down other than to give you the suspicious eye as you try and catch them popping out of their hole.  This guy does a nice job of blending in with the surrounding sand.  His larger cousins made a delicious dinner!
… (40 comments)

Life if Good in River Falls In Prince William County Virginia - 07/30/11 06:28 PM
If you are a buyer looking for a luxury home in Prince William County you need to check out River Falls. This upscale community is located just off of the Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge. The community is built around the Old Hickory Golf Course with a club house that looks like you have driven up to a southern plantation.
Even though a good portion of the community is built around the golf course, non-golfers were not forgotten. Spread out over 280 acres the community features pools, tennis & basketball courts and plenty of walking paths owners have their choice of … (6 comments)

If You Want To Get It Sold - Drop the Price! - 07/30/11 06:21 PM
There is no doubt that PRICE is a huge factor im getting a home sold.  The Northern Virginia market dictates price to sellers very clearly.  If the comps you use are accurate then it should be easy in an urban and suburban area to determine sales price. 
 
Via Lora "Leah" Stern, Realtor Suffern, Rockland County NY (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage):
If You Want To Get It Sold - Drop the Price!
Has your home been languishing on the market, without any offers or even showings?  Well that's a clear indication that you just might be overpriced.  In this current market and … (4 comments)

Don't Blink Or You'll Miss This Little Guy-A Trek Through Carolina Wetlands - 07/28/11 07:56 AM
 
 
 
Sharp eyes and a telephoto lens can often spot something you would otherwise miss.  Walking through one of the local wetlands in the Currituck area of North Carolina we spied this guy just taking in the surroundings.  You can tell by the size of the grass he is on that he wasn't very big, otherwise I wouldn't have stuck around for the photo op.
 
… (20 comments)

Consider An Alternative Before You Turn Out The Lights on Your Real Estate Career - 07/26/11 08:32 PM
Over the last few weeks I’ve been having a discussion with an agent retiring from real estate in Virginia. Our conversations first started about lockboxes and other auxiliary equipment they wanted to sell.  Having known the agent for a while, I asked what about your URL’s and websites?  Oh they hadn’t thought about those. Well what about your past clients?  What are you going to do with them?  Are you walking away and letting them find another agent on their own or are you going to refer them to someone you trust?
Oh they hadn’t thought about that.
Then our conversation … (82 comments)

Speechless Sunday-Early Morning Stroll At Whalehead Club in Corolla North Carolina - 07/24/11 01:47 PM

 
Out early this morning in North Carolina strolling around the grounds of the Currituck Heritage Park.  The Whalehead Club was originally built in 1920 and after an extensive restoration project is now open to the public.  The grounds are views of the Currituck Sound are amazing.  I look forward to heading back during the week when I can get a look inside.
… (22 comments)

Your Sarcasm Cuts Right Through The Current Heat Wave-Let's Stay Cool - 07/22/11 05:51 PM
It's hot.  It's humid and we are all suffering.  Add the stress of a seller who wants their home sold now or a buyer looking to find the perfect home and what do you get?  You likely get short tempers and normally cool agents looking to take it out on someone.
Over the last few days I've gotten a few emails dripping with sacrasm that though I've been tempted to fire back an ugly response I've refrained.  In a former life, or at least a few years ago my response would have been to lay into someone.  A little bit of … (28 comments)

Thinking Of Renting When You Come To Fort Belvoir Or NGA? Let Me Be Candid With You - 07/22/11 01:15 PM
We hear a lot of talk about it being a "buyer's market" in Northern Virginia. That may or may not be true depending on where you want to live. But without a doubt it has become a Landlord's market when it comes to rentals close to Fort Belvor or the new NGA facilty in Springfield.At least two or three times a week I get an email request from someone relocating to the area. They want a reasonable commute to Fort Belvoir, NGA or access to public transportation to DC. Easy enough to do. Then the hard part or perhaps the reality … (6 comments)

Hiding Out From The Dog Days Of Summer In Nothern Virginia - 07/21/11 04:25 PM
It is happening every day in dark alleys throughout Northern Virginia. No not muggings but FUN! How can it be? It is easy when you let your eyes adjust to the darkness and spy a group of adults tossing a grapefruit size ball at miniature pins in a game of duck pin bowling or a party full of little bowlers keeping the ball in the lane with the rubber bumpers covering the gutters.
Back in the day bowling alleys had the reputation of being smoke filled buildings with greasy fries and hot dogs as the main attraction. My dad wouldn't let … (24 comments)

Forget the Phrase "Don't Get Into A Car With Strangers"-In Nothern Virginia It Will Get You To Work For Free - 07/21/11 04:03 PM
Every day in Northern Virginia thousands of commuters are jumping in strangers cars and headed in to DC. Our slug lines are famous around the country as a unique form of carpooling not often found in other major metropolitan cities.
Many like to associate the term "slug" with the slimy creatures you find in your garden but the term actually started with the bus drivers who would find riders who had slipped in "slugs" or fake tokens into the token box instead of the real ones.The term stuck and became linked with grabbing a free ride in our area.
Slug lines … (18 comments)

Wordless Wednesday-My What Long Eyelashes You Have - 07/20/11 09:37 PM

This young buck was enjoying a snack along the boardwalk at Teddy Roosevelt Island in DC.  With all of the lush greenery to eat and shade to keep him cool from the heat wave he appeared to be unfazed by someone with a camera only a few feet away.  Love the long eyelashes and the soft fuzz on his growing antlers.
… (26 comments)

Where In The World Is My Client? It Doesn't Matter With Docusign - 07/20/11 07:12 AM
Home Port:  Norfolk VA
Current Station:  USS EnterpriseLocation:  ClassifiedProblem:  House To Sell in Prince William County VASolution:  Docusign
 
 
It isn't unusual for me to get an email from a military family stationed outside of the United States.  Over the last year they've come from Japan, Germany, Thailand, UK and Italy.  However when the email arrived from this homeowner it was a first.  The US Navy Commander explained to me they he was  currently deployed on the USS Enterprise in the Arabian Sea and had limited access to the "outside" world.  He had a home he wanted to list in Prince … (34 comments)

Do You Know What Your Pets Are Up To When Your Not Home? - 07/17/11 09:24 PM
It seemed as if it would be an easy showing. The instructions said to call the owner first so they could crate the dog. We had a pleasant conversation, gave them a time-frame and they said they would vacate the house so we could have it to ourselves. You have to love sellers who understand the process.
We arrive at our appointed time and just to make sure the owners are gone I knock on the door. From deep inside the house I hear the dog bark followed by a "shut up". Figuring that the owners hadn't left yet I … (43 comments)

Speechless Sunday-Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave - 07/17/11 04:43 PM

 
I'm not a fan of spiders, in fact I admit to having arachnophobia to the 10TH degree.  However I do recognize that a spider outside doing her job of spinning webs and eating insects is a wonder of nature.  So as long as they stay outside then you won't hear me scream RAID.  This Orb Spider was doing her thing at Teddy Roosevelt Island in Washington DC.
 
 
… (26 comments)

Oh Where Oh Where Have The Prince William County Foreclosures Gone? - 07/14/11 07:30 AM
Oh where or where can they be? If you are looking for a high end detached home the answer is Western Prince William County.  Haymarket and Nokesville to be specific.  If you are thinking of a smaller condo or townhouse then head to Eastern Prince William County in Woodbridge and Dumfries. Prince William County was one of the hardest hit areas when the Northern Virginia real estate market hit the skids in 2007.  It has also seen some of the greatest price gains when the market turn around started. Taking a look at last 3 years we can see the steady … (14 comments)

Wordless Wednesday-Here's Looking At You Kid - 07/13/11 01:27 PM

Or perhaps the line should be "my what big eyes you have."  Dragonflies aren't know to hold still for very long so catching on on a break on a warm summer day at Mason Neck State park in Lorton VA was a treat.If you are tired of flitting around and are looking for a new place to call home, give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a call at 703-346-2213.  Let our knowledge of the neighborhoods in Alexandria, Fairfax County and Prince William County work for you.  No hassle, no pressure, just straight talk about whether now is the right … (13 comments)

But Never Never Never On Sunday-Or So Said The Agent's Voicemail - 07/12/11 10:25 PM
This morning while cruising the MLS for listings one caught my attention.  WOW a home in Northern Virginia for less than $50,000?  How could that be?  Must be a dump...but wait the photo shows a nice brick home.  Hmmm this must be a mistake.  Think I'll be a good Realtor® citizen and let the agent know.Ring Ring Ring...phone goes to voice mail.  Sorry this is so and so from such and such real estate company.  You can reach me on this day, and that day and that day (this was not one of those days).  If you are lucky you can … (36 comments)

I Say ToeMayToe-You Say TahMayToe-At The End Of The Day It's Still A Fruit - 07/11/11 05:44 PM
That's right a tomato is a fruit. There are hundreds of varieties of tomatoes and they aren't all red.  However at the end of the day no matter how you pronounce it or what your favorite is it is still a fruit.That's the same way with blogging.  Everyone has the choice to pick not only the platform they use but what they want their blog to accomplish.  Want to use your blog just to post listings?  Want to blog about local events?  Want to focus on short sales?  Want to blog about neighborhoods?  Want to feature your photography?  Go ahead it's … (83 comments)

Mason Neck State Park-A Quiet Respite With Hundreds Of Years Of History - 07/11/11 12:11 PM
Mason Neck State Park along with the Elizabeth Hartwell National Wildlife Refugee combine to create close to 2000 acres of tranquility within 15 minutes of the bustling community of Lorton VA and Fort Belvoir.  The park sits on a peninsula of land with three bodies of water, Pohick Bay, Belmont Bay and the Potomac River creating the shorelines.
The Mason Neck peninsula is named after George Mason who's home Gunston Hall is just a across the road from the park.  Originally the area was part of a 5,000 acre corn and tobacco plantation. Regular visistors to the area included George Washington … (5 comments)

Without Followers You Are Just A Dancing Fool-Thanks Active Rain For Giving Us Great People To Follow - 07/11/11 07:23 AM
Over 4.5 Million people have watched the YouTube video of the crazy dancing man at the Sasquatch Music Festival.  Yet the leadership lessons gleaned from that video have been largely overlooked.  Read any management book on leadership and you will find page after page on the traits of what makes a good leader.  But ty to find a book about the traits of the first follower who took the risk and said this is a great idea I think I'll join in.
Though Active Rain wasn't the first collaborative real estate blogging platform with over 200,000 members it is now the largest.  … (20 comments)

Top 5 Mistakes Woodbridge VA Short Sale Sellers Make - 07/11/11 06:59 AM
 
This weekend I talked to 4 agents with properties on the market with short sales.  Two of those listings were to be shown "by appointment only" and one refused to let us come, even with 24 hours notice.  Both of the  homes had been on the market for over 150 days and both were priced above comps for homes in the neighborhood. 
If you are getting ready to list your home as a short sale these 5 tips are important for you to consider as you move forward.
 
Via Tni LeBlanc REALTOR® Santa Maria CA Homes Central Coast:

… (6 comments)

Social Media Won't Help if You Suck!" - 7 Ways to 'Suck-Proof' Your Business - 07/10/11 06:41 PM

The great thing about Social Media and Blogging is the only wrong way to do it is not to do it at all.  Everyone has a different take on what works and what doesn't.  What works for me may not be the same as what works for you.  I look forward to Rich's series as his insights are always worth reading.
Via Rich Jacobson Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker (WindermereRE/West Sound, Inc.):
"Social Media Won't Help...
 ...if You Suck!"
 This post is the beginning of a series of articles I will be publishing and are based on a presentation I … (10 comments)

Relocating To Work At The New Fort Belvoir Community Hospital? - 07/10/11 10:34 AM
In just a couple of months the new Fort Belvoir Community Hospital will be opening it's doors.  The hospital is consolidating services that have previously been spread throughout the Washington DC Region including Walter Reed and Bethesda.  For many active duty military and civilian hospital employees this means a major shift in location.  For those who have been living in the outer suburbs of Maryland the commute to Fort Belvoir is going to add significant time to their work day.
If you are one of the employees facing a long commute to the new hospital and Wounded Warrior Unit you might want … (6 comments)

Even A Dragon Fly Needs To Take A Break Now And Then - 07/09/11 09:15 PM

 
It seems most Realtors® are on the go 7 days a week without taking a break.  Yet almost any creature in nature takes a break now and then to rest.  Today I took a break with my daughter to try out a new camera.  We walked for miles in Mason Neck State Park and along the shores of Belmont Bay snapping plenty of photos along the way.  This is one of the dragonflies we found who agreed with us that a break from being on the go now and then is a good thing.
… (12 comments)

Barrington In Fairfax Station-Beautiful Traditional Homes On Large Lots - 07/08/11 10:24 PM
For buyers relocating to Northern Virginia on the hunt for tradition brick homes on larger lots 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 … (6 comments)

Port Potomac-The Winds Of Change Are Blowing In The Right Direction - 07/08/11 01:21 PM
Over the last few years I've had the good fortune to list and sell a few properties in the Port Potomac neighborhood in Prince William County Virginia.  As one of the newer communities in eastern Prince William County the impact of the downturn of the real estate market was readily apparent as the sales prices for the neighborhood plummeted and the number of short sales and foreclosures skyrocketed.
Recently in working with a buyer looking at new construction in the neighborhood they asked, "how many short sales or foreclosures have sold in the last few years?"  Great question.  Time to do … (8 comments)

Spending A Weekend In Northern Virginia? Things To See On Less Than A Tank Of Gas - 07/07/11 09:50 PM
One of the great things about living in the Northern Virginia area is all of the things you can find to do on a weekend. You don't have to spend a fortunate in gas or days traveling to enjoy a few hours or a day out with friends or family.Wander the grounds Arlington National Cemetery. The views from Arlington House, the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider and President Kennedy's gravesite are just a few of the sites that make Arlington National Cemetery a must on everyone's tour of the area. Interested in Aviation History? The … (29 comments)

We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Programming To Bring You This Special Announcement - 07/07/11 08:34 PM
It was recently announced that Active Rain gives Realtors® an opportunity to share their experience with marketing properties across the nation.  With over 200,000 members the network offers an incredible chance to learn from your peers.  But WAIT.  Before you run with the latest idea you read you may want to take a minute and consider whether that idea might be leading you towards some hot water.Recently a few posts have caught my attention that advocate blind Craigslist postings, stealth websites and bandit road signs which do not contain required disclosures.  The Code of Ethics Standard of Practice 12-5 states:"REALTORS® shall … (66 comments)

Another Lorton VA Home SOLD By CJ Realty Group - 07/07/11 09:03 AM
Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group are happy to announce the settlement of our listing at 8183 Paper Birch Drive in the Laurel Hill neighborhood of Lorton VA.  This closing was our 30th Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) settlement.  This home garnered multiple offers and sold for 15K over list price.  I've had the pleasure of working with the former owners of this Lorton home on three transactions over the last 7 years.  Laurel Hill is one of the new communities in Lorton that was built after the closing of the former DC Reformatory located in Lorton for almost … (11 comments)

Considering New Construction? Hang Out And Talk To The Neighbors - 07/05/11 06:38 PM
One of the things I've learned from selling a signification number of to be built homes in Prince William County VA is to advise my buyer's to not only take a look at the furnished models and amenities but to talk to owners in the neighborhood to get their feedback on living in the community.   Is your favorite time to take a walk is at 6:30 PM? Then park in the neighborhood and take a walk. While you are strolling the streets strike up a conversation with current owners and find out what they like and don't like about living … (24 comments)

Crandall Run in Lorton VA-Perfectly Located For Commuting Throughout Northern Virginia - 07/05/11 02:11 PM
The Crandall Run community offers 35 executive style homes with lots ranging from ¾ of an acre to just over 1 acre. Built by Brookfield homes between 2003 to 2005, the neighborhood homes are large and offer owners plenty of privacy. Homes offer three full levels of living space and at least 3,500 to 5,100 SF of living space on the first two levels depending on the model.
Located just off the intersection of Route 123 and Furnace Road, Crandall Run owners have easy access to major roads for commuting to DC. The Lorton Station VRE is within 15 minutes, access … (1 comments)

HONORING OUR TROOPS! A PAIR OF BOOTS GIVEN AWAY TOMORROW TO AR MEMBER AND FOR NEXT THREE MONDAYS IN JULY! PAYING IT FORWARD? HECK NO! PAYING IT BACK! - 07/04/11 10:35 PM
This is a great chance to make a difference for our troops.  Check out the contest below but more important than the contest is to remember to express your appreciation to our service men and women everyday for their dedication to keep our country free.
Via Louise Thaxton #6 in Nation for VA Loans 866-960-9115 VA FHA USDA Louisiana Loans (Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp Louisiana NMLS#2289):
How would you like to honor our troops and have the opportunity to win a pair of incredibly awesome boots at the same time?!?!  The SAME boots our men and women of the United States military wear!  
… (10 comments)

The Only Kind Of "Spiders" This Arachnophobic Likes - 07/03/11 04:00 PM

 
For an arachnophobic like me the only type of "spiders" I like to see in the wild are spider lillies.  In my quest to find red, white and blue in nature on this 4th of July weekend it seems these spider lillies will work nicely to take care of the white part of my search.  Hope you are having a great weekend with family and friends.  Now back to the search for red and blue.
… (11 comments)

It Wasn't Pretty But It's Done And Now It's Time To Celebrate - 07/01/11 04:19 PM
At the beginning of the week my post "A Busy Week Ahead-I'll Be The Little Train That Could" outlined the hope that this week would end with 5 closed transactions.  By the middle of the week the post shifted to "Settlements-They Aren't Supposed to Be a Game of Musical Chairs"  as settlement dates and times started to move around.Finally this afternoon the last settlement happened.  It was supposed to have been the easiest one of the week, a cash transaction on new construction but NAH, not all of the wire transfers happened as planned.  Just goes to show that you have … (26 comments)

 
Cindy%20photo Rainmaker_large

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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