cindy jones: Understanding the Value of Title Insurance - 10/13/08 07:10 AM
A few years ago a new landowner in the Shenandoah Valley approached my neighbor and I to suggest that the property where our houses were located was actually part of his land and he intended to "take back" the property. My neighbor who had owned his house since the original land … (8 comments)
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cindy jones: The Government Bailout-Why Don't I Get Any Relief? - 10/08/08 07:33 AM
It is a question that is being asked around more than one dinner table or gathering of friends these days. When it comes to providing assistance to homeowners who over extended themselves a few years ago it appears that there may be some relief. But what about the homeowners who pay … (3 comments)
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cindy jones: Do Consumers Rely on Us For Accurate Real Estate Data? - 10/06/08 08:12 AM
We hear the doom and gloom on the real estate market everyday on the news. We remind ourselves and our clients regularly that all real estate is local and what they read in the Wall Street Journal may not translate to their neighborhood. So when we make the decision to post … (18 comments)
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cindy jones: Fairfax County Virginia Welcomes You with Endless Possibilities - 09/27/08 07:15 AM
When you live in Fairfax County you can see the beginnings of our nation's history in the estates of our founding fathers, attend schools rated among the best in the nation and visit the US Capitol to see our government at work. Add to this list, neighborhoods that provide residents with … (4 comments)
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cindy jones: Cornbread and Biscuits-Learning to Master the Basics First - 09/22/08 03:20 PM
This past week a small group of Corcoran Gallery of Art members had the privilege of listening to a talk and attending a private reception featuring Duff Goldman. Now some of you will instantly know who Duff is and others may be scratching your heads. If you live in Baltimore MD … (6 comments)
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cindy jones: Don't Lock Today's Buyers Out of Homeownership by Eliminating Down Payment Assitance Programs - 09/08/08 02:30 PM
It seems that down payment assistance programs (DPA) create a genuine divide among real estate professionals. Some think they should be eliminated and others have seen value they bring to a buyer today. Hopefully everyone can agree that no seller has to accept an offer that contains the use of a DPA or … (14 comments)
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cindy jones: The Northern Neck a Great Getaway for Northern Virginia Residents - 09/02/08 08:56 PM
Despite rumors to the contrary occasionally Realtors® do take a break from their busy schedules to enjoy a holiday weekend with family and friends. For those of us in Northern Virginia we have a lot of choices. We can stay close to home and take in the history right outside our … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: Will the Builders Financial Woes Become Yours Too? - 08/27/08 03:46 PM
On the heels of my post "Will the Builder Deliver What they Promised" comes a Washington Post article on local builder Comstock Homes and their financial woes.
According to the article "Comstock has received notices of default or demands for repayment from five lenders over the past two months, according to … (5 comments)
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cindy jones: Nike Missiles and Lorton Prisoners-Not Your Usual Cell Mates - 08/25/08 06:21 AM
My friends accuse me of making some of these little facts about Northern Virginia up. Nope the stories are all real....well okay the one about the hook hanging on the car door at Lake Accotink....not so much.
However the story of the Lorton Prison being the site of the Army's premier … (7 comments)
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cindy jones: Fairfax Station-Clara Barton Slept Here - 08/24/08 06:55 AM
We see the signs around Virginia that say "George Washington Slept Here" but unless you take a step often the beaten path you won't find some of the other signs of famous faces in history. One of those signs is hidden in Fairfax Station at the St. Mary of Sorrows Church … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: Give a Big Cheer for Northern Virginia Schools - 08/21/08 07:00 PM
One of the concerns that parents of school age children face when relocating to Northern Virginia or just moving within the area is finding out the reputation of the local schools.
Fortunately for families moving to Northern Virginia the answer can be found in the rankings that come out every year … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: Foreclosure Tours from the Sublime to the Eeekkk - 08/17/08 08:27 PM
It is never a boring day when you head out to show Prince William County foreclosures. Without pictures in the MLS you aren't sure if you are going to find a gem or a horror story. Some days you get lucky and everything you show is in good shape. On other … (16 comments)
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cindy jones: Stop By One of the Hot Spots in Prince William County Today - 08/17/08 09:43 AM
Have you decided that it is time to live a more relaxed lifestyle? Are you ready to join a community that Washingtonian Magazine has twice named one of the great communities in the area and now has been recognized by the Washington Business Journal as one of the 13th hotest areas … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: Living the Carefree Lifestyle In Belmont Bay - 08/15/08 07:00 AM
Are you looking for the relaxed lifestyle that comes from living in a waterfront community? Would you like to be able to walk out your door and stroll waterfront paths or get in a round of golf after work? Then you may be ready for the Belmont Bay way of life. … (4 comments)
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cindy jones: Another Piece of Fairfax County History is Being Restored - 08/14/08 03:41 PM
Last fall I jokingly posted a picture and
wondered what was
for sale the house or the dune buggy.
It
was of course the dune buggy. The
house
was actually the old Country Store on Gunston Road
and it is now being restored. The
store went through a number of changes … (6 comments)
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cindy jones: Take a Seat on the Deck at Madigan’s Waterfront Restaurant - 08/13/08 12:46 PM
We have had picture perfect weather the last few days in Northern Virginia and it seemed like a good time to escape and enjoy a few moments on the Occoquan River. So we headed over to Madigan's Waterfront Restaurant to have a leisurely lunch on the waterfront deck.
Madigan's in located … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: Belmont Bay Rental Perched Between Three Military Bases - 08/11/08 03:21 PM
RENTED SEPT 1, 2008
CALL ME ABOUT OTHER GREAT PROPERTIES IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA
If you have orders to head to Fort Belvoir, Quantico or the Pentagon then this 2500 SQ FT (apx) end unit townhouse in Belmont Bay at749 Vestal Street may be just what you are looking for.Enjoy panoramic views … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: Words of Encouragement for New Bloggers - 08/06/08 12:53 PM
Most of us need to occasional hear or in the case of blogging read that the efforts that we put into our blogs will lead to connections with consumers, community leaders and other local authorities.
Whenever a new blogger post on Active Rain it is always great to see the number … (80 comments)
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cindy jones: Where Does All the Money Go? - 08/06/08 10:23 AM
Touring foreclosure properties can bring up a lot of emotions. Sometimes seeing what a family leaves behind can be sad and other times seeing the condition of a home can make you angry.
Yesterday while showing Northern Virginia foreclosures we caught a glimpse of where thousands of dollars can go instead of toward … (10 comments)
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cindy jones: Artists Take Over the Jail -Lorton Workhouse Arts Center - 07/30/08 06:14 PM
What do you do when an old prison closes? For Lorton Prison in Northern Virginia the former jail cells will soon open as artist studios. Where prisoners may have written graffiti on the walls or counted down the days until their release you will find studios filled with artists who specialize … (4 comments)
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cindy jones: Rolling on the River-Occoquan River Festival July 27, 2008 - 07/26/08 08:49 AM
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 … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: Grab Your Passports and Join Me in My New Location - 07/21/08 07:01 PM
It 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 … (8 comments)
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cindy jones: New Active Rain Outside Blog - 07/16/08 10:58 AM
Tinkering with all the new goodlies on Active Rain these days could be become a full-time job. It is so much fun to take a look around and see what others have done and then finally get your own ready for the "official" launch. The new Active Rain outside blog … (58 comments)
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cindy jones: Del Ray-An Alexandria Front Porch Community - 07/16/08 07:40 AM
Are you looking for a neighborhood where residents hang out on their porches in the evening and call out a friendly hello as you take a stroll? Want to grab a cup of coffee at the type of place where everyone knows your name or walk to the farmers market … (3 comments)
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cindy jones: How 7% of Mortgages Toppled the Market - 07/15/08 08:30 AM
As the issues with the subprime mortage mess continue to unravel at large and small companies across the US it is interesting to take a look at the numbers. When we look back at the amount and types of loans made we see a simple fact. That only 7% of the loans that were financed … (15 comments)
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cindy jones: Little Theatre of Alexandria Turns Seventy Five - 07/14/08 02:03 PM
Kicking off the Jubilee Celebration will be none other than the appropriate Tony award winning musical 1776. The Little Theatre of Alexandria or LTA is a non-profit organization that is a local treasure. The theater bought its first building in 1939 on Ramsay Alley in a former blacksmiths shop. During WWII … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: Glen Echo on the Potomac-A National Park Creates A New Future - 07/13/08 07:37 AM
Years ago a trip to the amusement park didn't include hanging upside down three stories above a lake and plummeting 60 miles an hour towards what seems like sure death. Not for either the faint of heart or for me. Back in "my day" the place to go was Glen Echo Park … (6 comments)
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cindy jones: All That Is Missing is the Lemonade Stand - 07/09/08 07:21 PM
You will feel as if you have stepped back in time when children sold lemonade on street corners when you stroll the streets of South Run in Fairfax County VA. Located just 25 miles south of DC in Fairfax County, the South Run neighborhood exudes southern hospitality and old fashioned neighborhood … (9 comments)
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cindy jones: Staying Cool in the Northern Virginia Mid-Day Sun - 07/07/08 10:45 PM
The dog days of summer have arrived in Northern Virginia and everyone is looking for a place to cool off. If you are a fan of the water and your neighborhood pool is too tame then you might want to consider spending a day at one of our local water parks. … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: Saying Goodbye Can Be Hard To Do - 12/31/07 09:21 AM
Sometimes we have to make a decision in our lives to say goodbye to something that has brought us a lot of fun and recognition over the years. No matter how small or insignificant it might seem the decision to let it go isn’t always simple. Sometimes you just have … (12 comments)
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cindy jones: Is A Move to Fort Belvoir in Your Future? - 12/29/07 06:54 AM
As someone who has moved all around the world with the military the first few days after the PCS orders arrive the questions about housing, schools and shopping can lead to sleepless nights and the big question “where are we going to live?”
If the orders in your hand mean … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: Is Customer Service In Your Business Plan? - 12/28/07 04:07 PM
Almost any of us can take a look around our area and find a small family owned business that offers the highest level of customer service to their clients and community. Year after year their customers come back to them building the foundation for their business. So how do we … (1 comments)
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cindy jones: Ending The UK Housing Tour - 12/28/07 10:13 AM
As those of you who have been checking out my blog post recently know I spent the last week in the UK visiting family and checking out the housing market in and around London. Everyone that I talked with had opinions about the housing market in the US and questions … (7 comments)
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cindy jones: Bigger is Not Always Better - 12/28/07 07:01 AM
In Northern Virginia you can turn just about any corner and run across a “mega” store. When it comes to building and remodeling supplies everyone knows about the competition between the folks in the blue aprons and those in the orange ones. There is no doubt that when it comes … (7 comments)
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cindy jones: Glen Echo Park-An Art Deco Masterpiece - 12/27/07 07:44 PM
If you are a native of the DC area as I am then you may have memories of Glen Echo Park as an amusement park with a creaky wooden roller coaster, huge swimming pool, bumper cars and fantastic carousel. The history of Glen Echo Park goes way beyond the days … (9 comments)
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cindy jones: Northern Virginia Neighborhoods A 2007 Review - 12/26/07 04:16 AM
One of the nice things about living in Northern Virginia are the variety of neighborhoods, activities and historic places there are to visit.
This year my blog has traveled throughout Alexandria, Arlington, Farifax and Prince William Counties introducing you to some of what Northern Virginia has to offer. As 2007 … (3 comments)
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cindy jones: 2008 Is Just Around the Corner and the Questions Are Still the Same - 12/25/07 11:29 AM
As the year draws to a close Prince William County buyers are still asking the same questions as they were earlier in the year:
“Should I buy now?” If I had my Magic 8 Ball it would be so much easier to answer that question. It seems the only way to … (4 comments)
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cindy jones: 2007 "The Worst Year" for First Time Buyers - 12/21/07 05:15 PM
Todays headline! No it wasn't in the Washington Post or NY Times. For the most part 2007 would be considered a good year for buyers in many major markets in the US.
This is the headline in today's London newspaper. The reason? Housing pricing have risen 34% since 2002. As a … (10 comments)
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cindy jones: A Tale of Christmas Past and Present - 12/20/07 04:07 AM
When this post first started to form in my head visions of “A Christmas Carol” came to mind. Though my post is based on two Christmas holidays thirty years apart I couldn’t help but also take a leap into the future. When I did the idea of the Holideck from … (7 comments)
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cindy jones: 2008 Is Just Around the Corner and the Questions Are Still the Same - 12/17/07 10:19 PM
As the year draws to a close Fairfax County Virginia buyers are still asking the same questions as they were earlier in the year:
“Should I buy now?” If I had my Magic 8 Ball it would be so much easier to answer that question. It seems the only way … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: Military Relocation to Northern Virginia - 12/16/07 10:18 PM
Did you just get your PCS orders for the Northern Virginia area? Not to worry. Once the surprise of your latest set of orders is over, it’s time to get started figuring out where you want to live in Northern Virginia. One of the nice things about this area is the … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: Builder End of the Year Real Estate Madness - 12/16/07 07:50 AM
In Northern Virginia the end of the year real estate madness is in full swing. Builders are pushing to get their inventory closed before they have to balance the books for 2007. For the third year in a row I have builders pressing my clients to “get to the table” … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: Big Brother Is Watching and It Isn't 1984!-UPDATE - 12/14/07 04:07 PM
The FBI has Northern Virginia in its sights. With the continued news on the issues surrounding sub-prime mortgages Northern Virginia is one of the areas that the FBI is taking a look at more closely. The 2006 Mortgage Fraud Report named Virginia as one of the top areas of suspicious … (4 comments)
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cindy jones: A Forgotten Loan Program for Virginia Buyers - 12/13/07 10:49 AM
Often misunderstood and overlooked by Northern Virginia homebuyers are the loan programs offered by the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA). Why?
One reason is that for years the only way to get a VHDA loan was to deal directly with a loan counselor in Richmond. The program required certain … (3 comments)
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cindy jones: Northern Virginia Counties Face Budget Shortfalls - 12/12/07 08:40 PM
Following on the heels of the January 1, 2008 increase in the Grantors Tax which will impact all sellers in our area, we also are learning how falling housing prices are hitting the budgets of Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William Counties as well. For sellers who manage to get to the … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: Southern Living Style in Fairfax County Virginia - 12/11/07 09:45 PM
Backing up to the 850 acre Burke Lake Park homeowners in the South Run neighborhood in Fairfax County have the best of both worlds, homes with nature at the back door and yet only minutes to major commuting routes. They also enjoy a neighborhood that captures the spirit of communities … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: Building a New Community on an Old Prison Ground - 12/10/07 01:57 PM
For over 100 years Lorton was an area that most residents of Northern Virginia went out of their way to avoid. As a prison complex the 3,200 acre site was huge and when the facility was ordered closed in 1998, Fairfax County began planning in earnest with what to do … (3 comments)
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cindy jones: Northern Virginia Foreclosures-Make Them Easy to Find - 12/07/07 01:39 PM
With the increasing press emphasis on Foreclosure and REO properties trying to get a handle on how many there are in a neighborhood can sometimes be a daunting task for agents. In Northern Virginia our MLS has a field labeled “Current Financing” that agents can check to note whether the property … (12 comments)
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cindy jones: *GET RICH QUICK*PURCHASE FORECLOSURE PROPERTIES TODAY* - 12/02/07 10:56 AM
FIND IT*FUND IT* FLIP IT*
I’s that easy. At least that is what the speaker said at the “How to Make Money in Foreclosures” seminar offered in Northern Virginia this weekend. Whipping out a twenty dollar bill and asking for a ten in exchange he began to explain if you are … (31 comments)
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cindy jones: Newlyweds & New House Equal Big Smiles - 12/01/07 07:40 AM
After an unusually large pile of paperwork Eric and Jessica have settled on their new home in the Virginia Run Community in Fairfax County. I was fortunate enough to meet this nice couple a little over a year ago during an open house at a condo in Alexandria. We looked at … (6 comments)
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cindy jones: Beautiful Belmont Bay Waterview Condo - 11/30/07 10:03 PM
… (0 comments)
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cindy jones: SEO, Keywords & Consumers- The Internet Trinity - 11/30/07 04:16 PM
If you are looking for hardcore SEO information this isn't the post for you to read. Skip over to Karen George or Brad Andersohn or just do a search for SEO on Active Rain and you will learn what the experts have to say on the subject. I read them all … (7 comments)
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cindy jones: A Tale of Three Houses in Northern Virginia - 11/29/07 08:54 PM
This isn't a story about the three little pigs and since all of the houses are brick you don't have to worry about them being blown over. Instead it is a story about choices that buyers in today's market have to consider every day. All of the houses are in the … (5 comments)
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cindy jones: Don't Forget the Families Left Behind over the Holidays - 11/29/07 08:33 AM
This post was inspired this morning by Margaret Woda's call for everyone to Send a Card to the Troops post. I hope everyone will head over to her post and hit the link!
I would also like to add if you live near a family who has a loved oner overseas this holiday … (6 comments)
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cindy jones: Home Equity-Real or Imagined - 11/28/07 03:02 PM
Yesterday while talking to a prospective client the discussion turned to the "equity" they had in their home. They had purchased their current home in Northern Virginia in 2002 and over the five years the value of their home has of course appreciated from their original purchase price.
They were however distraught … (16 comments)
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cindy jones: There is No Home Buyer Lemon Law - 11/18/07 05:29 PM
In Virginia there is a Lemon Law on the books to protect consumers who purchase a car which is later found to have serious defects. However, there is no such law when it comes to protecting buyers when they are purchasing a home. When the market was hot in Northern Virginia … (10 comments)
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cindy jones: The Unintended Consequences from an AR Blog - 11/15/07 07:23 PM
When I joined the AR community last spring it wasn’t my first blog but it was the beginning of taking the idea of blogging seriously. As a result setting aside time to scribble and scratch ideas has become part of my daily routine. My digital camera is always with me to … (12 comments)
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cindy jones: Kingstowne-A Masterfully Planned Fairfax County Community - 11/14/07 02:13 PM
Twenty years ago on a large expansive of dirt tucked behind Edison High School ground was broken for the first homes that started the 5200 residences that comprise the Kingstowne neighborhood. Designed with both commercial and residential areas the three villages that make up Kingstowne have continued to be popular … (4 comments)
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cindy jones: Welcome to Barrington-A great Fairfax County Neighborhood to Call Home - 11/12/07 02:10 PM
Bordered by parkland and Lake Mercer the community of Barrington includes 475 homes brick and stucco executive homes on large treed lots. Located in Fairfax County the neighborhood is close to Route 123 or Ox Road to natives of the area and Silverbrook Road. Barrington is only minutes from the … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: Northern Virginia Real Estate-The Never Ending Remodel - 11/03/07 06:20 PM
Two years ago my clients purchased a tired brick split level home on a ¾ acre lot in Alexandria section of Fairfax County. The home was outdated but the location a block from the Potomac River and closer to both of their jobs caught their attention. Before they decided to finalize … (1 comments)
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cindy jones: Learning to Blog is Like Learning to Walk - 11/02/07 05:38 PM
The picture is my granddaughter Alexandra aka "Alex" aka "The Wookie." Having her around has made me examine life again through the experience of a new generation. The joy of seeing her smile and reach her arms up in the morning for a hug and a snuggle has made me realize … (3 comments)
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cindy jones: Prince William County-The Future in a 58 Minute Ferry Ride - 11/02/07 08:21 AM
This week a new twist in Northern Virginia commuting was tested on the waters of the Potomac River. On a windy day with choppy waters a twin hulled catamaran made a run between Quantico and the Navy Yard in DC in 58 minutes. Now if you think that the average driving … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: A Make You Smile Moment - 09/28/07 03:28 PM
I was just on my way home from making sure that everything was set at my new listing in Woodbridge, VA when I heard a bit of a racket in the lane next to me. I looked over to see a school bus and hear the kids in unison singing "we … (4 comments)
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cindy jones: Apples to Apples in Fairlington - 09/24/07 10:16 PM
As a Fairlington owner I have posted market reports over the last few months about general real estate trends in the neighborhood. Last month I wrote a blog titled "Saying No to Local Market Reports" in which I said I would no longer post generic information about the area. In keeping with … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: River Ridge-The Grandfather of Active Adult Communities - 09/18/07 07:10 PM
With all of the new active adult communities in western Prince William County it may be easy to overlook an established community sitting above the Occoquan River in Woodbridge. River Ridge was built by Pulte Homes between 1999-2001 and features a large club house, swimming pool, tennis courts, walking trails … (1 comments)
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cindy jones: Digging through the Market Mess to Find New Opportunities - 09/11/07 04:19 PM
Our current real estate market brings us a great opportunity for change. As agents we have a chance to examine our market, our services and ourselves. While many agents I talk to are focused on the negative aspects of the market, the fear and uncertainty, others are taking steps to plan … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: When a Post Goes Arwy - 09/10/07 02:59 PM
I'm always curious about people's reactions to various posts on AR. I learned today how quickly one of my own posts stirred up a controversy that missed most of the point of the post. In the spirit of good relations on AR I deleted the Featured Post so that I would … (4 comments)
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cindy jones: I've been Posh'd - 09/04/07 04:41 PM
I was pleased to find out that I've been POSH'D by Shaun McLane, of Orlando Florida. For those of you who are not familiar with Posh'd they are a site who, in their words "support those of you trying to break the mold and make the real estate sites on the … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: Earth Sheltered Home Finds a New Steward - 08/31/07 04:37 PM
The terrific Earth-Sheltered home that I have been marketing in Prince William County went to closing today. The owner who had bought the property in 1989 was sad to let it go but the new owner is going to be a great steward of the property. Having been studying Earth-Sheltered homes … (4 comments)
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cindy jones: Do You Know about Habitat for Humanity ReStores? - 08/31/07 07:42 AM
If you are undertaking a spruce up project on your home in Fairfax or Prince William County you may want to make the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Alexandria or Manassas your first stop. The Habitat ReStore offers you an opportunity to do three things at once. The first is to … (7 comments)
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cindy jones: Sign Sign Everywhere a Sign - 08/29/07 05:41 PM
Except my Open House sign! It is fall and the election signs are up everywhere you look in Fairfax County. I'm always amazed at the amount of signs that can pop up overnight and by the dozens in any given intersection. Last week I stopped to put out an Open House … (6 comments)
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cindy jones: Direct and to the Point - 08/20/07 04:44 PM
Who needs fancy neighborhood names? Why not tell it like it is! I was at a community meeting last week and snapped a picture of this sign to share. When the prison was the prominent attraction in Lorton the warden and a number of the staff lived along Old Ox Road. … (6 comments)
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cindy jones: Are Americans Over-Stuffed? - 08/17/07 07:30 PM
No this isn't a commentary on waist lines but instead on the amount of stuff we seem to accumulate. Over the last few years I have become acutely aware of the clean up and throw out process. It started with empting my parent's home of 45 years with a double walk-up … (5 comments)
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cindy jones: River Falls-Another Occoquan River Community in Prince William County - 08/16/07 12:14 PM
I stopped by yesterday to say hello to clients who bought new construction in the community of River Falls in Prince William County earlier this year. 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 … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: Take a Mortgage Professional to Lunch Week - 08/14/07 09:12 AM
No this isn't an official Hallmark Card event but you never know it might catch on at least on Active Rain.
I was making phone calls to check in on friends in my business referral network and came to realize that a number of the other professionals that we work with are … (6 comments)
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cindy jones: A New Trend in Landscape lighting - 08/13/07 03:42 PM
I enjoy finding a bit of the unusual when I am out exploring different neighborhoods in Prince William County. This past weekend I came across a home that I had to stop and look at for awhile. I wasn't actually looking at the house but the lights going up the driveway. … (4 comments)
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cindy jones: What are you doing while the market is slow? - 08/08/07 02:53 PM
I hear quite a bit of rumbling from different real estate agents right now about how slow the current market is. For those of us who depend on real estate sales as our primary source of income being “successful” is extremely important. I put “successful” in quotes because each of us … (4 comments)
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cindy jones: Extra Extra Read all about it! - 08/06/07 10:20 AM
I know it isn't the Wall Street Journal or the London Financial Times but I was very happy to see an article about my Earth-Sheltered Home listing appear on the front page of the Potomac News today. Interestingly enough the Washington Post has been telling me for 3 weeks that they … (10 comments)
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cindy jones: How would you advertise this house? - 08/05/07 02:13 PM
I was out showing property yesterday and came across this house with a For Sale sign out front. I wondered how I might advertise in the MLS to bring in the most traffic.Light and airy farmhouse on great corner lot, newly installed fencing, fantastic wrap around porch, motivated sellers- dune buggy … (5 comments)
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cindy jones: The buyers continue to say YES to Fairlington - 08/02/07 09:07 PM
Another good sales month for Fairlington! As I have previously reported the market in Alexandria and Arlington continue to be a bright spot in the Northern Virginia area. As expected the Fairlington Community continues to produce strong sales. The number of condos SOLD in the month of July stands at 18 … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: Sign of the Times - 07/31/07 09:22 AM
The National Association of Home Builders issued their NATIONAL new detached home numbers for the month of June. As expected the numbers were down 6.6% from the previous month. The inventory of new homes remained the same as the previous month but due to slower sales however the supply of homes … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: Did Frank Lloyd Wright Invent the Split- Level Home? - 07/28/07 07:01 PM
Some architectural historians would like to say that he did. Many of his prairie style homes incorporated a "split" design, however they were far larger than what the average family could afford at the height of his building days. The split level homes that eventually followed did follow two key concepts … (3 comments)
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cindy jones: Fairfax County Wins it's Effort to Keep BRAC Jobs-So Now What? - 07/27/07 07:34 PM
After 2 years of study the Army today announced that they would not be moving all 22,000 jobs originally slated for Fort Belvoir from Crystal City and Pentagon as part of the BRAC proposal announced in 2005. The impact on the local traffic and roads close to the base in Lorton would have meant many years … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: Who Lives Underground? Not Just Moles! - 07/22/07 07:08 PM
That was what the newspaper headline of the Journal Messenger said in 1983 when they were writing about my current earth sheltered home listing in Manassas. The current owner of the property is only the second owner of the home and she is fortunate enough to have the original photos of the … (4 comments)
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cindy jones: The Sky is Falling...NOT! - 07/11/07 05:21 PM
Despite all of the continued bad press about home prices the numbers that were recently posted by both the local MRIS system and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors do not show a dramatic decrease in home prices in Fairfax County.
The sales price for both attached and detached homes remained close … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: LUXURY CONDO CLOSEOUT IN BELMONT BAY-PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY - 07/11/07 07:09 AM
… (0 comments)
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cindy jones: Eastern Prince William County Home Sales in June 2007 - 07/10/07 09:21 PM
The good news for buyers still continues in Prince William County. For this report I took a quick look at the 22191 zip code to see how prices did in June. Prices are still lower than 2007 and buyers are able to negotiate good deals not only on resale properties but … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: Rivergate Condominiums-The New Gateway to Prince William County VA - 07/09/07 03:10 PM
A new condominium community is underway on the banks of the Occoquan River near Belmont Bay and the Potomac River. Created by IDI the developer who has brought a number of luxury developments to the Northern Virginia area including the Watergate Hotel in DC, the Rotonda in McLean, Carlyle Towers in … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: New Construction in Historic Occoquan-Prince William County - 07/07/07 10:42 AM
Tucked between the Occoquan River and the hills that lead into the Lake Ridge area of Prince William County is the oasis of historic Occoquan. With its one way streets quaint shops and waterfront restaurants it is an area that those in the know have enjoyed for years.
Development of new … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: Market Absorption Rates an AR Gathering - 07/06/07 09:08 AM
I became familiar with the term Absorption Rates and what they mean during a CRS class this year. I've noticed some recent AR posts on the subject and in looking at some of the comments it seems that it might still be a new concept to a lot of folks.
So … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: To Have and to Hold - 07/05/07 03:37 PM
No, this post isn't about marriage but it is about a long term commitment to real estate investing. As you're probably aware, some of the world's richest people have made their fortunes by investing in real estate. You can go to any bookstore and find dozens of books on how to … (6 comments)
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cindy jones: Explosive Growth at Prince William County Center - 07/02/07 07:17 PM
Geographically located at the center of Prince William County VA the new County Center development continues to move forward. With the opening of the new Harris Teeter Food Grocery Store, Ruby Tuesday and other eating places open and the final improvements to the Prince William Parkway it is easy to see why … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: Saying Thank You on Independence Day - 07/02/07 05:19 PM
Having had the good fortune to grow up up in the DC area I've had the opportunity to watch the Nation's Capital fireworks from a number of different perspectives.
As a child my father used to park the car on the side of the road just outside of town with a great … (8 comments)
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cindy jones: Top 10 DIY Mistakes - 06/27/07 01:54 PM
Yahoo recently put out a little blurp on the on Top 10 DIY mistakes that homeowners make. Since I am often asked by my sellers what can they do to get their home ready to sell I thought sharing this list might also let you know what not to do!
Not taking … (4 comments)
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cindy jones: Dive in to Barrington-A great Fairfax Station Community - 06/27/07 12:01 PM
Another swim season is underway for the Barrington Blue Fin Swim Team so it seemed like a great time to take a look at what is happening in the Barrington Community for the first half of 2007.
Barrington is another classic area of large executive style homes located in the Fairfax Station … (2 comments)
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cindy jones: From Prison Stripes to Arts Community - 06/25/07 04:47 PM
Where once 7000 inmates were housed in brick buildings the remarkable Lorton Arts Workhouse begins to form. The Lorton Prison complex had a long a long history in the Northern Virginia area dating back to the early 1900s. Originally designed as a working prison farm inmates raised cattle and chickens and … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: Going Green doesn’t require you to become a Frog! - 06/24/07 05:18 PM
Sorry Kermit but actually it is easy to start the process towards green living. A few inexpensive steps by everyone can lead to some big changes overall. As more and more consumers become aware of the threats to the environment with rising energy prices and decreasing renewable resources they are … (6 comments)
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cindy jones: Peek through the trees to see! - 06/22/07 10:21 AM
LOVELY END UNIT TOWNHOUSE IN LORTONLocation: Gunston SquareFeels like a single family home. Central foyer leads you to large living room and separate dining room. Updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances & room for a table. Sliding glass doors lead to a deck with built in benches. Upper level features a … (1 comments)
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cindy jones: Slow and steady goes the market Prince William County VA - 06/22/07 07:54 AM
The market continues its slow and steady pace in Prince William County. Home sales have been fairly consistent in 2007. Of course we are well off the last 2 years but despite the continued news that we have crashed and burned it just isn't true. Sellers with realistic expectations are getting … (0 comments)
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cindy jones: Conflicting market reports in Northern Virginia - 06/20/07 08:36 PM
Summer has arrived in Fairfax County VA-hot, humid and hazy. Our market continues to be unpredictable and a recent check of the MLS shows that the days on market for some homes continues to climb. Currently in Fairfax County there are 4376 active detached homes on the market. A quick check of … (1 comments)
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