Burglary Warning for All Fairfax County Residents--9/30/2010 - 09/30/10 07:47 AM
UPDATE, 11/22/10: According to the Washington Post article, Fairfax Police: Serial burglar nabbed, Montgomery County police have arrested the man suspected in the bold and extensive string of burglaries throughout Northern Virginia and Montgomery County.
Emails have been swirling around my community about a burglar who is entering homes and  stealing cash. This burglar is tied to nearly 70 break-ins!! To date, the police are aware of two handguns that have been stolen.  In the Wednesday September 29 edition fo the Fairfax County Times, the article, Nearly 70 Break-ins in Fairfax County tied to lone suspect, ran in the paper and provided … (8 comments)

Buying A Home Is A Series of "Yeses"....Helping The Buyers Understand This - 09/29/10 12:23 PM
Karen hit it the nail on the head with this post!  Understanding the decision points in a contract--and that a 'yes' will mean you continue on--is a great way to educate buyers.  Sometimes a 'no' simply means more discussion is required and other times it means the deal is done.  As facilitators, it is our job to determine if a 'yes' is what they really meant, and as consultants, it is to help them determine if it is a smart move given all of the information that is available.
At the end of the day, the deal is not ours...it is … (0 comments)

Blog Action Day 2010: Water is the Topic - 09/29/10 08:00 AM
The power of the written word is incredibly powerful.
Blog Action Day 2010, October 15,  is an opportunity for bloggers from all over the world to come together and post about an issue of incredible importance to the entire world. The purpose of Blog Action Day 2010 is (from their website):

About Blog Action Day Blog Action Day is an annual event that unites the world's bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day. Our aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion around an important issue that impacts us all.
This year the topic … (2 comments)

A Community to Consider in Northern Virginia: North Point, Reston, VA - 09/28/10 02:42 PM
Moving to the D.C. area? Have you considered Reston, Virginia. What about North Point in Reston?When you move to a new area, it is often hard to figure out both  what kind of house you want,  and what the community will be like, as well.I have a listing in Reston that is a great house: www.1124RoundPebble.info.  It is a beautiful 4 BR, 3.5 BA colonial with a .56+ acre lot (large for this area), updated kitchen with Stainless Steel and granite, adjoining family room and formal living and dining rooms. The lower level is finished and there is a deck on the back. … (1 comments)

Get Motivated? Not Sure it Would 'Speak' to Me - 09/28/10 12:18 PM
For the past couple of week the Washington Post and my local talk radio station, WTOP, have been running ads for a big motivational business seminar to be held at the Verizon Center in October called "Get Motivated."
I know that many people find this type of event to be extremely worthwhile.  I am a big believer in understanding what motivates YOU and doing those things that will make you personally successful.
That said, the ads they are running confound me. They have some pretty big deal people speaking--but they are all  men. Not a woman among them.  As for racial diversity, they … (2 comments)

The Stinky Stink Bug Problem - 09/28/10 08:32 AM
Many people have noticed a significant increase in the number of Stink Bugs in and around Virginia. These bugs, related to the sneaky bed-bugs, are native to Asia and are extremely proficent and getting into your house through very small openings. Even Pest Control companies are having a tough time getting rid of them. Some of the 'holistic' treatments I have heard discussed include: **Vacuum them and immediately discard of the bag **Order some Praying Mantes, who will eat them **Spray the outside of your house with a solution of DAWN Dishwashing Detergent (only this brand) and water. I can't guarantee … (17 comments)

Selling Your House to A Buyer With a Sensitive Nose - 09/26/10 03:16 PM
We have all walked into listings--or even just our own homes--and thought, 'gosh, that is a strong smell.' The solution for most of us is to somehow mask the odor until it naturally dissipates.  There are house sprays, scented candles and plug-in-scent options. But have you ever wondered how other people react to these products?I can remember one listing that I was previewing. The scent of plug-in-scent was so overpowering that I immediately began sneezing and I could feel my sinuses filling up. Granted, I have allergies and am very sensitive to smells, but if I react that way, couldn't a Buyer be equally as allergic? … (5 comments)

UPDATE: Do Not Call My Cell Phone - 09/25/10 05:16 PM
Since I posted this yesterday, I have been told it is a hoax. I just went onto Snopes.com (which I usually do to check out this sort of thing--but for some reason did not do yesterday) and there is a LINK that explains that this is one of those hyped-up situations that someone felt compelled to put into an email and it has gone viral. Sorry for the trouble.  Lesson learned...always check the facts!
I know that I am very busy fielding calls from clients, friends and family on my cell phone. The last thing I need is to start getting calls … (8 comments)

Lunch at Clyde's Willow Creek Farm, Ashburn, VA - 09/24/10 06:10 PM
For most Reston Residents, Clyde's of Reston at  Reston Town Center is an area institution. Known for it's good food, excellent service and casual atmosphere, it is a perfect choice when meeting a group for dinner or lunch. Everyone will be able to find something on the menu and it will be well prepared and served.
 Clyde's Willow Creek  Farm is a completely different restaurant. Still providing a good variety of well prepared food, and with always  great service, the feel is totally unique and perfectly suited to Loudoun County.  As you approach the restaurant, you see a beautiful old building in the midst of … (6 comments)

National Book Festival on The Mall, Saturday, September 25, 2010 - 09/23/10 09:47 AM
Readers of all ages will gather this Saturday for a special event on the National Mall, the National Book Festival.  Beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing until 5:30 p.m., admission is free and all are welcome.This year, the National Book Festival is celebrating 10 years!  As always, the organizers have assembled an impressive program  and amazing list of participating authors.   The format is for an author to do a presentation and then be available for book signings.Some of the authors who will be there include:
Isabel Allende  Jonathan Franzen Julia Glass Brad Meltzer Katherine Paterson  Jane Smiley Scott Turow Gordon S. Wood … (3 comments)

Walking and Working in Reston, VA - 09/22/10 03:00 PM
A listing came on the market this morning that I thought would interest a client of mine. There weren't any photos loaded yet :( and I wanted to see if the lot would work. It was close to one of my regular walking paths, so I put on my walking shoes, grabbed my Blackberry (for the camera) and set off.I was able to do a quick preview of the exterior of the property, get in my exercise, and field a call from one of my clients. All in a mornings work!The walking paths are  one of the things I love best … (4 comments)

Librarians in Rappahanock County Will Survive!! See How.... - 09/22/10 08:33 AM
I saw this clip profiled on the local news this morning and had to check it out myself. As a huge fan of public libraries, I am always happy to support them in their endeavors...and now that they are producing videos, who knows how the library model will change!
Kudos to the Librarians of Central Rappahanock Regional Library for creating a clever & funny public service announcement.
And now for the video....
Libraries Will Survive
… (3 comments)

Wordless Wednesday: Tuesday Night at the Reston Town Center, Reston, VA - 09/22/10 07:25 AM

Reston Town Center is the 'urban hub' of Reston, Virginia. Great restaurants, great shopping and great places to gather. Located near the intersection of The Dulles Toll Road and Reston Parkway, it has become a destination for people from all over Northern Virginia. More information about Reston Towncenter is available at the Reston Town Center website.
… (5 comments)

Sellers ! I did not show your home to my clients because ....... - 09/22/10 07:10 AM
This is information that every Seller should see before their house goes on the market.  As Realtors, we should be having a conversation that explains this process to them. We have all had to by-pass homes because the showing times are restricted or the process is too complicated for the limited time we have with our buyer.
When you are selling your home, you must make some sacrifices to get the house sold. It isn't always convenient, but if handled properly, the time on market--and therefore the inconvenience--will be shorter.
I have disabled comments so that you can leave them for … (0 comments)

Improved Pricing: 1124 Round Pebble Lane in Reston,Virginia - 09/21/10 09:02 AM
… (5 comments)

It's Time To Remind Ourselves Of The Basics - 09/21/10 08:46 AM
It has been a hard couple of years for everyone, but especially for Realtors. We have had to redefine ourselves and our areas of specialty. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is the importance of consistent and persistent marketing and market presence.
Patricia Kennedy is one of my favorite AR bloggers and she wrote a great post about remembering the basics of the business. It is well worth your time--whatever your level of experience.
I have disabled comments on this re-blog, so feel free to provide them to Patricia...

Via Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors):
Lately, there have been a … (0 comments)

We've Seen the Bottom and It Looks Like We Are Leaving - 09/18/10 11:14 AM
All real estate markets are local. I know there are plenty of places that are still trying to dig out from underneath the burden of foreclosures and shortsales, but in the Reston area of Northern Virginia, and many other parts of NoVa, we seem to have come through the worst of it.Prices appear to have stabilized in Northern Virginia with the Spring Market. The NVAR Monthly Report for June 2010 shows that from June 2009 to June 2010, prices were up 11%. This, of course, was likely to be impacted by the Home Buyer Tax Credit and increased demand. Inventory is … (4 comments)

A Common Sense Pledge That We Should All Consider - 09/16/10 05:17 PM
Today I took the Oprah No Phone Zone Pledge. Now I know that not everyone is a fan of Oprah, but even her fiercest critics would have a hard time criticizing the intent behind this simple pledge. As someone who has the platform to get the word out to the public, I applaud Oprah for taking this on.For Realtors, our phone is our lifeline. That doesn't mean that we should be exempt from being safe drivers. How difficult is it to pull over to safety or wait 10 minutes to call back your client? Will you really lose business over that? … (42 comments)

My Little Black Dress - 09/16/10 02:00 PM
I am sharing this blog by Mike Mueller about a project that he has been working on. 
We have all been affected by cancer and I will do anything in my power to promote continuing research and development in the battle against cancer. I hope and pray that we can continue to make strides to improve the lives of all who receive a cancer diagnosis.
Watch the video...makes me wish I could be up in New York for the event! 
Via Mike Mueller (Tech and Social Media Consultant):
Cancer

I lost my father to Cancer.  I also lost my Grandfather to Cancer and … (1 comments)

I think I am done here... - 09/16/10 09:28 AM
Would you just walk away from your mortgage? Apparently, over 1/3 of Americans think that is acceptable according to a Pew Research Center poll,  Walking Away, A Third of Public Says It's Sometimes OK for Homeowners to Stop Making Mortgage Payments .  59% of those polled said it was NOT acceptable.I was particularly interested in the thinking of those Americans who are 'underwater' on their mortgage (owe more than the home is worth). But the study found that these homeowners are no more tolerant of the practice than those who would break even, or make money on a sale; 18% of … (10 comments)

The 2010 Baron Cameron Bowl: Herndon High School vs. South Lakes High School Football - 09/15/10 07:00 PM
Excitement is building on both the North and South Sides of Reston...tomorrow night (9/16/10) is the annual Baron Cameron Bowl!
Herndon High School, attended by the Reston high school students north of Baron Cameron Avenue, will host South Lakes High School, attended by the Reston high school students who live South of Baron Cameron Avenue, in what has become one of the biggest Football games of the season.
Kick-off is 7:30 p.m. at  Herndon High School, 700 Bennett Road, just off of Dranesville Road in Herndon, Virginia.
This longtime rivalry produces some of the most exciting and well-attended games of each sporting season. … (0 comments)

The 2010 Reston Home Tour, Reston, Virginia - 09/15/10 06:47 AM
Saturday, October 16 is the day of the annual Reston, Virginia home tour. This year the theme of the tour is, 'Green Inspiration.'This annual event is a benefit for the Reston Museum, located at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston.This year the tour will feature 5 private homes.  Below is a brief description of the homes (from the promotional material):
 a stunning waterfront contemporary filled with fine art and craft a state-of-the-art modern masterpiece reflecting the owners' passion for detail an affordable housing option made possible by Reston Interfaith and Graceful Spaces a former Gulick model with an inspired outdoor living area a … (1 comments)

Marlin Fishing in Ocean City, Maryland - 09/14/10 04:30 PM
Over the Labor Day weekend 2010, my son, Robbie,  and husband, Bob, went fishing with a family friend in Ocean City.  They were fortunate to get a wonderful weekend, following the departure of Hurricane Earl.  Apparently, Earl brought in lots of fish, but took away the rain and clouds.
This was my son, Robbie's, first deep sea fishing experience and it was a great one. Over the course of the weekend they caught 69 White Marlin! They were participating in the MARLIN CLUB WHITE MARLIN TOURNAMENT aboard the Cerveza.
I am sure that it will be difficult for Robbie to handle more normal … (2 comments)

The 2010 Greater Reston Arts CEnter (GRACE) Collector's Choice Sale - 09/14/10 03:41 PM
One of my favorite local events is the annual Greater Reston Arts Center Collector's Choice Exhitbition and Raffle. This is a really exciting event for art lovers and collectors of all levels and experience. This year the event will take place on Sunday, September 19, 2010.Each participant purchases a ticket for $150. Every participating artist donates a piece of  artwork which is assigned a number.  On the day of the event, which is held at the Reston Town Center under a tent in front of GRACE,everyone who has purchased a ticket gathers with their prioritized list. The Event begins by the drawing of the … (0 comments)

Open House in Reston, VA: Please Come By Today, 9/12/10 - 09/12/10 09:49 AM
Please stop by the first open house for this beautiful property located in the Estates of North Hills in Reston, Virginia. The Open House will run from 1-4 pm.Located on a large 1/2+ acre site, this house is a great buy in this neighborhood of gracious homes on large lots. Listed at $924,500 and featuring 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, an updated kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances and granite counter-tops, Maple Hardwood Floors on the main level, a finished lower level and an attached garage, this home is ready for you to move in!
This fantastic North Point location makes this neighborhood a … (1 comments)

Definitely Deserving of More Respect - 09/11/10 03:36 PM
I am proud alum of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. Many of you know this school because they are playing Virginia Tech today (actually right this minute). I don't know what the outcome of the game will be, but I do know that as the game is dissected, all the focus will be on Virginia Tech...JMU won't even be mentioned.
This week The Washington Post ran an article about the game. As a long time Washington area resident, I was thrilled. JMU never gets mentioned in the Post despite having a huge alumni base in the D.C. area--and being only … (3 comments)

Knowing When to Fold? - 09/10/10 05:54 PM
A really thought provoking post by Loreena Yeo. We all take different paths and sometimes don't always succeed, but it really takes personal understanding to know when you can no longer continue with something.
I always tell my kids that every work experience, even a bad one, is valuable; you might just learn what you DON'T want to do! I think that is every bit as important as knowing what you DO want to do.
Via Loreena Yeo, Realtor® Frisco TX Homes www.316teamREALTY.com (214) 783-2210 (3:16 team REALTY):
A recent blog truly had stirred up alot of emotions, Let the Fittest Survive. Overall, it was still … (1 comments)

Friday Night Football for Reston, Virginia--9/10/10 - 09/10/10 08:15 AM
Tonight is week two of the football season for schools in Fairfax County, Virginia.
The days are still warm, but the evenings are beginning to take on a fall-like temperature. 
If you are looking to enjoy some high school football, here in  Reston, we have two high schools: South Lakes High School and Herndon High School.
Tonight, South Lakes will host Thomas Jefferson High School at 7:30 p.m. South Lakes is ready for a win after suffering a loss to Stonebridge, 28-7.
Herndon High will face McLean High School, at McLean at 8:00 p.m.  Herndon is 1-0 after defeating Thomas Jefferson … (1 comments)

Volunteer Opportunities in the Reston Area - 09/09/10 10:09 AM
Earlier in the week, I wrote a post about my personal 'New Year' resolutions New (school) Year Resolutions.
In keeping with idea that September is a great time to re-evaluate priorities and re-commit to projects and resolutions, it is also a great time to take on a volunteer opportunity.
If you have school aged children, there is no shortage of opportunities to get involved at the school. From PTA to Sports Boosters to volunteering in the library, there is a job for everyone! My only advice here is to volunteer, but be mindful of over-committing. It is easy to do and … (0 comments)

New Price: 1124 Round Pebble Lane in Reston, Virginia - 09/07/10 05:41 PM
… (1 comments)

New Single Family Listing in Reston, Virginia, Open Sunday 9/12/10 1-4 p.m. - 09/07/10 09:00 AM
Please come by on Sunday, September 12, 2010 to see this new listing in the North Point section of Reston.
Located in a beautiful neighborhood, central to Reston Town Center, Route 7, Rt. 28 Corridor, Tysons Corner, The Dulles Toll Road and less than 4 miles from the currently-under-construction Wiehe Metro stop, this home is ready for you to move in!
Gleaming Maple Hardwoods on the entire main level give a feeling of continuity and flow through this lovely brick colonial. An updated kitchen features granite counters, stainless steel appliances, a breakfast bar, table area and pantry. The kitchen opens to … (2 comments)

New (school) Year Resolutions - 09/06/10 05:02 PM
It is that time again here in Virginia...time for back-to-school and New (school) Year resolutions!Ever since I was a child, I have viewed September, and back to school, as a time for fresh starts. Literally, it was time for new notebooks and pencils, brand new clothes and shoes, and emotionally, it was a time for fresh starts--new teachers, new schools, new routines.My son heads off to his first year of high school tomorrow, and our family will be transitioning. We sent both our daughters off to college a couple of weeks ago (freshman and junior), and our school year looks vastly … (7 comments)

Labor Day 2010: Herndon,VA Labor Day Jazz & Wine Festival - 09/05/10 10:41 AM
Monday the weather is supposed to be great, so make plans to get out and enjoy good music and good wine (and some beer, too) at the Herndon, Virginia Labor Day Jazz and Wine Festival.
A sampling of the wineries that will be present include: Peaks of Otter Winery, North Gate Vineyards, Cooper Vineyards, and  Barboursville Vineyards.
The festival will be held on the town green. There is an admission fee of $15  which includes samples of wine and beer or $8 for admission only. Age 12 and younger are free.
Performers include Bruce in the USA and the Mary Ann Redmond Band.
The … (2 comments)

The Cult of Bad Behavior - 09/05/10 09:39 AM
That Jet Blue Flight Attendant, Steven Slater, who cursed a passenger out over the loud speaker before grabbing a beer and disembarking the plane via the emergency slide has been fired (Jet Blue Attendant Loses Job). (Update: According to today's Washington Post (9/6/10), Slater's lawyer said he resigned and Jet Blue is not commenting).
Good.
When I first heard this story, I was appalled that it was getting national media.  It was shocking, which is why the media jumped all over it. Of course, it provided some great discussion within our family about inappropriate behavior. If it had ended there, I … (8 comments)

A Win-Win Collaboration to Create Jobs - 09/04/10 03:37 PM
Thursday afternoon (9/2/10) , Veterans Green Jobs (VGJ) announced a partnership with LiUna, Sierra Club, weatherize DC and Ardent 360, to create green jobs for local veterans.As part of this program, 9 veterans will be trained and employed to provide energy audit and weatherization services to 50 Northern Virginia military households. These services will be at no cost to the military families.By teaming up, these organizations are creating new jobs while simultaneously improving the living and economic conditions of local military families. These improvements will reduce their monthly costs and make their homes more comfortable.Unemployment rates for military veterans between the ages of 18 and … (3 comments)

Community Pages Clarifications - 09/04/10 11:45 AM
In case you missed this the first time around, I thought I would share it again.  There have been an number of questions about what to do if a community name is wrong or mis-spelled; there is now a way to get this fixed.
Via ActiveRain Corp.:
There has been a bit of confusion regarding what is acceptable and what is not as far as the creation of new communities.  We must respect each community.  Everyone will always have the ability to post their blog posts to any community they choose.  However, in order to clarify our position on the creation of communities.....
… (0 comments)

Another Unexpected Consequence of Blogging on Activerain - 09/04/10 08:04 AM
I always like to read what Margaret is writing, but this post and the one that it links to Memorial Day Tribute to Unsung Heroes are really special (read the link first and the one below). 
These posts brought tears to my eyes and are a great reminder of how heroes live among us.
Via Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Crofton, MD):
Most of us measure the success of our blog posts by the number of comments, or how much business they generate... but tonight I experienced an unexpected consequence from blogging.

 
… (2 comments)

The (Only) Downside of Vacation Home-ownership...Hurricane Earl! - 09/03/10 11:57 AM
We are blessed to own a vacation home in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We bought the property, lovingly updated and then rented it out. Our renters have been loyal and  extremely respectful of our home. We have had the occasional, "Oh my gosh," moment, but for the most part it has been a great experience.Hurricane season makes the whole thing a tad more stressful. Our home is located in Corolla (Currituck County) which was one of the areas evacuated yesterday, ahead of Hurricane Earl. I just spent a couple of minutes on-line  trying to get a handle on what … (12 comments)

" where my sales at?" Getting Your Swagger Back! - 09/01/10 05:24 PM
On this real estate roller coaster, we can all use some focus and motivation. This real estate rap video made me smile and has a great message! Take a couple of minutes to watch it...I am sure you will enjoy it!
Via Kathy Schowe (The Lori Bowers Group):
 "where my sales at?"  GETTING YOUR SWAGGER BACK!
 
We learned so much at the Tom Ferry Summit in Anaheim last week-- it opened with this very cool video introducing the theme of the Summit.  Getting Your Swagger Back!  It speaks to all of us that feel beat up, overwhelmed, and frustrated with the real … (2 comments)

Reston, Virginia Area Back-to-School Nights, 2010-11 School Year - 09/01/10 05:11 PM
Here in Fairfax County, Virginia, school hasn't yet started, but school year planning has begun.As you put together your school year calendar, be sure you get your back-to-school night on there!Cluster 1 (Herndon Pyramid)Aldrin Elementary            ESOL Parents, Thursday, 9/16 at 6:00 pm                                      K-6 Parents, Thursday, 9/16 at 6:00 pmArmstrong Elementary    K-3 Parent,s Tuesday, 9/28 at 7:00 pm                                      4-6 Parents, Monday, 9/27 at 7:00 pmHerndon Middle               7-8 Parents , Thursday, 9/23 at 6:30 pmHerndon High                  9-12 Parents, Thursday, 9/23 at 6:30 pmCluster 8 … (0 comments)

A Movie We Can All Learn From - 09/01/10 01:10 PM
Last night we happened to catch, 'Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room,' on CNBC.
If you haven't had a chance to watch this movie, I would highly recommend it. I read the book several years back, but something about seeing the people involved really brought the emotion and the tragedy of the situation home for me.
This movie should be required viewing for all business students (and anyone who works in business), because I think it does a fantastic job of highlighting how, as things go wrong or become difficult, group think can take over common sense and ethical decision … (2 comments)

 
Image%203%205x7%20300%20dpi%20%20headshot%20bw Rainmaker_large

Holly Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Northern VA

Reston, VA

More about me…

Momentum Realty,LLC, Potomac Falls,VA

Address: Reston,Herndon,Great Falls, Vienna, Oakton, Oak Hill, Falls Church, Sterling, Potomac Falls, McLean,Chantilly, Leesburg, Ashburn, Reston, VA

Office Phone: (571) 643-4902

Email Me



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find VA real estate agents and Reston real estate on ActiveRain.