Memorial Day 2011 Tribute - 05/30/11 01:09 PM
 

May God Bless our troops around the world and keep them safe! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all the men and women, living or dead, who have served our country so valiantly. We are a strong nation because of our military who keep us safe and out of harm's way. We honor you and your families with extreme gratitude for your sacrifices.
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The Patriots Descend on DC this Memorial Day Weekend - 05/28/11 03:56 PM

The 13th Annual Ride of the Patriots® to Rolling Thunder® will take place on Sunday May 29, 2011 during the Memorial Day Weekend. 
The event grows larger every year and is now the largest single-day motorcycle event in the world. Rolling Thunder not only honors and remembers those who fought in Vietnam, but also honors the servicemen and women in uniform  who serve our nation, protecting and defending our liberty and democracy.
The Ride of the Patriots is a four-day event spanning the entire Memorial Day weekend. All activities for the weekend are at or begin at Patriot Harley-Davidson, located … (1 comments)

Memorial Day Weekend Festivals and Outdoor Activities in Vienna VA - 05/26/11 06:33 PM

 
The Viva! Vienna! three-day Memorial Day festival returns to the Church Street corridor this weekend  in Vienna with fun, food, entertainment and vendors. Fifty thousand people are expected to descend on the festival for carnival rides, ethnic foods, cotton candy, popcorn and live entertainment.
This weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer as neighborhood swimming pools open, BBQs are fired up on decks and porches around the county, bicycles and skateboards emerge on streets and trails and outdoor activities are in full force.
Summer concerts on the Town Green in Vienna have kicked of in a series of free … (2 comments)

Fairfax County School Rankings - 05/25/11 03:59 PM

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) System has been maintaining its position as one of the top school systems in the entire US for many years. Not only is Fairfax County committed to its excellent curriculum but it is the superb job of the faculty and staff and the team work between the parents, teachers and of course the kids in Fairfax County that makes this possible. The school system is divided into eight clusters,each comprising two to four high school pyramids and their feeder elementary and middle schools. Detailed information about individual schools is available from each school and in … (0 comments)

Fairfax County Virginia Snapshot - 05/24/11 06:28 PM

 
Fairfax County is the largest suburban jurisdiction in the Washington, D.C. area in population, number of employed residents and number of jobs.
Fairfax County Population: 1,081,725 Median Age (2009) 37.3 Persons per Household (2009) 2.7 Median Family Income (2009) $122,651 52% of Fairfax County residents work in the Fairfax County Payroll jobs in Fairfax County (1st half of 2010) 566,788 Public School Enrollment 2010-2011 - 175,296 Fairfax County Public School National Ranking by Enrollment - 11th In 2010 U.S. News & World Report ranked the county's Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology as the best high school … (0 comments)

Live, Work and Play in Tysons Corner, Virginia - 05/24/11 05:34 PM
 

Over the past 40 years, Tysons Corner has transformed itself from rural farms to the 12th largest central business district in the United States.The quintessential city, Tysons Corner is the largest suburban business district in the entire United States. Its 35 million square feet of office space (including nearby Dunn Loring) make it bigger than all but a handful of the country's biggest downtowns. With two opulent shopping malls it's also the largest and best retail district on the East Coast after Midtown Manhattan. It is twice the size of the downtown Atlanta area or about the same size … (0 comments)

Short Sales in Fairfax County, Virginia - 05/23/11 09:21 AM

A short sale can be an excellent solution for homeowners who need to sell, and who owe more on their homes than they are worth. In the past, it was rare for a bank or lender to accept a short sale. Today, however, due to overwhelming market changes, banks and lenders have become much more negotiable when it comes to these transactions. Recent changes in corporate policy and the Obama administration have also improved the chances of getting a short sale approved.
But to be technical, here's a more official definition:
A homeowner is 'short' when the amount owed on … (0 comments)

5 Feng Shui Tips To Help a Home Sell - 05/21/11 10:28 PM
 

To put the best face on a listing and appeal to buyers who follow feng shui, keep these tips in mind.
1. Pay special attention to the front door, which is considered the “mouth of chi” (chi is the “life force” of all things) and one of the most powerful aspects of the entire property. Abundance, blessings, opportunities, and good fortune enter through the front door. It’s also the first impression buyers have of how well the sellers have taken care of the rest of the property. Make sure the area around the front door is swept clean, free … (5 comments)

Viva! Vienna! Memorial Day Festival in Vienna, Virginia is Back! - 05/20/11 09:38 AM


The annual Viva! Vienna! Festival is almost here. Viva! Vienna! is an much-awaited annual event held on Memorial Day Weekend sponsored by the Vienna Rotary and co-sponsored by the Town of Vienna and the Navy Federal Credit Union  to celebrate  community spirit with carnival rides, cotton candy, food vendors, and entertainment. The carnival attracts families and children of all ages.
On Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day weekend, historic Church Street is closed to traffic from Lawyers Road to Mill Street to allow booths for artisans, food vendors and carnival rides.  Local vendors will offer a variety of … (0 comments)

How to Green Your Home - Remodeling or Building - 05/19/11 02:25 PM

Remodeling seems to be  one the most popular home improvement projects these days. "Green" is the newest buzzword in the building and remodeling community.  There are many ways to make your home greener, including increasing energy efficiency, reducing waste, decreasing water usage, lowering indoor air pollution and creating a more sustainable environment.
Here are several ideas that can help make every space of your home, inside and out, more environmentally friendly. Homeowners can do some of these themselves or they can hire professionals to complete them. Although costs for green products tend to be higher upfront than for more traditional items, you … (3 comments)

Staging Your Home For Success - 05/17/11 11:23 AM

 
It's just not that easy to sell your home these days. Proper Pricing and Condition are critical! Home Staging,  the art of making your home look neat, stylish and inviting to a potential home buyer,  is the essential first step in selling your home. If your staging is successful you will leave a lasting impression on the home buyers and they will feel they can make your place a home. Let me help you discover where the problems and solutions are for your home staging needs. It may be anything from a little closet thinning and tidying up to … (2 comments)

Fairfax County, Virginia is a Great Place to Live - 05/13/11 04:08 PM

Fairfax County, VA is just across the Potomac River from Washington DC. The county is the largest jurisdiction in the Washington DC area and contains some of its most desirable residential communities in cities such as Fairfax, McLean, Vienna, Oakton, Reston, and Herndon. The range of housing options, dynamic high-tech companies, Fortune 500 company headquarters, world-famous shopping, well educated and affluent residents and cultural amenities make Fairfax County one of the most desirable places to live and work in the United States.
Washingon DC is 10 miles east of Fairfax County and is accessible by metro, train, and auto for … (1 comments)

"Bike to Work Day" in Reston VA - 05/12/11 10:55 AM

 
Spring is here and so is biking in Reston! Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 20th. The Reston Town Center pavillion will be one of several pit stops for the annual "Bike to Work Day" sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA) and Fairfax County. Pit stops will provide snacks and drinks, offer free bicycle tune-ups and a chance to meet fellow riders.
Register with WABA to get a 2011 t-shirt and to be eligible to win cool prizes.Register at www.waba.org.
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I'm Taking My First EPro Class Today - 05/10/11 12:09 AM
I wanted to be sure to blog before I go off to the EPro Class at the Washington D.C. Hilton today. I live in Northern Virginia, and although it is probably 12-15 miles away, it will probably take at least 1 hour 15 minutes to get there. This is the 1st class of 2 required to get the designation, and I am looking forward to getting great tips on technology and having an online presence. I hope to be able to pass some of these lessons on to my fellow realtors on Active Rain in future blogs when the class if … (2 comments)

English Oaks Subdivision in Oakton VA - 05/09/11 03:28 PM

 
English Oaks is an elegant community in the heart of Oakton VA, consisting of 85 brick townhomes and 17 single-family homes, all ending in quiet cul-de-sacs.
Resting on 33 wooded acres, the community is rich with trees, beautiful, lush landscaping and  2 tennis courts giving it a peaceful, quiet suburban setting with the ease and convenience and an urban community. The best of both worlds!
The community is within walking distance to Oakton Elementary, Oakton Library, Flint Hill Private School, Oak Marr Recreational Park, Nottoway Park, several churches, and the Oakton Town Center Shopping Plaza, Minutes to the Vienna … (0 comments)

Strong Employment Will Help Stabilize Market in Northern Virginia - 05/09/11 11:35 AM

Chart courtesy of Sun Gazette
Fairfax County's unemployment rate for the month of March 2011 stands at 4.6% which is less than half of the 9.5% rate for the United States as a whole. Fairfax County is part of a regional and statewide trend toward an improving jobs picture headed into the spring. Over the past year, unemployment has dropped 1%-3% in nearly all Virginia jurisdictions.
Over the past year, Northern Virginia's best employment picture has been found in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, and Loudoun County.
… (0 comments)

Real Estate In Your IRA? Yes You Can - 05/06/11 03:20 PM

Five things you must know when using real estate IRAs to exceed your investing dreams...
1. A real estate IRA is perfectly legal (see IRS pub 590), but you have to follow the rules. Your real estate IRA cannot purchase real estate you already own and you can't purchase a vacation home and use it.
2. Investments with a real estate IRA are uniquely titled. For most real estate IRA investments is: "Name of Custodian FBO (Your Name) IRA
3. You don't have to purchase 100% of the investment with your investment IRA. You can finance part of the investment … (1 comments)

Spring Forecast of Trends in the Northern Virginia Economy - 05/05/11 06:27 PM
Dr. Stephen Fuller from the Center of Regional Analysis at George Mason University spoke to realtors  about the national and local economy and the Northern Virginia housing market.

Here is a brief summary of the research done by Dr Fuller:
Northern Virginia will outperform the national economy. Our recovery is paralleling the national economy, albeit at a higher rate/level. Expectations are that interest rates are going to stay relatively steady through December 2011, but will rise sharply early 2012 and beyond. The following chart shows predictions for the upcoming rise in interest rates. Since interest rate increases affect home purchasing power, … (0 comments)

Biker Friendly Improvements Coming to Tysons Corner - 05/04/11 01:27 PM

 
For many bicyclists who choose to pedal their way to work in Tysons Corner, the commute is about to get easier. Bike improvements throughout this busy area will include the entire Tysons Corner area as well as a three-mile radius surrounding the boundary of Tysons Corner, including bicycle connectivity to McLean.
Bike lanes are part of each new overpass for the I-495 Hot Lanes and the Dulles Corridor Metrorail project will bring friendly improvements to Route 7. The Route 7 bridge will be one of the bridges over the Capital Beltway with wide sidewalks and on-road bike lanes.
All … (0 comments)

The current high-balance loan limits are set to decrease from $729,750 to $625,000. - 05/03/11 12:57 PM
 

For loans originated after September 30, 2011 there will be a major structural change to available home loans. The current high-balance loan limits are set to decrease from $729,750 to $625,000.
Starting three years ago the Government, via Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, increased the maximum conforming loan limit to $729,750 in high-cost areas such as DC Metro area. Unfortunately, with the Federal Government out of money and Fannie/Freddie under attack by politicians from both sides of the aisle, it is very unlikely there will be another extension of these conforming loan limits (like we saw at the end … (1 comments)

Vienna VA Wll Be Home to Artifacts From the September 11 Attacks - 05/02/11 02:31 PM

 
Vienna VA will become home to several artifacts from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. The memorial's signature attraction will be a 45 foot tall, trident-shaped piece of rusty red steel salvaged from the World Trade Center's destroyed North Tower. This piece will be bracketed by a pair of polished, whilte granite walls. An artist's redention shows how the memorial will look at the new Terrorist Screening Center facility at Liberty Park in Vienna.
Another element of the memorial will feature 60' tall flagpoles from the Wrold Trade Center. The first pole will represent … (1 comments)

 

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