Perspective and News On Northern Virginia Real Estate

Woodbridge VA-Santa Trains Are Ready to Roll

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:25:45 -0600

Mark your calendars now for the annual Operation Lifesaver Santa Trains pulling out of Fredericksburg, Woodbridge, Manassas and Burke Centre on December 12^h.

With the appropriate names of Santa's reindeer these special VRE trains head out of stations for a one hour ride with plenty of surprises for the little ones. Tickets for the train cost $5.00 and MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE at the following locations:

Fredericksburg
Visitors Center
706 Caroline Street
Monday-Sunday: 9:00am-5:00pm
(540) 373-1776

Woodbridge VRE Station
Coffee Club Cafe
Monday-Friday:
5:15am - 12:00noon and 3:00p - 8:00p
Saturday: 8:00a - 2:00p
Sunday: 8:30a - 12:00noon

Burke
Supervisor Sharon Bulova's Office
9002 Burke Lake Road
Monday-Friday: 9:00a-4:30p
(703) 425-9300

Manassas
Manassas Visitors Center
9431 West Street (Manassas VRE Depot)
Monday-Sunday: 9:00a-5:00p
(703) 361-6599

In conjunction with the Santa Express Trains the Marine Corps will be collecting for the annual Toys for Tots Campaign as well. Please consider bringing an unwrapped toy for a less fortunate child to enjoy this holiday season.

Belmont Bay-Tomorrow is Auction Day for River Club 2

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:28:17 -0600

Anyone driving through Belmont Bay this week has seen the flurry of activity around the River Club 2 Condominium building. A now defunct Comstock project the 19 remaining unfinished units in the building along with 84 development lots are being auctioned off Friday December 4th at the Prince William County Courthouse in Manassas.

Many buyers think the auction is for individual condo units. It is not. The auction is for the entire remaining 19 units as a parcel and the development lots as a separate parcel. If a winning bidder is interested in buying both packages they will have that option to combine them into one parcel.

This is not a project for your average investor to undertake. The 19 units are truely unfinished. Though the plumbing and electric are in, the walls are up and light fixtures installed that is where it stops. In addition to finishing the unit's the new owner will have responsibility for the common areas and with the legal history of the building there are back taxes, performance bonds and other "little" details that can add up to more than the eye can see.

It was interesting during the preview this week seeing who was wandering through the building. Since part of my work in real estate is with a local developer I understand that this is more than just an opportunity to finish a project and make some sales. The issues I mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg a prospective buyer of this project needs to consider.

I'll be at the auction on tomorrow and will be interested to see who is bidding and where the bidding stops. The bank has a significant amount of money tied up in this project and chances are they won't let it go for cheap.

Oh and did I mention that prior to foreclosure 9 units were sold and the buyer of River Club 2 most likely inherits 9 very unhappy owners?

Slugging-A Northern Virginia Phenomena That Won't Land You in Jail

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:06:06 -0600

That's right you can slug away in Northern Virginia and not spend a night in jail. When you hear someone in Northern Virginia mention slugging they are talking about just one of the ways that commuters in our area get into DC during rush hour. Our slug lines are famous around the country as a unique form of carpooling not often found in other major metropolitan cities.

The term actually started with the local 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 have flourished and become one of the easiest and certainly cheapest ways to get into town during the work week. The protocol for slugging is well established, the routes defined and though it is not officially sanctioned by any local jurisdiction there are no laws against it. Most of the official slug lines are along the I-95 corridor from as far south as Fredericksburg in Stafford County. The best hours to be picked up in the morning vary by location but generally coincide with the HOV lane restrictions of 6-9 am and 3:30-6PM.

At first newcomers to the area are skeptical about jumping into a car with a perfect stranger, lets face it we all have heard the horror stories about hitchhiking but in the case of slugging you won't find any problems. There are official pick up and drop off spots in the suburbs of Fairfax, Prince William and Stafford Counties and there are official pick up and drop off spots in DC. Lines are orderly and if anyone tries to break ranks and skip ahead in the they quickly learn that drivers will leave them stranded.

Combine slugging with our extensive bus routes, rail lines and subway routes and smart commuters find out quickly they can leave the car at home and enjoy getting to the city with far less stress than by sitting in traffic by themselves. The Pentagon is one of the major drop off and pick up points for slugs and makes it perfect for active duty personnel!

My map is a sample of slug line locations in our area. To see more of the official slug lines check out the Official Slug-Line Website. If you are relocating to Northern Virginia and want to know about neighborhoods with access to slug lines and other Northern Virginia transportation links give me a call at 703-346-2213.

Northern Virginia Relocation-We've Got Options to Help You Get from Point A to Point B

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:13:02 -0600

For the very fortunate commuters in Northern Virginia a walk outside the back down and a hop in your helicopter gets you up and over the traffic and on to your destination. In case you think it isn't possible just ask the lucky homeowner who lives across the Occoquan River from me. Indeed he has his own helicopter pad in his back yard!

For the rest of us we need to find the more usual routes to get ourselves from our homes to work. If DC is your destination you have multiple choices from all points on the compass to head into town. For those who live in Stafford, Prince William and Fairfax County you can hop on the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) at one of 22 stations throughout the area. Both the Manassas and Fredericksburg lines have three stops at major locations in Crystal City, L'Enfant Plaza and Union Station.

VRE System Map

For those who don't live close to a VRE station then the Metro gives you even more options to consider. With stops throughout the city and Northern Virginia area the metro is a popular solution to avoiding sitting in traffic at the Springfield Interchange. With metro trains running from 5 am to midnight on weekdays and 7am to 3am on weekends you won't have a problem finding a schedule to get you where you need to be when you need to be there. Parking lots are available at all of the stations and the "kiss and ride" lane is great if you are being dropped off in the morning.

Metro System Map

One of the unusual transportation choices in our area is our famous "slug lines." Whenever you try and explain this organized hitchhiking form of getting into town to new residents it brings puzzled looks. The concept is simple. Our high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes headed into DC from the south require 3 people in the car. So drivers stop at designated spots throughout the area and load 2 additional commuters in their car headed to a similar destination and they are able to take advantage of the HOV lanes. The process is very organized and the rules of etiquette are well known. No smoking, little or no talking, no complaining and a free ride is yours. Pick up hours in the morning run the similiar hours to the HOV lanes 6 am to around 8:45 am and in the evening from 3:30 pm to 5:45 pm.

Slug Line Maps

There are a number of additional transportation options throughout our area including Omni Buses, Alexandria Dash Bus and van pools all of which will get you to your destination in DC or surrounding Northern Virginia Communities.

Northern Virginia Transportation Links

If you decide to go it alone and hop in your car and drive then turn your radio to WTOP (103.5FM or 820AM) and listen for "Traffic on the Eights." If you hear the words backup on the Dulles Greenway, accident on I-66, or congestion at the Springfield mixing bowl then put on your favorite CD and be prepared to wait it out!

If you need help finding your next home in Northern Virginia give me a call at 703-346-2213. As a native of the area I can show you transportation options in neighborhoods throughout the area.

Speechless Sunday-You Can't Fool Me

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:48:19 -0600

No matter how hard you might try you aren't going to fool me into thinking this is a real turkey. Now get back in the kitchen and find me a real bird!

In the UK you can't find Turkey at Thanksgiving so Squeak had to make do with a cardboard bird to celebrate this year.

Work Off the Excess Calories-Explore Nothern Virginia& DC This Weekend

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:36:40 -0600

One of the great things about living in the DC Metro 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.

You can never go wrong with a day at the National Zoo. Everyone wants to see the Panda Bears. With the fall weather the crowds have thinned and the animals are out enjoying the cooler weather.

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 Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Center is the newest addition to the Smithsonian but not located in DC. The center which houses the space shuttle Enterprise is actually in Chantilly VA about 20 miles west of DC. You will also find the B-29 Enola Gay and an SR-71 (Habu) spy plane. With flight simulators and an IMAX theater at the center it is easy to spend an entire day within the walls of the center. It is free to enter the museum but there is a $15 parking fee per car.

Check out George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate on the banks of the Potomac River. Most visitors drive to Mount Vernon but you can also take a boat tour from Alexandria and arrive on the docks at the front of the house. It is easy to see why George Washington loved this property and why it is one of the most popular places to visit in the area. The grounds are impeccable, you can see the farm life as it was in the 1700's and be thankful that preservationists were able to keep Mount Vernon for all of us to see 300 years later.

The National Museum of the Marine Corps located just outside of the main gate of Quantico is the ultimate Ooh-rah" experience. Designed to resemble the flag raising at Iwo Jima the museum this museum is designed to make you understand what it means to be a Marine. With interactive exhibits you can feel as if you are right in the thick of the action. This is a great place to pay tribute to all current and past Marines and understand their place in our US history.

Take a break this weekend, work off the second helping of sweet potatoes and enjoy a few of the local attractions.

Wordless Wednesday-A Jungle Only Steps to the Beach

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:03:05 -0600

It was interesting to find this "jungle" just a few steps off the beach in Lido Key FL last weekend. One minute we were walking on pure white sand and the next we felt as if we had stepped back in time. The tributaries were full of small fish and blue herons, egrets and a bald eagle were all staking out their claim to lunch.

It is amazing what you can find if you just take a few minutes to step off the beaten path.

Don't Be Foooled-This Blue House is Really Green

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:13:38 -0600

No there isn't a problem with your computer monitor the house you see is actually wrapped in blue insulation but the house is actually a green house under construction in Lorton VA.

This home being built by the Speer family is utilizing all of the latest green technologies including both solar and geothermal technologies.

The south-facing roof will contain solar panels that will provide most of the electrical energy for appliances in the home. If the family generates more electricity than they need the will feed power back to the local electric company grid causing the meter to run backwards.

Heating and cooling will be provided by a geothermal ground source heat pump (GSHP), also called a geoexchange system. With the earth's natural heat collected in winter through a series of pipes, installed below the surface of the ground the loop carries this heat to the home. An indoor system then uses electrically driven compressors and heat exchangers then release the warmer air into the home and into their in floor heating system.

When the home is finished it will contain 3900 SF of living space on three levels. The hardiplank siding will be green, how appropriate, with white accents. This is an ambitious project and one of the more innovative green building projects undertaken by West Properties based in Falls Church VA.

You can keep track of the progress of this innovative Lorton home by driving by the site at the corner of Ox Road and Hooes Road in Lorton.

Price Reduced-What Do Buyers Think When they See the Sign?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:41:56 -0600

Today will driving through a couple of local neighborhoods the “PRICE REDUCED” sign riders caught my attention. In an area where some houses seem to fly off the market and others languish it made me wonder what do buyers think when they pull up in front of a house with the “PRICE REDUCED” rider front and center.

The first questions that popped into my mind were:

Was the house originally overpriced?
Wonder if the seller is desperate?
Is the house in poor condition?
What is the listing agent doing?

If a buyer has been casing a neighborhood for months they may know the reason why the house is sporting the “PRICE REDUCED” sign. However if they are just arriving in the area or starting their house hunt the sign screams there might be a problem. There are buyers who would look at a “PRICE REDUCED” sign as a open invitation to make a lowball offer whether one is warranted or not.

It seems announcing the positive “MUST SEE INSIDE”, “GREAT PRICE”, “SEE ME ON THE WEB” or many others are better sign riders to encourage a buyer to want to learn more about the property.

Personally my listings aren’t ever going to sport a “PRICE REDUCED” sign rider even if the top of the sign post has to remain empty.

Add Color To Your Blog The Easy Way!

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:49:08 -0600

I was first introduced to NVU about a year ago. Adding color to your text doesn't take any knowledge of HTML to do. Forget trying to learn color codes instead use a free tool to enhance your text.

The trick is not to go overboard. To much color in a post can be distracting. Decide whether a simple bold will get the point across as well as a different color.

Via Bielenberg & Associates:

Have you heard about NVU? They claim to be the #1 FREE Web Authoring System with WYSIWYG and HTML modes, and this a a great thing for a "non-computer" type person like myself. I stumbled upon this this site and downloaded the program and have been using it(?) for all my blog drafting. However, my frustration has been figuring it all out and putting it all together, adding the artwork, colored text etc., and then getting it pasted into my AR blog site. As I toggled back and forth I always lost the enhancements, but by George, I think I've got it and I wanted to share it with you just in case there are any other NVU users out there or someone who might want to give it a try (minus all the hair pulling)! So, here is my attempt at a tutorial.

Download NVU for free!

Write your blog, adding links, font choice, colored text, etc. The capital "A" arrows will increase or decrease the size of your font and you might have to play with this a little to get it to look the way you want it on your blog. Draft everything right now except your artwork!

When you are done, highlight the text, open the top view tab and click on "HTML Source". This automatically changes your entry into HTML code. Don't panic, if you forgot something and need to see the WYSIWYG version, just go back to the view tab again and click on the "Normal Edit Mode". You can go back and forth as many times as your need, just be sure that you have all your text highlighted before you make your choice of either "HTML Source or Normal Edit Mode".

Are you ready to post to ActiveRain? Highlight the text, open view and change it to HTML. Once your post shows in HTML, highlight all of your text beginning with the line that starts <body... and left click to copy the text.

Open your ActiveRain to post a new blog.

Hit the HTML tab on top of the Entry Box. Click "OK" to the pop-up box.

Paste your blog.

Title your blog.

Save it as a draft!

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and post your blog. Don't panic! Just like magic your blog your blog page opens up and your blog will be in living color and all! But you are not done!

When your blog page opens, select edit.

When you come back to the edit page, click on WYSIWYG in the Entry section and now you can insert your pictures, fix any typos and make any adjustments you need.

Add your tags, visibility (change it from draft to whomever you are posting to) and make your additional posting selections.

Authorize your blog as the owner of content and post.

Congratulations!!! You can now do what it took me months to figure out!

Speechless Sundays-Social Media Seagull Style

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:12:59 -0600

When I ran across this flock of seagulls in FL last weekend my mind wandered to a Social Media event. Lots of people standing around exchanging ideas and chatting about the latest tools and technology. Of course in this case I suspect the chatter is more about whether they should attack the tourists on the beach or head out over the water to look for lunch.

Welcome to "Flopping"-The Latest Short Sale Flipping Game

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:31:51 -0600

The FBI, Fannie Mae and fraud experts agree, the new short sale flipping scheme popping up around the country is on the rise and will cost banks millions of dollars.

The premise is quite simple. Make a low offer on a short sale and convince the bank that the offer is "market value". Close the deal and within 24 hours sell the property to a second buyer at a profit. The second buyer has no clue that the home is under contract for far less than what they are offering and of course the lender has no idea that the value of the property is thousands more than they are accepting.

So how does this happen? According to the FBI, it takes a less than ethical real estate agent, a lender and BPO (Broker Priced Opinion) that reflects a lower value. Since many banks depend on the BPO to determine the value of the property versus a full appraisal making it easier to manipulate a lower value on a short sale than you might believe.

In some areas lenders and title insurance companies are starting to get wise to this scheme and are making changes to try and discourage the practice. Most short sales I've been involved in require that everyone involved in the transaction complete an "arms length transaction certification" stating that we have no interest in the property of will profit in any way from the sale of the property.

It is interesting to see real estate news from other areas of the country and the Sarasota (FL) Herald Tribune recently published an article on how "flopping" impacts the market in two local counties. They found 250 properties that sold multiple times at higher prices in 2009 and 50 of those were within 24 hours. The conservatively estimated based on questionable sales, banks netted $3.2 million less than what the properties sold for a few weeks later when they were flipped.

If you take that number and multiple nationwide you can begin to see that as taxpayers (lets face it we are the ones who are paying for this) are being swindled out of millions, excuse me make that billions of dollars by this latest flipping scheme. Somehow this starts to have a taste of some of the tactics that got the real estate market into trouble just a few short years ago.

Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program-The Checks Are in The Mail

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:35:27 -0600

After a long wait the checks are beginning to roll out for military families who qualify for assistance from the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP).

Three weeks after the funds were made available the surviving spouse of a Fallen Warrior received her check. Then a check went out to an Air Force Major in Colorado and since then the checks have been rolling out on a regular basis. Each check issued means one of the thousands of military families impacted by the declining market value of their home comes one step closer to financial relief.

The expanded program has had a few holdups. First the funds part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 needed to be made available, then the program rules needed to be reviewed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and finally Congress need to pass HR 3548 to remove the 25% tax penality that was attached to the original rules.

Fortunately for those who have waited processing seems to be moving fairly quickly. Two of the Northern Virginia military families I am working with have received their benefits letters and we are finalizing the updates required by the HAP counselors.

For more information on the qualifications for the program you can review the eligibility requirements at the US Army Corps of Engineer website. If you are a military family in the Northern Virginia area who qualifies for the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) then give me a call at 703-346-2213. As an agent experienced with the HAP program guidelines and processes I can help you navigate the requirements and get your home SOLD before your next PCS move.

Wordless Wednesday-Beach Sunsets Make You Pause and Say Thank You

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:39:02 -0600

After worrying that Hurricane Ida was about to ruin a planned beach wedding at Lido Key in FL this past weekend we all managed instead to have this view. No matter how many times you see a sunset the ones across the water always seem that much brighter and make you remember how great it is to celebrate life.

SOLD -Highest Priced Sale in the Newington Commons Community in 2009

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:26:22 -0600

This past week my clients put the SOLD sign in the front yard of their Newington Commons townhouse in Lorton VA. The home had multiple contracts in under 72 hours and after final negotiations the home ended up closing at $240,000 the highest priced sale in the community this year.

The buyer's are a military family and the husband has been stationed in Iraq during the transaction and will be coming home to a great new house.

If you are thinking about selling your home in Newington Commons or any of the other great Lorton VA neighborhoods give me a call at 703-346-2213. Let's see how my creative marketing strategies might be able to help you put the SOLD sign in your yard.

Enjoy Charlestown One of Springfield (VA) Best Kept Secrets

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:59:34 -0600

Tucked just off the intersection of two major roads in Springfield is the townhouse community of Charlestown. With tree lined streets, community parks and easy access to shopping and commuter routes this secret neighborhood is well worth checking out.

One of the benefits of the Charlestown neighborhood is the outside maintenance that the HOA provides. Besides the lawn care, trash pickup and snow removal the HOA also paints the exterior trim of the townhouses on a three year cycle, replaces the roofs when needed and the brick walls that run around the perimeter of the backyards.

Commuting to the Pentagon is as simple as stepping outside your door and walking 2 to 3 blocks to Forrester Blvd. If you aren't picked up by a commuter looking for slugs then you can grab the 18G Metro Bus. If you take the 7:18 bus you will be at the Pentagon at 7:50. How great is that? If Fort Belvoir is your destination then the commute is also 30 minutes or less depending on stoplights!

Charlestown is located in the West Springfield HS Pyramid, both the elementary school and HS are within walking distance. Want to shop? If you are just going to get a few essentials you can walk to the Giant or Whole Foods, we used to do it all the time and while you are at the shopping center you can stop by Starbucks, Austin Grill or Chicken Out for bite to eat.

For those in the know Lake Accotink Park has a back entrance off of Carrleigh Parkway. Years ago the only way to get into the park from the neighborhood was to take a dangerous walk across the railroad tracks. Fortunately the Fairfax County Park Authority built an enclosed pedestrian bridge so now you can ride your bike or walk to the park safely. Once at the park there is a 3.75 mile trail around the 55 acre lake for you to run, bike or walk.

If you have orders to the area then give me a call at 703-346-2213 Let my team put our knowledge of the area to work for you. We've been in your shoes numerous times and know how to help you make a smooth transition to your new home.

The Quiet News from the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:04:25 -0600

With all of the hoopla surrounding the extension of the first time homebuyers tax credit as part of the "Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009" a small portion of the bill was overlooked.

Perhaps if you don't work with military families or aren't in a community that has faced a decline in home values you might not even known that H.R. 3548 saved military families who are using the expanded Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) a 25% up front tax penality when they sold their home.

For some families this has meant the difference from being able to take advantage of the benefits of the Department of Defense program or not. A 25% upfront tax penality is not money that all military families have lying around just waiting to give to give up. The other great news is that HAP files are processing and checks are being issued. Two of the homes that I have under contract for Northern Virginia military families eligible for HAP are on to the final stages of processing.

The other great news is that this bill also extended the opportunity for military families who have been stationed overseas for at least 3 months in 2009 the chance to take advantage of the first time home buyers tax credit.

Thanks to Congress for understanding the need to provide a way for those who serve our country to be able to make their next PCS move a bit less financially stressful.

If you are a military family living in the Northern Virginia area and are eligible for the expanded HAP benefits give me a call at 703-346-2213. I've been working with families in your situation this year and can help you navigate the process of understanding the Department of Defense HAP benefits and getting your home sold in our current market.

Springfield VA-Kings Park Cape Cod on Quiet Corner Lot

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:03:03 -0600

Photo Gallery

Living Room	Kitchen
Kitchne	Eating Space	Master Bedroom
Recreation Room	Screened Porch

Description

If you have been waiting for just the right home then your wait is over.
Nestled in the trees on a quiet corner lot in Kings Park this Cape Cod three level home offers plenty of space for your family and proximity to shopping,
commuting and recreation.

When you enter you notice the formal living with hardwood floors and wood burning fireplace. The updated kitchen offers 42” maple cabinets, new appliances and room for your table. Step out to the screened in porch and fenced backyard. The first floor also features a master suite with walk-in closet, dual vanities and bath.

The top level features three additional bedrooms and an updated bathroom.
The lower level features a nice size recreation room with recessed lights, laundry room and additional space which could be converted to more finished living space.

This home is ready for you to move in and enjoy. Take advantage of the extension of the first time homebuyers tax credit. This nice home won’t last long!

Features

Bedrooms:	4
Bathrooms:	2
Year Built:	1965
Subdivision:	Kings Park
Lot Size:	1/4 acre
School District:	Lake Braddock
Square Footage:	2000
Agent Name:	Cindy Jones
Broker:	RE/MAX Allegiance
MLS #:	FX7199099

Location

5500 Kempton Drive Springfield VA 22151

vFlyer Id: 2933480

Pentagon Relocation-Welcome Defense Language Institute Graduates

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:29:44 -0600

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 you are finishing up your coursework at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey CA and your have PCS orders to the Pentagon then let me welcome you to the neighborhood! Most military personal headed to the base often choose to live in Northern Virginia close to public transportation and the famous "slug" lines. Whether you are going to buy or rent there are plenty of neighborhood options for you to choose from. The first thing you need to do is check the 2009 BAH rates for the Pentagon. Pentagon rates fall in the Washington District (DC053) and you can use zip code 22152 as an example.

If you are thinking of buying a home, the current Northern Virginia market provides you the chance to find a good value on a home. Many military personal are dusting off their VA Certificate of Eligibility and checking with local lenders about the options available to use their VA loans. Knowing what monthly payment you are comfortable with is important for looking at homes in neighborhoods that meet your price criteria.

Once you have determined your price range you have the option to start your search on-line to get an idea of the type of homes that are within your price range. There are a number of neighborhoods in Northern Virginia that have always been popular with military families stationed at the Pentagon including Kingstowne, Lorton and Lake Ridge. If you have school age children starting with information on local schools through the Fairfax County or Prince William County sites or the Great Schools website will also assist you in determining the right neighborhood for your family.

If you have decided to forgo a purchase on this tour of duty don't worry. I can also help you find a rental property in one of Northern Virginia's great neighborhoods as well.

The best way to get to know the area is to call on a Realtor® who not only has been through the stress of numerous military moves but is a native of the area. I’ve lived through the best and worst military moves and know how to help your family learn about Northern Virginia and find a neighborhood that you will want to call home while stationed at the Pentagon.

My military relocation network is at your fingertips through my on-line resources, on the phone and in person. Don’t lose sleep over your orders. I’m here to help you with a smooth transition!

Fort Belvoir Relocation-Enjoy A Great Selection of Woodbridge Neighborhoods

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:55:34 -0600

With the upcoming influx of military and civilian personnel scheduled to move to Fort Belvoir, newer neighborhoods in Prince William County are gearing up for Fort Belvoir employees arrival. All of these neighborhoods offer great value in today's market and they offer a choice for buyers which include foreclosures, new homes and re-sales.

The first community you find when you cross the Occoquan River is Belmont Bay. With its waterfront location, variety of home styles and communities amenities it isn't a surprise that this community has been discovered by military families being stationed at Fort Belvoir. If you walk the waterfront paths in the community you will be greeted with a smile and hello from everyone you pass. Kids love to run on the pavilion green and watch the boats coming and going from the gazebo by the docks. Commuters appreciate the quick hop onto Route 1 to head to Fort Belvoir or the VRE station right in the neighborhood to take them into Alexandria or DC.

As you travel a little further south on Route 1 your next stop is the award winning community of Potomac Club. The jewel of the neighborhood is the 12 million dollar community club house with both indoor and outdoor pools, rock climbing wall and business center. The townhouses and townhouse style condominiums are stacked up the hillside creating winding streets and pockets of green space. The newly opened Wegmans grocery store is within walking distance and there is easy access to either Route 1 or I-95.

Another mile down the road and you the final two developments on this tour of Prince William County neighborhoods perfect for BRAC. The first is Eagles Pointe and enclave of detached homes with another terrific community clubhouse. The detached homes are clustered on no-through streets and are separated from other nearby developments with a stand of full growth trees. Across the street is the community of Port Potomac. With a mixture of detached homes and townhouses the development features a Williamsburg style club house, pedestrian friendly streets and walking trails. The community has been popular with families looking for a location close to shopping and public transportation.

All of these neighborhoods are close to shopping at Potomac Mills, Wegman's and recreation at numerous state and local parks in the area.

If you have orders to Fort Belvoir then give theCindy Jones team a call at 703-346-2213. Let our personal experience with military relocation help you find the right neighborhood to call home.No hassle, no pressure, just straight talk about today's real estate market and whether today is the right time for you to buy a new home.

Speechless Sunday-Honoring All of Those Who Lost Their Lives at Fort Hood

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:53:05 -0600

My thoughts go out to all of those who lost a loved one at this week's tragedy at Fort Hood. With the approach of Veteran's Day we need to remember that each headstone and flag at Arlington Cemetery represents a loved one who served our country honorably. Keep our troops both at home and at war in your thoughts this week.

©Cindy Jones 209

Speechless Sunday-Honey Did You Write Down the Number of Our Bus?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:04:27 -0600

This is just a few of the buses lined up outside George Washington's Mount Vernon estate yesterday. With beautiful fall weather visitors from around the world come to take in the views of the Potomac River from the back porch and see how life was back in the 1700's in Virginia. If you are coming to the DC area for a visit make sure you put Mount Vernon on your list of places to visit. These folks did!

Springfield Oaks-Just a Hop, Skip and A Jump to Fort Belvoir and NGA

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:32:58 -0600

If you are headed to Fort Belvoir and are looking for a reasonably priced townhouse community where the developer left green space and clustered courtyards then check out Springfield Oaks in Fairfax County.

Situated on 18 acres of wooded and gently rolling terrain the 382 townhouses in Springfield Oaks are only 5 miles from Fort Belvoir. The community is also within 5 minutes of the Lorton Station VRE, about 15 minutes to the Springfield Metro or you can catch a Fairfax Connector or Metro bus at either entrance to the community

Having owned a townhouse myself in Springfield Oaks I knew how well the association worked to keep the neighborhood up to date and they have recently completed a brand new tot lot. The neighborhood is divided into two sections crossed by Alban Road. Both the upper and lower sections of the neighborhood share services including twice a week trash pickup, community leaf cleaning and snow removal.

Every year the community sponsors events to bring the neighbors together including ice cream socials, Easter egg hunts and Halloween parties. If you need a lesson on Oak tree species all you have to do is drive through the neighborhood and look at the street names including, Blue Oak, Chapman Oak and Pin Oak to realize how many types of Oak trees there are.

If you are headed to Fort Belvoir check out www.militaryrelocationnews.com or Fort Belvoir On-Line Relocation Guide for more information. Give the Cindy Jones team a call at 703-346-2213 to chat. If you are in the area we can meet for coffee and talk about about whether this is the right time for you to buy a home. No hassle, no pressure, just straight talk about the home buying process property in today's market.

Springfield VA- Hang Your Crown in This Terrific New Kings Park Listing

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:28:10 -0600

Coming this weekend in Kings Park in Springfield (VA) a remodeled King model situated on a quiet corner lot. The former two small main level bedrooms have been combined into a master suite with huge walk-in closet, extra vanity and updated bath. Enjoy the completely remodeled kitchen with new cabinents, counters and appliances. Upstairs are three bedrooms and a remodeled bath. The lower level has a recreation room and huge storage area. Hardwood floors throughout the main and upper level of the home.

This terrific home will be priced at $389,000. Get your checkbooks ready!

Read more about the Kings Park neighborhood:

It isn't hard to figure out what the developer of the first Kings Park was planning when they laid out the plan for the community and the homes. With one look at the street names Thames, Victoria, Trafalgar and Cromwell among others you might think you have made a trip back to England. Then when you add the names of the five original models; King, Queen, Princess, Duke and Duchess, you realize absolutely there is a royal connection!

Our family bought our very first home in Kings Park in 1981. Having just returned from five years overseas we were anxious to settle down for awhile and having grown up in Springfield it was an easy choice to make the original Kings Park the place to buy our first "real home." We were attracted to the neighborhood due to the mature trees, green space parks, community pools and easy commuting to our jobs. With the gentle slope of our 1/3 acre lot we were able to set up a zip line between the top of the back yard and the back fence which became a neighborhood hangout for the under 5 age group!

Since the neighborhood was first built over 40 years ago it has been popular with military families looking for easy access to the Pentagon or Fort Belvoir. Children attend schools in the Lake Braddock School Pyramid and both Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University are close by. Public bus transportation, a VRE station and slug lines are easy to get to from anywhere in the neighborhood. Homeowners can walk to the Kings Park Shopping Center and even the Kings Park Library branch of the Fairfax County Library System.

When you want to take a break you walk or ride your bike through two different "back" entrances to Lake Accotink or for anyone who likes the challenge of dirt biking the nearby trails through Wakefield Park are considered some of the best in the area. Wakefield Park is also the location for the Audrey Moore Recreation Center where you will find an indoor pool and popular fitness center. During the summer Lake Accotink Park hosts free Friday night summertime concerts which are an absolute hit with everyone. Music ranges through swing, jazz, pop and rock. If you haven't seen your neighbors for a few days chances are you will find them there with a picnic basket and folding chairs

If you are interested in learning more about Northern Virginia Relocation, local neighborhoods or things to do give the Cindy Jones team a call at 703-346-2213. No hassle, no pressure, just straight talk about whether now is the right time for you to buy a home in Kings Park or any Springfield (VA) neighborhood.

Military Relocation-The Best Part of the Latest Tax Credit Extension

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:03:26 -0600