The holiday season is in full swing at the National Museum of the Marine Corp is located outside the main gate of Quantico MCB in Triangle VA.  The museum is a tribute to members of the Marine Corps both past and present.

During the holiday season the museum has a side variety of events including the Quantico Marine Corps Jazz Combo, New Dominion Choraliers, Quantico Marine Corps Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble and of course Santa is on hand as well.

Check out the full schedule of holiday events at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

The museum is free and open every day except Christmas.  Hours of operation are from 9 AM to 5 PM.

When you come to visit during the holiday please bring a new unwrapped toy for the annual Toys for Tots drive.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to hangout with Sarah Hill Social Media Strategist for the Veterans United Network. Sarah as well as team members of Veterans United Home Loans and a few Realtors® nationwide were sharing our experiences and thoughts on VA home loans and how best to help buyers using VA loans get past some of the objections they sometimes encounter from sellers.

In Prince William County, VA home loans to date in 2012 have made up 19% of the loans used for home purchases (per the MLS). In a competitive marketplace making your offer attractive to a seller is important. The issue isn't usually the loan you are using but the total package you are presenting. Inventory is low and popular price points are competitive giving sellers a slight advantage when it comes to reviewing offers.

How do you make your VA offer competitive? A few simple tips. The most important step is to make sure you have provided your lender as many of the documents required to get your loan ready as possible. The more solid your lender letter the better. Don't write a low ball offer. Look carefully at the comps for the neighborhood and make sure you offer falls within the range of reasonable and customary. Make your inspection and appraisal dates as tight as possible. Respond quickly to all request from your lender for information and finally work with a Realtor® who understands VA loans.

Watch the Veterans United Hangout below and if you are interested in learning more about how to use your VA loan to purchase a home in Northern Virginia give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a call at 703-346-2213.

Though Prince William County isn't known as the "land of lakes" or often thought of as "waterfront" buyers coming to the area might be surprised to find out how much waterfront property they can find to buy.

The first thing you have to decide is what type of waterfront would you like?  Is it on a lake or river where you can put in a power boat?  Is it a flowing creek where you can fish?  How about a lake perfect for kayaking?  Or is a private pond more to your liking?

No matter which you would prefer you can find homes scattered throughout Prince William County that fit your definition of waterfront.  From condos in Belmont Bay, townhouses in Montclair or a detached home in Nokesville you can find it.

If you are interested in learning more about the available waterfront homes in Prince William County VA call Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group to talk about what your dream waterfront home is. Then let our experience in helping buyers find their perfect waterfront home work for you.

Waterfront Homes For Sale In Prince William County VA

 

The more specific name for this creature is a Male Swamp Darner.  However knowing the species led me to look further on the internet for more information.  Under one of the definitions was the word "HUGE."  I would have to agree.  We found him in the surf with wet wings.  He couldn't fly but he could crawl onto a finger.  Safely on board he flapped his wings continuously until they dried out.  After a few minutes he was able to take off and we finished our walk on the beach with a sense of satisfaction that we had rescued this big guy.

 

In Northern Virginia the competition for listings is strong.Not as crazy as the height of the market but in many cases listings will bring multiple offers.

For Northern Virginia buyers that means working closely with a buyer’s agent to craft the best deal you can on your dream home.Recently while reviewing offers on a listing in Woodbridge the book “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” came to mind.

Make an offer that is to low and your offer most likely will not even be considered.What is to low?  If the average percentage of list price to sales price in a neighborhood is 97% and you make an offer for 75% of list price you can be fairly well assured your offer will not be considered.

If your offer is too high you may end up in the same pile.  Let’s face it appraisals are tight in today’s market.  Lenders aren’t financing just any deal and want proof not only of your financial qualifications but the value of the home you are buying.  Just as before if the list to sales ratio is 97% and you offer 120% a savvy seller will know that your offer won’t pass muster with an appraiser and their agent will know you are counting on a lower appraisal to renegotiate the price.

Finally there is the just right offer.  Not only does it fall in the parameters of the list to sales price ratio but it comes with a strong lender letter, a solid earnest money deposit (EMD) has reasonable contingencies and seller subsidy.  The just right offer is the one the seller will select every time. 

If you are searching for a new home in Northern Virginia and want representation from an agent who knows how to write the just right offer give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a call at 703-346-2213.  Let’s talk about whether now is the right time for you to buy a new home in Northern Virginia and how to craft the offer that will get you in your new home before the end of 2011.

 

 

The Golf Course at Montclair in the Dumfries - Woodbridge area of Prince William County Virginia.

MEET THE GAWKING GEEZERS!   What are these lovely gentleman so happy about??

Two very happy gentleman observing the ladies on the practice putting range at the golf club at the Montclair Country Club Thursday, August 5, 2010.    

 

      

 

 MEET THE LADIES ON THE PRACTICE ROUND 

 

 

 Driving Range Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday . 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday . 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (to facilitate range maintenance)
Saturday . 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday . 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The courses at the Montclair Country Club are well maintained and surrounded by lush protective wooded areas.  Located in the heart of the community of Montclair, the golf course and Montclair Country Club are just one of the attractions of this wonderful established community in the Woodbridge area of Prince William County. 

 Montclair Country Club is located in Montclair, Virginia approximately 35 minutes south of the District of Columbia.

16500 Edgewood Drive
Dumfries, VA 22025

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Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.  Serving home buyers in the Woodbridge - Dumfries area of Prince William County, Virginia

Home similar to that on the left are priced at about $500,000.

To view all homes actively offered for sale in Dumfries and Woodbridge or other ares of Prince William County. visit the the SEARCH LISTINGS in Prince William County. 

While in Manassas last week a member of Rolling Thunder was passing out flyers regarding a toy drive the mortocycle vets conduct to collect toys for local military families. As you can see, this is the program's third year. My husband and I intend to participate and we urge as many people as possible to do the same.

There is a very large contingent of military families in the area who are struggling with deployments to two wars in addition to the high cost of living in Northern Virginia. It is our privilege to provide as much assistance as possible.

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The Kruschka Team has 33 years full time experience in Prince William County

”Experience Isn’t Expensive – It’s PRICELESS”

NO REGISTRATION NORTHERN VIRGINIA HOME FINDER

Contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.