vicky chrisner: Are YOU Being Played? Learn About Loudoun's Vote on the Limestone Overlay District! - 02/15/10 01:42 AM
The Dulles Association of REALTORS wants you to know about the upcoming vote regarding the Limestone Overlay District!! This is copied straight from their web site:

Contact the Supervisors and say "No" to the Limestone Overlay District!To address a perceived problem concerning limestone sensitive features, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (LCBOS) is expected to vote on a proposed ordinance imposing unnecessary restrictions on property owners living within the so-called Limestone Overlay District on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010. If the LCBOS votes to adopt the LOD, property and home owners within the 14,000-acre district are likely to see their property … (1 comments)

vicky chrisner: Medical Supplies Drive for Haiti - 01/23/10 09:55 AM
My church in Leesburg, VA is conducting a drive to collect medical supplies this week that will be sent with doctors and nurses in Haiti the following week.  If you are interested in contributing, please follow this link to this blog for a list of needed supplies and drop off points: http://livinginloco.blogspot.com/2010/01/medical-supplies-drive-for-haiti.html
… (1 comments)

vicky chrisner: House in Town of Leesburg with POOL! Don't miss this deal! - 01/10/10 12:18 AM

223 NEWHALL PL SW LEESBURG VA 20175
MORE PHOTOS
NORTHERN VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE
LOUDOUN COUNTY REAL ESTATE
FOR SALE
LEESBURG VIRGINIA: 223 NEWHALL PL SW LEESBURG VA 20175
Advertised Subdivision: STONEGATE
Presented By: Vicky Chrisner of Keller Williams Realty Leesburg Virginia
Offered At: $429,000
MLSID# LO7220645 - LOUDOUN
YOU KNOW YOU WANT YOUR OWN POOL! Lovely 4 bdrm colonial style home IN TOWN in sought after Ashton Downs. Walk to downtown Leesburg. Move In Condition. Huge Family Rm w/Gas FP, Cathedral Ceilings. Large screened in back porch. Kitchen w/Breakfast Bar. 2 car garage. Lots of room to grow - full, … (2 comments)

vicky chrisner: Rufus The Red Nosed Rain Dog - 12/17/09 03:03 PM
Did you see him?  He was in Leesburg this morning!    As part of the Childrens Performance Series, Kaleidoscope Theatre at Ida Lee, Rufus was our special guest this morning!  Once a month, there is a different performer.  My son and I try to go each month - it's special "Mommy-Devon" time; but this month, our friend Zavion joined us.Rufus is a brown dog with a red nose.  He's been homeless, hungry, cold and in the rain, for some time.  He was looking for some food to eat and a place to stay when we met him.  Then, out of the blue, … (0 comments)

vicky chrisner: It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - 12/05/09 01:40 PM
It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas, Everywhere you go.... (Can you hear it playing?)A week ago I was still feeling very "bah, humbug" and not anxious to do much of anything holiday related.  But, this week I put a serious dent in our Christmas shopping, the kids were in a Christmas Musical at our church, my husband got the exterior lights up, I took the kids to see Santa, and today it snowed!  Most of these pics are from my evening drive to enjoy the snowy sites of a wonderful little town that is all dressed up for the holidays.This combination seems to … (2 comments)

vicky chrisner: To Sell Now? Or Wait Out The Market? - 11/04/09 01:20 AM
Like many, you've probably been thinking about moving up to a larger home or downsizing, or perhaps even relocating. But, the market has meant declining house values, and you're concerned that if you don't get enough for your home, you'll not be able to afford what you really want in your NEXT home.Did I hit the nail on the head for you? You're not alone. It's always easiest to focus on the scary, negative thoughts - fear is a powerful emotion, in fact, THE most powerful emotion we have as humans. But, as humans, we have the ability to overcome illogical … (2 comments)

vicky chrisner: Happy New Homeowners! Belmont Station - 10/22/09 01:33 AM
Congratulations to the The Kadarusman Family!9242 Kristy DriveManassas Park, VA Belmont Station Subdivision
It was a pleasure assisting Bill and Seiko and their family with finding their new home.  This three level townhome is located in Belmont Station in the Signal Hill area of Manassas Park, within walking distance from the VRE commuter station, and all the new shops, and luxury condos and apartments that are now being developed.
We were lucky to find them a fully renovated home with updated baths and all new appliances and flooring.... and all for under $200,000!
I wish them many years of happiness in their new … (0 comments)

vicky chrisner: Happy Birthday, Leesburg! Did you know Leesburg was once the capital of the US? - 10/13/09 02:30 AM
Happy Birthday, Leesburg!  Two hundred fifty one years ago today, The Town of Leesburg was created by the Virginia General Assembly.Leesburg is located just 35 miles outside Washington, DC, in the Virginia Piedmont between the Potomac River and the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountain range.Originally the town was called George Town, in honor of the king of Great Britain, but was renamed Leesburg for the Lee family of Virginia.  The town's location was near the center of the county, and located at the major crossroads of Carolina Road (which ran north-south) and Leesburg Turnpike (which still runs east-west through the town).  Thus, it … (1 comments)

vicky chrisner: Waters Edge, GRAND OPENING TONIGHT. - 10/10/09 05:27 AM
Waters Edge, Grand Opening Tonight!   Now I have another reason to wish I was just a bit younger.  My church has a new Saturday night program called Waters Edge,  targeted for the 20-30 something crowd.  The Grand Opening is TONIGHT AT 6:30.It's a coffee house atmosphere with live music for young adults to hang out, meet others, and hear a short message.  Featuring a local barista, local bands and a comfortable, casual atmosphere, I bet it will be a huge hit.If I try to get in tonight, do you think they'll card me? lol+++++++++Learn more:Leesburg Community Church (formerly Leesburg Baptist … (0 comments)

vicky chrisner: What Kind of People Live In Leesburg? - 10/10/09 12:35 AM
So, you want to know what kind of people live in Leesburg?  The following Leesburg Statistics were printed in the September Guide To Loudoun and were based on information from The Town of Leesburg Economic Development Department, the U.S. Census Beareu, the Bureau of Labor, the American Community Survey and the Loudoun County Department of Economic Developement.
 
Population: 1980:  8,3571990: 16,2022000: 28,3112008: 38,206 (Esimate)Households2000 Census: 10,3252008: 13,828 (Estimate)Racial and Ethnic DistributionWhite 78.5%Black: 9.6%Hispanic: 9.9%Asian: 5.1%Other: 4.2%Bi-or Multi-racial: 2.6%Age Distribution19 and under: 29.8% 20-44: 43.7%25-64: 5.9%Median age: 32.3Educational AttainmentHS Grad or higher: 92.4%Bach Degree or higher: 51.7%Grad/Prof degree: 16.9%====================In a nutshell, it's mostly … (1 comments)

vicky chrisner: The Long and Short of a Short Sale, Part 5: Failures and Successes - 09/29/09 03:37 AM
Part 5: The Long and Short of a Short Sale: Failures and Successes This is Part 5 of a Series on Short Sales reprinted with permission from TheRealEstateWhisperer.  In this post, we discuss examples of failures and successes I've witnessed or been part of in the short sale arena.Disclosure/Disclaimer:  In this post I often talk of the listing agent or buyers agent and their practices, as if the agents were the sole deciding factor in taking these actions.  In reality, the agents should be acting only as agents, at the direction of their clients.  However, in short sales, because most consumers have … (0 comments)

vicky chrisner: Save the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit! - 09/15/09 01:37 AM
You probably are aware of the first time home buyer tax credit of up to $8K. You may also be aware it is set to expire soon, I think there are 53 business days left to get your transaction closed and still be able to take advantage of this incentive. In my area, this, combined with low interest rates and great home prices, are creating a buyer frenzy.... this is keeping inventories low and pushing prices upward. Rebounding home prices are key to restoring the net wealth of American families. Traditional sellers are now able to sell their home and move … (3 comments)

vicky chrisner: H1N1 It's in Loudoun. Party Anyone? - 09/12/09 02:03 PM
Yep.  I am sure that's what I've had all week.  No, I didn't have testing... the CDC doesn't really recommend it.  It's been a long time since I had a flu that did more than inconvenience me.  This one put me in bed for a few days.
In case you're wondering, here's what I now know:
It doesn't really matter "which" flu it is.  It's all contagious, it all makes you feel terrible. Symptoms are fever, cough, sneeze, running or stopped up nose, achy-all-over feeling, fatique.  Some people get tummy problems, not all.  It seems pretty much like any flu we're used to getting. … (2 comments)

vicky chrisner: LivingInLoCo: Important Back to School Info - 09/08/09 03:41 AM
Back To School   Today is the first day of school here in Loudoun County.  I logged onto Facebook this morning to share my bus stop photos, and to see those of my friends.  I read comments from parents whose children are off at a boarding school or college, parents of kids yet to enter school... and of course, the sorrowful, hopeful, prpud parents posting and sharing their photos from bus stops all over Northern Virginia. Sniff, sniff.... Once we've all gotten past the nostalgia of remembering our own school days, and particularly first day jitters, we'll need to get organized.  … (0 comments)

vicky chrisner: Who Can You Trust? - 08/25/09 07:27 AM
In economies like ours, it's hard to know - which economists and government leaders should you trust? Which ones really know what's going on? How can you decide when it is time to save or spend? Where to invest? If it's time to buy or sell a house? If you should buy at a higher price, because prices will continue to go up; or if it's time to wait for prices to drop further? What this video (courtesy of The Daily Show), and then YOU DECIDE: As for me, I always check out how they decorate their bathrooms before I decide … (0 comments)

vicky chrisner: The Long and Short of A Short Sale, Part 1 - 08/13/09 06:21 AM
There are many variables due to specific lenders, particulars of the parties involved and the heavy influence of third party negotiators and/or the involved real estate agents. However, in general, this is the process:* Regardless of the path taken to get to this point, the sellers eventually decide that attempting a short sale with their lender(s) is their best option. They ask a real estate agent to put it on the market.* Because there is often a race against a clock to prevent foreclosure, agents see this as a firesale and will market the property agressively, at a price they hope … (0 comments)

vicky chrisner: A Short Sale, ANYTHING BUT Short - 07/29/09 02:43 PM
The first time I heard a buyer say they thought a short sale was someone who needed to sell quickly (in other words, they thought the sale would happen in a short period of time), I giggled a little. When I thought about it, I could totally understand the thought pattern. The reality is nearly the opposite....a short sale can be anything but short!
The term actually refers to the current owners needing to sell and being "short" the funds it will take to pay off the lender. So, the current owners need to negotiate with their lender an alternate repayment … (2 comments)

vicky chrisner: A Little Girl Gets Her First Taste of Farm Life in Loudoun County - 07/17/09 12:40 PM
Living in Loudoun, I think it is fitting that my daughter have at least a taste of horseback riding and farm life. So, she just finished up a week of Horseback Riding Camp.
Honestly, I chose the camp based on price, hours, and proximity to my house; which led us to Main Tree Farm off Dry Mill Road. On the surface, it looks like a nice little farm, but once you enter the barn, there is tons of deferred maintenance. The barn is HOT and it smells.
Between you and me, my impression was that they were using the kids … (1 comments)

vicky chrisner: Quick Beach Getaway - 07/15/09 03:33 AM
We have many great attractions here in Loudoun County. Even so, everyone must have a change of scenery now and then. One of my family's favorite weekend or vacation getaways is the beach; we go once a year. The closest beach to us is Ocean City, Maryland, about a 3 to 4 hour drive from Loudoun. Although Ocean City is often criticized for being overly commercial; it just so happens that I like to have lots to do on my vacation! No matter your likes or budget, there is no reason to be bored. OC has some of the finest ocean … (1 comments)

vicky chrisner: Pop! Bang! Boom! Loudoun Is Celebrating This Weekend! - 07/02/09 03:25 PM

It's time to celebrate America's Birthday and no one is more proud of our heritage than Loudoun. All across the county, our residents will be celebrating in style! There are at least 10 public fireworks displays; and many other festivities being hosted in our various towns, villages and communities.Everywhere you turn this weekend, you'll see red, white and blue. The air will be scented with the smell of charcoal. Quite meadows will come alive with make shift stages and homegrown music. Our local parks will be filled with families and friends. Little boys and their dads will be catching crayfish … (0 comments)