Hidden just across the Prince William County line is the waterfront community of Belmont Bay. As you cross the Occoquan River take a glance to your left and you will be surprised at what you will see. A community Washingtonian Magazine has twice picked as one of the "best communities" to live in the DC area sits right on the Occoquan River.

With a variety of choices from detached homes, townhouses, and condos buyers can find just about anything they are looking for. What makes it even more unusual is the VRE station at the entrance to the community making the commute in to DC a breeze. The main gate of Fort Belvoir is less than 30 minutes away, Quantico is around 39 minutes to the south and the Pentagon is an easy commute via easy access to the express lanes, commuter parking lot a mile away or the VRE.

Walking around the community you can quickly see why residents love being here. The quiet of the neighborhood is interrupted by the sounds of the geese honking at the waters edge, the Osprey calling for their mates among the trees and at night the fox yipping as they traverse across the golf course heading back to the 400 acre nature reserve that borders the community.

Residents are able to walk most of the length of the waterfront through the community on a path that is part of the Potomac Heritgage Trails  that goes from the edge of the nature reserve, past the marina and front nine of the golf course. The marina at Belmont Bay was the first new deep water marina to open in almost 15 years in Northern Virginia and cost almost $2 million to develop. It can house up to 325 boats and is a popular place for happy hour during warm weather. With a community pool, two sets of tennis courts, a golf course and club house you don't have to go very far to find a place to play.

With all Belmont Bay has to offer it makes it a great choice for anyone who is looking for a relaxing get away after a long day of work.  In the last two years I've settled over 30 transactions in Belmont Bay. If you are interested in learning why so many families have decided to call Bel.ont Bay in Woodbridge VA home give me a call at 703-346-2213.

Grab your kids, your lawn chairs, a blanket and even a bottle of wine and head to the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center to enjoy a movie under the stars at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center on July 23rd. 

Lorton Workhouse Arts Center is the crown jewel of the revitilization of the former DC Reformatory. Buildings surrounding the green are now filled with artist studios. Events and classes are held year round featuring local artists and renowned musicians.

The July 23rd movie will be the Monsters vs Aliens a fun animated movie by DreamWorks. The movie starts at 8:30 and the gates open at 7:30 for pre-show entertainment including trivia contests, music and surprises. If you forget to pack a snack don't worry drinks, snacks and pizza will be available for purchase.

For tickets and detailed information about Movie Under the Stars.

See you under the stars.

There is no doubt that is HOT HOT HOT in Northern Virginia this week. Triple digit temperatures in some areas and a heat index over 100 means everyone needs to find places to stay cool. If you don't have a community pool to splash around in then consider one of these local locations to get past the "I'm melting" feeling most of us are experiences.

In Lorton you can check out Pirates Cove Waterpark at Pohick Bay Regional Park just a few miles down Gunston Road off Route 1. With a sand beach, a 24 foot tall climbing tower and water slides kids will be sure to have a good time. The pool is up from 10:30 am to 7 pm Monday-Friday and 11 am to 7 pm Saturday and Sundays. Pohick Bay Regional Park also offers miniature golf for when you need a break from all of the swimming.

At Lake Fairfax in Reston the Water Mine Family Swimming Hole is ready for kids of all ages. Toddlers can play with the low bubblers, elementary age children will enjoy the waterslides, water sprays and for the kid at heart you can relax in an inner tube on the Rattlesnake River. The theme of the water park is based on the old west and in the middle of the swimming hole is Pete's Peak complete with mine shafts and two water slides.

Splash Down Waterpark in Manassas is Northern Virginia's largest water park. Spread out over 11 acres the park features a big Kahuna Beach, two four story tall waterslides and a 770 foot lazy river ride. If you want a bit more punch with your water then check out the super fast cannon ball slides and the tropical twister waterslides sure to get your bathing suit in a bunch.

Be ready to hold your self steady when the 1000 gallon bucket drops its load every three minutes at Volcano Island Waterpark. Located at Algonquian Regional Park off of Cascades Parkway in Sterling. If you need something a little less torrential then hop over to the Mr. Frog slide. You can make a weekend out of a trip to the park by pitching a tent in the park campground.

Alexandria is home to the Great Waves waterpark. The most "urban" of the water parks in the area located just off of 495 at Eisenhower Ave in Cameron Run Park. You can play slip and slide on the four story water slides or enjoy just a little splash in the tad pole pool.

If you are going to be out over the next few days remember to drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen. Be safe and have fun!

Alan Mays pulled out this little piece of American History for us all to ponder.  

It is fitting on Independence Day to see Rippon Lodge in Prince William County with American Flags flying.  Lt. Col. Thomas Blackburn son of the original the builder of the home was a field officer in the 2nd Regiment in Virginia Militia during the American Revolution.  Rippon Lodge is probably one of the least known and oldest colonial houses still standing in Northern Virginia. 

Built in 1747 Rippon Lodge is modest compared to George Washington's home Mount Vernon only a few miles away yet the connection between the two properties runs deep.  Richard Blackburn the original owner of Rippon Lodge was the architect that designed the orginal home at Mount Vernon. To add to the connection between the families, one of Lt. Col. Thomas Blackburn's daughters married Bushrod Washington (nephew of George Washington) and a granddaughter married John Augustine Washington, George's brother.  Both women are buried at Mount Vernon.

Rippon Lodge is located just a mile off of Route 1 at the intersection of Rippon Blvd & Blackburn Road in Woodbridge VA.  You can visit during the summer from 11-4.  You can walk the grounds, visit the "Little Cabin" and tour the interior of the home.

Though it is a difficult for most of us to think of burning an American flag it is the appopriate way to dispose of a worn out flag. 

I still have the flag my parents proudly flew in front of their home with it's 48 stars.  They never replaced it with a new one as it "went with the house."  I also hold dear the flag given to me at Arlington Cemetary at my husband's funeral.  Though I will never burn either of these flags I realize that most people don't realize that burning our flag with dignity is the appropriate way to retire Old Glory.

It's time to celebrate our Nations Independence!

Join thousands and I do mean thousands of people in Washington DC to enjoy the Capitol Fourth Concert and Fireworks on the National Mall. Not only do you get to watch great fireworks but this is the 30th year of the Capitol Fourth Concert broadcast by PBS. An extended celebration is planned on the Capitol West Lawn.

Ever since I was a child listening to the 1812 Overture at the end of the fireworks display has brought chills up my spine. Even the years when I was to "cool" to go to the Capitol and elected instead for the Washington Monument grounds I would still listen on my radio.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the 1812 Overture at last year's Capitol Fourth Celebration.

I'm a  lonely front porch in the Port Potomac neighborhood in Prince William County VA.  I'm seeking a new rocking chair and buyer to enjoy summer evenings with me.  Seeking long term committment with someone who can appreciate me as much as my last owner did.  They didn't want to leave but the military sent them packing to a far away location.  Now my 4 BR's and 3.5 BA's wait for someone new.

I have plenty of space for both formal and informal living.  You can have a big dinner party in the dining room or just hang out at the breakfast bar, I'm good for lunch and dinner too. Connected to the kitchen area is a first floor family room with gas fireplace.  I have a secret to share.  If you like my big front porch you might also like my little one off the kitchen too.

Want a media room, exercise room, man cave or guest suite?  Then don't worry I have one of those down stairs.  I even have a full bath downstairs so if you have guests who want to stay awhile they won't get smelly.

If you like to relax at the end of a long day then enjoy a soak in my jetted tub.  My other 3 bedrooms are large too so no one has to argue over who gets the big room.

Okay enough about me.  Tell me a little about you?  Maybe we could meet for a little tour and you could see for yourself how nice I am.  If you are interested call the nice Realtor® who is taking care of me while I wait for a new rocking chair for my front porch.  Call Cindy Jones at 703-346-2213.  She will show you around my front porch.  Oh and wait to you see what the community of Port Potomac in Prince William County VA where I'm located has to offer.  Sweet is all I can say.

Community Tour of Port Potomac in Prince William County VA

As far as I know there isn’t a formal buyer’s guide for the Department of Defense HAP program.  Recent conversations with a couple of other agents in the Northern Virginia area revealed that other agents do have a different approach to writing an offer for their buyers on a home being sold with HAP benefits than I do.

However that being said here are the basics of what a buyer can expect. 

HAP isn’t signing your contract.  The owner of the property will negotiate the terms and conditions that are acceptable to them just as in regular seller would.  They do have guidelines from HAP regarding selling their home at Fair Market Value (FMV) and there is a limit on the amount of closing cost assistance that HAP will help agree to pay for the buyer.  The sellers usual and customary closing costs are covered.

The sellers lender is not involved in approving the sale.

HAP will be the final determinate of your closing date.   Do not expect to close in less than 60 days.   Put a closing date in your contract but either an addendum or in Paragraph 34 of your contract should include language showing you agree to a potential longer settlement due to HAP processing.

EMD is deposited upon contract ratification by the seller.

 
Contingencies are removed according to the dates outlined in the contract NOT after HAP provides the seller the updated letter approving their application.   Here is the reason why this makes sense.   If you have a home inspection and there are issues you may be negotiating either a credit or repairs.  The owner needs to be able to take care of those repairs right away.  They could be packing to move and once they are gone getting any repairs done is going to be difficult.

Having the appraisal completed is key.   If there is an issue with the appraisal and the sales price needs to be adjusted HAP has to rework the benefits for the seller.  If you wait and benefits have been calculated it may delay the process to have them recalculated. 

Removing your financial contingency is important as well.  The seller needs to know you are fully qualified to move forward with your part of the transaction.  HAP will ask for an updated letter or verification of your financing when the file is moved to benefits.

Meanwhile while you are working through your part of the transaction behind the scenes work is going on at HAP.  The file is being reviewed to make sure all of the required documents are in place.  The price you offered for the home is going through an internal appraisal process to make sure it meets the FMV standard. 

Then the title work is ordered to make sure the owner can convey clear and marketable title to you.  At this point generally about 30 days into the process the seller is given an updated letter from HAP stating they are fully approved for the program and the file moves to the benefits department.

Once the file moves to benefits there are other requirements however for the purpose of this post we will stop here.

Again this is how I’ve worked with buyers and buyer’s agents with the HAP listings I’ve handled.   It has been 100% successful with both parties to the contract and has never causes any issues with the Realty Specialists at HAP.

If you live in the Northern Virginia area and are eligible for the DoD HAP program give me a call at 703-346-2213.   Let my success with getting HAP deals to closing work for you.