Reading through some of the profiles of local AR members I was struck by how many of us hold at minimum college degrees, have graduate degrees or other professional degrees.  So I wondered if we are just an odd bunch of over educated Realtors® or were we a trend? 

In Virginia it turns out that 21% of Realtors® have at least a college degree and another 15% have graduate degrees.  I don't know if they are including professional degrees in this area as well as it isn't listed as a separate category.  Considering that the DC Metro area has the highest level of college graduates in the country the statistics about local Realtors shouldn't be all that surprising.

It made me wonder if the public also understands that a high percentage of Realtors® are not just graduates of a quickie real estate school but bring a great deal of education and experience to the profession as well.   I think it is a statistic we should be proud of and shout it from the rooftops.  Perception is realty!

Virginia's most visited tourist attraction is not Mount Vernon, Monticello or Williamsburg, it is Potomac Mills Mall.  Good grief isn't that a scary thought?  Now most people think of the mall as the place to shop for bargains.  And perhaps it is.  But this mall also has another side, something you don't find at most large shopping malls.  Drum roll please.....

A cemetery.   The land that the mall is built on was originally owned by the Nash Family and as was custom in the late 1800's many families had burial plots on their property.   The Nash family was no exception.  The plot of land located just outside of the new Costco store was in use by the family from 1899 until the last burial in 1961.  Reuben Nash is noted in the 1840's Prince William County census which is the first record I could uncover that mentioned the family. 

For the history buffs out there, in addition to the cemetery, the land that the mall is situated on was used by the Confederate troops to help blockade passage to the Potomac River and is the on the land where the first telegraph wires were run between Washington DC and New Orleans in 1847.

And you thought all you could find at the mall was a good deal on shoes!  

Most people think Old Town Alexandria is Virginia's oldest charted town but they would be wrong.  As you drive down Route 1 between Woodbridge and Quantico you pass through an area known as Dumfries.  For many local folks it is an unforgettable area that often is referred to as "dumb-fries". 

However chartered one day before Old Town on May 11, 1749, Dumfries was a thriving cultural and commerce center in its time.  Founded by Scottish merchants, the town had large tobacco warehouses and was the second largest port in the colonies only surpassed by Boston.  Dumfries was also known as a cultural center with theaters, race tracks and artisans.

When historians talk about thriving port cities of the 1700's they mention Boston, Charleston and Alexandria but not Dumfries.  Perhaps part of the reason is because today there is no port.  Try as hard as you would like but you won't find any remnants of the port and in fact as you are driving on Route 1 you are actually driving where the port used to be.  For reasons that are still unclear in the early nineteenth century silt began filling the port making it unusable. 

There are plenty of new waterfront developments being built close to the Dumfries area in eastern Prince William County so perhaps in a 21^st century way the town will regain some of the glory of the past. 

For more information on a few of the new neighborhoods in the area:

Belmont Bay
River Falls
River Gate


View detached homes for sale in the Dumfries area.

As soon as you drive through the entrance of the Port Potomac Community you realize that the builders have created a neighborhood designed to bring a sense of southern style to the area.  Situated on 400 acres just off Route 1 in the eastern part of Prince William County  the neighborhood has easy access to I-95 or the VRE Stations at Rippon Landing or Belmont Bay.

Homes are situated in clusters with a well thought out of mix of townhouses and detached homes built by 5 different well known builders.  The neighborhood is designed to be walking and jogging friendly with access to Leesylvania State Park and the Potomac River.  The crowning jewel of the neighborhood is the community center designed to resemble the Governors Palace in Williamsburg.  With a state of the art fitness center, children's center and indoor/outdoor pools neighbors can enjoy the amenities year round.  

Both new and resale homes are on the market from the high 300's to mid 600's.  Remember if you are looking in any new home community= make sure that you have your own representation.  It won't cost you anything and may save you thousands!

If you are interested in exploring other eastern Prince William Communities check out:

Bemont Bay
Historic Occoquan
Occoquan Forest
River Gate
River Falls

Search for other great Prince William County homes!