Just minutes from the buzz of the interstate sits the mid-century Fairfax County neighborhood of Holmes Run Acres. Built on a 122 acre tract of land originally owned by a Washington investor by the name of Herman Schmidt the property was named Holmes Run Acres in 1945 and a set of restrictions were put in place for the development of the land. Since mid-century modern neighborhoods are rare in Fairfax County they have garnered a following of loyal homeowners over the years and Holmes Run Acres is no exception.

The development of the property began in 1950 with what would turn out to be three different builders over close to a 10 year period. In the end 355 homes were built based on contemporary homes design including the California Ranch popular on the west coast and by Frank Lloyd Wright's Usionan houses. The neighborhood took its place on the National Register of Historic Places this year and the owners are proud to tell you so.

Even though the neighborhood was built without sidewalks with the large lots filled with old trees, wide streets and long driveways you don't have any worries walking along the road and you don't feel the congestion so familiar in other neighborhoods. Just like another Fairfax County mid-century modern neighborhood Hollin Hills the houses in Holmes Run Acres fit into the surroundings instead of sitting on top of them.

Holmes Run Acres was developed by three different builders you would have a hard time knowing where one builder stopped and another took over. Each of the builders the Luria Brother, Gaddy Brothers and Andre Boder added new models to the neighborhood yet when you go inside the smallest Luria to the largest Boder you will see a continuity of design. Expansive windows, wood cathedral ceilings, brick wall fireplaces and open floor plans are common in all of the models.

Owners in Holmes Run Acres enjoy a private neighborhood park and community pool. The Inova Fairfax Hospital complex and Exxon headquarters are just a mile away and Merrifield shopping, theaters and the Dunn Loring Metro Station are within a 10 minute drive. If you are looking for a community inside the beltway that seems more like a home in the country then Holmes Run Acres might be the neighborhood for you.

©Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. Cindy Jones

Northern Virginia Real Estate Information: Cindy Jones, Associate Broker, RE/MAX Allegiance

Are you looking a great townhouse in the Lake Terrapin neighborhood and can't find it on the MLS? The reason is simple and one that confuses many buyers in Prince William County.

Ridgefield Crossing is the "legal" subdivision name for the townhouses and some of the smaller detached homes in Lake Terrapin. How did this happen? Ridgefield crossing existed all alone on wide open land. Then along came K Hovnanian who wanted to build larger detached homes in the area and Lake Terrapin was born. As the first section of homes was being developed the homeowners in Ridgefield Crossing agreed to be annexed into Lake Terrapin creating a larger community and the confusion. Prince William County tax records have not been updated yet to reflect the change in name.

So if you are looking for a great townhouse in a neighborhood close to a new shopping center, only a few miles from a commuter lot and with loads of community amenities then look no further than the Ridgefield Crossing/Lake Terrapin Community.

Click the turtle to see a great Lake Terrapin Townhouse for sale

All current listings in Lake Terrapin and Ridgefield Crossing

Located on over 1200 acres in Centreville, Virginia Run is another of Northern Virginia's classic neighborhoods. When you enter the community the first thing you notice is the long white rail fence that runs down the main road in the community.

Reminisent of the fences lining properties in Virginia's horse country and with a community center designed after a large 18th century estate home. Surrounded by parkland and with an extensive trail system spread throughout the 1400 home community the entire feel is one of quiet elegance.

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Started in 1987 the area was so popular that the builders couldn't keep up with the original demand. With the slow down of Northern Virginia real estate in the early 1990's some of the original builders packed up but other builders picked up the lots left behind and the main sections of the community were finished in 1995. At the beginning of 2000 the land located north of Virginia Run was ready to be developed and after deciding that a merger of the property into the Virginia Run Association made sense The Ridings of Virginia Run was established adding 50 estate homes to the association.

Virginia Run has had a few unfriendly brushes with Mother Nature. The worst was in 1999 when all of Centreville was declared a disaster area due to a huge hail storm that damaged almost every home in Virginia Run meaning new roofs and siding for almost every home in the neighborhood. In 1996 an F-2 tornado touched down in the Estates section of the neighborhood causing extensive damage to trees and some homes. However the neighborhood recovered from both of these events and has matured into a comfortable place to live.

This year homes are still selling at nice pace with 42 sales so far in 2007 as compared to 50 at the same point in time in 2006. Prices are down slightly but homes are still selling starting in the mid 500's to well over a million for estate homes in The Ridings of Virginia Run.

If you are interested in learning more about the homes in Virginia Run or other great neighborhoods in Northern Virginia give me a call. I'd be glad to answer your real estate questions.

Homes currently available in Virginia Run

Then perhaps you should check out the 17,000 acre forest hidden away in Prince William County.  One of the least visited national forests on the east coast Prince William Forest Park is located about 35 miles south of DC off of I-95.  Prince William Forest Park is maanged by the National Park Service.

The park was created by FDR as a recreational area for disadvantaged city kids.  During WWI the park was used by the Office of Strategic Services for training.  Most people do not realize that the park has cabins available for rent that can sleep 6-10  people.  The cabins must be reserved but the rates are CHEAP!  They aren't the Ritz but if your goal is to hike through the park and not sleep on the ground then this is the way to go.  Prince William Forest Park has the largest inventory of cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the entire National Park system.

With over 35 miles of hiking trails, both on road and off road biking trails, 18 miles of streams and two small lakes (also built by the CCC) the park has activities for everyone.  Unlike a number of other national parks Prince William Forest Park is open year round and you can cross country ski in the winter. 

If you are tired of the crowds at the National Mall or along the Potomac River Trails then head just a little bit further south and take in a hidden gem in Prince William County.  With the leaves starting to change color it is a great time to enjoy a little peace and quiet just out our back door.

Most everyone knows about Thomas Jefferson's primary residence Monticello in Charlottesville Virginia.  It is a beautiful home and shows how far ahead Jefferson was when it came to architecture, literature and agriculture.  By like so many other homeowners today Jefferson also had a second home that is rarely mentioned in the history books and in fact Jefferson for the most part kept the existence of the home to himself.

In 1773 his wife Martha inherited a 4000+ acres of land in central Virginia that included Natural Bridge.  When the British invaded Monticello in 1781 Jefferson retreated to Popular Forest the name given to his second home to hide his family for a few months. Over the years he would visit the property and at the end of his presidency plagued by passerby's stopping at Monticello, the paparazzi of his time, looking for Presidential favors, Jefferson began making plans for a retreat.

Poplar Forest in the only octagonal brick house that Jefferson completed though it was the style of home he was most fascinated with.   The original home was clearly before its time with floor to ceiling windows for circulation, skylights and an indoor bathroom.  Jefferson used the property throughout his retirement years and when he died it passed to his grandson who sold the property to another family.  Over the years the home began to fall into disrepair and land sold to developers.  Finally in 1983 the non-profit group was formed that purchased the property back from its last owner. 

 

As you are out looking at the fall foliage along the Blue Ridge Parkway it would be a great opportunity for you to take in a bit of Virginia's lesser known historical attractions.  If you are thinking about a second home give me a call to talk about some of the great communities throughout Virginia and remember that even Thomas Jefferson needed a retreat to get away from it all.

A few years ago a leaking hot water heater took a chunk out of my coveted book collection.  Then another move made me realize that hauling around boxes of books was not very practical and added a lot to the moving bill.  So after years of avoiding the public library it seemed like a good idea to check out how they might have changed.  In the Northern Virginia area we are lucky to have a huge selection of libraries to choose from including a new state of the art library that opened recently in Shirlington.

As soon as you walk in the door you realize this is not a place were you are going to find rows of those pesky card catalogs but instead a sleek state of the art computerized facility. Offering 26 PC stations, total wireless access if you bring your own laptop, a 75 person meeting room with Smart Board and check out with a library card with built in RFD chip.  There are comfortable chairs scattered throughout the library and you are allowed to bring in a cup of java!

This $225 million dollar facility replaces the old "temporary" library which was flooded in 2006.  The building was built following "green" building principles including recycled-content carpeting, low VOC paints, a reflective roof and energy efficient systems.  Arlington County is in the process of applying for LEED certification from the Green Building Council.   Originally conceived as a one story building the project grew when the Signature Theater learned that it would need a new home as well.  Known for taking risks with adaptations of overlooked theater products, the Signature Theater has won acclaim with 54 Helen Hayes Awards over the last 20 years.

With community art on display, an LED architectural light show which can you can see as soon as you enter Shirlington Village and a mosaic fountain designed by Martha Jackson-Jarvis a local sculpter you will see how this library is one step above ordinary.

 So if you have been avoiding the library because of the fear of the dreaded SHHHHH then you need to take another look at what is happening in your local library.  The new one in Shirlington gives you a great opportunity to avoid heavy lifting the next time you need to move.

Take advantage to the great weather predicted for this weekend and join in on the activities at the Occoquan National Wildlife Refuge in Prince William County scheduled for Saturday October 13^th.  The Fall Wildlife Festival is the perfect time to wander through the 400 acre nature preserve which is home to not only loads of deer but also a breeding sanctuary for Osprey, Eagles and Herons.  Wander along the river and with your camera and get some great shots of the native inhabitants.

Raptor demonstrations (hawks and owls), hayrides, reptiles, and a photography workshops are just some of the activities scheduled for the 9 am - 3 pm festival.  This is a great time to learn more about the wildlife that inhabit our area and for the kids of course there will be face painting, owl hooting contests and more fun.

Perhaps the woodpecker who likes to peck on our balcony railing every morning will make an appearance as well!  I learned from one of the US Wildlife rangers why our little friend likes to make such a racket.  He is looking for a mate and the sound of his pecking on the metal railing is much louder than he can make from pecking on his tree.  See what you might learn if you come to the festival!

Admission to the park and all of the activities are FREE!

So come on down to Belmont Bay and the Occoquan Wildlife Refugee for a great day of learning and fun

Tucked in the trees just off of Old Bridge Road in Prince William County is the quiet community of Westridge. Coming down the main tree lined drive you come upon the large community center, pond and fountain and you know you are in a neighborhood that makes you feel welcome.

Many times the community of Westridge is lumped together with its neighbor Lake Ridge but you will find difference between the two. Westridge has its own community center, its home owners association and is on the "other side" of Old Bridge Road Road. Westridge has a number of different home styles from condo townhouses, townhouses and detached homes. Are you looking for a Georgian colonial, a wrap around porch or perhaps something a bit more modern? Then you will be able to find it in Westridge.

Want to get some exercise? Numerous walking paths meander through the trees, over the bridges at the lake and pass by the community center which offers a huge swimming pool for summer fun and a big play ground for families with children.

Home prices vary based on size and style. Currently there are 6 detached home for sale ranging in price from $474,950 for one of the smaller contemporary models to $859,000 for a 7000 square foot house on just over an acre.

Westridge townhouse prices range from 279,000 to $415,000. Currently there are 22 listed and for first time home buyers or investors there are a few foreclosure properties available which are priced very nicely for this area.

Somerset of Westridge Condo Townhouses range in price $244,900 to 327,000 and have a condo fee of $275 per month.

COMMUNITY PHOTOS

To view current homes available in Westridge

For more information on other local communities

Today was a follow up day with a new development project in Prince William County.  It was apparent that the neighborhood has come a long way since I took my first look two years ago.  The club house and amenities are in, the grounds are fantastic and the streets are all paved.

One of the things I've learned with new construction projects is to not only take a look at the furnished models, spec homes and amenities but to let my buyers talk to owners to get their feedback on living in the community.  So we stopped in to the community center which has everything a homeowner could want, cyber café, indoor pool, exercise rooms, party room and more.  Talking to the homeowners it was obvious that they were ecstatic about the community amenities and their neighbors.  However when it came to talk about the construction process and the quality of the homes themselves they had some issues. 

My clients were surprised to hear some of the concerns which made them realize that my suggestion regarding having an independent home inspector checking the project during the building process was a good one.  In the past I've had new construction buyers hire their own home inspector who performed inspections pre-drywall, post drywall and prior to closing.  It is amazing the number of items that an inspector will find, not all of them critical during these inspections.

Based on the issues that some of these homeowners encountered an independent home inspection might have saved them time and aggravation.  The level of some of the problems made us wonder how they managed to get by the Prince William County inspectors.  One homeowner mentioned that they had 16 cracked floor joists that had to be replaced and another had a bathtub which did not have proper support under it.  The most surprising issue was to hear an owner say the builder did not wrap the homes with Tyvek and would not allow them to have it done on their own during building.  As a result they had to put plastic on their windows last winter to keep out the drafts.  They are paying to have an independent contractor come in this fall and remove all the siding and wrap their home to keep their utility bills down. 

If you are thinking about buying new construction in Northern Virginia don't let the lessons that the homeowners in this development learned the hard way happened to you.  Make sure that you take your own representation with you.  Not only can a Realtor® help you get the best deal but we can advise you about the construction process and help you avoid some serious post closing headaches.