Whenever the news shows families who have been devastated by a natural disaster, a fire or a robbery and they have lost important family papers or photos it reminds me of the advice given to me a few years ago that I have been passing on to my clients preparing for a move ever sense.

 
Now that technology has made the purchase of scanners affordable for everyone you should consider making copies of your personal documents such as social security cards, credit card numbers, bank accounts, investment accounts, wills, power of attorney and any other documents that you might need and save them to a computer disc.  Make two copies of the disc and give one to a family member who lives in a different area and save the other one in a small fireproof box that you can grab in the case of an emergency or carry with you when you move.

 
The same goes for photos.  If you have old non-digital photos scan them and save as well.  If you have a computer full of digital photos you can upload them to one of the numerous online photo albums as a backup for you to be able to retrieve anytime you need them.

 Another option to consider is to have your documents and information professional stored by an online service such as WebSafe or a similiar service.   Securing your documents through an online service means a second level of backup giving you even more security if you should lose documents or precious family photos. 

As you prepare for your next move or getting ready for spring cleaning consider online options and backup discs of your data.   Give yourself a little piece of mind.  Remember your memories are priceless don't let them get away!

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As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

Congratulations!  If you're moving to the Northern Virginia area you've found a great area to call home.  With so much to do in the all around the area, the Nations Capital just a short distance from most neighborhoods, an abundance of outdoor activities, plenty of choices for dining and innovative schools the area has more to offer than you can imagine. 


For families who are moving to the area with children figuring out the local school systems is a top priority.  As an agent we can not make recommendations about area schools but we can provide you public information and reports provided by other sources.  Fairfax County Schools were recently ranked #5 in the nation by Education Weekly and Thomas Jefferson HS in Fairfax County as been ranked the top high school in the nation by US News and World Report.  

When it comes to learning more about the schools in the neighborhood where you are considering buying or renting there are a number of resources that you can check.  With most of the county websites you can put in the address of the property you are interested in and it will give you the schools for each grade level.  You then can read more about each individual school.  If you have friends or family already living in the area they are a good resource for you to check with as well. 

If you are enrolling a child for the first time in a Northern Virginia Schools you will need to come with the child yourself and have the following ready when you arrive to register.  Some counties may have additional requirements but this list covers the basics of what you need:


Birth certificate for the child
Your proof of residence (lease or sales agreement)
Original Transcripts from their previous schools
Physical report within the last 12 month
TB test results
Immunization record

For public schools in Northern Virginia you can check the following county school sites for more information on registration requirements, school reports and boundaries for individual schools.

Virginia Department of Education
Alexandria City Public Schools
Arlington County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools
Falls Church City Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Prince William County Public Schools
Stafford County Public Schools

 

Are you thinking about going back to school yourself?  Then the choices are amazing.  Both public and private schools dot the Northern Virginia area, many of them with more than one location.  You can find a choice of schools that offer certificate programs, associate, undergraduate and graduate degrees.  In addition to this list there are of number of schools that offer opportunities for accelerated degree programs for adults who have already completed 2 years of college and schools on local military installations who specialize in help those in the military finish school or consolidate credits towards their degree.

Sample of Accredited Post Secondary Schools with local operations

George Mason University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute-Falls Church Center
University of Virginia-Falls Church Center
Northern Virginia Community College
Marymount University
Strayer University
University of Mary Washington
University of Phoenix

Relocation is never easy and making the right choices about neighborhoods and schools are a large part of the process for families.  Remember not to put the important papers on the moving truck.  If you have PCS orders, or are relocating to the area for any reason and are looking for an agent experienced with making a move 
give me a call at 703-346-2213.

© Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

Unlike a trip to Epcot Center in Florida which will can cost a family of four an arm and a leg for the day you can spend an entire day exploring DC and the surrounding area for free.

So where should you start?

How about a visit to the White House?  Now you won't be joining anyone for a State Dinner but you can check out many of the famous public rooms and learn about the history behind them.  To secure a ticket to tour the White House all your member of Congress and request tickets.  Call at least a month before your visit and be prepared to give them the name of everyone who will be traveling with you.  If you are planning a trip for this summer you should call now as tickets do go fast and each member of Congress only has so many tickets available to them and there are tales of political wrangling and favors to secure tickets on sold out dates.

Interested in Natural History, Aviation History or modern art?  Visit anyone of the Smithsonian Institution museums absolutely free.  No tickets needed.  Most of the museums also offer free highlight tours to help you get a better understanding of what is inside the museum.  For kids a stop at the Insect Zoo is a must.  They can actually hold some of the larger insects and depending on the time you go see a feeding demonstration of the resident Tarantula's. 

Visit the Library of Congress.  SHHHH!  Most people don't think about visiting a library as part of their vacation plans but the largest library in the world should be on your list.  The architecture of the Library of Congress is worth seeing and knowing that you are surrounded by so much knowledge just makes you feel smarter.   Started with the donation of Thomas Jefferson's book collection in 1815 the library now houses the largest rare book collection in the United States. 

Wander the grounds Arlington National Cemetery.   The views from Arlington House, the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider and President Kennedy's gravesite are just a few of the sites that make Arlington National Cemetery a must on everyone's tour of the area.  There is a moment when you enter the gates that you are struck with an understanding of what this cemetery means to the families of our fallen hero's. 

Bureau of Engraving and Printing-If you hear the soundtrack from the Apprentice ringing in your head "Money, Money, Money" then stopping by to take a look where it is printed then is just for you.  From plain paper (alright it really isn't plain) to money for your pocket you will see the whole process.  It is a great lesson to show kids that money does not grow on trees.  Tickets can only be picked up on the day you want to tour and if you are calling your member of Congress about White House tickets then they can also get you VIP tickets for here as well.

National Zoo-Lions, Tigers and Bears oh my.  Let's face it almost everyone wants to check out the Panda Bears at the National Zoo.  Sometimes you have to feel bad for the silly little river otters that are obviously having a good time and everyone is more interested in some funny looking black and white bears who just sit around eating all the time.  The National Zoo has undergone a transformation over the last few years with new exhibits and new babies.  Be prepared for the hilly walks and consider bringing a picnic so that you can take breaks and enjoy watching all of the wildlife both animal and human!

This is just the start of what you can see absolutely free.  The lists of what you can do are mind boggling!   So if you are relocating to the area be prepared to take advantage of all there is to see.  When my children were young we used to have Sunday afternoons in the city to take in an exhibit or event without feeling too overwhelmed by it all.  If you are just visit then hold on to your hats, put on your comfortable shoes and have fun!

If you are interested in learning more about our area or need help finding your next home in  Northern Virginia give me a call.  As a native of the area I can show you all of the great options for things to do, neighborhoods to live and ways to get around town. 

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As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

At the turn of the century in Lorton Virginia a small group of 22 people created a Sunday school at the one room school house on Silverbrook Road.  When the congregation grew to over 70 people it was decided that it was time to build a church to accommodate the growing interest in church services in the area.  Wanting to stay in Lorton the church was able to buy a piece of property just down the road from the school house for the incredible price of twenty dollars!

A small white clapboard church, typical of the era was erected and dedicated on November 1, 1908.  As was common at that time a single church did not have the funds to support their own preacher so the Silverbrook Church joined with Cranford Methodist, Lee Chapel, Occoquan and Bethel Churches to share one preacher who traveled between the churches during the week by horse and buggy.

Over the years as the population in the area grew so did the church with two additions added over the last 50 years.  Today the church is listed in both the State and National Register of Historic Places.  The area around the church has grown and expanded and it now sits across from the new Silverbrook Golf Course and future Equestrian Center.

So next time you are driving down Silverbrook Road in Lorton keep your eyes open for this little gem.  It is just another piece of the fabulous history scattered throughout Northern Virginia.

Details on other Historic Churches in Northern Virginia
Pohick Church
Cranford Methodist Church
St Mary of Sorrows
Wakefield Chapel
Washington Street
Sacred Heart Chapel 

For anyone who has ever encountered this strange sculpture at Hains Point in Washington DC it always takes a few minutes to take it all in.  If you weren't excepting to see a giant emerging from the earth it can be a real surprise.  Kids love it and tourists spend a lot of time photographing the sculpture.

Now "The Awakening" is leaving and moving across the Potomac River to a new home in Prince Georges County at the new mega National Harbor development.  Even though I write quite a bit about DC and Northern Virginia history I was surprised to learn that the statue has actually been on loan to the National Park Sevice.  Since it has been at Hains Point since 1980 it never crossed my mind that it was a permanent fixture.

So starting tomorrow they will be digging up our quirky sculpture and by the end of the week he will be in his new home.  I wish him well in his travels and look forward to visiting him on the other side of the river.

More pictures of "The Awakening"

If you're just joining the "Magical History Tour" you might want to take a few minutes and check out where we have already been in the DC and Northern Virginia area.

Magical History Tour of Northern Virgina
Magical History Tour Takes to the Water-Washington DC

Today our tour is just a short train ride from Union Station to Old Town Alexandria.  We wanted to leave you plenty of time to take in the sights of our stops and enjoy a leisurely afternoon explore Old Town Alexandria.  So All Aboard and away we go.

If we are going to start in Union Station then you first have to take a look around this magnificent piece of architecture which opened in 1907.  When it was built it was the largest train station in the world.  The arrival of Union Station in DC was the start of a transformation of the city and its gold leaf coffered ceilings, white granite block construction and neo-classic lines are amazing.  The same theme used for Union Station can be seen at the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial and the Supreme Court Building a few blocks away. 

As with so many train stations as air travel became the preferred mode of transportation the station fell into disrepair in the late 1960's and 1970's.  Congress determined that this piece of Washington history should not be ignored and after 160 million dollars of renovation the station was returned to its original stature.  Today Union Station is a regular stop for tourists visiting the city.  The station plays host to 130 shops and restaurants, major cultural events and Presidential Inaugural Balls.  So now lets ride the rails and go check out our nemesis Reagan National Airport.

As we pull out of the station we are headed south to Gravelly Point and Regan National Airport.  If you are an avid airplane watcher then then Gravely Park is the place to go.  Planes taking off and landing are right overhead and for kids they feel as if they can reach up and touch them.  In 1938 when the south end of Gravelly Point was picked for the airport the area was underwater.  Engineers had to build a dike around the perimeter of the site, pump out the water and the silt and then fill it with gravel and sand for a stable level base.  Once the site was prepared the four original runways for the airport were built.  Over the years there have been political battles as to whether the airport was officially in Washington DC or in Virginia.  In 1946 congress decreed that the airport physically was in Virginia but turned over the jurisdiction of the airport to Federal Authorities.

 

In 1997 after years of millions of travelers traipsing through the original building new terminals were opened featuring 54 Jeffersonian domes in keeping with the tradition of the neo-classic style seen throughout the area.  The "nation's hall" as the main area of the terminal is called provides a great view of the DC skyline and was designed featuring works from 30 different artists works seen throughout the terminal.  Often busy travelers forget to take a look down at the amazing art under their feet!  The original terminal is undergoing restoration to return it to its original splendor.

So we haven't gotten very far but there is one last place we should take a look at as we head south.  As we pull into the station in Old Town Alexandria you can't help but notice the tall building sitting on a hill opposite of the station.  This imposing building is the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.  Dedicated in 1932 the  entrance to the museum was inspired by the Parthenon of Athens with its 6 Doric columns.  Designed in three sections the tower rises to an Egyptian Pyramid at the top.  The inspiration for the monument came from the Lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt one of the Seven Wonders of the World. 

Inside the memorial you will find a number of historic artifacts belong to George Washington and also history and artifacts relating to the Freemasons, including the Shriners.  The view from the observation deck on the ninth floor has an incredible view of Old Town Alexandria, the Potomac River and the remains of Fort Ellsworth, an original Fort built to protect Alexandria during the civil war.  The hill on which the memorial is built was originally known as Shutters Hill.

 We could keep riding the rails but I suspect everyone would like to spend a little time exploring Old Town Alexandria.  Don't miss the amazing fused glass at Arts Afire wander down King Street to the Torpedo Arts Center and by all means put up your feet at the Chart House and enjoy the view and a great meal.

See you next time when the magical history tour takes another look at interesting things to do around our area. 

©2008 Cindy Jones. All rights reserved.
Photos from IStock Photos and Flickr

Scattered throughout Northern Virginia are a variety of communities that offer buyers significant choices to consider.  Most buyers looking for a home have a unique set of features that they would like to have in their new home.  It is what makes heading out with new buyers so much fun and why our area isn't all about cookie cutter neighborhoods.  So we pulled a few pages out of our Northern Virginia scrapbook to give you an idea of a few choices.

For buyers who like older neighborhoods closer to town then the neighborhoods of Parkfairfax in Alexandria and Fairlington in Arlington (some sections in Alexandria) are great choices.  With hilly tree lined streets, classic brick buildings and a great location both of these neighborhoods have stood the test of time since they were built in the 1940's.

 View current listings in Parkfairfax

 View current listings in Fairlington

Are you looking for something that others might consider off the beaten path?  Then you should take a look at Hollin Hills in Alexandria or Holmes Run Acres in Annandale.  Both neighborhoods are part of the small mid-century modern movement that happened in Northern Virginia in the 1960's.  With classic lines, loads of glass and connection to their lots these homes offer buyers a chance to bond with nature in a way that other neighborhoods might not.

View current listings in Hollin Hills

View current listings in Holmes Run Acres

Thinking a bit more traditional?  Then some of the affordable neighborhoods in Springfield might be right for you.  Cardinal Forest, Charlestown and Orange Hunt have all stood the test of time and are particularly popular with military families stationed at the Pentagon or Fort Belvoir. 

View current listings in Cardinal Forest

View current listings in Charlestown

View current listings in Orange Hunt

 Need just a bit more space and want a bit more privacy?  Then you might want to check out Fairfax Station and the neighborhoods of Barrington, Crosspointe and South Run.



View current listings in Fairfax Station
View current listings in South Run
View current listings in Crosspointe
View current listings in Barrington

Even though all of these neighborhoods are very different in style they all have one thing in common.  They are close to shopping, transportation, schools and loads of fun things to do.   So no matter what style or type of home you are looking for in Northern Virginia you will probably be able to find it. 

If you are interested in learning more about any of these or other great neighborhoods in Alexandria, Fairfax County or throughout Northern Virginia give me a call.  As a native of the area I can give you a tour not only a new place to call home but other areas of interest for you and your family.



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As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

Whether you want to get in a round of miniature golf with the family, only have time to play 9 holes or want to spend the day on the links, Northern Virginia golf courses cover it all.  With both public and private courses designed by many of the most famous names in golf and with plenty of challenges for golfers of all levels.

Some of the names of the courses are familiar to many whether they live in this area or not and others might just be that new little gem that you may want to give a try the next time you get the urge to pull out that nine iron.  For military personnel Quantico offers the Medal of Honor Golf Course and Fort Belvoir has two 18 hole courses; Gunston and Woodlawn.  The Army Navy Country Club is a private club with two locations in Arlington and Fairfax.  Most members of the club are retired military from all services.

The Fairfax County Park Authority maintains eight public golf courses including two courses which have been named in the Top 100 courses to play in the Mid-Atlantic Region, Laurel Hill and Twin Lakes.  The Northern Virginia Park Authority maintains three courses and offers golf memberships for the serious golfers who want unlimited access to the links.

For families who are looking for a little bit of fun or a place to entertain kids for a special occasion without the need for a full set of clubs then you might want to check out Upton Hill in Arlington or Cameron Run in Alexandria.  For the ultimate experience you might want to check out Top Golf in Kingstowne.  With 76 covered all weather suites equipped with the latest in computer technology you can play golf, practice your swing and keep score without ever actually getting your feet dirty.

If you haven't played golf before and are just taking up the sport you might want to brush up on your golf etiquette before hitting the links.   When you have perfected your game on the local Northern Virginia golf courses then you might just be lucky enough to play a round at Saint Andrews Links, the home of golf.

Listing of other Northern Virginia Golf Courses

For other fun outdoor activities in Northern Virginia check out:
Kickstands Up-Let's Go for a Ride
Back to Nature in Northern Virginia

©2008. All Rights Reserved. Cindy Jones

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

Last week my Will This Affect the Resale Value of My Home post looked at the issue with power lines and water towers as possible issues with the resale value of your home.  This week we are going to look at a serious issue in many Northern Virginia neighborhoods, foreclosures and how they may affect the value of your home.

Foreclosures vary from community to community.  In some areas you might not be able to tell a home is in foreclosure from any other for sale in the neighborhood.  In others you may find signs that announce the property is a foreclosure or see homes that who obvious signs of neglect.

So how do you know whether a foreclosure in your neighborhood is affecting the value of your property?  One of the key components of determine the value of your home when it is being sold is a professional appraisal.  In a neighborhood where foreclosures are few and far between the chances are an appraiser will not need to use a property that has sold as a foreclosure as a comparable property and there won't be any issue.  However in a  neighborhood where there have been a number of foreclosures, appraisers have to include those sales in their comps.  Most appraisers will try and discount the value of a foreclosure property but where they are a majority of the sales in the neighborhood then they will affect the value of your home.

If you live in one of the areas where there are a large amount of foreclosures you can expect to see a slight drop in your value.  It may not always be about lower prices but also about buyer's feelings about the area.  If they perceive the area is showing signs of neglect they will automatically discount the value of your property even if it is in top shape and you will need to make a tough decision about pricing your home to reflect an issue you have no control over.

A secondary affect of foreclosures in areas with HOA and condo associations is the impact of the uncollected dues and fees on current homeowners.  Usually before a property goes into foreclosure the owners stop paying their monthly HOA or condo assessments.  Over time depending on the number of unit in distress the association's budgets can take a hit and current owners may end up being tasked with making up the shortfall.   As a result association fees rise and that increase in fees may make a property less desirable to a future buyer.  Condo buildings are at the highest risk for lower values due to foreclosures as they are often the only comps an appraiser can use.

Foreclosures can affect the value of your home and you need to be aware of what is going on in your neighborhood.  A professional Realtor® is the best source of information on how many foreclosures are currently in your neighborhood, how many have sold and current strategies for getting your home SOLD in today's market.

More information on Northern Virginia Foreclosures

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area

You have decided that you need to sell your Northern Virginia home and are wondering how can you make your home standout from all of the other properties listed for sale. 

If you haven't read the first two parts of "If You List It They Will Come" you should start there:

If You List It They Will Come-Getting Your Home Ready
If You List It They Will Come-Pricing Your Home to Sell


If the Realtor® you are talking to suggests that all you need to do to get your home SOLD is list it in the MLS and buyers will come running to your house, then once again you need to show them the door.

Today's buyer is internet savvy!  It doesn't matter what source you read they all tell you the same thing.  Over 80% of today's home buyers search for a home on the internet.  The variety of sites and tools available make it easy for a buyer to browse from the comfort of their own home, on their own time and at their own pace.  Many buyers spend months on-line before they ever contact and agent to represent them.

So how do the Realtors® you are talking to get your home in front of the most buyers?  First and foremost you need to make sure they have an active and current website that has your listing available.  Second you need to find out how well linked is their website to other websites that showcase listings.  Links to sites that are not about showing your home on line are of little value to you.  You want someone who is surfing the internet to find your home on as many real estate listing sites as possible.

Does  the Realtor® you are considering work for company that has a presence outside of Northern Virginia?  Not everyone looking for a new home already lives in the area.  Making sure that your home can be found on national websites such as RE/MAX.com and Realtor.com are critical to making sure you home is seen by buyers no matter where they currently live. 

Will your listing have its own URL and will that be featured on a sign rider in front of your home making it easy to find on the internet?  
(click sign to go to listing) 

Will the agent upload multiple good quality photos of your home as soon as it is active in the MLS? 

How often are the websites and MLS updated to keep your home in front of buyers?

Does the agent maintain one or more real estate related blogs where they write about your home?

It goes without saying that your home should have color brochures available on day one and professional signage in the front yard.  Each home has individual needs and depending on your home their may be other options such as coverage in the local press, featured home status in Friday Home Guides and more.  Make sure that the company that the agent works for spends significant money on national advertising to bring more people to their website and more leads to their agents.

So as you consider all of your options for picking a Realtor® to list your home make sure that the internet is a large part of their strategy.   Today's buyer is online and your home should be too.

Be like one of the good citizens of the great state of Missouri and say SHOW ME!

If you are getting ready to list your home this year give me a call.  I'll be glad to show you all of the ways I work to get your home in front of as many internet savvy buyers as possible.  With a personalized marketing plan for your home and the Power of RE/MAX we can get your home SOLD!

Stay tuned for Part IV.  My Home is Listed Now What?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.