If you are driving down Rolling Road between Lake Braddock Road and the Fairfax County Parkway you will pass two communities that look very similar.  There is a reason for this similarity.  Both communities were built by Richmarr homes starting in the late 1960's and feature the same style brick homes.

Kings Park is the bigger of the two communities with 1100 homes to West Springfield Village's 423 homes but the models are the same, King, Queen, Prince, Duke and Duchess.  Besides having the same model homes available in both neighborhoods, Richmarr also left many of the large trees on the quarter to one-third acre lots as well.  As a result both neighborhoods have matured with a wonderful canopy of trees for owners. 

Both neighborhoods can meet in the middle at the Cardinal Plaza for grocery shopping at Giant or Whole Foods.  Kings Park residents also have the Kings Park Shopping Center with a smaller Giant Grocery Store (how is that for an oxymoron?)  For neighborhood children the schools are different.  Kings Park students attend schools in the Lake Braddock HS Pyramid and West Springfield Village students attend schools in the West Springfield HS Pyramid. 

More Information on Fairfax County Schools Pyramids

Both neighborhoods have been popular with military families relocating to the area due to the many options for commuting to either the Pentagon or Fort Belvoir.  Grab a bus, slug or metro to the Pentagon.  You can drive directly to Fort Belvoir down Rolling Road to Route 1 in less than 30 minutes from either community.

If you are thinking of buying or selling your home in either Kings Park or West Springfield Village or anywhere in the Northern Virginia area give me a call.  Let's talk about whether now is the right time for you to make a move.  No hassle, no pressure just straight talk about our current market. 

 

Cindy Jones/Associate Broker
RE/MAX Allegiance
703-346-2213
Specializing in the I-95 Corridor & Military Relocations to the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir and Quantico

Since Quantico Marine Corps Base first opened its doors in 1917 it has taken on the role of not only being the “Crossroads of the Marine Corps” but also the “Frontline of Innovation” for the Marines. As you drive through the gates of Quantico you can’t help but realize how many important enlisted and officers of the Marine Corps have also passed through those gates and under the Welcome to Quantico sign.

Drive past the Marine Corps University complex where officers attend both OCS and advanced training at the War College or enlisted marines attend leadership training at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy.  Having worked with the Education Services Officer at Quantico to bring accredited graduate degree programs to the installation I learned the emphasis that the Marine Corps places on training and education.

Wander throughout the base and you will see the blend of old and new as the base continues to prepare for the movement of new military and civilian jobs as part of BRAC.  New housing is replacing the old Lustron homes and buildings are being revitilzed to support new organizations moving to the installation.  Enjoy a stop along the way to take in the Potomac River views and if you are a golfer make a reservation for a round or two. 

Quantico MCB contains the only town in the US (Quantico Town) actually contained within a military base. Though the town is small it does contain homes, a marina, plenty of restaurants, shops and VRE station. Marine Corps life and history are evident just outside the gates of Quantico as well. With the National Museum of the Marine Corps and the Quantico National Cemetery both located minutes from the gate. If you are looking for a little more adventure without as much Semper Fi then take some time and enjoy Prince William Forest Park at the same time.

Once you are done with your tour of the area stop by the Globe and Laurel Restaurant. The place is usually packed with fellow Marines, both young and old. If you need help with finding housing while you are stationed at Quantico give me a call at 703-346-2213.   Marines stationed at Quantico have plenty of housing choices.   Both Prince William County and Stafford County provide a wide variety of neighborhoods that Marines and their families like to call home.

 

 

 

 

 

It has been a wild week in Washington DC.  First there was the Oprah Show, then it was all of the excitement around the Inauguration and the week ended in the Fox 5 TV station for a taping.  How much excitement can one simple girl from the suburbs take?

I'm waiting to see how the taping comes out.  It has gone to editing and should be available next week.  If it isn't to embarrassing I'll put a link to it on my blog.  What I did learn is that the Fox 5 news set is smaller than it looks on TV but certainly high tech.  The green screen is really green, the crew terrific and that you should not be in the middle of a photo shoot when a chef arrives with live lobsters for the cooking segment.

There is no doubt that I am not interested in spending much time in front of a camera but it does seem to keep happening.  Any chance I could get a double to stand in for me?

 

This blogging thing creates more work than I ever expected.  Just another week in the life of a Northern Virginia Realtor®!

Cindy Jones/Associate Broker
RE/MAX Allegiance
703-346-2213
Specializing in the I-95 Corridor & Military Relocations to the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir and Quantico

For Springfield (VA) commuters the Daventry neighborhood provides the option to walk to the main entrance to the community and grab slug to the Pentagon.   If you aren't familiar with the term "slug" in relation to Northern Virginia commuting don't panic.  It is a unique and legal way to hitch-hike your way to the Pentagon, State Department, World Bank or many other locations in DC.  The Daventry line is geared for a direct route to the Pentagon.

A free ride isn't the only reason that Daventry is a popular neighborhood in Springfield.  The community offers a community pool, community center, tennis courts, four tot lots and access to walking paths connected to the huge Fairfax County Park Authority network of trails.  The community has a number of different clubs that meet regularly including a book club, bridge club, weekend walking club and tennis club.  New neighbors are welcomed to the neighborhood by an official welcoming committee.  How nice is that?

Daventry offers 512 townhouses most with garages, 212 single family homes and Ramblewood at Daventry offers 160 condominiums.  The following is a list of the 17 townhouses sold in Daventry in 2008. Prices ranged considerably due to the varying sizes of the units and REO properties sold for "below average" prices.    (Daventry is also known as Hunter Village which can lead to some confusion for those searching for homes in the area.)

Address	List Priice	Sold Price	Subsidy	BR	BF	BH	LVL	FP
7857 PAINTED DAISY DR	$390,000	$385,000	$3,850	4	3	1	3	1
7775 ASTERELLA CT	$399,000	$395,000	$11,500	3	2	1	3	1
7730 ASTERELLA CT	$409,900	$400,000	$0	4	3	1	3	1
7223 GENTIAN CT	$419,775	$410,000	$0	4	3	1	3	1
7877 WINTERCRESS LN	$425,000	$413,000	$0	4	3	1	3	1
7707 JEWELWEED CT	$425,000	$427,000	$8,000	3	2	2	3	1
7710 ROCKLEDGE CT	$529,000	$505,000	$0	3	2	2	3	2
7732 ASTERELLA CT	$375,900	$227,000	$0	3	3	1	3	1
7076 SOLOMON SEAL CT	$318,250	$286,500	$0	4	3	1	3	1
7824 SOLOMON SEAL DR	$360,000	$330,000	$3,350	3	2	2	3	1
7723 GROMWELL CT	$355,000	$340,000	$5,666	4	3	1	3	1
7725 SHOOTINGSTAR DR	$399,900	$386,000	$0	4	3	1	3	1
7746 SHOOTINGSTAR DR	$409,000	$400,000	$6,500	3	2	2	3	1
7827 WINTERCRESS LN	$431,500	$412,500	$10,000	3	2	2	3	1
7828 PAINTED DAISY DR	$439,888	$420,000	$0	3	2	2	3	1
7717 SHOOTINGSTAR DR	$438,500	$425,000	$10,000	4	3	1	3	1
7730 ROCKLEDGE CT	$539,900	$515,000	$0	3	2	2	3	2

if you like walking then let me show you the options in the Daventry neighborhood in West Springfield.  Whether is a  townhouse, detached home or condominium the Cindy Jones team can show you them all.  Call us at 703-346-2213 to discuss whether this is the right time for you to buy a new home in Springfield or throughout the Northern Virginia region. 

Chances are you will see a wild bunny or two in your yard in the Saratoga neighborhood in Springfield Virginia.   With the pockets of woods scattered throughout the neighborhood you will also see deer and foxes too.  The wildlife, nice size lots, the quick hop to Fort Belvoir, nearby shopping, recreation and ease of commuting make Saratoga a neighborhood that stays on the list of popular Springfield neighborhoods.

Market Report

Saratoga prices have risen and fallen with the change in market conditions over the last 5 years.  The following chart shows the average list and sales prices since 2003 when the Northern Virginia market took a dramatic upswing.  It also clearly shows clearly that seller subsidies continued to rise through 2008.

Year	Total	Avg List	Original List	% of List	Sold Price	Subsidy	Net	DOMM
2008	24	$451,480	$480,507	93.96	$441,829	$8,520	$433,309	67
2007	26	$531,432	$560,864	94.75	$522,824	$7,786	$515,037	97
2006	25	$583,108	$603,182	96.64	$574,508	$7,745	$566,762	67
2005	37	$563,738	$566,726	99.47	$564,222	$2,215	$562,306	16
2004	49	$472,764	$478,081	98.89	$472,092	$1,271	$470,820	19
2003	33	$392,071	$393,726	99.58	$391,554	$1,285	$390,268	20

 

Transportation Options

The VRE station in Lorton Station is only a few miles away and the Fairfax Connector bus will take owners to the Springfield-Franconia Metro Station.  Headed to Fort Belvoir?  Saratoga is within 15 minutes of the main gate and with the VRE, Slug lines and metro make commuting to the Pentagon , Federal Government or other area employment centers easy.

Shopping and Dining

The neighborhood is close to shopping either at the nearby Saratoga Shopping Center or a few miles in either direction you can find shopping in either West Springfield or Lorton shopping centers as well.  Saratoga Pizzeria is a local favorite with great Gyro's and of course pizza.  A few miles away you will find the restaurants at Lorton Station or Austin Grill, Chicken Out, Chesapeake Bagel Bakery or Hunan's to name a few.

Recreation and Activities

Saratoga offers a community pool for residents as well as access to any of the Fairfax County Recreation Centers.  The closest is South Run Recreation Center about 5 miles away off of the Fairfax County Parkway.  If you want to take in more history then Mount Vernon, Woodlawn Plantation and George Washington's Grist Mill are all within 30 minutes from Saratoga.

If you are interested in learning more about the Saratoga neighborhood or other terrific neighborhoods in Springfield or across Northern Virginia contact the Cindy Jones team at 703-346-2213.  Let our knowledge of Northern Virginia neighborhoods and experience with relocation help you settle in a new home in Northern Virginia.

If your family includes a pet or two, making sure that they are safe and secure during your move can often be just as important as making sure your household goods arrive in one piece. Our family has moved around the world with pets and I know how difficult it can be find good care for your pet in a new surrounding.

The first thing to remember if you are moving with a pet is to make sure as you set aside your personal information that you also include a copy of your pets health history and medications that they may need while in transit. Since most pets are lost during move-in day making sure that your pet is secure while the movers are unloading your furniture is critical. The best way to ensure that your pet is safe and secure is to find another place for your pet for the day. For families relocating to Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon or any of the Northern Virginia military installations you might consider the Olde Town Pet Resort located in Springfield VA.

Quite frankly when you check out the facilities you may want to also stay yourself. With 27,000 square feet the resort is state of the art. For dogs there are 183 suites with automatic drinking fountains and top of the line beds. If you have more than one dog they can bunk together and if you really want to have luxury for your pet you can reserve a luxury suite complete with cable TV or movies.

 Olde Town Pet Resort can accommodate up to 75 cats. With the same level of luxury that the dogs enjoy, cats have a central TV, double decked cages for exercise and litter boxes that are hidden out of sight. With plenty of sunshine for the cats to enjoy and a view of the woods the accommodations would please even the most finicky cat.

With friendly trained staff and state of the art systems, it is nice to have a facility that you know you can securely house your pet while you wait for the movers to finish at your house. The only problem is that your pet may not want to come.

Trust me after a recent trip our pets gave us the look that seemed to say “you’re going to make me leave?” What ever happened to unconditional love?

For more information or to schedule a stay for your pet you can check out the Olde Towne Pet Resort website.

Additional tips from The Humane Society of the US for moving with pets.

If you need assistance with finding your own housing when you transfer to Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon or any of the Military District of Washington locations give me a call.  Let my knowledge of Northern Virginia and experience with military moves help both you, your family and your pet settle in our area.  Call the Cindy Jones team at 703-346-2213.

It is obvious when you look at the large overhead signs, I-95 is the interstate running outside the beltway and I-395 runs inside the beltway to DC.  However if someone asks you how to get to DC and you say take Shirley Highway then you know you are a "native" of Northern Virginia.  Officially Shirley Highway runs from the Pentagon to just north of Route 1 in Woodbridge.  The start of the construction of the highway started in 1941 and lasted until 1952 when the four lane road was completed.  Originally known as the Fort Belvoir bypass the road was renamed for Henry Shirley who was the first the first highway commissioner in Virginia.

Our first family home was just outside DC on Shirley Highway in the Parkfairfax neighborhood.  Built in 1941 as an apartment complex to alleviate a housing shortage for government workers the neighborhood today is thriving condominium complex known for it's hilly streets, landscaped courtyards and ease of commuting back to the city.

Parkfairfax-Two Past Presidents Called it Home and So Could You

A few more miles down Shirley Highway is the famous or is that the infamous Springfield Interchange?  Before there was a need for 50 ramps and 20 lanes to get commuters past Springfield there was an airport instead.  In 1945 part of the area that is now part of the north bound lanes of Shirley Highway (I-95) was the unpaved 3000 foot runway that was part of Springfield Airport. 

What Happens When You Build a Highway Instead of An Airport?

Even after the airport disappeared in the early 1950's Springfield was still a rural community just being discovered by families.  With new homes in central Springfield starting at $16,000 it was the perfect place to move and still be able to work in the city.  Families flocked to the area and over the years the small sleepy area grew and spread into North Springfield, West Springfield and even though there isn't officially an East Springfield development went that direction as well.

Springfield Virginia-Homer Simpson Doesn't Live Here

As prices in closer in areas in Fairfax County began to escalate and families started looking for bigger and newer the migration further south on Shirley Highway to Prince William County began.  Commuting options began to expand and along with it the neighborhoods of Lake Ridge began to grow.  Starting in the late 1970's when the visitor center opened at Old Bridge and Harbor Drive until today Lake Ridge has been a popular choice for anyone who wanted to live in large community with a "small town" feel.

Lake Ridge-Avoiding the Cookie Cutter Home Syndrome

Now Shirley Highway is a thing of the past. The small green signs are still there if you look for them.  They are drawfed by the the large signs for I-95 or I-395 headed north and south from DC into Virginia.  Your GPS won't direct you to take Shirley Highway but a native of the area may.  Don't be alarmed they haven't lost their minds it is just a habit that is hard to break.

If you are interested in learning more about any of the neighborhoods along the 17.3 mile stretch of the original Shirley Highway give me a call.   No hassle, no pressure.  Let's see if now is the right time for you to buy a new home in Northern Virginia.

 

 

©2009 Cindy Jones, Associate Broker RE/MAX Allegiance
703-346-2213
www.cindyjoneshomes.com

When the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) first began operations along the I-95 corridor in 1992 there were questions as to whether the lack of housing near the train stations would derail the long term plans for the commuter rail. Since that time a new supply of "whistle stop" towns has sprung up close to the tracks including Belmont Bay, Rippon Landing and Quantico.

The Woodbridge Station sits just at the edge of Belmont Bay and is within a mile of the marina that is the jewel of the community.  Still growing Belmont Bay offers buyers the chance to live in a community that includes a marina, the public Osprey Golf Course, Osprey Restaurant and waterfront walking paths. Neighboring a 400 acre nature reserve residents have a chance to not only enjoy the community but watch Osprey's soar and fox run.  With waterfront condos, townhouses, golf villas and detached homes residents enjoy a resort style lifestyle all year long.   

Only a few miles south of Belmont Bay you hit the Rippon Landing station.  When you get off the train you can look up the hill and see the new Potomac Pointe condos. What you don't notice until you top the hill is that the condos enjoy a stunning view of the Potomac River.  The lot is general full with commuters who come in from Port Potomac or Eagles Pointe.  The station is also within walking distance to townhouse owners at Riverside Station or the detached homes in Dawson's Landing. 

The last station in Prince William County is the Quantico Station.   Located within the gates of Quantico Marine Base commuters must drive in to the base in order to get to the station. However that doesn't seem to stop anyone who wants to grab a cup of coffee at the Whistle Stop Coffee Shop before boarding the train.  New developments including Cramer's Ridge, Lionsfield Valley and the Reserve at Potomac Crest have increased the popularity of the Quantico Station and it is a great chance for active duty military who need to make a morning run to the Pentagon the chance to grab the train and then transfer to the Metro.

The development of the new whistle stop communities on the eastern portion of the VRE are part of the master plans for the Northern Virginia Counties of Stafford, Prince William and Fairfax.  With ridership continuing to grow the plans to create more walkable communities on the right side of the tracks in has become a reality. 

If you are interested in finding a home within walking distance of a VRE station give me a call.  I'd be glad to give you a whistle stop tour of Prince William County.

It never fails to happen.  Buyers who are seeing some of the great prices on homes posted on the internet call and say "we must see this house now."  We go to check out the property and they fall in love.  They figure that rates are low and the payments are well within their comfort range, we can do this they say.

We tour and then the buyer finds the perfect floor plan for their needs.  The utilities are on and the property isn't winterized so you can flush toilets, run faucets and check the basic mechnaicals.  The house is only a few years old, so chances are the roof will be okay and the electric panel should be sufficient to support a modern family.  A little carpet, a little paint and it will be as good as new..  

"WE WANT IT" they say in unison.

But....you had to figure there was one of those coming didn't you?  Let's go outside and take a look around.   Do you have any concerns about the power lines running right through the neighborhood?   Oh we can live with that they say.  But...yes another one, what about the huge electric substation you pass to drive into the community?  Oh we hardly even noticed it.   Okay how about that water tower in the backyard?  Oh well maybe we should think about this a little more.

As a buyers agent our responsibility is to point out as many of the "buts and what about" that we can to protect our client.  Sometimes it feels like being the wet blanket at the party BUT and this is the good one, pointing out concerns that can impact the future value of a property or be future financial nightmare to a buyer is a huge part of our responsibility.






If you are a buyer looking for an agent who wants to make sure your interests are protected in today's turbulent Northern Virginia housing market give me a call.  I'll make sure that I answer all your questions and point out all of the things you should consider before you finalize an offer on your new home.  No hassle, no pressure, just straight talk about today's real estate market.

I'll make sure you don't end up with the bargain basement buyer's blues.

Tucked away just a few miles from DC in Alexandria VA are the rolling hills, tree lined streets and brick buildings that make up the community of Parkfairfax.   Parkfairfax has the distinction of being the former of home of two past presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.  Both lived in the community prior to taking the highest office in the land.  Fitting since all of the condo models are named after presidents!

 

Parkfairfax was originally built to fulfill the need for housing close to the Federal Government, Pentagon and DC in 1941.  The homes were constructed as apartments by the same construction company that built the Empire State Building.  In 1968 the apartment buildings were sold to a new development company and were remodeled with new kitchens and individual room AC units.  From the late 1960's through the mid-1970's Park Fairfax was mostly forgotten.  Fortunately the attempts to tear down the buildings are replace them with high rise apartments were unsuccessful.

Then in 1977 IDI, a major local development company, purchased the land for over 24 million dollars and began the conversion of apartments to condominiums.  Original sales prices ranged from $27,000 to $54,000.  Parkfairfax became a thriving tree lined community with an abundance of community amentias including 3 swimming pools, 8 tennis courts, party rooms and 2 volleyball courts.

Direct bus service to the Pentagon and the Pentagon City Metro Station are available in the community.  Less than 5 miles to the DC line makes it close to the Navy Yard, Bolling AFB and Federal Government Offices as well. Take the pedestrian bridge to Shirlington's Restaurant Row and shop at Pentagon City Mall.  For these and more reasons Parkfairfax has once again become a HOT community. 

If you are interested in more information about Parkfairfax just give me a call.  Let me show you through the streets where past presidents roamed and a community that has endured the test of time.