One of the great things about living in the DC Metro area is all of the things you can find to do on a weekend. You don't have to spend a fortunate in gas or days traveling to enjoy a few hours or a day out with friends or family.

You can never go wrong with a day at the National Zoo. Everyone wants to see the Panda Bears. With the fall weather the crowds have thinned and the animals are out enjoying the cooler weather.

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.

Interested in Aviation History? The Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Center is the newest addition to the Smithsonian but not located in DC. The center which houses the space shuttle Enterprise is actually in Chantilly VA about 20 miles west of DC. You will also find the B-29 Enola Gay and an SR-71 (Habu) spy plane. With flight simulators and an IMAX theater at the center it is easy to spend an entire day within the walls of the center. It is free to enter the museum but there is a $15 parking fee per car.

Check out George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate on the banks of the Potomac River. Most visitors drive to Mount Vernon but you can also take a boat tour from Alexandria and arrive on the docks at the front of the house. It is easy to see why George Washington loved this property and why it is one of the most popular places to visit in the area. The grounds are impeccable, you can see the farm life as it was in the 1700's and be thankful that preservationists were able to keep Mount Vernon for all of us to see 300 years later.

The National Museum of the Marine Corps located just outside of the main gate of Quantico is the ultimate Ooh-rah" experience. Designed to resemble the flag raising at Iwo Jima the museum this museum is designed to make you understand what it means to be a Marine. With interactive exhibits you can feel as if you are right in the thick of the action. This is a great place to pay tribute to all current and past Marines and understand their place in our US history.

Take a break this weekend, work off the second helping of sweet potatoes and enjoy a few of the local attractions.  

No there isn't a problem with your computer monitor the house you see is actually wrapped in blue insulation but the house is actually a green house under construction in Lorton VA.

This home being built by the Speer family is utilizing all of the latest green technologies including both solar and geothermal technologies.

The south-facing roof will contain solar panels that will provide most of the electrical energy for appliances in the home.  If the family generates more electricity than they need the will feed power back to the local electric company grid causing the meter to run backwards.

Heating and cooling will be provided by a geothermal ground source heat pump (GSHP), also called a geoexchange system. With the earth's natural heat collected in winter through a series of pipes, installed below the surface of the ground the loop carries this heat to the home. An indoor system then uses electrically driven compressors and heat exchangers then release the warmer air into the home and into their in floor heating system.

When the home is finished it will contain 3900 SF of living space on three levels.  The hardiplank siding will be green, how appropriate, with white accents.  This is an ambitious project and one of the more innovative green building projects undertaken by West Properties based in Falls Church VA.

You can keep track of the progress of this innovative Lorton home by driving by the site at the corner of Ox Road and Hooes Road in Lorton. 

After a long wait the checks are beginning to roll out for military families who qualify for assistance from the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP).

Three weeks after the funds were made available the surviving spouse of a Fallen Warrior received her check. Then a check went out to an Air Force Major in Colorado and since then the checks have been rolling out on a regular basis.  Each check issued means one of the thousands of military families impacted by the declining market value of their home comes one step closer to financial relief.

The expanded program has had a few holdups.  First the funds part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 needed to be made available, then the program rules needed to be reviewed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and finally Congress need to pass HR 3548 to remove the 25% tax penality that was attached to the original rules.

Fortunately for those who have waited processing seems to be moving fairly quickly.  Two of the Northern Virginia military families I am working with have received their benefits letters and we are finalizing the updates required by the HAP counselors.

For more information on the qualifications for the program you can review the eligibility requirements at the US Army Corps of Engineer website.  If you are a military family in the Northern Virginia area who qualifies for the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) then give me a call at 703-346-2213.  As an agent experienced with the HAP program guidelines and processes I can help you navigate the requirements and get your home SOLD before your next PCS move.

This past week my clients put the SOLD sign in the front yard of their Newington Commons townhouse in Lorton VA.  The home had multiple contracts in under 72 hours and after final negotiations the home ended up closing at $240,000 the highest priced sale in the community this year.

The buyer's are a military family and the husband has been stationed in Iraq during the transaction and will be coming home to a great new house.

If you are thinking about selling your home in Newington Commons or any of the other great Lorton VA neighborhoods give me a call at 703-346-2213.  Let's see how my creative marketing strategies might be able to help you put the SOLD sign in your yard.

Tucked just off the intersection of two major roads in Springfield is the townhouse community of Charlestown.  With tree lined streets, community parks and easy access to shopping and commuter routes this secret neighborhood is well worth checking out.

One of the benefits of the Charlestown neighborhood is the outside maintenance that the HOA provides. Besides the lawn care, trash pickup and snow removal the HOA also paints the exterior trim of the townhouses on a three year cycle, replaces the roofs when needed and the brick walls that run around the perimeter of the backyards.  

Commuting to the Pentagon is as simple as stepping outside your door and walking 2 to 3 blocks to Forrester Blvd. If you aren't picked up by a commuter looking for slugs then you can grab the 18G Metro Bus. If you take the 7:18 bus you will be at the Pentagon at 7:50. How great is that? If Fort Belvoir is your destination then the commute is also 30 minutes or less depending on stoplights!

Charlestown is located in the West Springfield HS Pyramid, both the elementary school and HS are within walking distance. Want to shop? If you are just going to get a few essentials you can walk to the Giant or Whole Foods, we used to do it all the time and while you are at the shopping center you can stop by Starbucks, Austin Grill or Chicken Out for bite to eat.


For those in the know Lake Accotink Park has a back entrance off of Carrleigh Parkway. Years ago the only way to get into the park from the neighborhood was to take a dangerous walk across the railroad tracks. Fortunately the Fairfax County Park Authority built an enclosed pedestrian bridge so now you can ride your bike or walk to the park safely. Once at the park there is a 3.75 mile trail around the 55 acre lake for you to run, bike or walk.

If you have orders to the area then give me a call at 703-346-2213  Let my team put our knowledge of the area to work for you. We've been in your shoes numerous times and know how to help you make a smooth transition to your new home.

With all of the hoopla surrounding the extension of the first time homebuyers tax credit as part of the "Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009" a small portion of the bill was overlooked. 

Perhaps if you don't work with military families or aren't in a community that has faced a decline in home values you might not even known that H.R. 3548  saved military families who are using the expanded Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) a 25% up front tax penality when they sold their home.

For some families this has meant the difference from being able to take advantage of the benefits of the Department of Defense program or not.  A 25% upfront tax penality is not money that all military families have lying around just waiting to give to give up.  The other great news is that HAP files are processing and checks are being issued.  Two of the homes that I have under contract for Northern Virginia military families eligible for HAP are on to the final stages of processing.

The other great news is that this bill also extended the opportunity for military families who have been stationed overseas for at least 3 months in 2009 the chance to take advantage of the first time home buyers tax credit.

Thanks to Congress for understanding the need to provide a way for those who serve our country to be able to make their next PCS move a bit less financially stressful.

If you are a military family living in the Northern Virginia area and are eligible for the expanded HAP benefits give me a call at 703-346-2213.  I've been working with families in your situation this year and can help you navigate the process of understanding the Department of Defense HAP benefits and getting your home sold in our current market.

As someone who has moved all around the world with the military the first few days after the PCS orders arrive the questions about housing, schools and shopping can lead to sleepless nights and the big question “where are we going to live?”

If you are finishing up your coursework at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey CA and your have PCS orders to the Pentagon then let me welcome you to the neighborhood!  Most military personal headed to the base often choose to live in Northern Virginia close to public transportation and the famous "slug" lines. Whether you are going to buy or rent there are plenty of neighborhood options for you to choose from. The first thing you need to do is check the 2009 BAH rates for the Pentagon. Pentagon rates fall in the Washington District (DC053) and you can use zip code 22152 as an example.

If you are thinking of buying a home, the current Northern Virginia market provides you the chance to find a good value on a home. Many military personal are dusting off their VA Certificate of Eligibility and checking with local lenders about the options available to use their VA loans. Knowing what monthly payment you are comfortable with is important for looking at homes in neighborhoods that meet your price criteria.

Once you have determined your price range you have the option to start your search on-line to get an idea of the type of homes that are within your price range. There are a number of neighborhoods in Northern Virginia that have always been popular with military families stationed at the Pentagon including Kingstowne, Lorton and Lake Ridge. If you have school age children starting with information on local schools through the Fairfax County or Prince William County sites or the Great Schools website will also assist you in determining the right neighborhood for your family.

If you have decided to forgo a purchase on this tour of duty don't worry. I can also help you find a rental property in one of Northern Virginia's great neighborhoods as well.

The best way to get to know the area is to call on a Realtor® who not only has been through the stress of numerous military moves but is a native of the area. I’ve lived through the best and worst military moves and know how to help your family learn about Northern Virginia and find a neighborhood that you will want to call home while stationed at the Pentagon.

My military relocation network is at your fingertips through my on-line resources, on the phone and in person. Don’t lose sleep over your orders. I’m here to help you with a smooth transition!

With the upcoming influx of military and civilian personnel scheduled to move to Fort Belvoir, newer neighborhoods in Prince William County are gearing up for Fort Belvoir employees arrival. All of these neighborhoods offer great value in today's market and they offer a choice for buyers which include foreclosures, new homes and re-sales.

The first community you find when you cross the Occoquan River is Belmont Bay. With its waterfront location, variety of home styles and communities amenities it isn't a surprise that this community has been discovered by military families being stationed at Fort Belvoir. If you walk the waterfront paths in the community you will be greeted with a smile and hello from everyone you pass. Kids love to run on the pavilion green and watch the boats coming and going from the gazebo by the docks. Commuters appreciate the quick hop onto Route 1 to head to Fort Belvoir or the VRE station right in the neighborhood to take them into Alexandria or DC.




As you travel a little further south on Route 1 your next stop is the award winning community of Potomac Club. The jewel of the neighborhood is the 12 million dollar community club house with both indoor and outdoor pools, rock climbing wall and business center. The townhouses and townhouse style condominiums are stacked up the hillside creating winding streets and pockets of green space. The newly opened Wegmans grocery store is within walking distance and there is easy access to either Route 1 or I-95.

 
Another mile down the road and you the final two developments on this tour of Prince William County neighborhoods perfect for BRAC. The first is Eagles Pointe and enclave of detached homes with another terrific community clubhouse. The detached homes are clustered on no-through streets and are separated from other nearby developments with a stand of full growth trees. Across the street is the community of Port Potomac. With a mixture of detached homes and townhouses the development features a Williamsburg style club house, pedestrian friendly streets and walking trails. The community has been popular with families looking for a location close to shopping and public transportation.

All of these neighborhoods are close to shopping at Potomac Mills, Wegman's and recreation at numerous state and local parks in the area.

If you have orders to Fort Belvoir then give theCindy Jones team a call at 703-346-2213. Let our personal experience with military relocation help you find the right neighborhood to call home.No hassle, no pressure, just straight talk about today's real estate market and whether today is the right time for you to buy a new home.

My thoughts go out to all of those who lost a loved one at this week's tragedy at Fort Hood.  With the approach of Veteran's Day we need to remember that each headstone and flag at Arlington Cemetery represents a loved one who served our country honorably.  Keep our troops both at home and at war in your thoughts this week.

©Cindy Jones 209

If you are headed to Fort Belvoir and are looking for a reasonably priced townhouse community where the developer left green space and clustered courtyards then check out Springfield Oaks in Fairfax County.

Situated on 18 acres of wooded and gently rolling terrain the 382 townhouses in Springfield Oaks are only 5 miles from Fort Belvoir. The community is also within 5 minutes of the Lorton Station VRE, about 15 minutes to the Springfield Metro or you can catch a Fairfax Connector or Metro bus at either entrance to the community

Having owned a townhouse myself in Springfield Oaks I knew how well the association worked to keep the neighborhood up to date and they have recently completed a brand new tot lot. The neighborhood is divided into two sections crossed by Alban Road. Both the upper and lower sections of the neighborhood share services including twice a week trash pickup, community leaf cleaning and snow removal.

Every year the community sponsors events to bring the neighbors together including ice cream socials, Easter egg hunts and Halloween parties. If you need a lesson on Oak tree species all you have to do is drive through the neighborhood and look at the street names including, Blue Oak, Chapman Oak and Pin Oak to realize how many types of Oak trees there are.

If you are headed to Fort Belvoir check out www.militaryrelocationnews.com or Fort Belvoir On-Line Relocation Guide for more information. Give the Cindy Jones team a call at 703-346-2213 to chat. If you are in the area we can meet for coffee and talk about about whether this is the right time for you to buy a home. No hassle, no pressure, just straight talk about the home buying process property in today's market.