One great thing about social media is when inaccurate information surfaces you quickly recognize your own and fellow agent's hot buttons.

Even though it's still early in the week two of my hot buttons have been hit and by the reaction of a few other agents who also have seen the information, theirs have as well.   The first was a blog post written by an agent (I won't include a link) stating that a veteran or active duty military member would lose their benefits if they completed a short sale or foreclosure.  Say what?

A veteran or military member who completes a VA Compromise sale will lose a portion of their future VA Loan Benefits.  Per the VA:  "Should VA agree to pay the difference between the sales proceeds and the total debt to complete the compromise sale process, the portion of the homeowner’s entitlement used to guaranty his loan will remain tied up until VA is reimbursed in full."  This is the only benefit a veteran or active duty service member will lose.  It's not their retirement pay, their medical benefits or any other benefit they are entitled to by law.  A sweeping statement that states a they will lose their benefits forever is scary and wrong.

The second piece of information is that a short sale or foreclosure automatically means the loss of a security clearance.  Apparently this information is being taught in CDPE classes throughout the country.  Living in the Washington DC area, where security clearances are a big deal it helps to review the rulings from the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) clarifying how a short sale or foreclosure may be viewed.

"Twenty-two administrative judge decisions dealing with foreclosures and short sales were reviewed, where clearances were granted and not appealed. These were examined to see what facts were sufficient to meet the initial challenge of convincing an Administrative Judge while at the same time were sufficient to satisfy Department Counsel not to appeal. The common thread in all of these cases is that: (1) applicants were victims of circumstances not of their own doing; (2) they had not been speculators in the housing market who were caught when the bubble burst; (3) they had not succumbed to fraudulent schemes “too good to be true” as a result of their own greed; and (4) they had made good faith efforts to meet their other debts after the loss of their homes by foreclosure or short sale."

I'm not going to tell someone that their security clearance is not in jeopardy if they undertake a short sale or their home goes to foreclosure. At the same time I'm also not going to make a blanket statement that you will for a fact lose your clearance.  I have a former short sale client who is employed in a Top Secret Clearance position in the government and another who works for a government contractor with a security clearance.  What both of those individuals made sure they did was talk to the appropriate personnel in their offices before they started the short sale process and kept them apprised of what was happening. 

It's important for all of us, myself included, to make sure we do as much fact checking as possible before we post a blog.  The very same people we are trying to help could be hurt by wrong information.

 

It won't be long before the trees will bloom again in the South Run neighborhood in Fairfax Station VA.  Located just 25 miles south of DC in Fairfax County, the South Run neighborhood exudes southern hospitality and old fashioned neighborhood charm. Homeowners in South Run enjoy the feel of a long lost neighborhood spirit. With BBQ's in the summer, pool parties, Halloween activities the neighborhood has an active neighborhood social committee that plans dozens of events a year.

Nestled on tree lined 1/3 acre or larger lots the 530 homes that make up the South Run neighborhood in Fairfax Station, VA are a great find in the Northern Virginia area. Unlike other neighborhoods close by South Run owners don't have to worry about new home construction destroying their peace and tranquility. Careful planning made use of all of the available building area leaving owners a neighborhood that has been undisturbed for 20 years.

For families with school age children South Run is by terrific Fairfax County Schools. Elementary age students attend Silverbrook Elementary School or Halley Elementary School and older students attend the new South County Secondary School The new Lorton Arts Workhouse is nearby which provides the opportunity for students interested in the arts to participate in a number of theater and arts workshops offered throughout the year. When homeowners need more space to roam they can hop on their bikes and head to the neighboring Burke Lake Park.

With a location just minutes away from the VRE, slug lines and metro South Run owners can leave there car close to home and not worry about emptying their gas tanks to get to work. With its close proximity to Fort Belvoir, NGA and the Dulles Technology Corridor it's easy to see why South Run for families who move to the area.ke a quick peek at some of the homes in South Run.

Take a peek at South Run

 

If you would like to learn more about South Run give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a call at 703-346-2213. Let's check out the available homes for sale and help get you settled in time for the first neighborhood pool party.

 

It was 8 AM when the phone rang.  Since I was only half-way through my first cup of coffee it took a minute for the number to register.  It was an overseas number.  Quick answer it.

Sure enough the call was from a family in Germany who would be relocating to the DC area.  Top of their list from where to live was schools.  And not just any school, a school that offered a German language immersion program.  BAM!  Localism post to the rescue.  A few years ago I wrote a post on registration for the language immersion programs at Fairfax County Schools. 

From writing that post and checking the Fairfax County Schools website I knew that Orange Hunt Elementary School in Springfield Virginia was a German immersion school.  I gave her the information to check.  The next item on her list was commuting to DC from the area.  Okay we won't even talk about the number of posts I've written on commuting options, including our unique commuting slug lines.

If you ever wonder whether the knowledge you gain from researching your local area will pay off, the answer is YES.

 

Located in a small enclave of townhouses this 3500 square foot townhouse lives like a single family home. Enjoy the three fully finished levels including a walk-out basement.

Wake up to the waterviews and enjoy your evenings sitting on the deck watching the wildlife. The home offers 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths.

The community has easy access to commuter rail station and I-95. Ideally located between Quantico MCB and Fort Belvoir. Close to major shopping centers and parks. Be prepared to grab this one quick!

                No Hassle-No Pressure-Just Straight Talk About The Northern Virginia Real Estate Market

If you are interested in learning more about the Northern Virginia Real Estate market including Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William Counties give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group, Inc a call at 703-346-2213. 

Military Relocation Specialist serving military families relocating to and from the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir, Quantico MCB and all of the Military District of Washington installations. 

Check out www.varealestatetalk.com and www.cjrealtygroup.com for more information.

 

Licensed in Virginia

 

Coming this weekend in The Forest of Southrun neighborhood in West Springfield, VA

Garage Townhouse with three finished levels
Full three level bumpout for added space
Large recreation room on entry level
Kitchen with Island
Gas Fireplace and Den
Master Suite with Vaulted Ceiling
Master Bath with Soaking Tub
Two Guest Rooms

 

This townhouse is convenient to NGA and Fort Belvoir.  Easy access for commuting to DC with multiple slug lines and bus routes close by. 

Priced at $389,000 this home will need to be on your must see list.

 

Relocation is always stressful.  It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve made a move the minute you get the word to pack your bags you need to learn the “language” of a new area.

In Northern Virginia part of that new language is deciphering the difference between our cities and our counties.  Northern Virginia has a mixture that often leads to confusion.  For example we have:

Fairfax County and Fairfax City
Alexandria City and Alexandria (postal address) in Fairfax County
Falls Church City and Falls Church (postal address) in Fairfax County

Once you have figured that out then you need to realize that the schools may be different depending on whether you live in a city of county.  Falls Church City runs its own school district.  But if your mailing address is Falls Church it doesn’t mean your children will attend a Falls Church City school.  Using the school boundary locator provided by the various counties and cities will help you sort it all out as you look for a place to live.

Alexandria City Schools Schools
Fairfax County Schools
Falls Church City Schools

 

As you search through the MLS for potential places to live you will notice a code in front of all of the letters.  Each of those codes can also help you decipher where a home is located.  FA is Falls Church City, FX is Fairfax County, AX is Alexandria City and FC is Fairfax City.

Each locale may also offer a different set of services for their residents and have different tax requirements as well.  In Fairfax City for example the city offers curbside leaf pickup for residents but in Fairfax County you will need to bag and dispose of your leaves through your own trash service.  Fairfax City has it’s own CUE bus service that takes residents to the metro, George Mason University and various points in the Fairfax City area.  Fairfax County offers the Connector bus which has different bus routes that run throughout the county and Alexandria has the Dash bus which runs through Alexandria City.

When you get ready to plan your house hunting trip to Northern Virginia remember that the area has some of its own language when it comes to understanding where you might be living.  Oh and don’t forget we also have slugs which have nothing to do with slimy garden pests.

If you are relocating to Northern Virginia in 2010 give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a call 703-346-2213.  As a native of the area and a survivor of many relocation moves,  I can help you understand our language and help you find the best home to meet your needs while living in the area.

 

The Fisher House Foundation was established in to provide a "comfort home" for military families who need a place to stay while a loved one is being treated for injury or illness at a military hosptial.  Started as a public-private partnership in 1990, Fisher Houses around the country provided a home away from home for over 12,000 families.

Now Fort Belvoir will be the site of the newest Fisher House in Virginia.  The other two Virginia properties are located at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, VA and the Hunter Holmes McGuire house in Richmond Virginia.  The new home at Fort Belvoir will feature 12 family suites, a kitchen, dining sitting rooms and den.  The house is being built across the street from the new Fort Belvoir Community Hospital which opened in Fal 2011.

The 10,000 square foot home is scheduled to be completed in April 2012.   It is a compliment to not only the new Fort Belvoir hospital but the Wounded Warrior Transition Unit on post as well.  Fisher House is supported by not only the Department of Defense but also by a private foundation.  It is a cause that I've personally been involved in, touched by and contributed to for years.

If you are interested in learning more about Fisher House you can check out their website.  In addtion to the Fisher House the foundation also supports Hero Miles and Scholarships for Military Children.

 

                No Hassle-No Pressure-Just Straight Talk About The Northern Virginia Real Estate Market

If you are interested in learning more about the Northern Virginia Real Estate market including Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William Counties give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group, Inc a call at 703-346-2213. 

Military Relocation Specialist serving military families relocating to and from the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir, Quantico MCB and all of the Military District of Washington installations. 

Check out www.varealestatetalk.com and www.cjrealtygroup.com for more information.

 

Licensed in Virginia

 

Located in West Springfield, Greentree Village appears typical of many in the area.  Brick front townhouses backing to trees.  Well placed traffic islands slow cars down for the kids to be able to play safely.  Across the street from the neighborhood is one of the 380 parks maintained by the Fairfax County Park Authority.  A Fairfax County Connector bus stop is at the entrance to the neighborhood, within 15 minutes is the Springfield Metro, the Rolling Valley and Sydenstricker Slug Lines.  The new NGA headquarters is only a few miles away and Ft. Belvoir is close by as Multiple shopping centers add to the appeal as well as being in the West Springfield HS Pyramid.

However the neighborhood also contains a little mystery as well. Tucked behind the basketball court protected by a wrought iron fence are three gravestones from the 1800's. One has the name Addison Keen and another one with the name Clarintine V. Close by you can also see a broken headstone for W. Keen. Unlike other historic graveyards in the area there are no markers to explain how these final resting places ended up in this location.

Anyone who drives through Springfield knows the main road is called Old Keene Mill and Greentree Village lies at an "L"to Old Keene Mill and Keen Road. So what part of the history of the area did the Keen family bring to this particular area? First of all there was a mill on the Pohick Stream that runs through the area and records show it was owned by William Keen. An 1850 census of the area shows that William Keen was 35 years old, married and his occupation was miller.

In 1855 William Keene was convicted of murdering another local man. Local history reports disagrees as to whether William Keen was legally convicted of the murder but he was sentenced to death by hang. Over the following years additional information came forward that perhaps there had been jury tampering which led to his conviction. In 1858 his death sentence was commuted to 10 years in prison by the governor of Virginia. However it is unknown what actually happened to him. Prison records were lost when parts of Richmond was burned during the Civil War. It is not known whether William Keen died in prison, was released or walked out along with all of the other prisoners in 1867.

Whatever the story it makes living in one of the 124 townhouses in Greentree Village just a bit more intriguing. So as you are wandering through your neighborhood in Fairfax County take a closer look around. There is an amazing amount of history tucked in very unusual places.

If a move to Springfield VA, NGA, Ft. Belvoir or anywhere in Northern Virginia is in your future give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a call at 703-346-2213. Let me help you find the neighborhood that is just right for your needs.  No hassle, no pressure just straight talk about whether now is the right time for you to buy a new home.