Undertanding Northern Virginia Can Be Confusing At First

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:57:31 -0500

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.

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.

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Fort Belvoir To Be The Site Of A New Fisher House For Military Families

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:27:32 -0500

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

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Greentree Village A Springfield Community With History Tucked In The Neighborhood

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:51:34 -0500

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.

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

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Little Red Schoolhouse-Sydenstricker School in Springfield VA

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:53:03 -0500

The Sydenstricker School in Springfield VA was the last one room school house in operation in Fairfax County. It closed in 1939 but the building is still used today as a community meeting hall. The belfry contains the original school bell purchased in 1920's from the Sears Roebuck store in Alexandria. The school was named after the first minister of the original Sydenstricker Church next door built in 1909. Rev. Syndenstricker was also the uncle of Nobel Prize Winner Pearl Buck the author of The Good Earth.

Schools in Springfield VA and Fairfax County have come a long way since the Syndenstricker school closed. For the 2011-2012 school year you will find 177,000 students enrolled in Fairfax County Schools, the 11th largest school district in the US. Per the Fairfax County School website the country schools are comprised of "138 elementary schools (grades K-6), 22 middle schools (grades 7 and 8), 4 secondary schools (grades 7-12), 21 high schools (grades 9-12), 7 special education centers, 2 alternative high schools, and 48 alternative programs."

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology has been ranking number 1 in the US and World Report for multiple years.

You won't find a single one room school house in the entire Fairfax County Schools system today.

Moving to Springfield or Fairfax County area? Make sure you check out the Fairfax County Public School Website for information for information on the schools and programs offered.

Searching for houses in Springfield Virgiina and wonder what school your children would attend? Enter the address in the Fairfax County School Boundary link to find out.

If you are still looking for a home in the Springfield VA area or anywhere in Fairfax County give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a call 703-346-2213. Not only did I attend Fairfax County Schools from kindergarten through high school graduation so did my children. Let me show you the neighborhoods that meet the needs for your family.

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

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Living Inside or Outside the Beltway-What's the Difference in NoVa?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:23:05 -0500

Buyers moving to Northern Virginia often see the phrase "inside" or "outside" the beltway in MLS descriptions and wonder where are these locations on the map. For those who have lived in the Northern Virginia most of our lives we have watched "outside" the beltway on the Virginia side expand far west and south of DC.

Just as the term "slugging" started as a phrase to describe riders using counterfeit tokens, the term inside or outside the beltway started with a different meaning in our area as well. The phrase was originally used politically to describe the fact that most of the power in the DC area was located inside the beltway where the Federal Government is located.

The first written reference to the term is found with the Warren Commission Report about Watergate printed in 1975:

"In the White House of Richard M. Nixon, it was said that Watergate would become serious only if it "got outside the Washington Beltway." Guess we know how that turned out!

Neighborhoods in Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church and McLean are some examples of neighborhoods inside the beltway in Northern Virginia. Neighborhoods inside the beltway used to lean towards smaller older homes on tree lined lots however there has been a boom of condo developments inside the beltway. With the metro and buses within walking distance, many of the newer neighborhoods quickly gained popularity with buyers wanting to ditch their car for their daily commute.

Outside the beltway has expanded significantly over the past 10 years and some might say that it extends all the way to the Shenandoah Valley where you can find commuter lots for van pools to DC. The selection of neighborhoods outside the beltway is generally more diverse if for no other reason than the space constraints of trying to squeeze homes within a smaller geographic area has been removed. There has been significant new home development outside the beltway in recent years in the western part of Fairfax County, Prince William County and Loudoun County.

So another mystery of local terminology is revealed. If you want to know more about living either inside or outside the beltway give me a call at 703-346-2213. I've got a few other localisms I can clue you into as well!

Welcome To Northern Virginia

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

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Colonial History And Childhood Memories in Burke Virginia

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:22:40 -0500

Residents of Burke VA have a game they like to play. It's called name everything with the word “Burke” in it. Between streets, shopping centers and parks you could easily come up with a 100 locations with the name Burke. Considering Silas Burke’s role in the development of the area it makes sense.

What may be surprising to many is that there were a number of families and are homes in the area that predate the landmark Silas Burke house built in 1824. One of those homes is Kings Grant.

Kings Grant was built on 21 acres of the original Ravensworth Estate. Ravensworth Estates encompassed 24,000 acres purchased in 1685 by Col. William Fitzhugh. During the early colonial days it was the largest tobacco plantation in Northern Virginia. As was customary at the time parcels of big estates were divided among the heirs of of the owners. Eventually 21 acres were given to his son a Commander in the Stafford Militia to build his home.

The home he built in 1780 still stands in Burke today. If you didn’t know it was there you wouldn’t see it as it is tucked away inside another subdivision in the community. For me this home was where I spent many weekends as a young girl when it was owned by the Ruffner family.

The Ruffner’s owned and ran Patty’s Riding School and Stables. On weekends you would find me along with a number of other horse crazy girls either in the riding ring or on the trails. We learned to muck stalls, clean hooves, proper care of our tack and much more. At the end of our round of lessons we would have a Saturday night camp out on the grounds. At the time none of us knew or cared that the house we tromped through or the grounds we were sleeping had any historic significance.

The Ruffner's eventually sold the land for development but the original farm house from 1780, the stables and log cabin still remain. It's fun to know that a piece of history both of our area and of my childhood is still there tucked behind the trees for future generations to see.

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

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But Cindy Said We Could Walk To The Pentagon from Daventry In Springfield

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:18:13 -0500

Cindy have you lost your mind? You can't walk to the Pentagon from Daventry in Springfield (VA). It's 20 miles. You will be arrested as soon as you set foot on I-395 aka Shirley Highway. What is wrong with you?

Alright already but you can walk to the direct Pentagon Slug Line at the entrance to the Daventry neighborhood. From there you will be whisked safely down the highway to the drop off point at the Pentagon. If you aren't familiar with the term "slug lines" 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.

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 and access to Lake Accotink.

Daventry offers a variety of housing including 512 townhouses most with garages, 212 single family homes and Ramblewood at Daventry offers 160 condominiums. In addition to the ease of commuting to the Pentagon using the slug line, it is also within 5 miles of the Springfield Metro Station accessible by driving or taking the Metro or Fairfax County Connector Bus also located at the entrance to the community.

Multiple shopping centers are close by featuring Giant Foods, Trader Joes and Whole Foods. You can find plenty of places to eat including Mikes American Grill, Five Guys Burgers & Fries and Austin Grill,

If living in a neighborhood where you can "walk" to the Pentagon sounds appealing then give me a call at 703-346-2213. Let me show you how to take advantage of the slug line and all of the other great benefits of the Daventry neighborhood.

If you are headed to Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon or any of the Military District of Washington installations stop by CJ Realty Group to learn more about the Northern Virginia area.

Homes for Sale in Daventry

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

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Port Potomac Servicemember Qualifies for Short Sale with PCS Orders

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:48:59 -0500

Are PCS orders considered a hardship?

Yes they are. Last fall the Fannie Mae issued guidelines to include Permanent Change of Station (PSC) orders as a hardship. For the owners of this home in Port Potomac it was a difficult decision to make. They missed the cut-off date for qualification of the DoD Homeowners Assistance Program by three weeks. Faced with a significant decline in the value of their home in Port Potomac a short sale became their next option.

As often happens with short sales the first buyer's lower offer was not supported by an appraisal or a Broker Price Opinion so they decided to move on. With an approved price in hand the second buyer was able to benefit and close within 60 days. The family was able to move on to their new duty station together with the stress of a short sale behind them.

For more details and the Fannie Mae hotline for military families check out "Are PCS Orders a Hardship for a Short Sale." If you have a VA loan and are faced with selling your home in a downturn Woodbridge VA real estate market you may want to read "Ft. Belvoir VA Compromise Sale Update" to learn about new relocation benefits you may qualify for.

If you are a active duty with a home to sell in Port Potomac or any of the near by Woodbridge VA neighborhoods give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a call at 703-346-2213.

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

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Military Families in Port Potomac-Help From the DoD HAP Program

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:38:05 -0500

Are you a military service member who owns a home in the Port Potomac neighborhood in Prince William County?

Did you buy or have a ratified contract on your home prior to July 1, 2006?

Did you leave the area before September 30, 2010 and rent your home?

Thinking of selling your Port Potomac home in 2012?

Have you heard of the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program?

Since the program was approved Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group have assisted 34 military families in the Northern Virginia area with successful sales of their homes under the guidelines of the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program. Three of those have been for homeowners in the Port Potomac neighborhood in Prince William County VA.

Though most DoD HAP qualified service members have already deployed from the DC area, many of you made the decision to rent out your Port Potomac home instead of take the financial loss or undertake a short sale. With many leases expiring in the early spring now is the time to consider taking advantage of the program and selling your Port Potomac home.

We are often asked "if my home has been rented does that change my qualifications for the program." No it does not. Unlike a short sale where an investor may be reviewed differently by a lender, a DoD HAP sale does not have those same restrictions. In fact a significant percentage of our recent HAP sales have all been for service members who left the area in 2008 & 2009.

The next question is "do I need to come back to Port Potomac to deal with the paperwork?" No you don't. The paperwork you need to submit to the regional office in Savannah GA can be found on line at the USACE website and the paperwork for listing your home can all be completely electronically. In the last 2 years we have completed 12 DoD HAP transactions where we never had the pleasure of meeting the families we assisted face to face. We've worked cooperatively in assisting the tenants with the showings of the home and their check out of the property when the sale is completed.

If you are a service member who qualifies for the DoD HAP program and have a home to sell in the Port Potomac neighborhood give Cindy Jones a call at 703-346-2213. Let's talk about the current status of the program and how you can take advantage of the program to sell your Port Potomac home.

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

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Ft. Belvoir Families-Are You Wondering Whether Your PCS Orders Qualify As A Hardship

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:35:03 -0500

Are PCS orders considered a hardship? It's a question that we are asked frequently by military families stationed at Ft. Belvoir, Quantico MCB, the Pentagon and other installations part of the Military District of Washington. Last fall the Fannie Mae issued guidelines to include Permanent Change of Station (PSC) orders as a hardship. A hot line was (877-MIL-4566) created for service members to be able to discuss foreclosure prevention options available.

In addition Fannie Mae also announced a six month military forbearance program where the death or injury of a service member on active duty causes a hardship for military families with a mortgage obligation. Don't know whether you have a Fannie Mae backed loan? Check to see if you have a Fannie Mae Loan.

The Treasury Department has also announced military families may be eligible for Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA) approved short sale without showing a drop in income. You can read the official guidelines for HAFA on their website.

Last year both Chase and USAA approved short sales for two of my military clients with PCS orders. USAA also approved a VA Compromise Sale for a military family who qualified under the Fannie Mae guidelines. Just as with any short sale a military service member does have to provide a complete packet of documentation.

If you are Ft Belvoir service member faced with a short sale decision check with your lender to see what options they have to offer. If you are looking for an agent who has experienced guiding service members through short sales, DoD HAP or VA Compromise Sales give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a call at 703-346-2213.

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

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Are You Upside Down On Your VA Loan And Need To Sell Your Woodbridge Home?

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:17:15 -0500

If you're not sure what a VA Compromise sale is you can check out my previous post "Military Families Options if You Are Upside Down on Your Mortgage." In brief it's a short sale for VA loans.

Now the Veteran's Administration (VA) has added a $1500 Relocation Bonus for VA Compromise Sales at closing. The funds must be shown on the HUD-1 provided at closing.

This announcement comes on the heels of the Treasury Department saying some military families may be eligible for HAFA approved short sales without showing a drop in income. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have also changed their guidelines to include PCS orders as a qualifying hardship making a short sales easier for military families.

With the DoD HAP Benefits running low more service members may be looking at a short sale or VA Compromise sale as an option. It's never an easy decision to undertake a sale of a home when you are upside down on the mortgage but not everyone wants to become a landlord or face a separation from your family. However you do have options.

If you are a Ft Belvoir, Pentagon or Quantico service member with a VA loan and need assistance selling your Woodbridge VA home give an agent experienced with VA Compromise sales, military short sales and DoD HAP sales give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a call at 703-346-2213

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

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Inspector General's Report on the DoD Homeowners Assistance Program

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:38:09 -0500

As an agent who has had the privilege of successfully completing 35 Northern Virginia Department of Defense HAP sales, keeping up with all of the latest information is a daily challenge. Talking with other agents across the country who also have been working with the HAP program we shared our concerns about the program and some of the inconsistencies we've experienced between each of the offices processing DoD HAP files. Files for our area are processed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in Savannah GA.

In case you were wondering how the HAP program originally got funding here is the history: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allocated $555 million and the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010 authorized an additional $300 million for the Expanded Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP).

The IG report on DoD HAP provides details on the issues that were found with the program and is open for comments until January 23, 2012. If you are military service member eligible for DoD HAP benefits or has been denied benefits you should read the report and make comments on your experience with the program.

Per the report released by the IG office, as of February 23, 2011 the program had paid 4,825 applicants a total of $725.5 million, but had a backlog of 4,897 eligible applicants.It doesn't take much to do the math and see that the program will run out of money before all eligible service members will be able to settle on their homes unless additional funding is provided. In fact in the last few months it appears that processing of files has slowed as "recovered funds" are required in order to settle on sales.

This week Holly Petraeus, head of the Office of Servicemember Affairs in the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), suggested in an article in the Stars and Stripes that "the extra $550 million Congress appropriated to expand HAP has been used and no more military families are getting that special help."

If you are eligible for DoD HAP benefits and own a home in the Northern Virginia you should contact the Savannah Regional Office of HAP to discuss your specific situation. If you own a home in the Northern Virginia area and are looking for a Realtor® who is familar with the HAP program give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a call at 703-346-2213.

Originally posted on www.varealestatetalk.com

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

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Walking the Trails in Meadowood Recreation Area in Lorton VA

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:45:18 -0500

When most Northern Virginia residents think of hiking in Mason Neck they immediately gravitate towards the largest park in the area, Mason Neck State Park. It's a beautiful area and for anyone who wants to look for Bald Eagles it is the place to go. However just a few miles before you reach Mason Neck State Park is the Meadowood Recreation Area managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

One of the things that makes walking through the loop trails in Meadowood Recreation Area interesting is who or make that what you will find along the trail. Like other trails in the area you will find plenty of 4 legged friends out with their owners. In this case though the 4 legged friends are a bit larger. Meadowood is a popular place for local equestrians to come out for a ride.

With over six miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, two fishing ponds, 800 acres of forest and meadows you can find plenty for any fitness level. There are two entrances to the area. The first is off of Colchester Road for the "west" entrance into the park. The other entrance is on Harley Road and is the Meadow entrance to the park just past the BLM stables. There is a connector trail that allows hikers to cover the entire area of the park.

If you are looking for a casual hike and enjoy meeting a 4 legged friend or two along the way then check out Meadowood Recreation Area in Lorton VA. And if you happen to pass this handsome guy along they way, his name is Calvin.

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

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Living Among History & Living In History-You Can Do Both In Northern Virginia

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:35:45 -0500

No this isn't the piece of history you can buy. This happens to be Gunston Hall the home of George Mason. Most of us know about George Mason from his famous words; “That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent natural Rights… among which are the Enjoyment of Life and Liberty, with the Means of acquiring and possessing Property, and pursuing and obtaining Happiness and Safety."

Gunston Hall is located just a few miles from Bel Air Plantation which you can buy.

Bel Air Plantation in Woodbridge VA.
Offered by TTR Sothebys International Realty
MLS #PW7392333
List Price $1,100,000
5 Bedrooms/3 Baths
25 Acres

Built in 1740 by Major Charles Ewel the current property encompasses 25 acres. Besides being built in a similar Georgian style, both Gunston Hall and Bel Air Plantation were frequented by George Washington on his travels up throughout Virginia.

You can legitimately say "George Washington Slept Here" if you buy this home.

Speaking of George Washington. Perhaps you'd like to live in the George Washington Club where George and some of his colonial acquaintance's spent time in the late 1700's.

The George Washington Club is located just outside of Old Town Alexandria.
George Washington Club
Offered by Long & Foster, Inc
MLS # AX7700083
List Price $1,550,000
3 Bedrooms/2.5 Baths
Condo Ownership

The building which was a tea house and restaurant has been renovated and converted into 4 townhouse condominiums.

These are just a couple of the historical properties currently listed for sale in Fairfax and Prince William County, VA. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment to see these homes or any of the historical properties for sale in Northern Virginia give CJ Realty Group a call at 703-346-2213. Remember having a buyer agent to represent your interests when buying a home is critical!

First posted on Va Real Estate Talk

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

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Woodbridge Military Families-Check Out The Latest Information on DoD HAP Benefits

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 19:55:32 -0500

As an agent who has had the privilege of successfully completing 35 Department of Defense HAP sales in Northern Virginia, including in the neighborhoods of Dumfries, Springfield and Woodbridge, keeping up with all of the latest information is a requirement to provide accurate information to potential beneficiaries.

Wondering how the DoD HAP program originally was funded? The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allocated $555 million and the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010 authorized an additional $300 million for the Expanded Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP).

Over the last two years I've spent a good deal of time tracking changes to the DoD HAP prgoram, any legislation aimed at potentially expanding the HAP program and talking with other agents and military families across the country to share information about the program. Files for the Northern Virginia area processed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in Savannah GA and we have been fortunate that files in our region moved faster in processing than other areas.

Per the report released by the IG office on December 21, 2011 reviewing the DoD HAP program, they found as of February 23, 2011 the program had paid 4,825 applicants a total of $725.5 million, but had a backlog of 4,897 eligible applicants. It doesn't take much to do the math and see that the program will run out of money before all eligible service members will be able to settle on their homes unless additional funding is provided.

If you are eligible for DoD HAPbenefits and own a home in the Northern Virginia area give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group 703-346-2213. With the time it takes to process files you shouldn't wait until spring to get your home on the market.

Article originally posted on www.varealestatetalk.com

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

Licensed in Virginia