A nice tribute to the great men and women who serve in the US Marine Corps.  Living close to and serving Marines and their families at Quantico you learn the meaning of true dedication and service to our country.

We can never say thank-you enough to our troops for all they do.

You often hear the news talk about eastern or western Prince William County but in reality it is one huge county that covers 338 square miles with no official dividing line.  Growth in county has spurred new development throughout the county and one such community is the Prince William County Center development that is located directly across the street from the Prince William County Government Center.

The first thing buyers considering the County Center development might be surprised to discover is the activities that take place across the street at the PW government center.  Did you know you could take in a ball game?  That's right the Potomac Nationals, the farm team of the Washington Nationals play their homes games there.  Looking for music thenbring your chair for the concert series that takes place at the Connaughton Plaza. The community itself sponsored evenings on the green this sumemr as well.   Enjoy an afternoon hiking in the Prince William Forest National Park, drop your boat in to the Occoquan River at Bull Run Marina, get in 18 holes of golf at the Old Hickory Golf Club or just lounge by the community pool. 

the opening of the new Harris Teeter less than a mile away and with Ruby Tuesday's, dry cleaners, hair salons and other business right in the neighborhood is easy to see why the County Center neighborhood has been a hit with for both new and old Prince William residents.   With detached homes, townhouses and condos there is a wide choice of not only the style of homes but prices as well.  Prices in Prince William County are less than in nearby Fairfax and Loudoun Counties which adds to the appeal for home buyers looking to get more for their money. 

If you work in DC or will be stationed at the Pentagon then Prince William County also offers extensive commuting options.  With the Woodbridge VRE station, multiple bus routes and, slug lines, easy access to both I-95 and I-66, the area offers commuters a quick way to get into the city if that's where they need to go.  For military and civilians who are relocating due to BRAC the drive to Fort Belvoir or Quantico you will be within 45 minutes of both at County Center.

When the 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.   Now with new communities growing up along the commuter rail line and the rising price of gas more and more commuters are discovering the advantages to hopping on the VRE for their commute to the city or stops along the way.

The southern stop in Prince William County on I-95 corridor tour is the Quantico Station.   Located within the gates of Quantico Marine Corps Base commuters must drive in to the base in order to get to the station and must have a picture ID available to show the military police when entering the base.   Parking isn't a problem with 258 parking spaces available at the station.  You can grab coffee and a muffin at the Whistle Stop Coffee Shop before you hear "all aboard."  The first morning train leaves the station at 5:39 am and the last morning train is at 9:14.  The commute to Union Station runs an hour and express trains will get you there quicker! With the communities of Kramer's Ridge right outside the gate and Aquia Harbor just a few miles down the road in Stafford County.  Residents of both these communities can take advantage of the convenience Quantico Station.

Keeping chugging north on the tracks and within 10 minutes of leaving Quantico you hit Rippon Station. With 676 parking stations this location usually only runs at 55% capacity which may be because it is tucked back into a residential community makes this station a little harder for newcomers to find.   The station is surrounded by a number of developments including Potomac Pointe Condos, Riverside Station and Dawson's Landing. 

Five minutes from Rippon Station is the Woodbridge Station located at the entrance to the community of Belmont Bay.  Residents can walk to the station in the morning grab coffee and a muffin from the Coffee Club Café.  Besides the residents of Belmont Bay the station attracts riders from the Town of Occoquan and Lake Ridge.  With a parking garage and lot that accommodates 738 cars it is the biggest station along the route. 

If you are looking for a chance to park your car and enjoy your commute with just the clacking of the rails then check out the communities along the VRE route in eastern Prince William County.  Sit back and read the morning paper and enjoy your coffee and leave the driving to the engineer.  All Aboard!

With over 21,000 jobs scheduled for a move to Fort Belvoir and another 2600 scheduled for Quantico all of the counties and areas close to the bases are preparing for change.  Even though the influx of personnel won't be complete until Fall 2011 signs of the influx are popping up.

You can already see some of the changes underway both inside and outside of Fort Belvoir and Quantico.  Road improvements in Fairfax County, the new Dewitt Hospital at Fort Belvoir and building renovations at both locations are just the tip of the iceberg.

For families moving to the area as part of BRAC getting to know the area and making decisions about where to live are going to be a #1 priority.  With so many choices putting together a solid wish list of neighborhoods, type and style of housing, school options and commuting are going to be top considerations.

If you are one of the personnel headed to either Fort Belvoir or Quantico and considering buying a home, then finding out about the available financing options will be the first order of business for you.  If you are eligible for the VA home loan program then you will be happy to know that with the lower prices in Northern Virginia in 2008 you will be able to find a good selection of homes that qualify for the regular VA loan limit of $417,000.  You can even use a VA loan to buy a foreclosure property!

The internet is a great place to start your search about the area but once you are ready to move to the next step give a native of the area a call.  I've moved around the globe myself and know what it is like to have to try and find the right place to call home.  Put my experience with relocation to work for you.

More information on Military Relocation to Northern Virginia

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To learn more about military relocation to Northern Virginia give Cindy Jones a call at 703-346-2213. If you are interested in Northern Virginia real estate including Alexandria, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County or Stafford County. Stop by VaRealEstateTalk, Cindy Jones Homes or Military Relocation News for more information. Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

The latest edition of the Washington Business Journal (WBJ) has named Town of Occoquan and the Occoquan River Communities in the top 13 communities to watch in the DC Metro area in the future.

Having recently posted about New Urbanism in Northern Virginia it was interesting to see the WBJ cover some of the same thoughts expressed in my post.  Stating that Gen X and Gen Y buyers are looking to finding live, work and play neighborhoods with good transportation options to Washington DC.

Occoquan was selected due to its historic charm and it's location between Fort Belvoir and Quantico.  In addition to the Town of Occoquan itself the WBJ recognized Belmont Bay and Lorton as smart growth developments which are contributing to the success of the area.  With multiple Virginia Rail Express stations close by, the area is ready to grow with the new jobs (BRAC) slated to move to the area.

As a member of the Occoquan River Communities it is nice to see our vision for the area being recognized.  We are meeting with economic developers and community leaders to continue our mission of making Belmont Bay, Lorton and the Town of Occoquan  the next destination that residents of Northern Virginia will want to call home.

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To learn more about Occoquan real estate give Cindy Jones a call at 703-346-2213. If you are interested in Northern Virginia real estate including Alexandria, Fairfax County, Loudoun County or Prince William County. Stop by VaRealEstateTalk, Cindy Jones Homes or Military Relocation News for more information. Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

Need to commute north to the Pentagon?  You can hop on the VRE right inside the community and head north.  You can do a quick change at different locations to the metro and be in the Pentagon in less than 30 minutes.  If Ft. Belvoir is your destination then you are only 15 minutes outside of Tulley Gate.  Quantico is a reverse commute on I-95 south and can be done in 20 minutes.

When most people think of Virginia Wineries they immediately gravitate to the west of the DC area towards the Shenandoah Valley and southwest to the Charlottesville area.  However tucked just south of Quantico Marine Base in north Stafford County is the one year old Potomac Point Winery.

Down a country road off of Route 1 you will come upon a gravel driveway that leads you up a hill past newly planted grapevines and at the top of the hill a clearing where you come upon a large Mediterranean style building.  The building features a large tasting room, cozy lounge complete with board games, banquet rooms and outside terraces for enjoying bistro style dining.  Around the grounds you spy a picnic pavilion that can be used for a family gathering or a larger corporate event.  The afternoon that we stopped by to check it out the weather was pleasant and the outside dining area was busy.

For those interested in sampling the wines, the newer vintages, made with grapes currently coming from leased vines around Virginia you have a choice of different sampling menus to try.  We went all the way for the 13 wine sampler for the reasonable price of $10.00.  With a variety of white, roses, reds and ports you can get a good idea of where the winery is headed in the future.  In addition to the wines to sample there is also an olive oil bar for patrons to try as well.   

We had already had lunch before we arrived otherwise we would have been tempted to try a few bites from the menu as it all looked great.  Friday nights from 6-9:30 through the summer Potomac Point Winery features a live band for your entertainment.  The winery now offers wedding packages as well and can accommodate up to 250 people in the ballroom.  The winery was listed as one of the Top 5 Stunning Wedding Sites not to be missed by Virginia Brides Magazine.

If you are looking for a little change from the ordinary in Stafford then you should take an afternoon and check out what is happening at Potomac Point Winery.  

The PCS orders have arrived! The phone has been ringing as military families around the world have gotten the word that their next duty station is in the Northern Virginia area.  The first few days after the PCS orders arrive all the questions about housing, schools and transportation can lead to sleepless nights.  Don't worry it is easy to find your way through the maze of options and get you settled in the area in no time.

Most military personnel headed to the area choose to live in either Fairfax, Prince William or Stafford Counties and whether you are going to buy or rent there are plenty of neighborhood options for you to choose from.  If you are thinking of buying a home, the current Northern Virginia market provides you the chance to find a good value on homes in neighborhoods scattered through out the area. Military personnel are dusting off their VA Certificate of Eligibility and checking with local lenders about the options available to use their VA loans. If buying is the plans make sure you have talked to a lender prior to making your house hunting trip. Knowing what monthly payment you are comfortable with is important for looking at homes in neighborhoods that meet your price criteria.

There are a number of neighborhoods in Northern Virginia that have always been popular with military families stationed throughout the area including Cardinal Forest, Belmont Bay, and Westridge are just a few of the choices.  The options are as varied and there is something for everyone in a wade range of prices.

If you have school age children starting with information on local schools through the Fairfax County or Prince William County or Stafford County  school sites or the Great Schools website will also assist you in determining the right neighborhood for your family.

The final big piece of the puzzle is how do I get around the area?  If you are coming from a smaller more laid back part of the country then driving around the roads in Northern Virginia can be a bit intimidating.  The good news is there are loads of transportation options for you to consider and there are plenty of families that find they can get by with one car.  With the price of gas at an all time high learning the ins and outs of our public transportation options is critical.

The best way to get through the maze is to call a Realtor® who has been through numerous military moves and 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 during your tour of duty. 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!

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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.

Tucked in the trees just off of Old Bridge Road in Prince William County is the quiet community of Westridge.  Coming down the main tree lined drive you come upon the large community center, pond and fountain and you know you are in a neighborhood that makes you feel welcome.

Within easy driving distance to Fort Belvoir, featuring a reverse commute to Quantico and multiple commuter lots close by offering access to the Pentagon the neighborhood is a great oassis for military families stationed in the area.

Westridge offers a number of different home styles from condo townhouses, townhouses and detached homes.  Are you looking for a Georgian colonial, a wrap around porch or perhaps something a bit more modern?  Then you will be able to find it in Westridge.

Want to get some exercise?  Numerous walking paths meander through the trees, over the bridges at the lake and pass by the community center which offers a huge swimming pool for summer fun and a big play ground for families with children.

Home prices vary based on size and style.  From single family homes on acre lots all the way to condos you can find your first home or a move up home in Westridge.  If you are interested in learning more about the currently available homes in Westridge give me a call for a personal tour.

There seems to be a rumor flying around that you can't use a VA loan to buy a foreclosure property.  THIS IS NOT TRUE!  Buyers all over Northern Virginia are successfully closing on a foreclosure property using their VA loans.  It is funny how rumor becomes fact by just one person saying they didn't get the house they wanted because the VA required repairs.

If you want to by a property that falls into the "wreck" category then you might be better off with an FHA 203 (k) loan so you can get the money you need for repairs in your loan but you can use a VA loan for a foreclosure which is decent condition.  The biggest issue my buyers have come up against is that VA does require that the electricity be turned on and I always make sure that the home has the water on as well. 

VA provides one of the few 100% financing programs currently available in a declining market area.  Even though the conventional VA loan limits are still set at $417,000 in today's Northern Virginia market that limit goes much farther than it did in the past.  VA does provide jumbo loans for eligible active duty and retired personnel who may be looking for something just a bit bigger.

Not sure whether you are eligible for a VA loan? 

VA Loan Eligibility Requirements

Need to request your VA Certificate of Eligibility?

VA Form 26-1880

Need assistance finding your new home?  You can start your search for a new home near The Pentagon, Fort Belvoir or Quantico online to get a feel for some of the local communities.  Once you narrow down your search you need an agent who is knows the area and understands military moves then give me a call.  I've walked in your shoes from the Far East to Europe and know what it is like to make a military move. I work with lenders who understand today's Northern Virginia market and are successful in getting VA loans to closing.   

Foreclosure properties purchased in May by my clients using VA loans:

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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.