It is happening every day in dark alleys throughout Northern Virginia.   Fun is happening away from the glare of the hot summer sun.  How can it be?  It is easy when you let your eyes adjust to the darkness and spy a group of adults tossing a grapefruit size ball at miniature pins in a game of duck pin bowling or a party full of little bowlers keeping the ball in the lane with the rubber bumpers covering the gutters.  Back in the day bowling alleys had the reputation of being smoke filled buildings with greasy fries and hot dogs as the main attraction.  My dad wouldn't let me go the bowling alley a few blocks from our house because that was where the "Fonz" characters hung out.  Ironically that same Springfield bowling alley eventually became the Long & Foster Real Estate office where I... 07/14/2008

FOR RENT! JUST LISTED!10227 Quiet Pond Terrace, Burke$1,600/MonthVacant and Ready for you! 3 BR, 2.5 BA Townhouse. New Paint t-out. New lighting. HW Floor t-out main level. Elegant Stone FP in Living Room. Updated Kitchen w/new microwave. Master Bedroom Suite. Fenced Yard. Spacious LL Rec Rm w/new carpet to be installed 3/18. Possible 4th BR. Updated Bathrooms. Great Burke Location close to restaurants, shops and VRE. Burke Centre Membership. Don't miss it! More Pictures and Virtual Tour Coming Soon! To schedule a private showing or to find out more call me directly at 703-864-4894 or email me at donnysamson@hotmail.com.Donny and Meredith SamsonSamson RealtyAssociate BrokerNVAR Top ProducerDirect 703-864-4894 4 - 4 1/2% Full Service ListingsCash Back to my homebuyershttp://www.dmsamson.... 03/13/2008

At least that was the depth of the advice that most agents needed to give their sellers a few years ago.  However in today's market if you interview an agent and this is the best they can do then you need to show them the door.In the current market in Northern Virginia sellers need to step up to the plate and take a look at their homes in a different light.  If you are getting ready to put your home on the market you need to take an honest look around you and make what might be some tough decisions.   Everyone has heard it before but it is even more important than ever, your home needs to be impecible for a buyer to even consider putting on the top of their list.  Some of what you may need to do is simple and depending on your home you may have to make some big decisions.  Everyone has ... 02/07/2008

 Of course it does.  This morning the alarm went off at 4:45 (We rise early and start our day at the gym).  I turned on the local news - school closings were scrolling across the bottom of the screen.  It hadn't even started to snow yet.  Our part of the National Capital Area was forecast to receive 1 to 2 inches.  As you can see by the picture of our deck this could hardly be called a record snowfall.Arthur and I have lived in northern tier states where they only close school if they can't find the school bus.The problem here is that we have several varieties of driver.The Invincibles  These are the guys with a modified pickup trucks that look like Giant Tonka Toys.  They pass you at breakneck speed throwing slush or snow all over your windshield.  It is not at all unusual to find them... 01/17/2008

As sellers still struggle with the decline in housing prices throughout Northern Virginia the question is “How do I price my home to sell?” The first part of the process is setting the right price. Most sellers think of price first, condition second and market third. In a buyers market that order needs to be re-thought. Market and condition are going to determine the price. Buyers are not going to overpay and the lenders appraisal will not support an overpriced home. Don’t confuse what you paid for some of the improvements to your home with a 100% return. A new roof or heater is a maintenance item and doesn’t necessarily equal a higher price. If you over improved your home for the neighborhood that could count against you as well. Well done improvements that show quality of workmanship... 12/18/2007

Developers began working on Burke Centre in 1976 - the same year my husband and I were licensed to sell real estate.  Over the years we have both matured.  In our case, Arthur and I have sold many homes to and for people in the Burke area.During that time we have invested in several Burke properties for our own portofolio. Some of the major improvements we have seen impact on Burke in the past 31 years areVRE has come to townFairfax County Parkway has facilitated commuting to the east and westShopping  As you may know the shopping options in Burke Centre were very limited in the beginningFriendly Restaurant  I've enjoyed many an ice cream break thereIf purchasing or selling real estate in Burke is in your future it will be our pleasure to put our expertise to work for you.  You will hav... 12/18/2007

              In 1978 my husband and I bought this two level town home on Burke Manor Court for $46,000.  We had only been real estate agents for 1.5 years and it was our first investment property.  We were as proud as we could possibly be.  It was just a few steps from the railroad tracks and Burke Lake Road had not been relocated yet.This year those homes are selling for approximately $300,000.  There is no question a 650% increase over 29 years is very satisfactory.  We have long since sold this home and have invested in others over the years.It is still a buyer's market in Northern Virginia and there are many excellent purchasing opportunities available.  Put my 31 years experience to work for you.  To answer the question, Burke is still a very good investment. I have sold many home... 12/17/2007

Ask the residents of Burke Centre and they can tell you.  In 1950 the farming community of Burke was the proposed site for Dulles Airport and due to the efforts of the few families that lived in the area at the time the airport plan was derailed and moved to Chantilly where Dulles Airport is today. Even though they fought and won the battle not to build the airport most of the farm homes and land had been purchased and condemned by the government leaving the area virtually deserted. The area of Burke can trace it's history the same way as most of Fairfax County, by land grant through Lord Fairfax. When distribution of land parcels began in the 1700’s Lord Fairfax gave one parcel to the Ward family. Until this year the original Ward home was used as the Woods Community Center in Burke. W... 12/16/2007

Did you just get your PCS orders for the Northern Virginia area? Not to worry. Once the surprise of your latest set of orders is over, it’s time to get started figuring out where you want to live in Northern Virginia. One of the nice things about this area is the variety of neighborhoods, home styles and price ranges available. There are traditional neighborhoods that have always been popular with military families and in the last few years plenty of new construction that has expanded the options even further. As a native of the area and having lived all over the US and world as a military spouse, I know a lot about relocating to and from this area and what it takes to make it happen smoothly. One of the first things most families with PCS orders to Northern Virginia do is schedule the ... 12/06/2007

This is one of the market reports I publish on a monthly basis for BURKE CENTRE 22015.  Many REALTORS® prepare a report for all of Fairfax County or Northern Virginia.  In my opinion, that covers too broad an area to be meaningful.  I do believe my approach will give you a much more realistic picture of the market in the area closest to your home. Currently, there are 46 TOWN HOMES FOR SALE The sales figures in this report are for the MONTH ENDING OCTOBER 31, 2007    SALES STATISTICS (5 SOLD) AVERAGE LIST PRICE  $359,300 AVERAGE SALES PRICE $355,180 MINUS SELLER SUBSIDIES $5,989 NET SALES PRICE          $349,191 SPECIAL NOTE:  My husband and I have been Northern Virginia residents for the past 33 years and full time REALTORS® for 31 years.  That is prior to these and many other homes in... 11/26/2007

This is one of the market reports I publish on a monthly basis for BURKE CENTRE 22015.  Many REALTORS® prepare a report for all of Fairfax County or Northern Virginia.  In my opinion, that covers too broad an area to be meaningful.  I do believe my approach will give you a much more realistic picture of the market in the area closest to your home.Currently, there are 23 DETACHED HOMES FOR SALEThe sales figures in this report are for the MONTH ENDING OCTOBER 31, 2007  SALES STATISTICS (3 SOLD)AVERAGE LIST PRICE $573,000AVERAGE SALES PRICE$555,000 MINUS SELLER SUBSIDIES$1,700NET SALES PRICE         $553,300SPECIAL NOTE:  My husband and I have been Northern Virginia residents for the past 33 years and full time REALTORS® for 31 years.  That is prior to these and many other homes in the are... 11/26/2007

A lot is written about the traffic congestion in Fairfax County and it is true we do have our share of jammed roads during rush hour but we also have a huge amount of green space to enjoy when we aren't fretting about getting to work. One of the best known parks in our area is Burke Lake Park right off of Route 123 and a few miles from the City of Fairfax.  With over 850 acres including a 220 acre lake there is plenty for everyone to enjoy.  For the walkers, joggers and bikers the 5 mile dirt loop around the lake is a great way to take in all of the vistas.  For the youngsters the miniature train ride chugging along at 10 MPH is a hoot.  Want to get in a round of golf?  You can do that too at the 18 hole Par 3 course.  My son and his friends are big fans of the Frisbee golf course, thou... 11/06/2007

This is one of the market reports I publish on a monthly basis for BURKE. ZIP code 22015  Many REALTORS® prepare a report for all of Fairfax County or Northern Virginia.  In my opinion, that covers too broad an area to be meaningful.  I do believe my approach will give you a much more realistic picture of the market in the area closest to your home.Currently, there are   116 TOWN HOMES   FOR SALEThe sales figures in this report are for the month ending September 30, 2007  SALES STATISTICS (12 SOLD)AVERAGE LIST PRICE$383,196AVERAGE SALES PRICE$369,625MINUS SELLER SUBSIDIES$5,936NET SALES PRICE$363,689 Contact me for assistance with FAIRFAX COUNTY REAL ESTATE  10/22/2007

This is one of the market reports I publish on a monthly basis for BURKE. ZIP code 22015.  Many REALTORS® prepare a report for all of Fairfax County or Northern Virginia.  In my opinion, that covers too broad an area to be meaningful.  I do believe my approach will give you a much more realistic picture of the market in the area closest to your home.Currently, there are   38 DETACHED HOMES   FOR SALEThe sales figures in this report are for the month ending September 30, 2007  SALES STATISTICS (14 SOLD)AVERAGE LIST PRICE$658,839  AVERAGE SALES PRICE$636,743 MINUS SELLER SUBSIDIES$5,749 NET SALES PRICE$630,994   Contact me for assistance with FAIRFAX COUNTY REAL ESTATE 10/22/2007

While Burke is not an incorporated town or city in Fairfax County, it is a very special area of the county with its' own unique identity and history . Like much of Northern Virginia the area now known as Burke can be traced back to land originally owned by Lord Fairfax.  In the early 18th century he made land grants to families including Henry Ward.  Ward built Burke's first house, portions of which were incorporated into the Woods community center in Burke Centre.  Hannah Ward married Silas Burke, a wealthy landowner in the Burke area.  In addition to increasing the family's holdings to more than 600 acres he was responsible for diverting construction of a railroad in Fairfax City to Burke. At the beginning of the 19th century the little village of Burke thrived since it also had a ra... 09/30/2007

This is the first in a series of monthly market reports for that section of Fairfax County with postal address Burke. This real estate market can be found in postal ZIP Code 22015.  Many REALTORS prepare a report for all of Fairfax County or Northern Virginia.  In my opinion, that covers too broad an area to be meaningful.  I do believe my approach will give you a much more realistic picture of the market in the Burke and Burke Centre area.Currently, there are 233 homes for sale in the 22015 area.For the 31 day period August 1, 2007 to August 31, 2007 the following sales statistics were reported on the Multiple Listing ServiceHomes Sold = 46Average List Price =          $502,367Average Sold Price =           489,467 Percentage of List Price = 95.80%Average Seller Subsidy =       -8,223 ... 09/18/2007

Burke Virginia.  Sometimes the hardest thing to do when you are unfamiliar with an area is choose the right place to live.  We are always afraid to make a mistake, the stakes are too big.  It is hard to make a committment when family, community, churches, finances, and schools and education are involved, and have the peace of mind that you are making the right choice.  Burke Virginia is that right choice for living.  Burke is a diverse community located in Fairfax Virginia.  There is something here for everyone.  There are affordible single family homes for sale in Burke, Burke town homes communities, Burke VA luxury homes, and condos for sale in Burke Virginia. Burke Virginia Homes For Sale Burke Virginia Single Family Homes for Sale Burke Virginia Condos and Town Homes for Sale BURKE ... 04/30/2007