We moved from Germany in April 1987 and came to live in the beautiful Virginia...   We raised our daughter here who is currently getting her masters at Virginia Tech.  We truly love living here inspite of our sluggish real estate market, high gas prices and may be bad traffic.   I have helped hundreds of home buyers & home sellers from all walks of life relocating to Virginia.   Slow real estate market is nothing to be afraid of...   This is the time to invest for yourself and your children.   Real estate has proven to be one of best investments we make in our life time.  I have seen it happen time after time for 21 years now. 03/07/2008

I found an upcoming event next weekend and thought I'd help spread the news. It is the International Gem & Jewelry Show, located at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. See below for detailed information. Thank you, Bobby Samson http://www.bobbysamson.com/February 15 - 17 Location:South Hall Show Hours:Friday 12:00noon-6:00pmSaturday 10:00am-6:00pmSunday 11:00am-5:00pm Admission: $7.00 Adults, Childrenunder 16 free with paid Adult.International Gem & Jewelry Show The Int'l Gem & Jewelry Show offers the greatest selection and lowest prices on diamonds, gold, silver, beads, and more. Choose either costume or fine jewelry from more than 370 exhibitors from around the world. Phone: 301.294.1640 Website: http://www.intergem.com/ 02/07/2008

  In FAIRFAX COUNTY the minimum lot size required to keep livestock on residential property is two acres.  Article 2, Section 2-512 of the county Zoning Ordinance details the number and types of animals allowed.  However, I recommend you contact FAIRFAX COUNTY and confirm the requirements as they may have changed without the county website being updated.Regardless of lot size regulations some subdivisions do not allow livestock.  The good news is there are areas in Fairfax County where subdivisions were developed with horse ownership in mind.  They will normally be found in Clifton, Fairfax Station, Great Falls, Lorton and McLean.FRYING PAN PARK is operated by Fairfax County and is an equestrian facility. PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY regulations regarding livestock are not delineated on the we... 01/01/2008

  On NOVEMBER 26, 1997  I attended settlement on a home in Annandale that I sold to a couple newly arrived in the area. This year, exactly 10 years later, on NOVEMBER 26, 2007 they went to settlement on the home pictured on the right. I have seen their young daughters grow to college age young ladies.  Additionally, I have been available all that time to address any real estate questions or concerns that they may have had. I am proud of the fact my clients respect and appreciate my in-depth experience and technical resources and continue to depend on it. There are some who say experience is not the most important ingredient in the real estate business, but I challenge them to compare my results over 31 years and tell me what would work better.  It takes more than just caring to retain c... 12/26/2007

   Sellers frequently contact me through my website to market  their property..  That is not unusual except I am contacted by out-of-town sellers.  They look at the depth of my experience and my utilization of technology.My website details my ACTION PLAN to market a property.  There are not many real estate agents that are making that type commitment for all the world to see.The owner of the Greenbriar property at the right lives in Atlanta - he was unable to come to town to meet with me, discuss my recommendations and sign the necessary documents.  I sent him a very detailed market analysis and included my recommendation both as to price and items that needed to be corrected.  Yes, I told him - I will arrange for contractors and supervise their work.   The property was listed and sold ... 12/25/2007

While I've written about FSBOs losing money selling on their own (see Go FSBO! Save $20,000! Agent Tells All!) A good buyer agent with a Buyer Agency agreement (see Exclusive Buyer Agency Contracts. Don't Sign Them... Yet.) should be looking out for For Sale By Owners on Craigslist. But do you know how to best search for them?I took Fairfax as an example.A search for Fairfax For Sale By Owner produced 36 resultsA search for Fairfax "For Sale By Owner" (note the quotes) produced 13 resultsA search for Fairfax FSBO produced 9 resultsThe problem with just Fairfax For Sale By Owner is it brings up false results. Most listings have "for sale" in it somewhere, just add a mention of "owner," and a bunch of NON-FSBOs come up. If you add the quotes around "For Sale By Owner," it cuts the 36 down... 12/11/2007

4111 Maureen Lane, Fairfax, VALovely 4 BR SFH!4 Bdrm Single Family Houseoffered at $475,000Year Built1968 Sq Footage1,269 Bedrooms4Bathrooms3 full, 0 partial Floors2 Parking1 Car garage Lot Size10,574 sqft HOA/Maint$8 per monthDESCRIPTION Lovely 4 BR, 3 BA, 1 Car Garage Split Level Home. Sunny Eat-in Kit w/new cooktop & wall oven. Formal Dining room & Living room. Walkout Family room w/wood FP. Laundry room w/newer washer & dryer. 2 Level Deck w/stairs. Newly upgraded LL Bath. This home is in mint condition, pride of ownership shows. Great Greenbriar location! Close to Rt.50, Rt.66, FFX County Pkwy, schools, shopping & restaurants.Call Bobby Samson at Samson Realty at 703-862-4714. E-mail at bobbysamson527@hotmail.com Visit my website at www.bobbysamson.com to see virtual tour and pictu... 12/06/2007

Mike Ford | Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage | mike@themodelhometheory.com | (703) 589-3848 3718 Broadrun Drive, Fairfax, VA THE BEST HOUSE ON THE MARKET IN THE CENTURY OAK NEIGHBORHOOD! 4 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $699,000 Year Built 1994 Sq Footage 4,100 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors 3 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 8,008 sqft HOA/Maint $100 per month DESCRIPTION This home, with every upgrade imaginable, is in perfect condition. It looks brand new, and is priced below its true value for a quick sale. Situated on a corner lot in a private cul-de-sac, you will love what this home has to offer. Granite countertops, hardwood floors, garage system, sprinkler system are some of the distinguishing features of this home. With some of the best performing schools ... 10/25/2007

Real Estate Web Site Design from Netaffordable.com offers a 30 day money back guarantee and a free content management system to easily edit and add your properties!  Check them out at http://www.netaffordable.com 10/22/2007

When did the environment change that buyers no longer are considering buying a home based on a lifestyle?  Today, it all seems to be about what I am going to get for my house when I want to sell it?  It's not all about profit, but should be more about your investment.  Let's start thinking about the true reason we want to own a home.  How about a comforting place to sleep at night?  How about it's where I want to raise my children? How about the home is located in a great community and is a place where my family will meet interesting people and my children will have neighborhood friends who will follow them from kindergarten through high school and beyond?   What do you think?   Margo Lockard, RealtorERA Elite Group, Realtors 10/03/2007

Real Estate Course: BE01189 Fixing Up Your House to SellOn television shows like "Designed to Sell" you've seen how remodeling your home can make all the difference in selling it. Find out which projects appeal to today's highly selective homebuyers, which ones you can do yourself, and when to leave it to the professionals. Taught by a home improvement contractor and real estate agent. 2 sessions @ 2 hrs each.Tuition: $39.00  Chantilly High School 4201 Stringfellow RoadChantilly, VA 20151Register on-line at the Fairfax County Website 09/24/2007

Mike Ford | Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage | mike@themodelhometheory.com | (703) 589-3848 3718 Broadrun Drive, Fairfax, VA WOW PRICE!!! REDUCED BY $31,000.00 - Century Oak Neighborhood! 4 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $729,000 Year Built 1994 Sq Footage 4,100 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors 3 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 8,008 sqft HOA/Maint $100 per month DESCRIPTION This home, with every upgrade imaginable, is in perfect condition. It looks brand new, and is priced below its true value for a quick sale. Situated on a corner lot in a private cul-de-sac, you will love what this home has to offer. Granite countertops, hardwood floors, garage system, sprinkler system are some of the distinguishing features of this home. With some of the best performing schools... 09/24/2007

On June 9th, the Annual Mantua Parade and Picnic will take place between 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Mantua Citizens' Association is once again pleased to sponsor this welcome to summer with the Mantua Swim and Tennis Club. This is one of the most enjoyable community events of the year and we hope everyone in Mantua will join us for a day full of fun, food, and activities.Our parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will proceed from the down Prince William Drive from the corner with Horner Court, turn left on to Glenbrook, and proceed up Glenbrook to Pentland Place. REMINDER: Prince William Drive will be "Closed to Traffic" between Glenbrook and Horner Court from approximately 10:45 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The parade will end at the parking lot of the Mantua Swim and Tennis Club. Once again ... 06/05/2007

New homes are subcontracted during construction with many workers not working up to code just so the job will be finished within the deadline.This means that new homes are just thrown together and most need inspections. I provide 50% off the price of a home inspection for vacant new homes.New homes come with many details the buyer should know. 04/28/2007