Middle Valley is a community of detached homes sited on 1/4 acre lots.  The homes were built by two highly respected builders, Ryland Homes and NV Homes,  However, the majority of Middle Valley homes were built by Ryland Homes. Commuting The main entrance is on Gambrill Road just about one mile from the Gambrill Park and Ride Lot at the Fairfax County Parkway where you can board  Fairfax County Commuter Bus Route 305 for the scheduled 8 minute ride to the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station and board subway trains to the Pentagon, Washington, DC and all other atations in the National Capital Area Fort Belvoir is approximately 20 minutes via Rolling Road Springfield Interchange (I-95, I-395 and I-495) is approximately 10 minutes.  See Springfield Commuting Crossroads Schools and L... 02/25/2009

If you are looking for a classic townhouse community with all brick homes, plenty of space and close to everything you need then the Charlestown nieghborhood in West Springfield is one to check out.  Having owned and lived in the community for seven years and sold two homes in Charlestown in 2008 I've got more than just a passing connection to the neighborhood. This week I previewed some of the current listings for a military family coming to town on a house hunting trip.In a market where it often seems that we find more foreclosures than regular sales the Charlestown neighborhood is an exception to the rule.  Currently there are 6 properties for sale including one foreclosure, a Hermitage model with over 2500 finished square feet.  As of this date there has been one sale this year in C... 02/24/2009

Rhygate is a community of 100 gorgeous townhomes on Rolling Road about one block south of Old Keene Mill Road - it adjoins Springfield Golf and Country Club.  These Carr homes were built in the mid 1970's.  They are all brick  Several have a garage  The community is immaculate and very well groomed To date, no homes have sold and settled in 2009.  No meaningful comparison can be made with 2008 results.  However, the two homes currently on the market are carryovers from 2008.   Commuting Metrobus Routes 18H, 18P and 18S (30 minute express to the Pentagon Metro) can be boarded at Rolling and Old Keene Mill Roads  Fairfax Connector Route 310 to the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station (a 20 minute ride) is available at Old Keene Mill and Rolling Roads Slug Lines are also available at Ol... 02/24/2009

Rhygate is a community of 100 gorgeous townhomes on Rolling Road about one block south of Old Keene Mill Road - it adjoins Springfield Golf and Country Club.  These Carr homes were built in the mid 1970's.  They are all brick  Several have a garage  The community is immaculate and very well groomed Commuting Metrobus Routes 18H, 18P and 18S (30 minute express to the Pentagon Metro) can be boarded at Rolling and Old Keene Mill Roads  Fairfax Connector Route 310 to the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station (a 20 minute ride) is available at Old Keene Mill and Rolling Roads Slug Lines are also available at Old Keene Mill and Rolling Roads The Fairfax County Parkway is less than 10 minutes away south on Rolling Road It's also less than 20 minutes to Fort Belvoir via Rolling Road The Sprin... 02/24/2009

  Cardinal Forest Condominiums, located between Rolling Road, Carrleigh Parkway and Forrester Boulevard, are extremely popular with all buyer age groups.  The reason is simple Centrally located in Springfield Just a few blocks to shopping There are more than 1,000 units featuring brick construction Elementary, Junior and Senior High schools are less than 10 minutes away     Currently there are more 3 level homes listed for sale than sold in 2008 - 7 for sale in 2009 versus 6 sold in 2008.  It would appear the market has softened for 3 level homes in Cardinal Forest Condominium. Commuting Metrobus Route 18G Express Service to the Pentagon Metro Station operates on Forrester Boulevard The scheduled time to the Pentagon is 30 minutes This would be a good transfer point if you are continui... 02/24/2009

    Cardinal Forest Condominiums, located between Rolling Road, Carrleigh Parkway and Forrester Boulevard, are extremely popular with all buyer age groups.  The reason is simple Centrally located in Springfield Just a few blocks to shopping There are more than 1,000 units featuring brick construction Elementary, Junior and Senior High schools are less than 10 minutes away     Two homes have sold and settled in 2009 at an average sale price of only 6% less than the average sale price of 2008.  That is certainly good news for Cardinal Forest homeowners of 2 level units. Commuting Metrobus Route 18G Express Service to the Pentagon Metro Station operates on Forrester Boulevard The scheduled time to the Pentagon is 30 minutes This would be a good transfer point if you are continuing on to Wa... 02/24/2009

    Cardinal Forest Condominiums, located between Rolling Road, Carrleigh Parkway and Forrester Boulevard, are extremely popular with all buyer age groups.  The reason is simple Centrally located in Springfield Just a few blocks to shopping There are more than 1,000 units featuring brick construction Elementary, Junior and Senior High schools are less than 10 minutes away   One home has sold and settled in 2009.  However, that is inadequate to make a meningful comparison with 2008 sales.  The average list price of the 8 homes on the market is 16% below the average list price of the 22 homes that sold in 2008.list price Commuting Metrobus Route 18G Express Service to the Pentagon Metro Station operates on Forrester Boulevard The scheduled time to the Pentagon is 30 minutes This would be... 02/24/2009

Cardinal Forest Condominiums, located between Rolling Road, Carrleigh Parkway and Forrester Boulevard, are extremely popular with all buyer age groups.  The reason is simple Centrally located in Springfield Just a few blocks to shopping There are more than 1,000 units featuring brick construction Elementary, Junior and Senior High schools are less than 10 minutes away Commuting Metrobus Route 18G Express Service to the Pentagon Metro Station operates on Forrester Boulevard The scheduled time to the Pentagon is 30 minutes This would be a good transfer point if you are continuing on to Washington, DC  Fort Belvoir is approximately 15 minutes south via Rolling Road to US 1. Slug Lines are available on Old Keene Mill Road across from Cardinal Forest Plaza Schools and Library  Cardinal Fores... 02/24/2009

Winter Forest is a community of 268 detached homes and 171 town homes located on both sides of Rolling Road in Springfield, Virginia Although there is one home for sale, no homes have sold and settled so far in 2009 making an analysis impossible.  However, the home for sale is a foreclosed property and is being offered considerably below the 2008 prices. Commuting One of the most attractive features about Winter Forest in Springfield is the availability of excellent commuting options. It is just a few minutes to the Fairfax County Parkway and Less than 10 mimutes to the intersection of Rolling and Old Keene Mill Roads. Metrobus Route 18S operates on Rolling Road for a 10 minute trip to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station with service to all Metrorail stations throughout the National... 02/23/2009

Winter Forest is a community of 268 detached homes and 171 town homes located on both sides of Rolling Road in Springfield, Virginia Although there is one home for sale, no homes have sold and settled so far in 2009 making an analysis impossible. Commuting One of the most attractive features about Winter Forest in Springfield is the availability of excellent commuting options. It is just a few minutes to the Fairfax County Parkway and Less than 10 mimutes to the intersection of Rolling and Old Keene Mill Roads. Metrobus Route 18S operates on Rolling Road for a 10 minute trip to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station with service to all Metrorail stations throughout the National Capital Area You can take advantage of the Slug Line at Sydenstricker and Hooes for free carpooling to the Pe... 02/23/2009

Winter Forest is a community of 268 detached homes and 171 town homes located on both sides of Rolling Road in Springfield, Virginia Commuting One of the most attractive features about Winter Forest in Springfield is the availability of excellent commuting options. It is just a few minutes to the Fairfax County Parkway and Less than 10 mimutes to the intersection of Rolling and Old Keene Mill Roads. Metrobus Route 18S operates on Rolling Road for a 10 minute trip to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station with service to all Metrorail stations throughout the National Capital Area You can take advantage of the Slug Line at Sydenstricker and Hooes for free carpooling to the Pentagon and Washington, DC  Fort Belvoir is approximately 15 minutes by car. Schools and Library Winter Forest home... 02/23/2009

Charlestown is a highly desireable and sought after town home community in the heart of Springfield The homes and yard enclosures are all brick. There are 497 homes that were Built between 1968 and 1973 Finished liviing area ranges from 1,320 square feet to 1,798 square feet A very active homeowner's association can take credit for the excellent appearance of the community - the proof is in the pictures below. Although there are 6 homes for sale currently, only 1 has sold and settled so far in 2009.  Therefore, it is too early to make a comparison between the years 2008 and 2009   Commuting Metrobus Route 18G Express Service to the Pentagon Metro Station operates on Forrester Boulevard The scheduled time to the Pentagon is 30 minutes This would be a good transfer point if you are contin... 02/23/2009

Are you looking for a way to spend the $8000 first time home buyer's incentive?  Then you might want to consider the all brick townhouses in the Charlestown neighborhood in West Springfield to use your piece of the incentive.You don't find many neighborhoods that have been as well maintained as this one.  With an HOA that does all of the outside maintenance including a three year paint schedule, roofing, sidewalks, brick courtyard walls and front landscaping it makes the homeowners jobs to a minimum. While the neighborhood is primarily made up of three level townhouses there are a scattering of two level homes mixed in to the 500 plus homes that make up the community.  With models ranging all the way up to the super sized 2500 SF Hermitage and Concord models which feature main level den... 02/22/2009

Charlestown is a highly desireable and sought after town home community in the heart of Springfield The homes and yard enclosures are all brick. There are 497 homes that were Built between 1968 and 1973 Finished liviing area ranges from 1,320 square feet to 1,798 square feet A very active homeowner's association can take credit for the excellent appearance of the community - the proof is in the pictures below   Commuting Metrobus Route 18G Express Service to the Pentagon Metro Station operates on Forrester Boulevard The scheduled time to the Pentagon is 30 minutes This would be a good transfer point if you are continuing on to Washington, DC  Fort Belvoir is approximately 15 minutes south via Rolling Road to US 1. Slug Lines are available on Old Keene Mill Road across from Cardinal Fore... 02/22/2009

 As you may know, Rotary International is an international community service organization.  Our club is very active in the community contributing both personal time as well as financial resources Some of our projects include, but are not limited to Kristi's Christmas Funding student scholarships locally Funding teacher awards locally Funding Police and Fire awards locally Participating in and funding local dental clinics Funding Friends of Barnabas in Honduras Funding Rotary International projects Reading to hearing impaured children Rolling Road Cleanup Springfield is a vibrant community in a very convenient location.  It has been my good fortune to assist people purchase homes in the area.  It is well suited for people who commute to the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir, Maryland locations, an... 02/22/2009

      Every two months the INOVA Hospital System conducts a blood drive at the Pohick Regional Library on Sydenstricker Road in Springfield, VA The INOVA team will be there from 1:30 tp 7:00 PM The Rotary Club of West Springfield supports and participates in the INOVA Blood Drive held every two months at the Pohick Regional Library on Sydenstricker in Springfield.  I am a regular donor As you may know, Rotary International is an international community service organization.  Our club is very active in the community contributing both personal time as well as financial resources Some of our projects include, but are not limited to Kristi's Christmas Funding student scholarships locally Funding teacher awards locally Funding Police and Fire awards locally Participating in and funding loca... 02/22/2009

One of West Springfield's most popular neighborhoods continues to be Cardinal Forest.  Most of that popularity is due to the variety of home styles, the location and the access to multiple comuter options.  Below are links to the current listings available in Cardinal Forest.    MLS Number Address Current List  Original List BR BF BH LVL FP DOM FX6850257 6152 ROXBURY AVE $439,000 $489,000 3 3 0 2 3 186 FX6975741 8513 OAKFORD DR $525,000   5 2 1 3 1 16 FX6964033 8345 CARRLEIGH PKWY $535,000 $539,900 4 3 0 2 2 281 FX6947607 7918 CARRLEIGH PKWY $544,777 $565,000 4 3 0 3 1 130 FX6933604 7741 CARRLEIGH PKWY $549,900 $579,900 5 3 1 3 1 81 FX6966594 6003 MINEOLA CT $575,000   5 2 1 3 1 121 FX6836485 7731 CARRLEIGH PKWY $669,000   5 3 1 3 1 202   For more information on living in the Cardinal F... 02/21/2009

If you are looking for a West Springfield "classic" neighborhood then you don't have to look any further than the detached homes of Cardinal Forest.  Popular since the first homes were built in the mid 1960's, even though they were in the "middle of no where", off the then two lane Keene Mill Road the neighborhood has continued to mature and improve with age. With easy access to Fairfax County parkland, express bus service to the Pentagon, slug lines, shopping and top tier Fairfax County Schools all within walking distance it isn't hard to know why this neighborhood is a West Springfield favorite.  With traditional brick home styles the Cardinal Forest homes range from 2 level ramblers, split foyer, split level and 3 level colonials. Currently there are 8 active listings ranging in pric... 02/21/2009

  Each year the Fairfax County Park Authority stocks two parks with trout - Lake Fairfax Park and Lake Accotink Park in Springfield. A 55 acre lake is an important  and well used feature of the 493 acre park at Lake Accotink.       The first 1,000 pounds of trout were placed in the stream (it will be restocked weekly) for the February 6 season opening which will continue through April 19,2009.  For full details see Lake Accotink Trout Fishing. Of course, we fishermen know that after the thrill of catching trout has passed the sooner you get trout to "the cooking site" the better able you are to retain and enjoy the texture and flavor for which trout is justifiably famous.  Obviously, having a home in Springfield would be the best possible solution.  If you don't own one the Kruschka Te... 02/21/2009

The Townes of Orange Hunt homes have continued to be popular since they were first introduced.  There are several reasons.  They are all brick, have a superior commuting and shopping location, outstanding schools and proximity to a multitude of recreational facilities.  Additionally, there are large courtyards throughout the community minimizing the proximity one normally associates with town homes. Since only 1 home sold and settled so far this year it is inadequate to make a meaningful comparison with 2008.  However, the average list price of homes in 2009 is only 9% lower than the average list price of $300,312 in 2008.  That is a substantial improvement over the 2007/2008 market period.  Only time will tell if this is a positive indicator of overall market improvement in the subdivi... 02/19/2009