Showing and selling homes in Orange Hunt Estates for the past 3 decades has been a very gratifying experence for the Kruschka Team. The homes have continued to be popular since they were first introduced in 1967.  It is due in no small part to their superior commuting and shopping location, outstanding schools and proximity to a multitude of recreational facilities. Currently, there are 8 homes for sale in Orange Hunt Estates - none have sold and settled as yet in 2009.   A year-to-year comparison is not possible at this time.  However, the average list price of the 8 homes for sale is 12% lower than the average list price of 2008.  That is a definite improvement over the 2007/2008 price decline Commuting MetrobusRoute 18H runs through the community providing both morning and evening ru... 02/19/2009

If you are a first time homebuyer then the answer could be YES.  Thanks to the latest round of initiatives by the government some first time homebuyers have a nice tax credit headed their way.First let's not forget that there are some qualifications.  The biggest one is that you must qualify for a loan.  If you haven't already talked to a mortgage professional let me know and I'll give you the names of great local lenders to call.  Next let's review some of the details of new tax credit. 1.  Tax credit is good for home purchases between January 1 & December 31, 2009 2.  Income limits are $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for married filers. 3.  Credit is equal to 10% of the value of the home up to $8,000 4.  If you file separate returns you can qualify for $4000 each 5.  Available ... 02/19/2009

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... 02/18/2009

Although 2 Cardinal Forest homes have sold and settled in 2009, it is my opinion it is too early in the year to draw any conclusions from the 19% drop in net sales price when compared to 2008. Cardinal Forest homes are located off Carrleigh Parkway near the intersection of Old Keene Mill and Rolling Roads. Their continued popularity is due in no small way to the fact they are Centrally located in Springfield Just a few blocks to shopping and Have a wide variety of home styles 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 Li... 02/18/2009

Although there are 6 homes  on the market only 1 has sold so far in 2009.  A comparison with the 54 homes sold in 2008 would not be realistic at this point in time Kings Park, with models named King, Queen, Duke, Prince, etc, is located just west of the Capital Beltway (I-495) off Braddock Road.  It is a popular community of 1,100 homes that were built in the 60s. There are five basic models - two colonials, one split foyer, one cape cod and one rambler.  They are Richmarr homes who was the one of the premier Springfield developer/builders during the period.  Of course, over time, many of the homes have been refurbished and had additions added.  This gives the community a uniqueness and character that can only be developed over a rather lengthy period of time. Commuting Metrobus Route ... 02/18/2009

If you are traveling down Rolling Road between Lake Braddock Road and the Fairfax County Parkway you will pass two communities that look very similar.  There is a reason for this similarity.  Both communities were built by Richmarr homes starting in the late 1960's and feature the same style brick homes.Kings Park is the bigger of the two communities with 1100 homes to West Springfield Village's 423 homes but the models are the same, King, Queen, Prince, Duke and Duchess.  Besides having the same model homes available in both neighborhoods, Richmarr also left many of the large trees on the quarter to one-third acre lots as well.  As a result both neighborhoods have matured with a wonderful canopy of trees for owners.  Current Listings in Kings Park and West Springfield Village Model BR ... 02/18/2009

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.  Commuting MetrobusRoute 18H runs through the community providing both morning and evening rush hour service to the Pentagon Metro Station - it's about a 40 minute trip  Additionally, it is a relatively short drive to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station for subway service to Washington, DC and all other stations on the subway system. It's approximately a 20 minute drive to Fort Belvoir. ... 02/18/2009

Cardinal Forest homes are located off Carrleigh Parkway near the intersection of Old Keene Mill and Rolling Roads. Their continued popularity is due in no small way to the fact they are Centrally located in Springfield Just a few blocks to shopping and Have a wide variety of home styles 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 Forest Elementary Washington Irving Middle School West Springfield High School  Pohick R... 02/18/2009

Showing and selling homes in Orange Hunt Estates for the past 3 decades has been a very gratifying experence for my husband and myself. The homes have continued to be popular since they were first introduced in 1967.  It is due in no small part to their superior commuting and shopping location, outstanding schools and proximity to a multitude of recreational facilities. Commuting MetrobusRoute 18H runs through the community providing both morning and evening rush hour service to the Pentagon Metro Station - it's about a 40 minute trip  Additionally, it is a relatively short drive to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station for subway service to Washington, DC and all other stations on the subway system. It's approximately a 20 minute drive to Fort Belvoir. The Springfield Interchange of ... 02/18/2009

Kings Park, with models named King, Queen, Duke, Prince, etc, is located just west of the Capital Beltway (I-495) off Braddock Road.  It is a popular community of 1,100 homes that were built in the 60s. There are five basic models - two colonials, one split foyer, one cape cod and one rambler.  They are Richmarr homes who was the one of the premier Springfield developer/builders during the period.  Of course, over time, many of the homes have been refurbished and had additions added.  This gives the community a uniqueness and character that can only be developed over a rather lengthy period of time. Commuting Metrobus Route 17 operates in Kings Park with service to the Pentagon Bus Terminal The VRE Rolling Road Station is within 10 minutes with service to Washington, DC Entrance to the... 02/18/2009

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.  For first time buyers who want to be close to shopping, public transportation and recreation activities Charlestown has... 02/16/2009

Cardinal Forest today retains some of the same feel that it did in the 1970's when the neighborhood was first converting to condominiums from rental units. Still welcoming newlyweds, military families and retirees the community has matured and maintained its charm. Buyers and owners can say thank you to a diligent homeowners association which makes sure that the neighborhood has been well taken care of over the years. Buyers may be surprised when they drive through the neighborhood at the wide variety of condominiums available in the Cardinal Forest neighborhood. There are one, two & three bedroom single level units, two level townhouses and a 2100 square foot three level townhouse as well.  There are a total of 68 buildings and 1050 units that make up the neighborhood. The condominium ... 02/14/2009

Cardinal Forest Condominiums in Springfield offer a wide variety of options for buyers.  Located on 130 acres of nicely wooded land the community offers both garden and townhouse style condominiums. If you are looking for single level living?  Then you can enjoy one, two or three bedroom condominiums floor plans in brick or stucco buildings.   Many people don't realize that Cardinal Forest offers one level-three bedroom condos, thinking that only the townhouses offer the three bedroom option.   There are 61 three bedroom garden style condominiums in Cardinal Forest offering 1270 square feet of living space.In 2008 there were five sales ranging in price from $195,000-$211,960 Sample Floor Plan for Cardinal Forest Three Bedroom Garden Style Condominium     If you are interested in learnin... 02/14/2009

Winter Forest is a community of 268 detached homes and 171 town homes located on both sides of Rolling Road in Springfield, Virginia Since ther have been no homes sold in 2009 it is impossible to make a comparison with year 2008 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 Washing... 02/14/2009

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 There are two type homes available  Two or Three level town homes with either 2 or 3 bedrooms or Garden apartments with either 1 or 2 bedrooms  The 2 level town home market appears to be off to an excellent start in 2009 - almost twice as many homes have sold compared to the entire year 2008.  Additionally, the percentage of price decline is well below the area average. Community Highlights Pool Very well maintained On sit... 02/14/2009

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 There are two type homes available  Two or Three level town homes with either 2 or 3 bedrooms or Garden apartments with either 1 or 2 bedrooms  Since there are 7 of this model home on the market and only 4 sold in the entire year 2008 it would appear the demand for these homes has softened.  It may be that additional price reductions will be in order to move what is more than a 1.5 year supply on the market Community Highl... 02/14/2009

Winter Forest is a community of 268 detached homes and 171 town homes located on both sides of Rolling Road in Springfield, Virginia The 26% decline in list price for 2009 over 2008 is not indicative of an annual trend since only one home is on the market this early in the year. 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 Ho... 02/14/2009

For years commuters and residents of Northern Virginia have referred to the mess of merging roadways in Springfield as the "mixing bowl."  It is easy to see why it got that name.  With 50 ramps and 20 lanes, merging of three major interstate highways, I-95, I-495 and I-395 it has gotten a reputation of being both a bottleneck and a confusing interchange.As the huge Springfield Interchange project came to an end and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) turned its attention to "hot lanes" and other projects the 8 years of road construction in Springfield began to fade from commuters minds.  However in doing some research on other road projects recently I discovered that the real "mixing bowl" in our area is not and has never been according to VDOT the Springfield Interchange.In fa... 02/12/2009

Wow that is a pretty big reputation to live up to.  Most of us who have lived and worked through the up and down markets in our area know real estate in the DC and Northern Virginia areas has always recovered faster than other parts of the county.  Now Forbes magazine has recognized the opportunities in our area as well.The news over the last few months has also been positive regarding new jobs coming to our area including Hilton Hotels moving its headquarters from Beverly Hills CA to Fairfax County, VA.   In addition the Base Realignment and Closures (BRAC) movement is underway with 19,000 jobs shifting to the Fort Belvoir and Alexandria areas.  Parts of our market have shown a significant upturn in sales volume in the last few months.  Prices are at or below 2004 levels in some neighb... 02/11/2009

    The law in Virginia determines "agency".  When I list a home for sale I am a seller's agent When I sell a home to clients I am a buyer's agent Any real estate agent in Virginia can be either a Buyer's agent or a Seller's agent - it has nothing to do with the type of license they have. When buying a home I recommend you work with a real estate agent who has earned the right to display the REBAC logo and be known as an Accredited Buyer Representative.  My wife, Karen, is the member of the Kruschka Team who is an Accredited Buyer Representative and works with our buying clients. Members of the Real Estate Buyer Agent Council have received specialized training in buyer representation.  For example, alll doctors practice medicine, but some of them have received specialized training in pa... 02/07/2009