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. The Area Winter Forest homes are in th... 12/07/2008

  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. The Area Winter Forest homes are in ... 12/07/2008

More than 20 years ago Kristi Brown of Springfield was killed in an automobile accident returning home from college.  Her parents, Bill and Karen Brown started "Kristi's Christmas" in her memory to bring Christmas joy to needy Fairfax County children.  Bill is a fellow member of the Rotary Club of West Springfield Each year their goal is to aid 50 children of elementary school age. This year the kids arrived at the Waterford in Springfield with their teachers and were served a full buffet breakfast through the generosity of the Waterford organization. At breakfast each child met a "buddy" who would be with them as they started their journey.  The "buddies" are boys and girls from the West Springfield High School Spartan basketball teams. Next they went to Target at Springfield Mall wher... 12/07/2008

They are held regularly at the Waterford, 6715 Commerce St.  Springfield, Virginia It opened in 2006 with five ballrooms and two pre-function rooms with a fireplace.  The entry and grand hallway have an imported fountain and a huge waterwall - it is an impressive facility.  One of the ballrooms is the second largest in Fairfax County - it will seat 800 for a social event (with a dance floor) or 1,000 for a conference or banquet. This is the second Waterford facility in Fairfax County - the first was opened in 2000 at Fair Oaks.  There is even a catering division that will deliver everything from lunch to your conference room to setting up a grand wedding tent reception at area historical sites. If you want to arrange a Springfield affair you can reach the Waterford folks at 703-719-5700... 12/06/2008

I have just learned that the new development going on near Fullerton Road and Backlick between Backlick and Alban Roads is a private development. There will be a hotel (no word on the name) and office buildings meant to house contractors in support of Fort Belvoir/EPG. More news to follow as I learn more. 12/04/2008

Joy to the world: holiday cards for 'any soldier' By CHRISTINE SIMMONS - Nov 12, 2008 WASHINGTON (AP) - This holiday season, Americans can send soldiers and wounded troops greeting cards - even if they don't know their names. After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the anthrax attacks, the Pentagon required that mail addressed to "any soldier" be returned to the sender, leaving Americans without a way to send mail to soldiers whose names they didn't know. But for a second year, an American Red Cross program is allowing the public to send holiday greeting cards that aren't addressed to a particular soldier. The cards will be screened, sorted and distributed to military hospitals and bases nationally and overseas in time for the holidays. "The eyes of the soldiers really light up" when t... 12/04/2008

There is a lot of negative information in both the local and national press that seems to be keeping potential buyers in rentals in Northern Virginia.  This market is also a golden opportunity for buyers who have been waiting for the "right time" to buy a home.  We have seen prices in some Northern Virginia areas drop as much as 50% and now interest rates are have dropped as well.  The time to get off the fence may have arrived.  Buying a home is NOT FOR EVERYONE and if you are looking a home purchase in today's market as a short term buy then you probably shouldn't buy now.  If you are looking for an investment property this could be a great time as rentals are in demand and if you are looking to move up or downsize even though your current home is worth less the price of the new home ... 12/03/2008

The buzz about the first time homebuyers "credit' seems to have died down a bit since it was first announced as part of the Economic Stimulus package.   Most buyers don't know what it is and whether it is a good deal for them or not.  So lets take a look at some of the hurdles and see if it is the right deal for you.The first hurdle you come to is the qualifying income limits.  If you are single and your adjusted gross income is more than $75,000 you are not eligible.  If you are married and your combined adjusted gross income is over $150,000 you are not eligible.  If you passed that hurdle then we move on to the next one.The definition of first time homebuyer means if you have never owned a home OR if you have not owned a home in the last three years.  If you pass that hurdle then we ... 12/02/2008

If you are headed to Fort Belvoir and are looking for a reasonably priced townhouse community where the developer left green space and clustered courtyards then check out Springfield Oaks in Fairfax County.        Situated on 18 acres of wooded and gently rolling terrain the 382 townhouses in Springfield Oaks are only 5 miles from Fort Belvoir.  The community is also within 5 minutes of the Lorton Station VRE, 15 minutes to the Springfield Metro or you can catch a Fairfax Connector or Metro bus at either entrance to the community   Having owned a townhouse myself in Springfield Oaks I knew how well the association worked to keep the neighborhood up to date and they have recently completed a brand new tot lot.   The neighborhood is divided into two sections crossed by Alban Road. Both th... 11/18/2008

My wife and I have been active with Rotary International for many years. In Karen's case it is the West Springfield Rotary Club.  She was invited to join because of her years of involvement as an effective and community active real estate broker in the Springfield, Virginia area.  These dedicated "West Springfieldites" actively and financially support both local and international projects. A few weeks ago her photo was snapped in one of their more mundane, albeit important, projects - the club participates in the VDOT Adopt-A-Highway Program. My wife was seen picking up trash on Rolling Road - they clean up roads in Springfield every three months. PLEASE Do not report me to my wife at KAREN KRUSCHKA for publicizing this photo unless you want to volunteer to pick up trash in Springfield ... 11/10/2008

  Lake Forest (aka Lakewood Hills) is an extremely convenient Springfield location just off the Fairfax County Parkway between Hooes Road and Huntsman Boulevard. The Gambrill Road Park and Ride Lot is less than 10 minutes away at the Gambrill Road exit on the Fairfax County Parkway.  You can board Fairfax County Connector Route 305 to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station for your trip to the Pentagon, Alexandria, Washington, DC or any other point in the Metroreail system The subdivision is in the West Springfield High School Pyramid and the Pohick Regional Library is no more than 15 minutes from the subdivision. Huntsman Square Shopping Center is only minutes away at Huntsman Boulevard on the Fairfax County Parkway South Run Rec Center with year round pool, exercise facilities and o... 11/03/2008

Lake Forest (aka Lakewood Hills) is an extremely convenient Springfield location just off the Fairfax County Parkway between Hooes Road and Huntsman Boulevard. The Gambrill Road Park and Ride Lot is less than 10 minutes away at the Gambrill Road exit on the Fairfax County Parkway.  You can board Fairfax County Connector Route 305 to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station for your trip to the Pentagon, Alexandria, Washington, DC or any other point in the Metroreail system The subdivision is in the West Springfield High School Pyramid and the Pohick Regional Library is no more than 15 minutes from the subdivision. Huntsman Square Shopping Center is only minutes away at Huntsman Boulevard on the Fairfax County Parkway South Run Rec Center with year round pool, exercise facilities and oth... 11/01/2008

In the mid 1970's my college roommate and her husband settled into their first apartment in West Springfield.  A few years later those apartments became part of the condominiums that make up the Cardinal Forest neighborhood.  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 1, 2 & 3 bedroom single level units, two different models of two level townhouses and a 2100 square foot three level townhouse as well. There are... 10/29/2008

West Springfield Village is located on Rolling Road approximately halfway between Old Keene Mill Road and the Fairfax County Parkway. The 426 homes in the subdivision are one of the original Springfield communities built by Richmarr in the period between 1960 and 1980. Community Benefits The Franconia-Springfield Metro Station is approximately 15 minutes away via the Fairfax County Parkway. The homes are in the West Springfield High School Pyramid - about 2 miles north on Rolling Road. Pohick Regional Library is approximately 15 minutes away at Old Keene Mill and Sydenstricker Roads. Two neighborhood shopping centers, Old Keene Mill Center and Cardinal Forest Plaza are about 10 minutes away at Old Keene Mill and Rolling Roads. Three Fairfax County Parks are very convenient - South Run R... 10/27/2008

Cardinal Forest is one of the most popular communities in Springfield.  It was developed in the days when builders didn't bulldoze down all of the trees and those that homeowners have planted are mature.  There are more than 725 homes throughout the area. West Springfield High School is just outside the community on Rolling Road Pohick Regional Library is approximately 15 minutes away. Metrobus 18G Pentagon Express passes through the subdivision on Forrester Boulevard and Carrleigh Parkway on its' short trip to the HOV lanes on I-395. There is a Slug Line on Old Keene Mill Road across from the Cardinal Forest Plaza Fort Belvoir is approximately 15 minutes via Rolling Road to US 1 There are two excellent neighborhood shopping centers at Rolling and Old Keene Mill Roads - they are Cardina... 10/26/2008

Cardinal Forest Condominiums are located between Rolling Road and Carrleigh Parkway and Forrester Boulevard.  There are more than 1,000 units featuring brick construction. There are two type homes available  Two level town homes with either 2 or 3 bedrooms or Garden apartments with either 1 or 2 bedrooms  Community Highlights  Pool Very well maintained On site management.  Shopping is nearby at either Cardinal Forest Plaza or Old Keene Mill Center at Old Keene Mill and Rolling Roads. South Run Rec Center (year round pool, exercise facilities, and other activities) is approximately 20 minutes away.  Pohick Regional Library is about 15 minutes away at Old Keene Mill and Sydenstricker Roads Commuting Metrobus Route 18G Express Service to the Pentagon Metro Station operates on Forrester Bou... 10/25/2008

Did you like to trade baseball cards when you were a kid? Did you flip over the back of the card to read your favorite players stats from last year?  If so then before you list your home with a Northern Virginia Realtor ask to see their listing statistics for 2008. This has been one of the toughest real estate markets our area has ever seen.  Hundreds of homes come on the market everyday and hundreds go unsold.  One of the major reasons a home in our area doesn't sell is due to improper pricing.   If you overprice your home with the idea that you can just lower the price later you have lost critical marketing time and the sharks start to circle to see if you get desperate. Some Realtors® will still tell you whatever you want to hear to get your listing.  A few years ago you could throw ... 10/25/2008

West Springfield Village is located on Rolling Road approximately halfway between Old Keene Mill Road and the Fairfax County Parkway. The 426 homes in the subdivision are one of the original Springfield communities built by Richmarr in the period between 1960 and 1980. Community Benefits The Franconia-Springfield Metro Station is approximately 15 minutes away via the Fairfax County Parkway. The homes are in the West Springfield High School Pyramid - about 2 miles north on Rolling Road. Pohick Regional Library is approximately 15 minutes away at Old Keene Mill and Sydenstricker Roads. Two neighborhood shopping centers, Old Keene Mill Center and Cardinal Forest Plaza are about 10 minutes away at Old Keene Mill and Rolling Roads. Three Fairfax County Parks are very convenient - South Run R... 10/24/2008

Cardinal Forest is one of the most popular communities in Springfield.  It was developed in the days when builders didn't bulldoze down all of the trees and those that homeowners have planted are mature.  There are more than 725 homes throughout the area. West Springfield High School is just outside the community on Rolling Road Pohick Regional Library is approximately 15 minutes away. Metrobus 18G Pentagon Express passes through the subdivision on Forrester Boulevard and Carrleigh Parkway on its' short trip to the HOV lanes on I-395. There is a Slug Line on Old Keene Mill Road across from the Cardinal Forest Plaza Fort Belvoir is approximately 15 minutes via Rolling Road to US 1 There are two excellent neighborhood shopping centers at Rolling and Old Keene Mill Roads - they are Cardina... 10/23/2008

Cardinal Forest Condominiums are located between Rolling Road and Carrleigh Parkway and Forrester Boulevard.  There are more than 1,000 units featuring brick construction. There are two type homes available  Two level town homes with either 2 or 3 bedrooms or Garden apartments with either 1 or 2 bedrooms  Community Highlights Pool Very well maintained On site management.  Shopping is nearby at either Cardinal Forest Plaza or Old Keene Mill Center at Old Keene Mill and Rolling Roads. South Run Rec Center (year round pool, exercise facilities, and other activities) is approximately 20 minutes away.  Pohick Regional Library is about 15 minutes away at Old Keene Mill and Sydenstricker Roads Commuting Metrobus Route 18G Express Service to the Pentagon Metro Station operates on Forrester Boul... 10/23/2008