Trying to wrap your arms around market data in Northern Virginia these days is like trying to catch a greased pig at the county fair.  Everyone has a different take on the numbers and trying to figure out why might get you a blue ribbon but that is about all.Recently I read a market report indicating only one townhouse had sold in a local neighborhood last year.  Instinctively I knew the data was incorrect.  There was just no way that only one townhouse sold in this very popular local neighborhood. So  I went to the MLS to check the data.  This is where the slippery pig appeared.  How do you define a neighborhood?  Is it by geographic location, is it by how the "locals" classify the neighborhood or is it by the county tax records.  If two neighborhoods run together geographically and by... 10/23/2008

Not everyone wants to live in a mega townhome subdivision.  For those who prefer the neighborly atmosphere of a smaller community then Westwater Point is a Springfield location you should consider.  Built in the late 80's by the VanMetre Companies Westwater Point is a small enclave of 100 town homes.  It is set among hills about 1/2 mile west of Rolling Road with an entrance on the Fairfax County Parkway.  It has quick access to all major commuting routes, I-95, I-395 and I-495 (the Capital Beltway) If your home is in Westwater Point It is about a 15 minute drive to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station.  Children are in the West Springfield High School Pyramid and it is Approximately 15 minutes from the Pohick Regional Library Two neighborhood shopping centers, HUNTSMAN SQUARE CENTER... 10/22/2008

Newington Forest (over 1800 homes) is the largest subdivision in Springfield.  Since construction began in the 70's and was completed in the 80's there are numerous features not to be found in many newer subdivisions Detached homes with large lots Town homes with around grassy central areas for separation Extensive amount of treed common area Close-in convenience Transportation is a key component of the popularity of Newington Forest FAIRFAX COUNTY COMMUTER BUS ROUTE #305 service to FRANCONIA-SPRINGFIELD METRO operates within Newington Forest.  It is approximately a 30 minute trip. There is a SLUG LINE at the Sydenstricker Commuter lot.  The LORTON VRE sataion is within 15 minutes FORT BELVOIR  is about a 15 minute drive.  Convenience to Services and Recreation SOUTH RUN REC CENTER  is ... 10/22/2008

Newington Forest (over 1800 homes) is the largest subdivision in Springfield.  Since construction began in the 70's and was completed in the 80's there are numerous features not to be found in many newer subdivisions.  Detached homes with large lots, Town homes with grassy central areas for separation  Extensive amount of treed common area Close-in convenience Transportation is a key component of the popularity of Newington Forest FAIRFAX COUNTY COMMUTER BUS ROUTE #305 service to FRANCONIA-SPRINGFIELD METRO operates within Newington Forest.  It is approximately a 30 minute trip. There is a SLUG LINE at the Sydenstricker Commuter lot.  The LORTON VRE sataion is within 15 minutes FORT BELVOIR  is about a 15 minute drive.  Convenience to Services and Recreation SOUTH RUN REC CENTER  is app... 10/21/2008

If you are a seller in today's Northern Virginia market reading the newspapers or listening to the TV news can completely make you lose your equilibrium.  The best advice that anyone can give you is not to rely on the paper or news reports to help you make a decision on either the listing price of your home or what price to offer.  Instead you need to turn to a local Realtor® with knowledge of your area to help you decide about pricing.  Not all agents look at a neighborhood and see the same number so it is important to understand how they derive their data.  For example if you are getting ready to list your home for sale an agent might present you with sales from the last three months and show you an average sales to list ratio.  This is a good start but it isn't the entire story that ... 10/19/2008

Located at Reservation Drive on the Fairfax County Parkway what you see from your car does not do justice to the center It is an extremely large site of 182 acres wth paved trails to Lake Mercer and Burke Lake Park Outdoor activities take place on 2 tennis courts 1 softball field 1 Little League field 2 lighted basketball courts 3 soccer fields (2 lighted) 2 lighted soccer practice fields playground Indoor facilities include 24,000 square foot (160' X 100') field house with artificial turf flooring 25 x 25 yard pool 2 story fitness facility handball courts multi-function rooms For more information including hours and rates visit South Run Rec Center  Springfield is one of the most conveniently located and moderatley priced  residential areas of Fairfax County.  It is a particularly idea... 10/19/2008

Daventry (Hunter Village) is located between Old Keene Mill Road and Rolling Road where it intersects with the Fairfax County Parkway.  It is one of the most easily accessible subdivisions in Springfield since it is only about ten minutes from I-95 and less than five minutes from the Fairfax County Parkway There are detached homes and town homes with no garage or with one and two car garages - the community was developed in the 1980's.  The common grounds are impeccably maintained. Commuters especially enjoy the numerous options available to them FAIRFAX CONNECTOR ROUTE 310 takes approximately 20 minutes to the FRANCONIA-SPRINGFIELD METRO STATION METROBUS ROUTES 18G and !8H offer express bus service to the PENTAGON METRO STATION - the trip takes about 20 minutes SLUG LINES are available... 10/19/2008

In a post written back in July "Condo Special Assessments-A New Twist in Today's Market"  my warning to buyers who were considering buying a condo in Northern Virginia was to pay careful attention to the association budget.   In our current market and with the changing lending environment it seemed like good advice.  Sure enough one of my buyers just found out what lenders think of underfunded association budgets. In a condo developments completed in the last three years in Northern Virginia it isn't unusual to find a high investor to owner ratio.  Contracts written in 2003 with high hopes of a flip in 2005 were smashed when the housing market started its downward slide.  As a result flippers found themselves as landlords losing hundreds of dollars a month and with adjustable rate mortg... 10/19/2008

For years those of us in Eastern Fairfax County have struggled with the inconvenience of the Fairfax County Parkway terminating at the Franconia-Springfield Parkway. Although it picks up again at Fullerton Road just west of I-95 and continues to Route 1 the problem lies in the fact the routes available to reconnect are not particularly efficient - actually they are a downright pain. Fortunately, the changes being brought about by BRAC in the Fort Belvoir and Engineering Proving Grounds area necessitate completing the missing link. Construction of the final two miles of the Fairfax County Parkway will begin in late 2008 now that the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Department of the Army and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have signed an agreement to build this final ... 10/18/2008

Perhaps it is a stretch to say that Hidden Pond Nature Center in West Springfield is in plain sight.  It wouldn't have been named "hidden pond" if it was.  In fact you could drive by the small sign on Keene Mill Road that points to the nature center for years and not realize what was down the road. Tucked at the end of a residential street Hidden Pond Nature Center offers the type of small park that makes it easy for anyone to take a leisurely stroll around the perimeter of the pond and through the woods.  At twenty five acres the park is eclipsed by some of its larger neighbors such as Burke Lake Park at 880 acres or its connecting neighborhood park Pohick Stream Valley Park with 700 acres.What Hidden Pond Nature Center does offer that makes it special are a wide range of educational a... 10/18/2008

Daventry (Hunter Village) is located between Old Keene Mill Road and Rolling Road where it intersects with the Fairfax County Parkway.  It is one of the most easily accessible subdivisions in Springfield since it is only about ten minutes from I-95 and less than five minutes from the Fairfax County Parkway There are detached homes and town homes with no garage or with one and two car garages - the community was developed in the 1980's.  The common grounds are impeccably maintained. Commuters especially enjoy the numerous options available to them FAIRFAX CONNECTOR ROUTE 310 takes approximately 20 minutes to the FRANCONIA-SPRINGFIELD METRO STATION METROBUS ROUTES 18G and !8H offer express bus service to the PENTAGON METRO STATION - the trip takes about 20 minutes SLUG LINES are available... 10/17/2008

Lake Accotink Park in Springfield calls this a  "spooktacular" event.  It will be fun for adults and children of all ages. You can venture onto the haunted golf course to play a round of golf with glow in the dark golf balls Ride the festively decorated carousel while spooky music plays Join in storytelling over a cup of hot chocolate around a lakeside bonfire. Saturday October 25,2008 6:00 to 9:00 PM $6.00 per person I-95, W on Old Keene Mill Road, right on Hanover Ave, left on Highland Ave, right on Accotink Park Drive to the park entrance My husband and I have been deeply involved in the Springfield area ever since we relocated to Northern Virginia in 1974.  We became real estate brokers in 1976 and have sold more than 1500 homes to and for people - the vast majority of them in Sprin... 10/16/2008

Not everyone wants to live in a mega townhome subdivision.  For those who prefer the neighborly atmosphere of a smaller community then Millwood Estates is a Springfield location you should consider.  There are 80 homes conveniently located on Old Keene Mill Road at Rolling Road.     MILLWOOD ESTATES MARKET REPORT   HOMES FOR SALE   Address List Price Days   6308 Millwood Circle 449,925 130 6302 Millwood Court 435,000 68   HOMES SOLD AND SETTLED    YEAR-TO-DATE 2008 AS OF 10/16/2008 VERSUS TOTAL 2007     2007 2008 +/-  %         Number of Homes 3 3 NA         Average List Price 454,965 444,408 - 2%         Average Sales Price 456,333 433,833 - 5%         Seller Contribution - 4,083 - 9,963* +150 %         Net Sales Price 452,250 423,870 - 6%         Prepared By Art Kruschka * One seller ... 10/16/2008

Not everyone wants to live in a mega townhome subdivision.  For those who prefer the neighborly atmosphere of a smaller community then Millwood Estates is a Springfield location you should consider.  There are 80 homes conveniently located on Old Keene Mill Road at Rolling Road.  If your home is in Millwood Estates It is about a 15 minute drive to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station.  Proximity to the Franconia-Springfiled Metro makes it an ideal location for commuting to the Pentagon and Washington, DC Fairfax County Commuter Bus #310  to the Franconia-Springfield Metro is available 7 DAYS A WEEK on OLD KEENE MILL ROAD. The Cardinal Plaza Slug Line (across the street) has service to all DC locations and the Pentagon Metrobus Route 18P provides Pentagon service on Rolling Road Fort ... 10/15/2008

Not everyone wants to live in a mega townhome subdivision.  For those who prefer the neighborly atmosphere of a smaller community then Westwater Point is a Springfield location you should consider.  Built in the late 80's by the VanMetre Companies Westwater Point is a small enclave of 100 town homes.  It is set among hills about 1/2 mile west of Rolling Road with an entrance on the Fairfax County Parkway.  It has quick access to all major commuting routes, I-95, I-395 and I-495 (the Capital Beltway) If your home is in Westwater Point It is about a 15 minute drive to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station.  Children are in the West Springfield High School Pyramid and it is Approximately 15 minutes from the Pohick Regional Library Two neighborhood shopping centers, HUNTSMAN SQUARE CENTER... 10/15/2008

Daventry (Hunter Village) is located between Old Keene Mill Road and Rolling Road where it intersects with the Fairfax County Parkway.  It is one of the most easily accessible subdivisions in Springfield since it is only about ten minutes from I-95 and less than five minutes from the Fairfax County Parkway There are detached homes and town homes with no garage or with one and two car garages - the community was developed in the 1980's.  The common grounds are impeccably maintained. Commuters especially enjoy the numerous options available to them FAIRFAX CONNECTOR ROUTE 310 takes approximately 20 minutes to the FRANCONIA-SPRINGFIELD METRO STATION METROBUS ROUTES 18G and !8H offer express bus service to the PENTAGON METRO STATION - the trip takes about 20 minutes SLUG LINES are available... 10/14/2008

Newington Forest (over 1800 homes) is the largest subdivision in Springfield.  Since construction began in the 70's and was completed in the 80's there are numerous features not to be found in many newer subdivisions Detached homes with large lots Town homes with around grassy central areas for separation Extensive amount of treed common area Close-in convenience Transportation is a key component of the popularity of Newington Forest FAIRFAX COUNTY COMMUTER BUS ROUTE #305 service to FRANCONIA-SPRINGFIELD METRO  operates within Newington Forest.  It is approximately a 30 minute trip. There is a SLUG LINE at the Sydenstricker Commuter lot.  The LORTON VRE sataion is within 15 minutes FORT BELVOIR is about a 15 minute drive.  Convenience to Services and Recreation SOUTH RUN REC CENTER is a... 10/10/2008

Greentree Village located in West Springfield seems typical of many of the townhouse neighborhoods in the area. Brick front townhouses backing to trees and grassy islands slow traffic down for the kids to be able to play safely. Across the street from the neighborhood is one of the 380 parks maintained by the Fairfax County Park Authority. A Fairfax County Connector bus stop is at the entrance to the neighborhood, within 15 minutes is the Springfield Metro, close by shopping and great schools put the neighborhood in a central location. But there is more to this terrific little neighborhood than houses, parks and transportion links.  The neighborhood also contains a little mystery as well. Tucked behind the basketball court protected by a wrought iron fence are three gravestones from the... 10/07/2008