Though the weather is still a bit nippy in Northern Virginia it won't be long before we begin to see the daffodils poking their heads up in the garden and the blooms on the Cherry Blossom trees.  If you are a seller who is making a move this summer then it is not too early to begin to get your home ready to sell. It can't be said often enough, especially in our current market where the inventory is high and the days on the market are long, your home has to be at its best the first day it goes on the market.  From the second a potential buyer pulls up to your home they have to be enticed to come inside. Creating a positive first impression can make the difference between finding the right buyer and showing your home to many browsers. One of the first things you need to do is step back an... 03/01/2008

   This is the 5th in my series of reports on extinct Northern Virginia airportsAt the end of World War II Carl Allen opened the Springfield Airport with a 2,200 foot unpaved runway.  In addition to providing refueling and other services he planned to open a flying school to serve the postwar interest in flying by veterans under the GI Bill.One of the mechanics at the airport was Charlie Kulp, The Flying Farmer of BEALETON VIRGINIA FLYING CIRCUS fame.  At age 82 he flew his last barnstorming flight in 2007.The owner and his wife were killed in an airplane crash in 1951 and the airport was closed.  Although the site borders 1-95 and the Capital Beltway neither of those roads existed in 1951 - President Eisenhower didn't sign the bill authorizing the Interstate Highway System until 1956. ... 02/25/2008

Ask the residents of Northern Virginia who drive through the Springfield "mixing bowl"  everyday and they may tell you that an airport would be preferable to the 50 ramps and 20 lanes they deal with everyday.  Ask a tourist driving through and you can bet they would rather be flying over than trying to navigate their way through the maze.  In 1945 this same area was the location of a 3,000 foot long unpaved runway as part of the Springfield Airport.  The tiny airport offered fuel and maintenance facilities for small aircraft.  One of the mechanics at the airport in the late 1940's was Charlie Kulp who is best known in our area for his acrobatic flying in the Bealton Flying Circus which still operates today and is a great place to go and watch the amazing flying acrobatics. Our family mo... 02/24/2008

As a follow-on to my posting earlier regarding Fairfax County Foreclosures-Detached Homes in Springfield VA this list is the current townhouse properties listed in the MLS in either Foreclosure or as an REO property in Springfield, VA.Just as with the previous list a foreclosure property may or may not be the best deal available in a neighborhood and working with an agent to help you look at all of the options before deciding on a Fairfax County foreclosure property is essential. Address ListPrice AdvertisedSubdivision BR BF BH LVL FP 7003 BROCTON CT $269,900 GRANDVIEW OF VIRGINIA 3 3 1 3 0 7390 STREAM WAY $271,000 ROLLING FOREST 3 3 1 3 1 8351 ROCKY FORGE CT $275,000 NEWINGTON FOREST 3 1 1 2 0 7808 MARCONI CT $294,900 NEWINGTON STATION 3 1 2 3 0 8057 KITTIWAKE CT $294,900 SARATOGA TOWN... 02/16/2008

With the news continuing to talk about foreclosures and short sales it makes sense to continue to post information on different cities and a list of the current properties available.  Throughout Farifax County buyers will find a great variety of homes available to consider.  Deals are beginning to emerge from among hundreds of homes available.As a buyer before you consider buying a bank owned property you need to understand that buying a property from a bank or mortgage company is not the same process as buying directly from an owner.  Buying a foreclosure takes patience and sometimes weeks of waiting for the bank representative to get back to you.  Not many buyers who are looking to purchase a foreclosure as their primary residence have the patience it takes to wait it out. If you do d... 02/15/2008

Over the past 31 years the Springfield area has been a primary source of real estate business for my husband and me.  The reason I became a West Springfield Rotarian is easy to understand - Rotary International is renowned worldwide for the members service to their community as well as to international projects such as the eradication of polioThe Rotary Club of West Springfield, chartered on April 9, 1980, was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Springfield. It was first known as the Springfield Breakfast Rotary Club and met at the Springfield Howard Johnson. Meetings were moved to the Hunter Motel in 1982 and then to the Springfield Golf and Country Club in 1984. In 1996 the name was changed to The Rotary Club of West Springfield. Four charter members, Kelly Perdue, Doug Alcorn, Roger Appl... 02/15/2008

There are many reasons for the popularity of Springfield in addition to the fact it is a mature, well balanced community with many home styles - Central Location, Fairfax County Schools, Numerous Commuting Options, Access to Major Fairfax County Parks and Convenient Shopping.   Cardinal Forest Plaza is located on Old Keene Mill on the east side of Rolling Road   Old Keene Mill Center is also located on Old Keene Mill Road, but it is on the west side of Rolling Road and is the home of Whole Foods Market.       WEST SPRINGFIELD CENTER is located onRolling Road next to Old Keene Mill Center   CONCORD CENTRE is the home of locally famous Fischer's Hardware and is located at Backlick Road and Commerce Street     HUNTSMAN SQUARE is at the corner ofHuntsman Boulevard and the FairfaxCounty Park... 02/14/2008

It isn't hard to figure out what the developer of the first Kings Park was planning when they laid out the plan for the community and the homes.  With one look at the street names Thames, Victoria, Trafalgar and Cromwell among others you might think you have made a trip back to England.  Then when you add the names of the five original models; King, Queen, Princess, Duke and Duchess, you realize absolutely there is a royal connection!     My family bought our very first home in Kings Park in 1981.  Having just returned from five years overseas we were anxious to settle down for awhile and having grown up in Springfield it was an easy choice to make the original Kings Park our first "real home."  We were attracted to the neighborhood due to the mature trees, green space parks, community ... 02/07/2008

 If you want to become licensed to sell real estate in Virginia all you have to do is complete a 60 hour course and pass a test..  However, that doesn't teach you HOW to sell real estate.Some real estate firms have ongoing training programs to assist their new licensees, but many more do not. It takes time, continuing education and exposure to "real world situations".It only stands to reason the more transactions a real estate agent is involved with the greater exposure they will have had to "real world situations"  Yes, my husband and I have sold real estate during the terms of 6 presidents and have weathered 3 recessions - that's a combined total of 62 full time years selling real estate to and for clients in both good and bad times.  Many agents have never been in a down market and a... 02/07/2008

  South Run Forest is a community of 335 detached homes.  There are entrances at The Fairfax County Parkway and on Hooes Road.The homes are in the  Lake Braddock Secondary School Pyramid and approximately 10 minutes from the Pohick Regional Library.  One of the most attractive features about Springfield is the availability of many commuting .options - Metrobus Route 18R operates on The Fairfax County Parkway to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station.  Fairfax County Connector Bus Service is available as well as Slug Lines.    Four Neighborhood Shopping Centers are within 10 to 15 minutes.  Huntsman Square is the closest  at Huntsman Boulevard and The Fairfax County Parkway while Old Keene Mill Center, Cardinal Forest Plaza and West Springfield Center are at Old Keene Mill and Rolling R... 02/06/2008

  Winter Forest is a community of 268 detached homes and 171 town homes. Located on both sides of Rolling Road 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.The homes are in the West Springfield High School Pyramid and approximately 10 minutes from the Pohick Regional Library.  One of the most attractive features about Springfield is the availability of many commuting .options - Metrobus Route 18S operates on Rolling Road to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station.  Fairfax County Connector Bus Service is available as well as Slug Lines.    Four Neighborhood Shopping Centers are within 10 minutes.  Huntsman Square is at Huntsman Boulevard and the Fairfax County Parkway while Old Keene Mill Center, ... 02/06/2008

    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. 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 other activities is aso a few minutes away at Huntsman Boulevard and the Fairfax County Parkway.  Ano... 02/02/2008

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. Commuting 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, Washington, DC and all National Capital Area work centers Metrobus Route 18S to the Franconia-Springfield Metro is available on Rolling Road The Cardinal Plaza Slug Line (on Old Keene Mill Road just east of Rolling Road) has service to all DC locations and the Pentagon Metrobus Route 18H provides Pentagon service on Rolling Road at Greel... 02/02/2008

Sometimes it is hard to imagine how far an area has come when you know the long term history.  For some of the original buyers in Springfield, Virginia it may be hard to believe that the new homes being built just off the Fairfax County Parkway are selling for well over $1 million dollars.   This week I had prospective buyers checking out Belmead at South Run Crossing a new luxury home development by Van Metre homes in Springfield Virginia.  The homes are grand and as can be expected with Van Metre the standard features are what you would expect for homes at this price point. Granite kitchen counters, luxury master suites, hardwood floors, fireplaces, brick and much more.  The wine cellar is optional!   Within walking distance of the huge South Run Recreation Center, easy access to Burk... 02/01/2008

If you live in Springfield Oaks in Fairfax County you are lucky to have found a neighborhood where the developer left multiple pockets of green space and built a community clustered around courtyards to keep cut through traffic to a minimum.  Situated on 18 acres of wooded and gently rolling terrain 17 miles south of Washington DC this townhouse development is in a prime location for homeowners who commute to DC or any of the nearby military bases.     My clients Phil and Maria decided last year when his orders brought him to the area that Springfield Oaks was a great place to put down roots with their new son.  Phil had just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq and managed to arrive home just in time.  Their son was born just a few days later.  They were drawn to Springfield Oaks due t... 01/30/2008

  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 and 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 are two excellent neighborhood shopping centers at Rolling and Old Keene Mill Roads - they are Cardinal Forest Plaza and Old Keene Mill Center.South Run Rec Center with its' year round pool, exercise facilities and other activities is approximate... 01/30/2008

    Cardinal Forest Condominiums are located between Rolling Road and Carrleigh Parkway and Forrester Boulevard.  There are more than 1,000 units featuring brick construction. Some of them are two level town homes with either 2 or 3 bedrooms.  Others are garden apartments with either 1 or 2 bedrooms  The community has a pool and is very well maintained with on site management.  Shopping is nearby at either Cardinal Forest Plaza or Old Keene Mill Center at Old Keene Mill and Rolling Roads. Metrobus Route 18G Exporess Service to the Pentagon Metro Station operates on Forrester Boulevard Belle View is a very similar community in eastern Fairfax County along the George Washington Parkway. Garden Apartment prices are $200,000 (1 bedroom) and $240,000 (2 bedroom)Town Home prices are $270,000 ... 01/30/2008

  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)From that location it is about a 15 minute drive to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station.  It is in the West Springfield High School Pyramid and approximately 15 minutes from the Pohick Regional LibraryTwo neighborhood shopping centers, HUNTSMAN SQUARE CENTER and SARATOGA are approximately 10 minutes away.   The homes have been selling in the $450,000 price rangeSouth Run Rec Center with year round pool, exercise facilities and other activities is within 15 minutes.It is an ideal lo... 01/28/2008

    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 and, for that reason, it is very attractive to people working at the PENTAGON or WASHINGTON, DC. 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. 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 Daventry is in the LEE HIGH SCHOOL PYRAMID.  POHICK REGIONAL LIBRARY is within 15 minutes.  There are 4 neighborhood shopping centers within... 01/28/2008

  Our family has always been good about recycling.  In fact we have shared trash service with neighbors, as we couldn’t fill one of those large bins that all of the local trash services want you to have.   Big, bulky and ugly are the only way to describe them but they do make good rain barrels (but that is another blog.)  So as we continue to read more and more about the impact that trash is having on the environment it reminded me of some of the ways that we have been creative when it came to dealing with recyclables.  My daughter used to take the cardboard outer wrappers from cereal or other colorful boxes along with our old computer paper and I would bind them at the office (the same way you might do your listing brochures) into note pads.  She could make them in a variety of sizes a... 01/25/2008