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

     With more than 1800 homes NEWINGTON FOREST is the largest subdivision in SPRINGFIELD.  It is a community of both town homes and detached homes.  Since it was built over most of the late 70's and early 80's there is a lot of treed community property giving it a "country feeling." It is an excellent location for driving to FORT BELVOIR (approximately 15 minutes).  FAIRFAX COUNTY COMMUTER BUS ROUTE #305 service to FRANCONIA-SPRINGFIELD METRO (approximately 30 minutes). LORTON REGIONAL LIBRARY is within 15 miutes Town Homes are currently selling in the $300,000 to $325,000 price range SOUTH RUN REC CENTER is within 15 minutes ABOUT FAIRFAX COUNTY   RELATED HOME SITESORANGE HUNT ESTATESMIDDLE VALLEY Detached Homes are currently selling in the $425,000 price range. NO REGISTRATION HOME S... 01/25/2008

  Greentree Village is a community of 124 town homes just past Orange Hunt Estates at Fieldmaster Road.Two of the principal features are their all brick construction and three finished levels.  As the pictures show the community is well landscaped and well maintained.FAIRFAX COUNTY COMMUTER BUS #310 to the FRANCONIA-SPRINGFIELD METRO is available 7 DAYS A WEEK on OLD KEENE MILL ROAD. The homes are in the WEST SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL PYRAMID and are within 5 minutes of POHICK REGIONAL LIBRARY. Additionally, SOUTH RUN REC CENTER is within 15 mimutesRELATED HOMES  CHARLESTOWN, RHYGATEGreentree Village homes are currently selling in the $425,000 price range.ABOUT FAIRFAX COUNTY   CONTACT ME for assistance with SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX COUNTY or other NORTHERN VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE.             01/25/2008

 There were two builders in Middle Valley - the first was Ryland and the second was NV HOMES.  The first two photos depict Ryland Homes while the last two photos are of NV Homes.The main entrance is on Gambrill Road just about one mile from the Gambrill Park and Ride Lot at the Fairfax County Parkway.  FAIRFAX COUNTY COMMUTER BUS ROUTE 305 stops at this location en route to the FRANCONIA-SPRINGFIELD METRO STATION. There are two neighborhood shopping centers within 10 minutes - Huntsman Square Center and Saratoga Shopping Center.SOUTH RUN REC CENTER - a Fairfax County Park facility with year round pool, exercise facilities and many other activities is approximately 10 minutes awayHome prices range from $550,000 to $650,00.   RELATED HOME SITES ARE SARATOGA,  and ORANGE HUNT ESTATESALL AB... 01/24/2008

 Rhygate ia a community of 100 townhomes located on Rolling Road just south of Old Keene Mill Road - it adjoins Springfield Golf and Country Club.  The homes were built in the mid 1970's.  They are all brick and some of them have a garage.The community is immaculate and very well groomed.  Homes have been selling in the $500,000 price range.Shopping is a snap since there are two very large neighborhood shopping centers at Rolling and Old Keene Mill Roads.Fairfax County Connector Bus to Metro is available on Rolling Road.There are two Fairfax County Park facilities within easy reach of Rhygate - Lake Accotink and the South Run Rec Center.  The Pohick Regional Library is approximately 10 minutes awayRELATED HOME LINKSSARATOGAORANGE HUNT ESTATESABOUT FAIRFAX COUNTYRHYGATE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCI... 01/24/2008

As you drive around many older neighborhoods in Fairfax County Virginia you see street after street where both the booming real estate market and potential oversight by the local zoning authorities have created neighborhood nightmares.  Whether it is the McMansions  sitting next to the original single family homes or where zoning violations are evident the question becomes can these neighborhoods be saved?  Having grown up in the area and watched some of these Fairfax County neighborhoods go from quiet "country" hamlets to full blown subdivisions it is sad to see the transformation.  Yesterday I was driving through one area to check in on some original neighbors and began to wonder what it would take to put things right again.Now don't get me wrong I'm not against progress and most of t... 01/21/2008

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 Cap... 01/21/2008