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

Charlestown is a highly desireable and sought after town home community in the heart of Springfield The homes and yard enclosures are all brick. There are 497 homes that were Built between 1968 and 1973 Finished liviing area ranges from 1,320 square feet to 1,798 square feet A very active homeowner's association can take credit for the excellent appearance of the community - the proof is in the pictures below Commuting Metrobus Route 18G Express Service to the Pentagon Metro Station operates on Forrester Boulevard close to Charlestown property. 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 R... 01/13/2008

How do I know this?  Simple,  I've sold homes to many clients in these subdivisions over the past 31 years  There are others, but I am confident the pictures and text will help you understand  why these are among the leaders. In PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY  You should look at LAKE RIDGE,  MONTCLAIR,  WESTRIDGE, OLD BRIDGE ESTATES, TWIN OAKS, PORT POTOMAC In FAIRFAX COUNTY it would be wise to consider KINGSTOWNE, SARATOGA, ORANGE HUNT ESTATES These subdivisions are ideal for commuting to Northern Virginia locations, but also into DC. I will be adding additional posts of popular subdivisions in the future.  PLEASE CONTACT ME for assistance with Northern Virginia Real Estate 01/13/2008

 Unbelievable as it may seem this property was lived in until about five years ago.  It is actually an historic landmark in Lorton, but is beyond repair.Fixer Uppers or Handyman Specials come in several different configurations.First, is the home that is in excellent condition, but has never been updated.  Generally, these homes are owned by people who bought them 40 or 50 years ago, raised their family and are now ready to retire.  In many cases, they are unwilling to invest the necessary dollars to bring the home up to current standards.  The key element is that the home has "good bones".  Depending on your skill level, you may only need to hire a contractor for those items that require a licensed contractor for purposes of meeting current code requirements.Second, are homes that are ... 01/10/2008

If your family includes a pet or two, making sure that they are safe and secure during your move can often be just as important as making sure your household goods arrive in one piece.  Our family has moved around the world with pets and I know how difficult it can be find good care for your pet in a new surrounding.  The first thing to remember if you are moving with a pet is to make sure as you set aside your personal information that you also include a copy of your pets health history and medications that they may need while in transit.  Since most pets are lost during move-in day making sure that your pet is secure while the movers are unloading your furniture is critical.  The best way to ensure that your pet is safe and secure is to find another place for your pet for the day.  Fo... 01/07/2008

    This is the fourth in my series about family owned and operated hardware stores in Northern Virginia. My first association with Fischer's was in the early '80s.  Our family enjoyed camping and we were constantly on the lookout for items that would make our stay in the woods a bit more enjoyable.  Fischer's was the only place we could find Strike Anywhere Matches.  Since then I have looked to them for antiquing finishes - they have an exceptionally fine inventory of refinishing supplies. Opened in 1953, Fischer's remains a family owned business.  Old fashioned, friendly service, wide selection and quality are the store's number 1 priority.  They can be found in the Concord Center at Backlick and Commerce. The other three family owned hardware stores in my series are located in Manass... 01/02/2008

This is a great way to start off 2008. Exploring all of the predications for Active Rain and the real estate market. Taking a look back in time with my technology background I don't think anyone could have predicted where we would be today with YouTube Videos, Podcasts and mobile technologies. All of these are going to be important pieces of the real estate technology puzzle in 2008.Hope it is a good year for everyone. A look back at Fox News panel redictions for real estate in 2007. Remember all real estate is local!!! If you need help with relocation to Northern Virginia just give me a call to discuss how our relocation team can help you make a smooth move. 01/01/2008

   That question has been in the forefront for just about every client of ours relocating to Northern Virginia.  There have been a few who wanted to return to previous neighborhoods or knew where they wanted to live.We live in a transient society and usually are willing to relocate our family to advance our careers and improve our life style.  The housing concern is primary whether a client is in the military, federal government or in the private sector.  Over the past 31 years we have assisted clients who worked for such diverse organizations as:Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, FBI, Secret Service, The White House, DEA, DOD, IRS, Agriculture, State Department, Justice, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, George Mason University, NASA, FNMA, FHLMC, The Patent Office,FAA, Mobil, Hilton ... 12/31/2007

Long before Homer Simpson made the TV town of Springfield famous, before the Springfield Mixing Bowl was created or Slug lines came to town their was a small ‘country” highway stop fifteen miles outside of DC that would come to be known as Springfield Virginia. In 1946 the developer Edwin Carr realized that their was a huge piece of undeveloped land ,close enough to DC to be appealing to government workers who worked in town and that would provide space for larger homes than were currently available in Arlington or Alexandria.  My parents were one of those families who decided that Springfield provided a chance for them to buy their first home.  In 1955 they bought a brand new split level home in the Yates Village neighborhood of Springfield. When we moved in to our new home there wasn’... 12/30/2007

I pick up trash on Rolling Road in SpringfieldAs a member of the Rotary Club of West Springfield, I am committed to community service.  Four times a year you will see club members on the stretch of Rolling Road between the Fairfax County Parkway and Old Keene Mill Road wearing orange vests picking up trash. We participate in the VDOT Adopt A Highway ProgramWe know our efforts are appreciated - periodically a passerby will honk and wave or slow down, roll down the window and holler, "Thanks,"  This past summer I returned home after a cleanup to find my message light blinking. One of my clients left a message that she was driving past and noticed me.Over the years I have sold many homes to and for the residents of Springfield  As a matter of fact, several of my clients still live in homes... 12/30/2007

In Northern Virginia you can turn just about any corner and run across a “mega” store.  When it comes to building and remodeling supplies everyone knows about the competition between the folks in the blue aprons and those in the orange ones.  There is no doubt that when it comes to the basics these stores have loads of variety and if you can find it yourself you can be in and out in no time.  However, if you need help and happen to be trying to remodel a 1950’s vintage Springfield home, you are going to spend a lot of time wandering up and down the aisles looking for parts they don’t carry.  Instead you need to head to the hardware store that our family started using when we moved to Springfield in 1955-Fischers Hardware.  If you had asked me a few years ago what an escutcheon was I wou... 12/27/2007

 PROPER PRIOR PLANNING PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCEThat may seem like a trite statement, but it is one my husband and I apply to every planning session about business activity.When we are selected to market a property we develop an Action Plan TAILORED to the property.  Why?  Each property is as unique as the people who own it - it deserves to have a strategy that will result in a timely sale.Similarly, when we work for purchasers we always have a "brainstorming session" with the parties and then develop a specific Action Plan.  Why? It is our goal to facilitate the transaction so that it is a rewarding experience.CONTACT ME FOR ROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE SERVICE IN 2008With over 30 years experience in Springfileld, Fairfax County and Northern Virginia real estate, we believe we ar eminently ... 12/27/2007

 For years people have been told, "The three most important things in real estate are location, location, location"If you live in the home at the right that may well still be true, but it will not be true for the rest of us in 2008.For 2008, the three most important things in real estate are "Price, Condition and Terms."If any real estate agent tells you something else you may be talking to the wrong real estate agent.CLICK HERE TO CONTACT THE RIGHT REAL ESTATE AGENT FOR 2008 12/27/2007

  John and Kay were in Hawaii with orders to Fort Belvoir.  They contacted me through  my website They were interested in purchasing their first home and preferred working with an agent with in-depth experience.During our initial conversations we discussed location, financing and dates for a house hunting trip.  John told me there was not going to be a house hunting trip.  He selected me because of my in-depth experience and technical capability - he expected the entire transaction to be ready when he arrived with his family.I sent homes via e-mail, lenders contacted them and arranged financing.  The homeowner of the home they wanted to purchase allowed us to take as many photos as we needed. Our software enables us to create a VERY DETAILED VIRTUAL TOUR and upload it to the internet.  ... 12/25/2007

Every year during the holiday season the Rotary Club of West Springfield invites Springfield area school students to perform at one of our club meetings.  We meet every Wednesday at 7:30 AM at the Springfield Golf and Country Club on Old Keene Mill Road.This morning we were entertained by the Orange Hunt Elementary School German Choir.  Fairfax County Public Schools have foreign language immersion programs available at the elementary school level.  Orange Hunt Elementary teaches German.  This choir of elementary school children entertained us with a selection of German Christmas Carols and they were OUTSTANDING.  The citizens of Fairfax County can be proud of programs like this that broaden our children's knowledge of our world.  I am not showing pictures of these kids for the very obvi... 12/19/2007