Archive for August, 2007
Have you Checked Out River Falls in Prince William County?
August 30th, 2007 Categories: Communites to Visit, Focus on Prince William
I stopped by last week to say hello to clients who bought new construction in the community of River Falls in Prince William County earlier this year. This upscale community is located just off of the Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge. The community is built around the Old Hickory Golf Course with a club house that looks like you have driven up to a southern plantation.
My clients like the other amenities the community offers as well. Spread out over 280 acres besides golf the community features pools, tennis & basketball courts and plenty of walking paths giving them their choice of activities.
With its proximity to the Potomac Nationals Stadium they have been able to enjoy many evening of minor league baseball with their families. Commuting to DC is not a problem with multiple options including the Belmont Bay VRE station, Omni Bus, Slug lines and easy access to I-95.
Resale homes are currently priced between $749,900-$1,500,000. Basheer and Edgemore a local award winning builder is still completing construction on the final homes they sold this year and has the two luxury models available for sale. If you are looking for an opportunity to purchase a home that is poised to be a great value for the long term then consider the community of River Falls.
To see other great homes in the Woodbridge are check out:
Search for Homes in Woodbridge VA
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People Who Live in Glass Houses
August 29th, 2007 Categories: Communites to Visit, Focus on Fairfax County, Out and About
Hidden among all of the three level colonials in Fairfax County you will find a few pockets of Mid Century Modern homes (MCM). One of those neighborhoods is Hollin Hills in Alexandria. Designed over 50 years ago by architect Charles Goodwin the neighborhood was considered avant-garde at the time as it broke the traditional bounds of building in the area. With clean lines and walls of windows the homes were designed to obscure the lines between the inside and the outside. Originally the area was popular with Washington urbanite and now the second generation of fans of MCM are buying the homes almost as soon as they come on the market.
Talk about being in the right place at the right time. The developer of the Hollin Hills property, Robert Davenport purchased the land at an auction for $550 and worked in conjunction with Goodwin to lay out the plan for the community. The 457 homes are spread out on the 225 acre wooded site and they were placed on the lots at various angles instead of lining them all facing the streets. The simple homes are designed based on four-foot modular units so the plans could be expanded easily and with relatively little cost. The community has maintained its original feel due in larger part to an active civic association which has applied for Historic Designation to continue to protect the area from over zealous development.
One of the homes was recently featured on a segment of HGTV and no sooner than the program aired was the home on the market and under contract. Even though the homes were designed over 50 years ago the concept of living in harmony with nature is even more important today. Currently there are 3 homes on the market today ranging in price from $579,000 to $749,900. If you are a fan of mid-century modern then this is a neighborhood that you don’t want to miss.
Search for you new Hollin Hills home.
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Don’t Get Caught Up in the Real Estate Doom & Gloom
August 23rd, 2007 Categories: Real Estate Ramblings
There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t hear a news report about another mortgage company in crisis or read a story about another family facing foreclosure. Folks we have heard this all before in one form or another.
“The prices of houses seem to have reached a plateau, and there is reasonable expectancy that prices will decline.” (Time, December 1, 1947)
“The median price of a home today is approaching $50,000 . . . Housing experts predict that in the future price rises won’t be that great.” (Nations Business, June 1977)
“The era of easy profits in real estate may be drawing to a close.” (Money, January 1981)
“Financial planners agree that houses will continue to be a poor investment.” (Kiplinger’s Personal Financial Magazine, November 1993)
I would like present another perspective for buyers to consider. Lenders have always been in the business to lend money. They will qualify you for a loan based on the information you provide and don’t really care if you can actually make the payment. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Most lenders sell loans shortly after they are closed. So in some cases the original processor who took your information only cared about getting the loan closed so they could get paid.
It is your decision as the buyer to determine how much of a house payment you are comfortable making. You know your lifestyle, the lender doesn’t, so don’t get sucked in to a payment that you aren’t comfortable with. Just because someone tells you that you can afford a $750,000 house doesn’t mean you should buy one. Look carefully at not only the house payment but all of the other expenses that come with owning a home and then find a home that makes sense.
If you are in a position to buy, don’t sit back and wait for some mysterious “bottom.” There are bargains throughout the Northern Virginia area. Take your time and work with a Realtor® who knows how to negotiate and who understands your real price point. The real message in this market is even when times appear bad the fundamentals of owning real estate have not changed. Having your own home is a good investment and a smart buyer never loses sight of the benefits of homeownership no matter what the latest headlines say.
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The Charm of a Small Town-Clifton VA
August 22nd, 2007 Categories: Communites to Visit, Focus on Fairfax County, Out and About
When you think of Northern Virginia you most often think of traffic and suburban shopping malls not older neighborhoods that retain a small town charm. I happen to be a fan of our local “small” towns and explore them whenever I can. Located down a winding two lane road past horse farms and a few McMansions you will find the town of Clifton one of the oldest in Fairfax County. Originally a hunting ground for George Washington and Lord Fairfax the town came into prominence during the Civil War.
When the Union Army commandeered the Orange & Alexandria railway in 1861, Clifton was the southern most station located on the track. Then called Deveraux Station the Union Army set up camp and fought a number of skirmishes to hold the Confederate soldiers for moving further south. When the war ended one of citizens of the town purchased the railway station and opened a hotel which is now the Hermitage Restaurant. Over the years the town was known for its saloons and later it’s hot springs. A little known fact about the town is that Clifton was the first location in Fairfax County to get electricity in 1925.
A number of the original homes that were built in the town are still there today:
The “Homestead” -1771
Mayhugh Tavern -1870
Clifton Baptist Church -1876
Hetzel House- 1908
Harris House-1850
Lucy Virginia Davis Virginia House-1913
Clifton was added to National Historic Register in 1984. The Heart and Hand Restaurant is a great place to enjoy Sunday Brunch or hold a wedding reception, the Hermitage Inn is always booked during the holiday season and a stop by the general store will make you realize you have stepped back in time. Enjoy an hour or two in Clifton and you will see why it is another secret we like to keep in Fairfax County.
For those who like Urban Legends Clifton is also home of the famous or is that infamous Bunny Man Bridge. I’ll leave you to read the tale and if you are brave enough I’ll see you in Clifton on Halloween.
Search for homes for sale in the Clifton area.
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Morning coffee -quick tidbits for you to think about as you start your day
Granite is so 2006. Concrete, glass and stone are gaining ground as popular materials for countertops. Concrete’s biggest advantage is that it can take any shape, and it’s not as pricey as some other natural stone materials. Because it is cast in molds, it can include subtle texturing and decorative objects such as pieces of metal, fossils or glass. If you are using concrete in the kitchen, consider placing raised strips of metal cast into countertops to support pots and pans near the sink and cooking area.
For those who crave ultra-modern design, another option is glass, which comes in nearly limitless colors, shapes, thicknesses and textures. And because it is nonporous, it is stain-proof and hygienic and can handle hot pots without cracking. Since it’s translucent, it can be combined with other design elements, such as glass over aluminum or decorative tile embedded into the slab. Installing lighting under the counter creates added drama and elegance. A nice option with glass backsplashes and countertops is the option to use recycled glass. Check out what is available in your local area. For inspiration you can look at Bedrock Industries and Oceanside Glass Tiles.
Finally, consider engineered stone, which is slightly cheaper than granite. It’s made from quartz crystals and polymer resin, so it’s nearly maintenance-free. Plus, it’s heat- and cold-resistant, mildew-free, stain-resistant and harder than most things you put on it, so it won’t scratch. Finally, it comes in dozens of colors — some mimic the real thing while others are made to match a designer’s palette. The cost ranges from $70 to $120 per square foot with installation.
*exerpt from July 2007 CRS Advantage Newsletter
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With the tragedy in Minnesota still fresh on everyone’s mind Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) along with most states began an inspection of bridges with similar construction to the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. Five bridges in Loudoun County were found to be “functionally obsolete” by VDOT which means that they can not accommodate current traffic volumes, vehicle sizes and weights.
With the surge in growth in Loudoun County over the last 10 years it is not surprising that bridges that were designed to handle the low volume of rural traffic can not hold up to the explosive growth in the area. Two of the five bridges have now been closed by VDOT, Sunny Ridge Road and Snickersville Road, and the other three Featherbed Road over Catoctin Creek, 
Hughesville Road over Crooked Creek and Forest Mills Road have had warnings posted for motorists.
Motorists need to be aware that some of the other bridges that have been found to be obsolete may be closed in the future but do not need to be alarmed. VDOT is carefully analyzing the bridges and will make decisions about their use in the near future.
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Live and Play in Belmont Bay
August 20th, 2007 Categories: Communites to Visit, Focus on Prince William
Are you looking for the chance to live a resort lifestyle and still work in the city? Then you should consider the community that Washingtonian Magazine has twice named as one of the “Best Places to Live” in the DC area. Belmont Bay is a beautiful planned community at the junction of the Occoquan and Potomac Rivers, just 20 miles south of Washington, DC on Interstate 95.
Idyllic and serene, the community is miles removed from the hectic pace of DC. Stress simply dissolves with a walk along the waterfront and wildlife flourishes in the neighboring 400 acre wildlife refuge. The Coffee Club Café located in the VRE station is a great place for commuters to start their day and the Osprey’s Landing Restaurant is nice way to unwind at the end of the day. The community features an 18-hole championship golf course and a deep water marina within minutes of the open Potomac River.The selection of homes include large single family homes, a variety of 2 and 3 level town homes, golf villas, low rise condos and the only luxury high rise condo in Prince William County. The new Harbor Side condos are now selling and the active adult community of Beacon Ridge is getting ready to release their first building.
If you are looking for a refuge from the city then you need to check out the Belmont Bay community. Give me a call and I’ll give you a tour of the neighborhood.
Search the MLS to find other great homes in our area.
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From Prison Stripes to Community Arts
August 19th, 2007 Categories: Focus on Fairfax County, Out and About
Where once 7000 inmates were housed in brick buildings the remarkable Lorton Arts Workhouse begins to form. The Lorton Prison complex had a long a long history in the Northern Virginia area dating back to the early 1900’s. Originally designed as a working prison farm inmates raised cattle and chickens and built many of the brick buildings that are now being renovated. The bricks were made in kilns located on the property.
In 1917 the prison received its most famous inmates and recognition that it did not want. Over 150 women were arrested for protesting for the suffrage movement. Many of the women were transported to the prison and were kept in deplorable conditions. It is felt that the reports of their treatment helped the suffrage movement and eventually led to the winning vote for the 19th amendment. Over the years the nature of the prison changed and it became an area that anyone who lived close by learned to avoid especially at night. It closed as a prison in 2003 and the transformation of the 3200 acres began in earnest.
With foresight and a lot of negotation with developers and the Fairfax County Government, 55 acres set aside for the Lorton Arts Workhouse-a cultural arts center- is designed to promote the arts and arts education for local area residents. The original brick buildings are being renovated to provide art spaces reminiscent of the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria. Designed to include studio space for and exhibition space for up to 150 artists the plan also includes cooperative programs with the new South County High School and Northern Virginia Community Colllege.
In May Mikhal Baryshnikov visited the site, the second Art Under Construction Exhibit just finished and the ArtStar Theater Youth Camp is underway. Currently it is hoped that the first of the buildings will be finished for opening in October with the last of the buildings opened for artists by Spring 2008.
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No this isn’t a commentary on waist lines but instead on the amount of stuff we seem to accumulate. Over the last few years I have become acutely aware of the clean up and throw out process. It started with empting my parent’s home of 45 years with a double walk-up attic, then I downsized myself and finally ended up combining two households into one. Along the way I became friends with the folks at the Fairfax County Dump, Salvation Army, 1-800-Junk, PODS and more We are coming up on the first anniversary of the last purge and have made a pact that anything in a box, except holiday decorations and true family heirlooms, must be tossed. If we didn’t need it for a year then we can live without it forever.
With this deadline looming I started noticing the number of climate controlled mega storage facility all around the area. Within shouting distance of my office in Burke there are three. Every time I drive down another industrial road I see at least another two. So where has the need come for all of us to hoard so much stuff?
When my parents were growing up during the depression everything had a use and reuse. So for the most part I understood their desire to hold on to things that could some day be put to another use. We had a family joke about the never ending supply of boxes, bags and twist ties that could be found at our house. In fact there is still one small gift box that has been passed from family member to family member at Christmas for 25 years. We all anxiously await our turn to receive it and guard it carefully until the following year. But I digress.
In today’s “throw away” society it seems a bit odd that there should be so much of a need for storage facilities. What is lurking behind all of those locked containers? Is it stuff we really need or is it easier just to tuck it away instead of dealing with it? How much money is being spent every year to store things that really should be headed to the dump or donated to a favorite charity? Could you have a vacation with the money instead?
Need some help getting started on the de-cluttering? It is over-whelming I can admit it! So here are a few ideas that might help you make your way through your stuff:
- Pick a room-doesn’t matter where you start
- Set a timeframe-only work on the room a couple of hours at a time
- Sort through it-look at it once and decide if it is a keep, toss or donate
- Don’t reminisce-high school is long over, the faded corsages have got to go
- Keep the space organized-have trash bags and plastic bins handy so that you aren’t surrounded by piles
- Repeat the process on the next room-move on the next day or next weekend to another space
- Reward yourself-trust me after you have made a run to the dump you want a reward
So take a look around and decide what you really need and what is ready to go. You might be surprised how good it feels to not have all of the stuff cluttering up your life. And don’t try to pass it off on your kids. It will only come back to you when they decide to move
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I listened this morning to yet another news program going round and round about the real estate market and the “predatory lending” practices that led to the stalling of the market and the demise of yet another sub-prime lender. It made me realize that there are a lot of folks throwing around the term “predatory lending” to describe the sub-prime mortgage issue.
I have to disagree with the use of the term to describe all of what has happened in the mortgage industry in the last few months. When I bought my first house the average interest rates were topping 15%. If you were lucky and had cash you could assume a mortgage (how about bringing those back to the table), if you didn’t have cash you could “wrap” the old loan with new cash and get a lower combined interest rate of 12%.”
Now politicians are screaming because borrowers with low credit scores were charged 9% or 10% to get a home loan. What is predatory about that? If a borrower took out a 1, 3 or 5 year Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) with a percentage cap per year of 2% what is predatory about that? Borrowers who took out these loans knew they would adjust; they even knew what the percentage these adjustments would be. Borrowers were told all of this upfront before they finalized their loans. Why is it a surprise now when the rates have adjusted?
Don’t get me wrong I do feel badly for homeowners that HAVE to sell their homes in this market. It isn’t the first time in our area that homeowners have been facing short sales. Remember the 1990’s? Homeowners had interest rates in the 9% -10% range with balloon payments at the end of 7 years and no one said those rates were predatory.
I think we have to look at the terms that we are throwing around and make sure that we don’t get sucked into lumping everything into the phrase, “predatory lending” and making it a mantra. When I see a TV commercial endorsed by a “celebrity” that suggests if you are short on cash you can get a loan with a simple application and when you read the small print you discover the interest rate ranges from 24% to 89%. That my folks is PREDATORY LENDING!
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