Archive for the 'Focus on Fairfax County' Category
A Million Dollars In Springfield VA-Who Could Have Imagined
February 7th, 2008 Categories: Focus on Fairfax County
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 Burke Lake Park, the Huntsman Shopping Center across the parkway and within 15 minutes of the Springfield metro, the neighborhood has a lot going for it. The 95 homes have been on the planning books with Fairfax County for a long time. When the trees came down at the corner of Huntsman Blvd and the Parkway last year it was sad but the development is planting mature trees to help bring the green back to the area for new homeowners.
With this new development, Springfield has 12 homes in the MLS for over $1 Million. Last year there were 12 sales of properties over $1 Million. So for the old timers who moved to Springfield when the house prices were as low as $16,500 for a Virginia Rambler the changes are mind boggling.
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Move to Fairfax County, right outside of the Nations Capital and you will find yourself right in the middle of it all. With our rich history dating back to the 1600’s, our top notch school system, world-class shopping and access to the monuments and museums in DC you can always find something to do.
With Fairfax County’s recognition in 2007 as one of the nation’s top digital communities, recent ranking in the top 5 school systems in the US and Forbes naming the county #1 nation in median income it is no wonder that the residents are proud to call the area home.
With all of the history you can find throughout the county you can spend plenty of weekends exploring historic mansions, churches and towns. If the great outdoors is more your speed then you need over a year to hit every one of the 380 parks on 20,000 acres operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority.
World class entertainment hits Fairfax County every summer at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts the only performing arts park operated by the National Park Service. With its great lawn a picnic and a concert are a fantastic way to spend an evening. George Mason University Center for the Performing Arts and Little Theater of Alexandria are among just a few of the other local county venues. It goes without saying that just across the “border” in DC you will find the Kennedy Center and other theaters featuring touring productions of Broadway plays.
Neighborhoods and housing choices in Fairfax County are varied. You can find just about anything you are looking for. Whether it is a newer planned community, historic communites or a mid-century modern neighborhoods it is all available. With pubic transportation such as the Metro, VRE, our unique “slug” lines or the beltway, almost any location you choose will give you a variety of ways to get to where you are going.
So if a move to Fairfax County is in your future give me a call. As a native of the area I’ll be glad to show you around and help you find the best new home for your needs.
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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 these older homes are obsolete by today’s building standards. However when there are no community standards for expansion then you end up with neighborhoods that have little appeal to anyone. The larger McMansions were not truly built to be large single family homes and the smaller homes now surrounded by them bring little interest from younger buyers who might have considering purchasing them with plans to update or undertake a reasonable rennovation.
Unfortunately, it seems that the only thing that can be done is for a smart developer to come in and rebuild the entire community. Does that sound like a radical choice? If you had asked me that question a few years ago I would have thought NO. Now as I look around at the number of homes in foreclosure, the original homes that can’t be sold and the look of neglect that is creeping into the streets of these neighborhoods it could be that the answer is very different.
Many of these neighborhoods are close to public transportation, county parks and plans for revitalization of the shopping areas are already approved. With raw land close in being harder to come by it makes me curious as to how long it will take for a smart developer to figure out how ripe these neighborhoods are for the picking and start quietly buying up the foreclosures and getting their plans in order to rebuild when the market rebounds.
So I’ll be standing by, checking the tax records and county planning maps to see if there are others who are thinking the same way I am. In the meantime it is a sobering view of what happens when no one is minding the store! Neighborhoods with no identity!
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Military Relocation-Inside the Gates of Fort Belvoir
January 17th, 2008 Categories: Focus on Fairfax County, Military Relocation
Yesterday was the day that most military members dread, waiting at the ID office to get your updated cards for your new post and new tags for your car. Fortunately for me they Fort Belvoir ID office takes appointments and my wait to update all my information only took an hour so I didn’t have to waste the entire day. It gave me a chance to look around and see what was new on post.
One of the things that strikes most people with PCS orders to Fort Belvoir is how big the base actually is. With 8,600 acres Fort Belvoir is one of the largest installations in the Military District of Washington and houses multiple commands including other branches of the US Armed Forces. The largest and best known commands on post include the Department of Defense agencies such as the Defense Systems Management College and the Defense Mapping School.
When you drive through Tulley Gate (where you will need to register your car) one of the first things you see are the signs for the Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge which has well marked trails and plenty of wildlife for the whole family to enjoy. If you aren’t in to walking outdoors the two fitness centers or two 18 hole golf courses might be more what you are looking for.
Over the last few years base housing at Fort Belvoir has been going through a significant upgrade. Newer neighborhoods have been built to replace some of the smaller outdated homes and historic neighborhoods refurbished. In fact if you didn’t know you were on post when you see the first of the new neighborhoods you would think you were in Cameron or Lorton Station just a few miles away. With small shops set around the different neighborhoods you can grab a Starbucks or a sit at an outdoor café for a bite to eat.
The historic neighborhoods built in the 1930’s feature Colonial Revival homes with slate roofs, dormer windows and tall brick chimneys. And just like the Lustron homes that graced Quantico, Fort Belvoir also had a prototype home built as well. In 1948 in conjunction with Higgins Industries a “Thermo-Con” cement home was built on base. Though only one house was built it was considered important enough historically to be placed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and is used to today for guest housing.
The next big change coming to Fort Belvoir will be the new state of the art hospital to replace DeWitt Hospital. When the announcement was made in 2005 that Walter Reed Army Medical Center would be closing it was obvious that the current facilities (where my daughter was born) would not support the almost 85,000 military and civilian patients that the area has. The new hospital will have 1.2 million square feet of space and have the facilities to support all of the new technologies needed for a leading medical facility. The new hospital will open in 2010.
So that is a quick tour inside the gates of Fort Belvoir. There is a lot to see and do when you get here both in and outside the gates. If you have orders to head to Fort Belvoir this year give me a call. I’ll be glad to help you with all of your questions about the area and show you around.
© Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Cindy Jones.
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Taking in a Breath of Fresh Air in Fairfax County
November 14th, 2007 Categories: Focus on Fairfax County, Out and About
A lot is written about the traffic congestion in Fairfax County and it is true we do have our share of jammed roads during rush hour but we also have a huge amount of green space to enjoy when we aren’t fretting about getting to work.
One of the best known parks in our area is Burke Lake Park right off of Route 123 and a few miles from the City of Fairfax. With over 850 acres including a 220 acre lake there is plenty for everyone to enjoy. For the walkers, joggers and bikers the 5 mile dirt loop around the lake is a great way to take in all of the vistas. 
For the youngsters the miniature train ride chugging along at 10 MPH is a hoot.
Want to get in a round of golf? You can do that too at the 18 hole Par 3 course.
My son and his friends are big fans of the Frisbee golf course, though for the life of me the fun of trying to throw a Frisbee through a hoop eludes me! For the young and young at heart stop by and give the Carousel a whirl.
For the guys who like to fish you can rent a small electric powered boat or canoe and cast your line. Make sure you have a valid fishing license. It’s the law!
One of the best things about the park is that no matter what season you go you will find the park well maintained and friendly park staff around to help.
Burke Lake Park is just one example of the benefits of living in Fairfax County. With over 25,000 acres of parkland maintained by the Fairfax County Park Authority you can find a park just around the corner from almost any neighborhood in the county. If you didn’t wear yourself out from playing in the park or over indulge with your picnic then you can head just a few miles down the winding road to Clifton or south to Historic Occoquan to finish off the day.
Enjoy yourself and see you around the park.
Map of Park Activities
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Whistle Stop Tour of Northern Virginia
November 7th, 2007 Categories: Communites to Visit, Focus on Fairfax County, Focus on Prince William
Though you won’t find fried green tomatoes on this tour you will find the Whistle Stop Café at the Quantico VRE Station. When the VRE first began operations along the I-95 corridor in 1992 there were questions as to whether the lack of housing near the train stations would derail the long term plans for the commuter rail. Since that time a new supply of “whistle stop” towns has sprung up close to the tracks and more are still to come.
So let’s take a quick tour of the communities that have sprung up around a few of the new VRE stations. The first stop on the tour brings us to Lorton Station in Fairfax County. Once an area stuck between Route 1 and I-95 with nothing to make you stop now you will find a town center featuring places to grab a cup of coffee at Cariboo Coffee in the morning or stop for dinner at the Fireside Grill or Pane Vino on the way home. With a good choice of condos, townhouses and single family homes within walking distance of the station it makes a good choice for buyers who want to park their car during the week.
Keeping chugging down the tracks and you hit Rippon Station. When you get off the train you can look up the hill and see the new Potomac Pointe condos. What you don’t notice until you top the hill is that the condos enjoy a view of the Potomac River. The lot is full with commuters not only walking from the condos but from the townhouses at Riverside Station and the detached homes in Dawson’s Landing.
The last stop on our tour is the Quantico station home of our local Whistle Stop Café. Located within the gates of Quantico Marine Base commuters must drive in to the base in order to get to the station. New developments in the town of Triangle offer buyers good value on larger homes and a quick drive to take advantage of the train ride to DC.
The development of the new whistle stop communities on the eastern portion of the VRE are part of the master plans for three Northern Virginia Counties (Stafford, Prince William and Fairfax) and a new stop is planned for the huge Harbor Station development planned in Prince William County. The goal is to not only get more commuters off the roads but to also develop new office space outside of town which will help eliminate the need to over-build office space closer to DC.
If you are interested in a personal whistle stop tour of these communities or others along the rails give me a call.
Other Articles on Northern Virginia Commuting:
Watch Out Venice
Northern Virginia Slugs
©Copyright 2007. Cindy Jones All rights reserved.
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Holmes Run Acres-Built Into the Surroundings Not On Top of Them
November 2nd, 2007 Categories: Communites to Visit, Focus on Fairfax County
Just minutes from the buzz of the interstate sits the mid-century Fairfax County neighborhood of Holmes Run Acres. Built on a 122 acre tract of land originally owned by a Washington investor by the name of Herman Schmidt the property was named Holmes Run Acres in 1945 and a set of restrictions were put in place for the development of the land. Since mid-century modern neighborhoods are rare in Fairfax County they have garnered a following of loyal homeowners over the years and Holmes Run Acres is no exception.
The development of the property began in 1950 with what would turn out to be three different builders over close to a 10 year period. In the end 355 homes were built based on contemporary homes design including the California Ranch popular on the west coast and by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usionan houses. The neighborhood took its place on the National Register of Historic Places this year and the owners are proud to tell you so.
Even though the neighborhood was built without sidewalks with the large lots filled with old trees, wide streets and long driveways you don’t have any worries walking along the road and you don’t feel the congestion so familiar in other neighborhoods. Just like another Fairfax County mid-century modern neighborhood Hollin Hills the houses in Holmes Run Acres fit into the surroundings instead of sitting on top of them.
Even though Holmes Run Acres was developed by three different builders you would have a hard time knowing where one builder stopped and another took over. Each of the builders the Luria Brothers, Gaddy Brothers and Andre Boder added new models to the neighborhood yet when you go inside the smallest Luria to the largest Boder you will see a continuity of design. Expansive windows, wood cathedral ceilings, brick wall fireplaces and open floor plans are common in all of the models.
Owners in Holmes Run Acres enjoy a private neighborhood park and community pool. The Inova Fairfax Hospital complex and Exxon headquarters are just a mile away and Merrifield shopping, theaters and the Dunn Loring Metro Station are within a 10 minute drive. If you are looking for a community inside the beltway that seems more like a home in the country then Holmes Run Acres might be the neighborhood for you.
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The weather is still toasty in Fairfax County so before you pack up the grill for the winter you need to take a look at this nice end unit townhouse in Lorton. With a larger corner lot, plenty of trees and a side entry you will feel as if you are coming home to a detached house.
Once inside the central foyer leads you to separate dining room and living room both with gleaming hardwood floors. The kitchen has room for a table and has updated stainless steel appliances. Enjoy a coffee on the deck with its built in seating area and planters.
Head upstairs and you will find 3 nice bedrooms, including a master suite with vaulted ceilings and private bath. The lower level recreation room has a nice wood burning fireplace and true 4th bedroom and full bath. Step out through the sliding doors to a private fenced backyard.
Only minutes to the Lorton VRE, the new destination restaurants at Lorton Station and the Lorton Market. You can enjoy the community pool, tennis courts and tot lots. The owners are ready to move to their new home and would love to turn over the keys to you. Priced right at $414,900 this home packs at lot for the money. If you would like to see more you are just one click away.
Call for more information or to schedule a tour. Need to get pre-qualified? Just hit the easy button and you are on your way.
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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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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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