Barrett House today stands empty and surrounded by fencing to keep out intruders.  However, since the early twentieth century the home located on Ox Road in Lorton has stood watching the changes to the surrounding area. Originally the property where Barrett House sits was part of a 3,500-acre tract granted by Lord Fairfax in England to Virginia colonist Robert Carter, Jr. in 1729.   Over the years the land was divided and subdivided by various owners.  Around 1891 Barrett House was constructed on 258 acres and used as a country home for a DC based lumber merchant. A few more ownership changes occurred between 1891 and 1914 when the U.S Government acquired the property to add to the land for the DC Reformatory at Lorton.  The home was perfectly situated for the D.C. Superintendent of Pen... 01/10/2011

Earler this week I posted a photo of artwork on the wall at the former mens dormitory at the DC Reformatory in Lorton VA.This is the first painting in support of the Chicago Bulls. There was a second painting in the same men's dormitory on the opposite wall.    These could have been done by the same artist as the style and certainly the colors are similiar. < Being inside a prison we can hope that the artwork inspired friendly rivalry during games and nothing more.  01/09/2011

It is a question that comes up over and over again when buyers are looking at property.  Sometimes it is obvious and other times it can be a bit of a grey area.  Unlike other parts of the country it is usual in Northern Virginia that all of the appliances convey with the home, including the washer and dryer.  Occasionally you find a seller who doesn't want to include the washer and dryer but it is rare that you don't get the full package with the home. Where things start to get a little fuzzy is when you start walking through the house and noticing custom window treatments, fancy curtain rods and upscale light fixtures.  Are those considered personal property or are they considered "fixtures" and therefore convey with the house?   For the most part the mini blinds, verticals or shutters... 01/06/2011

While attended a ground breaking ceremony for  Phase II of the conversion of the former DC Reformatory at Lorton I got a sneak peak inside of one of the old mens dormitories.  On the walls were a couple of paintings done by former inmates. The construction crews will be working around the painting so they can be preserved as part of the conversion of this space to a new kids art center.   Obviously the inmates had plenty of time and talent to create this tribute to the Chicago Bulls. 01/05/2011

This guide is geared towards "new" Lorton. Lorton neighborhoods have been around a long time. In fact the Lorton area has plenty of history that goes all the way back to our early famous neighbors, George Washington and George Mason. There are older neighborhoods which are just as popular today as they were when they were built in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Over the last 10 years a "new" Lorton has emerged which has brought a renewal to southern Fairfax County.Most of the "new" Lorton growth came about when the DC Correctional Complex in Lorton was ordered closed in 1998. With just over 3200 acres the prison complex gave Fairfax County developers an opportunity to create an entire new vision for the land and its usage. With a Virginia Rail Express Station already in place in Lorton (1994)... 12/24/2010

My friends accuse me of making some of these little facts about Northern Virginia up. Nope the stories are all real....well okay the one about the Bunny Man Bridge in Clifton...not so much. However the story of the DC Reformatory located in Lorton VA being the site of the Army's premier showcase for the nationwide Nike program unveiled in 1954 is true. One of the big issues that the government faced when it was trying to build defenses against the threat of a nuclear attack from the USSR was acquiring the land necessary to develop missile defense sites. Since the Army was tasked with finding sites that we already government owned the DC Reformatory site in Lorton located on 3200 acres just 25 miles south of DC was a logical choice. The Army carved out a 30 acre parcel on the prison grou... 12/23/2010

Yesterday was the ceremonial ground breaking for three new buildings at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center.  The three new buildings are Phase II of the conversion of the old DC Reformatory buildings into a thriving arts community in Northern Virginia. The first buildings opened in September 2009 include artist studios and gallery space.  Classes and events are held regularly throughout the year and the Lorton Workouse Arts Center has quickly become a valuable addition to the area.  In 2011 three more buildings will be converted to continue the growth of the center.  It may sound like an easy task but the buildings are on the historic register and many contain asbestos, which needed to be abated before anyone could enter the buildings without appropriate protection. The transformation of... 12/22/2010

  Yes underneath the blue paint there is a real train car.  When it was first place outside this pediatrician's office I thought who would let their kids play on that rusted hunk of metal?   Since then the exterior to the train has taken on a bright blue hue and is a delight for young kids to climb on.I was pondering why it wasn't painted red and then it hit me (no not the train), "Thomas the Train" is blue and very popular with young children.   I would guess that's what inspired the color choice.  If you are headed to Lorton Town Center with your kids and haven't seen the train it is tucked on the side of the medical center.           12/15/2010

Video | Client Testimonial From Another Lorton Homeowner Happy to share another written note of thanks that will go on my 'Wall of Thanks' in my office.  This is from a previous client name Valerie, and I helped her with the sale of her home in Lorton in the subdivision of Laurel Crest.  There were several short sales that we were competing against, but nevertheless, with the right marketing, pricing, and negotiating, we were able to get this Lorton VA home sold in ony 11 days!  If you currently own a home in Lorton VA and think that the market's too bad to get your home sold, please contact me right now at 703-623-8759 or email me. Don't forget to check out my online marketing plan to see how I use the internet to your advantage and get your home in front of today's web-savvy home buye... 12/07/2010

  With a bit of wind at my back and a blue sky overhead a walk in Mason Neck State Park had me singing "California Dreaming."Mason Neck State Park along with the Elizabeth Hartwell National Wildlife Refugee combine for 2000 acres of tranquilty within 15 minutes of the bustling community of Lorton VA.  The park sits on a penninsula of land with three bodies of water, Pohick Bay, Belmont Bay and the Potomac River creating the shorelines.  The area is known as on of the most prominent Bald Eagle nesting grounds in our area.  In the spring and summer you walk these same shores and see the nests and fledgings learning to fly and fish in the river.Enjoy your little bit of "California Dreaming" today. 12/05/2010

It is easy to get caught up in day to day living and not realize when you need a break.  As much as I would like to shout "road trip" and hightail it out of town for a few weeks it isn't possible right now.  Fortunately living in Northern Virginia means we can often find a road less traveled only minutes from our door.Today's quick trip was to Occoquan Regional Park.  Even though the boat launch area was crowded with people taking advantage of a picture perfect late fall day the path to the scenic overlook was...well overlooked. Perhaps it is those seemingly daunting first few steps that kept people away but it was the pefect place for this busy Realtor® to stretch her legs and clear her head after a weekend of showing properties.Tomorrow is a trip to the Genius Bar at the Apple store t... 11/14/2010

Don't miss the Second Saturday Art Walk at the Lorton Arts Center this weekend.This is a great chance to visit over 125 local artists and their studios.  A good time to think ahead to holiday shopping.Most of the studios offer food and drinks for you to enjoy as you tour the campus.  If you haven't been to the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center before don't miss looking at the revitilzation of the former DC Reformatory.  It is an amazing transformation. 11/10/2010

Today millions of American's will vote in their local elections.  For me it was a matter of lacing up my tennis shoes and walking to my local voting place.  That walk took me along the Occoquan River and reminded me that only a few miles up the river a 120 women were jailed for demanding the right for women to vote. The Lorton Workhouse part of the DC Correctional Facility located 25 miles south of Washington DC was the site where many of the women arrested in Washington DC were jailed.  History shows that the women including Lucy Burns, who had the longest sentence of any suffragists, were force-fed and the conditions under which they lived were deplorable.  As a result of the negative publicity from the imprisonment and inhumane treatment the Women Suffragists were subjected to, Woodr... 11/02/2010

The Crandall Run community offers 35 executive style homes with lots ranging from ¾ of an acre to just over 1 acre. Built by Brookfield homes between 2003 to 2005, the neighborhood homes are large and offer owners plenty of privacy. Homes offer three full levels of living space and at least 3,500 to 5,100 SF of living space on the first two levels depending on the model. Located just off the intersection of Route 123 and Furnace Road, Crandall Run owners have easy access to major roads for commuting to DC. The Lorton Station VRE is within 15 minutes and access to I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway are both close by as well. Just up the street is the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center offer classes and events year round. Across the road is the 18 hole Laurel Hill Golf Club. The 9,000 SF Laure... 10/28/2010

If you are looking for a one of a kind gift for that special someone this holdiay season then head to the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center of November 26, 2010.With over 125 artists the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center offers you a chance to browse and shop a wide variety of options.  Ceramic, fused and blown glass, fiber arts, photography and more. In addition to the Escape to Black Friday event, the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center offers events and classes all year long.  If you are an aspiring artist the center has a full class schedule of courses for you to take.Events at the center include lectures by visiting artists, musical events and special art exhibits.View the full calendar of events at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center.Mark you calendar for the Escape to Black Friday:November 26, 20109... 10/28/2010

Referrals are the backbone of most Realtors® business.  When they referrals come in combination with success from hyper-local blogs the combination can lead to a nice supply of business. As I’ve started to look back over 2010 and plan for 2011 one of the key components of my business plan is making sure that not only how hyper-local blogging played a part in my success but the importance of referrals as well It started with a military family located in Lorton Virginia that needed to sell their home using Department of Defense HAP benefits.  They found my blog and picked up the phone.  At the time they were my first HAP clients so the pressure was on to learn the program.  As we worked through the program they referred me to some friends of theirs down the road in Woodridge.   The repres... 10/22/2010

CLICK HERE FOR ALL ACTIVE LISTING IN "LORTON"! Search zip codes: 22079 10/15/2010

Make sure you have marked your calendars for this weekends Art, Wine and All that Jazz event at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center. Festival Hours: Saturday from 1-9 PM Enjoy wine tastings from a variety of Virginia and North Carolina vineyards as well as a line-up of Jazz musicians and of course the terrific artists who are a part of the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center. You can read all of the details of the event on the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center. Hope to see you there!       09/26/2010

Okay he didn't exactly join me for a cup of coffee but he did say all of us could stop by his house to soak in a little fall sunshine and history. Gunston Hall was the home of George Mason IV one of the fathers of the Bill of Rights and at one point encompassed 5500 hundred acres.  The home was completed in 1759 and was George Mason's home up until his death in 1792.  George Mason was a fourth generation Virginian with family roots that go back to arrival in Norfolk Virginia in 1652. George Mason's influence in buildings can also be seen close by at Pohick Church in Lorton where he and two other famous Virginian's, George Washington and George Washington Fairfax helped design.  If you look closely at the corner details of both buildings you will see interesting similiarities of brick an... 09/19/2010

Don't forget Saturday September 11th from 6-9 PM is the Second Saturday Art Walk at Lorton Workhouse Arts Center.Over 125 studio artists open up their studios for you to explore.  Receptions are held in each of the Workhouse Art Buildings and it is a great chance to get to meet the arts and learn more about their work. There is no admission charge to visit the studios.Stop by and support the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center tonight! 09/11/2010