ONE LESS Home On The Market!  Just Sold ~ 2BR/2BA + Den Condo 8301 Bluebird Way, Unit D, Lorton Virginia, 22079 This lucky home buyer is the beneficiary of contemporary one-level living, a freshly painted home with new carpet, new kitchen appliances, new kitchen flooring, laundry room with full sized washer and dryer, and a commuter friendly location.       Buying or Selling Real Estate in Alexandria VA? Contact Tamara Inzunza, Associate Broker of McEnearney Associates, Inc. Realtors to list and sell your home, or purchase a new home.  I specialize in Old Town Alexandria, Del Ray, Kingstowne, and Manchester Lakes condos, townhomes, and single-family homes for sale. Call me at 703-549-9292 x228 or 703-623-8759. Visit my website and Search All Homes For Sale at www.MovingToNova.com/. If ... 10/01/2008

Today my wife was doing research for a post about a subdivision in our service area.  She showed me information taken from our MLS system.  There were six detached homes for sale - not a single one of them had school information. Why is this a problem? If your client wants to be in a specific school district these homes will not be available for considerstion. The homeowner is not being fully represented Every single one of these homes was listed for sale by a relatively new agent.  These are the same people who pride them selves on the "new real estate approach" At the risk of being self serving I am not a new real estate agent I do include school information in a multiple listing I do include accurate directions I do describe the property honestly I frequently see posts where relative... 09/26/2008

One of the benefits of being actively involved in the Occoquan River Communities is the opportunity to get a "sneak peek" at one of the biggest success stories in redevelopment in Lorton.  The Lorton Workhouse Arts Center is getting ready for the grand opening the week of September 19th -27th with multiple events planned throughout the week.  The week starts with a classic concert concert-pianist Pedja Muzijevic and culminates with the grand opening gala featuring Tony Award winning singer Barbara Cook. Artists who have studio space are just moving in and getting themselves settled.  The staff is putting in long hours to make sure that everything is ready for the crowds who will be coming to check out the new center and registrations are starting to come in for the upcoming classes bein... 09/13/2008

Fairfax County took title to the 2,000 acre Lorton Prison site in 2002.  There is now a large residential subdivision, public golf course and new secondary school on the grounds.  Another phase of the transformation will take place when the Workhouse Arts Center has its' Grand Opening Celebration September 19-27, 2008. Phase 1 of the $39 million dollar renovation of the 55 acre site provides a facility where artists and their students will create and dsiplay their work.  Everything from visual art to theater, music, dance, photography and digital media will be part of the capability of the center.  The public will be able to visit the studios, purchase works, attend conferences, workshops and lectures.  Community events and entertainment will be an integral part of the life of the cente... 09/13/2008

Raceway Farms on Telegraph Road is convenient because it is 5 minutes to the Fort Belvoir Gate at Beulah Street 7 minutes to I-95 10 minutes to the Lorton VRE Station 15 minutes to the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail station and Springfield Mall The community is very well maintained and the homes have approximately 2200 to 3000 square feet of living space.  The Hayfield Shopping Center (supermarket, etc.) is approximately 10 minutes away If you prefer newer homes see INLET COVE which is as close to Fort Belvoir as Raceway Farms. Planning to Buy or Sell Real Estate?  SEARCH FOR HOMES and contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-562-1532.  Put our  record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fa... 09/12/2008

Cavanaugh Crossing is accessed from Hooes Road - just a few seconds north of Route 123 in Lorton.  There are Brookfield built and feature Soutthern Mansion styles as well as traditional colonial style.  The Lorton VRE train station is approximately 10 minutes away with service to both L'Enfant Plaza and Union Station in Washington, D.C. Once aboard you the train you can transfer to Metrorail at the Franconia-Springfield metro station. You can pull out onto Route 123, cross the Occoquan River and be at the VDOT Commuter Parking Lot at I-95 in Woodbridge in approximately 10 minutes and ride PRTC to The Pentagon and numerous stops in Washington, D.C or join a carpool. The homes are also approximately 5 mimutes from the Shoppes at Lorton Valley and the new public Laurel Hill Golf Club.  Als... 09/12/2008

Some of us are old enough to remember maps, the free ones that you picked up at the gas station and opened up wide on the kitchen table to plan out your vacation.  The fun was watching your parents trying to refold them and stuff them in the glove compartment.  Today most people bypass the old fashion map for on-line for directions and often overlook the fact that a map only contains a small amount of the information you need to know about an area. For someone getting ready to relocate to Northern Virginia checking out the map can give you a sense of where you are going and put locations in perspective.  You can get an idea of distance and learn the names of the local towns but a map can't take you to the next level.  A map doesn't know the difference between neighborhoods or the best c... 09/05/2008

Whether you live in the southwest where old Spanish missions still serve their communities, Boston where Old North Church thrives or live in Lorton, VA it is interesting that historic churches play an ongoing role in the life of their communities. Pohick Church in Lorton was the first Episcopalian church in Northern Virginia.  It served its' congregration in a frame church at the corner of Gunston and Old Colchester Roads from 1730 to 1774.  George Washington prevailed upon the other vestryman to build a new sanctuary at Old Colchester Road and what we now know as US 1. In later years the Methodists built the Lewis Chapel on Old Colchester Road.  As the congregation grew James and John Cranford built the present sanctuary at the old Pohick Church site in 1900.  In 1953 the Lewis Chapel ... 09/03/2008

With the grand opening of the new Lorton Workhouse Arts Center only a few weeks away the final preparations for the new gallery and artist's studios is almost complete.  While touring the grounds recently to look at the progress and talk with the center director I came across another reminder of how far the prison site has come in the last few years. Tucked away at the back of the prison site on buildings that have not yet been renovated is a reminder of the prisoners who once counted down the days until they were released.  Art work still painted on the walls of cell blocks.  I'm sure someone knows who painted these pictures and it would be interesting to learn if the artist's time at prison turned their lives around or whether these murals are the legacy of a life that continued down ... 09/03/2008

With over 21,000 jobs scheduled for a move to Fort Belvoir and another 2600 scheduled for Quantico all of the counties and areas close to the bases are preparing for change.  Even though the influx of personnel won't be complete until Fall 2011 signs of the influx are popping up.You can already see some of the changes underway both inside and outside of Fort Belvoir and Quantico.  Road improvements in Fairfax County, the new Dewitt Hospital at Fort Belvoir and building renovations at both locations are just the tip of the iceberg.For families moving to the area as part of BRAC getting to know the area and making decisions about where to live are going to be a #1 priority.  With so many choices putting together a solid wish list of neighborhoods, type and style of housing, school options... 09/02/2008

Pohick Church in Lorton was once described as "The Mother Church of Northern Virginia".  It was established sometime prior to 1724 - the first sanctuary was a frame building at Old Colchester Road and Gunston Road (now the present day site of Cranford United Methodist Church).  As the congregation grew and the building deteriorated, a new sanctuary was planned for the present location at US 1 and Old Colchester Road at the southerm boundary of Fort Belvoir. There prominent Virginians, George Washington, George Mason and George Fairfax were part of the team that oversaw the construction.  The church was completed in 1774, just before that "nasty business" with the British.  The church continued to play a role in both the War of 1812 and the War Between The States.  Records also indicate ... 09/01/2008

Hallowing Point is the epitome of living on the Potomac River in Northern Virginia.  The custom homes are on large lots with fantastic vistas of the Potomac River and Maryland.  The community has its' own park and boat launching facility right on the river. The interesting point is that you pass through several of very prominent historical sites to get there. Pohick Church -  It was located in a frame building at Old Colchester Road and Gunston Road.  No less than 2 prominent 18th century "personages", George Washington and George Mason IV disagreed on relocating the church to its' present location at US1 and Old Colchester Road - GW won the day. Cranford United Methodist Church  It was moved to the old Pohick Church site, has been rebuilt and remodeled to its' present condition. Gunsto... 08/29/2008

Gunston Hall and Gunston Manor are both on the Mason Neck Peninsula of Lorton.  Gunston Hall is the home of George Mason IV, an 18th century Virginia patriot Gunston Manor is a subdivision in transition The history surrounding GUNSTON HALL is very interesting and its' famous owner played an important role in the Revolutionary era. Gunston Manor, on the other hand, is a residential subdivision east of Gunston Hall.  At one time it was predominantly small, inexpensive cottages along the shore.  Today, those old homes are being replaced by very upscale custom homes. You need to pay a fee to visit Gunston Hall.  You need a real estate agent to see any homes in Gunston Manor that are for sale - that's where I come in. Planning to Buy or Sell Lorton Area Real Estate?  Contact Karen and Art by... 08/29/2008

Greorge Mason IV (1725-1792) authored the Virginia Declaration of Rights,  It was eventually incorporated into the Virginia Constitution as Article 1.  Why is this of interest?  Many of the guarantees of the document were  incorporated into the Declaration of Independence and the US Bill of Rights. At the time George assumed responsibility for the family's plantation, Mason Neck, the Gunston Hall home had not been built.  It was completed in 1759 when he was only 34 years old.  Aside from the 5,500 acres on Mason Neck,  George Mason owned other plantations - some of which are now the names of popular residential areas - Hollin Hall, Woodbridge, Lexington and Mason's Island.  Mason's Island puzzled me, but research revealed Mason's Island was in the middle of the Potomac River - Mason's ... 08/28/2008

You have to smile when you see it, a big children's playground right behind the community center in the active adult neighborhood of Spring Hill.  Is there an expectation of some child like behavior among the homeowners in the community?  Forget playing bridge or shuffleboard just hang out on the monkey bars and zip down the slide!  In reality the developers of Spring Hill were smart enough to realize that homeowners in the neighborhood were going to be entertaining their grandchildren or great grandchildren and it would be nice to have a place for them to enjoy themselves without having to drive to another local park to play.     This was just one of the nice amenities my buyers noticed on our tour.  Within the gated neighborhood was a community center with indoor pool, tennis courts a... 08/28/2008

Spring Hill is a community of Over 55 Homes being built on the Laurel Hill section of Lorton Prison land that was released for residential construction by Fairfax County.  Title to the land was passed to the county when the prison was closed.  They are, of course, one level homes with garages - seniors won't have to climb stairs or scrape ice off windshields.  It is a fenced and gated community to maximize security.  As the photos show there is a minimum amount of land for the homeowners to maintain, but there are broad open areas adding to the overall appeal. Planning to Buy or Sell Real Estate?  Contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-562-1532.  Put our  record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington... 08/28/2008

Have you ever had one of those moments when you are showing houses that you are struck by something you hadn't noticed before?  You are driving through a neighborhood you have shown dozens of times and landmarks that you pass everyday but for some reason on this particular day you suddenly see them from a different perspective? That happened to me today while showing new construction in the over 55 community of Spring Hill in Lorton.  The community is one of the newer communities that grew out of the revitalization plan for the former prison grounds located nearby..  Today as drove through the community we were struck by the fences.  First there are the new fences that surround the patio homes that make up the Spring Hill community.  Then there are the old fences that surround the groun... 08/26/2008

      Harbor View is an established Lorton VA Community of 170 detached homes on ½ acre plus lots.  The majority of the homes are custom built - no builder dominated the area.  There is a boat storage facility and boat launch ramp on Massey Creek that has direct access to the Occoquan River.  Many of the homeowners store their boats on their lot since there are no restrictions about boat storage.  Harbor View is within 15 minutes of Fort Belvoir, the I-95 entrance at Lorton and the Lorton VRE Station.  Its' proximity to the railroad station and I-95 make it a desirable location for commuting to Washington, D.C. and the Pentagon.  Additionally, it is on the Mason Neck Peninsula making the Pohick Bay Public Golf Course, Pohick Regional Park and the National Wildlife Refuge facilities tha... 08/25/2008

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 hook hanging on the car door at Lake Accotink....not so much. However the story of the Lorton Prison 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 was acquiring the land necessary to develop the missile defense sites.  Most people think of the missiles being stored in remote destinations out west but not in Fairfax County VA.  Since the Army was tasked with finding sites that we already government owned the Lorton Prison site on 3200 acres just 25 miles south of... 08/24/2008

8301 Bluebird Way, Unit DLorton, Virginia 22079 Come and see this beautiful two bedroom home that offers two full baths, plus a den that is in mint move-in condition.  Freshly painted, new carpet, new kitchen flooring and appliances.  The master bedroom has an oversized walk-in closet. This home is not a foreclosure, not a short sale, seller owned lovingly cared for home that requires no repairs and no fix-ups...MOVE-IN CONDITION!       08/23/2008