At the turn of the century in Lorton Virginia a small group of 22 people created a Sunday school at the one room school house on Silverbrook Road.  When the congregation grew to over 70 people it was decided that it was time to build a church to accommodate the growing interest in church services in the area.  Wanting to stay in Lorton the church was able to buy a piece of property just down the road from the school house for the incredible price of twenty dollars!A small white clapboard church, typical of the era was erected and dedicated on November 1, 1908.  As was common at that time a single church did not have the funds to support their own preacher so the Silverbrook Church joined with Cranford Methodist, Lee Chapel, Occoquan and Bethel Churches to share one preacher who travele... 02/21/2008

Thinking of moving and want to know more about the demographics of the area?One of the tools then you might want to use this handy little city profile tool.  I've linked it based on my home area of Lorton Virginia but you can change it to look at any area in the US.   02/16/2008

As a relocation specialist one of the things that we watch is the trends for major relocation hot spots.  Where are employees headed within or outside of the U.S? Currently the popular relocation hot spots include; Boston MA, Paris France, Los Angeles, CA, Korea and Washington DC.  With more companies opening or maintaining facilities overseas we expect to see the trend for foreign relocations to grown.Something new that we are seeing in relocation packages for employees is companies offering to cover a percentage of employee's loss on the value of their homes.  The average cost to move an employee comes in around $60,000 and with the rough housing market in many locations the cost for employee relocation programs is growing.  Some companies do buy the homes of employees they have reque... 02/14/2008

Our phones are starting to ring with clients who have just learned that a move to a new location is in the air.  Getting ready to move no matter how prepared you are, is difficult.  So here are a few tips that might help you get started with the process. The #1 Tip is PURGE.  Start with all of those magazines that are lying around.  If there is one article that you want to keep out of the entire magazine cut it out and scan it to your computer or a disc.  Go through the closets and clean out the clothes, shoes, coats that you know you won't need at your new location or haven't worn in a long time.#2-IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS.  Make sure all of your important papers are secure in one location.  It is amazing the number of times that you will get to your new location and not be able to find imm... 02/07/2008

Hop on the bus and come along for the ride.  We make stops along the way at historic mansions, churches and towns throughout Northern Virginia.  You can get off and stay awhile at any location.  We will circle back around to pick you up when you are done.  Your ticket is good forever.  If you can't see them all today, don't worry, they will be here tomorrow and for centuries to come. We will start today with the Northern Virginia Historic Churches Tour.  These churches are small gems found throughout Fairfax Station, and Lorton.  They aren't the large and lavish cathedrals that you find in Europe but they have charm and loads of local history.       Our first stop on the tour is the "Mother Church of Northern Virginia" formally called Pohick Church.  This church is still an active Episc... 02/03/2008

If you are a first time homebuyer, and think you can't buy a home...think again.  If you have a job, and have decent credit, there is help for you. There are non profit organizations who will work with various loan programs that will grant you the down payment money you need to buy a home. To get more information on these programs or other programs you may qualify for, give me. Benny "The Loan Ranger" McKee 703 407 9398.  If you don't have a Real Estate Agent and need a GOOD one, I know a good one, ( I am married to her, but that doesn't change the fact that she is good at what she does) her name is Konnie McKee 703 407 7088, you can visit her website at http://www.konniemac.com/   02/02/2008

Check out this Brick Front 3 BR, 2.55 BA, 2 Car Garage Townhouse! Located in Lorton and listed for $449,999. This townhouse has an Inviting Living Room & formal Dining Room w/decorative moulding. Large Eat-in Kitchen w/center island & adjoining Family Room. Spacious new deck. Oversized Master Bedroom w/vaulted ceiling. Luxurious Master Bath w/soaking tub & sep. shower. Recreation room w/gas fireplace. Lower Level Walk out to Backyard. New Washer & Dryer. Great location near shopping, restaurants, I95 HOA, VRE, Park & Ride.For more information please visit my website www.dmsamson.com. Click here to REQUEST MORE INFO or to SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT for a private showing. . 01/29/2008

Even when the weather is chilly there isn't any reason not to get outside and explore all of the great parks and recreation activities that you can find in Fairfax County, Virginia.Though your week may include commuting on crowded interstates, metro rides or slug lines, the weekend gives you the perfect opportunity to take in the solitude of many of our areas parks.  Whether you are looking for one of the parks run by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, the National Park Service or the Department of the Interior you can find a park and outdoor activity to enjoy.     Three major parks on the Mason Neck Peninsula are a perfect example of both the variety of parks and the cooperation of nature conservation groups in Fairfax County.  The Mason Neck area traces its history back to... 01/27/2008

A number of properties listed as foreclosures in Fairfax County are homes that have been built in last few years.  Lorton which has had significant growth in the last five years is one of the those neighborhoods.   Since these homes are newer many of them are still covered by the builders warranty and have some of the upgrades today’s buyers are looking for.  In fact some of these homes have never been lived in having been purchased by speculators who hoped to buy and flip.  Lorton has come a long way from the days when it was only known as the location of a federal prison complex.  Today you will find the Lorton Marketplace with a Shoppers Food Warehouse, Lorton Station with multiple restaurants and a VRE station.  With the new South County High School, Lorton Workhouse Arts Center an... 01/25/2008

If you work for a company that provides relocation services then chances are they have called me or someone with a job similar to mine to help with the process.  Many larger companies have relocation services to assist their business which are staffed with licensed real estate agents to help during your move.Part of that assistance includes finding you a Realtor® both at your current location and at your new location as well.  Our job isn't to show you houses but we do understand all about relocation and how difficult it might be for you and your family.  We are here to be a conduit to help find you the right person with the local area knowledge and expertise wherever you are going.  Over time we develop relationships with Realtor's® across the county and learn to know who is responsive... 01/23/2008

Within walking distance of the new Lorton Station shops and resturants these listings offer buyers the opportunity to live close to everything.  Want to grab the VRE to work in the morning?  No problem take 2 block walk and grab a cup of coffee along the way at the Daily Grind.  Did you remember on the VRE ride home that the refridgerator is empty?  Not to worry you have a choice of 6 different resturants right in the town center. So if you are interested in learning more about this terrific little urban center give me a call.  I'll be glad to tell you more.   All data from MRIS January 2008.  01/21/2008

Cranford Methodist Church is another small Northern Virginia church that can trace its history back to the 18th century.   Where the current church stands there have been three churches and two schoolhouses.  The first church that occupied the site from 1730-1774 was called Pohick Episcopal Church.  Being a frame built church after 40 years it began to fall into disrepair and George Washington suggested moving the church and congregation to a better location.  So a new larger Pohick Episcopal Church was built closer to the “main” road. The old frame church fell into disrepair and the site at the corner of what are now called Colchester and Gunston Roads remained empty for almost 50 years.  Then as the Methodist faith in the area began to grow a new meeting place was needed.  First the c... 01/14/2008

Relax, I'm talking about geese, not people.There was a time when each Fall I would enjoy watching the flocks honk and wave on their way to Florida.  The scene would be reversed as they flew home to Canada in the Spring.However, in recent years they have decided to make Northern Virginia home.  There is no doubt they enjoy our mild weather, scenery, fresh and salt water fishing in addition to the very pleasant people.It would really upset me if the Bald Eagles  told them about us.  They may be very graceful birds, but they are noisy and foul our water supply.It is estimated the geese are increasing about 15% per year.  Additionally, it's a good thing they don't drive on our overburdened roads.I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF CANADIAN GEESE.I DO SOLVE REAL ESTATE ISSUES.CONTACT M... 12/27/2007

This is the second installment on small historic churches in Northern Virginia. Our area gives residents and visitors alike the chance to find history around every corner. Most people can easily find the big attractions in both the history and tourist books but it is the little places that you don’t know about that can also be a fun stop on your exploration of the area. This installment focuses on Pohick Church called by many historians as the “Mother Church of Northern Virginia.” When the Virginia General Assembly met in 1732 they established an area known as Truro Parish, and Pohick Church became the first Parish Church within the area. One of the first colonists to serve on the parish board was Augustine Washington the father of George Washington. As with other churches in the area t... 12/10/2007

For over 100 years Lorton was an area that most residents of Northern Virginia went out of their way to avoid. As a prison complex the 3,200 acre site was huge and when the facility was ordered closed in 1998, Fairfax County began planning in earnest with what to do with the land and buildings that made up the infamous prison. In 2002 Fairfax County officials received title to 2400 acres and the re-development of the property began. Besides the Lorton Workhouse Arts Foundation which is in the process of refurbishing a number of the old prison buildings as studio and gallery space for local artists, the area is now full of new neighborhoods, schools, and shopping centers. The largest of the neighborhoods, Laurel Hill has 700 homes built by Pulte or Centex Homes. Prices in the area rose q... 12/10/2007

      My husband called me from Sam's Club the other day and asked if I wanted him to buy any candy canes at the same time he was buying Halloween candy.  Since it was 7:30 in the morning I wasn't sure he was fully awake and not dreamiing.  He assured me he was of sound mind and there were Christmas decorations and candy next to the Halloween merchandise.I'm old enough to remember the first time you saw Christmas merchandise was the day after Thanksgiving.  Of course, everything nowadays is hurry up and sell it before your competitor knows you have it on the shelf.  It wouldn't surprise me to see the 2009 model cars on the dealer's floors on January 2, 2008 - sorry - I meant January 1, 2008 as they are probably going to be open New Year's Day.I'm waiting for Arthur to call me from Sam's... 09/30/2007

This is the first in a series of monthly market reports for that section of Fairfax County with postal addresses named Lorton.  This real estate market encompasses one postal ZIP code, namely 22079. Many REALTORS prepare a report for all Fairfax County ZIP codes.  In my opinion, that covers too broad an area to be meaningful.  I do believe my approach will give you a much more realistic picture of the market in your neighborhood. Currently, there are 124 homes for sale in the 22079 area. For the 31 day period August 1, 2007 to August 31, 2007 the following sales statistics were reported on the Multiple Listing Service Homes Sold = 33 Average List Price =          $551,338 Average Sold Price =           541,487 Percentage of List Price = 96.56% Average Seller Subsidy =       -7,088   Net... 09/25/2007

Who needs fancy neighborhood names?  Why not tell it like it is!    I was at a community meeting last week and snapped a picture of this sign to share.  When the prison was the prominent attraction in Lorton the warden and a number of the staff lived along Old Ox Road.  Except for a few remaining homes all of the original houses have given way to new large houses and townhouses.   For the few that remain this sign gives you an idea of the history of the area.  I had forgotten about the sign until I came upon it again.  Considering all of the new homes in the area with fancy names this made me smile.  Something that driving by the prison never did! To read a little history on the Lorton Prison and what is being done to transform some of the original builders check out an earlier blog:  F... 08/20/2007

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 1900s.  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 and one remains today.  Over the years the nature of the prison changed and it became a location that most of us who live in the area learned to avoid.  It closed as a prison in 2003 and the transformation of the 3200 acres began in earnest. In 1917 the prison received its most famous inmates and recognition that it did not want.  Over 150 women were arrested for pro... 06/25/2007

Lorton Virginia homes for sale, Lorton Virginia Condos, and Town homes for sale in Lorton Virginia.  Lorton Virginia is one of the newest places to live in the Northern Virginia areas. It is located in Fairfax Virginia at the most southern point of Fairfax County. If you are searching for townhouses for sale in Lorton Virginia, Lorton new homes, Lorton home for sale, upscale luxury homes and estates in Lorton of condos for sale in Lorton VA...you can search below for all of Lorton real estate or create a custom homes search for Lorton Virginia homes, condos or townhouses.  If you are interest in buying homes in Lorton Virginia, a condo, town homes in Lorton Virginia or a new homes in Lorton VA, or selling a home in Lorton Contact me!  You will not be disappointed.Lorton Virginia Homes F... 04/30/2007