New Homes Are A Good Value In Mount Vernon, Woodbridge, Manassas, and Lorton Virginia Find Out How You Can Get More Value For Your Dollar In A New Home You'll Learn How A Buyer Agent Can Be Your Best Ally When Your Buy A New Home Do you have a real estate question you would like to ask? Shoot me an email right now     Don't forget if you have a home to sell Peggy James my listing specialist for Erick and Company can send you a free market evaluation of your home. Fill out this form or call our office at 703-590-2252. We service buyers and sellers in Lake Ridge,Woodbridge, Manassas, Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville, Quantico, Fort Belivor and Mount Vernon area's.  Equal Housing Opportunity   Are you ready to Search the local MLS right now?  Begin Here          03/08/2011

Woodbridge Foreclosures And A Story From California That Has Occurred Here Too Find Out How One Family Lost Their Home Despite Making Their Mortgage Payments On Time You'll Find Out Why The Foreclosure Rate Is Higher Than It Should Be I've Seen This Same Story Happen To Home Owners In Virginia This Story Made My Blood Boil!! This is a story I picked up today from Mandelman Matters "For over two years I’ve had a front row seat for the foreclosure crisis, the by-product of our government’s complete mishandling of the worst economic downturn in seventy years. During that time I’ve been exposed to some pretty horrific things… people living in their cars with a child sleeping in the trunk… the eviction of an 89 year-old couple… I’ve gotten to know what that fear sounds like and feels like… ... 03/04/2011

Prices Of Homes Sold In Fairfax And Prince William Counties Find Out What The AVERAGE Prices And Days On Market Are In Your Area You Can Get A FREE Computerized Market Evaluation Of Your Home By Email   Fairfax County Type of Home Price Range Average Price Days On Market Single Family Under $1 Million $598,270 94 Single Family Over $1 Million $2,603,850 184 Town/Condo Under $600K $303,450 81 Town/Condo Over $600K $797,312 95   Prince William  Type of Home Price Range Average Price Days On Market Single Family Under $500K $327,049 110 Single Family Over $500K $710,439 203 Town/Condo Under $300K $195,704 108 Town/Condo Over $300K $387,841 123 Remember, these are the averages, and your home may be worth more or less than the average, depending upon homes similar to yours that have recently... 03/02/2011

Best Days For Home Buyers To See Homes For Sale You Get A Hot Tip On How To See The Best Selection Of Homes For Sale Home Buyer Information You Won't Get Anywhere Else 02/13/2011

Homes That Are Too Good To Be True Fully Renovated Homes At Market Prices That Have Been On The Market A Long Time May Have A Story To Tell Homes In Perfect Condition NOW Might Have Been In Lousy Condition For 120 Days 02/09/2011

As we were leaving the estate of George and Martha Washington in Virginia I had to stop and photograph the beautiful foliage. Living in Florida, we do not get to experience the beauty of the changing color of the leaves during Autumn. My son, Sascha, was all too glad to pose for this photo for me! These colors are one of the things that Southerners travel North to see at this time of year! What a beautiful display of Mother Nature doing her thing!     11/09/2010

On my last full day in Washington DC my son and his friends took me to Mount Vernon, home of our first President, George Washington. The last time I visited Mount Vernon I was around 8 years old and in my child's memory, the main house was enormous. What a surprise to see it again as an adult and discover that it really isn't that large after all! We had a wonderful time on that Sunday afternoon, walking through the main house and gardens. We also visited the final resting place of George and Martha, a site I remembered from my last visit there. The views from the back of the main house of the Potomic River and the surrounding countryside were fantastic! It was a wonderful day and I was in the best company possible! All too soon, the day was coming to a close, but we did have a great ti... 11/09/2010

If you are looking for something to do this weekend be sure to check out Fall Harvest Family Days at Mount Vernon.  Mount Vernon is a great place to visit anytime of the year, but fall is my favorite. The event is scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday (10/17 & 10/18) from 9:00am to 5:00pm and is included with Estate admission. There will be all kinds of fall activities including a straw bale maze and horse-drawn wagon rides. While there, do not forget to stop by and meet General Washington. Enjoy Fall!                    10/15/2009

The east bank of Little Hunting Creek is called Stratford Landing . Stratford on the Potomac is near the point where Little Hunting Creek enters the Potomac. LIke Arcturus, this natural harbor was at one time a boaters' get-away: the perfect place for DC anglers to escape from the city. There are few remnants of the fishing shacks here. One is more likely to find a multi-million dollar estate home. Some homes on have piers and docks, many are have near waterfront exposure. Here's a list of what's available in Stratford Landing including both Stratford Landing and Stratford on the Potomac. 10/03/2009

Just a few miles outside the gates of Fort Belvoir visitors and residents of Fairfax County can find some of Virginia’s finest historic homes and our nation’s treasures. For their time these homes were the envy of the neighborhood and the owners most certainly among the richest families in Fairfax County.   Sitting on the best piece of property that any colonist could have imagined is Mount Vernon the home of George Washington. It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to picture the prominent colonist in the 1770’s sitting on the back porch watching the large mast ships headed into the docks in Alexandria. With the distinguished white frame home, stone fences and outbuildings wandering through the grounds is a great way to get a feel for how life might have been like so long ago.       Just... 10/29/2008

A gristmill is a mill for the grinding of grain, specifically a customer's own grain. Grist mills were a common site in colonial America, but there are few such mills still in operation today. Pierce Mill a Rock Creek Park in DC is open to the public but is non-operational. The mill needs repairs. But George Washington's Gristmill in Mount Vernon Virginia is fully operational and is a site to see! The mill operates everday from April until the end of October. The gristmill is three miles south of Mount Vernon on the site of Washington's original mill and distillery. Combination tickets which include a visit to the Gristmill are sold at Mount Vernon's Main Gate. George Washington inherited Mount Vernon in 1754 and the mill was part of the estate. At that time, the gristmill was a "custom... 10/20/2008

This is wonderful neighborhood with easy access to parks, bike trails and jogging paths. These homes have generous proportions and ample lots. Heading south, one will encounter Westgrove first. Westgroves homes, many built in the fifties and sixties, are sturdy, brick homes with tasteful, colonial touches. Like much of New Alexandria, Westgrove lies below the uplands, but still well outside most of the River's floodplain. Villamay homes are perched on the bluff, and many have wonderful vistas to the River and beyond the Potomac to Maryland. Villamay homes are often split level characterized by enormous rooms with a thoroughly modern feel. Marlan Forest, as the name implies, is a bit more wooded than Villamay and Westgrove. The lots are large and most have towering hardwoods. The entire ... 10/08/2008

The 18 mile long Mount Vernon,Trail starts at Theodore Roosevelt Island and terminates at the Washington Estate at Mount Vernon.  It is very popular and heavily travelled by cyclists, joggers and hikers. You will pass Arlington National Cemetery, Reagan National Airtport, tour through Old Town Alexandria and along the Potomac River to Mount Vernon.  The views of the Washington monuments are spectacular. It is one of the trails we have enjoyed over the years, especially in the Fall and Spring when both the weather and foliage are spectacular. Also see PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY BIKE PATHS.  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 yo... 08/06/2008

          Waynewood is conveniently located in Mount Vernon along the George Washington Parkway.  In addition to the ease of transportation to Washington, DC, the Pentagon and Fort Belvoir, the fact that Waynewood Elementary is in the subdivision is an important resale feature.  Sandburg Middle Schooll is at the Waynewood entrance and West Potomac High School is within 15 minutes.  Also see WAYNEWOOD for more detailed information, WAYNEWOOD  DETACHED HOME MARKET REPORT   HOMES FOR SALE   Address List Price Days   915 Waynewood  Blvd 609,000 24 1102 Waynewood Blvd 639,900 85 823 Empress Ct 789,000 6 1001 Emerald Dr 835,000 106 909 Danton Ln 869,900 94 8822 Fircrest Pl 949,900 109   HOMES SOLD AND SETTLED    YEAR-TO-DATE 2008 AS OF 8/1/2008 VERSUS TOTAL 2007     2007 2008 +/-  %         N... 08/03/2008

   This is one of the market reports I publish on a monthly basis for Waynewood.  Many REALTORS® prepare a report for all of Fairfax County or Northern Virginia.  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 the area closest to your home.Currently, there are 8 HOMES FOR SALEThe sales figures in this report are for the MONTH ENDING FEBRUARY 29, 2008  SALES STATISTICS (4 SOLD)AVERAGE LIST PRICE $630,580AVERAGE SALES PRICE$617,100MINUS SELLER SUBSIDIES$90NET SALES PRICE         $617,010 There is no more convenient or affordable residential area in Northern Virginia than Waynewood.We believe we are the most qualfied team to assist you.We know the area thoroughly - we've lived in Northern... 03/27/2008

   This is one of the market reports I publish on a monthly basis for Riverside Estates.  Many REALTORS® prepare a report for all of Fairfax County or Northern Virginia.  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 the area closest to your home.Currently, there are 16 HOMES FOR SALEThe sales figures in this report are for the MONTH ENDING FEBRUARY 29, 2008  SALES STATISTICS (4 SOLD)AVERAGE LIST PRICE $551,760AVERAGE SALES PRICE$528,000MINUS SELLER SUBSIDIES$4,325NET SALES PRICE         $523,675 There is no more convenient or affordable residential area in Northern Virginia than Riverside Estates.We believe we are the most qualfied team to assist you.We know the area thoroughly - we'... 03/26/2008

    Henry Woodhouse purchased 1,500 acres of dairyland in Hybla Valley during the 1920's. It was his objective to build the largest transatlantic commercial airport in the National Capital Area.  There were three runways with the largest being 7.200 feet long as well as moorings for Zeppelins.   Howver, the airport never received the necessary approvals - there is no record of any takeoffs or landings during its' operation.           The land was leased to dairy farmers until 1950 when the Virginia National Guard established an anti-aircraft battery in defense of Washington, D.C. on the site which operated until 1959. In 1975 the land was sold to Fairfax County for $1.00.  It is now HUNTLEY MEADOWS PARK, a major wetlands preserve with over 200 species of birds.  The picture at the upper... 02/23/2008

  In all the years we lived in Mount Vernon and shopped at Beacon Mall I wondered where the name originated. The original 74 acre tract was purchased by an Alexandria businessman in the 18th century.  It changed hands over time and became the site of City View, an impressive 19th century estate. The site (elevation 249 feet) was an ideal location for an airfield which was developed in the 1920's.  Originally, it was used by private pilots and the US Mail Service. During Woeld War II it saw service as a training school for naval aviation cadets as well as the Womens Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) that ferried planes to relieve male pilots for combat duty.  Once the war was over an accredited flight school was opened to provide pilot training under the G.I. Bill Finally, the airport clos... 02/19/2008

  Fort Hunt (Sheridan's Point in Washington's Day) served as a fort to defend the settlers against Indians in the 17th century. In the latter part of the 19th century gun batteries were installed to defend Washington, D.C. during the Spanish American War along with Fort Washington in Maryland. It served for a brief time as an ROTC training camp for African Americans as well a temporary Veteran's Administration Hospital. During World War II Fort Hunt was known as P.O. Box 1142, the secret POW camp that housed and interrogated over 4,000 German prisoners.  Interestingly, most of the American interrogators were refugees from Nazi Germany. Today, all but two of the old buildings have been razed and the acreage has been converted to an extremely popular picnic destination along the George Wa... 02/19/2008

    There is only one gas station in the Fort Hunt section of Mount Vernon.  It is located in the Hollin Hall Shopping Center . Yes, they pump your gas, wash the windows and check the oil and fluid levels.  Even though they are the only gas station in the Fort Hunt area their price per gallon of gasoline is competitive with others in the Mount Vernon area. Why?  The shopping center and service station are at the main entrance to Hollin Hall Village, a community of one level ramblers that is very popular with senior citizens. Also, at the time Hollin Hall Village was developed the Hollin Hall Elementary School was built about one block behind the service station.  As the demographics of the area changed and there was no longer a need for an elemantary school in the area it was converted ... 02/11/2008