pentagon: Unraveling the Maze of PCS Orders to the Washington DC Area
- 06/19/09 01:07 PM
The PCS orders have arrived! The phone has been ringing as military families around the world have gotten the word that their next duty station is in the Northern Virginia area. The first few days after the PCS orders arrive all the questions about housing, schools and transportation can lead to sleepless nights. Don't worry it is easy to find your way through the maze of options and get you settled in the area in no time.Most military personnel headed to the area choose to live in either Fairfax, Prince William or Stafford Counties and whether you are going to buy … (2 comments)
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pentagon: Military Relocation-Should You Buy a Home on Your Next Tour?
- 06/10/09 01:57 PM
Over the last few years many military families making the move to Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon or any of the installations within the Military District of Washington made the decision to purchase a home when their orders arrived. With quick appreciation and fast sales it made the choice easy. Now with prices lower and the market slow trying to make the choice between buying and renting is harder.For many using their VA home loan benefits in this market makes sense. As the only 100% loan program available for military families they can ease the costs associated with buying a new home. … (6 comments)
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pentagon: Shipping Out From Northern Virginia? Check to See if You Qualify for HAP
- 06/04/09 09:49 AM
Military families stationed at Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon, Quantico and other Military District of Washington installations who purchased a home prior to July 1, 2006 may find that Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP) may offer some relief if you have upcoming PCS orders to move.This week I have listed two homes for sale with families applying for HAP benefits. The official guidelines for the program are expecting to be released within the next 10-14 days and already the counselors for our area indicate they have over 1500 applications waiting. One of the requirements for application for HAP beneits is to be actively … (0 comments)
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pentagon: Two New Listings-Military Families on the Move
- 06/03/09 09:47 AM
This weekend I will be introducing two new listings in Prince William County. Both are like new one car garage townhouses. One is located in the Riverside Station neighborhood in Woodbridge and the other in the Carterwood neighborhood in Gainesville.Both homes are owned by military families with PCS orders to leave the area this summer. Military families face a number of challenges when the orders arrive and having lived through those moves myself I understand the difficulties that the transition can cause.
For me supporting military families in our area isn't just about buying and selling real estate. It … (2 comments)
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pentagon: Springfield (VA) Kings Park A Great Place to Hang Your Crown
- 05/30/09 07:22 AM
It isn't hard to figure out what the developer of the first Kings Park was planning when they laid out the plan for the community and the homes. With one look at the street names Thames, Victoria, Trafalgar and Cromwell among others you might think you have made a trip back to England. Then when you add the names of the five original models; King, Queen, Princess, Duke and Duchess, you realize absolutely there is a royal connection!
Our family bought our very first home in Kings Park in 1981. Having just returned from five years overseas we were anxious to … (0 comments)
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pentagon: Military Sponsors-Do You Remember the Days?
- 05/28/09 08:57 AM
If you have been in or around the military for as many years as I have there are some things that you remember fondly and others that weren't so great. One of the best things our family encountered was our "sponsor." The member of your unit who started sending you information about your new assignment before you arrived. The sponsor was assigned to help make the transition from one installation to another as smooth as possible.
Back in the day the sponsor loaded up packets of information and mailed them off to you. There were maps, directions to various locations on … (5 comments)
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pentagon: Military Relocation-Helping One Family at a Time
- 05/21/09 12:57 PM
It doesn't matter how many times it is said, my goal as a Realtor® in an area that has a significant military presence is to help families coming to Northern Virginia find a new home when PCS orders arrive.
This spring I've had the good fortunate of helping six military families find rental properties in our area. I'm sending listings to three additional families who are in-processing this summer. Every family has different needs and though most agents find rentals to be a waste of time, I realize as a former military spouse that getting your family settled is one of … (3 comments)
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pentagon: Military Relocation-Potomac Club Easy Access to Multiple Military Installations
- 05/20/09 08:14 AM
New construction still continues at the Potomac Club one of the communities growing along the Route 1 corridor in Prince William County. The neighborhood features townhomes style condominiums built by three recognized area builders, Pulte, Ryan and M/I homes.
The crown jewel of the neighborhood is the incredible $12 million dollar club house which sits at the entrance to the community. Featuring both indoor and outdoor pools, a rock wall, billiards room and casual lounge the clubhouse was designed as a place for residents to gather and relax. The club also is a WiFi hot spot and business center giving residents … (4 comments)
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pentagon: Welcome to the Pentagon-Your On-line Relocation Resource
- 04/27/09 12:10 AM
As someone who has moved all around the world with the military the first few days after the PCS orders arrive the questions about housing, schools and shopping can lead to sleepless nights and the big question “where are we going to live?”
If the orders in your hand mean you are heading to the Pentagon then let me welcome you to the neighborhood! Most military personal headed to the base often choose to live in Northern Virginia close to public transportation and the famous "slug" lines. Whether you are going to buy or rent there are plenty of neighborhood options … (2 comments)
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pentagon: Military Relocation-Things to Know if Your Landlord Defaults on Their Mortgage
- 04/01/09 12:46 AM
The current real estate market in Northern Virginia has proved a rude awakening for some renting military families who signed a lease in the last year. Landlords who decided NOT to pay their mortgages have left the tenants holding the bag when the sheriff comes to the door.
Military familes who are forced to make a local move due to a foreclosure may find some relief from the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Not many servicemembers know that under section 531 in the SCRA anyone looking to evict an active duty servicemember from a rental property that is their primary residence must … (35 comments)
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pentagon: Charlestown Townhouses-Williamsburg Comes to Northern Virginia
- 03/24/09 11:46 AM
Are you looking for a way to spend the $8000 first time home buyer's incentive? Then you might want to consider the all brick townhouses in the Charlestown neighborhood in West Springfield to use your piece of the incentive.You don't find many neighborhoods that have been as well maintained as this one. With an HOA that does all of the outside maintenance including a three year paint schedule, roofing, sidewalks, brick courtyard walls and front landscaping it means that you can have your weekends free to enjoy all of the nearby activities.
While the neighborhood is primarily made up of three … (2 comments)
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pentagon: Military Relocation-A Northern Virginia Snapshot
- 03/22/09 12:18 PM
The PCS orders have arrived! The phone has been ringing as military families around the world have gotten the word that their next duty station is in the Northern Virginia area. The first few days after the PCS orders arrive all the questions about housing, schools and transportation can lead to sleepless nights. Don't worry it is easy to find your way through the maze of options and get you settled in the area in no time.Most military personnel headed to Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon or any of the Military District of Washington installations often chose to live in Fairfax, Prince … (2 comments)
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pentagon: Military Families Making Tough Decisions When the Orders Arrive
- 02/25/09 10:23 AM
Over the last few years many military families making the move to Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon or any of the installations within the Military District of Washington made the decision to purchase a home when their orders arrived. With quick appreciation and fast sales it made the choice easy. Now with prices lower and the market slow trying to make the choice between buying and renting is harder.VA loans make buying a home in Northern Virginia with no money down a snap. With lower prices military members can buy more house today than they could before. With sellers often making a … (12 comments)
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pentagon: Free Insiders Guide-Charlestown Townhouses in Springfield VA
- 02/16/09 10:37 AM
Are you looking for a way to spend the $8000 first time home buyer's incentive? Then you might want to consider the all brick townhouses in the Charlestown neighborhood in West Springfield to use your piece of the incentive.You don't find many neighborhoods that have been as well maintained as this one. With an HOA that does all of the outside maintenance including a three year paint schedule, roofing, sidewalks, brick courtyard walls and front landscaping it makes the homeowners jobs to a minimum.
While the neighborhood is primarily made up of three level townhouses there are a scattering of two … (2 comments)
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pentagon: The Real Mixing Bowl in Northern Virginia-It isn’t in Springfield
- 02/12/09 09:08 AM
For years commuters and residents of Northern Virginia have referred to the mess of merging roadways in Springfield as the "mixing bowl." It is easy to see why it got that name. With 50 ramps and 20 lanes, merging of three major interstate highways, I-95, I-495 and I-395 it has gotten a reputation of being both a bottleneck and a confusing interchange.As the huge Springfield Interchange project came to an end and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) turned its attention to "hot lanes" and other projects the 8 years of road construction in Springfield began to fade from commuters minds. However in … (6 comments)
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pentagon: Kings Park West-Express Bus to the Pentagon Only Blocks Away
- 02/06/09 11:44 AM
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pentagon: Welcome to Daventry-The Ups and Downs of Five Years of Sales
- 01/22/09 11:47 PM
In my previous post "Welcome to Daventry-Choose Your Style of Walking" I talked about all of the terrific attributes of the Daventry neighborhood in West Springfield, including convenience to public transportation, community amenities and the popularity of the community for anyone who is looking for a neighborhood that offers everything from condos to detached homes.One of the questions that buyers and sellers ask on a regular basis "is how are the neighborhood trends?" Anyone who reads the paper or listens to the evening news knows that the Northern Virginia real estate market has had some significant changes over the last five … (2 comments)
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pentagon: Welcome to Daventry-Choose Your Favorite Style of Walking
- 01/21/09 10:02 PM
For Springfield (VA) commuters the Daventry neighborhood provides the option to walk to the main entrance to the community and grab slug to the Pentagon. If you aren't familiar with the term "slug" in relation to Northern Virginia commuting don't panic. It is a unique and legal way to hitch-hike your way to the Pentagon, State Department, World Bank or many other locations in DC. The Daventry line is geared for a direct route to the Pentagon.A free ride isn't the only reason that Daventry is a popular neighborhood in Springfield. The community offers a community pool, community center, tennis … (3 comments)
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pentagon: Saratoga-Just a Short Hop to Fort Belvoir
- 01/20/09 10:13 PM
Chances are you will see a wild bunny or two in your yard in the Saratoga neighborhood in Springfield Virginia. With the pockets of woods scattered throughout the neighborhood you will also see deer and foxes too. The wildlife, nice size lots, the quick hop to Fort Belvoir, nearby shopping, recreation and ease of commuting make Saratoga a neighborhood that stays on the list of popular Springfield neighborhoods.
Market Report
Saratoga prices have risen and fallen with the change in market conditions over the last 5 years. The following chart shows the average list and sales prices since 2003 when the … (6 comments)
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pentagon: Parkfairfax-Two Past Presidents Called it Home and You Could Too!
- 01/14/09 12:46 AM
Tucked away just a few miles from DC in Alexandria VA are the rolling hills, tree lined streets and brick buildings that make up the community of Parkfairfax. Parkfairfax has the distinction of being the former of home of two past presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Both lived in the community prior to taking the highest office in the land. Fitting since all of the condo models are named after presidents!
Parkfairfax was originally built to fulfill the need for housing close to the Federal Government, Pentagon and DC in 1941. The homes were constructed as apartments by … (8 comments)
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The PCS orders have arrived! The phone has been ringing as military families around the world have gotten the word that their next duty station is in the Northern Virginia area. The first few days after the PCS orders arrive all the questions about housing, schools and transportation can lead to sleepless nights. Don't worry it is easy to find your way through the maze of options and get you settled in the area in no time.Most military personnel headed to the area choose to live in either Fairfax, Prince William or Stafford Counties and whether you are going to buy … (2 comments)
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