Special offer

Fort Belvoir, VA Real Estate News

By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
Unless you are paying attention you will zoom through the Village of Accotink and not think it's anything more than shortcut from Fort Belvoir to the Fairfax County Parkway.  Yet these few blocks were in the late 1800's part of a a small thriving area known as The Village of Accotink. Once part of a larger Accotink/Woodlawn community the Village of Accotink was founded by the growing local Quaker community.  According to historic records and the 1860 Federal census the residents in the Village of Accotink were a combination of professionals such as lawyers and doctors as well as carpenters and farmers.  Since most of the land had been over-farmed, timber was one of the biggest industries in the area.  The Accotink Mill thrived for many years and helped bring new business to the Village ...
Comments 18
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
Among the duties of the U.S. Army Caisson Platoon, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), at Joint Base Fort Myer-Henderson Hall is the training and care of the horses used for official functions including funerals at Arlington National Cemetery.  These two were out in the paddock recently doing a bit of mutual back scratching.In addition to ceremonial duties the Old Guard also runs a Therapeutic Riding Program TRP) for soldiers suffering from Post Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Taumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at their facility at Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County VA.  Currently there are approximately 175 wounded warriors enrolled in the program run by U.S. Army Caisson Platoon, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).  Soldiers enrolled in the program groom horses, help in ...
Comments 46
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
Recently a new Fisher House opened on Fort Belvoir.  The Fisher House is located across the street from the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and Wounded Warrior Transition Unit. The Fisher House is “home away from home” for military families to be close to a loved one who is hospitalized for an illness or injury.  The new Fisher House on Fort Belvoir features 12 suites with a private handicapped-accessible bathrooms. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, dining room and living room with a library.  The houses also have toys and games for children. Military families do not pay to stay at any Fisher House.  According to Ken Fisher, of the Fisher House Foundation, the foundation has provided 4 million nights of lodging for family members, has served 170,000 families and saved...
Comments 10
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
Cook Inlet A Fort Belvoir Address But It's Not Post Housing When most people think of a Fort Belvoir  address they immediately think of the U.S. Army Post.  However Cook Inlet shares the Fort Belvoir postal address with its close neighbor but it is not part of the Army Post.   About The Cook Inlet Neighorhood The first issue to clear up about the neighborhood is the name. Though the official Fairfax County tax records show the name of the subdivision as Cook Inlet the neighborhood is also advertised as Inlet Cove and the entrance sign coming in the community says Inlet Cove. Talk about confusing. If you want to search for the neighborhood you should use the Cook Inlet name in order to find available listings.  The neighborhood consists of approximately 255 townhouses and zero lot line d...
Comments 2
By Peggy James, Woodbridge Virginia Area Real Estate Specialist
(SAMSON PROPERTIES)
Have you been hoping to find a home on a level lot in Fairfax County Virginia?    Well, I've got a secret. " I know where you can find one!"   Best of all the community is right around the corner from Fort Belvoir Military Base not far from the Mount Vernon Virginia area. Is this what you have in mind?  These are just two of six lots to choose from! Like I said, unless you know where to look you would never find them.   Best of all right now the builder has a special incentive! LUXURY OWNER'S RETREAT PACKAGE…"Limited Time Only!" Purchase a new Ryan Home by March 31, and receive a luxury owner's retreat package including upgraded cabinets, counter-tops, flooring and more!Plus Finished Basement or Morning Room for only $14,000 AND we will pay $7,500 towards your closing costs! HURRY OUR P...
Comments 0
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
This information was originally posted on my Word Press Blog VaRealEstatetalk.com however it's important to get DoD Homeowners Assistance Program changes in front of as many eyeballs as possible. Over the past few years the DoD Homeowners Assistance Program has helped thousands of service members sell their underwater homes.  The program has morphed and changed a number of times since it was first implemented.  The latest change is a big one and service members who own homes in Northern Virginia need to be aware of the impact. Previously the DoD HAP program offered 3 options for home sellers.  The most widely used is the Government Acquisition option where the government flips the home from the seller to the new buyer paying off the old mortgage at settlement.  That’s a simplified versi...
Comments 10
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
The Fisher House Foundation was established in to provide a "comfort home" for military families who need a place to stay while a loved one is being treated for injury or illness at a military hosptial.  Started as a public-private partnership in 1990, Fisher Houses around the country provided a home away from home for over 12,000 families.Now Fort Belvoir will be the site of the newest Fisher House in Virginia.  The other two Virginia properties are located at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, VA and the Hunter Holmes McGuire house in Richmond Virginia.  The new home at Fort Belvoir will feature 12 family suites, a kitchen, dining sitting rooms and den.  The house is being built across the street from the new Fort Belvoir Community Hospital which opened in Fal 2011.The 10,000 squ...
Comments 6
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
Are PCS orders considered a hardship? It's a question that we are asked frequently by military families stationed at Ft. Belvoir, Quantico MCB, the Pentagon and other installations part of the Military District of Washington. Last fall the Fannie Mae issued guidelines to include Permanent Change of Station (PSC) orders as a hardship. A hot line was (877-MIL-4566) created for service members to be able to discuss foreclosure prevention options available. In addition Fannie Mae also announced a six month military forbearance program where the death or injury of a service member on active duty causes a hardship for military families with a mortgage obligation. Don't know whether you have a Fannie Mae backed loan? Check to see if you have a Fannie Mae Loan. The Treasury Department has also ...
Comments 6
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
As an agent who has had the privilege of successfully completing 35 Northern Virginia Department of Defense HAP sales, keeping up with all of the latest information is a daily challenge. Talking with other agents across the country who also have been working with the HAP program we shared our concerns about the program and some of the inconsistencies we've experienced between each of the offices processing DoD HAP files. Files for our area are processed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in Savannah GA. In case you were wondering how the HAP program originally got funding here is the history: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allocated $555 million and the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010 authorized an additional $300 million for the Expanded...
Comments 6
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
There aren't to many words that can convey the emotions looking at this view of Arlington National Cemetery after the placing of 85,000 wreaths on the grave sites of those who have served our country.Thank you to all that serve and to the families who support them.
Comments 26
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
Next week is Transit Week in Virginia.  This event has happened every year since 2005 and it is a challenge for Virginian's to use our wide variety of public transportation options instead of jumping into their car.  Many folks will shake their heads and say there is NO WAY you can live in this area without a car.  My daughter and her husband live in Alexandria, don't own a car and get around Northern Virginia with very few problems.How do they manage?  First and foremost is planning. They have studied the bus schedules and keep them handy on their phones when they are out.  Northern Virginia offers residents the WMTA Metro bus system that covers most of the area as well as local buses including the ART buses in Arlington, the DASH bus in Alexandria, the Fairfax County Connector and PRT...
Comments 16
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
Well the news might have said that but were they talking about Northern Virginia?   If you are thinking about buying new construction in Northern Virginia give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a call at 703-346-2213.  Let's talk about what is happening in the Northern Virginia market, new home pricing and incentives being offered by builders throughout the area.  CJ Realty Group also offers our buyer's a new construction buying credit which can add to the money you save on your bottom line.  Check out our new home construction buying guide and then give us a call to schedule a meeting BEFORE you visit a Northern Virginia builder.
Comments 22
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
The last five years have brought a lot of changes to the Northern Virginia landscape.  If you live near Fort Belvoir, the old Fort Belvoir Engineering Proving Grounds or the Marc Center in Alexandria you can't help but notice all of the new buildings.  The movement of new people into the area and realignment of work centers has been going on for sometime and still continues with moves that could take until 2015 in some areas. Recently the Washington Examiner interviewed me for an article; "Local resources offer help for BRAC Families" regarding some of the assistance I've provided to families moving to or within the area.  Over the last month two Army physicians relocating from Walter Reed to the new Fort Belvoir Community Hospital contacted me about rental properties close to Fort Belv...
Comments 9
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
I'm not sure where this originated but there is a powerful message here.  I've read some Facebook and blog posts suggesting a conspiracy since many of the men who lost their lives were part of the Seal Team 6 involved in Bin Laden's death.  Some have suggested it was to silence them from telling the truth.  It's so easy to forget the real loss of what happened on this week. 30 lost 30 unwanted visits 30 doors receive that dreaded knock 30 families with shattered hearts 30 pairs of boots lined up with rifles and dog tags and helmets 30 comrades remembered and grieved for 30 funeral services 30 names on newly made grave markers, 30 empty places at the table 30 souls who gave all, whose lives leave a void So let's take 31 seconds to re-post this and pause to reflect on such a sacrifice as ...
Comments 43
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
We hear a lot of talk about it being a "buyer's market" in Northern Virginia. That may or may not be true depending on where you want to live. But without a doubt it has become a Landlord's market when it comes to rentals close to Fort Belvor or the new NGA facilty in Springfield.At least two or three times a week I get an email request from someone relocating to the area. They want a reasonable commute to Fort Belvoir, NGA or access to public transportation to DC. Easy enough to do. Then the hard part or perhaps the reality part hits. Most often they want a a 3 or 4 bedroom detached home with a garage for under $2000 a month. Unfortunately reality is the rental prices for a detached homes meeting this criteria starts closer to $2300 and more likely will be $2500 or more per month. The ...
Comments 6
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
If it hadn't been for the VA home loan program I never would have been able to buy my first two homes! Now years later I'm helping military families transitioning to Fort Belvoir, Quantico or anywhere in the Military District of Washington use the VA Home Loan Program to buy homes.For a first time buyer in Northern Virginia a VA loan solves the down payment issue. VA does not require any down payment, ZERO, NADA, ZILCH and a seller can contribute up to 4% towards closing costs. What a deal.  If you've owned a home previously and think you can't use a VA loan again that's not true.  In fact next week I have a buyer settling on a home and this will be the third time they've used their VA Eligibility.In today's market in Northern Virginia will can buy you a nice home close to Quantico or F...
Comments 10
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
For years military installations across the US have offered the fellowship for the "wives" of active duty and retired military though the "wives" club.  However today's military spouses aren't always "wives".  At Fort Belvoir there has been a name change to reflect the new status of the dependents of those eligible to participate in the Officers Wives Club.  The new club name is the Officer Spouses Club.  Though the club membership has been available to men for many years the name did not reflect the open door policy.  Now it is official and the board members hope the name change will encourage men to feel comfortable coming to the OSC meetings.The Belvoir Officer Spouses Club offers a variety of activities throughout the year and looks to raise funds to support scholarships for militar...
Comments 6
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
For the last few years driving through the Pence Gate on Fort Belvoir military families have watched the progress of the new $1 Billion Fort Belvoir Community Hospital could be seen.  From the first set of plans to the finishing touches everything is being done to make the new hospital a world class facility. In addition to the world class care within the hospital a new Warrior in Transition facility is also nearing completion as well.  For injured service members this allows easy access to the hospital facility but independent living in a shared apartment with separate bedrooms.  The hospital is the one of the most visible changes as Fort Belvoir prepares for the influx of 21,000 personnel from around the region.Here is a highlight tour of the new facility: If you are relocating to For...
Comments 10
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
Most of you read my blog know that Memorial Day and other holidays honoring our veterans and active duty military personnel are important to me.  Most years on Memorial Day I have made an early morning visit to Arlington Cemetery to pay my respect to all of those who have served including my husband.  This year I'm spending the holiday with friends at the Outer Banks in North Carolina.However even though I"ve changed my location this year it doesn't mean that my thoughts aren't with the families of those who have lost loved ones.  As I look out over the Atlantic Ocean I know that those who have given their lives for our freedom are the reason I'm able to spend time time friends in a peaceful location.Tonight our group plans a small quiet memorial service on the beach to say our thanks. ...
Comments 9
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
More than 600 museums across the US will be offering to free admission to active duty military and their families this summer as part of Operation Appreciation.The Blue Star Families and the National Endowment for the Arts partnered to create this opportunity for families to enjoy everything from local children's hands on museums to those that feature art, history and science. “The Blue Star Museums initiative is a tangible expression of appreciation to service members and their families,“ said Barbara Thompson, director of the Pentagon’s office of family policy." Each museum will offer free admission to an active duty military member and up to 5 members of their family. Special exhibits within the museum may not be included in the free admission. Families should check with the museum t...
Comments 9
Explore Fort Belvoir, VA
Fort Belvoir, VA Real Estate Professionals