Home Sweet Home...Home Improvement is one of the smartest investments a homeowner can make - and is many times overlooked. Yes there is dust, dirt but the end result will be well worth the inconvenience. With real estate in such turmoil many are choosing to remodel and renovate Northern Virginia homes - their own homes. Give your home a ”facelift” or makeover that provides an updated or new look, while not uprooting your family to a new location (i.e. no need to move!). Here's a truly inspiring example of a home renovation in the Leesburg Historic district and Great Falls - both the "before" and "after" pictures. The "Miles Carriage House" in Leesburg received a commendation from the Town of Leesburg for outstanding adherence to historical design standards. Architectural Construction pr... 01/24/2009

CPR and First Aid Classes are the things that often fly by the radar. There aren't many of us who think, "No, I don't want to learn that. It's useless". While there are some who mayhesitate to take action, or "freeze" in the moment, most agree that knowledge is power, and that they'd like to learn it.   The problem is, of course, finding time, or thinking of it when you have the time. Then, when you have the time, and think to research it, you see that the American Red Cross no longer offers this traniing in Loudoun County, and the American Heart Association refers you to somebody in Maryland. It becomes challenging.   Are you looking for the easiest option? You can learn CPR any time, any day. I'm not referring to the classes on the internet (although it is an option). I can bring the ... 01/22/2009

If you are moving locally or transferring into the Virginia and Maryland areas I can help you find your home in the area of choice and according to your needs.  If you are moving out of the Virginia and Maryland areas I will sell your house.  I serve and sell real estate in Northern Virginia and the surrounding cities. I have a different approach in selling and marketing homes than most realtors in the area.  It is important to hire a realtor that does a unique marketing approach in selling your home.  If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in Lansdowne, River Creek, Potomac Crossing, Potomac Falls, and other subdivisions in the area, please call me for an expert opinion for the values in the areas.  It is a competitive market, and it is important that you choose to ... 12/11/2008

This is a Leesburg Virginia real estate update for Saturday December 6, 2008.  As of today Saturday December 6, 2008 there are currently 339 homes for sale in Leesburg Virginia in our MRIS MLS System.  These are fee simple Leesburg VA homes for sale and detached single family homes.  Leesburg Virginia is located west of Washington DC in Loudoun Virginia and has great proximity to Dulles International Airport, and the whole of the Washington DC area.  Leesburg Virginia has great homes, neighborhoods, and some great subdivisions with reasonably priced single family detached fee simple homes for sale. Below is a current list of activity on single family homes for sale in Leesburg Virginia. 339  'Active' -  Leesburg Virginia Homes 6 'Cntg/KO' - Leesburg Virginia Homes 41 'Cntg/NO KO' - Lees... 12/06/2008

TOWN HOMES IN LEESBURG - Ready to move in.  Just look! LOCATION:  Located in the historic district of Lucketts in the quiet picturesque countryside of Loudoun County, 10 minutes from down town Leesburg.                      $349,990 Builder Incentive:  $10,000 closing help. Buyer REBATE from Broker:  $3,500.  Contact Lenn Harley to register for Broker's REBATE:  800-711-7988.  E-Mail. The mountain view to the right is the view from the Master Bedroom Suite in one of the 4 homes for sale.                  ROOM FOR EVERYONE 2,900 Finished Square Feet of Living Space. Main Level:  Foyer, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Breakfast Area, Family Room. Upper Level 1:  Master Bedroom Suite with Large Bedroom Area, Sitting Room, and a luxurious Garden Bath.  Upper Level 2:  2 Bedrooms, Large B... 12/06/2008

Featured Fairfax and Loudoun County Homes for Sale, for this week 12/4/08. This week 43901 Thorncroft Terrace in Ashburn Sold. This 3 BR townhouse was on market for only 2 weeks.  For more information on any of these properties please visit www.donnysamson.com. FOR RENT 43225 Highgrove TerraceTownhouse 3 bedrooms2 full/2 partial baths2,416 sqft No pets $2,200/month Broadlands, VA Under Contract 8301 Glade Bank DriveTownhouse 4 bedrooms3 full/0 partial baths2,941 sqft No pets $2,000/month Manassas, VA 19100 Pileated TerraceTownhouse 3 bedrooms2 full/2 partial baths2,217 sqft $389,000 Leesburg, VA SOLD 43901 Thorncroft TerraceTownhouse 3 bedrooms3 full/1 partial baths2,725 sqft $399,000 Ashburn, VA 25495 Gover DriveTownhouse 3 bedrooms2 full/1 partial baths2,200 sqft $359,900 Chantilly, V... 12/04/2008

When we moved to Leesburg, no one told us how different Halloween would be. Here, on "All Hallowed Eve", children dress in their costumes, lining the streets of downtown Leesburg, to collect treats thrown to them from passing parade floats. The parade is put on by the local Kiwanis club, and this year, everyone in attendance was asked to bring a canned food item to help fill our local food banks. Most floats are sponsored by local businesses, who are having a little fun promoting their business and giving back to the communities they serve.I'm told that the Leesburg Halloween parade is the longest running in the country, which I think is kind of neat. I love to see old traditions remain strong. Here in Leesburg, I see no danger of this tradition ever going out of style. Every Halloween,... 11/09/2008

Sell thyself: Many buyers like to search for homes traditionally by still looking at newspapers, and home magazine ads; don't get me wrong.  My colleague says the web is so impersonal.  It doesn't inspire people.  This is why many agents do not pursue to have a deeper web presence other then a website which is most often offered free by their real estate offices.  It seems to me that we are all blending together.  "We, as the community of real estate agents, need to use the web to our advantage." I recently got a wake up call on how important it is that I pursue making a presence on the web.  I started my first blog on Active Rain earlier this year but then I did not know the internet is the way to go until recently.  I got my first customer off the web and not through the desk, farming... 11/07/2008

On Halloween night, I lost my keys.  I was in the Leesburg Parade, and was convinced I had lost them somewhere along the parade route.  After days of trying to find them, I finally resolved myself to the thought that they were gone forever.  I was thinking of the hassle and money it would cost to replace those silly fobs and tokens, car remotes, changing the locks on my house...ugh. This morning, my husband came back from taking my daughter to the bus stop, and he had a notice in his hand.  It was a posting about a set of keys that had been found.  Even though I was convinced that the keys had not been lost in my own neighborhood, I called.  Sure enough, a neighbor had my keys!  Coincidentally, it was the neighbor that moved into a house on the other end of my street, one I sold just a ... 11/06/2008

I am a fan of Brian Buffini and I have been with him for the past year and half.  I kind of get excited when I receive his box of goodies each month because it gives me a system to work with so I can generate business.  Phones have been dead so I have to do this.  I am working full time in this business so I need to provide for my family.  It is frustrating to be paid on commission but it is also rewarding when you help someone get in to their new home by thanking you for the services you provide.  I used to be a tour guide for the first part of my career life so this is kind of similar.  You show homes, you build a relationship and you get paid for it. I pop by and meet people.  At first it was hard because I felt awkward by starting conversations with people I did not know to talk wit... 10/27/2008

I have been working with these first time home buyers for a while.  They appear motivated and serious.  We have seen around 50+ homes together and wrote on three banked owned properties and none were ratified until recently.  I was very excited for them when the bank agreed to our very aggressive offer and they were so pleased when they heard the news so what happened! I have been calling them for the past two days because I have to get the bank addendums signed by them but they are answering my calls.      10/25/2008

Barack Obama will be in Leesburg, VA on October 22nd at Ida Lee Park, Festival Field.  The address is 50 Ida Lee Drive, NW in Leesburg, VA.  Event starts at 5:30pm, but gates open at 3pm.  Space is limited.  No tickets required.  Event is free. If you would like to RSVP ahead of time you may do so at http://va.barackobama.com/LeesburgChange 10/21/2008

Real Estate Storms are created when a center of the housing market develops, with a system of bad loans surrounding it. This combination of opposing forces can create turmoil and result in the formation of housing storm , such as short sales, and foreclosures. The phrase perfect storm originates from the 1997 book  which refers to the simultaneous occurrence of weather events such as Ice storms, Blizzards, Ice storm, hurricane, tornado, hailstorm which, taken individually, would be far less powerful than the storm resulting of their chance combination. Such occurrences are rare by their very nature, so that even a slight change in any one event contributing to the perfect storm would lessen its overall impact. Are we heading into The perfect storm? A perfect storm where the fuel prices ... 10/20/2008

Rich in history, the Georgian colonial estate known as Raspberry Plain, since 1731, is set on fifty rolling green acres overlooking the Catoctin Mountains. Brick pathways surrounded by herbs and wildflower gardens nestled between ancient trees, wind through the sun-filtered grounds leading to the mansion and formal gardens. The mansion's portico offers a spectacular backdrop for any event on the South Lawn. The North Lawn boasts a breathtaking, majestic view of the mountains, pastures and pond. The hall's sparkling chandeliers, detailed archway and dramatic staircase, announce the elegance of the mansion's rooms. All the mansion rooms have glass paneled, double pocket doors, fireplaces and original detailed ceiling molding. One of the highlights at Raspberry Plain is the spectacular Gra... 10/14/2008

It is very easy to get discouraged in today's world with the stock market, the elections, the economy, jobs, real estate, 401K, and the list goes on and on.  All this is preoccupying our minds and it is getting worse.  There is no doubt we need a change so we just need to be positive and know we can make it and it will turn around soon.         We all need a little peace in our minds and we must realize that not everything is around money.  It is hope and as long as we hope then we can get through these tough times.   Here are a few quotes from some famous people which I find inspirational. I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.Patrick Henry Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.Benjamin Franklin Life is eithe... 10/13/2008

Relocating to Loudoun County Virginia?  Well you've come to the right place.  My name is Konnie McKee, my friends call me Konnie MAC  :)   I am a real estate agent in Northern Virginia.  Although I serve most of Virginia, I specialize in Loudoun William County.  If you are moving to the Northern Virginia Area, I'd be happy to assist you with your relocation needs.  Homes for Sale Leesburg, Virginia: Sycamore Hills a townhome community located in the heart of Leesburg, Virginia.  Close to route 7 and the outlet malls....a great location.... There are currently 8 homes active on the market in Sycamore Hills: ranging in price from $214,000.00- to $309,000.00.  To get more information on this community and the homes for sale, call me..703 407 7088 to search the mls for FREE, go to www.Konni... 10/12/2008

Fall colors in Loudoun------The best colors are from maples, birch and fruit trees in the Loudoun Area It has been a gentle start to fall, with the first glimpse of turning maples arriving this month.  If you drive going either 7 West or 15 North you will see the changing in colors.  The color is usually good by Halloween and can be spectacular in early November. In the mountains, the color usually peaks just prior to Halloween. The first bright yellows are arriving and the weather is great for a drive.    Here is more information about Loudoun that I got off the following site.  So Visit Loudoun! http://www.VisitLoudoun.org   Upcoming Events 15th Annual Fall Pumpkin Harvest - Come visit the largest u-pick pumpkin patch in Northern Virginia and pick your pumpkin right off the...Read Mor... 10/11/2008

Here are the September 2008 statistics for the Leesburg real estate market (20175 and 20176 zip codes): Leesburg - 20175 - September 2008 New listings = 52. This is a 20 percent decrease in new inventory as compared to September 2007 Solds (Under Contract) = 36. This is a 45 increase in buyer demand as compared to September 2007 Leesburg - 20176 - September 2008 New listings = 101. This is 29 percent decrease in new inventory as compared to September 2007 Solds (Under Contract) = 71. This is a 236 percent increase in buyer demand as compared to September 2007 Though buyer demand increased significantly year-over-year in the 20175 zip code of Ashburn, it really spiked in the 20176 zip code. These statistics confirm what my clients and I have been seeing and feeling while searching for an... 10/08/2008

Owners fear of loosing their home and it could be worst... I can not believe what is happening in this country! I never thought it would come to this.  Do you think the bailout is going to help us or hurt us?  Is the bailout to save Wall Street?  ......Democrats and Republicans.....Do they have a choice?  Frankly, I am scared of what is happening and I am all for the bailout.  It will be hard to get a loan to buy a house, and millions of jobs could be lost. It will be a long road but something needs to happen to build confidence back to the real estate market with changing in rules in financial sector where we will have more stable lenders.  The ideal situation would be to have an increase in eligible buyers to exceed the sellers. The magnitude of this market is difficult to predict but... 09/30/2008

BRING YOUR TRASH and at $5 for a loaded Sequoia, you can dispose of household trash.  Recycleable items are free.  Old tires, landscaping refuse, metal items, etc. can all be "dumped".                       Loudoun County Landfill *  Loudoun County Solid Waste Management Affectionately known as "The Dump". Location 21101 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, VA 20175, (about four miles south of downtown Leesburg.) From downtown Leesburg, go south on Route 15 and make quick left turn onto Evergeen Mills Road.  Loudoun County Landfill is located about a mile east of the Heritage High School.  Normal Operating Hours: Monday - Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed: Sunday and certain holidays.   Friendly operators manage a very well run facility for the benefit of county residents who, like I, ... 09/12/2008