Reston, VA Homeowners Fund Small Tax District 5. This extra tax is paid as part of your annual property tax bill, so many residents are either not aware of the tax or are not sure of its purpose. In 1975, The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors created this tax district  to fund the Reston Community Center (RCC) at Hunters Woods.  Since then, a second location of the RCC has been added at Lake Anne Plaza. What do Reston, VA homeowners who fund Small Tax District 5 pay?  From the Fairfax County Website I got the following information: Small District 5 Hunter Mill (Reston Community Center) On each $100.00 of assessed valuation of real estate within the boundary of Small District 5 Hunter Mill in the County, the tax rate shall be ............................................................... 07/29/2009

Summer time and the living is easy...but what are some of the things to do in Reston, VA? One idea is to take a trip to the Reston Zoo. This thirty acre site is located off of Hunter Mill Road near the intersection of Baron Cameron Avenue.  While it has changed owners over the years, it is a veritable Reston institution. Of course, as suburbia has grown, large single family homes have been built backing on to the zoo.  Don't worry about the suburban sprawl, it in no way detracts from the unusual animals that you will see while you are there:  zebras, antelope, bison, ostrich--just to name a few. There are a number of opportunities to feed the animals and otherwise interact with them. The rangers offer Zoofari wagon rides which are included as part of the entrance fee. You can purchase f... 07/28/2009

Avoiding Invasive Exotics in Landscaping Reston, Virginia has a program for avoiding invasive exotics in landscaping. The community, long known for its approach to green spaces and many trees, has put together some recommendations for homeowners regarding plants they call 'invasive exotics.' These are plants that are not native to the area and whose continued growth may affect the animals or plants around it. As described in the Reston brochure about Invasive Exotics (Brochure link):  'Invasive exotic plants are non-native species that have been introduced intentionally or accidentally and spread from landscaped areas, gardens and yards into natural areas. Without the wildlife, parasites and disease that control their growth in their native ranges, these plants grow aggressively and ove... 07/27/2009

The location of Brown's Chapel in Reston is no longer the proposed site for a Rec Center designed to be run by Fairfax County Park Authority.  For months this site has been under consideration and on Thursday, July 23, 2009 the Reston Board voted 7-2 to eliminate it as a possible location. Fairfax County parks has been looking for a site to build a new recreation center for indoor swimming and tennis. The Brown's Chapel site has been under consideration by the county and the Reston Association. Following a series of studies, the discussion was opened for public debate; it quickly became clear that support for this location came primarily residents who live outside of Reston. A series of round table discussions were held to allow for public input. While most concede that a center is need... 07/26/2009

People who live in Reston, Virginia, love Reston! It is not unusual to meet families who have owned 2, 3 or 4 homes here. I am one of those people--and I can do it one better!  I grew up here, too. For those of us who want to display our Reston allegiance, the Reston Citizens Association has designed a car license plate  that will be produced by the Department of Motor Vehicles (I read somewhere that Virginia has the largest percentage of vanity plates in the country...here is one more). You can see a copy of the plate design, created by Reston resident, Doug Fuller, in the Press Release. The RCA must collect 350 applications before production of the license plate will begin. If you are interested in getting one of these plates, you can get a copy of the application at: http://www.dmvno... 07/17/2009

There is a proposal to build a Fairfax County Recreation Center at Brown's Chapel, off of Baron Cameron Avenue in Reston, Virginia. The new site, as proposed, would include indoor tennis and an indoor swimming pool, as well as a work-out facility and meeting rooms.  The recreation center would be part of the Fairfax County Parks, but the land would be Reston land. The land at Brown's Chapel currently is the home of Reston Day Camps, has baseball fields, walking paths, running trails, a basketball court, a chapel that used both for services and community meetings and a tot lot. It is a beautiful site with many mature trees. The board of the Reston Association has been holding hearings this Spring and early Summer to get community input about this issue. More information about these sessi... 07/15/2009

Now that we are in the middle of summer, I am really craving fresh vegetables and produce.  Since I was going back through my blog to find this information, I thought it migh be of value to post it again.   Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne Plaza Saturdays beginning May 9 and running through October from 8:00 am to 12 noon, Vienna Farmers Market, Saturdays from 8 am to 12 noon opens May 2 and runs through October 9. . Please note that this year there is a new location: The Caboose Parking Lot (corner of Church Street and Dominion Road, NE) St Francis Episcopal Church Farmers Market in Great Falls, Saturdays May 3 from 8 am to 12 noon. Located at 9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066, Cascades Farmer's Market in Sterling, Sundays from 9am- 1pm,  May 3-October 25 located at the Sen... 07/15/2009

The inventory of homes for sale in Reston's Town Center area was about 55 homes active on the market as of 15 July 2009. The available homes run the full spectrum of condos through townhomes from brand new to about 15 years in age.  Prices ranged from a low of about $200k to a high of $1.5 million.  Visit Available Homes at http://www.restontowncenter-homes.com/ to view currently available Reston Town Center Homes.   07/14/2009

The inventory of Lakefront  Community homes for sale in Reston was 35 homes active on the market as of 15 July 2009.  Direct Lakefront homes have been selling off at a faster rate than other homes in the Reston area. If you'd like to live on one of Reston's lakes ... This might be to moment to come out of for a look.  Visit Available Homes at http://www.reston-lakefront.com/ to view currently available Lakefront Homes in Reston Virginia. 07/14/2009

The inventory of Condos for sale in Reston was about 90 homes active on the market as of 15 July 2009 with new contracts running at about 50 a month.  Consequently, the absorption rate for these homes is about 2 months on the market.  Condos sales have started to pick up in the Reston area. If you've been hanging back, this might be the moment to re-start your shopping.  Visit Available Homes at http://www.reston-condos.com/ to view currently available condos in Reston Virginia. 07/14/2009

The inventory of townhomes for sale in Reston was about 55 homes active on the market as of 15 July 2009 with new contracts running about 55 a month.  Consequently, the absorption rate for these homes is about 1 months on the market.  This might be a good time to jump back into the market ... There's a great selection and prices may be the best you've seen in three or four years.  Like to see currently available Townhomes in Reston ... visit http://www.reston-area.com/forsale.htm 07/14/2009

The inventory of single family detached homes for sale in Reston was about 55 homes active on the market as of 15 July 2009 with new contracts running about 30 a month.  Consequently, the absorption rate for these homes is about 2 months on the market.  Sales of single family homes have picked up in the last couple of months.  If you've been considering buying a single family, this might be the moment.  Like to see currently available Single Family homes in Reston ... visit http://www.reston-area.com/forsale.htm 07/14/2009

Are you looking for a home at a bargain price that could benefit from some loving care?   You might want to cast your eyes on the homes which are available as foreclosed or short sales in Reston Virginia ... I've put together a link to a list of homes which are offered by their owners for less than their current mortgages or have already been foreclosed by Lenders on the resale market on a 1st come,1st served basis.  You need a Realtor to show them and help you through the process ... And Yes, they've already factored in the Realtor cost so you can get the sort of help you'll need to land one of these bargains.  Visit www.reston-area.com/forsale.htm and  look to the links at mid-page for Foreclosed and Short Sale Homes in Reston Virginia. 07/14/2009

Just a quick reminder to all of you who are in and around Reston, Virginia this weekend. The Reston Festival will take place at the Reston Towncenter.  Located just off the Dulles Toll Rd. (Rt. 267 W), the weekend promises fun, food and activities for all! I am, personally, looking forward to Chuck Brown, who will be appearing on Sunday at 5:30 pm on the main stage. I hope to see you there! If you need more information about the Reston Festival, check out the website at www.restonfestival.com. 07/10/2009

Join the fun this Saturday and Sunday at the  Annual Reston Festival held at Reston Towncenter, this year's festival promises something for everyone! Saturday night come for the sounds of The Grandsons, whose exuberant sound is described as "American music in a blender with the lid off". Saturday, July 11 at 8 pm Sunday to close out the festival, is the one and only CHUCK BROWN, undisputed founder of go-go music, Sunday, July 12 at 5:30 pm There will be many, many activities and ways to keep the family busy. You can find them all on the Reston Festival Activity Page. With 3 stages and activities set up all around the town center, come by, grab some food, ride a ride, get an air-brushed tattoo, dance to live music and celebrate the community that is Reston! See you there.... For more inf... 07/08/2009

National Georgraphic and Sun Chips are sponsoring a contest, The Green Effect,  to award $20,000 to allow a person, group or organization to put their green idea in to action. The finalists have been selected and the public is being asked to register and vote for the winning idea. The idea behind this contest is that a lot of small steps can add up to big change. The field has been narrowed from 2206 entries to the final 10 and now you have an opportunity to help select the best idea. So regeister at The Green Effect website and review the top 10 applications.  Select the one that you believe should win the $20,000 implementation money and cast your vote. You can vote 1 time per day and the voting will take place between July 7 and July 20, 2009. All of these ideas are great...it is rea... 07/08/2009

Despite what you hear in the press, I found this to be a very busy Spring.  As you can see from the numbers below, homes continue to sell in Lake Anne but fewer sold this Spring than sold at the same time last year, particularly in the condominium segment.     Number of Detached Homes Sold From 4/1/08-6/30/08:    4 Average Net Price in 2008: $ 651,375 Number of Detached Homes Sold From 4/1/09-6/30/09:   6 Average Net Price in 2009:   $ 529,000 Percentage Price Change:  -18% (but a very small sample size may provide skewed results) Number of Townhouses Sold From 4/1/08-6/30/08:   34 Average Net Price in 2008:  $ 406777 Number of Townhouses Sold From 4/1/09-6/30/09:    34 Average Net Price in 2009:    $ 387,697 Percentage Price Change:  -4% Number of Condominiums Sold From 4/1/08-6/30/08:... 07/08/2009

Despite what you hear in the press, I found this to be a very busy Spring.  Looking at the statistics from the Hunters Woods area, it appears that there were many other people who were also busy! Number of Detached Homes Sold From 4/1/08-6/30/08:  32 Average Net Price in 2008:  $536,260 Number of Detached Homes Sold From 4/1/09-6/30/09:  43 Average Net Price in 2009:   $522,949 Percentage Price Change: -2.5% Number of Townhouses Sold From 4/1/08-6/30/08:  51  Average Net Price in 2008:  $341,054 Number of Townhouses Sold From 4/1/09-6/30/09:   73 Average Net Price in 2009:    $309,773 Percentage Price Change: -9% Number of Condominiums Sold From 4/1/08-6/30/08: 32 Average Net Price in 2008:  $195,774 Number of  Condominiums Sold From 4/1/09-6/30/09:  34 Average Net Price in 2009:    $2... 07/08/2009

Despite what you hear in the press, I found this to be a very busy Spring.  In looking at the numbers of detached Single Family Homes sold in North Point between this year and the same time last year, I was not the only one who was busy. Number of Detached Homes Sold From 4/1/08-6/30/08:   22 Average Net Price in 2008: $888,889 Number of Detached Homes Sold From 4/1/09-6/30/09:  35 Average Net Price in 2009:   $829,117 Percentage Price Change: -6.7% Number of Townhouses Sold From 4/1/08-6/30/08:    47 Average Net Price in 2008:  $427,203 Number of Townhouses Sold From 4/1/09-6/30/09:   36 Average Net Price in 2009:    $430,039 Percentage Price Change: +  less than 1% Number of Condominiums Sold From 4/1/08-6/30/08:   7 Average Net Price in 2008:  $276,227 Number of  Condominiums Sold Fr... 07/08/2009

If you are lucky enough to live within a quick drive of Washington, D.C., there are many great opportunities for cultural and performing arts events. Yesterday, I provide a list of all of the places that are doing Fireworks for the 4th of July. If you are not inclined to join the masses downtown on the National Mall to see the spectacular fireworks put on by the National Parks, you can still enjoy the entertainment programs. On Friday night, July 3, 2009, from 8:30 pm to 10 you can watch the dress rehersal for the concerts that will take place on Independence Day.  Some of the artists include: Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow and Natasha Bedingfield. The gates will open at 3. Get there early; many Washingtonians know about this concert and make this an annual event. So pack up your picnic... 07/01/2009