Prince William County Real Estate Blog: October 2007

You drive through a local shopping center and see a sign announcing a new tenant.

Somebody's video store closed down and Lake Ridge, Westridge and Old Bridge Estates  residents will soon be getting a new Panera Bread in The Glen.

If that isn't enough to brighten your day we'll be getting our Wegmans  in the new Potomac Town Center  just across the street from Potomac Hospital.  It is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2008.

Arthur and I have lived in the Lake Ridge area for 25 years and it's amazing to sit down and think back about how much the area along Old Bridge Road has grown and matured.  For example, when we  moved here the Festival Shopping Center was a small airport holding a few private, propeller driven planes.

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The 21 picture slide show of this home includes schools, recreation and transportation.

• The hardwood floors on the main level have just been refinished and new wall to wall carpeting has been installed in the lower level. 
• Additionally, the interior has been repainted. 
• There are tilt-out thermal windows and vinyl clad steel siding. 
• As you can see in the pictures the kitchen has been updated. 
• The huge deck overlooks a fully fenced and level rear yard and there is a patio under the deck

To view click on http://slideshow.mris.com/slideshow.cfm?listingKey=10432228285

The home is located at 6512 Carriage Drive, Alexandria 22310 is priced at $400,000 and has 4 bedrooms and 2 baths.

I would love to give you a tour of the home, the area and explain the many benefits of living in this location. Contact me at 703-562-1532.

All of the recent rain has been wonderful for our depleted reservoirs.  However, we still need a lot more to resupply over the winter months.

Rain of the magnitude we've had over the past several days has probably left some evidence of repairs thet need to be made  to a roof prior to the frigid winter months. 

Additionally, it will be wise to clean out the gutters as soon as the majority of the leaves are off the trees.  Clogged gutters prevent water from draining off the roof.  If the water freezes in the gutters it can back up under the shingles and cause major roof damage, not to mention damage to the ceilings and walls when the ice that formed under the shingles thaws

Finally, it is important that you turn off the water supply to the exterior spigots and then open those spigots to let the water drain from them.

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There are many ways to enjoy a wood burning fireplace or woodstove, but the most important way is SAFELY.

• Have your chimney or woodstove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.
• Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.
• Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces. Leave glass doors open while burning a fire.  
• Keep air inlets on wood stoves open, and never restrict air supply to fireplaces. Otherwise you may cause creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire.

Safely Burn Fuels

• Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.
• Use only seasoned hardwood. Soft, moist wood accelerates creosote buildup.
• Build small fires that burn completely and produce less smoke.
• Never burn cardboard boxes or trash in the fireplace or woodstove  
• Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container outside your home.

If you follow the above recommendations in all likelihood you will get the most enjoyment possible from a crackling wood fire  Yes, they are energy inefficient, but they are a relaxing luxury that can only be enjoyed during the winter months.

I can't assist you with chimney sweeping, but I can assist you with PRINCE WILLIAM VA REAL ESTATE

Each year we waste energy at a very costly rate for the homeowner due to air leakage. 

We all know to close windows and doors, but it is the air leakage that is not always evident that is the culprit.  The DOE has made the following information available to assist us in correcting the primary causes of energy loss through air leakage.   

Leakage Through Ceilings, Walls and Floors

• Electric outlets -- Install foam gaskets behind all the light switches and electrical outlet covers, even on interior walls. These simple foam gaskets help seal the holes created when the outlets and light switches are built into homes. Then use child safety plugs to keep the cold air from coming in through the sockets.
• Windows and doors -- Weather strip and caulk all visible cracks and gaps between non-moving parts of window trim, especially under the window sills. Replace broken glass and putty any loose windowpanes. Caulk around the moving parts of windows with a non-permanent caulk during the winter. This type of caulk can be easily removed in the spring.
• Wall Baseboards -- Use a clear siliconized acrylic latex to seal any visible crack or gap at the top and bottom of baseboards. Otherwise warm moist air will leak into the walls and up through the attic during cold weather.
• Other wall holes -- Seal around all ceiling fixtures, heat registers, medicine cabinets, bath tubs, kitchen cabinets, drains and water pipes where they pass through walls wall and any other holes in exterior walls.
• Fireplace Dampers -- Missing or poorly fitting dampers allow air to move freely up and down the chimney. Install a new damper or repair the existing one so it closes tightly.
• Recessed lights and bathroom fans -- Caulk around these from below with high-temperature flexible caulk.
• Air conditioners -- Remove window air conditioners before winter. If they can't be removed, seal up the area around the unit with removable rope caulk and add an AC window insulation blanket.

Monsters In The Attic and Basement

The attic and basement are the biggest air leak culprits in homes. Sealing up the air leaks in these two areas is the best guarantee for a comfortable home.

• Doors and hatches to the attic -- Weather strip the edges and insulate the backside of the attic door. Fold-down stairs can be covered with a lightweight box made of rigid insulation board.
• Holes in the attic floor -- Don't be surprised to find holes in the floor of the attic -- especially around the outside walls, ducts, recessed lights or near plumbing utilities and other outside penetration. Also, look for dirty spots in your insulation, which often indicates holes where air leaks into and out of your house. You can seal the holes by stapling sheets of plastic over the holes and caulking the edges of the plastic. Carefully check for these trouble spots.
• Around the chimney-- Any chimney that runs from the basement through the attic should be sealed at both the basement ceiling and attic floor by use of sheet metal or metal duct tape. Fire codes prohibit the use of combustible materials within 2 inches of chimneys.  NOTE: Fiberglass is not an effective air barrier.
• Around the sewer vent pipe -- A sewer vent pipe typically runs vertically from the basement through the attic and should be sealed at both the basement ceiling and attic floor by use of wood, sheet metal, or metal duct tape.
• Basement windows -- Use masonry caulk to fill any cracks where the frames of the windows are set into the walls. Windows that are not used for summer ventilation or as fire exits can be permanently caulked shut.  In the basement, you are likely to find air leaks around the windows, along the sill plate and band joists, and where the ducts pass through the basement ceiling.

Stop Drafts

Caulking also stops drafts and, therefore, makes the room feel more comfortable. This reduces the urge to reach for the thermostat and turn it up, which reduces energy consumption and cost.

All of these tasks are easy enough for most people to complete. If you feel some of these jobs are beyond the scope of your abilities, hire someone to help you out, or get creative and barter services with a handy friend. Home tightening products and services also make great gifts that last for years and keep giving in energy savings.

I certainly hope this information has been helpful and that you will see a reduction in home heating expense.

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Each year in October the Rotary Club of Lake Ridge feeds and entertains the residents of Fellowship House at an Oktoberfest as one of their "hands on" community service events.  Fellowship House is a senior citizen residency at Tacketts Mill in Lake Ridge.  This year's event was held on Sunday, October 28.

It is a beautifully maintained facility overlooking the Tackett's Mill Pond.  The Rotary Club of Lake Ridge has held this event for the past 15 years and it is always well received by the residents

The meats, salad, desserts and beverages are provided by Georgetown Caterers of Tackett's Mill - the owner of which is a member of the club.  The sausages, hot dogs and hamburgers are barbequed and served by club members.

The musical portion of the event is provided by two very musically talented club members who are not professional musicians, but are local professional men.

My husband and I are proud to be Rotarians as it gives us an excellent opportunity to give back to the community that has been good to us during our careers as REALTORS.

Please contact my husband, Arthur, or myself if you would like more information about Rotary International which has 1.3 million members in 33,000 clubs in over 200 countries worldwide

When the developers exhausted the land supply in Lake Ridge they bought a major tract just at the west end of Lake Ridge and voila - Westridge was born.  The Springwoods section of Lake Ridge connects with Westridge without having to access Old Bridge Road.

One of the attractive features to families with young children and as a resale asset for everybody is the fact that the subdivision boasts its' own elementary school. 

This photo of the pond and its' fountain was taken from the poolside deck of the Westridge Swim and Racquet Club.  The community is "first cabin" and is available for use by resident members

The collage below is representative of the home styles available in Westridge.

Detached homes range in price from $450,000 to $700,000.

Town Home prices range from $275,000 to $400,000.

CONTACT ME  for assistance with  WESTRIDGE and PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY REAL ESTATE 

RELATED HOME SITES

OLD BRIDGE ESTATES, ASHLAND

Pfitzner Stadium is the home of the Potomac Nationals.  They are a Carolina League farm team for the Washington Nationals.

The ballfield you see in the foreground of the picture is one of several fields that are available for public leagues to use.

The stadium is well planned and there are good views from anywhere which is typical of a minor league field.

There are pre-game activities and activities during the game to hold children's interest.  Clubs, associations, churches and others regularly have gatherings at the stadium as there are catered barbeque parties available before the games.  Of course, there are vendors selling food, beverages and souveniers throughout the game on the midway below the stands.  It is a great place to have fun, watch baseball and enjoy associates all at a reasonable price.

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Construction on this new center will begin in 2007 and be completed in 2009.  It is being built at the Georege Mason University campus in Manassas.  When complete it will provide a very versatile, state-of the-art facility.  It will be home to the Prince William Symphony, Manassas Ballet Theatre, Gray Ghost Theatre and other similar organizations.  It will be available for use by area schools and will also accommodate meetings by business, civic and service organizations.

In addition to the artsit's drawing of the Performance Hall there will be multiple rehearsal facilities and a complete scenery workshop.  It will seat 300 for a banquet and over 600 at a reception.  Its' total cost will be approximately $60 million.

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River Falls is a community of upscale homes located off the Prince William County Parkway behind the County Center Complex.  Entrance to the subdivision is gained by turning onto Asdee Lane from the Parkway

Home prices range from $700,000 to $1,500,000 with lots of .20 acres to 1.0 acres.

Old Hickory Golf Club is the star attraction in River Falls - it is in the center of the subdivision and provides very many golf course lots.  It is a membership club with both weekday and full week memberships available.  There is a proshop, of course, and a banquet room that can be rented for private funtions.  For more details see Old Hickory.  CONTACT ME for assistance with PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY REAL ESTATE.

ALSO SEE
HUNTER"S RIDGE

Old Bridge Estates is a community of both town homes and detached homes - the main entrance is at Old Bridge Road and Smoketown Road which is the main thoroughfare through the subdivision.

Detached homes range in price form $425,000 to $500,000 - the majority have 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a 2 car garage.

 Town homes generally have 3 levels although there are some entry level town homes with 2 levels.  Prices range from $250,000 to $350,000.

 There are two ponds - one alongside the pool and community center and one on Smoketown Road.

Children are active in protecting the stream and ponds since they are a tributary of the Occooquan River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Commuting options include Virginia Railway Express, Prince William County Commuter Bus and Slug Lines

CONTACT ME for assistance with PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY REAL ESTATE.  

Since its founding in 1664, Stafford has been an appealing haven for newcomers. One of Virginia's best-kept secrets, Stafford County has maintained a strong connection with its rich tradition by remaining at the periphery of the rapid urbanization to the north. Today, Stafford offers residents the advantages of suburban living at a more relaxed pace.

Proximity to the metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA provides access for residents to cosmopolitan settings, while maintaining an affordable and secure environment. Area attractions are plentiful and include compelling historical sites such as George Washington's boyhood home site at Ferry Farm: Chatham Manor, the Union Headquarters during the Battle of Fredericksburg: and Belmont, the 18^th century home of American artist, Gari Melchers.

Recreational opportunities abound in more than 1,000 acres of county, regional, state, and national parks. Stafford is also home to many businesses including some in the Fortune 500. In addition, a new regional airport provides new opportunities for many businesses. All of these characteristics enhance the quality of life in the community and make Stafford a gateway to the 21^st century.

By the early 1700s, Stafford prospered with a growth of farms, small plantations, gristmills and sawmills. Mining and quarrying became important industries. It was the iron industry that attracted Augustine Washington, with his young son, George, to Ferry Farm. Iron works furnished arms for the American Revolution. Aquia sandstone, quarried in abundance on Government Island in northern Stafford, provided stone for the White House and U.S. Capitol.

Stafford saw little action during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. With the coming of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and the Potomac Railroad to Aquia Creek in 1842, the county became vulnerable to troop movements during the Civil War. Although Stafford saw no major battles, more than 100,000 troops occupied the area for several years, stripping the county of its livelihood, farmland and vegetation. Families gave up churches and private homes to be used as hospitals.

Prosperity did not return until World War I when the U.S. Marine Corps came to Quantico. At that time, the county was primarily agricultural, except for fishing industries situated along the Potomac River. In World War II, the expansion of Quantico created new employment opportunities. In the early 1960s, the county's population began to increase with the completion of Interstate 95.

The new highway allowed easy access to Washington, D.C., which lies approximately 40 miles to the north, and the city of Richmond, approximately 60 miles to the south.

Stafford County continues to be one of the fastest growing communities in Virginia. The population topped 100,000 in 2003. Although Stafford County has encouraged industry growth, it has managed to maintain a wonderful atmosphere of suburban living at a relaxed pace.

The mission of Stafford County Public Schools is to provide educational excellence through programs and activities that meet the needs of all students. In the last sixteen years, the citizens of Stafford County have supported the construction of seven elementary schools, four middle schools, two high schools, and additions and renovations to fifteen schools. Students score above the state and national averages on standardized tests. More than 79% of graduates plan to continue their education at college or trade or technical school.

The Average List Price for a home is approximately $383,757

The Average Sold Price is approxinately $373,743

The Average NET SOLD PRICE is approximately $366,273 after seller subsidies.

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Prince William is the only county in Virginia that crosses all four of the state's geographic zones from Tidewater, through the Piedmont and Triassic terrain to the Appalachians.  There are approximately 380,000 residents making it the second most populous county in Virginia.

In Manassas, Virginia you can study the Civil War in depth.  For example, there is the lesser-known site, Ben Lomond Manor House.  On one of the earliest Prince William County plantations (built in 1837), the house is rumored to have been used as a Civil War hospital.  On its' walls are the carvings and scrawl of Civil War soldiers who left their graffiti for later generations to decipher.

Prince William is home to the best known Civil War site in Virginia, Manassas National Battlefield Park.  It is tastefully interpreted with wide-open spaces and an informative interpretive program.  You will be swept away by the beauty of Manassas Battlefield and its unspoiled views of Bull Run Mountain.  It is truly one of the treasures of western Prince William County.

It was on this ground that America's first significant battle of the Civil War was fought, where "Stonewall" Jackson stood his ground and earned a place in American history.  It is the only battleground where the opposing forces met twice with the battle-lines reversed.  Prince William County commemorates the valiant soldiers on both sides during Civil War weekends in July and August with living history displays, interpretive events and special concerts.

Ir is also within a few hours of many other significant sites of the Civil War: Gettysburg, Antietam, Harpers Ferry, Fredericksburg and Richmond.  Prince William offers an ideal combination of history, recreation and value and is a major contributor to the Virginia economy.

Canoeing, hiking, fishing, bicycling, camping and jet skiing are just some of the outdoor adventures available.  Campers will discover cabins, campgrounds or full service RV sites to enhance their outdoor experience.  Romantics may settle into one of the distinctive bed and breakfast properties.  Discover three water parks for refreshing summer days, ten 18-hole golf courses open for public play and some of the best bass fishing in the United States.  With 48 miles of mostly undeveloped shoreline, bountiful fishing and thousands of acres of parkland, you will not believe you are less than 35 miles from Washington, D.C.

In Old Town Manassas, the Manassas Museum provides a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the Virginia Piedmont and the vital role played by the railroad in this region.  Exhibits range from prehistoric tools and artifacts to Civil War uniforms and weaponry, railroad memorabilia and Victorian attire.  There are outdoor concert programs that are free and open to the public.  Quaint and Victorian, Old Town Manassas is a refreshing place to roam the streets, duck into unique stores and dine on exquisite cuisine of all sorts.  Watch modern Amtrak trains roll by the old-fashioned Manassas depot while you look at the exhibits about the railroad history that played a vital role in the development of Manassas and Prince William County.

Woodbridge is to eastern Prince William County what Manassas is to western Prince William County.  Woodbridge is home to Quantico Marine Corps Base, one of the primary command training facilities in the United States Marine Corps.  The FBI Academy is located there and it is home to the presidential helicopter squadron.

Woodbridge also boasts having Potomac Mills shopping mall, the largest discount shopping mall in Virginia and one of the largest in the eastern United States.  Two major planned residential communities, Dale City and Lake Ridge are home to the majority of Woodbridge residents.  Similar to Manassas, there is commuter rail service from Woodbridge to Washington, D.C.  

Another national park, Prince William Forest Park is located in the Woodbridge section of the county. It is an extremely popular campsite for area residents as well as travelers along I-95 since it has a major RV campground. A new National Wildlife Refuge is also being developed at the point where the Occoquan and Potomac Rivers meet.

Discover a colonial mill town and port while you walk the charming streets of Occoquan, founded in 1734.  Here the Mill House Museum describes the long and arduous history of a town founded on a "rock ledge" and its' survival despite war, flood, fire and hurricane.  Now, you can shop in dozens of boutiques, art galleries and antique stores.  An Occoquan panorama is just below

The historic town of Dumfries which was a major Northern Virginia port in the 18^th century is in southeastern Prince William County.  Montclair is the largest planned community in that section of the county.

The newest historical attraction in Virginia is the National Museum of the Marine Corps located in the Woodbridge area just outside the main gate of Quantico Marine Corps Base.  It opened in November, 2006 and provides Marines and all others an in-depth look at the history of the United States Marine Corps from its' 18^th  century inception to the present.

The Average List Price for a home is approximately $414,400

The Average Sold Price is approxinately $398,800

The Average NET SOLD PRICE is approximately $391,500 after seller subsidies.

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Fairfax County was established in 1742 and named after Thomas, the sixth Lord Fairfax. Located 10 miles southwest of Washington, DC, the county covers 399 square miles and has major shopping hubs, national parks, a wide variety of restaurants and popular cultural attractions within its boundaries.

As the home of patriots and farmers George Washington and George Mason, Fairfax County was primarily an agricultural center.  It is hard to realize that as recently as the 1950s it was the leading dairy-producing county in the Commonwealth. Now it is a world center of commerce and trade and the technology hub of the U.S. East Coast. Thousands of technology companies have offices here, including leaders of aerospace, e-commerce, software development and telecommunications.

Fairfax County is now a thriving urban county. It is the most populous jurisdibtion in both Virginia and the Washington metropolitan area.   Fairfax County's median household income of $94,000 is one of the highest in the nation and over half the adult residents have four-year degrees.  It is the largest county in Virginia; 1,041,200 people live in Fairfax County's 184,700 households, making the population larger than that of seven states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming).

Fairfax County and all of the counties in Virginia are governed by a Board of Supervisors composed of Chairman, elected at large, and one member from each of the Supervisory districts, elected for four-year terms by the voters of the district in which the member resides.

Fairfax County's public school system is the largest in Virginia and the 12th largest in the nation. Fairfax County voters elect School Board members for four-year terms. Because the School Board doesn't have the power to tax or incur debt, the local operating costs of the school system are provided from the federal and state government funds and by transfer from the county Budget to the schools. Approximately 51 cents of each county tax dollar goes to the schools.

Fairfax County has more than 18,000 acres of public parkland and more than 350 parks. The county is the home of Wolf Trap Farm Park, the only national park for the performing arts. Tyson's Corner, located within the county, contains one of the largest concentrations of retail shopping on the East Coast outside of New York City.

Fairfax County Public Library was recently ranked sixth in the nation for libraries of its size. It has 21 branches, 2.5 million items, and had more than five million visits last year.

Initially, development centered in the area closest to Arlington County and the cities of Falls Church and Alexandria.  For that reason, both the age and style of construction varies widely from east to west, the east being the oldest. The contrast can be seen best in the contrast between the eighteenth century mansion at Mount Vernon on the Potomac River and the nation's only national park for the performing arts, Wolf Trap Farm Park in Vienna.

While there are pockets of expensive homes throughout Fairfax County, the upscale homes with upscale prices will be found in McLean, Great Falls, Clifton and Fairfax Station.  With the exception of McLean the other locations will have lots large enough to maintain horses. 

The Average List Price will be anywhere from $800,000 in Fairfax Station and over $1,300,000 in McLean, Great Falls and Clifton.

The Average Sold Price will be very close to the list price with almost no seller subsidies.

The Average List Price for the majority of homes will be approximately $525,000

The Average Sold Price for these homes will be approximately $510,000

The Average NET SALES PRICE will average $490,000 after seller subsidies

CONTACT ME for assistance with FAIRFAX COUNTY REAL ESTATE

One of the county's premier attractions are The Great Falls on the Potomac River. 

Colvin Run Mill is an early 19th century operating grist mill.

Sully Plantation is the 18th century home of Richard Bland Lee who had the distinction of being the Commonwealth's first Congressman as well as being the uncle of General Robert E.Lee.

Gunston Hall is the home of George Mason who framed the Virginia Declaration

"That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent natural Rights... among which are the Enjoyment of Life and Liberty, with the Means of acquiring and possessing Property, and pursueing and obtaining Happiness and Safety."
-- George Mason. Virginia Declaration of Rights, May, 1776.

Sound familiar?  With some obvious modification it was the basis for The Declaration of Independence.

The picture is of the Central Entry Hall.  The home is an architectural beauty.

The few photos I have shown are small reminders of the historic significance of Fairfax County and Northern Virginia in our nation's development.  That spirit lives on today.

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Alexandria, Virginia is a great place to visit, live and work.  With more than 250 years of history, this hometown of George Washington still retains much of the character and charm from its' earlier days as a major port city. 

Alexandria boasts citizens who are noted for their strong sense of community.  That is not strange since Alexandria played host to the likes of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison and Robert E. Lee. 

Alexandria is located in Northern Virginia, right across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.  You can see the Washington Monument in the picture at the right which gives a good indication of just how close Alexandria is to the nation's capital.  The city encompasses 15.75 square miles with a population of approximately 38,000 people.   Much of present-day Alexandria was included in a 6,000 acre land grant from Sir William Berkeley, Governor of Virginia, which was awarded to Robert Howsing, an English ship captain, on October 21, 1669,  The grant was made by King Charles II in recognition of Captain Howsing's bringing 120 people to live in Virginia.

Alexandria, which is almost 50 years older than the City of Washington, is one of America's most historic communities.  It has many authentic eighteenth-century buildings, and the charm of the "Old Towne District" is carefully preserved by strict architectural and demolition control.  Alexandria began its historic preservation and urban renewal projects in the 1960s.

The Torpedo Factory was built during World War 1 and was again used in World War II as a United States munitions factory.  Before its renovation in the late 1970s and early 1980s, its ten heavy industrial buildings dominated the Alexandria waterfront.  Today, it is an award-winning example of adaptive reuse and the centerpiece of a lively waterfront with a marina, shops, public parks and walkways, restaurants, residences, and offices.

Since 1988, Alexandria has experienced unprecedented commercial development.  More than two million square feet of new office space has been constructed.  With this development, Alexandria has become home for divisional, regional and multi-national headquarters for many well known companies and associations.

Alexandria is in a unique location to provide excellent commuting options for its residents.  Amtrak trains stop at the historic rail station on King Street as does Virginia Railway Express, the Northern Virginia commuter rail system.  Metro, the Metropolitan Washington subway system has four stations in Alexandria, which gives residents easy access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the Pentagon and Washington, D.C.  Metrobus also provides similar access for the residents of Alexandria.

A report on Alexandria that omitted reference to Gadsby's Tavern would be incomplete.  Gadsby's Tavern Museum consists of two buildings, a circa 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Hotel.  The buildings are named for Englishman John Gadsby who operated them from 1796 to 1808.  The establishment was a center of political, business, and social life in early Alexandria.  The tavern was the setting for dancing, theatrical and musical performances, and meetings of local organizations.  George Washington regularly enjoyed the hospitality provided by the tavern keepers.  Take a moment to journey back to the 18^th-century tavern and hotel where famous historical figures and everyday people ate and slept.  A visit to Alexandria, Virginia would not be complete without a visit to this famous historical site.  You cannot stay overnight at Gadsby's, but you can dine in the 18th century manner.

Virginia has played a major role in America's development during the colonial period, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and is in the front line of America's national defense even today.  Alexandria has been and will continue to be a proud contributor to Virginia's history and economic development.

Alexandria Real Estate Statistics  The figures below do not include condominium prices - they are for detached and towne homes in the City of Alexandria.  I point this out since there is an area of Fairfax County just outside the City of Alexandria that bears an Alexandria address.

The Average List Price for an Alexandria home is $683,282

The Average Sold Price for an Alexandria home is $664,372

The Average NET SALES PRICE for an Alexandria home is $660,543  after deducting any seller contributions to the purchasers" closing costs.

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If you were in the Confederate Army you fought in the 1st Battle of Manassas on July 21, 1862 and the 2nd Battle of Manassas from August 28, 1862 to August 30, 1862.

However, if you fought in the Union Army these were the Battles of Bull Run.  The Confederacy named battles after nearby towns while the Union forces named the battles after nearby bodies of water.

1st Manassas was the first major battle of the Civil War.  In either case, the Confederacy won both battles, but the second battle was the most decisive.  The notable names leading the Confederate forces during 2nd Manassas were Lee, Longstreet and Jackson (Stonewall). 

The picture at the left is of Battery Heights - it has an awesome collection of Civil War artilllery pieces.

Manassas Battlefield National Park is a beautiful and informative stop on your visit to Northern Virginia and Prince William County.  There are park rangers, markers and monuments throughout the park to educate you as to the events of these two battles between two opposing American forces.

Panning 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 you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area. 

The newest subdivision in the 22192 ZIP CODE is the Prince William County Center.  The main thoroughfare is Ridgefield Road which runs from the Prince William  County Parkway to Dale Boulevard. 

It is, of course, convenient to the Prince William County Parkway and is a short drive to Hoadly Road facilitating travel both east and west on Route 234(Dumfries Road)

Detached Home prices range from $475,000 to $675,000 - the average is approximately $528,000.  As can be seen, the streets are wide with sidewalks and underground utilities.  The majority of homes are a colonial style with a 2 car garage.  There is a very nice community pool.

The Town Home settings provide separation from your neighbor across the green space with connecting walkways.  Town Home prices currently range from $365,000 to $550,000 at an average price of approximately $450,000

CONTACT ME for assistance with these homes or any PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY REAL ESTATE

Viginia is known as "The Mother of Presidents" due to the eight she has sent to the post in Washington, D.C.  Since "Mother" hasn't sent any of her sons or daughters to D.C. since Wilson in 1913 she had to find something productive to do for the benefit and wealth of we Virginians.

Due to the sandy loam (which tomatoes love) of the Eastern Shore peninsula that Virginia shares with Delaware and Maryland (The DelMarVa Peninsula) tomatoes were a natural crop choice. Tomatoes are also grown farther inland in counties east of Richmond.

The red fruit is a multi-million dollar business for the Commonwealth which now ranks third in the nation behind Florida and California.

To put the growth factor in perspective in 2001 Virginia tomato farmers harvested 3,900 acres of the crop.  In 2006 the harvest had grown to 5,600 acres.

I have absolutely no tomato farm experience, but I do have 30 years full time experience selling Northern Virginia residential real estate. 

CONTACT ME if I can be of assistance with PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY REAL ESTATE

While there are many advantages to a planned community such as Lake Ridge, Westbridge and Old Bridge Estates, one of the most important requirements is local shopping for those everyday items - the supermarket, banks, pharmacies, the dry cleaner, florist, greeting card store, family restaurants, gymnasiums, service stations and auto repair facilities, frame store, fabric shop, vitamin store, etc.

Tacketts Mill is the original Lake Ridge Shopping Center - it is located at the entrance to the community and has the usual complement of store plus one of the two "Mickey D's" in Lake Ridge.

Lake Ridge Commons is located about at about the middle of Lake Ridge.  The anchor merchant is Giant Food Stores, a major National Capital Area food chain.  Of equal importance is the fact that this is where our Starbucks is located.

All of the shopping centers are on Old Bridge Road which is the main east/west route through the community.  Festival is a few blocks west of Lake Ridge Commons.  The anchor store is Bloom which is the new upscale member of the Food Lion Chain.  Gold's Gym as well as a USPS substation are in this center.  Your sweet tooth can be satisfied at Dairy Queen.

The Glen is the farthest west and the largest of the four shopping centers.  The anchor grocer is a Super Safeway.  The primary feature of the center is that has the largest number of family and ethnic style restaurants in Lake Ridge.  It, too , has a "Mickey D's"

CONTACT ME for a TOUR OF THESE SHOPPING CENTERS and asistance with PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY REAL ESTATE.  Homeowners in Westbridge, Old Bridge Estates and Lake Ridge have abundant local shopping facilities conveniently located.

The Occoquan and Potomac Rivers, that is.  There are numerous boat launching facilities from the Occoquan Reservoir to the Potomac River at Leesylvania State Park

The picture at the right was taken at the Occoquan Harbor Marina. The Oasis Restaurant which is a popular stop for boaters is located here.

• There are several boat dealerships on Gordon Boulevard tha offer mooring and launch facilities. 
• Occoquan Regional Park is just across the river in Fairfax County with launch and storage facilities
• Occoquan Yacht Club in Occoquan has storage and launch facilities for members.
• Lake Ridge Marina on the Occoquan Reservoir is popular for fresh water fishing boats, shells and kayaks
• Leesylvania State Park has launch facilities on the Potomac River.

The Occoquan Regional Park is pictured at the right.

At the right is the small boat launch and rental facility at Lake Ridge Marina on the Occoquan Reservoir

The photo at the lower right is one of the marinas with both launch and storage facilities located on Gordon Boulevard.

CONTACT ME for help with PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY REAL ESTATE