Prince William County Real Estate Blog: December 2007

Rippon Lodge is thought to be the oldest colonial home in Prince William County and quite possibly in Northern Virginia.

It was built about 1725 by Richard Black-burn of Ripon, an old cathedral town in England.  Colonel Thomas Blackburn, his son, was a contemporary and fought with George Washington.  In that period the families of Mount and Rippon were on very intimate terms.  George Washington even made reference in his diary to overnight stays at Rippon Lodge with Mrs. Washington.

Its' ownership changed over the years, but was last owned by Admiral Richard Blackburn Black, another descendant of the Blackbiurn family, who was noted for his exploration of the North Pole with Admiral Byrd.  The lodge was passed to Admiral Black's daughter in 1989.  She later sold the property to Prince William County in 2000.

The property has been restored and is open to the public for tours and special events. BELMONT BAY FERRY is a related site

If you are considering a move to, within or out of Prince William County or Northern Virginia you should consult a local expert who has

CONTACT ME FOR SUPERIOR STATE-OF-THE-ART 21^st CENTURY SERVICE

My first website was launched in 1997.  It was obvious to my husband and I that internet marketing of real estate was the most exciting innovation we had seen in our long real estate career.  Of course, that website has been updated many times since then and is one of the most comprehensive and informative sites on the internet.

The following graphs developed by the National Association of REALTORS in 2007 are self explanatory and show just how right we were.

However, the second graph shows which information sources are most important to the consumer.

My website incorporates the first two elements of the second graph.

Over the past 10 years we have spent thousands of dollars and time creating reciprocal, linking relationships with other real estate related websites.  That effort has resulted in my website now being linked to more than 1,000 websites.  Just GOOGLE my name, Karen Kruschka, and you'll readily see how effective our efforts have been.

Your listing is sent to my website over a direct feed and is immediately available to be viewed on more than 3,000 websites around the world.

Additionally, we pay for PREMIUM POSITIONING OF OUR LISTINGS on major real estate portals and search engines.

I utilize software that enables me to create and upload (with its' own URL) a virtual tour of your home - it also appears on a separate domain name which I own SEEAVIRTUALTOUR.COM, on major search engines and there is a rider on my yard sign directing people to it.

 Yes, we believe internet marketing is "here to stay."

Contact me for further information and assistance

I pick up trash on Rolling Road in Springfield

As a member of the Rotary Club of West Springfield, I am committed to community service.  Four times a year you will see club members on the stretch of Rolling Road between the Fairfax County Parkway and Old Keene Mill Road wearing orange vests picking up trash. We participate in the VDOT Adopt A Highway Program

We know our efforts are appreciated - periodically a passerby will honk and wave or slow down, roll down the window and holler, "Thanks,"  This past summer I returned home after a cleanup to find my message light blinking. One of my clients left a message that she was driving past and noticed me.

Over the years I have sold many homes to and for the residents of Springfield  As a matter of fact, several of my clients still live in homes I sold them over 20 years ago. 

Membership and participation in Rotary International provides me with the opportunity to give back for the years of success I have enjoyed as a REALTOR.  The motto of Rotary is simple, but speaks volumes about us - "Service Above Self"

For more information about the Rotary Club of West Springfield call me at 703-690-6569

CONTACT ME for assistance with SPRINGFIELD or FAIRFAX COUNTY REAL ESTATE 

PROPER PRIOR PLANNING PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE

That may seem like a trite statement, but it is one my husband and I apply to every planning session about business activity.

When we are selected to market a property we develop an Action Plan TAILORED to the property.  Why?  Each property is as unique as the people who own it - it deserves to have a strategy that will result in a timely sale.

Similarly, when we work for purchasers we always have a "brainstorming session" with the parties and then develop a specific Action Plan.  Why? It is our goal to facilitate the transaction so that it is a rewarding experience.

CONTACT ME FOR ROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE SERVICE IN 2008

With over 30 years experience in Springfileld, Fairfax County and Northern Virginia real estate, we believe we ar eminently qualified to represent your interests

Relax, I'm talking about geese, not people.

There was a time when each Fall I would enjoy watching the flocks honk and wave on their way to Florida.  The scene would be reversed as they flew home to Canada in the Spring.

However, in recent years they have decided to make Northern Virginia home.  There is no doubt they enjoy our mild weather, scenery, fresh and salt water fishing in addition to the very pleasant people.

It would really upset me if the Bald Eagles  told them about us.  They may be very graceful birds, but they are noisy and foul our water supply.

It is estimated the geese are increasing about 15% per year.  Additionally, it's a good thing they don't drive on our overburdened roads.

I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF CANADIAN GEESE.

I DO SOLVE REAL ESTATE ISSUES.

CONTACT ME FOR ASSISTANCE WITH FAIRFAX COUNTY OR NORTHERN VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE

For years people have been told, "The three most important things in real estate are location, location, location"

If you live in the home at the right that may well still be true, but it will not be true for the rest of us in 2008.

For 2008, the three most important things in real estate are "Price, Condition and Terms."

If any real estate agent tells you something else you may be talking to the wrong real estate agent.

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT THE RIGHT REAL ESTATE AGENT FOR 2008

On NOVEMBER 26, 1997  I attended settlement on a home in Annandale that I sold to a couple newly arrived in the area.

This year, exactly 10 years later, on NOVEMBER 26, 2007 they went to settlement on the home pictured on the right.

I have seen their young daughters grow to college age young ladies.  Additionally, I have been available all that time to address any real estate questions or concerns that they may have had.

I am proud of the fact my clients respect and appreciate my in-depth experience and technical resources and continue to depend on it.

There are some who say experience is not the most important ingredient in the real estate business, but I challenge them to compare my results over 31 years and tell me what would work better.  It takes more than just caring to retain clients - it takes education, experience and a sincere interest in their needs.

CONTACT ME FOR ALL OF YOUR FAIRFAX COUNTY AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE NEEDS

It is one thing to sell to Americans who are out of the country such as my blog about John and Kay who were in Hawaii and purchased their home through me over the internet without  ever having seen the home before they arrived for settlement.

It is quite another thing to sell to foreign diplomats who have never been here before.  My buyers were stationed in Sudan, were assigned to Washington, DC. and were totally unfamiliar with our real estate procedures.

They visited my website and solicited my help in finding them a home prior to their arrival.  Thus began a cycle of phone calls, lender contacts, e-mailed listings and documents sent as attachments to e-mail including the purchase offer.  Similar to John and Kay they would sign the documents and fax them to my e-fax which arrived perfectly clear as e-mail attachments.  There was a potential hitch - I was unable to fax or e-mail the set of homowner documents for them to review and accept or reject  as required by Virginia law.  The solution was simple - I have a DHL account that I maintain for just such occasions.  I sent them the documents  via DHL and included a return DHL envelope for them to send the signed acceptance or rejection form back to me.

They arrived  a few days prior to settlement, we toured the area and did a final walkthrough prior to settlement.  They both complimented me on the expertise and technicology that I utilized to facilitate the transaction.

CONTACT ME FOR ASSISTANCE WITH FAIRFAX COUNTY AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE 

YOU DON"T HAVE TO BE A FOREIGN DIPLOMAT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY IN DEPTH EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL RESOURCES.

Sellers frequently contact me through my website to market  their property..  That is not unusual except I am contacted by out-of-town sellers.  They look at the depth of my experience and my utilization of technology.

My website details my ACTION PLAN to market a property.  There are not many real estate agents that are making that type commitment for all the world to see.

The owner of the Greenbriar property at the right lives in Atlanta - he was unable to come to town to meet with me, discuss my recommendations and sign the necessary documents.  I sent him a very detailed market analysis and included my recommendation both as to price and items that needed to be corrected.  Yes, I told him - I will arrange for contractors and supervise their work.  

 The property was listed and sold quickly. I maintain a DHL account and sent him all the required documents to sign.  Since I enclosed a return DHL envelope from my account  he had the documents signed, notarized and sent them back immediately.

This is only one example of properties I have marketed in this manner.  Please visit my website and read Steve's Testimonial. It is one of three testionials on my website and will rotate on very quickly.

In town or out of town does not change the services I am willing to perform to assist sellers and buyers.  CONTACT ME FOR ASSISTANCE WITH NORTHERN VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE

John and Kay were in Hawaii with orders to Fort Belvoir.  They contacted me through  my website 

They were interested in purchasing their first home and preferred working with an agent with in-depth experience.

During our initial conversations we discussed location, financing and dates for a house hunting trip.  John told me there was not going to be a house hunting trip.  He selected me because of my in-depth experience and technical capability - he expected the entire transaction to be ready when he arrived with his family.

I sent homes via e-mail, lenders contacted them and arranged financing.  The homeowner of the home they wanted to purchase allowed us to take as many photos as we needed. Our software enables us to create a VERY DETAILED VIRTUAL TOUR and upload it to the internet.  All documents were created online and sent via email or faxed as a pdf attachment and faxed back to my e-fax account.  The entire transaction was ready for settlement before John and Kay set foot on the "contiguous 48."

They arrived with children the day before settlement, we did a final walkthrough and settled the next day without a hitch.  They must be happy because we are planning to work on their second home very shortly.  Please feel free to read John's Testimonial when it rotates up - there are only three testimonials on my website

Over the years I have been honored to serve military families - I know the strain a move can place on you if you do not have reliable support during the process.  CLICK HERE FOR NORTHERN VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE 

The Hecht Co. had been a leading mid-Atlantic department store since 1857.  In August of 2006 the company was purchased by Macy's. 

Each year my husband and I visit a different local mall to window shop and admire the decorations - this year we headed for Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax.  Imagine our surprise when we saw two Macy's stores in the same mall.  Macy's closed the Hecht's store, remodeled it an reopened it as Macy's even though there was already a Macy's in the mall.

It is not the same in the real estate business.  Each time the real estate market heats up, people rush to obtain a real estate license and "get in on the easy money."  When the market cools down they very frequently are not trained to perform in a slow market.

A weak market is when you need a seasoned agent to navigate the troubled waters.

If you are planning to buy or sell real property you need the Kruschka Expertise.

- Husband and wife team licensed in 1976.

- Internet marketing since 1997.

- Over 1500 clients served.

- Life Members of all major Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS production awards.

- Over 30 years of continuing education to improve our marketing skills.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE NORTHERN VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE INFORMATION

My husband decided many years ago that a girl from Albuquerque had very limited appreciation of snowmen.  The fact that I spent alternating Christmas holidays with grandparents in South Dakota and Illinois did not register. Every year I get a "surprise" gift of one or more snowpeople

There is no way I could possibly show them all to you in time for Christmas.

Believe it or not, I even have a snowman magnet on the refrigerator door that plays "Jingle Bells".

The big guy at the bottom is 42" high and welcomes guests in our foyer.  Fortunately, he disassembles and goes in a small box.  Yes, he's tin!!!!

Wooden snowmen, snowman cookie and cake molds, even a snowman lantern.

If the truth be known, I hope he never stops - I love the thought and devotion that goes into his annual search.

There is good news - he has never bought me an inflatable snowman.  HE KNOWS BETTER!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

The Christmas ornament at the right is a slate roof section from one of the most historic churches in Northern Virginia.

Old Presbyterian Meeting House on South Fairfax Street in the City of Alexandria was chartered as a Presbyteian congregation in 1772 .  The sanctuary you see pictured was built in 1775.

The front steps were the highest review point in Alexandria.  It was on these steps that General George Washington made his farewell review of his troops as they paraded past.

One of the buildings on the church grounds that was built in 1787 is Flounder House - it was the parsonage.  There are only a few of the flounder style homes remaining in Alexandria.

The tomb of The Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution is in the church cemetery as is the tomb of Washington's physician, Dr. Craik

Additionally, The Meeting house was the site of the memorial service for President Washington.

The sanctuary was gutted by fire in 1835 and reconstructed in its' present configuration

My husband and I were members of the congregation in the late 1970's and early 1980's.

The structure of the roof had deteriorated over the years and was in dire need of repair.  The repair involved the removal of a substantial number of the roof slates.  A local artist was commissioned to turn them into Christmas ornaments and sold to the members of the congregation as commemorative pieces.  The angle at the right hand top corner is not breakage.  The cut we were told is part of the process of laying a slate roof.

 Arthur and I treasure that piece of slate as it reminds us of the years we sat in the sanctuary and recalled the history that made the building a national treasure. My husband was head usher for an extended period of time and he felt so proud to think he was participating as early patriots had participated in the life of the church.

 The two sanctuary pictures in this post were taken from the church website and used with permission.

SEARCH HERE FOR ALEXANDRIA AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE

Every year during the holiday season the Rotary Club of West Springfield invites Springfield area school students to perform at one of our club meetings.  We meet every Wednesday at 7:30 AM at the Springfield Golf and Country Club on Old Keene Mill Road.

This morning we were entertained by the Orange Hunt Elementary School German Choir.  Fairfax County Public Schools have foreign language immersion programs available at the elementary school level.  Orange Hunt Elementary teaches German.  This choir of elementary school children entertained us with a selection of German Christmas Carols and they were OUTSTANDING.  The citizens of Fairfax County can be proud of programs like this that broaden our children's knowledge of our world.  I am not showing pictures of these kids for the very obvious reason it would not be wise on the internet and I don't have parental permission, but they were very enthusiastic and confident of their German singing ability.

The ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SPRINGFIELD actively supports Springfield area schools with scholarships of various types and also provides teacher awards and grants.

Please call me at 703-690-6569 if you would like further information about our club and the various ways we support our community      

Over the past 39 years homes in Orange Hunt have continued to increase in value.  In 1967 the first homes sold were sold at $32,000 to $38,000 - today these same homes are in the $475,000 to $550,000 price range. There are 930 detached homes and 280 town homes in two separate town home communities.  Additionally, community desirability has not diminished one bit for several reasons. 

Orange Hunt Elementary and Sangster Elementary are both located in the community generating neighborhood support.  Middle school students attend Washington Irving on Old Keene Mill Road while high schoolers attend West Springfield High.  Information on all these schools can be found at Fairfax County Public Schools

MetrobusRoute 18H runs through the community providing both morning and evening rush hour service.  Additionally, it is a relatively short trip to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station.  Schedules for these commuting options can be found at Commuting

Shopping is convenient at Huntsman Square, Burke Town Center and Rolling Valley Mall.

South Run Recreation Center,  a year round Fairfax County Park Authority facility is within a few minutes.  Additionally, Pohick Regional Library is located on Sydenstricker.

NO REGISTRATION SEARCH FOR HOMES IN ORANGE HUNT, SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX COUNTY OR NORTHERN VIRGINIA 

ABOUT FAIRFAX COUNTY

RELATED SITES

SARATOGA

KINGS PARK

CHARLESTOWN

ORANGE HUNT ESTATES CIVIC ASSOCIATION

On December 16, The Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger ran a cover story about the J.E.Rice Hardware Store which is located in the Manassas Shopping Center on Mathis Avenue.

Their saying is, "If we don't have it you don't need it or they don't make it."

J.E.Rice, Sr. opened the store in 1936 at another location and opened this store in1957.  The founder's three grandchildren still operate the store which stocks in excess of 35,000 items. One of the reasons for the store's continued success is the willingness of the owners and staff to provide reliable service.  It is a pleasure to know there are still businesses that strive to provide the very best customer service possible.

In my 31 years in the real estate business I have prided myself on the repeat business I have enjoyed from satisfied clients.  Contact me for assistance with your real estate requirements in Manassas and Prince William County.

One of my very favorite birds is the cardinal which just happens to be the Commonwealth of Virginia state bird.  Every year I purchase my Christmas cards from the NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION here in Reston Virginia.  I always order Christmas cards from them that have a cardinal on the front of the card.  However, since the drawings are copyrighted I can't scan them and show them to you, but the artwork is outstanding.

The National Wildlife Federation supports more than birds, but since elephants and tigers are not allowed in my subdivision I have to settle for birds.  As a matter of fact I have completed the requirements to have my backyard become a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

One of the things I like about the Christmas cards is that they are made of recycled material.  If you are interested in ecology as I am I reccommend you check out the NWF - they have some interesting and important projects, volunteer opportunities and merchandise.  We are pleased they have chosen Northern Virginia as their home base.

Developers began working on Burke Centre in 1976 - the same year my husband and I were licensed to sell real estate.  Over the years we have both matured.  In our case, Arthur and I have sold many homes to and for people in the Burke area.

During that time we have invested in several Burke properties for our own portofolio. 

Some of the major improvements we have seen impact on Burke in the past 31 years are

VRE has come to town

Fairfax County Parkway has facilitated commuting to the east and west

Shopping  As you may know the shopping options in Burke Centre were very limited in the beginning

Friendly Restaurant  I've enjoyed many an ice cream break there

If purchasing or selling real estate in Burke is in your future it will be our pleasure to put our expertise to work for you.  You will have the benefit of 31 YEARS OF FULL TIME REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE in BURKE and NORTHERN VIRGINIA.   In our current market you need an experienced to assist you

The year is 1977 - Arthur and I are newly licensed.  As you can see, being brunette is all the rage.

My very first client (also named Karen) is equally pregnant.  I just met she and her husband at an open house. Shortly, I will sell them a Virginia rambler on Reservoir Road.  Their daughter Heather will precede our son Max by a few months.

Since that time I have sold three homes to them and for them when they relocated and returned to Virginia.  All three of them were in Springfield.   Finally, they stopped being transferred and I sold them their fourth property in Kingstowne.

Remember their daughter Heather?  I sold she and her husband their first home and sold it for them when they moved to West Virginia.

Regardless of what others may think, I know my client loyalty is due to my experience developed over 31 years as a full time Northern Virginia real estate broker.

If you are seeking experience and a proven track record I'm your girl.  

In 1978 my husband and I bought this two level town home on Burke Manor Court for $46,000.  We had only been real estate agents for 1.5 years and it was our first investment property.  We were as proud as we could possibly be.  It was just a few steps from the railroad tracks and Burke Lake Road had not been relocated yet.

This year those homes are selling for approximately $300,000.  There is no question a 650% increase over 29 years is very satisfactory.  We have long since sold this home and have invested in others over the years.

It is still a buyer's market in Northern Virginia and there are many excellent purchasing opportunities available.  Put my 31 years experience to work for you.  To answer the question, Burke is still a very good investment. I have sold many homes to and for people over the years