Prince William County Real Estate Blog: June 2009

There are very few custom Cape Cod style homes in Northern Virginia, but I'll be entering one in our MLS on Wednesday, July 1, 2009

• 4 bedrooms (1 on main level)
• 2.5 baths
• End loading 2 car garage
• Built in 1988
• Cul-de-sac
• Trees, trees and more trees
• Only 4 blocks to commuter bus

Excellent location to commute to the Pentagon, Washington, DC, Fort Belvoir and MCB Quantico

The Kruschka Team has 33 years full time experience in the Prince William County area.  We invite you to try our

                                  NO REGISTRATION PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY HOME FINDER

and then contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569.  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 trip starts every day at 4:00 PM when the Auto Train departs from the Lorton Auto Train Terminal on a non-stop trip to Florida. A location outside Washington was necessary since the auto carriers will not fit in the Washington, DC railway tunnels. The service has been operating at this location since 1971.

From the time you turn your car over to the attendant, enter the terminal, board the train to your assigned seat and the deisel locomotive pulls away from the station the sense of anticipation escalates.

You know your car, van, motorcycle, SUV, small boat, jet ski or other recreational vehicles are tucked safely away in the auto carriers that are part of the train assembly.

Meanwhile, you can sit back in your coach seat, bedroom or roomette, relax, read, enjoy the scenery, visit with friends or other passengers in the Lounge Car, watch a movie or "just plain do nothing". Special accommodations can be made for families with small children or passengers with special needs.

Meals are included in the price of all Auto Train tickets. A freshly prepared dinner is served including regional wines, vegetarian dishes or special meals for the kids.

In the morning a complimentary continental breakfast is served. In 17 and one half hours you will arrive in Sanford, Florida near Orlando - you and your car , like you, will be refreshed and ready to tour sunny Florida.

• If you are planning a tour of Florida CONTACT AMTRAK
• If you are planning a Northern Virginia home purchase please try our

NO REGISTRATION NORTHERN VIRGINIA HOME FINDER

and then contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. 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. Over the past 33 years we have assisted over 1,500 military personnel and civilians meet or exceed their real estate objectives.

Westridge could easily have been named West Lake Ridge, but having its' own distinctive name sets it apart from Lake Ridge even though they are joined. Although consideably smaller than Lake Ridge it has

• Wooded common areas
• Treed lots
• Community pool and tennis
• Detached homes, town homes and condominiums

COMMUTING

• EXPRESS BUS SERVICE to the PENTAGON and WASHINGTON, DC is available at the Festival at Old Bridge shopping center in Lake Ridge - less than 10 minutes
• CARPOOLS usuallyy meet at the VDOT Commuter Lot at the entrance to Lake Ridge - see OMNIMATCH for more specific details
• SLUGGING (some erroneously call it hitching a ride which it is) is a result of the need to use HOV lanes on the I-95 as much as possible. Commuters form a line at a designated SLUG STOP in Lake Ridge - it is the VDOT Commuter at the Lake Ridge entrance. For example, a driver will pull up headed for the Pentagon, but needs one more passenger to qualify for HOV-3. The first person in line going to the Pentagon will join the others in the car and away they go. It's free commuting for the slugger and gives the driver availability to HOV lanes on I-95 - win win!!
• RAILROAD The Virginia Railway Express WOODBRIDGE STATION with rail service to Springfield, Crystal City and Union Station in Washington, DC is approximately a 20 minute drive from The Glen in the morning rush hour. At Springfield you can switch to METRORAIL that gives you access to the entire National Capital Area subway system.
• LOCAL BUS SERVICE Local buses run regularly throughout the Greater Woodbridge area as well as other areas of Prince William County. Lake Ridge is one of the communities served by OMNLINK
• Fort Belvoir is approximately 30 minutes
• MCB Quantico is approximately 30 minutes

SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY

• Westridge Elementary - in the community
• Woodbridge Middle - approximately 15 minutes
• Woodbridge High - less than 10 minutes

• Chinn Regional Library less than 5 minutes

SHOPPING - it doesn't get any better than this!!!

• The Glen Shopping Center with Safeway, Panera Bread, CVS Pharmacy and numerous restaurants is approximately 5 minutes
• Festival at Old Bridge is on Old Bridge Road near the western end of Lake Ridge at Smoketown Road. It has a US Post Office Annex and is less than 10 minutes.
• Lake Ridge Commons at Old Bridge Road and Hedges Run Drive - less than 10 minutes

RECREATION

• Pool,tennis and clubhouse in Westridge
• Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center with year round pool, exercise facilities, racquetball courts and meeting room is less than 5 minutes
• Leesylvania State Park with boat launch to the Potomac, picnic facilities and educational programs is less than 30 minutes
• Prince William Forest Park with 37 mikes of hiking trails, 21 miles of bicycle accessible roads, cabin and tent camping is less than 30 minutes
• There is a bicycle and jogging path along the Prince William Parkway.
• Lake Ridge Park and Marina with boat launch to the Occoquan Reservoir, 9-hole golf course, miniature golf and picnic facilities is approximately 10 minutes
• Occoquan Regional Park with boat launch to the Occoquan River, summer boat storage,ball fields and picnic areas is approximately 15 minutes
• Old Hickory Golf Club is less than 10 minutes

The Kruschka Team has 33 years full time experience in Prince William County. Contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. 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.

Westridge could easily have been named West Lake Ridge, but having its' own distinctive name sets it apart from Lake Ridge even though they are joined. Although consideably smaller than Lake Ridge it has

• Wooded common areas
• Treed lots
• Community pool and tennis
• Detached homes, town homes and condominiums

COMMUTING

• EXPRESS BUS SERVICE to the PENTAGON and WASHINGTON, DC is available at the Festival at Old Bridge shopping center in Lake Ridge - less than 10 minutes
• CARPOOLS usuallyy meet at the VDOT Commuter Lot at the entrance to Lake Ridge - see OMNIMATCH for more specific details
• SLUGGING (some erroneously call it hitching a ride which it is) is a result of the need to use HOV lanes on the I-95 as much as possible. Commuters form a line at a designated SLUG STOP in Lake Ridge - it is the VDOT Commuter at the Lake Ridge entrance. For example, a driver will pull up headed for the Pentagon, but needs one more passenger to qualify for HOV-3. The first person in line going to the Pentagon will join the others in the car and away they go. It's free commuting for the slugger and gives the driver availability to HOV lanes on I-95 - win win!!
• RAILROAD The Virginia Railway Express WOODBRIDGE STATION with rail service to Springfield, Crystal City and Union Station in Washington, DC is approximately a 20 minute drive from The Glen in the morning rush hour. At Springfield you can switch to METRORAIL that gives you access to the entire National Capital Area subway system.
• LOCAL BUS SERVICE Local buses run regularly throughout the Greater Woodbridge area as well as other areas of Prince William County. Lake Ridge is one of the communities served by OMNLINK
• Fort Belvoir is approximately 30 minutes
• MCB Quantico is approximately 30 minutes

SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY

• Westridge Elementary - in the community
• Woodbridge Middle - approximately 15 minutes
• Woodbridge High - less than 10 minutes

• Chinn Regional Library less than 5 minutes

SHOPPING - it doesn't get any better than this!!!

• The Glen Shopping Center with Safeway, Panera Bread, CVS Pharmacy and numerous restaurants is approximately 5 minutes
• Festival at Old Bridge is on Old Bridge Road near the western end of Lake Ridge at Smoketown Road. It has a US Post Office Annex and is less than 10 minutes.
• Lake Ridge Commons at Old Bridge Road and Hedges Run Drive - less than 10 minutes

RECREATION

• Pool,tennis and clubhouse in Westridge
• Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center with year round pool, exercise facilities, racquetball courts and meeting room is less than 5 minutes
• Leesylvania State Park with boat launch to the Potomac, picnic facilities and educational programs is less than 30 minutes
• Prince William Forest Park with 37 mikes of hiking trails, 21 miles of bicycle accessible roads, cabin and tent camping is less than 30 minutes
• There is a bicycle and jogging path along the Prince William Parkway.
• Lake Ridge Park and Marina with boat launch to the Occoquan Reservoir, 9-hole golf course, miniature golf and picnic facilities is approximately 10 minutes
• Occoquan Regional Park with boat launch to the Occoquan River, summer boat storage,ball fields and picnic areas is approximately 15 minutes
• Old Hickory Golf Club is less than 10 minutes

The Kruschka Team has 33 years full time experience in Prince William County. Contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. 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.

Lake Ridge, Old Bridge Estates and Westridge all call Old Bridge Road in Woodbridge home  Additionally, if you didn't see their individual entrance signs you would probably not realize when you crossed from one to the other.

They have many things in common:

• Each has its own pool, tennis courts, tot lots and community center
• They all have ease of transportation to the Pentagon, Washington, DC, Fort Belvoir and all National Capital Area work centers as well as MCB Quantico.
• The four Old Bridge Road shopping centers, Chinn Regional Library and Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center are easily accessible to all three
• 1/4 acre plus lots for the detached homes
• Trees, trees and more trees

The links below contain photos and "active links to the realtor MLS that show homes currently for sale - it is updated hourly".

We have lived in Lake Ridge for the past 26 years. The Kruschka Team has 33 years full time real estate experience in the Woodbridge area. If a home purchase is in your future contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569.
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.

Old Bridge Estates is the second largest of the three primary communities along Old Bridge Road in Woodbridge.

• Lake Ridge
• Old Bridge Estates
• Westridge

There are a total of 860 homes (detached and town homes) on both sides of Smoketown Road just south of Old Bridge Road. There are two lovely ponds, community pool, tennis courts, wide streets and loads of trees.

• EXPRESS BUS SERVICE to the PENTAGON and WASHINGTON, DC is available at the Festival at Old Bridge shopping center in Lake Ridge - less than 10 minutes
• CARPOOLS usuallyy meet at the VDOT Commuter Lot at the entrance to Lake Ridge - see OMNIMATCH for more specific details
• SLUGGING (some erroneously call it hitching a ride which it is) is a result of the need to use HOV lanes on the I-95 as much as possible. Commuters form a line at a designated SLUG STOP in Lake Ridge - it is the VDOT Commuter at the Lake Ridge entrance. For example, a driver will pull up headed for the Pentagon, but needs one more passenger to qualify for HOV-3. The first person in line going to the Pentagon will join the others in the car and away they go. It's free commuting for the slugger and gives the driver availability to HOV lanes on I-95 - win win!!
• RAILROAD The Virginia Railway Express WOODBRIDGE STATION with rail service to Springfield, Crystal City and Union Station in Washington, DC is approximately a 20 minute drive from The Glen in the morning rush hour. At Springfield you can switch to METRORAIL that gives you access to the entire National Capital Area subway system.
• LOCAL BUS SERVICE Local buses run regularly throughout the Greater Woodbridge area as well as other areas of Prince William County. Lake Ridge is one of the communities served by OMNLINK
• Fort Belvoir is approximately 30 minutes
• MCB Quantico is approximately 30 minutes

SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY

• Springwoods Elementary - approximately 10 minutes
• Woodbridge Middle - approximately 15 minutes
• Gar-Field High - less than 15 minutes

• Chinn Regional Library less than 10 minutes

SHOPPING - it doesn't get any better than this!!!

• The Glen Shopping Center with Safeway, Panera Bread, CVS Pharmacy and numerous restaurants is approximately 10 minutes
• Festival at Old Bridge is on Old Bridge Road near the western end of Lake Ridge at Smoketown Road. It has a US Post Office Annex and is less than 10 minutes.
• Lake Ridge Commons at Old Bridge Road and Hedges Run Drive - less than 10 minutes

RECREATION

• Pool,tennis and clubhouse in Old Bridge Estates
• Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center with year round pool, exercise facilities, racquetball courts and meeting room is less than 5 minutes
• Leesylvania State Park with boat launch to the Potomac, picnic facilities and educational programs is less than 30 minutes
• Prince William Forest Park with 37 mikes of hiking trails, 21 miles of bicycle accessible roads, cabin and tent camping is less than 30 minutes
• There is a bicycle and jogging path along the Prince William Parkway.
• Lake Ridge Park and Marina with boat launch to the Occoquan Reservoir, 9-hole golf course, miniature golf and picnic facilities is approximately 10 minutes
• Occoquan Regional Park with boat launch to the Occoquan River, summer boat storage,ball fields and picnic areas is approximately 15 minutes
• Old Hickory Golf Club is less than 10 minutes

The Kruschka Team has 33 years full time experience in Prince William County. Contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. 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.

Port Potomac is one of the newer communities being developed along the Route 1 corridor between Dale Boulevard and Route 234. It features a spectacular entry boulevard and wide streets throughout the community. The quote below was taken directly form the developer's Port Potomac description.

" The entrance to a community tells you much about the quality of life to be found within. Port Potomac greets you with the classic elegance of formal brick structures and manicured green lawns. The white columns and red brick of the Community Center, framed by a unique water feature are a perfect setting for one of the finest community recreational facilities you can find in Prince William."

Commuting

• Commuter bus service to the PENTAGON and WASHINGTON, DC operates from the VDOT Commuter Lot at Route 234 and US 1
• There is a major SLUG LINE at the Route 234 and US 1 VDOT Commuter Lot with routes to the Pentagon and numerous DC locations.
• The VRE RIPPON STATION is approximately 15 minutes - you can transfer to Metrorail at the Franconia-Springfield Station
• MCB Quantico is approximately 15 minutes

• Fort Belvoir is approximately 45 minutes during rush hour

Schools and Libraries

• Since there is ongoing development in the area and school assignments could change it will be best to locate a school by specific address using the Prince William School Locator
• Dumfries Neighborhood Library is approximately 10 minutes
• Chinn Regional Library is approximately 20 minutes

Shopping

• The Fortuna Center for excellent neighborhood shopping is just west of I-95 on Route 234 It features a Shopper's, Target and the usual contingent of specialty shops.
• Lake Montclair Center is approximately 15 minutes
• There are numerous neighborhood shopping centers within 15 to 20 minutes on US Route 1 as well as in Dale City.
• The Market at Opitz Crossing is approximately 15 minutes

Recreation

• Port Potomac homeowmers will enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools, kid's activities, business center and a very active community association
• Dale City Rec Center is approximately 15 minutes away on Minnieville Road with year round pool, fitness center and other recreational activities including an outdoor baseball batting cage.
• Water Works Waterpark is approximately 20 minutes on Dale Boulevard in Dale City
• Prince William Indoor Ice Rink is also located on Dale Boulevard about 20 minutes away
• Prince William Forest Park with 37 mikes of hiking trails, 21 miles of bicycle accessible roads, cabin and tent camping is less than 20 minutes
• Leesylvania State Park with boat launch to the Potomac, picnic facilities and educational programs is approximately 20 minutes
• Lake Ridge Park and Marina with boat launch to the Occoquan Reservoir, 9-hole golf course, miniature golf and picnic facilities is approximately 20 minutes
• Old Hickory Golf Club is approximately 25 minutes
• Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center with year round pool, exercise facilities, racquetball courts and meeting room is approximately 15 to 20 minutes
• Locust Shade Park is approximately 10 minutes

The Kruschka Team has 33 years full time real estate experience in the Prince William County area. Contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. 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.

Port Potomac is one of the new communities being developed along the Route 1 corridor between Dale Boulevard and Route 234. It features a very damatic entry boulevard and wide streets throughout the community. The quote below was taken form the developer's Port Potomac description.

" The entrance to a community tells you much about the quality of life to be found within. Port Potomac greets you with the classic elegance of formal brick structures and manicured green lawns. The white columns and red brick of the Community Center, framed by a unique water feature are a perfect setting for one of the finest community recreational facilities you can find in Prince William."

Commuting

• Commuter bus service to the PENTAGON and WASHINGTON, DC operates from the VDOT Commuter Lot at Route 234 and US 1
• There is a major SLUG LINE at the Route 234 and US 1 VDOT Commuter Lot with routes to the Pentagon and numerous DC locations.
• The VRE RIPPON STATION is approximately 15 minutes - you can transfer to Metrorail at the Franconia-Springfield Station
• MCB Quantico is approximately 15 minutes

• Fort Belvoir is approximately 45 minutes during rush hour

Schools and Libraries

• Since there is ongoing development in the area and school assignments could change it will be best to locate a school by specific address using the Prince William School Locator
• Dumfries Neighborhood Library is approximately 10 minutes
• Chinn Regional Library is approximately 20 minutes

Shopping

• The Fortuna Center for excellent neighborhood shopping is just west of I-95 on Route 234 It features a Shopper's, Target and the usual contingent of specialty shops.
• Lake Montclair Center is approximately 15 minutes
• There are numerous neighborhood shopping centers within 15 to 20 minutes on US Route 1 as well as in Dale City.
• The Market at Opitz Crossing is approximately 15 minutes

Recreation

• Port Potomac homeowmers will enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools, kid's activities, business center and a very active community association
• Dale City Rec Center is approximately 15 minutes away on Minnieville Road with year round pool, fitness center and other recreational activities including an outdoor baseball batting cage.
• Water Works Waterpark is approximately 20 minutes on Dale Boulevard in Dale City
• Prince William Indoor Ice Rink is also located on Dale Boulevard about 20 minutes away
• Prince William Forest Park with 37 mikes of hiking trails, 21 miles of bicycle accessible roads, cabin and tent camping is less than 20 minutes
• Leesylvania State Park with boat launch to the Potomac, picnic facilities and educational programs is approximately 20 minutes
• Lake Ridge Park and Marina with boat launch to the Occoquan Reservoir, 9-hole golf course, miniature golf and picnic facilities is approximately 20 minutes
• Old Hickory Golf Club is approximately 25 minutes
• Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center with year round pool, exercise facilities, racquetball courts and meeting room is approximately 15 to 20 minutes
• Locust Shade Park is approximately 10 minutes

The Kruschka Team has 33 years full time real estate experience in the Prince William County area. Contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. 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.

Just when you think there is not enough land to support 100 homes one subdivision pops up with 1,100 of them. Eagle's Pointe is a KHovanian project along US Route 1 convenient to transportation, shopping and recreational facilities. The community features an elegant clubhouse and pool complex.

Commuting

• Commuter bus service to the Pentagon and Washington, DC operates from the VDOT Commuter Lot at Route 234 and US 1
• There is a major Slug Line at the Route 234 and US 1 VDOT Commuter Lot with routes to the Pentagon and numerous DC locations.
• The VRE Rippon is approximately 15 minutes - you can transfer to Metrorail at the Franconia-Springfield Station
• MCB Quantico is approximately 15 minutes

• Fort Belvoir is approximately 45 minutes during rush hour

Schools and Libraries

• Since there is ongoing development in the area and school assignments could change it will be best to locate a school by specific address using the Prince William School Locator
• Dumfries Neighborhood Library is approximately 10 minutes
• Chinn Regional Library is approximately 20 minutes

Shopping

• The Fortuna Center for excellent neighborhood shopping is just west of I-95 on Route 234 It features a Shopper's, Target and the usual contingent of specialty shops.
• Lake Montclair Center is approximately 15 minutes
• There are numerous neighborhood shopping centers within 15 to 20 minutes on US Route 1 as well as in Dale City.
• The Market at Opitz Crossing is approximately 15 minutes

Recreation

• Dale City Rec Center is approximately 15 minutes away on Minnieville Road with year round pool, fitness center and other recreational activities including an outdoor baseball batting cage.
• Water Works Waterpark is approximately 20 minutes on Dale Boulevard in Dale City
• Prince William Indoor Ice Rink is also located on Dale Boulevard about 20 minutes away
• Prince William Forest Park with 37 mikes of hiking trails, 21 miles of bicycle accessible roads, cabin and tent camping is less than 20 minutes
• Leesylvania State Park with boat launch to the Potomac, picnic facilities and educational programs is approximately 20 minutes
• Lake Ridge Park and Marina with boat launch to the Occoquan Reservoir, 9-hole golf course, miniature golf and picnic facilities is approximately 20 minutes
• Old Hickory Golf Club is approximately 25 minutes
• Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center with year round pool, exercise facilities, racquetball courts and meeting room is approximately 15 to 20 minutes
• Locust Shade Park is approximately 10 minutes

• Lake Ridge Park and Marina where you can rent paddle boats, kayaks and row boats, fish, play miniature golf and have a picnic is in Lake Ridge
• Leesylvania State Park with numerous educational programs and picnic facilities is approximately 30 minutes
• Prince William Forest Park with 37 mikes of hiking trails, 21 miles of bicycle accessible roads, cabin and tent camping is approximately 30 minutes
• Occoquan Regional Park with ball fields,fishing and picnic areas is approximately 15 minutes
• Pohick Bay Regional Park is within 30 minutes. You can rent paddle boats, jon boats or sailboats, play disk golf, fish, play miniature golf, have a picnic and enjoy the very popular PIRATES COVE. As the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority web site says, "Pirate's Cove is a pirate-themed family waterpark loaded with fun features for your campers and kids. The new features include a 24-foot high play structure with a 300-gallon dumping bucket, water slides, waterfalls and squirters. Buccaneer Beach is a large sand play area where kids can dig for buried treasure. And watch out for pirates lurking about - they could almost be real. Everyone is guaranteed a lot of pirate fun!"
• WaterWorksWaterPark in Dale City has several pools, fountains, slides and an expansive beach area.
• Veterans Park on Featherstone Road features a Skateboard Facility