The tentative opening date of December 1, 2008 for the Union Jack Pub & Restaurant has been rescheduled. Please visit theWinchester Va Restaurants for more details 12/03/2008

The construction on the Union Jack Pub is coming along great. The color scheme they have chosen looks amazing and I am very ready for this new bar to open. It will provide a new experience for all people who love the downtown mall.In other food news, the new Five Guys Burgers and Fries is now open near Home Depot. It will save people alot of time who live on the south side of town from having to drive all the way down Berryville Ave. to get some great burgers. The Waffle House on Pleasant Valley is closed but the one on Millwood Pike is still up and running. As always we have all events, news, and updates posted right on the site at www.wincfood.com . We are also testing our new login system to start giving away great gift certificates. We will keep you up-to-date on the progress. Until... 12/02/2008

  Winchester, VA Real Estate - Harvest Ridge Estates SOLD STATISTICS FOR HARVEST RIDGE! January 1, 2007 - 2010 This post is inspired by the Winchester resident who emailed me for a list of recent sales in Harvest Ridge Estates after reading my recent market report on Harvest Ridge Estates. If you missed it, please click here for information on currently listed homes. Built by Toll Brothers, this neighborhood has been complete since the summer of 2006! I have decided to use data from January 1, 2007 forward. I’ll attempt to keep this up to date. Text, email, or call me to be added to an automated email notification via MRIS, our local MLS on market activity in Harvest Ridge. (or any other neighborhood) Source of statistics: MRIS & Tax Records. Model info. from my knowledge of the neighbo... 07/18/2008

Many buyers are seeking more house for their money. It does however involve a longer commute if you have to drive toward D.C. New homes here are large and well appointed. You can also find nice more affordable homes in the well established sections of the county. There are many homes to choose from! Sellers are understanding of the 'new' market conditions & are ready to sell. We are seeing an increase in viewings and contracts!It's still very much a buyer's market in Frederick County/Winchester area. The prices in some areas have fallen because of the buyers playing hardball with the sellers and there is a lot of inventory for a potential purchaser to choose from.Today's buyers are looking for homes that are ready to move into where they would have minimal work to do as far as repairs a... 05/08/2008

Report Date Spring 2008Nearest Metro Area Buyers' or Sellers' Market More sellers than buyersAverage Time on Market More than 120 daysMarket Trend IncreasingHousing Inventory Good supply - all pricesAverage Home Prices $275,000Compared to last year Down 15-20%Prices As % of Asking Price 85-90%Multiple Offers? YesGreatest Activity First Time BuyersHousing Hot Spots Foreclosures are the hot spot. We are getting multiple offers and they are selling within days of going on the market.Reason to Buy/Sell Job GrowthOther Comments Our market is much more active than the public thinks. They listen to all of the down play from the media. They do not realize that the worst areas are not here. Our job growth is wonderful so we do still have an active market. 05/01/2008

           April 16,2008   * This blog is for you Nat! Thanks for encouraging me to get on board! I was grabbing my AM headline fix while driving into the office,  when I lingered on the station to catch the following feature story.  The news piece showcased a woman's efforts to bring former neighbors back to the Lower Ninth Ward ( Devastated by Hurricane Katrina).  Patricia Jones has been working diligently to contact former residents, clean up the neighborhood and restore her home that was destroyed. Jones later reveals that through her family history she learned the value of homeownership and after finally qualifying to own a home, she was not going to give up on that dream.      I had a closing in December where my client, a first time home buyer, purchased a 211 year old town home ... 04/16/2008

  Relocating to Winchester, VA? Beyond Real Estate – Windrow Antiques, Home & Garden!   Nestled on Boscawen Street, just a stone’s throw away (not recommended) from City Hall, you’ll find a wealth of choice for decorating your home, vacation home, bed & breakfast or even place of business. Earlier this month, I made a visit to Olde Town Winchester to obtain photos for my Relocation Package. With some spare time on my hands, I rewarded myself with a visit to Windrow, an antique, home & garden boutique. My intention wasn’t to blog, but to enjoy Windrow without the assistance of my 6 year old octopus.     HOWEVER, I soon became enchanted with the freshness & uniqueness of the store and with the owner Cheryl DeHaven Johnson. Before I knew it, the words fell from my mouth, the camera came ou... 03/12/2008

  Relocating to Winchester, VA? Welcome to your new town! More than real estate!   Here's the place to start your relocation research on the Frederick County-Winchester area Real Estate market. Here, you'll find a great number of area links, a simple button to reach the Winchester Star, a bit of history, and a peak at the community! For the History Buffs: Winchester, VA was the first English town west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Founded by James Wood, Winchester was settled in the 1730’s. Winchester boasts a rich history, spanning 4 centuries, with a number of museums and monuments to honor and remember those who made a mark in the area. In Frederick County, there are a number of old forts or stockades from the French and Indian war. George Washington spent time in Winchester as a surv... 03/03/2008

    We all know that children can experience a tremendous amount of apprehension when their family moves.  Whether they move across town or across the country, those little nerves need a lot of encouraging words.  Hopefully, you will find this blog helpful when reassuring your child that Winchester, Va is for kids, too! Pictures are worth 1,000 words!  I hope you get some giggles of relief, too!   If you are considering a move to the Winchester, VA area, and you're not already working with an agent, I'd love the opportunity to help you find a home to buy or rent.   Fun Expedition is the number 1 place my kids wanted me to tell your kids about!  From putt putt golf to rock climbing and video games, it's all here. This is a popular destination on snow days and a great place to host a birt... 02/28/2008

   Relocating to Winchester, VA? Let's take a stroll through Glen Burnie Gardens! Winchester is rich with history and you'll find many ways to enjoy this city. Nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, its warmth and charm just sings out and brings you in. Drink in the beauty and imagine you're actually warm, in sandles, and holding a sweet iced tea! It's July, and you're in Glen Burnie Gardens , part of the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. Located on Amherst street, just a couple of minutes from the Winchester Medical Center, it's surprisingly easy to find.              Adults and Children will enjoy the gardens!  You never know what to expect as you move from one garden to another.  Have you heard of outdoor rooms?  If they fascinate you, you'll be delighted by the variety of  different theme... 02/28/2008

Relocating to Winchester, VA? Here is a small sampling of the local retail industry! Winchester's shopping cannot possibly be covered in one blog! Okay, maybe it can, but I'll try to give you a virtual tour around town! My goal will be to blog on other retail options, like the Apple Blossom Mall, the Loudoun Walking Mall in Old Town Winchester, and numerous merchants spread throughout the area! Let's take a peak at a few special places. As a friendly note, any merchants who would like me to place their photo on this page should send me a photo via email with permission to upload and enhance and post right here! Alternatively, click on the image link in the comments and insert one yourself. Also, feel free to add any special coupons for your readership! There are no fees or strings atta... 02/26/2008

  Welcome to the top of Virginia! Winchester is located in the northern most part of Virginia, is rich in history is and rapidly growing in technology. Located in the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester played a major part in Civil War battles, is home to many apple orchards and packaging companies, and is the birthplace of country music legend Patsy Cline. These are just a few of the attractions that Winchester has to offer. See things to do in Winchester! Winchester is home of The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, held annually during the first weekend in May. The festival, which has been celebrated for over 75 years, has attracted such celebrities as Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore and Dan Aykroyd.  The public schools in the Winchester and Frederick County areas are at the top of their cl... 02/14/2008

Two choral ensembles from Shenandoah University will perform at 7 p.m. Friday as part of the Shenandoah Art Council's seventh annual Black History Month Celebration. The Shenandoah Singers, an a cappella group, and Harambee, a gospel choir, will each perform as part of the Council's weekend performance series. Both are free and open to the public.Shenandoah Singers is a vocal chamber ensemble designed for students interested in studying repertoire drawn from the popular music tradition. This select ensemble of 8 to 12 singers performs an eclectic repertoire of a cappella jazz, pop, and world music.The program will last about an hour and will include a punch and cookie reception during intermission.For more information on this event, call 667-5166 or e-mail info@shenarts.org 02/13/2008

The concert is free to the public. There are no reserved seats, but tickets are required. They may be obtained at the box office or set aside for pickup before 6:45 p.m. Friday by calling 665-4569. 02/13/2008

Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.  Real Estate Trend Indicator - <$30K to >$500K FormatWinchester City, VA From: 01/01/2008 to 01/31/2008                Statistics generated on: 02/06/2008 ResidentialUnit SalesNumber of BedroomsActive Listings Time on MarketPrice Class2 Or Less  34  or More  CondoCoop andGround RentResidential  CondoCoop andGround Rentof Units Sold(No. of Units)Under $30,0000000001 -30 Days1$30,000-$39,00000000031-60 Days2$40,000-$49,99900000061 - 90 Days3$50,000-$59,99900000091-120 Days0$60,000-$69,999000000Over 120 Days5$70,000-$79,999000000Total11$80,000-$89,999000000$90,000-$99,999000000Type of Financingof Units Sold(No. of Units)$100,000-$119,999000030$120,000-$139,999102090Conventional9$140,000-$159,9990000100FHA0$160,000-$179,9990000150VA1$180,000-$... 02/13/2008

When preparing to sell your #Winchester home, it is useful to know how homebuyers respond when they look at a house. Make your home warm and inviting to boost your home’s value and speed up the sale process. Very few people will buy a home because they are attracted by fantastic bathrooms. Buyers do react to bathrooms that are not cared for, however, because they view them as a reflection of the overall condition of the property. Many buyers know that plumbing repairs potentially represent a major expense. They get nervous about dripping faucets, loose tiles, and running toilets. Your pre-marketing preparations should include making sure that your plumbing is working properly and that any cosmetic damage caused by former leaks has been repaired.Keep the bathroom spotless while your hom... 02/13/2008

1: Cut CostsHome inspections generally cost between $300 and $400 in my area- If your buyer unknowingly purchases a home needing a new roof, that cost is passed entirely to him or her. However, if a home inspector determines a new roof is needed, at least part of that cost might be subtracted from the selling price of a home or split between the buyer and seller.2: Great Learning OpportunityYour buyer will find out quite a bit about the house he or she is buying and have a better idea of what maintenance areas need attention.  They should be able to follow the home inspector as they do their work. Often, home inspectors will describe what they're doing and talk about routine maintenance as they perform the inspection.3: Build a Better BudgetBecause a home-inspection report points out po... 02/12/2008

The latest prices for properties listed have got me thinking about buying potential. I don't mean how much you have in your wallet versus what the market is asking. I mean the act of stretching your dollars by recognizing and snapping up a potentially great house that needs a bit of love. In the areas that I cover, some of the homes in Frederick county and Winchester city need renovations and expansions, making shabby or outdated homes all the more unappealing. After all, who wouldn't want to walk into a freshly painted home with not a lick of work to do? But the coat of paint and new light fixtures that a seller adds for an open house could cost the buyer thousands of dollars in the form of a higher price, simply because many buyers don't have the imagination to see a home's potential... 02/06/2008

Foster’s Grille, located near Martins in the Winchester Gateway shopping center off VA-7, is a burger lover’s feasting destination! When my husband asked me where I’d like to go out for lunch on my birthday (12-24) this year, it didn’t take long for me to decide. Once I had Foster’s Grill in my head, I couldn’t think of any where else. The six of us ate for less than $40. Moving to the area or just traveling here to shop or visit the battlefields? Foster’s is just one of many great places to enjoy while in this gorgeous area of Virginia. No, this photo isn’t upside down! Yes, that’s a car hanging from the ceiling!                     Search Frederick County Homes Search Winchester area Homes Search Stephens City Homes Search Strasburg Area Homes Note, this quote from one of the founders... 12/29/2007

Enjoy the breathtaking photos of trees, bushes and shrubs taken in my Winchester City yard this morning. Last night, as icicles formed on the grill, I knew the town would wake up under ice. I said a little prayer for all the travelers and emergency responders and anxiously waited for the winter wonders to be revealed in the morning! I wasn’t disappointed. The city awoke to a most beautiful scene this morning. Unfortunately, we had a River Birch snap, so we’ll have to work hard to save it. Perhaps we’ll call it Stumpy for a few years. Luckily, I can call the Frederick County Extension Office Monday morning for trusted guidance. Search Frederick County Homes Search Winchester area Homes Search Stephens City Homes Trees/Shrubs shown in order of appearance: Aristocrat Pear (Anderson's), Cr... 12/16/2007