For consumers it might seem easy to create a neighborhood market report.  The data is in the local MLS right?  The truth is a bit more complicated than you might think.  The Northern Virginia MLS has some great market reports available for agents to use.  Currently those reports compiled on the 10th of each month only go as deep as the zip code level.  These reports are a nice overview and can give you a barometer of the health of area.  But what is happening at the zip code level is not  a good indication of a local neighborhood. However you always need to dig deeper to get an understanding of your own neighborhood and even then problems can arise.  Some of those are simple such as your model versus another one and some are complicated by neighborhoods with split personalities.One of t... 10/06/2012

The first 25 years of the 20th century saw tremendous growth in Prince William County dairy farms as farmers switched from corn and grains to supply the increasing demand in the Washington, DC area. This was especially true in the Manassas area.W. T. Thomasson purchased 39.5 acres in 1905 at the junction of what is now Route 28 and the Prince William County Parkway. To put it in perspective his holdings increased to 452 acres at the time of his death in 1950.Since dairy barns were notoriously hard to keep clean at the time, "WT" designed the barn above - it had a second floor for hay, a rounded roof to minimize the need for supporting joists, oak flooring on the first floor plus second level windows and roof vents to improve air circulation.. The two silos and barn walls were made of ho... 09/27/2012

Unless you are an investor selling a home is an emotional process.   You have built memories, you have invested in your home and it is your home.  So when an offer arrives on your home that isn’t what you expected, a knee jerk reaction could end up costing you a sale. I’m not talking about a low-ball offer (if your home is priced right) but one where a little negotiation might get your home sold.   As soon as you put your home on the market you have to take the emotions out of the process and put on your business hat. Recently my clients had a ratified contract on a property in Northern Virginia.  During the home inspection a number of issues were uncovered and the buyer asked for a few, not all to be repaired.  The response was simply I’m not fixing anything, take it as it is or cancel... 09/27/2012

If you are a buyer looking for an affordable luxury home in Prince William County you need to take a tour of River Falls on The Occoquan.  This upscale community is located just off of the Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge.  As you drive into the community you notice the wide boulevard entrance way, the greens of the Old Hickory Golf Club and the treed lots.  Home size and lot sizes in the community vary.  Closer to Old Hickory Golf course you will find homes on smaller lots of 1/5 of an acre.  As you move further back in the community the homes are larger and lots go up to ten acres.  It is hard to suggest that there is an "average" price for homes in River Falls.  In 2011 there have been 12 home sales.  Prices have ranged from $615,000 for a home with 3400 finished square feet on a... 10/26/2011

About River Falls, Woodbridge VA 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 Greatbridge Road from the Prince William County Parkway. The homes are sited on lots ranging in size from 1/5 acre to 5 or more 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 pro shop, of course, and a banquet room that can be rented for private funtions. For more details see Old Hickory COMMUTING Commuter buses to the Pentagon, Washington, DC and the Washington Navy Yard/Bolling AFB are lo... 07/31/2011

If you are a buyer looking for a luxury home in Prince William County you need to check out River Falls. This upscale community is located just off of the Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge. The community is built around the Old Hickory Golf Course with a club house that looks like you have driven up to a southern plantation. Even though a good portion of the community is built around the golf course, non-golfers were not forgotten. Spread out over 280 acres the community features pools, tennis & basketball courts and plenty of walking paths owners have their choice of activities. Take in a Potomac Nationals game at nearby Pfitzner Stadium or a concert at the Sean Connaughton Plaza at the Prince William County Government Center.Commuting to DC is not a problem with multiple options in... 07/30/2011

If you are a buyer looking for a luxury home in Prince William County you need to check out River Falls. This upscale community is located just off of the Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge. The community is built around the Old Hickory Golf Course with a club house that looks like you have driven up to a southern plantation. Even though a good portion of the community is built around the golf course, non-golfers were not forgotten. Spread out over 280 acres the community features pools, tennis & basketball courts and plenty of walking paths owners have their choice of activities. Take in a Potomac Nationals game at nearby Pfitzner Stadium or a concert at the Sean Connaughton Plaza at the Prince William County Government Center.Commuting to DC is not a problem with multiple options in... 06/30/2011