Tacketts Mill was the first shopping center to be built in Lake Ridge and it is the first one you see as you enter the community .  It is located at the south side of Old Bridge Road on Harbor Drive.  The anchor store is a Safeway super market, but it has the normal complement of stores that are typical of a neighborhood shopping center, banks, pizzeria, barber shops and beauty salons,game store, spa, gym, etc.  It even has a Shell gas station, McDonalds and a Baskin Robbins/Dunkin' Donuts Obviously, Lake Ridge residents shop there, but it is attractive to homeowners in surrounding subdivisions that do not have shopping facilities such as TWIN OAKS, FOREST VISTA, BROOKE FARM, SYCAMORE RIDGE and probably Belmont Bay. Planning to Buy or Sell Lake Ridge Real Estate?  Contact Karen and Art ... 09/02/2008

Any of the three domain name extensions would be appropriate for Prince William County if they were available.  The reason is quite simple.  We are home to thousands of military, govenment and private sector men and women.  Marine Corps Base Quantico is no more than a 20 minute drive from any of the subdivisions in the eastern part of the county.  Fort Belvoir is approximately a 25 to 30 minute drive - there is no bus or rail service to the post from Prince William County.  However, US 1 has been widened to a 4 lane highway and north and southbound travel is relatively easy. The Pentagon is a 45 minute to 1 hour trip by bus, carpool or slug lines Washington, D.C. is served by both bus and rail with travel times of approximately 1 hour Alexandria, Arlington and other Metro stations are r... 09/01/2008

Each year the Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation Association sponsors a huge yard sale in the parking lot at the association's office at 12350 Oakwood Drive.  This popular and well attended event will be held Saturday, September 13, 2008 from 8:00 AM to 12 Noon - rain or shine. LRPRA members can rent a parking space for $10.  The fee for non-LRPRA members is $15.00 For more detailed information call the LRPRA Recreation Dept at 703-491-2154 Ext 114 Planning to Buy or Sell Lake Ridge Real Estate?  Contact Lake Ridge Residents 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 Norther... 09/01/2008

It seems like only a few weeks ago that the school speed limit signs stopped blinking, kids stopped getting on and off the buses and the schoolhouses were closed. Whether it was or wasn't is beside the point - they are now open.  The laws about stopping behind a school bus with blinking lights, driving at or under the school speed limit should be taken seriously by everyone.  It annoys my wife and me when we see a young mother or father with a toddler in the car drive above the speed limit in a school zone when the sign is blinking.  We wonder what they will expect of others when their child starts attending school.  We also wish there was a police officer waiting for them down the road. Please, be aware of the children and the law.  If nothing else, be aware the penalty for violating s... 08/31/2008

Recently, I was showing clients homes in eastern Prince William County.  Dad was up front - Mom and daughter were in the back seat.  Since they were interested in homes with some land I, of course, included Lake Ridge in my tour along with Westridge and Old Bridge Estates As we approached Lake Ridge on Old Bridge Road the traffic lght was red at the entrance to Lake Ridge at Harbor Drive.  While I was stopped the 9 year old young lady looked to her left and saw Mickey D's, looked to her right and saw the Lake Ridge Swim Club.  She was immediately "sold" although her parents had not yet arrived at the same conclusion.  "Mom, I wanna' live in Lake Ridge" was very emphatic. Actually, Lake Ridge, Westridge and Old Bridge Estates are very child oriented communities with pools, sports teams, ... 08/29/2008

Four Essential Tips For Your Woodbridge Virginia Foreclosure House Hunt When you go inside foreclosed homes in Woodbridge, Virginia, follow these three tips and you'll stay safe. 1. Beware.  Most foreclosed homes around the Woodbridge area don't have working utilities.  The banks typically "winterize" the plumbing, so the water is shut off and the potties don't work. So if you gotta "go", make a pit stop between houses at a fast food shop, or gas station.  McDonald's and Sheetz are everywhere.  If you are a neat-freak like me, and you prefer tidy restrooms, I've found Panera Bread stores and Target stores typically offer sparkling clean facilities. 2.  Homes without electricity may have dark basements, dark utility rooms, and dark bathrooms.  I've seen the occasional toy or record playe... 08/29/2008

Those of us who call Lake Ridge home regularly receive "Lake Ridge Today"  It is an extremely informative newsletter (the September issue is 15 pages) that keeps us posted on association finances, facilities management, area information,rules changes, participation of life in the community by residents, contests and a Schedule of Upcoming Events September 6  The Doggie Paddle at Tall Oaks Pool with 2 sessions (10 AM to 12 Noon and 12 Noon to 2 PM)  You must be a Lake Ridge resident and pre-registration is required.  Either you OR your dog will be charged $5.00. September 13  This is always a big hit - The HUGE LRPRA Yard Sale at the parking lot in front of the association building from 8:00 AM to 12 Noon - rain or shine. Lake Ridge residents can rent a parking space for $10.00 - the fee... 08/29/2008

The majority of Lake Ridge detached homes are on approximately 1/4 acre lots - great for gardens, swing sets, lawn parties, pools, etc.  Lynnwood homes, on the other hand, are sited on minimum 1/2 acre lots and they are heavily treed.  Wherever feasible, Ridge Development left stands of trees in the front and side yards. There were 4 premium builders selected to build out the site - Long Homes, Fairfield Homes, Calvert Homes and VanMetre Homes.  They all developed models that they had not offered in previous subdivisions giving Lynnwood a fresh and distinct look.  The homes were built between 1980 and 1986 - our first Lake Ridge home was in Lynnwood.  We have sold numerous homes to and for people who appreciate the trees and lot size.  As the collage below clearly shows, Lynnwood is lov... 08/28/2008

When you enter Lake Ridge on Old Bridge Road the first intersection at Harbor Drive has Tackett's Mill on the left and the Lake Ridge Swim Club on the right - there is a sign advertising memberships.  Many  people, including real estate agents unfamiliar with Lake Ridge, do not realize this pool is not part of the Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation Association. As a matter of fact, the first homes to be controlled by LRPRA are those beyond Colby Drive.  Although the Prince William County street parking ordinances are in effect none of the rules and regulations imposed by LRPRA covenants apply to the homes at the entrance to Lake Ridge.  None of the homes between Clipper Drive and Oakwood Drive are under the purview of LRPRA.  Legally, they are in Lake Ridge, but that is as far as it goes. ... 08/28/2008

On the heels of my post "Will the Builder Deliver What they Promised" comes a Washington Post article on local builder Comstock Homes and their financial woes. According to the article "Comstock has received notices of default or demands for repayment from five lenders over the past two months, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company owes the banks about $86.5 million, according to the filings."  Read the full Washington Post article here. This news is never good for a builder or their shareholders and it is unnerving for a buyer who has just settled on a new home in a development with a financial cloud hanging over its head.  Though there is nothing that says that the company doors will close permanently or that they will not be able to complete th... 08/27/2008

Woodbridge Virginia Foreclosed Homes And Short-Sales Can Make You Miserable, Angry, Frustrated I can think of no way to explain the pain and suffering that is involved with a home purchase that involves a home owned by a bank or mortgage company. Words don't exist that could demonstrate to you how unorganized, inefficient and ridiculous the procedure is for helping you buy bank-owned property, or homes offer as short-sales. You may become charmed by the fabulous price of a home you find on the Internet that is on the market as a short-sale. Only 5% of short-sales actually sell, and close, and the new owners move in.  Nationally, 95% of homes offered as short-sales that indeed get a bona fide offer that is accepted by the owner as a contract do not go to settlement.  At some point in the... 08/27/2008

With the cost of gasoline being extremely high, the availability of public commuter service has become an increasingly important consideration when purchasing a home.  Similarly, it is provides value added when you put your home on the market. The folks in Lake Ridge are fortunate - the subdivision is 1 of 3 in eastern Prince William County where commuter buses operate within the subdivision providing service to the Pentagon, Crystal City and Washington, D.C. Homeowners in Westridge and Old Bridge Estates frequently come into Lake Ridge, park in commuter lots or park along public streets and use the bus service See schedules and interactive maps at Lake Ridge - Pentagon and Lake Ridge - Washington.  Lake Ridge is one of the finest planned communities in Northern Virginia with many, many... 08/26/2008

When you live in a community with as many trees as Lake Ridge it is not surprising to find a store that specializes in seed and whatever else you might need to keep the birds happy.  They also sell "critter food" since we also have tons of squirrels.  I've been a customer ever since the Wild Bird Center opened in the Festival at Lake Ridge shopping center.  Unless you've been a long time Lake Ridge resident you may not be aware the shopping center was the site of the Woodbridge Airport. My backyard is a bird haven - I feed the likes of cardinals, goldfinches, bluebirds,woodpeckers, carolina wrens, chickadees, etc and, yes, squirrels and chipmunks.. FIND LAKE RIDGE HOMES   FIND PRINCE WILLIAM AREA HOMES CONTACT THE KRUSCHKA TEAM Planning to Buy or Sell Lake Ridge Real Estate?  Contact Ka... 08/26/2008

There are several excellent gymnasiums in the Woodbridge area, but Gold's Gym at the Festival in Lake Ridge is the most centrally located for Lake Ridge, Westridge and Old Bridge Estates residents. Additionally. it opens at 4:30 AM and is a favorite with people commuting to the Pentagon and Washington,D.C. since there is a PRTC bus stop just a few feet away.  By the time I arrive at 6:00 AM they have exercised, showered and are on their way out the door.  Believe it or not, the next contingent to arrive almost as early as I do are teachers and administrators with the Prince William County Public Schools.  There are wheel classes, rowing classes, pilates groups, aerobics classes just to mention a few.  Once school has opened the place fills up with mothers and small children (there is a ... 08/25/2008

Think about it for a second.  If you want to know who is having trouble paying their mortgage the mailman may be the person to ask.  The mailman is the one that is delivering the overdue notices and demand letters from the lenders to the house.  It seems they should be the ones we should be asking what's going on in the market.  If all real estate is local then who is more local than the mailman? This might seem a bit far fetched but it is it anymore far fetched than what the national news is reporting?  The balance of what they tell us is stilted to the story they want to report.  Facts may not be all that important and the numbers they use doesn't always match the reality of a particular neighborhood. It is true that the mailman might know who is getting the foreclosure notices but th... 08/25/2008

        The apple blossoms have long since blown off the trees and the much anticipated crop of Virginia apples is waiting to be enjoyed.  It makes no difference whether you want to munch ‘em, bake a pie, can them or make apple sauce there is no better way to start the Fall season than with the flavor and freshness of a Virginia apple.  Here in Prince William County there are farmer's markets where Virginia apples are sold, but to pick your own you have to visit the •  CROOKED RUN ORCHARD in Purcellville, VA (Loudoun County). •  If you would prefer a Fauquier County drive there are two orchards in Markham, VA - HARTLAND ORCHARD or STRIBLING ORCHARD.  Virginia Apples is the site to visit for information about the many varieties of Virginia apples. For information about Buying or Selling ... 08/25/2008

It is just another one of the many questions that a buyer looking at new home construction today has to consider.  As a buyer wandering through a beautifully decorated model you may be swayed to overlook a few critical questions about the development and the developer.When the real estate market was red hot a few years ago many buyers camped out to try and get their number one lot selection in developments sprouting up all over Prince William County.  Many were fortunate to snag just the lot and the model that they wanted.  They patiently waited for the foundations to be poured and the walls to go up.  They spent hours in the builder's design center picking out flooring, light fixtures and kitchen cabinets.  What they didn't do was read the fine print about the community amenities and w... 08/24/2008

As of today Saturday August 23, 2008 there are 1230 Active homes for Sale in Woodbridge Virginia which is located in Prince William County Virginia.  Prince William County Virginia is located in in Northern Virginia and it is a suburb of Washington DC. 1230 Active Status Woodbridge Virginia homes for sale Detached Single Family Fee Simple 27 Status is 'Cntg/KO' - Woodbridge Virginia homes for sale 172 Status 'Cntg/NO KO' Woodbridge Virginia homes for sale 343 Status is 'Contract' Woodbridge Virginia homes for sale Search Woodbridge Subdivisions for Woodbridge Virginia homes for sale Ashland Beau Ridge Estates Beaver Creek Brooke Farm Cannon Bluff Cannon Bluff Estate Cardinal Crest Cardinal Glen Cardinal Ridge Colony Creek Coventry Glen Dale City Eagles Pointe Highbridge Kelley Farm Lake... 08/23/2008

When most people in Northern Virginia think of Quantico they think of MCB Quantico.  That is only natural since it is one of the largest USMC bases in the world and one of the larger employers in Northern Virginia.  However, the American flag flies over 3 places named Quantico. 1. The Town of Quantico is totally surrounded by MCB Quantico.  It only has a population of about 600 people, but Marines take full advantage of the off base services it provides.  Although our flag flies throughout Quantico it is probably one of the only towns in the US that flies the flag from parking meters. 2. MCB Quantico is a 59,000 acre military base which is home to the USMC Combat Development Command, the FBI Academy and the DEA training facility.  Of course, the most prominent flag on base is the Americ... 08/22/2008

 While all the foreclosure are being bought up in Woodbridge, Virginia...yes, I said it, they are flying off the market!  There is still a chance to get in on the action....There are over 120 homes for sale in Woodbridge, Virginia in the 22193 zip code....in the communities of Dale City, Saratoga Hunt and Lake Terrapin.  For information on homes for sale in Woodbridge, Virginia call me :) Konnie Mac 703 407 7088 or visit my website www.KonnieMac.com to search the MLS for free...     Homes for sale in Manassas, Homes for Sale in Haymarket, Homes for Sale in Gainesville, Homes for Sale in Vienna, Homes for sale in McLean,Homes for sale in warrenton,Homes for Sale in Bristow, Homes for sale in Nokesville Homes For Sale In Virginia Homes For Sale In Ashburn, Virginia Foreclosure listings in... 08/20/2008