Poll: What shape was your first home in when you purchased?

The first home I purchased was built in the early 80's. The kitchen had already been updated to current standards but the bathrooms and basement needed a face lift. Most of the work was done by my husband and myself but we did have help with our showers from a trusted friend and contractor, Paul Childers.

Everyone has a different skill level and interest when it comes to home improvement. Remodeling a home either minor or major isn't everyone's cup of tea. Please share your thoughts by answering our first poll of the year!

What shape was your first home in when you purchased?

 A. Brand New
B. A Few Fixes Needed
C. Updates Needed
D. Gut and Start Over


To Vote click on the comment button on the bottom of the blog entry!

Reston, Virginia

Reston is a planned community in Northern Virginia located in Fairfax County. This post war community enables residents to be within a half mile walk of the shops and eateries. Reston was developed to include five village centers and one town center. The Reston Town Center is a great place to grab a bite to eat, check out the local arts and shop. This area is convenient to live in if you're a young professional, active adult or even a family with children.

Reston is comfortably located near the Dulles Toll Road and Fairfax County Parkway. Reston is in the heart of the Dulles Technology Corridor with many employers located in Reston. Washington Dulles International Airport is also within 10 minutes of Reston. The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project is currently being constructed and projected to be completed in 2013. The project will eventually be a convenient way to travel east  to D.C. and west to Dulles Airport. For the active individual the W& OD Trail runs directly through Reston.

My friends and family that live in Reston are always commenting how beautiful the artificial lakes and wooded areas are. Reston has four lakes; Lake Anne, Lake Thoreau, Lake Newport, and Lake Audubon. Lake front homes line the shores and many walking paths are throughout each lake area. Lake Anne Plaza is a neat place  to grab a bite to eat, check out local thrift shops or just sit outside on a nice day by the water. The Reston community also has no shortage of athletic fields and community pools. If you are looking for a condo, townhome or single-family home consider Reston, VA.

South Riding, Virginia

South Riding is a planned community located in Loudoun County, Virgina. Nestled between Chantilly, VA and Aldie, VA, South Riding offers the complete package. Located off Route 50 and Route 28, residents can easily access the Dulles, Reston, and Tyson's Corner Technology Corridor.

South Riding is a great place for young professionals, active individuals and families with children. The community offers single family homes, townhomes and condos. Three shopping centers allow residents to run errands while staying close to home. A network of fitness trails offer residents a safe place to walk, jog, and ride bikes. South Riding offers several community pools and clubhouses available to all residents. If you enjoy golf, South Riding includes it's own golf course, South Riding Golf Club. Families with children will have access to great schools from the pre-school level all the way up to high school. Tot lots and parks are located throughout the community and within walking distance of most homes.

South Riding is a beautiful community with many amenities. The location near government and private employers makes it a very sought after place to settle down. Let me show you what South Riding has to offer!

National Air And Space Museum -Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is part of the National Air and Space Museum and located in Dulles, VA just off Route 28 in Fairfax County. It can be found right next door to Dulles International Airport. It has an extensive collection of aircraft and a large exhibit of space elements including the space shuttle, Enterprise.

The museum is a great place to take the family. The kids can walk from plane to plane from the ground or stroll around the observation decks to check out the planes hanging from the ceiling. They offer several IMAX movies and simulators that get you right into the action. Once you have checked out all the planes you can take an elevator up to the Observation tower and see the planes taking off and landing at Dulles Airport. After 4:00 p.m. there is no $15 parking fee and great place for the kids to burn off some energy before dinnertime.

Attention Travelers.....

We are lucky to have three major airports in our area, Dulles International Airport, Baltimore Washington International Airport, and Reagan National Airport.

Located in Chantilly, VA you'll find Dulles International Airport. You can spot the airplanes landing and taking off as you travel Route 28 in Fairfax County. Route 28 can be easily accessed from Route 66, the Dulles Toll Road, Route 50 or Route 7. There is plenty of parking if you plan to leave your car and no shortage of cabs or shuttles going to and from the airport. The Dulles Corridor Metro Rail project is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in 2014.

Located across the Potomac River from the Nation's Capital in Arlington, VA you'll find Reagan National Airport. This airport is connected to the Metro Rail System which exits at two terminals of the airport. Amtrak can also be used to access this airport via shuttles from two rail stations, one is in Alexandria, VA and the other is Union Station in D.C.

Baltimore Washington International Airport is located in Baltimore, MD. BWI is easily accessible from Northern Virginia via Baltimore Washington Parkway and Route 95. Amtrak, MARC and Metro light rail also service the airport. With this airport being less than 45 minutes from Northern Virginia it's another option for air travel.


With access to these three airports from Northern Virginia, it makes traveling very convenient. Northern Virginia and the suburbs of D.C. are optimal locations for living.

Safe travels.....

Relocation

In the Northern Virginia area you can most likely throw a rock and hit someone who has relocated to the area either for job opportunities, military or family. My small circle of friends have come from all over including Florida, California, New York, West Virginia and Ohio.  Very few of our friends are actually from Virginia with a small exception of my husband.

In cases where people are moving for job opportunities some companies will offer relocation packages. Some packages will recommend a realty firm to help you purchase or rent your new home.

A few of my close friends have shared their stories of relocating with me. One of my good friends said next time she would choose their own Realtor instead of going with the realty firm offered in a relocation package. She felt the Realtor with her package didn't offer enough time for her and kept steering her towards neighborhoods she felt were out of her price range. When time became an issue the Realtor went on vacation and left her unqualified nephew (who had no car) to show them properties. In the end she found her own home without the help of the Realtor or her nephew. The Realtor still received her commission but it was undeserved.

Another friend found her Realtor in her relocation package perfect. She loved her Realtor because she was well versed in the area and understood their needs. Once they disclosed their wish list she made a point of showing properties meeting their needs and discarded listings that did not. My friend felt the process was a success because they found a home in a reasonable amount of time and it met all their needs including price.

In Northern Virginia  there are many established and newer communities. You can live close to the city in Arlington, out west in Leesburg or anywhere in between. If you find yourself relocating to a new county or even a new state make sure you locate a Realtor that understands your needs. True North Realty, LLC is well versed in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Faquier and Prince William County. Let us help you find your new home!

Kamber Petty 571-299-8307 or kamber.a.petty@gmail.com

Home Owner Associations....Love them or Leave them

In the Northern Virginia area you'll find that most planned communities have Home Owner Associations. It may be a house, condo or townhouse but everyone is subject to rules and regulations. Home Owner Association covenants and restrictions are designed to protect property values by maintaining appearance and order in a community. HOAs have their pros and cons and you might not always agree with some of the restrictions.

HOA pros:
   

• All Owners are kept to the same maintenance standards. Every year and sometimes twice a year committees are sent out to inspect common areas and homes for damage and in need of repair items. 
• By enforcing rules and regulations the HOA helps maintain or improve property values.
• Many communities have shared pools, playgrounds, tennis courts, walking trails and clubhouses that are maintained with the dues that are paid.
• Dues often include community snow removal and trash pick up. 
• Disputes between neighbors often can be mediated by the HOA 
• HOAs arrange neighborhood events or parties. 

HOA cons:

• Poorly managed Home Owner Associations can be a turn off. Most Board Members are homeowners in the community with day jobs and they don't have the time needed to support an HOA.
• If a budget is not maintained appropriately it can lead to due increases or "lump sum" payments needed for budget shortfalls.
• Certain restrictions might detract new buyers from purchasing a home in your neighborhood if they feel the regulations are too restricting. For example no renters, no home businesses or only dogs under 50 lbs.
• Dues might deter people from buying into the community. This fee is looked at as another cost to owning a home in the community.
• HOA can put a lien on your home if you fall into arrears and can't pay. Fines can be levied on repairs that are not fulfilled.

With the downward financial market the HOA fees are usually the first bill not to be paid. HOAs are forced to put a lien on the property and sometimes foreclose on properties if fees are not paid. In my community of Countryside they were offering a one time reprieve from past due fees.

Tips:

If you are looking to own or rent in a community that has a Home Owner Association, ask to look at the rules, regulations and bylaws before you sign a contract or renter's agreement. This way you understand what is being asked of you by the Home Owners Association. Also if you look at the budget and financial statements you might understand how well the Association is run and if this is the community for you.