Happy Thanksgiving!

This year my family and I have a lot to be thankful for! We hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving and an awesome holiday season!

Bruin Park in Herndon, VA!

The weather lately has been crazy warm for the month of November. So we have been taking full advantage of the warm weather to check out some new parks. Last week we checked out Bruin Park in Herndon, VA.

Bruin Park is an 8-acre park that has plenty of shade and the play equipment was in good shape. There is a set of swing sets with both toddler and adult swings. A clean porta potty is available near the parking lot and when we were there it had just been cleaned. In addition to the play equipment it has two tennis courts, a softball field, a picnic pavilion and a basketball court.

As we were leaving the park we ran into grandmother bringing her grandchild to the playground and she informed me that she use to bring her son to the this park 30 years ago. She was excited to see that there were still lots of trees and she could bring her grandchild over to play.

This is a cute clean neighborhood park located in Fairfax County off of Van Buren Street near Old Town Herndon. If you live nearby you should check it out!

Madison Park in Falls Church, VA!

Last week we checked out Madison Park in Falls Church, VA. This cute little neighborhood park sits amongst nice single family homes in the City of Falls Church.

This is cute neighborhood park has one large piece of play equipment and a set of swings. There are plenty of benches, water fountain and a small pavilion with picnic benches. There is lots of shade over the equipment and plenty of shade for the kids to escape the sun. The park also has a small grassy area for the kids to run around on. There is plenty of parking either in the lot or on the street. Sadly there are no restrooms for all those potty trainers out there.

A very lovely neighborhood park and if you live in the area you should check it out!

Walker Nature Education Center and Trails in Reston, VA!

Yesterday we checked out the Walker Nature Education Center in Reston, VA. The Walker Education Center is located amongst 1300 acres of open space in Fairfax County and maintained by the Reston Association.

The Nature House located off of Glade Drive has a small collection of reptiles and fish for the kids to check out. Also a few exhibits for them to touch and sort. They also had a nature scavenger hunt sheet while you're out walking the trails. The Nature House has super clean restrooms and a parking lot.

The best part of the education center was the 2 miles of loop trails throughout the open space. The trails are clearly marked by logs with resting benches throughout. The trails are either gravel or dirt and can accommodate bikes, strollers and wagons.  If you're a geocacher there are lots of hidden caches found in the area.

For us the Nature House wasn't much but the trails were great and in the summer time would be completely in the shade. If you live nearby you should check it out on a nice day!

Finding Your First Home

It's an exciting time when you start looking for your first home. Maybe you know what areas you like or the type of home you would prefer maybe even your budget, but no matter your knowledge base, the task can be daunting. A lot of first time home buyers are uncertain how to start looking or who they can trust in the process. I offer a few suggestions below that may aid in the process.

Write It Down
Write down what you are looking for in a property and what you would like to avoid. If you are buying with another person make your own lists and compare and contrast your needs.

Searches
These days most home searches start on the internet where first time home buyers can go through many listings, virtual tours and photo albums. Look at maps and decide which areas you would consider and or avoid. Once you start looking at homes you can cross off areas you find don't meet your needs. Drive around the areas you think you may want to live and commute from.

Finances
If you're uncertain about the lending process and what you can afford go talk to an expert. Most banks have loan officers who will sit down with you and talk about your finances free of charge. This is the time to ask questions and determine what monthly mortgage you would be comfortable paying. The loan officer can also show you different loan programs that you qualify for with the best interest rate. Shop around for the best rate and loan options just know when you get serious about a home you must have a lender lined up. A lender will be writing your pre approval letter which you will submit with any offer you put down on a property.

Realtors
Referrals, referrals, referrals! If you're on the search for a Realtor ask your friends, coworkers and family members for referrals. Chances are if they were happy with their Realtor you might be too. If you're not from the area and can't obtain a referral from someone who lives in the area go on the internet. Make sure you look at their websites, blogs and or social media pages to determine how well they know the area. Once you pick a Realtor make your needs known and be honest if you don't care for certain properties.

If you find this small bit of information helpful let the True North Realty Team help you find your first home!

Nottoway Park in Vienna, VA!

Last week we checked out Nottoway Park in Vienna, VA. Tucked back amongst a lovely neighborhood of single family homes on Courthouse Road in Fairfax County this 84 acre park has plenty for everyone.

The Hunter House sits on the Nottoway Park property named after it's original owner. This original farmhouse as been renovated over the years and was purchased by the Park Authority in 1972. It now can be rented to accommodate social and corporate events.

Besides the Hunter House the park has many different recreational courts and fields including tennis, basketball, volleyball courts and baseball fields. Different walking, biking and hiking trails run throughout the park as well. A small playground is located in a shady part of the park and sits near the public restrooms. The equipment is small but does include a set of swings with both toddler and child swings.

This very large park has a lot to offer Oakton and Vienna. If you enjoy organized sports there are plenty of different options to choose from at Nottoway. If you live in the area you should stop by and check it out!