Friday, April 20, 2012

Discovery has landed!

Well after quite the trip around the DC area and going out as far as Warrenton, Virginia Discovery is in it's new home at the Museum at Dulles Airport.  I was not able to get out and see it live, but was able to watch on TV and I think they did a great job with the tour around the area and I watched on Fox News and I think they did a great job with the live coverage.  It was a great day to be here in the DC area.

Once again i want to stress this is a very active time for housing in the DC area.  I am one of many that wrote on a house in Sterling last night and there was a line to get in to see it.  If you have considered selling, please give me a call it is a great time.

The weather looks pretty good for the weekend and we can all get some house and yard work done before we get some much needed rain.

The Caps pulled it off last night and the series is tied 2-2 right now.  Great Goalie performance by the rookie!

I will post information on interest rates later in the day as they come out but I have heard nothing from my sources to indicate any increase.

Have a good day.

Mark

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Another day and more to learn

The weather continues to baffle us, but we did get some much needed rain yesterday and from what I saw it was slow and consistent and did not wash all the work we have put into our yards down the sewer.  Are those tomato plants ready to go?  I posted a few weeks ago that in our area of Northern Virginia around 1 May was the time to get them in the ground, surprisingly, that time is pretty close.

The Caps are in the Playoffs and seem to be doing pretty well so far, they are behind in the series now 2-1 but have been playing good aggressive hockey.  They play again tonight at 7:30.  Lets' go Caps!

The Nationals are off again to a good start and won last night over the Astro's 3-2.  I think this is the year I go to a Nats game.

Let's see back on the work side of things, competition continues in the market and we are seeing multiple offers, escalation clauses and other  things.  Our inventory is still off and we do need listings.  If you are thinking about making a move, please give me a call so we can see what we can do.

The rates are still very good so let's help you buy that dream home with a great rate!

Call if you need anythings.

Mark

Monday, April 16, 2012

Don't put the coats away

It looks like the weather will continue to change as we go through this week.  From 88 today to high of 60's later in the week.  WOW

We continue to see good activity in the market with multiple offers, the rates continue to be strong now if the inventory would pick up.

The Space Shuttle Discovery comes home to Dulles Airport tomorrow to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly.  There are some good details in the Loudoun Times online and they expect a crowd of about 30,000.  Get there early.

I will post more later, but let's get out there and enjoy the warm when we can.


Thursday, April 5, 2012

Let's start off with a wish for a very Happy Easter with family and friends and that you get some down time to enjoy your self.

A few notes for you, Loudoun Water started Flushing Fire Hydrants as of today, this is unfortunately a necessary evil and is good for the overall health of our water system.  This can also can help Loudoun Water find problems with the water system while doing the flushing.

There are some major construction projects planned for the area around Rt. 7 and Rt. 28 area.  We have One Loudoun  currently selling homes, the infrastructure of the commercial section is under way, Kincora is also in the beginning stages, they are working on the new Fire Station now and that should open up 3rd quarter of 2013.  Kincora will also host the Loudoun Hounds Baseball Team.  They have an Earth Day event planned for this month.  Details can be found here: http://www.kincora-va.com/

Lexington Seven is a new project that is proposed and beginning work, it is on the North side of Rt. 7 and just east of Ashburn Village Boulevard.  This is a 77 acre site with spaces for Office, Hotel and Banks.  I will see what other information I can get together.  It is zoned PD-OP with proffers.

University Center is planned for two hotels, 1.2 million square feet of office space, 70,000 square feet of retail and the George Washington University.  My office sits in the middle and we were the first occupants of the project.  Keller Williams has just over 8000 square feet, we have a wireless Internet provider across the hall way and the second floor is occupied by a Defense and Commercial Aerospace company.

There are a few additional events coming up this spring that I wanted to call to your attention:


  • The Run me Home 5/10K Race  Brian  Whritenour  from my office is hosting this event and it was a great success last year.  Details can be found here:   http://www.runmehome.com/

  • The Sterling Fire Department will be holding our 10th annual 10K/911 Fun run Race to benefit the department.  As many of you know I have been an extremely active volunteer with Sterling for the last 25 plus years.  Our run benefits the department and this year we are Dedicating the race to a past member Douglas Green SFC US Army who was killed August 28, 2011.  Although Doug was only with us for a short time his commitment to the community was like his service to our Country, EXCEPTIONAL.  Race Details can be found here: http://www.runwashington.com/news/306/15/

As a side note for you Sports Fans, today was opening day for the Washington Nationals and they beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1.  Also with good news the Washington Capitals won tonight so they are also in the Playoffs.  Now if the Skins........

The Loudoun Board passed a new Budget with a tax rate of $1.285, that should let the average home owner see a savings of about $200.00 per year.

OK that is it for tonight, have a great Easter and we will try and send some more informative things in the next day or so.

Mark



Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Yes, I have been bad about posting!

It has been a busy few weeks and I know you have missed my educational posts.  Cough Cough.


OK we are back at it, and I wanted to bring you up to date on a few things.  Rates are still very strong and have recovered mostly from the bump they took in the last few weeks.


The inventory is still low and we are always looking for great places to sell.  There are some indications in some articles I have read that we will see more recovery in the market this year, and that there seems to be a loosening of credit so that the requirements might be loosened a little.  If you have questions about loans, I have several great lenders I can refer you to.


We have a few significant events coming up this month:


April 8 th is Easter and a time for family


April 14 th there is a Household Hazardous Waste drop off; details below


April 14, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Loudoun Valley High School, 340 N. Maple Avenue, Purcellville



There is Trout Fishing Days @ Franklin Park April 14th from 8Am to 5PM.  Check the county web site for more details.


There is a lot going on in the county right now and talk about the extension of Metro Rail.  This could have significant impact both good and bad depending on how the BOS votes on this.  There is a lot being written and you can form your own opinion and then even call the BOS and voice your concerns.



There is a report in the Washington Post showing that Loudoun County is one of the healthiest in the state.  Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun have filled the top three spots in order in each of the survey’s three years. So we must be doing something right.


I wrote a few weeks ago about spring vegetables and we are getting close for May 1 and planting of those veggies.  The weather looks good for the rest of the week and hopefully we can get this pollen out of here.


I hope you remembered to change your smoke detector batteries when you changed your clock.


Call if you or your friends need any help.


Mark