Some Catching up!

Sorry for being behind but there has been a lot going on.  We continue to see some great rates, some decent transaction, but still low inventory.

• On the Dulles Rail Front, the BOS continues to fight back and forth and try and make a decision on what to do and if they choose to support.  The MWAA just backed off on the use of Union labor agreement and my thought is that will push the BOS to approve the extension of the Silver Line to Ashburn.  The next and the hardest is how do we pay for it.  If you check you local papers there are some explanations of the financing options.  This is the hard part of the protect and no matter what they do you will not make anyone happy.  The BOS needs to commit by July 4, so we can wait a few more days and see where they end up.
• One Loudoun continues to make progress and they have residential units being built and are visible from the Parkway.  They announced today that Alamo Draft House theater will open Spring of 2013.  That sounds like a good plan and it will give the residents a place to go and relax. There will be a lot of stuff going on there over the next 8 or 10 years and I am sure depending on the econmy we will see some changes or additions and deletions as they move forward.
• Kincora seems to be moving along, all be it a lot slower than Loudoun One.  The Loudoun Hounds announced last week that they are pushing back another year for the opening of the ball park.  So far, the only significant construction project is the new Fire Station for Sterling and they expect to move in next May or June.  This will hold Engine Company 24 and Ambulance 35.  Final staffing and apparatus is still in the planning stages but both departments have enough to cover the new station.
• The Washington Redskins announced last week that they are moving the Spring Training Camp to Richmond starting next year.  The training facility will remain for the time being, but is in need of a major over haul and restoration.  Both the State and Loudoun County have made contributions to the Skins to help with the renovations.
• Exxon/Mobil also announced last week they are leaving the area and moving all their staff back to the Houston area, it will be interesting to see who picks up that piece of Real Estate.

Well let's get back to work, we currently have 138 homes for sale in Loudoun County under $300,000.  If you know someone needing a place, please let me know.

Mark

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

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

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.

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

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

Some safety thoughts From Stacy at SCS Safety Health & Security Associates

Spring Forward ~ it is Day Light Savings Time.  For many of us it is a great time of the year.  The day light will be getting longer, which means more time to be spent outside doing the things we love.  This is also a great time of the year to remind everyone to check the smoke detectors.

Many of you might have known I was a volunteer fire fighter for about 15 years.  I also have a Bachelors degree along with several Associates and a Certificate, all in Fire Science.  This is something that fascinates me.  What does not excite me, is when I hear about a house fire where there were no working smoke detectors.

These devices are made to help save lives by detecting smoke.  There are two types of detectors:  Ionization, and photoelectric.  Each of these detects smoke and fire in a different way.  Ionization type smoke detectors have a chamber and when smoke fills the chamber, it interrupts the ionization hence sounding the detector.  These type of detectors are generally good at detecting fires with flames.  Photoelectric type detectors have a light projected into the alarm chamber.  When smoke, such as that from a smoldering fire, enters the chamber, it disrupts the light flow, causing the detector to sound.  There is a third type of detector.  It is known as a heat detector, and just as its name suggests, it detects the increase of heat, but NOT the presence of smoke.

So what is the best type of smoke detector photoelectric or ionization?  Answer:  BOTH.  Having a smoke detector with both types of systems is recommended.  As stated before, each detects differently and you never know what type of fire might be started.  Either a smoldering or one with lots of flames.

                         

Most detectors are powered by either electricity with battery backup, or battery only.  Changing the batteries often, keeps fresh batteries in the unit, gives you a change to test the units, clean the units, and  it is the perfect time to practice your family's emergency or evacuation plan.

If you are tired of having to change the batteries, then I suggest you look into the lithium battery smoke detectors.  These types of units have a lithium battery within the unit, which never needs to be changed.  However, these units do not last forever.  Most manufacturers have an approximate 10-year warranty on the battery or unit.  Nevertheless, do not forget to keep testing the units!

Most hardware or home improvement stores carry smoke detectors, and depending on the type you are looking for, you can find them to be reasonably priced.  I have seen prices ranging from approximately $10 to $40.  Make sure you know the type of detector you want to purchase.  There are some detectors that are combination detectors, but when you read the packaging you will find they are a combination of smoke (either photoelectric OR ionization) and carbon monoxide.

Where would you place a smoke detector?  One on every level of your home, and in the basement.  Depending on the state you live in, local building codes, and or your homeowner’s insurance representative, you might get a couple of different answers, depending on who you ask.  I have seen recommendations of one on every level of the home, and one in each bedroom.  Read the manufacturers' recommendation for installation.

How long does a smoke detector last?  Most smoke detectors, depending on the manufacturer, can last approximately 8 to 10 years.  Read the manufacturers information within the packaging.  It is recommended that you keep track of when you purchased the unit.  I know, most of us have trouble remembering these things, but you can mark the date of purchase on the unit with a permanent marker.

If you would like to know other resources that are available, you can talk to your local fire department or check out a few of these websites:

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/index.shtm

http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=278&URL=Safety%20Information/For%20consumers/Fire%20&%20safety%20equipment/Smoke%20alarms&cookie_test=1

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5077.html