Lorton, VA

No there isn't a problem with your computer monitor the house you see is actually wrapped in blue insulation but the house is actually a green house under construction in Lorton VA.

This home being built by the Speer family is utilizing all of the latest green technologies including both solar and geothermal technologies.

The south-facing roof will contain solar panels that will provide most of the electrical energy for appliances in the home. If the family generates more electricity than they need the will feed power back to the local electric company grid causing the meter to run backwards.

Heating and cooling will be provided by a geothermal ground source heat pump (GSHP), also called a geoexchange system. With the earth's natural heat collected in winter through a series of pipes, installed below the surface of the ground the loop carries this heat to the home. An indoor system then uses electrically driven compressors and heat exchangers then release the warmer air into the home and into their in floor heating system.

When the home is finished it will contain 3900 SF of living space on three levels. The hardiplank siding will be green, how appropriate, with white accents. This is an ambitious project and one of the more innovative green building projects undertaken by West Properties based in Falls Church VA.

You can keep track of the progress of this innovative Lorton home by driving by the site at the corner of Ox Road and Hooes Road in Lorton.

This past week my clients put the SOLD sign in the front yard of their Newington Commons townhouse in Lorton VA. The home had multiple contracts in under 72 hours and after final negotiations the home ended up closing at $240,000 the highest priced sale in the community this year.

The buyer's are a military family and the husband has been stationed in Iraq during the transaction and will be coming home to a great new house.

If you are thinking about selling your home in Newington Commons or any of the other great Lorton VA neighborhoods give me a call at 703-346-2213. Let's see how my creative marketing strategies might be able to help you put the SOLD sign in your yard.

On the surface everything about this home looked good. Granite counters, stainless steel appliances, beautiful bathrooms, large lot, great price. What's not to love? Turns out this little gem was in reality a "pig in a poke."

A check of the Fairfax County Building Permit site found permits issued and all of them with an incomplete status next to them. Out of the permits that were pulled by electricians and plumbers we couldn't find any that said the remodeling work had passed inspection. Since the property is being sold "as is" chances are that it might not even have an occupancy permit for the new owner to be able to move in.

It is an issue that buyers in Northern Virginia face everyday when they look to purchase a foreclosure or short sale. Since most of these properties are sold "as is" you don't have many outs when it comes to discovering major defects.

If you see a home that is in the middle of a major remodel take a few minutes and check for building permits and inspections.

Alexandria City

Arlington County

Fairfax County

Prince William County

If you have questions most of the city and county government agencies are more than happy to answer them for you.

Before you buy a "pig in a poke" in Northern Virginia check to make sure that what you are buying won't be better as a tear down than a place to call home. If buying a new home in Northern Virginia is in your future give me a call at 703-346-2213. Let me help you navigate the murky waters of our current market. No hassle, no pressure just straight talk about whether now is the right time to buy a new home.

Lorton Station is a 300 acre subdivision of 950 newer homes just South of Fort Belvoir. Detached homes and town homes are available.

TRANSPORTATION

• Lorton Station is within approximately 15 minutes of the entrance to Fort Belvoir.
• Additionally, it is only 15 miles south of Washington, D.C.
• The Lorton entrance to and exit from I-95 is just outside Lorton Station on Lorton Road.
• On those occasions when you need to go to the Pentagon the VRE Lorton Station is in the community. Take a Northbound train, change to the Metro Blue Line at King Street and go to the Pentagon Station.
• Commuters to DC will also want to use the VRE at Lorton
• Fairfax Connector Bus Route 171 provides service to the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station for access to every station in the Metrorail system

SCHOOLS

• Lorton Station Elementary is in Lorton Station
• Middle and High school students will attend either South County Secondary or Hayfield Secondary depending on their address. You can search by address at Fairfax County Public School Locator.

SHOPPING

• Lorton Station Marketplace - within minutes on Lorton Road
• Lorton Station Town Center - in the community
• Gunston Plaza - within minutes on US Route 1

RECREATION

• Swimming? There are 2 community pools.
• The 100 acre Joseph Plaskett Park with both hiking and biking trails runs through Lorton Station.
• Lorton is also home to the Pohick Bay Regional Park with both boat launches, boat storage, camping, cabins and picnic grounds.
• Pohick Bay Public Course is within 15 minutes if you are not eligible to play Fort Belvoir
• Mason Neck State Park and Mason Neck National Wildlife Park are part of a 6,000 acre wetlands management area and is a major bird and wildlife sanctuary - hiking and biking areas are easily accessed.

You may also wish to consider

• Inlet Cove - just outside Fort Belvoir

The Kruschka Team has 33 years full time experience in the Lorton and Northern Virginia area. We invite you to try our

and then contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. 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 Northern Virginia Area.

Lorton Station is a 300 acre subdivision of 950 newer homes just South of Fort Belvoir. Detached homes and town homes are available.

TRANSPORTATION

• Lorton Station is within approximately 15 minutes of the entrance to Fort Belvoir.
• Additionally, it is only 15 miles south of Washington, D.C.
• The Lorton entrance to and exit from I-95 is just outside Lorton Station on Lorton Road.
• On those occasions when you need to go to the Pentagon the VRE Lorton Station is in the community. Take a Northbound train, change to the Metro Blue Line at King Street and go to the Pentagon Station.
• Commuters to DC will also want to use the VRE at Lorton
• Fairfax Connector Bus Route 171 provides service to the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station for access to every station in the Metrorail system

SCHOOLS

• Lorton Station Elementary is in Lorton Station
• Middle and High school students will attend either South County Secondary or Hayfield Secondary depending on their address. You can search by address at Fairfax County Public School Locator.

SHOPPING

• Lorton Station Marketplace - within minutes on Lorton Road
• Lorton Station Town Center - in the community
• Gunston Plaza - within minutes on US Route 1

RECREATION

• Swimming? There are 2 community pools.
• The 100 acre Joseph Plaskett Park with both hiking and biking trails runs through Lorton Station.
• Lorton is also home to the Pohick Bay Regional Park with both boat launches, boat storage, camping, cabins and picnic grounds.
• Pohick Bay Public Course is within 15 minutes if you are not eligible to play Fort Belvoir
• Mason Neck State Park and Mason Neck National Wildlife Park are part of a 6,000 acre wetlands management area and is a major bird and wildlife sanctuary - hiking and biking areas are easily accessed.

You may also wish to consider

• Inlet Cove - just outside Fort Belvoir

The Kruschka Team has 33 years full time experience in the Lorton and Northern Virginia area. We invite you to try our

and then contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. 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 Northern Virginia Area.