Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services

After a long wait the checks are beginning to roll out for military families who qualify for assistance from the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP).

Three weeks after the funds were made available the surviving spouse of a Fallen Warrior received her check. Then a check went out to an Air Force Major in Colorado and since then the checks have been rolling out on a regular basis.  Each check issued means one of the thousands of military families impacted by the declining market value of their home comes one step closer to financial relief.

The expanded program has had a few holdups.  First the funds part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 needed to be made available, then the program rules needed to be reviewed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and finally Congress need to pass HR 3548 to remove the 25% tax penality that was attached to the original rules.

Fortunately for those who have waited processing seems to be moving fairly quickly.  Two of the Northern Virginia military families I am working with have received their benefits letters and we are finalizing the updates required by the HAP counselors.

For more information on the qualifications for the program you can review the eligibility requirements at the US Army Corps of Engineer website.  If you are a military family in the Northern Virginia area who qualifies for the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) then give me a call at 703-346-2213.  As an agent experienced with the HAP program guidelines and processes I can help you navigate the requirements and get your home SOLD before your next PCS move.

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.

Tucked just off the intersection of two major roads in Springfield is the townhouse community of Charlestown. With tree lined streets, community parks and easy access to shopping and commuter routes this secret neighborhood is well worth checking out.

One of the benefits of the Charlestown neighborhood is the outside maintenance that the HOA provides. Besides the lawn care, trash pickup and snow removal the HOA also paints the exterior trim of the townhouses on a three year cycle, replaces the roofs when needed and the brick walls that run around the perimeter of the backyards.

Commuting to the Pentagon is as simple as stepping outside your door and walking 2 to 3 blocks to Forrester Blvd. If you aren't picked up by a commuter looking for slugs then you can grab the 18G Metro Bus. If you take the 7:18 bus you will be at the Pentagon at 7:50. How great is that? If Fort Belvoir is your destination then the commute is also 30 minutes or less depending on stoplights!

Charlestown is located in the West Springfield HS Pyramid, both the elementary school and HS are within walking distance. Want to shop? If you are just going to get a few essentials you can walk to the Giant or Whole Foods, we used to do it all the time and while you are at the shopping center you can stop by Starbucks, Austin Grill or Chicken Out for bite to eat.


For those in the know Lake Accotink Park has a back entrance off of Carrleigh Parkway. Years ago the only way to get into the park from the neighborhood was to take a dangerous walk across the railroad tracks. Fortunately the Fairfax County Park Authority built an enclosed pedestrian bridge so now you can ride your bike or walk to the park safely. Once at the park there is a 3.75 mile trail around the 55 acre lake for you to run, bike or walk.

If you have orders to the area then give me a call at 703-346-2213 Let my team put our knowledge of the area to work for you. We've been in your shoes numerous times and know how to help you make a smooth transition to your new home.

With all of the hoopla surrounding the extension of the first time homebuyers tax credit as part of the "Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009" a small portion of the bill was overlooked.

Perhaps if you don't work with military families or aren't in a community that has faced a decline in home values you might not even known that H.R. 3548 saved military families who are using the expanded Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) a 25% up front tax penality when they sold their home.

For some families this has meant the difference from being able to take advantage of the benefits of the Department of Defense program or not. A 25% upfront tax penality is not money that all military families have lying around just waiting to give to give up. The other great news is that HAP files are processing and checks are being issued. Two of the homes that I have under contract for Northern Virginia military families eligible for HAP are on to the final stages of processing.

The other great news is that this bill also extended the opportunity for military families who have been stationed overseas for at least 3 months in 2009 the chance to take advantage of the first time home buyers tax credit.

Thanks to Congress for understanding the need to provide a way for those who serve our country to be able to make their next PCS move a bit less financially stressful.

If you are a military family living in the Northern Virginia area and are eligible for the expanded HAP benefits give me a call at 703-346-2213. I've been working with families in your situation this year and can help you navigate the process of understanding the Department of Defense HAP benefits and getting your home sold in our current market.

As someone who has moved all around the world with the military the first few days after the PCS orders arrive the questions about housing, schools and shopping can lead to sleepless nights and the big question “where are we going to live?”

If you are finishing up your coursework at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey CA and your have PCS orders to the Pentagon then let me welcome you to the neighborhood! Most military personal headed to the base often choose to live in Northern Virginia close to public transportation and the famous "slug" lines. Whether you are going to buy or rent there are plenty of neighborhood options for you to choose from. The first thing you need to do is check the 2009 BAH rates for the Pentagon. Pentagon rates fall in the Washington District (DC053) and you can use zip code 22152 as an example.

If you are thinking of buying a home, the current Northern Virginia market provides you the chance to find a good value on a home. Many military personal are dusting off their VA Certificate of Eligibility and checking with local lenders about the options available to use their VA loans. Knowing what monthly payment you are comfortable with is important for looking at homes in neighborhoods that meet your price criteria.

Once you have determined your price range you have the option to start your search on-line to get an idea of the type of homes that are within your price range. There are a number of neighborhoods in Northern Virginia that have always been popular with military families stationed at the Pentagon including Kingstowne, Lorton and Lake Ridge. If you have school age children starting with information on local schools through the Fairfax County or Prince William County sites or the Great Schools website will also assist you in determining the right neighborhood for your family.

If you have decided to forgo a purchase on this tour of duty don't worry. I can also help you find a rental property in one of Northern Virginia's great neighborhoods as well.

The best way to get to know the area is to call on a Realtor® who not only has been through the stress of numerous military moves but is a native of the area. I’ve lived through the best and worst military moves and know how to help your family learn about Northern Virginia and find a neighborhood that you will want to call home while stationed at the Pentagon.

My military relocation network is at your fingertips through my on-line resources, on the phone and in person. Don’t lose sleep over your orders. I’m here to help you with a smooth transition!