Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services

The Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1998 and is the intersection of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers. The 644 acre refuge was formerly a military research site and is another one of the hidden gems that many residents of Prince William County and Northern Virginia don't know exists. In the Spring and Summer the area is known as one of the top local nesting spots for Osprey and Blue Heron.

It is obvious when you look at the large overhead signs, I-95 is the interstate running outside the beltway and I-395 runs inside the beltway to DC. However if someone asks you how to get to DC and you say take Shirley Highway then you know you are a "native" of Northern Virginia. Officially Shirley Highway runs from the Pentagon to just north of Route 1 in Woodbridge. The start of the construction of the highway started in 1941 and lasted until 1952 when the four lane road was completed. Originally known as the Fort Belvoir bypass the road was renamed for Henry Shirley who was the first the first highway commissioner in Virginia.

Our first family home was just outside DC on Shirley Highway in the Parkfairfax neighborhood. Built in 1941 as an apartment complex to alleviate a housing shortage for government workers the neighborhood today is thriving condominium complex known for it's hilly streets, landscaped courtyards and ease of commuting back to the city.

Parkfairfax-Two Past Presidents Called it Home and So Could You

A few more miles down Shirley Highway is the famous or is that the infamous Springfield Interchange? Before there was a need for 50 ramps and 20 lanes to get commuters past Springfield there was an airport instead. In 1945 part of the area that is now part of the north bound lanes of Shirley Highway (I-95) was the unpaved 3000 foot runway that was part of Springfield Airport.

What Happens When You Build a Highway Instead of An Airport?

Even after the airport disappeared in the early 1950's Springfield was still a rural community just being discovered by families. With new homes in central Springfield starting at $16,000 it was the perfect place to move and still be able to work in the city. Families flocked to the area and over the years the small sleepy area grew and spread into North Springfield, West Springfield and even though there isn't officially an East Springfield development went that direction as well.

Springfield Virginia-Homer Simpson Doesn't Live Here

As prices in closer in areas in Fairfax County began to escalate and families started looking for bigger and newer the migration further south on Shirley Highway to Prince William County began. Commuting options began to expand and along with it the neighborhoods of Lake Ridge began to grow. Starting in the late 1970's when the visitor center opened at Old Bridge and Harbor Drive until today Lake Ridge has been a popular choice for anyone who wanted to live in large community with a "small town" feel.

Lake Ridge-Avoiding the Cookie Cutter Home Syndrome

Now Shirley Highway is a thing of the past. The small green signs are still there if you look for them. They are dwarfed by the the large signs for I-95 or I-395 headed north and south from DC into Virginia. Your GPS won't direct you to take Shirley Highway but a native of the area may. Don't be alarmed they haven't lost their minds it is just a habit that is hard to break.

If you are interested in learning more about any of the neighborhoods along the 17.3 mile stretch of the original Shirley Highway give me a call at 703-346-2213. No hassle, no pressure just straight talk about whether now is the right time for you to buy a new home in Northern Virginia.

Anyone who has gone through the process of in-processing at a military installation knows it can be complicated.  At Fort Belvoir it means 24 stops at the various required departments located throughout the installation.

Starting in 2010 anyone arriving (or departing) from Fort Belvoir will be able to head to one location on post and find all of the departments they need under one roof.   With the influx of BRAC personnel, cutting down on traffic on post is one reason for moving all the in-processing to one location. The new offices will be located on the North Post next to the Bowling Alley between Gunston and Belvoir Roads.  Though it may not cut down on some of the crazy lines it will certainly cut down on the frustration of trying to find the right office on an 8500 acre military installation.

If you find yourself with PCS orders to Fort Belvoir you can read all of the official installation information at the Fort Belvoir website.  If you are looking for information about the surrounding communities and life outside the gates you can check out my Fort Belvoir Relocation Guide and www.militaryrelocationnews.com.  If a tour of duty at Fort Belvoir is in your future give me a call at 703-346-2213 to help you with your off post housing needs.

HarborSide Condominiums in Belmont Bay (VA) is the only new construction currently selling in Belmont Bay (VA). Sales this year have been brisk with twelve condos SOLD and only two marina view condos still remaining.

The Occoquan model features 1515 SF with two bedrooms, two full baths and a large balcony overlooking the Belmont Bay Marina and Occoquan River. The remaining second floor Occoquan condos come with a reserved underground parking space and same floor storage. Enjoy all of the great amenities that Belmont Bay has to offer including tennis courts, swimming pool, waterfront walking paths and the Osprey Restaurant.

Residents of Belmont Bay can walk to the Woodbridge Virginia Rail Express Station located at the entrance to the community. Access to multiple commuter bus lots and the entrance to I-95 HOV and regular lanes are less than two miles away. Belmont Bay has been named by Washingtonian Magazine and the Washington Post as one of the great places to live in the DC area. Often called a "hidden gem" once residents find it they don't want to leave.

HarborSide Condominiums are listed and marketed by Cindy Jones. Call 703-346-2213 to schedule your appointment and find out why so many buyers this year have decided to call HarborSide home.

The buyer was surprised and the sellers were surprised but today my listing in Fairfax went to closing with a 4% assumable loan.  Why the surprise?  Because up until a few days before closing no one thought that Wells Fargo would honor the assumable loan written by Wachovia.  They certainly made it complicated enough.

The title company said they had to dust off the instruction book as they hadn't seen an assumable loan in 10 years.  With more FHA loans being written today than in previous years we can all expect to being dealing with the differences between assumable loans and conventional loans for the next few years.

Though this home only stayed on the market a few days the assumable loan was a big draw and was a part of what won the buyers over.  Tonight the buyers are in their new home in Fairfax and my clients are looking over the water in their new home in Belmont Bay.  You have to love it when it all comes together even on a rainy day.