On Tuesday, October 7th, Stafford County Administrator Anthony Romanello reported to the Board of Supervisors that the county faces a $5.6M budget shortfall for fiscal year 2009. Mr. Romanello submitted his recommendations to the Board that will close the gap without raising taxes on county residents. Stafford County is one of many jurisdictions throughout the state facing funding issues in the coming year. The state itself is facing shortfalls with Governor Kaine and the Legislature searching for answers to combat revenue shortages, fuel cost increases and the general economic slowdown and financial crisis that we see on the news everyday.
Fortunately, unlike many counties, Stafford will implement a plan that calls for the county to tighten its belt first. Mr. Romanello suggests eliminating unfilled positions in the County bureaucracy. This attrition plan, while not ideal, will allow for the least impact on residents. The Administrator also recommended cut-backs in training courses, special events, outside legal fees and computer upgrades and repairs. Also, the Woodlands Pool facility which is currently open seven days a week would be closed on Sundays which is their slowest day. Facility upgrades and repairs will also be re-evaluated to ensure that only necessary repairs are made until the financial picture is brighter.
In closing, Mr. Romanello told the Board that he is very optimistic about the future financial strength of the County citing three million square feet of new commercial development in various stages throughout the county. The Board approved the plan as submitted regarding everything except the attrition plan. They have postponed that decision until the October 21st meeting.
Virginia state officials have announced that they will be disbursing about $188 Million around the state to assist local jurisdictions in their efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. Stafford County is expected to receive between $5.5M and $7.6M from the State Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund to upgrade the Little Falls Run Wastewater Treatment Plant that discharges into the Rappahannock River. The Rappahannock feeds into the Chesapeake Bay near Stingray Point.
The state, working with the federal Environmental Protection Agency, has set a goal of 2010 to clean up "point-source pollution" and reduce the volume of nutrients flowing into the Bay. Point-source pollution refers to drainage flowing from one particular source, usually a specific drainage pipe. The volume of nutrients is most affected by other sources into the Bay including run-off and dumping in protected or vulnerable areas. Stafford County is currently upgrading the wastewater treatment plant in Aquia.
While the upgrades at the treatment plants will not have a noticeable daily impact on the lives of Stafford County residents, the health and survival of the Chesapeake Bay is a major factor in the preservation of the historic Rappahannock River. The Rappahannock serves as a source of recreation and scenic beauty in the county. The clean water initiative will also help to restore the oyster and crab population in the Bay.
For more information about upcoming events, advocacy and news related to the Rappahannock visit the Friends of the Rappahannock website at www.riverfriends.org.
In an attempt to increase home ownership among minorities and low to moderate income consumers, the Clinton Administration was instrumental in putting pressure on Fannie Mae to expand loan options to this demographic. The article in the New York Times from September 30, 1999 is crystal clear in its analysis and prediction.
In moving, even tentatively, into this new area of lending, Fannie Mae is taking on significantly more risk, which may not pose any difficulties during flush economic times. But the government-subsidized corporation may run into trouble in an economic downturn, prompting a government rescue similar to that of the savings and loan industry in the 1980's.
''From the perspective of many people, including me, this is another thrift industry growing up around us,'' said Peter Wallison a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. ''If they fail, the government will have to step up and bail them out the way it stepped up and bailed out the thrift industry.''
Why then did no one pay attention? Because there was money to be made - no doubt! Whether or not you choose to lay blame on the Democrats or Republicans; the Feds or the lending institutions; Freddie Mac and/or Fannie Mae; the consumer or the Realtor for this downfall, it clearly didn't just start 2 years ago. Most of us in the business saw this coming like a runaway train on the verge of derailing - with little to no choice but to watch the impending train wreck!
Irene Morales Ward, Northern Virginia Real Estate
Many counties in the Commonwealth of Virginia have much to brag about. Whether it's a safe, beautiful place to raise your family, or a culturally diverse, exceptional school system, we all have much to boast about.
Stafford County had been given a pat on the back by Forbes.com as being one of the best places in the country to get ahead. They based this on several factors:
Forbes.com stated that "Stafford County has a proven ability to land federal jobs and companies with government contracts, as well as to attract businesses from all over the country..."
Statistical information from the Virginia Employment Commission shows:
Earlier this year Forbes.com also stated that Stafford was the 11th wealthiest county in the United States, basing their rankings on median household income data estimates from the 2006 census. Stafford's median household income is listed at $85,014.
Here are a list of some of the top Government and Defense Contractors located right here in Stafford County, all of whom currently have positions available:
Irene Morales Ward, Northern Virginia Real Estate
As a county resident, I am always trying to stay abreast of plans to make any significant changes that may have an impact on the integrity of the county. The best way I know to do that is to review the County's Comprehensive Plan. As of September 17, 2008, Stafford County has made available its updated draft which should be of particular interest to all county residents. With information about zoning, roads, schools, etc, you will be able to access just about anything that is of concern to you.
Chapter 2 - The Foundation for the Future (Goals, Objectives, and Policies)
Chapter 3 - The Land Use Plan
Figure 3.1 Urban Services Area
Figure 3.2 Urban Development Area
Figure 3.3 The Land Use Map
Chapter 4 - The Public Costs of Growth and Development
Chapter 5 - The People and the Place (Existing Conditions)
Figure 5.1 Existing Land Use
Figure 5.2 Existing Zoning
Figure 5.3 Population Density
Figure 5.4 Cultural Resources
Figure 5.5 Schools
Figure 5.6 Community Facilities
Figure 5.7 Infrastructure
Figure 5.8 Major Electric and Gas lines
Figure 5.9 Parks and Recreation
Figure 5.10 Natural Resources
Figure 5.11 Watersheds
Figure 5.12 Geological Zones
Figure 5.13 Mineral Resources
Figure 5.14 Transportation
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Northern Virginia Real Estate Information and Market Trends - See All Active Listings in Northern Virginia MLS - NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Honesty, Integrity & Unsurpassed Customer Service Guaranteed
Working primarily as a referral agent, my main motivation is to be able to provide you the highest possible level of service as you look to buy or sell your home in the Northern Virginia Real Estate market. You should be so impressed with your service that you will feel compelled to refer me to your family, friends and colleagues. Our time together is always well spent meeting your specific needs because my time and effort is not spent looking endlessly to generate more business.
As an Accredited Buyer's Agent, the buyer's criteria becomes paramount during the homebuying process. Your needs will never be compromised because Dual Agency is not something I participate in. This is a distinguishing characteristic from many in the industry and I stand firm in the belief that no client in a transaction (whether a buyer or a seller) should be without 100% representation. You deserve all the loyalty and attention from an agent who will always have only your best interests in mind.
Keeping in mind that Northern Virginia is a highly transient area, I am always privvy to sales reports and market analysis of all the surrounding counties from Alexandria/Arlington to as far south as Orange County and from east on the Potomac River to the Shenandoah and West Virginia border (and all points in between!). Between the military, corporate, and government relocations, having an agent working to provide you with the latest statistical information and market trends is imperative to a successful sale or purchase.
Also, as an e-Pro, finding you homes and communicating that to you becomes increasingly efficient, as does marketing properties for sale. Using exceptional photography for virtual tours, staging all listings, and incorporating "out of the box" methods to generate the largest number of buyer leads while Marketing Your Property For Sale, I can save you time, money and frustration.
Start your Search for Northern Virginia Homes now!
Vickie Pittman - BB&T Mortgage - Vickie's relentless efforts to find her clients the very best program, rates, and terms for home loans make her the best choice for all your financing and refinancing needs. Contact Vickie today at VPittman@BBandT.com if you are interested in finding out what your options are before you go shopping for a home.
This is an incredible area to live in! Enjoy an assortment of waterfront, equestrian, and golf communities - or perhaps a quiet farm in The Plains - or enjoy the city life - or perhaps you would like to enjoy the rich history surrounding the City of Fredericksburg - Either way, you will never run out of Fun Things To Do In Northern Virginia. From the hustle and bustle of Old Town Alexandria with its charming row houses, eclectic shopping and close proximity to DC to the magestic Shenandoah River and Blue Ridge Mountains, you will never be without options.
If you're relocating here because of a corporate or military relocation, there are exceptional links and resources available to help you get started. Everything from cost adjustment, local parks and recreation, utility information, local resources, comprehensive county plans, school information, and much, much more.
"I plan to pass on Irene Morales Ward's name on to everyone I know. She is the best. Look no further! Without a doubt you will find it to be a positive home buying experience!"
- T. Schick
"Buying a home is not only scary but can be overwhelming...especially when it is your first home. When I decided I wanted to buy a place on my own, I really wanted to work with someone that I could trust and that I felt would look out for my best interest, not just for a pretty commission. My sister had worked with Irene before and had been so impressed that she recommended her.
From the moment that I spoke with Irene, I knew she was the one for me. She was intelligent and kind, knew her stuff, but wasn't condescending and she was really ready to help... even though for my first home, it was only a condo. We began to look and she was extremely patient and took the time to walk through the buying process with me, truly wanting to make sure that my needs were met and my concerns were eased. Additionally, she was diligent in her looking. I never had to worry about finding places to look at because she was always on the ball with options. She made the whole home buying experience one that was pleasant when it easily could have been frightening.
When I got married and we decided to buy our second home, there was no question that Irene would be our real estate agent again. Bottom line is, she is an honest person, a good person and a hard working person who really cares about what her clients want and will not think twice about going the extra mile to get it. Who wouldn't want that?"
- K.D. Suddeth
“You took care of us from cradle-to-grave. You began working with us in Italy through constant email contact and lined up a multitude of homes for us to tour as soon as we arrived back in the States. You guided us through every step of the process from contract negotiations to final walk-through and closing. Your knowledge of the local area and housing market is impressive. We were all over the map in trying to decide where to buy a house and you steered us in the right direction. We got the house and land that we were looking for and we love the area! You went above and beyond our expectations. We couldn't have done it without you! Thanks so much for your help!”
- V & J Krieger
"First, I would like to say, I really admire you as a woman and as a salesperson. Over the years I have had many dealings with Realtors and you are by far the friendliest and most honest Realtor I have ever met. Usually, I do not encounter someone that truly cares and really works for his or her money. Personally, I was dealing with a difficult situation, as you know and under extreme pressure to find a place. Instead, you found my home. In fact, this was the first that I was to be on my own with my very on home. You can not imagine how happy you made me the day you told me it was mine.
I am truly pleased with my home and admit this move has made me even more independent and stronger as a person. Anytime I hear that someone is looking for a realtor, I always mention my experience and gladly give your name. If someone is looking for a GREAT REALTOR that is friendly, honest and listens, I will always recommend that they call you."
- S. Pelleschi
“Being in the military and moving to a new and unfamiliar area on short notice, my wife and I were very apprehensive about one of life’s biggest decisions—the purchase of a home. Irene put our minds at ease and made the entire experience very enjoyable. She showed us houses that fit our needs and budget and didn’t waste our time. She took the time to explain everything to us, which was very important to us as first time homebuyers. Irene never steered us wrong and to this day we couldn’t be happier with our home."
- Cpt R N Bakazan
“What my husband and I liked about Irene was her knowledge of the area and the market. She was very familiar with all the neighborhoods in which we were interested. She also knew what the competitive asking prices for homes were and which ones were overpriced. We also liked her attention to what we were looking for in a home. She figured out what we wanted and would visit potential homes to let us know whether it was worth our time to view or not.
We were very happy with Irene as our realtor and would recommend her to anyone looking for homes in the Prince William, Stafford, Fredericksburg, and King George area."
- E & B Bilko
Well, I really don’t know where to start. My fiancé and I were in the market for a house. We wanted to find something in the county, not too expensive and in a good/decent area. We had no idea where to begin. I guess God listened to our prayers and sent Irene to help us. Irene made the process look and feel so easy that we could not believe it. We told her what we wanted in reference to location, price, and size. She worked day and night looking for the place we wanted. She sent us listings everyday - at least twice at day - with houses that had just been put on the market. She handled everything with professionalism, courtesy, and always had a positive attitude. She made us feel special. Irene made our dream come true.
- L & S Pena
A Seller's Appreciation
Irene worked with us to sell a piece of property during the winter, not traditionally the best time to sell a home. Yet she made it come together and work beautifully and it happened in rapid time. I am grateful for her kindness, her work ethic, her attention to detail and incredible professionalism. I hope to recommend her to friends needing a realtor and in the future will work with her again. She sets the bar on customer service and results. It has been a privilege establishing a working relationship with Irene.
- R. Phelps
Irene used her vast knowledge of the area and current market to get the best price for our home. With her resourcefulness, the home sold in less than a month in a market where homes were remaining listed for easily two months. We would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking to jump into the market.
- J & K Randall
We used Irene to buy our home and the experience was first rate all the way. A few years later when we had to sell our home, I wasn't worried knowing I had Irene on my side. She handled all aspects of the selling process in a professional, timely, and effective way. The virtual tour and marketing plan she implemented were outstanding and made the difference in making a quick sale.
Irene made us feel like we were her only clients, and she was always there for us. Having Irene on our side alleviated so much of the worry and the stress that comes along with selling your home. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell a home - it will be the smartest decision you'll make.
- Capt R N Bakazan, USAF
"Bill and I are FINALLY celebrating the sale of our house. Although we were hoping for this outcome, we were also preparing for the worst, so when this REALLY happened it came as a big relief, as you can imagine...And thank you very very much for helping us get to this point and for all the hard work you've put in. I think your innovative and attractive marketing of our house was no small part of the reason why we attracted prospective buyers..."
- C. Pak
"Irene Morales Ward is truly a home-seeker's gem!! When Kenny and I first began looking for our second home, we really didn't know what style house we preferred. Irene listened so intently and paid so much attention that within the time it took to send us a few listings via email and see four or five homes, she knew exactly what it was we were looking for; even before we knew. After seeing several more homes and not finding one we were in love with, Irene discovered a small, new neighborhood with just a couple of lots left to build on. There was one left with a floor plan that had every single detail we had hoped for in our next home. It was not even listed for sale yet! It felt like forever before the house was built and we moved in, but it is everything we wanted, and on top of that we gained a great new friend! We absolutely recommend Irene to everyone we know looking to buy or sell a home."
- K & J Randall
Dear Mr. Alexandra (RE/MAX Absolute Broker/Owner),
I am writing to you regarding the exceptional services of one of your agents, Irene Morales Ward.
Earlier this summer, my company offered me a position in the Falls Church, Virginia area, and my wife and I agreed to the transfer. As an Atlanta native and a New Jersey transplant living in Georgia, we were, naturally, very nervous about even attempting a home search in Northern Virginia!
We began the process by searching for listings online and one home in particular caught our eye. When we contacted the listing agent, Irene, we received an immediate response from her with details about the home along with questions about our search. Emails began to fly back and forth, and soon enough I realized that I couldn't type as fast as I could talk! After the introductory conversation with Irene, I hung up the phone and realized at once that my wife and I had really taken a step in the right direction. Irene's kind manner and openness put us at ease right away and her willingness to accommodate us in our long distance search pointed to her compliant nature.
After only one whirlwind weekend and sixty two houses in the Fredericksburg area, we were exhausted and our heads were spinning, but Irene managed to keep us on the right path. Her tireless enthusiasm in helping us with our search was really what kept us going and thanks to her accommodating personality, we left Virginia that weekend with a possible new home in mind.
We are in the bidding process and we could not be happier with our choice, but more importantly, we feel that it was our choice of agent that brought us to our happy final decision. Irene guided us through the buying process with endless patience and understanding and with the knowledge that comes along with someone who really believes in her own motto: Honesty, Integrity and Unsurpassed Customer Service. That is, without question, the service that Irene provided us with during our home search.
I can only hope that all of your agents are as skilled and compassionate as Irene. She carries herself with great aplomb and I am exceedingly grateful that we will have her as a community resource and neighbor. Irene will be highly recommended by us to our new friends and neighbors, as she embodies what I believe a true real estate agent should be: knowledgeable, patient, understanding, indulging, accepting, and truly a wonderful individual.
- T & O Hooper
Once again thank you for all of your help and patience with me through the "house process", I couldn't have asked for anyone better to work with. - K McIlvoy
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