About Stafford County, VA

"The first man gets the oyster, the second man gets the shell"

Andrew Carnegie

Fortunately, during last weekend's 52nd Urbanna Oyster Festival, there were plenty of oysters to be had, even for those in the back of the line. Everyone had loads. And, most of us, way too many! If you've not had the chance to venture to Urbanna, Virginia, for the annual oyster celebration, you're not only missing great food, but also a special glimpse of small town America.

Urbanna is located in Virginia's Northern Neck, which is situated North of Williamsburg, and Southeast of Fredericksburg, hugging the Chesapeake Bay.

It's been called a "historic town", and, in many ways, it is. It's among the places you'll see on the National Register of Historic Places. But, each year, on November 6th & 7th, you'll find some 75,ooo folks headed to this "sleepy" coastal town for oysters, fritters and other assorted dishes, and loads more fun. I can tell you, it's likely on the "must see" list for those who enjoy touring the country in their RV's, because there were plenty of those big boys parked in and around the festival.

The two day festival has an assortment of activities, from an oyster shucking contest to the crowning of the festival's Oyster Queen, among others.

Any number of booths selling food, jewelry, art work, intricate wood design (well, you get the picture, like you'd see at the County Fair), and assorted items dot the town's landscape. Parking is available, but plan on paying a minumum of $10 or Friday, and $20 on Saturday to park.

And, for those visiting for the first time, it doesn't matter where you park, the prices are the same. So, for convenience sake upon leaving, use the lots before you come into town.

Enjoying the sights and sounds of Urbanna, and the Oyster Festival, the kids having fun, the adults enjoying each other's company, the interaction with the booth workers, reminded me of the abundance our Commonwealth has to offer. While most of us relish the time away from work on the weekends, and the relaxation it provides, you might mark the calendar and set aside this early November date next year. It is a piece of Americana that you don't want to miss.

You'll meet some very nice people, view a beautiful part of the state, and enjoy some appetizing food dishes. But you might do yourself a favor. In case your eyes are too big for your stomach, don't forget to bring

To Continue Reading this Article, Click Here: Celebrating Americana on the Half Shell

 New Homes For Sale in Stafford, VA:  Woodstream at Stafford - Brookfield Homes   Brookfield Homes is building single family and townhomes in Stafford, VA.  The location of this community is briliant, right off of rout I95 and just minutes to the VRE (commuter train)  Homes start in the mid $200s...and the community has fantastic amenities... for more information about New Homes For Sale in Stafford, VA  call me..Konnie McKee 703 407 7088.  Search the MLS for free right here..

SELL A HOME....CLICK HERE

BUY A HOME....CLICK HERE 

  Your Northern Virginia Realtor 703 407 7088 Konnie Mac FREE No Strings attached...

search MLS to to www.KonnieMac.com

Realty Direct, 44075 Pipeline Plaza Ashburn, Virginia

www.ManassasHomeSearch.com

 If you are looking to purchase a home in Northern Virginia go to www.KonnieMac.com for free no strings attached home search.

Why Stafford? Because Stafford Virginia, is centrally located between Fredericksburg and Woodbridge Virginia. If you have visions of finding that Virginia Plantation feel you've been dreaming of, the home below is just one of the amazing homes on the market Actively For Sale right now in the Stafford Virginia area, just south of the base. The other day I took a drive to take a look at the homes in this price range. I saw homes with barns and pastures, and homes on stunning acreage lots with amazing privacy. Some of the homes are less than five miles from I-95 and close to all the shopping area's that make life easy. You'll feel like your in the country, yet close enough to work, so that your home for dinner!

Many of the homes boast acreage lots, especially in the $450,000 and up price range. I took a drive to go see this one. The lot captivated me from the photo. When I drove up to the home, it was exactly as photographed. I first noticed it on FranklyMLS.com. What is FranklyMLS? Well in my humble opinion, it is by far the best real time consumer based websites to search for homes. Don't take my word for it, take a look at the site. This site allows the consumer to view the real time MLS database and any comments made by Buyer Agents who have viewed the properties.

"FranklyMLS is a powerful Internet tool for you the consumer to use free of charge with no sign up required so you can gain access to homes listed for sale regardless who what agency has them listed for sale!" Let me show you. I just went on the website and asked for acreage homes in Stafford priced between $350,000 and $600,000 take a look at the results, the home above is just one of the many homes for sale...take a look- VIEW NOW

Ok, now lets talk about your VA LOAN.Did you know here in Virginia a Veteran can purchase a home with Zero Down Financing up to $729,900. Well that is, if you qualify.Before you arrive it is extremely important to get pre-approved for a home loan ( you can do that right here) that way you know exactly what your buying power is. The next step is to align yourself with a Realtors® whom you can trust that knows the area, the inventory, the market conditions, how to negotiate when using a VA Loan and a Realtors® who will work for you as your Buyer Agent. A Buyer Agent works for you and only you! The next thing you need to consider is your time line. If you can wait to have a home built, great. Keep in mind here in Virginia,builders have two years to build your home. Normally it takes less than four or five months, however if there was a strike or any other unforeseen issue, the builder by law has two years to complete your home. I used to work for a builder locally for many years, I can coach you on your options.

Here some more great news for you! The Home Buyer Tax Credit has been extended, most will be able to get an $8000 tax credit and for those of you who own another home elsewhere, you may be able to secure a $6500 tax credit! Read More Here.

Why would you choose me to help you? Because there are only a few Realtors® who work in Prince William County Virginia area, who have spent the money to be able to access homes in the Stafford, Virginia Area. Most Prince William County agents would refer you to another Realtors® in Stafford County to help you, this can slow your house hunting time down. Having another agent get up to speed on your wants, needs and desires. Erick and Company understands your time is valuable, and because of that we have the tools and the knowledge and the commitment to help you no matter where you find a home your fall in love with!

If you are looking for a smooth door to door move, and coaching every step of the way, give us a call. We have helped hundreds of families relocated to the area.

"Relax You'll Be Treated Like Family!"

Relocating is suppose to be a fun, exciting time...we can help make that happen for you.

Do You Need Our Help? Call 703-590-2252 Today.

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder of Erick and Company of Exit 1st Choice Realty, Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252 (Office).If you are a homeowner who has a home to sell, we have buyers ready and waiting for nice homes to come on the market. Give us a call and we can "GET YOUR HOME SOLD FAST" to list your property for sale we service Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Haymarket,Montclair, Dumfries, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville, Aquia Harbor, Garrisonville and Triangle area's .

In times like these, all of us appreciate a bit of assistance. Fortunately, the government has taken steps to extend a couple of programs designed to assist home sellers and buyers. The first is the Housing Assistance Program (HAP) for military personnel selling their home, the second is the First Time Home Buyer Credit, specifically for those purchasing property.

The Department of Defense's (DoD) HAP offering is designed to provide financial assistance to its personnel who have to move, and will lose money upon selling. Due to the dramatic decrease in home values in recent years, this program was originally designed to provide financial relief to those required to move due to DoD's Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiative. It expanded to include those DoD personnel whose reassignment or military move was further than what's categorized as commuting distance. A brief summary of guidelines and what HAP offers can be found here: http://hap.usace.army.mil/Eligibility.html

The original deadline for eligibility was the end of November, 2009. As you might imagine, eligible members were scrambling to get their applications in, and to get their home on the market. Fortunately, the deadline was extended.

Here's the official announcement of DoD's Processing and Extension of the HAP Program. It's got the details, including an extension through Sep 2012. You'll find the info here, http://tinyurl.com/y8d99pv

Another piece of good news for those in the home market, was this week's expansion of the First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit.

Not only was the tax credit of up to $8000 for qualified first time home buyers extended, but the expansion also offered an additional credit for repeat home buyers. The beauty of the original credit was their definition of a first time buyer; any prospective purchaser who has not owned a principal residence during the three year period prior to the new purchase.

The additional, or expansion of the program included a $6500 tax credit for move-up or repeat home buyers purchasing a home. There are specific details that you need to examine before you assume you qualify for the program's benefits.

While we can't always count on the federal government to assist us, it is refreshing to discover their helping hand in times of need. Amid the existing economic downturn, Uncle Sam not only decided to come to the aid of military home sellers whose home values have decreased, but also to help those in the market to buy a home. Let's hope the prospective beneficiaries of both these offerings are well aware of what's available, and are taking advantage of them. Who knows when we'll see this type of assistance again.

To Continue Reading this Article, Click Here: Home Buying and Selling Help From Uncle Sam

 New Homes For Sale In Stafford, VA:   Austin's Landing  Beazer Homes is building in this community.. Great for Commuters, located right off of route 1 close to commuter routes, shopping and the VRE.  Beazer is offering covered porch, formal living and dining room, open kitchen and breakfast area... For more information on this community or to Search for New Homes For Sale in Stafford, VA, call Konnie Mac 703 407 7088 or to search the MLS for FREE... right here..

SELL A HOME....CLICK HERE

BUY A HOME....CLICK HERE 

  Your Northern Virginia Realtor 703 407 7088 Konnie Mac FREE No Strings attached...

search MLS to to www.KonnieMac.com

Realty Direct, 44075 Pipeline Plaza Ashburn, Virginia

www.ManassasHomeSearch.com

 If you are looking to purchase a home in Northern Virginia go to www.KonnieMac.com for free no strings attached home search.