Tag Archives: Belinda Jacobson-Loehle

Dominion Valley in Haymarket, Virginia Offers Resort-Style Living for Families

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Dominion Valley in Haymarket, Virginia Offers Resort-Style Living for Families

Whenever you leave a vacation at a resort, don’t you feel just a little sad to go back home? The activities, the scenery, the beautiful housing accommodations — you never want it to end. Well, now it doesn’t have to! When you make Dominion Valley your home, you get to experience that kind of luxury every day. Near the picturesque Bull Run Mountains in Haymarket, VA, Dominion Valley offers many amenities to enhance your everyday life.

Leave a vacation at a resort
One of many affordable homes in Dominion Valley. Contact us for details!

This gated community has its own country club, complete with Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course — a challenging course with mountain views and emerald fairways. You’ll never be bored in this activity-packed community, with its own Sports Pavilion, grand clubhouse, playgrounds, private parks and 17 miles of walking and biking trails. Enjoy the great outdoors right outside your front door with tons of activities that will help you commune with nature. Tennis buffs will be at home on the community courts. Market Square is on site for your shopping, dining and services, so you won’t have to go far for your day-to-day needs. Whether you’re into cross-fit, need to get your hair highlighted, need to get your cat a rabies shot or have a craving for pizza, you can find all these things and more at Market Square.

Toll Brothers has built a community of award-winning luxury homes around this fantastic country club. These single-family homes offer flexible floor plans with hundreds of different designer options. They’re still adding new homes to this community, and you can choose from some of the largest home sites in Dominion Valley. Perfect for entertaining, these open floorplans have plenty of space to relax and enjoy a good meal with formal living rooms, dining rooms and gourmet kitchens. Enjoy the airiness of these designs with 9 foot ceilings, walls of windows and lavish master retreats, just to name a few perks. You’ve really got to see these homes to believe it – they are absolutely gorgeous.

The community is conveniently located for work and play. If you enjoy hiking and camping, you’re only a stone’s throw away from the Bull Run Mountains. Wine connoisseurs will love sipping a little vino at all the nearby award-winning vineyards. If you’re a history buff, there are many nearby Civil War historic sites. You’re less than one hour from downtown D.C. and have access to all the local centers of employment like Reston, D.C. and Fairfax.

We have current, affordable listings in Dominion Valley and would love to tell you more about this community. Contact Jacobson Realty and Home Staging today to find out how you can surround yourself with luxury in this beautiful area. For listing information, email Robin@JacobsonRealty1.com or call 703-314 –9342.

For general information, call 703-338-9678 or emailBelinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

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Home Inspections: 8 Important Things You Can Learn

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Home Inspections: 8 Important Things You Can Learn

a good realtor

Having a good realtor in your court makes the home-buying process much easier on you. And good realtors have great connections throughout their community. One such connection is with a reputable home inspector.

Having a home inspection is one of the most important steps in buying a home. Even though an inspection is optional, you don’t want to forgo it. Opting for a home inspection can ensure that the home of your dreams is in great condition before purchasing. Here are eight important areas a good home inspector will investigate.

1. Exterior walls – Home inspectors check the quality of exterior walls. This ensures the home you are buying has siding in good condition.

2. Foundation – Clearly all homes should have a solid foundation. Home inspectors have eyes trained to pick out concerns, like cracks, and alert you to potential problems.

3. Garage – Within garages, inspectors check for sufficient ventilation, the framing of the area and that all doors are in working order. While you may be simply excited to have the extra space for vehicles or storage, your inspector looks deeper to make sure you’re safely covered.

4. Roof – We all want a solid roof over our heads, and a home inspection will ensure that your new home has one. Inspectors make sure there are no missing shingles or water damage and that everything has been properly installed. Additionally, they take a good look at the gutters and the area around the chimney (if there is one).

5. Electrical system – Your inspector will determine the type of wiring your home has and ensure the safety and proper functioning of all outlets. He or she will test the ground fault interrupters in areas like the garage, kitchen, bathroom, outdoors and anywhere else where water may be present.

6. Plumbing system – Your home inspector will make sure your future home is free of leaks — under sinks, in faucets, or showers and tubs. If the home’s pipes are older, the inspector may do a particularly close examination to see what material they are made of and what condition they are in.

7. HVAC – Your inspector can estimate the age of your air conditioner and furnace and tell you the condition of each. If either needs repairs, maintenance or replacement, he or she will let you know.

8. Insulation – Home inspectors can also examine the home’s insulation and ensure that it is safe and adequate. Proper insulation means lower utility costs and better climate control.

Your home inspector’s report gives you a bird’s eye view of your potential new home. You and your realtor can sit down together, work through any items of concern and determine what, if anything, you’d like to ask the seller to fix. Your realtor will help you create reasonable and professional requests. If there are major concerns that the seller is not willing to fix, a home inspection also allows you the freedom to opt out of a contract, thus giving you peace of mind.

At Jacobson Realty and Home Staging, we aim to educate clients about the home buying and selling process. Contact us at 703-338-9678 or emailBelinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

 

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New assisted living coming soon!

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New assisted living coming soon!

an assisted living community

Opening later in 2015, Tribute at Heritage Village, an assisted living community, will offer luxury living with lots of amenities designed for those who need a little extra help.

The community will have advanced building design, integrated technology and best-in-class care for patients. Tribute will also have memory care, a specific kind of long-term skilled care for patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other neurological challenges.

Tribute will offer active living with fun and engaging choices for residents who will be able to enjoy a balance of mental engagement, emotional enrichment and physical activity each day with on- and off-site activities such as dancing, live music, boutique shopping, reading, wine and cheese tasting, gardening, bingo, card games, art classes and brain games.

Freshly prepared meals will satisfy many special dietary needs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are to be served tableside daily, with private dining available for special occasions. A choice of menu options, including light fare dining and a 24-hour bistro for gourmet snacks, will surely please.

Tribute at Heritage Hunt has infused technology into the community’s design to help keep seniors connected with their families. The community will have senior-friendly computers, community-wide Wi-Fi, community updates on social media, state-of-the-art call systems and virtual digital communication systems.

If you or someone you know would like more information on all that Heritage Hunt has to offer, contact Belinda at (703) 753-0125 or Belinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

Regency at Catharpin Creek

Regency at Catharpin Creek, an assisted living community planned to be built at 5570 Catharpin Rd. was approved in April of last year. The Board of County Supervisors voted yes on the rezoning of 102 acres from agriculture to planned-mixed residential for an age-restricted community with a maximum of 208 single-family houses.

Although the community would fit with surrounding communities in Gainesville, such as Parks of Piedmont and Heritage Hunt, it would differ from its neighbors to the north along Catharpin Road, where housing is less dense. Regency will be made up of only single-family homes, no apartments or townhouses, in order to fit into the more rural feel of the area. In addition, about 55 percent of the overall property will be open space.

While the builder has not announced a timeline for completion, Regency will have easy access to a walking trail, a nice amenity for residents to enjoy local, natural beauty.

Stay tuned, as Jacobson Realty and Home Staging will keep a close eye on the development of this unique community!

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Real Estate Agent Qualifications – What do They Mean?

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Real Estate Agent Qualifications – What do They Mean?

largest transactions

When you’re making quite possibly one of the largest transactions of your lifetime, you want someone with real expertise in your corner. There are many real estate agents out there for you to choose from, so what makes one real estate agent different from another?

One way to differentiate between realtors is by examining their qualifications. You’ll come across a lot of acronyms in your search for a qualified agent. So what does all this alphabet soup mean when it comes to real estate qualifications? Learn to decode real estate qualifications so you know you’re getting the cream of the crop when you select your realtor.

  • CRS – Council of Residential Specialist – This is the mark of an experienced agent who has completed advanced professional training and demonstrated outstanding professional achievement in residential real estate.
  • GRI – Graduate Realtor Institute – To get this designation, your realtor has to be a member of the National Association of Realtors in good standing. The coursework for this includes market knowledge, business skills, systems and avoiding setbacks, fines and lawsuits.
  • CNE – Certified Negotiation Expert – This professional certification means that your agent is an expert negotiator. They have learned how to best bargain to get you the deal you want when buying and selling.
  • ABR – Accredited Buyer Representative – This designation is for realtors to focus on working directly with buyer-clients. They learn valuable skills to help you purchase your home and learn specialized information to help them stay on top of trends and issues in home buying.
  • e-PRO – Electronic/Internet certification – This certification expands real estate agents’ digital skills so they can connect with the online market. They learn to properly leverage social media to get your home sold quickly and at the best price.
  • ASP – Accredited Staging Professional– Real estate agents learn how to professionally prepare homes through staging to get top dollar when selling your home.
  • SRES – Seniors Real Estate Specialist – If you’re over the age of 50 and looking to buy or sell a home, a Seniors Real Estate Specialist is best equipped to help you. They learn how to counsel clients through major financial and lifestyle transition in relocating, refinancing or selling their family homes.
  • Real Estate Broker – This designation requires many hours of education and testing. Real estate brokers are licensed to run their own real estate businesses as well as help you buy or sell a home.

Being a realtor requires quite a bit of training and continuing education, and those letters mean many late nights studying and hours of test taking to stay on top of the latest information out there in the real estate world. Being up to speed with the latest trends, laws, ways to market, negotiation techniques, lending procedures and more is critical when you want to get the most for your sale and sell in the quickest amount of time or scoop up the deal of the decade that just went on the market. For a fully credentialed realtor, visit Jacobson Realty and Home Staging or contact Belinda at (703) 753-0125 orBelinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

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Active Adult Living and Peace of Mind Await You in Gainesville, VA

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Active Adult Living and Peace of Mind Await You in Gainesville, VA

55 years or older

Heritage Hunt, an Active Adult Community

If you are 55 years or older and love to stay active, Gainesville has the perfect community for you! Heritage Hunt is the place for those who want clubs, sports, events, entertainment and a sense of community, as well as a quiet place to come home to. Named “Best Active Adult Community in the Country” by the National Council on Senior Living, Heritage Hunt is conveniently located near routes 29 and 66 in Gainesville, Virginia.

The Homes

The homes in Heritage Hunt include thousands of dollars in luxury add-ons at no extra cost. Homes are designed with the older adult in mind: low-maintenance and accessible floorplans make the living easy. You can choose from a luxury elevator condominium, featuring upgraded appliances and cabinets, enclosed patios or sunrooms and ceramic bathroom flooring. If you prefer a single family home, there are also main level living models with award-winning designs.

Amenities

Heritage Hunt is chock-full of amenities. One of the major attractions is the 18-hole championship golf course at the Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club. There, the spacious grand clubhouse offers 27,000 square feet of social and recreational area. You will find a resort-style pool and spa, a large sundeck, an indoor aquatic center, a golf pro shop, a fitness center, a lounge, a movie room, a dining and banquet room and many social gathering areas. You can enjoy fine dining in the clubhouse or rent out space for your next big anniversary, birthday or other celebration. There’s even an on-site business center for those active adults who haven’t yet retired. For tennis buffs, you can find planned clinics and tournaments or catch a game on your own time on the lighted tennis courts.

Area Attractions

You will love Heritage Hunt’s convenient location with nearby shopping and dining. Enjoy a variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment just a few miles away inVirginia Gateway. Soon residents will also be able to take a short trip to a brand new Harris Teeter grocery store.

Nature getaways and day trips to Washington D.C. are always favorites for those in Heritage Hunt. Enjoy scenic views of the Bull Run Mountains right near the community or drive just about one hour to get to the Blue Ridge Mountains for hiking, camping, canoeing and more. If the city it your thing, spend a day in the nation’s capital.

Ease, amenities and attractions – if all this sound like something you would want,Jacobson Realty and Home Staging can help. Contact Belinda at (703) 753-0125 or Belinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

Buy, Stage or Sell with Confidence!

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Great Places to Live in the Washington D.C. Area: What’s the big deal about Gainesville, Haymarket and Bristow, Virginia? Part II

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Great Places to Live in the Washington D.C. Area: What’s the big deal about Gainesville, Haymarket and Bristow, Virginia? Part II

a strong community

When you’re looking for a new home, you may be searching for that perfect backyard or that great school district, but there is something else that should be on your radar as you shop – a strong community.  We believe, as do thousands of others, that even though Western Prince William County — namely Gainesville, Haymarket, Bristow and Nokesville — is rapidly growing, there is still a strong sense of community that brings residents together.  Here are some aspects of the community that draw people to the area and keep them there.

Free Public Events – Haymarket is always hopping with community events like Haymarket Day, Oktoberfest and their Friday Family Summer Concert series. During these events, local musicians, artists and businesses show residents and visitors what life in Western Prince William County is all about.  The next exciting free event will be the “Arts Alive” program at the Hylton Performing Art Center at the George Mason Campus in Prince William County on May 2ndfrom Noon-4pm. Local artist, actors, vendors and musicians including the Manassas Chorale will be sharing art inside and outside the grounds of the center. The entire event is free, and the center will be grooving to art!
Clubs – From community service clubs and family clubs to golf and country clubs, Western Prince William County has you covered, especially for golfers.  If you like to relax and dine with friends or play 18 holes of golf, you might enjoyEvergreen Country Club, Dominion Valley Country Club, Broad Run Golf and Practice Facility or the Stonewall Golf Course.  Our golf courses are so high quality, the Robert Trent Jones Club at Lake Manassas in Gainesville is where Tiger Woods will be hosting the 2015 Quicken Loans National from July 27-August 2, 2015. One of the premier stops on the PGA Tour, this event raises funds and awareness for the Tiger Woods Foundation and pays tribute to our armed forces.  Buy your tickets early!
Parks – Western Prince William County has open space that brings people together.  Whether it be for a Grizzlies football game, soccer games on lighted fields, a hike on Bull Run Mountain or a picnic in the park, this part of the county offers fields, streams and mountains, as well as a plethora of historic sites such as the untouched beauty of the Manassas Battlefield grounds that encourage residents and visitors to learn more about the history and attractions of this special region.
Nonprofits – Western Prince William County is a place where nonprofits work to enhance the lives of those with particular needs.  Some nonprofits work directly with those they serve.  For Example, Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center in Haymarket provides therapeutic horseback riding and equine activities for those with disabilities.  The Benedictine Sisters in Bristow provide services for homeless women and their children and free instruction for English language learners.  There are also organizations like Dominion Woman’s Club that support other nonprofits organizations.
We know planning to move means making many decisions.  If you are considering moving, call Belinda Jacobson-Loehle at 703-338-9678 or emailBelinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.  Belinda would be happy to tell you more about the Western Prince William County community.

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