Tag Archives: Gainesville

Gainesville Virginia Voted Number One for Young Families

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Gainesville Virginia Voted Number One for Young Families

personal finance,

A recent article on nerdwallet.com, an online source for consumer-driven advice about personal finance, named Gainesville the number one best city for young families in Virginia, and we have to say, we agree whole-heartedly! The article cites that about 40 percent of households are families with children, which is the highest percentage of any city in the state. Pair that with fabulous schools, lots of family-friendly activities and beautiful scenery, and you’ve got a recipe for a great place to raise your family.

Gainesville District Supervisor Peter Candland commented for Bristow Beat on the nerdwallet.com findings, saying he isn’t surprised:

“Gainesville is a great place to live, work, and play. We have parks, schools, churches, and shopping so conveniently located that families can spend more time together and less time traveling to and from various events. Part of what makes Gainesville so great is a real sense of community within our neighborhoods and schools. Families can find a place to belong and become actively involved in the community. With the scenic Bull Run Mountains and the beauty of the Rural Crescent as backdrops, Gainesville combines the best of suburbia and wide open spaces. It is an idyllic slice of heaven right here in northern Virginia.”

Here are just a few reasons to bring your family to Gainesville:

Affordability – According to the nerdwallet.com survey, the median home value is $408,100, but when you compare that to the median annual family income for 2013 of $138,125 you are looking at an affordable equation for homeowners.

Growth and prosperity – According to the nerdwallet.com survey, family income has grown over 67 percent in the past 14 years. Though this community still provides a smaller-town community feel, it has definitely experienced significant growth in the past decade. According to bestplaces.net, Gainesville has grown183.53 percent since 2000!

Family friendliness – Gainesville and the surrounding area offer many family-friendly activities. You’re just an hour drive from the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains where you can experience the natural beauty of Virginia as you travel through the rolling hills, camp in the crisp mountain air or hike the beginner- and kid-friendly Old Rag. Teach your kids to golf at one of the area’s scenic golf clubs (or get a sitter and unwind on your own). Enjoy great food at one of Gainesville’s many family-friendly restaurants like Pizza NY Margherita or Grafton Street Irish Restaurant and Pub.

Educational quality – GreatSchools ranked Gainesville schools with an 8 out of 10, while the state average is 5.7. Gainesville schools are part of the Prince William County Public School District, which was also ranked in the top 8 percent in the U.S. (by Washington Post High School Challenge). Given those numbers, there’s no wonder why families with young children are flocking to this community! Find more information by visiting the Prince William County Public Schools website.

Beautiful communities – With nice houses come perks like great community amenities. Gainesville communities offer beautify scenery, landscaping and trees, walking paths, playgrounds, pools, golf courses and more.

We’re proud of Gainesville’s number one status and its many attractions. If you would like to know more about the area’s neighborhoods, call Jacobson Realty and Home Staging today at 703-338-9678, or emailBelinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

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

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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 I

half-packed boxes

When people think of moving, usually images of half-packed boxes and household chaos come to mind. What most people don’t consider is what happens before the move, before the home buying and even before the financing. Yet this early step is one of the most important – deciding which community to live in. In speaking with folks in Western Prince William County (namely, Bristow, Gainesville and Haymarket), we’ve been asking what drew them to the area and how they made the final decision to move here. Here are just two aspects of Western Prince William County that were mentioned over and over.

Location

We know real estate is all about location, but in the case of Western Prince William County, location means something other than “we want to be near the city.” In fact, of the people we spoke with, most wanted access to Washington D.C. and the Metro area but didn’t necessarily want to be that close to the Capital. What they wanted was a nice little escape when they returned home from a long day at work. Western Prince William, with the Bull Run Mountains in the backdrop and its rural roots juxtaposed with contemporary conveniences made these folks want to call Western Prince William County home. And while residents of Western Prince William County appreciate the natural beauty of the area, they also enjoy easy access to shopping and dining. From the quaint shops and cafes of Old Town Haymarket to the restaurants and stores of Atlas Walk and Route 29, this area has something for just about every taste.

Schools

For families with children, schools are a major concern. Whether families want to send their children to private or public schools, quality of education is crucial. Western Prince William County is fortunate to have some of the best schools in the area. The award winning public and private schools are accredited and have excellent academic and athletic reputations, as well as active, supportive parent teacher organizations.

According to Prince William County Schools (PWCS), recent state test scores show PWCS scored above other Virginia counties in just about every area. In reading and writing, PWCS outperformed the state on six of seven reading tests and equaled the state on the other. On high school reading, PWCS improved and had a pass rate of 90 percent. PWCS outperformed the state on all three writing tests. In science, PWCS met or exceeded state performance on four of six science tests. In history and social science, PWCS met or exceeded state performance on eight of nine history/social science tests.

In addition to having excellent K-12 schools, Western Prince William has college campuses right next door in Manassas. George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College offer local options for higher education, as do some private colleges and career schools. We could go on about Western Prince William County and what makes it a viable place to live, and we will in Part II. For now, however, we will leave you with this thought. If you are considering a move and would like to know more about this growing but connected community, call Belinda Jacobson-Loehle at 703-338-9678 or email Belinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

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Using QR Codes to Buy and Sell Real Estate

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Using QR Codes to Buy and Sell Real Estate

A QR Code or “quick response” code will help you buy and sell real estate by saving you time if your are a buyer and by providing convenience to your marketing effort if you are a seller! It’s a win-win for every buyer and seller and QR codes will soon be the norm for real estate marketing.

QR code

You will see QR codes on many yard signs and in various marketing materials. Although it’s a funny looking square code it is similar to a bar code in that it provides detailed information in a small concise format, but it is much more powerful. A buyer will scan the code from the yard sign with their mobile device and it will “quickly” direct them to the property details such as price, photo’s and material facts about the property. No more phone calls to an agent, and no waiting to find out if the property is in your price range. For the seller, you are providing convenience to the buyer and accurate information in a timely manner.  No more worries about whether there are enough flyers in the brochure box to last through the weekend.

To get started you need to download the “free” scanning software/app for your mobile device, which includes smart phones, ipads, or something similar.  Just search for a QR scanner on the mobile device and download the best one for your product. Once downloaded, press the scanner button, aim the device at the QR code you want to read and it will quickly provide you the details. It’s fun, it’s easy and it’s an effect  real estate tool for buyers and sellers to use. To understand what I am saying try scanning the QR code above. If you need any help contact me at 703-338-9678 or via email, Belinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.

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