So you are thinking of moving or taking a vacation to Manassas Virginia… I have lived in the Manassas area all my life, so I know a little something about this town.
Manassas is located in Prince William County. It is 27 miles west of Washington DC. Manassas is mostly known for the Manassas National Battlefield Park. There were two major Civil War battles held at the spot. The first battle was held on July 21. 1861. Almost a million people visit the Manassas battlefield a year.
Manassas has its own airport called the Manassas Regional airport, also known as Harry Davis Field. At the airport there is a stop for the Virginia Railway Express. (VRE). The VRE connects Manassas are commuters to Washington Dc. The airport is home to many private jets and private plane owners
Northern Virginia community college has a Manassas campus located right outside the Manassas Battlefield. Also Strayer University, George Mason University, and ECPI College of technology have campuses in Manassas
Manassas has three high schools. Osborn which is located in the city of Manassas, Stonewall Jackson and Osborn Park which are both located in Prince William County. The city of Manassas Park has their own high school Manassas Park High.
The major highways of Manassas are route 234 which connects I-95 and Route 66. Route 66 goes from Washington DC to Winchester. IT passes through Manassas.
On October 9, 2002, the 11th of the Beltway Sniper attacks occurred in Manassas at a Sunoco station on route 234/Sudley road.
Located within minutes from Manassas is the Jiffy Lube Live pavilion which is home to many concerts everywhere. Also there is a water park located right outside of the neighborhood Sudley. The water park is called Splash Down and it is primarily open in the summer and spring months.
for more information on manassas visit my website http://www.chriscolgan.com/
Updates on the Northern Virginia real estate market by the Chris Colgan Team Re/Max Regency
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Money for Down Payment by Jeffrey S. Ragan
Oh you are so excited, you found the perfect home and are ready to sign on the dotted line. Oops...money for down payment? What do you mean! I have to give you some money! Unfortunately, many first time home buyers forget this important part of buying a home. They have looked into their finances and decided they could afford the mortgage payment. But, forgot to save the money for down payment. Let us take a look at what you might be able to do.
Here are some things you might check into:
•Down payment assistance programs
•Home mortgage grants
•Start a savings program
•Tax return money
•Take on a second job
Down Payment Assistance Programs
There are many programs out there for home buyers that need money for down payment. You just have to search your local and state agencies to see what is available for your state. There are also many nonprofit charitable organizations and community groups that will help home buyers with money for down payment. You just have to find out what their requirements are. These too you can search your local and state housing authorities for what will work in your state.
Home Mortgage Grants
Each state may have home mortgage grants that will help with the money for down payment. Usually a grant does not have to be paid back. Some of these grants have a catch to them. You may be required to live in the home a certain number of years for the money to be classified a grant. If you moved before the yearly requirement, you may have to pay the money back. So make sure you plan to live in the home for the number of years they require, otherwise your grant then becomes a loan.
Most states only have so much money each year for the grant program. Once the money is gone, you have to wait until the next year. So act quickly with your research and grant application process.
Start a Savings Program
If you have time to save, start a savings program. This is one of the best ways to obtain the money for down payment. Take some money out of every check and put it in savings. Ideally the same amount out each check will grow quickly. Take a close look at your spending habits. Could you cut back on eating out? Perhaps pack a lunch for work. Many people spend an easy $7 to $10 for lunch everyday. That could add up to $35 to $50 a week. There is the money you can save for your down payment.
Save Your Tax Return Money
Many plan their withholdings so they get a huge tax return every year. So if saving is hard for you, then change your withholdings to single zero. Now you will have a huge return. But do not spend that return. Put that money in an account for your down payment. Just changing your withholding could allow you to save money for down payment!
Take a Second Job
If all else fails, you could get a second job or if your in construction you could take on side jobs and save those earnings for money for down payment. Remember this is temporary and save all you make so you will have that down payment quickly.
So do not get discouraged. It is possible to obtain money for down payment. There are other possibilities like using a loan program that will allow gift money. Then a family member could gift you that money. Or perhaps there are things you could sell. All of us have many things we do not really use.
All of these options may take some time and effort. But before long you will have the money needed. What a great feeling to own your own home!
About the Author
Jeffrey Ragan has several years of experience helping people reach their goals and wants to help you learn more about assistance for first time home buyers available and other helpful information on their website, First-Time-Home-Buyer-Solutions.com.
Here are some things you might check into:
•Down payment assistance programs
•Home mortgage grants
•Start a savings program
•Tax return money
•Take on a second job
Down Payment Assistance Programs
There are many programs out there for home buyers that need money for down payment. You just have to search your local and state agencies to see what is available for your state. There are also many nonprofit charitable organizations and community groups that will help home buyers with money for down payment. You just have to find out what their requirements are. These too you can search your local and state housing authorities for what will work in your state.
Home Mortgage Grants
Each state may have home mortgage grants that will help with the money for down payment. Usually a grant does not have to be paid back. Some of these grants have a catch to them. You may be required to live in the home a certain number of years for the money to be classified a grant. If you moved before the yearly requirement, you may have to pay the money back. So make sure you plan to live in the home for the number of years they require, otherwise your grant then becomes a loan.
Most states only have so much money each year for the grant program. Once the money is gone, you have to wait until the next year. So act quickly with your research and grant application process.
Start a Savings Program
If you have time to save, start a savings program. This is one of the best ways to obtain the money for down payment. Take some money out of every check and put it in savings. Ideally the same amount out each check will grow quickly. Take a close look at your spending habits. Could you cut back on eating out? Perhaps pack a lunch for work. Many people spend an easy $7 to $10 for lunch everyday. That could add up to $35 to $50 a week. There is the money you can save for your down payment.
Save Your Tax Return Money
Many plan their withholdings so they get a huge tax return every year. So if saving is hard for you, then change your withholdings to single zero. Now you will have a huge return. But do not spend that return. Put that money in an account for your down payment. Just changing your withholding could allow you to save money for down payment!
Take a Second Job
If all else fails, you could get a second job or if your in construction you could take on side jobs and save those earnings for money for down payment. Remember this is temporary and save all you make so you will have that down payment quickly.
So do not get discouraged. It is possible to obtain money for down payment. There are other possibilities like using a loan program that will allow gift money. Then a family member could gift you that money. Or perhaps there are things you could sell. All of us have many things we do not really use.
All of these options may take some time and effort. But before long you will have the money needed. What a great feeling to own your own home!
About the Author
Jeffrey Ragan has several years of experience helping people reach their goals and wants to help you learn more about assistance for first time home buyers available and other helpful information on their website, First-Time-Home-Buyer-Solutions.com.
Getting the Lowest Mortgage Interest Rates Possible by Naomi Smith
Today it is possible even in the current economic climate to get some good low interests rates on mortgages. Of course you can spend several hours or days looking at the mortgages available and comparing the rates that come with them. But if you would really like to improve the chances you getting lowest mortgage interest rates possible there are certain things that you should consider doing.
In this article we offer a few tips that you may find extremely useful and which help you to qualify for a better rate of interest on the mortgage you take out.
Tip 1 – If you can you should try and arrange to make as large a contribution as you can with regards to the down payment on the property that you want to purchase. Many lenders are happy for us to provide a down payment of around 20% of the value of the property to be purchased. However if you are able to make a much larger down payment of course you will need to borrow less.
The less you borrow then of course the lower the rate of interest charged on the mortgage will be. Plus of course this in turn means that the amount you are expected to pay each month is going to be considerably less. So as a result making the mortgage a great deal easier to manage.
Tip 2 – Although the idea of being able to pay back the mortgage early seems like a good option. It is far better if you choose to go for a long term mortgage loan as this means that the amount that you will be asked to pay each month to repay it will be considerably less.
Tip 3 – When it comes to you purchasing a house you need to make sure that you work out how much you can realistically afford to spend each month on your repayments. The most effective way of doing this and so help you to get the lowest mortgage interest rates possible is use an online mortgage calculator. After supplying the information requested the calculator then will show you exactly how you can expect to have to make in monthly repayments.
In this article we offer a few tips that you may find extremely useful and which help you to qualify for a better rate of interest on the mortgage you take out.
Tip 1 – If you can you should try and arrange to make as large a contribution as you can with regards to the down payment on the property that you want to purchase. Many lenders are happy for us to provide a down payment of around 20% of the value of the property to be purchased. However if you are able to make a much larger down payment of course you will need to borrow less.
The less you borrow then of course the lower the rate of interest charged on the mortgage will be. Plus of course this in turn means that the amount you are expected to pay each month is going to be considerably less. So as a result making the mortgage a great deal easier to manage.
Tip 2 – Although the idea of being able to pay back the mortgage early seems like a good option. It is far better if you choose to go for a long term mortgage loan as this means that the amount that you will be asked to pay each month to repay it will be considerably less.
Tip 3 – When it comes to you purchasing a house you need to make sure that you work out how much you can realistically afford to spend each month on your repayments. The most effective way of doing this and so help you to get the lowest mortgage interest rates possible is use an online mortgage calculator. After supplying the information requested the calculator then will show you exactly how you can expect to have to make in monthly repayments.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Dealing With Bad Neighbors Without Losing It
Dealing With Bad Neighbors Without Losing It
By: Roby Pagong
Looking for the right neighborhood includes knowing your potential neighbors. If you want to have quiet nights and peaceful weekends, it is essential that you spend some time knowing about the type of neighbors you are going to live next to. You can spend talk to the people there and ask about how the environment is at night and during the weekends. You can also rent a room there for at least two nights to have a feel of how the neighborhood is.
Although you are careful, there is still a risk of having a bad neighbor. You may be living next to a person who creates a lot of noise. Some families just love to yell at each other. There are also those who host a party almost every day or have their friends over almost every night. Aside from noisy neighbors, you might also end up with neighbors who love to gossip about things that are none of their business. They ask about what you do and fabricate stories about it. So what would be the best approach to deal with these types of neighbors?
<>Dealing with bad neighbors
There are several approaches you can use but the best would be to communicate with your neighbor. Tell them what is bothering you and tell them in a nice way. If they are creating a lot of noise, then go talk to them. Ask them to turn down the volume. Most neighbors would not want to cause trouble. They just need to be reminded. Often, if their attention were not called, they would think that what they are doing is all right.
Sometimes, talking to your neighbors will resolve not anything. It can be tiring to go up to their front door and say the same thing over and over again. If this happens, then take note of the different incidents. Record the details of the events including what happened, the date and its time. If you can, take pictures of the incident or take a video of it, then do so. This will be helpful in the future especially if this will become a legal issue.
You need to familiarize the HOA rules as well. You need to have basis if you are going to file a complaint. Take note of the incident and list the section in the HOA manual that your neighbor has broken. Apart from the rules, it is essential that you know the steps you need to do when you complain against your neighbors. You do not want it to be ignored because of technicalities, would you? You should also know about the ensuing steps you should pursue if your issues are not resolved.
Most importantly, be the type of neighbor that your neighbor would like to have. You cannot expect your neighbors to be good to you if you are not good to them. Assess yourself and your family. Are you loud when you have parties at your place? Do you even listen to them when they talk to you? If you want to have good neighbors, be one.
You can follow several approaches in dealing with bad neighbors. What is important is that you try to resolve it before it gets out of hand.
Author Resource:-> Visit the Whisper Rock Nearly New Homes. Check out the Whisper Rock Rental Properties and the Scottsdale AZ Houses with Swimming Pools as well.
Article From Real Estate Pro Articles
Tags: chris colgan, foreclosure, manassas, northern va, short sale, www.chriscolgan.com
By: Roby Pagong
Looking for the right neighborhood includes knowing your potential neighbors. If you want to have quiet nights and peaceful weekends, it is essential that you spend some time knowing about the type of neighbors you are going to live next to. You can spend talk to the people there and ask about how the environment is at night and during the weekends. You can also rent a room there for at least two nights to have a feel of how the neighborhood is.
Although you are careful, there is still a risk of having a bad neighbor. You may be living next to a person who creates a lot of noise. Some families just love to yell at each other. There are also those who host a party almost every day or have their friends over almost every night. Aside from noisy neighbors, you might also end up with neighbors who love to gossip about things that are none of their business. They ask about what you do and fabricate stories about it. So what would be the best approach to deal with these types of neighbors?
<>Dealing with bad neighbors
There are several approaches you can use but the best would be to communicate with your neighbor. Tell them what is bothering you and tell them in a nice way. If they are creating a lot of noise, then go talk to them. Ask them to turn down the volume. Most neighbors would not want to cause trouble. They just need to be reminded. Often, if their attention were not called, they would think that what they are doing is all right.
Sometimes, talking to your neighbors will resolve not anything. It can be tiring to go up to their front door and say the same thing over and over again. If this happens, then take note of the different incidents. Record the details of the events including what happened, the date and its time. If you can, take pictures of the incident or take a video of it, then do so. This will be helpful in the future especially if this will become a legal issue.
You need to familiarize the HOA rules as well. You need to have basis if you are going to file a complaint. Take note of the incident and list the section in the HOA manual that your neighbor has broken. Apart from the rules, it is essential that you know the steps you need to do when you complain against your neighbors. You do not want it to be ignored because of technicalities, would you? You should also know about the ensuing steps you should pursue if your issues are not resolved.
Most importantly, be the type of neighbor that your neighbor would like to have. You cannot expect your neighbors to be good to you if you are not good to them. Assess yourself and your family. Are you loud when you have parties at your place? Do you even listen to them when they talk to you? If you want to have good neighbors, be one.
You can follow several approaches in dealing with bad neighbors. What is important is that you try to resolve it before it gets out of hand.
Author Resource:-> Visit the Whisper Rock Nearly New Homes. Check out the Whisper Rock Rental Properties and the Scottsdale AZ Houses with Swimming Pools as well.
Article From Real Estate Pro Articles
Tags: chris colgan, foreclosure, manassas, northern va, short sale, www.chriscolgan.com
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
New Listing in Dominion Valley, Haymarket VA
Offered at $469,000 15059 Gaines Mill Cir Haymarket, VA
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Thursday, September 2, 2010
Kingsbrooke market update
Kingsbrooke market update
For the week of August 26 2010 – September 2 2010, 3 homes sold in Kingsbrooke Bristow VA.
9191 LOST FIELDS CT, BRISTOW, VA 20136 sold for $410,000 and the seller gave a $5000 subsidy
13527 GROUSERUN LN, BRISTOW, VA 20136 sold for $202,000
9172 LOST FIELDS CT, BRISTOW, VA 20136 sold for $415,000
To see homes for sale in Kingsbrooke visit www.ChrisColgan.com
For the week of August 26 2010 – September 2 2010, 3 homes sold in Kingsbrooke Bristow VA.
9191 LOST FIELDS CT, BRISTOW, VA 20136 sold for $410,000 and the seller gave a $5000 subsidy
13527 GROUSERUN LN, BRISTOW, VA 20136 sold for $202,000
9172 LOST FIELDS CT, BRISTOW, VA 20136 sold for $415,000
To see homes for sale in Kingsbrooke visit www.ChrisColgan.com
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