Community

WEEKEND SNAPSHOT: CHERRY BLOSSOM VIEWING & EVENTS

You can’t think of Spring in the DC area an not think of the Cherry Blossoms! This year is the 103rd Anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees from Japan as a symbol of friendship with the United States. The Cherry Blossoms have bloomed and we’ve got the scoop on some fun (and free!) events, along with creative ways to view the blooms at their peak in the Tidal Basin.

National Cherry Blossom
Festival Parade
Saturday, April 11, 10AM – 12PM
Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th streets NW
The festival’s final weekend is capped off by a pink-focused parade and street festival. Watch as blossom-themed floats, giant balloons, marching bands and famous entertainers cruise down Constitution Avenue. The parade is free, but if you’d like grandstand seating, tickets start at $20.

Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival
Saturday, April 11, 10:30AM – 6PM
Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 9th and 14th streets
The Sakura Matsuri festival is the largest one-day celebration of Japanese culture in the US, featuring food vendors, crafts, 50+ cultural groups and performances, and more. Tickets are $8 in advance online; day-of tickets are $10 online or at the gate, or $5 after 3 p.m. Kids age 12 and younger get in for free.

JS Realty Navy Pouring Water — navymemorial.org

24th Annual Blessing of the Fleets Ceremony
Saturday, April 11, 1 – 5PM
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Navy Ceremonial Guardsmen pour water from the Seven Seas into the Memorial’s fountains “charging” them to life. Visitors can see exhibits and sample Navy Bean soup prepared by Navy Culinary Specialists.

Flower Power
Sunday, April 12, 12 – 4PM
ARCH Development Corporation, 1231 Good Hope Road SE, Washington DC
The afternoon includes live music inspired by the 60s; a DJ with retro beats; floral arranging classes; artworks comprised hundreds of fake flower petals; gardening tips – and more!

Anacostia River Festival
Sunday, April 12, 12 – 4PM
Anacostia Park, Anacostia Drive & Good Hope Road SE
This FREE event will bring together residents from across the region to engage in hands-on art workshops, musical performances, tours of historic Anacostia, boating and even fishing workshops!

Spend more time enjoying the beautiful blossoms!

Hop a Shuttle
DC Circulator is operating a special shuttle between Hains Point and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial thru April 12. The shuttle service is $1 per person and runs daily from 10am to 7pm. Click here to view all of the stops on the map.

JS Realty River Boat DC CREDIT momentsbycharlesmartin — Photo: momentsbycharlesmartin.com

Take a Water Shuttle
Hop aboard a water taxi to the Tidal basin from Georgetown and enjoy viewing the blossoms from the water along the way. Tickets are $15 round trip or $10 one way, and must be purchased online in advance from www.DC-Watertaxi.com

Walking Around
The cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin are just a short walk from many Metro stations, including:
Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter
Federal Triangle
Foggy Bottom–GWU
L’Enfant Plaza
Smithsonian

Biking
Several major bicycle trails wind their way to and through Washington, DC. During the Festival, supplemental bike parking is offered at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. A map showing the location of bike parking is available on the National Park Service website.

Capital Bikeshare will also have corrals available this weekend: April 12 & 13 from 10AM – 5PM. The corrals will be at Ohio Drive & West Basin Drive SW / MLK & FDR Memorials station.

Visit goDCgo’s Interactive Map to view bike lanes, trails and Capital Bikeshare locations.

View From Anywhere via the “Cherry Blossom Cam”!
If you can’t make it down to see the blooms in person, EarthCam and the National Park Service have partnered together to provide a 24/7 livestream of the cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Click here to see the Cherry Blossom Cam!

Take advantage of living so close to the nation’s Capitol this weekend and head downtown to enjoy the great weather and beautiful Cherry Blossoms! And if you’re looking for a change of scenery, we can help you find the “perfect spot” to call home! Contact us today for a free home consultation!

The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

9 Fun Ways to Have a Date in Brambleton

Looking to take your sweetheart on a date? No need to travel too far, there is plenty to do here in our own Brambleton community!

1 – The Tried & True Dinner and a Movie
Start your night at the Blue Ridge Grill and dine al fresco on some fresh made crab cakes or a delicious steak. Then, stroll right over to our very own Regal Fox Stadium to see the latest movie of your choice – fantastic stadium seating and movies in IMAX!

2 – The New Dinner and a Movie – at the same time!
Regal Fox Stadium now offers a full menu with burgers and fries, spicy chicken sandwiches, and more!

3 – Practice Your Serve!
Play a little tennis at our very own tennis courts, located in Legacy Park. Afterwards, walk over to the Town Center and cool off with a sweet treat from Sweet Frog or Cold Stone Creamery.

4 – FORE!
Grab a couple of freshly made sandwiches and cool drinks from Scotto’s and head on over to the Brambleton Golf Course for a fun round of golf.

5 – Picnic in the Park
Order up a fresh wood grilled pizza and salad from Papa Tony’s, grab a blanket, and pick any one of Brambleton’s many relaxing park areas.

6 – Get Your Groove On
Brambleton has a Sizzlin’ Summer concert series on select Thursday’s in June, July & August! Bring some blankets, chairs and a cooler to dance the night away under the stars.

7 – Sunday Funday
Peet’s Coffee & Tea serves up your favorite brewed beverage! Grab your favorite beverage and walk over to Brambleton’s very own Farmer’s Market (Sundays, May – November) for fresh treats, local produce and even a wine tasting.

8 – Feeling Exotic?
Try a refreshingly unique cocktail at My Thai Place and a delicious dinner, sure to satisfy your taste buds.

9 – Check out the Local Brews
Coming soon to Brambleton! Lost Rhino Retreat will be the perfect place to grab a seat on the patio, sample locally brewed beer and enjoy a menu of vibrant, exciting food.

Brambleton offers so many unique and entertaining options for a perfect date – and it’s all right here in your backyard!

The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

MARKET REPORT FOR ASHBURN, VA

From the number of active homes on the market to the number of homes sold so far this year, the JS Realty Team will keep you updated on the Ashburn Real Estate market.

As of April 5, 2015 there are currently 473 homes on the market in Ashburn Virginia. Ranging from a 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo listed for $182,900 to a gorgeous home sitting on over 11 acres that boasts over 8,000 finished square feet of living space for $2,499,990. The median list price is $515,000 – which is slightly above the median list price for Loudoun County ($500,000).

This chart shows the median sales price vs. sales volume. Home prices typically follow sales volume with, of course, a little lag time. (Click image to enlarge)

So far in 2015, Ashburn Virginia has seen a pretty steady pace of sales with 280 homes sold. Inventory typically increases this time of year and we are looking forward to a busy spring market. All the signs are there – low interest rates, slowly rising home prices, as well as buyers and sellers looking to make a move.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home this year Scott Koval and Sarah King Taylor of the JS Realty Team would be glad to meet with you to discuss your options. In our initial consultation, we focus on finding out exactly what our clients are looking to accomplish and then we will map out a plan of action to help them achieve their goals.

Contact us today – we are here to help you!

The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

SPRING EVENTS IN BRAMBLETON

Its Easter weekend and Spring Break is almost over. But that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Check out the events happening in Brambleton this spring! Please note: Events marked with an * denotes a Brambleton residents only event.

3^rd Annual Brambleton Bunny Trail*
Saturday, April 11^th – 10AM – 2PM
This free event is great for kids 6 and under. Stroll along a portion of the Brambleton Trail System and visit vendors along the way where you will participate in a craft or activity. At the end of the trail you will be able to hunt for eggs at the Little Smiles Egg Hunt and visit the petting zoo. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Please register each child that will participate, not the family. All ages are welcome to walk the trail but the egg hunt is for registered kids aged 6 and under. Register Here

Brambleton Ribbon Run 5k & 10k Run / Walk & Kids Fun Run
Saturday, April 18
7:30AM: 5K & 10K start
9:15AM: Kids’ Fun Run starts
The Race benefits the Step Sisters’ mission to improve the quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer by funding needed support services in Loudoun County and the surrounding community. Race Day Features USATF Certified Course, post-race grab-n-go breakfast provided by Blue Ridge Grill, and a sponsor showcase including free seated massages by LifeTime Fitness’ LifeSpa! More Info

Spring Yard Sale
Saturday, April 25^th – 8AM – 12PM
Brambleton’s Spring Yard Sale is scheduled for April 25th, and there are two ways to participate as a seller:

FROM YOUR HOME – If you would like your home added to the list of homes participating, please register online. You do not have to register to participate from your home. Your address will be included in the list of participating homes that will be available on our website, Facebook page, Friday Flash and handed out at the Community Center the day of the event.
AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER – If you would like to have a spot at the Community Center, please Register Here. Cost is $10 per spot and includes 2 parking stalls to display your items. You can purchase more than one spot if necessary. You will be allowed to set up as early as 6:30 AM, and cars need to be parked no later than 7:45 AM. You will receive spot assignments the week of the yard sale. After registration please bring in or mail your registration fee to the HOA office.

Loudoun Lyme 5k & 10k
Sunday, May 17
8AM: 10K begins / 8:10AM: 5K beings / 9:30AM: 1K begins
Fite the Bite 1K Fun Run, 5K & 10K Run / Walk. All net proceeds will go directly to the National Capital Lyme Disease Association and will be used to educate the public and physicians about symptoms, diagnosis, treatments and methods of prevention. Race Days features Children’s activities and games, DJ and music, and information fair featuring health professionals and specialists, county officials, veterinarians, and local vendors. Kick-off ceremony to include local politicians. Family-friendly and fun event! More Info

Inaugural Bram Brew Fest!
Presented by Lost Rhino
Saturday, May 30th – 1-6PM
We are excited to feature over 20 local breweries throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. This event will also include food trucks, live music and other fun beer related activities!
Tickets: $30 at the gate ~ includes entrance/ tasting glass/ 6 tastings.
$10 Designated Drive ticket (21 years of age) and $10 Underage Ticket (13 – 20 years of age). Kids 12 and under are free. Keep an eye on the Friday Flash and Facebook for Early Bird announcements. Sign-up for Friday Flash here.

Interested in those “Resident Only” events? Contact us today and we can help you find your new home in this amazing community.”

The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

BUYING A HOME IN BRAMBLETON

Buying a home should be an exciting experience! When you finally decided “it’s time”, the JS Realty Team is ready to help guide you every step of the way. We are happy to make a recommendation for financing with one of our trusted lenders. We will put you in touch right away, so you can begin to understand how much you can afford and which financing options are the best for you.

Once you have the financing portion started, and you have determined your purchasing power, your designated agent with The JS Realty Team @ Samson Properties will schedule a home tour. Allow approximately 2-3 hours for your tour depending on your home selection. You are welcome to ride along with your agent, or follow along in your own vehicle.

We want to know more about your needs, and we will set aside time to learn more about you and help guide you on what is going to be the best fit for you. Our experience shows us that most buyers will narrow down their selection to 4-5 homes – from which they will choose one. When there are more homes than that on the tour, it probably means the agent didn’t narrow down enough “specifics”, or you are in luck with a massive inventory in your area and price range and are not too “picky”. You can help narrow down time by browsing through the photos and home features in the MLS listing your agent has sent you and eliminating any homes that are not strong candidates for your selection.

Suggestions for a productive home tour:

Have all decision makers on the tour
Be prepared with things to keep the kids busy on the tour so you can focus on notes and questions
Bring a digital camera and take pictures of each home or better yet, capture video. Your smart phone is great for this. Your agent would be happy to follow along and record for you so you can take notes.
Have a pen/pencil and notepad to make notes. You will forget. It’s important to note LIKES and DISLIKES for each home. Example: Island in kitchen is amazing. 2^nd bedroom room for nursery is a bit small. Love the tub in the master bathroom! Home will need a deck.
Upon leaving each home, rank the home on a 1-10 scale on how likely you would be to write a compelling offer.
During the hot months, frozen bottles of water are a great idea for the trip. Some homes will not have power or air conditioning. In the cold months, remember your jacket and gloves.
Don’t wear shoes that you are worried about scuffing. You will be walking the lots to learn more about the property; keep in mind being able to be comfortable inside the home and out.
Be prepared to write an offer. Remember you are looking to buy a home so there is not much sense in touring homes when you are not prepared to buy, as those homes are certain to not be available at a later date.

If we have done our job, as your Brambleton real estate agent, you are prepared, have selected strong candidates, have your financing ready, have a comfortable knowledge of the process and you are ready to buy.

Think you are ready to start the buying process? CONTACT US TODAY. We’d love to help you get started!

The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

TRANSPORTATION IN BRAMBLETON

A number of options for transportation can be found in and around Brambleton. From ridesharing to the BRAM Bus, you’re sure to find a solution to fit your needs!

PARK & RIDE
Brambleton
42790 Creighton Road
(east of Route 659)
Service to DC Schedule

Goose Creek Village
20785 Century Corner Drive
Silver Line Service

RIDESHARING NETWORK
Loudoun County Transit and Commuter Services (part of the Commuter Connections Network) offers a free ridesharing network. Contact the Office of Transportation Services at 703-771-5665 or send an email to rideshare@loudoun.gov

BRAMBLETON BUS
Brambleton is looking to hire a friendly and experienced bus driver with a VA CDL driver’s License with a Passenger (P) endorsement. This person should be customer service oriented, able to work a flexible schedule with some nights and weekends, and should be able to work independently. Applications and other position related questions can be emailed to Beth.Huck@brambleton.org. Fill out the application here (Requisition #2706).

COMMUTER CONNECTION
Commuter Connections can provide you with information on all your commute options, so you can make a smart choice about how you travel to work. Commuter Connections also helps employers establish commuting benefits and assistance programs, including telework/telecommute programs, for their employees.

And for individuals who take greener trips and like to be rewarded for it, check out the NuRide website. Sign up (it’s free!) and get rewards when you walk, bike, telecommute and more!

STATE & COUNTY TRANSPORTATION
Construction projects that are being considered or planned in and around the Brambleton area can be found here.

Tired of your commute? Looking for a new community to call home? CONTACT US today for details on the amazing properties we have available in Brambleton!

The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

BRAMBLETON DAIRY BARN TO UNDERGO RENOVATION

Exciting News! The JS Realty Team was among the first Real Estate teams to be shown the newly approved renovation project site in Brambleton! The old Dairy Barn is about to undergo a major renovation/transformation – it will become the new Performing Arts Center! Just imagine… musicians and concerts, plays, even large events (weddings!) will be right in our backyard. Here’s a sneak peek:

The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

A BUYERS GUIDE TO PURCHASING A HOME – Part 2 of 2

If you missed the first part of our Buyers Guide to Purchasing a Home, you can find it here.

One of the most rewarding experiences is finding the perfect home at the right price for our home buyer. The JS Realty Team strives to find that perfect match. From the initial consultation to celebration/settlement day, we guide our buyers through the entire home buying process.

Congratulations – your offer has been accepted! Here are the next steps that need to take place in order to complete the transaction.

1. Home Inspection – the first step after ratification is to schedule the home inspection. At the same time as the home inspection, we will schedule any other inspections we deem necessary. We will meet our buyer and Inspector at the home for the inspection. After a thorough inspection, the Inspector will provide us with a full report of the good features as well as areas of concern about the home. We will review this report with our buyer and decide which items we will ask the seller to fix. If there are major concerns that make the buyer too uneasy about the home then we will void the contract and search for other homes. If the buyer and seller agree to the home inspection terms, then we will move on to the next step. As long as we are comfortable with the inspections, we will proceed.

Note: At this time the buyer has 2 responsibilities: to secure their loan and to obtain homeowners insurance. We handle all facets of the transaction except for these 2 items.

2. Order an Appraisal – the next major step is for the buyer’s Lender to order the appraisal. If the property appraises at or above sales price then we will release the appraisal contingency.

3. HOA Disclosure Packet – also at this time, the buyer will be receiving the HOA Disclosure packet if the home is located in a community that has a HOA. The buyer will have a certain time period, based on method of delivery, to read the disclosure packet and by Virginia law if they are not content with the rules and finances of the community, the buyer can void the contract.

4. Schedule Settlement Date/Utility Transfer – now that home inspection, appraisal and HOA disclosure contingencies are released we are moving towards settlement/celebration day. We will coordinate a date/time for settlement, and help our buyer schedule the transfer of utilities to their name as of the settlement day.

5. Final Walk-thru – a walk-thru of the home is performed, at the very least the day before settlement. This is where all repairs from the home inspection will be checked to make sure they were made to our satisfaction. We will also run any and all mechanical items to make sure the home is in the same condition as it was on the day we performed the initial home inspection. If there are any discrepancies we will address them with the seller’s agent and have the issues resolved.

6. Settlement/Celebration Day! When settlement/celebration day arrives, we will accompany our buyer to settlement and make sure all the figures on the HUD-1 are correct and help answer any last minute questions our buyer might have.

The JS Realty Team really cherishes this moment for our buyers. From the initial consultation until we reach settlement day, we will work hard to overcome the many obstacles of buying a home to ensure a smooth transaction for our clients. Our satisfaction comes from seeing our happy buyers and in knowing that we have created a relationship that will last a lifetime. The JS Realty Team is not interested in a single transaction, but in forming a relationship with our clients so they know we will be there to help them with their Real Estate needs now and in the future.

The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

BRAMBLETON PARKS & ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

There’s no doubt Loudoun County has tons of kid-friendly places. But did you know how many fun parks, ponds, stores and events were right in our Brambleton backyard?!

RESIDENT EXCLUSIVE EVENTS

3^rd Annual Brambleton Bunny Trail
Saturday, April 11^th – 10AM – 2PM
This free event is great for kids 6 and under. Stroll along a portion of the Brambleton Trail System and visit vendors along the way where you will participate in a craft or activity. At the end of the trail you will be able to hunt for eggs at the Little Smiles Egg Hunt and visit the petting zoo. This event is for Brambleton residents only and REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Please register each child that will participate, not the family. All ages are welcome to walk the trail but the egg hunt is for registered kids aged 6 and under.

Family Comedy Night
Saturday, April 25^th – Shows at 6:30PM & 8PM
We are excited to bring Taylor Mason to the community! Taylor Mason’s quick wit, flawless comedy delivery, unparalleled ventriloquism skills and brilliant material make him a hit with audiences of all ages. He is a ventriloquist, musician and stand-up comedian and also won Star Search in 1990, beating out some of the best known comics in the country. Show is rated PG; $15 per person. There will be two 30-45 minute shows: 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM at the Brambleton Corner Clubhouse. Tickets are limited, so purchase before they sell out. Please email events@brambleton.org with any questions.

SHOP/DINE AT BRAMBLETON TOWN CENTER

Go Bananas
Not your average toy store! Their Exclusive In-Store Birthday Vault was designed just for kids. It is a hands-on gift registry where they “put on hold” those special toys your child dreams of. But you will love it because it will eliminate duplicate gifts and the items are those you have already given your approval. Check out all the fun details here!

FROOTS
Eat, Drink and Be Healthy! Whether it’s meal time or snack time, Froots has something for everyone to enjoy, including a breakfast menu that is served all day! Check out their website for more details.

BRAMBLETON COMMUNITY PARKS
A wide array of parks located throughout Brambleton are available to serve the leisure and recreational needs of all Brambleton owners, residents, and their guests. Each park is open between dawn and dusk. Residents accessing parks need to be considerate of adjacent neighbors by using designated trails only. Please do not cut through residential lots.

Belmont Trace Park is located on either side of Connie Marie Terrace, just off Belmont Ridge Road and south Creighton Road, this park boasts a Gazebo, Open Play Field, Outdoor Basketball Court, Outdoor Volleyball Court, and Playground.

Brandt Park consists of playground, swings, and access to Brambleton’s trail system. The park is located on Amber Grove Drive near the intersection of Tradewind and Amber Grove, just west of Northstar Blvd..

Callalily Park consists of playground, swings, open playfield, and access to Brambleton’s trail system. The park is located on Minerva Drive at the intersection of Callalily Way, just west of Creighton Corners Elementary.

Dragonfly Park is a small park on Legacy Park Drive between the Community Center and Legacy Elementary and provides passive enjoyment and a beautiful view of Brambleton’s 2nd largest pond. Residents can also access the pond for shoreline fishing from this location. Remember, Brambleton’s pond should only be fished on a “catch & release” basis.

Explorer Park is a small pocket park with a large hill that is used in the winter for sledding. The park also has an open playfield that can be used for neighborhood pickup games by the children. Located on Minerva Drive at the intersection of Explorer Drive.

Legacy Park is central to the community and all it’s activities. An 11-acre park located along Legacy Park Drive between Belmont Ridge Road and Olympia Drive, this park features 2 playgrounds, Basketball Court, Climbing Structures, Lighted Tennis Courts, Open Playfield, Natural Pond, Swings, and Waterfalls! The park is bordered by Belmont Ridge Road, Olympia Drive, Greenside Drive, and Legacy Park Drive. This park is open between dawn and dusk to all Brambleton owners, for residents, and their guests; with exception of the tennis courts. The lights on the tennis courts operate from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Keep your assessments down; please be sure to turn off the lights when exiting the courts!

Morning Walk Park features a playground with swings, trails and open playfields. The park is located on Morning Walk Drive at the intersection of Winter Haven Drive.

Woolsey Park consists of a playground, swings, and open playfield. The park is located on Woolsey Drive just south of Frontier Drive.

Tradewind Park this playground also has a rock climber. The park is located on Tradewind Drive near the intersection of Dove Wing.

Trent Grove Park consists of playground, swings, and open playfield. The park is located on Grahams Stable Square at the intersection of Boca Field Terrace.

Overlook East Park consists of a climbing structure and provides a great view for Briar Woods football or soccer games. The park is located adjacent to the water towers on Highcroft Terrace.

The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

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