The island for sale has a few different names. According to the tax records it’s called Holiday or Dogue Island. Since the Occoquan River area where the island is located was originally inhabited by the Dogue Indians it would make sense that the island would have the same name. Unfortunately the island is not inhabitable to build a full time residence. It is used as a duck blind for the owner and can only be reached by boat.

It can be seen from the homes in the Featherstone area of Woodbridge and we snapped a picture while looking at another home for sale in the area.

If you are interested in owning an island in Woodbridge Va you can check out Dogue Island.

If you are looking for something a bit more traditional you can check out
Waterfront Property for Sale in Woodbridge VA

The home offers 2000 SF of conventional living space and then with the touch of a keypad you can open the doors and enter the former launch control center.  Now instead of launch controls you will find a pair of private suites that provide an additional 2000 SF of living space.

According to the listing brokers, Select Sotheby’s International Realty (for photos and listing information) the underground living space includes a contemporary kitchen, dining room, entertainment room and marble-lined bathrooms.  The underground space features 10 foot ceilings and simulated daylight to keep anyone living there from realizing they are underground.

Oh and there is another 9 story underground structure, the missile silo itself that could still be developed.  An entire underground condo complex perhaps?  This property takes the idea of adaptive reuse to a whole new level.

No this isn’t the piece of history you can buy.  This happens to be Gunston Hall the home of George Mason.

Most of us know about George Mason from his famous words;  “That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent natural Rights… among which are the Enjoyment of Life and Liberty, with the Means of acquiring and possessing Property, and pursuing and obtaining Happiness and Safety.”

Gunston Hall is located just a few miles from another historic home which you can buy.

One of the historic homes you can buy is  Bel Air Plantation in Woodbridge VA.  Currently offered by TTR Sothebys International Realty for $1,100,000.   At the entrance to the drive to the property is a Prince William County historical marker providing a small glimpse of the background of the property.  Built in 1740 by Major Charles Ewel the current property encompasses 25 acres.

Besides being built in a similar Georgian style, both Gunston Hall and Bel Air Plantation were frequented by George Washington on his travels up throughout Virginia.   You can legitimately say “George Washington Slept Here” if you buy this home.

Speaking of George Washington, no Mount Vernon isn’t for sale, but you could move into a condo at the recently converted George Washington Club.  Listed by Long & Foster, Inc the 3 BR/2.5 BA condo is one of four condos in the converted 1700′s property.  The George Washington Club is located just outside of Old Town Alexandria.

These are just a couple of the historical homes currently listed for sale in Fairfax and Prince William County, VA.  If you are interested in scheduling an appointment to see these homes or any of the historical properties for sale in Northern Virginia give CJ Realty Group a call at 703-346-2213.   Remember having a buyer agent to represent your interests when buying a home is critical!

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Here are a few photos from December 11, 2011 at Arlington National Cemetery.

Morrill Woster-Founder of Wreaths Across America Project

There are very few words that can convey the emotion of being involved in the event.  In the last 5 years since I’ve been volunteering I’ve  seen the number of people who arrive early on a cold December morning go from a few hundred to a few thousand.  They include active duty military, ROTC units, boy scouts, girl scouts, church groups and individuals who take time at each grave to say thank-you.

Next year it would be nice to reach the goal of 100,000 wreaths and one day see every grave have a wreath at the holiday.  I know I’ll be there again next year.

If you are thinking about buying new construction in Northern Virginia give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a call at 703-346-2213. Let’s talk about what is happening in the Northern Virginia market, new home pricing and incentives being offered by builders throughout the area. CJ Realty Group also offers our buyer’s a new construction buying credit which can add to the money you save on your bottom line. Check out our new home construction buying guide and then give us a call to schedule a meeting BEFORE you visit a Northern Virginia builder.

We are fortunate to have a wide variety of plants for our gardens in Northern Virginia.  Enjoy a quick pop of color for Easter Weekend.

Oh well actually there isn’t a Northern Virginia like there is a North or South Carolina it is just a local term.

Why do you make the distinction?

Ahhhh we just do. It is more about a difference in economics and politics than anything.

So where are the boundaries?

Hmmm, good question. Before housing developments pushed west to the Shenandoah Valley and south through Fredericksburg we would have said it was a much smaller area. Now with the expanded highways, the commuter options and employment centers are further and further outside of the beltway extending the area we consider Northern Virginia.

Okay well it seems to be clear as mud and I’m looking forward to the move. I think I’ll just tell everyone I’m moving to the State of Virginia.

Ummm, just one more little point.

What is it?

Virginia isn’t actually a state. It is a Commonwealth.

Oh come on you have got to be kidding me?

No honestly it is.

Can you vote?

Oh absolutely and Northern Virginian’s go to the polls in record numbers.

Alright I’ll bite what about Southern Virginian’s?

Oh there aren’t any Southern Virginian’s just Virginian’s.

Can I ask you one more question?

Sure what is it?

I’m flying into Washington Dulles Airport. That is in the city isn’t it?

Sigh. How much time do you have for this explanation?

So if you are relocating to Northern Virginia rest assured you won’t find it on the map anywhere but it is a great place to live with wonderful neighborhoods, loads of commuting options and some slightly confused people trying to figure out where it really is.

If you find yourself moving to Northern Virginia in the near future give me a call to talk about how I can help you find a new place to call home while you’re here.

In Virginia though the day is officially George Washington Day. Let’s face it when it comes to Virginia history, George Washington was our leading citizen. With his home Mount Vernon a living monument to his presence in our area. Fairfax County also has other historic monuments standing as part of George Washington’s legacy. His Grist Mill, where some of the finest Virgina whiskey was first brewed, Woodlawn Plantation built for his granddaughter and Pohick Church which he help design, just to name a few.

As you are out and about today in Virginia and see all of the signs celebrating Presidents Day remember that’s not the official holiday of the Commonwealth of Virginia. We’re honoring George Washington and what he did for the residents of Virginia and our nation.

If you haven’t toured George Washington’s Mount Vernon home here is a quick look around.