Join now!
User loginLocalitiesWho's your legislator?When proposed legislation threatens the value of your home, we can help you contact your legislator. Send us a tip!Have a news item you think we'd want to share? Send it to us on our contact form! Find us on...
Tell a FriendClick here to send an e-mail to friend, co-worker, neighbor, or relative about the Virginia Homeowners Alliance. Contact usVa Homeowners Alliance |
 Fairfax CountySurge in traffic expected when Army comes to Mark CenterAbout 6,400 additional commuters are expected to crowd the roads when the Army moves to the Mark Center next year, and county officials fear that the current infrastructure will be inadequate to handle the traffic. "There are people who are literally going to change jobs because of the traffic that's going to happen here," said Supervisor Pat Herrity, "It's a disaster." Needed road improvements are at least five years away, officials say. Difficult commutes and negatively impact property values, as would-be home buyers look for houses served by better transportation options. Read more from The Washington Examiner.... Posted on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 - 8:50pm
Planning begins for future Herndon-Monroe Metro station
Homeowners should take advantage of opportunities to be heard during this planning process. If well executed, careful development could make the area surrounding the Metro station pleasant and inviting. Prices of nearby homes could be positively affected. Read more in The Washington Post.... Posted on Monday, July 19, 2010 - 9:21pm
Fairfax County officials complain to VDOTThe Fairfax Board of Supervisors will send a letter to the Virginia Department of Transportation to complain about deteriorating county roads. County officials have received hundreds of complaints abut the roads, which are maintained by VDOT. "I've got crosswalks in front of Metro stations that don't have paint on them anymore," said Supervisor Jeff McKay. "I've got school crossings that don't have paint anymore, I've got medians that aren't mowed and I've got trash laying along the roadsides." VDOT officials are sympathetic, but note that funds are limited and that the department's first priorities are to maintain and improve Virginia's interstates and other highways. Read more in The Washington Examiner.... Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - 6:24pm
Northern Virginia enjoys billion-dollar home sales in JuneNorthern Virginia's residential real estate market in June had a billion-dollar sales month. That's the first time in almost three years that the region's home sales have reached a billion dollars. A total of $1.07 billion worth of real estate transactions closed in June, according to Metropolitan Regional Information Systems Inc., the area’s multiple-listing service. That’s a 9.3% increase over the $978.99 million logged last year, and is the highest one-month total since June 2007. Increases in sales volume suggest that the region's real estate market is recovering. That's good news for homeowners, who may see the value and saleability of their properties increase. Read more in the Sun Gazette.... Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 11:06pm
Fairfax County lands Northrop Grumman headquarters
Homeowners looking to sell their properties may notice a bump in activity as hundreds of relocated workers start house hunting. Read more in The Washington Post.... Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 7:13am
Four Virginia cities make Money Magazine's top 100 best places to liveFour Virginia cities are listed in Money Magazine's top 100 small cities in America. Centreville was ranked 30th, Alexandria 47th, Chesapeake 85th, and Suffolk 91st on the list. Researchers compiling the list took into account median family incomes, education, housing prices, community amenities, and more. Inclusion in a list such as this one may boost a city's popularity, possibly impacting property values in a positive way. Read more at CNNMoney.com.... Posted on Monday, July 12, 2010 - 9:06pm
Baileys Crossroads transformation plan consideredFairfax County officials are reconsidering a 1960s-era plan to build a Metrorail extension to Baileys Crossroads. A group of high-rise residential and office buildings was constructed with the extension in mind, but the station was never built. Baileys is one of seven commercial districts that Fairfax officials have targeted for redevelopment. The plan is to develop the communities into walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods served by mass transit. The development will be needed: Fairfax County is projected to grow by 225,000 residents over the next 30 years. "It's a fair amount of people, and that's why it's so important to put them where they can be best served by a transportation system. Clearly, the reliance on cars is not the way to go," said Barbara Byron, director of the county's Office of Community Revitalization and Reinvestment. Read more in The Washington Post.... Posted on Friday, July 9, 2010 - 8:33pm
Washington-area transit costs rising faster than ridershipLocal transit companies in the Washington area are serving more riders, but the cost to run the services is rising. For example, the cost of running Metro has grown by at least 28% over a four-year period, more than five times faster than ridership grew during that time. Access to reliable, affordable transit options is important to homeowners who commute within the metropolitan Washington area. Even homeowners who do not use the services themselves can benefit. The availability of public transportation can boost the attractiveness -- and sale price -- of nearby homes. Read more in The Washington Examiner.... Posted on Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 9:24pm
Development of Tyson's Corner will be challenging, and will take time
The changes authorized by Fairfax County officials -- which will hopefully transform the area into a vibrant, walkable community -- will likely come about slowly. Developers are understandably cautious in the current economic climate, and needed infrastructure will have to be built along with the new housing, retail, and recreation facilities. The county will have to come up with an estimated $800 million just for the transportation improvements needed to support the plans. Funding issues are likely to preoccupy developers and the board of supervisors for some time. "Everyone's going to need to start looking at funding in more creative ways," said Supervisor Linda Smyth, "What we have to figure out is the right balance between what the private sector pays and what the public sector pays." When it happens, the new development will likely benefit area homeowners. The opportunity to enjoy retail, business, and recreational facilities will draw new residents to the area, positively impacting property values. Read more....
Posted on Monday, June 28, 2010 - 7:07am
Tysons Corner transformation plan approvedFairfax County officials on Tuesday approved a proposal to transform Tysons Corner from a car-dependent office park into a walkable city anchored by four Metro stations. "Tysons is a downtown. While it may not be a municipality, it will be a community," said Supervisor Catherine M. Hudgins. "Tysons is not going to be an auto-oriented environment. It's going to be walkable for the people who live there and for the economy." The planned redevelopment is likely to benefit homeowners by making the area more pleasant and easy to get around. Home values are also likely to increase, as new residents flock to the improved area. Read more in The Washington Post.... Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 10:49am
|
Share this page
SearchGet updates Stories about...
assessment
budget
business
community development
economic development
education
environment
federal funding
foreclosure
high-speed rail
home sales
home value
market trends
property tax
property taxes
public safety
public works projects
real estate tax
revitalization
school budget
tax
taxes
transportation
utilities
zoning
|
Town officials in Herndon are preparing residents and business owners for the new Herndon-Monroe Metro station, which is slated to open in 2016. Plans are afoot to make the area surrounding the coming station more appealing to passengers. Officials would like to see the area transformed into an attractive, walkable urban community.
