Hard to believe Wil was ever that small!

School is almost over, and after the first week home you might be looking for some activities to keep your children occupied. Here’s a list of LoCo golf courses with junior camps open to the public. Click on the links for more information, hope this helps…

1757 has it’s own ULTIMATE Junior Camp.

Brambleton Golf Club is hosting the Steve WenPetren Golf Academy.

Lansdowne hosts the Raspberry Golf Academy.

Raspberry Falls is the original home for the Raspberry Golf Academy.

Stoneleigh Golf & Country Club has clinics and camps, contact Head Professional Matt Hess. (I’ll be helping out for at least one of these sessions.)

Westpark Golf Club offers programs by the Elite Performance Golf Academy.

Each camp is led by PGA of America members, and most have sessions beginning June 10. If your young golfer likes to compete, check out the Loudoun Junior Golf Association. See you on the links!

Cheers,
Mike

In May 2008, when I was the Head Golf Professional at Westpark GC, I had the honor to host the first Loudoun First Responders Foundation golf classic. For those who don’t know, the foundation’s mission is to financially support any individual Loudoun County public safety officer (and their family) facing needs arising from injury, illness, and conditions incurred in the line of duty. During its brief five year history, the LFRF  golf classic has raised over $50,000 and has become one of my favorite events.

Last Thursday, at 1757 Golf Club in Ashburn, I was able to participate as a competitor for the first time. Despite a couple days of hard rain, the course was in great shape for our field of seventy golfers. After breakfast and a little warm-up time on the range, we teed off under gray skies at 8:30. My partners (Doug, Rich, and Chad pictured above) and I were able to get on a roll and ended up shooting a 56, highlighted by what we thought was my first hole in one. On the 200 yard par 3 seventh, my tee shot disappeared and everyone thought it had gone in. Turned out is was just hiding behind the flagstick, so we had to settle for a kick in birdie.

It must have been our day, not only did we win the tournament, we each won a raffle prize too. That makes three tournaments in a row for Team LoCo, including the last two Team Jake events. We are looking forward to defending the title next year, hope to see you out there as well.

Cheers,
Mike

Image credit: Art of Dairy

Loudoun Valley High School junior, Riley Keesling, is one of nine national finalists in Lucerne’s “Art of Dairy” contest. His design, pictured above, was selected out of more than 6400 entries. By making it this stage of the contest, Riley has a chance to win $20,000 for the Art Department at Valley, as well as a $5,000 prize for himself and his art teacher. Voting takes place until May 17th, and the winner will be announced June 6th. To cast your vote for Riley, go to artofdairy.com and select his entry. Good Luck!

Cheers,
Mike

We’ve been talking for a while now about the slim inventory, and it can make the process of buying a home very challenging. Let’s take a look at the journey of my clients, Rob and Meghan, to shed a little light on our current market.

To say they were ideal buyers would be an understatement. They have excellent credit, strong income, and a sizable down payment. We had already closed the sale of Rob’s home, so they were also very flexible on a closing date. Even with all of these factors in their favor, it was a gut wrenching experience.

Back in August Rob contacted us about what he needed to do to get his home ready to sell, and asked to start getting listings for Reston and Ashburn. They hadn’t decided exactly where they were going to move, it was early in the process and there were a few competing factors. By the time we ratified a contract on his home in February, the search had been narrowed down to Broadlands, Brambleton and Reston. Since his sale wasn’t closing until the end of March, we had about two weeks to find a home. Coincidentally, his work was requiring him to travel quite a bit in that time frame so we had a super small window. We viewed as many as we could in the days he was home, and they finally found one in Broadlands that seemed like a winner. We submitted their offer, and sighed relief as we thought we had managed to pull off the impossible. After some back and forth negotiations, the deal fell through. Ouch! Strike one!

Turns out this was a good thing. In the days after the initial disappointment they realized the rush to find a home in time made them settle for something other than the perfect fit. It was a great lesson for all of us, and helped them focus on every detail of all the homes we considered going forward.

We spent the next couple weeks looking at a few homes in the Herndon/Reston area, but they decided to focus on Broadlands and Brambleton. Since we were not going to be able to have them move just once, we attempted to slow the pace. The problem was, Broadlands might have been the hottest market in LoCo at the time with most homes going under contract in less than a week. They had seen just about everything on the market, and a quick peek at new construction revealed nothing would be ready for six months. We were now in the position of waiting for new listings, then seeing them as soon as possible.

A home popped up on a Sunday night that might have worked, but before we could even get in the door Tuesday evening it was under contract. Talk about frustrating, they couldn’t even get a shot to compete! In pursuing that home, we learned another just down the street was going to come on the market two days later. No way we were going to make the same mistake twice, so we made an appointment and saw it the first day it was available. BINGO! Winner, winner, lobster dinner! The home was all they wanted and more. That night, we made an offer over asking price with a significant earnest money deposit. Apparently, nine other people thought it was a great home too and we were told there were multiple offers. Rob & Meghan discussed it, they added an escalation clause up to the highest point they were comfortable paying for the home, and we crossed our fingers. After a harrowing two days, we were told we finished a close second. I’d have rather heard we weren’t close, they were crushed and so was I. Strike two!

You invest so much emotionally when you make the offer, that’s part of what gets you to do it in the first place. You see yourself in the home, if even only for a couple of days, and then you don’t get it. How do you handle that? When we first started, I told them we would find the home that was meant to be theirs. It’s easy to believe that in the beginning, but how about after two times getting punched in the stomach? The only thing I can tell you is every person we have helped feels they found the right home.

Fortunately for Rob and Meghan, the next week saw five possible homes come on the market. Seven days after finding what we all thought was their new home, it was Thursday, and we were back at it. The last of the five was vacant, and they really liked it. We sat and talked about all of it’s pro’s and con’s until it got late. They decided to go get some dinner and talk it over while I headed home to write up another offer. Later that evening, Rob let me know it just wasn’t the one. They were mentally exhausted from the whole process, and needed a little time to think it over.

That Sunday, they visited an open house for the first home we saw on Thursday. They liked the home the first time, but had spent all of their energy thinking of the one where we sat and talked. Maybe it was just having a chance to relax and take a breath, but they soon realized this was the one they wanted. Our offer at the listing price was accepted, no negotiating necessary. When I called Rob to tell him the good news, I could hear his smile. He was stunned they didn’t counter, but as I told him,when it’s the one that’s meant to be, things have a way of working out. My only regret is that I didn’t get to see Meghan’s reaction. This was her first time buying a home, and Rob said she couldn’t stop grinning.

Ten months from seeing listings on-line to ratifying a contract on their new home. Seven weeks of actually touring homes, one on a weekday morning, three on a Thursday night, or four on a Sunday afternoon. Two offers written, only to see them fizzle. At the end of the day, persistence and fortitude, with a little direction from their local real estate professional, has gotten Rob & Meghan in a beautiful home to start their new life together .

If you are thinking about buying a home, get in touch with me. It won’t cost you a dime to put my expertise to work for you, but it might cost you the home of your dreams not to.

Cheers,
Mike

The Fourth Annual Loudoun Bluegrass Festival is set for May 11, at the Loudoun County 4H Fairgrounds. Presented by the Rotary Club of Dulles International Airport, proceeds will help fund college tuition to local students, as well as other area charities. Featured performers include The Quebe Sisters Band and Audie Blaylock and Redline.

Attendees will enjoy organized jams for old time, Irish, and Bluegrass music, and Frank Cassel, “The Banjo Man”, will be on hand to perform for the little ones. Those will the skill can enter contests for bands, banjo, fiddle, flatpicking, and mandolin, with a cash prize to the winners. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Loudoun Bluegrass web site, sounds like a great way to spend the day.

Cheers,
Mike

Sometimes on a rainy day you have to have a little fun. Here’s a list of our favorite places to eat outside in LoCo:

Downtown Leesburg has a number of excellent choices, beginning with the Cajun Experience. We’ve had lot’s of delicious lunches here and they have live music just about every weekend. Döner Bistro is a little taste of Germany, just don’t expect any utensils. Right next door, MacDowell Brew Kitchen features craft beers brewed on site and is another great spot for live music. Market Station is home to Jasmine Chinese Restaurant, Tuscarora Mill, Los Tios Grill, and Fireworks Pizza.

Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm in Ashburn has never disappointed, and you’re likely to see a Redskin or two during happy hour.

For a great steak on the patio, Sweetwater Tavern in Sterling tops my list.

In Purcellville, we’ve got Coach’s Corner, Magnolia’s at the Mill, and last but definitely not least, Gruto’s Soft Serve for dessert.

Surely I’ve missed a few, what are your favorites?

Cheers,
Mike

Yesterday was “Take your sons and daughters to work day”, so Madeline and Natalie got a day off from school and spent the day with me. They’ve come along in the past on weekends and during the summer, but yesterday I showed them a little more of what I do on a daily basis. We started off looking at new listings in the MLS, then did a market analysis for a potential client.

Next up was previewing vacant homes between Purcellville and Ashburn. We saw a brand new home built by InterActive in Hamilton, a single family home in our old neighborhood of Tavistock Farms, and a courtyard home in Lansdowne. The girls got to see three different types of homes in the same price range, and it was interesting to hear what they had to say. The biggest factor determining which home was better ? Could Maddie have her own room or not.

After stopping by the C21 Redwood office to drop off an earnest money deposit, we finished up the day putting in a sign post and brochures on my listing in Sterling. Despite the bugs, they were troopers and we got it done. We spend a lot of time together on the softball fields, so it was nice to do something different and show them a little glimpse of what I do. Who knows, maybe they will come in to the business with me some day.

Cheers,
Mike

As I was out and about in Purcellville yesterday, I came across an open Coney Island Diner. We knew it was on the way, just missed the memo it actually opened three weeks ago. This makes two Coney Island Diners in LoCo, the original opened in Ashburn during the fall of 2009.

I had a chance to chat with the staff this morning, and figured I should try out breakfast for our readers. The 2′s are Wild was excellent, the servers were friendly, and the food was quick too. I’m definitely looking forward to the full menu being available in the next week or so. Here’s a picture of the main dining area:

And of course no diner would be complete without an eat-in counter…

Let us know if you have a chance to try it out, I’d be interested to hear what you think.

Cheers,
Mike

As part of the Virginia is for Lovers campaign, Purcellville was one of sixteen locations selected by the Virginia Tourism Corporation to build and host a LOVEwork. Located in historic downtown next to the Train Station, our wine country themed exhibit was unveiled today. Visitors are asked to share photos with the LOVEwork on social media. You can check out the VirginiaIsForLovers facebook page or search #LOVEVA on Twitter to see the pictures.

Cheers,
Mike

Yesterday I was invited to a media tour for the new Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at One Loudoun (thanks Alden and Stephanie!), which is set to open May 3. Our guides were franchise owners Anthony Coco and Joseph Edwards, who moved from Texas a year and a half ago specifically to start this business (Anthony’s son got to go snow sledding for the first time in his life this past winter). Their passion and enthusiasm for making the Alamo Drafthouse experience amazing is contagious, and after my visit yesterday I’m sure this is going to become one of LoCo’s most popular hangouts. Here are a few pictures of what movie goers will find:

Think of this like a dinner reservation, with a movie to boot. You can walk up, or reserve your seat the web at Drafthouse.com. GM Mike McGrath recommends arriving 30 minutes prior to the start of the movie to order dinner, and no-one will be seated after beyond the 10 minute mark. Ticket prices are the same as every other theater in the area, so why not have a pizza and a beer or milkshake instead of candy and popcorn?

That’s Joseph on the left and Anthony on the right, explaining how the Glass Half Full taproom will offer 32 craft beers (no Miller Lite here) and a wide array of mixed drinks designed by the mixologists at the corporate offices. You don’t have to go to the movies to patronize the bar, it’s open to everyone.

There are 8 different auditoriums, including three 3-D screens, seating 49 to 151 people (imagine every other row taken out of a regular theater). Super sound-proof walls make sure you don’t hear the movie next door, and each theater features Sony 4K projectors, Dolby 7.1 surround sound, and leather seats. Alamo also produces their own pre-shows, so you won’t see any Coca-Cola or Sprint ads before the movie. Oh, and make sure you keep that phone away once the movie starts, one warning before you are kindly asked to leave.

Chef Johnny Dooher, an Arlington native, gave us a tour of the kitchen. He says they are 90% scratch, meaning they make just about everything on site. Food takes at most 20 minutes to prepare, that’s how long the fresh baked cookies need to cook, and nothing is started before the order ticket prints. The menu will resemble the Texas cinemas, with a few local dishes (he mentioned crab cakes, Heather will test them out for you). The plan is to work with local farmers, wineries, and brew masters to help establish our regional taste. You will still be able to get popcorn and soda if that’s your fancy, but the idea is to give you great food while you enjoy the show.

When I first heard about the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema concept, my thought was it would be for special occasions. That changed after meeting Joseph and Anthony. Any time we go to the movies it’s going to be here, starting with the Staff Training Days April 29-May 1. Tickets are on sale here for $2 each, with half off the full dine-in menu. Iron-Man 3 premiers Thursday, May 2 at 9:00 p.m., and the official ribbon cutting is set for 10:00 a.m. May 3rd. See you there!

Cheers,
Mike