Real Estate and Reston, VA: Virginia

Thursday afternoon (9/2/10) , Veterans Green Jobs (VGJ) announced a partnership with LiUna, Sierra Club, weatherize DC and Ardent 360, to create green jobs for local veterans.

As part of this program, 9 veterans will be trained and employed to provide energy audit and weatherization services to 50 Northern Virginia military households. These services will be at no cost to the military families.

By teaming up, these organizations are creating new jobs while simultaneously improving the living and economic conditions of local military families. These improvements will reduce their monthly costs and make their homes more comfortable.

Unemployment rates for military veterans between the ages of 18 and 24 can reach as high as 21.6%.  This is significantly higher than non-veterans or the employment rate as a whole. This partnership will help prepare these vets for a career outside of the military and help to reduce that unemployment statistic. They will complete the training program, receive on-the-job training and experience and be prepared to work in the home perfomance industry.
 
My husband, Bob, is the President and CEO of Ardent 360 and I am very proud of the work they have done toward forming this alliance and creating these jobs.

For more information and the full press release, to to Local Veterans to Weatherize 50+ Military Homes Through Veterans Green Jobsinitiative.

You can become a fan of Veterans Green Jobs on Facebook, too!

Here in Fairfax County, Virginia, school hasn't yet started, but school year planning has begun.

As you put together your school year calendar, be sure you get your back-to-school night on there!

Cluster 1 (Herndon Pyramid)

Aldrin Elementary            ESOL Parents, Thursday, 9/16 at 6:00 pm
                                      K-6 Parents, Thursday, 9/16 at 6:00 pm
Armstrong Elementary    K-3 Parent,s Tuesday, 9/28 at 7:00 pm
                                      4-6 Parents, Monday, 9/27 at 7:00 pm

Herndon Middle               7-8 Parents , Thursday, 9/23 at 6:30 pm

Herndon High                  9-12 Parents, Thursday, 9/23 at 6:30 pm


Cluster 8 (South Lakes Pyramid)

Dogwood Elemenary      K-6 Parents, Monday, 9/20 at 6:30 pm
Forest Edge                   PS, K-3 Parents, Monday, 9/20 at 7:30 pm
                                     4-6 Parents, Tuesday, 9/21 at 7:30 pm
Hunters Woods              K-3 Parents, Tuesday, 9/28 at 7:00 pm
                                     4-6 Parents, Wednesday, 9/29 at 7:00 pm
Lake Anne                     K,2,4,6, SPED Parents, Monday, 9/27 at 6:30 pm
                                    1,3,5, Art, Music, PE, Tuesday, 9/28 at 6:30 pm
Sunrise Valley                K-6 Parents, Thursday, 9/23 at 7:00 pm
Terraset                        K-6 Parents, Wednesday, 9/15 at 7:00pm

Hughes Middle                7-8 Parents, Thursday, 9/16 at 6:30 pm

South Lakes  High          9-12 Parents, Thursday, 9/30 at 6:30 pm



If you need more information about back-to-school nights in Fairfax County go to the Back to School Night Schedule on the Fairfax County Public School Website.

If you are sending a freshman to Herndon High School next year, Tuesday (8/31/2010)  is  Orientation Day. The Orientation runs from 9-11 and gives the kids a chance to pick up their schedules, find classrooms and meet teachers.

Bus pickup will be centralized at local elementary schools.

Here are the pickup times for freshman who will be attending Herndon High and the Tuesday Orientation:

Aldrin Elementary School               pick up 8:35 a.m.
Armstrong Elementary School      pick up 8:35 a.m.
Clearview Elementary School       pick up 8:45 a.m. 
Dranesville Elementary School    pick up 8:45 a.m. 
Herndon Elementary School         pick up 8:45 a.m. 
Herndon Middle School                  pick up 8:45 a.m. 
Hutchison Elementary School       pick up 8:35 a.m. 
 
Proper dress and behavior is expected when attending Orientation. Buses will leave Herndon High School at 11:10 and drop students off at the elementary schools for parent pickup. 

 Good luck to all the new Hornets!!!

Yesterday, my husband, son and I headed out to buy a new mattress for my son.  

I went into this as an informed consumer:

**I had a budget
**I had done research about what I wanted and why
**I had done some pricing and knew about what I should expect to pay for what I wanted

For some inexplicable reason, we have 3 mattress chain stores within a couple of miles of my house (do people buy that many mattresses? They must!). We decided that we should go to all 3 to make sure we ended up with the best product at the best price.

We went to the first store. The sales person greeted us and I shared with her our budget and the type of mattress that we were hoping to buy. We tried a couple of mattresses that were close to our price range and found 2 that we liked. She provided us pricing and then discretely stepped away to give us time to talk.  The price was about $50 over our budget, but they would provide the low profile box spring at no additional charge. She also volunteered that while we could not pick the set up on Tuesday, as we wanted to, we could get half-price delivery on Friday. It all sounded great, but we wanted to make sure we saw everything that was available and got the best price.

At the second store, we were greeted by the sales person. We provided the same information and he showed us 2 options.  When we indicated that neither of these was quite what we wanted, he began telling us of all of the problems with other manufacturer's mattresses. Finally, he began disucssing the benefits of one of their private brand and why we should buy that one.  I began to feel like it was in his best interest to sell us the private brand --one that we didn't want.  He seemed confused when we asked about the low-profile box spring and told us if we wanted it, we would have to wait a week and a half.  We excused ourselves and headed to store #3.

The third store was much larger than the first two and very well appointed. There were a lot of really fine mattresses displayed, all without prices. There was only one salesperson and he was working with other clients when we arrived. By now, we knew approximately what we were looking for. We headed in the direction of those mattresses.  The sales person finished up with the clients and we were finally able to ask him some questions. He answered all of our questions, but did not really work to provide us with options and alternatives. He was more like a receptionist than a salesperson.  We, again, excused ourselves and left.

So how did the shopping expedition end? We went back to the first store and bought the first mattress from the first sales person. We liked the way she treated us, we liked the product, we liked the pricing and we had the best experience there. Yes, I ended up exceeding my budget (by an acceptable amount), but I am happy with the purchase.

This experience got me thinking about how Realtors approach potential clients.  There were many parallels in what we were doing to a client walking into an open house with no agent representation.  By facilitating the process, asking the right questions, being involved, but stepping back at the right time, the first salesperson won our business.  In an open house situation, you don't know who is walking in that door--or how far along in the process they are--but you have the opportunity to learn about them. Simply selling them the house that you are holding open, may, or may not, be in their best interest (think of the salesperson who tried to sell us the private brand).  The salesperson who is busy when you arrive, and indifferent about your needs, will not win your business either (the third salesperson).

It is the Realtor/Salesperson who is interested in finding out your needs, understanding your wants, working with your budget and is respectful of your need to process what you have seen that will likely win the client!

These lessons are all around us; Real Estate is not so different from many other businesses. Having spent years in consulting, successfully working with a client is about understanding the challenge, proposing solutions, identifying the best answer and working to a successful outcome. Clearly, that is the best way to sell a mattress, too!

Are you incorporating these techniques into your business?  It is a sure way to be the Realtor that the client ends up selecting!

P.S. For you Herndon/Reston people, it was the Mattress Discounters at 322 Elden St. in Herndon, VA who won our business. Thanks for your help, Andrea Bodmann!

It is too late to enjoy the Farmer's Market at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston, VA this week, but it will be back again next week!  The Farmer's Market, which runs from May until October, is held each Saturday from 8 a.m. until 12 noon.

I was not able to get a good shot of the portion of the Farmer's market that features the produce, fresh meats, baked goods, flowers and other goodies. This shows the area where many vendors set up and sell goods ranging from baskets to sunglasses, to clothing, jewelry and more!

It was a beautiful day to wander around the market. I picked up some fresh Italian Sausage from one of our favorite organic farmers, some fresh corn and fresh tomatoes.

I overheard one of the Farmers say that this is the most successful Farmer's Market that he participates in and that he comes from quite far away to be here each Saturday.

If you haven't been to the Farmer's Market at Lake Anne Plaza yet this summer, why not make plans to be there next Saturday? I will probably see you there!!!

Pre-season football continues tonight with a match-up between two local favorites: The Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Ravens .

Kick off is at 7:00 p.m. at FedEx Field.  If you are planning to go, make plans to leave early...the traffic to FedEx Field is often nightmarish, but will hopefully be better since there is no rush-hour or early morning beach traffic to contend with!

Tailgating at Redskins game is an art. If you don't plan to have your own tailgate, take some time to walk around and observe the spreads put on by other fans. One of my favorites is the bus with the couch attached to the roof.  Clearly, this is a fan that has a vehicle for one purpose only...to tailgate!

The Redskins have an infamous waiting list for tickets, but StubHub and several other tikcet services can usually provide tickets to the games.

The game will be televised tonight on Comcast SportsNet HD / NBC 4.

If you are a Redskins fan and wish to get on my mailing list for an annual Magnetic Game Schedule of the team, let me know at hollyweatherwax@mris.com and I will add you to my mailing list. I also send out Nationals schecudles in the fall.

It is another great weekend for live music in the Reston & Herndon, Virginia Area!

Friday Night Live  is located in the Downtown Herndon, Virginia on the Town Green. TownGreen is located behind the new Municipal Building at 777 Lynn Street in Historic Downtown Herndon, VA. It is adjacent to the W&OD Hike & Bike trail and the new town library.  Tonights concert features The Benjamins. Their high energy rock show which covers songs from every genre to the most current rock,  is truly a phenomenon to experience. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and the concert is free. 

The Loudoun Summer MusicFest features two concerts this weekend! On Saturday night, enjoy The Original Wailers
Featuring Al Anderson & Junior Marvin
Artist website: www.originalwailers.com
General Admission advance tickets: $12.50/Gate: $15
Gates at 5pm, showtime at 6pm

The concert on  Sunday night is a real treat with The Dukes of September Rhythm Revue 2010, featuring Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs. General Admission advance tickets: $26.50, Gates open at 5pm, showtime at 7pm.

To purchase tickets to either of these events, go to the website for Loudoun Summer MusicFest.

Saturday night at the Reston Town Center Pavillion, enjoy the sounds of Airmen of Note, The U.S. Airforce Jazz Band. Bring your chairs or picnic blankets and enjoy this free concert. The concert runs from 7:30-10 p.m.

 It is a great weekend to hear some exceptional music. I hope you get a chance to enjoy one, or more of these concerts!

In Fairfax County, students MUST attend the school that serves their community unless a waiver has been petitioned for and provided. Other counties and Cities handle this in different ways, but this policy makes it very important that home purchasers, and renters, double check the boundaries if it is important for them to find a house within a certain school community.

Realtors provide information to the best of their ability in the MLS, but as we are all human, there are on occasional errors on the listings.

If you are looking for a home and the school is important to you, use the Fairfax County Public Schools' Boundary Information System to double check that the property feeds into the right school.

Even if your Realtor feels confident that they know the accurate information for that property, it is always a good idea to double check--things sometimes change (although not usually without a lot of discussion in Fairfax County!!).

To check the Boundaries for the property you are interested in click  on the link and enter the address:  Fairfax County Public Schools' Boundary Information System

All three of my children have grown up seeing Dr. Heidi Herbst, DDS, FAAPD. We started out in her little office down the street from the current location, back when the kids played in a little room that probably used to be a closet. These days the facilities are much improved, but the service and caring of the staff remains the same.

My oldest (now almost 21) was three when I first took her to my dentist. He is a  pretty great guy, but my daughter was having none of it. She screamed the whole time and I finally carried her out of there, sheepishly, and put off taking her back to the dentist for almost a year. When we went back, I decided that maybe we needed a different strategy and contacted Dr. Herbst's Pediatric practice.

What a difference a year, and a different environment, made!  She loved being able to lay down and watch a movie while hygienists who were used to working with kids taught her about proper brushing and flossing. Maybe it was the prize at the end, or the bright cheerful environment, but all three of my kids have happily gone there ever since!  The games and movies in the waiting room, make the whole thing much more pleasant for mom, too!

If you have a little one and are looking for a pediatric dentist (I took my almost 18 year old there today), that you can use for a long time to come, I highly recommend Dr. Heidi Herbst!

The contact information for Dr. Herbst's practice is:

21475 Ridgetop Cir., Suite 200
Sterling, VA 20166
Map/Directions

Phone: (703) 444-3710

Let's hope the weather cooperates, because there are some really exciting outdoor concerts this weekend!

Friday Night Live  is located in the Downtown Herndon, Virginia on the Town Green. TownGreen is located behind the new Municipal Building at 777 Lynn Street in Historic Downtown Herndon, VA. It is adjacent to the W&OD Hike & Bike trail and the new town library.  Tonights concert features B2B.  B2B is a Jimmy Buffett Tribute band located in Richmond, Virginia. Most of the band members are also long standing members of the Parrot Head Club of Richmond. B2B's main musical inspiration, of course, is Jimmy Buffett, but they also play a wide variety of music that ranges from The Beatles to Kenny Chesney.

Saturday night at the Reston Towncenter will feature Johnny White & The Elite Band as part of the Reston Town Center Concert Series. This Motown Style band is described on its website as:  'two powerful lead vocalists, JOHNNY WHITE and SHIRL, and three "songbird" BACKGROUND SINGERS.The combination of their singing ability and HIGH ENERGY CHOREOGRAPHY, will make you, the spectator, a part of their show.' The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and will take place Rain or Shine.

If you are looking for a way to educate your young ones about different types of music, The Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts is sponsoring a family workshop on Monday, August 16 called,' Family Day at the Opera.'  This is part of the Wolf Trap program, 'Behind the Curtain.'  The cost is $15 per family member for this interactive workshop. More information is available at: Wolf Trap, Behind the Curtain.

 
I hope you can get out this weekend and enjoy some great music!