Archive for the 'Military Installations' Category
A Beach With a View
July 8th, 2008 categories: Entertainment, Military Installations
It seems that as the end of June rolls around, its thoughts of how we’re going to spend July 4th that begins to be discussed. Another day of having friends over for the annual backyard BBQ? Another evening of local fireworks, all seventeen minutes.
Fortunately, for Virginians, specifically, Northern Virginians, there are plenty of options outside of the normal fare. For us beach lovers, Virginia Beach is only a couple of hours away from historic Fredericksburg. And, if you choose to avoid the Interstate, the ride can be extremely enjoyable along the Virginia countryside. If you haven’t, make the trip via US17 and the Tidewater Trail. You’ll not only avoid the trucks and wall to wall traffic, but you’ll get a glimpse of a relatively unmolested area of the state. This ”road not taken” is the perfect place to put the top down, relax, and just enjoy the beauty the tidewater area has to offer.
Viriginia Beach on July 4th weekend is not for the faint of heart, unless you like lots of traffic, crowds, and lines. But, once you get there, there’s lots to do & see, and no shortage of good places to grab a bite to eat. If you’re like me and you’re an early riser, and even if you prefer to sleep in, for breakfast you’ve got to stop at Mary’s Restaurant on 17th Street. It’s not only a favorite of the locals but offers a wide variety of choices for breakfast. For those on a budget (hmmm…”beach budget”…is that an oxymoron?), you can take advanatage of the Early Bird Special which costs only $2.50, runs until 9:00AM, and features:
2 eggs any style with grits, toast
and choice of 2 bacon strips or 2 sausage patties
(Substitute home fries or spiced apples
instead of grits for 40¢)
OR
2 eggs any style and 2 pancakes with
warm syrup and whipped margarine
Whether it’s the bargain you’re looking for, or a bit more in the morning, you’ll enjoy the warm embrace of Mary’s atmosphere and service as well.
The city has a wide variety of activities available on the 4th, from their normal beach tourist offerings, to those tailor made for Independence Day. If you’re like me, you’ve probably had your fill of T-Shirt, Tattoo & trinket shops, but the good news is, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy beginning with a day on the beach and in the ocean, and ending with a casual stroll along the famous Boardwalk. It provides plenty of room whether you navigate it by bike or foot.
Prior to the evening’s fireworks, we had the opportunity to listen to the symphony orchestra of Virginia, Symphonicity accompanied by the Virginia Beach Chorale. After an enjoyable hour of tunes that spanned the spectrum from Broadway to patriotism, we sttled down a bit after 9:00 for what most of the crowd had travelled miles to see, the Fireworks show. We weren’t disappointed!
Since the fireworks are actually launched from a barge a few miles off shore, and can be seen from miles around, it isn’t a must to get “good seating”, however, 20th street appeared to be the location of choice for the best viewing. And, if you want to sit back, relax, and do so with a bit of room, do yourself a favor and take a seat on the grass between the hotels and the boardwalk, instead of the beach. You’ll be glad you did.
Unless you’re staying in a hotel within walking distance the the beach, you’ll have to decide where you want to park. If you’re driving, you can’t beat the free parking in the Convention Center parking lot. You may have to walk a few blocks to the beach, but, after all the fireworks and fun are over with, and you’ve made it back to your car, amid the barely moving bumper to bumper traffic, it’ll only take you a few minutes to leave the parking lot. With the Convention Center’s departing traffic a priority, the local police force very conveniently directs the parking lot’s traffic seamlessly into the normal flow of departing city traffic, making it a much smoother departure from the city than those parked closer to the beach.
Next July 4th, consider doing something a bit different than the normal holiday backyard BBQ. For those of us with military ties, if you don’t want to fight the Virginia Beach crowds & prices, there are a number of places to stay, like Langley AFB, Ft Story, and Oceana Naval Station, among others. The accomodations are clean, well kept, and pretty much what you can expect, and the prices can’t be beat. But remember, you’ll have to supply your own sun block!
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Living to Fight Another Day
June 9th, 2008 categories: Entertainment, Military Installations, Relocating, Spouse Stuff
Road expansion is something most of us can’t get enough of in Northern Virginia. For those travelling North or South, Interstate 95, or Route 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway) are the only direct corridors available for vehicles heading toward a destination. While we applaud the road widening, the new development also resulted in some casualties along the way. When the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) decided to widen Route 1 in Prince William County, just north of Quantico, the Globe & Laurel restaurant found itself on the chopping block. 
In business for nearly 40 years, it now found itself out in the cold. The Globe & Laurel closed its doors on April 30th. For the second time, its owners, former Marine Major Rick Spooner & his wife Gloria, had to find a new home. Their first such venture occurred after the original Globe & Laurel, which opened in 1968, located in Quantico Town, burned down. After attempting unsuccessfully to find another location in Prince William county to begin again, the Spooner’s were able to find some help a little further South along Route 1, in Stafford County. With the assistance of Stafford’s Economic Development Authority, they were able to secure the building that formerly housed The Keep, and then Philly’s, both restaurants, similar to The Globe & Laurel. With loads of renvoations needed, Stafford’s EDA pitched in both short term and longer term contributions, the former being $50,000, the latter $33,000 per year for the next three years.
In the food business, one’s reputation is priceless. Do a google search for the The Globe & Laurel, and see what you find. What you’ll find is visitor after visitor, patron after patron, that can’t say enough about the food, the atmosphere, and the great hosts it has. It truly is a unique establishment. Beginning with the tartan carpet, you’ll find a familiar pub like interior design, a distinctive selection of wines, and the a local favorite brew, Leatherneck Lager. While the atmosphere sets it apart from the everyday eatery, Maj Spooner has never wavered from his desire to provide his patrons more than just a meal. He wants them to leave not only well fed, but also well cared for. The service is second to none with the Spooners leading by example as they greet those heading in to dine. Often , you’ll find the Major making his way around the restaurant, ensuring those already dining are enjoying themselves. 
The Globe & Laurel is a rare find. While you’ll enjoy the food & drink, you’ll take away much more after a visit. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a chance to chat with the Spooners, especially the old Marine who has already shown that it takes more than the government to keep him down. As Yogi likes to remind us, “It ain’t over til it’s over.” And, for Major Spooner, this new venture probably seems more like, ”deja vu all over again!”
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Your Home Inspector – More Like Fred Flintstone Than Sherlock Holmes?
June 4th, 2008 categories: Military Installations, Relocating, Repairs
Whether or not a Home Inspection is worth the expense, is an issue that usually prompts a good discussion among prospective home owners. According to some, like a recent client of mine, the inspection is an unnecessary expense that does little more than make a buyer “feel good” about their purchase. But if that’s true, if home inspections are nothing more than a false sense of security, why do some many home buyers, or home sellers, get them done? Are Home Inspections worth it?
First, in any service industry, some professionals are better than others, more competent, more thorough, more professional. Last year, I worked side by side with a home builder who never put down his tools until the job was “just right.” Calling him a “perfectionist” would be an understatement! The same goes for home inspectors. So, make sure the one you hire comes with recommendations – good ones. If you choose to go it alone in choosing an inspector, then make sure you ask some important questions. How long have they been in the business? Are they licensed and certified? If so, with whom? National Home Inspector certification through organizations like the Amercian Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI), & National Assocation of Home Inspectors (NAHI), requires their members to adhere to strict standards of practice or conduct.
Second, while home inspections aren’t a perfect science, they are the primary means a buyer protects themselves from getting stuck with a “lemon” when purchasing a property. The Home Inspection Contingency in the Virginia sales contract is designed to protect the buyer. Based upon the Home Inspection, the contingency allows the buyer to:
-
Request the seller make the needed repairs
-
Re-negotiate the price
-
Void the contract
The price re-negotiation is a direct result of the discrepancies found in the inspection. But, at the end of the day, if seller and buyer cannot resolve what needs to be done, then the purchaser can void the contract and move on to their other home choices.
Third, in today’s buyer’s market, the home inspection shouldn’t cost the buyer a thing. With the glut of homes on the market, and home inspections running $250-$350, the sellers will probably be more than happy to pay for the home inspection in order to ratify a contract.
Few things can affect the value of a home more than property discrepancies found after the fact. For many buyers, the expertise required to find these hidden problems are best left to a qualified Home Inspector. 
They have the training and detailed experience necessary to detect even small problems before they become your problems. A certified professional is worth their weight in gold when it comes to ensuring a home doesn’t have any hidden surprises. So, take your time and do the necessary research before choosing your Home Inspector, because the last thing you want is one that reminds you more of Fred Flinststone than Sherlock Holmes.
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Memorial Day With The Corps
May 23rd, 2008 categories: Entertainment, Military Installations, Spouse Stuff
After years of learning more lessons than I care to mention, avoiding the Interstate, any Interstate, on holidays is one thing I’ve been pretty successful at the past few years. So, this Memorial Day weekend, I’ll more than likely spend a few hours just next door at Quantico, enjoying the many activities taking place at The National Museum of the Marine Corps.
The abundance of activities taking place include childen’s workshops, new displays in the Global War on terrorism gallery, a “how to” session with a Marine Corps Combat artist, a performance from a local fife and drum corps, and much more. The Museum, which opened in November, 2006, is not only a wealth of information on the history of the Marine Corps, bit it’s lots of fun too, with many indoor and outdoor activities and sites. Whether it’s a walk accompanied by a National Park Service ranger discussing the history of the USMC Heritage Center site, or time for the teens to enjoy a Physical fitness Training (PT) session at the Playground with Marines, trying to see everything in a day is a chore.
So, if you’re like me and you’d rather celebrate this Memorial Day a bit closer to home, take a few minutes to stop by and enjoy the Memorial, or just to say “thanks for your sacrifice.”
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Running For Honor
May 20th, 2008 categories: Entertainment, Military Installations
The weekend’s inaugural Marine Corps Historic half marathon was remarkable in many ways. Not only was it a first (more on that later), but more significantly, the run was dedicated to a fallen soldier, Army Ranger 1st Lt. Benjamin Hall, who was killed in Afghanistan on July 31, 2007. Hall, a platoon leader of one of the Ranger’s Airborne Brigade Combat Teams, had been in Afghanistan only seventy days when he lost his life.
Hall’s parents, Sarah and John Hall are residents of Fredericksburg. The marathon dedication is a remembrance they say is a chance to celebrate their son’s approach to life, one characterized by an active spirit. Ben Hall was a runner. In high school he ran cross country, and continued his quest for testing the limits of his endurance by competing in marathons in the years that followed. And, many of these adventures were shared with family and friends, which Ben made a priority in life. So, it was no surprise that a number of friends took part in the inaugural event honoring him. Many of those participants ran wearing shirts bearing Ben’s picture and the words, “Be Like Ben”. And, Fredericksburg’s first half marathon was the perfect place for this run to remember. 
Last year the Marine Corps decided to move its half marathon to Fredericksburg in order to accomodate a larger pool of participants. Previously called the Quantico Half Marathon, the event had usually seen about 1500 participants, mostly Marines and their families. While many of the usual suspects showed up for this annual competition, the number of runners in this new venue exceeded 6,000.
The large turnout was a result of a joint effort between the Marines Corps Marathon team & Fredericksburg leadership. The Half-Marathon’s 13.1 mile course began and ended at Fredericksburg’s Expo & Conference Center just behind the Central Park complex. For those that hadn’t been to the city’s Old Town area previously, the route included a tour of its paved brick walkways and many of the shops that tourists just can’t get enough of. For watchers and participants alike, this inaugural run was not only fun to be a part of, but meant much more than a few hours of sacrifice. As one of the participants, Army Capt. Brennan Speakes from Fort Benning, who ran cross country as a high school friend of Ben Hall said, “it’s the farthest I’ve run in a long time, but the cause is worth it.”
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What’s Does “MilitarybyOwner” Have To Do With Military Homes?
May 15th, 2008 categories: Military Installations, Real Estate News, Relocating
Earlier this year, the National Association of Realtors (NAR), adopted a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), 12-12. It stipulates that Realtors shall not:
Use URLs or domain names that present less than a true picture, or register URLs or domain names which, if used, would present less than a true picture.
In a recent case involving the use of a Realtor’s website name, or URL, NAR already exercised its enforcement of the new restrictions. In this partciular case, a Realtor was using the URL northwoodsandlakesmls.com for his website. While the website did contain information about the area, the use of “mls” in the URL was deemed to be in violation of the intent of the new SOP. Why? The letters “MLS”, in real estate jargon, are understood to stand for Multiple Listing Service. The Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, is the information sharing and cooperative marketing network or platform used by realtors for the buying and selling of homes. The northwoodsandlakesmls.com was a Realtor’s website that did feature homes for sale, but not those of the entire MLS. In other words, it was not in any way, operated by or with a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Obviously, this Realtor was attempting to take advantage of the of the letters “MLS”. An acronym, or initials that the realtor world, and those familiar with its use, recognized as relating to home sales. In his defense, the Realtor explained, “If I used MLS in the name of my firm, I could see how that might be perceived as something less than a true picture,” he argued, “but by simply using MLS in my URL I am telling consumers that they can get MLS-provided information about properties in the north woods from me. What could be truer than that?” Unfortunately, the Board, and NAR didn’t see it that way. So, what is in a name, or URL, and what does “presenting less than a true picture mean”?
For may military personnel, one of the first places they go to on the web to look for homes is militarybyowner.com, or MBO.
According to the owner and author, its Mission is:
“MilitaryByOwner.com will provide a comprehensive low cost means for military members and their families to advertise on the world wide web. The service will be provided throughout the entire year and will encompass all locations where military members may be stationed to include overseas assignments. MilitaryByOwner.com will aggressively advertise in base newspapers and other military periodicals as well as leverage web based search engine postings in order to attract military personnel and the general public to this site to ensure success”.
True to their word, MilitaryByOwner has done a respectable job of advertising in publications targeting military families, and has taken advantage of similar advertising online. As a matter of fact, it is one of the first places military members turn when it is time to sell or buy a home. During its first few years of existence, MBO’s popularity mimicked its counterpart, “For Sale By Owner”, which, in a hot market was an easy way for home sellers or buyers, to go it on their own, and try to save a few dollars. Additionally, the military community is one built on trust, among other things, and that, too was an attraction of the site for military members, and an intent of the marketing effort. Seemingly, buyers and sellers were dealing with other military members. It was almost like family.
But, as far as their efforts to ”encompass all locations where military members may be stationed to include overseas assignments”. Is that really true? And what about that name “MilitaryByOwner”? As we look a little deeper into what MBO has to offer, we see that many of their listings aren’t military at all. After a careful examination, one finds many of the listings are Realtor listings, regardless of the client’s profession. As far as the listings ecompassing locations where military members may be stationed, we’ll, let’s just say that that depends on one’s perspective. Don’t all online Homes for Sale sites do the same? Simply put, with MBO, one listing criteria they include is the distance the property is from a military base/installation. For home listings, the proximity to military base choices are:
<10miles
<20 miles
<30 miles
<40 miles
<50 miles
>50 miles
As you can see, just about anywhere in the U.S is more than 50 miles from a selected military installation, or anywhere else for that matter. Unless, of course, it is less than 50 miles. In other words, are the homes advertised necessarily close to a military base? No. Some are, and some aren’t, just like other sites. Secondly, does MilitarybyOwner mean owned by military? Of course not. And, perhaps it was never meant to be.
It needs to be pointed out that MilitaryByOwner.com, unlike northwoodsandlakesmls.com, is not bound by the restrictions of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The latter is owned by a Realtor, and in NAR’s estimation, his website was a bit misleading. MilitarybyOwner.com may not mean exactly what it says either, but its owner is not a Realtor. However, the owner’s spouse is. Does that count?
Don’t get me wrong, MilitarybyOwner is another resource for military home buyers and sellers. Does it provide something more than Zillow.com, Trulia.com, the local MLS, or similar sites? While each of these provide various helpful tools for those active in the housing market, a look at some of their additional features may provide military members with a more comprehensive marketing package for sellers, and much more capability for buyers. With state of the art mapping tools, finding available homes near military bases has become much easier for those being reassigned.
Buying and selling homes for Department of Defense (DoD) personnel, whether civilian or military, can be challenging. Due to the brief duty assignments, most sellers are simply happy to “break even” with the transaction. Buyers, on the other hand, are looking to get the most out of their transaction, realizing they’ll probably be turning around and selling two or three years down the road. In today’s tough home market, making the most of the tools the internet has to offer is vital in maximizing the value of your transaction. Especially for military members, take the time to ensure the platform or service you use is one you get the most out of. And, sometimes, believe it or not, less ISN’T more.
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