Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA and D.C. with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
I often see requests for playgrounds or parks information from new moms, or people new to Vienna or sometimes people just asking for new trails to explore.
When my boys were toddlers we used to frequent the playground circuit to get some energy out. I wanted to pass along the information that lives in my head so residents can enjoy the plentiful opportunities around town to get outside.
If you have a kid who loves to throw rocks in the water, or perhaps an age gap where one kid wants to shoot hoops while another wants to go on a slide, either way, I created a map with details about each location and what they offer.
Looking for a new walking path with NO kids? I have that too.
Want a grassy open field to go toss a frisbee or go do an outdoor work, that’s included also.
There’s something for everyone.
I hope you’ll enjoy this resource as much I have enjoyed creating it. You can access it at www.ViennaPlaygrounds.com.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA and D.C. with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
As everyone knows, there’s a ton of new construction around Vienna and the Tysons Corner area. I’ve toured many new builds and having gone through many home building and renovation projects, here’s what I would do if I were building a house right now:
- Make sure you put recessed lighting in each bedroom in addition to a central light/ceiling fan.
- Add a screened in porch in addition to a deck/patio area. Screened in porches become a Covid “must have” for home buyers and will be a great addition when you resell the home.
- Smart TVs are taking over traditional cable plans, but think through if you plan to keep your cable box. If so, where are you going to house it? I’m seeing a lot of family rooms with no real place to put them, I think assuming folks will just have a smart TV. So if you want to hide all of the components, add a cabinet or you’ll need to buy a table to put the box on (or have it wired to a nearby closet).
- Think through storage – gyms/theaters/2nd office spaces have taken over traditional basements, but think through how much storage you really need. I happen to be one of those people who throws away or gets rid of everything, but if you’re not, where are you going to keep your holiday decorations/bins of clothes/camping equipment/etc.? One underrated way to add storage space is to have the ground below the garage excavated. Reclaim that unused space!
- Expect trends to change – make choices you’re going to love rather than worry about resale (except the screened in porch – keep that). Decorative walls with designs, thick island counters and thinner perimeter counters, mixed metal in bathrooms, carpet versus wood flooring, etc. Pick what you want. It’s hard to predict trends and who knows how long you’ll actually be in the house.
- Bonus tip: get a concrete driveway versus asphalt. There’s less maintenance on a concrete driveway and I am all about not adding 1 more thing to remember to do.
If you’re thinking of building and have questions, feel free to reach out. Whether they’re financing or actual building questions, I’m happy to put my 15 years of experience to use for your benefit.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA and D.C. with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
Can you smell the cider donuts and hot chocolate?
Maybe that’s me dreaming of New England Falls where I grew up, but there are tons of Fall Festivals in Northern Virginia if you’re looking to fill that fall fun void! Make sure you check the dates and times carefully as some are one weekend only while others run through October.
Cox Farms — Centreville, VA
September 16-17, September 23-November 7
Live music, cow milking, farm chores, hayride, tunnels, slides, swings, corn maze, goats, cider, donuts and their market! This is my favorite event all year and I actually hold my client appreciation event here in the fall. You really can’t beat a day in cooler weather walking around their farm!
Falls Church Festival — Falls Church, VA
September 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fall Festival includes their “Taste of Falls Church” plus a beer garden, live music, children’s entertainment, local crafters, and organizations.
Mosaic Fall Festival — Fairfax, VA
September 23-24, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Performances by the Vienna Singing Princesses, Tea with Mrs. B, School of Rock, Tiny Dances, Patrick Alban and Noche Latino, plus others! Lots of vendors, kid activities, and more.
Great County Farms — Bluemont, VA
October 1-31
Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival featuring pick your own pumpkins (also apples), wagon rides, pig races, Dino shows, Marshmallow roasting, cider pressing, live music, 5-acre play area, donuts and their market. Adult pro tip: Bluemont Vineyard and Dirt Farm Brewing are across the street and the views can NOT be beat.
Oktoberfest — Vienna, VA
Saturday, October 7, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Held on Historic Church Street by the red caboose, the event features live music, games, kids activities, German auto show, lots of food and drinks. I’ll be at the beer garden checking IDs at Noon. If you come by — please say hi!
City of Fairfax Fall Festival — Fairfax, VA
Saturday, October 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The event includes over 400 vendors, children’s activities, 3 stages of music and entertainment, and carnival rides. There’s a beer garden and an “after fest” concert at 530pm.
Halloween on the Green — Vienna, VA
Saturday, October 14, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
A free event with family fun on the town green, which features crafts, games, storytelling, moon bounces, treats and a decorate your own pumpkin activity.
Reston Farm Fall Fest — Reston, VA
September 23 through October 29 (weekends only) 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Moon bounces, games, train ride, petting zoo, face painting, balloons and food.
Town of Vienna Halloween Parade — Vienna, VA
October 25, 7 p.m.
A fabulous tradition that runs along Maple Avenue from Branch to Center Street. The parade starts at 7 p.m. and I’ll post my annual tips for attending in October.
Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival — Germantown, MD
September 23-October 29, hours vary based on day
Admission includes hayrides, jump pad, corn maze, giant slides and more. There’s also food available like cider, donuts, kettle corn and more. You can pick your own pumpkins, do a pumpkin cannon, face painting and pony rides. They suggest making a reservation as they sell out.
Pumpkin Village at Leesburg Animal Park — Leesburg, VA
Open everyday now through November 5
Festival activities include wagon rides, giant slides, zip line, moon bounce, corn bin, hay maze, pony rides, animals, moon bounce pillow and more.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA and D.C. with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
One of the best things about living in Vienna is the ample opportunity to get outside. We have lots of walking trails, playgrounds, creeks, and fields to enjoy. Especially as the weather starts to get better, there are many ways to enjoy the outdoors!
My Favorite: Wildwood Park
A short walking path right off the W&OD trail, there are shallow waters where some kids jump in, some fishing (although I’ve heard of things being caught here, I haven’t had that success myself!), rock skipping, rock climbing, and deer spotting. This little piece of heaven was one of the trails that saved my sanity during Covid. My family would walk along the path regularly.
Other Great Paths
Woltrap, Wolftrails, Foxstone Park, Northside Park, Eudora Park, Meadowlark, Tamarack, Sun Valley, Peterson Lane Park (connects to a playground), and Nottoway Park. Many of these connect to the W&OD trail as well, so easy to go explore new ones if you want to drive there to begin with.
Playgrounds
The town has several great playgrounds to choose from, some with pavilions available to rent for parties as well. Depending on the age and activity you’re looking for will help determine which playground area you pick from. For example: Meadow Lane Park is great for toddlers with a sandbox, play structure, and swings, but for older kids there’s also tennis courts and a basketball court. Same with Glyndon Park (add in pickleball here!).
I’m going to give a shout out to FamilyTripGuides.com for her updated 2023 best playgrounds post, which lists playgrounds all over Northern Virginia.
Don’t forget Vienna also has a community garden located behind the blacktop of Vienna Elementary, along with another one near Nottoway Park. This is a great opportunity to expose kids to gardening even if you don’t want to have one yourself. There’s also a Free Little Library located there if you want to sit on a bench and enjoy a book.
There are many open fields too if you want to go throw or kick a ball. There are fields by the Community Center when not in use by softball, baseball or football (Caffi Fields and Waters), Meadowlane Park, Nottoway Park, Wolftrails Park,Dunn Loring Park, and all of the elementary schools when school is not in session.
We really do have so many opportunities to get outside and enjoy the greenery. Do you have a favorite park? If so, share why!
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA and D.C. with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
Well, it’s 97 degrees, but let’s talk flannel, pumpkin spiced lattes, and apple picking… because it’s September.
When the heat finally breaks and you actually want to be outside again, Virginia has some great farms to visit for apples, fruit, baked goods, flowers, and other goodies.
- Marker-Miller Orchards: Peaches, blackberries, apples, tomatoes and so many other goodies
- Crooked Run Orchard: Apples, peaches and some blackberries
- Stribling Orchard: Several varieties of apples and grass fed beef
- Mackintosh Fruit Farm: Apples, peaches, Asian pears, nectarines, veggies. Plus, they have cider donuts, baked goods, pies, local cheese, eggs and more.
- Hollin Farms: Apples, some veggies, dig your own potatoes
- Valley View Farm: Eggs, apples, pumpkins (in October)
- Great Country Farms: Apples, corn maze, farm play area, jumping pillow and more attractions. BONUS: This is across from Dirt Farm Brewery and Bluemont Vineyard, so if you’re looking for an adult treat after the kids play, just cross the street!
There are also closer in options like DePaul’s Urban Farm, the Vienna Farmers Market or Reston Farm Garden Market. (Check out their weekend Fall Fest)
More details on local fall festivals is coming soon… stay tuned!
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA and D.C. with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
It’s been a rough summer with the weather and the toll it’s taking on some houses.
Before it gets cold, now’s a good reminder to take care of some things around your house to prevent damage later. Service provider referrals are my favorite ways to help homeowners, so please feel free to reach out if you need someone specific:
- Clean your gutters (Gutterman Services, Maple Leaf)
- Change the batteries in your smoke detector (yes, even if it’s hard wired)
- Take care of your lawn — Fall is the time to aerate and fertilize if you want better grass next spring!
- Check your down spouts to make sure they’re extended away from your home
- Clean your chimney before you use it!
- Fall service on your HVAC (this should be done twice a year, but if you have a whole house humidifier which is used in the winter, make sure it’s clean and not moldy before you turn it on)
- Check your trees. I’ve seen lots of trees fall in the recent storms. I can’t stress this one enough — even if you think it’s leaning away from your home, get it checked.
- Check your windows and garage door for wood rot. Rain/snow will make it worse.
- Check your attic for any daylight — if you have even the smallest entry point, critters will find a way inside as the weather gets colder. You can look around for droppings or disrupted insulation for hints of unwanted tenants.
- Seal your deck. Stain or paint — your choice.
Take care of your home and it’ll take care of you!
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
There’s nothing I love more than starting the school year off with decluttering, getting rid of all the STUFF that’s piled up over the summer and getting a fresh start for everyone to the year.
You know this if you’re a long time reader because every year when school starts I share my favorite list of places to donate used and new items. Well this year, I have a new business to introduce you to.
My friend, Stefanie Petrucelli is a local Vienna mom of 3 and military spouse who launched her professional organization business this year. I’ve seen her work first hand and it’s an amazing transformation if you’re looking for some help to organize your space — be it just your playroom, your whole house, your car, your business, whatever the need is — she can do. I’d like for you to get to know her a little better:
Q: What is your favorite space to organize?
Definitely a playroom because it is filled with fun, colorful and easy to sort items.
Q: What is your favorite “get started” tip?
Start small with a drawer, cabinet, small closet and only take about 15-30 minutes at a time to organize that space. You will quickly find it becomes contagious, hopefully encouraging you to take on larger projects.
Q: What do you do with pot lids and tupperware?
Pot lids and tupperware lids can be a nightmare. If you have tons of cabinet space, there are so many awesome products out there to keep the lids organized by size and shape. However, if you don’t have endless cabinet or pantry space (like me) then stick with the bin system. Two small bins; one for lids and the other for the containers or you can just do one medium sized bin for both.
Before organizing, always remember to first go through your tupperware, get rid of the tired, stained containers as well as the containers that no longer have matching tops. Always eliminate first and then organize. I also like to mark my tupperware lids and container bottoms with matching numbers or letters. Helps me find their match quickly.
Q: Do you have any tips for organizing toys?
First, start by going through all the toys, make sure everything is working and in good condition. Throw away broken toys, donate or sell toys that are not liked or no longer played with. It’s good to do this every six months or so, especially around holidays and birthdays. Don’t feel guilty about getting rid of stuff if it’s no longer being used, pass it on to someone else that will enjoy it.
Once you have eliminated unnecessary toys, look at what is remaining and basically hide half of it by storing it away in a closet, basement storage area or garage. Swap in those toys every few months and switch out toys that your children have started to get bored with.
Then look at your space and decide if you have the best products (i.e., furniture and storage bins) to contain and store the toys. I personally like matching bins and baskets that hide toys, which makes a room look less cluttered. I like to clearly label the bins with the toy’s name and picture of the toy. Both bins and labeling make it easy for kids to put away their own toys.
Q: What’s your favorite show on Netflix (organization or otherwise!)
I like The Home Edit, Dream House Makeover and any sort of baking or building challenge. At the moment I am watching a comedy on Apple TV called Platonic and on Hulu I am watching Only Murders in the Building.
Q: What inspired you to get started?
I have always been a super organized person. I vaguely remember as a young child organizing cluttered spaces around my house. During the summer of 2022, I had a light bulb moment while preparing for my kids return to school. I found myself trying to relieve some stress by overly organizing my already organized home. I thought to myself maybe I should take this show on the road and use my skills and knowledge to help others organize their space. I decided to take the year to get everything set up and in order so that I could launch Beyond Organized once the school year ended. I really enjoyed designing my webpage, Facebook and Instagram accounts, developing an email address, obtaining my LLC and getting myself knowledgeable about all aspects of organization and owning a small business. That’s how it all started.
Q: Who do you serve?
I will organize almost anything, your entire home, cars, offices, beach house, hotel room, a cruise ship cabin (you just need to pay my way and I will be there for you).
But seriously, I really like working with couples or families trying to downsize. Also, families that have just moved and are trying to make their current items fit into their new home. As a military spouse we have moved a lot, many of our moves we have done on our own and there is nothing a family wants more than to quickly turn their new house into a home for their family and sometimes that can be a challenge. I love being able to assist with this challenge and help families achieve their organization goals.
You can follow Stefanie and her funny cleaning memes on Facebook and Instagram.
You can also read more about her and her business, at www.beyondorganized22.com.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
We all know housing prices have gone up a lot over the last few years specifically, but have you ever wondered how much land prices have gone up over the past 50 years?
We have some historic homes in Vienna, but the rest of the town is a mix of new builds, pop ups, and original ramblers. Land is also the one thing we can’t make more of, so what’s left is obviously a rare and precious commodity.
Most of the homes in the Town of Vienna sit on approximately one quarter acre (ranging from .23-.26). There are anomalies that are larger and the rare half acre or larger land, but I’m going to specify what I’m measuring below. Remember, I’m talking about averages here.
Quarter Acre Lots in the Town of Vienna
- 1980s: Around $200,000
- 1990s: Mid $300,000
- 2000s: Upper $400,000 and into $500,000 towards the end of the boom in 2007
- 2010s: Here’s where the explosion of tear downs begins… prices hit $600,000s
- 2020s: With the covid boom, I’ve seen quarter acre lots hit mid $850,000 recently
I wish I could go back to the 1980s and buy 20 of them. Original land owners are sitting on a literal gold mine.
And if this isn’t an example of why you should buy real estate, I don’t know how else to demonstrate the strength of real estate for your financial future.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
I can’t believe we’re within back to school talk!
Thinking about school supplies, clothes, and other necessities the costs start to add up! Virginia recently did away with tax free weekend, so I’m putting together a list for you to explore other options for back to school savings.
Maryland Tax Free Week 2023: August 13 to 19. The first $40 on any backpack purchase will be tax free, plus any qualifying clothing and footwear purchases $100 or less will be exempt.
Check out the Tanger outlets near the National Harbor for favorites like Under Armour, Old Navy, JCrew Factory (check the Tanger website for an additional 15% at JCrew), Nike, Adidas, Levis, Banana Republic, and Carters!
Target is offering 20% off the whole store (not just school supplies!) until August 26 for teachers, home schoolers, daycare teachers, early childhood education centers, and any university or college educator. Must verify an email to qualify. Check out this link for more details.
Also, if you’re doing a lot of online shopping, don’t forget about the website like Rakuten.com where you can get cash back for purchases online.
Enjoy your last 2 weeks of summer if you’re an FCPS family! And if you’re private school — enjoy your last 2.5 weeks of summer!
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
The Washingtonian does a Cheap Eats edition every year that I love. With prices high on everything, who doesn’t love to find a good deal?
Enjoy some of these tips for deals and cheap eats around Vienna!
Monday
- Inca Social: Kids aat free
- Lebanese Taverna: Bottomless Mezza menu (small plates) $38 per person
Tuesday
- Matchbox: Free kids cheese pizza with adult entree (which is not a pizza)
- The Icon Movie Theater at the Boro: Tickets are $6.25 instead of regular cost
- Tysons AMC Movie Theater: Tickets for AMC Stub members are $7 (excluding specials — Dolby/IMAX screenings include a surcharge). Concessions also offers a $5 small combo — soda and popcorn.
Wednesday
- Mama Tigre: Kids entrees half off
Weekends
- Founding Farmers: Unlimited brunch free for kids 6 and under
- Liberty BBQ (soon to be renamed): Free brunch for kids 3 and under, $10 for 12 and under
Everyday
- Fogo De Chao: The Churrasco experience (all you can eat) is free for kids 6 and under, for kids 7-12 it’s half priced
- Silver Diner: Join the kids club and get a free kids meal every 5 visits (and free food on their birthday)
- Cocoa Vienna: Dollar deal days all summer (enjoy treats for $1)
- Bruster’s Ice Cream: Free chocolate or vanilla ice cream for kids under a certain height (think 2 or younger)
I think pre-covid there were a lot more of these “kids eat free” options but many that I’ve called to verify are no longer available. So if you see something published, call the restaurant first to make sure it’s still offered.
If I missed anything or a business wants to reach out to be added, please email me at [email protected].
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
