Our sharing is unsolicited from the businesses we talk about.  We just like to tell others about people that share the passion for excellence and a customer/client focus that defines the way we serve here at The Kathy O’Neal Team.

Such is the case with Jeff Muritzen (of inPhotograph.com) who happens to be based right here in Chantilly.

Jeff Mauritzen of InPhotograph right here in Chantilly VA

We had the good fortune of working with Jeff on one of our projects and have since referred his services to others.  If you or your business has need of photographic or imaging services, visit Jeff’s website to sample the level of quality and creativity found in his amazing Portfolio.

It is a real find when you discover “local talent” with world class quality, but also reasonably priced so that it is affordable.

Jeff works all over the Washington Metro area and occasionally way beyond our local borders as he travels on national and international assignments.  Jeff has served many local enterprises ranging from large corporations to one person small businesses, as well as not-for-profits, and government agencies.   His talents cover the spectrum of photographic services. I am guessing that is why Jeff has become so “in demand.”  He has a loyal following of small to medium-sized businesses that consider him their “go to” photographer for whatever projects arise.

You can connect with Jeff on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, visit his website, or call him, if this is a need you have or anticipate, or have questions about his work.  If your experience is like ours, you will find working with Jeff to be as delightful as the impeccable quality of his work.

I should also mention that the photography services Jeff provides to local businesses and organizations in Northern Virginia and Washington DC include: corporate headshots , corporate event photography, commercial photography, golf tournament photography,  and aerial photography. Also to note, Jeff sells fine art photography prints of Washington DC , Virginia and Ireland in limited edition signed prints and canvases.

An image from Jeff's "Photo of the Day" collection on his website.

That’s why we wanted to share a good word about a terrific restaurant we recently visited in Purcellville.

Haute Dogs & Fries in Purcellville is well worth a visit.

Haute Dogs and Fries is taking a beloved American food icon and lifting it to a whole new level.  By that I don’t mean that you will get a Hot Dog that is so “fancy” that  it has lost its authenticity.  No, no, no!  The dogs here are as real as it gets…they are just also delicious, fresh, well-prepared, and the best part is that you can get them just about any way you might like them.

Along with quite a few ways you may learn to love….lots of topping variations that will tempt you to go beyond mustard and relish, if you so choose.

Along with the honor of being among this year’s 2011 Best Bargain Restaurants in the Washingtonian Magazine, Haute Dogs and Fries is garnering lots of other honors as well.

Pamela & Lionel - owners of Haute Dogs & Fries in Purcellville, VA.

If you want to try other sausage type specialties, you will also find creative menu items that owners Pamela and Lionel prepare from very fresh local sources.

One of the special treats of a visit here is the co-star of the establishment’s name…”Fries!”  Have you ever wondered if there were any really, really fine french fries anywhere to be found, other than making them from scratch at home?  If so, ya gotta give the fries here there day in the sun.  We found them to be worth a trip back….no, made that worth many trips back!

Pay a visit to Haute Dogs and Fries next time you are anywhere in the vicinity of Purcellville.  They are keeping an American tradition alive and well!

PS – If you don’t eat meat, give the veggie dog a try.  It was terrific!

If so, please be aware of “The Entrepreneur’s Journey,” a free program for small business owners who want to take their business to its next level of growth and overall success.

The Entrepreneur's Journey: A Free Educational Program for Small Business Owners

The program is a serious – but fun -  learning experience to help small business owners build an even better business while also considering their own “higher calling” in owning and operating a business of excellence.

We’ll cover state-of-the-art business concepts and methods addressing strategy and business planning, marketing (including branding and social media strategies), systems and process thinking to better streamline your operational systems, personal productivity, finance, leadership, team building, and related topics.

We will incorporate Biblical principles as we focus on practical strategies for growth and the timeless truths on which a successful business is based.

The program is facilitated by Fran O’Neal and a team of seasoned small business professionals who are very successful in their fields, highly credentialed, and eager to share their knowledge and insights with committed small business owners.

The program is offered without charge, but enrollment is limited and advanced registration is required.  This is a genuine “learning adventure” that has the potential to significantly enhance your business.

For more details visit “The Entrepreneur’s Journey” City Impact web page, or contact us and we will answer any questions.  It this looks interesting, we’d love to hear from you!

It is a very, very clean 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath brick-front Colonial in the attractive and popular community of South Riding.

In addition to the terrific location, the home has lots of features, just one of which is a spacious master bedroom with good-sized sitting room and a nice walk-in closet with special custom built-ins.

Take a minute and do a Visual Tour, and then let us know if you would like more information.

If you want to take an actual tour of this home, or if you just have more questions, contact Kathy and we can give you whatever information you need.

If you are looking in this area, I think you would find this property to be definitely worth your time.

By the way, this home is a normal sale property…no foreclosure or short sale hassles to worry about.  In the current market, that is a very big plus.

Price:  $ 540,000

MLS#: LO7559142

More information:  please click here and you will see the property on our Featured Listings page.

If you have any questions, please Contact Us.

PS – If you are relocating to Northern Virginia, we can get your questions about the area answered quickly.

We have know the owner (Cynthia Tallia) of this pet sitting service for years, and when the need for this kind of service arises among our real estate clients, we let them know about Cindy and her well-established Northern Virginia pet sitting and animal care service.

We also love animals here at The Kathy O’Neal Team and very often work with buyers and sellers who either need boarding services or pet sitting services during the time of their home purchase or sale.

If one of your criteria for hiring a Pet Sitter is that special connection and love of your pet that you hope someone else will share, you can be sure Cindy has that in great measure.

Total Animal Care also does a lot more than pet sitting, and you can get all the details at their website, along with contact information.

If you are looking for this kind of service, check out the good folks at this Chantilly area pet care service.

CIndy and friends

The answer to this question is based on your goals, your present circumstances, and where you see yourself going from here.

But even after looking carefully at your situation, the answer is not always crystal clear.

When I counsel with buyers who are still in the “thinking it through” stage I help them clarify their goals.  The timing may be right, or it may be better to wait awhile.  That is where good advice that helps you make your own best decision comes in.

Take a look at this short video, and of course please know that I am here to help you look more carefully at opportunities in the current Northern Virginia market.  I have built a 23-year career based on providing information and insight, rather than “persuasion” and “selling.”  Let me know if we can help…we are here for you!

And if you have friends who can benefit from this 3-minute joint interview from NBC’s The Today Show, do let them know about it.

National home sales were up in March with 7% more closings as compared to February.

Compare that to one year ago (March 09) and the volume was up 16 percent.

“Existing home sale” is the technical term for a home resale; a home previously inhabited by a person.  It’s the opposite of a “new home sale” which is a sale of a newly-constructed home.

Data on Existing Homes Sales from the National Association of Realtors® also has some interesting things:

1. Year-over-year sales are up for the 9th straight month
2. 19 percent of all homes purchased came from investors
3. 44 percent of all buyers were first-timers

There are still lots and lots of REOs and foreclosures out there.  And if you have a buy or sell coming up, do use any of the many tools on our other website.  If you are moving into the Northern Virginia area and need to know about prices and neighborhoods, let us know are we’ll be here to get you whatever relocation information would be helpful.

If you are relocating to the Northern Virginia area, or making a local move, you may be looking for a moving company.

In this series on how to hire a good moving company we discuss what informed home sellers and buyers should know before they start looking for a moving service.

Choices have consequences, for better or worse. Consumers not doing “due diligence” in making this decision are taking a risk with their possessions and their money.

In this second episode of the series, we discuss how you can go about getting the information you need to locate and hire a good moving service. If you don’t already have a good company, where do you start?   What about insurance and bonding?  How much coverage should you get?  Should you get full replacement cost?  What is the single most important thing you should know before signing the contract?

Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home owners who see a move upcoming, as well as anyone moving into the Northern Virginia area, will benefit from the honest and straightforward insights of someone who is working inside the moving industry.

Don’t miss the entire series!

Download this episode (right click and save)

In this series of episodes on living happily with your pet dog, we begin by discussing how to care for your pet during the sale of your home. Safety is paramount, for the buyer, for you, and for your pet. What about boarding the pet? How do you select a quality kennel? Will crating work? How do you acclimate your pet to be comfortable with crating? What should you avoid when making these plans?

We start with caring for your pet dog during the sale of your home, and go on to discuss preventing and solving pet behavioral problems. If you are a dog owner you will benefit from the insights offered in this educational series. And please do remember, seek professional help when dealing with serious pet issues.

Download this episode (right click and save)

There are two ferries, at Hatteras and Ocracoke respectively.  The first is free, and the second has a charge.  More about that in another post.  I traveled through this area on a recent business trip to Charlotte, NC, and visited a few points that I thought our readers might find of interest.

One impressive stop along the journey was near Wilmington, NC to visit the WW II battleship, USS North Carolina.  It is a bit of a stretch to run down to Wilmington from the Outer Banks.  But there is no better living history lesson for the kids – and for adults -  than to take a tour of this magnificent battleship.

ON THE DECK OF THE USS NORTH CAROLINA

Having been decommissioned quite some years ago, she was destined for scrap metal until the good citizens of North Carolina said “No way.”   The lady now sits – in quiet grandeur – in her permanent home, as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of those who served on board, especially during World War II.

QUIET NOW, BUT SOUND AND FURY NOT LONG AGO

This is a classic WW II battleship.  You know, it looks like anything within a hundred miles will be obliterated just from the sound of its massive guns.  If you can appreciate vintage naval warship architecture, this is like a visit to the Taj Mahal.  The sheer scope of these ships is mind boggling.

DON'T MESS WITH USS NORTH CAROLINA!!

You can walk through the many levels of the ship, right on down to her cavernous engine room.   You can’t help but imagine daily life on board this floating city.  Talk about no frills… no, this was not a Carnival Cruise.  You get glimpses of the discipline and arduous nature of life at sea during war.  It was tough as nails.  This was supreme sacrifice in service of preserving freedom.

BARBER SHOP ON BOARD USS NORTH CAROLINA

I was reminded of the stream of heroic men and women who, from the time of this nation’s start, right on up to the present day, have served in the military, and in many cases paid with their life, so that all of us might experience the glory of living as free citizens in a noble nation.   When you get a chance, tour one of these great ships and remind your self and your family of the never ending cost of freedom.

To get more details please visit the USS North Carolina’s website.