A Saturday Night Cocktail Party for a Great Cause

Over the past 11 years, Hair Port Salon & Day Spa has donated over $260,000 in support of the battle against breast cancer. This year our office, Ask Gina & Company, and Hooked, an award winning and locally owned seafood restaurant have joined the cause of supporting the fight against breast cancer. The Ask Gina Team contributed five 100 level tickets to a Washington Capitals game and a signed hockey stick by all the players to the Silent Auction. All proceeds from the auction will directly benefit breast cancer research and treatment.

Every year over 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in which about 1 out of every 4 dies from this horrible disease. Let's make a difference and lower that statistic together
Come out on Saturday, October 24th, from 7-10pm, for the "The Pink Masquerade," a cocktail party hosted by Hair Port Salon & Day Spa in support of raising money for breast cancer research and treatment for women suffering from the disease. Enjoy an exquisite seafood & sushi buffet complete with a champagne fountain while watching live entertainment, a premier fashion show, and live & silent auctions at Hooked's newest location in Sterling at the intersection of Rt. 7 and Cascades Parkway.

Want a 10% off coupon for Hooked? Contact our office at (703) 574-3478 or via email at gina@ask-gina.com and we will drop one in the mail you!

Looking for something to do Friday night?

Come out to the Hot Jazz for a Cool Night on Friday, October 23rd from 7:30pm - 11pm in benefit of local citizens of our community!

Enjoy an open wine & beer bar, dancing, desserts, silent auction, and entertainment by the Loudoun Jazz Ensemble! All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers, a local non-profit organization that provides assistance to adults with disabilities and the frail elderly maintain a strong quality of life in Loudoun County.

The event will be held at the Rose Hill Manor at 42140 Raspberry Plain Lane, Leesburg, Virginia 20176.

Click for more info... Buy Tickets and View Action Items

You won't believe what you can get for the $$

Less than 45 days left until the $8,000 tax credit expires! Still looking to buy? Check out the beautiful, new construction, Van Metre homes in Lansdowne Town Center that qualify for the first time homebuyer tax credit that expires Nov. 30th! Lovely planned community with shopping, dinning, and a gorgeous club house just outside your door step. Stop wasting cash on rent! Move into your own place today and have monthly payments as low as $2,000 a month!*

Don't miss out on this unbeatable offer! With such great amenities and prices like these, you can bet that the homes available for sale in Lansdowne Town Center won't last long!

Want more information on these properties? Give me a call today and I will gladly answer any of your real estate questions.

Gina M. Tufano

Trusted Northern Virginia Realtor since 1996
(703) 574-3478
gina@ask-gina.com

*All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Harmful Pollutants - No Thank You!

A few minutes out of your day could mean less pullutants end up in local drinking water wells and in habitats of local wildlife. Loudoun County residents are strongly urged to drop off unwanted paints, stains, fuels, cleaners, and other hazardous wastes to Harmony Intermediate School in Hamilton on Saturday, October 24th, from 8:30am-2:30pm during the Household Hazardous Waste collection event. The next collection will be held Nov. 21st in Leesburg.

Accepted Items:

• Fluorescent bulbs
• Oil-based paint/stains/varnishes
• Paint thinners
• Metal polishes
• Rust removers
• Wood preservatives
• Old fuels: gas/oil mixes, kerosene, & diesel

NOT accepted for HHW*

• Used motor oil
• Antifreeze
• Automobile batteries
• Lead-acid batteries
• Propane tanks

*These items can be dropped off year round at the Loudoun County Solid Waste Management Facility on Evergreen Mills Road in Leesburg.

For more information go to www.loudoun.gov/hhw or call the Solid Waste Management Office at (703) 777-0187.

Maintain a successful business in Loudoun County

Networking, networking, networking. Learn to do business like the pro's! All vendors are welcome to attend the Loudoun County Procurement Divison's 2009 Buyer/Seller Information Exchange session. Presentations will be given and vendors will have a chance to address any questions and concerns they have.

Interested in attending?

Information session will be held at the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg on the following weekdays at 2pm:

• Thursday, October 22nd
• Wednesday, November 18th
• Wednesday, December 16th

Space is limited! Reserve your seat today by registering online at www.loudoun.gov/procurement.

For more information about this event, call (703) 777-0403 or email Rebecca Kummel at rebecca.kummel@loudoun.gov.

Canning your own food is EASY! Learn how tomorrow at the Giant in Ashburn!

Quick Reminder that the Giant Foods and the Loudoun County Faith-Based Community organization will provide an Interactive Community Canning workshop tomorrow, October 17th, from 10am-1pm to teach methods of how YOU can preserve your own fresh produce like the pros!

The event will be held at the Giant in Ashburn located in the Junction Plaza at the intersection of Claiborne & Ashburn Farm Pkwy.

Can't make it tomorrow? No problem! The event will be held again on the following upcoming Saturdays (same time, same place):

• October 31
• November 14 & 28

The workshop costs a small fee of $10 per person to help pay for 2 glass jars, use of equipment, and an allotment of high quality produce, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Loudoun Interfaith Relief. Register online at www.GiantFood.com/Ashburn or by calling (703) 470-7790.

Barktoberfest - Dog Lover's and Pups Welcome!

Bring your dog to the 2009 Barktoberfest on Saturday, October 24th from 12-6pm at the Melodee Music and enjoy a day full of games, food, prizes, music, and much, much more! The younger crowd can enjoy activities such as face painting, ring toss, mini golf, and many craft stations. Don't worry, they didn't forget about games for your furry family members either! For more information about this event, go to www.Barktoberfest.org.

Admission is free to all, but donations to the Friends of Homeless Animals organization are greatly appreciated.

Some Halloween Office Fun - No booing here!

While working in the office a few days ago, Jen and I came up with a creative idea for adults to get in on the Halloween action. Instead of ringing doorbells in your neighborhood and leaving "Boo Bags" filled with treats and goodies, we came up with the idea to leave "Brewed Bags" that would contain wine for the adults! Who says you can't get a little creative and have a little fun when your working?

"I've Been Brewed" Poem

"I've Been Brewed" Door Sign

Courtesy of Gina M. Tufano & Jennifer Johnson
of Ask Gina & Company
RE/MAX Select Properties, Inc.
(703) 574-3478
gina@ask-gina.com * jen@ask-gina.com
20 Pidgeon Hill Drive, Suite 201
Sterling, VA 20165

Let the Fall Festivities Begin!

Checking out the local pumpkin patches for the perfect pumpkin? Don't miss Loudoun County's Farm Color Tour this weekend which includes a self-guided tour of over 30 participating farms and wineries as well as the Heritage Farm Museum!

Bring the whole family and take in the gorgeous views of leaves changing colors over the lovely mountainsides of the Blue Ridge, Short Hill, and Sugarloaf!

Enjoy a weekend filled with festive music, food, wine, cider, home-churned ice-cream, hayrides, pony rides, a pumpkin patch, and much much more! You are even welcome to pick out and take home some fresh apples of your own!

There truly is something for everyone to enjoy during the Loudoun County Farm Color Tour. For a map of participating farms and wineries in Loudoun County, you may stop by and pick up a brochure at any Loudoun County library, community center, or at the Loudoun Convention & Visitors Association. You may also call (703) 777-0426 to have one delivered to your home or you can download the brochure yourself at www.LoudounFarms.org.

FREE Self-Defense Workshop for Women

All female Loudoun County residents over the age of 14 are welcome to participate in the 32nd Women's Self Defense Workshop hosted by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. In the class, women will be taught how to better pay attention to their surroundings and learn how to protect themselves from becoming a victim of sexual assault through hands on demonstrations of defense techniques. Participants are asked to wear gym attire and athletic shoes.


The event will be held at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy in Ashburn on Tuesday, October 20th from 7-10pm.



Sign up today! Space is limited to the first 100 participants! To register, call Audra Vogel at (571) 248-3049.

Time to prepare for a cold winter - burr!

Okay so I woke up this morning and the temperature gauge read 42 degrees. Brr!! Winter is definitely on it's way! With the heat cranking this fall already, it becomes very apparent in differences that insulation upgrades like double pained windows and blown in blanket (BIB) insulation make.

As the market turns and the economy continues to recover from one of the longest recessions in history, homeowners are looking to live in a home for a longer period of time. This supports the statement that energy efficient and quality materials are more important now than ever.

After the past few years, blown in blanket (BIB) insulation has gained a lot of popularity with homeowners because of its high insulating R values. The R value is the insulation rating that measures the insulation's ability to resist heat flow - the higher the R value the more efficient and effective the insulation is at prohibiting the heat flow between walls and ceilings. Residential building codes only require insulation to have an R value of R38, but BIB insulation has a R value of R49! So why is BIB insulation so much better? It fills all of the spaces and gaps in between wires and outlets that typical batt insulation can not because it merely hangs or lays within walls.

Not only will BIB insulation leave you more comfortable in your home during the winter months, it will save you money by saving you an extra $40 per month in reduced energy costs. And, if you ever wish to sell your home, BIB insulation will become a very attractive and unique feature to all potential buyers. So whether your making upgrades to your current home or if your looking to purchase or sell a home, don't overlook quality energy efficient and insulating materials.

Zone	Add Insulation to Attic		Floor
	Uninsulated Attic	Existing 3–4 Inches of Insulation
1	R30 to R49	R25 to R30	R13
2	R30 to R60	R25 to R38	R13 to R19
3	R30 to R60	R25 to R38	R19 to R25
4	R38 to R60	R38	R25 to R30
5 to 8	R49 to R60	R38 to R49	R25 to R30
Wall Insulation: Whenever exterior siding is removed on an Uninsulated wood-frame wall: Drill holes in the sheathing and blow insulation into the empty wall cavity before installing the new siding, and Zones 3–4: Add R5 insulative wall sheathing beneath the new siding Zones 5–8: Add R5 to R6 insulative wall sheathing beneath the new siding. Insulated wood-frame wall: For Zones 4 to 8: Add R5 insulative sheathing before installing the new siding.

For more information on the installation R value, go to http://rvalue.net

Help Save a Women's Heart!

The number one killer in women are heart-related diseases. On Sunday, October 11th, the "Bike for the Heart" event in Washington, DC hopes to help raise awareness of heart disease in women. All proceeds will directly go to funding screenings to help identify women with heart disease and those at risk.

To learn more about this event, go to www.BikefortheHeart.org.

Learn How to Protect Your Home From the Swine Flu!

On Wednesday, October 14th, from 7-9:30pm, the Loudoun County Health Department will host an information meeting for local residents about the H1N1 influenza (swine flu). During the meeting, representatives will talk about what is being done in Loudoun County and give residents tips on how to prepare for the swine flu at home and at work.

The meeting will be held at the Harmony Intermediate School located at 38174 West Colonial Highway in Hamilton.

For more information about the meeting, visit www.loudoun.gov. You may also contact the Health Department's influenza line at (703) 771-5512 or send an email to flu@loudoun.gov.

Protect Your Home

Realtors and homeowners share a common goal - to see values of their homes increase over time. After all, many Realtors are homeowners themselves. Elected officials on all levels of government can adversely affect the value you homes. The Virginia Homeowners Alliance is dedicated to providing its residents the most up to date information about governmental action being taken that directly affects the value of homes. All news relating to real estate taxes, property assessments, new residential and commercial developments, as well ass transportation and school construction. Becoming a member of Virginia Homeowners Alliance is FREE and gives access to all this information plus useful household and family tips.

It's easy! Sign up today and protect your most valuable possession, your home.

Click here to learn more information about the Virginia Homeowners Alliance.

It's all inside ladies!

Bargain shopper? Come to the 71st Annual Ladies Board Rummage Sale on Friday October 16th and Saturday, October 17th from 9am-3pm where you will find over 38,000 sq.ft. of anitques, furniture, books, clothing, tools and yard equipment as well as designer fashions, holiday items, and much, much more!

Want to get in before everyone else? The early bird special is Friday, October 16th from 8am-9am and costs $5/ticket. All proceeds will benefit Polly Clemens Nursery Fund.

A silent auction will be held for golf, hotel, and dining certificates as well as artwork only on Friday from 9am-1pm. All proceeds benefit Inova Loudoun Hospital.

Make a day of it! For lunch munch down on the delicious BBQ and hot dogs in between shopping excursions!

Location:
Morvan Park Equestrian Center
41793 Tutt Lane
Leesburg, VA 20176

For more information call (703) 771-2985 or check it out at www.ladiesboard.org

Are Sellers Seeking Buyers or are Buyers Seeking Sellers?

Okay so has anyone else been running into fierce multiple offer situation with clients? I know I have with a few of my clients most recently and it's hard to get buyers sometimes on the same page. Yes, it is a buyers market over all, but it all depends where you are looking and in what price range. I have especially found in the under $350,000 range, buyers are stepping into multiple offer situations with almost every seller.

In fact, RIS Media reported on October 3rd that pending home sales nationwide have continued to rise 6.4% in August 2009 alone which is up 12.4% from August 2008. In the Northeast, the Pending Home Sales Index reported a 8.2% jump in August 2009 which was up 12.0% a year prior, while the West indicates a 16.0% increase in August 2009 and up 22.3% since August 2008.

So what's going on here? With the first time home buyers tax credit expiring in less than 45 days, home selles have continued to serge to beat the deadline. So far, Congress has not extended the tax credit, however many experts forecast that home sales will greatly decline following the end of the tax credit on Nov. 30th. On average, the number of active listings drops in the winter months and the market tends to slow, so if you are looking to buy or sell, now is the time to do it!

To read the full article from RIS Media, click here.

Education First?

There are many factors that influence the buying decision of a home. but there seems to be a lot of support for schools and school districts to have a substantial impact on the appreciation and price of a home.

Even if you do not have a family of your own, it may pay off to do some research on the local school districts in the area you are looking to purchase a home. Some agents and local experts estimate that school districts can influence the price of a home by even $50,000- $100,000! As I said before, there have been many speculations and similarities made on comparing resale value of a home heavily based on a particular school or school district
.
So how do you go about researching the local school districts in the area you are interested in? Check out the local school district websites, compare SAT scores, and pay attention to rankings of national magazines such as U.S. News and World Report. National magazines often weigh rankings on test scores, demographics, and performances on AP tests. So who came in the top 50? Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County was ranked #1 in the nation in 2008 while others such as Walt Whitman High in Besthesda was ranked #44, McLean High was ranked #55, and Potomac's Winston Churchill High was ranked #57.


Not only is it important to look at the general dynamics of an area's demographics in comparing schools and school districts, but it is also important to look at things like teacher turnover, graduation rates, absenteeism, availability of extracurricular activities, and the local press of family/community involvement in school activities. All of these factors will not completely guarantee the quality of individual teachers at schools, however, schools with promising statistics and data is your best bet to find high quality education.

By any means, don't single out your deciding factor on a home based on surrounding schools. Maximizing the whole picture is key to insuring the appreciation of the property value of your home for years to come. And don't get up and pack your bags the minute you start planning to have a family; instead wait until the time is right and you can conduct proper research before making any final decisions. For most, it may be more important to stay put when a little one comes along in out to jump start savings towards a college fund and wait until the child is almost of age for starting elementary school.

Lesson here: there is no one single factor to decide when purchasing a home, but education and location definitely seem to be high up on the list.

To read the full article, click here.

Broadlands Marketplace Oktoberfest! Beer tasting, Live Music, & much more!

Looking for a fun fall event? Broadlands Marketplace is hosting an Oktoberfest & Chilli Cook-Off event this Saturday, October 3rd from 11am-3pm. The event will feature beer tastings, live music, an inflatable Olympic obstacle course, face painting, chilli competitions, and more!

To learn more about this event, click here.

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Okay so the weather is SUPPOSED to be very warm and sunny this weekend, what do you do? Go to the Waterford Fair!

Voted Best Event of the Year in 2007 by the Loudoun Convention & Visitors Association (LCVA), the Waterford Homes Tour and & Crafts Exhibit is hosting it's 66th annual fair this weekend and includes events for the whole family to enjoy. Over hundred heritage craftspeople will provide hands-on demonstrations and provide entertainment with traditional music and dancing. A Civil War & Revolutionary War re-enactment with soldiers matching through the streets. Federal brick houses, large Victorians, Quaker style buildings, and many more will be open for everyone to wander through. For the children, there will be a hay ride, a magician, and many hands-on crafts.

To watch a video on the Waterford Fair, click here.

The event goes on throughout the weekend, rain or shine, from 10am-5pm, Friday-Sunday. Tickets will be sold at the door and all proceeds from the fair will be used to "carry out the Waterford Foundations's mission of education and preservation."

For more information about this event, click here.