Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Beware, Ghosts Maybe Lurking Here!



Beware, Ghosts Maybe Lurking Here!

In the spirit of Halloween, Ask Gina & Company looked for truly Haunted Houses near Loudoun County. Scary thing is, according to Trulia, the suspicion of haunted houses runs high in four cities nearby Loudoun County, Virginia! 


All of these cities have a high concentration of currently vacant homes built before 1939:


Top 10 Places To Find Haunted Homes in the South
#
U.S. Metro
Share of homes
both old and vacant
1
3.3%
2
3.1%
3
3.0%
4
3.0%
5
2.4%
6
2.3%
7
2.2%
8
2.1%
9
2.1%
10
2.1%
Note: among largest 250 metros across U.S., located in the Census’s South region.

The study sought out the greatest concentration of old, vacant homes South of Maryland and Northern Virginia, where the creaky "bones" of the house make a perfect fit for ghosts to reside undisturbed. With the sunny weather that returning to the area just in time for trick-or-treating tonight, beware of vacant homes in Loudoun County and the ghosts that maybe lurking! 


Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!



Winds have subsided, Now it's Time for Clean up!

Winds have subsided, Now it's Time for Clean up!

As the wind and rain subside from Hurricane Sandy, make sure you use caution while removing storm debris from your yard. Here are some tips provided by Loudoun County officials and Ask Gina & Company:
  • Survey the area first and look for the possibility of downed wires. Stay back and call the local power company before removing debris
  • Ask for a helping hand with bulky items
  • Don't lift any material that weighs more than 50 lbs
  • Wear eye glasses while removing or cleaning up debris
  • Wear thick gloves and closed toe shoes to protect your hands and feet from sharp objects
  • Prevent hearing damage by using ear plugs while using chain saws and heavy machinery
For any damage incurred to your property in Loudoun or Fairfax County, make sure to take pictures BEFORE removing the debris. This will help you file any insurance claims.

In need of some professional assistance to remove fallen trees or fix leaky windows or roofs? Our office has a variety of trusted contractors for on file that service Northern Virginia.

Call Ask Gina & Company at 703-574-3478 - we would be happy to provide contact information for vendors servicing Loudoun, Fairfax, and other nearby counties!

Friday, October 26, 2012

Spook-tacular Fun for All Ages!


Spook-tacular Fun for All Ages!


Air and Scare


Live in Loudoun County and looking for something fun to do with the whole family? The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in Chantilly, VA is hosting it's annual Air & Scare event this Saturday, Oct. 27th from 2-8pm. Put on your best costume head on just past Dulles Airport and get ready for the trick or treating while discovering spooky scientific truths, crafts, & more!


Activities Include:
  • Free Candy & Goodies
  • Trick-or-Truth Stations - answers to many haunting questions!
  • Discovery - Halloween themed science experiments 
  • Creepy Crafts & Hands on activities
  • Photo Op - take a picture with Star Wars and Ghostbusters Characters 
  • Cartoon Showings - Laugh off the screams with cartoons in the IMAX Theater
  • Puppet Show - enjoy a production by the Magical Puppet Theater
  • Magicians - be amazed by the creepy disappearrance of many objects
  • Creepy Crawlers display - spider and other insects from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's Department of Entomology visit!
  • Telescope Exploration - take a peak at the sky! (weather permitting)
  • Simulator Rides
  Age-Specific Events:
  • Tot Zone - tiniest of visitors can play dress-up, hear a story, or do crafts!
  • Teen & Tween zone - activities created for the teen crowd




Enjoy a safe & fun Halloween from Gina Tufano and the entire Ask Gina & Company team with Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway in Ashburn, Virginia! If you would like more information about seasonal activities near Loudoun County or how to make Northern Virginia you home, call us at 703-574-3478.


Activities

Here are just some of the types of activities you can enjoy at Air & Scare. More details coming soon!

Trick-or-Treating

Receive free candy and other goodies from costumed volunteers.

Trick-or-Truth Information Stations

Was there really an Area 51? Is it true there is an alien ship in the Museum's collection? Learn the answers to these and many more haunting questions at Trick-or-Truth information stations.

Discovery Stations

Take part in spooky science experiments at Halloween-themed Discovery Stations.

Spook-tivity Stations

Participate in creepy crafts and hands-on activities.

Teen and Tween Zone

Hands-on activities created with teens and 'tweens in mind, but open to all ages.

Tot Zone

Bring the tiniest visitors by the Tot Zone to play dress-up, hear a story, and participate in a craft activity. Designed for ages three to seven.

Star Wars and Ghostbusters Characters

Pose for a photo with your favorite Star Wars character or the Ghostbusters' Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

Face Painting

Stop by the face painting station to add some flair to your costume.

Cartoon Showings

Have a good laugh watching a selection of cartoons in the Airbus IMAX® Theater.

Puppet Show

Enjoy "Buzzy the Frog's Treasure Box Trick" by the Magical Puppet Theater.

Creepy Crawlers

View a display of spiders and other insects from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's Department of Entomology.

Telescopes

Take a look at the sky through telescopes, weather permitting. Or simply explore how they work at the indoor station.

Simulator Rides

Enjoy simulator rides throughout the event.

Magicians

Be amused and amazed at our roving magicians.
Please note: the elevator to the Donald D. Engen Observation Tower will close at 4:30 pm. The tower itself will close at 5:00 pm.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Ice Skate to Ice Out Hunger! Raffle Prizes too!

Skate to Ice Out Hunger! Raffle Prizes and FREE PIE too!

Ask Gina & Company and Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway are proud to announce the second annual Ice Out Hunger charity event to be held on Sunday, Nov. 4th from 6PM-7:30PM at the Ashburn Ice House! The event is sponsored by us and Champion Title, with live music performed by local musician, Andrew Tufano. Proceeds will directly benefit our local community with funds raised going to the Loudoun Interfaith Relief, a food bank with a mission to feed the hungry in Loudoun County.

In addition, a portion of the proceeds will benefit one of our younger Loudoun County neighbors, Noelle Mikels. Four year old Noelle was born at just 24 weeks gestation and is an absolute miracle! She has been through long hospital stays, illness and hard work to get to the thriving 4 year old she is today. She is still in need of assistance from an oxygen tank to help her lungs get the breath she needs. Our goal is to help raise enough money to get her an "assistant" to help her carry the oxygen tank. He is a service dog named Monty that Noelle and her family were able to bring home on October 4th! While the Mikels family was able to raise enough money to bring Monty home (about $10,000), the lifetime cost is closer to $15,000-$20,000. Let's help support the Mikels family and Noelle welcome her new companion and helper!

Tickets for the event are $15 for a group of 4 skaters or individual skaters priced at $5 to include skate rental(s) and 1 raffle ticket for many great prizes! 


Prizes
  • Sports Memorabilia
  • Gift Certificates from your Favorite Local Restaurants
  • Skate Lesson at the Ashburn Ice House
  • Kindle Fire - contributed by Melissa Bell of McLean Mortgage
  • FREE pumpkin or apple pie for purchasing tickets prior to 11/1/12!
  • And much MORE!!

 

Want to increase your chances of winning? No worries! Additional tickets will be given for every 2 non-perishable food items you bring, or you can purchase additional tickets at the event for $2/piece! 

Call Ask Gina & Company at 703-574-3478 or email info@ask-gina.com with Ice Out Hunger in the subject line to purchase your tickets now. Remember, get your tickets TODAY for free pie!  Who doesn't like free pie???


Together we can Ice Out Hunger in Loudoun County. Mark your calendars and get ready for a great day of skating, family fun, and generosity!

Monday, October 22, 2012

More Attractive by the Day!

More Attractive by the Day! 

This beautiful contemporary home in Lowes Island has a new, attractive price tag! Unique features include hardwood floors throughout most of the main level, sliding doors to deck, patio & front porch, balcony off 2nd bedroom, and a full bath off each of the large bedrooms! Check out the link below for more information...

Call 703-574-3478 for a tour today before someone else swoops up this stunning home! 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

VA Loan Limits ~ Increase is good until Dec. 31st!

VA Loan Limits ~ Increase is good until Dec. 31st!

Are you a Veteran of the US Military? Did you know the increased VA Loan limits are only good through December 31st? Now is the time to take advantage of this program which requires no money down! 

  • ALEXANDRIA - $838,750 
  • ARLINGTON - $838,750  
  • FAIRFAX - $838,750 
  • FAIRFAX CITY - $838,750 
  • FALLS CHURCH - $838,750 
  • FAUQUIER - $838,750
  • LOUDOUN - $838,750
  • PRINCE WILLIAM - $838,750 


Ready to take advantage of the VA Loan increases? Curious if you qualify for a VA Loan?

Call your local real estate experts at Ask Gina & Company at 703-574-3478 to unlock the possibilities!

Thanks for your service to our country - We'd be honored to serve you!

Gina M Tufano * Ask Gina & Company
Licensed Virginia Realtors since 1996
Keller Williams Realty Loudoun Gateway
20130 Lakeview Center Plaza #110
Ashburn, VA 20147

(703) 574-3478 office
(703) 891-9315 fax
www.Ask-Gina.com
www.LoudounForeclosureSOS.com

Unlock the possibilities!
Ask Gina & Company * Ashburn Keller Williams * Real Estate