Focus on where you're going and you'll know what steps to take. Focus on the steps you're taking and you won't know where you're going. (from notes to inspire action)

Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival - A Vibrant Community in Action

Over 120 vendors and thousands of people will fill the streets of Leesburg this April 17th and 18th. There will be landscape designs, gardening supplies, outdoor living items, plants, flowers and herbs galore! That's right - it's time for the Annual Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival!

A long running tradition in Leesburg, this will be their 20th year celebrating this event. Because the Flower and Garden Festival is the long running winner of Best of Loudoun's "Best Community Event," every year, the town works to make it even bigger and better. There has now been an entire block added to the event layout - adding 20 new vendors. That means more street food, more entertainment and more flowers!

If you're not a natural green thumb, but strive to be one, the Demonstration Stage is where you'll want to spend most of your time. They will take you through topics covering everything from rain barrel making to composting, and even Monarch Butterfly way stations.

This next new addition will definitely have a lot of people excited - the newly added Wine and Beer Garden, located behind the Town Hall. Besides, what's Loudoun County without a taste of the best wineries and breweries?

The festivities are not just for shopping and gardening, but also to bring entertainment and put the "Spring" back in Leesburg. For the children, there will be hourly entertainment, much of it interactive, on the Children's stage. If that's not enough, there will also be crafts, face painting and other fun activities to keep the kids busy.

Don't think they forgot about the adults! Local and regional bands will grace the the main stage of Leesburg, located at the Loudoun County Courthouse. Music will vary across the board from Reggae to classic rock, as well as performances by local star Gary Smallwood and country sensation Jay Henly the Stone Broke Band.

To see a little sneak preview of what to expect from this year's show, go to Leesburg Today's Video Preview.

I can guarantee you'll have a good time at this festival - it's a great time to get outside and spend time with family and friends - and of course your fellow Leesburg neighbors. If you are thinking about moving to Leesburg, I highly suggest coming to this event to get a taste of this vibrant community.

Helena Talbot
Broker/Owner
Exit Realty Talbot and Company
Phone: 703-574-3800
Email: Helena@mris.com
www.helenatalbot.net
www.loudouncountyonline.com
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If you think of everything you have to do, you feel overwhelmed. If you do the one thing you have to do, you make progress. (from notes to inspire).

Weekly Market Activity Report: Federal Tax Deadline Creates Burst of MRIS Region Activity

It's getting closer and closer and buyers and sellers are definitely reacting. I'm talking about the federal tax credit deadline. With the final day only 25 days away, the MRIS region saw even more resurgence after the week ending March 27th and an eruption of market activity.

There were 3,382 signed purchase agreements for the week, which is an increase of 44.7%. On top of that, at 5,315 new listings in the MRIS region, there was a new listing increase of 26.9% from the year before.

A few other interesting trends:
Pending sales were also up compared to last year at 30,103.
The length of time that homes stayed on the market until sale went down 16.2% from last year.
The house affordability index is down 8.8% compared to last year, but up compared to 2003.

For the full MRIS activity report, click here.

Helena Talbot
Broker/Owner
Exit Realty Talbot and Company
Phone: 703-574-3800
Email: Helena@mris.com
www.helenatalbot.net
www.loudouncountyonline.com
My Featured Listings
Become a Facebook Fan
Follow Me on Twitter

Loudoun County Cherry Blossoms - Simply Breathtaking

If you aren't from Loudoun County, you may not know one of the best benefits to living here during the Spring time. The answer is Cherry Blossoms.

For about 14 days, the trees bloom up, covering Loudoun County from various parks around the Tidal Basin to other areas off the beaten track. There is simply no better experience than being surrounded by the sights and smells of these delicate yet breathtaking trees.

Contrary to what many may think, the cherry blossom tree is not indigenous to Washington. They were in fact a gift of friendship from the people of Japan. The first two cherry trees were planted on the northern bank of the Tidal Basin and still stand there today.

Here are the best ways this spring to embrace this beautiful gift bestowed upon Loudoun County...

The Cherry Blossom Syrah Rose Release
Saturday, April 10th
11 AM to 6 PM
Breaux Vineyards celebrates the season by revealing the release of their award winning Syrah Rose. Surround yourself with sunshine, fresh air, live music and friends and family, all while enjoying a refreshing Syrah.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival
March 27th to April 11th
An annual 2 week event that celebrates springtime in Washington DC. There are too many events to mention - A fireworks show, a parade, daily cultural performances - truly something for everybody. Over 700,000 tourists flock to Washington D.C. to enjoy the sights and sounds of this fantastic celebration.

The Gardens of Loudoun County
Loudoun County boasts some of the best gardens around - from Purellville, to Waterford, Middlburg to Leesburg. Witness the cherry blossoms bloom in pastel pink and white puffs, or any of the other variety of fresh bouquets - which you can often pick and take home with you.


In it's native Japanese culture, the cherry blossom is an omen of good fortune, an emblem of love and a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life. I can't think of any better way to bring in the Spring to Loudoun. Much like the cherry blossom, the community of Loudoun County is not common, but once you stumble upon it, you are taken by its beauty and don't want to see it go.



Helena Talbot
Broker/Owner
Exit Realty Talbot and Company
Phone: 703-574-3800
Email: Helena@mris.com
www.helenatalbot.net
www.loudouncountyonline.com
My Featured Listings
Become a Facebook Fan
Follow Me on Twitter

Weekly Market Activity Report: Tax Credit Deadline Fast Approaching

We are mere weeks from the tax credit deadline and the spring market is feeling the heat. For the week ending March 20th, the MRIS region saw a huge jump in various metrics. The winner, however, is pending sales. There were 3,236 signed purchase agreements for that week alone - a 36.4% jump!

New listings also beat out last years numbers by a good amount at 22.6%. The one number that still remains far below last year's figures is the number of active listings. Last year there were 22.5% more active listings on the market.

For the full MRIS Market Activity Report, click here.

Helena Talbot
Broker/Owner
Exit Realty Talbot and Company
Phone: 703-574-3800
Email: Helena@mris.com
www.helenatalbot.net
www.loudouncountyonline.com
My Featured Listings
Become a Facebook Fan
Follow Me on Twitter

Do it yourself and you'll get something done. Show others how to do it and you'll get lots of things done. (from notes to inspire)