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We are knee-deep in Very trying times.  Myriad events, and nearly warring factions are testing the very core of our National Resolve.  Nerves are frayed, patience is running preciously thin, we are at a boiling point. 

Some things ought to unite us.  Basic tenants, ideals that define our Exceptional Nation, ought to bridge any and every divide.  The sanctity of childhood.  National security.  Fairness.  Unity.  Due process.  And yes, Free Speech.  All these concepts ought to cross any partisan aisle.  Universal Truths if you will. 

Sadly, we have personally been repeatedly assaulted.  Our household is Patriotic.  We are dedicated to our nation.  We believe that our collective Greatest Goal is to assure that every citizen can realize their highest potential.  Chemists ought to be free to experiment.  Engineers ought to reach their highest and best ideas.  Janitors ought to be free to be the most efficient floor polishers.  There is Nothing as evil as intentionally Throttling another—of holding them back for one’s own agenda. 

Which is why we are adamant that the Vandal, the habitual, chronic, fascist censor that was caught red handed silencing with impunity our free speech, ought to be held to the maximum accountability. 

On July 7, a neighbor eye witnessed and confronted a person vandalizing our political sign.  The sheriff’s deputy interviewed our witness, and my wife.  Our witness positively identified the perp (a 77-year-old who has owned and operated a shop in the area for Decades!).  Upon confrontation by the Deputy, the perp’s response was an indignant, “Well!  If they are going to put up a sign like That, they ought to Expect this!!”  As if, “expecting” is equivalent to “Accepting”.  We have fire and rescue at airports.  We have emergency medics at NASCAR races.  We may, indeed, “Expect” crashes, but We Do Not Accept them! 

We have had Three other neighbors volunteer their tales of woe and malicious encounters (often face-to-face!) with this malcontent neighborhood terror.  Our signs have been vandalized since—this only galvanizes our resolve to replace and repair their attempts at silencing.  We also Must send a message, that this Will Not Be Tolerated, and there Will be Consequences! 

Friends and Neighbors, all partisanship aside, Fascists Silence Free Speech!!  This is an issue we ALL ought to object to!  This is something NONE of us ought to tolerate.  This is something No one ought to be subjected to. 

This perp was confronted, has been charged, has been indignant and defiant about his transgressions.  I appeal to you All, conservative or liberal, to join us at 10:00 on September 21, to pack the gallery at the Fauquier County Courthouse.  We should all wear identifying clothing (MAGA or KAG or Trump gear works) to show the judge how many of us find this person’s actions Despicable, Degenerate, Deplorable, Intolerant, and INTOLERABLE! 

I have been assured that we are welcome to pack the gallery, that our presence will Not influence the perpetrator’s guilt or innocence, but MAY influence the SENTENCING aspects of this case. 

So please, if you are able and willing, Join Us, September 21, at 10:00, at the Fauquier County Courthouse!! 

Lately, many folks I speak with, work with, and encounter express reticence and skepticism about the current state of economic affairs, and how that is influencing their position regarding Real Estate transactions.

These are scary times, indeed. Uncertainty seems the word of the day. The public health, the stock market fluctuations, unemployment figures, are all causing unrest and upheaval in the industry. Nonetheless, families still come into being, divorces happen, people still make the leap of faith and exit abusive relationships, people do still die of other natural causes, and opportunities do present themselves. At the end of the day, we all still need someplace to lay our head. In short, life still does go on.

We are currently presented with a combination of factors that make buying and selling, NOW, a great opportunity. Interest rates literally cannot get lower. Financial institutions are Very eager and keen to fulfill transactions. Fuel is practically free. Inflation is at near zero (thank God!!, but more on That in another blog!). And, as said earlier, we still need a place to lay our heads.

To folks that say, “Well… I’m just unsure. I think I want to wait this out, see how things evolve.”, I reply: I am convinced that the current excellent buying and selling environment will not last. Prognosticating, I see, at Best, the continuation of a strong market. A not-good scenario involves the introduction of inflation, increasing fuel costs, a continued economic shutdown, and freezing of assets. A “Worst-Case” scenario involves complete socialization of our culture, nationalizing our industries, freezing of bank accounts, and civil unrest. And we Still need a place to lay our head!!

I predict a volatile and changing American landscape. Even if the “Worst-Case” scenario, above, were to come to pass, you’d still be Harry and/or Harriet Homeowner. However, if Anything Other than continuation of our current unprecedented state of economy were to come to pass, it will become horribly difficult to Become a homeowner! So, here we’ve got the confluence of several factors that make Now a golden opportunity. At very best, those factors will not remain in place another six months. The only sure thing is Change. And change from where we are now (be it to one of continued hardship to actual full-on Socialism) makes the prospect of buying and selling, except in the most rare of circumstances, a very long shot.

In my opinion, the only sort of buying I’d be more cautious about Now, is buying with the eye to flip or resell in six months or a year. Because, we now live, as the Chinese Curse says, “…In Interesting Times”. The Future is less sure than ever, and the present far eclipses what may come next, in terms of favorable influences.

So Let’s Go Find Your Next Home!!

PRESS RELEASE

American Life & Liberty is organizing the

FAUQUIER “FOR THE LOVE OF COUNTRY” CONSTITUTIONAL RALLY

at CROCKETT PARK in Midland (off Meetze Road right before Rt 28) in Fauquier County on FEBRUARY 29, 2020!

Gates opening at 9am and close at 4pm.  ALL ARE INVITED. 

Since the November election, the new legislators have introduced bills that many consider Radical and Outrageous. Across the State, large groups of people have gathered to protest and speak out against this legislation, ask their representatives to kill the bills, and protect our Fine State.  We had over 2,000 turn out for the Board of Supervisors on December 12, 2019 with over 150 speakers, as reported by Fauquier Now.

Due to the overwhelming plea from the citizens, the Board of Supervisor Chris Butler tabled the BOS vote to create a Fauquier 2A Constitutional Resolution that had more TEETH. On December 23, 2019 with a 5 to 0 vote the NEW VERSION passed, as reported by Local Media. The Board of Supervisors, with the support of the Sheriff, Commonwealth Attorney, and their Lobbyist will continue to fight against any law that infringes on the rights of Fauquier citizens.

The Legislative Session (House and Senate) in Richmond is ending on March 7^th, when the House & Senate Bills will be forwarded to the Governor to become Laws.  Now is the time to come together to hear from our legislature and expert speakers about how these new laws will impact us, the people of Virginia. 

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As bills become law, what will happen?  If the gun ban happens, will they break down my door to take my guns? (NO!)  Will new laws make my taxes go up?  What will actually influence or change my daily life? 

There are ways to fight against the unconstitutional laws.  There are ways to flip our government back into a balance that could mitigate the damage done.  There are real issues in our culture. How do we address these issues?  This is not about partisan politics.  This is about AMERICAN LIFE & LIBERTY.

ALL ARE WELCOME – Join the RALLY on February 29, 2020 with national, state and local speakers from 10am-3pm.  Gates open at 9am.  The rally will have food, vendors and music.  *No hate or violent protesting allowed.

This press release is approved by American Life & Liberty, a new non-connected Political Action Committee dedicated to helping American Citizens have a government that supports their Values and ensure their Life & Liberty.

I am honored to be a part of a growing grass roots group of folks who are increasingly concerned with the trajectory of our local, state, and federal politics. American Life & Liberty – Action Coalition had eight of it’s members head down to Richmond LAST Monday, the 13th, specifically to meet with key Legislators Before the busyness of “Lobby Day”, January 20th. Our group was representing three organizations working together for all Americans: American Life & Liberty, Family Alliance Network and Virginia Women Voters Coalition (coming soon).

Our intent was to gain an audience with as many of or local Representatives as we could, but Specifically with Elisabeth Guzman, as many of us see her as Key to many pieces of legislation we find most disturbing.

We were not disappointed. Following is an account of our day, and the unexpected meetings and moments along the way.

We carpooled in three cars, coming to Richmond from the north and the south. We arrived at around 8:30 to a modicum of confusion and unexpected lines, as both civilians and elected officials hoping to enter the Pocahontas Building (where House Representatives and Senators’ offices are housed) were met with heightened security measures including metal detectors and scanners. Mind you, this was the Monday following the sneaky underhanded under the table and unaccountable “committee” had decided to disallow firearms (from ANYone) inside the buildings on the Capital.

The mood was mostly jovial and enjoyable–most felt a bit of fellowship and camaraderie (and, the weather was fair, and the line moved reasonably). Once inside, we found our way to the fourth floor, where some of the representatives we hoped to meet with had offices, but also where (coincidentally–we did Not schedule our visit to coincide with any events or protest) the NRA was housed for their day of action. They were handing out 30 round AR magazines, and information/propaganda.

Our plan was to meet with Elisabeth Guzman, speak our pieces, then split and half of us attend both houses of congress. I was unsure how Guzman would receive us, if we would have an audience, and her reactions to “opposition”. I left her office still an ardent adversary, but with new respect for her.

We filed in and, over the next hour, told her our stories about why firearms were important to us, and that they were far more often “a great equalizer”; a tool of both racial and sexual equality. She was respectful and receptive of the messages. I went last, suspecting that my statement may be provocative, or taint her opinion of the rest of our group.

While the others described their enjoyment of sport, or need for self- or home- protection, My position was that those were secondary or collateral benefits of the 2nd. I said the purpose of the 2nd was the ability to overthrow tyrants. Full stop. I also told her that I did not doubt her sincerity, her dedication, or her devotion, and that she had as much chance of changing my views and ideas as I did of hers. Also, that I saw her, fully. That I saw her intent, her end game, her ideals. And that I fully, totally, entirely disagreed with her positions, values, views, and objectives, and that it was my mission to resist her at every turn (with all due respect). I said that, rather than even insult her integrity or my values trying in vain to change each other’s beliefs, I was focusing on replacing her.

We parted friends, and she accepted an invite from a member of our group to come up to Fauquier to go shooting (as she never has, before). Del Guzman actually reached out to one member of our group about her personal experience since it touched her. The women in the group plan to return with a follow up appointment with the new group Virginia Women Voters Coalition.

So, it was a surprisingly pleasant meeting.

We went to both the Senate and House Gallery, where our group was recognized and welcomed on the Floor of each chamber by Senator Jill Vogel in the Senate and Delegate Michael Webert in the House of Delegates.

The Virginia Capital building was designed by Thomas Jefferson as the first US Government Building. The grounds are stunning, overwhelming with beautiful architecture, statuary, and history.

We also met that day with our Delegate Michael Webert, and our Senator Jill Vogel.

The greatest, most unexpected pleasure of the day, however, was a very last-minute meeting with The Great Nick Freitas. Another Link for a Man for Virginia.

We asked for an audience with Delegate Freitas, and he welcomed our group into his (very busy) office, shut the door, and spent a fantastic Hour and a Half with us, hearing our concerns and showing sincere interest and concern with our issues.

We even had chance to meet with Delegate Chris Collins, who joined the meeting with Delegate Freitas to discuss the real safety concerns that are not addressed by the proposed bills in the 2020 60-day session. Delegate Collins is a fine, dedicated man, with insight and personal experience invaluable to our cause.

The group followed up with him at his office after we left Del Freitas office.

Our day was filled with encounters of all sort. We met the Caped Crusader of Hemp.

The Green New Deal was also wonderfully represented (although they were relegated to literally hiding in a dead-end hallway! And then removed from the building and not allowed back for disrupting the building with their outbursts.

There were also dozens, hundreds of Concerned Citizens, all around the Capitol grounds sharing their concerns with the media, Delegates, Senators and other citizens worried about the future of Virginia.

We left Richmond with a very strong sense of accomplishment, and cooperation with our elected officials. This might have been our first trip to the Capital, but it is far from our last. The experience taught us the power of building bridges and working on relationships. The diversity of our group and the power of our dedication is the strength of our efforts. This is not the last you will hear from our efforts.

Stay tuned. We will be checking in regularly.

Debbie and I have Four listings you all may want to know about–Four that have had Major price reductions this week.

First up, we have our great five bedroom, three bath family home with full unfinished walk-out basement near Orlean on over Ten wooded and clear acres. Featuring brand new flooring and paint throughout, this home is turn-key ready to welcome it’s next family. Drastic price reduction to only $525,000 (BELOW assessed value)!!

https://matrix.brightmls.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?ID=8613891119

Next, we have a Stunning four bedroom, 3.5 bath Chalet just six miles south of Front Royal, surrounded by epic Blue Ridge and Skyline Mountain Views, just reduced $15k, to $675,000. Close enough to commute to the City, yet far enough to be considered for a second-home or mountain retreat. Come be IN the Views! We are holding Open Houses This Saturday, November 2, and Next Saturday And Sunday, the 9th and 10th!

https://matrix.brightmls.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?ID=8613934354

Right Back in Marshall, just three miles from I66, this amazing Custom home on over seven fully-fenced acres has a new, lower price of $589,000. The attention to detail, the craftsmanship, and materials make this home a show-stopper. Images just don’t do it justice!

https://matrix.brightmls.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?ID=8613907770

Our second Orlean area four bed, 3.5 bath home with semi-finished walk-out basement sits on over ten mostly wooded acres, has TONS of potential, and features an open loft with Three bedrooms and Two Full Baths, overlooking the main level living room with cathedral ceilings and two-story stone fireplace! Price just dropped $10,000!

https://matrix.brightmls.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?ID=8613922432

Debbie and I would Welcome the opportunity to show you these homes, or find you Exactly what you are seeking!

It’s been a Banner Month, in a time that is typically busy to begin with!

We had one Charming little home in Goldvein go directly from “Coming Soon!”, to “Under Contract!”.  The home closed without a hitch, and a new family is Set to Bloom here!  Featuring over five acres, its OWN POND, and completely renovated with Three bedrooms and Two baths, great open floorplan Country Kitchen and vaulted ceilings in the Living/Dining room, this home was Sure to be snatched up! 

https://matrix.brightmls.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?ID=7077985348

Simultaneously, our “Fixer-Upper” with Huge potential had Enormous interest and activity.  Also right in the Goldvein area (Equidistant to both Fredericksburg And Warrenton!) It went under contract after escalating over ten thousand dollars!  Our client will soon be free to travel the world, unencumbered by a home too large. 

https://matrix.brightmls.com/matrix/shared/zn4KC2y1rJ/13387SillamonROAD

We have added FOUR great listings this last week—One a spectacular Chalet on either ten or twenty acres, just six miles south of Front Royal.  This home is perched atop a knoll, nestled in a valley of Skyline Drive, with 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge.  The estate will make an excellent 2^nd (or 3^rd…) home for someone who wants to escape the City, or for the local Executive or Entrepreneur with discriminating tastes. 

https://matrix.brightmls.com/matrix/shared/YRTKK0pJxJ/151BoydsMillLANE

No expense was spared on materials or craftsmanship during the extensive renovations and modernizations of our next listing, featuring Three Master Suites, one on the lower level, with its Own Gourmet Kitchen and walk-out access!  This home is on over seven extensively land- and hardscaped acres, with a Grand Pergola, Koi pond, small barn/shed, and kennels.  It is entirely board fenced, augmented with approximately 2 ½ acres fenced with plastic coated 6’ chain link (dogs cannot jump this fence!).  This home is just Three miles from I66, right off Crest Hill Rd, in Marshall. 

https://matrix.brightmls.com/matrix/shared/WSklJllHxJ/4527AchillesLANE

Our little gem is a fine three bedroom, 1 ½ bath Brick rambler on five acres with spring-fed, fish filled POND, on Belvoir Road, convenient to…. Well… EVERYWHERE!   Located halfway between Marshall and The Plains, and minutes from I66, commutes are a breeze, and access to Leesburg, Gainesville, Marshall, Warrenton, Front Royal, Middleburg, and on and on, is simple and direct.  This home features a Brand New Roof, Fireplace, attached garage, and is Turn-Key Ready to move in! 

https://matrix.brightmls.com/matrix/shared/b0RYYPCMxJ/4227BelvoirROAD

We are proud to present a true Hidden Gem on ten mostly-wooded acres in the Highly desirable Orlean area of Northern Fauquier.  This four-bedroom, three and a half-bath home has true craftsman features—a two-story loft with three bedrooms and two baths upstairs(!) overlooks a dining and living room featuring a stone fireplace.  There is a Country Kitchen adjacent to the living room, and a Master Bedroom with Jacuzzi and Rain Shower on the Ground floor!  A huge oversized detached two-car garage and mostly unfinished basement round out this fine custom builder-built  home.

https://matrix.brightmls.com/matrix/shared/WLrKdWLPxJ/11131OrleanVistaDRIVE

We are also featuring our existing listing, also in the wonderful, beautiful and convenient  Orlean Area.  This great five bedroom, three bath home is perfectly situated on over 10 ½ mostly wooded acres, that drop off in a gentle slope to over 800’ frontage on Carters run.  This home features fresh paint and brand new flooring throughout.  An unfinished walk out basement and two-car garage with bonus room above make this a Great family home!   This owner is Motivated, has just drastically lowered the price, and is offering a negotiable remodeling allowance!

https://matrix.brightmls.com/matrix/shared/y0mXnWYSxJ/7400PoplarPointLANE

Debbie and I would welcome the opportunity to help you with your Real Estate needs.  We are All about the Northern Piedmont!  Don’t hesitate to shoot us a line.  We can advise, assist, and come up with the Best Solutions for you! 

I have been thinking about this for quite some time now–probably since I returned to Fauquier County two years ago March.

A few observations about Our Fine County, and from where it has come:

As a child, I spent many a Friday Night going around in circles at Hugo’s Skateway in southern Fauquier.  I remember well the controversy and kerfuffle over the debate to ALLOW black kids admission.  To the roller rink. 

I remember well, the then Belvoir Restaurant (now El Agave) making statewide news for refusing to allow blacks to be seated or served.  One of the legends is, Jim Vance of Channel 4, NBC DC came out to interview the owner.  During the interview, a light rain began to fall.  Vance made a motion to continue the interview inside, out of the rain.  The owner told him (a fine, eloquent, well educated, conservative, upstanding, brilliant Man among Men), “you ain’t comin’ in”.  The story went (mercifully briefly) national. 

I remember when the Fish and Game officer entered Freestate to enforce some such hunting law, and never came out.  (still searching for the linking article for this one–what do you guys remember?)

Yes.  Our county, our state, and our country have had dark times in our past.  Even in my past (and I’m “ONLY” 52!!).  Segregation, racism, Jim Crowe, lynchings, the Klan, and on and on, are a sad part of our collective history.  A history NONE of us are not proud of.  Nonetheless, during those times of discord, there was always a faction that fought that status quo.  That stood up and refused to accept each and every one of those policies (as well as internment, blue laws, not allowing women to vote or own property, and many, many others). 

By honoring the people who lived in those times, we celebrate not the periods of darkness, but the PROGRESS we, as a culture, have made.  We are all able to use statues, monuments, plaques, road and building names as pinpoints in history.  A pinpoint we can use as a yardstick to measure our progress.  And how much more needs improvement.  How are we to know what it was Like, be proud of how far we’ve Come, and judge how far we have YET to go, if we dismiss and erase and eliminate any reference to our past??  Destroying and vandalizing and demanding the removal of statues is nothing short of re-writing history. It is Crucial that we embrace our history–WARTS and All. As George Santayana wisely said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. To covet truth is a very distinguished passion.“

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Available for purchase, we have a Five Bedroom, Three Bath Family home on over ten acres in the Orlean area. Convenient to Warrenton, Marshall, Front Royal, and D.C.

Excellent home for a Busy, Active established or growing family! Featuring a full unfinished basement, wood stove, Great deck, mud room and bonus room. There is a paved driveway leading to a two car garage.

The Property has a gentle slope and long frontage on Carters Run. One third of the lot is grass and two thirds are wooded. Private, Quiet, and Scenic.

See the Link below for Far more information!

7400 Poplar Point Lane, Warrenton