Northern Virginia's "Golden Zip Codes"

The Washingtonian magazine published a series in May of 2010 with a chart entitled:  “Golden Zip Codes”.  The chart chronicles the 100 most expensive zip codes in the Washington DC metro area according to the 2009 median sales price.   Further, the chart compares the 2009 median sales price to that of 2008 and 2006, the peak year for most of the market area. 

Great Falls, Virginia appears at the top of the list of Golden Zip Codes and McLean, 22101 is in second place.  After that are 5 zip codes in Chevy Chase, Potomac and Bethesda, followed by Georgetown and Tenleytown/Pallisades, returning to the Virginia side of the river with Fairfax Station and the 22207 part of North Arlington.

Why does Great Falls top the list?  In my view it is a function of several fundamentals.  First, there are no condominiums or townhouses in Great Falls.  In fact there is very little dense development at all.  The smallest lot size I could find in Great Falls is a fifth of an acre. 

 Second, the majority of Great Falls is not served by public water and sewer.  This means that each home site must locate and dig a potable well in addition to needing the soil and the space that facilities the installation of an individual septic system.  In Great Falls, the Fire Station, the Library and even Great Falls Elementary operate on septic. 

 Third, the income of the area affords expensive housing.  According to the IRS figures for Adjusted Gross Income, Great Falls lies in the top 60 zip codes in the United States.  Further, Great Falls is the only zip code in the Washington, DC metro area to make it into the top 100.

 A final reason I believe that Great Falls is at the top of the Golden Zip Codes list is the area feeds into Langley High School, which is part of the acclaimed Fairfax County Public Schools.  Langley High School consistently places in the top 100 of America’s Best High Schools according to the annual U.S. News and World Report article.

 The best way I believe to stay current of the nuances of the real estate market is to counsel with an experienced Realtor.  The Huckaby Briscoe Group would be delighted to be that source of information.  Please visit our website for more information at:  www.HuckabyBriscoe.com or contact Karen Briscoe at 703-734-0192 or Homes@HBGroup.us.