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Rent Up 22% In Washington DC Area - Is It Time to Buy?

By
Real Estate Agent with Arlington Realty, Inc. VA License #0225 039201

Rent Up 22% In Washington DC Area - Is It Time to Buy?

Arlington VA Homes

According to Census numbers released in an article by The Washington Post, the cost of renting is up nearly 22% over the last ten years in the Washington DC area.

Nearly 10,000 single family homes that were occupied by their owners just two years ago are now considered rental properties. The pickings for rental properties are becoming more and more slim, as the average price for rentals continues to sneak upward.

The average rent jumped nearly 8.2 percent in the last year to $1,643. The area's median rent shot up to $1,190, which is third in the nation behind San Francisco and San Jose, Calif.

The vacancy rates in the DC area are the second lowest in the nation, only behind New York City.

So, the rental market is getting more expensive and more competitive.

Is it time to buy?

If you think so too, give me a call.

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Lanette Branch
Taylor Properties - Bel Air, MD
Bel Air, MD Real Estate Agent

Ugggh...that data sounds down right bleak for the Washington, DC'er looking to rent.  Could sale prices be any better, relatively speaking?  How's that looking?

Dec 22, 2010 06:33 AM
Trustworthy Responsive-Personal-Banking
HOMEPATH, USDA, VHDA, FHA, VA, CONV & JUMBO MORTGAGES - McLean, VA
Younullre not just a client-your a FRIEND!

Hey Aaron,

It's ironic because I have learned that if the rent is high for an area then typically housing it doing a lot better. I guess DC over the few years has done better but according to the rental data that you displayed it should be a lot hotter than it is?

Dec 22, 2010 08:48 AM
Larry Atkins
State Wide Realty Co. - Farmville, VA
Veteran Owned & Operated

Aaron,

Do you think many of these renters have been recently foreclosed on? If so, they may have trouble buying.  But I agree that the increase in rental prices seems like it should be good for the housing market in the long run....Happy Selling.

Dec 23, 2010 04:44 AM