Special offer

Washington D.C. - Maryland - Virginia - Where to Buy a Home

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes BR564219000

Washington D.C. - Maryland - Virginia - Where to Buy a Home

So my son called me yesterday from Maryland, and had a couple of questions for me.  I told him I'd put them on to Active Rain.  :)

Washington D.C. - Maryland - Virginia - Where to Buy a Home

He's considering buying a home in either Maryland, Washington D.C. or Virginia.  As a generalization, he's wondering which state has more community value, and are there local crime links he can peruse.

He stated that he's seen a lot of "neo-urbanism" in the outskirts of Washington D.C. and although the idea is interesting, he'd really like a house with a small yard, with one car garage for sure.

It doesn't have to be a new home, it doesn't have to be one story, it doesn't have to be perfect...it just needs to pass a VA inspection.

So...Maryland...Washington D.C.... Virginia.... where's the best place for a 30-something young professional with good credit, great job with the same company for over five years to buy?  (My son tells me this reads like a personal ad...)

And...what is the median home price in those applicable neighborhoods?  Thanks much!

Posted by

If I can assist you in your home buying or selling in Marana, Tucson, Oro Valley, or Vail, please don't hesitate to call me!  Email at Cara@SWDeserthomes.com

Cara Marcelle Mancuso, Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes

520-909-2988   

Regarding the material posted in my blog postings, All listing information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified through personal inspection by appropriate professionals. Listings displayed on this website may be subject to prior sale or removal from sale; availability of any listing should always be independently verified.

Listing information is provided for consumer personal, non-commercial use, solely to identify potential properties for potential purchase; all other use is strictly prohibited and may violate relevant federal and state law.

  Facebook buttonLinkedIn Button       twitter button

Comments (8)

Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

Hi Cara, I wildly predict that you'll get 3 different answers to your question! :-) I, of course, vote for Maryland and recommend the Silver Spring area - it's a check mark behind all the criteria.

What it boils down to is price range and commute. Where is his job located? How much of a commute is he willing to handle and is proximity to the Metro a decision-influencing factor?

Jul 11, 2012 01:01 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Well, Cara, since I'm in Florida, I can't help with that question. Just stopped by to say Hi!

Jul 12, 2012 04:57 AM
Debbie Cook
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring and Takoma Park Maryland Real Estate

In Maryland, for #1 I'd recommend Silver Spring.  The median price range for the type of house you are describing is around 350,000-400,000  My #2 recomendation would be the Hyattsville, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel or Bowie areas. The median price range in these areas would be less 250,000-300,000 for a great house. Police stations in these areas are forthcoming with the crime rates in each of these areas.

Jul 17, 2012 10:15 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

My best answer is that he should consider Montgomery County, Maryland as the first choice.  However, much depends on where he will be working and his price range.  

There is much traffic in the DC Metro area and the commute can be difficult.

We live in the Kentlands community in Gaithersburg, MD.

We will be happy to meet with him and give him our best advice.  roykelley@mris.com

Jul 17, 2012 10:18 AM
Cara Marcelle Mancuso
Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes - Tucson, AZ
Call a Marana neighbor, I'm THERE!

Currently, he is working in Washington D.C., but renting in Gaithersburg, MD...that's why he's open to three states.  :)  Thanks for the feedback - will pass on to him!

Jul 17, 2012 10:29 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

The first step in determining communities to consider is to first determine the qualifying price range.

Send me the price range for his search and I'll send a list of areas.

Might help to know the employment location and "commuting time" tollerance too.

 

Jul 17, 2012 09:11 PM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Cara-Thanks to you and your son for his service to our country. I know you'll get good advice from other ActiveRain members on locations.

Jul 17, 2012 10:17 PM
Cara Marcelle Mancuso
Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes - Tucson, AZ
Call a Marana neighbor, I'm THERE!

Hi Lenn - He's looking at $400K.  He's commuting an hour one way right now, and will do so if necessary after a home purchase.  He does not have to be right by his office, and really wants location and probably re-sale-ability most of all. He's just starting his search, and wants to discover all of the suggested areas personally over the next 6 months.

Jul 18, 2012 01:29 AM