Is it possible to buy a decent house for $500K or lower in a safe neighborhood with good schools?

[Anonymous]

I am feeling so dejected with this area's housing market. It feels like I cannot find anything that is in our price range that is not in a sketchy area. Could you recommend an area that fits this bill? Where I am from you can easily purchase a house for under $200k with good schools and it is a safe family friendly area. (I also realize that where I am from there are no jobs...but still I digress). It feels like this area you need at least $700K to ensure a good neighborhood/schools.

[Anonymous]

Yes, you can. But then you can't get a decent commute to DC.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Town of Vienna.

Look at listings for $550K and negotiate them down to $500.

[Anonymous]

What is a decent house to you?

[Anonymous]

Yes, try looking into the Alexandria area of FFX Co. (Waynewood, Hollin Hall). Some nice homes there for $500k. Also, good schools (great elementary, decent HS). Also, the commute to DC isn't horrible (GW Parkway, so it is a pretty commute and tends to not get too backed up).

[Anonymous]

We found a safe neighborhood with good schools for 600K, but I agree that 500K is more limiting. I understand your frustration--my family lives in other cities and get much more house for their money. Siblings have houses costing 400+K and 500+K that are luxurious compared to ours--huge lots and nice amenities. And my parents are in a very similar house to ours but for well under half the price.

[Anonymous]

Parts of Germantown, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, and Rockville would have houses in this price range.

[hedgehog]

I think it depends on where you are looking and what kind of house you want.

You should try Herndon, Chantilly or South Riding. Obviously the farther out you go the more options available. You don't really specify where you want to be or what you perceive as a decent house.

[Anonymous]

OP, I understand there's always going to be some sticker shock when you're coming from a dramatically different kind of place. Markets are simply going to be more competitive in metropolitan areas.

All of these desirable attributes come at a premium. It's is probably helpful for you that you didn't specify a desire for a location within or even near the city. Those of us for whom this is non-negotiable compromise on space. Even in your preferred location, you may wish to consider this. The SFH thing is something modestly paid people may need to let go of in areas where there are so many paid more than modestly.

[Anonymous]

If you want a fixer upper.

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Town of Vienna.

Look at listings for $550K and negotiate them down to $500.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I understand there's always going to be some sticker shock when you're coming from a dramatically different kind of place. Markets are simply going to be more competitive in metropolitan areas.

All of these desirable attributes come at a premium. It's is probably helpful for you that you didn't specify a desire for a location within or even near the city. Those of us for whom this is non-negotiable compromise on space. Even in your preferred location, you may wish to consider this. The SFH thing is something modestly paid people may need to let go of in areas where there are so many paid more than modestly.

How do you define modestly paid? I'm interested in hearing your response.

[Anonymous]

Houses in our neighborhood near downtown SS are anywhere from 460-600K. Good commute, and great elementary schools.

People don't seem to be big fans of the high school (Einstein), but we bought years before kids and so will reassess in 10 years when our first starts middle school. In the meantime, I have 16 years of a good commute. The hope is by then we will either move farther out, move away from this area, be able to afford to stay fairly close in, or get in a magnet program. So I would say it depends on the age of your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, try looking into the Alexandria area of FFX Co. (Waynewood, Hollin Hall). Some nice homes there for $500k. Also, good schools (great elementary, decent HS). Also, the commute to DC isn't horrible (GW Parkway, so it is a pretty commute and tends to not get too backed up).

Agree. We are also in the Alexandria section of FFX Co. There are a couple older developments off Telegraph Rd (Wellfleet, Hayfield Farm) that have some single family homes around 500k or slightly above. Hayfield pyramid, which isn't known for being the best in FFX county, but my neighbors have been happy with the education their children are receiving. Check out zip code 22315 in your searching. We are in Kingstowne, also 22315, which is mostly townhomes and newer, more expensive SFH. Very safe with lots of amenities and shopping nearby. Also, there just isn't much on the market right now, so that might be affecting your search.

DH and I both commute into/near the city. There are several ways to go. It's certainly not an Arlington commute, but as a PP mentioned I think, it's all about trade offs. I work early, in around 7am, and it takes me about 25 minutes, and there is never any traffic. DH does daycare drop off, and heads toward the city around 7 and is at work around 7:45 in Rosslyn.

http://www.redfin.com/search#!lat=38.75577779636545&long=-77.14589663727435&market=dc&max_price=500000&min_price=400000&num_baths=2.0&num_beds=3®ion_id=8846®ion_type=2&uipt=1&v=5&zoomLevel=12

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want a fixer upper.

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Town of Vienna.

Look at listings for $550K and negotiate them down to $500.

I agree. In my mind, "decent house" means not in need of renovation. You cannot get that for $500k in Vienna. Even the dumpy houses in Vienna Woods go in the low to mid $400s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, try looking into the Alexandria area of FFX Co. (Waynewood, Hollin Hall). Some nice homes there for $500k. Also, good schools (great elementary, decent HS). Also, the commute to DC isn't horrible (GW Parkway, so it is a pretty commute and tends to not get too backed up).

For example...http://www.redfin.com/VA/Alexandria/8400-Ashwood-Dr-22308/home/9820627.