Anyone know anything about the McLean real estate market?

[Anonymous]

Ahh the myth that is "owning" your Home. You don't own anything until you pay it off and the value of the house is only the value if you actually sell it. You're not always throwing money away if there is no equity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would free reduced lunch percentages be problematic?

Does this really need to be spelled out for anyone on this board?

Free and reduced-price lunches are made available for low-income families. The percentage of children at a school who receive free or reduced-price lunch indicates the percentage of low income children in the school.

Generally, schools with high-income families have highly motivated children, more parental involvement, a less transient student body, etc.

It is kind of a given, and I'm surprised someone didn't know it. Having to spell it out, yes, it sounds kind of mean.

100% agree with you PP. Such a ridiculous question, and I seriously doubt that the poster didn't know why it's problematic.

Wow, wow, wow. Guess what - there are actually some parents who are poor but are very involved in their kids' education. And there are also poor students who are acutely aware of their circumstances and are highly motivated because they don't want to continue the cycle of poverty.

Signed,


A white Harvard educated lawyer who grew up in a poor school district with VERY involved parents and highly motivated students

[Anonymous]

For re-sale value go for Langley. It doesn't matter if residents tell you that McLean is just as good as Langley what matters is the perspective of outside buyers. Langley is higher rated and has much more recognition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, wow, wow. Guess what - there are actually some parents who are poor but are very involved in their kids' education. And there are also poor students who are acutely aware of their circumstances and are highly motivated because they don't want to continue the cycle of poverty.

Signed,


A white Harvard educated lawyer who grew up in a poor school district with VERY involved parents and highly motivated students

So where do you send your kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for your insight. We're thinking we'll live there 5-10 years. We don't want to wait much longer to buy. We're in our mid-thirties and will be first time homebuyers. We feel like we'll be throwing our $$ away if we keep renting. We're looking for a single family home - and like everyone else, would love the cheapest house in the best neighborhood. Any advice on where to look? we're not interested in chesterbrook/anything down kirby road but are open to everywhere else (DH hated kirby for some reason and didn't want to drive that road every day)

Please tell me you are a bored realtor trying to drum up business. Five years? And if wages stay flat or deflate in this area (you do know there is considerable interest and pressure to start axing the federal budget), that will be a downward pressure on the market in this area. And if mortgage rates go up substantially while wages are flat or declining that will be huge downward pressure.

I am a homeowner and all for homeownership. No one has a crystal ball and those buying long term probably need not be as concerned. But five years is NOT long term. Please, please at least go in with eyes wide open, aware you are may very well end up throwing considerably more money away by owning then by renting over a 5- 10 year period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would free reduced lunch percentages be problematic?

Does this really need to be spelled out for anyone on this board?

Free and reduced-price lunches are made available for low-income families. The percentage of children at a school who receive free or reduced-price lunch indicates the percentage of low income children in the school.

Generally, schools with high-income families have highly motivated children, more parental involvement, a less transient student body, etc.

It is kind of a given, and I'm surprised someone didn't know it. Having to spell it out, yes, it sounds kind of mean.

100% agree with you PP. Such a ridiculous question, and I seriously doubt that the poster didn't know why it's problematic.

Wow, wow, wow. Guess what - there are actually some parents who are poor but are very involved in their kids' education. And there are also poor students who are acutely aware of their circumstances and are highly motivated because they don't want to continue the cycle of poverty.

Signed,


A white Harvard educated lawyer who grew up in a poor school district with VERY involved parents and highly motivated students

Unfortunately, those poor but involved parents are hard to come by these days. The poor people these days are mostly lazy and have no pride. I was just reflecting on this with my parents who were raised very poor in the 40s, but their parents worked so hard to give them good lives and put the children first. Not like some of these horrible, lazy people who spend their welfare money on cigarettes and fake nails...

[Anonymous]

OP One thing is that most of the McLean elementary schools do not have all day kindergarten and the waiting lists for after-school care are very long. In many Fairfax Co schools all day kindergarten is available in only economically disadvantaged schools. If you need childcare, this could add to your costs to live in McLean.

[Anonymous]

Op are you planning to stay in the same area when you sell in 7 years or whatever? If so wouldn't you want to stay in the same school district ideally? I know people say langely is better but I'd never live that far out. I think mcleans proximity balances out the school issue in terms of resale.