alternative for fairfax/fairlakes to buy a house

[Anonymous]

I live in Fair Oaks Estates and have frankly never visually noticed the electrical substation or cell tower from our neighborhood, even though I am aware that Dominion Power has a substation nearby (and in fact sold some of their land to the new Harris Teeter, etc). In looking at Google Maps, I am approximately 1 mile from there and still within the 340ish homes of the neighborhood, and nowhere near the "end" of the neighborhood. There are no houses in the immediate vicinity of the substation. Another notable thing is that we have NO overhead power lines and that our power rarely goes out--additionally, if the power does goes out, we are the first to come back on since we are "first on the grid". I truly do not feel there is a health risk to living here, and it is a great value for a decent size home and yard, with multiple conveniences within a 5 mile radius, including highway access, Fair Oaks Mall, and Fair Oaks Hospital. Getting a house under 500K these days though is a stretch, unless it is a foreclosure. The last few to sell are more in the 515-550 range, and sell within a couple weeks of being listed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People, when they say "Vienna rambler" it means complete and utter dump sans garage. Think ca. 1953 with 1970s updates (if at all).

Depends on the cost. Under $450k, what you're saying is correct, the value there is mostly in the land.

OTOH, the rambler I live in:
1) New kitchen ca. 2007, with the 2nd fridge moved to the basement.
2) Bathroom remodeled in the 1990s.
3) Basement finished and bathroom added ca. 2005, as well as extensive basement waterproofing

Two houses to my left, a second story was added in the late 1950s, and three houses to my left, a second story was added in the 1990s (I think.) Across the street, we have some folks that have added about 60% or so to their house on on the back and added a garage. Across the corner (I live on a T intersection), there's some folks adding about 75% or so to their house. Folks to my left are going to do a full-on teardown, it's the first on the block.

Not sure why you think every 1950s rambler is a dump ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Fair Oaks Estates and have frankly never visually noticed the electrical substation or cell tower from our neighborhood, even though I am aware that Dominion Power has a substation nearby (and in fact sold some of their land to the new Harris Teeter, etc). In looking at Google Maps, I am approximately 1 mile from there and still within the 340ish homes of the neighborhood, and nowhere near the "end" of the neighborhood. There are no houses in the immediate vicinity of the substation. Another notable thing is that we have NO overhead power lines and that our power rarely goes out--additionally, if the power does goes out, we are the first to come back on since we are "first on the grid". I truly do not feel there is a health risk to living here, and it is a great value for a decent size home and yard, with multiple conveniences within a 5 mile radius, including highway access, Fair Oaks Mall, and Fair Oaks Hospital. Getting a house under 500K these days though is a stretch, unless it is a foreclosure. The last few to sell are more in the 515-550 range, and sell within a couple weeks of being listed.

My husband grew up in the Fair Oaks Estates subdivision. His family moved there is 1983 and he lived there until 1996. He and two of his childhood friends whom he still keeps in touch did not experience any health issues and are in 100% perfect health. My brother in law who has 3 kids purchased a home right down the street. It is a great neighborhood to live in

[Anonymous]

Have you considered areas of Fairfax County off of GW Parkway near Fort Hunt Park?

I am a realtor and I specialize in this area - there are not loads of houses here for less than 500k but they do exist.

Call me if you wish to set up an appointment - I could help you explore some options in different school districts.

Catherine
202-288-9524