Moving to DC, will there be anything on the Market to buy?

[Anonymous]

We are moving to the area and want to buy a house. I have been looking online for the past couple of months and have noticed all the good properties are gone in a matter of days. We can't come up until next weekend (June 20) to look. I'm worried there will be no houses left on the market. Should I worry? Things seem to have slowed down quite a bit.

[Anonymous]

We are looking 900K, by the way.

[Anonymous]

Where is the job?

Do you have school aged kids?

What is your budget?

In this area those are the most important things needed to get advice on where to buy.

[Anonymous]

the city? or close in?

[Anonymous]

There is always something to buy. Whether or not, the something that is available meets your specific wants is another story.

[Anonymous]

OP here. We want to live in city. No school aged kids. One on way, so I don't care too much about schools yet because much could change in 5 years. Jobs are in close in MD and close in VA, hence wanting to live in DC.

[Anonymous]

OP, there is plenty on the market, but I think you need to ask yourself a couple of questions - do you want a house or would you take a condo? Will you have two cars or live car-free?

[Anonymous]

Just rent for a while so you can get to know the city and decide what neighborhood you want to live in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just rent for a while so you can get to know the city and decide what neighborhood you want to live in.

Agreed PLUS even though OP does not have kids and is not concerned about schools, others do care very much about that and when OP wants to re-sell, it will become an issue if the house is in a crappy school district.

OP - where are you moving from? that might help us figure out what might work for you.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Moving from a Midwest college town. I really don't want to rent. It will be difficult to find a place that will accept our two big dogs. Plus it was hard enough to convince my wife to take a job in DC and make the move. She would not be happy with the idea of finding a place to rent and then moving later. It's a non starter for her.
We also don't want a condo, but wouldn't mind a town home..
I'm just worried we missed the window to get a nice house. Or maybe we missed the spring feeding frenzy...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Moving from a Midwest college town. I really don't want to rent. It will be difficult to find a place that will accept our two big dogs. Plus it was hard enough to convince my wife to take a job in DC and make the move. She would not be happy with the idea of finding a place to rent and then moving later. It's a non starter for her.
We also don't want a condo, but wouldn't mind a town home..
I'm just worried we missed the window to get a nice house. Or maybe we missed the spring feeding frenzy...

900k for a townouse in the city? you will be disappointed in what that will get you.

look at old town alexandria, maybe arlington (since schools not issue, arlington south of rt 50 may give you some decent choices).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Moving from a Midwest college town. I really don't want to rent. It will be difficult to find a place that will accept our two big dogs. Plus it was hard enough to convince my wife to take a job in DC and make the move. She would not be happy with the idea of finding a place to rent and then moving later. It's a non starter for her.
We also don't want a condo, but wouldn't mind a town home..
I'm just worried we missed the window to get a nice house. Or maybe we missed the spring feeding frenzy...

Hah, you understand that like 85% of DCUM wants to leave DC and move to a small college town.

There was no spring feeding frenzy;there hasn't been inventory in years, just crummy overpriced flyers. Things have slowed a bit on the buying side, but inventory is still poor quality and lower than it should be (but up from last year).

[Anonymous]

With a 900K budget, you should definitely be able to find a nice house or rowhouse east of rock creek park. It may take a few months of looking though so you should prepare for at least a short term rental. Since schools are not an issue for this move, that opens your field considerably. West of the park will be extremely tricky for that budget - very little inventory to begin with in all price ranges, and almost non-existent in the 900k and below range (some do get listed for below that but then often get bid up for way more). With 2 big dogs, I'd try to find a house with a bit of yard if I were you. It's possible in Takoma, Brightwood or Brookland (brookland's got a lot of boosters tho I find that neighborhood really meh myself). Lots of other areas if you're ok with rowhouse. Get an agent and pre-approval letter ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Since you said much could change in 5 years, buy with an eye toward resale. That means look at the schools in the area you are buying. Also look at commutes, child care options (as you said you have a baby on the way). Who knows? You may like it here and decide to stay. Better to deal with buying in a good area now than scrambling when your DC is ready for school. Good luck with your move.

[Anonymous]

At that price, you could get a really nice, renovated place in Hill East/H Street/NoMa or Brookland. People are such alarmists! Our 3-bed, 2-bath row house, walkable to two Metro stops and shopping, would probably sell for $750k.