Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I are planning to move out to northern VA in a year or two to expand our family. We’re currently living in DC.

We would like to move to a neighborhood that has good schools, some walkable amenities (e.g. neighborhood bar, corner store, little shops, etc) and is about a 5 minute drive from a metro stop. Our budget is under $900k for a 3bed (or 2 bed 1 den/basement) home. We’re open to a townhouse.

Any suggestions on potential areas to consider? Some have suggested Falls Church City but anything along that metro line would work. We want a small community feel.

Increase your budget by $500K.

Yes. Sadly Arlington SFHs have gotten ridiculously expensive. The 1 million dollar home we bought in 2009 would be close to 2 million in our neighborhood now and new builds are selling for close to 3 million. We are very close-in though in N.Arlington. You might want to look at some of the newer townhomes being built which are closer to 1 million.

Try Dominion Hills and Madison Manor for an older brick ranch or 2-story colonial. School pyramid is Cardinal ES, Swanson MS, and Yorktown HS (or lottery options).

We live in 1950s (renovated) brick ranch, 1200 sq ft plus finished basement. Sure it's small but we aren't home often because kids are into sports, hang out in parks or bike on trails, and as a family we visit DC often (less than 30 minute drive).

You are not going to buy a house with verbal offers in this area. Are you even a serious buyer?! How do you not know this?

Also Arlington Forest has homes in that range and near ballston

Anonymous wrote:Also look in Bluemont near Ballston (e.g. near Wilson blvd/Bluemont trail). Walkable to Ballston Metro but more like a 10 min walk. Ashlawn school district which is a very close community.

+1 this is where we live and it fits your wish list.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at the townhouses near the East Falls Church Metro off Washington Blvd, Sycamore St, abs Langston Blvd. They are older but tend to be better built than the newer townhouses and have more space. Schools are good and several nice parks. You are close to Falls Church which has much better restaurants than Arlington, a Harris Teeter, new Whole Foods and a great farmers market

We just got outbid for a TH almost across the street from the EFC Metro that was under $800K . It was very quiet and had trees around it. My DH convinced me it was overpriced and called the agent to make a verbal offer $50 K below asking. The agent was very nice and said she would submit the offer with the three offers she received. My husband yelled into the phone that she was a liar.

It closes on Aug 29 and DH still says his offer was right.

Would an agent not submit an offer even if it was low. I feel like DH’s bad behavior made us miss the TH.

I think if there’s something wrong with the higher offers or something appealing with the low one they will. Like if your offer was all cash with no contingencies. But I’m curious if they are required to submit everything. I will say most houses in Arlington go for list or more and have multiple offers. We sold our small ground level condo for over list and had multiple offers. I’d imagine there’d be even more competition for a TH.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at the townhouses near the East Falls Church Metro off Washington Blvd, Sycamore St, abs Langston Blvd. They are older but tend to be better built than the newer townhouses and have more space. Schools are good and several nice parks. You are close to Falls Church which has much better restaurants than Arlington, a Harris Teeter, new Whole Foods and a great farmers market

We just got outbid for a TH almost across the street from the EFC Metro that was under $800K . It was very quiet and had trees around it. My DH convinced me it was overpriced and called the agent to make a verbal offer $50 K below asking. The agent was very nice and said she would submit the offer with the three offers she received. My husband yelled into the phone that she was a liar.

It closes on Aug 29 and DH still says his offer was right.

Would an agent not submit an offer even if it was low. I feel like DH’s bad behavior made us miss the TH.

Is your husband always such a dick that yells at women?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at the townhouses near the East Falls Church Metro off Washington Blvd, Sycamore St, abs Langston Blvd. They are older but tend to be better built than the newer townhouses and have more space. Schools are good and several nice parks. You are close to Falls Church which has much better restaurants than Arlington, a Harris Teeter, new Whole Foods and a great farmers market

We just got outbid for a TH almost across the street from the EFC Metro that was under $800K . It was very quiet and had trees around it. My DH convinced me it was overpriced and called the agent to make a verbal offer $50 K below asking. The agent was very nice and said she would submit the offer with the three offers she received. My husband yelled into the phone that she was a liar.

It closes on Aug 29 and DH still says his offer was right.

Would an agent not submit an offer even if it was low. I feel like DH’s bad behavior made us miss the TH.

First of all, your spouse shouldn't have yelled. You need a written offer. A verbal offer shows nothing (and is not legally binding) and doesn’t even show if you can afford the place. You need pre-approval from the bank or mortgage company you can afford the home. Get a buyers agent who can help you and don't yell. Do some research, ask around, and find someone who has experience in the area(s) you are looking.

Most things that are priced right are going for ask or above with no or little contingencies.

On another note, are you ok? Does your spouse yell a lot? Is your spouse the one making all the decisions regarding your home? It is your money too and only you can decide if your relationship is okay.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at the townhouses near the East Falls Church Metro off Washington Blvd, Sycamore St, abs Langston Blvd. They are older but tend to be better built than the newer townhouses and have more space. Schools are good and several nice parks. You are close to Falls Church which has much better restaurants than Arlington, a Harris Teeter, new Whole Foods and a great farmers market

We just got outbid for a TH almost across the street from the EFC Metro that was under $800K . It was very quiet and had trees around it. My DH convinced me it was overpriced and called the agent to make a verbal offer $50 K below asking. The agent was very nice and said she would submit the offer with the three offers she received. My husband yelled into the phone that she was a liar.

It closes on Aug 29 and DH still says his offer was right.

Would an agent not submit an offer even if it was low. I feel like DH’s bad behavior made us miss the TH.

Um, your DH sounds like a piece of work. Why did he yell at the agent? And what makes his price "right"?" Also, an offer has to be in writing to be valid. Get a good buyers' agent. There are still multiple offer situations and not using an agent of your own just puts you at a disadvantage.

Anonymous wrote:Look at the townhouses near the East Falls Church Metro off Washington Blvd, Sycamore St, abs Langston Blvd. They are older but tend to be better built than the newer townhouses and have more space. Schools are good and several nice parks. You are close to Falls Church which has much better restaurants than Arlington, a Harris Teeter, new Whole Foods and a great farmers market

We just got outbid for a TH almost across the street from the EFC Metro that was under $800K . It was very quiet and had trees around it. My DH convinced me it was overpriced and called the agent to make a verbal offer $50 K below asking. The agent was very nice and said she would submit the offer with the three offers she received. My husband yelled into the phone that she was a liar.

It closes on Aug 29 and DH still says his offer was right.

Would an agent not submit an offer even if it was low. I feel like DH’s bad behavior made us miss the TH.