Anonymous
Post 06/12/2015 22:41     Subject: Does anyone live in Oakton?
Unless a buyer is qualified to purchase a home at its list price, most agents will discourage him/her from touring a home (unless it is on sentrilock or having an open house). So the PP's comment that any realtor will take you to see a house isn't quite accurate.

I assume the OP loves the house based on the site, location, the exterior, whatever photos are available on realty sites, etc. I don't think that is foolish; on the contrary, I think that is how most people establish their initial interest in/liking for a particular home. What would be foolish would be to make an offer on a home you haven't seen in person (but the OP doesn't seem to be planning to do that).
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2015 22:23     Subject: Does anyone live in Oakton?
OP- You are starting to sound foolish. You are in love with a house that you haven't seen the inside of? Anyone can go look at any house with an agent- just go see for yourself.
You noted earlier that you want a community but you are looking at an isolated house on a busy road. I'm not following you.
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2015 18:21     Subject: Does anyone live in Oakton?
Oh my goodness, so sorry about that previous post! I meant to copy only an excerpt from one post.
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2015 16:48     Subject: Does anyone live in Oakton?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Op here. The house I love is off Fox Mill, not far from intersection with waples mill. My main concern is that it will be a mistake (with respect to my young kids) to go from a townhouse community with pool & playground and neighbors with kids to none of that (although the house has a pool).


If you're looking at the house that I'm thinking of, it is also Crossfield Elementary, which is fantastic. I actually went there myself decades ago and it still ranks really high. We are not going to buy in the area because of what you mentioned though - I have small elementary aged kids and wanted more of a community feel for them. Did you see the house off of Tilton Valley? It is actually Fairfax - but Navy ES, Carson MS, Oakton HS - needs some work, but only $650k, which is fantastic for that neighborhood. (I think we're looking for houses in the same price range and area...)


This the OP. The elementary school of the house i love is Waples Mill. I am so surprised that this house has not sold yet. It has been in the market for more than 250 days. I absolutely love it, even though it's directly on Fox Mill. It sits back from the road quite a bit, on a hill. It was a torn down farm house that was reconstructed. I am really wondering why it had not sold yet. I wonder if it's simply because it's in Oakton...but Oakton can't be that bad, right?


Ok, I took the bait and looked it up in the MRIS.
Nothing wrong with Oakton, but the house seems like a bit of a Frankenstein...maybe the photos aren't doing it justice. Ceiling appear a bit low, I'd expect the kitchen to be a bit more "wow" at that price point as well, the back looks a bit unbalanced. However, if you love it, then who cares! That's what matters. Does it feel like home to you?
The lot is fantastic, the location near trails is wonderful, and you're near Wegman's.
What is holding you back? As an agent I say put in an offer and see what happens. 265 DOM isn't unusual for this price point & location.
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2015 12:02     Subject: Does anyone live in Oakton?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Great schools and 1980s suburban style or shitty schools and urban charm? So many fun choices to be made in DCUM real estate. Can't have it all unless you are Richie Rich.


Or live in north arlington


Or Bethesda. It seems to have great schools and lots of semi-urban charm.


We actually live in Bethesda and continue to think about moving to Oakton. Bethesda is nice, but I really love the feel of Oakton where you can get a beautiful home for the price of a shack in Bethesda. We have been visiting open houses in Oakton for the past few months. The one real drawback seems to be that there is that busy road (Waples Mill) that seems so narrow, windy, and dangerous without any pedestrian access. For example we looked at a house that's right near Waples Mill Elementary, but the kids had to take a bus because of the need to cross the busy street. Too bad that wasn't planned out better to make the road wider with some pedestrian access.


There is a reason why you can buy a large oakton home for shack prices....


Seriously, WTF?

I didn't realize the going price for a shack was $900k-2 million dollars. Thanks for the intel.


NP here. I'm guessing that the previous poster above wasn't trying to say that the prices are low in Oakton. But just that the prices (which are high) would only get you a shack in Bethesda, for example.
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2015 08:58     Subject: Does anyone live in Oakton?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Op here. The house I love is off Fox Mill, not far from intersection with waples mill. My main concern is that it will be a mistake (with respect to my young kids) to go from a townhouse community with pool & playground and neighbors with kids to none of that (although the house has a pool).


If you're looking at the house that I'm thinking of, it is also Crossfield Elementary, which is fantastic. I actually went there myself decades ago and it still ranks really high. We are not going to buy in the area because of what you mentioned though - I have small elementary aged kids and wanted more of a community feel for them. Did you see the house off of Tilton Valley? It is actually Fairfax - but Navy ES, Carson MS, Oakton HS - needs some work, but only $650k, which is fantastic for that neighborhood. (I think we're looking for houses in the same price range and area...)


This the OP. The elementary school of the house i love is Waples Mill. I am so surprised that this house has not sold yet. It has been in the market for more than 250 days. I absolutely love it, even though it's directly on Fox Mill. It sits back from the road quite a bit, on a hill. It was a torn down farm house that was reconstructed. I am really wondering why it had not sold yet. I wonder if it's simply because it's in Oakton...but Oakton can't be that bad, right?
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2015 17:05     Subject: Does anyone live in Oakton?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Great schools and 1980s suburban style or shitty schools and urban charm? So many fun choices to be made in DCUM real estate. Can't have it all unless you are Richie Rich.


Or live in north arlington


Or Bethesda. It seems to have great schools and lots of semi-urban charm.


We actually live in Bethesda and continue to think about moving to Oakton. Bethesda is nice, but I really love the feel of Oakton where you can get a beautiful home for the price of a shack in Bethesda. We have been visiting open houses in Oakton for the past few months. The one real drawback seems to be that there is that busy road (Waples Mill) that seems so narrow, windy, and dangerous without any pedestrian access. For example we looked at a house that's right near Waples Mill Elementary, but the kids had to take a bus because of the need to cross the busy street. Too bad that wasn't planned out better to make the road wider with some pedestrian access.


There is a reason why you can buy a large oakton home for shack prices....


Seriously, WTF?

I didn't realize the going price for a shack was $900k-2 million dollars. Thanks for the intel.
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2015 16:38     Subject: Does anyone live in Oakton?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Great schools and 1980s suburban style or shitty schools and urban charm? So many fun choices to be made in DCUM real estate. Can't have it all unless you are Richie Rich.


Or live in north arlington


Or Bethesda. It seems to have great schools and lots of semi-urban charm.


We actually live in Bethesda and continue to think about moving to Oakton. Bethesda is nice, but I really love the feel of Oakton where you can get a beautiful home for the price of a shack in Bethesda. We have been visiting open houses in Oakton for the past few months. The one real drawback seems to be that there is that busy road (Waples Mill) that seems so narrow, windy, and dangerous without any pedestrian access. For example we looked at a house that's right near Waples Mill Elementary, but the kids had to take a bus because of the need to cross the busy street. Too bad that wasn't planned out better to make the road wider with some pedestrian access.


There is a reason why you can buy a large oakton home for shack prices....


Seriously, WTF?
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2015 14:52     Subject: Does anyone live in Oakton?
Anonymous wrote:Op here. The house I love is off Fox Mill, not far from intersection with waples mill. My main concern is that it will be a mistake (with respect to my young kids) to go from a townhouse community with pool & playground and neighbors with kids to none of that (although the house has a pool).


If you're looking at the house that I'm thinking of, it is also Crossfield Elementary, which is fantastic. I actually went there myself decades ago and it still ranks really high. We are not going to buy in the area because of what you mentioned though - I have small elementary aged kids and wanted more of a community feel for them. Did you see the house off of Tilton Valley? It is actually Fairfax - but Navy ES, Carson MS, Oakton HS - needs some work, but only $650k, which is fantastic for that neighborhood. (I think we're looking for houses in the same price range and area...)
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2015 14:47     Subject: Does anyone live in Oakton?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Great schools and 1980s suburban style or shitty schools and urban charm? So many fun choices to be made in DCUM real estate. Can't have it all unless you are Richie Rich.


Or live in north arlington


Or Bethesda. It seems to have great schools and lots of semi-urban charm.


We actually live in Bethesda and continue to think about moving to Oakton. Bethesda is nice, but I really love the feel of Oakton where you can get a beautiful home for the price of a shack in Bethesda. We have been visiting open houses in Oakton for the past few months. The one real drawback seems to be that there is that busy road (Waples Mill) that seems so narrow, windy, and dangerous without any pedestrian access. For example we looked at a house that's right near Waples Mill Elementary, but the kids had to take a bus because of the need to cross the busy street. Too bad that wasn't planned out better to make the road wider with some pedestrian access.


There is a reason why you can buy a large oakton home for shack prices....
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2015 14:38     Subject: Does anyone live in Oakton?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Great schools and 1980s suburban style or shitty schools and urban charm? So many fun choices to be made in DCUM real estate. Can't have it all unless you are Richie Rich.


Or live in north arlington


Or Bethesda. It seems to have great schools and lots of semi-urban charm.


We actually live in Bethesda and continue to think about moving to Oakton. Bethesda is nice, but I really love the feel of Oakton where you can get a beautiful home for the price of a shack in Bethesda. We have been visiting open houses in Oakton for the past few months. The one real drawback seems to be that there is that busy road (Waples Mill) that seems so narrow, windy, and dangerous without any pedestrian access. For example we looked at a house that's right near Waples Mill Elementary, but the kids had to take a bus because of the need to cross the busy street. Too bad that wasn't planned out better to make the road wider with some pedestrian access.


Waples Mill and Vale are Old Virginia-ish winding roads. They were really crazy-*** roads when I lived by there in the late 80s.
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2015 13:33     Subject: Does anyone live in Oakton?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Great schools and 1980s suburban style or shitty schools and urban charm? So many fun choices to be made in DCUM real estate. Can't have it all unless you are Richie Rich.


Or live in north arlington


Or Bethesda. It seems to have great schools and lots of semi-urban charm.


We actually live in Bethesda and continue to think about moving to Oakton. Bethesda is nice, but I really love the feel of Oakton where you can get a beautiful home for the price of a shack in Bethesda. We have been visiting open houses in Oakton for the past few months. The one real drawback seems to be that there is that busy road (Waples Mill) that seems so narrow, windy, and dangerous without any pedestrian access. For example we looked at a house that's right near Waples Mill Elementary, but the kids had to take a bus because of the need to cross the busy street. Too bad that wasn't planned out better to make the road wider with some pedestrian access.
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2015 13:16     Subject: Does anyone live in Oakton?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Great schools and 1980s suburban style or shitty schools and urban charm? So many fun choices to be made in DCUM real estate. Can't have it all unless you are Richie Rich.


Or live in north arlington


Or Bethesda. It seems to have great schools and lots of semi-urban charm.
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2015 12:08     Subject: Does anyone live in Oakton?
Miller Heights resident here; love the neighborhood for the most part -- lots of young families, housing that backs on to undeveloped parkland and trails, metro access relatively close, and Whole Foods / Wegmans within easy driving distance. Things we wish we had (but were fine compromising on base on our own needs): better walkability to stores, easier access to the W&OD, more diversity. IMO a lot of the parents are too class-conscious and cliquish -- normal for this area, I guess -- but there's enough laid-back folks around that we can find our own little social niche.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2015 08:01     Subject: Re:Does anyone live in Oakton?
We bought a 70's house in Oakton because we loved the area- so pretty and full of trees. After some updating and improvements, we feel we made the best possible choice, as our commute is good and the schools are excellent. Nice neighbors but not up each other's noses. The county is on point whenever it snows- every time a storm is predicted there are plows lined up all over Vale Rd at night waiting to go.
In-home daycare for our daughter across the street with a sweet neighbor, neighbors beside us invite us swimming all the time while we fix up our old pool.
It's nice here.