Carolyn Wirth

Sorry about the sticker shock, but it is part of the reality in this area. That being said, there are a lot of great options within 30 minutes of DC. One that comes to mind immediately is Fairlington, a community right off of 395 in Arlington. Some of my clients just closed on a 3 level, 2 bedroom townhouse there for $405K. Alexandria is definitely a great option as well. Also, there are some 2 bedroom condos with a little less space in the city proper that might work. What are you looking for beyond 2 bedxrooms and price? For example, do you need to be close to a metro? Do you require parking? Do you have (or want) a pet? Those may seem like little details, but they are big factors you'll want to consider in this area.

If I can help you in any way, let me know! Good luck with the job search and your possible move.

Carolyn - Wed May 7 2008, 06:44

Jim is correct; realtors can't offer information on safety and schools as it is considered illegal. The websites he provided are excellent resources of information. Here are a couple of other ones relocating clients often find helpful:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local-explorer/

http://www.mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1239,Q,543336,mpdcNav… (here you enter an address and can view monthly crime reports)


Also, I always recommend spending some time in the area. Exploring a neighborhood on foot, with a few stops at a coffee shop and such, often gives you a good "feel" for the area and whether or not it fits your goals for a future neighborhood. I know that's not always the easiest thing to do when you are searching from afar, but it's worth the extra time.

As for the market in DC, it can change quite a bit from one area to the next. Some houses in some neighborhoods are only on the market for a few days with multiple offers while others sit unclaimed for much longer.

In general, the further you go from downtown, the less you will pay for more space. It's not always the case, but there are definitely more foreclosures and houses with more days on the market as you move outward from the city proper and easy commuting routes. While having more space is important to some, others are willing to sacrifice a bit in that regard to have a quick commute. It all depends on the needs of you and your family!

If you're interested in seeing what kinds of things are available within your price point, that meet your needs (# bedrooms, etc.), let me know. I'm happy to do a quick search and share via email.

Good luck! - Mon May 5 2008, 15:26

Jim is correct; realtors can't offer information on safety and schools as it is considered illegal. The websites he provided are excellent resources of information. Here are a couple of other ones relocating clients often find helpful:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local-explorer/

http://www.mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1239,Q,543336,mpdcNav_GID… (here you enter an address and can view monthly crime reports)


Good luck with your search! - Mon May 5 2008, 15:14

Hi Suzanne,

I'm note sure exactly which part of Belmont and Florida you are looking at, but my guess is that it's more towards the Columbia Heights/U Street area. That area has seen a lot of development and is close to a metro, gyms, coffee shops, and lots of boutiques and other stores on U street. Here are a few links with more information that might be helpful:

http://dc.about.com/od/washingtondcneighborhoods/Washington_…

http://dcregistry.com/neighborhoods.html

I hope that helps! - Tue Apr 15 2008, 21:56

I agree on the parking... 30K is actually pretty cheap in that area and it's not likely to depreciate. You would also probably be able to rent it out if you moved from the unit and the parking is deeded separately. That is why you want to be sure it is separately deeded.

As for the price, I would ask your agent to run the comps. You should look at recent sales in the building and figure out a price per square foot. That should help you in making your offer. If you don't have a buyer's agent, I highly recommend it. You want to be sure your interests are represented and it's traditionally the seller who pays the commission. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by using an agent. - Tue Apr 15 2008, 21:47