House Prices in the DC suburbs (Silver Spring, Germantown: sales, real estate, apartments)

[Ed982]

Before all this Wall Street mess came down I heard job opportunities in the areas surrounding DC were good but real estate was high. What affect, if any, has the downturn in the economy had on the region? Also, how far out from DC does one have to go before you start seeing houses in the 250K range? Looking to stay out of high crime areas wherever those might be!

[TeamBenya]

for a single family home in the $250k price range, you can go to waldorf, bryans road, indian head, or white plains and stille be within a 1 hour commute during rush hour.

[firefightermom]

I moved out of Germantown MD in Feb 08, and have been keeping track of sales in my old neighborhood. Listings for houses on my street, same exact house, are now about $20,000 less than what we sold for. This would be a townhouse development, but still in the low 300's, so more than what you're looking for. Perhaps look in older communities, such as Silver Spring or Wheaton, but I don't have any info on crime, etc for you there. Good luck!

[engine750wife]

Originally Posted by firefightermom

I moved out of Germantown MD in Feb 08, and have been keeping track of sales in my old neighborhood. Listings for houses on my street, same exact house, are now about $20,000 less than what we sold for. This would be a townhouse development, but still in the low 300's, so more than what you're looking for. Perhaps look in older communities, such as Silver Spring or Wheaton, but I don't have any info on crime, etc for you there. Good luck!

You're not going to find anything decent in Silver Spring for your budget, I can guarantee that. Rent in the nasty area's of Silver Spring runs $1300-$1550 alone for a 2BR.

[Marilyn Emery]

Are you looking for a single family home or will a cond/townhouse do. How large a home do you need? With the drop in prices you may be able to find what you are looking for pretty close in.

[jayman1981]

Ed982 to be quite honest your going to have to travel at least 40 mins outside of D.C. in order to find decent house and low crime. Prince William county, VA (Woodbridge, Gainsville, Haymarket, Dumfries, Triangle, Manassas and Manassas Park) is pretty cheap. On the Maryland side someone else mentioned Charles County is cheap. I would suggest P.G. but a condo is probably the only thing that is going to be 250,000 but the single family homes run around 350,000 + without it being in the ghetto. The economic "slow down" is affecting the area to a degree. There are some areas that are seeing a price reduction from 50,000 to 100,000. This is especially true in Virginia. Reason it isn't as bad as the rest of america is due to the Gov't. If you didn't know the Government is the largest employer in the area. As long as the Gov't and more specificly DOD has money to spend there will be jobs readily available.

Originally Posted by Ed982

Before all this Wall Street mess came down I heard job opportunities in the areas surrounding DC were good but real estate was high. What affect, if any, has the downturn in the economy had on the region? Also, how far out from DC does one have to go before you start seeing houses in the 250K range? Looking to stay out of high crime areas wherever those might be!

[LogSS]

Prince Georges county Maryland wich borders Washington DC and is the most affordable and cheapest county in the metro area. You can find lots of homes in your pice range, townhomes/single family. Several bad things about PG county is that they do not have good schools, it is not a major employment center, and crime is abundance. If you want good schools, low home price, little to nil crime, then move to Prince William, VA. Homes here are still way more than PG or Charles county, but you are closer to a bunch of employment centers through Northen VA. But if want a bigger house for a cheap price, then PG county MD is the place. Just watch your back

[vanyali]

There's not really anything wrong with apartments and condos, or renting. Buying anything has a lot of drawbacks, not least of which that you can't move if you decide that you like some other part of the area better.

[LogSS]

Vanyali - you are correct. Good suggestion. Renting and getting the feel of the area before you buy. That way you wont get stuck to a mortgage; especially in this financial mess.

[lscalder]

Originally Posted by LogSS

Prince Georges county Maryland wich borders Washington DC and is the most affordable and cheapest county in the metro area. You can find lots of homes in your pice range, townhomes/single family. Several bad things about PG county is that they do not have good schools, it is not a major employment center, and crime is abundance. If you want good schools, low home price, little to nil crime, then move to Prince William, VA. Homes here are still way more than PG or Charles county, but you are closer to a bunch of employment centers through Northen VA. But if want a bigger house for a cheap price, then PG county MD is the place. Just watch your back

Where do you get your false information from?