What do you guys think about Burke, VA

[dkf747]

I once lived in the Route 1 area of Fairfax County, but worked in Burke. If I could afford to move there I would.

[Fairfax Mom]

Burke is a beautiful area, no crime to speak of - beautiful upscale homes, good schools, nice newer shopping plazas.

I would stay away from any of the neighborhoods near Springfield Mall - a lot of the tiny ranch homes look like homes for illegal boarders and they are right next to the stinky highway

[jef2one]

Originally Posted by Fairfax Mom

Burke is a beautiful area, no crime to speak of - beautiful upscale homes, good schools, nice newer shopping plazas.

I would stay away from any of the neighborhoods near Springfield Mall - a lot of the tiny ranch homes look like homes for illegal boarders and they are right next to the stinky highway

This is generally true about the areas near Springfield Mall, but there are some nice pockets too. For Springfield, the 22152 & 22153 zips are more desireable.

[fdg]

Can someone provide any information on real estate taxes in Burke? What is the rate and are you paying city and county taxes both??? Thanks in advance for the help?

[car54]

Originally Posted by fdg

Can someone provide any information on real estate taxes in Burke? What is the rate and are you paying city and county taxes both??? Thanks in advance for the help?

Burke is an unincorporated part of Fairfax County. The tax rate in Fairfax County is currently 89 cents per $100 of assessed valued. There is a proposal to raise it to 92 cents per hundred.

There are incorporated cities in Northern Virginia, such as Falls Church, Fairfax City, etc. If you own property there, you would pay that city's real estate tax.

You would never pay County AND City taxes...it's one or the other, depending on the property's location.

[fdg]

This web site says that Burke real estate taxes are $1.16 per $100 of assessed value.

New Homes For Sale in Burke, VA - Virginia Real Estate, Condominiums, Townhomes, Condos, Home Builders

Is this incorrect? I know in Virginia if you live in a city then you are not taxed twice, but if you are in a town you can be. Anyone with any information who could clarify how the real estate taxes work in Burke would be much appreciated.
Thanks

[car54]

That website is hopelessly out of date (as far as the rax rate).

I'm looking through my tax bills right now....

The last year the Fairfax County real estate tax rate was $1.16 was 2003.
It dropped to $1.13 in 2004.
It dropped to $1.00 in 2005.
It dropped to $0.89 in 2006.

You'll notice these rate decreases coincide with the wild price escalation during the boom....the County kept dropping the tax rate to avoid a tax revolt (but most peoples' tax bills still increased due to rising assessments).

Now that home prices are dropping...expect the oposite to happen. They are already talking about raising it to $0.92. I expect your website will soon be accurate again, if the housing price crash continues.

Burke is NOT a City and it is NOT a town. Your only real estate tax concern is the FAIRFAX COUNTY tax rate!

You don't have to believe me, but I was born and raised in Fairfax County over a half century ago....I remember when Burke consisted of a General Store and a Post Office across the street, at the (then) grade RR crossing. Braddock Road was 2 lanes, as was Burke Lake Rd. Burke Centre was wilderness and farm land.

Incidentally, Dulles International Airport was originally proposed to be built in the Burke area...but local opposition killed the idea.

[fdg]

Thanks for the information. I believe you and it is much appreciated. I had read a few things that confused me on the matter. Glad to know there isn't a double tax there as we may be moving to the area in the near future.
Thanks again.