Dominion Valley vs. Annandale

[themommy]

Originally Posted by Claire2900

The Sleepy Hollow area is filled with beautiful neighborhoods.

Sleepy Hollow does have some gorgeous neighborhoods, but not in the $400,000 price range. My husband and I live just a few miles from there now (renting) and spent the last couple of months looking for something to buy. We were originally hoping to find something near where we currently live, and I remembered Sleepy Hollow as being so beautiful when I was a kid, so we looked at some homes in that area. Everything we found there that was in our price range (similar to the OP's price range) was either a short sale, a serious wreck, or an okay house surrounded by short sales and serious wrecks. None of which were good options.

To get a home in Sleepy Hollow that's a "real" sale (i.e., not a short sale), in livable condition, and surrounded by homes that are well-maintained and won't drag down your property value, you're looking at something more in the $600,000 to $800,000 range. Barring a miracle listing, of course.

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by themommy

Sleepy Hollow does have some gorgeous neighborhoods, but not in the $400,000 price range.

Originally Posted by themommy

To get a home in Sleepy Hollow that's a "real" sale (i.e., not a short sale), in livable condition, and surrounded by homes that are well-maintained and won't drag down your property value, you're looking at something more in the $600,000 to $800,000 range. Barring a miracle listing, of course.

You just have to look, but there are nice homes in good school districts that are being listed -- and are under contract very quickly. Examples:

FranklyMLS.com Virginia & DC MLS via Keyword Search & Wiki. Homes for Sale

Personally I would try to get into the Woodson district vs. JEB Stuart:

FranklyMLS.com Virginia & DC MLS via Keyword Search & Wiki. Homes for Sale

[asselya]

Thanks for all the replies. We changed our mind and now found a newer townhouse in the town of Herndon close to Reston Town Center. What do you think of it?

[michgc]

Personally, to me location is more important than amenities. Amenities can be changed; location cannot. Why not look in Fairfax off Little River Turnpike? Mantua had tons of children and a clubhouse with swimming pool. Yes, it's a bit older but still a very nice, safe neighborhood. There are other neighborhoods in Fairfax which are also nice. I live in nearby Vienna which is great, but also older. There are great areas in Centreville and Chantilly which both have lots of townhouses. I think you need to go to several different neighborhoods, scout them out, and find one you like in your price range and then look for your home. I don't think age 1 is too young to be thinking about schools. She'll be starting in 4 years, and that goes by very quickly! Good luck.

[imisscarlsbadcalifornia]

Originally Posted by VRE332

How much are your HOA fees, including the $50 golf ??

Hi VRE...our HOA is $140 per month and the DV country club social membership dues which are, sigh, mandatory and non-inclusive of golf, are another $70 per month. In order to get the golf membership you pay a $23K "initiation fee" and I believe the monthly dues are $463. They have three levels of membership, Social, which is mandatory for anyone buying a single family home (inititation fee of $2500 due at closing of escrow), a Fitness membership which includes the gym, tennis, and some limited golf which has a $140 or $170 month membership fee, and then the Golf membership. Honestly for my money we have gym equipment in our basement. Their gym is okay but nothing to write songs about.

Sorry for the late response on this; I missed your question somehow. But in essance, the HOA and the club dues are billed seperately here. Hope that helps.

[Gottasay]

Reston has good amenities and is quite close to Falls Church.

[horseplayer]

Originally Posted by themommy

Sleepy Hollow does have some gorgeous neighborhoods, but not in the $400,000 price range. My husband and I live just a few miles from there now (renting) and spent the last couple of months looking for something to buy. We were originally hoping to find something near where we currently live, and I remembered Sleepy Hollow as being so beautiful when I was a kid, so we looked at some homes in that area. Everything we found there that was in our price range (similar to the OP's price range) was either a short sale, a serious wreck, or an okay house surrounded by short sales and serious wrecks. None of which were good options.

To get a home in Sleepy Hollow that's a "real" sale (i.e., not a short sale), in livable condition, and surrounded by homes that are well-maintained and won't drag down your property value, you're looking at something more in the $600,000 to $800,000 range. Barring a miracle listing, of course.

There was a split foyer in 22042 listed at 449K that sat for months on a 15000 sf lot. Buffalo Ridge, about 400 ft from SHR.