Countryside Neighborhood in Sterling? (Reston, Manassas: for sale, real estate market, HOA)

[bargainhigh]

Hello! We've put a bid in on a short sale in the Countryside neighborhood. We absolutely love the neighborhood but have some questions about the HOA. The house we have a bid on is a Victorian style, and am wondering if the HOA is very strict about certain additions like shutters or window boxes? Also I know these houses were built in the early 1980's, so just wondering if anyone who is currently living in one of these homes could comment on how well the houses are holding up, structurally?
Thanks very much

[Margery]

You can call the HOA and ask them what the rules are. It is in the phone book-Countryside Proprietary. Some of the homes in Countryside still have polybutylene pipes, be sure to have your home inspector check for that.

[bargainhigh]

Thank you for the tip Margery!

[adolpho]

My brother's GF has owned a home there since it was new. Most of the defective plumbing has been replaced by now. The HOA is very strict on changes. I say no go on window boxes and shutters. I think sunscreens would be ok. A year ago, you could have got a SFH in there for under 300K; those days seem to be over. Back in 2003, when my parents were moving out of their age restricted community, I tried toget them to buy there, instead of Wellington, Manassas. They chose the latter, and it cost them over 100,000 in equity.

[bargainhigh]

Thanks for the info adolpho! I appreciate it!

[Guamanians]

Originally Posted by adolpho

My brother's GF has owned a home there since it was new. Most of the defective plumbing has been replaced by now. The HOA is very strict on changes. I say no go on window boxes and shutters. I think sunscreens would be ok. A year ago, you could have got a SFH in there for under 300K; those days seem to be over. Back in 2003, when my parents were moving out of their age restricted community, I tried toget them to buy there, instead of Wellington, Manassas. They chose the latter, and it cost them over 100,000 in equity.

The real estate market will drop again in those areas if gas price go above $3.

[Caladium]

Countryside is doing very well. I notice the turnover seems to be getting shorter and shorter in that neighborhood, and I don't see that many homes for sale. Neighborhood spirit is very nice in there, too. We loved driving around there this Christmas, seeing the lights.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by Guamanians

The real estate market will drop again in those areas if gas price go above $3.

Most people who live in Countryside work in Reston or Herndon, both or which are only 8 miles away. Rt. 28/Rt. 7 intersection is right there, which means parts of Ashburn are 2 miles, Dulles Airport is 3 miles. Dulles Town Center and all the stores on Rt. 7 are 1 mile away. The new baseball stadium and cultural arts center will be 2 miles. Regal Shopping Plaza is walking distance. Gas prices would actually encourage people to buy there, since it's close to everything.

[bargainhigh]

Thank you very much Caladium! This is the info we were looking for! We have driven around Countryside numerous times and we think it is so charming. We love the location and the beautiful wooded lots

[adolpho]

Those townhomes are pretty nice, too.