Looking for New Houses (Richmond, Wyndham: renting, how much, landscaping)

[happytravelmi]

We are moving to Rimond area and we are considering buying a new house. We like Shady Grove and Nuckols Farm elememtary schools. But I am having a hard time finding any new construction that is within the school boundary of either one of them. Does anyone know any?

[sls76]

Originally Posted by happytravelmi

We are moving to Rimond area and we are considering buying a new house. We like Shady Grove and Nuckols Farm elememtary schools. But I am having a hard time finding any new construction that is within the school boundary of either one of them. Does anyone know any?

We attend Shady Grove Elementary. My daughter is in kindergarten there and so far we've been very impressed with the school (and my daughter's amazing teacher). To my knowledge, there wouldn't be any new construction in Shady Grove. The SFH new construction that I know of in 23059 (Grey Oaks, Bentley, Turnberry, Henley) goes to Colonial Trail (which I've heard good things about). I believe there will be some new homes built in Wyndham in the next couple of years, but nothing is firm (plus there is a new elementary school being proposed somewhere near Wyndham so I guess it's possible the new homes could be assigned to the new school). It looks to me like you might find a new construction home in Foxhall that would be assigned to NFE, but I don't see any new subdivisions being built w/in the boundaries of NFE.

We are renting a home in Wyndham and will be buying in the Spring (if the market doesn't collapse). We really wanted new construction (we've never lived in a home more than 4 years old before). What we found was that in our price range (around $500-$550k) what you got in new construction usually included vinyl siding (something we hate) on a not so great lot. Anyway, we are loving Shady Grove and Wyndham so I guess we're just going to have to get used to the idea of a 10 year old house (which does have some benefits including mature landscaping).

[happytravelmi]

Your reply is very helpful.

Our situiation are very much alike. I went to Richmond couple of weeks ago for our first house hunting trip. We are looking for houses priced up to 600,000. I am not very impressed by what I saw. The vinyl is a big turnoff. Very few house has the two-story family room that we are used to. Also, I could not find any houses with basement (we have a finished basement, kids love it)

I found that the housing price was still falling in that area. We built a target list from the internet before we went to Richmond. During our visit, we were surprised to find that some of the houses had been marked down over 10% from the price on the internet.

Unless I am terribly lucky, I think we will end up renting first.

You mentioned that you are renting a house. How did you find that? Do you mind tell me how much you pay for it.

Thanks

[sls76]

I just sent you a DM.

[hitchens4]

I would expand your search to include Rivers Edge Elementary and Colonial Trail Elementary which are wonderful. Rivers Edge just received the Governors Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence and is a VA Green School. My kids go there and I cannot tell how wonderful it is! There is also a lot of new construction in those districts- try Crawford Park at Greenbrooke (basement lots are available) and Turnberry as well as Grey Oaks. Hampshire also offers brick houses that might have the 'look' you are going for as well as the Rivers Edge neighborhood right near the school. For 600's you should be able to get a great place! Good luck!