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Old 09-18-2010, 10:12 AM
 
1 posts, read 1,605 times
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Just got offered a job in Sterling, VA that I would love, but the pay is going to be a little lower than what I was hoping for...for now. I'm trying to decide whether or not to take it, or to consider another higher paying job...which I would hate.

Is it reasonable to believe my wife and I could find a home below $300K in the next 6 months? I'm looking for a 30 min or less commute and a home that is an investment. Haven't yet decided if this means a townhouse or single-family.

Community is important to us, so I'm looking for a place with a neighborly feel too.

Any other tips on moving to the area with limited income would be appreciated.
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Old 09-18-2010, 11:30 AM
 
8,982 posts, read 21,181,432 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mbrems View Post
Just got offered a job in Sterling, VA that I would love, but the pay is going to be a little lower than what I was hoping for...for now. I'm trying to decide whether or not to take it, or to consider another higher paying job...which I would hate.

Is it reasonable to believe my wife and I could find a home below $300K in the next 6 months? I'm looking for a 30 min or less commute and a home that is an investment. Haven't yet decided if this means a townhouse or single-family.

Community is important to us, so I'm looking for a place with a neighborly feel too.

Any other tips on moving to the area with limited income would be appreciated.
You would have to travel more than 30 minutes to find a home in your price range...and the nicer ones would likely be THs before SFHs. THs are very popular here so there would be no need to worry about an investment loss for that reason.

You might have some luck in the Gainesville/Haymarket/Bristow region but I would predict nicer, newer homes would be towards the upper $300's. Manassas may look tempting too...but there may be an unfavorable reason why the homes you find there are less than $300K.

I haven't mentioned anywhere further west of Sterling because housing values in the western half of Loudoun County are high due to minimum land restrictions. You may find attractive values by leapfrogging over to Martinsburg, WV. The commute may not be ideal but you would join many others heading down to VA and even DC.
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Old 09-18-2010, 11:35 AM
 
Location: Marshall-Shadeland, Pittsburgh, PA
32,620 posts, read 77,663,615 times
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You may be able to find a townhome in Purcellville for $300,000. That would put you right at about a half-hour commute to Sterling.
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Old 09-18-2010, 12:46 PM
 
Location: Home is where the heart is
15,402 posts, read 28,963,025 times
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If you're willing to live in a townhouse I'll bet you could find something in the $250-300,000 range in Sterling Park. It might be a bit small, but Sterling Park is known for having some of the most affordable housing in the area and you'd have next to no commute (a definite plus).

Naturally, "affordable housing" also means the area is a little rough around the edges. Sterling Park is not the most glamorous part of town, but it's not that bad either. There's some petty crime (car break ins and things like that), especially in the 1-2 block radius right next to the DMV. FWIW, I feel safe there, and I'm a little old lady. I think it's a fine area for those who are on a really tight budget.

Here are some photos to give you an idea of the area. Sterling Park
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Old 09-18-2010, 12:49 PM
 
Location: Home is where the heart is
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FWIW I just ran a quick search on a real estate web site and found 4 townhouses and even 2 houses for sale at or under $300,000 in Sterling Park. OK, one of them was $305,000 but I'll bet you could talk them down.
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Old 09-18-2010, 12:52 PM
 
Location: In the woods
3,315 posts, read 10,096,774 times
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There are indeed townhouses available for under $300,000 in Sterling. I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for but here are a few:

46223 Wales Ter, Sterling, VA, 20165 - MLS #LO7284903 - Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op real estate - REALTOR.com®

46814 Rabbitrun Ter, Sterling, VA, 20164 - MLS #LO7429309 - Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op real estate - REALTOR.com®

45553 Whitcomb Sq, Sterling, VA, 20166 - MLS #LO7240096 - Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op real estate - REALTOR.com®

All of these are in pretty decent subdivisions near Route 7 and Dranesville Rd. I pulled these from realtor.com so do a search to see what's available. There are SFH but the ones in your price range are older (i.e., 1960s). Some neighborhoods are pretty good and some are sketchy; you just need to check them out. However, since you have a tight deadline I suggest you get a realtor ASAP and work closely with him/her. Good luck!
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Old 09-18-2010, 01:39 PM
 
Location: Sterling, VA
1,059 posts, read 2,964,597 times
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There are homes available in all of Sterling's zip codes, 20164,20165,20166. Most of the newer homes will be townhouses but there are some detached older homes in 20164 and 20165. I would suggest renting when you first move here to get to know the neighborhoods and not jump into buying right away. Even people who have never lived in Sterling are happy to chime in with advice, it is better to live here for a while and form your own opinions. You can go to homesdatabase.com and search by zip code. There is a map feature that will allow you to zoom in or out. I personally love Sterling, I lived in the Potomac Lakes section of Cascades for 12 years and the last 6 years have lived in a 55+ community in Sterling.
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Old 09-18-2010, 03:26 PM
 
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I stand corrected on bypassing Sterling. It wasn't for the perceived quality of life; I just figured that even the THs higher than the OP's budget. For their sake, I'm glad my estimate was wrong.
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Old 09-18-2010, 04:16 PM
 
Location: Brambleton, VA
2,136 posts, read 5,314,206 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by normie View Post
Naturally, "affordable housing" also means the area is a little rough around the edges. Sterling Park is not the most glamorous part of town, but it's not that bad either. There's some petty crime (car break ins and things like that), especially in the 1-2 block radius right next to the DMV. FWIW, I feel safe there, and I'm a little old lady. I think it's a fine area for those who are on a really tight budget.
I spend a lot of time in Sterling Park. I take my toddlers there by myself several times a week - we go to the playground at the community center/library next to the fire station (across from the DMV), and my kids just started taking an art class there. Honestly, it is a relief from some of the uptight people we encounter at child-focused places in Ashburn. I have never felt unsafe there.
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Old 09-18-2010, 06:17 PM
 
Location: among the clustered spires
2,380 posts, read 4,518,280 times
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There are scads of 3/4 bedroom townhomes in Leesburg and even a few single family homes in the SW/SE area of town for under $300k. Good luck.
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