If you were buying a home in Prince William County... (Manassas: neighborhoods, construction)

[justtitans]

Next year, my family and I are going to be looking to buy a home in PWC. We don't have a set time table as to when we will buy, but it will be important to buy before August because our goal is to move prior to our oldest child starting school. With that said, what do you all consider the 'hot' times to buy homes where there are a glut of properties coming out on the market? Is it around this time of year at the beginning of the spring? Is it during the early part of the summer? Just curious for those who keep up with the housing trends. By the way, we will likely be looking in the Lake Ridge, Westridge, Manassas (20112) areas.

[Middlin]

Spring is traditionally considered the "hot" time people put their house on the market. I would see how many days on the market houses in the neighborhoods you're considering have been. We bought once during the summer and it was slim pickings.

[HokieFan]

March/April/May

Spring is popular because sellers want to make the transition during the summer months so as not to interrupt their child's school year.

[Forehead]

Isn't Westridge part of Lake Ridge, just one specific neighborhood? I live in Lake Ridge and we'll probably be looking to move in a few years, before my oldest starts elementary school. One warning about Westridge; the school boundaries are drawn oddly. Instead of going to Lake Ridge Middle School, which is a few minutes down Old Bridge Road, Westridge kids are sent to Woodbridge Middle School.

I believe that's still a pretty decent school, but it looks like it would be a pain in the ass to get to by comparison, since it is located on the other side of I-95 and isn't very convenient to the neighborhood. It's a long way off, I know, but worth keeping in mind.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by Forehead

Isn't Westridge part of Lake Ridge, just one specific neighborhood? I live in Lake Ridge and we'll probably be looking to move in a few years, before my oldest starts elementary school. One warning about Westridge; the school boundaries are drawn oddly. Instead of going to Lake Ridge Middle School, which is a few minutes down Old Bridge Road, Westridge kids are sent to Woodbridge Middle School.

I believe that's still a pretty decent school, but it looks like it would be a pain in the ass to get to by comparison, since it is located on the other side of I-95 and isn't very convenient to the neighborhood. It's a long way off, I know, but worth keeping in mind.

I was wondering this for a while, so I did some research and found out that Westridge is a separate community with it's own HOA. Westridge. A residential community in Woodbridge, Virginia

As for the middle schools, I'm struggling with that. Westridge looks like it is easily the best elementary school in the 22192 zip code but it is also like you said districted to WMS. Right now my daughter would have to go to Old Bridge Elementary which isn't a bad school at all, but it's just not Westridge good. On the other hand though is if we stay in this school district then she would get to go to Lake Ridge Middle. It's a tough decision.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by pgtvatitans

I was wondering this for a while, so I did some research and found out that Westridge is a separate community with it's own HOA. Westridge. A residential community in Woodbridge, Virginia

As for the middle schools, I'm struggling with that. Westridge looks like it is easily the best elementary school in the 22192 zip code but it is also like you said districted to WMS. Right now my daughter would have to go to Old Bridge Elementary which isn't a bad school at all, but it's just not Westridge good. On the other hand though is if we stay in this school district then she would get to go to Lake Ridge Middle. It's a tough decision.

Look at the high schools too. That time comes before you know it. I believe Westridge is zoned for Osbourn Park H.S. which is not all that close, while much of 22192 is zoned for Woodbridge High School. At the time my daughter was in high school, I believe that OP was the better high school but things change.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

Look at the high schools too. That time comes before you know it. I believe Westridge is zoned for Osbourn Park H.S. which is not all that close, while much of 22192 is zoned for Woodbridge High School. At the time my daughter was in high school, I believe that OP was the better high school but things change.

I read some where that they are trying to build a high school near 234 & Hoadly. I'm wondering how that would affect boundaries in that area.

[justtitans]

Here it goes:

Prince William schools could receive $29.6 million boost from county - INSIDENOVA.COM: Education

The budget also avoids laying off staff members and includes funding for several school construction projects, including a new elementary school in the Haymarket area, a kindergarten through 8th grade school in Nokesville, additions at River Oaks and Featherstone elementary schools, an addition at Parkside Middle School, a renewal project at Dumfries Elementary School, and initial plans for the county’s newest high school, to be located in the mid-county region near the intersection of Va. 234 and Hoadly Road.

[Catamounts]

In Lake Ridge, a lot of houses are coming on the market now. But in my neighborhood, they are usually gone within 2 weeks, so depending on where in Lake Ridge you want to buy, you'll have to act quickly.

[likesguitars]

Start looking now.
We spent months and Months looking. you could luck out and find the perfect place that is in your budget right off the bat. but odds are you wont.
we actually found 6 perfect places durring our house hunting time. they were all snagged out from under us before we could get an offer in.
We learned to be agressive when we found something we liked.
Another learning curve for us was the negotiation phase. There were a few houses we liked and put in offers thinking we would negotiate up to a price agreeable to both buyer and seller.
Wrong.
In every case the house sold quickly to someone who made a stronger initial offer than ours.
We learned to be agressive and make strong initial offers.