[Pcemkr]

2br/2ba townhome
1-2 attached garage (no underground parking)
$450-500k max
Preferably <1 mile from a metro (don't really care which orange/blue lines)

Anyone?

[platnumdesi01]

I would look in Lorton VA. Its about 1 min away from VRE or 5 min away from Franconia Metro Station. Plenty of homes from 390 - 400s with dual garages. I own two in Lorton and it's a good area. My realtor sends me daily listings of Lorton so if you want I can forward you the latest listings. Goodluck

[Pcemkr]

Lorton is too far. I'd prefer to stay inside the beltway or Vienna. Thanks though.

[Wrngway]

I was going to suggest the Kingstowne area which is just north of Lorton. Doesn't look like it'd be far enough north though. Kingstowne is just a few miles from the Franconia/Springfield metro station and just outside the beltway. The Fairfax Connector runs buses regularly from our area to the metro during the weekdays. Facilities there include community pools and gyms. The gyms are actually pretty nice and you could preclude paying for a membership based on the facilities I used when I was living there.

Townhomes in the Landsdowne community here are going for less than 400k with a garage. It's really a nice community. You can check it out at Landsdowne.org. We have lots of walking paths, open space, and a good HOA. A nice little bonus is the Wegmens going up across the street. It's a nice family community and I find it relaxing compared to the hustle and bustle of the rest of NOVA. Heck, for your price range in this market you just might be able to swing a single family home if that would ever be your goal.

[Pcemkr]

The one thing I know I 100% want is a garage townhome. The problem I'm struggling with is, if I'm not quite walking distance to metro (~1 mile mark), why not go a couple miles away and get something nicer for less..
I currently rent across the street from Virginia Square metro, and I've gotten used to the convenience.

[Sniz]

convenience typically comes with a higher price. Figure out your priorities but 1st nail down your price range.

[cssnms]

Montgomery County? Rockville? 2 mi from 2 redline metro stops? garage and driveway? 3k sq ft? fully renovated?

[Pcemkr]

NoVA/DC only

[alex2364]

Get a realtor. They can setup email alerts when something new comes up that matches what you're looking for.

[bigdaddycane]

deleted post due to short attention span theatre...

[Pcemkr]

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Churc...4/home/9850143

[Raja Ventureshield]

contact Zeshan Kaba at 703.926.7215. He's a realtor in VA and can really help you out.
500k is very doable IMHO. Just need the right person looking for the house for you.

[Pcemkr]

It seems like a lot of DC metro BMWers live in the Springfield-Franconia area. There are a slew of townhomes down there under $450k with garages.
What is attractive about that area? What is not attractive? I'm not really familiar with it.

[bigdaddycane]

sorry, I glanceyed your post and thought you were looking to rent.

$450 to $500K is reasonable and you should be able to find a 2 car garage unit for that, but not closer to DC.

look for foreclosures (in good shape) because you can get more house for your money. I did it and it worked out great....

[Pcemkr]

Hah, I wish I could rent for $450-500!!! Paying over $1k/mo more than that now :-/

I do want to stay as close/convenient to DC as possible, as I enjoy spending time in the city.

[bigdaddycane]

this is the time to buy....get a GOOD (key word) real estate agent and cover every area that you works for you. It will be time comsuming and tiring, but well worth it if you get a good deal.

GL

[Sniz]

+1 again for a GOOD realtor, there are plenty of bad ones. I used to be a GOOD one for almost 8 years before I got a great job with Andersen windows.

If you dont use one or use a place like Redfin you are making a big mistake.

[Raja Ventureshield]

Originally Posted by Sniz

+1 again for a GOOD realtor, there are plenty of bad ones. I used to be a GOOD one for almost 8 years before I got a great job with Andersen windows.

If you dont use one or use a place like Redfin you are making a big mistake.

Matt,

i might need your help in a few months. If i stay in my current home, I plan to update all windows to Andersons. :-)

I had no idea you are no longer a real estate agent.

[platnumdesi01]

I agree, I actually passed the Virginia real estate exam just need to take the PSI in couple weeks. Franconia/Springfield, I've lived here since 3rd grade and honestly I love being on the mixing bowl. DC is 15 min away down 395, Tysons or Bmore exits are 5 minutes away and I get to stay away from 66. Plus the fx parkway is next door as well. But I know cashburn is the place to be these days haha.

[MDyDinanM]

May want to look into the West Falls Church area, specifically near Rte 7 (Leesburg Pike) and Haycock area. There are condos and town homes there.

West Falls Church Metro is there (Orange line), Tysons corner is right up the road, and it's a quick hop onto 66 or 495 depending on where you want to go.

I live there, by Haycock and 7, I am content. Plus BMW of FFX (which is a dealer i still go to - so blah blah to the naysayers) is a few minutes away via back roads to Hwy 29.

[Pcemkr]

Is anyone familiar with the Seminary Hill area of Alexandria?
I viewed a townhome that I really like a lot, but I've heard mixed reviews on the area. I guess it's sandwiched between 2 low-income housing developments and near what used to be "Shirley Duke"..? This means nothing to me, but from what I understand used to be a rough area and some residents never left. Can't anyone shed some light on this?
http://www.redfin.com/VA/Alexandria/.../home/11872289