Northern Virginia is part of the National Capital Region and borders the Nation’s Capital, Washington, DC, to the south. It boasts a full 1/3 of Virginia’s statewide population which likely explains its reputation for heavy traffic and congestion! It is rich in Colonial and Civil War era history, offers some of the most beautiful horse country in Loudon and Fauquier Counties, and has a delightful mix of bustling urban cities with quaint neighborhoods and towns sprinkled in. It is culturally and geographically one of the most diverse areas in the nation with exciting things to do and see, close proximity to the Nation’s political spotlight, as well as its short distance from both the mountains and ocean shores.
The housing market has generally remained healthy despite the recession, with areas closer to the city area retaining more of their value. Even with the recession, Northern Virginia median home sales prices were up 1.32% in 2010 with average days on market reduced by 1.28% according to the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR) in their February 2011 report. Looking forward into 2011, based on their current market statistics, NVAR is expecting inventory to grow in the spring season, continued stabilization of the market and a “gradual ascent” in home prices later in the year. Now is a great time to buy home!
The cities I focus on in the Northern Virginia area are:
Alexandria – one of Virginia’s oldest cities.
Arlington – Home to The Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetary as well as some of the most up and coming urban mix neighborhoods. It is its own county.
Dumfries–The only area I serve in Prince William County, it boasts some great suburban homes with direct access to I-95.
Falls Church–An independent city nestled between Arlington and Fairfax with excellent schools and great homes for sale.
Great Falls– An urban area in Fairfax County, it is considered a Census Designated Place (CDP) just north of McLean and west of the Potomac River.
McLean–Located in Fairfax County, it is also a CDP, north of Arlington and west of Vienna.
Reston — Between Wolf Trap and Herndon, along I-66, it is another of Fairfax County’s CDPs.
Tyson’s Corner — The very busy home of Tyson’s Corner Center, one of the area’s busiest shopping and business areas, it is also a Fairfax County CDP. Soon to become busier and yet more accessible with the construction of the Silver Line of the DC Area’s subway system, called Metro.
