{"id":22174,"date":"2021-02-28T15:50:59","date_gmt":"2021-02-28T23:50:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=22174"},"modified":"2026-04-06T09:09:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T16:09:38","slug":"buyer-buy-house-in-arlington","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buy-house-in-arlington\/","title":{"rendered":"Big-City Convenience with Small-Town Charm: How to Buy a House in Arlington VA"},"content":{"rendered":"

What if you could live in a Norman Rockwell painting, a slice of Americana closely tied to our nation\u2019s capital? Imagine stepping out of your quaint Colonial-style home on a crisp fall morning, as amber-colored leaves blanket the front lawn. Your Saturday morning walk along Arlington Loop<\/a>, a 16-mile paved trail trek, traces the Potomac riverfront and winds through scenic neighborhoods of this Washington, D.C., suburb. Such is life in pedestrian-friendly Arlington, Virginia, known as one of\u00a0America\u2019s most walkable suburbs.<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Small-town charms and big-city conveniences beckon buyers in search of proximity to the nation\u2019s capital, plenty of lifestyle perks, and a thriving economy and job market.<\/p>\n

The self-governed county of approximately 237,000<\/a> culturally diverse residents spans 26 square miles and resides directly across from Washington, D.C., on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River. Arlington is compact, convenient, and dense, so housing options are primarily high-rises and townhomes, with a limited supply of single-family homes.<\/p>\n

If you want to buy a house in Arlington, you\u2019ll have to factor in\u00a0a higher cost of living<\/a> and housing prices in this seller\u2019s market, where the average listing sells in several days.<\/p>\n

To help you close the deal on a\u00a0home that fits your budget<\/a> and lifestyle, we\u2019ve put together this comprehensive guide with expert advice and insights from area real estate professionals.<\/p>\n

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Source: (Benjamin Rascoe \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why are buyers sold on Arlington?<\/h2>\n

Top-performing Arlington real estate agent Ray Gernhart<\/a>, a 30-year Arlington resident, says people want to buy a house in Arlington for several reasons. \u201cA lot of buyers are coming into Arlington as a career move. Others are leaving Washington, D.C., for safety, security, and good schools,\u201d says Gernhart, a single-family home expert, closing 73% more deals<\/a> than area agents.<\/p>\n

Part of the original land designation for the nation\u2019s capital, today Arlington operates as one of the smallest counties in the country with no cities.<\/p>\n

Arlington\u2019s character and personality come from 10 distinct neighborhoods. But if you want to buy a house in Arlington, you\u2019ll need to be\u00a0competitive with your offer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Arlington housing holds its value<\/h3>\n

As a buyer, you\u2019ll have peace of mind knowing your purchase holds its value over time. According to the Arlington Department of Real Estate\u2019s 2021 market study<\/a>, residential property values are up 5.6%. The average value of existing residential properties \u2014 including condos, townhouses, and detached homes \u2014 is $724,400 as of February 2021.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest reason right now is an extreme housing shortage. Employment also plays a big role. There are lots of government contractors, military, and private-sector jobs in this area,\u201d says Arlington property appraiser Rick Phillips, president of Appraisals Guaranteed<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Higher-priced homes mean higher property taxes, so be prepared to budget for the current property tax rate set by the\u00a0Arlington Department of Real Estate Assessment<\/a> at $1.026 per $100 of assessed value.<\/p>\n

Also, keep in mind that Arlington\u2019s home appraisals are tricky at the moment due to shorter deadlines, and rising home prices because the market is so competitive. Phillips also notes that the pandemic presents logistical challenges with getting access to some properties. To find a reputable appraiser, you can check online resources like The Appraisal Institute<\/a>, and ask for referrals from agents and home inspectors.<\/p>\n

Arlington\u2019s schools get high grades<\/h3>\n

Arlington\u2019s A-rated public school system<\/a> ranks among the best in the state and country. Niche.com ranks it the #2 school district in Virginia<\/a>, with a 95% graduation rate and 91% of high school graduates planning to attend a two- or four-year college. In addition, several Arlington public high schools rank in the top 2% in the Jay Matthews Challenge Index<\/a>, a nationwide ranking of U.S. high schools.<\/p>\n

Prestigious higher education institutions in Arlington include Virginia Tech and its\u00a0Innovation Campus<\/a> and\u00a0Antonin Scalia Law School<\/a> at George Mason University.<\/p>\n

\"Arlington<\/a>
Source: (James Quinn \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arlington is fit for life<\/h2>\n

Arlington offers an active lifestyle with more than 150 public parks<\/a> and playgrounds and 80 miles of trails, earning the title of America\u2019s Fittest City<\/a>. Rent a bike from Capital Bikeshare<\/a> to explore the metro D.C. region, historic sites and scenery, or pedal to work.<\/p>\n

Arlington offers easy commutes<\/h3>\n

Imagine commuting without a car, bypassing rush hour and traffic gridlock. It\u2019s possible in pedestrian-friendly Arlington. Arlington has\u00a011 Metro stations<\/a> with the Orange and Blue metro lines connecting with Capitol Hill, as well as a regional rail<\/a> and bus service<\/a>. Arlington connects with the world via three airports, including Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport<\/a>, and two additional international airports within 30 miles.<\/p>\n

Arlington is good for business\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Arlington\u2019s\u00a0workforce<\/a> is one of the most educated in the nation, with 40% of residents holding advanced degrees. This Washington, D.C., suburb is an ideal location to do business near military and government institutions.<\/p>\n

Top employers in Arlington\u2019s job market are the government and services sectors<\/a>. Arlington continues to diversify, attracting top tech talent and top companies, including e-commerce giant, Amazon, which located its\u00a0second headquarters<\/a> (HQ2), in Arlington. Amazon promises to create 25,000 jobs over the next decade.<\/p>\n

Economic indicators point to a healthy, thriving economy powered by world-class companies, including 31 companies<\/a> on the 2020 Inc. 5000, and several global aerospace and defense companies.<\/p>\n

Arlington\u2019s buyer pain points<\/h2>\n

Manage expectations<\/h3>\n

To make a smart move to Arlington within your budget, you will need to manage your expectations. \u201cI would counsel preparedness and patience. Getting pre-qualified with a lender is a must in this market,\u201d Phillips says. \u201cIt’s an emotional time, but it’s necessary to remain unemotional.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bidding wars, not bargains<\/h3>\n

Arlington is a seller\u2019s market as of February 2021, with home prices at an all-time high, historically low inventories, and low interest rates, according to the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors\u00ae (NVAR)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With residential property values on the rise<\/a>, if you’re going to buy a house in Arlington, be prepared to enter the market at the million-dollar mark with a possible bidding war. \u201cNow, I put a property on the market on a Thursday and I get 12 contracts by Monday,\u201d says Gernhart. You\u2019ll need to\u00a0crunch the numbers<\/a> to develop a realistic budget for Arlington\u2019s housing market.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

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Source: (Kayla Follin \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

High cost of living<\/h3>\n

Arlington is known for its\u00a0higher cost of living<\/a>, and affordable housing is in short supply. \u201cArlington is not an inexpensive place to live. You\u2019ve got to have the means to live in Arlington. If you want a backyard, a little piece of earth fenced in for your children, you are easily talking about the starting price of a home in Arlington around $1 million,\u201d Gernhardt says.<\/p>\n

Minimal seller disclosures<\/h3>\n

One thing to keep in mind when you buy a house in Arlington, is that as a buyer, you won\u2019t know the property\u2019s entire history. Virginia requires a seller to disclose material defects<\/a>, but not latent defects. \u201cIn this market, buyers are buying a home without a lot of background on it,\u201d Gernhart says.<\/p>\n

A home inspection<\/a> can help buyers get a good grasp of the home\u2019s condition. It\u2019s also a good idea to consult an\u00a0insurance agent<\/a> or request a CLUE report<\/a> to learn about any claims \u2014 such as flooding or fire \u2014 in the home\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Limited supply of single-family detached homes<\/h3>\n

Arlington\u2019s housing market is condo-concentrated with very few detached single-family homes. The high cost and limited availability of land mean most residents live in vertical developments. \u201cThere are very few ranch-style or rambler style homes because the land is so expensive,\u201d says Gernhart.<\/p>\n

No prime time for buyers<\/h3>\n

Arlington\u2019s housing market tends to be steady year-round. Traditionally, homes stayed on the market a bit longer in the winter months<\/a>, but with 2021\u2019s continued competitive landscape, there is not necessarily an ideal season for buyers.<\/p>\n

Buyer tips to boost your offer<\/h3>\n

If you want to make sure to close the deal when you buy a house in Arlington, get competitive with your offer. Real estate experts recommend considering the following tactics to get a leg up in the current market:<\/p>\n