About Stafford's North Stafford & South Stafford

After evaluating jurisdictions through the 2010 Census Bureau Report, TheStreet.com has ranked the richest counties in America. The baseline for comparison was through median household income. Normally this kind of report wouldn't catch our attention. But 5 Northern Virginia counties earned recognition on a list of the wealthiest 15 places in America. The Northern Virginia jurisdictions mentioned are as follows:

Loudoun County: The wealthiest county in America. With the average estate homes in the surrounding areas of Leesburg and Ashburn priced from $500K-$800K, and horse properties at every turn from Middleburg to Purcellville to Lovettsville priced between $1m-$3M we were not surprised Loudoun County earned the top spot on this list. The median household income of $119,540 supports a poverty rate of 3.2%. The population has doubled in size during the past decade. We have sold homes in Leesburg, and provided bank servicing of homes in the Middleburg area. Based on our observations smart planning by Loudoun County officials has forged great transportation networks, well designed communities and services, schools with a technology infrastructure which supports a virtual learning initiative, and a long-term plan supporting additional commercial growth. We believe Loudon County will continue to be considered one of the best places to live for the forseeable future.

Fairfax County: The largest county in Northern Viginia (population 1,081,726) finished second with a median household income of $103,010. The development in the Lorton-Fairfax Station areas bordering the Occoquan River, and the Chantilly and Fair Lakes areas during the last 10 years attracted a professional workforce purchasing luxury homes. With the median value of homes at $507,800 it's no surprise the average unemployment figures have recently been as low as 1.4%. Communities in Fairfax County offer single family homes with a commute into Washington, D.C. which will not dictate the lifestyle of homeowners. Our clients relocating to Northern Virginia are frequently interested in home searches which begin in Kingstowne, West Springfield, Reston, and Centreville. If you're interested in purchasing a new single family home in Fairfax County buyer beware. According to the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, during 2011 the median sales price for a new construction purchase was $861,362. Existing homes compared at $525,000. Feel like testing the market for smaller homes? A new townhouse averaged $664,092, and existing units were $329,500.

Stafford County: North Stafford has been our home for 20+ years. We moved to Stafford County for our children to receive an education in the Stafford County School System. It is listed as the seventh wealthiest county in the United States. Located next to Quantico Marine Corps Base, it's commonplace to patronize businesses and restaurants in the Aquia and Garrisonville areas, and find these establishments completely full of U.S. Marines, along with FBI & DEA Academy staff members and students. The additional presence of FBI National Academy students, government contractors, and military retirees possibly makes Stafford County among the safest places in America. We also have high praise for the effective work of the Stafford County Sheriff's Office. The median household income next to the Crossroads of the Marine Corps (Quantico Marine Corps Base) is $94,317. There are 128,961 residents in Stafford County and the unemployment rate remains below 5%. Single family homes on 3+ acre lots, and subdivisions allowing horses can be found throughout Stafford County, and usually become the target of buyers in Northern Virginia requiring space. These homes are usually priced between $500K-$600K. Homes on smaller lots in planned subdivisions with 4-5 bedrooms on 3 finished levels are usually priced between $450K-$500K.

Arlington County: Located next to Washington, D.C. along the southern bank of the Potomac River, Arlington County is well known for its nightlife, apartments, and condominiums. Ranked as the fifth wealthiest county, Arlington (especially the Shirlington area) attracts mostly younger professionals. Over 70% of residents posess college degrees. The majority of housing transactions are between $500K-$700K. Median house values are $571,700. The commute into the District of Columbia includes numerous transportation choices, and workers who live without dreading the ride home. But don't look for spacious single family homes in the Arlington housing market. Commuters travel as far as Fredericksburg and Warrenton every day for larger homes and lower mortgages.

Prince William County: A popular Civil War attraction, Manassas is located in Prince William County along Interstate 66 between Fairfax and Fauquier Counties. Our real estate office is located in Prince William County in the Lake Ridge area next to Interstate 95. Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, and Manassas are popular areas for potential homebuyers because they offer commuters the options of slug-lines, commuter bus services, carpools from numerous commuter lots, and commuter train service from 4 stations. Due to a 43% population increase during the last 10 years, Prince William County offers newer model homes and subdivisions (especially in Bristow, Gainesville, & Haymarket), and schools recently constructed in areas of expansion. The median household income is $92,655. Single family home searches by clients relocating to Northern Virginia are found in all price ranges starting at $400K. Prince William County is considered a bedroom community. There are 11 high schools, 16 middle schools, and 85 elementary schools. The operating budget of Prince William County dedicates 51% of the yearly budget to fund Prince William County Schools. This initiative has kept students out of attending class in trailers, and allowed technology upgrades in existing schools.

The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area also claims 5 more spots from the top 15 wealthiest counties in the United States. They are (in order):

Jurisdiction (rank) Median Household Income

Howard County, MD. (3) $101,771

Montgomery County, MD. (12) $89,155

Calvert County, MD. (13) $88,862

St. Mary's County, MD. (14) $88,444

Charles County, MD. (15) $87,007

For complete community and school information we encourage you to use the research provided on our real estate website. Click here for information in our service areas: Prince William County, Stafford County, Frededricksburg, Spotsylvania County, Fairfax County, Fauquier County, King George County, Orange County, Manassas City, Manassas Park, and Fairfax City.

As many of us know, a Home Owners Association (HOA), within a neighborhood or subdivision, is made up of property owners within that subdivision, and is established to govern relations between the owners, and administer the rules, bylaws, and covenants of the complex. These guidelines or governing rules are normally covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs - not to be mistaken for the more popular CCR!) that restrict ownership rights.

For those looking to purchase a home, the HOA covenants can be both a relief and a concern. One of the considerations we face when purchasing a home in a particular neighborhood is, what do the HOA covanents cover? Are there restrictions on the number of people who can live in a home? How about the size of color of the fence? Pool hours? Will it help to keep the subdivision looking good? As a matter of fact, HOA covenants are as restrictive as the home oweners decide they will be. But, more than anything else, HOAs are designed to provide a neighborhood that its occupants enjoy living in, by maintaining standards that are theirs.

But, two recent cases have put the focus on the enforcement powers HOAs exercise. The first case involved a California owner whose subdivision sent him a notice informing him that he was vioalating a subdivision rule prohibiting pickup trucks in the driveway. And his pickup was new! A Ford F-150.

According to the HOA, luxury pickups like the Cadillac Escalade, Honda Ridgeline and Lincoln Mark LT are allowed, but not the the tried and true F-150. Their belief is that these "luxury" pickups market to "a different class of people." The F-150 has to be parked out of sight and in the garage.

Last week, in another HOA exercise of power, a local Stafford home owner was ordered by the St. George's Estates neighborhood HOA to remove political election signs from their yard or face a fine. The home owners, Pat & Heather Stefl, responded by citing their consitutional right to free speech. "I did not sign away my constitutional rights by buying into this home, and I do see this as a First Amendment right", said Heather. But, the Stefls may be out of luck. While state law prohibits localities from banning the disply of political signs on private property, the law DOES NOT apply to HOAs. The Stefls have until August 29th to comply.

Guidelines and controls on what we can and can't do with our property, aren't restrictions to be taken lightly. But, before we sign that contract for the purchase of your new home, or, more specifically, before we actually agree to the HOA covenants we're handed to review as part of the home buying process, make sure you read and understand what you're agreeing to. As they say, ignorance is not excuse!

To Continue Reading this Article, Click Here: Can the Home Owners Association Really Do That?