Arlington home buys and rentersNo matter which housing market you consider, there are some universal desires that buyers and renters have when looking into buying a home. They want a great deal on an updated home in a neighborhood that has low crime and plenty of amenities, naturally. That doesn’t change no matter where you go. Some buyers and renters have need-specific wants, such as a fenced-in yard for the family pup, good schools for young kiddos, or vast walk-in closets for the wife’s shopping habit. Again, none of these are uncommon. 

As you move from area to area, common wants in a home start to vary based on geographic factors. People in Florida, for instance, all want pools. In Arizona, where summertime temperatures can soar into the triple digits, central air conditioning is a must. Buyers in Austin, Texas take pride in living in the “music capital of America” and want proximity to bars, concert venues, and clubs. In Boston, renters care deeply about whether utilities are included in rental prices… probably because rents there are already so high. 

What do buyers and renters in Arlington want? ARLnow.com took a thorough survey of residents and found out the most attractive features in real estate for buyers and renters in this area. First on the list is walkability. Both Arlington and Washington, D.C. are extremely walkable, and your typical buyer wants proximity to work, retail, restaurants, and other destinations. Since proximity to public transportation isn’t an issue, a walkable home is considered a premium feature.

Another major factor that buyers and renters in Arlington want is access to jobs. Believe it or not, not everyone living in the area works in politics - even though the government employs almost 150,000 locals. According to ARLnow.com, there are plenty of other sectors that constitute major employers in Arlington: “private health care, software development, defense contracting, wholesale and manufacturing, tourism, management analysis and more.”

LGBT-friendliness is another perk that Arlington transplants are seeking. The D.C. metro area has the highest percent of recorded same-sex couple households in the whole country, and overall a vibrant LGBT presence. Nearly fifteen percent of all adults in the metro area identify as LGBT, making a hospitable environment a major requirement.

Have you been thinking about moving to Arlington? What are your own requirements for a home there? Contact a licensed Realtor today to have a discussion about your family’s next home!