If you’re moving to the D.C. area, you might be intimidated by some of the house prices in the district itself. The median sale price of homes in D.C. is north of a million dollars, which may be somewhat out of your price range. The good news is that there are tons of suburbs in the D.C. area that give you access to all the capital amenities for a much lower price.
Montgomery County, Maryland, is about half an hour from D.C. and has some amazing cities you can call home. Read on to discover homes for sale in Montgomery County and some of the amazing communities you’ll discover there.
Meet Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Maryland, sits on the northern border of Washington, D.C., on the north side of the Potomac. The county is home to a little more than a million people, many of whom commute to work in D.C. each day. The area is also popular among investors looking to buy their first rental property.
Bethesda
Bethesda, Maryland, is a city located on the northwestern border of the District of Columbia. It sits on the northeast bank of the Potomac and is home to about 65,000 people. Bethesda has been described as “a world in one neighborhood” and is home to a number of boutiques, ethnic restaurants, and trendy artistic haunts that residents love.
Homes in Bethesda tend to sell for a little more than a million dollars and cost about $425 per square foot. Right now, there’s a seller’s market, meaning that there are more people looking to buy homes than there are homes on the market. Homes are selling in under forty days, so if you see a home you like, don’t hesitate to put in an offer.
Takoma Park
Takoma Park is about twenty-three minutes from Washington, D.C., and sits close to the northern border of the district. This suburb is much smaller than Bethesda, home to just under 18,000 people. The city is nicknamed “The Azalea City” thanks to its dozens of beautiful azalea bushes that brighten its green spaces in the spring.
Homes in Takoma Park are more affordable for first-time homebuyers and investors. Homes tend to list for a little under $650,000 at about $400 a square foot and are currently selling for around $875,000. As you might guess from that price difference, it’s very much a seller’s market right now, so act fast to get your dream home.
Silver Spring
Silver Spring sits on the very northern border of the District of Columbia, less than twenty minutes from Washington’s city center. It’s home to more than 81,000 residents and is the hub of art and culture in Montgomery County. There are dozens of concert venues, golf courses, boutiques, restaurants, and cultural attractions to delight residents and visitors alike.
Given how popular Silver Spring is, the homes there are very affordable, listing for around $525,000 and selling for an average of $50,000 over the asking price. Homes there tend to sell for around $270 a square foot, often in thirty-five days or less. Silver Spring is experiencing a seller’s market right now, and as of this writing, there are less than 600 homes on the market in the city.
Potomac
Potomac, MD, is a little further out from D.C., although it’s still less than half an hour from the city center. The city is home to about 46,000 people and has been called the “Beverly Hills” of Montgomery County, Maryland. The neighborhoods in this city are packed with stunning homes, and residents will love the wide range of artistic and outdoor activities available.
As you might guess, homes in Potomac are a little higher on the price scale, hitting around $1.2 million. They sell for about $318 a square foot, and home sellers here get asking price for their homes. Homes are selling in about thirty-six days, though, so you’re going to want to move fast when you find your dream home.
Rockville
Rockville is also a little further out from D.C., sitting to the northeast of Potomac and about a thirty-minute drive from the city center. The neighborhood is home to a little more than 68,000 people, as well as some of the top biomed and technology companies in the world. Rockville was named the best place to live in Maryland in 2018 by Money magazine and earned a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign for their commitment to the welfare of their LGBTQ+ residents.
Homes in Rockville are on the more affordable end for the region, listing for an average of $600,000. Right now, the city is experiencing a seller’s market, and homes are selling for about $70,000 over asking price. Listings tend to go for about $300 a square foot and sell within thirty-five days.
Kensington
Kensington is a small community off the northwest tip of the District of Columbia, about twenty-six minutes from Washington’s city center. Only 2,000 people call Kensington home, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds in this community. You’ll love the small-town charm of the neighborhood while still having easy access to all the amenities D.C. has to offer.
Homes in Kensington list for a little under $875,000 right now and are typically selling for below list price, at about $825,000. Most listings run about $350 a square foot, and, despite the lower sale prices, they sell in about thirty-three days. This area is very much a seller’s market, and there are less than 100 homes for sale, so do not hesitate to make an offer.
Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase is a neighborhood on the northwest side of Washington, D.C., about twenty minutes from the capital. This is one of the more exclusive D.C. suburbs, with incomes averaging well over $250,000 a year. As you might expect, the neighborhood offers a bevy of luxurious homes and a spectacular community.
Homes here are on the higher end of the price scale, listing at $1.5 million and selling for close to $2 million. Per-square-foot costs are a little more than $600, and, unusually for this area, Chevy Chase is experiencing a buyer’s market. However, homes are still selling in under forty days, so buyers will want to move quickly.
Gaithersburg
Gaithersburg sits a little north of Potomac, about forty-five minutes from the city center of D.C. The city is home to more than 70,000 people, and is an extraordinarily livable community. Their schools are some of the best in the country, and many of their neighborhoods have won awards for their quality.
Homes in Gaithersburg are very affordable for the region, listing around $510,000 at just under $250 a square foot. They do tend to sell for higher than list price – around $550,000. Homes are selling in about thirty-six days as of this writing, so buyers will want to move fast once they find the right home.
Germantown
Germantown is even further out from D.C., sitting northwest of Gaithersburg and about fifty minutes’ drive from the city center. However, with a population close to 90,000, this city has plenty to offer on its own merit. It’s home to a Dutch market, an orchard, dozens of charming eateries, and much more.
As you might expect, the further you get from D.C. proper, the more affordable the homes get. Homes in Germantown generally list for a little under $410,000 and sell for about $423,000. They usually go on the market for $228 a square foot and sell in around thirty-four days as of this writing.
Aspen Hill
Aspen Hill sits just east of Rockville and is about a forty-minute drive from D.C. in moderate traffic. The city is home to about 54,000 people and is ranked one of the best places to live in Montgomery County. There are parks and trails for residents to enjoy, as well as some museums you’ll love visiting on the weekends.
Homes in Aspen Hill list for around $550,000 and are selling for about $615,000 at the time of this writing. They tend to list for a little over $260 a square foot and sell in thirty-four days or less. Aspen Hill is very much a seller’s market, so plan to put a little extra money up front and move fast on getting offers on the table.
Clarksburg
Clarksburg, Maryland, is about thirty miles up I-270 from Washington, D.C., or about a fifty-minute drive. It’s home to a little more than 26,000 people and offers a fantastic small-town vibe while maintaining reasonable access to the city. There are lots of parks and trails for residents who want to soak up the sun this summer.
Homes in Clarksburg tend to list for just under $650,000 and are actually selling for less than list price right now. List prices tend to go for $227 a square foot, and homes are selling for about $614,000. However, these sales are turning over in about five weeks, so don’t wait to put in an offer on a home you love.
Montgomery Village
Montgomery Village is a community north of Gaithersburg and about forty-five minutes away from Washington, D.C. It’s home to about 40,000 people and has an abundance of cherry trees, rolling hills, and mirrored lakes. Montgomery Village is also a unique planned community that sparked the rise of other such developments around the D.C. metropolitan area.
Homes in Montgomery Village are tremendously affordable, especially in this region. They tend to list for around $325,000 and are currently selling for about asking price. Homes sell for about $200 a square foot and sell in a little over a month, so you’ll want to move fast on getting a home in this community.
North Bethesda
While North Bethesda is a little way north of Bethesda, Maryland, it is its own distinct community. North Bethesda is home to about 50,000 people and offers a wealth of cultural offerings. With fantastic eateries, local theater, and easy access to the Metro line, you’ll never be short on things to do in North Bethesda.
Homes in North Bethesda tend to list for around $600,000 and are currently selling far over list price, at around $715,000. They tend to go on the housing market at $336 per square foot and sell in less than forty days. As of this writing, there are less than 200 homes for sale in North Bethesda, so you’ll want to move fast if you hope to live in this neighborhood.
Olney
Olney, Maryland, is about fifty minutes north of Washington, D.C. and is home to about 35,000 people. The little city has a number of historic gems, including a farmhouse built for the inventor of the refrigerator. It was also named #17 on Money magazine’s best places to live in 2007.
Olney homes are a little more affordable, listing for around $600,000 and selling for about $60,000 over list price. The homes tend to list for a little more than $250 a square foot, and they sell in about thirty-five days. There are less than 100 homes for sale in Olney as of this writing, so hurry if you want to snag a home in this charming hamlet.
Find Homes for Sale in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, MD, is an amazing place to live, with convenient access to D.C. and a wide range of house prices. From Bethesda and Takoma Park to North Bethesda and Olney, Montgomery County has a variety of amazing towns, cities, and communities. You’ll find gorgeous green spaces, fabulous restaurants, thriving artistic cultures, and so much more.
If you’d like to find homes for sale in Montgomery County, check out the rest of our site at Nomadic Real Estate. We provide leasing, management, sales, and most importantly, peace of mind. Check out our real estate sales services and discover our unique approach to property management.
