Is Your Next Home in This Community Gem?
If you’re in the market to buy a new home, you’ve probably got a couple of things on your must-have list. Great location. Access to tons of activities. Amazing real estate value. Does this sound like your list? Then National Harbor could be the answer for you!
Where Is National Harbor?
National Harbor was developed by Peterson Companies, which is based out of Fairfax, Virginia. The first homes in this unique neighborhood sold in 2008.
Here are some high-level facts about National Harbor:
- Located in Prince George’s County, Maryland
- Runs along the Potomac River
- Population: 4,296 (as of latest 2019 census data)
- Area: Just 1.853 square miles
- Boundaries include Interstate 495 (north), the Potomac River (west), Oxon Hill Road and Route 210 (east), and National Harbor Boulevard (south)
- Residential properties include rows of townhouses, condominiums, and apartments
What’s around National Harbor?
National Harbor offers residents a truly unique living experience. For those residing in National Harbor, here’s what to expect in your own backyard:
- Walkable to the beautiful Potomac River waterfront and marina. (The entire National Harbor community is extremely walkable!)
- Access to the iconic Capital Wheel Ferris wheel.
- Close proximity to tons of retail boutiques, Tanger Outlets, and other shopping.
- Fine dining at over forty restaurants.
- Lots of entertainment, such as live music at the MGM National Harbor hotel and casino.
- Plenty of hotels for friends, family, and loved ones who come to visit.
- For families with children, the closest schools are Fort Foote Elementary, Oxon Hill Middle, and Oxon Hill High.
Getting around National Harbor
If you’re looking to get in or out of National Harbor, here’s some information about the local transit options:
- National Harbor is quite close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. (It’s under twenty minutes by car.) This makes domestic and international travel more convenient.
- If you’re looking to travel by Metro, the nearest station is King Street in Alexandria (blue and yellow lines). That’s about seven miles away. Ten miles away is the Southern Avenue Metro station in Hillcrest Heights (green line). Buses operate between National Harbor and both Metro stations.
- Love to get around on two wheels? Capital Bikeshare offers bike rentals throughout National Harbor.
- Have your car with you? Parking is much less of a concern in National Harbor than in neighboring communities, such as Capitol Hill. Off-street parking is available and easy.
Activities Available to the National Harbor Community
National Harbor is known for hosting numerous festivals and events throughout the year. This includes the following:
- Pumpkin carving for children
- Movies on the Potomac (free weekly event featuring family-friendly movies)
- Santa and holiday tree lighting
- Fireworks
- Morning yoga
- Various “mommy and me” events
- Numerous HOA and condo-specific resident-only activities
Thinking of Living in National Harbor? Here Are Some Considerations
Does National Harbor sound like the place for you? Here is some more helpful information:
- Is condo life for you? In this community, that puts you near shopping, restaurants, and the water. More interested in a townhouse? Those tend to be up the hill from the bustling harbor. (Don’t worry. Public walking paths to the marina and waterfront are readily available, well-maintained, and beautifully landscaped.)
- Peterson Companies handles all the landscaping and maintains all common areas.
- Within National Harbor, there are fourteen different homeowners associations. Be aware HOA and condo fees can add up to anywhere between $300 and $800 per month.
- Waterfront living, as is often the case, comes at a higher asking price. According to local Realtor Chris Ross, the record-setting National Harbor condo price was $1.4 million. By comparison, the most expensive townhouse was $929,900.
- National Harbor boasts a small local market but no big-chain grocery stores. Most residents opt to cross the Woodrow Wilson Bridge into Virginia to do bigger store runs.
Is National Harbor Real Estate a Good Value?
One of the biggest draws about the National Harbor community is the price of real estate relative to neighboring districts.
According to Will Nuckols, who purchased a four-level National Harbor townhouse, he got “twice the home” compared to real estate options he was considering on Capitol Hill or in Virginia.
National Harbor had 119 properties sell in 2021, and the average price of those deals was $554,795. (This included an average condo price of $417,662 and an average townhome price of $742,023.)
As is often the case, the price of a single-family home still outstrips condos or townhouses. A single-family home in this community in 2020 went for just above $1 million.
What’s Next for National Harbor
This bustling and desirable neighborhood is definitely on the rise. Stuart Prince, Peterson Companies executive vice-president of residential properties, confirmed another thousand National Harbor residential units are currently in the building phase.
There are also twenty-eight townhouses and another 144 condominium units under construction.
The Monument series marks the newest phase of townhome development. These will feature all the following:
- Four-story brick townhouse construction
- Three or four bedrooms and five bathrooms
- 2,600 square feet
- Rooftop deck
- Two-car garage
- Prices ranging from $734,990 to 784,990
Want to Learn More about National Harbor?
If you’re interested in learning more about real estate in this community, reach out to us today.
We have nearly four decades of experience in the Maryland; Virginia; and Washington, DC markets. We’re happy to answer any questions you have and show you real estate as it should be!
