10 things to know when buying a home in Warrenton

Warrenton, Va. is a small town located in the center of Fauquier County in Northern Virginia. Warrenton isn’t just a popular weekend getaway for many residents of the Washington, D.C. metro area; it’s increasingly gaining attention as a great place to call home. For those in the market for a new home, Warrenton has a lot to offer: beautiful landscapes, quiet neighborhoods, and a quaint downtown full of history. 

Looking to move to Warrenton? What you need to know:

1. Cost of Living 

This one’s pretty obvious, but the first factor to consider when looking at houses for sale in Warrenton is pricing and cost of living. According to real estate databases like Zillow and Trulia, the average home value in Warrenton, Va. sits just under $400,000, a 3.8% increase over the past year.

2. Types of Housing

Although Warrenton is a small, historic town, the housing options in the area have kept with the times. Warrenton HVAC repair technicians and plumbers have helped maintain older homes over time, and newer housing units are built as people continue to move from the nearby Washington metro area to quieter, more relaxed areas like Warrenton. “You can choose a house built in 1905 or 2005 or anything in between,” said Long and Foster agent Will Farley in a piece about Warrenton featured in The Washington Post. 

Read more: Warrenton A.C. Repair

According to Trulia, about 80% of Warrenton residents are homeowners and 20% are renters. Single-family homes are the most common housing units available in the Warrenton real estate market, typically with three or four bedrooms. Apartments, condos, and townhouses are also popular, more affordable options, which makes Warrenton an ideal place to call home for people of all means. 

3. Demographics

Just under 10,000 people live in Warrenton today. Of the total population, the majority are married with families, however, there are people of all ages living in the Warrenton area — about 24% of residents are under age 17, 18% are between ages 18 and 34, another 28% are between ages 35 and 54, and 30% are ages 55 and older. 

93% of Warrenton residents are high school graduates, and about 35% are college graduates as well, according to Neighborhood Scout. 

4. Location

When it comes to location, you can’t get much better than Warrenton. Situated in the heart of wine and hunt country, around 45 miles west of Washington, D.C., Warrenton is the perfect place to escape from the fast-paced lifestyle of the metro area while still maintaining accessibility to one of the nation’s most popular cities. Warrenton is known for its small-town, quiet charm; its small size — about four and a half square miles — allows for a less congested, more relaxed way of life for residents, which is often the reason so many people consider settling down in towns like Warrenton.

5. Schools

For families interested in relocating to Warrenton, it’s important to consider the schooling options available in the area. With 20 public schools located in the district, students are able to benefit from a relatively low student-teacher ratio, averaging around 14 students per classroom. In addition to Fauquier County public schools, there are also a handful of private schools located in the Warrenton area.

6. Crime

Another excellent selling point for Warrenton is its low crime rates. In fact, Warrenton is safer than 58% of cities in the U.S. According to Area Vibes, “the occurrence of violent crime in Warrenton, VA is 45% lower than the average rate of crime in Virginia and 69% lower than the rest of the nation.” 

7. Shopping

Something that sets Warrenton apart from other popular towns in Northern Virginia is its dedication to supporting local businesses. Although there are a handful of big box stores and grocery chains located on the outskirts of the town, at its center, Warrenton is a small business kind of town. Main Street is populated by locally-owned stores, from florists to fair trade gift shops to small eateries and cafes. Over the past few years, the local government has made strides to maintain the small-town experience by implementing programs that encourage residents to support local merchants, like the Old Town Warrenton Birthday Bash program. 

8. Transportation

Driving is the most common mode of transportation for residents of Warrenton. 96% of commuters drive to work, and only around 2% rely on public transportation. Warrenton’s close proximity to major highways including Routes 29 and 17 allow for residents to easily travel to the D.C. metro area, as well as other popular Virginia destinations like Charlottesville and Richmond. Warrenton is about a 45-minute drive to Dulles International airport and an hour drive to Reagan National airport. 

9. Lifestyle 

If you’re looking to leave the hustle and bustle of the D.C. metro area behind you, Warrenton may be the place for you. “It feels different here. You have space to breathe,” says Warrenton economic development manager, Heather Stinson in an article for The Washington Post. 

Warrenton embodies the lifestyle of simpler times. As stated on Virginia.org, “the quaintness, tradition and charm of bygone eras are apparent along Old Town Warrenton streets lined with historic houses and brick sidewalks. Townsfolk gather on the steps of the post office or at a coffee shop to pass the time of day, perhaps pausing to listen as the old courthouse clock strikes the hour.”

Earlier this year, we took a trip to Warrenton to meet with some local residents and merchants to get a feel for what life in Warrenton is really like — what makes Warrenton special. The message was clear: Warrenton is a real community. Whether you’ve lived there your whole life or have just settled into the area, you feel like you’re part of a family that really knows you and supports you. 

Read more: Know a Neighborhood: Warrenton, Virginia

10. History

Warrenton is a town with a rich history dating back to the American Revolution. You can see just by walking down Main Street that Warrenton is a place dedicated to preserving and honoring its roots. The Old Jail — now the Fauquier County History Museum — and the Old Courthouse, both built in the early 19th century,  still stand and are in operation to this day. 

Notorious Civil War generals led battles through Warrenton and lived in the town after the war ended. Famous guests of Warrenton include presidents James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, and Teddy Roosevelt. The Warren Green Hotel, now a municipal building, was once home to Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. 

Read more: An Inside Look at the Warren Green Hotel

Let us help you feel at home in Warrenton.

Whether you're new to Warrenton, Va. or just looking for a home in a community that you already know and love, make sure CroppMetcalfe is on your contact list. We're the five-star technicians with nearly 40 years of experience serving the plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and pest control needs of homeowners and businesses across Northern Virginia. Give us a call to schedule an appointment at 1-877-740-6657 or contact us online today.

---