Buying & selling in Arlington
Arlington is urban Northern Virginia, just across the Potomac from Washington — a dense, transit-rich county where walkable neighborhoods like Clarendon, Ballston and Rosslyn sit minutes from downtown DC by Metro. It offers a short commute, dining, and proximity to Amazon's HQ2 at National Landing, and ranges from high-rise condos to leafy single-family streets. Kelly Balmer represents buyers and sellers across Arlington.
Arlington at a glance
Arlington County packs a lot into a small footprint directly across the river from DC. Multiple Metro lines (Orange, Silver, Blue and Yellow) string together a series of walkable "urban villages," while Reagan National Airport, the Pentagon, and — increasingly — Amazon's HQ2 at National Landing anchor the local economy.
The appeal is convenience: many residents trade a bigger lot for a shorter commute, walkable dining and nightlife, and quick access to both DC and the rest of Northern Virginia.
Neighborhoods Kelly knows
Arlington's character changes block to block, from high-rise corridors to lower-density residential streets:
- Clarendon & Courthouse — the walkable heart of the dining and nightlife scene, with Metro at street level.
- Ballston — a dense, amenity-rich corridor anchored by offices, retail and Metro.
- Rosslyn — high-rise living with skyline views, steps from DC across Key Bridge.
- National Landing (Pentagon City & Crystal City) — the Amazon HQ2 area, a focus of new development and demand.
- Lyon Village, Lyon Park & Ashton Heights — established single-family neighborhoods near the Metro corridor.
- Shirlington & Arlington Ridge — walkable, residential pockets with their own village feel.
For a read on a specific building or street, ask Kelly.
School assignments
Arlington addresses are served by Arlington Public Schools; the neighborhood high schools are Washington-Liberty, Yorktown and Wakefield. Assignments depend on the address, and Arlington also uses option/lottery programs, so confirm how a given address maps to schools in the APS Boundary Locator. Kelly helps clients sort that out as part of the search.
The market & what to expect
Arlington spans a broad range of price points, from condos to single-family homes. County-wide, the Arlington County average sold price was $1,012,720 across all home types in July 2026, at $521 per square foot (Source: Bright MLS via ARLnow). That is a county figure across condos, townhomes and single-family homes, not a neighborhood one — ask Kelly for current comparables on the building or street you have in mind. Demand is tied to federal, professional and tech employment, including Amazon's HQ2 at National Landing (Phase 1 open with about 8,300 employees; Phase 2 construction has been paused since 2023, with the site plan extended to 2028). For buyers, condo versus single-family is the first big fork; for sellers, knowing which buyer pool your home appeals to drives the right pricing and marketing.
Kelly will give you the current read for your specific building or street. The buyer's guide and seller's guide show exactly how she works.
Why work with Kelly in Arlington
Kelly Balmer is a Vice President at Compass and a partner in the Mollaan Babbington Group, licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, with $130M+ sold and a Best-of-Zillow, 5.0-star record across 130+ client reviews. Buyers and sellers crossing between DC and Northern Virginia value an agent who knows all three jurisdictions and handles every deal personally.
Vice President & Partner, Mollaan Babbington Group at Compass · Licensed in DC · MD · VA
Arlington buyers & sellers ask
Is Arlington a good place to live?
For buyers who value a short commute, walkability and access to both DC and Northern Virginia, Arlington is one of the most convenient places in the region. You trade larger lots for transit, dining and nightlife at your doorstep — though established single-family neighborhoods offer a lower-density, single-family option too.
How much do homes in Arlington cost?
Arlington has a wide range, from condos through townhomes to single-family homes in neighborhoods like Lyon Village. What drives price is home type and location: high-rise condos along the Metro corridor at Clarendon, Ballston and Rosslyn sit at one end, single-family streets at the other, and your budget largely determines which makes sense. Ask Kelly for current Arlington comparables — she pulls them fresh for every client.
Which Arlington neighborhoods are most walkable?
The Metro corridor neighborhoods — Clarendon, Courthouse, Ballston and Rosslyn — are the most walkable, with restaurants, shops and transit at street level. Shirlington and parts of Pentagon City are walkable too. If walkability is your priority, those corridors are the place to start.
How has Amazon's HQ2 affected Arlington real estate?
Amazon's HQ2 at National Landing (Pentagon City and Crystal City) has brought significant investment, new development and added housing demand to that part of Arlington. The effect varies by neighborhood and over time, so for a current, grounded read rather than headlines, talk to Kelly.
Is it better to buy in Arlington, DC, or Maryland?
Each has trade-offs — taxes, commute, schools, home styles and price all differ across DC, Maryland and Virginia. There's no single right answer; it depends on your priorities. Because Kelly is licensed in all three, she can compare them honestly for your specific situation rather than steering you to one.
Let's find your right home.
Whether you're buying, selling, or just want an honest read on the market, the next move starts with a conversation. Kelly answers personally.