STAFFORD COUNTY — If you’re thinking of moving to Stafford County Aquia Harbour would be a good choice as the neighborhood was ranked the seventh most affordable place to live in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
A new study from financial technology company SmartAsset ranks the most affordable places to live in Virginia. This is SmartAsset’s fourth annual study on the most affordable places in America. These communities are ranked on an affordability index weighing property taxes, homeowners’ insurance fees and mortgage payments relative to income.
Aquia Harbour topped all of the top 10 in median income at $118,672. Aquia blew its competitors away as they beat the next highest median income by over $20,000.
“Aquia Harbour is a great buy for so many reasons not the least of which is our full-time private police department, our proximity to I-95 and our amenities which include golf, swimming pools, horse stables, a country club and a beautiful marina,” said Patricia Harmon, General Manager of Aquia Harbour Property Owner’s Association. “The fact that we are a 50-year-old community means what was once perhaps out of reach is now a little more affordable. The properties in Aquia Harbour are older but because no two houses in a Aquia Harbour look the same the result is a rustic and charming effect.”
Studies like these have the potential to attract people that are looking to buy a home and want the most bang for their buck.
“I think it creates an opportunity for awareness and once people visit our community they will find it hard to resist,” Harmon said.
When it comes to studies like these, there could become a potential growth problem as more people look at these studies and decide to buy a home. Harmon feels that there won’t be any sort of problems related to growth.
“We are pretty much built out,” Harmon said. “We have a handful of undeveloped lots – less than 25 and other than that we’re complete.”
The annual property tax for Aquia Harbour was the highest in the top 10 at a staggering $2,738, the average annual homeowner’s insurance is $1,318, and the average annual mortgage payment is $15,454.
All in all Aquia Harbour received an overall affordability index of 40.95 good for seventh best in the state.
Top three in the State were Covington (55.03), Chamberlayne (45.93), and King George (43.24).
The bottom three on the list were Pulaski (40.88), Danville (40.61), and Bealeton (38.99).
