Townhomes for Sale in Alexandria VA | Samantha Bard
Alexandria offers one of the widest mixes of townhomes in Northern Virginia. You'll find 18th- and 19th-century brick rowhouses in Old Town, older townhomes near Del Ray and Braddock Road, and newer garage townhomes around Potomac Yard, Carlyle, and Cameron Station. Some offer a small brick patio or garden, while others have a garage and rooftop terrace. Five Metrorail stations sit inside the city, and Alexandria Union Station adds VRE and Amtrak service near King Street. That variety is helpful, but two townhomes at the same price can come with very different rules, fees, and upkeep. It pays to know how ownership type, HOA documents, historic review, and parking work here before you tour. Browse current Alexandria townhomes and condos, then use this list as your guide. Samantha Bard, REALTOR® ABR|SRS with Coldwell Banker Realty, helps buyers compare townhomes side by side. Here are 10 things to know before you buy.
10 Things to Know About Townhomes for Sale in Alexandria VA
1. Confirm the Home Is in the City of Alexandria
The City of Alexandria is an independent city, separate from any county. But an Alexandria mailing address covers a much wider area. Many townhomes with an Alexandria address, including those in Kingstowne, Rose Hill, and the Huntington area, actually sit in Fairfax County.
That difference matters. It decides which local government sets your real estate tax rate, which services you receive, and which school assignment applies. Check the official city or county property records for the exact address before you write an offer, so your budget and expectations match the home.
2. Know Whether It's Fee Simple or a Condo Townhome
Not every home that looks like a townhome is owned the same way. A fee simple townhome usually includes the structure and the lot it sits on. A condo-style townhome, often called a "two-over-two" or stacked townhome, is owned as a condominium unit, with the land and exterior held in common by the association.
Ownership type affects your monthly dues, what insurance you carry, who handles the roof and siding, and which loan programs are available. Condo projects may need lender or FHA/VA approval for some loan types. Ask for the ownership type early, since the listing photos won't tell you.
3. Old Town Rowhouses Come With Historic District Review
Much of Old Town falls within the Old and Historic Alexandria District, and the nearby Parker-Gray District is also locally designated. In these districts, many exterior changes, such as windows, doors, roofing, siding, fences, and additions, need review by the city's Board of Architectural Review before work begins.
The city has been updating its historic district design guidelines, so check the current rules before you plan any project. If you'd like to replace windows or add a rear deck, factor the review process into your timeline and budget. Interior updates generally aren't covered, but confirm the scope with the city's Historic Preservation staff.
4. Townhomes Near Del Ray and Braddock Road
North of Old Town, the area around Del Ray and Braddock Road has a mix of older brick townhomes, rowhouses, and newer infill townhomes. Mount Vernon Avenue runs through Del Ray with local shops and restaurants, and Braddock Road station serves the Blue and Yellow lines.
Homes here range from decades-old rowhouses to recently built communities with garages. Older homes may have smaller kitchens or updated systems with some history behind them, so the inspection matters. Newer homes often come with an HOA, so review the dues and rules alongside the floor plan.
5. Newer Townhome Communities: Potomac Yard, Carlyle, and Cameron Station
Alexandria's newer townhome communities tend to offer attached garages, open main levels, and in many cases rooftop terraces. Potomac Yard sits near Route 1 and its own Metro station. Carlyle and Eisenhower East sit near the King Street-Old Town and Eisenhower Avenue stations. Cameron Station, in the city's West End, is a planned community with townhomes, condos, and single-family homes.
Planned communities often include shared amenities like pools, fitness rooms, and walking paths, which are paid for through HOA dues. Compare those dues with what's included. A slightly higher fee that covers exterior upkeep or amenities you'll use may fit you better than a lower fee that covers very little.
6. Metro, VRE, and Bus Access Across the City
Alexandria has five Metrorail stations: King Street-Old Town, Braddock Road, Eisenhower Avenue, Van Dorn Street, and Potomac Yard-VT, which opened on May 19, 2023. Together they serve the Blue and Yellow lines. Alexandria Union Station, next to King Street, adds Virginia Railway Express and Amtrak service.
Local DASH buses and the Metroway bus line connect many neighborhoods to those stations. Routes and schedules change, so test your trip from a specific address at the time you'd normally travel. For more Northern Virginia real estate tips, including commuter guides, browse Samantha's blog.
7. Review the HOA or Condo Documents Carefully
Most Alexandria townhomes outside the oldest parts of Old Town belong to an HOA or condo association. Under Virginia law, the seller provides a resale disclosure packet with the governing documents, budget, reserve information, current assessments, and any pending special assessments. Buyers get a short, set window after receiving it to review and cancel if needed.
Read the packet closely. Look at rental rules, pet rules, architectural guidelines, parking policies, and the reserve balance. A well-funded reserve can mean fewer surprise assessments later. If anything is unclear, ask before your review window closes.
8. Plan Your Parking
Parking looks different from one townhome to the next. Newer communities often include one- or two-car garages plus driveway or guest spaces. Many Old Town rowhouses have no off-street parking at all and rely on street parking.
The city runs a Residential Permit Parking program in many neighborhoods, including much of Old Town. Rules, fees, and the number of permits per household vary by district, so check with the city for a specific address. In HOA communities, ask about assigned spaces, guest parking, and towing rules.
9. Check Flood Maps and Plan a Thorough Inspection
Parts of Alexandria sit near the Potomac River waterfront and along streams such as Four Mile Run, and some properties fall in FEMA flood zones. Check the FEMA flood map for each address and ask an insurance agent for a quote early. Flood insurance can change your monthly costs.
For older rowhouses, ask your inspector to look closely at shared party walls, roofs, basement moisture, and older electrical and plumbing. For newer homes, check the builder warranty and any punch-list items. A good inspection gives you a clear picture of what you're buying and what to plan for.
10. Get Pre-Approved and Be Ready to Move
Well-priced townhomes in Alexandria can draw interest quickly, especially near Metro. Getting pre-approved before you tour lets you act when the right home comes up. Your lender will also want to know the ownership type and HOA or condo details, so share them early.
Build your budget around the full monthly cost: mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA or condo dues, and parking. The Northern Virginia buyer's guide walks through pre-approval, budgeting, and each step of the purchase. It's a helpful place to start before you begin touring Alexandria townhomes.
FAQs
Q: What types of townhomes are for sale in Alexandria VA?
A: Alexandria has historic brick rowhouses in Old Town, older townhomes and rowhouses near Del Ray and Braddock Road, and newer garage townhomes in communities like Potomac Yard, Carlyle, and Cameron Station. Some are fee simple, and others are condo-style stacked townhomes, often called two-over-twos.
Q: Is every home with an Alexandria address in the City of Alexandria?
A: No. The City of Alexandria is an independent city, but an Alexandria mailing address also covers parts of Fairfax County, such as Kingstowne, Rose Hill, and the Huntington area. Check official property records for the exact address, since it affects taxes and local services.
Q: Do I need approval to change the outside of an Old Town townhome?
A: Often, yes. Many exterior changes to homes in the Old and Historic Alexandria District and the Parker-Gray District need review by the city's Board of Architectural Review. Check the city's current design guidelines and talk with Historic Preservation staff before you plan a project.
Q: What's the difference between a townhome and a two-over-two condo?
A: A fee simple townhome usually includes the home and its lot. A two-over-two is a stacked unit owned as a condominium, with the land and exterior held by the association. The ownership type affects dues, insurance, maintenance responsibilities, and financing options.
Q: How do I start my Alexandria townhome search?
A: Start with pre-approval and a clear monthly budget that includes HOA or condo dues and parking. Then work with a local agent who can compare ownership types, documents, and commute options for each home. Samantha Bard offers buyer consultations and can set up a search around your budget and timeline.
Ready to Find Your Alexandria Townhome?
If an Alexandria townhome is on your list, let's talk about what you need in a home and how you'll use it day to day. Samantha Bard can walk you through current listings, explain the HOA or condo documents for each home you like, and help you move with confidence when the right one comes up. Do you have time to talk this week?
Samantha Bard, REALTOR® | ABR | SRS
Coldwell Banker Realty
📞 (703) 298-2651 | ✉ samantha.bard@cbmove.com | 🌐 www.samanthabard.com
Virginia License #0225198344 | Equal Housing Opportunity