Falling Waters is an area in the northern end of Berkeley County right across from the Maryland line and bordered by the Potomac River. If you’re looking for waterfront property, you’ll find that in Falling Waters. If you want easy access to major metro areas, Falling Waters is a great choice. And you’ll find homes there are lots less expensive than they are across the border into Maryland especially as you get closer to the DC Metro area.
One of the most appealing things about Falling Wasters is its location right across the border from Maryland with easy access to several large metro areas. About an hour 10 min to Gaithersburg – go another 15-20 minutes and arrive in Washington DC. It’s about the same driving time to Baltimore – an hour 25 min according to Google Maps. If you head north on i81 it’s a straight drive to Harrisburg Pennsylvania and the Amtrac Station there – that takes about an hour fifteen. I’ve done that several times for the train to New York City. So you’ve got some good options if you commute or just want to be near some major metro areas without paying the high cost of property that is typical in those areas.
There’s 3 general areas and types of homes in Falling Waters. Homes on the river or in communities with river access – The entire northeast edge of Falling Waters is bordered by the Potomac River. Then there’s the subdivisions that hug I81 which tend to be newer and attractive to commuters. And then there the more rural properties and that’s mostly in the western part of Falling Waters. That’s where you’ll find farms and homes on larger lots.
The median price of homes in Falling Waters as of October was $260,000. Compare that to Frederick Maryland which was $406 as of October. $280 for Hagerstown, which is about a 15 min drive from Falling Waters and then as you get closer to DC, the price goes up exponentially. So, no question. Drive a few miles and get more house for the money.
If you want a 3 bedroom 2 bath home in good shape and looking to spend under $300,000, you’ll likely be looking at a townhouse. Nice townhomes that fit that criteria are in the mid to upper $200s. A detached home with the same criteria will most likely be in the mid $300s and up. And it goes up from there depending on the sq ft, the neighborhood, the amenities. There are some spectacular homes up in the $600 and $700 range.
If you’re in the 250-350 range and want river access, here’s some nice options: there’s the townhomes in Brookfield – very nice upscale townhomes and the river access park is beautiful. There’s also Potomac Heights. – an older subdivision with a mixed bag of home styles – from large colonials to small cabins and a few doublewides – those homes are on an acre or so and on well and septic. If you are in the 400+ range there’s several really nice river access subdivisions. Honeywood – that’s an older subdivision – really pretty with wide streets – mature trees. Orchards on the Potomac – quite a few properties there that are right on the Potomac. Riverside on the Potomac – a midsize community – homes on larger lots. Brookfield single family homes – homes range from 400 up to 700K. Most of those subdivisions are on well and septic except Brookfield which is on public water and sewer.
Subdivisions in The western part of Falling Waters tend to be more spread out. Homes are on larger lots and for the most part on well and septic.
The best commuter locations are right off I81. Like the new subdivisions of Overlook and Riverside Villages. Both of those communities are still under construction. There’s townhomes and single family homes priced from the upper $200s into the mid $500s. Heading south on 81, there’s Spring Mills – single family homes, townhomes and villas. There’s a community pool and tennis courts.
The Spring Mills shopping center is directly across from the Spring Mils subdivision – there’s a large Walmart, several restaurants, an urgent care center and the Spring Mills campus – with an elementary, middle and high school. The Spring Mills Middle and High School are the designated schools for most of Falling Waters. And that’s another attractive feature – the very good schools in this area. We have buyers home shopping in Falling Waters for that reason alone.
If you are in the northern part of Falling Waters, there’s a new shopping center with a Food Lion and several restaurants just off 81 on Rt 11. If you live in Overlook or Riverside Villages, you could probably walk to that shopping center.
Couple more things I want to tell you about. the C&O Canal Path. That’s a 148 mile path that runs from Georgetown in DC all the way to Comberland MD. From 81, exit onto You take Rt 11 west – cross over the river and the C&O Canal Path is on the other side. Really a beautiful place. You can hike, bike for miles. And I also want to mention the waterfall from which Falling Waters was named. For Civil War buffs, that’s the site of 2 Civil war battles.
And there you have it. Falling Waters in a nutshell. It is a great location for easy access to several large metro areas, it has some beautiful waterfront and water access communities along with some highly rated schools. Another great place to call home in the Eastern Panhandle.
