Some personal advice, based upon your user name. I grew up in Northern Virginia. The region certainly has (had?) its plusses: good jobs, above-average amenities, etc. Real estate tends to do extremely well. The home I lived in 50 years ago has increased in value about 15 times (paper money value). But consider the following: my own Dad (long dead) retired also exactly fifty years ago. Even in the early 70s he was appalled at what had happened to the area and the government he used to work for. He spent the rest of his life in rural VA. I myself moved from the area twenty years ago never to return. You've probably got a high-paying job, a family, a shoddily built home allegedly worth $500K and a long commute. Worth it? Maybe. But you may wish to give some thought to what the future may hold.