Homes for Sale Gaithersburg MD

Your Ultimate Guide to Homes for Sale in Gaithersburg, MD

Gaithersburg, MD is a city where small-town character meets global sophistication. Located just 13 miles from Washington, D.C., Gaithersburg covers over 10 square miles in the middle of Montgomery County, Maryland. As the county seat, it is often the center of activity in the area. The communities of Germantown, North Potomac, and Rockville are just outside its borders.

As one of the most ethnically and economically diverse cities in the US, people from all walks of life can find a home in one of Gaithersburg’s peaceful, family-friendly neighborhoods. While it exudes an idyllic charm, you’ll be surprised to know that this city is also home to world-renowned STEM companies, award-winning residential and commercial districts, and a wealth of cultural and recreational programs.

With its high quality of life and abundance of career and investment opportunities, it’s easy to understand why homes for sale in Gaithersburg, MD are in great demand.

As you begin your home search or your next real estate investment here, you will find this comprehensive guide to be extremely helpful in your home-buying endeavor.

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Getting to know Gaithersburg

Getting-to-know-Gaithersburg

Known for its contributions to the nation’s STEM industry and smart urban development, Gaithersburg became a major hub of technology and science after approximately 300 years of evolution. Here are some of the pivotal points in history that made Gaithersburg the city that it is today.

Humble beginnings

Before Gaithersburg became an official city in 1968, it began as a small agricultural settlement called, “Log Town”. 80 years passed before this area opened the Forest Oak Post Office in 1850, named after the largest tree in town.

The arrival of the railroad

After the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad came to Log Town in 1873, the area experienced an industrial boom. The railroads made travel easier, leading to the expansion of the local agricultural industry and increased visitor arrivals fueled by the need to escape the hot summer months in Washington, D.C. As its population grew and economic conditions became rosier, Log Town was officially incorporated as “Gaithersburg” on April 5, 1878, named after Benjamin Gaither who owned most of the land in the area.

The iconic forest oak tree

The large forest oak tree on Benjamin Gaither’s property – from which Log Town’s first post office was named – has been a silent witness to much of the change along the “Great Road West,” or Maryland Route 355. As of 1975, the tree was discovered to be more than 275 years old. Its lifetime saw many important national figures like George Washington come and go.

Sadly, this iconic city landmark was felled during a storm in 1997. The good news is, it remains immortalized in the city’s logo, representing Gaithersburg’s small-town charm. It also serves as a reminder of the natural environment’s important role in the community’s past and future.

The rise of the Science Capital of the United States

The establishment of the Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory in 1899 was Gaithersburg’s first foray into scientific innovation and global collaboration. Along with five other observatories in Japan, Italy, and Russia, the Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory was able to gather important data about the earth’s movement along its polar axis. This data remains crucial to scientists and space programs to this day.

Also, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), originally known as the National Bureau of Standards, established its first headquarters in Gaithersburg on June 14, 1961. This ushered in another surge of economic growth to the city, drawing in various STEM-focused firms and companies to do business in the area. With that, the city earned its title as the Science Capital of the United States.

Sadly, this iconic city landmark was felled during a storm in 1997. The good news is, it remains immortalized in the city’s logo, representing Gaithersburg’s small-town charm. It also serves as a reminder of the natural environment’s important role in the community’s past and future.

Innovation coexisting with heritage

Gaithersburg underwent a slow but steady transformation from a small agricultural settlement to a center of high-tech innovation over the years. Add to that its strategic advantage as a suburb of the nation’s capital that saw industries, housing developments, and commercial enterprises breaking new ground. In all of this, Gaithersburg remains true to its roots and community-centered identity through the constant celebration of its history and heritage.

You can celebrate with them by digitally exploring the historic buildings in Olde Towne Gaithersburg here.

Real estate in Gaithersburg, MD

MD

Before starting on your home-buying journey with your trusted real estate agent, it’s important to equip yourself with key knowledge of Gaithersburg’s real estate market. Here’s a rundown of what to expect when looking for homes for sale in Gaithersburg, MD:

Housing market overview

Buying a home in Gaithersburg is a great investment because of the city’s steady property values that appreciate slowly but surely over time. Since 2000, Gaithersburg properties experienced a total appreciation rate of 112.91% and an average annual rate of 3.58%. Between 2020 and 2021 alone, median sold prices in Montgomery County rose by 11.1%. As such, homebuyers and property investors like you are sure to find a strong and profitable asset in Gaithersburg’s real estate market.

Moreover, since Gaithersburg is a relatively compact and walkable city, expect to find large apartment complexes and high-rise apartments dominating the area, accounting for 46.42% of the city’s housing units. Other prevalent housing types include townhouses and other attached homes (29.77%) and single-family homes (20.93%).

Whether you’re a young professional looking to own their first single-family home or an investor planning to purchase condominiums as rental properties, Gaithersburg’s diverse housing inventory offers a great selection of homes for all kinds of property seekers.

To guide you through the different kinds of homes for sale in Gaithersburg, MD, here’s an overview of what you can expect from each housing type:

Condominiums

Gaithersburg condominium and apartment properties are priced anywhere between $125,000 and $469,000, depending on factors such as location, property size, number of rooms, built-in features and appliances, and access to exclusive community amenities or services. 1- to-2-bedroom units can range from 674 square feet to 1,290 square feet while 3-bedroom units can be as large as 1,441 square feet.

Common features include:

  • Central A/C and heating
  • Updated kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances
  • Washer and dryer in-unit
  • Master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and/or walk-in closet
  • Assigned parking space in the condo building or complex
  • Access to community spaces such as a shared patio or outdoor area, community center, swimming pool, and gyms or tennis courts

Single-family homes

Single-family homes for sale in Gaithersburg, MD have a price range of $365,000 to $789,000, including existing homes and new construction homes. These properties often have around 3 to 5 bedrooms and 2 to 4 bathrooms, with lot sizes falling anywhere between 6,667 square feet and 17,116 square feet. You can also choose from a variety of architectural styles, such as colonial, modern farmhouse, craftsman, and traditional.

If you’re planning to purchase a single-family home in Gaithersburg, expect the following features and amenities:

  • Spacious open floor plan
  • Energy-efficient central A/C and heating
  • State-of-the-art kitchen and pantry area
  • Formal dining room with built-in shelves and storage
  • Walk-in closets
  • Main level master bedroom
  • Great room or family room with a built-in fireplace
  • Extra rooms or basement that can be converted into a den, office space, or game room
  • A patio, porch, or deck with ample backyard space
  • A 1-to-2 car garage

Luxury properties

Luxury homes can be priced as high as $1,470,000, and for good reason. These luxury properties often come with expansive acreage, airy living spaces, and special features and amenities. Impressive colonial-style architecture is common among these kinds of properties, but you can also find elegant traditional and craftsman-style homes.

Moreover, most luxury homes for sale in Gaithersburg, MD are new construction properties or newly renovated custom-built homes, so they’ll often have the latest home technology, appliances, and finishes.

When looking for upscale homes for sale in Gaithersburg, expect premium features such as:

  • Gorgeous landscaping and fenced-in rear yard
  • A sun-filled open floor plan with large windows and skylights
  • Gourmet kitchen with chef-grade appliances and marble countertops
  • Custom built-in cabinetry and fireplace
  • Spa-like bathrooms
  • Amenities such as home theaters, recreation and entertainment rooms, customizable basement area, and office spaces
  • Exterior features such as garden walkways, expansive patio and deck area, and in-ground pool
  • A private driveway and garage

Why move to Gaithersburg, MD?

Why-move-to-Gaithersburg-MD

It is one of the best cities for STEM professionals and employees

If you’re pursuing a career in any STEM industry, Gaithersburg is the perfect city for you. Due to its status as the home base for the NIST, a large part of Gaithersburg’s economic activities in biotechnology, telecommunications, and software development are due to federal government contracts.

Major high-tech corporations like Lockheed Martin and IBM are headquartered here. Pioneering STEM-centric companies such as AstraZeneca, Sodexo, Emergent BioSolutions, GeneDx, and OpenText GXS have also made Gaithersburg their base of operations.

Apart from its high concentration of STEM industry giants, Gaithersburg is also one of the best cities for aspiring STEM professionals due to its emphasis on STEM education. In addition to the cutting-edge STEM programs implemented in their public school system, you can find impressive after-school institutions in Gaithersburg, such as the Art of Problem Solving Academy (AoPS), which offers exceptional math and language arts enrichment classes for Maryland’s K-12 students.

All these opportunities, coupled with endless recreational programs and gorgeously planned urban communities, gave Gaithersburg its unique charm. Thus, it comes as no surprise that this dynamic city was among the Top 10 Best Cities for STEM Workers in 2018.

It has a strong and diversified economy

Because of its proximity to Washington DC, federal research facilities, and regulatory agencies, many large-scale corporations find Gaithersburg to be a highly valuable location. As such, you’ll find major employers in Gaithersburg from a variety of industries, ranging from biohealth and assisted living to information systems and networking technologies, which help diversify and add muscle to the city’s economy.

However, Gaithersburg doesn’t simply rely on its advantageous location. This city, as well as the rest of Montgomery County, invest a lot into making the area business-friendly, tech-oriented, and innovation-driven.

For example, aside from STEM-related industries, Gaithersburg also gives great support to the hotel and hospitality industry. Because of government incentives and the cultivation of a highly favorable business climate, famous hotel brands like Marriott International, Ritz Carlton, and Host Hotels and Resorts chose to establish their center of operations in Montgomery County.

It has a thriving arts and culture scene

In Gaithersburg, the arts are given just as much emphasis and support as other STEM fields. Arts on the Green, the city’s main center for the performing and visual arts, provides artists and musicians the platform they need to promote their work and artistry.

As a Gaithersburg citizen, you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of performances and concerts, ranging from magic shows and theater productions at the historic Arts Barn’s 99-seat theater to experimental chamber performances and outdoor festivals at the Kentlands Mansion and the Concert Pavilion. Young musicians and novice singers can also join local competitions and groups such as the Young Artist Award competition and the Gaithersburg Chorus.

Moreover, the Arts Barn provides an Artist-In-Residence Program and maintains three rotating art galleries that feature the area’s most illustrious artists. If you’re an art enthusiast or collector, you’ll be glad to know that many original artworks here – ranging from paintings and photographs to sculptures and ceramics – are available for purchase, as well.

It has a high-ranking public school system

Most of the public schools in Gaithersburg operate under the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) system. As one of the most highly rated and largest public school districts in the state, the MCPS system boasts an 89.3% graduation rate. Montgomery schools also have a great track record when it comes to making quality education accessible for everyone, ranking first in Niche’s 2022 Most Diverse School Districts in Maryland

The MCPS system also invests heavily in STEM education. If your kids have an inclination towards math and the sciences, you can rest easy knowing that they have access to the education, facilities, and opportunities they need to realize their full potential.

Living in Gaithersburg, MD

Community

Community

Gaithersburg consistently earns a place in annual lists of the Most Ethnically Diverse Cities in America, which is a testament to the city’s vibrant and welcoming community. Additionally, once you move to Gaithersburg, you’ll find a steadfast tradition of citizen involvement. The city has more than 20 Boards, Commissions, and Committees run by volunteers who keep all community events running, ranging from environmental projects to recreational classes and workshops.

Recreational activities

  • Impressive parks and recreation system. Gaithersburg currently maintains 25 parks and 13 recreation facilities, including the original three parks – Griffith Park, Duvall Park, and Constitution Gardens – that the city had when its parks and recreation system was first established. Covering over 854 acres altogether, the city’s recreation system provides its residents with athletic fields, aquatic centers, gyms and fitness facilities, class facilities, walking and hiking trails, and wide natural areas.
  • Wide range of recreational classes and programs. The Activity Center at Bohrer Park and the Casey Community Center offer a vast number of classes and workshops to Gaithersburg residents of all ages. Ranging from fitness classes and sports lessons to music lessons and creative workshops, there’s something for everyone at the Activity Center. You can also take a break from learning and just have fun at the City’s outdoor water park, skate park, and miniature golf course.
  • Dynamic entertainment centers and shopping districts. Gaithersburg is famous for its smart urban planning, which you can clearly see in its pedestrian-friendly shopping centers and downtown areas. Shop, dine, and spend time with loved ones at the Rio Washingtonian Center and Downtown Crown, both of which are designed to adapt to the new normal, allowing residents to enjoy more open, green spaces and better connectivity.

Events and festivities

Explore homes for sale with Judy today!

  • With its abundance of STEM career opportunities, long list of recreational programs and activities, as well as its diverse, family-friendly community, it’s easy to see why Gaithersburg is one of the best suburbs in Maryland for your next home.If you’re planning to search for great homes for sale in Gaithersburg, MD, it’s wise to work with an expert real estate agent like Judy Martin. With 30 years of real estate experience, Judy knows that finding a home is more than just buying a property. It’s about consistent communication, building lasting relationships, and going the extra mile to achieve the best results for her clients.As a Residential Specialist and Certified Buyers Representative (CBR), Judy can assist you in all your real estate needs. Call 3013791700 or email [email protected] to take that first step towards owning your dream home in Montgomery County.