Brandywine is a lush and green suburb with trees and land as far as the eye can see, interrupted by occasional bursts of homes and subdivisions here and there. Once a rural crossroads marked by creeks and farms, the town has intentionally grown and preserved as much of its former self as a Washington, D.C. suburb can. "The State of Maryland has incentivized landowners to take advantage of conservation easements. Thereby preserving the land and space," says Vince Payne, president of Realty Navigator's land and farm division. "They have prioritized keeping some land undeveloped for the advent of farm-to-table and to promote agritourism." With popular attractions like Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards, a fixture since 1955, municipal leaders have committed to agricultural commerce and a sustainable culture that is friendly to the environment. About 20 miles from the nation's capital, Brandywine has become an integral part of Prince George's County's profile as the face of its Legacy Wine Trail, which includes four of the area's most prominent wineries and vineyards. Branywine's vineyards take advantage of the dark soils in which tobacco once grew to create a new tradition. Once blanketed with farms, the area's pastoral land now features intermittent cul-de-sacs and residential streets, planned communities with colonial revivals and new farmhouse-style homes. Located in the Washington metropolitan corridor, many of Brandywine's nearly 9,000 residents work in the capital city. "We get a lot of retired military people here who settle here and return to work as contractors for a second career," Payne says. For those people, Brandywine provides much-needed proximity to work with a satisfactory distance to unwind on the commute back home.
About Brandywine, MD
Low inventory, high value
Brandywine's is a competitive housing market with lower inventory and prices that reflect that. "Lower inventory and higher pricing are connected, especially in the middle of the bell curve," Payne says, explaining Brandywine's appeal to potential homebuyers. "In any place that has a reasonable location and amenities that surround it, it's probably going to be difficult to have much inventory available. Brandywine's median home price for a single-family home is around $550,000. Townhouses' median price is around $475,000. Homes generally range from around $400,000 to around $900,000, with some houses selling for $1 million or more. Homebuyers can expect to pay between $600,000 to $850,000 in Villages of Savannah, for example, a community offering single-level suites to accommodate several generations within one household. Meanwhile, a custom-built house or an investment opportunity, like a 2-to-3-acre vacant lot, sells for roughly $200,000 to $300,000.
Academic and career programs in Prince George’s high schools
Prince George's County Public Schools, rated C by Niche, serves Brandywine school children. The large district educates more than 130,000 students across the county, including those in town who may attend one of the district's five schools. Students may attend Brandywine Elementary, Gwynn Park Middle and Gwynn Park High, all of which Niche rates C-minus. The high school offers academic and career programs in computer science, agricultural science education, firefighter and emergency medical technician, cosmetology and culinary. It is also noted for winning state championships in boys' and girls' basketball, baseball, and football. Additionally, Brandywine is within 19 miles of colleges and universities at all levels, including College of Southern Maryland, Prince George's Community College, George Washington University, Howard University and Catholic University of America.
Shopping and dining at the Crossing
Much of the shopping in Brandywine resides in the town's southernmost corner. That's where locals head to Brandywine Crossing shopping center, which has a small-town aesthetic, big-box stores like Target and Costco and a Safeway grocery store. There are also chain restaurants, such as Bonefish Grill and Diamond Crab. The shopping center is home to Xscape Theatres 14 for entertainment-hungry moviegoers. For other entertainment outlets, Brandywine residents take advantage of their closeness to Washington to seek entertainment alternatives.
A forest and a lake at Brandywine Recreation Area
Already known for many wide open and green spaces, Brandywine also has a variety of parks and recreational spots that accent the outdoors and recreational experience. Brandywine Recreation Area is a broad forested space at Brandywine Lake, with hiking and mountain biking trails, a campground and a swimming beach. Pinefield Community Park is a convenient neighborhood park south of Brandywine with ballfields, a basketball court, and a playground for kids. Accokeek East Community Park is a bright, open space in Brandywine's southwest corner. The park offers a pavilion, picnic tables, a basketball court and baseball fields for athletic types.
Lower than nation’s crime rate
In Brandywine, there were 1,594 crimes per 100,000 people. Compared with 2,324 per 100,000 people nationally, Brandywine's crime rate is 31% lower than the national average. Violent crime comprised less than 20% of the total and is 16% lower than the national average. Property crime formed the bulk of Brandywine's crimes at 80%, or 34% lower than the national average. Brandywine residents have a 1 in 63 chance of becoming a victim of crime. Meanwhile, year over year, crime here has increased by 1%.
Drive directly to D.C.
With U.S. 301 and MD 5 as the main thoroughfares into and out of Brandywine, commuters have direct routes into Washington, D.C. and efficient ways to reach other parts of the metropolitan area. On a typical ride during non-rush hour times, the drive from Brandywine to the District could take about 40 minutes, while during more congested times of the day, the commute may stretch as much as an hour. "It may be more inconvenient for a commute, but it gives you time to decompress, and you return to a more comfortable environment," Payne says. Maryland Transit Authority operates buses between Brandywine and the city. However, MTA has been discussing trimming services due to budget shortfalls.
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Agent Spotlight
Lymar Curry-
Nicola Taylor
Nicola Taylor
EXP Realty, LLC
(301) 450-6430
89 Total Sales
1 in Brandywine
$779,333 Price
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Carrie Davis
Carrie Davis
Real Broker, LLC
(301) 691-4587
17 Total Sales
2 in Brandywine
$580K - $600K Price Range
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Brian McDonnell
Brian McDonnell
McDonnell Management Co. LLC
(844) 812-2472
5 Total Sales
1 in Brandywine
$295,000 Price
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Gary Jurrell Davis
Gary Jurrell Davis
Coldwell Banker Realty
(877) 731-3908
18 Total Sales
2 in Brandywine
$365K - $470K Price Range
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Jurgen Gonzalez
Jurgen Gonzalez
Responds QuicklyCENTURY 21 New Millennium
(202) 883-6522
69 Total Sales
1 in Brandywine
$375,000 Price
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Keisha Gray-Robinson
Keisha Gray-Robinson
Responds QuicklySamson Properties
(202) 951-9803
71 Total Sales
1 in Brandywine
$670,000 Price