Fritters Corner

South of Quantico and north of Fredericksburg, Fritters Corner is a tranquil waterfront hamlet in Stafford County. Nestled against the banks of the Potomac River, this neighborhood offers a blend of scenic serenity and suburban conveniences. “A lot of it is more rural, but you’re 15 minutes from I-95, and there’s a VRE station, so you can get to D.C. in under an hour,” says Lisa Nelson with Berkshire Hathaway. An outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, Fritters Corner sits adjacent to Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve. “The topography here is for the nature lover because it’s so hilly and natural,” Nelson says.

The real estate market in Fritters Corner is competitive, with a unique demographic creating consistent demand. “We’re so influenced by military members and government workers who are always moving in and out, which keeps our market moving and flowing much easier,” Nelson says. “There is a lot of new construction to keep pace with demand.” There is a diversity of housing in home style and lot size, but the inventory is entirely single-family and undeveloped lots. “There’s quite a mix because you can get into a 1,000-square-foot rambler or a 7,000-square-foot estate home,” Nelson says. “And people like this area because there are no Homeowners Associations.” Older homes on smaller lots can sell for under $450,000, but the median price is close to $800,000, with many well above the $1 million mark. “These are expensive homes, but out here, you’re going to get more land,” Nelson says. “You’re going to get a minimum of half an acre, and the norm is more like three acres.”

Families with children in Fritters Corner are served by Stafford County Public Schools, an above-average district with a B-plus from Niche. “We’ve got great schools here, so you don’t feel the need to pay for private schooling,” Nelson says. Kids can start their education at Stafford Elementary, which gets a B grade from Niche. The school has robust art and music programs and a dedicated gifted program with a high level of rigor. Stafford Middle School gets a B-minus but an A+ in diversity. With a B from Niche, Stafford Senior High School is an above-average high school that was rebuilt in 2015 and is set adjacent to a picturesque pond surrounded by trees. The school offers the Commonwealth Governor’s School, which provides gifted and highly motivated students with a challenging, differentiated, and interdisciplinary program.

Fritters Corner is entirely residential, but residents have a lot of options for shopping and dining a reasonable distance away. Fredericksburg is a bustling, rapidly growing mini-metropolis about 10 miles to the south – that’s about a 20-minute drive via Brooke Road. Garrisonville is about the same distance north, with a similar 20-minute drive via Courthouse Road. “Development in Stafford is filling in the commercial gaps,” Nelson says. For stocking up on groceries and essentials, the Publix at Embrey Mill Town Center is seven miles north. The shopping center is also home to national chains like Five Guys, Starbucks, Chipotle and Manhattan Pizza. Table 9 Kitchen is a popular Asian restaurant hidden inside a modest storefront. Fritters Corner's proximity to Stafford Hospital, a top employer in the area, and Stafford Regional Airport are also draws for residents.

Bordered by Aquia Creek to the north and Potomac Creek to the south, Fritters Corner forms a bit of a peninsula in the Potomac River. “Boaters love this area because it’s so close to the coast, and they can be on the water and still close to their home,” Nelson says. “Then there are trails by the river, and boat launches for kayaks and canoes.” Aquia Landing is a 32-acre park and popular fishing and swimming spot that sits at the mouth of Aquia Creek. The park’s entrance is flanked by a large marsh that attracts a variety of songbirds and serves as a habitat for waterfowl, terns and gulls. Visitors enjoy a peaceful beach, wooded areas, picnic shelters and seasonal concessions. An achievement in land conservation, Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve is 3,056 protected acres of tidal and non-tidal wetlands and mature hardwood forest. “It’s beautiful here,” Nelson says. “You can watch bald eagles fly over the water because they’re nesting all over the place.”

Written By

Amber Steinmetz-Cole