Houses for Sale in Haymarket, VA

Haymarket is a town located in the foothills of Bull Run Mountain in Prince William County, Virginia. It has a rich historical background that dates back to the 1700s when the town was known as the Crossroads. In the present day, it plays an important role in local commerce. Haymarket homes are just a short distance from the rolling farmlands of Virginia's horse country and are close to Manassas and its urban hustle and bustle. Washington D.C. is less than one hour away from houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, which is great for residents who have to commute every day.

Haymarket's History

Haymarket was originally a hunting ground of the Iroquois Nation. The hunting paths were used up until 1722, when a treaty was made between the Iroquois and the colonies of New York and Virginia, and the Iroquois moved into the region of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was because of these hunting paths that the town was referred to as the Crossroads.

Haymarket itself, which was founded by William Skinker in 1799, didn't begin to develop until after the Revolutionary War. The original layout consisted of 140 lots spread across 13 streets. In 1801, a jail and clerks office was built because the town was chosen to be the new district court's site. The regular court session helped to develop Haymarket real estate due to the associated trade and business. In 1807, a circuit court system was established, abolishing the district court. The courthouse was the focal point of Haymarket until 1830, when it was converted into St. Paul's Episcopal church.

In November of 1862, during the Civil War, Haymarket was invaded by Union troops and set on fire. Four structures survived the fire: St. Paul's Church and three small homes in Haymarket. As a result, the town was unpopulated through the remainder of the war. It wasn't until the surrender of General Robert E. Lee that Haymarket started to recover and slowly regain the size and prosperity that it once knew.

In 1882, Haymarket was the second town to be incorporated in Prince William County, and the buildings found in central Haymarket have stayed the same.

Living In Haymarket

Haymarket is ranked 19 of 164 suburbs for the best public schools in Virginia. It also ranks 20 out of 280 places with Virginia's best public schools overall. It currently ranks 36 out of 164 of one of Virginia's best suburbs to buy a home.

The small town of Haymarket has that feel of times gone by and has always been a crossroad in some form through the years. Residents can enjoy the feeling of the old days while still having access to the comforts of present times. Haymarket home residents love its historic interests, its arts and culture, and a town core that is uniquely pleasing. 

Getting Out and About

If you're a nature lover, you will love looking at houses for sale in Haymarket, VA. Just a few miles west of town, you can enjoy some of the best hiking trails in the Bull Run Mountains. Along these trails, you can find historical sites, such as the remnants of Chapman's Mill, which burned down in 1998, and old cemeteries. You will experience gorgeous views at High-Point, and there are a variety of golf courses and wineries to experience around Haymarket homes for sale.

Haymarket also has regional festivals to experience and enjoy, such as the Holland in Haymarket, which runs yearly from March to April and allows you to pick your own flowers to celebrate spring. Every September, the Haymarket Day festival features loads of entertainment for all ages, including parades, arts and crafts vendors, entertainment and great food.

If you are considering houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, you may want to visit the town's museum, which teaches you about the history of Haymarket and how it was nearly destroyed by fire in 1862, then rebuilt and thrived. Admission to Haymarket Museum is free.

Homes for Sale in Haymarket

You can find a mix of old and new homes for sale in Haymarket, including townhomes, condominiums and single-family houses. It may be a small town but it has a nice range of homes. Some of the more popular neighborhoods, such as Dominion Valley, offer amenities like a country club, golf range, tennis courts and pools. Haymarket real estate offers a nice mix of old-time charm with the amenities of the modern world.

The Haymarket Farmers' Market

Another great experience for residents of Haymarket homes is the Farmers' Market, which is open from April until November. You can enjoy a variety of vendors selling local produce from farms and greenhouses, fresh baked goods, and much more.

Celebrate the Holidays

There's no better way to celebrate the Christmas holiday than by visiting Haymarket's Christmas Celebration. It's held in December on the first Saturday of the month from 3 to 6 p.m. Experience the small-town charm, enjoy hot cider and cocoa, decorate your own Christmas cookies, listen to the carolers sing and watch live music performances. You can sit around the bonfire at the Town Hall and roast marshmallows for s'mores, or visit the Christmas Craft Market in the Town Museum. Best of all, see Santa and Mrs. Claus as they ride into town on their sleigh and watch the lighting of the tree at dusk.

Getting Around Haymarket 

For commuters to D.C., it can take about 45 minutes to get back and forth from your home in Haymarket. The commute is worth it when you get to come home to the charm of Haymarket's serenity. About 80 percent of Haymarket's residents drive to work, and the rest rely on mass transit.

Houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, are close to Route 15, Route 29 and I-66. The nearest bus station is Sudley Road at Rolling Road and there are many public bus stops dotted around the area. The nearest train station is the VRE at Broadrun Station.

In 2019, Haymarket opened a new park and ride located at the interchange between I-66 and Route 15. There are 230 parking spaces, and it’s a convenient place to grab a bus or carpool. OmniRide also provides a service that travels between Haymarket and Arlington’s Rosslyn-Ballston corridor.

Haymarket Neighborhoods

Houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, are considered to be great places to live for a number of reasons. Haymarket has an excellent school system that gets a lot of support from residents, a low crime rate, and plenty of single-family properties. Here are some of the communities to consider moving to in the Haymarket real estate market:

Haymarket Town Center

When you hear “town center,” you may immediately think of a busy bustling area, which not everyone enjoys. But Haymarket's town center has a nice suburban vibe. The area primarily has medium to large single-family homes and townhouses for sale in Haymarket, built after 1970. About 43 percent of the Haymarket houses here are classed as attached or row houses, and 52 percent of the residential homes are classed as newer.

Haymarket also has a population of college students. Haymarket has a high walkability rate and its safety from crime is above average. Haymarket Town Center has been rated among the top 1.1 percent of college-friendly places to live in Virginia.

James Madison Highway and Utterback Lane

This suburban neighborhood with houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, sits just north of Haymarket Town Center. It's primarily made up of medium- to larger-sized (5+ bedrooms) single-family houses and townhomes. More of the homes here are newer, being built after 2000, and the area has a fresh appeal. Because of the homes being larger, houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, are a bit more expensive in this area.

The commute can be a bit longer than average living here and about 14 percent of the residents work from home. With all that this neighborhood has to offer, it's a good choice for households with school- or college-age children, those involved with higher education, and urban sophisticates.

James Madison Highway and Lightner Road

A bit further north in the Haymarket real estate market is another suburban neighborhood along James Madison Highway and Lightner Road. Like the Utterback Lane neighborhood, the area consists of mainly medium and large-sized single-family homes and townhomes for sale in Haymarket that were built after 2000. If you love the ambiance and look of fresh new homes and neighborhoods, you will love living in this area. Thirty-nine percent of the Haymarket homes here are classed as attached or row houses.

Houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, are more expensive here. This is a good choice for those who live an executive lifestyle based on the number of educated professionals, managers and executives who reside there. The homes are quite spacious and have a high rate of appreciation. This area also has a higher percentage of government workers who commute to D.C.

Woolsey

The suburban neighborhood of Woolsey has a mix of medium and large-sized single-family homes and townhouses for sale in Haymarket, VA, that are a mix of old and new construction. Ninety-four percent of the homes were built from 2000 onward. Woolsey has mainly owner-occupied homes, making it a stable neighborhood to live in but not the best choice if you are looking to rent a home in Haymarket. Woolsey is an area that many active retirees dream of retiring to because of its quiet and peaceful environment. It's considered to be one of the most retiree-friendly places to live in Virginia. The safety from crime rate is above average and the neighborhood offers a diverse range of houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, making it a good choice for different types of households. It's a wealthier area and it offers a number of options for private preparatory schools.

Piedmont

If you are looking for a neighborhood with more reasonably priced houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, Piedmont is a good choice. It's a newer community that dates back to 2001 and has been continuously developing over the years. It sits in the historic Haymarket/Gainesville region, just at the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills. There are 1,619 homes in this community that includes Gated or Main Piedmont, Piedmont Riding Club, and Old Carolina Estates. This neighborhood with houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, offers a number of amenities to its residents, such as outdoor pools, a large community center, athletic club, golf course, and more.

Piedmont also offers a bit less of a commute. It sits about 30 miles west of D.C. near Route 15 and I-66.

Haymarket Housing Market

Many of the neighborhoods with houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, are experiencing a hot seller's market. As of July 2021, the average home price was around $675,000. Over the last ten years, home appreciation has risen 3.3 percent. In comparison to last year, Haymarket home prices have risen by 6.3 percent. It's a competitive market right now, with homes spending an average of six days on the market in comparison to last year, when homes sat for 30 days on average.

Many of the houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, get multiple offers, quite often with waived contingencies, and average Haymarket homes have been selling for 3 percent over their list price, with hotter homes selling for 7 percent over the asking price.

Haymarket Schools

Haymarket has access to some of the top public and private schools in Virginia. It's part of the Prince William County school district. Schools include:

Preschools

• 4R’s Preschool
• St. Michael’s Academy
• Haymarket Baptist Preschool

Elementary Schools

• Buckland Mills Elementary School
• Tyler Elementary School
• Mountain View Elementary School

Middle Schools

• Bull Run Middle School
• Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School 

High Schools

• Battlefield High School
• Gainesville High School

Colleges & Universities Near Haymarket

• George Mason University - Prince William Campus
• Strayer University
• Northern Virginia Community College
• American Military University
• University of Northern Virginia

Things To Do In Haymarket 

History buffs should consider houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, given its rich history. Here are some of the most popular places people like to visit:

Haymarket Museum

The Haymarket Museum is where you can learn about the history of the town. It's a story about a small town in the 19th century and the agricultural community that surrounded it. Known then as Crossroads, it slowly grew and became prosperous until the town was nearly destroyed in 1862 when Union troops set fire to the town. The town was rebuilt after the Civil War and many of its structures still remain today. The museum itself sits in the old Town Hall that was built in 1883 and used as both the town hall and schoolhouse.

The Old Post Office Building

Built during 1885, the old post office building first served as the Township Hall. In 1916, when it was bought by Albert Rust, the building was used as a drug store and was the main social point for many of the residents of Haymarket homes. It served milkshakes, sodas, ice cream, sandwiches and sundries. In 1933 it was used as the town's post office and remained that way until 1980. It has continued to be the home of different businesses through the years but the historical building has remained the same.

Thoroughfare Gap Battlefield

During the Civil War, Thoroughfare Gap became a battlefield between General Robert E. Lee's troops and Union soldiers. Lee's troops took stances on both sides of the gap and at the pass to stop Union soldiers from moving through it. You can find the ruins of Chapman's Mill, which sharpshooters used to defend the pass. There are also hiking trails to explore and markers along the route to mark historic events and sites.

Nightlife and Entertainment 

While most houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, are in quiet suburban areas, you can still find restaurants, bars and entertainment all along Lee Highway, such as Bar Louie, Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant, The Farm Brewery at Broad Run, Jimbo's Grill, Rockwood Sports Bar, Out of the Blue Crabs & Seafood, and Outback Steakhouse. There is also the Haymarket Iceplex, Regal Virginia Gateway movie theater, and Moonflicks Outdoor Movies.

Real Estate Taxes

The amount that you pay for property taxes varies depending on the city and/or county that you are residing. In Prince William County, a county-wide tax rate is set each year, along with a special district rate. These funds are used to support public services, such as emergency volunteer operations, programs for stormwater management, and waste management. Tax rates are calculated as 100 dollars of assessed value. For example, if the value of your Haymarket home was $300,000 and the tax rate was $1.2075 per 100 dollars, you would pay $3,622.50 per year. Taxes are paid in two installments.

Are You Ready to Move to Haymarket?

There are many more amenities and attractions in the Haymarket real estate market and its surrounding areas. There are diverse neighborhoods and a variety of houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, to fit every budget. No matter your age or household size, we can help you find a Haymarket home.

The best way to find the right Haymarket home for you is to give our Real Estate advisors a call at (703) 462-0700. We have a lot of experience with houses for sale in Haymarket, VA, and Prince William County.