What Do HOA Fees Cover
in a Northern Virginia 55+ Community?

Heritage Hunt charges ~$400/month. Birchwood charges $289–$400/month and includes water, FiOS, and snow removal. You cannot compare these numbers without knowing what each covers.

Buyer GuideHOA FeesTotal Cost

Why the Headline Number Is Almost Meaningless

When buyers compare communities on HOA fee alone, they are comparing apples to oranges. A $289/month fee that includes Verizon FiOS TV and internet, water, snow removal, and trash is a better deal than a $350/month fee that covers none of those things — even though the number looks lower.

The right comparison is total monthly cost: HOA fee plus all utilities and services that are NOT covered by HOA. Here is what each major Northern Virginia 55+ community includes and excludes.

What Each Community's HOA Actually Covers

Heritage Hunt~$400/mo — includes cable TV, internet, trash, all amenities. Excludes water, electric, exterior maintenance (detached homes). Golf separate.
Regency at Dominion Valley$300–$500/mo — includes Comcast cable + internet. Excludes water, electric, trash (some home types). Golf separate.
Birchwood at Brambleton$289–$400+/mo — includes Verizon FiOS TV + internet, water, snow removal, trash. Excludes electric. Golf simulator included.
Potomac Green~$300–$450/mo — confirm with HOA. Shuttle service included. Excludes most utilities for detached/attached homes.
Dunbarton at BraemarBraemar HOA — includes cable, internet, trash, yard maintenance. Confirm full scope with HOA.
Lansdowne WoodsHOA covers exterior maintenance on condos and villas. Confirm utility inclusions with HOA.
Regency at AshburnConfirm current inclusions directly with HOA before budgeting.

Total Monthly Cost Comparison

Before comparing two communities on HOA fee, build a total monthly cost estimate for each:

1

Start with the HOA fee

Get the exact current monthly amount directly from the HOA — not from the listing or a website. Rates change annually.

2

Add what the HOA does NOT cover

Internet (~$80–$120/mo if not included), cable (~$80–$120/mo if not included), water (~$50–$80/mo if not included), trash (~$30–$40/mo if not included), lawn care (~$100–$200/mo if not included for detached homes).

3

Add any optional fees

Golf membership if applicable. Storage fees. Parking fees for additional vehicles. These vary widely by community.

4

That is your real monthly housing cost

Compare this number across communities — not the HOA headline fee. The community with the higher HOA fee may well have the lower total cost.

Want Help Running the Real Numbers?

Dan can walk you through the total monthly cost comparison for any two communities you are considering. Call or text him.

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Ready to talk about your community?

Dan is a licensed Virginia agent who lives and works in Prince William County. He knows these communities from the inside. Call or text him directly — no scripts, no pressure.