What $1.5 Million Gets You in D.C., Maryland and Virginia (Back-to-School Edition)

Our column compares home listings across the DMV.

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This Georgian colonial in the Roberts Glen neighborhood was built in 1971 but renovated with a two-story addition and an enormous deck. Courtesy of Meg Percesepe

Most D.C.-area public school students head back to classrooms this week, and as parents struggle to get their children out the door with the correct backpacks, lunches and sneakers, they may be thinking: Wouldn’t it be great if the kids could just walk to school? No more missing the bus because someone forgot their tablet.

For our back-to-school real estate column, we compared three homes that are walking distance from in-demand public elementary schools.

Realtors we spoke with shared an important tip: Don’t ask your agent to provide advice on specific schools; such recommendations may run afoul of fair housing laws. Do your own homework. Once you have a few schools in mind, approach agents with ideas for areas and neighborhoods.