Amazon announced they are opening major new offices in Arlington, Virginia and New York City [Amazon has sinced decided not to go ahead with the NYC plans]. Each site will hold 25,000 new Amazon employees at an average salary above $150,000...
The direct impact of Amazon’s employees renting and buying in and around Arlington is not going to be very strong for a couple years... But investors already can plan for a strong future demand from Amazon and all the activity that Amazon’s growing presence will contribute to.
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Unlike the stock market where such a predicable strong investment future would drive prices up say 30-50% immediately, in real estate it is much more likely for the gains to be spread out over the long term.
If prices in housing increase in Arlington it is more likely they would increase say 10% in the first year and then an extra 3% (above what the increase would have been without Amazon’s move) each of the next 10 years. From a long term investors perspective this provides a great possibility for buying now (even after the news) and not having to pay a huge premium.
continue reading: Real Estate Investing: Amazon’s Regional Office in Arlington, Virginia