Selling a Home in Longwood Knolls or Cherry Run, VA: A Burke Local’s Guide for 2026
Updated April 29, 2026 by David Mount, REALTOR® & COO, The Redux Group of eXp Realty | Burke, VA (lifelong local)
Quick Answer: Longwood Knolls and Cherry Run are two of Burke’s smaller and quieter sub-communities, often grouped together by buyers shopping the area but priced as distinct sub-markets by sellers who know what they’re doing. Longwood Knolls trends to single-family colonials on larger lots with mature trees and modest HOA structures; Cherry Run leans single-family with cul-de-sac layouts and proximity to Burke Lake Park. Single-family homes in either community typically list between $700,000 and $925,000 in 2026, with lot size, condition, and updates driving most of the variance. The most common seller mistake here is treating the two as interchangeable for comp purposes — they’re not. This guide walks through both communities’ selling dynamics and what to do differently in each.
What’s in this guide:
- Why a Burke Local Knows These Communities Differently
- Longwood Knolls: Character & HOA Structure
- Cherry Run: Character & HOA Structure
- Side-by-Side: How They Compare
- 2026 Market Snapshot
- HOA Disclosure Packet (Va. Code §55.1-1809)
- Pricing Strategy: Don’t Cross-Comp
- Pre-Listing Checklist
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why a Burke Local Knows These Communities Differently
I grew up in Burke and graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary School — the same school district that serves Longwood Knolls, Cherry Run, and most of the surrounding Burke neighborhoods. My friends growing up lived across all of these communities, so I spent enough time bouncing between Longwood Knolls cul-de-sacs and Cherry Run-area homes that I learned the practical differences between them long before I ever pulled a comparable sale.
That matters when you’re selling here, because Longwood Knolls and Cherry Run get lumped together by out-of-area buyers and out-of-area agents. They shouldn’t be. The lot sizes are different. The HOA structures are different. The buyer profiles are different. The pricing dynamics are different. A Longwood Knolls home priced against Cherry Run comps (or vice versa) leaves money on the table or sits longer than it should. The pages below explain why.
Longwood Knolls: Character & HOA Structure
Longwood Knolls is a primarily single-family-detached community in Burke, built largely in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The community is characterized by:
- Predominantly two-story colonials and split-level designs from the original build cycle
- Lots that are typically larger than the Burke Centre or Lake Braddock average — many in the 0.25–0.4 acre range
- Mature trees, both as common-area landscaping and on individual lots
- A modest HOA structure with lower assessments than the master-planned communities nearby (typically $200–$400 annually)
- Less amenity infrastructure than Burke Centre or Lake Braddock — no community pool, more limited path system — but corresponding lower HOA dues
- Easy access to Burke Centre Parkway, Old Keene Mill Road, and the Fairfax County Parkway
Longwood Knolls’ HOA architectural-review provisions are lighter-touch than Burke Centre Conservancy or Lake Braddock Community Association, but they exist. Sellers should still confirm that any exterior modifications from past owners are documented and that no outstanding ARC matters are pending.
Buyer profile: families and professionals trading “amenity-rich” community living (Burke Centre’s pools/paths/ponds) for larger lots, more privacy, and lower HOA dues. The buyers tend to be a touch more cost-conscious on HOA dues and a touch more interested in lot characteristics than the average Burke Centre buyer.
Cherry Run: Character & HOA Structure
Cherry Run is a smaller community in Burke, primarily single-family detached, built across roughly the same era as Longwood Knolls. Its distinguishing features:
- Cul-de-sac-heavy layout — more streets ending in cul-de-sacs, less through-traffic in residential areas
- Proximity to Burke Lake Park — the 5,500-acre Fairfax County regional park is essentially next door, which matters meaningfully for outdoor-oriented buyers
- Lot sizes generally comparable to Longwood Knolls, occasionally larger for cul-de-sac end lots
- A modest HOA structure (typically $150–$350 annually), with limited amenities but corresponding lower dues
- Quieter feel overall than Longwood Knolls due to the cul-de-sac layout
Cherry Run’s proximity to Burke Lake Park is its single biggest character differentiator. Buyers who want easy access to the lake’s 4.7-mile trail loop, the lake itself, the miniature golf, and the open green space will pay a small premium for Cherry Run versus a comparable Longwood Knolls home a mile farther from the park.
Buyer profile: outdoor-oriented professionals and families, downsizers from larger Burke and Springfield homes who want lower-traffic streets, and a meaningful share of repeat-Burke buyers who want a quieter sub-community than Burke Centre or Lake Braddock.
Side-by-Side: How They Compare
| Factor | Longwood Knolls | Cherry Run |
|---|---|---|
| Primary housing type | Single-family detached colonials & splits | Single-family detached, cul-de-sac-heavy |
| Typical SFH price band (2026) | $725,000–$900,000 | $735,000–$925,000 |
| Lot size (typical) | 0.25–0.4 acre | 0.25–0.45 acre (cul-de-sac end lots can exceed) |
| HOA assessments (annual) | $200–$400 | $150–$350 |
| Pool / amenity | No community pool; limited common amenities | No community pool; proximity to Burke Lake Park is the amenity |
| Buyer profile | Cost-conscious on HOA, larger-lot seekers | Outdoor-oriented, cul-de-sac/quiet-streets seekers |
| Days on market (2026, well-positioned) | 15–35 days | 12–30 days |
The pricing bands overlap, but the buyer profiles and what each community offers don’t. A Cherry Run home backing to or facing Burke Lake Park land carries a meaningful premium over a comparable Longwood Knolls home; conversely, a Longwood Knolls home with mature trees and a private lot can command a premium that Cherry Run’s open layout doesn’t replicate. Comp wisely.
2026 Market Snapshot
Both communities operate in a balanced-but-seller-leaning Burke market in early 2026:
- Days on market: 12–35 days for well-positioned homes; 45–75 days for over-priced or condition-challenged homes
- List-to-sale ratio: 99–102% on well-positioned listings; below 95% on over-priced
- Months of supply: 1.5–2.5 months (seller-favorable)
- Buyer profile: Mix of move-up families from Burke Centre and Lake Braddock townhomes, downsizers from larger SFH neighborhoods, and military/government professionals
For ongoing quarterly market data covering Longwood Knolls and Cherry Run alongside the rest of Burke, see our Burke quarterly market reports, updated each quarter as new data becomes available.
HOA Disclosure Packet (Va. Code §55.1-1809)
Both Longwood Knolls and Cherry Run are subject to Virginia’s Property Owners’ Association Act, which requires the HOA to issue a Resale Disclosure Packet to a buyer of a home in the community. The packet covers governing documents, financial statements, current assessments, any pending litigation or special assessments, and architectural-review requirements.
Three things to know:
1. The buyer can terminate within three days of receipt. Under Va. Code §55.1-1809, the buyer has the right to cancel within three days after receiving the packet (or within three days of contract ratification, whichever is later). Order the packet on day one of listing.
2. Smaller HOAs can take longer to deliver. Longwood Knolls and Cherry Run have smaller administrative footprints than Burke Centre Conservancy or Lake Braddock Community Association, so packet delivery can run closer to the 14-day statutory maximum than the 7–10 days typical at the larger HOAs. Plan accordingly.
3. Sellers fund the packet. Cost is typically $150–$300, normal seller closing-cost item.
Pricing Strategy: Don’t Cross-Comp
The single most common pricing mistake in these two communities is using comps from the wrong community. The discipline:
- Pull comps from the same community first. Longwood Knolls against Longwood Knolls. Cherry Run against Cherry Run. Same community, similar layout, sold within the last 90 days, similar condition.
- Don’t cross-comp without an explicit adjustment. If you must use a Cherry Run comp for a Longwood Knolls home, account for the Burke Lake Park proximity differential. Vice versa for trees/privacy.
- Adjust for lot. Both communities have a lot-size variance that meaningfully affects price. End-lot, cul-de-sac-end, and corner-lot premiums apply.
- Adjust for condition and updates. Late-1970s/early-1980s build dates mean original kitchens and HVAC are 30+ years old. Updated homes outperform un-updated comps by 4–7% in 2026.
Pre-Listing Checklist
1. Order the HOA disclosure packet on day one. Especially for Longwood Knolls and Cherry Run, where smaller HOAs can take longer to process.
2. Walk the lot perimeter and check for ARC compliance. Fences, sheds, decks, exterior paint, landscape walls. Any unpermitted modifications can surface during inspection.
3. Address roof and HVAC if approaching end-of-life. The most common buyer-side discount on these homes is “I’m going to need to update everything.” Pre-emptive replacement or a credit at closing is often a cleaner negotiating position.
4. For Cherry Run specifically: lean into Burke Lake Park. If your home is within walking distance of the park, your photos and listing language should reflect it. Map the walking route. Time it. This matters to outdoor-oriented buyers.
5. For Longwood Knolls specifically: lean into the lot and trees. Mature trees and larger lots are the differentiators. If your home has them, photograph them. Aerial photography sometimes pays for itself on larger-lot Longwood Knolls homes.
6. Get a community-specific CMA. Not a Burke-wide CMA — one calibrated to your specific community. David provides these at no cost as part of his engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Longwood Knolls and Cherry Run the same community?
No. They’re adjacent and often grouped together by out-of-area buyers, but they have different HOA structures, lot characteristics, and buyer profiles. Comp them separately when pricing.
Which has higher HOA dues?
Longwood Knolls is typically slightly higher ($200–$400 annually) than Cherry Run ($150–$350). Both are meaningfully lower than Burke Centre Conservancy or Lake Braddock Community Association.
Is one a better community for resale value?
Both have demonstrated stable resale performance. Cherry Run’s proximity to Burke Lake Park gives it a small edge with outdoor-oriented buyers; Longwood Knolls’ larger-lot inventory gives it an edge with privacy-oriented buyers. Within each community, the home-specific factors (condition, updates, lot) dominate the community-level differences.
How long does a typical sale take?
Well-positioned homes typically close in 35–55 days, similar to Burke Centre and Lake Braddock.
What if my home is on the boundary between the two communities?
Look at the deed and the HOA assessment notice to determine which community you’re formally in. The HOA is the legal answer; “where the kids think the boundary is” doesn’t matter for selling. David can help confirm.
Can I sell as-is?
Yes, but the as-is discount usually exceeds what targeted updates would have cost. Pre-listing prep returns 4–7% in these communities in 2026. As-is is the right call when cash, timeline, or condition makes prep impractical.
What if my home was inherited and is being sold from probate or a trust?
Common in these communities given the original 1970s/early-1980s build dates. The HOA disclosure packet still applies. Successor trustees and personal representatives sign as fiduciaries. See our Selling an Inherited Home in Northern Virginia guide.
Get a Community-Specific CMA
If you’re considering selling in Longwood Knolls or Cherry Run, the first step is a community-specific comparative market analysis. David Mount provides written CMAs at no cost or obligation. Call (571) 946-8418 or email david.mount@thereduxgroup.com. David grew up in Burke and graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary School — the school zone that serves both communities.
About David Mount, REALTOR® & COO
The Redux Group of eXp Realty | Fairfax, VA | Serving Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, Prince William, Alexandria & Falls Church
David grew up in Burke, Virginia and graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary School. He has 12+ years of full-time experience and 200+ transactions in Northern Virginia residential seller representation, with a particular focus on life-transition sales — inherited property, divorce, downsizing, military relocation, and out-of-state moves — and is well-versed in the procedures that govern Virginia probate and trust-held home sales under Title 64.2 of the Code of Virginia (Wills, Trusts & Fiduciaries).
Credentials & recognition: NVAR Platinum Top Producer (2024) · 95+ five-star verified client reviews · FastExpert 5-Star Agent · Zillow Premier Agent · COO of The Redux Group, eXp Realty’s largest team in Northern Virginia.
Contact David: (571) 946-8418 · david.mount@thereduxgroup.com