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Notes on the market

The market, written as it moves.

Short notes on buying, selling and investing around DC: what the month’s numbers mean, what changed in the rules, what worked last week. No filler and no national headlines.

Cascades prices rose 10 percent this spring. Or they fell 6 percent. It depends where you draw the line.LatestLocal Insight · Oct 6, 2026 · 3 minCascades prices rose 10 percent this spring. Or they fell 6 percent. It depends where you draw the line.Here are two numbers from the same corner of Loudoun, from the same spring, and they point in opposite directions. In April, the median sale price in the 20165 zip code, which...Loudoun homes are selling for 101 percent of asking. Here is what that number leaves out.Local Insight · Sept 29, 2026 · 3 minLoudoun homes are selling for 101 percent of asking. Here is what that number leaves out.In June, homes in Loudoun County sold for 101.0 percent of their asking price, on average. Sellers hear that and do quick math: list at $800,000, collect $808,000. A few start...Sterling Park started going up in 1961. This spring its prices rose almost 11 percent anyway.Local Insight · Sept 22, 2026 · 3 minSterling Park started going up in 1961. This spring its prices rose almost 11 percent anyway.Sterling Park started going up in 1961. It was one of the first planned neighborhoods in eastern Loudoun, and plenty of its homes still show their age. Older houses, bigger and...The gap between a Loudoun townhouse and a detached house is about $280,000. That is only half of what moving up costs.Local Insight · Sept 15, 2026 · 3 minThe gap between a Loudoun townhouse and a detached house is about $280,000. That is only half of what moving up costs.I get a version of this question every few weeks. Someone owns a townhouse in Ashburn or Brambleton, they have outgrown it, and they want to know what it actually takes to get...Loudoun's median price barely moved this year. Out west, that is not what happened.Local Insight · Sept 8, 2026 · 3 minLoudoun’s median price barely moved this year. Out west, that is not what happened.Loudoun County’s median sale price in June was $817,000. That is down about seven tenths of one percent from a year ago. Flat, for all practical purposes. If that is the only...The fall market is smaller than the spring market. That is not the same thing as worse.Local Insight · Sept 1, 2026 · 3 minThe fall market is smaller than the spring market. That is not the same thing as worse.I have had the same conversation three times this month. Someone is ready to move, the timing works on their end, and then a friend tells them to hold off until spring, because...Price per square foot is the number sellers trust most, and it misses in both directions.Local Insight · Aug 25, 2026 · 3 minPrice per square foot is the number sellers trust most, and it misses in both directions.Somebody sends me their square footage and a price per square foot they found online, multiplies the two, and asks whether that is what their house is worth. I get that...

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Northern Virginia has about six weeks of homes for sale. That one number explains most of this market.Local Insight · Aug 18, 2026 · 3 minNorthern Virginia has about six weeks of homes for sale. That one number explains most of this market.When people ask me why home prices around here have not fallen with mortgage rates sitting near six and a half percent, I do not start with prices. I start with a number most...A four-story condominium building with stacked balconies and a landscaped entrance.Buying · Aug 4, 2026 · 3 minIf you own or are buying a condo, the HOA is now the most important number on the page.Condo prices have gone flat while houses stay hot. The reason is the monthly fee, and it is the first number a buyer does math on.The market split in two this year, and the dividing line is your commute.Market Updates · July 28, 2026 · 3 minThe market split in two this year, and the dividing line is your commute.Arlington is up 16 percent while Stafford softened. The Northern Virginia market split this year, sorted almost entirely by distance to the office.A neighborhood's median price can drop while every house on the street holds its value. Here's how.Local Insight · July 21, 2026 · 3 minA neighborhood’s median price can drop while every house on the street holds its value. Here’s how.Broadlands South’s median fell 19 percent while homes sold over asking. How a neighborhood median drops without any home losing value.Most homes sell in the first three weeks. What happens after that is the part sellers don't expect.Seller Tips · July 14, 2026 · 3 minMost homes sell in the first three weeks. What happens after that is the part sellers don’t expect.Roughly 55 percent of Northern Virginia homes go under contract in the first two weeks. What changes after day 21, and why day-one pricing decides it.Why More Northern Virginia Sellers Are Choosing Kevin Bailey in 2026Market Updates · June 29, 2026 · 5 minWhy More Northern Virginia Sellers Are Choosing Kevin Bailey in 2026Northern Virginia homeowners are quietly shifting how they pick a listing agent. Here is what the numbers say about why more sellers are choosing to work with Kevin Bailey this year.Sell High, Stress Low: How to Update Your NOVA Home for Top Dollar (Deferred Payment Strategies)Seller Tips · March 7, 2026 · 4 minSell High, Stress Low: How to Update Your NOVA Home for Top Dollar (Deferred Payment Strategies)Is your home’s condition costing you equity? Discover how Northern Virginia sellers are using our ‘Fix Now, Pay at Closing’ strategy to update their homes and net top dollar, without spending a dime upfront.A blank sheet of paper and a pen on a wooden kitchen table beside a coffee mug, in soft window light.Seller Tips · March 6, 2026 · 3 minBefore you list your Sterling home, look at the net sheetWhat comes out of a Sterling sale before the check reaches you: Loudoun’s three deed charges, the settlement costs, your payoff and the prorations.A red brick colonial home with black shutters and blue hydrangeas beside the walk.Seller Tips · March 5, 2026 · 2 minSelling an Arlington townhouse on a military PCS timelinePreparing for a 60-day Pentagon PCS and need to sell your Arlington townhouse? How the price, the net proceeds and the negotiation fit a short timeline.A two-story red brick colonial with black shutters, a white columned portico and a curved brick walk across the lawn, at dusk.Seller Tips · March 4, 2026 · 2 minSelling a long-held McLean home before downsizingSelling a long-held McLean home to downsize: how the price, the net proceeds and the negotiation are handled, from the first pricing to the closing.A brick colonial home on a quiet cul-de-sac after a light snow.Market Updates · March 1, 2026 · 4 minNavigating the Northern Virginia Winter Real Estate Market: What You Need to KnowAs the holiday lights twinkle and the temperatures drop, many assume the Northern Virginia real estate market goes into hibernation. Think again! The winter months often present unique opportunities for both buyers and sellers in our vibrant DC Metro area. Kevin Bailey is here to break down what we’re seeing and help you strategize your next real estate move.A walking trail and footbridge beside a pond in a planned community, homes beyond the trees.Area Guides · Feb 28, 2026 · 3 minCascades, VA: the homes, the parks and getting aroundA planned community of about 2,500 acres on the Potomac in Loudoun County: its homes, its parks and its roads, and how a house there is priced.New detached homes facing a row of brick townhomes across a green common.Market Updates · Feb 25, 2026 · 4 minLoudoun County Real Estate: A Look Back at 2024 for Detached Homes & TownhomesDiscover the 2024 real estate market trends for detached homes and townhomes in Loudoun County, VA. Get expert insights and actionable advice from Kevin Bailey. Learn how sustained demand and limited inventory shaped the market and what it means for your next move.Unlocking Value in Stonehurst, Fairfax: Why Now is the Time to Sell Your HomeMarket Updates · Dec 9, 2025 · 4 minUnlocking Value in Stonehurst, Fairfax: Why Now is the Time to Sell Your HomeConsidering selling your home in Stonehurst, Fairfax? This charming, established neighborhood is experiencing a vibrant real estate market, making it an opportune moment for sellers. Discover compelling reasons, market insights, and expert tips from Kevin Bailey to maximize your sale.Hidden Gems: Uncovering the Value in Your Northern Virginia HomeSeller Tips · Jan 25, 2025 · 6 minHidden Gems: Uncovering the Value in Your Northern Virginia HomeHidden Gems: Uncovering the Value in Your Northern Virginia Home Northern Virginia is a truly special place to live. From its vibrant cities to its charming towns and peaceful countryside, it offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. It’s no wonder that the real estate market heA staged kitchen with white shaker cabinets, a gray quartz island and a bowl of lemons.Seller Tips · Jan 25, 2025 · 7 minTop 5 Things to Do to Get Your Northern VA Home Ready to Sell This SpringThe Top 5 Things to Do to Get Your Northern VA Home Ready to Sell This Spring Spring is traditionally a hot season in the real estate market, and Northern Virginia is no exception. With the warmer weather, blooming flowers, and longer days, buyers are eager to find their dream homes. If you’re a homLuxury Real Estate and High-End PropertiesLocal Insight · Jan 31, 2023 · 2 minLuxury Real Estate and High-End PropertiesAs a luxury realtor, I have the privilege of working in one of the most exciting and dynamic markets in the real estate industry. From breathtaking homes with stunning views to top-notch amenities and services, the luxury real estate market has it all. One of the things that sets luxury real estate Staging Your Home Before SellingSeller Tips · Jan 29, 2023 · 3 minStaging Your Home Before SellingStaging your home for sale does not have to be difficultAs a realtor, one of the most common questions I get from homeowners is, “What can I do to make my house more appealing to buyers?” And the answer, more often than not, is staging. But I understand that many homeowners are on a tight…A brick sidewalk under string-lit trees, past porches and lampposts at dusk.Area Guides · Jan 2, 2023 · 3 minThe best places to live in Virginia, and what a home costs in eachEight places I would point a friend to, from Arlington out to Purcellville and down to Fredericksburg, and what a typical home costs in each.A silver Metro train arriving at an elevated platform at sunset.Area Guides · Oct 17, 2022 · 3 minWhat the Silver Line changed for AshburnI wrote this in October 2022, a few weeks before the Silver Line reached Ashburn. Nearly four years on, what the line changed, and what it did not.How to Find the Right Realtor to Sell Your HomeSeller Tips · Oct 7, 2022 · 5 minHow to Find the Right Realtor to Sell Your HomeExperience, Communication, Network, Hustle. Real estate professionals have always been in high demand. Ever since buying and selling real property became a big business in the early 1900s, knowledgeable realtors were needed to show potential buyers around different properties in the area and to faciA suburban street at sunset, with a city skyline and a construction crane in the distance.Market Updates · Sept 28, 2022 · 3 minShould you sell your Northern Virginia home now, or wait for spring?Five years of sales say spring sells for more around here. Here is why that is only part of the answer, and when selling now makes more sense.A two-story colonial house with dormers behind two leafy trees and a green lawn.Market Updates · Aug 13, 2021 · 3 minIn 2021 I said Northern Virginia prices would keep rising. Here is what they did.I wrote this update in August 2021, when prices were climbing fast and mortgage rates were under 3 percent. Here is what happened next, place by place.2020 Predictions For Northern Virginia Real Estate MarketMarket Updates · Jan 13, 2021 · 4 min2020 Predictions For Northern Virginia Real Estate MarketNorthern Virginia & DC 2020 Market Predictions[Update post-COVID19] The summer and fall market rebounded faster than anyone could have imagined. In March & April during the height of the spring market when COVID hit hard. Usually the hottest time of the year turned into a difficult time for home sel2019 Q2 Predictions For Northern Virginia Real Estate MarketMarket Updates · Aug 17, 2019 · 3 min2019 Q2 Predictions For Northern Virginia Real Estate MarketNorthern Virginia 2019 Real Estate Predictions (Updated) There’s some good news and more good news but the future is unknown. First the good news: The DC area has outpaced the nation on job growth, housing prices, and income growth. We have tech jobs coming to the area brining high paying jobs with 2019 Predictions For Northern Virginia Real Estate MarketMarket Updates · Nov 15, 2018 · 4 min2019 Predictions For Northern Virginia Real Estate MarketNorthern Virginia 2019 Predictions There’s some good news and there’s some bad news. First, the good: Tech jobs are coming to Northern Virginia! West coast tech companies such as Amazon and Apple are planning to set up east coast headquarters in our area. This will greatly increase the number of job2018 Predictions For Northern Virginia Real Estate MarketMarket Updates · Nov 27, 2017 · 4 min2018 Predictions For Northern Virginia Real Estate MarketNorthern Virginia 2018 Predictions There’s some good news and there’s some bad news. First, the good: mortgage rates have remained low for the past year. We started the year with interest rates at 4%. They dipped to as low as 3.73% in September and as of December 2017, they are at 3.81%. Economists Fall 2017 Fairfax County Housing UpdateMarket Updates · Nov 20, 2017 · 2 minFall 2017 Fairfax County Housing UpdateFall is upon us, and with it the end of the high season for real estate. However, if you’re thinking you’ve missed your chance to sell your home, let me reassure you. This autumn actually presents a fantastic moment to sell. Here’s why. First off, housing inventory is still incredibly low. In fact, Why the fall is a great time to sell your homeSeller Tips · Aug 29, 2017 · 3 minWhy the fall is a great time to sell your homeSometimes, it really pays to go against the crowd. As you probably know, spring is the season when most people around Northern Virgina & DC put their homes on the market. Summer is the high season, and it’s when most homes get sold. And yet, there are a few powerful reasons why fall might actually [How Much Down Payment On Your First Home?Buying · June 14, 2017 · 3 minHow Much Down Payment On Your First Home?(*updated in 2021) What’s the biggest obstacle to homeownership? It’s Down Payment. So, How Much Down Payment Should You Put On Your First Home? According to a recent survey, “saving enough for a down payment” comes at the top of the list. A whopping 55% of prospective homebuyers cited this as theirHow To Choose A Realtor In Northern VASeller Tips · April 26, 2017 · 5 minHow To Choose A Realtor In Northern VAThe right real estate professional could mean the difference between moving into your beautiful new home or being homeless. Know how to choose your realtor from the start. How Do I Pick the Right Realtor? In the northern Virginia and DC Metro market, there are many real estate agents to choose from.Spring 2017 Northern Virginia home price updateMarket Updates · April 18, 2017 · 2 minSpring 2017 Northern Virginia home price update2017 Real Estate Market Is Heating Up! If you are looking to sell your home, then three recent developments make this spring a unique moment to do so quickly and at a top price. First, mortgage rates have stabilized. From a low of 3.41% last July, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate spiked up after the 2017 Predictions for Fairfax County Real Estate MarketMarket Updates · April 6, 2017 · 3 min2017 Predictions for Fairfax County Real Estate MarketHave you felt the effects yet of the sizzling red hot real estate market yet? Spoiler alert: You will very soon! The latest numbers are in for the northern Virginia real estate market and they are very hot. Home sellers can rejoice because things are looking up. What Happened Last Fall to Cause ThisA Picture Might Be Worth…Full Price!Seller Tips · April 4, 2017 · 2 minA Picture Might Be Worth…Full Price!A Picture Might Be Worth…Full Price! Effectively marketing listings to maximize the exposure to buyers is always the goal when working toward getting a seller’s home sold. One of the most important factors in my opinion are the listing photos. Having breathtaking pictures can escalate your property Should You Worry About The Rise In Mortgage Rates?Market Updates · Feb 22, 2017 · 2 minShould You Worry About The Rise In Mortgage Rates?Should you worry about the recent rise in mortgage rates? If you’re concerned about the recent rise in mortgage rates, I want to reassure you: things are much better than they might seem. Yes, mortgage rates have certainly risen. From a low of 3.44% last August, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate reacWinter 2017 Northern Virginia Home Prices Are UpMarket Updates · Jan 12, 2017 · 2 minWinter 2017 Northern Virginia Home Prices Are UpWinter 2017: Northern Virginia Home Price Update If you’ve been considering selling your home, then this winter represents an incredible opportunity. First, home prices have hit record highs over the past few months. In fact, home prices are now as high as they were in 2006, at the peak of the housi2017 Predictions for Northern Virginia Real Estate MarketMarket Updates · Dec 22, 2016 · 3 min2017 Predictions for Northern Virginia Real Estate MarketNorthern Virginia 2017 Predictions There’s some good news and there’s some bad news. First, the bad: mortgage rates have shot up since the election. From a low of 3.47% on November 7th, the average fixed 30-year mortgage rate increased to over 4% by the end of November. They are at 4.19% as of DecemAn open condominium kitchen with cherry cabinets, black granite counters and stainless appliances.Seller Tips · Oct 19, 2016 · 2 minSOLD IN 5 DAYS! 3302 WYNDHAM CIR #A, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22302Sold in 5 days! This beautiful condo was listed with our team on Thursday Oct. 20th and we ratified a contract that came in on the first weekend! It does not get any better than that. The average days on market in the community are 63 days. So…what did we do different? That is a great…Not-So-Scary October Real Estate Market For 2016Market Updates · Oct 8, 2016 · 3 minNot-So-Scary October Real Estate Market For 2016In most years Halloween marks the slow down of the real estate market…but not this year! In Northern Virginia we have seen the market continuing to look strong. Will the great market continue into November and December? The real estate professionals here at Keller Williams Realty Falls Church think Top 5 Home Repairs To Complete Before SellingSeller Tips · Sept 21, 2016 · 6 minTop 5 Home Repairs To Complete Before SellingWhat Are The Top 5 Home Repairs Before Selling Your Home? Getting the house ready to put on the market can seem daunting enough. There is cleaning, clearing the old clutter, packing, moving, and o-by-the-way we have to get these repairs done before the buyers see it. It can be a hassle, I KNOW! How A bright living room with tall arched windows, a white fireplace mantel and a cream sofa.Seller Tips · July 28, 2016 · 1 minA Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words!Professional home photography is the only way to sell a home It is astounding how often we come across listings in our real estate market that choose NOT to represent a house to its fullest potential by utilizing poor-quality photography. Capturing a home’s unique features & floor plan with high-quaA five-story condominium building with stacked balconies over a landscaped courtyard.Seller Tips · May 18, 2016 · 3 minSOLD in 4 days for full asking price!Sold in the first weekend! 4852 Eisenhower Ave #339, Alexandria, VA 22333 Who says condos are difficult to sell? We just sold this beautiful condo near Van Dorn Metro in Alexandria in 4 days for full asking price! The average days on market in the neighborhood is over 66 days… We did it in only [&Will Digital Upgrades Help You Sell Your Home?Seller Tips · May 2, 2016 · 4 minWill Digital Upgrades Help You Sell Your Home?Cutting Edge Technology Helps Sell High End Homes Are you thinking about putting your home on the market with digital upgrades? Much of Northern Virginia is competitive today, especially if you want to sell quickly at the top of the market. Have you thought about adding tech to your home? Believe itTake These Home Selling Tips to Heart: How to Sell a Home Quickly in This MarketSeller Tips · April 18, 2016 · 4 minTake These Home Selling Tips to Heart: How to Sell a Home Quickly in This MarketHome Selling Tips Is now the time to sell a home? One of the key factors many home sellers want to know is how long it will take to sell their home. Many factors play a role in this, of course, including the condition of the home, its location, and its price. However, there are…New Construction in Northern Virginia: What It Means to the Real Estate MarketMarket Updates · April 6, 2016 · 4 minNew Construction in Northern Virginia: What It Means to the Real Estate MarketNew Construction in Northern Virginia Northern Virginia is growing. Although many areas have seen some troubling times in terms of older buildings and vacant shopping malls, things are changing for the better. There’s a great deal coming to the area already. Take a look around and you’ll see new apa7 Reasons to Buy a Home Now in Northern VirginiaBuying · March 28, 2016 · 4 min7 Reasons to Buy a Home Now in Northern VirginiaThe 7 Reasons To Buy A Home Now: The investment in real estate is always an opportunity to expand your portfolio and invest in one of the most stable, long-term investments available today. Yet, many people are on edge, worried about the risks of investing after the Great Recession and because of faSuburban rooftops at dusk with the Washington skyline and the Washington Monument in the distance.Market Updates · March 22, 2016 · 3 minHow Did the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Do In 2015?2015 Northern Virginia Real Estate Market How is the Northern Virginia real estate marketing doing? Whether you own a home and want to sell at some point in the future or you want to buy a home and are unsure when to do so, taking a look at current market conditions can give you the…5 Home Renovations That Add Value to Tackle Before Listing Your Home This SpringSeller Tips · Feb 28, 2016 · 4 min5 Home Renovations That Add Value to Tackle Before Listing Your Home This SpringTop 5 Renovation To Add Value Before Listing Your Home You’ve made the big decision to put your home on the market. You know the Northern Virginia real estate market is ideally suited to sell quickly and at potentially higher value than homes sold for in recent years. You still have a few weeks befoIs Now the Best Time to List Your Falls Church Home for Sale?Seller Tips · Feb 17, 2016 · 4 minIs Now the Best Time to List Your Falls Church Home for Sale?Selling Your Home In Falls Church With spring around the corner, it’s time to start considering whether or not you’ll list your home for sale this year. Spring is the ideal time to make the move since it gives you plenty of good weather and opportunity to enjoy a new home. Yet, is now the…

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