The regional median home price was up again in August continuing a streak of 16 straight months of regional home price appreciation. The median sold price settled at $461,500 in August of 2024 compared to $450,000 in August of 2023, representing a nearly 3% year-over-year increase. Units sold were also up last month, posting a nearly 3% gain with 531 homes sold versus 516 last year. Total sold dollar volume was up over 4%, posting approximately $267.7 million in sales for August of 2024 compared to $256.2 million in sales last year.
“The Fredericksburg real estate market is entering a healthy phase of normalization after years of rapid price growth and swift home sales driven by COVID-related changes in lifestyle,” states FAAR Vice President Matthew Rathbun. “We’re now seeing increased housing availability, as more homeowners are listing their properties than we’ve seen in recent summers. With interest rates showing a slight drop and homes staying on the market a bit longer due to the end of summer vacations and back-to-school transitions, buyers now have the chance to make more informed and less rushed decisions. This shift allows for a more strategic approach to home buying, without the pressure of submitting overly-competitive offers.”
Days on market, the time it takes from when a listing enters the market until it receives a ratified contract and is removed from active status on the multiple listing service, increased again last month by 13%. Houses were on the market for an average of 26 days this August compared to 23 days last year.
Inventory ticked up in August, finishing out the month with 944 active listings compared to 848 last year, an 11% increase. New listings were down 5% from last year with 570 homes coming on the market in August of 2024 compared to 603 last year. New pending sales were down 5%, with 495 pending contracts compared to 521 last year.
Rathbun continues, “While prices continue to rise at a lower rate than the past few years, the increase in available inventory reflects a positive outlook for both buyers and sellers. The Fredericksburg area remains a vibrant hub for real estate activity, and with trusted real estate advisors on hand, first-time buyers and those re-entering the market are finding creative solutions to achieve their homeownership goals. Our market continues to thrive, and with continued efforts on affordability, more families will be able to realize their dream of owning a home in our sought-after region.”