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Commuter Options for Your Clients!
Have clients looking for better ways to navigate the region’s growing commuter challenges? FAAR recently hosted our local commuter experts as they shared a helpful overview of local commuter services and transportation options available through GW RideConnect.
In this quick 20-minute recording, you’ll learn more about:
- Carpool and vanpool programs
- Public transit options
- Slugging resources
- Commuter incentives and support services
- Transportation tools that may benefit you and your clients
As traffic patterns and commuting needs continue to shape housing decisions across our region, understanding these transportation resources can help REALTORS® better serve buyers, sellers, and relocating clients.
What REALTORS® Should Know About Proposed Louisa County Land Use Changes
Louisa County officials are discussing major proposed zoning and growth management changes aimed at slowing residential growth in rural areas and preserving farmland and forestland. Topics include increasing minimum lot sizes in agricultural zoning, expanding setback and road frontage requirements, exploring tools like transfer and purchase of development rights, and addressing temporary workforce housing tied to data center and infrastructure growth. Planning Commission discussions are still in the early stages, with additional work sessions and public hearings expected before any decisions are made.
Minimum Lot Sizes
- Increase minimum lot size in agricultural zoning outside designated growth areas from 1.5 acres up to as much as 15 acres
- Goal is to slow residential growth, preserve farmland, and reduce fragmentation of rural land
- Existing smaller lots would still be buildable, but new subdivisions would face stricter requirements
Road Frontage Requirements
- Increase required road frontage for new lots from 300 feet to 450 feet
- Intended to spread homes farther apart and maintain rural character
Setback Requirements
- Increase home setbacks from roads from the current 50–60 feet to either:
- A minimum of 250 feet, or
- A required “building band” between 200 and 300 feet from the road
- The “band” concept is designed to keep larger portions of land usable for farming and forestry while limiting scattered residential development
Family Subdivision Changes
- Maintain the current 1.5-acre minimum lot size for family divisions
- Add a new combined ownership and retention requirement of up to 15 years before resale
- Sliding scale would tie resale restrictions to how long the original owner held the property
- Proposal is intended to discourage investors from using family divisions for short-term land speculation while preserving legitimate family transfers
If you’re concerned about the impact of these growth management tools on private property rights in the county, consider reaching out to your local Supervisors and Planning Commission members.
FAAR Release April 2026 Housing Statistics
The Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors® (FAAR) is pleased to release the latest housing market statistics to keep our community informed on local trends in home sales, prices, and inventory.
Jennifer Caison, FAAR Director, provides the following comments on the current market.
“The local real estate market remained very active throughout April, with strong activity from both buyers and sellers. Well-prepared, move-in ready homes that were priced appropriately continued to sell quickly, while properties requiring updates or lacking proper preparation generally experienced longer days on market. The under $450,000 price range remained especially competitive, with many homes receiving multiple offers. While inventory levels have increased, creating a healthier and more balanced market overall, buyers are beginning to gain slightly more negotiating power, particularly when it comes to closing cost assistance and home inspection repairs. Overall, April reflected a steady, healthy market with strong buyer demand and continued opportunities for both buyers and sellers.”
New in Nestfully: Schedule Showings on the Go
Following a recent update in the Nestfully app, you can now schedule showings right from your mobile device. With the ability to coordinate with clients and listing agents and lock in appointments that work for all parties, this feature is another way this app helps you stay productive and connected wherever business takes you.
In addition to showings scheduling, other recent app enhancements let you:
- Share a personalized QR code or link so clients can connect with you instantly
- Quickly update listing details like price, status, and open houses
- View client search activity to better understand their preferences
These tools are built to help you manage your business more efficiently, whether you’re in the office or on the go.
Log in to your Nestfully account to explore these features, or download the app to get started.
55+ Success Summit – Helping Agents Better Serve the Senior Housing Market
FAAR recently hosted the 55+ Success Summit to equip real estate professionals with practical knowledge to confidently guide clients through the housing decisions that come with aging, downsizing, and multigenerational living. This workshop connected agents with trusted local experts and resources that support housing stability, accessibility, and long-term planning for older adults.
We’ve compiled some resources that could assist in working with senior clients. From NAR’s newest designation, the Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®), to tips on getting the best return for renovations, these resources will help your clients with everything from downsizing to aging in place.
Explore a Faster, Smarter Listing Management Experience
Good news, agents—you now have access to a brand-new Listing Management experience through Bright MLS! Designed with the needs of today’s busy agents in mind, the new system is a smarter, faster way to add and edit your listings on the go, complete with timesaving features and AI assistance to streamline your workflow.
Take advantage of these benefits
• Seamless mobile responsiveness – Enjoy easy access to Listing Management from anywhere, across mobile devices. You can even start a listing from your phone at the listing presentation.
• Timesaving solutions – Autofill key fields and get a head start on public remarks with AI-powered assistance.
• Instant photo captions – Let the system suggest detailed image descriptions for you as you upload photos.
• Enhanced listing quality – Generate accurate, creative, and consistent property descriptions in just a few clicks.
Sign up for training
Don’t miss out on any of the advantages of the new Listing Management system from Bright. Register for an upcoming webinar and get all the details from a Bright Coach.
FAAR Release March 2026 Housing Statistics
The Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors® (FAAR) is pleased to release the latest housing market statistics to keep our community informed on local trends in home sales, prices, and inventory.
Tamar Myers-Moffatt, FAAR Vice President, provides the following comments on the current market.
“ The current market in our area appears to be balanced, with both sellers listing properties and buyers actively searching for homes. However, some listings are staying on the market longer, signaling a need for price adjustments. Buyers are showing more caution, often hesitant to make offers above asking price or waive repairs. This dynamic highlights the importance of effective pricing strategies and clear communication between all parties. These conditions also can be indicative of uncertainty in our social, political and economic climate. Both sellers and buyers are relying on Realtors® to help them make clear and informed decisions.”
Help your clients avoid deed fraud
Protecting your clients doesn’t stop at closing.
VA Deed Alert and Property Notification systems are free notification services from the Virginia court system that helps homeowners monitor activity connected to their property records. If a document is recorded using their name or parcel ID, they receive an email alert. This early warning can help identify potential deed or mortgage fraud.
Recommending these services is a simple way to continue delivering value after the transaction. It shows clients you care about protecting their investment—not just completing the sale.
Why share it with clients:
- Free and easy to sign up
- Provides alerts when documents are recorded on their property
- Adds an extra layer of awareness against potential fraud
- Reinforces your role as a trusted advisor beyond closing
Encourage clients to enroll as part of your post-closing process and help them stay informed about activity tied to their home.
Supporting Local Housing: The 18th Annual Ride Virginia Poker Run
In the real estate world, we know that a home is the foundation of a strong community. That is why we are excited to spread the word about the upcoming 18th Ride Virginia Poker Run, an impactful event that directly supports Greater Fredericksburg Habitat for Humanity in their mission to provide affordable housing opportunities in our region.
Whether you are a rider or just looking for a way to give back, this event is a fantastic opportunity to support affordable housing in the region.
Event Logistics
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When: May 2, 2026 (Rain or Shine).
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Start Location: Habitat ReStore, 2378 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA.
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Finish Location: Hooters, 10400 Spotsylvania Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA.
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Schedule: Registration starts at 9:00 a.m., the group-led ride departs at 10:00 a.m., and the last bike must be in by 1:30 p.m..
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Prizes: Awards begin at 2:00 p.m., including $250 each for the Best Hand and Worst Hand.
How You Can Get Involved
There are several easy ways for our members and community partners to help make this the best event yet:
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Pre-Register to Ride: Pre-registration is available for $25 at www.ridevirginia.com. This guarantees you an event T-shirt, a goodie bag, a meal, and door prize tickets.
- Become a Sponsor: Sponsorship levels start at just $50 (Bronze level) and go up to $5,000 (Headline level). All sponsors receive recognition in the Habitat for Humanity newsletter and website. Complete the sponsor registration form here.
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Sell tickets or participate in the 50/50 Raffle: Tickets are only $5 each, and the winner does not need to be present to win.
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Donate a Door Prize: Help local businesses connect with the community by securing gift cards or merchandise for the event’s prize pool.
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Spread the Word: Share the event flyer with your sphere of influence or post about it on social media to help build momentum.
Every small effort makes a big impact on housing stability in our community. For more details or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, you can contact the Ride Virginia Team Lead, Michelle Wilson, at 540-891-4401 or mwilson@fredhab.org.
Join Virginia Credit Union at the Ballpark!
Step up to the plate this season with us!
Our partners at Virginia Credit Union are inviting you, your team, your clients and your family to enjoy a game from their private suite at Virginia Credit Union Stadium!
It’s the perfect way to relax, connect outside the office, and enjoy a night of baseball.
Whether you’re bringing your office, clients, or making it a family night, these games are all about community, appreciation, and a little well-earned downtime. Expect a great view of the game, delicious food, warm company, and plenty of memorable moments.
The Details:
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Capacity: 18 tickets available per game.
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Availability: Several dates throughout the upcoming season. Some Tuesday and Wednesday games are available upon inquiry.
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Host: Hosted by Alexis Thomas and the VACU team.
Interested in scheduling the suite or just want a few tickets on a certain date?
Contact Alexis Thomas, VACU Senior Mortgage Loan Officer
540-785-4314
alexis.thomas@vacu.org
The dates are as follows:
- Lynchburg Hillcats- Friday, June 5th
- Hill City Howlers- Friday, July 17th
- Kannapolis Cannon Ballers- Friday, August 21st
Learn more about Virginia Credit Union by visiting their website: https://www.vacu.org/loans/home-loans
Press Releases
FAAR Members Demonstrate Strong Community Impact Through Service and Giving
The Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® (FAAR) continues its commitment to serving the Fredericksburg region through meaningful community service initiatives and charitable giving that directly support local families and organizations. Over the past year,...
FAAR Releases 2025 Annual and December Housing Statistics
The Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors® (FAAR) is pleased to release the latest housing market statistics from both December and full year 2025 to keep our community informed on local trends in home sales, prices, and inventory.Denise Smith, FAAR Treasurer,...
November sees a housing market in transition
The regional housing market demonstrated significant softness this November with falling sales and total sold volume along with stagnant price appreciation. Median price didn’t budge from last year, again coming in at $465,000 across the region. Units sold dropped...
Median home prices back up in October
Median housing price increases rebounded again in October after just one month of year-over-year decreases in September. Median price was up over 3% in October 2025, coming in at $469,900 compared to $455,000 last October. Units sold were also up over last year with...