Northern Virginia's housing market is entering Spring/Summer 2025 with notable changes in home prices, inventory, and buyer/seller dynamics. This report examines current market conditions in our key service areas – Gainesville, Haymarket, Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington, and Loudoun County – and compares them to Spring/Summer 2024. This guide follows the theme of our recent 2025 Property Tax Guide, linking community factors like taxes with real estate trends.
Market Overview: Spring/Summer 2025 Trends in Northern Virginia
The Spring 2025 market in Northern Virginia remains robust but is showing early signs of balancing compared to the ultra-competitive 2021–2022 period. Inventory has expanded in most localities year-over-year, giving buyers more choice than last spring. March 2025 saw a 63.6% increase in active listings in the NVAR region (1,980 homes on the market vs. 1,210 in March 2024).
Home prices continue to appreciate. Region-wide, the median sold price in March 2025 was about $670,000, up 6% from last year's $635,000. Price growth varies by area: Arlington's median is up ~7% YoY, Alexandria's up ~8%, Loudoun's up ~8%, and Fairfax County's up ~8–9%.
Homes are selling quickly, but not quite as instantly as last spring. The average days on market (DOM) for Northern Virginia was about 23 days in March 2025 (up from ~21 days last year). We continue to see competitive situations with many homes still receiving multiple offers and sale prices often slightly exceeding asking.
Table 1 – Spring 2025 Market Stats by Locality (March data):
| Area | Median Sale Price (Mar 2025) | YoY Price Change | Avg Days on Market | YoY DOM Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville | $643,332 | +6.7% | ~16 days | Faster by 44% |
| Haymarket | $735,000 | +3.4% | ~22 days | Faster by 57% |
| Fairfax County | ~$740,000 | +8.8% | ~24 days | +2 days (slower) |
| City of Alexandria | $760,000 | +8% | 18 days | Slower by 29% |
| Arlington County | $767,000 | +7% | 25 days | Faster by 7% |
| Loudoun County | $809,905 | +8% | 19 days | (Unchanged YoY) |
Area Highlights
Gainesville & Haymarket
Gainesville's median sold price is about $643,000 (up 6.7% YoY) with homes selling in about two weeks on average (44% faster than a year ago). Haymarket's median is $735,000 (up 3.4%) with properties selling in around 22 days, significantly faster than last spring's 51-day average. Both areas benefit from the "outer suburb" appeal, offering more house for the dollar with reasonable commutes, especially for remote/hybrid workers.
The expanding data center industry in both Loudoun and Prince William is making its presence felt near Haymarket, bringing in high-paying tech jobs while raising some community concerns about development pace.
Fairfax County
Fairfax County is seeing record-high home prices with the median hovering around $740,000 (up 8-9% YoY). Inventory has improved modestly with about 2,700 active listings (up 6% YoY), but months of supply remains low at around 1.8 months. Homes are selling in 10-24 days on average.
A notable shift from 2024 is that buyers have become more discerning – with slightly more choice, they're prioritizing turnkey condition and value. We also see more trade-up activity as some homeowners decide to move despite giving up low interest rates on their current mortgages.
Alexandria & Arlington
Alexandria's median price reached $760,000 in March 2025 (up 8% YoY), with detached homes seeing especially sharp appreciation. Arlington remains one of Northern Virginia's most expensive markets with a median of $767,000 (up 7% YoY).
Both areas benefit from Amazon's HQ2 presence, return-to-office trends, and Metro accessibility. Inventory has improved (Alexandria up 30% YoY, Arlington up 22%), giving buyers slightly more options, but these remain strong seller's markets with homes selling at or above asking price on average.
Loudoun County
Loudoun County's median sale price was about $809,905 in March 2025 (up 8% YoY). Unlike other counties that saw bigger inventory jumps, Loudoun's active supply is only marginally higher than last spring (up 2% YoY). The market is absorbing new inventory almost as fast as it arrives, with homes selling in about 19 days on average (unchanged from 2024).
Loudoun's "Data Center Alley" continues to drive employment and housing demand, while lifestyle factors (schools, space, amenities) attract families willing to trade commute time for more house.
Impact on Key Buyer & Seller Groups
Military Families
Military families relocating to Northern Virginia face a competitive market but benefit from slightly improved inventory. Sellers are more accustomed to VA loans than during the 2021/2022 frenzy. These buyers should leverage their VA loan benefit but be prepared for fast-moving opportunities. Learn more about our Military Relocation Professional services.
First-Time Sellers
Many first-time sellers who bought 3-7 years ago have significant equity gains. This group should calibrate expectations – the market is strong, but not every home gets multiple offers or sells in days. Most will sell at prices well above their purchase price, often netting healthy profits due to principal pay-down and appreciation, which gives confidence for their next purchase despite higher interest rates.
First-Time Buyers
First-time buyers face headwinds with rising prices and interest rates. Many have adjusted expectations by considering condos or townhouses, moving further out, or utilizing first-time buyer programs. The slightly increased inventory gives them a fighting chance, but they often contend with investors or repeat buyers who have more cash. Learn more about navigating today's buying process.
Tips for Fall 2025 Buyers & Sellers
For buyers, fall can actually be an excellent time to purchase with potentially less competition after the spring/summer rush. By September/October, some "leftover" summer listings may become bargains after price reductions.
Sellers should price competitively from the start if listing in fall. While the buyer pool may be smaller, those shopping in autumn tend to be serious. Aim to list by early October to capture the post-summer wave before holiday slowdowns.
For detailed seller strategies in today's market, see our 2025 Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Report & Seller Guide.
A Final Thought
As a broker who has weathered multiple market cycles in Northern Virginia, I believe honesty about current conditions is essential. Today's buyer landscape presents genuine challenges, particularly for those without substantial financial resources or family support. However, with proper guidance, strategic planning, and realistic expectations, paths to homeownership still exist.
At MMK Realty, we pride ourselves on "keeping the Real in Real Estate" – providing straightforward, honest guidance to help clients navigate this complex market. Whether you're selling a home and need to understand your likely buyer pool, or a prospective buyer trying to determine what's truly possible given your resources, we're committed to offering the clear-eyed guidance needed to make informed decisions in today's extraordinary market.
Michelle Williams is the Principal Broker of MMK Realty, LLC, with 19 years of experience as a Realtor and property manager in Northern Virginia. As a certified Military Relocation Professional, she specializes in helping clients with diverse backgrounds navigate the region's complex housing market. For a personalized consultation about your specific real estate goals, contact Michelle today.
