Northern Virginia Inventory Story Continues in August as Condos and Attached Homes Lead Growth

More buyer choice comes as closed sales decline 8% and the median price rises 2%

FAIRFAX, Va., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Northern Virginia's housing market continued the inventory trend seen in July, with condos and attached homes driving much of the increase in available properties in August and giving buyers more choice even as closed sales declined, according to the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® (NVAR).

There were 1,324 closed sales in August, an 8.0% decrease from August 2025. The decline indicates that demand is not translating into as many transactions as it did a year ago, even as buyers have more opportunities in certain segments of the market.

"The decline in closed sales tells us that buyers are not moving into the market at the same pace they were a year ago," said NVAR CEO Ryan McLaughlin. "There are a number of factors behind that, including affordability, financing costs, and the personal circumstances that determine when someone is ready to buy. These factors continue to influence purchasing decisions and the pace at which buyers are able to move forward."

The volume of homes sold in August was $1.195 billion, a 6.4% decrease from August 2025. Dollar volume declined less than the number of transactions, reflecting the higher prices of homes that sold. While fewer homes changed hands, the market continued to generate substantial sales volume.

The median sold price was $765,000 in August, up 2.0% from August 2025. The increase shows that the slowdown in sales has not resulted in broad downward pressure on prices. Homes that are selling continue to command higher prices than they did a year ago, indicating that demand remains for properties that meet buyers' needs and expectations.

The average number of days homes spent on the market was 26 days, unchanged from August 2025. The stability in days on market indicates that homes that attract buyers are continuing to move at about the same pace as they did a year ago, even as overall transaction activity has declined.

Active listings totaled 2,932 units in August, an 18.5% increase from August 2025. As in July, the increase was driven largely by condos and attached homes, giving buyers greater choice in those segments. The continued growth in these property types represents a meaningful shift from the limited selection that has characterized much of the Northern Virginia market in recent years.

Detached listings fell 8.5%, from 1,091 in August 2025 to 998 in August 2026, while attached inventory increased by 550 listings, or 39.7%, from 1,384 to 1,934. Condo inventory grew 44.8%, from 915 to 1,325 listings, while townhome inventory rose 29.9%, from 469 to 609 listings. As a result, detached homes represented a smaller share of available inventory, declining from about 28% to 21%, while condos increased from about 24% to 27%. The shift means buyers seeking condos, townhomes, and other attached properties have substantially more options than they did a year ago, while those looking for detached homes have fewer choices.

"More inventory gives buyers an opportunity to compare properties and determine what best fits their needs," said NVAR President Rob Carney, Sotheby's International Realty. "For sellers, it also means they need to pay closer attention to how their property is positioned in the market. The increase in condos and attached homes is particularly important because it is expanding the choices available to buyers in those segments. The market remains active, but buyers have more options than they did a year ago."

The months of supply increased to 2.08 in August, up 14.7% from August 2025. The increase reflects the growth in available homes relative to the pace of sales. Even with that growth, the market remained below the level typically associated with a fully balanced market, indicating that Northern Virginia has not moved into an oversupplied environment.

"August reinforces the shift we began seeing in July," McLaughlin said. "More homes are coming onto the market, particularly condos and attached properties, giving buyers more opportunities to choose from. But that increase in inventory has not resulted in more sales. At the same time, prices continue to hold up, which tells us there is still demand for the homes buyers want. The market is becoming more nuanced, and the differences among property types are increasingly important."

In neighboring Loudoun County, the market showed a similar pattern of fewer sales alongside more available homes. Closed sales fell 16.9% to 432 units and dollar volume declined 15.7% to $379.9 million, while the median sold price increased 0.9% to $771,250. Average days on market increased 4.3% to 24 days, active listings rose 17.6%, and months of supply increased 18.7% to 2.09 months. The combination of slower sales, higher prices and more available homes indicates that Loudoun buyers are also gaining more choice while sellers continue to benefit from sustained demand.

August's results show that the inventory trend emerging in July is continuing, particularly among condos and attached homes. Buyers have more choices in those segments, while overall sales activity has declined and the median price has increased. With days on market holding steady and demand continuing to support prices, the August data point to a market that is becoming more selective without losing the underlying demand for housing.

The August inventory trends also highlight the importance of expanding housing supply across a range of housing types. NVAR's NOVA Housing Supply Framework addresses this need by advancing locally adaptable strategies to increase housing opportunities and support a broader range of housing choices across Northern Virginia.

NVAR's recently released 2026 Mid-Year Housing Market Forecast Briefing provides additional analysis of regional trends and the outlook for the months ahead.

Background

The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® reports on home sales activity for Fairfax and Arlington counties, the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church and the towns of Vienna, Herndon, and Clifton. Below are August 2026 regional home sales compared to August 2025 for Northern Virginia, with data derived from Bright MLS as of September 10, 2026 (total sales and listings may not include garage/parking spaces):

• The number of closed sales in August 2026 was 1,582 units. This was a 1.9% decrease compared to August 2025.
• The volume sold in August 2026 was $1,431,719,290. This was a 1.4% increase compared to August 2025.
• The median sold price in August 2026 was $750,000. This was down 1.3% compared to August 2025.
• The average days on market was 21 days in August 2026. This was up 5.0% from August 2025.
• The number of new pending sales in August 2026 was 1,354 units. This was down 7.2% compared to August 2025.
• The number of active listings in August 2026 was 3,025 units. This number was up 19.6% compared to August 2025.
• The months of supply of inventory in August 2026 was 2.13. This was up 14.8% compared to August 2025.

NVAR Charts, Graphs, Social Media for August 2026 NVAR Housing Stats  

August Housing Data: Click here. 

Regional Jurisdiction Infographic: Click here. 

NVAR Region Infographic: Click here.

2026 Mid-Year Regional Housing Market Forecast: Click here.

These links are accessible from the Market Stats page here: Click here.

About NVAR

The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® (NVAR) serves as the voice of real estate in the Greater Northern Virginia Region. NVAR is dedicated to enhancing Realtor® success by delivering exceptional value, driving innovation, and impacting the industry. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, with a new Member Experience Center located in Loudoun County, NVAR supports its 13,000 members with essential resources, including industry education, advocacy, networking, and professional development opportunities. The Association is committed to promoting ethical practices and excellence in real estate. It advocates on behalf of homebuyers, sellers, renters, and commercial tenants who are directly affected by local, state, and federal policy decisions impacting affordability, property rights, and quality of life. NVAR strives to elevate the standards of the real estate industry and to contribute to the overall growth and prosperity of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area and beyond. nvar.com. 

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SOURCE Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® (NVAR)