Northern Virginia Home & Lifestyle — August 26, 2026

More inventory—but not necessarily more of the home buyers want.

At first glance, July’s numbers suggest buyers suddenly have considerably more choice: active inventory across Northern Virginia increased nearly 20% from a year ago. But the headline misses an important distinction.

Detached-home inventory actually declined 2.5%. Condo inventory rose 41.1%, and attached-home inventory increased 33%. In other words, the market is becoming more selective, but not uniformly more supplied.

For sellers, this makes the first impression increasingly important. Buyers with alternatives can compare condition, presentation and price more carefully. A home that enters the market correctly positioned has an advantage that can be difficult to recover after the first few weeks.

Source: Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS® / Bright MLS · July 2026 regional housing data.

September is a good month to walk around your house.

Before shorter days and colder weather arrive, take one slow walk around the exterior of your home. Look at gutters and drainage, exterior caulking, landscaping that has grown against the house, deck surfaces and any paint or trim that needs attention.

Inside, early fall is also a sensible time to schedule HVAC service and take care of the small maintenance items that are easy to postpone. None of these projects is particularly exciting—but addressing them early can prevent considerably more expensive problems later.

Do you know the right home in Dunbarton?

I’m currently working with a buyer hoping to find main-level living in Dunbarton at Braemar, with particular interest in the James Madison/Patriot model.

A home with a loft is preferred, although they would also consider the right property with a basement.

If you live in Dunbarton—or know someone there who has been thinking about making a move—I’d love to have a conversation. Sometimes the right connection happens before a home ever reaches the market.

An afternoon at Copper Cricket.

There’s something especially satisfying about finding an item you weren’t looking for.

Copper Cricket in Haymarket is one of those places where it’s worth slowing down and browsing. The local consignment shop is filled with unique finds, and part of the fun is never quite knowing what you’ll discover when you walk through the door.

It’s an easy place to spend an afternoon wandering, looking for something distinctive for your home—or simply seeing what catches your eye. The inventory is always changing, which makes every visit a little different.

15026 Washington Street · Haymarket

The first signs of fall.

Our next edition arrives September 9, when the calendar begins to look distinctly autumnal. Apple season, harvest events, fall festivals and Oktoberfest celebrations are beginning to appear—including Middleburg’s Oktoberfest later in September. We’ll sort through what’s worth planning for and bring you the highlights.

Real estate has always been a relationship business for me.

If someone you care about could use thoughtful guidance with a move, I’m always happy to be a resource.

Curious What Your Home Is Worth?

Whether you’re considering a move or simply keeping an eye on your investment, understanding your home’s current market position is useful information to have.