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News, Insight, & Analysis


Fairfax County Real Estate Market Update (May 2026): Why Inventory Is Building as Buyer Demand Remains Active
The Fairfax County real estate market is showing a consistent pattern that explains one of the most important current trends: Inventory is continuing to build—even while Buyers remain active. This is not a contradiction. It is the result of how Buyer behavior is interacting with new supply entering the market. Because Fairfax County represents the largest share of housing activity in Northern Virginia, these trends provide a reliable indicator of broader regional market condi

Scott Ford
3 days ago


Fairfax County Housing Data Points to a Continued Supply Gap | Northern Virginia Real Estate
Fairfax County’s recently published Housing Needs Assessment provides a clear, data-driven view of the Northern Virginia housing supply gap and where the market is headed over the next decade. The conclusion is straightforward: The housing supply gap is not projected to close. Fairfax County data highlights a projected housing supply gap through 2035, with limited relief in close-in locations. What the Data Shows regarding a Housing Supply Gap in the Northern Virginia real es

Scott Ford
6 days ago


Protecting Your Home from Deed Fraud: How the Virginia Deed Alert System Works | Northern Virginia Real Estate Strategy
This post begins a new “Protecting Your Home” series focused on helping homeowners reduce risk before and during a sale. While most real estate discussions focus on pricing and timing, protecting ownership itself is a foundational step that is often overlooked. This infographic explains how the Virginia Deed Alert system provides early notification when documents are recorded under your name or property—helping homeowners respond more quickly to potential fraud risks. Most ho

Scott Ford
Apr 23


Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Update (Mid-April 2026): Inventory Is Rising as Buyer Demand Stays Concentrated
Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Update — Mid-April 2026 The Northern Virginia real estate market is not slowing—it is splitting, and inventory is building as supply continues to outpace Buyer demand. For ongoing updates, see the latest Northern Virginia real estate market analysis at BellaCasaPartners.com/marketnews. The key question for remainder of Spring 2026 is no longer whether inventory will increase—but how that inventory will behave, and where Buyer demand is con

Scott Ford
Apr 21


Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Update (April 2026): Inventory Is Building as New Listings Outpace New Contracts
The Northern Virginia real estate market is showing clear signs of change as we move through the Spring 2026 selling season. Recent weekly data from Bright MLS indicates that inventory is building, driven by a sustained imbalance between new supply and Buyer demand. Inventory is building across the Fairfax County real estate market—and the data reveals why. Over the seven weeks ending April 12, 2026 , New Listings have consistently exceeded New Contracts . This sustained pat

Scott Ford
Apr 15


Fairfax County Real Estate Market (Early April 2026): Why Some Houses Sell in Days—While Others Sit for Weeks
The Fairfax County market is showing a clear shift in how Buyers are making decisions: Buyer activity is heavily concentrated in the first two weeks—creating a clear advantage for newly listed Houses. Two homes come on the market in Fairfax County within days of each other. Similar size. Similar condition. Similar price range. One goes Under Contract within the first week. The other is still on the market three weeks later—now facing price reductions and increased Buyer hesit

Scott Ford
Apr 5


Mid-March 2026 Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Update | 2026 Looks Similar to 2025 as We Near Start of the 'Peak' Spring Market
How is the Northern Virginia real estate market in mid-March 2026? What does the current Market data tell us as we near the start of the 'Peak' 2026 Spring Market, which runs from late-March through May? Let's get the answers through a deep dive look at the Buyer Activity Level measured by New Contracts, Days on Market, and the Inventory of Houses for Sale. I provide a Market Summary below the Post, but read the full Post for all the details and charts. Each chart in the Po

Scott Ford
Mar 21


Early March Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Update | A Continued 'Split Market' in the Active House for Sale Inventory
How is the Northern Virginia real estate market in early March 2026? What does the current Market data tell us about the 2026 Spring Market? Let's get the Inside Scoop by looking at the 'Split Market' in Active House for Sale Inventory between recently listed Houses and 'stale' Houses that carried over from late-2025. All data for Houses <$2M; Excluding Condos & New Builds. As the largest market in NoVA, Fairfax County is a good barometer of the Overall NoVa market. The NV

Scott Ford
Mar 7
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Mortgage Rate Forecast Update (April 2026): Fannie Mae Revises Higher, MBA Holds Steady
Mortgage Rate Forecasts Revised Higher for 2026. The latest April 2026 housing forecasts from Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association provide updated expectations for mortgage rates through the remainder of the year. While both institutions project rates to remain in a similar range, their latest updates reflect different adjustments to prior expectations. Summary of April 2026 mortgage rate forecasts. April 2026 mortgage rate forecasts show continued expectations for

Scott Ford
May 3


Mortgage News for You | Update (April 23, 2026): 30-Year Rate Pulls Back to 6.23%
30-Year Mortgage Rate Moves Lower After Early April Highs Where are mortgage rates in late April 2026? The 30-year fixed conventional mortgage rate declined to 6.23% in the most recent Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey released on April 23, 2026. This represents a modest pullback from recent highs earlier in the month and reflects ongoing movement within a relatively narrow range that has defined the mortgage rate environment over the sixth months. Recent Movement. T

Scott Ford
Apr 24


30 Year Fixed Rate Conventional Mortgage is at a 3+ Year Low Point | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
ON FEBRUARY 19TH, THE 30 YEAR FIXED RATE CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE IS AT 6.01% PER FREDDIE MAC'S WEEKLY SURVEY. THE CURRENT RATE IS AT A 3+ YEAR LOW. When asking the question, "How is the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?", part of the answer is to consider the current and future trend of mortgage interest rates. ➡️ On February 19th, Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage rate survey has the 30 Year Fixed Rate Conventional Mortgage at 6.01%. Last week, the weekly average was 6.09%.

Scott Ford
Feb 21


30 Year Fixed Rate Conventional Mortgage Remains Near a 3+ Year Low Point | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
ON FEBRUARY 12TH, THE 30 YEAR FIXED RATE CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE IS AT 6.09% PER FREDDIE MAC'S WEEKLY SURVEY. THE RATE REMAINS NEAR A 3+ YEAR LOW. When asking the question, "How is the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?", part of the answer is to consider the current and future trend of mortgage interest rates. ➡️ On February 12th, Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage rate survey has the 30 Year Fixed Rate Conventional Mortgage at 6.09%. The current weekly average is near the lo

Scott Ford
Feb 13


Fannie Mae January 2026 Mortgage Forecast | 30 Year Rate Remains Steady Throughout 2026 | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
Fannie Mae's January 2026 Forecast for the 30 year Conventional Fixed Mortgage has the Rate at a slightly lower level than at present most of the year. If the forecast is accurate, we will have the lowest mortgage rate in 3+ years, with the level at 6.0% from Spring through year end. When asking the question, "How is the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?", part of the answer is to consider the current and future trend of mortgage interest rates. ➡️ In their January 2026 E

Scott Ford
Jan 30


30 Year Fixed Rate Conventional Mortgage Now at a 3+ Year Low Point | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
ON JANUARY 15TH, THE 30 YEAR FIXED RATE CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE IS AT 6.06% PER FREDDIE MAC'S WEEKLY SURVEY. THIS RATE IS AT A 3+ YEAR LOW. When asking the question, "How is the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?", part of the answer is to consider the current and future trend of mortgage interest rates. ➡️ On January 15th, Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage rate survey has the 30 Year Fixed Rate Conventional Mortgage at 6.06%, which is the low point for 2025. The current week

Scott Ford
Jan 16


2026 Begins with the 30 Year Fixed Rate Conventional Mortgage at a Near 3-Year Low Point | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
ON JANUARY 8TH, THE 30 YEAR FIXED RATE CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE IS AT 6.16% PER FREDDIE MAC'S WEEKLY SURVEY. THIS RATE IS NEAR A 3-YEAR LOW. When asking the question, "How is the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?", part of the answer is to consider the current and future trend of mortgage interest rates. ➡️ On January 8th, Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage rate survey has the 30 Year Fixed Rate Conventional Mortgage at 6.16%, which is the low point for 2025. The current weekl

Scott Ford
Jan 12


2025 Ended with the 30 Year Conventional Mortgage Rate at the Low Point for the Year | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
ON DECEMBER 31st, THE 30 YEAR CONVENTIONAL FIXED MORTGAGE RATE IS AT 6.15% PER FREDDIE MAC'S WEEKLY SURVEY. THIS RATE IS THE LOW POINT IN 2025. When asking the question, "How is the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?", part of the answer is to consider the current and future trend of mortgage interest rates. ➡️ On December 31st, Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage rate survey has the 30 Year Conventional Mortgage Rate at 6.15%, which is the low point for 2025. The current wee

Scott Ford
Jan 1


Fannie Mae December 2025 Mortgage Forecast | Slightly Lower Rates in 2026 than Current Level | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
IN LATE DECEMBER 2025, FANNIE MAE FORECASTED SLIGHTLY LOWER 30 YEAR CONVENTIONAL FIXED MORTGAGE RATE IN 2026 THAN CURRENT LEVEL. IF THE FORECAST IS ACCURATE, WE WILL HAVE THE LOWEST MORTGAGE RATE IN 3+ YEARS FOR THE 2nd HALF OF 2026, WITH THE RATE MOVING BELOW 6.0% BY YEAR END. When asking the question, "How is the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?", part of the answer is to consider the current and future trend of mortgage interest rates. ➡️ In their December 2025 Econo

Scott Ford
Jan 1


In Early December 2025, 30 Year Conventional Mortgage Back to Lowest Rate since Fall 2024 | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
IN EARLY DECEMBER 2025, THE 30 YEAR CONVENTIONAL FIXED MORTGAGE IS BACK TO THE LOWEST RATE SINCE EARLY OCTOBER 2024. When asking the question, "How is the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?", part of the answer is to consider the current and future trend of mortgage interest rates. ➡️ As of December 4, Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage rate survey had the 30 Year Conventional Mortgage Rate at 6.19%, which is the lowest level since early October 2024. ➡️ The 30 Year Convention

Scott Ford
Dec 7, 2025


Fannie Mae November 2025 Mortgage Forecast | Slightly Lower Rates in 2026 than Current Level | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
IN LATE NOVEMBER 2025, FANNIE MAE FORECASTED SLIGHTLY LOWER 30 YEAR CONVENTIONAL FIXED RATE MORTGAGE IN 2026 THAN CURRENT LEVEL. When asking the question, "How is the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?", part of the answer is to consider the current and future trend of mortgage interest rates. ➡️ In their November 2025 Economic & Housing Forecast, dated November 21st, Fannie Mae projected the 30 Year Conventional Fixed Rate Mortgage at 6.3% for the end of 2025, 6.1% at mid

Scott Ford
Nov 29, 2025


Non-Jumbo Loan Limit in 2026 raised to $1,249,125 for DC Metro Area | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
When asking the question, "How is the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?", part of the answer is to consider the current and future trend of mortgage interest rates. A related topic is the annual Federal loan limit for non-Jumbo mortgage loans. ➡️ The Federal Housing Finance Administration (FHFA) just announced that the 2026 Conforming Loan Limit for High Cost Areas is $1,249,125. This amount is a 3.25% increase to the 2025 High Cost Area Loan Limit . ➡️ The entire DC

Scott Ford
Nov 27, 2025


In Late October 2025, 30 Year Conventional Mortgage is at Lowest Rate in 1 Year | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
IN LATE OCTOBER 2025, THE 30 YEAR CONVENTIONAL FIXED MORTGAGE IS AT THE LOWEST RATE IN 1 YEAR. When asking the question, "How is the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?", part of the answer is to consider the current and future trend of mortgage interest rates. ➡️ As of October 23, Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage rate survey had the 30 Year Conventional Mortgage Rate at 6.19%, which is the lowest level since early October 2024. ➡️ The 30 Year Conventional Mortgage Rate has d

Scott Ford
Oct 27, 2025


Fannie Mae September 2025 Mortgage Forecast | Small Downward Change in Projected 2025 Year End 30-Year Mortgage Rate | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
IN LATE SEPTEMBER 2025, FANNIE MAE MADE A SMALL DOWNWARD REVISION IN THE 30-YEAR CONVENTIONAL FIXED RATE MORTGAGE PROJECTION FOR END OF 2025 AND INTO 2026. When asking the question, "How is the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?", part of the answer is to consider the current and future trend of mortgage interest rates. In their September 2025 Economic & Housing Forecast, dated September 23rd, Fannie Mae reduced their projection for the 30-Year Conventional Fixed Rate Mort

Scott Ford
Oct 5, 2025


Fannie Mae August 2025 Mortgage Forecast | Slight Upward Change in Projected 2025 Year End 30-Year Mortgage Rate | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
IN AUGUST 2025, FANNIE MAE MAKES SLIGHT UPWARD REVISION IN 30-YEAR CONVENTIONAL FIXED RATE MORTGAGE PROJECTION FOR END OF 2025. 30-YEAR FIXED RATE IS NOW AT LOWEST LEVEL SINCE LATE OCTOBER 2024. When asking the question, "How is the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?", part of the answer is to consider the current and future trend of mortgage interest rates. In their August 2025 Economic & Housing Forecast, dated July 19th, Fannie Mae raised their projection for the 30-Ye

Scott Ford
Aug 22, 2025


Fannie Mae July 2025 Mortgage Forecast | Slight Downward Change in Projected 2025 Year End 30-Year Mortgage Rate | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
IN JULY 2025, FANNIE MAE MAKES SLIGHT DOWNWARD REVISION IN 30 YEAR FIXED MORTGAGE RATE PROJECTION FOR END OF 2025. When asking the...

Scott Ford
Jul 25, 2025


Fannie Mae June 2025 Mortgage Forecast | Sharp Upward Revision in Projected Year End 30-Year Mortgage Rate | Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
FANNIE MAE REVERSES HARD ON THE 30 YEAR FIXED MORTGAGE RATE PROJECTION FOR END OF 2025. When asking the question, "How is the Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?", part of the answer is consider the current and future trend of mortgage interest rates. In their June 2025 Economic & Housing Forecast, dated June 23rd, Fannie Mae raised their projection for 30 Year Fixed Mortgage Rate at the end of 2025. The new projection is 6.5%, which raises the 6.1% projection in the May Fo

Scott Ford
Jun 28, 2025
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