The greater Fredericksburg, Va., real estate market, including Fredericksburg City and Spotsylvania, Stafford, Culpeper and Caroline counties, experienced positive trends in August compared to the same month in 2013, according to The Long & Foster Market Minute reports. Homes in the area are continuing to sell at a steady pace.

The Long & Foster Market Minute reports are compiled from data from residential real estate transactions within specific geographic regions, not just Long & Foster sales.

According to August data, the median sale price varied throughout the Fredericksburg area compared to the year before. Caroline County experienced an increase of 12 percent, while Spotsylvania County saw no change. Median sale price dropped by 2 percent in Culpeper County and by 7 percent in Stafford County. Fredericksburg City experienced an 11 percent decrease in median sale price.

Homes in the Fredericksburg region are selling at a steady pace, with Fredericksburg City experiencing the shortest marketing period at 41 days on market (DOM). Spotsylvania County followed with a DOM of 54 days. Stafford County experienced a DOM average of 58 days. Caroline County and Culpeper County saw DOM averages of 62 days and 64 days, respectively. Active inventory levels rose throughout the region from 7 percent to 32 percent.

The number of homes sold in the Fredericksburg region decreased in August compared to the same month the year before, though Caroline County saw no change. Culpeper County experienced a 2 percent decrease, while Spotsylvania saw a 4 percent drop. Stafford County saw a decrease of 18 percent and Fredericksburg City experienced a decline of 38 percent.

“In many areas across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, we’re seeing increased inventory, which means more options for those looking to purchase a home,” said Jeffrey S. Detwiler, president and chief operating officer for The Long & Foster Companies. “Median sale prices have also remained strong, and we’re seeing homes moving off the market at a fairly steady pace. Overall, the real estate market is in a healthy place for continued improvement.”

The Long & Foster Market Minute is an overview of market statistics based on residential real estate transactions and presented at the county level. The easy-to-read and easy-to-share reports include information about each area’s units sold, active inventory, median sale prices, months of supply, new listings, new contracts, list to sold price ratio, and days on market. Featuring reports for more than 500 local areas and neighborhoods in addition to more than 100 counties in eight states, The Long & Foster Market Minute is offered to buyers and sellers as they aim to make well-informed real estate decisions.

The Long & Foster Market Minute reports are available at www.LongandFoster.com, and users can subscribe to free updates for the reports in which they’re interested.