The greater Fredericksburg, Va., real estate market, including Fredericksburg City and Spotsylvania, Stafford, Culpeper and Caroline counties, experienced positive trends in April compared to the same month in 2013, according to The Long & Foster Market Minute reports. Median sale price increased in nearly all areas of the region, and the number of units sold increased in some areas.

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 April data, the median sale price increased in much of the Fredericksburg area compared to the year before. Caroline County experienced the largest increase in median sale price at 32 percent. Fredericksburg City saw a 16 percent increase, while Stafford County saw a 7 percent increase. Culpeper County experienced a 5 percent increase in median sale price, and Spotsylvania County experienced a 3 percent decrease.

The number of homes sold in the Fredericksburg region varied compared to the same month last year. Fredericksburg City saw a 12 percent increase in the number of units sold, while Stafford County saw a 3 percent increase. Spotsylvania and Culpeper counties experienced decreases of 1 percent and 2 percent, respectively, and Caroline County saw a 26 percent decrease in the number of units sold.

Active inventory levels increased in most of the region, though Fredericksburg City experienced a 4 percent decrease. Other areas saw inventory increase from 13 percent to as much as 39 percent.

Homes in the Fredericksburg region are selling at a steady pace, with Stafford County experiencing the shortest marketing period at 56 days. Spotsylvania County followed at 64 days, and Caroline County saw a DOM of 89 days. Other areas saw DOM averages of 101 to 114 days.

“The spring housing market is beginning to bounce back, and we’re seeing many positive trends happening in the real estate market in the Mid-Atlantic, including in the Fredericksburg region,” said Jeffrey S. Detwiler, president and chief operating officer for The Long & Foster Companies. “In many places, median sale prices are increasing and homes are selling at a faster pace than in previous months. We anticipate these developments will continue, and we’ll see more great happenings in the real estate market throughout the spring.”

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.

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