The greater Fredericksburg, Va., real estate market, including Fredericksburg City and Spotsylvania, Stafford, Culpeper and Caroline counties, experienced positive trends in July 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 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 July data, the median sale price increased in much of the Fredericksburg area compared to the year before. Fredericksburg City experienced the largest increase in median sale price at 34 percent. Caroline County saw a 19 percent increase, while Spotsylvania County saw a 17 percent jump. Culpeper County experienced a 6 percent improvement, and Stafford County saw the only decrease of 3 percent.

The number of homes sold in the Fredericksburg region varied in July compared to the same month the year before. Caroline County saw a 23 percent increase, while Fredericksburg City saw a 21 percent jump. Stafford County saw a decrease of 1 percent. Other areas experienced declines of 16 percent to 20 percent.

Homes in the Fredericksburg region are selling at a steady pace, with Spotsylvania County experiencing the shortest marketing period at 48 days on market (DOM). Culpeper County followed with a DOM of 54 days. Stafford County experienced a DOM average of 59 days. Fredericksburg City and Caroline County saw DOM averages of 79 days and 87 days, respectively. Active inventory levels rose throughout the region with increases ranging from 14 percent to 31 percent.

“Throughout this summer the real estate market has stabilized and in many regions inventory is up, meaning more homes for buyers to choose from,” said Jeffrey S. Detwiler, president and chief operating officer for The Long & Foster Companies. “Meanwhile, sellers are continuing to benefit from speedy transactions, with our data showing days on market averages of three months or fewer in nearly all parts of the Mid-Atlantic. Overall, the market is well positioned for future growth.”

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.