The greater Fredericksburg, Va., real estate market, including Fredericksburg City and Spotsylvania, Stafford, Culpeper and Caroline counties, experienced positive trends in March compared to the same month in 2013, according to The Long & Foster Market Minute reports. Median sale price increased in all areas of the region, and homes are continuing to sell quickly.

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 March data, the median sale price increased throughout the Fredericksburg area compared to the year before. Fredericksburg City experienced the largest increase in median sale price at 59 percent. Culpeper County saw a 16 percent increase, while Spotsylvania County saw a 14 percent increase. Caroline County experienced a 6 percent increase in median sale price, and Stafford County experienced a 4 percent increase.

The number of homes sold in the Fredericksburg region varied compared to the same month last year. Caroline County saw a 25 percent increase in the number of units sold, while Fredericksburg City saw a 19 percent increase and Stafford County saw a 6 percent increase. Spotsylvania County saw a 1 percent decrease in the number of units sold, and Culpeper County saw a 35 percent decrease.

Active inventory levels increased throughout the region, though the days on market (DOM) average remained low. Homes are selling in two to three months on average in the area, with Caroline County experiencing the lowest DOM of 61 days. Stafford County saw a DOM of 64 days, while Spotsylvania County saw a DOM of 68 days. Other areas experienced DOM averages of 74 to 87 days.

“Though the housing market got a slow start this year after a harsh winter, we’re beginning to see some positive trends happening in the real estate market, including in the Fredericksburg region,” said Jeffrey S. Detwiler, president and chief operating officer for The Long & Foster Companies. “In many places, we’re seeing homes selling quickly and increasing in median sale price. Now that the temperatures are heating up, we expect to see many continued improvements in the market.”

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.