The Winchester real estate market enjoyed an increase in the number of homes sold and median sale price in October, according to The Long & Foster Market Minute reports. The greater Winchester, Va., real estate market includes Frederick, Shenandoah and Warren counties and the city of Winchester. The Long & Foster Market Minute reports are based on data provided by Metropolitan Regional Information System and its member associations of Realtors and include residential real estate transactions within specific geographic regions, not just Long & Foster sales.

The number of homes sold increased in the Winchester region in October compared to the same month in 2014. Winchester City saw a whopping 74 percent increase, followed by Shenandoah County with a 19 percent increase. Warren County experienced an 18 percent increase compared to last year and Frederick County experienced a 10 percent increase.

In October, median sale prices rose in the Winchester region, with Winchester City experiencing an increase of 61 percent and Frederick County seeing an 8 percent increase compared to the previous year. Median sale price increased by 6 percent in Shenandoah County and increased by 1 percent in Warren County.

In the Winchester region, active inventory decreased by 9 percent in Warren County and by 6 percent in Shenandoah County. Winchester City experienced a 5 percent drop in inventory, and Frederick County saw a 3 percent increase compared to the same month the previous year.

Homes in the Winchester area are continuing to sell at a steady pace according to October data. Frederick County saw the lowest days on market (DOM) average at 71 days, followed by Warren County at 73 days. Winchester City had a DOM average of 94 days and Shenandoah County experienced a DOM average of 104 days.

“Consumer confidence increased once again in October and the labor market’s performing well ”“ both of which are good news for the economy,” said Jeffrey S. Detwiler, chief operating officer of The Long & Foster Companies. “At Long & Foster, business remained steady, including in the Winchester region where we saw improvements in the number of homes sold and median sale prices. We predict to see continued stability in housing as 2015 comes to a close.”

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 you can subscribe to free updates for the reports in which you’re interested.    Information included in this report is based on data supplied by MRIS, which is not responsible for its accuracy. The reports do not reflect all activity in the marketplace. Information contained in this report is deemed reliable but not guaranteed, should be independently verified, and does not constitute an opinion of MRIS or Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.