https://amnovahomes.com/ Home prices, market updates and weekly news for Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington, from Bright MLS data, by Ahmed Makkiyah, REALTOR, Douglas Realty of Virginia. en-us © 2026 Ahmed Makkiyah Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://amnovahomes.com/app-icons/icon-192.png https://amnovahomes.com/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/whats-up-nova/2026-10-22/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/whats-up-nova/2026-10-22/ Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 What's Up, NoVA? Good news, the weekend and the weather across Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington, with your town's forecast and what to wear. No politics, no crime. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/ask-ahmed/how-to-keep-your-mortgage-from-getting-delayed/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/ask-ahmed/how-to-keep-your-mortgage-from-getting-delayed/ Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Ask Ahmed How to keep your mortgage on time from offer to keys: no new credit or job changes, a paper trail for big deposits and gift money, and the 3-day closing rule. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/ask-ahmed/why-dont-home-prices-come-down/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/ask-ahmed/why-dont-home-prices-come-down/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Ask Ahmed Buyers can't afford them, so why don't Northern Virginia home prices fall? Ahmed's answer, with 2019 to 2026 sales data and what research shows. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/ask-ahmed/how-much-does-a-1-percent-rate-change-cost-per-month/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/ask-ahmed/how-much-does-a-1-percent-rate-change-cost-per-month/ Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Ask Ahmed On the median Northern Virginia house, 1 point on a 30-year fixed rate is about $500 a month. See it for every county, or move the calculator. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/luxury-northern-virginia/million-dollar-homes/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/luxury-northern-virginia/million-dollar-homes/ Sun, 18 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide 4,164 Northern Virginia houses and townhouses sold for $1M to $2M from January 1 to October 2, 2026: median price, days and over-asking share by community. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/luxury-northern-virginia/2-million-dollar-homes/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/luxury-northern-virginia/2-million-dollar-homes/ Sun, 18 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide 824 Northern Virginia houses and townhouses sold for $2M and up from January 1 to October 2, 2026: median price, days and over-asking share by community. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/living-near-a-data-center-loudoun-county/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/living-near-a-data-center-loudoun-county/ Sun, 18 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide Is there a data center near this house? Loudoun's map of 233 data center buildings, the 55-decibel noise limit, new power lines and how to check any address. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/ask-ahmed/why-are-mortgage-rates-going-up/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/ask-ahmed/why-are-mortgage-rates-going-up/ Sun, 18 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Ask Ahmed Why are mortgage rates going up, even after the Fed cuts? A simple answer with a moving diagram: inflation, bond prices and the 10-year Treasury yield. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/ask-ahmed/should-i-wait-for-rates-to-drop-before-buying/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/ask-ahmed/should-i-wait-for-rates-to-drop-before-buying/ Sat, 17 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Ask Ahmed Buy a house now or wait for mortgage rates to drop? A Northern Virginia REALTOR® answers, with a calculator and what NoVA prices did when rates jumped. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/ask-ahmed/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/ask-ahmed/ Sat, 17 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Ask Ahmed A weekly column: Ahmed Makkiyah answers one real Northern Virginia buyer or seller question, like whether to wait for rates to drop. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-traffic-commute-guide/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-traffic-commute-guide/ Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide The worst hour is 5 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, when a 30-minute drive takes about 52 (TomTom 2025). Live Waze map, Express Lanes tolls, 10 worst choke points. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-road-projects/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-road-projects/ Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide 25 Northern Virginia road and rail projects with each agency's opening date, by county, and what changes for commuters. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-in-person-jobs/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-in-person-jobs/ Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide The 10 biggest jobs in Northern Virginia that can't be done from home, counted from May 2025 job data, plus reporters, the military, nurses and engineers. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/where-to-live-near-inova-fairfax-hospital/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/where-to-live-near-inova-fairfax-hospital/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide The closest towns to Inova Fairfax Hospital by drive time, the Metro and bus, doctor loans in plain words and 2026 median home prices. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/where-to-live-near-tysons/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/where-to-live-near-tysons/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide The closest towns to Tysons by drive time, how to get there by train or bus, and each town's 2026 median home price, on a drive-time map. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/where-to-live-near-the-pentagon/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/where-to-live-near-the-pentagon/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide The closest towns to the Pentagon by drive time, how to get there by train or bus, and each town's 2026 median home price, on a drive-time map. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/where-to-live-near-reston/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/where-to-live-near-reston/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide The closest towns to Reston Town Center by drive time, how to get there by train or bus, and each town's 2026 median home price, on a drive-time map. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/where-to-live-near-quantico/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/where-to-live-near-quantico/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide The closest towns to Quantico by drive time, how to get there by train or bus, and each town's 2026 median home price, on a drive-time map. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/where-to-live-near-fort-belvoir/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/where-to-live-near-fort-belvoir/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide The closest towns to Fort Belvoir by drive time, how to get there by train or bus, and each town's 2026 median home price, on a drive-time map. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/where-to-live-near-amazon-hq2/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/where-to-live-near-amazon-hq2/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide The closest towns to Amazon HQ2 by drive time, how to get there by train or bus, and each town's 2026 median home price, on a drive-time map. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/whats-up-nova/2026-10-15/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/whats-up-nova/2026-10-15/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 What's Up, NoVA? The Great Falls Studio Tour, Centreville Day, an Oktoberfest market at Fairfax Corner, harvest days at Mount Vernon and the Marine Corps Marathon, plus weather. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/largest-employers-northern-virginia/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/largest-employers-northern-virginia/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide Ranked with sources: Quantico (28,385), Inova (26,000) and Fairfax schools (25,626) lead the top 30 after the federal government. Plus 15 Fortune 500 HQs. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/luxury-northern-virginia/horse-country/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/luxury-northern-virginia/horse-country/ Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide Middleburg's steeplechase, Morven Park's eventing, foxhunting and polo, the 2027 dates, and how many acres each county requires to keep a horse at home. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/kitchen-remodel-cost-northern-virginia/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/kitchen-remodel-cost-northern-virginia/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide The Cost vs. Value report puts a midrange minor kitchen remodel in the DC metro at $27,308. Budgets from $25,000 to $150,000 and up, and a 2027 cabinet tariff. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/prince-william-county-property-tax/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/prince-william-county-property-tax/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide Prince William's 2026 tax halves are due July 15 and Dec 7. Rate: $0.865 per $100, or $0.937 with fire and pest levies, plus $151.28 in yearly fees on a house. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/luxury-northern-virginia/wine/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/luxury-northern-virginia/wine/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide Loudoun has 50-plus tasting rooms. Paradise Springs in Clifton won 2026 Governor's Cup Best in Show. How to visit, and the farm winery law if you buy nearby. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/loudoun-county-property-tax/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/loudoun-county-property-tax/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide Loudoun's 2026 real estate tax halves are due June 5 and Dec 7. The rate is $0.805 per $100, unchanged: $8,050 a year on a $1 million home, plus town rates. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/luxury-northern-virginia/estate-towns/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/luxury-northern-virginia/estate-towns/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide In the past year, McLean led $2 million-plus sales at a median of $2,999,995. Plus the acreage towns, lot minimums, land-use taxes, well and septic rules. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/arlington-county-property-tax/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/arlington-county-property-tax/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide Arlington's 2026 tax rate is $1.053 per $100: about $9,297 on the average home ($882,900), plus $268 stormwater for a typical house. Due June 15, Oct 5. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/fairfax-county-property-tax/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/fairfax-county-property-tax/ Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide Fairfax County 2026 real estate tax is due July 28 and Monday, Dec 7 (Dec 5 is a Saturday). Rate $1.12 per $100; about $11,679 on the average detached house. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-home-prices-since-2020/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-home-prices-since-2020/ Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Market update Median Northern Virginia house: $950,000, January to September 2026, up 41% since 2020 (Bright MLS). County by county, and why prices are not falling. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/whats-up-nova/2026-10-10/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/whats-up-nova/2026-10-10/ Sat, 10 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 What's Up, NoVA? The City of Fairfax Fall Festival turns 50, plus Clifton Day, Old Town Oyster Week, the Loudoun Fall Farm Tour, your town's weather and what to wear. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/most-expensive-homes-northern-virginia/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/most-expensive-homes-northern-virginia/ Sat, 10 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Market update Most expensive house sold in Northern Virginia, January 1 to October 2, 2026: $13,500,000 in McLean. Townhouse: $4,275,000, City of Alexandria (to October 3). https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/cheapest-homes-northern-virginia/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/cheapest-homes-northern-virginia/ Sat, 10 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Market update Cheapest house sold in 46 Northern Virginia towns, January 1 to October 2, 2026: $200,000 in Triangle. Cheapest townhouse: $150,000 in Springfield. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-housing-market/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-housing-market/ Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Market update NoVA Index, September 2026: houses and townhouses sold for a median $785,000, flat on a year; $396 median per sq ft, up 1.8%; 29% of homes sold over asking. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/best-time-to-buy-or-sell-a-house-northern-virginia/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/best-time-to-buy-or-sell-a-house-northern-virginia/ Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Market update List in February or March: 70,875 Bright MLS listings (2023 to 2025) show summer did worse. Buyers get the most room on homes listed August to October. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/best-steakhouses-northern-virginia/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/best-steakhouses-northern-virginia/ Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide Seoul Prime in the City of Falls Church tops 12 Northern Virginia steakhouses ranked by the beef, from Tysons to Ashburn, plus halal options and a cut guide. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-property-taxes-vs-other-states/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-property-taxes-vs-other-states/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Market update Yearly property tax on a $1.2M house: $13,842 in Fairfax County (2026) vs. $20,817 to $29,422 in seven N.J. towns (2025 rates). NoVA vs. 35 other places. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/selling-a-house-in-northern-virginia/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/selling-a-house-in-northern-virginia/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide The cost to sell a house in Northern Virginia: a state grantor tax and two regional fees, 0.3% of the price, plus settlement charges. Then price and prepare. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-weather-and-seasons/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-weather-and-seasons/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide July highs about 88°F at Dulles, January lows near 25°F, about 21 inches of snow a year in the west vs 14 close in, and when cherry blossoms and leaves peak. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-big-projects/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/northern-virginia-big-projects/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide What is open, rising, paused or cancelled: HQ2 phase two paused, two Inova hospitals in Alexandria and Springfield, Prince William's Digital Gateway cancelled. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/luxury-northern-virginia/golf/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/luxury-northern-virginia/golf/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide Four Golf Digest-ranked private clubs, led by Robert Trent Jones in Gainesville, six courses with public tee times including Lansdowne, and course communities. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/luxury-northern-virginia/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/luxury-northern-virginia/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Guide Estate country from Great Falls to Middleburg, four Golf Digest-ranked private clubs, hunt country and private terminals at Dulles, Leesburg and Manassas. https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/will-northern-virginia-home-prices-crash/ https://amnovahomes.com/nova-guide/will-northern-virginia-home-prices-crash/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Market update No sign of a 2008-style crash: 96.9% of Virginia mortgages are fixed and only 0.2% (Fairfax) to 0.7% (Prince William) were 90+ days late in September 2025.