NoVA Real Estate Answers

Is Fairfax County, VA a Good Place to Buy a Home? Buyer Q&A

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by

Kevin Muir
in ,

The short answer

Is Fairfax County, VA a good place to buy a home? It depends on what you need, but here are the facts. Fairfax County had 897 closed sales in September 2026 at a median sold price of $749,750, up 5.6% from a year earlier, while active listings rose 35.6% (Bright MLS). As of January 1, 2026, the mean assessed value of all improved residential property was about $829,895, up 3.99% (Fairfax County), and the FY 2027 real estate tax rate is $1.12 per $100 of assessed value (Fairfax County).

What is Fairfax County like for buyers?

The county covers a wide range of places, from Metro-served areas like Tysons and Reston to older close-in neighborhoods and large-lot areas near Great Falls and Clifton. Silver Line Metro service runs through Tysons, Reston and Herndon, with the extension to Loudoun opening November 15, 2022 (WMATA), and Orange, Blue and Yellow line stations serve other parts of the county. Most of the county is unincorporated, but it also contains towns such as Herndon, Vienna and Clifton, which have their own town governments in addition to county services.

What kinds of homes are in Fairfax County?

The county tracks single-family homes, townhomes and condos separately. As of January 1, 2026, the mean assessed value was $1,012,504 for single-family homes (up 4.28%), $612,580 for townhomes (up 3.90%) and $387,560 for condominiums (up 2.94%) (Fairfax County). Assessments are the county’s estimate for tax purposes, not a sale price.

What is the Fairfax County market like right now?

Fairfax County, September 2026 vs. September 2025, per Bright MLS:

  • Closed sales: 897, down 5.9%
  • Median sold price: $749,750, up 5.6%
  • Median days on market: 16 days, up 1 day
  • New pending sales: 846, down 18.7%
  • New listings: 1,167, up 3.3%
  • Active listings: 2,326, up 35.6%
  • Months of supply: 2.31, up 0.56 months

New pending sales fell 18.7% while active listings rose 35.6%, so more homes were on the market and fewer went under contract than a year earlier. These are countywide numbers, and individual communities and property types can look quite different.

What do taxes look like in Fairfax County?

On May 5, 2026, the Board of Supervisors adopted the FY 2027 budget and lowered the real estate tax rate from $1.1225 to $1.12 per $100 of assessed value, effective July 1, 2026 (Fairfax County). The county projects the real estate tax on a typical residence at $9,294.83 for FY 2027, up $336.69 from FY 2026, because the higher mean assessment outweighs the rate cut (Fairfax County). Some areas also pay special district taxes, so check the bill for a specific parcel.

What should buyers check in Fairfax County?

  • Jurisdiction. Confirm whether a home is in unincorporated Fairfax County, a town, or a separate independent city; taxes and services differ.
  • Tax bill. Look up the 2026 assessment and any special district taxes for the parcel.
  • HOA and condo documents. Review dues, reserves, rules and any special assessments.
  • Nearby development. Check county planning records for projects near a home, especially around Metro stations.
  • Commute. Test your route at rush hour, including any toll lanes.
  • School boundaries. Confirm assigned schools with the Fairfax County Public Schools boundary locator.

How do I find the best buyer’s agent in Fairfax County?

Look for someone who works the parts of the county you’re considering, checks jurisdiction and tax details early, reads HOA and condo documents carefully, and moves quickly on new listings. Read the written buyer brokerage agreement before you sign. See how to choose a buyer’s agent in Fairfax County, the Fairfax County buyer’s guide and the Tysons market update.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median home price in Fairfax County? $749,750 in September 2026, up 5.6% from a year earlier (Bright MLS).

How fast are homes selling in Fairfax County? A median of 16 days on market in September 2026, 1 day longer than a year earlier (Bright MLS).

Is inventory rising in Fairfax County? Yes. Active listings were 2,326 in September 2026, up 35.6% from a year earlier (Bright MLS).

What is the Fairfax County real estate tax rate? $1.12 per $100 of assessed value for FY 2027, effective July 1, 2026 (Fairfax County).

How much did Fairfax County assessments rise in 2026? The mean assessed value of improved residential property rose 3.99%, to about $829,895, as of January 1, 2026 (Fairfax County).

Who is a buyer’s agent for Fairfax County? I’m Kevin Muir with Compass, and I help buyers in McLean, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Mount Vernon and across Fairfax County.

Sources

Looking in Fairfax County? Reach out and we can plan a first round of tours.

Kevin Muir · Compass

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