📈 The Market is Shifting — Here’s How to Stay Ahead as a Buyer

The housing market is seeing some changes — with more homes hitting the market and increased competition from buyers, it’s more important than ever to be prepared.

Whether you’re actively searching or just starting to think about your next move, this quick guide will help you stay focused and make smart decisions every step of the way.

In Arlington and across Northern Virginia, we’re seeing a notable increase in inventory — giving buyers more options than they’ve had in recent years. At the same time, demand remains strong, with well-qualified buyers entering the market and creating competitive conditions, especially for move-in ready and well-priced homes. The top barrier for home buyers remains affordability concerns when considering both higher home prices & elevated interest rates. However, in June of 2025, prices rose by 1.6% compared to a year ago, which is the smallest year-over year gain in two years showing that an increase in housing inventory is starting to have an impact on home prices in the Northern VA region. With elevated mortgage rates, high home prices, and economic uncertainty, buyers are starting to have more negotiating power in the market.

If you're planning to buy this year, being well-prepared isn't just helpful — it's essential. With more homes hitting the market and more buyers actively competing – having a clear plan, solid financial prep, and an experienced local agent on your side can make the difference between winning your dream home or missing out. From understanding pricing trends to crafting strong offers, expert guidance will give you the edge in today’s fast-moving market.

When you hire a seasoned realtor with 20+ years of experience, you don’t have to do the hard part alone — leave the market knowledge, timing, and negotiation strategy to us. You can focus on the key steps in this quick guide and feel confident knowing you’re backed by a team who’s seen every kind of market and knows how to win.

Whether you’re actively searching or just starting to think about your next move, this quick guide will help you stay focused and make smart decisions every step of the way. Then, when you’re ready to make the move — we’ll be here to guide you home.

✅ Your Homebuying Checklist

1. Do Your Financial Homework

Before you start touring homes, it’s important to understand your full financial picture. Review your monthly income, expenses, credit score, savings, and any outstanding debt.

• Clean up your credit report by disputing errors and paying down balances — a higher credit score can improve your loan terms.

• Start setting aside funds for your down payment, closing costs, and a post-move-in emergency cushion.

• Reduce or eliminate non-essential spending and pause large purchases or new lines of credit until after you’ve closed on a home.

This foundational work will make the rest of your journey much smoother — and help you feel confident about what you can afford.

2. Connect With a Lender

Talking to a lender early helps you understand what you can realistically borrow and what types of financing are available to you.

• Get preapproved — not just prequalified — so you can make strong offers with confidence.

• Ask about loan programs, including VA, FHA, and conventional options, as well as any first-time buyer grants or down payment assistance available in Virginia.

Your lender can also help you calculate a comfortable monthly payment range, factoring in taxes, insurance, and current interest rates. Having a trusted lender in your corner gives you a competitive edge in a busy market — and helps avoid surprises later.

3. Let’s Chat!

Once your financials are in order, it’s time to talk strategy. As a local expert with over 20 years of experience in the Northern Virginia market, I bring insights you won’t find online. We’ll discuss your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves, your timeline, and your ideal locations. I’ll set you up with a personalized MLS search so you see new listings the moment they hit the market — often before they appear on public sites. I’ll also share market trends, neighborhood insights, and off-market opportunities that align with your goals.

Together, we’ll build a game plan that sets you up for success — with less stress and better results.