County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti (screenshot via Arlington County)
Arlington homeowners will pay an average 5.2% more in real-estate taxes this year, under the county government’s $1.69 billion fiscal year 2027 budget adopted yesterday (Wednesday).
The total budget amount is nearly identical to the fiscal year 2026 spending plan now in place, marking a rare year without some degree of overall increase. But because of ongoing declines in values of commercial properties, more of the tax burden is shifting to homeowners.
One of the Virginia Village quadplex apartment buildings owned by Falls Church (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
Falls Church leaders are considering a $175,000 contract with a consultant to help with an affordable housing project at Virginia Village.
That firm, whose name has not officially been announced, would develop a request for proposals sent out to housing providers that might be interested in partnering with the city on the project. The funding would also support evaluation of the proposals.
This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at[email protected].
Question: Can you highlight the key market trends you’re seeing in the housing market?
Answer: Today we’ll look at three charts that describe what I’m currently seeing in the DC Metro, Northern VA, and Arlington housing market.
Showing Volume Down Significantly in the DC Metro
Weekly showing volume in the DC Metro has been running at its lowest rate in 5+ years since the beginning of September. Last week, showings were down 16% year-over-year (YoY).
Most Detached Homes Available in Seven Years in Northern VA
There haven’t been this many single-family detached homes available for sale in Northern VA since October 2019. The number of detached homes for sale in Q3 increased by 38% YoY in 2025 and another 17% in 2026.
That said, detached inventory levels are still well below pre-pandemic levels.
Months of Supply at Ten-Year High for Arlington Condos
The Arlington condo market has the highest Months of Supply (a measure of supply and demand) readings and lowest absorption readings in over ten years. Expect these trends to continue at least through the end of the year, with MoS going higher and Absorption dropping further.
If you’d like to discuss buying, selling, investing, or renting, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].
We have access to the most pre and off-market listings across the DMV of any brokerage and are happy to share what’s available with anyone who asks.
Below are some of our team’s pre/off-market listings, details and additional listings available by request:
Arlington VA (Barcroft) – 4BR/2BA/2,500 sqft – Detached Single Family – 4th St S Arlington VA 22204
Arlington VA (Chain Bridge Forest) – 6BR/6.5BA/7,000 sqft – Detached Single Family (2027) – River St Arlington VA 22207
Fairfax VA – 6BR/6.2BA/7,000 sqft – Detached Single Family (2027) – Taylor Dr Fairfax VA 22032
Mclean VA – 5BR/4.5BA/3,700 sqft – Detached Single Family (2023) – Randolph Rd Mclean VA 22101
Annandale VA – 4BR/3.5BA/2,000 sqft – Townhouse – Aspen Hill Ct Annandale VA 22003
Eli and his team believe that your real estate needs should be managed by advisors, not salespeople. Their mission is to guide, educate, and advocate for their clients through real advice, hands-on support, and personalized service.
Guerrilla street art in Courthouse (courtesy George Brazier)
Drug Take-Back Saturday — “The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Spring National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will take place on Saturday, April 25. The Arlington County Police Department encourages community members to include their medicine cabinets in their spring-cleaning routine by safely disposing of unused or expired medications.” [Arlington County]
Coverage of Women’s Sports Bar — Under new ownership, Westover Taco has relaunched as the D.C. area’s first sports bar dedicated to women’s sports. “We’ll show men’s games if somebody wants to watch it, but we’ll prioritize women’s. When you’re hearing sports in the bar, it’s going to be women’s games,” owner Sarah White said. [Washington Post, Washingtonian]
Rosslyn Spring Market Returns — The Rosslyn Spring Market will return to the NOW Pop-Up Park (1401 Wilson Blvd) on Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free outdoor event features local makers, live music from singer Jessica Allossery, a Turning the Page used book sale and a typewriter poet composing custom poems on-site. [Patch]
Kennedy Center Two-Year Closure — The Kennedy Center will close in July for a two-year renovation supported by nearly $257 million from Congress to fund repairs. New executive director Matt Floca said he recommended a single closure rather than piecemeal work: “You close the building and you do everything over a definite period of time, two years.” [NBC 4]
Va. Gets Paid Family Leave — “Virginia is now the first state in the South to create a paid family and medical leave program,” Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) said. The portable insurance program — funded by both workers and employers — allows Virginians to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for themselves or a family member, including parental leave. [Press Release]
Maternal Health Bills Signed — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed several maternal health bills yesterday — including expanded insurance coverage for mental health screenings — as the latest installment of Virginia’s “Momnibus” package. The signing came just ahead of an annual Virginia March for Life rally around Capitol Square, where more than 1,000 people gathered to support anti-abortion legislation. [Virginia Mercury]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 82, with a northwest wind of 3–7 mph. Skies become partly cloudy overnight with a low around 58. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Please join us for an Open House at St. Charles Preschool on November 13th at 9:30 am to learn more about our Christ-centered, nurturing preschool community! Applications for the 2027-28 school year will be opening that day on our school website.
Expect sunny weather with a high around 81°F and a northwest wind blowing at 3 to 7 mph. By Thursday night, conditions will turn partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 58°F, accompanied by a light northwest wind. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Think big and don’t listen to people who tell you it can’t be done. Life’s too short to think small.” – Tim Ferriss
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.
Although vaccines stand as one of modern medicine’s greatest achievements, preventable illnesses are resurfacing as declining immunization rates intersect with political polarization and media misinformation. In the 2026 Dolan Lecture, distinguished infectious disease specialist and global health strategist Dr. Bruce Gellin examines the history, current trends, and complex policy dynamics surrounding US and global vaccine programs. While science provides the empirical foundation, public trust and political forces ultimately determine whether life-saving tools reach the population—proving that vaccines do not save lives until vaccination actually occurs. Designed specifically for medical professionals, this presentation offers essential insights into navigating today's fragmented media landscape, overcoming vaccine skepticism, and translating evidence into effective public health practice.
Reception immediate following in the hospital atrium. No charge for the public.
A rendering of the "Grow Together" concept at Drew Park in Green Valley (via Arlington County)
Three possible design options for an expanded Drew Park ask respondents to prioritize between nature areas, gathering spaces and places to play and keep active.
Residents in and around Green Valley have until May 10 to submit feedback on draft concept designs for the park at 2310 S. Kenmore Street, next to Drew Elementary School. The online form asks for residents’ thoughts on each of the options — “Grow Together,” “Gather Together” and “Play Together” — along with a possible restroom facility.
Historic photo of Nam-Viet's storefront (courtesy of Richard Nguyen)
A family-owned Vietnamese restaurant and the last remaining business from Clarendon’s Little Saigon community is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
Tucked in a storefront near the corner of Wilson Blvd and N. Hudson Street, Nam-Viet Restaurant — started in July 1986 by the late Nguyen Van Thoi and his widow, Ngoc Anh Tran — carries on the legacy of what was once a hub of Vietnamese immigrant-owned businesses that opened in the neighborhood following the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Disability Pride Month 2025 proclamation ceremony (courtesy Arlington County)
Members of Arlington’s Disability Advisory Commission argue that they could do more good by being an integral part of creating properties, not just reviewing them.
“We feel a frustration dealing with the county’s current planning process,” said Commissioner Bryant Atkins.
A voter fills out a ballot at a polling place on April 21, 2026 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
Arlington stands to be divided into two congressional districts following last night’s statewide referendum, which narrowly passed with overwhelming support from local voters.
The “yes” vote rolled up about 80% of the vote in Arlington, based on preliminary vote totals released last night by the Virginia Department of Elections. This helped the measure squeak by statewide with about 51.5% of the vote — a majority of about 90,000 votes out of more than 3 million cast, according to preliminary figures.