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: How has the Arlington single-family home market performed in the first half of 2026?
Answer: Arlington’s single-family detached (SFD) market got busier and more competitive in the first half of 2026, yet prices increased at their slowest pace since 2023.
More Competition, Modest Appreciation (Resale Market)
Note: this data is for resales of single-family detached (SFD) homes; I have a separate analysis of the new construction market further down.
The average and median price increased 3.5% and 1.9%, respectively
Over the past five years, the average and median price increased 13.9% and 11.1%, respectively
The average and median price of a home increased to $1.44M and $1.299M, respectively
Demand and competition rose to the highest levels since 2022, with 66% of homes selling within the first ten days on market and 68% of homes selling at or above the original asking price
The average buyer paid 1.3% more than the original asking price, compared to 2025 when the average buyer paid 0.3% less than the original asking price
Buyers of homes that went under contract within the first week on market paid an average of 4.7% over the asking price
Dig Deeper: Performance Varied by Size, Price Point
The appreciation gap between the average price (3.5%) and median price (1.9%) matters. The average is more sensitive to expensive sales. In 2026, 15.7% of closed resales sold for $2M or more, up from 12.7% in 2025. At the other end of the market, only 21.7% sold below $1M, down from 24.4%. That shift toward higher-priced homes helped lift the average faster than the median.
Average and median prices are useful, but neither tells us whether gains were shared evenly across the market. To test that, I divided the closed resale market into four sold-price quartiles for each year. Each quartile represents one-fourth of that year’s sales, from the least expensive 25% to the most expensive 25%. (more…)
Snow on a sidewalk in East Falls Church on Tuesday, Jan. 14 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
Arlington County still hasn’t issued any citations for slippery sidewalks following last week’s snowstorm, despite widespread complaints and lingering ice.
Limited staff and logistical challenges have limited the county’s efforts to answer more than 600 resident complaints after the snowfall, Rachel LaPiana, a spokesperson for the Dept. of Community Planning, Housing and Development, told ARLnow.
Bicyclist along N. Ohio Street (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)
Some pedestrian and bicycle advocates are urging Arlington leaders to swing for the fences when crafting the county’s new Transportation Master Plan.
“We need to be transformative,” said Cynthia Palmer, chair of the county’s Bicycle Advisory Committee, which met on Jan. 6 and discussed priorities members believe should be in the transportation plan.
A meal at Mussel Bar & Grille (via Mussel Bar & Grill/Facebook)
Over a dozen restaurants in Arlington and Falls Church are slated to participate in Winter Restaurant Week, which returns Monday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Feb. 2.
Hosted biannually by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, participating businesses across the D.C. area will offer multi-course, prix-fixe menus, inviting diners to return to their favorite spots — or to try something new.
Half Moon Empanadas at DCA (via Reagan National Airport/Facebook)
A handful of new restaurants have landed at Reagan National Airport in recent months.
From fast-casual Mediterranean bowls to grab-and-go snacks curated by chef José Andrés, here are some of the new bites you’ll find past security in 2025.
TAPS contingent in 2017 inaugural parade (via Department of Defense News)
The parade at next week’s presidential inauguration is scheduled to feature a nonprofit based in Clarendon.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, known as TAPS, was selected to participate in the parade to be held down Pennsylvania Avenue next Monday, Jan. 20. The organization works to support families of fallen service members.
2025 County Board (screenshot via Arlington County)
A proposal to remove a regulatory step for larger at-home daycare centers is scheduled to go before Arlington officials this month.
On the schedule for Planning Commission discussion this week and County Board action on Saturday, Jan. 25, a proposed zoning change would increase the number of children allowed at “family day care homes” before operators need to obtain a use permit.
“Snowmen on 15th Street” (courtesy Clarita Mrena )
Endangered Missing Person — “ACPD is seeking the public’s assistance locating 76 y/o Heather… last seen in the 2400 block of S. Queen St. She is considered critically missing due to mental &/or physical health concerns.” [Facebook]
Odd Crash on Camera — From Dave Statter: “There’s a lot going on here. A blue and a white SUV were driving side-by-side on the I-395N express lanes by the Pentagon. The white SUV then drove through the gates and went northbound in the southbound lanes. The blue SUV -on the correct side of the Jersey barrier – stopped in the left lane. Was he warning the other driver they were on the wrong side? Don’t know.” [Twitter]
Architect Profiled for DCA Work — “Erica Donnelly can breeze through security at Reagan National Airport … Donnelly is an architect with design firm PGAL, which has a branch in Alexandria, Virginia. The branch has a focus on aviation architecture, and for more than 35 years, has been part of many design projects at Reagan National and Dulles International airports. She’s most proud of the work she did at Reagan National’s new North Concourse, which opened in 2021.” [WTOP]
Nominees Sought for Wakefield HOF — Nominations are being accepted through Saturday, Feb. 1 for the Wakefield High School Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. The Hall of Fame recognizes alumni and staff who have made significant contributions to society and who have brought recognition to the school. Nomination forms can be found online. –Scott McCaffrey
List of Local News Outlets — As a public service, we have compiled a list of D.C. area local news publications. Did we forget any? Contact us or let us know in the comments. [ARLnow]
It’s Tuesday — Scattered flurries are expected after 4pm, accompanied by increasing clouds and a high near 32. Winds will be from the northwest at 9 to 11 mph, gusting up to 23 mph. For Tuesday night, expect scattered flurries to stop before 9pm, leading to partly cloudy skies and a low around 19. Northwest winds will be stronger, at 13 to 16 mph, and may gust as high as 30 mph. [NWS]