2021 proved to be a great year for Lake of the Woods real estate! Year-over-year, homes sales were up, median sold price was up, days on the market were down, and average sold to original list price ratio was above 100%!

In 2018, 234 homes sold, which was an 8% decrease from 2017. The median sales price rose to $249,900. In 2019, we realized a 28.63% gain in homes over 2018, with a total of 301 selling. 2020 showed a slight gain in sales at 313, yet the median sold price increased 7.87% to $291,250, up from $270,000 in 2019. And then came the 2021 market: a whopping 14.7% increase in the number of homes sold and a median sold price increase of 15.9 percent over 2020.

Average days on the market (DOM), which is the number of days it takes from the time a property is listed until it goes under contract, has steadily declined from 93 in 2017 to 16 in 2021.

It’s also telling to note that a significant number of lots have sold in the past five years.  From January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2021, a total of 196 lots sold: 24 in 2016; 37 in 2017; 45 in 2018, 41 in 2019; 49 in 2020; and only 24 in 20201. Coincidentally, 2016 and 2021 realized the identical number of lot sales (reported in the MLS). There simply are very few lots left in LOW.

Of the MLS sales reported in 2017-2021, new construction numbers have varied. 2017 saw 20 new construction homes sales; 2018 dipped to only 11; 2019 realized 31; 2020 sales jumped to 41, while 2021 ended at 37. 

Again, there aren’t many lots left in LOW, which, of course, will impact new construction sales in the future. 

Another notable statistic is the dramatic rise in average sold price to original list price ratio. It has steadily risen from 95.5% in 2017 to 100.9% in 2021.

According to Freddie Mac and the Mortgage Bankers Association, mortgage rates are expected to rise and end 2022 in the 3.75-4% range for a 30-year fixed. Today, it is possible to obtain a 15-year fixed rate just under 3%. 

The prognosis for 2022 is excellent! In LOW, there are 15 homes active on the market as of 1/26/2022. Low rates and hopefully more inventory should propel us to experience another year of healthy sales and appreciation, although appreciation is expected to slow from what we’ve experienced the past two years.

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.