Stafford County Market Report: October 2026

by Ron Chronister

Quick answer: Stafford County's median sale price was $548,250 in October 2026, up 4.4% from October 2025, on 152 closed sales (Bright MLS via FAAR). Active listings rose 24.3% to 552, supply reached 3.4 months, and median days on market was 27. New purchase contracts fell 26.7% from a year earlier.

A modern grey house with a green lawn and trees

These figures come from the Bright MLS Market Trends Report for Stafford County, October 2026, covering all home types and published through the Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS (Bright MLS via FAAR). FAAR posted the October reports on its market statistics page. One month is a snapshot. The year-to-date column is the steadier read, especially when you compare a townhome near Route 610 in Garrisonville with a home off Courthouse Road or in Falmouth.

Stafford County October 2026 at a glance

Measure	This October	Last October	Change
Closed sales	152	145	4.8% (Bright MLS)
New purchase contracts	121	165	26.7% lower (Bright MLS)
Median sale price	$548,250	$525,000	4.4% (Bright MLS)
Median days on market	27	18	9 days (Bright MLS)
New listings	228	232	1.7% lower (Bright MLS)
Active listings	552	444	24.3% (Bright MLS)
Months of supply	3.4	2.8	0.5 months (Bright MLS)
Showings	1,785	2,299	compared YoY (Bright MLS)

Prices turned up after a soft stretch

The median sale price increased in October 2026 to $548,250, which the report calls the first increase in the median price in 3 months (Bright MLS via FAAR). That was 4.4% above the October 2025 median of $525,000. The same report lists a 6.5% change versus September 2026. A one-month move can reflect which homes closed, not a sudden shift in every neighborhood along I-95, Route 1 or Route 17.

Year to date, Stafford's median sale price was $550,000, up 0.5% from $547,000 a year earlier, on 1,693 closed sales, up 5.9% from 1,599 (Bright MLS via FAAR). For a tighter read on your own home, start with the sales closest to you, not the county median alone. My September Stafford market report covers the prior month in the same series.

Inventory is still building

Buyers had more to look at. Active listings finished October at 552, up 24.3% from 444 a year earlier (Bright MLS via FAAR). Months of supply rose to 3.4, from 2.8 in October 2025, a gain the report lists as 0.5 months. The report also lists a 5.3% change in active listings versus September 2026 and a 0.2-month change in supply.

New listings were 228 for the month, 1.7% below the 232 added in October 2025 (Bright MLS via FAAR). Year to date, new listings totaled 2,688, up 10.9% from 2,424. So the yearly flow of new inventory is still higher, even though October itself ran a little behind last October.

Contracts slowed, even as closings held up

Closed sales were 152 in October, up 4.8% from 145 a year earlier (Bright MLS via FAAR). New purchase contracts told a different story: 121 in October, 26.7% lower than the 165 recorded in October 2025. Year to date, contracts were still ahead, at 2,000 versus 1,879, a 6.4% gain.

Showings were 1,785 in October, compared with 2,299 in October 2025 (Bright MLS via FAAR). Year-to-date showings were 25,970, up 7.2% from 24,219. Median days on market was 27, nine days longer than the 18 days in October 2025, and the report lists a 4-day change versus September 2026. Homes sold at an average of 97.0% of original list price, compared with 97.7% a year earlier.

How Stafford compares with nearby markets

These October 2026 figures are from the same Bright MLS series, all home types, published through FAAR (FAAR market statistics). Smaller markets can swing on a short list of closings, so treat one month as context, not a verdict.

Market	Median sale price	Months of supply	Median days on market
Stafford	$548,250	3.4	27 (Bright MLS)
King George	$532,300	5.1	35 (Bright MLS)
Spotsylvania	$460,000	3.3	28 (Bright MLS)
Fredericksburg City	$415,000	3.2	27 (Bright MLS)
Caroline	$374,900	4.2	33 (Bright MLS)

Bright's public research hub is at Bright MLS Research.

What this means if you're selling in Stafford

Price to the inventory in front of you. With 552 active listings and 3.4 months of supply (Bright MLS via FAAR), buyers can compare. An asking price built on last spring can add days on market.
The first week still matters. Strong photos and a complete listing help when showings are thinner than last fall. My room-by-room photo checklist for Stafford homes walks through the prep.
Know your micro-market. A home near Aquia or Embrey Mill, along Brooke or the VRE side of the county, or out toward the Rappahannock can land on a different number than the county median.

Want a number for your home? Start with a free home evaluation, or see how I market and sell homes.

What this means if you're buying in Stafford

You have more listings to work with than last October. Ask how long a home has been listed and what it originally asked. My guide to writing a competitive offer in Stafford covers the terms that still matter when more than one offer is possible.
Closings held up even as new contracts slowed. A home that comes on now is competing in a deeper inventory than a year ago, which can leave room to discuss price, repairs or timing (Bright MLS via FAAR).
Compare across the county. From Garrisonville and Courthouse Road to Falmouth, browse my Stafford area page.

FAQ

What was the median home price in Stafford County in October 2026?

The median sale price in Stafford County was $548,250 in October 2026, up 4.4% from $525,000 in October 2025, according to Bright MLS data published by FAAR (Bright MLS via FAAR).

How many homes are for sale in Stafford County?

Bright MLS counted 552 active listings in Stafford County at the end of October 2026, up 24.3% from 444 a year earlier. Months of supply was 3.4 (Bright MLS via FAAR).

How long are homes taking to sell in Stafford County?

Median days on market was 27 days in October 2026, nine days longer than the 18 days in October 2025 (Bright MLS via FAAR).

Did buyers stay as active as last fall?

No. New purchase contracts fell to 121 in October 2026, 26.7% lower than the 165 recorded in October 2025, even though year-to-date contracts were still up 6.4% (Bright MLS via FAAR).