Reston VA | Northern Virginia Buyers Agent
Find the right home, write a winning offer and close with confidence, with the #1 selling realtor in Northern Virginia by units sold since 2020 (RealTrends).
- 345+ client reviews on Google and Zillow
- FFXnow Readers’ Choice 2026 #1 for Buyers and Sellers in Fairfax
Talk to Nikki about buying
Call 703-596-5065 or text 910-382-0029. A first strategy call is free, with no obligation.
Budget first? Try the mortgage payment calculator.
Quick Answer: What Does It Take to Buy in Northern Virginia in 2026?
Short answer: a pre-approval, a written buyer agreement, and a plan for a market where the median home sells at about 99% of list price and one in four sells above it. Prices depend heavily on where and what you buy: the median sale in our largest counties ran from $579,000 in Prince William to $755,000 in Loudoun in the three months ending September 2026.
Source: Redfin housing market data, three-month medians ending September 2026, accessed October 23, 2026. Medians blend condos, townhomes and single-family homes.
What Your Budget Buys, by County and Home Type
Northern Virginia is not one market. A condo in Fairfax County had a median sale price of $350,000, while a single-family home in the same county ran $948,000. Picking the right home type and county often matters more than waiting for rates to move.
| County or city | Single-family | Townhome | Condo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County | $948,000 (+0.9%) | $628,000 (−0.6%) | $350,000 (−6.8%) |
| Loudoun County | $985,000 (+0.3%) | $681,000 (+6.5%) | $400,000 (+1.2%) |
| Arlington County | $1,297,000 (−11%) | $747,000 (+3.4%) | $385,000 (−2.7%) |
| Prince William County | $699,000 (−2.3%) | $497,000 (−0.6%) | $486,000 (+21.5%) |
| City of Alexandria | $1,247,000 (+8.5%) | $821,000 (−0.9%) | $338,000 (+3.9%) |
What stands out: townhomes are the middle path almost everywhere, often $300,000 or more below single-family homes in the same county. Condo prices vary the most, and condo financing depends on the building as much as on you, so review the association documents early.
Source: Redfin housing market data, median sale price by home type, three months ending September 2026, with change vs. a year earlier. See the full county comparison on the Northern Virginia home value page and the condos, townhomes and detached homes market update.
How Buying With Nikki Works, Step by Step
Six stages from your first call to the keys, whether this is your first home or your fifth.
Get pre-approved
Know your number before you tour. Your lender confirms your loan type and budget, and whether you fit under the conforming loan limit or need a jumbo loan.
Sign a buyer agreement
Since 2024, buyers sign a written agreement before touring. It spells out what Nikki does for you and how she is paid. Compensation is negotiable, and sellers sometimes cover some or all of it.
Search smart
New listings, coming-soon homes and off-market opportunities, filtered to the towns, home types and commute you actually want.
Tour and do the homework
Nikki looks past the staging: condition, systems, layout and resale. For condos and HOA homes, she flags the association documents and fees to review before you commit.
Write an offer that wins
Pricing from closed comparable sales, plus the terms that matter to sellers: deposit, financing, appraisal plan, contingencies and timing.
Inspect, appraise and settle
Inspection negotiations, appraisal, loan approval and the final walkthrough, with every deadline managed. Settlement usually comes about 30 to 45 days after contract, depending on your financing.
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“WINNING OFFERS IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET”
What It Costs to Buy in Northern Virginia
Plan for three buckets of cash: your down payment, your closing costs, and reserves after closing. Here are the numbers that set the rules in 2026.
| Item | 2026 figure | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Conforming loan limit | $832,750 baseline; up to $1,249,125 in high-cost areas | Loans above your county’s limit are jumbo loans, with different down payment and rate rules. Check your county on FHFA’s 2026 list. |
| Virginia recordation tax (buyer side) | $0.25 per $100 state, plus up to one-third more locally | On a $700,000 purchase: $1,750 state tax, plus up to about $583 where the locality adds its share. |
| Down payment | From $0 (VA loans, eligible buyers) or 3% (some conventional loans) | Your lender confirms what you qualify for. A larger down payment can lower your rate and monthly cost. |
| Virginia Housing grant | 2% to 2.5% of the price | A down payment grant that never has to be repaid, for eligible buyers using a Virginia Housing loan. Income limits apply. |
Once you own, see how to maximize your real estate tax benefits. If your monthly payment includes an escrow for taxes, here is when the December 2026 Fairfax County real estate tax is due.
Sources: FHFA 2026 conforming loan limits; Code of Virginia 58.1-801 and 58.1-814; Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant. Program terms change; confirm with your lender and settlement company. Not tax or legal advice.
A Buyer’s Realtor Who Knows How Sellers Think
Nikki Lagouros has been a licensed Virginia realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty since 2016, and she represents sellers every week. That is a real advantage when you are the buyer: she knows what listing realtors look for in an offer and how sellers weigh price against terms.
What that means for your purchase
- A builder’s eye on tours. Nikki’s father was a builder, so she notices condition, systems and layout issues early.
- Offers built from closed sales, not list prices or online estimates.
- Negotiation that reads people. Her LSU and UNCW degrees are in psychology and consumer psychology.
- All of Northern Virginia, from Arlington condos to Loudoun new construction.
How buyers get ahead in a fast market
What to have ready before the right home hits the market, in under a minute.
How to find off-market homes
Where homes that never hit Zillow come from, and how to hear about them first.
Buying a condo? Check these 4 documents first
What you own, how the association manages its money, and which rules could affect your daily life.
Can another unit’s problems block your condo mortgage?
Why lenders review the whole building, and what to ask before you write an offer.
Buy first or sell first?
Six minutes on timing a sale and a purchase in Northern Virginia: what your sale will actually provide, bridge loans and HELOCs, home sale contingencies and a backup plan.
Where to Buy in Northern Virginia
Compare towns on what matters to you: commute, home types, prices, association fees and amenities. Start with Nikki’s local guides.
Ready to Start Your Home Search?
Tell Nikki what you are looking for and when you would like to talk. She will reply with next steps.
Vendors Nikki recommends
- Moving: My Guys Moving. Ask for Josh, 703-297-2070, josh@myguysmoving.com.
- Homeowners insurance: Christine Angles, Allstate, 703-420-6104, christineangles@allstate.com.
Need a title company, lender or contractor? Ask Nikki for her current recommendations. You are always free to choose your own providers.
Buying a Home in Northern Virginia: FAQ
How do I start buying a home in Northern Virginia?
Start by getting pre-approved with a lender so you know your budget. Then talk with Nikki about the towns, home types and commute you want, and she will set up your search and schedule showings.
How much do I need for a down payment?
It depends on the loan. VA loans for eligible buyers can require no down payment, and some conventional loans start at 3 percent down. Your lender can confirm what you qualify for.
How much does a buyer’s realtor cost?
Buyer representation fees are negotiable and are set out in a written buyer agreement you sign before touring homes. In some sales the seller pays some or all of that fee. Nikki explains your options up front.
Can I see homes before they hit Zillow?
Yes. Some sellers sell off-market. See the exclusive off-market properties page, or text Nikki at 910-382-0029 to hear about new ones that fit your search.
How long does it take to buy a home?
Many buyers find the right home within a few weeks to a few months. Once you are under contract, closing usually takes about 30 to 45 days, depending on your financing.
What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Northern Virginia?
FHFA set the 2026 baseline limit at $832,750 for a one-unit home, with a ceiling of $1,249,125 in high-cost areas. Loans above your county’s limit are jumbo loans. Your lender, or FHFA’s county list, will confirm the exact limit for the county you are buying in.
What closing costs do buyers pay in Virginia?
Buyers typically pay lender charges, title insurance, settlement fees, prepaid taxes and insurance, and Virginia recordation tax: $0.25 per $100 of the price at the state level, plus up to one-third more where the locality adds its share. On a $700,000 home, that tax alone is $1,750 to about $2,333. Your lender’s Loan Estimate lists your exact figures.
Is there down payment help for first-time buyers in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia Housing offers a down payment assistance grant of 2% to 2.5% of the purchase price for eligible buyers using a Virginia Housing loan, and it never has to be repaid. Income limits apply. See the first-time buyer guide.
Do I need to sign a buyer agreement?
Yes. Buyers now sign a written agreement before touring homes. It sets out the services and how your realtor is paid. Compensation is negotiable, and in some sales the seller covers some or all of it.
Are Northern Virginia homes selling above asking?
Some are. In the three months ending September 2026, about one in four homes in our largest counties sold above list price, and the median home sold at about 99% of list, according to Redfin. Pricing your offer from closed comparable sales matters more than the list price.
What should I check before buying a condo?
Review the association’s budget, reserves, rules, insurance and any pending special assessments, and ask whether the building meets your lender’s requirements. Watch Nikki’s condo documents explainer.
What clients say
Verified reviews from Nikki's clients on Google and Zillow.
“I had to quickly get from TX to VA to take care of family matters and part of that was unexpectedly selling a family home. … She, Laura, and George took care of everything in a timely manner, keeping me updated on relevant changes.”
Google review, April 2026
“Nikki’s response time was exceptional. Initially, she was the only realtor that personally answered the phone; all others went to voicemail.”
Zillow review, June 2026
“She is patient, listened to my concerns, and gave me clear advice on how to proceed. She answered my text messages quickly…day or night.”
Google review, repeat client, October 2025
Ready to talk about your next move?
Call or text Nikki and her team for a straight answer on pricing, timing and next steps. No pressure and no obligation.