When talking to people looking for homes in Centerville, there's one question I hear the most.

"Won't home prices drop if we wait a little?"

I used to think about real estate that simply too. I thought that if interest rates go up, home prices would drop, and if there were more listings, buyers would have the advantage.

However, after living in the U.S. for a long time and experiencing the market several times, I found that it doesn't always follow that formula.

Centerville is no different.

According to data from 2025, home prices in Centerville hovered around the low $600,000s.

The average home value on Zillow was about $630,000, and Redfin's data showed that the median sale price in the fall of 2025 was around $610,000.

So, when you say a $600,000 home in Centerville, it doesn't mean you're talking about an especially expensive house.

With a mix of condos, townhouses, and single-family homes in the market, once you start looking for a decent single-family home, prices quickly jump to $700,000 or $800,000.

That said, it doesn't mean that home prices are just going to keep rising indefinitely.

What's interesting in the recent market is that the number of listings has increased compared to before.

During the COVID period, when a house came on the market, people would flock to it, putting in multiple offers, often deciding without even seeing the house properly.

Now, it's not quite like that.

Buyers have the luxury of comparing two or three homes, and there's less pressure to overbid on homes that are in poor condition.

However, it's not like sellers are suddenly slashing prices by $100,000 either.

In my view, this is a characteristic of the current Centerville market.

While buyers have a bit more time to choose, prices aren't dropping as much as one might think.

Especially when looking for single-family homes in popular communities like Little Rocky Run, the story changes compared to the overall average price in Centerville.

Many homes are priced above $800,000, and if the condition and location are good, prices go even higher.

There are reasons why Centerville continues to have demand.

When you look at home prices in McLean, Vienna, or Great Falls and then come down to Centerville, the prices suddenly feel affordable.

Of course, calling homes in the $600,000 to $800,000 range cheap is a bit silly, but for those looking to secure this amount of space while utilizing schools and living infrastructure within Fairfax County, it remains a viable option.

So, I advise not to just look at the average price when buying a home.

You should also consider whether the number of listings is increasing, how many homes in your desired price range are actually available, and what they sell for compared to their listing prices.

Ultimately, the important question isn't "Will home prices drop?" but rather whether an opportunity has arisen to buy a home at a price you can afford.

Centerville has also moved a bit away from the market where you had to throw in an offer right away.

Just having the ability to compare homes is a significant change for buyers.

However, just because there are more listings doesn't mean it's a neighborhood where everything is on sale. Good homes still command good prices.