The northern Virginia home sales numbers are available. "Although the number of single family homes and condos sold in January was down by almost 30% when compared to 2005, the average sales price did top the 2005 January average sales price by 10.3%. Active listings increased dramatically when comparing homes on the market in January 2005 versus January 2006, with a 392.5% increase."

"Sales prices for the first month of 2006 in Greater Northern Virginia (including Prince William, Loudoun and Fauquier Counties) also followed an upward trend as did closer-in Northern Virginia region. The average sales price was up 15.22% from the January 2005 average of $417,395 to the January 2006 sales price average of $480,931."

"Units sold were 10% below January 2005 levels with 2,298 units sold in January 2006. Active listings were up 300% when compared to the number of listings in January 2005." "The average sales price for a home in Northern Virginia in 2005 was $532,825, which represented a 20.75% growth rate above 2004. A comparison of 2005 total units sold (29,235) to the 2004 units sold (32,828), shows a decrease of 10.95 % in 2005."

But a check of the December numbers shows Januarys' price dip. "Average sales prices continued to rise through December in Northern Virginia, despite a decrease in sales and sizeable increase in inventory. The average sales price rose to $552,621, a 16% increase over December 2004's average of $476,941."