Reston’s real estate future is looking up for 2026

by Roxanne Watts, Reston Realtor(™)

In early 2025, Jack and Amelia arrived in Reston with their six-month-old baby and Amelia’s transfer letter from Google, one of Reston’s major employers whose workforce continues to support the local housing market. The home they fell in love with already had two serious buyers preparing offers. To compete, the couple scheduled a pre-inspection at 8 a.m. the morning they submitted their contract. Their agent wrote a clean, full-price offer with a quick closing, included an escalation clause, and attached a strong lender approval letter. By the end of the day, they had secured the property.

Stories like theirs were common across Reston last year. Buyers stepped up, and well-priced homes—particularly those in move-in condition or close to transit, shopping, trails, and amenities—sold quickly. While the average days on market rose to 37, sellers who priced strategically were often rewarded with fast contracts.

Employment will remain a pillar of the local housing market heading into 2026. Reston-based CACI International, one of the region’s largest federal contractors, recently announced a $2.6 billion cash acquisition of ARKA, supporting its expansion into national security and aerospace work and bringing an estimated 1,000 additional jobs. As these programs scale, workforce growth is expected. Even with some remote positions, the expansion reinforces Reston’s role as a corporate hub, and employers of this size tend to increase housing demand through relocations, direct hires, and the broader ripple effect of support industries.

Sales data tells a similar story. In 2025, Reston recorded 1,005 home sales: 184 detached homes, 403 townhomes, and 418 condominiums. That total sits just below 2024’s 1,023 sales, when 191 detached homes, 401 townhomes, and 432 condominiums sold, representing a year-over-year dip of about 2%. The modest decline reflects limited inventory and the impact of mortgage rates rather than a lack of buyer interest. Throughout 2025, the median sale price generally ranged from the mid-$580,000s to $625,000, with appreciation of roughly 2%. Homes typically spent 30 to 37 days on the market—longer than during the pandemic surge, but still indicative of steady, qualified demand.

Population trends also play a role. Reston’s growth has remained steady at about 1 to 2% annually, consistent with mature communities in Fairfax County. Even modest population increases place pressure on a market with constrained supply, contributing to continued price appreciation.

While Reston has long been known for its lakes and leafy neighborhoods, the rental landscape has expanded significantly near the Silver Line stations. Around Wiehle–Reston East and Reston Town Center, new apartment communities—including high-rise buildings such as Skymark, Signature, The Avant, and BLVD Reston Station—have added well over 1,000 modern rental units in recent years. These developments attract young professionals, federal contractors, and technology employees who value Metro access and can afford rents ranging from $2,200 to $3,800. Many eventually transition into homeownership once they decide to stay.

As 2026 approaches, indicators point to measured activity, stable pricing, and informed decision-making on both sides of the transaction. Inventory remains the key storyline. While supply has improved from the extreme lows of recent years, it still trails pre-pandemic norms.

Mortgage rates also will shape the year ahead. Many buyers in 2025 chose to recalibrate rather than postpone their plans. If borrowing costs ease, more homeowners may decide to sell, releasing long-awaited inventory into the market.

New construction will add to the housing supply as well. The long-planned Isaac Newton Square will deliver approximately 2,100 residences, including apartments, condominiums, and townhomes, with townhome pricing expected in the mid-$900,000s to low $1 million range. Sunset Station offers new townhomes with rooftop terraces priced between $900,000 and $1.3 million. At Wiehle Station, the JW Marriott includes 93 luxury condominiums priced from $1.4 million to $3 million. Other major developments include Reston Next, a 22-acre mixed-use district where the AC Hotel has opened, and Halley Rise, a 36-acre project next to Wegmans that is transforming former office land into a vibrant residential and commercial neighborhood.

For homeowners, the takeaway is reassuring: Reston remains desirable and resilient, supported by employment, infrastructure, and quality of life. For buyers, motivation, preparation, and flexibility continue to matter.

And for the couple who began their Reston chapter with a dawn inspection and a carefully structured offer, that contract has now become evening walks on the trails, coffee at local shops, and the comfort of belonging to a community where they are building a future they love.