Discover Rappahannock County

Rappahannock is more than a physical destination.  It’s a state of mind.  One of Virginia’s smallest counties, both in geography and population, Rappahannock is the jewel in the northern Piedmont.   Defiantly rural, Rappahannock County is often defined by what it isn’t.  It’s not suburbia.  It’s not sprawl.  It’s not like its neighbors.

As a place apart, Rappahannock has not a single traffic light.  The entire county is committed to restricting development, dark night skies, and preserving a countryside that has changed little from the 18th century.    Expansive farms and larger landholdings dominate the landscape, interspersed with smaller farms and cottages.  The five villages in the County each have their own distinctive personalities and are the thriving hubs of tourism and agriculture – the twin engines of the local economy.

Nestled in this pastoral landscape, you will find world-class cuisine in the form of 3 star Michelin restaurants, cozy pubs, charming cafes, and craft breweries and cideries.  You’ll also find excellent wineries, interesting little shops, and outstanding theater.  While only 60 miles from Washington, DC, this Blue Ridge mountain paradise is a world away from the stresses and strains of urban life.

Rappahannock Real Estate Market Values

Real estate values in Rappahannock County are steadily diverging from neighboring jurisdictions.  In general, prices are about to rise due to increased demand and shrinking inventory.  Historically, Rappahannock County has maintained a real estate market inventory of approximately 140 to 150 properties on the market at any one time.  Since 2017, however, the average inventory has been shrinking, despite a steady stream of new properties coming on to the market.  This indicates that demand for Rappahannock County properties has risen at a rate faster than the market can supply such properties.  Currently, in the fall of 2023, the average number of Rappahannock County properties on the market is 24 to 30, indicating that we are about 78% below ‘normal’ inventory.  While this trend has led to only a slight increase in prices, should it continue into the first quarter of 2024,  we will begin to see significant and perhaps dramatic price rises.

In contrast, the real estate market for land parcels in Rappahannock County remains relatively static and land parcels can be had at a relative bargain.

Overall, the market indicators demonstrate that now is the time to invest in a Rappahannock County property in order to build equity ahead of the rising prices in 2020.

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