September 2026

Six things changing around town that nobody announced

By Sarah Orem, REALTOR®

Share: Facebook LinkedIn X Email

A note from Sarah Orem · REALTOR®

Hey there,

[Your September note goes here.]

Sarah

What’s New Around Harrisonburg · September 2026

Six things changing around town that nobody announced

I read the city’s records and drove the routes so you don’t have to.

The Explorium, 1740 E Market St. The sign is already up on the white box beside Firestone. A Staunton-registered company formed in February, bought the building in April for $3.4 million, and is promising a family entertainment venue for late 2026. What the records show

Sierra, next to TJ Maxx. The old Party City bay is under construction right now, and the landlord’s leasing plan names TJX’s outdoor brand as the tenant. No date yet. Photos and details

The old Golden Pony space downtown. An Instagram account says a 21-plus restaurant and nightlife spot called Olaika is coming to 181 N Main St this fall. I dug into the 1910 building, its owner, and the likely Blacksburg connection. Read it

Kids Castle is open again at Purcell Park after a $3 million rebuild. What changed. A Discount Tire is going up beside LongHorn on Burgess Road. Why you never heard about it. And Quarry Heights, 630 homes around the old quarry on Waterman Drive, is the first phase of a 950-home community the city approved in 2024. The concept plan

See all 48 projects under construction

Seeing something go up near you? Reply with the cross streets and I’ll look it up in the records.

Market snapshot: the streak is over

Seven months of rising sales ended in August. Here is what that does and doesn’t mean.

Home sales across Harrisonburg and Rockingham County fell 14% from last August, and contracts over the past four months are running about 16% behind last year. Even so, the area is still on pace for its best sales year in three, and the prices that matter to most owners held: detached homes are up 2% to a $399,000 median and resale homes are up 2% to $357,500. The overall median dipped 1% to $345,000 only because more townhomes sold. Homes still go under contract in about 8 days. Rates are 6.76%, roughly $75 a month more than a year ago on a typical purchase.

The takeaway: leveling off, not falling. Buyers have a little more to choose from. Sellers who price from real comps still sell in a week. Curious what your house would bring right now? Reply with your address and I’ll send a real number from real comps, no obligation. Read the full September report →

Two of our listings this month

Very different homes, both priced for this market.

$249,900

1319 Bradley Dr, Harrisonburg · 4 bed · 2 bath · 1,352 sq ft

A Camden Townes townhouse a few minutes from JMU, leased by the bedroom at $2,100 a month at full occupancy, with leases in place through July 2027 and management that conveys. Each floor has its own living area, mini kitchen, and outdoor space. If you have ever wondered what a Valley rental actually looks like on paper, this is the worked example.

Read the numbers on this one →

$749,900

901 Riverside Ave, Grottoes · 5 bed · 3 bath · about 3,336 sq ft · 1.5 acres

Fully renovated in 2024 with a beamed great room, stone fireplace, and a big granite island, on 1.5 acres with frontage on the South River. Already approved as a short-term rental in the Town of Grottoes, and no HOA.

See the full listing →

Listed by Mattias Clymer, The Valley Homes Team, Funkhouser Real Estate Group.

From the Valley Homes Blog

A few reads worth your time this month.

What a Harrisonburg Rental Actually Looks Like on Paper

The four ways a property pays you, worked through on a real four-bedroom townhouse near JMU.

A Local’s Guide to Life in the Shenandoah Valley

Downtown, the trailheads, and how neighborhood character changes as you move out from Court Square. Forward it to anyone thinking about moving here.

From Browsing to a Winning Offer

Pre-approval, reading local comps, and the offer terms that win without overpaying.

Fall is quietly one of the best windows to list in the Valley: serious buyers, less competition, and the foliage does half the photography for you. If you are weighing a move before the holidays, now is the time to talk. No pressure, no scripts. Just a conversation.

Reply to this email or call me at 540-578-1717 anytime.