The housing market in Virginia, including the Richmond area, has steadily improved this year and prices are stabilizing in some areas—but not yet here, the Virginia Association of Realtors reported yesterday. Sales rose in 14 of 26 areas in Virginia in the third quarter from the same period a year ago, the report said. But prices fell in 17 regions, including the Richmond area, where prices dropped nearly 12 percent from a year ago.

CarMax Inc. yesterday reported a $21.9 million loss in the third quarter as it took a $23.8 million write-down on bonds. It was the chain’s first loss since the fourth quarter of 2000.