Weekly Meter

DC / MD / VA / WV

We compare contract activity for the same seven-day period of the previous year in Loudoun County, Prince William County, Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and Prince George's County. These statistics are updated on a weekly basis. Sign up for our newsletter on the latest market data.

A Slight Dip, But Still Steady in a Noisy Week

In a week filled with geopolitical headlines and a modest uptick in mortgage rates, the Metro DC housing market held its ground surprisingly well. Total new contract activity slipped just 1.5% compared to the same week last year—a modest change that speaks to the resilience of the market.

While four of the six jurisdictions posted declines, the overall picture remains steady, particularly when viewed in the context of broader uncertainty.

Key Takeaways

Total contract activity declined just 1.5% year over year, a relatively small dip given external headwinds.
Four of the six jurisdictions saw decreases in weekly contracts, reflecting a more cautious buyer environment.
Average days on market rose from 26 days last year to 33 days this year, continuing the trend toward a more deliberate pace.
Year-to-date contract activity is up 2.3%, supported in large part by Prince William County’s impressive 18.3% increase.
Even in a quieter week, the broader trend remains intact.

Why It Matters

Markets don’t operate in a vacuum—and last week was a good reminder of that. Between rising mortgage rates and global uncertainty, it would not have been surprising to see a sharper pullback in activity.
Instead, what we saw was stability.
The modest increase in days on market reinforces a theme that has been building for months: buyers are engaged, but they are taking their time. That shift is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of normalization.
Meanwhile, the year-to-date numbers tell the more important story. With contract activity still up across the region—and particularly strong in
Prince William County—the spring market continues to move forward, even if not in a straight line.

CONTRACT ACTIVITY SUMMARY

Blue Ridge Contract Activity

Shenandoah, Warren, Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick Counties, Winchester City, and West Virginia.

Panhandle Powers Ahead While the Countryside Catches Its Breath

If last week was a reminder that markets don’t always move in lockstep, this week confirmed it—with a distinctly positive twist. While the Virginia Countryside took a modest step back, the West Virginia Panhandle surged ahead with a 22% increase in contract activity, more than offsetting the Countryside’s dip and keeping the overall story firmly upbeat.

Key Takeaways

Virginia Countryside contract activity declined 7.8% for the week, largely due to softer activity in the higher price ranges.
The West Virginia Panhandle jumped 22.0%, driven by strong gains across multiple price points.
Combined market activity remained healthy, reflecting continued buyer demand across the broader region.
Average days on market improved, dropping from 40 days last year to 36 days this year—a notable contrast to the metro area trend.
Year-to-date performance remains strong in both markets:
- Countryside: up 16.9%
- Panhandle: up 7.6%
Even with a mixed weekly result, the bigger picture continues to point in the right direction.

Why It Matters

This week highlights one of the defining characteristics of the rural and exurban markets: they don’t all move at the same speed—but they tend to move forward together over time.
The Virginia Countryside’s weekly dip appears more like a pause than a trend, especially given its strong year-to-date performance. Meanwhile, the West Virginia Panhandle stepped in with a strong showing, reinforcing the depth of demand across the region.
Perhaps most encouraging is the decline in days on market. While many metro-area markets are seeing homes take longer to sell, properties in these areas are actually moving faster than they were a year ago. That’s a quiet but meaningful signal of underlying demand.
In short, while the headlines may vary week to week, the trajectory remains positive—and, notably, a bit less volatile than inside the Beltway.

The Real Estate Details

Virginia Countryside: down 7.8% for the week, but up 16.9% year-to-date
West Virginia Panhandle: up 22.0% for the week and up 7.6% year-to-date
Average days on market: 36 days, down from 40 days last year