Weekly Meter

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.

D.M.V. Contract Activity

The Market Takes a Breather, Not a Nap

After several weeks of relatively steady momentum, the Metro DC housing market was a little sluggish last week. More like the market looked at the calendar, checked the weather, and decided to walk instead of sprint.

Key Takeaways

Total new contract activity across the six major jurisdictions declined from 1,276 contracts last year to 1,209 this year, a decrease of 5.3%.
The slowdown was uneven across the region. Northern Virginia posted the sharpest decline (-17.7%), while Montgomery County (+9.5%) and Prince George’s County (+2.1%) actually moved higher.
Average days on market increased from a weighted average of 33.4 days last year to 35.7 days this year, a rise of approximately 7.1%.
Higher-end activity softened noticeably in several jurisdictions, particularly in Northern Virginia, where contracts above $1.5M fell nearly 30%.
Despite the slower week, year-to-date contract activity remains positive overall, with particularly strong gains in Prince William County (+9.6%) and Northern Virginia (+4.8%).

Why It Matters

This week felt less like a shift in direction and more like a shift in tempo.
After a fairly active spring, some moderation was probably inevitable—and there are several signs this was more of a pause than a problem. Activity remains well within normal seasonal ranges, and the year-to-date numbers continue to paint a healthier picture than the weekly headline suggests.
One of the more notable patterns this week was the divergence between jurisdictions. Northern Virginia and Loudoun cooled meaningfully, while Montgomery County posted one of its stronger weeks in quite some time, driven largely by gains under $750K and a surprisingly strong luxury segment.
Another standout: Washington, DC’s average days on market was essentially unchanged year over year (61.9 vs. 61.0 days), making it the only major jurisdiction where market pace did not slow. Meanwhile, Loudoun moved sharply in the opposite direction, with homes selling significantly faster than last year despite lower contract activity.
And perhaps the biggest story hiding in the numbers: Prince William County continues to quietly outperform almost everyone on a year-to-date basis. Nearly 10% growth in contracts there is one of the strongest trends in the region right now.
So yes, this was a softer week overall—but not a particularly concerning one. Markets don’t move in straight lines, and this still looks far more like normalization than deterioration.

The Real Estate Details

CONTRACT ACTIVITY SUMMARY

Blue Ridge Contract Activity

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

One Market Hit the Gas, the Other Tapped the Brakes (Slightly)

After last week’s across-the-board surge, the Virginia Countryside and West Virginia Panhandle markets decided to demonstrate one of real estate’s oldest truths: rural markets rarely move in perfect sync. But taken together, the bigger picture remains remarkably strong.

Key Takeaways

Combined contract activity increased from 181 contracts last year to 191 this year, a gain of 5.5%.
The Virginia Countryside posted another solid week, climbing from 94 to 105 contracts (+11.7%).
The West Virginia Panhandle took a very small step backward, slipping from 87 to 86 contracts (-1.1%)—essentially flat in practical terms.
Combined average days on market increased modestly from 34.0 days last year to 35.1 days this year, a rise of about 3.2%.
The longer-term trend remains the real headline: combined year-to-date contract activity increased from 4,099 to 4,448 contracts, a gain of 8.5%—still well ahead of the immediate metro area.

Why It Matters

This week was a good reminder that these markets don’t move in straight lines—and they don’t need to.
After a very strong prior week in both jurisdictions, it’s not surprising to see a little giveback in one area. What’s notable is that the pullback in the WV Panhandle was extremely modest, while the Virginia Countryside continued to build momentum.
And the year-to-date numbers remain exceptionally healthy. An 8.5% increase in combined contract activity continues to outperform the metro market by a fairly meaningful margin, reinforcing the idea that demand for lifestyle-oriented and affordability-driven markets remains strong.
One particularly interesting detail: the Virginia Countryside saw surprising strength in the upper-end market this week, including gains above $1M and even activity over $1.5M—segments that can often be volatile in smaller jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, the WV Panhandle numbers showed an unusual split. Activity under $750K softened slightly, but the higher-end market posted very strong percentage gains. In practical terms, that likely reflects a small number of transactions—but it’s still notable because luxury activity in these markets continues to expand compared to a few years ago.
And while combined days on market ticked up slightly overall, the Panhandle actually improved, with homes selling faster than last year. The increase came almost entirely from the Countryside side of the equation.
So yes, one area slowed a touch. But the broader trend remains intact—and still surprisingly resilient.

The Real Estate Details