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.

Over 1,100 Contracts . . . and the Virginia Side of the River Is in a Hurry

The Metro DC housing market continues to pick up steam. More than 1,100 homes went under contract last week, marking both an improvement from the same week last year and a healthy step up from the previous week. Overall, new contract activity rose 3.5% year over year, a solid sign that the spring market is gaining traction.

Key Takeaways

While the overall numbers tell a positive story, the details reveal an interesting geographic twist: buyers on the Virginia side of the Potomac appear to be moving at a noticeably faster pace than their counterparts across the river.
Total contract activity rose 3.5% compared to the same week last year, with more than 1,100 newly ratified contracts across the region.
Five of the six jurisdictions we track posted increases in contract activity.
Prince George’s County was the only market with a decline in weekly contracts.
Average days on market rose from 29 days last year to 35 days this year, reflecting buyers taking a bit more time to evaluate options.
However, there is a striking regional difference:
On the Virginia side of the Potomac, homes going under contract averaged about 20 days on market.
On the Maryland/DC side, the average was closer to 50 days.
That contrast underscores just how different submarkets within the same region can behave.

Why It Matters

Crossing the 1,100-contract threshold signals that the early spring market is now firmly underway. Buyers are clearly engaging, and activity is trending in the right direction.
The rise in days on market doesn’t suggest weakening demand—it suggests a more thoughtful market. Buyers are still acting, but they are taking time to compare options and negotiate carefully.
Meanwhile, the speed difference between Northern Virginia and the Maryland/DC markets reflects varying supply dynamics, pricing pressures, and buyer demand patterns. In short, the river isn’t just a scenic boundary—it’s acting like a market speed limit sign.

CONTRACT ACTIVITY SUMMARY

Blue Ridge Contract Activity

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

Countryside Hits the Gas While the Panhandle Cruises

If the early spring housing market had a scenic route, it would run straight through the Virginia Countryside. Contract activity across the Virginia Countryside and West Virginia Panhandle rose a healthy 18.1% compared to the same week last year, with the Countryside doing most of the heavy lifting this week.

Key Takeaways

Even with a slight pause in the West Virginia Panhandle, the combined regional numbers remain very strong — especially when compared with the immediate Metro DC market.
Total contract activity jumped 18.1% year over year across the Countryside and Panhandle markets.
The Virginia Countryside surged 45.0% for the week, reflecting strong buyer activity across multiple price ranges.
The West Virginia Panhandle slipped just 1.0%, essentially flat week to week.
Year-to-date contract activity is up 12.5% across the combined region, significantly stronger than the roughly 2.8% increase in the immediate metro area.
Average days on market rose from 40 days last year to 48 days this year, suggesting buyers remain active but deliberate.
The Countryside continues to show impressive momentum as we move deeper into the spring market.

Why It Matters

The contrast between the Countryside and Panhandle this week highlights an important truth about real estate markets: momentum doesn’t move everywhere at the same speed.
The Virginia Countryside is clearly experiencing strong demand, particularly in homes under $750,000 where contract activity jumped significantly. Meanwhile, the West Virginia Panhandle appears to be taking a brief breather after several strong weeks earlier in the year.
But the bigger story is the year-to-date performance. With contracts up 12.5% overall, the rural and exurban markets are actually outperforming the immediate Metro DC region so far in 2026. Buyers looking for space, affordability, and lifestyle flexibility continue to show strong interest in these areas.
The slight rise in days on market simply reflects a more thoughtful pace. Buyers are still stepping forward — they’re just taking a moment to look around before they do.

The Real Estate Details

Virginia Countryside: up 45.0% for the week and 20.5% year-to-date
West Virginia Panhandle: down 1.0% for the week but up 6.1% year-to-date
Combined weekly increase: 18.1%
Average days on market: 48 days, up from 40 days last year