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.

1,300 Contracts Later . . . The Market Keeps Showing Up

If the housing market were watching the news cycle, you might expect a little hesitation. Instead, it seems to have taken a different approach: keep calm and write contracts. With more than 1,300 newly ratified contracts last week, activity rose 4% compared to the same week last year, marking one of the strongest weeks we’ve seen so far this year.

Key Takeaways

Even better, this strength was broad-based, with nearly every jurisdiction contributing to the gain.
Total contract activity increased 4% year over year, with over 1,300 homes going under contract across the region.
Five of the six jurisdictions posted increases, reflecting widespread buyer engagement.
Washington, DC was the lone exception, with a 9% decline in contract activity.
Average days on market rose slightly from 28 days last year to 31 days this year, but improved compared to the prior week.
Year-to-date contract activity is now up 2.5%, a solid result given higher mortgage rates and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
In short, the market continues to move forward—just at a slightly more thoughtful pace.

Why It Matters

This was a week where the housing market had every excuse to take a step back—and didn’t.
Rising mortgage rates and global uncertainty typically weigh on buyer confidence. Yet contract activity not only held steady, it accelerated, crossing the 1,300 mark and building on recent momentum.
The slight increase in days on market continues to reflect a more normalized environment. Buyers are active, but they are no longer rushing. They’re comparing, evaluating, and negotiating—behaviors that point to a healthier, more sustainable market.
Meanwhile, the year-to-date gain of 2.5% reinforces the bigger picture: despite periodic noise, the 2026 spring market is quietly outperforming expectations.

CONTRACT ACTIVITY SUMMARY

Blue Ridge Contract Activity

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

Countryside Pauses, Panhandle Pushes—Overall Market Keeps Moving

The Virginia Countryside and West Virginia Panhandle markets delivered another quietly positive week, proving once again that these markets don’t need dramatic headlines to make steady progress. Combined contract activity rose 2.7% compared to the same week last year, with the Panhandle more than picking up the slack from a softer week in the Countryside.

Key Takeaways

Total contract activity increased 2.7% year over year across the combined region.
The Virginia Countryside declined 7.8% for the week, driven primarily by reduced activity in higher price ranges.
The West Virginia Panhandle surged 16.0%, with strong gains across mid-price segments.
Average days on market rose modestly from 45 days last year to 47 days this year, indicating a slightly more measured pace.
Year-to-date performance remains strong in both markets:
- Countryside: up 14.1%
- Panhandle: up 8.3%

Why It Matters

The week-to-week variation tells an interesting story—but the year-to-date numbers tell the more important one.
If the metro market has been about resilience, the Countryside and Panhandle markets have been about consistency.
Yes, the Virginia Countryside took a step back this week—but zoom out a bit, and it’s still running well ahead of last year. Meanwhile, the Panhandle continues to show that buyer demand remains strong, particularly in more affordable price ranges.
The slight increase in days on market reflects a market that is active, but not hurried. Buyers are engaging, but they’re doing so thoughtfully—something we’re seeing across nearly every segment of the broader region.
In short, this is what a stable, sustainable market looks like: a little uneven week-to-week, but clearly moving forward over time.

The Real Estate Details

Virginia Countryside: down 7.8% for the week, but up 14.1% year-to-date
West Virginia Panhandle: up 16.0% for the week and up 8.3% year-to-date
Combined weekly increase: 2.7%
Average days on market: 47 days, up from 45 days last year