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

A Softer Week, But Not a Slower Market

After a few weeks of steady footing, the Metro DC housing market took a modest step back. Total new contract activity declined 3.8% compared to the same week last year, but the details suggest something more nuanced than a simple slowdown.

Key Takeaways

Total contract activity across the six major jurisdictions declined from 1,318 contracts last year to 1,268 this year, a decrease of 3.8%.
Five of the six jurisdictions posted declines, with Washington, DC seeing the largest drop at 12.6%.
Prince George’s County was the standout, rising 7.9% for the week.
Average days on market was essentially unchanged across the region, holding at roughly 33 days.
Year-to-date activity remains up 3.5% across the six major jurisdictions, with Prince William County continuing to lead the way at +10.2%.

Why It Matters

This is one of those weeks where the headline number is softer, but the market itself does not appear to be losing much speed.

Yes, contract activity was down, and yes, most jurisdictions moved lower. But the declines were generally modest, and average days on market remained remarkably stable. That combination suggests a market that paused slightly in volume, not one that suddenly changed direction.

There were also some interesting crosscurrents beneath the surface. Prince George’s County posted a solid gain, Washington, DC saw a notable drop in contracts but a meaningful improvement in market time, and Prince William County remains one of the strongest year-to-date performers in the region.

In short, this was a quieter week, but not a worrisome one. The broader 2026 pattern remains intact: steady demand, thoughtful buyers, and a market that continues to move forward at a more normalized pace.

The Real Estate Details

CONTRACT ACTIVITY SUMMARY

Blue Ridge Contract Activity

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

The Outer Markets Hit the Gas Again

While the Metro DC market took a modest step back this week, the Virginia Countryside and West Virginia Panhandle markets moved decisively in the other direction. Combined contract activity jumped 24.2% compared to the same week last year, with both markets posting strong gains.

Key Takeaways

Combined contract activity increased from 198 contracts last year to 246 this year, a gain of 24.2%.
The Virginia Countryside rose 16.3%, with particular strength under $750,000.
The West Virginia Panhandle surged 32.0%, driven by strong gains across nearly every price range.
Both markets remain solidly positive year-to-date:
Virginia Countryside: up 7.7%
West Virginia Panhandle: up 9.6%
Average days on market increased in both markets, most notably in the Virginia Countryside, where it rose from 33.2 days to 48.9 days.

Why It Matters

This was not a split week. This was a broad show of strength.

Both the Virginia Countryside and West Virginia Panhandle posted meaningful increases in contract activity, reinforcing the trend we have been watching for months: demand in these outer markets is not just holding up, it is continuing to build.

The Panhandle was especially strong, with activity up 32.0% for the week and year-to-date activity now running 9.6% ahead of last year. The Virginia Countryside also delivered a healthy gain, led by strong movement in the core price ranges under $750,000.

The rise in days on market is worth watching, particularly in the Countryside. But in this case, longer timelines did not prevent buyers from writing contracts. That suggests a market where buyers may be taking more time, but they are still moving forward in meaningful numbers.

In short, these markets continue to prove they are not simply following the metro area’s lead. They are building their own momentum.

The Real Estate Details