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

Timing Is Everything - Part 3 (Now Everyone Shows Up)

Apparently, when the calendar finally cooperates, the housing market throws a bit of a party.

After two weeks of holiday-related distortions, the Metro DC market delivered a breakout performance, with buyers returning in force across every jurisdiction—and across every price point.

Key Takeaways

Total contract activity surged 42.5% year over year, with nearly 1,500 newly ratified contracts—one of the strongest weeks we’ve seen in quite some time.
All six jurisdictions posted increases in contract activity—the first time this has happened this year.
The rebound was broad-based, with particularly strong gains in Northern Virginia (+48.0%), Loudoun (+56.3%), and Montgomery County (+59.3%).
The upper-end market showed remarkable strength, with 325 homes priced over $1,000,000 going under contract.
Average days on market held steady at 29 days, unchanged from last year—an especially encouraging sign given the surge in activity.

Why It Matters

This is the third chapter in the “timing matters” story—and possibly the most convincing one yet.
Last year, this same week was directly impacted by Easter falling right in the middle of the reporting period, which suppressed contract activity. This year, with the calendar shifted, we’re seeing what the market looks like without that interference—and it’s strong.
But this isn’t just a calendar story. The scale of the increase—and the fact that every jurisdiction participated—points to something deeper: broad, durable demand.
Even more impressive is what didn’t happen. With such a large increase in contracts, you might expect homes to linger a bit longer. Instead, days on market held perfectly steady, suggesting that buyers are not just active—they’re decisive.
And the strength at the $1M+ level adds another layer to the story. Despite economic uncertainty, geopolitical tension, and higher energy costs, higher-end buyers are clearly still very much in the game.

CONTRACT ACTIVITY SUMMARY

Blue Ridge Contract Activity

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

Timing Is Everything – Part 3 (Scenic Route Edition)

While the metro market was busy making headlines, the Virginia Countryside and West Virginia Panhandle quietly put together a week that was just as impressive—without the traffic.

Key Takeaways

Total contract activity rose 21.6% year over year, a powerful follow-through to last week’s rebound and another clear example of how much timing matters.
The Virginia Countryside increased 20.7%, with strength across both entry-level and mid-range price points.
The West Virginia Panhandle climbed 22.6%, driven by particularly strong gains under $750,000.
All segments participated, reinforcing the depth of demand across both markets.
Average days on market held steady at 38 days, unchanged from last year—a quietly strong indicator of balance.
Year-to-date activity is up a very healthy 10.1%, continuing to outpace many metro area trends.

Why It Matters

This is the Countryside version of the same story we’ve been telling for the past few weeks: the calendar can distort the view—but it doesn’t change the direction.
Last year, Easter landed squarely in the middle of this reporting period, muting contract activity. This year, with that timing shift behind us, we’re seeing a much clearer picture of underlying demand—and it’s strong.
What stands out even more here is the consistency. Unlike the metro area, where days on market have been drifting upward, these markets are holding steady. That balance between rising activity and stable timing is a hallmark of a healthy, sustainable market.
And while the weekly numbers are impressive, the year-to-date gains tell the bigger story: these markets are not just rebounding—they’re quietly outperforming.