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

Spring Break, Spring Pause . . . Still Spring Market

If last week’s housing market had an out-of-office reply, it probably read: “Gone for spring break—back shortly.” With schools closed across much of the region and holiday travel in full swing, contract activity took a modest and very understandable breather. Still, the bigger picture remains firmly intact—and quietly encouraging.

Key Takeaways

Total contract activity declined 3.2% year over year, a modest dip largely driven by the timing of spring break and Easter/Passover.
Year-to-date activity remains positive, up 1.9%, reflecting steady underlying demand.
Washington, DC and Northern Virginia both posted increases, helping offset softer results in other jurisdictions.
Average days on market actually improved, slipping from 30 days last year to 29 days this week—a small but meaningful shift.
The weekly dip in contracts appears more about calendar timing than market fundamentals.

Why It Matters

Every spring has a rhythm—and this week hit the “family vacation” beat.
With Easter falling nearly three weeks earlier than last year and schools across the region on break, a temporary slowdown in contract activity was not just expected—it was practically scheduled. The encouraging part is what didn’t happen: the market didn’t lose momentum, it simply paused.
Even more notable is the decline in days on market, which suggests that buyers who are in the market remain engaged and decisive. That’s a strong signal that demand hasn’t weakened—it’s just been temporarily distracted by airline tickets and beach reservations.
Meanwhile, continued strength in Northern Virginia and DC underscores a familiar theme: well-positioned markets—and well-prepared listings—are still moving.

CONTRACT ACTIVITY SUMMARY

Blue Ridge Contract Activity

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

Holiday Weekend? Panhandle Didn't Get the Memo

While much of the region was juggling travel plans, family gatherings, and school breaks, the Virginia Countryside and West Virginia Panhandle markets stayed surprisingly productive—especially west of the Blue Ridge, where the Panhandle delivered a standout performance.

Key Takeaways

Combined contract activity rose 12.1% year over year, an impressive result for a holiday-impacted week.
The West Virginia Panhandle surged 27.6%, driven by strong gains under $500,000 and increased activity across multiple price points.
The Virginia Countryside dipped just 2.1%, a very modest decline given the timing of spring break and Easter/Passover.
Average days on market improved slightly, falling from 33 days last year to 31 days this week across the combined region.
Year-to-date performance remains strong in both areas, continuing to outpace some of the more uneven trends seen in the close-in metro markets.

Why It Matters

If the metro area took a brief holiday pause, these markets mostly… didn’t.
The Panhandle’s strength is particularly notable—not just because of the size of the increase, but because it came during a week when activity typically slows. That suggests real underlying demand, especially in more affordable price ranges.
Meanwhile, the Virginia Countryside’s slight dip looks more like a calendar-driven pause than any shift in direction. The bigger story remains its strong year-to-date performance, which continues to signal steady buyer interest.
Perhaps the most encouraging sign: homes are selling a bit faster than they were a year ago. In a market where many areas are seeing longer timelines, that’s a quiet but meaningful indicator of continued engagement.
In short, these markets aren’t just holding up—they’re quietly outperforming expectations.