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

Summer Arrives, and Apparently So Do the Buyers

After a few weeks of weather interruptions, holiday timing quirks, and markets catching their breath, the Metro DC housing market decided to remind us that June is still very much a selling season.

Key Takeaways

Total new contract activity increased from 1,140 contracts last year to 1,218 contracts this year, a gain of 78 contracts, or 6.8% year-over-year.
Four of the six jurisdictions posted increases in newly ratified contracts, led by Prince William County (+29.0%), Montgomery County (+16.9%), Loudoun County (+6.5%), and Northern Virginia (+4.2%).
The weighted average days on market fell from 38.8 days last year to 34.4 days this year, a decline of 11.5%, suggesting buyers were moving more decisively despite the increase in activity.
Year-to-date contract activity remains positive in four of the six jurisdictions, with Prince William continuing to be one of the region's standout performers at +10.5%.

Why It Matters

This was a healthy week by almost any measure.
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the data is that activity increased while market times improved. Often, rising contract activity can come at the expense of homes taking longer to sell, but that wasn't the case this week. Buyers were not only active; they appeared willing to act quickly.
Prince William County continues to quietly outperform much of the region, posting a nearly 30% increase in weekly contracts and remaining up more than 10% year-to-date.
Luxury buyers remain engaged. Northern Virginia saw contracts between $1 million and $1.5 million jump 54%, while Loudoun posted an 81% increase in that same segment. Granted, smaller numbers can exaggerate percentage changes, but the strength is notable nonetheless.
Montgomery County had an excellent week for contracts, but average days on market climbed sharply to 40 days. That's worth watching, although one week does not establish a trend.
Washington, DC remains somewhat bifurcated. Overall contracts slipped slightly, but activity above $750,000 increased 7%, suggesting buyers at higher price points remain active.
In short, this feels less like a market that's slowing down and more like one that's settling into a sustainable summer rhythm.

The Real Estate Details

CONTRACT ACTIVITY SUMMARY

Blue Ridge Contract Activity

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

One Market Took a Breather. The Other Picked Up the Tab

After a couple of weeks in which both the Virginia Countryside and West Virginia Panhandle seemed to be moving in lockstep, this week they decided to divide and conquer. One market eased back a bit, while the other continued to build momentum. The good news? The bigger picture remains remarkably consistent—and remarkably strong.

Key Takeaways

Combined contract activity increased from 200 contracts last year to 207 this year, a gain of 7 contracts, or 3.5% year-over-year.
The Virginia Countryside slipped modestly, declining from 107 contracts to 101 (-5.6%), while the West Virginia Panhandle posted another strong week, rising from 93 contracts to 106 (+14.0%).
The Panhandle's strength was broad-based, with activity under $750,000 up 13.0% and higher-priced homes also contributing to gains.
Average days on market for the combined region improved from 38.9 days last year to 35.7 days this year, a decline of 8.2%, indicating buyers are continuing to move decisively despite modest weekly fluctuations.
The longer-term trend remains impressive. Combined year-to-date contract activity increased from 4,299 contracts in 2025 to 4,655 in 2026, a gain of 356 contracts, or 8.3%.

Why It Matters

This week is another reminder that these markets don't always move in tandem—but they continue to move in the same direction over time.
The Virginia Countryside essentially gave back a portion of last week's gains, which isn't unusual in smaller markets where just a handful of transactions can materially impact the weekly percentages. In fact, one notable feature of the Countryside numbers is that while contracts declined overall, activity above $750,000 actually increased by 20%, suggesting that upper-end buyers remain engaged.
Meanwhile, the West Virginia Panhandle simply keeps chugging along. Contract activity rose 14%, days on market fell sharply by more than 28%, and year-to-date activity is now up 9.3%, continuing a pattern we've observed all year.
Perhaps the most encouraging statistic is the combined year-to-date performance. At +8.3%, these markets continue to outperform the immediate DC metro area by a considerable margin. The affordability story, lifestyle appeal, and increasing willingness of buyers to consider locations farther from the Beltway remain powerful themes.

The Real Estate Details