The simplest answer to “how’s the market?” right now is: the same as last year — except homes are taking 25% longer to sell. That headline hides the more important story.

Every month, our team researches and presents a market report to RLAH agents covering the latest data across the D.C. metro. It’s one of many tools our agents use to keep their clients informed throughout the entire buying or selling process. Here’s a sample of what we covered this month.

Real estate contingencies remain one of the most important parts of any purchase contract. They provide buyers with specific conditions that must be satisfied before a transaction can move forward. They also influence how competitive an offer appears to a seller.

Recent DC housing market trends point to a notable shift in buyer behavior. A growing share of homes that go under contract are returning to the market before closing. This pattern is measurable, consistent, and relevant for both buyers and sellers.

The D.C. metro housing market is often described in broad terms. Arlington, Bethesda, and Alexandria are frequently mentioned as high-demand areas. These perceptions are not wrong, but they do not always reflect how the market is performing in real time.

Market activity is best measured by speed. Specifically, how quickly homes go under contract provides a clearer signal than price alone.

Seasonality plays a measurable role in the DC real estate market. One of the most consistent patterns occurs around Easter, when showing activity temporarily declines before rebounding.

This pattern is not driven by changes in housing demand. It is largely tied to calendar timing and consumer behavior.