Home is where the Real E$tate is by Fergus

Hello and welcome back after a month-long hiatus — partially due to an extended stay in Southern Spain/Costa Del Sol (Pro tip: visit in October for perfect weather and fewer people.) With winter around the corner and major economic/political headlines dominating the news, this is a good moment to break down what’s happening nationally and right here in the DMV. Mortgage rates are near a two-year low, giving both buyers and refinancers reasons to re-engage. Meanwhile, the federal government shutdown is over through  January 30th, 2026 . Here’s what you need to know if you’re buying, selling, or investing in the DC metro area. * Mortgage Rate Snapshot (Nationally) 30-year fixed:  6.16% 15-year fixed:  5.61% 20-year conventional:  6.12% Refinance (30-year):  6.93% Rates are expected to remain close to  6.2%  through year-end, with a potential Fed rate cut in December that may benefit buyers early next year. Individual circumstances still matter — I just s...

Hello and welcome back to my blog... Summer is winding down across the DMV, and the housing market has reflected that shift. Over the past few months, inventory climbed and buyer urgency eased compared with the spring, but the market was far from quiet: well-priced, well-presented homes still drew strong attention. As the season turns to fall — when activity often picks up after vacations end and routines resume — this recap highlights the summer’s data trends, standout sales (from trophy mansions to hidden gems), and a few listings still sitting, often because they’re priced or positioned for a different market. Market snapshot — headline stats Inventory in the Washington, D.C. metro surged this summer — active listings were roughly 10,283 at the end of July, about +40% year-over-year [1]. Median sale metrics vary by submarket: Washington, D.C. saw a mid-$600Ks median [2], while Northern Virginia’s median sits higher (suburban NOVA medians cluster around the $700K range). Con...

Hello and welcome back to my blog! This week, I’m sharing the latest updates on the DC metro housing market, using the most current data available. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening: Inventory rising across the board: Active listings in Washington, D.C. increased by 25.1% year-over-year, marking the highest level since 2022. 1 Median sale prices remain firm: The median sale price in the D.C. metro area reached $640,000 in July 2025, up 2.4% from the previous year. 2 Homes are staying listed longer: The average days on market for homes in the D.C. metro area increased from 52 days in 2024 to 57 days in 2025. 3 Pending sales slowing modestly: Pending home sales in June 2025 were down 0.3% year-over-year, indicating a slight slowdown in market activity. 4 📍 Hot Neighborhoods: Where Activity Is Heating Up Pentagon City / National Landing (VA) Pentagon City has undergone significant urban transformation, driven by the arrival of Amazon’s HQ2 and increased in...

Hello and welcome back to my blog.  If Part 1 of this series gave you the "what" of smart renovations, this post is more about the "how" — and specifically, how to get your renovation approved without delays, fines, or unnecessary stress . In the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia), there are two main hoops you may need to jump through before your contractor even lifts a hammer: Permits from the city or county, and Approvals from your condo board or HOA (if applicable). If you own a rowhouse, you’ll only deal with #1 — and trust me, that can be much simpler. 🏛 Understanding Permits in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia When You’ll Likely Need One Permits are almost always required for: Adding or removing walls (even non-load-bearing) Plumbing or electrical updates HVAC replacements or major repairs Window/door changes (if altering size or location) Roof or structural work Decks, fences, additions, or basement finishing When You Pr...