What’s Happening in the DMV This August? (Plus: A Quick Look at the Real Estate Market)

Hello and welcome back to my blog. I hope you have all been enjoying the summer in spite of the persistent record heat across the region. For my part I just got back from a camping trip in the Poconos (PA) where we had a mix of hot weather and heat storms in the evenings.

August in the DMV is a unique moment—between vacation season and back-to-school prep, the rhythm of the region shifts. Whether you're catching the last summer sunsets on the Wharf, lining up for peach gelato in Old Town, or planning a Labor Day getaway, there's one thing you shouldn't overlook: the housing market.

So let’s break down what’s happening across the District, Maryland, and Northern Virginia this month—on the streets and in the real estate world.


☀️ August Vibes Around the DMV

August is a little bit quieter—locals are in and out of town, but DC doesn’t sleep. Some highlights to keep your eye on:

  • 🎷 RAMMYS Awards Gala (August 3)
    Celebrate DC’s best in food and drink at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. A major event for foodies and industry pros alike.

  • 🎮 Otakon DC (August 8–10)
    One of the country’s top pop culture conventions, returning to the Convention Center. Expect anime, cosplay, panels, and an electric vibe.

  • 🎶 Rock the Dock & Grooves in the Grove at The Wharf
    Free live music all August long. Friday night concerts, waterfront drinks, and unbeatable views. Pro tip: check out Shark Bites & Brews on August 2—a food fest featuring local seafood and craft beer.

  • 🍽️ DC Restaurant Week (August 18–24)
    Enjoy prix fixe menus at some of the region’s best spots. A great excuse to try that “we should really go there” place.

  • 🎭 “Dead Inside” at Woolly Mammoth Theatre (runs through August 3)
    A darkly comedic musical about mental health, self-image, and connection.

  • 🎤 Washington Post’s August Concert Guide -- From Delilah Bon at Black Cat (Aug 3) to D4vd at the Fillmore Silver Spring (Aug 23–24), this is your go-to list of must-see live shows.

_______________________________________________________________________

🍿 Free Outdoor Movie Nights Around DC

Summer evenings in the DMV are made for catching a film under the stars! Here are some top picks for free outdoor movie screenings happening this August:

🎬 DowntownDC Summer Flicks at Franklin Park

Weekly double features every Thursday evening through August, complete with a live DJ, food trucks, and giveaways. Expect titles like The Little Mermaid (2023) and Barbie in the lineup.
👉 More info

🌊 Sunset Cinema at The Wharf

Enjoy waterfront screenings every Thursday through August 28. Classic crowd-pleasers like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, La La Land, and Pitch Perfect light up the big screen at Transit Pier.
👉 Full schedule & details

🏛️ Events DC Summer Movie Series

Catch family-friendly blockbusters across DC on select dates:

⚽ Movies on the Pitch at Audi Field

Watch movies on the stadium jumbotron from the actual pitch!

  • Aug 7: Inside Out 2

  • Aug 13: Moana

  • Aug 21: Cool Runnings

  • Aug 28: Shrek
    🎟️ Free entry with RSVP. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., movies start at 7:30.
    👉 Reserve your spot

🏆 Sports Action This August

Love live sports? Check out these DMV-area events:

  • Nationals baseball at Nationals Park—home games August 1, 2, 3 (vs Brewers); 5–7 (vs Athletics); and Phillies / Mets series mid‑month. Fun giveaways and summer themes included SeatGeekAXS.

  • Soccer/futbol at Audi Field:

  • Washington Mystics (WNBA) games at Congress Heights include home matchups vs. Sparks (Aug 17), Sun (Aug 19), Aces (Aug 23), and Storm (Aug 24) washington.org.

  •  Minor league baseball: Catch the Blue Crabs or Baysox playing home games August 2 in Waldorf or Bowie—younger‑league fun and budget‑friendly options for families SeatGeek.

____________________________________________________________________________

🏡 What’s the Real Estate Market Doing?

If you’ve been watching the market—or even just surfing on the couch—you’ve likely noticed a few patterns. Here's a quick snapshot of what we're seeing across the DMV:

📉 Inventory Still Tight

Across DC, Montgomery County, and Northern Virginia, active listings remain historically low. Fewer homes are hitting the market, especially in the entry-level and move-in ready categories. That means homes priced right—particularly in sought-after neighborhoods like Brookland, Del Ray, Petworth, and parts of Bethesda—are still seeing multiple offers.

💸 Pricing Remains Strong (But Flat in Some Areas)

We're no longer in the ultra-frenzied market of 2021–2022. Many sellers still expect bidding wars, but today’s buyers are choosier—and interest rate sensitive.

  • Condos are seeing longer days on market, especially in high-rise buildings downtown and in Arlington.

  • Fee simple rowhouses with updates and outdoor space? Still hot, especially if priced under $1.1M.

  • Luxury listings over $2M are moving more slowly, unless they check all the boxes—newer, staged, and walkable.

In short? Homes that show well and are priced right still move. Overpriced or poorly presented listings... not so much.

💡Pro Tip for Buyers and Sellers

August can be a hidden opportunity. Many buyers hit pause for summer vacations, which means less competition. And for sellers—listing before Labor Day gives your home a chance to shine before the fall rush. It’s a win-win window.

👀 Local Market Spotlight

Here’s what’s happening in a few notable submarkets:

  • Georgetown: Still a seller's market, but smaller historic homes under 1,200 SF are facing buyer hesitation if not fully updated. Outdoor space and parking = big wins.

  • Shaw & Logan Circle: One-bedroom condos need to be sharp and priced competitively. But fee simple homes? If they’re move-in ready, they’re selling quickly.

  • Silver Spring & Takoma Park: Still high demand for detached homes near Metro. Many buyers here are driven by value and transit access.

  • Alexandria (Old Town & Del Ray): End-unit townhomes and charm-filled rowhouses continue to attract serious buyers. Parking and updated kitchens are major pluses.

✨ Final Thoughts

August isn’t sleepy—it’s strategic. If you're thinking of buying or selling, the “slow” month can be a savvy time to act while others are distracted by beach days and back-to-school lists.

As always, if you want to talk strategy—whether it's staging, pricing, or just testing the waters—I'm here for you. 

Thank you for reading and or feel free to give me a like. 

📍Follow my blog

Fergus O’Brien, REALTOR®
📍 DC · MD · VA
📧 fergus.obrien@lnf.com
🌐 longandfoster.com/FergusOBrien
📱 Follow on IG: @fergusobrienrealtordmv

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