Home is where the Real E$tate is by Fergus

Introduction I like to check in periodically with what I’m actually seeing in the DMV housing market — not just headlines, but what’s unfolding in real time for buyers and sellers. Lately, there have been some subtle but meaningful shifts. Inventory is gradually improving compared with the tight conditions of recent years, mortgage rates have eased somewhat from their peak levels, and buyers are beginning to encounter a bit more flexibility when it comes to negotiation. It’s not a dramatic reset, but it does suggest a more balanced market — a trend reflected not only in day-to-day activity here locally, but also in recent housing data and forecasts from sources such as Bright MLS, Freddie Mac, and Realtor.com, and current mortgage rate insights from Google's AI feed. What’s Changing in 2026: More Choices, More Power Active listings in the DMV have increased approximately 20% year-over-year, comparing early 2026 to the same period in 2025. This rise marks a notable and sustained imp...

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! 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...