05/29/2026
Weather and calendar quirks can temporarily disrupt the real estate market, even in a strong region like Washington, DC.
The Key Takeaways
Minor Volume Pullback: Total new contract activity across the six major jurisdictions decreased by 5.7% year-over-year (falling from 1,380 to 1,301 contracts).
The Holiday & Weather Factor: All six jurisdictions saw minor weekly declines. Last year, Memorial Day landed on May 26, giving the market an extra "normal" business day in this reporting window.
Slightly More Market Time: Average days on market edged up from 27.6 days last year to 30.0 days this week (an 8.7% increase).
Underlying Stability: Despite the softer week, year-to-date activity remains positive in four of the six jurisdictions, keeping the broader regional trend remarkably stable.
This week looks more dramatic on paper than it actually feels on the ground. When you look closer, the volume declines were remarkably modest in the region's anchor markets:
Northern Virginia was essentially flat at -0.7%.
Montgomery County barely moved at -0.8%.
High-end segments in both regions continue to show immense resilience, while the temporary softness was concentrated primarily in mid-market and entry-level segments.
Montgomery County’s average days on market jumped from 22.8 to 39.1 days, and Washington, DC climbed to 54.5 days.
The market is temporarily interrupted, not fundamentally changed.
For Sellers: One slower week doesn't change the broader market. Holiday timing and bad weather kept buyers indoors for a few days, but well-prepared, properly priced homes are still successfully attracting buyers.
For Buyers: This may have created a brief opening. A slightly quieter holiday weekend can yield a rare window of flexibility and reduced competition heading into June. Take advantage of it before the post-holiday momentum resumes.
Jack Shorb
📲 (301) 767-7545
📧 [email protected]
