Weekly Meter
DC / MD / VA / WV
We compare contract activity for the same seven-day period of the previous year in Loudoun County, Prince William County, Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and Prince George's County. These statistics are updated on a weekly basis. Sign up for our newsletter on the latest market data.
The Federal Government Shut Down - Did Buyers Follow Their Lead?
Contract activity for September 28 – October 4, 2025 in the Metro DC area was down just 1.3% compared to the same seven-day period last year.
Key Takeaways
- The impact of the federal government shutdown was palpable in the three jurisdictions with the highest percentage of federal employees. Washington, DC, Prince George’s and Prince William Counties all had tough weeks.
- The District was off 27.1%, Prince William was off 14.3% and Prince George’s was down 9.8%.
- Conversely, the three areas with a lower percentage of fed employment all had positive weeks. Loudoun County rose 28.6%, Northern Virginia was up 10.2% and Montgomery County was up 6.4%.
Why It Matters
- While the impact of the federal government shutdown varied, there are two consistent trends: first time homebuyers are still battling affordability challenges, and homes are taking longer to sell.
- Last week, total new contract activity for homes priced under $500,000 was down almost 17% last week compared to the same week last year.
- On average, homes took 9 days longer to sell last week (44 days) than last year (35 days).
What Shutdown?
Contract activity for September 28 – October 4, 2025 in the Virginia Countryside and West Virginia Panhandle area was up 8.8% compared to the same seven-day period last year.
Key Takeaways
- Location, location, location – where federal workers are employed matters.
- Those areas in the great DC metro area with the highest concentration of federal workers – DC, Prince George’s and Prince William Counties - suffered last week as the government shut down. But those jurisdictions with a smaller percentage of their workforce relying on federal employment – Northern Virginia, Loudoun and Montgomery Counties – did pretty well despite the shutdown.
- And that was especially true in the region’s more rural areas in the Virginia Countryside and the West Virginia Panhandle. Both areas posted increases in the number of newly ratified contracts.
Why It Matters
- The Virginia Countryside had an 8.9% jump in contract activity, and the Panhandle had a very similar 8.6% increase.
- However, as was true in the more urban areas, homes took longer to sell last week (40 days, on average) than this week last year (32 days).
The Real Estate Details
- Virginia Countryside was up 8.9%, and is up 4.4% year-to-date.
- West Virginia Panhandle was up 8.6% and is down 4.0% year-to-date.
PARTNERED AFFILIATES
Copyright © Corcoran 2023 – 2025. Corcoran and the Corcoran Logo are trademarks of Corcoran Group LLC. Corcoran Group LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated offices are not provided by, affiliated with, or related to Corcoran Group LLC nor any of its affiliated companies.
© Corcoran McEnearney 2025. All rights reserved. DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
PARTNERED AFFILIATES
Copyright © Corcoran 2023 – 2025. Corcoran and the Corcoran Logo are trademarks of Corcoran Group LLC. Corcoran Group LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated offices are not provided by, affiliated with, or related to Corcoran Group LLC nor any of its affiliated companies.
© Corcoran McEnearney 2025. All rights reserved.
DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
