Washington D.C. Metro

August 2026 |

Home Demand Index: 88 |

Tier: Slow

Metro Area Overview

The Home Demand Index (HDI) for the Washington DC metro area stands at 88 for this report period, down one point from 89 last month and below the 93 recorded during the same period one year ago. Washington DC continues to hold the highest headline reading among the three metros covered in this report, though its lead over Baltimore has narrowed to just one point this period, the closest the two metros have run in recent months. The most significant development within the tier structure is the luxury single-family segment’s decline into Slow territory at 86, down thirteen points from 99 last month and twenty points below last year’s level of 106, a meaningful deceleration in above-$1.4 million buyer engagement that marks this tier’s first reading below the Steady threshold in several months.

The market trend line, below, provides a high-level monthly overview of the Home Demand Index for each of the metro market areas within the Greater Washington D.C. Metro Area. The Home Demand Index is baselined at 100, with 90-110 indicating a steady market. Index values above 110 indicate moderate and high activity while Index values below 90 indicate slower or limited activity. For more information for a given period of time, click on any point on the map to pull up the monthly report.

Metro Market Trend Data by Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index

Each of the market areas listed above are defined as follows:

Maryland-West Virginia Panhandle – Allegany, MD; Berkeley, WV; Garrett, MD; Grant, WV; Hampshire, WV; Hardy, WV; Jefferson, WV; Mineral, WV; Morgan, WV; Pendleton, WV; Washington, MD;
North Central Virginia – Caroline, VA; Clarke, VA; Culpeper, VA; Fauquier, VA; Frederick, VA; Fredericksburg City, VA; King George, VA; Madison, VA; Manassas City, VA; Orange, VA; Page, VA; Prince William, VA; Rappahannock, VA; Shenandoah, VA; Spotsylvania, VA; Stafford, VA; Warren, VA; Winchester City, VA;
Southern Maryland – Calvert, MD; Charles, MD; Saint Marys, MD;
Washington D.C. Metro – Alexandria City, VA; Arlington, VA; Fairfax, VA; Falls Church City, VA; Frederick, MD; Loudoun, VA; Montgomery, MD; Prince Georges, MD; Washington, DC;

Market Trend Map

The Market Trend Map for the Washington D.C. Metro pulls the county map from the monthly reports and combines to provide a time-lapse of the overall market. Use the navigation at the bottom to toggle between months.

Washington D.C. Metro County-Level Market Trend Map | Home Demand Index

Washington D.C. | August 2026

Home Demand Index

Demand by home type in Washington DC this period is defined by the luxury single-family tier’s decline into Slow territory, down thirteen points to 86 and twenty points below a year ago, while luxury condo posted the largest month-over-month decline of any tier in this report, down sixteen points to 96 and twenty-one points below a year ago, though it remains Steady. Entry and mid single-family both eased modestly, down one point each to 80 and 79 respectively, while entry condo held largely steady at 107. Townhouse demand was the exception to the broader softening, up one point to 94 and up one point year-over-year, the only tier in the DC metro to post a positive annual comparison this period.

Home Demand
Index

(Slow)

Home Demand Index
from prior month

Home Demand Index
from prior year

Index change
from prior month

-1.1%

Index change from
same time last year

-5.4%

Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index

www.homedemandindex.com

Washington D.C. | July 2026

Home Demand Index

The Home Demand Index (HDI) for the Washington DC metro area stands at 85 for this report period, up one point from 84 last month and below the 99 recorded during the same period one year ago. The one-point month-over-month gain is operationally flat but directionally notable, July is historically one of the softer months in the DC metro’s seasonal demand cycle, and sustaining or improving on the June reading reflects the same late-closing dynamic visible in Baltimore, where buyers who acted during the rate-dip window in late spring are completing transactions into the July reporting period and extending the demand signal beyond the typical seasonal ceiling. Washington DC has held the regional leadership position for the fourth consecutive month, a pattern I attribute to the federal employment corridor that provides the core DC Metro buyer cohort with structural income stability that insulates demand from the financing cost sensitivity visible in more purely private-sector-driven markets. The fourteen-point year-over-year deficit, 85 now versus 99 in July 2025, is the widest annual gap among the three metros this period in absolute terms, but should be read in the context of what July 2025 represented for the DC market: an anomalously strong summer reading generated by an extended spring cycle during which federal employment stability and accumulated buyer urgency produced transactional activity well above the structural long-run pace. The current reading of 85 in a sustained 6.5-to-7-percent rate environment is not a sign of structural demand deterioration; it is a normalization from an above-trend baseline against a backdrop of genuine affordability pressure at the entry and mid single-family price points where the market’s highest buyer volume concentrates.

Demand by home type in Washington DC during this report period presents the most complex tier structure across the three metros, with meaningful divergence in both absolute level and direction across the six segments that collectively produce the 85-point metro average. The condo segments are running the strongest: entry condo at 104 and luxury condo at 109, the highest-indexed segment in the DC metro this period, both gained from last month, with entry condo rising seven points from 97 and luxury condo increasing twelve points from 97, and both are in Steady territory, reflecting the sustained demand concentration in attached inventory that characterizes buyer behavior in a high-cost, high-density metro where the price efficiency of condo ownership is particularly compelling relative to detached single-family alternatives. Entry single-family at 77 and mid single-family at 77 are tracking at identical levels, a rare alignment that masks different directional signals: entry SF gained five points from last month while mid SF declined two points, suggesting divergent demand dynamics beneath the surface of a shared absolute index level. Luxury SF at 96 remained in Steady territory despite posting the metro’s largest month-over-month decline, falling eleven points from 108 last month. This signals a meaningful deceleration in above-$1.4 million buyer engagement following an extended period of high-end transactional strength. Townhouse, rowhouse, and twin homes at 89 gained three points from last month, a constructive sequential improvement in the highest-volume attached format and a continuation of the counter-seasonal demand signal visible across the region’s attached segments.

Home Demand
Index

(Slow)

Home Demand Index
from prior month

Home Demand Index
from prior year

Index change
from prior month

1.2%

Index change from
same time last year

-14.1%

Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index

www.homedemandindex.com

Washington D.C. | June 2026

Home Demand Index

The Home Demand Index (HDI) for the Washington DC metro area stands at 81 for this report period, down from 102 last month and below the 106 recorded during the same period one year ago. The twenty-one-point month-over-month decline signals a meaningful reversal from the spring recovery trajectory, as the demand momentum that had been building through the winter and spring months has rolled over more sharply than the prior-year seasonal pattern would suggest — a development consistent with the peak selling season reaching its ceiling and broader affordability and financing pressures reasserting themselves as buyer urgency fades entering early summer. The twenty-five-point year-over-year deficit is the widest annual gap observed for the DC metro in the current reporting cycle, indicating that the region is entering the summer period at a structurally softer level than the same period last year, with the market’s sensitivity to federal sector employment dynamics and elevated home prices contributing to a more cautious buyer posture than the underlying demand fundamentals of the region might otherwise support.

Demand by home type in the Washington DC metro during this report period reflects a broad cooling trend across segments, with varying levels of softness observed throughout the market. Entry-level single-family homes register 68, reflecting the weakest segment and continued pressure from affordability constraints, while the mid-range segment at 76 also indicates softer conditions in the core move-up market. In contrast, luxury single-family homes at 104 show comparatively more resilience, suggesting steadier high-end demand relative to other segments. Entry-level condos at 93 and luxury condos at 95 reflect more stable attached housing conditions relative to single-family segments, though still at softer levels overall. Townhomes and rowhouses at 83 indicate broadly slower activity, aligning with a metro-wide cooling pattern and pointing to a more cautious and measured market environment this report period.

Home Demand
Index

(Slow)

Home Demand Index
from prior month

102

Home Demand Index
from prior year

106

Index change
from prior month

-20.6%

Index change from
same time last year

-23.6%

Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index

www.homedemandindex.com

Washington D.C. | May 2026

Home Demand Index

The Home Demand Index (HDI) for the Washington DC metro area stands at 98 for this report period, up from 95 last month but slightly below the 102 recorded during the same period one year ago. The three-point month-over-month increase reflects a modest uptick in buyer activity as the market continues to transition into the spring season. This gradual improvement indicates steady engagement rather than a sharp surge in demand. However, the four-point year-over-year gap suggests that activity remains just below last year’s pace. Overall, with demand holding within the Steady category, the market reflects stable conditions, with consistent buyer interest supporting a balanced and measured pace of activity as the season progresses.

Demand by home type in the Washington DC metro reflects mixed performance this period, with overall conditions showing uneven strength across price segments. Entry-level single-family homes stand at 85, indicating stable but constrained activity consistent with affordability pressures in the lower-tier market. Mid-range single-family homes rise to 90, reflecting improving momentum in the move-up segment and signaling one of the stronger areas of demand within the single-family category. Luxury single-family homes register 133, showing the most pronounced strength among single-family tiers and pointing to continued interest in higher-end properties despite broader market sensitivity. Entry-level condos stand at 115, reflecting moderated activity while still serving as a key affordability channel in the metro. Luxury condos at 125 show firmer engagement at the upper end of the condominium market, though demand remains uneven across segments. Townhouses and twin homes at 98 indicate broadly stable conditions with modest softness relative to other property types, highlighting a more measured pace in this middle-housing category.

Home Demand
Index

(Steady)

Home Demand Index
from prior month

Home Demand Index
from prior year

102

Index change
from prior month

3.2%

Index change from
same time last year

-3.9%

Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index

www.homedemandindex.com

Washington D.C. | April 2026

Home Demand Index

The Home Demand Index (HDI) for the Washington DC metro area stands at 91 for this report period, up from 78 last month but still below the 98 recorded during the same period one year ago. The thirteen-point month-over-month gain signals a strong spring rebound in buyer activity, marking a shift from the slower winter months to a more dynamic market. This significant improvement suggests that pent-up demand is converting into active market engagement. However, the seven-point year-over-year deficit indicates that the DC market has yet to fully recover to last year’s level. Despite this, the current pace of recovery, supported by the region’s resilient demand fundamentals, points to the potential for further alignment with prior-year benchmarks as peak season conditions develop.

Demand by home type in the Washington DC metro shows broad-based spring improvement this period, with all segments posting month-over-month gains and several approaching prior-year levels. Entry-level single-family homes rose to 83 from 77 last month but remain slightly below last year’s level, signaling improving first-time buyer engagement. Mid-range single-family homes advanced to 77 from 63 last month but also trail last year’s level, reflecting steady spring momentum in move-up activity that has not yet fully returned to prior-year pace. High-end single-family homes climbed sharply to 110 from 80 last month but remain well below last year’s elevated level, indicating a strong seasonal reactivation in luxury demand while discretionary sensitivity continues to influence year-over-year performance in this segment. Entry-level condos increased to 115 from 102 last month and remain slightly below last year’s level, continuing to serve as a key affordability outlet in a high-cost market where attached housing remains a primary entry point for buyers. High-end condos rose to 119 from 114 last month but are meaningfully below last year’s level, suggesting improving momentum but a slower recovery in premium attached demand relative to prior-cycle conditions. Townhouses, rowhouses, and twin homes advanced to 93 from 82 last month but remain modestly below last year’s level, reflecting solid spring reactivation in a segment that continues to benefit from its balance of space, location efficiency, and relative affordability across the metro.

Home Demand
Index

(Steady)

Home Demand Index
from prior month

Home Demand Index
from prior year

Index change
from prior month

16.7%

Index change from
same time last year

-7.1%

Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index

www.homedemandindex.com

Washington D.C. | March 2026

Home Demand Index

The Home Demand Index (HDI) for the Washington DC metro area stands at 75 for this report period, up from 69 last month and broadly in line with the 79 recorded during the same period one year ago. The six-point month-over-month gain reflects a meaningful spring reactivation in buyer activity, marking one of the more pronounced early-season recoveries across the three metros covered in this report. With the year-over-year gap narrowing to just four points, the DC market is tracking closer to prior-year demand levels than Baltimore or Philadelphia, suggesting underlying buyer engagement in the region remains comparatively resilient despite persistent affordability and financing headwinds.

Demand by home type in the Washington DC metro shows broad-based improvement from last month, with most segments advancing meaningfully and several posting readings competitive with or above year-ago levels. Entry-level single-family homes rose to 73 from 71 last month and above last year’s reading of 71, marking this segment as one of the few entry-level tiers in the region showing year-over-year improvement, consistent with sustained first-time buyer demand at accessible price points. Mid-range single-family homes advanced to 60 from 56 last month but remain below last year’s 66, pointing to move-up activity that is building momentum without yet reaching prior-spring levels. Luxury single-family homes posted a notable gain, rising to 76 from 63 last month, though still well below last year’s 98, suggesting high-end buyers are re-engaging selectively after a soft winter period. Entry-level condos climbed to 98 from 91 last month, slightly below last year’s 104, continuing to serve as an accessible alternative in one of the region’s higher-cost housing environments. Luxury condos rose to 110 from 96 last month but trail last year’s 128 by eighteen points, reflecting some moderation in premium attached demand from the elevated levels of early 2025. Townhouses advanced strongly to 78 from 71 last month and match last year’s reading of 78 exactly, indicating this segment has fully recovered to prior-spring demand levels and is well-positioned as a primary beneficiary of the metro’s spring buyer reactivation.

Home Demand
Index

(Slow)

Home Demand Index
from prior month

Home Demand Index
from prior year

Index change
from prior month

8.7%

Index change from
same time last year

-5.1%

Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index

www.homedemandindex.com

Washington D.C. | February 2026

Home Demand Index

The Home Demand Index (HDI) for the Washington, D.C. metro area is at 66 in this report period, up from 53 last month and just below the 67 level recorded one year ago. This rebound reflects a notable pickup in buyer activity compared to the prior period, following several months of softer readings toward the end of the year. While demand has recovered on a month-over-month basis, the slight year-over-year gap suggests that purchasing activity remains constrained relative to last year, with affordability challenges and financing conditions continuing to limit the depth of buyer participation.

Demand across home types in the Washington, D.C., area shows mixed performance this report period. Entry-level single-family homes have limited supply, though demand is slightly higher than last year, while luxury condo and single-family homes have seen demand increase sharply from last month, suggesting renewed interest in the luxury segment. These shifts indicate buyers are responding selectively to available inventory, with activity concentrating where value and supply are better aligned.

Home Demand
Index

(Limited)

Home Demand Index
from prior month

Home Demand Index
from prior year

Index change
from prior month

24.5%

Index change from
same time last year

-1.5%

Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index

www.homedemandindex.com

All reports for the Washington D.C. Market Area.

Washington D.C. | August 2026

Washington D.C. | July 2026

Washington D.C. | June 2026

Washington D.C. | May 2026

Washington D.C. | April 2026

Washington D.C. | March 2026

Washington D.C. | February 2026

Washington D.C. | January 2026

Washington D.C. | December 2025

Washington D.C. | November 2025

Washington D.C. | October 2025

Washington D.C. | September 2025

Washington D.C. | August 2025

Washington D.C. | July 2025

Washington D.C. | June 2025

Washington D.C. | May 2025

Washington D.C. | April 2025

Washington D.C. | March 2025

Washington D.C. | February 2025

Washington D.C. | January 2025

Washington D.C. | December 2024

Washington D.C. | November 2024

Washington D.C. | October 2024

Washington D.C. | September 2024

Washington D.C. | August 2024

Washington D.C. | July 2024

Washington D.C. | June 2024

Washington D.C. | May 2024

Washington D.C. | April 2024

Washington D.C. | March 2024

Washington D.C. | February 2024

Washington D.C. | January 2024

Washington D.C. | December 2023

Washington D.C. | November 2023

Washington D.C. | October 2023

Washington D.C. | September 2023

Washington D.C. | August 2023

Washington D.C. | July 2023

Washington D.C. | June 2023

Washington D.C. | May 2023

Washington D.C. | April 2023

Washington D.C. | March 2023

Washington D.C. | February 2023

Washington D.C. | January 2023

Washington D.C. | December 2022

Washington D.C. | November 2022

Washington D.C. | October 2022

Washington D.C. | September 2022

Washington D.C. | August 2022

Washington D.C. | July 2022

Washington D.C. | June 2022

Washington D.C. | May 2022

Washington D.C. | April 2022

Washington D.C. | March 2022

Washington D.C. | February 2022

Washington D.C. | January 2022

Washington D.C. | December 2021

Washington D.C. | November 2021

Washington D.C. | October 2021

Washington D.C. | September 2021

Washington D.C. | August 2021

Washington D.C. | July 2021

Washington D.C. | June 2021

Washington D.C. | May 2021

Washington D.C. | April 2021

Washington D.C. | March 2021

Washington D.C. | February 2021

Washington D.C. | January 2021

Washington D.C. | December 2020

Washington D.C. | November 2020

Washington D.C. | October 2020

List of available data files. Note that the data file includes all data for the report period across the entire Bright MLS footprint.

Washington D.C. Metro

Metro Area Overview

Market Trend Map

Washington D.C. | August 2026

Home Demand Index

Washington D.C. | July 2026

Home Demand Index

Washington D.C. | June 2026

Home Demand Index

Washington D.C. | May 2026

Home Demand Index

Washington D.C. | April 2026

Home Demand Index

Washington D.C. | March 2026

Home Demand Index

Washington D.C. | February 2026

Home Demand Index

Dataset for August 2026

Dataset for July 2026

Dataset for June 2026

Dataset for May 2026

Dataset for April 2026

Dataset for March 2026

Dataset for February 2026

Dataset for January 2026

Dataset for December 2025

Dataset for November 2025

Dataset for October 2025

Dataset for September 2025

Dataset for August 2025

Dataset for July 2025

Dataset for June 2025

Dataset for May 2025

Dataset for April 2025

Dataset for March 2025

Dataset for February 2025

Dataset for January 2025

Dataset for December 2024

Dataset for November 2024

Dataset for October 2024

Dataset for September 2024

Dataset for August 2024

Dataset for July 2024