D.C. housing market shows signs of cracks amid mass federal layoffs
The supply of homes for sale across the nation always rises ahead of the busy spring market, but the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area is seeing an outsized increase, according to Realtor.com.
The supply of homes for sale across the nation always rises ahead of the busy spring market, but the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area is seeing an outsized increase, according to Realtor.com.
Inventory gains in the region, which includes the District as well as Maryland and Virginia suburbs, began to accelerate in January and February, up 35.9% and 41% year over year, respectively. Inventory in the area from June to December had already been 20% to 30% higher than the previous year, but the increases accelerated even further in recent months.
As of last week, active listings were up 56% compared with the same week one year ago.
“The adjustment period following federal layoffs and funding cuts has likely put some Washington D.C. home searches on hold, both for those whose jobs have been directly impacted and those who may be concerned about what’s ahead, and the data hints at these challenges,” wrote Danielle Hale, chief economist for Realtor.com, in a release.
For comparison, active listings nationally were up 28% last week compared with the same week in 2024, according to Realtor.com, coinciding with a decline in mortgage rates. The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed loan was around 7.25% in mid-January but fell steadily to 6.82% now, according to Mortgage News Daily.
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