If you’ve been waiting for the DMV to cool off, you may want to check the thermostat again. Northern Virginia’s median sold price hit $812,012 in May, up 2.9% year-over-year — more than double the national pace of appreciation — while closed sales jumped 11% compared to just 3.2% nationally. Even more telling: homes here sold in an average of just 15 days versus 29 nationally, with only 1.93 months of supply compared to 4.5 months across the country. Translation? While national headlines talk about a “balanced market,” Northern Virginia never got the memo.

The real story, though, is where the tightness lives. Inventory has increased across the region, but that growth has been driven almost entirely by condominium listings — single-family and townhome supply remains near historically low levels. That scarcity is precisely what powers our corner of the map: in McLean, February closed sales posted a median of $2.1 million — even as broader home-value models place the “typical” home closer to $1.45 million — a spread that tells you trophy properties and new custom builds are doing the heavy lifting. In Great Falls, homes inside the Langley High School pyramid continue to command a 35–50% premium, proof that school boundaries remain the most durable currency in Fairfax County real estate.

Perhaps most remarkable is what this market has shrugged off. Between December 2024 and April 2025, the Washington metro shed roughly 64,000 federal jobs, plus 38,000 more in professional and technical services — and yet pent-up demand for homeownership and long-term confidence in the region have largely offset those forces, with demand proving considerably more resilient than many observers expected. For sellers, the message is clear: well-prepared, well-priced detached homes in McLean, Great Falls, Arlington, and Vienna are still commanding attention — and commanding it fast. For buyers, the window of “slightly more choice” is real, but narrow. In this market, hesitation is still the most expensive line item.

As summer settles into the DMV, it’s the perfect time to enjoy everything our communities have to offer, from family-friendly adventures and local day trips to discovering hidden gems close to home. Below is our Summer Adventures guide, featuring ideas for family outings, pet-friendly destinations, and local favorites. We also share an article featuring designer-recommended garden investments that can enhance your outdoor living space for years to come.

We hope this month’s newsletter inspires you to explore, enjoy the season, and discover new possibilities, whether you’re searching for your next home or simply making the most of the one you’re in.