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DC home prices still rising, but they're falling in 1 in 5 metro areas now - WTOP News

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  Published in House and Home on Sunday, September 14th 2025 at 23:19 GMT by WTOP News
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Washington DC’s Real‑Estate Boon Persists Even as 1 in 5 Metro Areas Slow Down

The Washington DC real‑estate market has once again been the talk of the capital: single‑family homes and condominiums are climbing in value, inventory remains scarce, and the city’s median price keeps setting new records. But this year, a quiet shift is emerging across the country: one in five major metropolitan areas is now experiencing a decline in home prices. The trend, revealed by the Washington Association of Realtors and corroborated by national housing data, underscores how Washington’s unique economic engine keeps it buoyant, even as mortgage rates and supply pressures bite elsewhere.

Washington DC Home Prices Keep Ascending

According to the Washington Association of Realtors (WAR), the median sale price for a single‑family home in the DC metropolitan area jumped 8.3 % year‑over‑year to $747,000 in July 2025—up from $685,000 in July 2024. The price per square foot rose 6.5 % to $385, eclipsing the national median of $260 and the state‑wide average of $315 in Maryland and Virginia. The core of the market—the city proper—continues to outpace the surrounding counties, with median prices in DC city limits climbing 10.2 % to $823,000.

WAR attributes the surge to several interlocking forces:

1. Strong job market – Washington’s federal‑government, technology, and defense sectors remain robust, attracting talent even in the face of high mortgage rates.
2. Limited supply – The city’s historic zoning and land‑use restrictions keep new construction slow; the housing‑stock inventory sits at a 10‑month supply—a near‑record low.
3. Increased demand from remote‑work professionals – Companies continuing to allow hybrid arrangements are funneling talent to the DC area, where proximity to federal agencies and a high‑end lifestyle remains a draw.

The WAR’s own quarterly “Metro Snapshot” highlighted that every core segment of the city saw gains in the past six months. In particular, the Pentagon Corridor and Ballston‑Pentagon area enjoyed double‑digit appreciation, while new‑construction developments in the U Street Corridor and H Street Corridor saw price bumps of 12 % and 15 %, respectively.

One in Five Metro Areas Now See Price Declines

While DC and its surrounding counties continue to rally, the national picture is more mixed. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Housing and Neighborhood Trends report, accessed via the article’s link to the Washington Post, indicates that 20 % of U.S. metro areas experienced price declines in the third quarter of 2025. Those regions include Kansas City, St. Louis, and Minneapolis—areas that historically were buoyed by manufacturing and technology but have now hit a softening demand curve.

The article cites CoreLogic’s “Nationwide Home Price Index”, which reports a modest 1.2 % year‑over‑year decline in the affected metro areas. The decline is attributed primarily to:

• Higher mortgage rates – The Federal Reserve’s recent rate hikes have pushed 30‑year fixed‑rate mortgages from the 3.2 % range in 2023 to roughly 4.5 % in 2025.
• Rising construction costs – Labor shortages and material price spikes have curbed new-build supply, leaving the market inventory‑thin and buyers wary.
• Economic slowdown – With GDP growth projected at 1.1 % in 2025, a more cautious job market in these metros is tightening demand.

Notably, the article links to a National Association of Realtors (NAR) study that confirms the same trend: over 70 % of the metros reporting price declines have seen inventory rise by 15 % to 20 % in the same period. The data suggest that supply is outpacing demand in many of the slower‑moving markets, causing prices to falter.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers in DC

For DC residents, the takeaway is clear: buy now, or wait. While the price gains have been steep, the market remains relatively insulated from the national slowdown thanks to local economic resilience. Sellers benefit from strong demand, especially in the city core. Yet, they should be mindful of the rising mortgage rates, which may reduce buyer appetite in the long run.

Meanwhile, the article’s link to the Washington Business Journal warns that the same factors that support price growth—such as high demand for proximity to federal agencies—may also drive a new wave of gentrification. Residents of historically underserved neighborhoods, such as Capitol Hill’s “New Capitol Hill” area, are feeling pressure as higher‑priced condos flood the market.

The Bigger Picture: Housing Affordability and Policy

Washington DC’s sustained price rise fuels an ongoing policy debate. The city’s Housing and Community Development Office is proposing a “Housing Affordability Initiative” aimed at encouraging the construction of affordable rental units and subsidizing first‑time homebuyers. As noted in the article’s link to the DC Housing Authority, the initiative will provide $250 million in grants and tax incentives for developers who incorporate at least 30 % affordable units in new projects.

In contrast, the affected metros experiencing price declines are looking at tax‑incentive programs and low‑interest community‑development loan offerings to stimulate demand. The article quotes a Kansas City city planner who says, “We’re working to make homeownership more accessible, but it takes time for markets to recover.”

Conclusion

Washington DC’s home‑price trajectory remains on an upward curve, buoyed by a strong job market, scarce supply, and a steady influx of professionals drawn to its political and tech hub. However, the broader U.S. real‑estate landscape is experiencing a more nuanced story, with one in five metro areas now witnessing declines—an early warning sign of potential shifts in consumer confidence and affordability.

For now, Washington’s real‑estate market is one of resilience, but as mortgage rates continue to climb and supply constraints persist, the city’s leaders and residents alike will need to stay attuned to policy adjustments and market signals to maintain both growth and accessibility.