The May Edition
Market Trends, Home Tips & Local Finds
May Market Forecast
The latest Washington, D.C. Metro weekly snapshot shows a market that is active but still adjusting. Buyer activity remains strong with over 20,000 showings, and new purchase contracts are up significantly compared to last year. At the same time, new listings and median prices continue to soften, giving buyers a bit more leverage. Homes are still moving quickly, with the median time to contract at just 23 days—slightly faster than both last week and last year.
Overall, the market remains competitive, but with subtle shifts that benefit both sides in different ways! Here’s a closer look:
Week Ending April 26, 2026
New Purchase Contracts: 1,510
Compared to a year ago: +37.8%
Compared to a week ago: -3.9%
Median Time to Contract: 23 days
Compared to a year ago: -3 days
Compared to a week ago: -1 day
New Listings: 1,849
Compared to a year ago: -5.7%
Compared to a week ago: -3.4%
Median List Price: $650,000
Compared to a year ago: -5.8%
Compared to a week ago: -3.0%
Active Listings: 9,572
Compared to a year ago: +5.6%
Compared to a week ago: +2.5%
What this means for you:
Buyers are gaining opportunities: Slightly more active listings and small price adjustments mean more options and better negotiating room.
Homes are still selling fast: With a 23-day median to contract, serious buyers should be prepared to act quickly.
Sellers need smart pricing: With prices edging down and more listings entering the market, strategic pricing is key to capturing buyer attention.
Market momentum is strong: A 37.8% jump in contracts year-over-year shows buyer confidence is high heading into late spring.
Less competition from new listings: New listings are down, meaning well-presented homes can still stand out and attract strong offers.
If a move is on your mind this spring, now is the time to prepare. With a smart plan in place, you can take advantage of the opportunities ahead.
🛒 Pearson Smith Realty • May Raffle
Because we love treating our clients (and future ones!), our brokerage is hosting a special giveaway this month:
👉 Click here to enter the raffle!
This month’s prize: a $300 gift card to Amazon! Enter before 5/29/26!
May Home Maintenance Checklist
As the days get longer and warmer, May is an ideal time to tackle a few outdoor and indoor projects to prepare your home for summer.
Service your cooling system
Schedule an HVAC check-up and replace air filters to ensure your AC is running efficiently before temperatures rise.
Prep outdoor living spaces
Clean patios, decks, and outdoor furniture. Power wash surfaces as needed and get your grill ready for summer gatherings.
Inspect and clean gutters
Spring pollen, blossoms, and debris can clog gutters. Clear them out to prevent overflow and protect your home’s exterior.
Refresh garden beds and landscaping
Add mulch, trim shrubs, and plant warm-season flowers or herbs to boost curb appeal and support healthy growth.
Local Spotlight:
Sterling Moms on the Move
Confession time: we launched Sterling Moms on the Move back in 2022… and then promptly did what every overwhelmed mom does best—forgot about it entirely!
As a result, the group currently boasts a proud handful of members, zero posts, and the digital equivalent of tumbleweeds rolling through the feed 😅
And let’s be honest: none of us actually like using Facebook anymore!
But here we are, still checking it daily because it’s the only place the school posts the half day schedule, the field trip form, the mystery PTA meeting, and the photo of your kid wearing someone else’s jacket. If we’re going to be held hostage by the platform, we might as well make it fun!
So this year, we’re reviving the group and kicking things up a notch—because moms deserve a space to laugh, share, vent, celebrate, commiserate, and remind each other that we’re not alone when the toddler refuses shoes again or the teenager communicates exclusively through sighing and door-closing.
Welcome to Sterling Moms on the Move—round two. Let’s make this a corner of Facebook we actually enjoy!
This Month’s Focus:
Many Moves, Three Standout Stories
It’s been an incredibly busy month at Redefined.Real Estate!
Multiple buyers and sellers, lots of closings on the horizon, and a whole lot to celebrate! But amid all the activity, three listings really stood out.
Why?
Because we didn’t just list them… we helped get them truly ready to sell.
Each of these homes had a completely different motivation, timeline, and story behind the move. And each one required a tailored, thoughtful approach to pricing, preparation, and promotion. No two sellers are alike — and neither are our strategies.
For one home, we focused on smart, high-impact updates to maximize value.
For another, our goal was navigating a changing neighborhood and positioning the home competitively.
And for the third, we implemented a full, customized plan to elevate presentation and attract the right buyer pool.
Three homes, three unique journeys… and all now under contract!
This month’s momentum has been powered entirely by referrals — something we are deeply grateful for. When our clients trust us enough to recommend us to their friends and family, it means everything.
We’re excited to get all of our sellers to the finish line this month, and as always, honored to be part of each family’s next chapter!
If you’re considering selling (or want to know what a personalized plan for your home might look like) we're here when you're ready!
Help Us Help More Families
We’ve had a busy month getting multiple homes ready for the market, and moments like these remind us how grateful we are for every client who has trusted us with their move ❤️
If we’ve worked together, a quick 5-star review would mean the world!
Your feedback helps future clientsand keeps our business thriving.
As always, thank you for reading and for being here! We love keeping you connected, inspired, and informed—and we’re honored to be part of your story, one home at a time!
Cheers,
MaryEllen Ragsdale & The Refined Real Estate Team