Could the Washington, D.C. housing market be on the verge of a collapse due to job cuts linked to DOGE? Speculation fueled by social media posts is suggesting a potential surge in inventory hitting the market. Is this a pivotal moment that could send the D.C. housing scene into chaos? Or is it all just hype?
Before you jump to conclusions, it’s important to approach these sensational claims with caution. Let’s rely on reliable data sources to uncover the truth about the D.C. market. Altos Research offers fresh weekly data that can provide the clarity we need.
Weekly housing inventory data
Let’s start by looking at the national inventory data, a crucial indicator as we strive for normalcy in the housing market. While inventory levels have not yet returned to the average, we have seen a significant increase from the all-time low recorded in March 2022. With a slight uptick in inventory last week, we can expect the typical spring surge soon.
- Weekly inventory change (Feb. 7-Feb. 14): Inventory rose from 632,367 to 637,991
- The same week last year (Feb. 9-Feb. 16): Inventory fell from 494,819 to 493,987
- The all-time inventory bottom was in 2022 at 240,497
- The inventory peak for 2024 was 739,434
- Active listings for the same week in 2015 were 954,581
Now, let’s turn our attention to the DC Metro housing market and investigate if the reported massive inventory surge is actually happening. So far, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.
New listings data
Examining the new listing data from Altos Research gives us insight into homes coming to the market without immediate contracts, providing a real-time view of selling pressure. The last two years saw record-low new listings data.
Last year, there was an expectation of 80,000 new listings per week during the peak months, but it did not materialize. This year, the target is more optimistic. It’s worth noting that during the housing bubble crash years, new listing data was significantly higher.
The national new listing data for the past week over the previous years:
- 2025: 56,559
- 2024: 49,556
- 2023: 42,073