Weather

Arlingtonians with an eye to the sky were treated to the northern lights tonight (Thursday).

Reports of visible aurora borealis in the D.C. area started coming in around 7:30 p.m. While visible to the naked eye, the auroras could be more clearly seen on long exposure photos.


Sports

No matter what happens from this point, the Bishop O’Connell Knights already have achieved a season of firsts.

Through 11 games, the girls high-school field hockey team stands 10-1, with that number of wins being the most in a single season for the private-school squad.


Sponsored

This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at [email protected].

Question: How has the local real estate market performed so far this year?

Answer: After a year where market conditions softened in favor of buyers, the Northern VA real estate market became more favorable for sellers in the first quarter of 2026, while the Washington DC condo market continued to reel.

What is in this article:

  • Northern VA, Arlington, and Washington DC Absorption Trends (demand)
  • Northern VA, Arlington, and Washington DC Inventory Trends (supply)
  • Washington DC List Price Trends (market values)

Northern VA & Arlington Inventory is Being Absorbed Faster

After four straight quarters of double-digit decreases in year-over-year absorption, the Northern VA and Arlington markets saw a ~8% increase in absorption rate.

What this means: Demand increased in Q1

Northern VA & Arlington New Listing Volume is Declining

After a promising trend of six straight quarters of year-over-year increases in the number of homes listed for sale in Northern VA, new listing activity fell by ~1% each of the previous two quarters.

What this means: Sellers have less competition, buyers have fewer choices

Washington DC Condo Absorption is Plummeting

The absorption rate for DC condos has declined year-over-year for 16 quarters straight and 23 out of the past 26 quarters.

What this means: It is difficult to find buyers for DC condos

Washington DC Condo Inventory Declined Slightly

Total inventory declined by 3.4% year-over-year, the first quarterly drop since Q4 2023. Still, there were great than 2x more condos for sale in DC in Q1 2026 than Q1 2020

What this means: Motivated sellers must compete aggressively with each other for buyers

Washington DC Condos Keep Getting Cheaper

The average price of a DC condo listed for sale is 9.4% less than it was in Q1 2025 and ~9% less than it was ten years ago.

What this means: Even lowering the price won’t guarantee a buyer

If you’d like to discuss buying, selling, investing, or renting, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].

We have access to the most pre and off-market listings across the DMV of any brokerage and are happy to share what’s available with anybody who asks.

Below are some of our team’s pre/off-market listings, details and additional listings available by request:

  • Westover – 4BR/2BA/2,000sqft – Detached Single Family (2000) – 23rd St N Arlington VA 22205
  • Green Valley – 5BR/4.5BA/3,000sqft – Detached Single Family (2020) – 24th St S Arlington VA 22206
  • Ballston – 4BR/3.5BA/2,400sqft – Townhouse (2008) – N George Mason Dr Arlington VA 22203
  • Ballston – 4BR/3.5BA+office/4,000 sqft – Four Townhouses (2026/2027) – 11th St N Arlington VA 22201
  • Rosslyn – 2BR/2BA/1,800sqft – Condo (2021) – 1781 N Pierce St Arlington VA 22209
  • Rosslyn – 3BR/2.5BA/2,400sqft – Condo (1986) – 1530 Key Blvd Arlington VA 22209
  • Williamsburg – 6BR/5.5BA/5,500 sqft – Detached Single Family (2026) – 27th St N Arlington VA 22207
  • Yorktown – 6BR/6.5BA/6,000+ sqft – Detached Single Family (2026) – N Greencastle St Arlington VA 22207

Eli and his team believe that your real estate needs should be managed by advisors, not salespeople. Their mission is to guide, educate, and advocate for their clients through real advice, hands-on support, and personalized service.


Sports

Two tall refurbished trophies, named for individuals for the first time, were presented to the winning girls and boys high-school teams at this year’s annual Arlington County cross-country championship meets the afternoon of Sept. 24 at Bluemont Park.

The girls trophy is now named for former Washington-Liberty High School director of student activities Carol Callaway. The boys is named for former longtime Yorktown High School cross country coach Mark Stripe, who coached Yorktown for more than 25 years.


News

A proposal to let up to eight people live in Arlington recovery residences has received the Arlington Planning Commission’s support, despite some pushback.

Prior to a unanimous vote on Monday, commissioners acknowledged some residents’ concerns about how existing recovery houses affect surrounding Arlington neighborhoods.


Around Town

Ballston’s outdoor “Urban Oasis” cafe has dried up — but its signature red coffee cart hasn’t gone far.

Like flowers after a desert rain, the short-lived Turkish coffee experience by Ballstonian founder Isa Seyran sprang up this summer in a courtyard at 4075 Wilson Blvd.


Around Town

Arlington’s third Goodwill location opened yesterday (Wednesday) on Langston Blvd after some delays during interior construction.

The new center at 5210 Langston Blvd mainly serves as a donation drop-off spot for apparel and household goods. The site is also expected to sell a limited selection of merchandise.