What’s it like right now to buy or sell a home? To get a picture of how the fall real-estate market is shaping up and how to navigate it, we surveyed 100 top-producing agents in the area. Here’s what they said.
Slow But Steady
81%
of agents said they’re seeing a decrease in sales this fall compared with spring.
43%
said fall 2026 is shaping up to be slower than the same time last year.
Interest rates
76%
said interest rates are having the single biggest impact on the market.
Changing Tides
76%
of agents said this fall is more of a buyer’s market.
Inventory Boost
85%
of agents said inventory is on the rise, though some noted that it’s still a concern overall.
The holiday slump
Thanksgiving typically ushers in the slowest time of year in real estate, but agents say a push for year-end deals may lead to a small December sales bump before things ramp up again in the new year.
Buyer Be Ready
Thinking of buying now? Agents say the market is primed.
“This is a great time for folks who have a hard time competing in the spring market,” says Compass’s Jaime Willis. Agents agree that less competition and increasingly motivated sellers mean great deals can sometimes be found this time of year.
Tip: “Many sellers will wait until spring to [list],” says Koki Adasi of Compass. While they wait, some test the waters through private listings or “private exclusives” to avoid accruing days on the market: “As a buyer, be sure your agent is searching for all opportunities over the holidays.”
Seller Central
For sellers, agents advise being patient—there are buyers in every season.
“Do not underestimate the importance of market preparation,” says TTR Sotheby’s Carolyn Sappenfield. Agents say investing in updates and staging for a fully move-in-ready feel is critical.
Tip: Price to sell. Being priced right is the top factor in sales success right now.
An AI Effect
As more folks use artificial intelligence, the Real Brokerage’s Laura Schwartz is concerned that deals could get more complicated.
One issue Schwartz is seeing is buyers uploading inspections into ChatGPT only for it to tell them a house is falling apart. “AI is a tool, but it’s not always right,” she says. “Many times, the same concern comes up in [homes of a similar] age or style,” Schwartz notes, so you may see the same problem in another property.
Tip: Talk to an agent to determine how scary the issue is to you as a buyer, how to properly address the concern, and the best way forward.
This article appears in the November 2026 issue of Washingtonian.
Amy leads Washingtonian Weddings and writes Style Setters for Washingtonian. Prior to joining Washingtonian in March 2016, she was the editor of Capitol File magazine in DC and before that, editor of What’s Up? Weddings in Annapolis.
