Northern Virginia contract trends, updated weekly
Northern Virginia Housing Market: Weekly Contract Trends
A contract-stage view of Northern Virginia real estate before closing. We review Cardinal Title Group's Northern Virginia contract trends to explain pricing, contingencies, concessions, and transaction timing. These agreements offer an earlier look at the transactions in this sample than waiting for their completed-sale results.
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This week's update
Northern Virginia Contract Trends: October 27 – November 2, 2026
Contracts received to .
These figures cover Cardinal's reported Northern Virginia contracts only, not all Northern Virginia transactions. Cardinal did not provide a Northern Virginia contract count for this period.
Disclosure. Data: Cardinal Title Group, used with permission. Commentary: The Jamil Brothers Realty Group. The Jamil Brothers Realty Group has a business affiliation and paid business arrangement with Cardinal Title Group.
This week's quick answer
In Cardinal's reported Northern Virginia contracts received October 27 – November 2, 2026, 40% were written below list price, 30% at list, and 30% above list. Buyer protections stayed common: 83% included a home inspection contingency, 77% a financing contingency, and 69% an appraisal contingency.
Versus October 20–26, the share below list fell 14 percentage points, while the share at list rose 8 and the share above list rose 6. Northern Virginia counts were not provided, so this is a change in one title company's sample, not proof of a market shift.
40%
Below list price
Contract price, not final sale price
30%
Above list price
Another 30% were at list
83%
Inspection contingency
Of reported contracts
45%
Seller subsidy
Present; amounts not reported
Charts
This week in charts
Every bar uses the same 0–100% scale, and every value is written out, so no chart depends on color alone.
Contract price vs. list price
Where each reported contract price landed compared with the list price.
- Lower than list40%
- At list price30%
- Higher than list30%
Does not show the size of any discount or premium, or the final sale price.
Days on market
How long homes in this contract sample were on the market before going under contract.
- 0–7 days34%
- 8–21 days21%
- 22+ days45%
Bands as reported. No average or median, and nothing about homes still for sale.
Contingencies included
The share of reported contracts that included each buyer protection.
Financing contingency77%
Appraisal contingency69%
Home inspection contingency83%
Each bar is separate; they are not parts of one total. "No contingency" does not mean no appraisal or inspection happened.
Financing and seller subsidy
How reported contracts were paid for, and how often a seller subsidy was included.
- Financing84%
- Cash16%
Seller subsidy present45%
Financing is separate from contingency status and doesn't show loan type. Seller subsidy shows presence only, not the amount or what it paid for.
All figures
Every reported figure at a glance
Each Northern Virginia measure from this week's report, with what it can and can't tell you.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column →
| Measure | Reported share | What it does and does not tell you |
|---|---|---|
| Contract price vs. list price | 40% lower than list; 30% at list; 30% higher than list | Contract prices, not final sale prices. Does not show the size of any discount or premium. |
| Days on market | 34% at 0–7 days; 21% at 8–21 days; 45% at 22+ days | Describes homes in this contract sample, not unsold inventory or every listing. |
| Financing contingency | 77% yes; 23% no | No financing contingency does not necessarily mean a cash purchase. |
| Appraisal contingency | 69% yes; 31% no | No appraisal contingency does not mean no appraisal took place. |
| Home inspection contingency | 83% yes; 17% no | No inspection contingency does not mean no inspection took place. |
| Financing vs. cash | 84% financing; 16% cash | Separate from contingency status. Does not show loan type or down payment. |
| Seller subsidy | 45% yes | Shows presence only, not the amount or what it paid for. |
| Contract to close | 9% at 10–15 days; 45% at 16–30 days; 45% at 31–60 days; 1% at 60+ days | Bands shown exactly as reported. Whether these are scheduled or completed timelines is still being confirmed with Cardinal, so they should not be used to predict a closing date. |
What changed
How this week compares with recent weeks
Northern Virginia shares from this week's report next to the two previous weeks. Changes are in percentage points versus last week (October 20–26, 2026).
Pricing vs. list
40% below list −14 pts
Down from 54% last week. The at-list share rose from 22% to 30% and the above-list share from 24% to 30%. Below list remained the largest single group.
Days on market
34% within 7 days +11 pts
Up from 23% last week, while the 22+ day share fell from 53% to 45%. The report does not explain why.
Financing vs. cash
16% cash −6 pts
Down from 22% last week, with financing up to 84%. The three contingency shares eased by 1 to 6 points, and seller subsidies held near last week at 45%.
Swipe the table sideways to see earlier weeks →
| Measure | Oct 27–Nov 2 This week |
Change vs. last week | Oct 20–26 | Oct 13–19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contract price vs. list price | ||||
| Lower than list | 40% | −14 pts | 54% | 56% |
| At list price | 30% | +8 pts | 22% | 22% |
| Higher than list | 30% | +6 pts | 24% | 22% |
| Days on market | ||||
| 0–7 days | 34% | +11 pts | 23% | 39% |
| 8–21 days | 21% | −3 pts | 24% | 17% |
| 22+ days | 45% | −8 pts | 53% | 44% |
| Contingencies included (yes share) | ||||
| Financing contingency | 77% | −1 pt | 78% | 71% |
| Appraisal contingency | 69% | −4 pts | 73% | 67% |
| Home inspection contingency | 83% | −6 pts | 89% | 68% |
| Financing vs. cash | ||||
| Financing | 84% | +6 pts | 78% | 80% |
| Cash | 16% | −6 pts | 22% | 20% |
| Seller subsidy | ||||
| Seller subsidy present | 45% | −1 pt | 46% | 32% |
How to read these changes: Cardinal did not provide a Northern Virginia contract count for any of these weeks, so a shift can reflect a smaller or different mix of contracts rather than a change in the wider market. A point change is a change in the share of sampled contracts, not in the number of homes. Three weeks show this sample's recent sequence, not a proven trend. Earlier weeks are in Past Trends below.
What it means for you
Turning this week's data into decisions
Each point starts with what the report shows, then a practical question or step for your own move.
Comparing your selling costs
Market conditions are only one part of a sale; your listing fee is another cost you can compare. The Jamil Brothers Realty Group offers full-service listing fees starting at 1.5%.
For qualifying properties with an agreed list price of $500,000 or more at the time of listing. Rates and terms may vary based on the property and services selected. Final listing fee and terms are established in the executed listing agreement. Commissions are negotiable and not set by law. The advertised fee is listing-side only and excludes other selling costs and any separately negotiated buyer-broker compensation.
Archive
Past Trends
Earlier Northern Virginia figures from Cardinal Title Group's weekly reports, as printed. Each week is a separate snapshot; Northern Virginia counts were not provided, so differences between weeks may reflect sample size or mix.
Oct 20, 2026 - Oct 26, 2026156 contracts in report
| Measure | Reported share |
|---|---|
| Contract price vs. list price | 54% lower than list; 22% at list; 24% higher than list |
| Days on market | 23% at 0–7 days; 24% at 8–21 days; 53% at 22+ days |
| Financing contingency | 78% yes; 22% no |
| Appraisal contingency | 73% yes; 27% no |
| Home inspection contingency | 89% yes; 11% no |
| Financing vs. cash | 78% financing; 22% cash |
| Seller subsidy | 46% yes |
| Contract to close | 42% at 16–30 days; 57% at 31–60 days; plus a 1% slice not assigned to a band (definition still being confirmed) |
Total contracts in Cardinal's report: 156, all regions combined. Northern Virginia count not provided.
Oct 13, 2026 - Oct 19, 2026125 contracts in report
| Measure | Reported share |
|---|---|
| Contract price vs. list price | 56% lower than list; 22% at list; 22% higher than list |
| Days on market | 39% at 0–7 days; 17% at 8–21 days; 44% at 22+ days |
| Financing contingency | 71% yes; 29% no |
| Appraisal contingency | 67% yes; 33% no |
| Home inspection contingency | 68% yes; 32% no |
| Financing vs. cash | 80% financing; 20% cash |
| Seller subsidy | 32% yes |
| Contract to close | 6% at 10–15 days; 30% at 16–30 days; 59% at 31–60 days; 5% at 60+ days (definition still being confirmed) |
Total contracts in Cardinal's report: 125, all regions combined. Northern Virginia count not provided.
Oct 6, 2026 - Oct 12, 2026119 contracts in report
| Measure | Reported share |
|---|---|
| Contract price vs. list price | 53% lower than list; 39% at list; 8% higher than list |
| Days on market | 18% at 0–7 days; 22% at 8–21 days; 60% at 22+ days |
| Financing contingency | 76% yes; 24% no |
| Appraisal contingency | 71% yes; 29% no |
| Home inspection contingency | 75% yes; 25% no |
| Financing vs. cash | 83% financing; 17% cash |
| Seller subsidy | 43% yes |
| Contract to close | 2% at 10–15 days; 38% at 16–30 days; 60% at 31–60 days; no 60+ day share shown (definition still being confirmed) |
Total contracts in Cardinal's report: 119, all regions combined. Northern Virginia count not provided.
Sep 29, 2026 - Oct 5, 2026103 contracts in report
| Measure | Reported share |
|---|---|
| Contract price vs. list price | 34% lower than list; 28% at list; 38% higher than list |
| Days on market | 24% at 0–7 days; 37% at 8–21 days; 39% at 22+ days |
| Financing contingency | 66% yes; 34% no |
| Appraisal contingency | 59% yes; 41% no |
| Home inspection contingency | 80% yes; 20% no |
| Financing vs. cash | 77% financing; 23% cash |
| Seller subsidy | 41% yes |
| Contract to close | 51% at 16–30 days; 45% at 31–60 days; 4% at 60+ days; no 10–15 day share shown (definition still being confirmed) |
Total contracts in Cardinal's report: 103, all regions combined. Northern Virginia count not provided.
Sep 22, 2026 - Sep 28, 2026155 contracts in report
| Measure | Reported share |
|---|---|
| Contract price vs. list price | 48% lower than list; 26% at list; 26% higher than list |
| Days on market | 24% at 0–7 days; 45% at 8–21 days; 31% at 22+ days |
| Financing contingency | 67% yes; 33% no |
| Appraisal contingency | 63% yes; 37% no |
| Home inspection contingency | 74% yes; 26% no |
| Financing vs. cash | 76% financing; 24% cash |
| Seller subsidy | 30% yes |
| Contract to close | 6% at 10–15 days; 50% at 16–30 days; 43% at 31–60 days; 1% at 60+ days (definition still being confirmed) |
Total contracts in Cardinal's report: 155, all regions combined. Northern Virginia count not provided.
Sep 15, 2026 - Sep 21, 2026134 contracts in report
| Measure | Reported share |
|---|---|
| Contract price vs. list price | 48% lower than list; 19% at list; 33% higher than list |
| Days on market | 37% at 0–7 days; 9% at 8–21 days; 54% at 22+ days |
| Financing contingency | 80% yes; 20% no |
| Appraisal contingency | 67% yes; 33% no |
| Home inspection contingency | 61% yes; 39% no |
| Financing vs. cash | 86% financing; 14% cash |
| Seller subsidy | 22% yes |
| Contract to close | 8% at 10–15 days; 36% at 16–30 days; 46% at 31–60 days; 10% at 60+ days (definition still being confirmed) |
Total contracts in Cardinal's report: 134, all regions combined. Northern Virginia count not provided.
Limitations: These figures describe Cardinal Title Group's reported Northern Virginia contracts received October 27 – November 2, 2026, as printed in its Contract Trends report. They are contract-stage figures, not completed sale prices, and may differ from conditions in a specific neighborhood, price range, or property type. The number of Northern Virginia contracts was not provided.
Guide
How to read this report
Each measure answers one narrow question about the contracts in Cardinal's sample. Here is what each one covers, and what it can't tell you.
Contract price vs. list price
Whether the agreed contract price was lower than, at, or higher than the list price. It is not the final sale price, and it does not show how far above or below list a contract landed.
Days on market
How long homes in the sample were listed before going under contract, grouped into bands. It describes homes that went under contract, not homes still for sale.
Contingencies
Conditions that let a buyer exit or renegotiate if financing, the appraisal, or the inspection falls short. Having no contingency does not mean no appraisal or inspection took place.
Financing vs. cash
Whether the purchase used financing or cash. It is reported separately from contingencies and says nothing about loan type or down payment.
Seller subsidy
Whether the contract included a seller subsidy. The report shows only whether one was present, not how much it was or what it paid for.
Contract to close
Time bands between contract and closing as printed by Cardinal. We are confirming whether these are scheduled or completed timelines, so we show them without interpretation.
Northern Virginia · Market FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about what Cardinal Title Group's contract data can and can't tell Northern Virginia buyers and sellers.
What is this page based on?
Cardinal Title Group's weekly Contract Trends report, using only the panels labeled Northern Virginia. The commentary is written by The Jamil Brothers Realty Group.
Does this show the whole Northern Virginia market?
No. It covers the Northern Virginia contracts in Cardinal's report, which is one title company's sample. Cardinal does not publish a Northern Virginia contract count.
Why look at contracts instead of closed sales?
Contracts come before closing, so they give an earlier look at the transactions in this sample than waiting for their completed-sale results.
If many contracts are below list, are home values falling?
Not necessarily. The share below list does not measure the size of any discount, a sale-to-list ratio, or a change in values. One week of data can't establish a trend.
What does "contracts received" mean?
The contracts Cardinal received during the reporting period. They were not necessarily signed, ratified, or closed during that period.
Is this MLS data?
No. These figures come from Cardinal Title Group's Contract Trends report, not the MLS, so they may not match MLS-based market reports.
How often is this page updated?
We update the weekly section when Cardinal Title Group publishes a new Contract Trends report. Each update shows the exact dates of the contracts it covers.
Can this tell me what my home is worth?
No. A regional sample can't establish the value of a particular home. For that, request a home value review based on your property and nearby sales.
Explore Your Home Selling Options
Find out what your Northern Virginia home could be worth and compare your options with The Jamil Brothers.
About this sample
This is a snapshot of Cardinal Title Group's reported Northern Virginia contracts, not the entire Northern Virginia housing market. Sample size, property mix, and neighborhood conditions can vary. A title-company sample cannot establish the value of a particular home. Unless Cardinal provides a regional count, the number of Northern Virginia contracts is not available.
Source and relationship
Data: Cardinal Title Group, used with permission. Commentary: The Jamil Brothers Realty Group. The Jamil Brothers Realty Group has a business affiliation and paid business arrangement with Cardinal Title Group.
*Listing fees start at 1.5% for qualifying properties with an agreed list price of $500,000 or more at the time of listing. Rates and terms may vary based on the property and services selected. Final listing fee and terms are established in the executed listing agreement. Commissions are negotiable and not set by law.