Harry Moore - HOME Realty
№ 01

Newsletter: October 8, 2026.

Welcome to this issue of my newsletter.

Remember, this is being written by me, not about me. And it should be sort of casual, because these are all people who I know.

Let's start with a plain English look at where our region lands in the national inventory numbers, then move onto a first-time buyer story out of the Mid-Atlantic that surprised me, then a little piece of the Ghosts of DC, a history from a building on New Mexico Ave. that I know pretty well, and last, six good ways to spend October 9-11. Read what grabs you, skip what doesn't, and if any of it raises any real estate related questions, you know how to find me.

Looking forward to seeing you around the DC Metro.

Harry Moore, eXp Realty LLC October 2026
In this issue
01 · Market Watch

National Inventory: What the Numbers Say

As is often the case with the DC Metro area, we land sort of in the middle of the national numbers. It was interesting to me to look at which metro areas were at the extreme ends of the curve. A number of metro areas that a year ago would have been at the top of this list are now at the bottom, and vice versa.

Harry's take
Bar chart from Homes.com titled Home listings rise the fastest in Seattle: year-over-year change in August home listings by metro area, with Seattle highest at +21.5% and Jacksonville lowest at -18.5%
Home listings rise the fastest in Seattle: year-over-year change in August inventory by metro, with Seattle highest at +21.5% and Jacksonville lowest at -18.5%. Source: Homes.com.
Read the full story on Homes.com
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02 · Buyer Insights

First-Time Buyers in the Mid-Atlantic

I was sort of surprised that the Mid-Atlantic has such a high percentage of first-time homebuyers, considering that the median sales prices around here are pretty high.

Harry's take
Table from Bright MLS titled First-time Homebuyers in the Mid-Atlantic, June-August 2026: Washington DC at 41.4%, with the full Bright MLS service area total at 38.2%
First-time Homebuyers in the Mid-Atlantic, June-August 2026. Source: Bright MLS.

At a glance: first-time buyer share by market

Philadelphia 42.5%
Baltimore 43.4%
Washington DC 41.4%
Southern Maryland 41.9%
Central Pennsylvania 38.9%
Maryland Eastern Shore 34.5%
North Central Virginia 29.8%
Maryland/West Virginia Panhandle 28.3%
Del/Mar Coastal 16.4%
Bright MLS service area total 38.2%
Read the Bright MLS market survey

A perspective note: nationally, first-time homebuyers just fell to a historic low of about 21 percent of purchases, per NAR, which makes the local numbers really stand out. Here in the DC area we are seeing roughly twice that share, and it speaks to how many people are still working to get into a home around the DMV.

Read the NAR release
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03 · Local History

Ghosts of DC: The Colonnade

I used to live right across the street from the colonnade in a very plain little fourplex building. There was a little convenience store in the basement of the colonnade where I used to go to buy my Sunday paper and sometimes a quart of milk. I've known a few people who live in the building at various points, one who still does. I even remember when I was looking for my first house, I went over and looked at an apartment in the Collenade, The apartment was nice, but I just couldn't handle the fees.

Harry's memory
The Colonnade, 2801 New Mexico Avenue NW, an L-shaped light brick apartment building with balconies and a pool in the foreground
The Colonnade, 2801 New Mexico Avenue NW.
Read the Ghosts of DC story
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04 · Weekend Picks

Things to Do This Weekend

This weekend runs October 9-11, and the region is busy. Here are my picks, two from each corner of the DMV: a mix of family-friendly and adult outings across Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Montgomery County.

Washington, DC

  • USWNT vs. Spain

    The US Women's National Team takes on the reigning World Cup champions. Saturday at 2:30pm at Audi Field.

    Event details

  • Snallygaster Craft Beer Festival

    DC's biggest outdoor craft beer festival: 450+ beers from 175 breweries, plus wine, music and food trucks. Saturday noon to 6pm on Pennsylvania Ave, and yes, it is family-friendly.

    Event details

Northern Virginia

  • Cox Farms Fall Festival

    The classic fall outing: hayrides, giant slides, a corn maze and pumpkins. Open weekends in Clifton.

    Event details

  • 50th Annual City of Fairfax Fall Festival

    The golden anniversary edition: 400+ craft and food vendors, three stages of music and a beer garden. Saturday 10am to 5pm in downtown Fairfax.

    Event details

Montgomery County

  • AutumnFest at Maydale Nature Classroom

    Pumpkin painting, live music, a campfire and fall fun for all ages. Saturday 4 to 7pm at Maydale Nature Classroom in Colesville.

    Event details

  • Montgomery County Fall Arts, Crafts & Vendor Festival

    A big vendor market of arts, crafts and more, Friday through Sunday 10am to 5:30pm at Wheaton Regional Park.

    Event details

    No single official event page exists for this one; details via Bethesda Magazine's weekly events roundup.

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That is a wrap for this issue

Thanks for reading.

If any of these stories made you wonder about your own neighborhood or your own move, that is exactly what I am here for. No pressure, just a straight answer.

Best, Harry

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