As we look ahead to the Washington, D.C. housing market in 2025, one trend is becoming increasingly clear: homeowners who purchased their properties during the pandemic will likely make up a significant portion of those looking to sell. While the D.C. housing market has always seen its fair share of turnover, the unique circumstances surrounding the pandemic homebuying boom will shift who is putting their homes up for sale.
A recent survey by Bright MLS, a leading multiple listing service, revealed that 32.2% of homeowners across the U.S. planning to sell in 2025 have lived in their current homes for less than five years. This marks a substantial departure from the typical trend, where homeowners tend to stay in their homes for much longer, often over 12 years. According to Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, this rapid turnover among pandemic-era buyers signals a new era in the housing market.
“Typically, we have seen the length of time people remain in their homes longer and longer. People stay in their homes typically for about 12 years,” Sturtevant explains. “The fact that there is a big group of homeowners ready to move more quickly suggests that this is a very different era.”
The Pandemic’s Impact on Homebuyers
During the pandemic, many people decided to buy homes in the face of historically low mortgage rates. This period saw a spike in demand, with buyers flocking to secure their next homes before rates rose and prices escalated. In the D.C. metro area, for example, home values have increased by an impressive 31% since the first quarter of 2020. For many of these homeowners, this means they now sit on significant property equity.
This newfound equity is one of the key factors that could encourage homeowners to list their properties in 2025. Many who bought during the pandemic may now feel that they have reached the point where they can either upgrade to a larger home or cash out and move on.

Despite the ongoing challenges posed by high home prices and relatively high mortgage rates, the equity built up over the past few years provides these homeowners with a unique advantage. “I think those people who have built up equity in their home in the last few years are in a pretty good position to be out there in the housing market, even though mortgage rates are not going to fall as much as we would have liked,” Sturtevant adds. “That equity they have is going to be the game changer that will allow more buyers to be in the market in 2025.”
What This Means for D.C. Sellers and Buyers
For D.C. homeowners who purchased during the pandemic, the opportunity to leverage equity into a move-up property could prove too enticing to ignore. However, it also presents potential challenges for buyers. Home prices in the D.C. area remain high, and mortgage rates may not fall significantly in the coming years.
Still, for those who can afford it, the housing market in 2025 could offer ample opportunities to secure a property with substantial equity. Sellers who purchased in the last few years could find themselves in a prime position to capitalize on their investments and make their next move—whether upgrading to a larger home or relocating to a new neighborhood.
In short, the homeowners who will be selling in 2025 are likely to be those who bought during the pandemic, having built up significant equity and are now ready to take advantage of the market conditions. Whether it’s a move-up or a move-on, the D.C. housing market in 2025 will likely be shaped by these pandemic-era buyers seeking their next chapter.