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Nat Geo's highly anticipated museum opens in June

The $300 million transformation of Nat Geo's campus has been years in the making — and it's not your typical museum.

News

D.C.&#x27;s most-anticipated new museum finally has an opening date: the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Geographic Museum of Exploration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/10/21/national-geographic-museum-of-exploration-dc" data-vars-content-id="db25e91d-8729-4a9f-a6b9-6f798bde8033" data-vars-headline="Nat Geo&#x27;s highly anticipated museum opens in June" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/10/21/national-geographic-museum-of-exploration-dc" target="_self">National Geographic Museum of Exploration</a> debuts June 26.Why it matters: The $300 million transformation of Nat Geo&#x27;s 140-year-old campus near downtown has been years in the making — and it&#x27;s not your typical museum. Think high-tech, hands-on and built for all ages.

Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump's White House project faces a pivotal week

President Trump <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told reporters" data-vars-click-url="https://rollcall.com/factbase/trump/transcript/donald-trump-press-gaggle-air-force-one-march-29-2026/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rollcall.com/factbase/trump/transcript/donald-trump-press-gaggle-air-force-one-march-29-2026/" target="_blank">told reporters</a> aboard Air Force One on Sunday that the military &quot;is building a massive complex&quot; under <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the White House ballroom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/02/9000-pages-public-comments-slam-white-house-ballroom" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/02/9000-pages-public-comments-slam-white-house-ballroom" target="_self">the White House ballroom</a> that&#x27;s under construction — adding fresh intrigue to an already controversial renovation.Why it matters: Major <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="changes to the White House" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/white-house-trump-changes-photos" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/white-house-trump-changes-photos" target="_self">changes to the White House</a> are rare — but Trump is rapidly reshaping the complex in his second term, often sidestepping traditional approval processes.Driving the news: Trump said the $400 million ballroom &quot;actually becomes a shed for what&#x27;s being built&quot; underneath by the military.<ul><li>Outfitted with bulletproof windows, &quot;drone-proof roofs&quot; and his favored <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Corinthian columns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/03/15/white-house-columns-ionic-corinthian/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/03/15/white-house-columns-ionic-corinthian/" target="_blank">Corinthian columns</a>, the ballroom is weeks &quot;ahead of schedule and under budget,&quot; with &quot;not one dime of government money going into the ballroom.&quot;</li><li>A closed porch will have views of the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial and Lincoln Memorial.</li></ul>What he&#x27;s saying: &quot;I&#x27;m so busy that I don&#x27;t have time to do this,&quot; Trump said. &quot;I&#x27;m fighting wars and other things. But this is very important, because this is gonna be with us for a long time … I think it&#x27;ll be the greatest ballroom anywhere in the world.&quot;<figure><img alt="Donald Trump in a dark suit and red tie leans over, holding a large print of a white neoclassical government building with American flags, set against a blue sky." height="1409" id="a8a1fa15-647b-433a-80f5-910fb45d32ca" src="https://images.axios.com/dba4u91VFdoP1iLkqoHraYMCL3A=/2026/03/30/1774895014223.jpeg" width="2000"/><figcaption>The East Wing modernization project faces a final vote — and possible court decision — this week. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The intrigue: White House officials told reporters that the underground complex is a matter of national security and declined to offer further details.Context: Subterranean White House facilities aren&#x27;t new. The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Presidential Emergency Operations Center" data-vars-click-url="https://interestingengineering.com/culture/a-look-inside-the-us-presidents-top-secret-white-house-bunker" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://interestingengineering.com/culture/a-look-inside-the-us-presidents-top-secret-white-house-bunker" target="_blank">Presidential Emergency Operations Center</a> (PEOC) was created during WWII to protect <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Franklin D. Roosevelt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.whitehousehistory.org/secret-spaces-at-the-white-house" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.whitehousehistory.org/secret-spaces-at-the-white-house" target="_blank">President Franklin D. Roosevelt</a> in case of an attack.<ul><li>It&#x27;s been used during crises like 9/11 and in times of unrest, including the 2020 George Floyd protests, when Trump was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moved" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-violence-b3817623ef861818803b5676d43741ea" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-violence-b3817623ef861818803b5676d43741ea" target="_blank">moved</a> to the bunker.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CNN reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/politics/east-wing-secret-bunker-construction-details" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/politics/east-wing-secret-bunker-construction-details" target="_blank">CNN reported</a> in January that the existing PEOC had been &quot;dismantled&quot; during Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Wing demolition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/21/trump-white-house-east-wing-renovation-backlash" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/21/trump-white-house-east-wing-renovation-backlash" target="_self">East Wing demolition</a> and that a new, modernized facility was in the works.</li></ul>More intrigue: Officials have suggested the classified underground work is why White House construction moved ahead without National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approval.<ul><li>White House official Joshua Fisher told the NCPC that the overall project would boost &quot;mission-critical functionality,&quot; make &quot;necessary security enhancements,&quot; and create &quot;resilient, adaptive infrastructure&quot; for future needs, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CNN" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/politics/east-wing-secret-bunker-construction-details" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/politics/east-wing-secret-bunker-construction-details" target="_blank">CNN</a>.</li><li>In a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="court filing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/26/us/politics/judge-white-house-ballroom-trump.html" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/26/us/politics/judge-white-house-ballroom-trump.html" target="_blank">court filing</a> to stop the East Wing demolition, officials warned that halting the work would &quot;endanger national security.&quot;</li></ul>Between the lines: In a city where it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="difficult to build up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/05/trump-height-act-dc-legalize-skyscrapers" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/05/trump-height-act-dc-legalize-skyscrapers" target="_self">difficult to build up</a>, the Trump administration is going underground. Earlier this month, it sent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncpc.gov/files/projects/2026/8763_White_House_Visitor_Screening_Facility_Submission_Materials_Apr2026.pdf" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncpc.gov/files/projects/2026/8763_White_House_Visitor_Screening_Facility_Submission_Materials_Apr2026.pdf" target="_blank">a proposal</a> to the NCPC for a 33,000-square-foot screening facility for White House visitors below Sherman Park.<figure><img alt="After the 9/11 attacks, President George W. Bush met with this National Security Council in the East Wing bunker, which was reportedly dismantled in the East Wing demo. Photo by Eric Draper, Courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential Library" height="2048" id="4a41f4d2-e8d4-4c18-9775-476bbecc0a48" src="https://images.axios.com/q8FE_boHRGDKkfpyWfvthBHyBos=/2026/03/30/1774895233562.jpeg" width="3072"/><figcaption>After the 9/11 attacks, President George W. Bush met with this National Security Council in the East Wing bunker, which was reportedly dismantled in the East Wing demolition. Photo: Eric Draper, courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential Library</figcaption></figure>Friction point: The ballroom design got more than 9,000 pages of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="negative public comments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/02/9000-pages-public-comments-slam-white-house-ballroom" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/02/9000-pages-public-comments-slam-white-house-ballroom" target="_self">negative public comments</a>, but the NCPC, chaired by a top Trump official, is expected to vote to approve the project at its<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Thursday meeting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncpc.gov/review/agenda/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncpc.gov/review/agenda/" target="_blank"> Thursday meeting</a>.<ul><li>Local officials like D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, a member of the NCPC, are still voicing concerns about the addition overwhelming the White House: &quot;I am disturbed about the height,&quot; he told reporters Monday.</li></ul>Meanwhile, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Trust for Historic Preservation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/12/trump-ballroom-white-house-lawsuit" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/12/trump-ballroom-white-house-lawsuit" target="_self">National Trust for Historic Preservation</a> has sued to halt the project, arguing that the president skipped over congressional approval.What&#x27;s next: In addition to the Thursday vote, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, who&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expressed skepticism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/22/trump-ballroom-approval-lawsuit/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/22/trump-ballroom-approval-lawsuit/" target="_blank">expressed skepticism</a> over the project and its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="private donor funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/16/trump-white-house-ballroom-ethics-donors" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/16/trump-white-house-ballroom-ethics-donors" target="_self">private donor funding</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signaled" data-vars-click-url="https://www.courthousenews.com/federal-judge-likely-to-block-brazen-white-house-ballroom-construction/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.courthousenews.com/federal-judge-likely-to-block-brazen-white-house-ballroom-construction/" target="_blank">signaled</a> that a ruling on the National Trust&#x27;s lawsuit will come early this week — potentially halting the ballroom construction that&#x27;s set to start in April.

Long TSA lines abound — but not everywhere in the DMV

What to know before heading into peak spring break travel time.

Uncertainty is the feeling du jour for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="airline travel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" data-vars-content-id="256bc906-2025-4f6a-a938-8e78ded5b274" data-vars-headline="Long TSA lines abound — but not everywhere in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" target="_self">airline travel</a> heading into peak spring break and Easter — as the partial government shutdown continues to strain TSA staffing.Why it matters: If you&#x27;re about to ditch town, you&#x27;re likely on edge about reports of hours-long <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="security lines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/21/musk-trump-tsa-ice-airports" data-vars-content-id="256bc906-2025-4f6a-a938-8e78ded5b274" data-vars-headline="Long TSA lines abound — but not everywhere in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/21/musk-trump-tsa-ice-airports" target="_self">security lines</a>. But so far in the DMV, delays have been hit-or-miss.

Peak cherry blossoms are here — go now

Peak typically lasts a few days, but rain and wind could shorten the show.

Peak bloom <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="burst this morning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/bloom-watch.htm" data-vars-content-id="9a235364-98f4-4995-afe8-0e13a769112f" data-vars-headline="Peak cherry blossoms are here — go now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/bloom-watch.htm" target="_blank">burst this morning</a> at the Tidal Basin — which means the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cherry blossom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/20/best-cherry-blossoms-without-crowds-dc-arboretum" data-vars-content-id="9a235364-98f4-4995-afe8-0e13a769112f" data-vars-headline="Peak cherry blossoms are here — go now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/20/best-cherry-blossoms-without-crowds-dc-arboretum" target="_self">cherry blossom</a> clock is ticking.Why it matters: Go soon, and you may catch thousands of cherry trees at their peak before the biggest crowds descend.

JD Vance's next-door neighbor on Mass. Ave is selling

Perks of the mansion by the Naval Observatory: Pool, sauna and fed-level safety.

Real Estate

For $10.75 million, you can move next door to the Veep.The big picture: The stucco &quot;Heurich-Parks&quot; house at 3400 Massachusetts Avenue NW is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on the market" data-vars-click-url="https://3400massachusettsavenw.relahq.com/" data-vars-content-id="8a1f92fe-d81e-4126-b717-80a442de4914" data-vars-headline="JD Vance&#x27;s next-door neighbor on Mass. Ave is selling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://3400massachusettsavenw.relahq.com/" target="_blank">on the market</a>. It was originally built in 1925 and underwent a compete renovation nine years ago.

Former Key Bridge Marriott site to be developed into housing, hotel, green space

Expect housing, a hotel and public green space.

Development

The developer of the former <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Key Bridge Marriott" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/06/12/key-bridge-marriott-demolition" data-vars-content-id="541de2a8-ee00-4da4-a56f-995d187070e2" data-vars-headline="Former Key Bridge Marriott site to be developed into housing, hotel, green space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/06/12/key-bridge-marriott-demolition" target="_self">Key Bridge Marriott</a> site has released plans to reimagine the area.Why it matters: The future of the prime piece of land — which sits by the Key Bridge in Rosslyn, overlooking the Potomac — has been a local point of chatter since Marriott vacated the building several years ago.

D.C.'s buzziest 2025 real estate happenings

Who bought, who's selling. And one ginormous property still under construction.

It was a headline-packed, topsy-turvy year for D.C.-area real estate.The big picture: The DMV saw a surge in splashy &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump bump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/01/10/luxury-home-sales-dc-trump-bump-real-estate" data-vars-content-id="d3f8e75c-9f5a-4f29-a739-2171c61f29b6" data-vars-headline="D.C.&#x27;s buzziest 2025 real estate happenings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/01/10/luxury-home-sales-dc-trump-bump-real-estate" target="_self">Trump bump</a>&quot; sales as mega-wealthy administration members and POTUS orbiters snagged lux spots in the area.

What to expect from D.C.'s housing market next year

The DMV is the only mid-Atlantic region where 2026 prices are anticipated to fall.

Don&#x27;t expect Washington&#x27;s 2026&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/09/09/trump-federal-crackdown-real-estate-market" data-vars-content-id="5f97daeb-19c4-40a0-8d06-33b7db17a274" data-vars-headline="What to expect from D.C.&#x27;s housing market next year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/09/09/trump-federal-crackdown-real-estate-market" target="_self">housing market</a> to look all that different from this year&#x27;s sluggish market, a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://brightmls.com/2026forecast" data-vars-content-id="5f97daeb-19c4-40a0-8d06-33b7db17a274" data-vars-headline="What to expect from D.C.&#x27;s housing market next year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://brightmls.com/2026forecast" target="_blank">report</a> from Bright MLS says.The big picture: More than ever, it&#x27;s local economic outlooks, not the national one, that are driving regional housing markets across the country, says <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lisa Sturtevant" data-vars-click-url="https://brightmls.com/bio-page/lisa" data-vars-content-id="5f97daeb-19c4-40a0-8d06-33b7db17a274" data-vars-headline="What to expect from D.C.&#x27;s housing market next year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://brightmls.com/bio-page/lisa" target="_blank">Lisa Sturtevant</a>, the chief economist for Bright MLS, the multiple listing service.

Everyone's talking about this huge McLean house

An absolutely ginormous house going up in McLean has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Washington" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/05/21/luxury-real-estate-boom-trump-administration" data-vars-content-id="85e751f6-1497-4792-8daa-30d91dcd19c9" data-vars-headline="Everyone&#x27;s talking about this huge McLean house" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/05/21/luxury-real-estate-boom-trump-administration" target="_self">Washington</a> tongues wagging.Why it matters: If you&#x27;ve driven down Georgetown Pike recently — or know someone who has — you&#x27;ve probably seen it or heard about it.

DMV real estate splits as wealthy buyers stay active

It&#x27;s a tale of two markets in the DMV&#x27;s real estate scene.The big picture: Inventory is up and sales are stalling as would-be buyers and sellers fret over the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/02/dc-moderate-recession-pro-business" data-vars-content-id="540f8110-e6ab-4b94-88b1-246158c27809" data-vars-headline="DMV real estate splits as wealthy buyers stay active" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/02/dc-moderate-recession-pro-business" target="_self">local economy</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="government shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/31/trump-filibuster-government-shutdown-senate" data-vars-content-id="540f8110-e6ab-4b94-88b1-246158c27809" data-vars-headline="DMV real estate splits as wealthy buyers stay active" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/31/trump-filibuster-government-shutdown-senate" target="_self">government shutdown</a> and federal layoffs.

Friendship Heights is in the midst of a housing and retail revival

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Friendship Heights" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/12/02/friendship-heights-apartments-affordable-housing" data-vars-content-id="f15ce53a-0d43-4b5e-b0de-1d08727eeaad" data-vars-headline="Friendship Heights is in the midst of a housing and retail revival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/12/02/friendship-heights-apartments-affordable-housing" target="_self">Friendship Heights</a> is experiencing a wave of new development.The big picture: The openings are part of a push to resuscitate the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="neighborhood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2023/10/23/friendship-heights-alliance-natalie-avery.html" data-vars-content-id="f15ce53a-0d43-4b5e-b0de-1d08727eeaad" data-vars-headline="Friendship Heights is in the midst of a housing and retail revival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2023/10/23/friendship-heights-alliance-natalie-avery.html" target="_blank">neighborhood</a> from a corridor filled with aging buildings and retail closures into a bustling mixed-use destination.

More homes hit the market across DMV as prices cool

Local home buyers might be gaining ground this fall.

Some good news for wanna-be DMV home buyers: House inventory is up across the region, and prices seem to be stalling, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bright MLS&#x27;" data-vars-click-url="https://brightmls.com/article/greater-dc-area-weekly-housing-market-update" data-vars-content-id="e14ebc82-6ee8-45a3-9328-49f93b917276" data-vars-headline="More homes hit the market across DMV as prices cool" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://brightmls.com/article/greater-dc-area-weekly-housing-market-update" target="_blank">Bright MLS&#x27;</a> latest report.Why it matters: It&#x27;s another indicator of a softening market in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Washington" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/08/06/dc-housing-market-doge-when-to-buy" data-vars-content-id="e14ebc82-6ee8-45a3-9328-49f93b917276" data-vars-headline="More homes hit the market across DMV as prices cool" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/08/06/dc-housing-market-doge-when-to-buy" target="_self">Washington</a> amid government cuts, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/09/09/trump-federal-crackdown-real-estate-market" data-vars-content-id="e14ebc82-6ee8-45a3-9328-49f93b917276" data-vars-headline="More homes hit the market across DMV as prices cool" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/09/09/trump-federal-crackdown-real-estate-market" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s</a> crackdown and the ongoing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/22/government-shutdown-assistance-banks" data-vars-content-id="e14ebc82-6ee8-45a3-9328-49f93b917276" data-vars-headline="More homes hit the market across DMV as prices cool" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/22/government-shutdown-assistance-banks" target="_self">shutdown</a>.

D.C. Council votes again on major changes to tenant protections

But some lawmakers want more time to review a proposed landlord exemption.

D.C. may soon see a controversial change to its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tenant rights" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/05/23/dc-rent-control-database-launch" data-vars-content-id="232fd56d-62f8-443e-9aba-aa4164b51eb3" data-vars-headline="D.C. Council votes again on major changes to tenant protections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/05/23/dc-rent-control-database-launch" target="_self">tenant rights</a> law. Why it matters: D.C. has long been a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tenant-friendly" data-vars-click-url="https://dc.curbed.com/2017/5/23/15681204/tenant-law-bill-of-rights" data-vars-content-id="232fd56d-62f8-443e-9aba-aa4164b51eb3" data-vars-headline="D.C. Council votes again on major changes to tenant protections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dc.curbed.com/2017/5/23/15681204/tenant-law-bill-of-rights" target="_blank">tenant-friendly</a> spot, thanks in part to the decades-old Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA).<ul><li>It gives renters first dibs on buying their property or finding a buyer should their landlord decide to sell. </li></ul>

Rep. Elise Stefanik is selling her D.C. townhouse

Speculation is swirling that she'll run for New York governor.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY)" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/15/trump-stefanik-new-york-governor" data-vars-content-id="792dfaed-b30b-4fbb-91f3-b9ff5acd3846" data-vars-headline="Rep. Elise Stefanik is selling her D.C. townhouse" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/15/trump-stefanik-new-york-governor" target="_self">Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY)</a> just put her Capitol Hill townhouse on the market for $2.2 million, reports the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wall Street Journal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/luxury-homes/rep-elise-stefanik-puts-d-c-townhouse-on-the-market-58f6da65?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=ASWzDAhWozcuBkuZ7DSxVXp5pz1cyzYcnNU8U8SrhJAGjEurnv_YIBr9GRBfxssHRhk%3D&amp;gaa_ts=68cdac69&amp;gaa_sig=dhyVZufgr-SbVJhTLV-g0cn83x_TscnGC-KrhVGhY6rES3Lxedfi2JVv1qvxzrvHRpxD4Y1M8aQNSwsvt_45xA%3D%3D" data-vars-content-id="792dfaed-b30b-4fbb-91f3-b9ff5acd3846" data-vars-headline="Rep. Elise Stefanik is selling her D.C. townhouse" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/luxury-homes/rep-elise-stefanik-puts-d-c-townhouse-on-the-market-58f6da65?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=ASWzDAhWozcuBkuZ7DSxVXp5pz1cyzYcnNU8U8SrhJAGjEurnv_YIBr9GRBfxssHRhk%3D&amp;gaa_ts=68cdac69&amp;gaa_sig=dhyVZufgr-SbVJhTLV-g0cn83x_TscnGC-KrhVGhY6rES3Lxedfi2JVv1qvxzrvHRpxD4Y1M8aQNSwsvt_45xA%3D%3D" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a>.Why it matters: Speculation has been swirling that she&#x27;ll run for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New York" data-vars-click-url="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5371832-stefanik-prepares-launch-governor-race/" data-vars-content-id="792dfaed-b30b-4fbb-91f3-b9ff5acd3846" data-vars-headline="Rep. Elise Stefanik is selling her D.C. townhouse" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5371832-stefanik-prepares-launch-governor-race/" target="_blank">New York</a> governor in next year&#x27;s election.

🏡 Our top Zillow listings

Here are the DMV's top 2025 Zillow listings

📉 Home value drop

D.C. sees highest share of homes lose value in a decade

A line chart showing the share of homes that lost value in the D.C. metro area from 2013 to 2025. According to the Zillow home value index, 43% of homes lost value from 2024 to 2025, compared to 3% from 2012 to 2013. Nationally, the share has increased from 17% to 53% in the time period.

Real Estate 🏠

JD Vance's next-door neighbor on Mass. Ave is selling

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Here are the DMV's top 2025 Zillow listings

D.C. sees highest share of homes lose value in a decade