The Supply of Homes for Sale in the Washington D.C. Metro Area Sees an Outsize Increase

The supply of homes for sale across the nation always rises ahead of the busy spring market, but the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area is seeing an outsized increase, according to Realtor.com. Inventory gains in the region, which includes the District as well as Maryland and Virginia suburbs, began to accelerate in January and February, up 35.9% and 41% year over year, respectively.

Inventory Gains

Inventory in the area from June to December had already been 20% to 30% higher than the previous year, but the increases accelerated even further in recent months. As of last week, active listings were up 56% compared with the same week one year ago.

Analysis from Realtor.com

The adjustment period following federal layoffs and funding cuts has likely put some Washington D.C. home searches on hold, both for those whose jobs have been directly impacted and those who may be concerned about what’s ahead, and the data hints at these challenges, said Danielle Hale, chief economist for Realtor.com.

Comparison to National Trends

For comparison, active listings nationally were up 28% last week compared with the same week in 2024, according to Realtor.com, coinciding with a decline in mortgage rates. The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed loan was around 7.25% in mid-January but fell steadily to 6.82% now, according to Mortgage News Daily.

New Listings and Inventory

The inventory gains in the D.C. area are not all due to people putting their homes on the market. New listings rose, but by much less than overall inventory, so the increase in overall supply is a combination of new listings and slowing buyer activity. New listings were 24% higher year over year last week, contributing to the increase in for-sale inventory and dropping median days on market, Realtor.com found.

New Construction and Prices

There may also be an outsized bump in inventory due to newly built condominiums and townhomes coming on the market now. Construction in the D.C. area has been very active over the past few years. The share of new construction listings is tilted much more toward condos than it was five years ago.

As for prices, the median list price in the D.C. metro area was down 1.6% year over year last week. For context, in the fourth quarter of last year, that median list price was down 1.5% annually.

Conclusion

The supply of homes for sale in the Washington D.C. metro area is seeing an outsize increase, with active listings up 56% year over year. This increase is due to a combination of new listings and slowing buyer activity, as well as the impact of federal layoffs and funding cuts. While prices are down, the median list price per square foot has increased 1.2% annually, indicating more smaller or lower-end homes on the market.

FAQs

Q: What is driving the increase in inventory in the Washington D.C. metro area?
A: The increase is due to a combination of new listings and slowing buyer activity, as well as the impact of federal layoffs and funding cuts.

Q: How does this compare to national trends?
A: Nationally, active listings were up 28% last week compared with the same week in 2024, according to Realtor.com, coinciding with a decline in mortgage rates.

Q: What is the impact on prices?
A: The median list price in the D.C. metro area was down 1.6% year over year last week, while the median list price per square foot has increased 1.2% annually, indicating more smaller or lower-end homes on the market.

Ulta Beauty Issues Weak Guidance for the Year Ahead Amid Internal Missteps and Market Challenges

Ulta Beauty, a leading retailer in the beauty industry, has issued weak guidance for the year ahead, citing internal missteps, rising competition, and consumer uncertainty. The company’s new CEO, Kecia Steelman, has acknowledged that the business has become more complex and has stumbled in launching new fulfillment choices, such as buy online, pickup in-store, same-day delivery, and ship from store.

Weak Guidance

The company’s guidance for the year ahead is for comparable sales to be flat or grow 1%, which is lower than the expected 1.2% growth rate anticipated by analysts. Additionally, Ulta’s full-year earnings are expected to be between $22.50 and $22.90, which is lower than the expected $23.47 earnings per share.

Challenges and Opportunities

Steelman emphasized that the company will spend the next year resetting its business and working to take back the market share it has lost. She noted that the competitive environment in the beauty category has never been more intense, and for the first time, Ulta lost market share in 2024.

Q4 Results

In its fiscal fourth quarter, Ulta reported net income of $393 million, or $8.46 per share, compared to $394 million, or $8.08 per share, in the same period last year. Sales dropped 2% to $3.49 billion, due in part to an extra selling week in the year-ago period.

Competitive Landscape

The beauty industry has become increasingly competitive, with mass retailers like Macy’s, Walmart, and Amazon expanding their beauty offerings. This has led to a shift in consumer behavior, with customers spending more during the quarter but visiting Ulta’s stores less frequently.

Conclusion

Ulta Beauty faces significant challenges in the year ahead, including internal missteps, rising competition, and consumer uncertainty. However, the company’s new CEO, Kecia Steelman, is committed to resetting the business and working to take back the market share it has lost. While the road ahead may be challenging, Ulta’s focus on improving its operations and competitiveness could ultimately lead to long-term sustainable growth.

FAQs

Q: What is Ulta Beauty’s guidance for the year ahead?
A: Ulta Beauty expects comparable sales to be flat or grow 1% in 2025, and full-year earnings to be between $22.50 and $22.90.

Q: What are the main challenges facing Ulta Beauty?
A: The company is navigating internal missteps, rising competition, and consumer uncertainty.

Q: What is Ulta Beauty’s plan to address its challenges?
A: The company will spend the next year resetting its business and working to take back the market share it has lost.

In the heart of Georgetown, Texas, a groundbreaking housing development is redefining how homes are built. What was once an ambitious experiment is now a fully realized neighborhood—the largest 3D-printed community in the world.

This innovative project emerged from a partnership between Lennar, one of the nation’s top homebuilders, and Icon, a cutting-edge 3D construction technology company. Their goal was bold: to print 100 homes within the Wolf Ranch development. Today, with around 75% of the homes already sold, the success of this venture signals a new era in residential construction.

The Future of Homebuilding, Layer by Layer

Unlike traditional houses, these 3D-printed homes have a distinct design, with softly rounded edges shaped by layers of precisely extruded concrete. The printing process creates a textured surface reminiscent of corduroy, giving each structure a unique aesthetic. While the walls are entirely 3D-printed, the roofing—made of metal in this community—follows conventional construction methods. Each home is solar-powered, aligning with modern energy efficiency standards.

For Lennar’s chairman and co-CEO, Stuart Miller, the advantages of this technology go far beyond design. “We have a durable product that offers incredible wind resistance for hurricane-prone areas and fire resistance for regions at risk of wildfires. The potential for modernizing homebuilding while addressing housing market challenges is enormous,” Miller said.

Scaling Up 3D Printing for Housing

When Icon first launched the project in 2022, it started with just two 40-foot robotic printers. As demand grew, the company scaled up its efforts, deploying 11 machines and cutting production time in half. By the second year, they were printing two homes per week—each printer performing the work of more than a dozen laborers. Operating 24/7, the system brought mass production to an industry that has long struggled with efficiency.

According to Icon CEO Jason Ballard, expanding this technology required rigorous testing in real-world conditions. “The truth isn’t in the lab—it’s in the field,” Ballard said. “We had to work closely with Lennar’s teams to integrate our processes, from laying foundations to installing systems and roofing. It was a major turning point for us as a company.”

Redefining Comfort and Efficiency

Beyond their futuristic design, these homes deliver tangible benefits to homeowners. Each property features all the modern amenities expected in a Lennar-built community, with models ranging from two to three bedrooms and starting at just under $400,000.

For residents like Holly Feekings, who moved in a year ago, the energy efficiency of her 3D-printed home has been a game changer. “Last month, my electric bill was only $26. The concrete retains temperature better than my old colonial-style house,” she said. “I also feel safer—this home is solid. It’s not going to burn down.”

Others, like Pierre Megie and his girlfriend, were drawn to the home’s design and sustainability. “We wanted tall doors, high ceilings, and concrete floors—this home had it all,” Megie said. “The energy efficiency, practicality, price point, and aesthetics made it an easy decision.”

What’s Next for 3D-Printed Housing?

While Wolf Ranch served as a testing ground, Lennar and Icon are already planning their next step: a second 3D-printed community in Texas, featuring 200 homes. Lessons learned from the first project are driving improvements in speed and cost efficiency.

“We’ve cut costs and construction time in half,” Miller noted. “This technology is evolving rapidly, making housing more attainable and adaptable to the changing market.”

As the housing industry grapples with affordability challenges and labor shortages, large-scale 3D printing may hold the key to a more efficient and resilient future. With continued innovation, homes built by machines could become a common sight across the country, reshaping communities in ways once thought impossible.