The biggest surprise in the April numbers was that the dollar volume of sales was higher than April 2010. This was not expected, because the First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit deadline of April 30, 2010, created a huge bonanza of sales all across the country, including in our own Metro area. In addition, April was the 13th consecutive month showing an increase in the average price over the same months of the previous year.
 
All of this enforces what we have been reading in the newspapers, that the Washington Metro area is the strongest real estate market in the country. With the relatively weak dollar, we should expect foreign buyers to come shopping in our marketplace, not only for commercial properties, but also for good values in our Blue Chip real estate market.

* Statistics are taken from the Metropolitan Regional Information System for three areas: Washington, D.C.; Montgomery Country, Maryland’ ad Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church in Northern Virginia.