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The numbers, the neighborhoods, and the strategic read you need this summer — plus an inside look at The Kimberly Casey Way.
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Washington Is Not Waiting.Neither Should You.If you’ve been following the headlines lately, it’s easy to wonder what’s next for Washington. Political uncertainty. Conflict in the Middle East. Questions about the federal government. Daily news cycles that make it feel as though everything is changing. And yet, after more than twenty years in Washington real estate, and as a third-generation Washingtonian, I have learned something that history continues to prove. Washington has seen this before.
This city has navigated elections, government shutdowns, economic cycles, global conflict, and extraordinary moments of uncertainty. Through each of them, Washington has continued to attract the world’s brightest minds, global leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, diplomats, and institutions because this is, and will remain, one of the most important cities in the world. Markets dictate strategy, not outcome. |
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That’s exactly what you’ll find in this month’s Washington Insider. Beyond the headlines, we’re looking at what the data is actually telling us, where luxury buyers are investing, which neighborhoods continue to outperform, and the strategies I believe will matter most during the second half of 2026. Whether you’re considering selling, looking for your next home, or investing for the long term, I hope this issue gives you the perspective to make informed decisions with confidence. |
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If you want to understand Washington, start at Café Milano. Every year, our Client Party reminds us why we love this city so much. |
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The best part of Washington isn’t the buildings. It’s the people inside them — and the extraordinary people who choose to call Washington home. |
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Last month, we gathered at Café Milano in Georgetown with clients, friends, colleagues, and neighbors for an evening filled with laughter, conversation, champagne, gelato, and the kind of connections that make life richer. |
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15 Years of Resilience |
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For more than twenty years, I’ve personally tracked Washington’s luxury real estate market every quarter. I began doing this early in my career because I wanted to understand the market beyond the headlines. News cycles change. Opinions change. The numbers don’t. The chart below looks at the first half of the year over the past fifteen years, and the story is remarkably consistent. Washington has weathered changing administrations, government shutdowns, a global pandemic, historic inflation, rising interest rates, political uncertainty, and global conflict. Through every cycle, its luxury real estate market has continued to demonstrate remarkable resilience. That shouldn’t surprise us. |
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First-Half Closed Sales (Q1 + Q2) · Personally tracked and analyzed quarterly by Kimberly Casey since 2006 |
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Washington is one of the most important cities in the world. It will continue to attract leaders in government, business, law, technology, medicine, diplomacy, education, and the nonprofit sector. People come to Washington to shape policy, build companies, lead institutions, and make an impact. Those fundamentals are enduring, and they continue to support long-term demand for exceptional real estate. One of the principles that has guided my career is that markets dictate strategy, not outcome. The headlines may influence sentiment, but history tells a much more meaningful story. The numbers don’t lie—and for more than twenty years, they have continued to reinforce one simple truth: Washington has consistently rewarded those who take the long view. |
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The Kimberly Casey Way |
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We believe extraordinary homes deserve extraordinary launches. When we brought 1332 McCay Lane to market this month, we knew a traditional broker open simply wouldn’t do. This is a one of one estate, and every aspect of our marketing was designed to showcase not only the home’s remarkable features but also the lifestyle it offers. Rather than asking buyers to imagine what life here could feel like, we created immersive experiences that allowed them to live it. Here is what our team has delivered so far: |
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Another unforgettable feature is the home’s spectacular oversized LED video wall, creating the ultimate venue for movie nights, entertaining, or gathering family and friends to watch major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup. For us, marketing luxury real estate has never been about simply opening the doors. It’s about telling a story, creating an emotional connection, and helping buyers envision a life they didn’t know was possible. That’s The Kimberly Casey Way. 1332 McCay Lane is currently offered for sale. If you would like to experience this exceptional property firsthand, we would be delighted to schedule a private showing. |
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What Does Luxury’s Age Tell Us? |
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Realtor.com’s January 2026 Luxury Housing Report draws a useful distinction — one that I find particularly relevant for Washington. The report compares luxury properties built before 2002 against those built after, and the findings track closely with what I observe daily. Newer luxury homes are larger — averaging 3,187 square feet in the $1–2M bracket nationally. But older luxury homes command stronger prices. The five most expensive older markets consistently outprice their newer construction counterparts. Washington’s historic submarkets — Georgetown’s Federal townhouses, Kalorama’s grand Beaux Arts estates, the stately colonials of Wesley Heights — sit squarely in that older, higher value category. |
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There is one national outlier worth noting: Heber, Utah, where brand new construction is commanding $7.6M entry prices — the highest in the country. That tells you something important. When a market has a compelling narrative, scarcity, natural amenity, lifestyle, buyers will pay. Washington’s narrative is arguably more durable: it is the capital of the United States, a city of global consequence, and still meaningfully undervalued relative to its global peers. The report also confirms something I tell every client: the age of a home has no significant impact on how long it sits on the market. What matters is condition, positioning, and representation. Those are the variables I control for every transaction. |
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An Evening at the British Ambassador’s Residence |
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This week, Kimberly had the honor of attending an unforgettable evening at the British Ambassador’s residence in Washington, where Rolls‑Royce unveiled three bespoke commissions celebrating America’s 250th birthday. The trio — a Cullinan in Bohemian Red, a Phantom in English White, and a Ghost in Iguazu Blue — was designed as a tribute to the Stars and Stripes, with each color honoring a different facet of the American spirit. Surrounded by leaders from both sides of the Atlantic, the evening was a celebration of the special relationship between the U.S. and the most British of marques, whose ties to this country stretch more than a century. |
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Once‑in‑a‑Lifetime Architecture |
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Kayla was in Spain for her sister’s wedding — already the trip of a lifetime — but while planning, she realized she’d be there the very year the Sagrada Família reached completion. For someone who has always been drawn to architecture, design, and the stories behind iconic spaces, that was not a moment to pass up. So she made a point to get there. And it did not disappoint. On February 20, 2026, the final piece of the Tower of Jesus Christ was installed, bringing the basilica to its full height of 172.5 meters, completing a build that began all the way back in 1882. It is now officially the tallest church in the world. But honestly? The height is the least interesting part. What lingers long after you leave is the realization of how deeply Gaudí’s vision is woven into every single detail; every column, every curve, every deliberate decision. He poured his entire life into this building and never lived to see it finished. Yet somehow, his presence is everywhere inside it. He didn’t just leave behind a structure. He left behind a legacy that 144 years of builders have honored with every stone. |
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Nantucket remains one of the most coveted island markets on the East Coast, where limited inventory and year round demand continue to drive prices upward. Whether you’re buying or selling, we know the best local agents on the island and can connect you with the right people — plus share our insider’s guide to everything Nantucket has to offer. |
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Argentina and Spain meet in the Final this Sunday, and after a World Cup summer that brought the world to Washington, our team is scattering to watch it in true KCT fashion. Here is where you’ll find us: |
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202.361.3228 · kcasey@ttrsir.com
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TTR Sotheby’s International Realty · 5101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 100 · Washington, DC 20016
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