--- title: Deep Dives | David Zadareky description: Long reads on how the Northern Virginia housing market works and how David Zadareky advises sellers on pricing, timing, and which market to sell in. --- [Skip to the main content.](https://www.davidzadareky.com/deep-dives#main-content) [![David-Zadareky-White-Logo-588x164](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hubfs/David-Zadareky-White-Logo-588x164.svg "David-Zadareky-White-Logo-588x164")](https://davidzadareky.com?hsLang=en) [![David-Zadareky-Black-Logo-588x164](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hubfs/David-Zadareky-Black-Logo-588x164.svg "David-Zadareky-Black-Logo-588x164")](https://davidzadareky.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.davidzadareky.com) - Who I Help - [Rightsizing](https://www.davidzadareky.com/rightsizing) - [Retirement](https://www.davidzadareky.com/retirement) - [Helping a Parent](https://www.davidzadareky.com/helping-a-parent) - [Estate Sales](https://www.davidzadareky.com/estate-sales) - Services - [Selling and Buying](https://www.davidzadareky.com/services) - [Market Calibration](https://www.davidzadareky.com/market-calibration) - [Home Audit](https://www.davidzadareky.com/home-audit) - [On-MLS vs Off-MLS](https://www.davidzadareky.com/on-mls-vs-off-mls) - [Insights](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights) - [Deep Dives](https://www.davidzadareky.com/deep-dives) - [Contact](https://www.davidzadareky.com/contact) Search Toggle Menu Search Toggle Menu - [Home](https://www.davidzadareky.com) - Who I Help - [Rightsizing](https://www.davidzadareky.com/rightsizing) - [Retirement](https://www.davidzadareky.com/retirement) - [Helping a Parent](https://www.davidzadareky.com/helping-a-parent) - [Estate Sales](https://www.davidzadareky.com/estate-sales) - Services - [Selling and Buying](https://www.davidzadareky.com/services) - [Market Calibration](https://www.davidzadareky.com/market-calibration) - [Home Audit](https://www.davidzadareky.com/home-audit) - [On-MLS vs Off-MLS](https://www.davidzadareky.com/on-mls-vs-off-mls) - [Insights](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights) - [Deep Dives](https://www.davidzadareky.com/deep-dives) - [Contact](https://www.davidzadareky.com/contact) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/davidzadarekycompass/) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/davidzadarekycompass/) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzadareky) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@david.zadareky.compass/featured) ![David Zadareky](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing/DavidZadarekyDeepDives.png?width=1254&height=1254&name=DavidZadarekyDeepDives.png) # Deep Dives I have a point to make. After more than 30 years in this business, I have a few. These are the long versions. They're my thinking on how the market moves, how brokerages and the portals shape what buyers see, and what works in pricing, marketing and negotiation. Some are written for sellers, some for agents. Either way, they show how I think before I advise anyone. DEEP DIVE ### A Market, Not The Market For sellers weighing on-MLS against off-MLS, and the agents advising them. The MLS is the deepest market most sellers have, but it's one market among several. A seller hires an agent for an outcome, so the strategy should start from what the seller wants. [Read it](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/a-market-not-the-market?hsLang=en) [On-MLS vs Off-MLS](https://www.davidzadareky.com/on-mls-vs-off-mls?hsLang=en) DEEP DIVE ### Saturation, Not Absorption: How to Read the Market For sellers trying to tell whether their market is shifting, and the agents who price homes. Absorption rate and months of supply miss how buyers actually choose. Ten years of Northern Virginia data point to a better weekly measure. [Read it](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/saturation-not-absorption?hsLang=en) [Market Calibration Framework](https://www.davidzadareky.com/market-calibration?hsLang=en) DEEP DIVE ### Relativity and Market Value For sellers asking what their home is worth. A home has no single true value, only a range of outcomes. Condition and competition decide where in that range it lands, which is also why “sold over asking” can mislead. [Read it](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/relativity-and-market-value?hsLang=en) [Home Audit](https://www.davidzadareky.com/home-audit?hsLang=en)   ## Start With a Conversation Tell me what you want to change, what you want to keep, and who’s involved. The first conversation commits you to nothing. [Email David](mailto:david.zadareky@compass.com?subject=Starting%20a%20Conversation) [Call 202-552-1628](tel:+12025521628) **Who I Help** **Who I Help** - [Rightsizing](https://www.davidzadareky.com/rightsizing) - [Retirement](https://www.davidzadareky.com/retirement) - [Helping a Parent](https://www.davidzadareky.com/helping-a-parent) - [Estate Sales](https://www.davidzadareky.com/estate-sales) **Services** **Services** - [Selling and Buying](https://www.davidzadareky.com/services) - [Market Calibration](https://www.davidzadareky.com/market-calibration) - [Home Audit](https://www.davidzadareky.com/home-audit) - [On-MLS vs Off-MLS](https://www.davidzadareky.com/on-mls-vs-off-mls) **More** **More** - [Insights](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights) - [Deep Dives](https://www.davidzadareky.com/deep-dives) - [Contact](https://www.davidzadareky.com/contact) [![David Zadareky](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hubfs/David-Zadareky-Black-Logo-588x164.svg)](https://www.davidzadareky.com?hsLang=en) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.davidzadareky.com/privacy-policy) © 2026 David Zadareky [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/davidzadarekycompass/)[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/davidzadarekycompass/)[Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzadareky)[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@david.zadareky.compass/featured) ![Compass](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing/Compass_Logo_H_B.png?width=200&height=27&name=Compass_Logo_H_B.png)   David Zadareky | Associate Broker | 202-552-1628 | [david.zadareky@compass.com](mailto:david.zadareky@compass.com) Compass | 3001 Washington Blvd Suite 400 | Arlington VA 22201 | Office Phone: 703-266-7277 Firm License: 0226029518 | Broker License: 0225225537 Compass is a licensed real estate broker, licensed to do business as Compass in Virginia. No guarantee, warranty or representation of any kind is made regarding the completeness or accuracy of descriptions or measurements (including square footage measurements and property condition), such should be independently verified, and Compass expressly disclaims any liability in connection therewith. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. COMPASS, the Compass logo, and other various trademarks, logos, designs, and slogans are the registered and unregistered trademarks of Compass, Inc. dba Compass in the U.S. and/or other countries.