Headlines: Existing home sales rise and a statistical break-down of DC’s housing market

Here’s a look at what’s happening in real estate in and around the District of Columbia.

DC area housing market decoded

Even though sales of homes in many places around the Washington area were slower than expected last year, there were encouraging signs. -Washington Post

Existing home sales rise modestly in February

The National Association of Realtors says existing home sales in February rose 1.2 percent from January’s pace. Total existing home sales were up 4.7 percent from a year ago, but median selling prices last month were up 7.5 percent from February 2014. -Washington Business Journal

Former chapel turned home hits market in Georgetown

The five-bedroom, 4.5-bath house was once the Market Street Chapel, built in 1855 to serve Georgetown residents living west of Wisconsin Avenue, according to the listing agent, Theresa Burt. -Urban Turf

Top 5 facts you didn’t know about the White House

Why is the White House white? Where did presidents live before it was built? There are so many questions to ask about the familiar building… -Curbed DC

Here’s the backstory in the bounce in new home sales

Sales of newly built homes in February beat the Street’s expectations by a bundle. Analysts had projected a 4 percent drop from January and instead saw an 8 percent jump.  -CNBC