New taxes are just the best way to start the new year, right? I jest, of course. While Fairfax County has dropped a new, heftier meal tax on Jan. 1, despite it being a downer, it’s (thankfully) not life-ruining. A luxury tax is always preferred over a services cut or a property tax. At least in this VA, residents have a choice. At the same time, it’s good to be aware of what this new tax affects in order to protect your wallet— and your dignity when the bill arrives higher than expected. Below is an outline of everything the new tariff entails: what exactly it will affect, what it won’t affect, and how to find workarounds for more reasonable prices.
  The Fairfax County tax (named the beverage and food tax) is described as: a 4% tax on…

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Northern Virginia’s reputation as one of the country’s most important technology hubs continues to grow — and this week, a McLean-based company added another reason why.

Acentra Health, a technology-enabled healthcare solutions company headquartered in McLean, Virginia, has been named to the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) Tech 100 list, one of the region’s most competitive and respected technology recognitions.

This isn’t just a nice headline. It’s a meaningful signal about where healthcare technology — and Northern Virginia — are headed.

What Is the NVTC Tech 100?

Each year, the NVTC Tech 100 highlights companies and leaders that are actively shaping the future of technology across Northern Virginia. The list focuses on…

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Welcome to Northern Virginia. If you are looking at a map, it is that odd-shaped wedge at the top of the Commonwealth, separated from Maryland by the Potomac River and separated from the rest of Virginia by a massive cultural shift. Locals call it "NoVA."

To the outsider, NoVA might just look like the suburbs of Washington, D.C., but to the millions who live here, it is a complex, high-energy, traffic-obsessed, diverse, and surprisingly beautiful region that functions as the economic engine of the state. It is a place where you can find a spy museum, a 300-year-old tavern, a billion-dollar data center, and a working farm all within a twenty-minute drive of one another.

This is everything you need to know about the counties, the cities, the food, the…

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Is the Quartz District the next Stonebridge, or a traffic nightmare waiting to happen? Here is the honest, insider analysis you won’t find anywhere else.

If you have been driving down Prince William Parkway lately, you have seen the clearing, the construction equipment, and the massive changes at the intersection of Minnieville Road. This isn’t just another subdivision popping up. This is the Quartz District, and it represents a fundamental shift in how we live in Prince William County.

For years, Woodbridge has been defined by commuter subdivisions and strip malls. But with this 145-acre development, we are seeing a pivot toward a "city-lite" lifestyle—walkable, high-density, and anchored by premium retail.

As of January 2026, Stanley Martin…

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If you had asked me five years ago about Winchester, Virginia, I would have told you it was a nice place to visit—a quiet spot out in the valley perfect for a weekend drive. But today? The story has completely changed.

I find myself driving out to Winchester, VA almost every single week. Why? Because the secret is out. We are selling more houses in this area than ever before. As home prices in Loudoun, Fairfax, and Prince William Counties continue to skyrocket, savvy buyers are looking west to the Shenandoah Valley. They are finding affordability, incredible history, and a quality of life that is becoming harder to find closer to D.C.

In this guide, I’m taking you on a virtual driving tour through the heart of Winchester. We’ll explore the…

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For months, there’s been a quiet but growing debate about whether one of Northern Virginia’s most iconic landmarks would be packed up and shipped halfway across the country. Now, according to Fox 5, that plan has hit a major roadblock.

The Space Shuttle Discovery — the crown jewel of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center — is staying right where it is, at least for now.

Why the move is stalled

Just a few months ago, there was renewed talk about relocating Discovery to Houston. Supporters in Texas argued they were unfairly passed over when NASA retired the shuttle fleet years ago. But in the past week, the tone changed.

NASA’s new administrator, Jared Isaacman, made it clear that moving Discovery is…

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By Chris Colgan, The Colgan Team at Real Broker | Updated April 2026

Overview

Woodbridge has approved a development that has no comparison in all of Prince William County. 145 acres, 1,000+ homes, a Whole Foods anchor, and a design built to function like a mini city. After 22 years selling real estate in Northern Virginia, this is the most significant project I've seen come out of this market in a long time. Below is what's actually being built, what it costs, and whether it changes Woodbridge for the long term.

Key Takeaways

  • 1,015 residential units across 145 acres at Prince William Parkway and Minnieville Road, including 610 townhomes and 405 multifamily/condo units. No single-family detached homes.
  • Prince William…

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The real costs, the legal steps, and why you need a team to survive year one.

You’re thinking about getting into real estate.

Maybe you’ve seen the "Sold" signs everywhere, or you’re tired of the 9-to-5 grind and want uncapped income. Maybe you just love looking at houses.

But here is the cold, hard truth: 87% of new agents fail within the first five years.

Why? Because real estate school teaches you how not to get sued, but it does not teach you how to sell houses. It definitely doesn't teach you how to fill out a contract without embarrassing yourself.

Getting your Virginia real estate license is just the entry fee. The hard part is building a business. This guide will walk you through the 5 legal steps, the hidden costs nobody tells you…

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Speaker: Chris Colgan • Date: August 29, 2024

"All right if you were thinking about moving here to the Washington DC area I think I discovered the best suburb to live here in the DMV and it is Woodbridge in Dumfries Virginia."

Overview

"All right if you were thinking about moving here to the Washington DC area I think I discovered the best suburb to live here in the DMV and it is Woodbridge in Dumfries Virginia. So right now I am standing in Potomac Shores. This is a brand new golf course community and guess what, the golf course is actually an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course. This neighborhood as you can tell has several different builders that have come in here and the prices start anywhere from $600,000, $700,000 and going all the way…

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Speaker: Chris Colgan • Date: November 4, 2024

"All right, so Bristow is definitely a town on the rise. I've been getting a lot of questions about Bristow, Virginia. Let me tell you a little bit about this community and what makes it so special here in Northern Virginia."

Overview

"All right, so Bristow is definitely a town on the rise. I've been getting a lot of questions about Bristow, Virginia. Let me tell you a little bit about this community and what makes it so special here in Northern Virginia. Right now I am standing in the Briar neighborhood. This is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, master-planned communities in all of Prince William County. I got to tell you, I absolutely love this area." (0:00)

Key Takeaways

    …

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