Speaker: Chris Colgan • Date: June 21, 2025

"With an average sales price around $840,000, who could argue? But I'm about to show you a side of Arlington nobody talks about: hidden factors that work in your favor, neighborhoods with surprising price ranges, and one area just named the best neighborhood in the United States."

Overview

"I know you've heard Arlington, Virginia, is exclusive, expensive, and elite, and with an average sales price around $840,000, who could argue?"

"The top neighborhood in the nation is right here in Arlington, Virginia."

"Full disclosure: my name is Chris Colgan. I've been a realtor in Northern Virginia for 20 years."

"By the end of this video, you'll know which neighborhood fits you, what daily life…

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Speaker: Chris Colgan • Date: September 3, 2025

"I grew up here, my parents built one of the first houses in the 1970s in a neighborhood called Lawnvale Estates, and I've lived in Northern Virginia my whole life."

Overview

"Today I'm in Gainesville, Virginia, one of the places you comment about all the time and want to know more about."

"We're in western Prince William County."

"Haymarket, Gainesville, and Bristow all pretty much touch."

Key Takeaways 

  • "This community was built roughly 20 years ago, in the early 2000s, by multiple builders, with about 300 homes." (0:12)
  • "Most lots are just under an acre, around three-quarters of an acre … the HOA is only about $80 per month." (0:12)
  • "Homes start around $900,000…

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The real estate landscape is shifting, and if you’re a homeowner in Northern Virginia, you’ve likely felt the tremors. A recent report from Bright MLS for August 2025 has revealed a stark truth: a staggering 25% year-over-year increase in sellers taking their homes off the market in the Mid-Atlantic region. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a clear indication that the red-hot market many sellers grew accustomed to is cooling, leaving many wondering why their "For Sale" signs are coming down without a "Sold" one going up.

The Numbers Don't Lie: A Market in Flux


Let's break down what Bright MLS found:

  • 3,000 Homes Delisted: In August 2025 alone, 3,000 homes in the Bright MLS service area (including much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northern…

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The fog rolls off the Potomac just before dawn. Brick-lined streets glisten under wrought-iron lanterns. Somewhere between the historic cobblestones of Old Town Alexandria and the sterile hum of federal offices in Arlington, a serial killer waits in the shadows. This isn't a Netflix trailer — it's the opening pulse of Patricia Cornwell's Sharp Force, the 29th installment in her iconic Kay Scarpetta series. And this time, the crime scene isn't Richmond or New York. It's right here. Northern Virginia.

For those of us who've spent our lives navigating the I-66 corridor, dodging Beltway traffic, and grabbing coffee along King Street, this thriller hits different. Because Cornwell didn't just set a book in Northern Virginia — she made our home the backdrop…

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By Chris Colgan | Real Nova Network
Credit: PrinceWilliamTimes.com

A Gainesville Icon Faces Its Final Christmas

For decades, Merrifield Garden Center in Gainesville has been a go-to destination for holiday shoppers, plant lovers, and families looking for that perfect Christmas tree. Its greenhouse, gift shop, and festive events made it one of the most beloved businesses in western Prince William County.

But this year marks the end of an era. The 38-acre property has been sold to a data center developer for an astonishing $160 million, a price that works out to more than $4.2 million per acre — one of the highest land sales ever recorded in the county.

$160 Million Sale Shocks the Market

According to property records, Merrifield’s…

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Before Danny McBride became the foul-mouthed, mullet-wearing king of HBO comedies, he was just a kid growing up in Fredericksburg, Virginia — a town known more for Civil War battlefields than Hollywood dreams.

McBride’s family moved to Virginia when he was young, and he spent most of his childhood around Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County. He graduated from Courtland High School, where his sense of humor and love for movies started to take shape.

The moment his family bought their first VCR changed everything. Suddenly, the kid from small-town Virginia could spend hours studying his favorite films — rewinding, analyzing, and dreaming about one day making his own. Those early movie nights would eventually lead him to the University of North…

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Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club pool at dawn in Gainesville, VA

Heritage Hunt: 55+ Resort-Style Living in Gainesville, Virginia

If you're searching for the top 55+ community in Northern Virginia, Heritage Hunt in Gainesville is the one I point people to first. And I can say that with confidence because my own family lives here. I've sold homes to multiple family members and close friends in Heritage Hunt, and I know firsthand how special this place is.

Gated community. Arthur Hills 18-hole championship golf course. Two clubhouses, indoor and outdoor pools, 100+ social clubs, and over 1,800 homes on 750 acres bordering Conway Robinson State Forest and Manassas National Battlefield Park. Homes range from $300K condos to $1 million+ detached properties on premium golf course lots. This isn't just a place to…

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Why This Weekend's Wellness Event Is a Big Deal

If you've been following the evolution of DC's wellness and lifestyle scene—and if you're a regular reader here, I know you have—then you already know something major is brewing along the Anacostia waterfront. I'm talking about Therme DC, the ambitious 15-acre wellness destination that's promised to transform Poplar Point into one of the most unique urban escapes on the East Coast.

But before the thermal baths, water slides, and relaxation pods officially open their doors, the Therme Group is giving Washingtonians a taste of what's to come—and they're doing it this weekend at Bathe-ing DC, a free, two-day wellness festival happening October 18–19 at Sandlot Anacostia (633 Howard Road SE).

DC is…

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Okay, real talk — if you're not taking advantage of Virginia wine country this fall, you're missing out on one of the best perks of living in Northern Virginia.

This weekend, October 18 and 19, The Winery at Bull Run is hosting their annual wine festival, and honestly? It's one of my favorite ways to spend an autumn Saturday or Sunday. I'm talking over 20 Virginia wineries all in one spot, pouring their absolute best. No need to drive all over Loudoun County (though I love those weekend vineyard tours too) — it's all right here in Centreville.

Here's what I love about this event: it's not stuffy. You're not standing around pretending to detect "notes of oak and leather" while someone judges your palate. It's Virginia wine at its finest —…

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The Northern Virginia real estate market has fundamentally changed. The days of the wild seller's frenzy are over, replaced by a balanced market brimming with opportunities that most people are overlooking. Inventory is up between 43% and 67% year-over-year, yet buyers are still looking in the wrong places.

This isn't just another generic list of towns. As a real estate professional who has navigated this market for over two decades, this is the insider's guide to where I would personally invest my own money and move my family in 2025. Let’s break down what’s really happening and where the smart money is going.


Understanding the 2025 Northern Virginia Housing Market Shift


Before we dive into locations, you need to understand the new…

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