Your Complete Gainesville, VA Real Estate Tour with Local Expert Chris Colgan

Gainesville Living

Thinking of moving to Haymarket, Virginia, or selling your Haymarket home? I'm Chris Colgan, a top-producing Realtor with the Chris Colgan Team at EXP Realty, and your guide to the Northern Virginia & DMV real estate market.

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Why Gainesville Keeps Popping Up on My Channel

Where we’re driving: Western Prince William County. I grew up out here, sold all over NoVA, and Gainesville is one of the spots everyone asks about.
Active growth + debate: Data centers are expanding fast; the “world’s largest” complex hit a legal snag after a marathon public hearing. Expect appeals and headlines.
Daily life feel: New schools, big shopping, serious rec options, and a steady pipeline of new housing. Car is king; plan your commute.

Neighborhood Snapshots & Price Ranges*

Oak Valley: Early-2000s, ~300 homes on ~¾-acre lots. Low HOA (~$80/mo), big ponds, fewer amenities. Most homes $900k–$1.5M with 3,200+ sq ft above grade + finished basements.
Regency at Creekside (55+): Toll Brothers’ newer active-adult enclave (sister to Dominion Valley). Premium price point—many start around $1.1M–$1.2M. Pickleball, fountains, clubhouse.
Heritage Hunt (55+, gated, golf): One of the region’s most popular active-adult communities. Condos roughly $400k–$500k; singles often $600k–$700k. Indoor/outdoor pools, big clubhouse.
Piedmont & Parks of Piedmont: Gated golf side plus a larger non-gated section. Townhomes typically $500k–$600k, single-families around $800k+. Nice pond, pool, trails; on-site security.
Heathcote Commons: Stacked condos and large townhomes (some 2-car). Generally $380k–$600k+. Walkable to shops; note parking constraints in some sections.
Crossroads Village: Late-’90s/early-2000s. Townhomes about $350k–$400k; single-families $600k–$700k. Classic pool/tennis/tot lot setup; easy access to Harris Teeter center.
Virginia Oaks: ’90s community near 29/66. Mix of townhomes and singles; former golf course location. Pricing varies by updates and lot.
Lake Manassas (gated, RTJ golf): High-end community with Robert Trent Jones. Many homes and even THs command premium pricing, often $1M+.
Madison Crescent: Shops, restaurants, a central green, unique condo layouts. Community events and walkability are the draw.
In-law suite builds (Thoroughfare Rd corridor): Newer homes with private entrances/garages for multi-gen living. Limited inventory; sold out quickly.

*Pulled from the drive notes; confirm current pricing with us.

Everyday Living

Schools: Bull Run Middle (mid-2000s build) plus the new Gainesville Middle and Gainesville High sit side-by-side near Lifetime—big, modern campuses.
Shopping & errands: Virginia Gateway (Target, Regal recliners, restaurants), Shops at Stonewall (Wegmans, Barnes & Noble, UVA Health). Tons of daily conveniences.
Food & hangouts: Local staples like Blue Ridge Seafood, Bar Louie, Uncle Julio’s, and community spots around Gateway. More national chains than indie restaurants.
Fitness & pools: Lifetime is a showpiece—indoor/outdoor pools, programs for kids, and serious gym amenities.
Concerts & events: Jiffy Lube Live brings the big tours each summer; Gateway hosts outdoor shows and kid-friendly fountain fun.
Parks & golf: Proximity to Lake Manassas and RTJ; multiple neighborhood ponds, trails, and tot lots across the area.

Commuting & Access

Highways: Fast access to I-66 (hot lanes nearby), Route 29, and Linton Hall Road to connect Gainesville, Haymarket, Bristow, and Manassas.
VRE & Metro: No Metro in Gainesville. VRE from Broad Run/Manassas Airport for DC/Pentagon corridor; Metro connections further east.
Plan for traffic: 29/Thoroughfare and 29/66 interchanges can back up at peak times. Build margin into your commute.

Local Tips

If walkability matters, focus near Virginia Gateway, Madison Crescent, or sections of Heathcote Commons/Crossroads Village.
Check proximity to data centers if views/noise matter to you; some streets back to infrastructure.
Parking can be tight in certain TH/condo clusters. Verify guest and overflow options before you write.

Thinking About a Move?

Most people find me on YouTube. Email: info@colganteam.com | Text: 571-437-7575. We’ll map your commute, talk schools, and line up the neighborhoods that fit your budget and lifestyle.

Watch the tour · Full Transcript

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 and can go up to $1.5M. Most have 3,200+ sq ft above grade plus a finished basement." (0:12)
"Regency at Creekside … recent resales can be around the low $1Ms." (2:30)
"Heritage Hunt … Condos can be around $400k–$500k; single-family homes often $600k–$700k." (4:08)
"Townhomes can start around the $500s–$600s … and single-family homes can go into the $800s." (4:39)
"Condos can be around the $400s, but note HOA/condo dues can be $400–$500/mo." (5:26)
"Crossroads Village … Townhomes are roughly $350k–$400k; single-family homes around $600k–$700k." (7:51)

Unique Facts & Stats

"The plan was to build what would be the world's largest data center complex. It's been controversial. There was a 14-hour public hearing and a vote, and then a judge ruled the approval invalid during a lawsuit." (1:57)
"Bull Run Middle School, built in the mid-2000s. School starts in about two weeks, we're filming in mid-August." (3:45)
"Heritage Hunt … one of the most popular active-adult communities not only in Virginia, but honestly across the country." (4:08)
"About ten years ago, there was an HOA issue that made financing tricky, but that's been resolved." (5:26)
"You can find some with garages, four levels, roughly $380k–$450k." (6:36)
"Crossroads Village … built in the late '90s." (7:51)
"Lake Manassas has a Robert Trent Jones golf course … LIV Golf held a tournament recently … Phil Mickelson was there. They've also hosted LPGA events. Homes are serious money, $1M+, and even townhomes are pricey." (13:06)
"D.C. is about a 30-mile drive." (10:54)

Neighborhoods, Amenities & Lifestyle

"We're in a neighborhood called Oak Valley … What I like here is the space: there's a large pond and not many amenities, so the HOA is only about $80 per month." (0:12)

"Regency at Creekside … newer, by Toll Brothers, and it's sort of a sister community to Dominion Valley … You'll see folks out playing pickleball." (2:30)

"Heritage Hunt, a hugely popular 55+ golf community with a beautiful clubhouse, indoor and outdoor pools, and lots of amenities." (4:08)

"Parks of Piedmont is a big neighborhood with a variety of homes: a large pool, a fishing pond, tot lots, and even its own roving security." (6:00)

"Madison Crescent: a big shopping area with a town-square feel, restaurants, shops, and a community center … They do outdoor movie nights and events; it's a very thoughtfully designed spot." (14:25)

"This is Virginia Gateway, the main shopping destination for Gainesville: Rockwood … Lowe's, Target, Panera … Regal recently renovated with recliners. Bar Louie, BJ's Restaurant, and BJ's Wholesale, all here." (21:27)

"Mission BBQ, an outdoor walking plaza, 'splash pad' fountains for kids, and regular live events. This is probably the biggest shopping hub for Gainesville." (22:20)

"This is the massive Life Time gym where my wife and I are members … huge, indoor/outdoor pools. During COVID, the Washington Wizards practiced there." (24:42)

Pricing & Housing Types

"Oak Valley … Homes start around $900,000 and can go up to $1.5M. Most have 3,200+ sq ft above grade plus a finished basement." (0:12)
"Heritage Hunt … Condos can be around $400k–$500k; single-family homes often $600k–$700k." (4:08)
"Piedmont … Townhomes can start around the $500s–$600s … and single-family homes can go into the $800s." (4:39)
"Parks of Piedmont … Condos can be around the $400s, but note HOA/condo dues can be $400–$500/mo." (5:26)
"Parks of Piedmont condos … roughly $380k–$450k." (6:36)
"Crossroads Village. Townhomes are roughly $350k–$400k; single-family homes around $600k–$700k." (7:51)
"You can still find some detached '70s/'80s single-family homes over here in the $300s–$500s, depending largely on land." (17:04)
"New housing: townhomes $400k–$500k, single-family $700k–$800k." (25:16)

Commuting & Connectivity

"From here, you can catch the Express Lanes on I-66, really convenient. You can head to Dulles Airport, Fairfax, the Vienna Metro, or Washington, D.C. D.C. is about a 30-mile drive. Manassas is close as well." (10:54)

"If you want VRE into D.C./Pentagon, there's no Metro out here. You'd go to Broad Run Station by Manassas Airport at the end of Linton Hall Road, or drive I-66 to the Vienna Metro, that's a haul … Gainesville is not an Uber-and-walk lifestyle." (19:44)

Schools

"Bull Run Middle School, built in the mid-2000s … It's a newer, updated school and very popular." (3:45)

"Gainesville Middle School, and right next to it is Gainesville High School, both large, modern schools … Before this opened, most kids went to Battlefield High in Haymarket, and it was getting packed." (26:09)

Gainesville, VA Real Estate Tour FAQs

How much are HOA fees in Gainesville neighborhoods?

"There's a large pond and not many amenities, so the HOA is only about $80 per month." (0:12) That's one of the things I love about Oak Valley and similar communities here—you get space without paying $200-300/month like you would in Loudoun or Fairfax. Most Gainesville neighborhoods keep HOAs reasonable since they focus on essentials rather than luxury amenities.

What's the shopping and dining scene like in Gainesville?

"This is Virginia Gateway, the main shopping destination for Gainesville: Rockwood … Lowe's, Target, Panera, and tons of local places … Bar Louie, BJ's Restaurant, and BJ's Wholesale—all here." (21:27) You've also got "Wegmans, Dick's Sporting Goods, The Bone (great barbecue), plus Woodhouse Spa" (17:46) at Stonewall. I've had multiple viewers tell me they chose Gainesville because of the Wegmans alone.

How far is Gainesville from Washington, D.C.?

"D.C. is about a 30-mile drive." (10:54) "From here you can catch the Express Lanes on I-66—really convenient. You can head to Dulles Airport, Fairfax, the Vienna Metro, or Washington, D.C." (10:54) Most people either drive the Express Lanes or take the VRE from Broad Run Station if they're commuting into the city regularly.

Are there 55+ communities in Gainesville?

Yes—and some of the best in Virginia. "Heritage Hunt, a hugely popular 55+ golf community with a beautiful clubhouse, indoor and outdoor pools, and lots of amenities … one of the most popular active-adult communities not only in Virginia, but honestly across the country." (4:08) "Regency at Creekside … newer, by Toll Brothers … recent resales can be around the low $1Ms." (2:30) I have aunts and uncles in Heritage Hunt, so I know these communities well.

What price range should I expect for homes in Gainesville?

It really depends on what you're looking for. "Crossroads Village. Townhomes are roughly $350k–$400k; single-family homes around $600k–$700k." (7:51) "Parks of Piedmont condos … roughly $380k–$450k." (6:36) On the higher end, "Homes start around $900,000 and can go up to $1.5M" (0:12) in neighborhoods like Oak Valley with larger lots and finished basements.

What schools serve Gainesville?

"Bull Run Middle School, built in the mid-2000s … It's a newer, updated school and very popular." (3:45) "Gainesville Middle School, and right next to it is Gainesville High School—both large, modern schools … Before this opened, most kids went to Battlefield High in Haymarket and it was getting packed." (26:09) The schools here are newer and well-maintained, which is a huge draw for families.

What makes Gainesville a good place to live?

Gainesville gives you suburban space without being too far from everything. You've got "Parks of Piedmont is a big neighborhood with a variety of homes: a large pool, a fishing pond, tot lots, and even its own roving security." (6:00) The community feel is strong, shopping is convenient, and you're still only 30 miles from D.C. Plus, "This is the massive Life Time gym where my wife and I are members … huge—indoor/outdoor pools. During COVID, the Washington Wizards practiced there." (24:42) The amenities here rival anything in Loudoun or Fairfax.

Is Gainesville good for families?

Absolutely. Between the schools, parks, pools, and tot lots in nearly every neighborhood, it's built for families. "In many Gainesville communities you'll find pools, multiple tot lots, and ponds with fountains." (6:00) "Wentworth Green has a clubhouse and lots of open space" (26:09) and you can walk to the middle school, high school, and Life Time gym. It's one of the most family-friendly areas in Northern Virginia.

About Chris Colgan

"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. We sell everywhere across NoVA; I've closed homes in just about every county and city. My grandfather, who was a state senator, helped get funding to fix traffic infrastructure around this area, and I've watched Gainesville transform from farmland to one of the most sought-after communities in Northern Virginia."