Welcome back to another episode of Real Nova Network. Hard to believe we’re already on episode seven, and this week we’ve got a lot to cover—sports, local entertainment, schools, luxury real estate, and of course the latest housing numbers in Northern Virginia. Let’s get into it.

Santana Moss Gets His Due

This past Saturday, I had the chance to celebrate my friend Santana Moss. On Sunday, during the Commanders vs. Giants game, he was officially inducted into the Commanders Ring of Fame. His name, number, and the years he played are now up inside the stadium.

If you don’t know Santana’s story, he played 14 seasons in the NFL, with 10 of those right here in Washington after being traded from the Jets in 2005. He’s third in franchise history with 581 catches, fourth in receiving yards, and seventh in touchdowns. Around here, he’s known as the “Cowboys Killer” thanks to that legendary game where he scored two late touchdowns to stun Dallas. At the event, they even had a drink named after him—the Cowboys Killer.

He’s more than just a great player, though. Santana’s been on my podcast, signed autographs at our client parties, and has always been a first-class guy. It was great to see him finally get the recognition he deserves.

Level99 Opens at Tysons Corner

Now let’s switch gears. If you’ve been anywhere near Tysons Corner lately, you’ve probably heard the buzz about Level99. I finally checked it out—and wow.

They transformed 40,000 square feet (where Barnes & Noble and Old Navy used to be) into what’s being called the DMV’s first “real life video game.” Think high-energy challenges that last just a few minutes each—escape-room style puzzles, team competitions, and sci-fi inspired sets where the tech reacts to every move.

Pricing runs $29.99 for two hours, $39.99 for four hours, and $50 for an all-day pass. Add in Victory Brewing’s on-site bar and restaurant serving Detroit-style pizza, wings, burgers, and craft cocktails, and you’ve got a real destination.

This is exactly the type of entertainment Northern Virginia needs—something fresh, social, and geared toward adults who want more than the standard dinner-and-a-movie. It’s also the type of development that boosts property values. More reasons for people to live, work, and play here means stronger demand for homes nearby.

NoVA Schools Dominate National Rankings

Speaking of reasons to live here, U.S. News & World Report just released its 2025–26 high school rankings. Northern Virginia crushed it.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology ranked fifth in the entire country out of 24,000 public high schools. Even more impressive: eight of Virginia’s top ten schools are right here in NoVA.

Thomas Jefferson (Alexandria) – #1 in Virginia, #5 nationally
Langley High (McLean) – #3
Woodson High (Fairfax) – #5
Oakton High (Vienna) – #6
Meridian High (Falls Church) – #7
McLean High – #8
Marshall High (Falls Church) – #9
Madison High (Vienna) – #10

Families don’t just buy homes here—they buy into these school districts. That’s why a townhouse in Vienna or McLean can run $200,000 more than one in other parts of Virginia. It’s not just the house; it’s the opportunity.

DC Area Mansion Market

Now let’s talk luxury. Zillow recently released new data on “mansions”—homes with more than 5,000 square feet. The Washington, D.C. metro area ranks second in the entire country with about 65,000 of these homes. Only New York City has more.

For comparison:

Los Angeles: 41,000
Chicago: 32,600
Dallas: 36,000
Atlanta: 61,300

Here’s the kicker: pricing. The average mansion in our region sells for about $1.58 million. In California, that same size property would run $4–6 million, depending on the city.

Fairfax County alone currently has over 400 of these on the market. I saw one in Centreville at 5,100 square feet listed for $1.1 million. On the other end of the spectrum? A 16,000 square foot estate in Fort Hunt on the Potomac River listed at $60 million.

Bottom line: Northern Virginia offers luxury space at a fraction of California prices. That’s why government contractors, tech executives, and defense professionals are driving demand here. And with 16% of our 5,000-plus square foot homes listed under $1 million, the entry point into luxury is far more accessible than in other major metros.

Market Update: A Shift Toward Balance

Finally, let’s look at the latest housing numbers.

D.C. Metro Region – Median sales price hit $681,900 in July, up 2.3% year over year (beating the national average of 1.7%).
Washington, D.C. – Contracts up 2.4% in July, though the year overall is basically flat.
Montgomery County, MD – Down slightly (–0.5% in July, –1.5% YTD). Days on market rose from 22 to 37.
Fairfax County – Contracts down 17% in July and 11% for the year. Days on market rose from 31 to 46.
Northern Virginia overall – Up 3% in July, up 0.3% for the year. Days on market ticked up from 24 to 33.
Loudoun County – The standout. Up 5.2% in July, 6.1% for the year, with days on market climbing from 21 to 38.

What does this mean? We’ve shifted from a frenzied sellers’ market to a more balanced one. Buyers now have time to negotiate, get inspections, and make informed choices. Sellers can still command strong prices—but only if they price correctly and market their homes well.

Wrapping Up

So, that’s another packed week in Northern Virginia. Santana Moss finally gets his honor, Level99 gives Tysons a shot of energy, our schools are dominating nationally, and the luxury market proves just how competitive NoVA is on the national stage.