🎬 The Family Drive-In is reopening this spring. After months of uncertainty, the beloved Stephens City landmark is getting a second chance, and you can't miss this event.

🏡 One of NoVA’s most iconic estates just changed hands. Cisco co-founder Sandy Lerner sold part of her sprawling Upperville farm for the full asking price of $19.8 million, and the story behind the property is just as interesting as the price.

🔥 A new ranking just revealed the 20 hottest ZIP codes in Northern Virginia, where homes are selling in as little as 6 days and often above asking price. See which neighborhoods made the list, and which ones are attracting the most buyer demand right now.

Scroll down and enjoy!

—Chris Colgan

Touted as Washington, DC’s Comic Con, this three-day celebration of geek culture brings together anime, comics, gaming, and pop culture fans. Expect celebrity guests, cosplay, panels, and a huge artists’ alley filled with creators and vendors.
📍 Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
📅 Date: Mar 13–15
🎟️ Tickets: Starting at $60
MORE INFO→

Animal lovers won’t want to miss this family-friendly expo packed with pet activities. Watch stunt dog demonstrations, hear from pet influencers, shop pet products from dozens of vendors, and even bring your own furry friend along.
📍 Location: Manassas Mall, Manassas
📅 Date: Mar 13–15
🎟️ Tickets: Starting at $15
MORE INFO→

One of Alexandria’s most beloved monthly markets, this lively outdoor event features more than 60 vendors selling vintage finds, handmade goods, and unique treasures. Food trucks, local vendors, and live entertainment make it a fun community outing.
📍 Location: Various locations, Del Ray, Alexandria
📅 Date: Mar 14 | 9 AM – 2 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→

NOT ENOUGH? SEE 10+ GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND→

Fairfax County’s housing market is no longer just competitive; it’s become nearly impossible for most buyers to even get in the door. In this video, I break down why home prices in Fairfax are continuing to rise while inventory stays at historic lows, creating a "supply trap" that’s squeezing out middle-class buyers.

The Family Drive-In is coming back this spring, giving Stephens City a local landmark worth cheering for after months of doubt about whether it would survive.

Driving the news: The Family Drive-In has confirmed it will reopen on April 3 after its future was thrown into question when the 10.6-acre property was listed for sale for $1.5 million last year.

Details:

Between the lines: The return of family movie nights is something we’re celebrating too. This April, our team is hosting a client appreciation event for Northern Virginia families, featuring the Super Mario 2 Movie. We’re also partnering with a few great local businesses to help make the event even more fun.

The big picture: Community support did not go to waste. Even though the fundraising campaign did not secure the land, the money will still help improve the theater as it starts its next chapter.

That support also reflects the theater’s unique place in the region: only six drive-in theaters remain operating in Virginia, including this one.

What’s next: The focus now shifts to opening night on April 3 and what upgrades moviegoers may see when the gates reopen for the season.

If you’re a local business and would like to partner with us for our Super Mario movie event this April, reply to this email or send us a DM on Instagram @chriscolganteam.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE→

Northern Virginia is changing fast, and this week’s updates show just how much is happening across the region. From brand-new international flights out of Dulles and BWI to new restaurants, a luxury car club in Ashburn, Prince William County’s new data center tracker, and a massive innovation district planned for National Landing, a lot is shifting across NoVA right now.

Driving the news: A Cisco Systems co-founder just closed one of the priciest home sales in the Washington region this year.

Sandy Lerner sold a 571-acre portion of Ayrshire Farm for the full asking price of $19.8 million, marking another headline deal for Loudoun County’s luxury market.

Details:

Why it matters: This is good news for Northern Virginia, especially Loudoun County, because it shows top-end buyers still see long-term value in the region’s historic estates, protected land, and rural lifestyle.

Big sales like this also put Upperville and the surrounding market on the radar for more investment, more attention, and more local real estate activity.

The big picture: Ayrshire is now the second most expensive home sale in Greater Washington this year.

The only sale above it was nearby Llangollen, another historic Upperville estate, which traded for $21.35 million earlier this year.

Between the lines: This deal shows that buyers at the top of the market are paying a premium for land, history, and privacy, especially when a property has been restored instead of stripped of its character.

The bottom line: Sandy Lerner’s $19.8 million sale adds another major win for Northern Virginia’s luxury market and reinforces Upperville’s place as one of the region’s most sought-after estate communities.

KEEP READING→

If it feels like homes in certain Northern Virginia neighborhoods disappear almost overnight… you’re not imagining it.

A new ranking using Bright MLS data from Dec 1, 2024 through Nov 30, 2025 analyzed ZIP codes across the region to identify where homes are selling the fastest and commanding the strongest prices.

The ranking looked at how quickly homes sold and the gap between list price and final sale price, focusing on areas with at least 120 home sales during the period.

The result is a clear snapshot of where buyer demand is strongest right now.

Across many of the top areas, homes are selling in about a week or less, and several ZIP codes are seeing buyers pay above asking price to secure a property.

Here are the top ZIP codes where homes are moving the fastest right now:

Curious which other ZIP codes made the list from 11-20?
The full ranking includes 10 more highly competitive areas across Northern Virginia.

See the full list →

While these ZIP codes vary in price point and location, they share a few key traits that continue to attract buyers.

Areas like Burke, West Springfield, and Fairfax Station offer large homes, mature trees, parks, and a strong neighborhood feel. Many homeowners stay for decades, which limits inventory and keeps demand high.

Neighborhoods like Del Ray in Alexandria attract buyers who value walkable streets, local restaurants, farmers markets, and a tight-knit community atmosphere.

Many of the hottest ZIP codes offer easy access to major commuter routes like I-495, I-66, Route 28, and Route 29, along with options like VRE and Metro stations nearby.

Places like Bristow, Gainesville, and Centreville continue to attract buyers looking for larger homes and newer communities while staying connected to employment hubs in Tysons, DC, and Reston.

One trend is clear across nearly all of these ZIP codes:

Homes are selling quickly.

In several of the top areas, the median time on market is just 6–8 days, which means buyers need to be prepared and sellers in the right neighborhoods continue to see strong demand.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Northern Virginia, understanding where demand is strongest can make a big difference.

For a deeper look at all 20 ZIP codes and what makes each area stand out, check out the full breakdown below.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE→

Reply and let me know what you liked the most and what you’d like to see in next week’s newsletter. See ya!