Town & City with Janelle

You’ve decided it’s time to move. Maybe you’ve even started cleaning out a closet or two. And then you look around. The dining room furniture. The clothes nobody wears. Boxes of books. Your kids’ old things. Holiday decorations. Lamps. Dishes. And that piece of furniture you paid entirely too much for 20 years ago and are absolutely convinced somebody should want. Now what? For many Northern Virginia homeowners, getting the house sold isn’t actually the part that feels overwh

There’s good news for book lovers in Aldie, South Riding and the Route 50 corridor: Barnes & Noble is officially coming to Dulles Landing. As first reported by The Burn, Barnes & Noble has signed on for a roughly 23,000-square-foot space at Dulles Landing, taking over the former BuyBuy Baby location. The new bookstore will become the retailer’s second Loudoun County location, joining the existing Barnes & Noble at One Loudoun in Ashburn. An opening date has not yet been annou

Big news for those of us who live in the area: Cooper’s Hawk is reportedly coming near South Riding, with a new location planned for the Shops at Arcola development beside the new Target near Loudoun County Parkway and Dulles West Boulevard. If you've been searching for news about Cooper’s Hawk South Riding, here's what we know so far — and why this particular restaurant announcement says something bigger about what's happening along the Route 50 corridor. Is Cooper’s Hawk Co

If it seems like suddenly everyone you know is learning to play mahjong, you’re not imagining it. Mahjong in Loudoun County is getting even bigger, with a new dedicated venue planned for Leesburg. As first reported by The Burn, a new mahjong venue called East Goes First is planned for Leesburg, bringing lessons, open play, guided play, memberships and special events to local players. Mahjong in Loudoun County: East Goes First Is Coming to Leesburg East Goes First plans to ope

If you're the parent of a Class of 2027 senior, you may have already spotted the Senior 27 tradition making its way around TikTok. The idea is simple: on the 27th of every month during senior year, do something special for or with your senior. It can be a small gift, a favorite treat, an afternoon adventure or simply intentional time together. As a Loudoun County mom with a senior of my own this year, I immediately loved the idea. Senior year is full of "lasts" — the last fir

There is a particular kind of magic that happens in Northern Virginia on a late-summer Saturday morning — the air still holds a little of the night's cool, and somewhere within a twenty-minute drive of your front door, someone is stacking peaches into a pyramid so perfect it feels like it should be illegal to disturb. If you ask me, the best farmers markets in Northern Virginia are the truest way to understand this region. Not the highway version of it, not the strip-mall ver

If you enjoy those little moments that make living in Northern Virginia special, mark your calendar. A partial solar eclipse in Northern Virginia is set to take place on Wednesday, August 12, giving residents a chance to witness a rare celestial event during the middle of the day. While we won't experience the dramatic darkness of a total eclipse, the moon will briefly pass in front of the sun, creating a noticeable "bite" out of its edge. It's a fun event to share with your

When homeowners ask me how to sell a home fast in Aldie, VA, they're often expecting me to talk about the market. The truth? The market is only part of the story. In today's real estate environment, buyers are more selective than ever. I've seen beautiful homes sit on the market while others generate immediate interest. The difference usually isn't luck—it's preparation, strategy, and execution. Recently, I had the privilege of representing the sellers of a home in Westbury G

Every successful home sale begins long before the listing goes live. Preparing early can help maximize your home's value. Thinking About Selling Your Home? Selling a home doesn't begin when the For Sale sign goes up. The smartest sellers start preparing months in advance. Download my checklist of 10 smart steps you can begin now to make your eventual move easier and more strategic. One of the biggest misconceptions about selling a home is that preparation begins when you deci

And what sellers can do before their listing goes stale. Seven common reasons homes don't sell in Northern Virginia and what sellers can do before a listing goes stale. If your home hasn't sold — or you're preparing to list and worried it might not — you're not alone. Across Northern Virginia, more sellers are discovering that the market has shifted. Homes that would have received multiple offers two years ago are now sitting longer. Buyers are more cautious. Pricing mistakes

If you've spent any time researching homes in Aldie, you've almost certainly come across Willowsford. And if you're anything like many of my clients, you've probably wondered: "Why does everyone keep talking about Willowsford?" The answer has very little to do with square footage. Yes, you'll find beautiful homes, impressive architecture, and thoughtfully designed neighborhoods. But what truly sets Willowsford apart is something that's becoming increasingly rare in Northern V

My friend Wande texted me photos of herself at the Ne-Yo and Akon concert at Jiffy Lube Live last week. No heads up. No "hey are you going?" Just pictures from what looked like an incredible night to hear outdoor music in Northern Virginia - after the fact. That was all I needed. I went down a rabbit hole of everything happening outdoors this summer in Northern Virginia and I am not letting another one slip by. Here's what I found. The Best Ticketed Outdoor Music Venues in No

Looking for fresh date night ideas in Loudoun County? Whether you're planning a first date, celebrating an anniversary, or just trying to get out of the house for a few hours, Loudoun has no shortage of memorable experiences. From wineries and rooftop cocktails to hiking trails, live music, and even indoor go-kart racing, here are some of my favorite date night ideas. Let's be honest—it's easy to fall into the routine of asking, "Where do you want to eat?" only to end up at t

Have you been wondering what it's like to live in Kirkpatrick Farms? Located in the heart of Aldie, Virginia, Kirkpatrick Farms has become one of the area's most recognizable neighborhoods thanks to its welcoming atmosphere, community amenities, and convenient location. Whether you're relocating to Loudoun County or simply looking for your next home, it's easy to see why so many families choose to call this community home. Here's a closer look at what makes Kirkpatrick Farms

Retirement is one of life's biggest transitions, and for many homeowners in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia, it comes with an equally important question: Should you downsize before you retire? There's no one-size-fits-all answer. While some people are perfectly happy staying in the home where they raised their family, others discover that a larger home no longer fits the lifestyle they envision for retirement. If you're beginning to think about your next chapter, here ar

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is winding down, and the final match is set for Sunday, July 19. If you’re anything like me, watching at home is fine — but some games just feel bigger when you’re surrounded by other fans, good food, and a room full of people yelling at the same television. So if you’re looking for where to watch the 2026 World Cup in Loudoun and Fairfax counties, here are a few local spots worth checking out before kickoff. Where to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup in L

July in Northern Virginia is one of those months where you genuinely run out of weekend before you run out of things to do. County fairs, food festivals, outdoor concerts, winery events, family adventures, and arts experiences are happening all month long — and that's before you factor in the day trip options just a short drive away. Here's everything worth knowing about things to do in Northern Virginia this July 2026. Things To Do In Northern Virginia July 2026: Summer Fest

Thinking about active adult living but not sure where to start? I'd love to help. On select Saturdays each month, I host complimentary 55+ Community Discovery Tours where we visit several of Loudoun County's most popular active adult neighborhoods before sitting down for lunch to talk through what you liked, what you didn't, and which community best fits your lifestyle. There's no pressure—just a chance to explore your options with a local who knows these communities well. Re

More Ways to Enjoy Peach Picking in Northern Virginia July in Northern Virginia means one thing — peach season is here. Whether you want to spend a morning in an orchard with your family or just grab a flat of fresh peaches to take home, the region has options for peach picking in Northern Virginia across multiple counties. A quick note before you go: always call ahead or check the farm's website or social media before visiting. Peach availability changes daily based on weath

It's almost the Fourth of July, which means fireworks are on everyone's mind — and so are the homes that are popping off the market right now in Northern Virginia. These are 10 Northern Virginia homes for sale that caught my attention this week for completely different reasons: land, design, price, lifestyle, potential. Some are estates. Some are starter homes. All of them made me stop scrolling. Here's what's hot in NoVA real estate this week. Janelle's Top Northern Virginia