Town & City with Janelle

Welcome to Waterford, VA — a historic Loudoun County village known for its charm, character, and slower pace of life What It’s Like Living in Waterford, VA Tucked into the western edge of Loudoun County, Waterford, Virginia feels like stepping into a different pace of life — one that’s quieter, more intentional, and deeply rooted in history. For buyers who are feeling the pull away from busier suburban areas like Ashburn or South Riding, Waterford offers something entirely di

Hey you guys — I had every intention of sitting down this week to write about a beautiful home in Waterford that I’ll be hosting this Sunday. Stone exterior. Over 4 acres. A quiet stretch of countryside with a year-round creek and wide-open views. The kind of property that makes you slow down for a second when you pull into the driveway. And then… it went under contract. Before I could even hit publish. What This Really Means This isn’t just about one home. It’s a reflection

For many families in Loudoun County, school boundary changes can feel unsettling. Over the past few years, several communities have experienced adjustments as the county continues to grow and new schools open. So for parents in Aldie and South Riding, the latest update from Loudoun County Public Schools brings some welcome news: none of the elementary schools serving these communities are included in the current round of proposed boundary adjustments. Instead the majority of

Living in Aldie VA has shaped the way my family experiences community, schools, and everyday life. As a local mom raising kids here, I share why that perspective matters when helping clients buy or sell a home.

Haraz Coffee House, a fast-growing Yemeni coffee brand, plans a new location in South Riding. South Riding continues to see exciting new businesses opening, adding to the lifestyle that makes this part of Loudoun County so desirable to live in. Coffee culture in Loudoun County continues to grow, and a new café concept is the latest sign that the area’s dining and gathering scene is evolving. The new café location was first reported by The Burn, a local publication covering bu

Cherry blossoms blooming at Breaux Vineyards in Loudoun County wine country. Cherry blossoms in Northern Virginia typically bloom between late March and early April. While the famous trees at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC attract large crowds, there are several beautiful places to see cherry blossoms throughout Northern Virginia, including Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Bon Air Park, and Loudoun County wine country. Every spring, people from around the world travel to Wash

If You Thought The Human Bean Was Exciting… …wait until you see what’s going up next door. Construction is officially underway on Petit Sablé, a French-inspired bakery and dessert shop coming to the retail strip right off Route 50 at Gateway Village Place — directly across from Stone Springs Hospital and just steps from Gum Spring Library. If you’ve driven by recently, you’ve probably noticed the steel framing rising beside The Human Bean and Arby’s. And yes — it might just b

There’s something about driving west on Route 50 as the landscape opens up. The stone walls. The split-rail fences. The horses grazing just beyond the road. It doesn’t feel like you’re just leaving Northern Virginia. It feels like you’re entering a different rhythm entirely. That rhythm is what drew Robert Duvall to The Plains decades ago — and what kept him there for the rest of his life. Following news of his passing at age 95, many headlines focused on his legendary film c

If you’re researching moving to Aldie, VA, you’ve likely noticed how quickly this area has evolved along the Route 50 corridor. Aldie isn’t rural Loudoun anymore — and it’s not quite Ashburn either. It sits in its own lane: a rapidly growing, master-planned pocket of Loudoun County shaped by new schools, expanding neighborhoods, and a strong concentration of young families. Understanding that distinction matters before you make the move. 1. The Pace of Growth Aldie has experi

There’s something increasingly rare about finding usable acreage in Aldie — especially at this price point. Just listed at 24154 Corktree Lane , this thoughtfully updated colonial sits on two private, wooded acres and offers the kind of space, comfort, and flexibility that today’s buyers are actively searching for. Priced at $1,000,000, it represents a compelling opportunity in a market where land is becoming harder to secure. Built in 2005 and beautifully maintained, this 4-

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved $26.7 million in loans to support the development of 535 long-term attainable rental homes across several projects in the county. If you live here — whether you rent, own, invest, or are planning your next move — this is worth understanding.

When it comes to choosing where to live, safety isn’t just a statistic — it’s peace of mind. And the latest rankings confirm what longtime residents already know: Purcellville stands out as one of Virginia’s safest towns. According to the most recent city safety data, Purcellville was named the third-safest town in Virginia by SafeWise, a home security data analysis company. The ranking is down one spot from last year’s ranking. Before you scroll past that “dropped ranking” h

Recent reporting has highlighted an interesting shift in Loudoun County: land values tied to commercial development — particularly data centers — are rising sharply, while residential home assessments have remained relatively steady. At first glance, that may feel contradictory. If land values are increasing, shouldn’t home values be climbing at the same pace? The answer is more nuanced — and understanding that nuance matters if you live in South Riding, Aldie, or anywhere in

Two beloved restaurants at the East Gate Marketplace in southern Loudoun County — Velocity Wings and Social House — are closing mid-February to make way for new culinary concepts that are already generating buzz. As reported in The Burn, Velocity Wings is set to become Makers Union, a modern neighborhood gastropub from the Thompson Restaurants family, while Social House will transition into Milk & Honey Southern Inspired Kitchen. This shift is more than just a new sign on the

Some homes are simply large. Others feel like a private retreat tucked into the heart of South Riding. A recent luxury offering in Tall Cedar Estates showcased exactly what today’s move-up buyer is looking for: space, craftsmanship, and resort-style outdoor living — all within one of Loudoun County’s most established communities. At just under $1.65M, this five-bedroom colonial offered over 4,000 square feet above grade, backing to trees, a pond, and open common area. It’s th

22077 Oatlands Road | Aldie, Virginia There are certain places in Loudoun County where the world feels like it exhales. Where the roads narrow, the landscape opens, and the scenery shifts into something quieter… older… more expansive. Aldie is full of those hidden stretches — where stone fences trail off into pasture, where sunsets linger a little longer, and where life feels grounded in space and beauty. And every so often, a property appears that captures that feeling perfe

15145 Lees Crossing Lane, Leesburg, VA 20176 | Offered at $1,699,000 There are homes that are impressive in photos — and then there are properties that feel expansive in a way that has nothing to do with square footage alone. Set against rolling pasture views in one of Loudoun County’s most coveted countryside settings, 15145 Lees Crossing Lane is a refined equestrian estate that offers space, privacy, and a rare sense of calm — just minutes from the charm and energy of hist

How to Find New Residential Listings in Middleburg Middleburg is one of Loudoun County’s most distinctive housing markets, known for its historic charm, Hunt Country estates, and limited inventory. Buyers often ask where to find homes for sale in Middleburg — especially new or recently listed properties — because opportunities here can move quietly and quickly. Whether you’re searching for a historic in-town home, a Hunt Country property, or a residence just outside the villa

Originally constructed in 1792 as a working grist mill, this property served as a vital landmark in early Loudoun County. While the mill structure itself was lost during the Civil War, the Miller's home survived and now forms the heart of the main residence. That sense of endurance—of a home that has weathered centuries and still stands ready to shelter another generation—is palpable the moment one steps through the door.

Lately, plans are advancing for a major new housing development in Ashburn, and this is worth paying attention to — not just because it’s more homes, but because it reflects broader shifts in how Loudoun County is balancing growth, housing supply, and community design. What’s Being Proposed According to recent local news coverage, residential development plans moving forward include: Multiple units of new housing — including single-family detached homes and townhomes designed