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Practical advice on buying, selling, renting and investing in Northern Virginia, plus the money side of real estate. Search by topic, see what readers find most useful, or start with the latest.
Daniel ParkNo. 24
Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard have changed fast. Here’s what to know about buying or owning a home near National Landing and Amazon’s HQ2.
Keep reading: National Landing and Amazon HQ2: What It Means for Homes NearbyDaniel ParkNo. 23
Reston and Herndon share a border, the W&OD Trail and the Silver Line, but they run very differently. Here is how taxes, HOAs, housing and daily life compare.
Keep reading: Reston vs. Herndon: Which Silver Line Town Fits Your Life?Daniel ParkNo. 22
Northern Virginia hosts one of the largest concentrations of data centers in the world. Here’s how to check what’s planned near a home and what to ask.
Keep reading: Data Centers Near Homes: What Northern Virginia Buyers and Owners Should KnowDaniel ParkNo. 21
Federal workforce cuts are the biggest local story of early 2025. Here is what the February 2025 numbers actually show, what they do not show yet, and how I am advising clients.
Keep reading: Federal Job Cuts and the Northern Virginia Housing Market: What We Know So FarDaniel ParkNo. 20
Five Metro stations, three miles, five different personalities. A stop-by-stop look at housing, parks, errands and commuting along Arlington’s Rosslyn-Ballston corridor.
Keep reading: Living in the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor: Clarendon, Courthouse, Virginia Square and Ballston ComparedDaniel ParkNo. 19
Walking distance to Metro can save time and money, but it isn’t right for everyone. Here’s how to weigh it, station by station, from Arlington to Ashburn.
Keep reading: Living Near Metro in Northern Virginia: What the Silver Line ChangedDaniel ParkNo. 18
Got a letter from a builder who wants your house? Here's how teardown offers are calculated, what the contract usually looks like, and how to make builders compete.
Keep reading: Selling Your Home to a Builder: How Teardown Offers WorkDaniel ParkNo. 16
A brand-new home is exciting, but builder contracts are different from resale deals. Here are eight tips to protect yourself and get the most value.
Keep reading: Buying New Construction in Northern Virginia: 8 Tips Before You SignDaniel ParkNo. 15
Condo buying in Arlington means studying the building as much as the unit. Here's how I evaluate fees, reserves, resale documents, financing and rules.
Keep reading: Buying a Condo in Arlington: Fees, Reserves, Rules and ResaleDaniel ParkNo. 14
What a home warranty really costs, what it covers, the myths that lead to denied claims, and how to decide if one makes sense for your home.
Keep reading: Is a Home Warranty Worth It? Costs, Coverage and Common Myths