Classes, Financial Coaching and Experts for Would-Be Renters and First-Time Buyers

If you’re planning to buy or rent a place in Northern Virginia anytime soon, you’ll want to make this housing expo your first stop!

The regional housing fair and all its free resources are coming to Meridian High School, next to West Falls Church Metro, on April 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can speak with experts in the exhibit hall, attend informational workshops and benefit from individual financial coaching from certified volunteers.

The Northern Virginia Housing Expo also features vast online resources, with its online exhibit hall drawing more than 200,000 visits in 2024. Visitors to novahousingexpo.org can also view a variety of helpful webinars and sign up for virtual financial coaching anytime throughout the year.

This year’s workshops and exhibits will educate attendees about: being creditworthy; getting ready to buy or rent; first-time buyer programs in each local jurisdiction; senior housing options; the tax implications of owning a home; the current local real estate market; working with a Realtor; and a Spanish language overview of buying, renting and credit scores.

The expo is free to the public thanks to a variety of sponsorships, including funding and planning support from: Virginia Housing; the Prince William Office of Housing and Community Development; the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors®; the Falls Church Department of Housing and Human Services; Loudoun County’s Department of Housing and Community Development; Arlington County Housing Division; Alexandria Office of Housing; Manassas Park Department of Community Services; and the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

You’ve heard it before: Location, Location, Location.

But according to seasoned Realtor Mark Worrilow, that old real estate rule just doesn’t cover it anymore.

“In today’s market, location is just one piece of the puzzle,” says Worrilow, who works with Fathom Realty and has helped hundreds of families buy and sell homes in Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties. “Buyers are more concerned about how they’re going to live — and how they’re going to afford it — than they are about a specific zip code.”

Financing is Now Front and Center

Worrilow tracks local financing trends closely and recently shared insights about what’s really happening in our region.

In Spotsylvania, VA loans and conventional financing dominate the market. “FHA is still part of the mix, but it’s significantly lower than VA — by more than a third,” he says. “The type of loan people use tells you a lot about affordability and buyer demographics.”

Stafford follows a similar pattern. “VA and conventional loans are neck and neck there — only about 150 apart in number — while FHA trails behind,” Worrilow explains.

Why does this matter? Because today’s buyers are making decisions based not just on where they want to live, but also on what types of financing they can qualify for and what makes the most sense for their financial future.

Real Estate is Personal — More Than Ever

“The pandemic reshaped what people value in a home,” Worrilow says. “Working from home, needing more space, choosing to stay in a community longer — all of these factors have changed what people are looking for.”

He helps buyers think beyond square footage and school zones and instead focus on things like:

• How flexible is the home’s layout?
• Is there space to work remotely?
• Can you grow into it, or will you outgrow it quickly?
• Are you financially comfortable with your monthly payment?

Sellers Need to Think Strategically

On the seller side, Worrilow uses his knowledge of financing trends and buyer priorities to help homes stand out. “If your property fits the needs of VA buyers — which many do in this region — we position it accordingly,” he says.

And timing is everything. “We look at current data, not just seasonal trends, to decide when to list and how to price your home.”

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re buying or selling in 2025, one thing is clear: The old rules no longer apply. The market is more nuanced, data-driven, and personal than ever — and Mark Worrilow is here to help you navigate it all.

• Call Mark at 703-244-8702 
• Visit markworrilow.com
• Licensed Broker in VA
• Licensed Instructor in VA

Price: $3,100/month

4 Bedrooms | 2 Full Baths
1,885 sq. ft. | Villa Style

Welcome to low-maintenance luxury living in the sought-after Belmont Bay community. This beautifully maintained villa offers main-level living with scenic wooded views and a layout designed for both comfort and function.

Step inside to an open floor plan with soaring cathedral ceilings, an electric fireplace, and a bright eat-in kitchen with modern appliances and ample cabinet space. With four spacious bedrooms all on the main level, this home is perfect for those seeking convenience without sacrificing space.

The primary suite includes a large en-suite bath and generous closet space, while the additional bedrooms are ideal for guests, a home office, or hobbies. The main-level laundry room, attached garage, and private balcony add to the convenience.

Community amenities include an outdoor pool, tennis courts, jogging paths, tot lots, and a community center. Rent includes HOA/Condo fees, lawn service, trash removal, snow removal, parking, and fiber optic internet access, so you can enjoy the lifestyle without the extra hassle.

Located just minutes from Route 1, VRE, marinas, and major commuter routes, this home offers the perfect blend of privacy and convenience in one of Woodbridge’s most desirable neighborhoods.

Available: Now
12–24 month lease
No pets, no smoking
Application Fee: $50
Security Deposit: $3,100

Call Today to Schedule Your Showing

Listing Agent: Nara Rakhmetova
Fathom Realty (Licensed in Virginia)
Phone: 202-491-5629
Email: [email protected]

Imagine a world where the power goes out—not just for hours or days, but for weeks or even a month. No running water, no working hospitals, no food deliveries, no communications. According to Montclair resident and retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Stephen Chill, this scenario is not only possible but could be devastating beyond what most Americans can imagine.

Chill, a key advisor for the Foundation for Infrastructure Resilience (FIR), has released a sobering new report detailing the disastrous effects of a prolonged power outage. The report, published by FIR, warns that nearly all critical infrastructure in the United States would fail if the power grid were to be knocked offline for 30 days.

A Nation at Risk

“We have had power outages for up to ten days in many U.S. locations in the past couple of years, mainly caused by fires or storms, that caused localized havoc and suffering,” said FIR President Stephen Volandt. “If these lasted for just 30 days in a widespread outage, there would be tens of thousands of casualties, massive and dangerous infrastructure failures.”

Chill’s research outlines how vital sectors—water treatment, food distribution, financial systems, and emergency services—are all heavily dependent on electricity. Without power, they would rapidly fail, leading to dire consequences for public safety, health, and national security.

“People don’t realize how interconnected everything is,” Chill said in an interview. “You can’t just protect one system; if power goes out, all critical infrastructure sectors—water, food, communications, transportation—start failing one after another.”

According to the FIR report, key infrastructure collapse would unfold in phases:

• Seconds to Minutes: Power-dependent industries, including chemical plants, financial transactions, and IT systems, would shut down.
• Hours: Water and wastewater treatment plants would fail, leading to contamination of drinking water. Food supply chains would halt.
• Days: Hospitals would run out of fuel for backup generators, leading to medical crises.
• Weeks: Law enforcement, emergency response, and military operations would be severely compromised.
• One Month: Public order would be at risk, with severe food shortages, civil unrest, and widespread health emergencies.

The Growing Threats to the Grid

The report warns that threats to the power grid have never been higher. “Threats to our grid are at an all-time high from adversaries and weather or solar weather, or physical, cyber, or even electromagnetic attack,” said FIR’s Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Luke Reiner.

Chill highlighted four main threats that could trigger a catastrophic blackout:

1. Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) or High-Altitude EMP (HEMP)
2. Cyberattacks targeting energy infrastructure
3. Physical attacks on substations (such as those previously seen in North Carolina)
4. Severe weather events, including geomagnetic storms

No One Is Coming to the Rescue

A major concern raised by Chill is that the federal government is unprepared to deal with such a scenario. “There is a lack of focus on this in Washington,” he said. “Periodically, reports are issued, but there’s no real planning in place for a long-term grid failure.”

Even the military would be unable to step in effectively. “The military can’t survive in a large-scale power outage because they’re living in the same community we are,” Chill noted. “If the power is out for 30 days, bases won’t be able to operate, and neither will emergency responders.”

What Can Be Done?

Chill and FIR are calling for immediate action at all levels of government.

• Federal and state governments must develop resilience plans for power outages lasting more than a few days.
• Critical infrastructure sectors need to be hardened against EMPs, cyberattacks, and physical damage.
• Food, water, and fuel stockpiles should be reintroduced, similar to Cold War-era grain reserves.

For individuals, the message is clear: be prepared. “Every household in America should have a plan to go without power for at least 30 days, if not more,” said Reiner.

A Wake-Up Call

Chill hopes that his research will serve as a wake-up call before it’s too late. “We have to start taking this seriously now, before we find ourselves in the dark—literally and figuratively.”

The full FIR report is available online at https://fir.foundation.

Start fresh with a lifestyle that’s anything but ordinary!

Brookfield Residential’s luxury townhomes with private elevators at Cascades at Embrey Mill are now selling — offering all the comforts of home with high-end features and finishes built in.

Upscale Living, Down to Every Detail

Starting from the $400s, these Brookfield Residential homes are built to enhance your lifestyle with features like a private elevator, three spacious bedrooms, a relaxing patio, a scenic balcony, and a one-car garage.

The open layouts are filled with natural light, tailored for modern living, and ready for you this year!

Endless Ways to Enjoy Life

Enjoy the private active adult clubhouse, just steps from your front door, featuring an event kitchen, a cozy fireplace lounge, yoga and weight rooms, and a game room. Step outside to the sundeck with outdoor grills and fire pits, plus an oversized chess/checkers board. Love a little competition? Game on with pickleball and bocce ball — right in your own community!

And don’t forget, all of Embrey Mill is at your fingertips! Explore the Embrey House with its Grounds Bistro & Café, a fitness center, swimming pool, over 285 acres of parks and trails, dog parks, and playgrounds.

Claim Your Early Bird Bonuses

Get in early to secure your new home with special pre-construction pricing and up to $10,000* towards closing costs — exclusive to our first buyers! With these incentives, there’s never been a better time to make your move!

Start your next chapter today! Visit our sales office, explore BrookfieldResidential.com/EmbreyPL, or call us at 540-534-4825 to learn more.

Disclaimer: Cascades at Embrey Mill is an age-restricted community, please see a Brookfield Residential New Home Counselor for full details. *Pricing, terms, availability, financing program/incentives, options and closing cost assistance amount are subject to change without notice and are available for a limited time only on new, full priced contracts written by 4/30/2025 on select homes with use of the builder’s preferred lender and title company, cannot be combined with any other offers or incentives, and is subject to change without notice. Prices, plans, elevations, included features, dimensions, square feet, amenities, availability are all subject to change. All photos, renderings, and other depictions are for illustration purposes only and are subject to change without notice and may include elements that are for display purposes only. Models and lifestyle photos do not reflect racial or ethnic preference. Copyright ©2025 Brookfield Residential ULC. All rights reserved.

At Freedom Property Management and Sales, we believe that every tenant deserves a well-maintained, high-quality home. That’s why we take extra steps to ensure each property in our portfolio meets our rigorous standards before it ever hits the market.

Quality You Can Trust
Before adding a new property to our portfolio, our team conducts thorough site visits to assess its condition. If a home doesn’t meet our standards—whether it’s a malfunctioning garbage disposal, an outdated smoke alarm, or a bathtub that needs a deep clean and re-caulking—we work with the property owner to make necessary improvements. This ensures that when a tenant moves in, they’re stepping into a space that’s safe, clean, and ready to feel like home.

Coming Soon: Prime Arlington Living
One of our latest additions is a beautiful condo in the heart of Arlington, right on Clarendon Boulevard. This property is in great shape, and with a few finishing touches, it will soon be available for rent. If you or someone you know is looking for a prime location in Arlington, keep an eye on our website or contact our team for updates.

At Freedom Property Management and Sales, we don’t just manage properties—we create homes where tenants can thrive. Looking for a trusted partner to manage your rental? Reach out today and experience the Freedom difference!

• Contact Us Today!
• 703-330-1776
• FreedomPM.com

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams for 2025, cautioning taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals to remain vigilant against prevalent schemes that endanger their tax and financial data. These fraudulent tactics, which range from phishing email schemes to deceptive tax credits, tend to surge during the tax filing season as individuals prepare their tax returns. However, they can occur year-round as fraudsters continuously seek opportunities to illicitly obtain money, personal information, and data.

The “Dirty Dozen” campaign features 12 scams and schemes that pose significant threats to taxpayers. While it is not a legal document or a formal list of enforcement priorities, this educational initiative aims to increase awareness and shield taxpayers and tax professionals from prevalent tax scams and fraudulent activities.

Get Ready for an Unforgettable Summer at Manassas Park Community Center

Summer is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start planning for an action-packed season at Manassas Park Community Center’s Summer Camps.

Join us on Saturday, March 22, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. for our Summer Camp Open House—your one-stop shop to explore all the incredible camps we’re offering this year. Meet our staff, learn about exciting camp themes like Safari Week and Kingdom Adventure, and secure your spot.

Exclusive BOGO Deal
Get early access to the Summer Camp BOGO Deal! Register during the Open House and get buy one, get one half off, valid for up to four camps.

With camps for preschoolers, school-age kids, teens, and athletes, there’s something for everyone. Plus, before and aftercare options make scheduling easy for busy parents.

• “We highly encourage parents to come to our open house because the BOGO deal will be available during event hours.” — Samantha Wollschlager, Youth Programs & Camps Recreation Specialist
• “We have some exciting themes this year, like Safari Week, where kids will visit the Leesburg Zoo, along with fun arts and crafts that match the weekly themes.” — Samantha Wollschlager
• “Our summer camp open house is all about letting residents and non-residents see what camps we offer and making registration easier by handling it in-house.” — Samantha Wollschlager

Learn more and register early: mpdpr.com/summercamps 

Location: Manassas Park Community Center

Spots fill up fast, so don’t wait. Join us for an exciting summer your child will never forget.