 Photos courtesy of Leslie Carpenter, Compass A Thoughtful Search, A Perfect Fit: 19355 Airwell Ct, Purcellville, VA 20132 There is something deeply satisfying about a home search that takes its time. Earlier this week, my buyers successfully closed on 19355 Airwell Ct, Purcellville, VA 20132, marking the culmination of a journey that began in early summer of last year. What makes this acquisition particularly meaningful is not just the property itself — which is exceptional — but the deliberate, discerning process that led us there. A Search Defined by Patience and Precision When we began working together last summer, my clients were clear: they were not in a rush. They were seeking the right home — not just a house that would suffice. Over the course of many months, we toured approximately a dozen properties throughout Western Loudoun County. Each home had merit. Some had land but lacked architectural integrity. Others were beautifully finished but didn’t quite capture the sense of place they were seeking. A few came close. But “close” was never the goal. In a market that often pressures buyers to move quickly, especially in Loudoun County’s sought-after rural corridors, discipline becomes a strategic advantage. We evaluated each property carefully — location, setting, construction quality, flow, future potential, and long-term value. We walked away more than once. And that patience paid dividends.  Photos courtesy of Leslie Carpenter, Compass The Moment Airwell Court Appeared When 19355 Airwell Ct came to market, it immediately stood apart. Situated in Purcellville — the heart of Western Loudoun — the property offered the rare combination of: • Architectural presence • Quality craftsmanship • A highly desirable setting • Strong underlying value From the first showing, there was a noticeable shift in energy. The home had substance. It had warmth. And perhaps most importantly, it offered outstanding “bones” — the foundation upon which thoughtful updates can transform an already stellar property into something deeply personal. For discerning buyers, that combination is gold. A Collaborative and Professional Transaction The sellers were represented by Compass, with Leslie Carpenter leading their side of the transaction. It is always a pleasure to work across the table with experienced professionals who understand that the goal is a smooth, respectful path to closing. The process was measured and professional from contract to settlement. Clear communication, realistic expectations, and collaborative problem-solving allowed both parties to move forward with confidence. That kind of professionalism matters — particularly at this level of the market.  Photos courtesy of Leslie Carpenter, Compass Why This Home Was “The One”
For my clients, Airwell Court checked the boxes that truly count: • A location that offers privacy without isolation • A layout that supports both daily living and entertaining • Construction quality that stands the test of time • The opportunity to elevate finishes to reflect their personal aesthetic They were not seeking a complete renovation project. Nor were they looking for something fully “done” in someone else’s style. What they found instead was a home with exceptional structure and scale — ready to be thoughtfully refined. And that is often the sweet spot in today’s market. The Power of Strategic Patience There is a lesson here that I often share with clients: The right home rarely feels rushed. My buyers could have purchased earlier. They saw attractive options. But they remained focused on alignment rather than urgency. In competitive markets — particularly in Purcellville and the broader Loudoun County countryside — strategic patience is often the difference between a good purchase and a great one. When the right opportunity emerges, preparation allows you to move decisively. That is exactly what happened here. Looking Ahead My clients are thrilled. They are already envisioning subtle enhancements — refined finishes, curated updates, and thoughtful improvements that will elevate an already impressive residence into a home that feels entirely their own. That evolution is one of the most exciting chapters of ownership. As someone who has spent years advising clients across luxury markets — from international business aircraft to Loudoun County estates — I continue to find that the most rewarding transactions are those grounded in long-term thinking and shared vision. This one exemplifies that beautifully. To my clients: thank you for your trust throughout this journey. Your patience and clarity made this outcome possible. And to those considering a move in Western Loudoun — whether buying or selling — know that the right property is rarely found by accident. It is found through preparation, discipline, and a willingness to wait for alignment. If you would like to discuss your own plans for 2026 and beyond, I would be delighted to help you chart the course.
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I'm so lucky that I get to represent amazing sellers with unique and outstanding properties. And every so often, something really special pops up, not that the others aren't special in their own right, but there's a real story, and a history, and an essence to experience. That can certainly be said of my latest gem, Twin Oaks, an historic inn and now boutique winery, centered around an incredible 1893 stone house, which was the subject of a meticulous restoration just 23 years ago. Welcome...to Twin Oaks.  The main 1893 house, impeccably restored following a 1997 fire I have had the privilege of spending time at this property, walking the same floors which Washingtonians trod in the early 1900's, after arriving by train via the (now defunct) Washington & Old Dominion Railroad. Imagine how, a century ago, the best way to escape the summer heat of the capital was to spend time in the higher elevations of Bluemont, Virginia, overlooking the Shenandoah Valley to the west.  Fast forward to today, actually to 1997, when a fire engulfed the property which was at that time owned by a builder who subsequently sold the derelict property to its current owners. Their original plan was to restore and sell this old edifice, however following a trip to Europe, Mr. and Mrs. Evers caught the wine bug, no, not a debilitating disease, but a new found passion for planting and growing grapes. In fact Donna's forefathers were winemakers of note in Croatia, and that DNA had clearly been passed down the line. And so, in the early 2000's, early vines were planted and later a tasting room built, to complement the winery beneath the stone house.  Unknown vintage, but likely early 1900's  A sad sight several decades ago. Who knew that visionaries would transform it into a place of joy and music and get togethers, just a few years later!  As it was before the major restoration  After the fire of '97  A sad sight, but not the end of the story! Actually, the beginning.  During restoration  Coming along  Work progresses...early 2000's  The welcoming entry in 2024 I could not be more honored to be co-listing Twin Oaks with Donna Evers, an incredible lady and the energy behind his 25 year odyssey. Much more detail can be found here, or call me to schedule a visit at this one of a kind property.
I do hope that you enjoyed this brief tale as much as I enjoyed telling it. Peter  Reality Mountain, high up on Reality Farm Lane in Rappahannock County, Virginia It's hard to imagine a Virginia property with finer views, and even harder to capture the essence of those views of iconic Old Rag with a camera, when the human eye still possesses the finest optical technology. When my co-listing agent, Charlie Thies, and I first drove up the one mile, asphalt driveway to the top, being pressed into the backrests of my SUV's seats, we were truly astounded and mesmerized by what we found. A property originally built in 1973 and gradually expanded upon during the intervening years by fastidious owners with a passion for the unique, and the very special. There we were, high up in this wonderful county, just minutes away from the quaint town of Washington, Virginia, home to the incredible Michelin 3 star restaurant hotel, the Inn at Little Washington, which additionally holds a Michelin Green Star, for restaurants which uphold sustainable and eco friendly culinary practices. In fact, Reality Mountain has also served as 'spillover' accommodation for the Inn, when weary lovers of gastronomy found no room at, yes, the Inn! The B&B special use permit conveys with the sale of this property, an unusual and much more difficult to obtain benefit today.  Sensational views are impossible to truly visualize on film, even with professional photography. This must be seen in person to fully appreciate the beauty and scale. The house, which more resembles a castle, faces almost due south, ensuring that the massive double height windows provide its owners and guests with sunrises and sunsets and everything in between. The property lies within 50 serene acres, all in Open Space Easement, and has 8 bedrooms, including several self contained suites, 6 gorgeous full bathrooms and 3 half baths, on over 8,000 finished square feet of living space. The many different areas of the home, and its extraordinary layout, mean it takes quite some time to know where everything is, and how they are linked, such as the second floor enclosed walkway to one of the mini apartments. So much so that we created this 3-D floor plan to help the visitor travel through Reality Mountain. Charlie and I are thrilled to have been entrusted with the global marketing of Reality Mountain, to secure the next stewards to take this magnificent property into the future. It took a while, but in this case, patience was definitely a virtue as we sold our beautiful raw five-acre land lot in the desirable Carrwood Estates community of Great Falls, Virginia last week. The lucky buyer is, we understand, planning to build a unique custom home; we can't wait to see it!  9565 Edmonston Drive, Great Falls, VA 22066 from on high This sale, at a closed price of $1,550,000, demonstrates the high value associated with this location, close to Tysons Corner, Riverbend and other fashionable and popular places to visit, yet utterly rural, and a stone's throw from the Potomac River. We still have the amazing Deckhouse listing opposite the lot, also on five acres, and ready for it's next custodians to stamp their own personalities on this wonderful post and beam construction house, which boasts around 6,800 square feet - check out the website and video tour below.  9560 Edmonston Drive, Great Falls, VA 22066 - dedicated website Priced at $2,400,000, the house represents great value when one analyzes the 'comps', particularly the most recent one described above!
Don't hesitate to call me to set up a tour, or have your agent schedule it at your convenience. The spring market is about to start, and with low inventory all over the region, properties like this will be snapped up. Happy (property) hunting!  I am thrilled, and honored to be the listing agent of a 1980 Deckhouse in Great Falls, Virginia. What is a Deckhouse, you might well ask. Trust me when I say that it's a movement, as well as a wonderful product, a home which will stand for ages and which, thanks to its post and beam construction, allows the homeowner to play about with internal wall locations as they are essentially non load bearing. My colleague, Andrea and I made an on the fly video walk around of the property, 9560 Edmonston Drive, Great Falls, VA 22066, which can be watched below: I'm planning more open houses of this Deckhouse so let me know if you wish to be alerted to upcoming dates, subject of course to the property remaining unsold!
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As a long time resident of Middleburg and Loudoun County, my knowledge of and love for this area perfectly compliment the global capabilities of Sotheby's International Realty. My hard earned experience as a Realtor helps me serve you better. My broad network of personal and professional connections keeps me well informed and helps me make small miracles happen on behalf of my clients. Local knowledge and global reach are a truly unbeatable combination. 
While on my first airline trip since the start of the COVID pancemic, to visit my about to turn 21 son in June 2022, who was interning in Wichita, Kansas, I took a phone call from a researcher at the Fox Business Channel which had picked up our exquisite Llangollen listing. "We'd like to feature Llangollen in the next season of Mansion Global." he said. "Do you think your clients would be interested?".
That call resulted in a day long July film shoot in Upperville, Virginia, at the 1,100 acre property with its magnificent house, spanning two centuries of development from its original patent house, built in 1795 through additions in 1830, 1918, 1930 and finally 1990. Apart from a little accidental embellishment claiming that George Washington stayed there, which he did not, although he did survey the original land at and around Llangollen, the piece beautifully showcases this very special equestrian property called Llangollen. Enjoy! ⬇️ There's no doubt about it, the real estate environment is in a different place today compared with a year ago, but is it a bad thing? If we take a look back, the dreaded COVID years of 2020 and 2021 created an unexpected boom in our industry, to put it lightly. In early 2020, when masks and lockdowns and latex gloves and shoe covers were de rigueur, we all assumed that our businesses would come to a grinding halt, however, in Virginia, real estate brokers were deemed an essential service and we were allowed to continue to do business. Gradually, but pretty quickly, we saw folks packing up and moving away from big cities in search of open space and fresh air. As a consequence, property prices began to escalate while mortgage rates tumbled to record lows in the 2.5% region. It seemed that these increasing home prices did not deter buyers, in fact for two years, most properties listed at then realistic prices went under contract within days, and following multiple offers with increasingly escalating offer prices but with correspondingly fewer, if any, contingencies. We have all witnessed the significant rise in inflation which has caused mortgage rates to more than double in just a few months, meaning that buyers' affordability has been dramatically reduced. So here we are, with a market which has corrected, yet prices are still far higher than they were two years ago, and inventory remains very low. For buyers and their agents, respite is here because they are no longer fighting to win with their offers against multiple other offers, waiving important contingencies such as home inspections and well and septic. The panel below, courtesy of the Dulles Area Association of REALTORS®, provides a nice snapshot as to the market position in Loudoun County as compared to one year ago, however it's particularly helpful to look back three years, to 2019 (second panel below), to get a more realistic comparison. What we see here is a drastically lower inventory (660 listings -v- 935 in September 2019), and a median price today of $639,995 compared with $495,000 in September 2019.  September 2022 Market Snapshot  September 2019 Market Snapshot This lack of inventory in a market where there is a high demand for property is fuelling a continued healthy market, but with rates at around the 7% mark, we are seeing more negotiation, longer time on market and, happily, we are back to a position where buyers are able to properly do their due diligence with home inspections, well and septic inspections and retaining financing and appraisal contingencies.
Llangollen, begun in 1795 and expanded upon over two centuries
From time to time, a truly iconic property, full of history and aura comes to the market, and our Llangollen estate is a case in point.
Located just outside the quaint village of Upperville, Virginia, Llangollen sits on 1,100 acres of beautiful countryside, in conservation easement, and dates to 1795 when the original patent house was built, in order to abide by the terms of the formal prescription of the lease to the first grantee which required that a dwelling be constructed.
Upperville was the scene of an American Civil War battle which preceded Gettysburg, and the fields surrounding Llangollen saw plenty of action. Locally infamous John Singleton Mosby, romantically referred to as the Gray Ghost, is purported to have spent time at Llangollen, meeting in the downstairs pub seen below.
The pub at Llangollen beneath the 1830 manor house
The thousands of acres on and around Llangollen were originally surveyed by a young man by the name of George Washington, better known forever as the founding father and first President of the United States of America.
Guests at the property during the nineteenth century included the Marquis De Lafayette who made it his base on the east coast during his grand tour of the United States, as well as our third President, and drafter of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, whose Monticello has been studied by the present owners of Llangollen in order to properly decorate this fabulous house. The Civil War years and the reconstruction period immediately thereafter were not kind to southern estates like Llangollen, which had previously relied on the abhorrent practice of using the enslaved to farm the land and produce its crops. Decades passed before subsequent stewards took ownership, and began its slow rehabilitation. But it was not until 1930, when John Hay 'Jock' Whitney, publisher of the New York Herald Tribune, President of the Museum of Modern Art and, later, US Ambassador to the United Kingdom purchased Llangollen as a wedding present for his fiancée, Elizabeth Altemus and restored and significantly expanded the beautiful property, creating a new southern wing off the manor house, and building the impressive and quite unique horseshoe barn pictured below. 
The unique horseshoe barn at Llangollen, constructed between 1930 and 1940
Whitney and his wife divorced after ten years of marriage, during which time they developed a formidable racehorse breeding operation, and introduced polo to the property, a sport which Jock excelled at, and which remains to this day, by way of a world class facility with three polo fields and an arena.
Liz Whitney remained at Llangollen until her death in 1988, marrying several more times and in 1989 the property was acquired by businessman and former Nixon Whitehouse official, Roy L. Ash, who founded Litton Industries and was the 21st Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and his wife Lila. The Ash's took on the huge task of restoring Llangollen to its original glory and extending the house on both ends, creating a modern kitchen off the original patent house to the north and the library/guest room wing to the south. 
The original patent house, dating to 1795, now enveloped by the 1830's manor house on one side and the modern kitchen, seen below, on the other.
This large and well equipped kitchen was added by Roy and Lila Ash around 1990, and further improved by its current owners, the Brennan family.
Llangollen is ready now for its next’s 'custodians', and represents an exciting opportunity to own a rare piece of history and real estate, just an hour from Washington Dulles International Airport, and DC just beyond.
From left to right, Ellie Wood Keith; Alben Barkley; a lady; Bing Crosby; Liz Tippett (formerly Whitney & Altemus) at the Llangollen Piedmont Hunt Racecourse (1930) - courtesy the Pink Box, Middleburg
Spectators gather at the Piedmont Hunt racecourse at Llangollen for a race in the 1920's - courtesy Nancy Lee
Early image of Llangollen - courtesy Library of Congress
Assisting my broker, Janeen Marconi, in creating an alluring video presentation of her latest listing was more than a delight. It allowed me up close insight into a pre-American Civil War property which has undergone a wonderful and sympathetic restoration by its current owner. It really is inspirational. Land in Great Falls, Virginia is scarce, making our latest listing on Edmonston Road even more desirable. The 5-acre lot was recently 'perc' approved by Fairfax County for a 6-bedroom home, and is a short walk to the Potomac River - check out the video... The term 'perc' refers to how well the soil percolates and therefore how well it will absorb waste water from a house in to the septic drain field. The better it percs, the more bedrooms are allowed to be included in a new build - it is assumed that each bedroom will accommodate two people using the waste water system. The 5 acre land lot, on private paved Edmonston Drive, has received perc approval for a 6-bedroom home It's not always easy to properly show raw land in a video, but we were fortunate timing-wise in that spring greenery was coming in, but not yet fully in leaf. Also, with the Potomac so close by, drone video nicely demonstrates the proximity of the river. And literally down the road, 2.7 miles away, is one of my favorite restaurants, the famed L'Auberge Chez François, the perfect place for haute cuisine anytime!  The Potomac River is just a few minutes walk through lovely woods from the property Take a look at the listing information page and give me a call if it might be of interest. But be quick - properties such as this one, which is priced at $1,800,000, don't last very long.  Famed L'Auberge Chez François is just 2.7 miles 'down the road' My listing of the beautiful Belmar Farm on Saint Louis Road, Middleburg just closed, with happy listing clients and delighted new owners. The home was built by local custom builder, University Group, in 2005 and consists of almost 8,000 finished square feet on three levels. The land upon which the house sits is quite simply spectacular, with incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the 25 acre site. I must mention the buyers agent with whom I worked on this transaction, Mary Illes, who was absolutely fantastic to work with, and whom I am very grateful for bringing such lovely clients.
I'm thrilled to be listing shortly this lovely property on Calumet Lane, in beautiful Bluemont Virginia. With over 16 acres of land, including both woodland and level grassland, and a new 2-stall Amish barn, this property is a nature lovers dream. The house was modeled on a waterfront design, in which the main rear facing windows capture the splendor of this stunning countryside setting. Expected date on market is August 10th, with interior photos and full video tour coming between now and then, so stay tuned!! The past year has seen so much upheaval globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An unexpected effect of this in the local countryside real estate market has been a significant uptick in sales, and corresponding reduction in available inventory. The net result has been property value increases and bidding wars being the norm, rather than the exception. Recently, the respected Loudoun County, Virginia magazine, Leesburg Lifestyle magazine arranged an interview at the Hunt Country Sotheby’s International Realty Leesburg main office with my industry friend and colleague, Debbie Meighan of Washington Fine Properties and myself. Just 90 minutes drive west of the nation’s capital, within the shadow of Massanutten Mountain in the George Washington National Forest sits the historic Abraham Beydler House [pron bye-dler], built circa 1790, and on the National Register of Historic Places. The original manor house is of the Federal architectural style, constructed of stone and brick made on the property, incorporating foundations built from stacked fieldstones of limestone and slate. The manor house, and related structures, have become known as Valhalla Farm, consisting of the original house plus ‘ell’addition dating to the mid 1800’s, a smokehouse and artists studio . The interior of the main house retains original horsehair plaster walls, while the floors are heart-of-pine planks with sawdust caulking between the planks. All of the doors are of six-panel design, consisting of two-inch thick planks, with many of the doors still with their original hardware. A boxed staircase connects the first-floor dining room with the upstairs. The parlor includes a number of important ornamental features including cupboards with carvings reputedly crafted by Hessian soldiers who had remained in Virginia following the Revolutionary War. Further rooms include four bedrooms; a formal dining room; an entry hall/library; an additional summer kitchen in the smokehouse; an enclosed porch; a sleeping porch; three basement rooms including an original egg room which retains wall markings depicting egg count. The property lies on 9.3 acres with open fields stretching south from the house to the banks of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. There is an in-ground pool with fencing.
Valhalla Farm represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire an historic manor house, with copious fascinating features in an area of great beauty and tranquility - a tranquil yet easy to reach getaway from city life. Starting today, Wednesday August 19th and culminating on Friday August 21st, our listing of Villa Serenity is open for bidding in a no reserve, online, highest bidder wins auction by Concierge Auctions.  The winning bidder pays a 12% buyer’s premium to Concierge Auctions, and the broker who brings and registers the winning bidder receives its co-broker commission from the seller, in the same way as a conventionally listed property sale.
The on site Project Sales Manager, Ivana Stevanovic, can be contacted at
We are delighted to bring Monte Subasio to the luxury real estate market, a sophisticated estate on 23 lush acres in beautiful Bluemont, Virginia. This quite exceptional property was built to exacting standards in 2008, for an owner with an extreme eye for detail and engineering excellence.
Designed in the Georgian Revival architectural style, and built using steel I-beams and support trusses throughout, the 11,700 finished square feet main house features five bedrooms, including an expansive master bedroom wing on the main level; five full bathrooms and four half bathrooms; a formal dining room and living room; a family room and an adjoining library, each overlooking the back garden and pond; a large chefs entertaining kitchen with professional grade appliances and breakfast area; a large laundry room; a fully finished lower level with a stone surround fireplace, bar, wine cellar, custom ice cream parlor and meditation room; a 14’ x 40’ indoor salt water lap pool with French doors overlooking the back garden...continued below
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A four-car attached garage with 9’ wide doors and a full length unfinished second floor is accessed via a short covered breezeway, while a second, three-car detached garage with finished second level is a short walk away. The three-stall barn with heated tack room is finished to the same high standards of quality as are seen in the main house, and includes a finished second level. The grounds feature a ‘secret garden’ as well as manicured topiaries and hedges, all culminating with views of a serene pond - $2,995,000
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AuthorPeter has written for his local magazines, Country Zest & Style and Middleburg Life as their Wine contributor. He also enjoys writing blogs on interesting and pertinent real estate matters, so please follow! Archives
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