Fall 2026 Newsletter: Projects, Home Tips & Local Events

NEWSLETTER · FALL 2026 EDITION · THE GREAT HOUSE

A Season of Progress

Project updates, a new video series, winter home tips and fall fun around Northern Virginia.

IN THIS EDITION

A Little News From Home

Cooler mornings, colorful streets and porches full of pumpkins: fall has settled into Northern Virginia.

At The Great House, the season brought finished renovations, new project stories, plans for an Arlington addition and one new beginning we are excited to share: Mason.

01

Around our house

Two homes claimed fast, and new project stories.

02

Meet Mason

Our new series of short home-problem videos.

03

Before the chill

Seven checks to get your home ready for winter.

04

Make room for cozy

Simple fall updates for entries and living rooms.

05

Hello, Northern Virginia

Parades and holiday lights worth the drive.

06

From our team

A note and an open invitation.

01 · AROUND OUR HOUSE

Project Updates

Left: Strause Ct., Springfield. Right: Mason Bluff Dr., Burke.

Two homes, claimed fast

Our one-level rambler on Strause Ct. in Springfield was claimed in about four hours. Our end-unit townhome on Mason Bluff Dr. in Burke was claimed in five days. Both stories are now on the blog: Strause Ct. and Mason Bluff Dr.

Planning in Arlington

On N. Culpeper St. in Arlington, we are planning a second-story addition, a two-car garage and outdoor living for a 1950 home. Follow along in Culpeper St.: Planning a Second-Story Addition.

Coming up on the blog

Watch for the full stories of our Marilyn Dr. split-foyer in Alexandria and our Ferndale St. split-level in North Springfield.

02 · A NEW BEGINNING

Meet Mason, Our Home Technician

This fall we launched Mason Explains, a series of short videos about the hidden problems we find in Northern Virginia homes: the wax ring under your toilet, the hose behind your sink, the parts of a roof that leak first.

Each video takes about a minute and comes with a plain-English guide. New episodes for the roof, kitchen, bathroom and deck arrive through the season. Watch Mason Explains.

03 · BEFORE THE CHILL

Your Winter Home Prep Checklist

A little attention now helps you catch problems before cold weather makes them harder to fix.

1. Check for drafts. Look around exterior doors and windows for worn weatherstripping, gaps or damaged seals. Fix the source instead of turning up the thermostat.

2. Test your heat. Run the heating system before you need it, change the filter as the manufacturer recommends, and book service if anything seems off. Keep vents clear.

3. Clear leaves and drains. Keep gutters, downspouts and outdoor drains clear so water flows away from the foundation. Hire a pro for roof or ladder work.

4. Winterize outdoor plumbing. Disconnect garden hoses and follow the winterizing steps for your outdoor faucets and irrigation.

5. Look over the outside. Check for loose trim, cracked caulk, soft wood or signs of water getting in. Small problems are cheaper now.

6. Test alarms and lights. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and make sure steps and entries are well lit as evenings get darker.

7. Check fireplaces. Have a wood-burning fireplace inspected and cleaned before the first fire, and service gas fireplaces as recommended.

Your fall takeaway: you do not have to do everything in one weekend. Start with heat, water and anything that shows damage. For gutters and roof edges, see Mason’s guide to what’s behind your gutters.

04 · MAKE ROOM FOR COZY

Simple Fall Updates

A linear electric fireplace from our Strause Ct. project. Shown virtually staged.

Warm up the lighting

Swap cool bulbs for warm white and add a lamp or two at eye level.

Organize the entry

Hooks, a bench and a boot tray keep wet coats and shoes in one place.

Make a focal point

A fireplace wall, an accent wall or a big piece of art gives a room somewhere to gather.

Thinking bigger? An accent wall or fireplace surround is a fast way to change a room. See the custom walls in our Ferndale St. and Mason Bluff Dr. projects on our projects page.

05 · HELLO, NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Fall and Holiday Events Nearby

WED, OCT. 28 · 7 P.M.

Vienna Halloween Parade

The Town of Vienna’s Halloween parade along Maple Avenue.

NOV. 11 – JAN. 3

Winter Walk of Lights

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna. Tickets online; Dec. 4–31 is online only.

NIGHTLY FROM NOV. 14

Bull Run Festival of Lights

A drive-through light show at Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville, through Jan. 3.

Dates and details from the Town of Vienna, NOVA Parks and FFXnow. Check with organizers before you go.

06 · FROM OUR TEAM

Thank You for a Great Season

Thank you to every homeowner, buyer and partner who trusted us this year. If a project has been on your mind, whether it is a kitchen, a bathroom, a basement or a whole house, fall is a great time to plan so you are ready for spring.

THE GREAT HOUSE · NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Planning a project for next year?

Tell us what you want to change. We will visit, share ideas and give you a written, itemized estimate.