COVER PHOTO BY MYRTLE ROY
A STORY AT BALLANTRAE COURT WITH COLLEEN STOLTZ
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EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS
LANDSCAPING - RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL
Andre Passos | The Grounds Guys 571.290.2219 | groundguys.com
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, INFANT FEEDING DIFFICULTIES & LASER FRENECTOMY
Dr. Rishita Jaju | Smile Wonders 571-350-3663 | smilewonders.com
COLLEGE CONSULTING & TUTORING SERVICES
Elaina Mercatoris | Principia Education 703-442-4700 | www.principiaeducation.com
Tsykhnenko Viktoriia & Marina Leonova | New Blackout (571) 245 5744 | www.newblackout.com
WELLNESS
Lafayette Federal Credit Union Team
Lafayette Federal Credit Union 240.747.3166 | www.lfcu.org
LUXURY JEWELRY
Alicia Villars | Helvetia 703-401-9679 | www.Helvetiajewelry.com
PEDIATRIC ORTHODONTICS
BUSINESS BROKER
Erika Baez-Grimes | Business Coach Certi ed Mergers & Acquisitions Professional - The BPH Group, LLC 804.750.3008 | www.NovaBusinessInquiry.com
FASHION & STYLE
Aleena Dhar | House of Alkara info@houseofalkara.com | www.houseofalkara.com
PERMANENT MAKEUP ARTIST, LASH ARTIST
Jennifer N. Phung | Touch of Beauty Inc. (301) 346-3098 | MyTouchOfBeauty.com
REAL ESTATE BROKER
Puneet Bhagi | Ikon Realty 703-346-2293 | www.ikonrealtydmv.com
Gema Island | Island Children Dentistry & Orthodontics 703-790-1320 | www.islandchildrensdentistry.com or gbruni@bestversionmedia.com
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HELLO JUNE,
PUBLICATION TEAM
Publisher: Gloria Fonseca
Publisher Assistant: Daniela Banegas
Designer: Hannah Argall
Contributing Writer: Sofia Roman
Social Media Administrator: Andrea Simon
Photographer: Myrtle Roy
ADVERTISING
Contact: Gloria Fonseca
Email: gbruni@bestversionmedia.com
Phone: 703-868-8071
FEEDBACK/IDEAS/SUBMISSIONS
Have feedback, ideas or submissions?
We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 10th of each month. Go to bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to: gbruni@bestversionmedia.com.
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FROM THE SOCIAL DESK
By ANDREA SIMON Social Media Administrator
How did summer arrive so quickly? It feels like just yesterday we were bundled up dreaming about warmer days, and now suddenly the sun is shining, school is ending, and our calendars are filling up with camps, vacations, cookouts, and everything that makes this season so special.
For many families, summer brings a beautiful mix of excitement and chaos. One minute we are celebrating the last day of school, and the next we are trying to organize activities, trips, and ways to keep everyone entertained. Thankfully, our community always seems to come alive this time of year. From outdoor events and family gatherings to local celebrations and summer programs, there is truly something happening everywhere. And of course, don’t forget to check The NoVa Living Calendar and our weekly newsletter to stay connected to all the wonderful things happening around Great Falls and beyond.
One of my favorite things about publishing this magazine is seeing how much heart exists within this community. Great Falls continues to remind me that while this area is known for its beautiful homes and landscapes, what truly makes it extraordinary are the people. The generosity, support, and sense of connection here never go unnoticed.
As always, thank you for supporting local businesses, local events, and the people who help make Great Falls such a special place to call home.
Wishing you a beautiful and memorable start to summer.
Warmly,
WHERE PRECISION MEETS LUXURY
Transform your smile with expert prosthodontic and dentistry at Aurelia Dental Boutique. Led by Dr. Shervin Tabeshfar, our practice blends advanced technology, artistry, and concierge-level care to deliver natural, confident results.
Services include: • Dental Implants • Veneers & Smile Makeovers • Full-Mouth Reconstruction • Preventative & Cosmetic Dentistry
By
SOFIA ROMAN | Professional photos by MYRTLE ROY
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Morning arrives di erently in Great Falls.
It filters softly through the trees, settling across winding roads, quiet estates, and homes intentionally tucke landscape rather than imposed upon it. Here, luxury loud. It lives in the stillness of private acreage, in long family dinners that drift into the evening, in windows lef enough to hear the birds in the distance. In Great is less about presentation and more about presence.
1306 Ballantrae Court embodies that philosophy with remarkable clarity.
Hidden at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac within Ball Farms, one of McLean’s most distinguished neighborh the residence feels less like a showcase and more l retreat thoughtfully designed around modern family The home’s architecture is undeniably striking — dr lines, soaring ceilings, walls of glass, and curate that balance warmth with precision — yet what defines the property most is the feeling it creates once inside.
There is a calmness to the space.
impress, but to support the rhythms of everyday living.
For Great Falls resident and SERHANT. real estate professional Colleen Stoltz, that emotional dimension of a home is what matters most.
Natural light moves e ortlessly throughout the home, reflecting against white oak flooring, custom millwork, and expansive windows that frame the surrounding greenery like living artwork. The transition between indoors and outdoors feels almost invisible, particularly in the great room where automated glass walls open entirely onto a covered terrace complete with a fireplace and lounge space. It is easy to imagine summer gatherings unfolding here — children running across the lawn while conversations linger long after sunset.
Homes like this reflect what draws so many families to Great Falls in the first place: the ability to experience both privacy and connection at once.
There is room here for quiet mornings and large celebrations alike. Room for grandparents visiting during the holidays, teenagers gathering after school, or friends staying late around the outdoor fire. The home’s expansive layout accommodates entertaining beautifully, yet nothing about it
Having built her career around helping families navigate major life transitions, Colleen understands that homes are rarely just transactions. Before entering real estate, she worked as both a Teach for America educator and educational consultant, experiences that shaped her ability to connect with people in deeply personal ways. Today, that same perspective informs her work with buyers and sellers throughout Northern Virginia.
“People remember how a home made them feel,” she often shares with clients.
It is a philosophy reflected throughout 1306 Ballantrae Court. Though undeniably luxurious, the residence avoids excess for the sake of spectacle. Instead, every space feels purposeful. The kitchen — outfitted with Taj Mahal quartzite, bespoke cabinetry, and a suite of Gaggenau appliances — functions as both a design centerpiece and a place where daily life naturally gathers. Nearby, a secondary catering kitchen
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allows large-scale entertaining to unfold seamlessly without disrupting the intimacy of the main living areas.
Upstairs, the primary suite becomes its own sanctuary. A sitting room, fireplace, spa-inspired bath, heated floors, and soft natural textures create a retreat designed for restoration rather than display. Secondary bedrooms maintain the same thoughtful standard, reinforcing the idea that luxury should extend to every member of the household, not just the spaces guests see first.
Even the lower level reflects the evolving ways families live today. A media lounge, fitness area, steam shower, entertainment spaces, and golf simulator-ready room create opportunities for connection and recreation without ever leaving home. It is a house designed to adapt across seasons of life.
Yet perhaps what makes properties like this resonate so strongly within Great Falls is not simply the craftsmanship or amenities, but the lifestyle they quietly support.
This is a community where families still gather for local events, where neighbors know one another, where nature remains part of daily life despite the proximity to Washington, D.C. It is a place where success often looks less like constant movement and more like creating space to slow down and be present with the people who matter most.
For Colleen, who lives in Great Falls with her husband, two children, and two beloved dogs, that balance between ambition, beauty, and grounded
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passion for design and staging comes not from creating perfection, but from helping people envision how a home can hold a life well lived.
And perhaps that is what 1306 Ballantrae Court ultimately represents.
Not simply luxury. Not simply architecture.
But the rare ability for a home to feel expansive and intimate at the same time — a place where elegance and everyday life exist e ortlessly together, rooted in the quiet beauty that defines Great Falls.
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2026 Went O Without a Hitch Spring Children’s Festival
By DOROTHY HOFFMANN | Photos by Photos MAURICIO CORDEIRO
This year’s Great Falls Optimist Club (GFOC) Spring Children’s Festival was a smash! We welcomed a record crowd on a windy, coolish day filled with horses, cows, pirates, and plenty of smiling kids — along with the parents and grandparents they happily dragged along with them. Events like this only happen through the incredible cooperation of the Great Falls Optimist Club, our community, 22 sponsors, 19 vendors, more than 40 volunteers, and our families and dear friends who continue to support us year after year.
Special thanks go to our major sponsors: Lafayette Federal Credit Union and its manager (and GFOC member) Marc Erazo, Dianne Van Volkenberg of COMPASS, Bic Decaro Associates, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, and The Old Brogue. BRX Ovens also returned for a second year to generously feed our volunteers. Thank you all!
Our Optimist Club is part of Optimist International, whose mission is to help young people thrive through volunteer-led service, leadership programs, and community action. While the festival is a beloved community tradition featuring games, rides, food, and local vendors, our club also creates opportunities that encourage young people to step forward, lead, and grow.
Our talent show gives the younger generation a stage to share their talents, whatever those may be. The essay and oratorical contests allow students to showcase their voices and ideas, with opportunities to advance to district, national, and international levels while competing for scholarship prizes. Through Junior Optimist International (JOI) clubs in local schools, students identify opportunities in their communities and take the lead in making decisions themselves. In my words, we older folks simply help the younger folks spread their wings and fly.
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And finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention the hard work of Leah Gansler, the GFOC member who leads this event for the club, along with the ubiquitous Mike Kearney, who always seems to have a back pocket full of whatever screwdriver, sledgehammer, or solution is needed to fix the next new problem.
Loved by Kids, Trusted by Parents
Gentle and Most Effective Laser Dentistry
Special Needs Dentistry
In-Office IV Sedations
Tongue-tie/Lip-tie/Buccal-ties Frenectomy Specialists
Dr. Rishita Jaju
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Anh Dang
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
571-350-3663
11790 Sunrise Valley Dr #105 Reston, VA 20191 smilewonders.com
Mark your calendars now for next year’s festival on April 25, 2027. See our gallery of photos at greatfallsoptimistva.org, and join us for our next meeting at the Great Falls Schoolhouse on June 11 at 6:30 p.m., at the Old Schoolhouse next to the Grange.
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Great Falls Real Estate
Your Q1 2026 Market Report
By JENNIFER JO J.D. | REALTOR | C.I.P.S. JENNIFER JO
If there is one thing the first quarter of 2026 has made clear about Great Falls real estate, it is this: the community remains in high demand; sellers who price their homes appropriately are reaping the rewards. Total sold dollar volume surged more than 23% compared to the same period last year, a striking headline number that reflects both the area’s appeal and a meaningful shift in the types of homes coming to market. Keep these statistics in mind if you are selling in Great Falls any time soon.
RISING PRICES, RISING AMBITIONS
Perhaps most telling is the trajectory of list prices. The average asking price for homes that sold in the first quarter reached just over $2.1 million, an increase of more than 30% from Q1 2025. Sellers and their agents are coming to market with far greater ambition than a year ago, a sign of confidence in the pool of buyers willing and able to transact at these elevated price points.
FEWER TRANSACTIONS, BIGGER STATEMENTS
Even as prices climbed, the number of units sold dipped approximately 5.5% compared to Q1 2025. This is not a statistically significant decline — it is a natural feature of a supply-constrained luxury market. With fewer homes changing hands, each sale carries greater weight, and the overall dollar volume still surged well past prior-year levels.
BUYERS ARE TAKING THEIR TIME . . . MOSTLY
One of the most notable shifts in Q1 2026 is how long homes are sitting on the market before going under contract. The average number of days on the market reached approximately 50 in Q1 2026— more than twice the 21-day average recorded in Q1 2025. At the same time, homes sold at approximately 98% of list price on average, a pullback from the slight premium above asking that characterized Q1 2025. Taken together, these data points suggest that while demand remains robust, buyers are exercising more care in the decision-making process.
It is important to note that more than half of the homes that sold in Q1 2026 did so in fewer than 30 days. The market is not slow — it is selective. Well-priced, well-presented properties are still moving quickly. The lengthening average is being pulled by homes that require more time to find the right buyer, which is precisely what you would expect in a market where price points have risen dramatically and consumers are making seven- and eight-figure decisions.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The price story of Q1 2026 is remarkable. The average sold price jumped nearly 28% year-over-year, while the median sales price climbed just over 24%. Both figures outpace broader regional trends, reinforcing what long-time observers of this market have sensed for some time: Great Falls is not merely keeping pace with Northern Virginia—it is setting the tone.
For homeowners in Great Falls, Q1 2026 delivered a clear a irmation of the community’s value. For buyers, it is a market that rewards preparation, patience, and decisiveness. If you are thinking of buying or selling this year or are simply curious how this market is impacting your home’s value, please reach out.
All statistics reflect Q1 2026 (January– March) and are compared against Q1 2025. Data sourced from regional MLS records.
The One for You in Great Falls
A recognized top producing Realtor, Jennifer Jo has more than 20 years of professional experience combined in law and real estate. With unrivaled local expertise and access to a global network like no other, she brings an elevated experience, custom-tailored to your unique needs. Because every home is one of a kind. Just like you
Jennifer Jo, J.D Realtor
Global Luxury Real Estate Advisor
m + 1 703 489 0935
jjo@ttrsir.com
joandco.me
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REFRESH YOUR GLOW THIS MAY
Step
Unlocking Home Equity with Intention Why Tracking Net Worth Matters
By MARC ERAZO
For homeowners with substantial equity, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) can be a strategic source of liquidity. Rather than selling invested assets or disrupting a long-term financial plan, a HELOC can provide access to capital for renovations, major expenses, or time-sensitive opportunities. Its flexibility allows you to draw only what you need, when needed, helping to align borrowing with cash needs while preserving other assets. Depending on how funds are used and your tax situation, interest paid may also be deductible.
Because most HELOCs carry variable rates and use your home as collateral, they should fit within your cash flow and risk tolerance. Used thoughtfully, a HELOC can be a practical way to access home equity while keeping other assets and longterm strategies intact.
The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Membership required. Federally insured by NCUA. Lafayette Federal is an Equal Opportunity Lender. LFCU NMLS# 464425.
DR. NICKIE BASTANI
Is Your Business Actually Healthy?
The Financial and Operational Metrics Most Owners Ignore Until It’s Too Late
By Erika Baez-Grimes, CM&AP By Baez-Grimes, CM&AP
Most of us schedule an annual physical with our doctor. Our physicians run bloodwork, monitor key indicators, at an attempt to look for issues before they become serious problems. Similarly, we service our car before the engine fails, we maintain our homes before small repairs become major expenses and have gotten used to the maintenance culture as adults.
Yet many business owners go years, sometimes decades, without ever conducting a true health check on the company they spent their lives building and unfortunately, that disconnect is more common than most people realize. A business can appear successful from the outside while quietly carrying operational weaknesses, valuation issues,
customer concentration risk, or financial ine iciencies that dramatically impact long term value. In many cases, owners do not discover those vulnerabilities until they attempt to sell the business, secure financing, bring on investors, or step away from day to day operations. By then, the correction window is smaller and significantly more expensive.
Strong companies are built by owners who consistently evaluate the health of the business with the same discipline used in personal health, vacation planning and auto maintenance!
An annual business review has become increasingly important for privately held companies, particularly across the Main Street & Lower Middle Market where many founder-led businesses operate without formal boards, outside investors, or institutional oversight. Some of the key components to review to reduce blind spots are:
• Current Business Valuation
• Cash Flow Health
• Profit Margins
• Customer Concentration Risk
• Owner Dependency
• Recurring Revenue Stability
• Revenue Growth Trend
• Leadership & Management Strength
• Financial Reporting Accuracy
• Business Transferability
©
Maintaining a clear understanding of the items about above will positively impact the quality of your organization!
In essence, healthy businesses tend to secure better financing terms, attract stronger talent, produce better financial outcomes, weather market disruptions more e ectively, and create greater optionality for ownership in the future.
Most importantly, they provide owners with clarity.
Clarity around risk.
Clarity around value.
Clarity around what has actually been built.
And in today’s market, clarity is the TRUE competitive advantage. If you’d like to discuss a business check up in greater detail, please contact:
Erika Baez-Grimes, award-winning M&A advisor and Founder of Silver Tsunami Transitions, a boutique M&A advisory and Business Brokerage serving founders and privately held companies across the region. Managing partner of The BPH Group, a platform focused on business valuations, transaction strategy, and exit readiness for founder-led companies.
YOUR LEGACY BEGINS AT HOME
