Why People Are Moving to the Country

February 17th, 2021

Over the past year, the world changed. The pandemic forced people around the world to drastically alter how they spent their everyday lives. It’s been about a year since lockdowns, quarantines and travel restrictions started, and we wanted to take a look at one of the most interesting trends that has arisen…the shift to country living.

Cities are crowded…and now dangerous

It became apparent that the virus spread quickly in crowds. Being in close quarters with other people, whether it was on public transportation, in restaurants, or even in apartment buildings, meant a greater chance of spreading or contracting the virus.

Lockdown in a city is not fun

Being confined to your home is hard, even if it is in a luxurious apartment, if it has limited outdoor space. Before the pandemic, communities in the city could gather in parks and playgrounds. But that soon became impossible.

Offices aren’t confined to buildings

Remote working became much more than a privileged benefit, it became the new normal. Companies are no longer limited by the building location and radius of a sensible commute when hiring. So, they can invest their money in people instead of real estate.

People need more space – both inside and out

More people working from home, children being schooled from home…that’s a lot of people in a single dwelling. People need home offices and home school spaces…in short, they need more space. So they’re moving out to the country to find it.

Will it continue?

When everything began about a year ago, there was no clear idea of how long it would take before everything returned to normal. But now it’s gotten clearer – things will never look the same. Even if we get back to a semblance of the lifestyles we had before, communities have been fundamentally changed. Especially companies that are no longer limited by location, so their employees are no longer confined by commutes. While we hope for the day we can again sit in movie theaters with friends or go to concerts, it seems clear that we will continue to need more space, both inside and out.

Thomas & Talbot understands the need for more space

Whether you need zoom rooms, work-from-home areas, or are looking for a bigger backyard where you can safely host family and friends, Thomas & Talbot can help you find the property that’s perfect for your new way of life. Contact us to learn more.

Agent of the Week - William Driskill

January 19th, 2021

My Transition into Real Estate

As a third generation Middleburg resident, I have a deep connection to the local community and the surrounding Piedmont area. As a child, I attended the Hill School in Middleburg, followed by high school at Highland in Warrenton, Virginia. During those years, I continued to develop my two biggest passions, tennis and riding. When not training or competing on the tennis courts, I could be found working and riding at any barn that would have me. I was introduced to fox hunting when I was only ten years old and never looked back!

These two sports provided me the opportunity to not only establish a strong work ethic and leadership skills, but also to meet some amazing people and further develop my relations with the local community. While training for tennis, I spent many hours practicing and traveling to and from tournaments to compete. When not on the court, I worked at local stables, and vividly remember the excitement and exhilaration when I was able to fox hunt.

I attended Hampden-Sydney College, where I was recruited to play competitive tennis for their division three tennis team. While studying and majoring in international relations, I balanced my educational and social life with the rigors of competing on a sports team. This taught me many valuable lessons, both on and off the tennis court.

During my junior year of college, I had the opportunity to study abroad on a large ship and travel to twelve countries on three different continents. This was truly an eye-opening experience and really helped me grow as a person. I enjoyed meeting new people from all over the world, while experiencing a wide range of different cultures. This also provided me with life lessons that I will never forget. I returned home with a renewed appreciation of how fortunate I was to live in a place like Middleburg.

I recently obtained my real estate license and began working with the prestigious firm, Thomas and Talbot in Middleburg, Virginia. I have always had an interest in real estate and know this is my dream career. I look forward to meeting new clients, and hope to share my knowledge and personal insights of this beautiful area with them. I have a passion to help preserve the area we live in, while developing work relationships that will last a lifetime.

Agent of the Week - Cricket Bedford

December 2nd, 2020

Legacy

November 5 was Opening Meet for the Piedmont Fox Hounds. This day represented the beginning of formal fox hunting season. Riders came with their horses braided and wearing their formal hunting ‘kit’ to include black or navy coats, a 4-fold stock tie and a waist coat. 

I cannot for the life of me remember how many Opening Meets I have been to either on horseback or on foot.

It is hard for me to put into words the passion I have for fox hunting...especially when riding behind the wonderful Piedmont Fox Hounds. There is no better way to experience our incredible countryside then from this very unique point of view.

It is often only from this position that one can see the views across these private farms. Views while galloping along the spectacular rolling hills, crossing the Goose Creek and its many tributaries, and watching the early fog lifting off the ponds. 

And on this day, as we have done for as long as I can remember, we met at Oakley Farm, home of Shelby, the master of the Piedmont Fox Hounds, and Carol Bonnie. Like his grandmother Mrs. A.C. Randolph, the former master of Piedmont for over 40 years, Shelby has ensured that Oakley is the location of Piedmont’s Opening Meet.

Sadly, unlike any other year, there was no Hunt Breakfast afterward due to the pandemic. No story telling of wonderful runs, quick views of foxes, someone maybe falling off or near misses. 

There’s such a wonderful comradery between like–minded folks out fox hunting all for the same reason—we simply love this land we live and ride on.

It’s because of horse people and farmers alike that our area in and around Middleburg, Upperville, Marshall and The Plains looks like it does today. They all respect the land we live on and have come together as a whole to cherish and protect it.

So, if you ever get a chance ...please put it on your bucket list to go fox hunting. Know we’re not out there to kill, only to chase. Know that no one cares if you’re on the wrong diagonal or don’t count strides to a fence. And, know there are non–jumping groups (fields) that also go out fox hunting.

Always remember this: Respect and listen to the leaders in the hunt, always have a sound, well behaved horse, dress appropriately and be sure to wear a proper helmet. 

It’s exhilarating, exhausting, physically challenging and just downright awesome! And if you have a horse like my Roanie Pony...there’s just nothing better. 

Here is my favorite picture of him as he is bucking. You have to love a happy pony!

It’s said that Indians believe if you see an eagle flying overhead that they represent people in your life that you have lost. At the meet, we all saw a bald eagle. I’d like to think it was my dad, Erskine. While he wasn’t leading the field anymore...I know he was there!

Agent of the Week - Anne Marstiller

November 5th, 2020

A unique perspective….

After springing from Vanderbilt, my sights were set on the business and corporate world. Fortune 100, here I come. Procter & Gamble was a highly-disciplined start for me, followed by MCI Telecommunications, which was very much the opposite. More like the wild west, it was fast moving and loose. From there, several first and second generation companies followed, always landing me in executive marketing positions.

The lessons I learned were vast, shaping my perspective on business and, well, pretty much everything. 

So, why real estate? Real estate offers experiences in a wide array of disciplines—negotiating, preparation, finance, sales, marketing, engineering, operations and most importantly, customer care. My joy is helping my clients take the next step—whether selling or buying. Helping them find their way in a new community, helping connect the dots and discover the beauty of our community. Or, helping to successfully launch them to their next horizon.  

For me, the joy comes from applying my business experience to helping my clients, seeing them happy and knowing I contributed to their new life. Having spent the last 30 years in the Middleburg area, I’m well suited to guide a buyer or seller.

Agent of the Week - Rein du Pont

Ocotober 20th, 2020

One fall day in 1984 Mike du Pont, recently divorced, took me to a dance in Upperville. It was Phillip Thomas’s 50th birthday party at Ayrshire, the farm owned by his friend Tommy Stokes. Mike and PST grew up together around here and had been friends since they were young boys. I was then just separated and living in Chevy Chase. We partied and danced all night till the sun came up. That’s where I first met PST.

Pretty soon Mike, who was then Master of the OCH, and I became engaged. We married in 1985 and I moved to this area. We were invited to many dinners, cocktail parties and balls. I got to know Mike’s friends and understand the sports he excelled at: Fox Hunting, point to point racing and polo. He introduced me to some of the “Grandes Dames” of those days: Dorothy Jackson, Betty Furness, Theo Randolph and more. We had a splendid time!

One day, when I was seated next to PST at a dinner party in Walhalla given by Christina Stevenson (now Allison), Phillip talked me in to joining the firm. I went to Real Estate classes, got my license and became an agent at Thomas and Talbot Real Estate. Phillip, who knew all the farms and properties very well, often took me around the country side to bid and interview for a new listing. He showed me the ropes, I learned from the best! I loved discovering the unique variety of properties and working with buyers and sellers of all nationalities. I fell in love with the fields of Fauquier, Loudoun and Clarke County, the mountain views of Rappahannock, the area’s rivers and creeks: Goose Creek, The Shenandoah, Rappahannock and Hazel rivers. I have never regretted for one moment having left the bustling cities of my previous life. I continue to enjoy working with people, discovering properties big and small, old and new and finding the perfect match.

Agent of the Week - Susan Ashcom

September 22nd, 2020

Out here in Hunt Country, we get the deal done!

Some years ago, I had a buyer who dreamed of owning a beautiful horse farm. With her trust fund as her sole source of income, the conventional banks were skeptical. They wanted her to have a job with a salary. I knew I had to find a solution for her.

It was a blistering summer day and I was pulling a six-foot bush hog, attempting to avoid potholes, when the answer came to me from the back of my Massey Ferguson tractor. I needed to find a mortgage broker who could fund my unconventional client. I stopped under a big oak tree to figure out who I could call to help me solve this puzzle. Sitting beneath the tree, I decided to call “John”, who answered my call on the first ring, from horseback. He quickly assured me he could find her the money, hung up and immediately entered his class at the horseshow—three hours away at the Lexington Horse Park. I had to laugh. Only in our unique Hunt Country world can a sale be saved from the back of a horse and a tractor!

Agent of the Week - Cary Embury

September 9th, 2020

I grew up on my family farm near Millwood in Clarke County then left to go "over the mountain" to Middleburg in 1970. After 15 years of running a business training and selling horses with my former husband, I returned to raise my family on land that has belonged to my ancestors since the early 1800s. 

I have found that this part of Virginia—rural, slow-paced, with close-knit communities and a good dose of sophistication—suits me. And I would like to share it through the real estate profession with others who have an appreciation for the same things.

One of the other advantages of living in a place for a long time is that you know everyone, old-timers and newcomers from all economic backgrounds. You know where everybody lives, you’ve traveled every backroad a million times, and you’ve ridden horses over everybody’s fields. It’s these connections with interesting people that I enjoy so much, and I like to be there to welcome new people into my world.

As the head of the Membership Committee at the Millwood Country Club—a classic little establishment with a long history—the first thing I tell new members is, “Don’t expect us to change anything, we like our low-key club the way it is.” In the real estate world, there’s not a lot we can do about change and progress, but we can ask our clients to respect the history and beauty of what they see here in Middleburg and Millwood and embrace it.

Agent of the Week - Emily Ristau

August 11th, 2020

When my family visited Middleburg for the annual Stable Tour benefitting Trinity Church in 1995, I returned to California convinced that somehow I would find a way to live in this magical place.  Overtaken by the charm of the village and the beauty of the landscape, it did not matter that I had lived my entire life in California. I had to get here!  

In 1997, my husband and I bought a dilapidated farm in The Plains and set about a nearly 7-year rebuilding of the house, barns and paddocks.  My photo album of the project opens with the listing document. given to me by our agent during our tour, with my scribbled notes, “On hill, terrible, no way, yuk!!!!” I would never have believed that the place would become a beloved home and wonderful spot to raise our son.  

That was the first of three major home renovations I have undertaken here.  Not once have I regretted the decision of moving across the country—away from everything familiar.  People often ask, how could you leave the beaches of the Pacific Coast and all things believed idyllic for rural Virginia?  Well, every morning I wake up and feel so very lucky to be here. 

I grew up on a farm in California and have ridden horses my entire life.  We belonged to a fox (really coyote) hunting club in California for 10 years and it was our passion for horses and fox hunting that brought us to visit here in the first place. Nothing at all compares to the time spent on the back of my horse in this amazing countryside.  I cannot believe how lucky we are to live here.   

My son was educated here (Wakefield School, The Hill School, Highland School and Episcopal High School) so I know the local schools!  After graduating college in Texas, he still comes back to the farm and sees “children” he grew up with and treasures those friendships.  I traded in my law practice for life in the country and have never looked back.  

As a realtor, I enjoy introducing people to this magical place.  I believe my legal training and experience bring an added value to my clients.  I understand coming from “away” and can confidently say this is a place that welcomes everyone.  I understand that the house you first settle on may not be what you had imagined and I enjoy guiding my clients through the channels of making a house a home.  

Agent of the week - Mary Ann McGowan

July 27th, 2020

After graduating cum laude from Boston College with a Bachelor of Science Degree, I married my college sweetheart and we embarked on our new life together. His corporate career took us across the country, and we eventually purchased, sold, remodeled, and built 10 properties in many different states. It was difficult at times, as we had to consider the happiness, concerns and fears of our four growing children. 

In reality, it was indeed the most incredible preparation for my next career—real estate. I can fully empathize with the issues people face when purchasing a new home. Not only are they faced with the decision to make a large investment, but will they like the area, the community, the weather and the people? The stress level can be daunting. But, through my experiences, I try to help people understand that it will be fine and they too, will love their new home.

Twenty-five years ago we came with our own requirements for the needs of our family: wonderful schools, sports programs, excellent health care and suitable land for all our horses. Our daughter and I learned to ride in Kentucky, my husband and sons took up polo in Minnesota and we continued these sports in Wisconsin, Massachusetts and finally Virginia. Once we arrived here, we fell in love with the countryside, the people, the lifestyle and vowed never to move again.

Having run an Intensive Coronary Care Unit for years, with my background in nursing, I immediately wanted to learn what the ETA was for transporting critical patients to nearby hospitals in the event of accidents or health emergencies. The answer was excellent! Patients can be quickly transported by Medevac helicopters from everywhere!

To help families moving from out of town, I toured all the local public and private schools to understand which programs were available. Our Thomas and Talbot office has compiled lists of contractors, services and resources for all of our client’s needs, from doctors, dentists and veterinarians to painters, carpenters, plumbers, etc.

In 2005, I convinced two of our sons to join the firm. Jim McGowan is a graduate of Villanova University and formerly a vice president of Trammell Crow Company. Brian McGowan is a graduate of George Mason University and formerly a marketing representative for Vista RMS. It has been an enormous benefit for our clients to have all three of us represent them and be available at all times.

In 1998, I walked into our Thomas and Talbot Real Estate Office, and immediately knew I was “home”. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are incredibly supportive and have been our “extended family” ever since. We are all of the same mindset—we love where we live, and will do everything we can, to preserve it as one of the most beautiful and spectacular places ever to call “home”!

Snowden Clarke: The Spirit of Hunt Country

July 15th, 2020

There’s no place quite like Middleburg. This idyllic community beckons visitors from around the world with open fields, wooded forests and bucolic views that offer a chance to reconnect with nature. Middleburg still provides the rare, small-town experience and life, as it happens. Snowden Clarke embodies the Middleburg spirit as a realtor and horseman.

To Thomas & Talbot, Snowden brings a record of success and a love for working in the community he calls home. Snowden says, “My favorite part of real estate is finding the right piece of property for the right buyer. I enjoy getting to know my clients, their specific wants and needs so I can pinpoint the properties that will best suit them. I enjoy people, so helping them find their place is rewarding. It’s just as rewarding as watching one of my clients find the right horse and jog for champion.”

Much like in the equestrian world, real estate demands multitasking—Snowden could be a professional juggler. As an equestrian professional, Snowden traveled the world. His global network offers an incredible reach, making him an ideal partner for a buyer in search of a property. Over the years, countless people have put their trust in Snowden to find them the right horse or to campaign their horses. It seems only natural that now he put those same talents to work in his real estate career.

In addition to being a world-class horseman and realtor, Snowden plays the accordion, has been published in an English cookbook, aspires to be a modern artist and was one of Ralph Lauren’s first models. He can not only find a diamond in the rough, he also knows the location of the diamond mine. One of the rare jewels in Hunt Country—he’s always smiling, incredibly warm and has a magnetic personality.

Whether people are looking to buy or sell a property in Hunt Country, Snowden has the unique experience to effectively market an estate or find the perfect place for his clients to call home.

HUNT COUNTRY'S TOP REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE FIRM

January 14th, 2020

Good, old fashioned statistics prove once again that Thomas & Talbot Real Estate is far and away the most successful real estate brokerage in Virginia's Hunt Country area with a continuing sales record of historic proportion.

Once again, Thomas & Talbot Real Estate’s agents are the leaders of the pack when it comes to both buying and selling luxury real estate in Virginia’s hunt country. The proof is in the numbers. Why? Because our seasoned agents have over 360 years of combined real estate experience under their belts, all while being principal contributing members of the community. Most of our agents have lived in this area for over 30 years. And that includes Fauquier, Loudoun and Clarke counties.  

It does not take a massive number of agents in multiple offices to push our numbers higher. Thomas and Talbot Real Estate has been a small, boutique real estate firm since its beginning in 1967. Our one office has anchored the southwest corner at the one stoplight in the heart of Middleburg - long before it was even a stoplight. We have streamlined our sales process, and what we can tell you is that it works.  

Just take a look above at the graph. Numbers don’t lie!  

Data provided by BrokerMetrics, BrightMLS, sales and listings year ending 12/31/2019 derived in "hunt country" zip codes for Marshall, Middleburg, Upperville, The Plains.

THOMAS & TALBOT CONTINUES TO SHOW AND SELL PROPERTIES WITH SAFETY IN MIND 

May 21st, 2020

The global pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives, even in Hunt Country. We are all fumbling through the process of defining our “new normal”. For many people, their “new normal” includes the open spaces, fresh air and sylvan settings of Hunt Country. As the interest in country living increases, so does our opportunity to show more homes. Given the circumstances, now more than ever, it’s important we move forward in a measured way. Thomas & Talbot is committed to creating safe, meaningful and engaging relationships with clients. This means, throughout the sales process, we take extraordinary steps to ensure our agents, clients and community are safe.

Thomas & Talbot is committed to…

• Working closely with the seller. We discuss our detailed policies for showing a house with the seller to ensure they feel comfortable and confident with the process.

• Showing homes by appointment only. Appointments are required to show a home and we limit the number of showings each day. Appointments are booked with ample time between showings to clean, disinfect and prepare for the next appointment. 

• Keeping our distance. We avoid shaking hands but are always happy to see clients. We always adhere to safe social distancing guidelines by keeping at least six feet between us. 

• Wearing proper attire. For each showing, we request that everyone wears a mask. Should anyone need a mask, each agent has a supply available. 

• Washing up. We always have a supply of hand sanitizer available and upon arrival, immediately show people to the washroom to wash their hands.

• Refraining from touching. We request, when possible, that people refrain from touching any surfaces in the home.

• Keeping it clean. Between showings, we take great care to use disinfecting wipes to clean any surfaces that were touched. We always disinfect the banisters, door handles and any other high-traffic surfaces.

Thomas & Talbot adheres to the guidelines set forth by the CDC and the National Association of Realtors to ensure that we keep ourselves, our clients and our community safe and healthy. We look forward to spreading our love of Hunt Country, and the marvelous lifestyle it affords us, in the safest way possible way. 

Agent of the Week - Cricket Bedford

June 29th, 2020

Just east of Middleburg, off Sam Fred Road, is Sunny Bank Farm. Away from Foxcroft, as a teenager, this is where I spent all of my free time, surrounded by what I love most—horses. Thanks to the great horsewomen and men I worked with, and under the tutelage of Mrs. Dot Smithwick, I learned how to 'turn out’ a horse. The lessons I learned at Sunny Bank have served me well in my real estate career, especially when it comes time to ‘turn out’ a house.

When preparing to stand a yearling up at the sales, there’s a tremendous amount of preparation involved to best showcase the young animal for those few short days. Houses are much the same. Before putting a property on the market, the preparation involved to ensure everything is pulled together, goes a long way. Mrs. Bunny Mellon was quoted to have said "...nothing should be noticed." I love this quote because her words resonate with my passion for preparing a property for sale. I believe, the devil is in the details. So, when a buyer sees a property for the first time, none of the preparation should be obvious. All they should see is a welcoming and comfortable home. You only get one chance to make a memorable first impression.

Agent of the Week - Rebecca Poston

August 27th, 2020

Growing up on my family’s farm in Tysons Corner—on land very similar to the rolling fields we have in this area—I witnessed farm after farm being sold and transformed into shopping malls, office buildings, condos, a vast road network and parking lots.

In my mind, I often hear Joni Mitchell’s voice singing the words to “Big Yellow Taxi.”

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got ‘til it’s gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

In the mid 1990’s, we were the last to sell our farm and having watched farms and open fields turn into the city of Tysons, we wanted to move to an area where that wouldn’t happen again. We chose Middleburg knowing its citizens cherished the land.

This is an area where many property owners have placed their land in conservation easements. This is designed to protect the land in perpetuity, thus giving future generations a chance to also enjoy this beautiful countryside.

I’m often asked, “Do you ever get tired of these views, do you take them for granted?” Quite simply my answer is, “No.” Possibly because I’ve seen it happen to other beautiful views, my answer is heartfelt. I love driving these roads and knowing how they connect and being a part of this area. I love learning the history of the different properties and their previous owners.

Another reason I feel so connected to this region is thanks to my father, J. Horace Jarrett. My dad was a land surveyor, whose depth of knowledge of the properties in Fairfax, Loudoun and Fauquier Counties was extensive. He was a walking history book. His office was filled with maps and he introduced me to the art of cartography. I greatly appreciate today’s mapping systems, but I have a respect for the old maps and their history. When listing or selling a property, it gives me pause when I find my dad’s name on the recorded survey.

When I look at a map of Tysons Corner from 70 years ago, the once familiar farms and rolling fields are gone. In contrast, when looking at an old map of this region, little has changed, the owners might be different, but the land remains. I feel blessed to be living in this area. This is a true community which cares for its land. 

This is home.