No zip code is immune to the ups and downs of the housing market — even the most sought after neighborhoods like McLean and Great Falls experience shifts that impact buyers and sellers alike. While online research can offer a starting point, truly understanding when and how to act in today’s real estate landscape often requires insight from those who live and breathe the market every day. One powerful way to gain that perspective? Listening to trusted local experts who bring both experience and a deep understanding of the community.
Casey Margenau is one of those voices. A Northern Virginia native who grew up in Oakton, raised his family in McLean, and has since returned to Oakton, Margenau brings decades of real world perspective to a housing market that has seen its share of highs and lows. He bought his first home in 1989 — just before a market downturn — and built his career through the early ’90s recession, the housing crash of 2008, and the chaotic seller’s market of the pandemic era.
Over the years, Northern Virginia’s market has evolved dramatically. In the early 2000s, easy access to credit and rapid appreciation created a buying frenzy that eventually contributed to the crash. After 2008, recovery was slow but steady, with buyers becoming more cautious and data-driven. The pandemic brought another surge followed by today’s more complex environment: low inventory, high buyer expectations, and fluctuating rates. Yet through all the changes, Casey was able to anticipate market shifts and keep his clients confident in their choices. He’s invested time, effort and energy into real estate, and with over 35 years in sales under his belt, he has a wealth of experience he is ready to share with clients.
“I know how a house is built, I know what products are being used in them. I’ve studied,” Margenau says. His knowledge runs deeper than the market and that’s why clients seek him out. But it’s not just his success stories — it’s his character and what he brings to the community.
Margenau is woven into the fabric of his neighborhood. Amidst selling homes that have been passed down through generations and befriending fellow ‘car guys’ at local dealerships, Margenau has always valued his role as a father. From coaching his daughter’s sports team to serving as the den leader for his son’s Cub Scout troop, he made time for family — something he encourages his clients to prioritize as well. He leads his company with empathy, understanding that selling or buying a home, especially for the first time, is about more than just a transaction. In a market that can feel overwhelming and uncertain, his approach helps clients feel seen, heard, and supported. It’s this commitment to people, not just properties, that has built lasting trust and positioned his team to serve not only today’s buyers and sellers, but generations to come.
In communities where real estate often carries personal history, having a trusted advisor — someone who understands not just the numbers, but the people and rhythms of the area — can change the experience entirely. “I do this because I like it and I enjoy it. I’m in this business to help people make the right decisions,” Margenau says, whether that means downsizing or finding the right place to accommodate a new family lifestyle.
Now, with over $3 billion in real estate sold, Casey is using his expertise to mentor the next generation, both on his team and in the housing market. He guides people with a deep understanding of the luxury and privacy that makes Northern Virginia such a destination, while being mindful of the emotion that comes with saying goodbye to a familiar home. He also teaches clients simple tricks, like avoiding painting a house all white for a staging so it doesn’t lose character, and telling them to sell now while the market is stable.
So what should buyers and sellers expect right now?
A more strategic landscape. Inventory remains tight, but demand hasn’t disappeared — particularly in sought-after areas like Great Falls and McLean. Sellers must be thoughtful with pricing and presentation, while buyers are entering the market more cautious, informed, and selective. In this environment, having a trusted advisor by your side is more important than ever. Whether you're preparing to say goodbye to a long-time home or searching for the right place to begin a new chapter, guidance from someone who understands both the local market and the emotional complexity of these decisions can make all the difference. With decades of experience navigating market highs and lows, Casey Margenau offers steady, informed support — focused not on transactions, but on relationships. In a time when even seasoned homeowners can feel uncertain, local experts like Margenau bring reassurance and clarity.
“The success is not attributed to me,” Margenau says. “It’s attributed to how I treated people, and it’s attributed to them trusting me.”
That trust isn’t earned through sales volume — it’s built through consistency, care, and the ability to meet people where they are, no matter what stage of the journey they’re in.
Over the years, Northern Virginia’s market has evolved dramatically. Yet through all the changes, Casey was able to anticipate market shifts and keep clients confident in their choices. With over 35 years in sales under his belt, he has a wealth of experience he is ready to share with clients.