Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Arts Focus: Arlington’s GRUMP Holiday Market Moves Online and Delivers

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/4

This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

Even a pandemic cannot keep a good Yeti down.

In partnership with Arlington Arts, GRUMP has been Arlington’s holiday go-to over the past ten years for unique, unusual holiday gifts and handmade treasures. This year is no different with GRUMP at HOME bringing the experience directly to you.

The Yetis now deliver to your door! Shop from GRUMP’s curated online store of over 25 vendors and nearly 200 items. Do your holiday shopping and get the local arts and crafts show experience from the comfort and safety of home!

While you may not be able to hug GRUMP’s Yetis in real life, GRUMP, in addition to the over 50 unique makers, is planning fun, interactive activities like Yeti Tarot Readings, maker Instagram takeovers and Yeti Show and Tell.

Here is an overview of GRUMP socially-distanced, Zoom and Facebook-based activities for you to partake of over the next few days:

Social Media Maker Takeovers
November 27 to December 2 | via Facebook and Instagram

Between November 27 and December 2 makers will be taking over GRUMP’s Instagram and Facebook pages. Check out @ilovegrump on Instagram and facebook.com/ilovegrump to get an inside look into how 10 local makers devise their creations. Featuring makers like Potomac Chocolate, Auggie Froggy, Noctiluna, Moonlight Bindery and more!

Yeti Show N’ Tell
Sunday, November 29 | 1 p.m. | via Zoom

Meet the GRUMP Yeti online for this handmade Show N’ Tell. Bring your most prized handmade item to show our GRUMP Yeti. Bring the thing you are most proud of making yourself. Show Betty the Yeti, some GRUMP makers and GRUMP shoppers how much you love handmade in this fun meet and greet! Make sure you take a screen shot to show your friends that you got to Zoom with a Yeti.

Making Polymer Clay Earrings with Caddington Clay
Monday, November 30 | 7-8 p.m. | via Zoom

Learn how to make Polymer Clay Earrings with items you already have around your house. Join Megan DeMillo, owner of Caddington Clay, as she teaches the basics of polymer clay jewelry making and how to get started with just a few simple supplies.

New among the GRUMP makers is a group of Made in Arlington members whose normal holiday pop-ups have been canceled due to the pandemic. GRUMP is happy to support this group and share some of Arlington’s wonderful makers with you.

GRUMP at HOME takes place from November 27 through December 1, 2020. Check out www.grumpathome.com to see the full programming schedule and to meet the makers.

Listing of the Day: 5306 N. Washington Boulevard

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/10

Address: 5306 N. Washington Boulevard
Neighborhood: Lacey Forest
Listed: $825,000
Open: Sunday, November 29, 1-4 p.m.

This classic 1935 brick Cape Cod is nestled on a gorgeous lot between Ballston and Westover Village. With many recent updates and well loved by its long-time owner, the home is in pristine move-in condition.

The living room features built-ins, wood burning fireplace accented by wall sconces and a French door to the screened porch. From the porch, enter a large deck and the lushly landscaped yard. A garden shed provides storage for bikes, sports and yard gear while a tucked away patio is the perfect retreat on a lazy day weekend.

The renovated kitchen features cream cabinets, solid surface countertops and stainless appliances and is open to the dining room. Vintage light fixtures in this room and throughout the home provide a touch of character as do the gleaming wood floors.

Upstairs, the primary bedroom has a vaulted ceiling, built-in bookshelves and space for a desk or seating area. The second bedroom has a rare step-in closet and multiple windows for desirable cross ventilation. The bedrooms are served by a remodeled bathroom with crisp white tile and fixtures.

A stone fireplace is the focal point of the lower level rec room, and a wall of built-ins with desk provides office space. With comfy carpeting, the room is ideal for play, media, reading and relaxing. A remodeled bathroom is on this level so the rec room could double as guest space. The big laundry and storage room has a door with steps to the back yard, making it easy to enter the home after play and gardening.

The circular driveway at the front of the home accommodates at least three cars and leads to the kitchen side door for ease of bringing groceries directly into the kitchen.

The home is one block to Lacey Woods Park and four blocks to the bike path. Westover Village offers shops, carry-out friendly restaurants, a library, the venerable Ayers Hardware, a Sunday farmer’s market, and an hourly chime to remind you of the time. Ballston Quarter and the Metro can be reached by the bike path or a bus on Washington Boulevard. Whether working from home or commuting to government or business centers, the home is ideally located to meet your needs for a good work-life balance.

Listed by:
Betsy Twigg
McEnearney Associates
703-967-4391
[email protected]
www.betsytwigg.com

Arlington Pet of the Week: Bean

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/4

Arlington’s newest Pet of the Week is Bean, a friendly puppy who is still relatively new to the area and is looking to make even more friends.

Here’s how Bean spent his first summer in Arlington:

Hi Arlingtonians! My name is Bean, and I’m new to the world and to the area. I’m only 4 months old, and in the short month I’ve been in Arlington (no pun intended) I’ve already made friends with the front desk staff at Tellus, the Arlington police force and most of the other pups that live in the area.

My favorite weekend activities are meeting people in the Arlington Farmer’s Market line on my way to get a Puppuccino from Starbucks and visiting the Shirlington dog park to play with my best friend Callie (pictured) and the other big dogs. I also enjoy taking a very long and strenuous walk to Brooklyn Bagel, and my humans hope that once I’m full grown they won’t have to pick me up and carry me back home.

If you see me outdoor dining in Clarendon, grabbing coffee at Northside Social or just laying in the middle of the sidewalk because it is too hot, please stop and say hi (socially distanced of course)!

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos — they don’t fit in our photo galleries!

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: While Arlington Realty, Inc. provides this information for the community, it may not be the listing company of these homes.

A day early, a happy Turkey Day to our neighbors, friends and readers out there.

Sure, this Thanksgiving looks and feels a little bit different than ones in recent memory. While we may not be having the massive, elaborate gatherings some of us are accustomed to, there is much hope and optimism that we can soon return to normal in the near future.

Amid the current landscape, it never hurts to plan ahead. And, certainly for quite a few folks out there, stir craziness has become a big thing… and it’s time to relocate.

In a year like no other, we totally get it. Just as in times and decades past, the team at Arlington Realty, Inc. is  here to help you achieve your real estate goals wherever possible.

In the meantime, have a happy and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Now on to this week’s Just Reduced figures.

As of November 23, there are 157 detached homes, 59 townhouses and 374 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 51 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week:

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc.

Listing of the Day: 5139 15th Street N.

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/4

Address: 5139 15th Street N.
Neighborhood: Waycroft/Woodlawn
Listed: $1,998,000

New Spring Street Development home well sited on a 12,000 square foot lot between Westover Village and Ballston. This home offers the flexible space that has become so necessary as our lives become more centered on home.

The main level den is an ideal office or — with a full bathroom — could double as private guest space. The traditional dining room is a perfect spot for distance learning or Zoom conferences. The family room, breakfast area and kitchen span the back of the home and look into the deep private yard. Those with renewed interest in cooking and baking will appreciate the double ovens and large prep space on the kitchen island in addition to the pantry and butler’s pantry off the dining room.

Upstairs, the primary bedroom and bathroom offer a quiet retreat at the end of a busy day at home. Each of the three upstairs bedrooms has a nook for a desk, and the home is pre-wired for WiFi repeaters. The laundry room is also on this level along with multiple linen closets.

In the lower level, the rec room offers areas for play, media, gaming and relaxing while the fifth bedroom is perfect for a distance learning college student. Flexibility continues with the “spare” room that could be used as another office, gym, hobby or craft room. Substantial storage is available on this level as well as the two car garage.

Delivery is scheduled for March 2021 and follow @betsytwigg for Instagram updates on the home.

Listed by:
Betsy Twigg
McEnearney Associates
703-967-4391
[email protected]
www.betsytwigg.com

Ask Eli: $2 Million Isn’t What It Used To Be

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based realtor and Arlington resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!

Question: Is it just me or have there been a lot more $2 million-plus homes for sale this year than in the past?

Answer: The $2 million mark used to represent a significant resistance point for homes in Arlington, reserved only for the best of the best and the most difficult to sell, but we’ve seen a surge of $2 million-plus homes for sale in Arlington this year and demand to absorb it.

One of the more interesting differences between Arlington’s real estate market and other expensive markets is that while a huge percentage of our homes sell for over $1 million, we have very few homes that sell over $3 million. For some context, there have been 82 single-family homes listed for sale in the $2 million to $3 million range in Arlington in 2020, but just 19 listed for sale/sold since 2010 for over $3 million (and four of them are currently for sale).

Below is a chart showing the number of single-family homes sold that were listed for $2 million to $3 million since 2010. Note that 2020 also includes homes currently for sale or under contract that are listed for $2 million to $3 million (and we still have five weeks left in the year for more homes to be listed).

Here are some interesting details about the $2 million to $3 million single-family home price point:

  • The average sold price to original asking price from 2015-2019 was nearly identical, ranging from 94.1-94.7 percent, but this year that average shot up to 96.5 percent. Also, from 2015-2019, the average days on market was 93 days, but in 2020 it dropped to 58 days. Both of these changes indicate a much stronger appetite from buyers for $2 million-plus homes.
  • Since 2010, 92.3 percent of homes were/are located in the 22201 (20.1 percent) and 22207 (70.2 percent) zip codes.
  • I was surprised that only about half of the sales are new construction. I would have expected new construction to make up a much higher percentage of these high-price sales.
  • Prior to 2019, a $2 million-plus home usually meant at least one-third of an acre, but in 2020 it brings an average of just a quarter of an acre.
  • Bedroom/bathroom count has remained pretty consistent over the years, with an average of five to six bedrooms, five full bathrooms and one half bathrooms.
  • If you’d like to click through the $2 million $3 million single-family homes since 2010, here’s a link.

If you’re as curious as I was about what the chart for $1 million to $1.999 million single-family homes looks like, it’s quite different. Enjoy!

If you’d like to discuss buying or selling strategies, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column or to set-up an in-person meeting to discuss local Real Estate, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at www.EliResidential.com. Call me directly at 703-539-2529.

Eli Tucker is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with RLAH Real Estate, 4040 N Fairfax Dr #10C Arlington VA 22203. 703-390-9460.

Trenton Square at Ballston — Your Next Phase in North Arlington Awaits

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/10

Trenton Square at Ballston is a brand-new townhome community that’s a private escape in the heart of Arlington.

Mere minutes from the dining, shopping and entertainment of Ballston. And for traveling into D.C., Route 50, I-66 and Ballston-MU Metro are just down the road. But you’ll forget the rest of the world when you step into the sanctuary of your brand-new townhome. Each home boasts four finished levels — enough space for everyone to work, play and live without feeling on top of each other.

Distinctive finishes and features make for a truly elegant interior, complete with a designer kitchen, airy owner’s bedroom, the latest in smart home and energy efficient technology, and a loft space that walks out onto your private rooftop terrace. Trenton Square at Ballston is the home you’ve been searching for.

Only 19 townhomes are available, so schedule your private appointment today: 703-520-0125. Trenton Square at Ballston — ready for you now, with homes available for immediate delivery!

4 levels, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, home-office, loft level living space, rooftop terrace and 2-car garage from $974,900.

TrentonSquare.com

Neighborhood Spotlight: Shirlington, Arlington’s Humble Heart of Culture

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

In this week’s Neighborhood Spotlight, join the Keri Shull Team as we take a look at one of our favorite Arlington neighborhoods, Shirlington!

Every neighborhood of Arlington (and the other cities of the DMV) has unique features that make it easy to love. What do you love about your community? Let us know down in the comments below — we’d love to highlight them in future Neighborhood Spotlights!

And, as always, if you have any questions about Arlington real estate, please click here to contact the Keri Shull Team, Arlington’s No. 1 top-selling real estate team.

Where is Shirlington?

Shirlington is a compact neighborhood in the southern part of Arlington, close to the county border with the city of Alexandria.

It is considered one of Arlington’s “urban villages,” a moniker that suits both the atmosphere and conveniences of Shirlington. The area is bordered by several accessible roadways — most notably the Shirley Highway from which Shirlington gets its name — that make navigating the DMV a relatively painless task.

King Street defines the southwestern edge of the region, giving Shirlingtonians a short pathway to historic Old Town and all the conveniences you would get from living in Alexandria proper.

Shirlington Real Estate Market

Like the rest of Arlington, the market is blazing hot in Shirlington right now. Homes are selling quickly, and they are selling for a high price. So if you are thinking about making a move to Shirlington, you’d be wise to work with an agent who can help you find off-market homes and negotiate for you.

Shirlington is known primarily for townhouses and standalones when it comes to home types. There are condominiums for sale, but many of them are in “village-style” communities, as opposed to the Arlington condo buildings that characterize the Orange Line Corridor neighborhoods.

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Listing of the Day: 212 E. Jefferson Street

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/10

Address: 212 E. Jefferson Street | Falls Church City
Neighborhood: Broadmont
Listed: $1,950,000
Open: Sunday, November 22 from 2-4 p.m

Treasured Cram Estate ~ Historic Home, Historic Gardens

This remarkable 5 bedroom, 3 full and 2 half bath Victorian, c. 1904 is perfect for both the garden enthusiast and entertainer.

As you stroll up the front brick and stone walkway, you become immersed in the inviting English-style gardens. With carefully selected foliage, each corner has a garden within a garden.

The home’s interior is equally impressive and features a stately marble and mahogany foyer, parlor and library, grand ballroom and a tree-top Owner’s Oasis. Timeless touches from the past blend perfectly with the comforts of today.

~ Victorian beauty and celebrated gardens ~ 

Listed by:
Tori McKinney
ROCK STAR Realty Group, KW Metro Center
703-867-8674
[email protected]
ROCKSTARRealtyGroup.com

Open Houses in Arlington This Weekend

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Looking for a home? There are plenty of houses and condos open for viewing this weekend.

Check out the Arlington Realty website for a full list of homes for sale and open houses in Arlington. Here are a few highlights:

4005 N. Richmond Street
5 BD/4 BA, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Long & Foster Real Estate
Listed: $1,780,000
Open: Sunday 12-2 p.m.

 

3708 N. Oakland Street
4 BD/3 BA single-family home
Agent: Compass
Listed: $1,349,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

1111 N. Stuart Street C
3 BD/3 BA, 1 half bath townhouse
Agent: Optime Realty
Listed: $975,000
Open: Saturday 1-3 p.m.

 

2909 20th Street S.
4 BD/3 BA single-family home
Agent: Libra Realty LLC
Listed: $899,900
Open: Saturday 2-4 p.m.

 

631 23rd Street S.
3 BD/2 BA single-family home
Agent: Samson Properties
Listed: $849,900
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1200 S. Crystal Drive #312
2 BD/2 BA condo
Agent: Compass
Listed: $799,900
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

Just Listed in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Just Listed highlights Arlington properties that just came on the market within the past week. This feature is written and sponsored by Andors Real Estate Group.

Last year, before I had taken over the JUST LISTED column, Ron Cathell wrote that it was looking as if we’ll break a fall trend for a second year in a row. I’m pretty sure that trend is going to be gone for good.

Usually, things move well just until Thanksgiving, but then slow significantly until the first week of January. We’re on a fast pace right now, and perhaps the train has no brakes. Listings and buyer activity are up this week.

More and more, it seems as if our seasons are just blending together as far as real estate sales go. I just wish the temperature would stay as hot as the market!

Perhaps it has to do with mortgage rates hitting another all-time low this week, the 13th record this year. Average is 2.72 percent for a 30-year fixed, and many Arlingtonian’s have been locking in at 2.5 percent this week! Freddie Mac attributes this week’s drop to weak consumer spending data. It’s interesting how a weak sector of the economy can have such a positive impact on another very important sector — real estate.

That type of environment is likely to keep the market invigorated well into the cold temps we’re starting to experience.

Pick of the Week: The Andors Real Estate Group is pleased to have JUST LISTED 3910 12th Street S. — $735,000. This large, inviting one-car garage all-brick townhome is ready for new owners! Featuring three levels, an amazing oasis of a backyard and gleaming hardwood floors, you’ll love it from the moment you arrive on the tree-lined street. Fantastic proximity to the Columbia Pike corridor, the central location is a commuter (or work from home) dream.

This past week in Arlington, sellers listed some 81 properties for sale while buyers ratified 65 contracts; 19 of the ratified contracts were on homes listed just within the past week.

There are currently 566 homes for sale in Arlington, 11 more than last week. 133 are detached homes, 63 are townhouses/semi-detached and 370 are condos. The condo number is unchanged from last week — what a relief!

Average days on market (DOM) for currently available homes is 56 and median DOM is 42.

The median list price of currently available properties is $547,000, while the average is $755,053. This is the first time these numbers have increased in four months.

Last year for the same week, sellers listed about 40 homes and buyers ratified 40 contracts.

Click here to search currently available Arlington real estate — if you see a home you’re interested in purchasing, we’d love to help!

Call the Andors Real Estate Group today at 703-203-1117 to talk more about buying or selling Arlington real estate. Below are eight homes that are new this week that I think you might like to check out.

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