Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Neighborhood Spotlight: Best Picnic Spots in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This content was written and sponsored by The Keri Shull Team, Arlington’s top producing residential real estate team.

As the days get shorter and the air gets crisper, it’s not surprising that people want to savor the remaining good weather as much as possible. And one of the best ways to easily have some outdoor fun in Arlington is to have a picnic in one of Arlington’s many parks!

For today’s Neighborhood Spotlight, we want to specifically highlight 3 of our favorite places for picnicking. All of these spots are great options for soaking up the final vestiges of the summer sun — and even once winter is fully here, these Arlington picnic spaces are great ways to enjoy Northern Virginia (while remaining socially distant, to boot)!

Do you have a hidden (or not-so-hidden) gem of a park, restaurant or entertainment spot that you want us to highlight? Just let us know down in the comments!

Let’s get started!

Gravelly Point Park

If you are looking for a truly unique picnic setting, look no further than Gravelly Point Park. Located just north of Reagan Airport along the George Washington Parkway, this bankside green space is perfect for picnickers.

The main runway at Reagan (known as Runway 1/19, in case you’re interested) points directly towards the park. This means that planes using these runways soar directly over the heads of onlookers, often as low as just a couple hundred feet in the air. Because Gravelly Point is less than 1,000 feet from the end of the runway, it is one of the most stunning spots for airplane spotters in the entire country.

Getting to Gravelly Point

Unlike many other green spaces in Northern Virginia, it can be a bit tricky to take your car to Gravelly Point Park. Although the picnic space is located along the George Washington Parkway, parking is somewhat limited.

One alternative to parking and walking is to bike to Gravelly Point using the Mount Vernon Trail!

Gateway Park

With its views of Washington, D.C. and gorgeous, cultivated green areas, Gateway Park is another of our favorite places for a picnic in Arlington. This park is located in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington and features 3 acres of beauty, both natural and manmade.

Gateway might not sit directly on the Potomac, but visitors can still enjoy a breathtaking vantage of the river and Georgetown, the popular D.C. neighborhood, from Gateway Park’s Skywalk.

In addition to being a great place to lay out a prepared meal, Gateway Park hosts a lot of events to enjoy. The amphitheater at Gateway Park is home to the Rosslyn Jazz Fest. Currently, the park is hosting its O2 (Office Outside) program. This allows locals to get a taste of the outdoors while still taking care of business with open-air desks and complimentary WiFi!

Getting to Gateway Park

The Arlington picnic space is located at 1300 Lee Highway, right at the base of Key Bridge. Please note that parking in the area can be somewhat limited, so you might have to park farther away and walk.

As an alternative, you can easily access Gateway via the Rosslyn Metro Station. The park is just a short walk from the Metro stop.

Dark Star Park 

In terms of basking in planned, artistic beauty, there aren’t many things to do in Arlington that rival Dark Star Park. This green space/art installation was originally built in 1984, designed and overseen by the famous sculptor Nancy Holt.

Once per year, on August 1, the natural shadows cast by the Dark Stars line up with these pre-set markings at exactly 9:32 a.m. Holt chose August 1 to commemorate the anniversary of William Ross’s 1860 purchase of the land that became Rosslyn.

But the question remains — how is Dark Star Park as a picnic spot?

In a word: lovely. Dark Star Park offers a welcome respite from the urban environment of Rosslyn, with shrubbery and grass that are a vibrant contrast to the sea of glass and concrete that marks much of the Arlington neighborhood. Large trees ring the park, providing a pleasant shade to enjoy your spread of food and drink.

Getting to Dark Star Park

Dark Star Park stands at 1655 North Fort Myer Drive in Arlington, sandwiched between Fort Myer Drive and N. Lynn Street. There are 2 separate parking garages immediately adjacent to the park, so getting to Dark Star by car is convenient. Otherwise, the Rosslyn Metro stop is only a few blocks away, for those who prefer taking the train.

There are a ton of great places to enjoy a picnic when living in Arlington — in fact, far too many to cover in a single article. The ones listed above are just a few of our favorites… but we want to get your input, too! What is your favorite spot to have a picnic in Arlington? Let us know down in the comments below!

Do you know anyone who is interested in buying or selling a home now in Arlington or anywhere else in the DMV? Just click here or email [email protected] today for a free real estate consultation!

Listing of the Day: 5007 6th Street N.

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/10

Address: 5007 6th Street N.
Neighborhood: Brandon Village
Listed: $799,000
Open: Sunday, November 8 from 1-4 p.m.

A bit of character and a bit of vintage distinguish this 1940s Cape Cod just blocks from the bike path to the vibrant Ballston community.

Enter into a comfy living room with gas fireplace, built-ins and wood floors that extend through the main and upper levels. This room flows into the kitchen, offering desk space, pantry, washer and dryer. The kitchen features crisp white cabinets and appliances and is open to the dining room. Tucked at one of the dining room is a spot for reading, catching up on emails, or chatting with the sociable cook. Sliding glass doors open to a big deck and flat, fenced yard with a handy garden shed. Two bedrooms and an updated bathroom are on this level.

Upstairs, the primary bedroom has a niche for another home office or for additional closet space. This bedroom and the second large bedroom are served by an updated hall bathroom. The lower level rec room has good ceiling height and is brightened by multiple windows and recessed lighting. One wall is given over to built in shelving and cabinets — ideal for stowing toys, games, books and exercise gear. A powder room is on this level and there is space to add a shower.

Adjoining the rec room is a large storage and utility room with space for workouts, hobbies and crafts. The home has been updated with double pane windows, recent HVAC, water heater and fresh paint.

Ideal location near the retro shops and restaurants along Wilson Boulevard and easy access to the Ballston Metro, Washington, D.C., Rosslyn-Ballston business corridor, Pentagon, Airport, Pentagon and Crystal Cities at National Landing, Fort Myer/Henderson Hall and Foreign Service Institute.

On the Fourth of July, neighborhood residents gather at Constitution Garden Park at high noon to ring Arlington’s freedom bell — a cherished tradition.

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

1615 N. Queen Street M601
2 BD/2 BA, condo
Agent: Kw Metro Center
Listed: $1,799,000
Open: Saturday 2-4 p.m.

 

4407 4th Street S.
4 BD/3 BA, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: eXp Realty, LLC
Listed: 1,269,900
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

 

2134 S. Nelson Street
5 BD/4 BA, 1 half bath townhouse
Agent: Century 21 Redwood Realty
Listed: $935,000
Open: Saturday 12-2 p.m.

 

20 S. Pershing Drive
4 BD/3 BA, 1 half bath townhouse
Agent: Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Listed: $824,990
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

4754 S. Arlington Boulevard
3 BD/2 BA, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Compass
Listed: $724,999
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1411 N. Key Boulevard #207
1 BD/1 BA condo
Agent: Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Listed: $649,900
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

4077 S. Four Mile Run Drive #203
2 BD/2 BA condo
Agent: McEnearney Associates
Listed: $450,000
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.

Uncertainty is NO friend of markets. While that is especially true for the stock market, the impact on housing is much more nuanced, at best. I remember the conversations from the summer and fall of 2016, and the talk this year has echoed them perfectly.

“Will the potential change of administration mean more people are buying and selling?”

In 2016 we had a change, and while it was a rocking year for real estate, there was no tangible evidence in our local real estate market of the White House flipping red. A new Administration simply does not bring a large enough influx of people to the area. Most of the staffers, insiders, lobbyists and others are already here in the greater D.C. area. And if a candidate loses, everyone who was working for them doesn’t simply go back to their home town but instead just changes offices, or campaigns, or buildings.

At time of writing, this election is still up in the air. I personally wrote an offer on behalf of clients for an Arlington property and had it accepted on Election Day, and no results were in yet as the polls were still open. While that is simply one anecdote of how Arlington responds to potential uncertainty, the reality is that people move when they need to move.

We can’t time our lives on when we think the housing market is hottest, just as we can’t time the stock market to buy or sell. You can certainly buy low and sell high, but what if the stock you sold surges the next day, breaking a new 100-day moving average? For housing, your best bet is always to buy and hold long term. I can’t tell you what your home will be worth next year, but I can say almost unequivocally that it will be worth more 10 years from now. Real estate should be a long game.

This past week in Arlington, sellers listed some 60 properties for sale while buyers ratified 65 contracts. 18 of the ratified contracts were on homes listed just within the past week.

There are currently 554 homes for sale in Arlington, 15 more than last week. 136 are detached homes, 53 are townhouses/semi-detached and 365 are condos.

Average days on market (DOM) for currently available homes is 54 and median DOM is 36. These are unchanged from last week. The median list price of currently available properties is $574,800, while the average is $761,192.

Last year for the same week, sellers listed 44 homes and buyers ratified 40 contracts. With 60 homes and 65 contracts this week, the brisk pace continues!

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.

Listing of the Day: 5642 6th Street N.

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/9

Address: 5642 6th Street N.
Neighborhood: Bon Air
Listed: $1,250,000
Open: Sunday, November 8 from 2-4 p.m.

5642 6th Street N. is a charming, renovated home in the desirable Bon Air neighborhood!

The main level provides a bright and airy open concept floor plan, making the updated eat-in kitchen the true heart of the home. The family room has French doors leading to a fully fenced in yard with deck, patio and plenty of green space. Also on the main level, you will find a formal dining room, home office, and main level bedroom with it’s own full bathroom.

The upper level provides four spacious bedrooms, including the incredible primary suite with vaulted ceilings, luxurious bathroom with soaking tub, double vanity and two huge walk in closets. The finished basement has a cozy living area with fireplace, new luxury vinyl flooring, a game room, bedroom and additional full bathroom.

Get some fresh air with a quick walk to the Bluemont, Four Mile Run and W&OD Trails, Bluemont Park, or Bon Air Rose Garden & Park. Centrally located just minutes to Rt 50 and 66 for an easy drive into D.C., walkable to the Ballston Metro and all of the shops and dining that Ballston Quarter has to offer!

Listed by:
Keri Shull
Keri Shull Team
(703) 413-7713
[email protected]
www.kerishull.com

Boring Title: 3 Tips to Help Prevent Wire Fraud

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Title insurance is boring, but Allied Title & Escrow is here to decode the jargon and make it (somewhat) more interesting. This biweekly feature will explore the mundane (but very necessary!) world of title insurance while sharing interesting stories of two friends’ entrepreneurial careers.

For this week’s edition of Boring Title, we wanted to give our readers 3 tips to help avoid wire fraud.

At the rate technology is improving, wire fraud is becoming more prevalent in real estate. Here are 3 tips that will help prevent wire fraud from your next closing at Allied Title & Escrow!

Have questions related to title insurance? Email Latane and Matt at [email protected]. Want to use Allied Title & Escrow when you buy a home? Tell your agent when you buy a house to write in Allied Title & Escrow as your settlement company!

The Promise of Online Learning for IT Leaders

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact every aspect of modern-day life, from the way consumers buy their groceries to how employees connect to corporate systems. Learning is no exception.

Since the outbreak, online learning has become more central to people’s lives. And many plan to continue the trend: More than half of American adults who expect to need more education or training post-pandemic say they would do it online, according to an August 2020 survey by the Strada Education Network.

Yet not all online education is created equal — and IT pros looking to invest in a program should compare and contrast options carefully.

Whether pursuing a full-time master’s degree to deepen IT expertise or seeking a certificate to boost content knowledge in a specific area, there are many reasons why Virginia Tech’s 100% online Master of Information Technology program (VT-MIT) is a superior choice for IT leaders.

The U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Programs report ranks Virginia Tech’s MIT degree the nation’s fourth best. The program blends coursework and offers twelve areas of specialized study for a diverse education.

Courses are taught by world-class faculty experienced in translating a robust academic experience to an effective online format. For nearly 20 years, the VT-MIT program has relied on a two-tiered system of master faculty and distance learning instructors who together deliver a superior online classroom experience that encourages peer-to-peer support, faculty-to-student mentoring and real-time engagement, making VT-MIT a leader in the online education space long before COVID-19 forced other programs to go virtual.

Students can also expect to reap these advantages:

  • Increased Flexibility — Students can choose their own timeline and toggle between full- and part-time schedules, depending on employment status and current workload.
  • Greater Convenience –– A combination of synchronous and asynchronous online classes allows students to learn anywhere, anytime — ideal for remote workers unsure of when they may return to the office.
  • Enhanced Value — Students can earn a VT-MIT degree at a universal tuition rate (no residency required) from a well-respected public institution.

Today’s IT professionals must act fast to keep pace with a rapidly evolving IT environment. Experience and specialized IT skills are critical to making the right technology decisions, at the right time. With the flexibility of an online VT-MIT degree or graduate certificate, IT leaders can strike the perfect balance: earn a respected credential that will help them confront the technological challenges of the 21st century while accommodating new realities.

Arts Focus: Capacity-Building Workshops By Artists Continue Into November

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

Amid the many challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic poses for the arts and culture community, artists are taking the opportunity to strengthen capacity.

Arlington Arts continues its latest series of skill-building sessions: the Arts Enterprise Institute Fall Classes through our Arts Enterprise Institute, from October 27 through November 17 (all classes are virtual). Take all remaining classes for just $30.

Arts Enterprise Institute program exists to provide resources for artists and deepen their skill set to withstand the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Workshops, training, seminars and events integrate strong business skills, knowledge, life-long learning, and artistic development with peer-to-peer learning and engagement with the community. A cornerstone of these programs is artists teaching artists.

Mary Briggs is the instructor for: Crisis Management for Artists and Arts Organizations During COVID-19, Where to Find Funding for Individual Artists During COVID-19, and Where to Find Funding for Arts Organizations During COVID-19.

The co-founder and director of the You Are Here community arts non-profit in Jeanette, Pennsylvania and an adjunct lecturer at Goucher College, Towson, MD in the Masters in Cultural Sustainability program, Mary Briggs is also deeply knowledgeable about our community. From 1989 until 2011, Ms. Briggs served in a variety of positions on the staff of Arlington Cultural Affairs Division, ranging from Grants Manager to working with an array of Multi-Cultural organizations. She has been a presenter at numerous national and regional conferences and meetings including Americans for the Arts, Grantmakers in the Arts and American Folklore Society. Ms. Briggs also was an Arlington resident for several decades.

Caroline Weinroth is the instructor for: Tips Tricks and Hacks for Creating Better Virtual Experiences, and Social Media Strategies 1 and 2.

Caroline Weinroth is a musician, writer and artist. At George Mason University, she earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, with a concentration in Poetry, and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater & Audio Engineering. She is the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for the rock band Cinema Hearts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she has performed livestream concerts for Center for the Arts GMU, Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Alexandria Office of the Arts and others.

Take ALL remaining classes for just $30! See below for details on each class and information on how to register!

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.

We have quite a bit to look forward to here in November.

First and foremost, Election Day is over with. So, that’s a plus.

Of course, we have Thanksgiving coming up on Thursday, November 27. And, for our shopaholics, Black Friday is Friday, November 28. Also, please don’t forget that November 11 is Veterans Day for honoring our military heroes.

On the quirkier front, this Saturday (November 7) is Book Lovers Day, so crack open a nice read. November 15 is Recycling Day, if you have some goodies that can be recycled, and November 23 is Espresso Day for getting your buzz on.

Amid all the fun, don’t forget what may be a very important day for you and/or your family: Find A Home of Your Dreams Day.

Okay, so that’s not a formal day in November at all. But, when you are ready to embark on a real estate journey in Arlington County and beyond, the time-tested team at Arlington Realty, Inc. is ready to roll on your behalf.

Now on to this week’s Just Reduced figures.

As of November 2, there are 164 detached homes, 48 townhouses and 374 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 45 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.

Virginia Tech Offers January Start for Local MBA Program

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

As the COVID-19 pandemic extends, many professionals are taking this time to prepare for the future by investing in graduate education. And there might not be a better time to do so.

Whether it’s the increased flexibility in classroom formats, frozen tuition rates, relaxed admission requirements, or reduced interest rates on student loans, there are plenty of reasons why students feel like this time period is a unique opportunity for them to build the skills and professional network they need to advance their career.

While fall classes have already started, there are still options for individuals who want to take advantage of graduate study opportunities before next year’s back-to-school season. Virginia Tech’s local Evening MBA program offers a spring entry term with classes starting January 19.

The Evening MBA is a top 20 nationally ranked program designed with maximum flexibility for working professionals.

Students choose their own course load each semester, so those dealing with job uncertainty or working parents with new childcare demands can find the right workload for them and even easily switch between full- and part-time status.

While classes typically take place in-person on weekday evenings at Virginia Tech’s conveniently located Falls Church center, the current environment shifted instruction mode to primarily online, with some classes still offering an in-person option.

The flexible program format contributed to what associate director of MBA recruiting Rebecca McGill described as a “significant increase in applications and enrollments for the fall term.” She added that many also chose this time to apply because they can “take advantage of relaxed GMAT/GRE test score requirements that have never been offered before.”

For spring applicants, the Evening MBA reduced the number of years of work experience required for a test score waiver from ten years to five.

McGill expects the increased application trend to continue for the spring term “as more and more individuals use this time to invest in themselves and their future.”

Applications for the spring semester are due December 1. Learn more at evening.mba.vt.edu.

Ask Eli: 10-Year Real Estate Appreciation in Arlington

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: Do you have any data available on how Arlington real estate has performed over the last ten years?

Answer: A lot has changed in Arlington since 2010. We’re less reliant on the Federal Government for jobs, you can find something to do after 6 p.m. outside of Clarendon and $1,000,000 definitely doesn’t go as far as it used to. BUT we still don’t have a Rosslyn-Georgetown Gondola or a boathouse; maybe in 2030…

I thought it would be cool to create an interactive chart for everybody to play around with to show how real estate values in Arlington and different Arlington sub-markets have changed from 2010 to 2020. Click on the image below to get to a page on my website that will allow you to see 2010 vs 2020 price changes based on things like zip code, bedroom count, new builds/resale and more.

Now stop reading and go vote if you haven’t already!

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 D.C., and Maryland with RLAH Real Estate, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. #10C Arlington, VA 22203, (703) 390-9460.

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