Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

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.

This has been an August unlike any other in Arlington! Our market has introduced and absorbed double its volume over August of 2019.

Demand from the spring was simply delayed, it did not disappear. The real, continuing story is the increase in available condo inventory, now up 70% from eight weeks ago. Mortgage rates continue their historic lows, sitting at 2.91% for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.

In related mortgage news, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, who purchase mortgages from banks and repackage them for investors, have levied a hefty new fee on refinances! The fee was supposed to go into effect on September 1 has been delayed until December 1 and is hotly contested. Called an “adverse market” fee, it is supposed to help Fannie and Freddie’s ability to continue to support those negatively impacted by COVID-19 and may have their loans on forbearance or in default. At 0.5% of the loan balance, this is a large additional cost and massively changes the calculation of the amount of time in which a refinance ultimately pays off.

Bottom line — if you’ve been holding out, hoping for lower rates before you refinance, you should give strong consideration to act now before the fee starts being assessed.

This past week in Arlington, sellers listed some 97 properties for sale while buyers ratified 61 contracts. 33 of the ratified contracts were on homes listed just within the past week!

There are currently 415 homes for sale in Arlington, 23 more than last week. 129 are detached homes, 32 are townhouses/semi-detached, and 254 are condos. Average days on market (DOM) for currently available homes is 50 and median DOM is 29. The median list price of currently available properties is $710,000, while the average is $910,401.

Last year for the same week, sellers listed 43 homes and buyers ratified 31 contracts.

Click hereto search currently available Arlington real estate. 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: 2406 N. Ottawa Street

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/10

Address: 2406 N. Ottawa Street
Neighborhood: Norwood
Listed: $1,050,000
Open: Sunday, August 30 from 1-4 p.m.

Move right in to this 5 bedroom, 2.5 bath Colonial, well sited on a cul-de-sac lot in the Nottingham, Williamsburg, Yorktown district: Recent architectural shingle roof, HVAC, gas water heater, driveway, stone walkway and large patio, remodeled family room and laundry room, insulated attic, attic fan, yard drainage system.

Desirable details include fresh paint, closet organizers in 11 closets, ceiling fans, door hardware, LED recessed lighting, wood burning fireplace, New Orleans grilling patio off breakfast room, and family room opening to patio and yard for daily living and socially distanced entertaining.

Big kitchen with ample cabinets, generous countertops, and space to perfect new cooking and baking skills; deep pantry; breakfast area doubles as at home education space; large living room with room for second office and ideal lighting for Zoom calls (nod to Flood Czar); five big bedrooms upstairs, each with multiple closets with organizers; primary bedroom has seating or desk space, updated private bathroom; linen closets in the hall and second bathroom plus pull down stairs to large, floored attic for storage. Fifth bedroom has built in bookcases and is used as a home office.

Delightful outdoor space with large yard and separate alley entry, storage off carport for bikes and toys, and a big, recent garden shed for sports, gardening and camping equipment. Lush landscaping with many perennials and space for vegetable and fruit gardening.

Great location near Lee Harrison Center, shops and restaurants along Lee Highway, Overlee Pool, Tuckahoe Park, The Greenway, bike path and easy commutes from Washington to Tysons.

Nothing to do but move in!

Listed by:
Betsy Twigg
McEnearney Associates
703-967-4391
[email protected]
3D virtual tour at BetsyTwigg.com

Boring Title: John Downs From The Downs Group

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 interviewed John Downs of The Downs Group at Vellum Mortgage. John talks about the new Fannie & Freddie “adverse market” fee, and how that will affect refinances going forward.

Have questions for John? Shoot him an email at [email protected].

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!

Listing of the Day: 444 W Broad Street #506

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/10

Address: 444 W Broad Street #506 
Neighborhood: City of Falls Church
Listed: $530,000 
www.506Spectrum.com

Enjoy the convenient perks of living at The Spectrum in the heart of the City of Falls Church, home to this contemporary two bed, two bath condominium.

As soon as you walk through the door, you will notice high ceilings, pendant and recessed lights and wood flooring. Enjoy the open kitchen with granite counters, stainless-steel appliances, a natural gas stove and an open island. A quick glance beyond the kitchen to the living room reveals a wall of windows leading to the balcony with beautiful verdant views.

The living room is flanked by two bedrooms, both having full en-suite baths and walk-in closets. A stacked washer and dryer and storage closets complete this home, although you will additionally own a storage unit on the same floor within the building. This lovely condo includes two assigned parking spaces in the downstairs garage. The Spectrum building also features a modern fitness center, private event space with billiards, courtyard and a rooftop patio.

Take advantage of numerous eateries, shops, W&OD Trail access and the popular weekly farmers market all within a short stroll.

Your opportunity to live in quaint Falls Church City has arrived! Fondly nicknamed “The Little City” with a footprint of just two square miles, Falls Church City was settled in 1699 and continues to be one of the smallest municipalities by area in the nation. Now it’s your turn to claim your very own piece of this special place.

Listed by:
Donna Hamaker
Buck & Associates
2519 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201
703-582-7779
[email protected]
www.DonnaHamaker.com

Biz Talk: Arlington Celebrates National Nonprofit Day

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/2

This article was written by Michael Stiefvater, Business Development Manager for Arlington Economic Development.

Last week marked National Nonprofit Day, founded on August 17, 2017, the goal of the day is to educate, enlighten, and empower others to make a difference, as well as acknowledge the industry’s dedicated workforce.

While National Nonprofit Day is a recent addition to the national day calendar, the positive impacts of the nonprofit industry trace back over a century to the Tariff Act of 1894’s passing on that same date. The Act imposed the first federal income tax on corporations, while including exemptions for nonprofit corporations and charitable institutions.

Over one hundred years later, the nonprofit industry has grown to employ 12.3 million people and is supported by 64 million board members and volunteers, according to the National Council of Nonprofits.

Given the proximity to the Nation’s capital and access to a talented workforce, Arlington has been a magnet for nonprofits as the County is currently home to nearly 300 organizations and their 8,700 employees. While the missions of these organizations cover a diverse set of issues, several nonprofit clusters have emerged in Arlington focusing on the following issues:

Environmental

From leading conservation efforts that improve fishing in the country’s streams and rivers to protecting millions of acres of land worldwide, Arlington nonprofits are ensuring the planet’s health for future generations. The environmental cluster is home to Arlington’s largest nonprofit, The Nature Conservancy, which employs nearly 500 people at its Ballston headquarters and has protected more than 117 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide since its founding in 1951.

Health and Wellness

As the world grapples with the effects of COVID-19, several Arlington nonprofits are addressing the needs of their target communities through creative initiatives. The National Council on Aging is combating social isolation for older adults by partnering with Airbnb to provide free online experiences to connect seniors with others and travel virtually during the pandemic.

International Development

The impact of Arlington’s nonprofit community reaches well beyond the borders of the United States, as a handful of organizations are improving lives around the globe. Following a devastating drought in 2017, Counterpart International is implementing a food security program in Senegal that will improve infrastructure and train individuals for a sustainable future.

Local Aid

Whether ensuring access to meals and shelter for individuals who are facing homelessness, or facilitating adoptions for thousands of animals annually, several nonprofits are dedicated to serving our local community. Over the past year, Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network provided 38,000 meals and offered overnight beds to 1,000 people through their shelter program.

In honor of National Nonprofit Day, Arlington Economic Development highlighted over two dozen nonprofits within these clusters, while connecting the Arlington community with opportunities to get involved, whether in our local neighborhoods or in the furthest reaches of the globe.

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.

You’re likely going to see some adorable pooches crowding your social media feeds today.

That’s because it’s National Dog Day!

In addition to the human friends we’ve made throughout the years, we’ve certainly made some four-legged ones as well. After all, when our human clients settle into a new home, sometimes they have a dog (or two, or three… or more) that are settling into their new adobe with them. (And, P.S., yes, we absolutely love our cat, bird, hamster, fish, guinea pig and horse residents, too, y’all.)

We’ve seen it time and time again — Dog and/or pet policies and regulations can certainly make or break a deal.

So, when you’re ready to em-BARK (pun obviously intended) on your real estate journey, the team at Arlington Realty will always put your (and Fido’s) needs and desires first.

Now on to this week’s Just Reduced figures.

As of August 24, there are 162 detached homes, 41 townhouses and 257 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 40 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: 3818 Randolph Court

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/9

Address: 3818 Randolph Court
Neighborhood: Chain Bridge Terrace
Listed: $1,750,000
Open: Sunday, August 30 from 2-4 p.m.

With over 5,700 square feet of well designed space and a 5,300 square foot lot, this brick, end townhouse lives like a single family home.

The light filled home offers an elevator to each level, a big kitchen to perfect cooking and baking skills, a complete in-law or distance learning suite with kitchenette and French doors to a private patio. The fifth bedroom has office built-ins and the perfect Zoom setting, while the den off the primary bedroom is an ideal second work space.

Each of the five bedrooms has an en suite bathroom, large closets and spots for desks. Fireplaces in the traditional living room, family room and primary bedroom are flanked by built-ins, and architectural moldings throughout distinguish the home. French doors from the family room open to the deck and patio with hot tub, burbling fountain, and extensive play, grilling and gardening areas. A home gym on the lower level is media-ready and doubles as a studio. The attached two car garage has additional storage for sports and gardening equipment.

Blocks from Fort Ethan Allen park with its acres of lawns, dog park and the Madison Community Center and an easy commute to Washington via nearby Chain Bridge or to Tysons by way of Route 123. Bike lanes on Old Glebe Road and Military Road and ART buses lead to Metro Stations. Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown schools.

Chain Bridge Terrace is a quiet cul-de-sac with well landscaped grounds surrounded by trees. Whether working from home or commuting to work, this townhouse provides space, style, and convenience. Virtual tour at betsytwigg.com.

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

Ask Eli: Arlington Condo Mid-Year Real Estate Review

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: How did Arlington’s real estate market perform in the first half of 2020?

Answer: What a wild year it’s been for real estate. After a huge 2019 (SFH/TH review, Condo review), the 2020 market took off in January with prices and competition up sharply. When Coronavirus hit, that momentum tapered off for a couple of months but prices remained steady because of low interest rates and low supply. The Arlington housing supply was down about 400 listings from March-June, but listing activity is surging to historically high levels in July and August, which is traditionally when we see the spring market momentum slow down.

Let’s take a look at how the condo market performed in the first half of 2020 using some awesome charts developed by my new partner, the wonderful Alli Torban. We took a similar look at single-family detached and townhouses last week.

Note that all of the data used in these charts is based on sales that went under contract from January-June in order to provide the most accurate reflection of the market during the first 6 months. I don’t like using the date a home sold/closed for analysis like this because closing date often lags 30-60 days behind agreement of sale (contract). I also removed sales of condos in 900 N. Taylor Street (The Jefferson), an age-restricted community.

Average and median price continued to rise, but not by nearly as much as last year. The total condos transacted in the first six months of 2020 dropped significantly to 484 from a previous 5-year low of 614, established in 2019.

The Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor, made up of 2201, 22203 and 22209 is by far the busiest condo market in Arlington and 22204 offers the most affordable options, by a significant margin.

The volume of one and two bedroom condo sales was nearly equal during the first six months, but I’ve seen a shift over the last few years in buyer demand over the last few years towards two-bedrooms.

(more…)

Legal Insider: Virginia Requires Employers to Adopt COVID-Related Safety Requirements

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.

By John V. Berry, Esq.

The Commonwealth of Virginia, on July 15, 2020, became the first state to require employers to adopt safety requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new Virginia Department of Labor and Industry rules went into effect on July 27, 2020. A link to these new rules is provided here.

These rules require Virginia employers to take the following steps to protect employees from COVID-19. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Require employers to assess their workplace for potential employee exposure to COVID-19
  • Encourage employees to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 if they suspect exposure
  • Require employees not to permit employees known or suspected to be infected with the COVID-19 virus to report or remain at work
  • Require employers to develop policies for employees that report experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19
  • Asks employers to ensure the use of flexible sick leave policies
  • Notify employees within 24 hours if a co-worker tests positive for COVID-19 while keeping their identity private
  • Require social distancing in the workplace
  • Mandate face coverings for employees in customer-facing positions or when social distancing isn’t possible
  • Sanitize common areas daily
  • Provide easy and frequent access to hand washing and hand sanitizer
  • Other rules provided in the attached policy

Many of the new employer rules in Virginia are common-sense requirements. For Virginia employers whose employees are considered at “high,” “very high,” or “medium” risk of coming into contact with potential COVID-19 positive exposure (e.g. health workers), employers are also required to screen employees at the beginning of each shift and provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Virginia employers should take time to read the above-linked 35-page document which provides a list of all of the new employee-safety requirements in order to ensure that they are compliant with these new rules.

Contact Us

If you are in need of legal representation or advice, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook or Twitter.

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:

3841 Military Road
6 BD/6 BA, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Compass
Listed: $1,850,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

3000 12th Street S.
5 BD/4 BA, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Re/Max Allegiance
Listed: $1,350,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

3802 N. Richmond Street
4 BD/4 BA,1 half bath villa/townhouse
Agent: Weichert Realtors
Listed: $1,100,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

4723 16th Street N.
4 BD/2 BA, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Compass
Listed: $915,000
Open: Saturday 2-4 p.m.

 

5700 19th Street N.
3 BD/2 BA single-family home
Agent: McEnearney Associates
Listed: $800,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

 

1800 Wilson Boulevard #235
2 BD/2 BA condo
Agent: Samson Properties
Listed: $699,900
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

 

2100 Lee Highway #309
2 BD/2 BA condo
Agent: Exp Realty, Llc.
Listed: $520,000
Open: Saturday 1-3 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.

Inventory ticked up again this week, but buyers are certainly doing their part.

We’ve been ratifying more contracts weekly in Arlington that last year for most of the summer, keeping inventory in check week over week, though it has climbed steadily, up 22% in the past seven weeks. With mortgage rates expected to stay at historical lows for the foreseeable future, buyer demand isn’t going anywhere anytime soon!

PICK OF THE WEEK — The Andors Real Estate Group is proud to present 2410 S. Ives Street, Arlington, VA 22202 — $875,000. This storybook 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom all-brick Cape Cod with an enormous detached 2-car garage backs to a super convenient alley! You’re sure to love the immaculate, manicured landscape and hardscape for maximum curb appeal, including a private stone patio for outdoor entertaining. No mosquitos in the screened in porch just off the kitchen! Super convenient to Crystal City and Pentagon City Metro, Amazon’s HQ2, shopping, dining and much, much more. Open Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.

This past week in Arlington, sellers listed some 83 properties for sale while buyers ratified 68 contracts. 38 of the ratified contracts were on homes listed just within the past week!

There are currently 392 homes for sale in Arlington, 22 more than last week. 135 are detached homes, 34 are townhouses/semi-detached, and 223 are condos. Average days on market (DOM) is 49 and median DOM is 30.

The median list price of currently available properties is $779,400, while the average is $937,625.

Last year for the same week, sellers listed 59 homes and buyers ratified 47 contracts. We’ve had a number of weeks this summer where our numbers are higher for these metrics than last year. This increased activity on both the buy and sell side of the equation are a delayed cycle from a suppressed spring.

Click here to search currently available Arlington real estate. 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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