Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Ask Eli: The bedroom chronicles — exploring Arlington’s housing market by bedroom data

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. Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel. Enjoy!

Question: What is the ratio of bathrooms to bedrooms in Arlington? 

Answer: Somebody recently asked me what the bathroom-to-bedroom ratio is in Arlington and I ended up exploring Arlington market data through the lens of bedrooms. I might be the only person who finds this interesting but if you find yourself daydreaming about things like the number of bedrooms sold in Arlington and the cost per bedroom, than this is the article you’ve been waiting for!

What is a Bedroom?

Unlike many other jurisdictions, Arlington doesn’t have its own definition of a bedroom and defers to the Virginia Residential Building Code. I wrote about back in 2016, linked here. The Virginia requirements are pretty simple: minimum 70 SqFt, 7 Ft+ ceiling heights, proper egress window, heated, and ventilation.

Arlington’s Housing Market by Bedrooms

  • Over the past five years, an average of 7,673 bedrooms have sold each year. 56% of bedrooms sold are in single-family homes, 25% in condos, and 19% in townhouse/duplex properties.
  • There’s an average of 600 new bedrooms being delivered each year via new construction.
  • The average cost per bedroom has decreased in 2023 causing an overall decrease in the cost per bedroom in Arlington, despite small increases in the cost per bedroom for single-family and townhouse/duplex homes.
  • There are an average of 2.7 bedrooms in each home sold in Arlington. I expected to find that the number of bedrooms per transaction increased in the spring, suggesting that more larger homes are listed during the spring market, but the average size of homes by bedroom count is consistent each month of the year, always between 2.5 and 2.8 bedrooms per home sold.
  • There is an average of .8 full bathrooms for every bedroom sold. The ratio for single-family detached homes is .73 full bathrooms per bedroom.

  • The second table below shows data from 2022-2023 sales.
  • The data suggests that 4BR homes are the most in demand, followed closely by 3BR and 5BR, and for good reason…4BR homes have the best cost per bedroom of any size home.
  • If you are buying a home with 2-6 bedrooms, you’re most likely going to pay at or above the asking price.
  • The most expensive zip code per bedroom is 22209 at $494,000/BR and the least expensive is 22204 at $244,000/BR. The average cost per bedroom in a single-family home in 22207 is $349,000.

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

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column or to discuss buying, selling, renting, or investing, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at EliResidential.com. Call me directly at (703) 539-2529.

Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel.

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.

Two longtime Arlington residents invent and launch innovative new bathroom product

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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The plunger. It’s a dirty topic that no one talks about, but we all have to deal with it. We’ve all had the same experience; we plunge the toilet and don’t know what to do with that nasty plunger afterwards.

A lot of times after use, the go-to is to stick it in the tub or back on the floor to deal with the inevitable later. Two longtime Arlington residents came up with a better way.

The idea of the Schoon was a glimmer in inventor Elaine Steele’s brain one morning in January of 2020 after plunging yet another clog in her old bathroom in her old house in Arlington. A search of the internet for a plunger that has a way to clean itself yielded no results, Elaine realized a self-cleaning plunger did not exist. After an exhaustive search of the Patent and Trademark site for hours and hours to find a product that was already out there, she found that there was none.

Elaine approached her longtime friend and coworker, Pierre, about the idea of a self-cleaning plunger. Being a germaphobe, he was intrigued, and the two started collaborating on the idea that February. Several designs, a few prototypes, lots of testing, and a patent application later, the Schoon was born and is now ready for manufacturing.

So how does the Schoon work? After unclogging your toilet, the Schoon allows you to use the wand to spray disinfectant over the top and the underneath of the plunger cup, cleaning the plunger immediately after use. The Schoon’s design also allows you to spray and disinfect the surrounding bathroom area. Elaine says, “Pierre and I intentionally created a sleek design, with the intention that you leave it out and at the ready for use when you need it.”

Where can you purchase the Schoon?  You will find the evolution of the Schoon from idea, to sketches, to prototyping and testing on their Kickstarter Campaign page. Elaine says that the most common question she hears from excited parties after talking about the Schoon is, “what’s a Kickstarter???” She explains “Kickstarter is a platform where inventors go after prototyping to introduce their product to the world. Kickstarter Campaigns allow backers to pre-order and purchase their Schoon as early adopters. Once a Kickstarter Campaign reaches its Campaign goal, the invention goes right to production.” Elaine and Pierre say that once they reach their pre-order goal, the Schoon will go straight to manufacturing with Maryland’s Xometry, and the Schoon will be delivered before the Holidays.

The Schoon launched its Kickstarter campaign May 17th. You can pre-order the Schoon from May 17-June 20. This is the final stage in bringing this product to market. The Schoon is patent pending.

Pre-order the Schoon at the Kickstarter campaign here.

To learn more about the Schoon, visit www.theschoon.com.

Follow the Schoon on Facebook and Instagram.

Woloszyn’s Insights: Demystifying the mortgage process for homebuyers

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This is a sponsored column by Joseph Woloszyn Esq. of Maximo Mortgages LLC. Have a question or comment? Contact Joseph at [email protected].

Mortgages are often seen as a complex and daunting aspect of the home-buying process.

However, understanding the intricacies of mortgages is essential for making informed decisions and ensuring a smooth home-buying experience. In this article, we will cover the basics of mortgages, the different types available, and tips on how to choose the best mortgage for your unique circumstances.

What is a Mortgage?

A mortgage is a loan that allows you to purchase a home by borrowing money from a lender, typically a bank or a financial institution. The property you buy serves as collateral for the loan. Over time, you repay the borrowed amount, including interest, through monthly payments.

Key Mortgage Terminology

  • Principal: The amount you borrow to purchase the home.
  • Interest: The cost of borrowing money, expressed as a percentage of the principal.
  • Down Payment: The initial amount you pay upfront towards the purchase of your home.
  • Loan Term: The length of time you have to repay the loan, typically 15 or 30 years.
  • Amortization: The process of paying off the loan principal and interest over time through regular monthly payments.

Types of Mortgages

There are several types of mortgages available to homebuyers. The most common ones include:

  • Fixed-Rate Mortgage: The interest rate remains constant throughout the loan term, providing predictable monthly payments.
  • Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM): The interest rate changes periodically, based on a predetermined index, resulting in fluctuating monthly payments.
  • Conventional Mortgage: A loan that is not backed by the federal government, typically requiring a larger down payment and higher credit score.
  • FHA Loan: A mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration, allowing for lower down payments and more lenient credit requirements.
  • VA Loan: A loan guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, available to eligible veterans and active-duty military members.

Choosing the Right Mortgage

When selecting a mortgage, consider the following factors:

  • Affordability: Determine how much you can comfortably afford by considering your monthly income, expenses, and future financial goals.
  • Down Payment: Larger down payments can result in lower interest rates and reduced mortgage insurance costs.
  • Loan Term: Shorter loan terms usually come with lower interest rates but higher monthly payments, while longer loan terms provide lower monthly payments but more interest paid over time.
  • Interest Rate Type: Choose between fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages based on your risk tolerance and financial stability.

Mortgage Pre-Approval

Before house hunting, it’s a good idea to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This process involves a lender reviewing your financial situation and determining how much you can borrow. Pre-approval gives you a better understanding of your budget, strengthens your negotiation position, and expedites the mortgage application process.

Conclusion

Understanding mortgages is crucial for navigating the home-buying process and making informed decisions. By familiarizing yourself with mortgage terminology, exploring different mortgage types, and carefully considering your financial situation, you can confidently choose the best mortgage for your needs.

If you have any mortgage related questions or would like to inquiry about applying for a mortgage, please reach out to us at Maximo Mortgage LLC at [email protected] or 703-755-0045! Happy house hunting!

Joseph Woloszyn Esq. boasts a diverse professional background, including roles as a real estate attorney, mortgage broker, real estate broker, general contractor, and real estate investor. When he isn’t working, Joseph enjoys watching football and taking trips to unwind. In his personal life, he lovingly reports to his two superiors: his wife, Haimei, and their daughter, Elizabeth.

Home buying seminar: Make the most of your home search!

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Are you looking to stop renting and start investing in your financial freedom through homeownership? Expert help is the key.

The Keri Shull Team, the top-producing real estate team in the D.C. metro area, is hosting a seminar to help aspiring buyers understand the competitive DMV real estate market and enhance their home search.

Join us on Saturday, May 20th, at 10:30 a.m. for this FREE first-time home buyer seminar. Attendees will enjoy a breakfast and will receive $1,000 credit toward a down payment or breaking a lease, and a 12-month home buy-back guarantee.

Bridget Mendes, a skilled realtor with the Keri Shull Team, has created this comprehensive class based on lessons learned through hundreds of real estate transactions. Don’t miss out on exclusive information you won’t find anywhere online.

Topics covered include:

  • How to avoid double-paying rent and a mortgage
  • How to craft a winning offer in a highly competitive market
  • The secret to finding off-market properties
  • What to expect financially and financing program options
  • The 4 C’s of real estate
  • And much more!

We look forward to seeing you for this FREE event at our office located at 1600 Wilson Blvd, 1st Fl. Parking is available under the building.

Arts Focus: Music by the Metro Series in Clarendon — Thursdays in May

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

Dancing in the Streets is sure to ensue as the 2023 Music by the Metro — Clarendon Concert Series continues on Thursdays! The free series takes place on Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. in Clarendon Metro Park. Presented by the Clarendon Alliance, the series is co-sponsored by Arlington Arts, Industrious and Comcast.

Our curatorial collaboration with the Clarendon Alliance is just one of Arlington Arts’ numerous partnerships with Arlington community groups, associations and business improvement districts (BID’s). As such, the artists you see on-stage at the Lubber Run Amphitheater Summer Concert Series, the Columbia Pike Blues Festival, and the Rosslyn Jazz Festival are all programmed by Arlington Arts.

The remaining two Music by the Metro concerts include:

Crush Funk Brass
Thursday, May 18

Started in 2012, Crush Funk Brass Band is a brilliant, innovative group of young musicians from the D.C. area, comprised of students from The University of The District of Columbia, Howard University and Bowie State. Launched while they were still in school, Crush Funk began playing throughout the city, metro stations, markets, and throughout the community.

Influenced by all genres of music, The bands style is unique, embodying the brass tones of New Orleans second line, with an Urban Capital City modern fun(k) twist. Their music has now been heard at venues and events ranging from the DC Funk Festival and the Arlington County Fair, to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the Kennedy Center, to name just a few. Follow Crush Funk on Twitter @crushfunk or Crush Funk Brass on Facebook.

The Soul Crackers
Thursday, May 25

Steeped in Memphis and Motown soul, and timeless songs by artists like Otis Redding, Average White Band, Stevie Wonder among many others, The Soul Crackers grew up with this music and honor it with the legitimacy of a crackerjack soul horn band from the 60’s. Lead vocalist Tommy Lepson has won numerous “BEST VOCALIST” awards (WAMMIES) from the Washington Area Music Association and is considered a singer’s singer.

He is joined by The Too Much Sisters — two stellar vocalists Anita King and Caz Gardiner, and together they pull off those beautiful Motown harmonies. Having performed everywhere from Adams Morgan Day to a command performance at The White House, their recordings include: LIVE at the Barns of Wolf Trap (2003); Soul Crackers, 30 Years of Soul, Volume 2 (2015); and A Soulful Christmas released in December 2018 — all available on ITunes and CD Baby.

Click here for more information about the Music by the Metro Concert Series.

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. 

As of May 15, there are 146 detached homes, 20 townhouses and 135 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 11 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

824 N. Wakefield Street

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.

Celebrate springtime at Loudoun Farm Tour

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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The Loudoun County Spring Farm Tour returns this weekend, May 20-21, and you’re invited to enjoy a self-guided, family-friendly weekend on the farm.

This year’s tour features over 40 locations that offer everything from vegetables to alpacas, and vineyards to farmers markets. We are excited to announce that this year, two Farm Tour participants will win a VIP Western Loudoun Experience prize pack!

Each prize includes a one-night stay in Western Loudoun, dinner, wine tastings, tours, and more! No purchase is necessary to be eligible for this amazing experience.

All locations provide an educational component for visitors and will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday.

For details please visit LoudounFarmTour.com.

Ask Eli: Hidden pitfalls in rental agreements and leases — protecting your interests as a renter or landlord

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. Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel. Enjoy!

Question: Do I have to use my Property Manager if I sell my house?

Answer: This is more of a PSA post than anything else. If you’re a landlord or tenant, it’s crucial to pay attention to the fine print in agreements, especially regarding a future property sale. It’s common for Property Managers or Agents to include language that gives them the right to list your property if you choose to sell it or gives them a right to a commission in the event it sells during the rental period, to the tenant or somebody else.

Property Managers With Exclusive Right to Sell

Watch out for language granting property managers or agents exclusive rights to list your property if you decide to sell. This exclusivity restricts your options and flexibility, limiting your ability to explore alternative selling methods or use the agent of your choosing.

Required Commission Payments

Be aware of language stipulating a commission to property managers or agents if you sell your property to the tenant or another buyer during the rental period. Landlords might be obligated to pay a commission, even if they find an alternative buyer or wish to handle the sale independently. This financial burden can significantly impact both parties.

What If an Exclusivity or Commission Clause Exists?

Like most things in a contract, these clauses are negotiable. If you see something that you believe binds you to certain actions or payments in the event of a sale, ask about it and work to ensure you have the most flexibility if a sale does take place. You may not plan to sell when you sign the paperwork, but life happens and priorities change.

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

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column or to discuss buying, selling, renting, or investing, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at EliResidential.com. Call me directly at (703) 539-2529.

Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel.

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.

Play where the pros play!

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Join the Washington Commanders and DC Fray for the Burgundy & Gold Bowl Flag Football Tournament at FedExField on Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

Additionally, we’ll have NFL Combine drills and lawn games. After you tear it up on the field, enjoy food trucks, a DJ and drinks in the Touchdown Club.

Each registration includes a ticket to a 2023 Commanders home game!

Sign-up as a team or free agent by Friday!

Statutes of Liberty: A eulogy for Jane Leclerc

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Doran Shemin, Esq., and Laura Lorenzo, Esq., practicing attorneys at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Falls Church, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact us for an appointment.

[A note: There is plenty of immigration news this week, but we’ll get to it next time. Today, we want to remember a friend of our immigration practice, and a friend of all dogs, Jane Leclerc. We hope that you enjoy our eulogy for Jane.]

Jane Leclerc — her last name rhymed with care — died on March 17, 2023, in Arlington, at 7:37 in the evening. Her death was not felt by the public. Her passing was marked, some weeks later, by a gathering of friends.

Such people are not memorialized adequately. The secondary purpose of this eulogy is, in a small way, to remedy that; the primary purpose, of course, is to remember Jane.

Jane was born on January 7, 1949 in New London, Connecticut. After graduating from St. Bernard High School in nearby Montville, and then from Southern Connecticut State University, she came to Washington to volunteer at the Carter White House, where she worked in the Correspondence Unit. (One imagines an unending flood of typewritten letters complaining about gas prices — nothing has changed, in the intervening forty-five years, except of course for the typewriters.)

At some point — and here, the dates are entirely unclear — she married, then quickly separated from her husband; the writer never asked for any details, and she never imparted any.

After leaving the Carter White House, she took up a position in the correspondence section of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. (One imagines an unending flood of typewritten letters complaining about bad hamburgers and queasy-making lettuce; nothing has changed, vide supra.) She worked there for twenty years. Of her triumphs and tragedies within those walls, the writer again knows little, other than that her former coworkers describe her as patient and indefatigable.

Jane had less ambition to crush and conquer than most people who move to Washington, so she retired from the federal service at 55, when she was still young. She devoted the remainder of her life to the service of people and vulnerable animals. She helped one gentleman, unschooled in the ways of bureaucracy, to obtain his SSI benefits; she helped an entire family of Congolese refugees to wend their way through the immigration system and settle in the United States; she paid the tuition bills for a young Macedonian chemist and then helped her — the chemist, that is — to move to Germany, where she could exercise her profession. These acts of kindness led the chemist to name her daughter Jana, in honor of what Jane Leclerc had done.

Those are the acts of supererogatory charity known to the writer; surely, in the nature of things, there were many others.

Jane also had a frankly shocking love of animals. She had an interest, then a hobby, then a mania for elderly Italian Greyhounds. She adopted them late in life, sometimes two at a time, and nursed them until they died. The writer once visited her at home; he asked her, uncomprehendingly, “Why are there three dogs on the floor, and why do they have no teeth?” A partially satisfactory explanation followed.

Italian Greyhounds of a certain age meet with the same indignities that we do, if we are lucky enough to get there — incontinence, cataracts, and inconvenient digestions. She walked them constantly, paid for their eye surgeries, and fed them raw chicken.

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Biz Talk: AED hosts GovCon Resource Exhibition

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This article was written by Arlington Economic Development.

The Washington, D.C. metro region is the epicenter of government contracting activity in the U.S. and as home to the Pentagon, Arlington offers unmatched proximity to the federal government.

The federal government is the largest consumer of goods and services in the entire world, spending roughly $650 billion annually. Combined with state and local procurement, approximately $1 trillion is spent annually.

Part of the region’s federal contracting ecosystem is a wide array of resources available to new and growing government contractors. In order to help these small businesses take advantage of government procurement opportunities, Arlington Economic Development (AED) and BizLaunch have organized an exhibition featuring a variety of these resource providers.

This GovCon Resource Exhibition will help contractors make valuable connections for future opportunities and showcase the resources available for government contractors. Capture a piece of the $650 billion spent in federal procurement.

When: Monday, June 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
2799 Richmond Hwy., Arlington, VA 22202

Register to attend and check out some of the partners who will be in attendance.

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