Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Rethink Energy: Duct Sealing is More Important than You Think

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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This regularly-scheduled sponsored column is written by the Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy team (AIRE). This county program helps you make smart energy decisions that save you money and leaves a lighter footprint on the environment.

If you cool or heat your home with forced air through vents and duct returns, keep reading.

Duct sealing is a great way to improve home comfort, save money and improve indoor air quality. How much of a difference in home heating and cooling efficiency do you think duct sealing makes? According to the EPA, as much as 20 percent.

What’s the big issue with duct sealing? 

For starters, your air ducts are a vital part of your cooling and heating system. Metal on metal ductwork connections are never a perfect fit and over time ductwork can separate, creating holes and cracks.

These holes and cracks mean that your air conditioning or heating is likely blowing into your walls, crawl space and attic, and are creating uneven temperatures in your home. It also means that air may be pulled from your crawl space or attic into your home in your air duct returns. That isn’t the healthiest air to breathe.

What’s the fix? 

A technician can seal your ductwork where it is visible using an adhesive called mastic, coupled with professional grade foil tape. Believe it or not, duct tape is never recommended. The technician will also check for disconnected or poorly connected ducts and reattach them.

Most duct work isn’t visible because it is behind your walls, in your attic and crawl space, or beneath floors. Sealing that part of your ductwork requires an aerosol-based product. This process seals your ducts from the inside out. It is the most effective way to seal your ducts. This video helps to detail the process.

Take the next step to home comfort and seal your ducts. It will make sure that your air is healthier, your home is more evenly cooled and heated, and your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard.

Check out the contractors that participated previously in Arlington’s Home Energy Rebate Program and see who has done work in Arlington: https://environment.arlingtonva.us/energy/rebates/contractors/

Have questions? Email us at [email protected]

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:

2901 N. Kensington Street
4 BR/4 BA single-family home
Agent: Century 21 New Millennium
Listed: $1,750,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

 

2710 S. Hayes Street
4 BR/4 BA, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Washington Fine Properties
Listed: $1,150,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

4446 1st Place S.
4 BR/4 BA single-family home
Agent: Optime Realty
Listed: $999,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

1111 19th Street N. #1503
2 BR/2 BA condo
Agent: Long & Foster Real Estate Inc
Listed: $735,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m

 

1301 N. Courthouse Road #1802
1 BR/1 BA, 1 half bath condo
Agent: Keller Williams Capital Properties
Listed: $600,000
Open: Saturday 1-3 p.m.

 

3000 Spout Run Parkway D607
1 BR/1 BA condo
Agent: Keller Williams Realty
Listed: $259,900
Open: Saturday 1-4 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 Team Cathell, “Your Orange Line Specialists.”

Bidding wars continued to torment buyers this week as the Spring market heats up further.

Some 45 buyers ratified contracts and 16 of those homes were on the market less than a week. Homes receiving more than one offer tended to be in the moderate to lower price range of $750,000 and below.

Sellers did their part by listing 51 homes and helping to rectify our problem of low inventory. With only 195 homes actively for sale in Arlington and at the current rate of absorption, there’s only 1.1 months of supply.

Technically, it should be a strong seller’s market. A market is considered in equilibrium when there’s about 5.5 months of inventory.

Buyers got some good news. Mortgage rates dropped this week to 4.375% for a 30-yr fixed rate. A Federal Reserve report said the Fed does not expect to raise its bank rates for the foreseeable future as it watches carefully the U.S. and global economies.

There were signs this week of a slowing U.S. economy with weak retail sales in the 4th quarter. JP Morgan economists see the U.S. GDP growing at only 1.5% for the 1st quarter after a sluggish 4th quarter of only 1.4%.

But Freddie Mac economist Sam Khater had some good news for buyers saying that nationally “wages are growing on par with home prices for the first time in years…” Let’s hope that development hits our area soon.

Click here to see all the fresh new inventory in MRIS and call Team Cathell (703-975-2500) when you find a home you like.

Remodeling a Home in NoVa is ______.

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We all know the kinds of R-rated words that could fit along that line. We tried to include a few, but ARLnow censored us. (Trust us, it’s for the best)

Some PG-rated words that may come to mind are: stressful, annoying, tedious, unreliable, pricey — the list goes on. To put it simply: remodeling sucks!

But all of us at remodelmate are on a mission to make home remodeling suck less by simplifying and de-stressing the entire journey:

  • No in-home estimates or scheduling
  • Transparent, competitive rates
  • Hassle-free Concierge service
  • Convenient milestone payments

There’s a better way to renovate your home, and it’s really as simple as “push button, remodel home.”

  • Click “Build Your Project” on remodelmate.com
  • Confirm your details with one of our virtual Concierges
  • Receive a remodelmate lockbox in the mail
  • Start renovating

For limited time, ARLnow readers get a whopping $1,000 off their renovation of $10,000 or more if they book a project in the next two weeks. Use the code ARLNOW when you click “Build Your Project” on www.remodelmate.com.

We Love Our Customers

“Just had remodelmate install a cabinet in my kitchen. The service was superb and prompt. Would highly recommend them!” – Andrew C., Washington, D.C.

“We’ve been meaning to remodel our kitchen for so long, but we just couldn’t ever find the time or energy to manage the process. We chose remodelmate’s Concierge service to take full control over the design and build of our kitchen — and wow! We’ll be back again.” – Landon and Samantha R., Temple Hills, MD

“They were incredibly easy to work with and responsive to all of our questions and concerns. The project came in on budget, and we got a lot of compliments on the fresh, new look of our bathrooms. We were extremely pleased with the finished result and our experience working with remodelmate!” – Jeff and Tamra M., Washington, D.C. 

Read more testimonials at www.remodelmate.com.

Listing of the Day: 1422 21st Street S.

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Address: 1422 21st Street S.
Neighborhood: Arlington Ridge
Listed: $1,329,000

Gorgeous remodel in Arlington Ridge! Large home with top of the line and luxurious updates throughout.

Gourmet kitchen with coffered ceilings, large center island, stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, custom cabinets, wine fridge, breakfast bar and luxurious light fixtures.

Expanded master suite with large walk-in closet with custom Elfa shelving, soaking tub + stand-up shower, dual sinks and custom mirrors. Fully finished lower level walkout with full bath and kitchenette — perfect for supplemental income, nanny, au-pair or in-law suite. Porcelain tile throughout and fresh paint.

Large backyard with amazing views from up above the trees in Arlington Ridge, including 2 patios and an upper deck — perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Brand new windows and doors throughout, updated landscaping, new front walkway and 1-car garage.

Prime private cul-de-sac location — 20 min walk to Amazon HQ2/National Landing/Crystal City, close to Pentagon, I-395 and more.

Must see!

Listed by:
Optime Realty / Keri Shull Team
[email protected]

Small Biz Focus: Celebrating the Sheroes of Business During Women’s History Month

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

By Tara Palacios

Women are launching businesses at a high rate in BizLaunch.

From cyber security companies to health and wellness to engineering, women are starting and leading a variety of innovative businesses in the Arlington community. In fact, the number of women-owned businesses is growing at a rate five times faster than the national average.

March is Women’s History Month and BizLaunch will be celebrating our women entrepreneurs at two dynamic events.

First, we begin the month by kicking off our latest Brunch and Business Series: Celebrating the Sheroes of Arlington Business on March 6, 2019 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Arlington Economic Development. We will hear from three entrepreneurs as they share their stories of perseverance, dedication and hard-work.

At this free event, you’ll have the opportunity to network and learn the diverse journeys of women who have lived their dreams of founding their successful businesses.

Next, BizLaunch is honored to co-host with SCORE DC our first regional Women’s Entrepreneurs’ Conference entitled weTHRIVE. The information packed conference will be held all day on March 21, 2019 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at George Mason University’s Founders Hall.

Women entrepreneurs will lead sessions on marketing, government contracting, access to capital and product development and launch.

Running a business is an amazing achievement of success. It is not easy. Nor is it for everyone. Many of our women entrepreneurs have great stories to tell as they journey to embody their dreams.

In the words of Anne Sweeney, former President of Disney ABC, and Co-Chair of Disney Media, “Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.”

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 licensed broker Aaron Seekford of Arlington Realty, Inc. GET MORE out of your real estate investment with Aaron and his team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6116 today!

Please note: While Aaron Seekford provides this information for the community, he may not be the listing agent of these homes.

“Why would I care that a property is reduced by $3,000?”

It’s a solid and common question that I get, now three-plus years deep into the Just Reduced column.

Here are the reasons why you should keep your eye on these reduced properties, whether their prices ticked down by $3,000 or $500,000:

  • These reductions may only be the beginning. A proactive reduction of $3,000 by the seller may eventually segue into a negotiation that saves you thousands more.
  • A reduction may show the seller’s urgency. Each seller’s situation is unique. They may need to sell by a certain date and a price reduction is a small hint to get you enticed (and negotiating even further).
  • It may signify a price correction. Yes, some listings are truly overpriced, and this is a way of the seller and their team coming back to reality.

When you’re ready to get the full scoop on a property you’ve been eyeing — whether it’s been reduced yet or not — our team is ready to help you GET MORE out of your transaction!

As of February 18, there are 116 detached homes, 10 townhouses and 85 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 10 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 Aaron Seekford.

Don’t Just Watch the Grass Grow this Spring… Get Out and Get Active with DC Fray

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Got Spring fever?

DC Fray has just the remedy… Spring sports leagues! Join one of our various social sports leagues and channel your energy into having fun and staying fit this season.

DC Fray is on a mission to make fun possible, and registration in Arlington is open now until March 26. Sign up for a league by yourself, with friends or even make a team of your own. But no matter what, get ready to meet other go-getting people looking to make new friends through good, old-fashioned fun.

What do people find appealing about social sports?

Endless Sport Options

There are over 15 leagues to choose from including kickball, soccer, volleyball, cornhole and flag football, so there’s something for everyone to have fun with. Each league also partners with a local Arlington bar so you can keep the party rolling and make hanging with DC Fray the best part of your week.

Meet New People

It’s no secret that Washington D.C. locals thrive off the connections they make, and meeting teammates on social sports teams is no different. Making friends at work isn’t as easy as it seems. That’s where DC Fray can help. Game time is the time to leave work behind and make new friends who challenge you to do just that: let loose!

Fall in Love

Yes, that’s happened! We’re not matchmakers, unless you’re at one of our speed dating events, but there are countless stories of players meeting on the field and creating history of their own. There’s even more stories of lifelong friendships growing out of DC Fray leagues, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to find your people.

Diversify Your Workouts

Are you getting tired of your same, old gym routine? Sports games are a great substitute. With loads of friendly competition, you’ll sweat enough to really feel like you’re putting in work. Working out alone can become boring (and expensive), so save money and make working out something you look forward to every week.

Get Perks

Here’s an extra reason to love DC Fray a little more… Sporting DC Fray gear can get you some pretty cool perks you don’t want to miss out on. Ranging from discounted memberships at Balance Gym to discounted tickets for Washington Nationals Games, if you weren’t sold on the whole social sports thing before, you definitely should be now.

Start Your “Weekend” Early

Stop living for the weekend and make your weeknights just as fun by joining a social sports league. You’ll have set plans with cool people once a week, so you won’t have to go through the trouble of trying to round up your friends for a last minute night on the town.

Sports leagues aren’t all we have to offer. Every month we host super fun events to keep you busy as the warm weather rolls in and you grow restless waiting for summer.

And when summer comes? Summer leagues!

Ask Eli: Does Virginia, Washington DC, or Maryland Have The Most Favorable Taxes?

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

Question: I recently got a job in the D.C. Metro area and will be moving to the area next year. I am open to living in Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., or Maryland and want to know which jurisdiction offers the most favorable taxation.

Answer: Congratulations on your new job (Amazon HQ2?)! There must be a lot going on in your mind right now like whether you’re still young enough to offer your friends pizza and beer to help you move.

For years I’ve looked for a good resource to send clients in response to this question and couldn’t ever find it, so I reached out to my CPA, Klausner & Company located in Arlington, Virginia, who I highly recommend, to come up with a detailed yet simple chart to compare taxation between Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. across different incomes.

So with that, I will turn this week’s column over to Chris Light and the tax experts at Klausner & Company, enjoy!

First thing’s first, Virginia, Washington D.C. and Maryland all have reciprocity with each other. This means that if you live in one state and work in the other, you only have to worry about paying taxes and filing a tax return in the state that you live in.

Let’s analyze the tax outlook of three different people who have just landed new jobs as employees in the D.C. Metro area:

  • Bobby’s AGI is $85,000. Bobby has a vehicle valued at $18,000 and a home valued at $450,000.
  • Sarah’s AGI is $150,000. Sarah has a vehicle valued at $35,000 and a home valued at $800,000.
  • Chris’s AGI is $300,000. Chris has a vehicle valued at $65,000 and a home valued at $1,200,000.

Important Notes

AGI, Adjusted Gross Income, is a term to describe a person’s income minus some specific deductions. Bobby, Sarah and Chris’ AGI are all based on salary earned by the end of 2018. AGI is used to determine taxable income, as seen in the ‘Math’ chart below. Taxable income determines which income tax brackets they fall in.

They are all taking the standard deduction. Virginia and Maryland property taxes vary by county and city/town, so the table below uses Arlington County rates for Virginia and the average Montgomery County rate for Maryland. Now let’s crunch some numbers:

For the full text of this column including summary of findings, how adjustments like renting and being married impact your tax position, and helpful reference tables please follow this link (don’t worry, I won’t ask for your email address, I just don’t have enough space here).

Thank you very much Klausner & Company for finally providing people with an easy to understand breakdown of taxation in the DMV. For those of you in need of CPA services for yourself or your business, I am a loyal, happy client and I can’t recommend them enough.

They provide specialize in tax services for individuals and small business and have over 40 years of experience in the Greater Washington area.

Once you’ve taken advantage of the provided tax information and would like to talk about the non-tax related questions you have about where to live, please reach out to me at [email protected]. Our team has worked with buyers from all over the country and the world to find the right neighborhood and we’re happy to help you too.

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column, 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 Real Living At Home, 2420 Wilson Blvd #101 Arlington, VA 22201, (202) 518-8781.

Legal Review: Attorneys Say Prenuptial Agreements Are Increasing Among Millennials

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

By Family Law Attorney Brian W. Reidy of Reidy Law Office LLC

Millennials often say that it is more difficult for their generation to get a job, buy a house and secure their financial future.

Perhaps this is the reason attorneys are reporting an increase in prenuptial agreements among millennials that want to protect that future.

A survey among the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that over half of these professionals were seeing an increase in the number of millennial prenuptial agreements they were drafting.

This indicates that more millennials are understanding these agreements are contracts, but not seeing them as the divorce contracts they were once thought to be. While once people may have thought that these agreements were counting on a divorce, millennials do not seem to think that way.

“The truth is, marriage is a contract,” said Brian W. Reidy of Reidy Law Office LLC. “It is just one that many do not realize they are entering into at the beginning of marriage. The state will determine what each spouse receives in the event of a divorce. Having a prenuptial agreement just allows those involved in the contract to have a say in its final terms. It’s a great move for many millennials.”

It is true that every couple should have several conversations about finances before getting married. Each person should understand the other’s debt, income, assets and more, as it will affect their financial future.

Each person also has the right to protect the things they bring into the marriage.

While a prenuptial agreement may not make sense for every couple, it should at least be considered by all. Those that decide on a prenuptial agreement should always seek the advice of a family lawyer. Each spouse will also need to have their own lawyer that will represent their interests while the contract is drawn up.

Many millennials are finding that love and marriage are of course, very romantic things. At the same time, they are looking for ways to secure the financial future they worked so hard for.

Having a prenuptial agreement beforehand is helping them do it.

Neighborhood Spotlight: Get a Breathtaking View of D.C. From the Observation Deck in Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

In this video, Cassidy Ginivan from the Keri Shull Team takes us up to the Observation Deck in Rosslyn.

After passing through the box office just across the street from the Rosslyn Metro, you’re ushered into a glass elevator that starts up — and up, and up, an even longer ride than the Rosslyn escalator — as the streets shrink below you.

Soon you’re hundreds of feet above the rooftop patios of Arlington, the clouds look closer and you’re at eye level with blue sky through floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

A dark blue, geometrically fascinating ceiling glimmers with constellation-style lights overhead. As you walk the perimeter, your 360-degree view of Arlington, D.C. and surrounding land is punctuated by touch panel displays — “Windows into History” — where you can get hands-on with fascinating facts about historic figures and famous landmarks.

This is the Observation Deck.

The Observation Deck is just across the street from the Rosslyn Metro stop and 400 vertical feet above. It’s a space full of sleek glass and gleaming metal where you can gaze out of floor-to-ceiling windows for a sweeping view of D.C. and Arlington.

It’s fun to pick out familiar landmarks, from Courthouse to the National Mall… and it will make you wonder yet again why your commute, which looks so small from above, has to take so long.

Things To Do Above the Skyline

The Observation Deck’s aerodynamic-looking interior is as beautiful as the view itself, and there are lots of fun things to do here.

Don’t miss the Instagram experience, where you can get amazing photos above the skyline with perfect natural lighting. Hover D.C., an immersive flyover experience, allows you to see and feel what it’s like to hover over the city with actual birds-eye footage of the nation’s capital, even restricted airspace. See the rooftops pass beneath your feet as the wind blows in your face.

There’s now a new lounge bar on the 32nd floor — called “The View” — pouring Champagne and displaying photos from local photographers. For a chance to get noticed and have your photo shared on screens in the champagne bar, tag your own photo from the Observation Deck or surrounding D.C. area with the hashtag #TheViewofDC on any social platform.

Events include Sunrise yoga every month, the Revolutionary Rivalry event on March 9th to prepare for the George Mason versus George Washington basketball game and many other events announced via @theviewofdc on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

What are some other good spots for a scenic view in Arlington? Let us know in the comments.

If anyone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in the DMV, contact the Keri Shull Team today!

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