Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Small Biz Focus: Shop! Learn! Explore! It’s All Arlington this Holiday Season

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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Supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses and creatives is all part of Arlington’s Creative Economy initiative. With public/private partnerships, growth of these endeavors is an important part of business sector diversity and economic sustainability.

Mark your calendars for these December Saturdays to find uniquely Arlington made items, learn from the makers and welcome in the season with a festival of lights along Lee Highway! It’s a full-on celebration of all things local and creative in Arlington.

Lee Highway Winter Festival of Lights
Saturday, December 1 from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

The Lee Highway Alliance pulls out all the stops on its inaugural Winter Festival of Lights that spans four venues along Lee Highway. Dozens of community partners have come together to celebrate this corridor of Arlington with shops, artists, entertainment and of course lots of lights.

Be on hand to try a craft at the Lee Arts Center, learn local history at the Langston-Brown Community Center, hear music and watch magic at the Lee and Harrison Plaza, and shop local at the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire House.

Save some time for a photo with Santa and sample great food all along the corridor!

Click here for more information.

Made in Arlington at Shirlington Library
Saturday, December 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year, make your shopping interactive! In its continued partnership with Arlington Public Library, Arlington Economic Development’s Made in Arlington Initiative takes pop-ups to a new level with a one-day event at Shirlington Library. Curious how baskets are woven or how jam is made? You’ll find a big new array of makers, artisans and entrepreneurs who will be on hand to demonstrate the work that is uniquely Made in Arlington.

Among the many vendors in this market you’ll find Kate Summers handmade and vintage jewelry, Jay Gerard’s knitted scarves and accessories, stained glass artist Maria Illlingworth, leather craftsman Wilfred Lopez and Persimmon Street ceramics.

Click here for more information.

For ongoing Creative Economy listings and opportunities, check here. More Creative economy stories on the blog.

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.

Don’t be fooled by our traffic or colonial buildings. Arlington County is a top-tier green community in the U.S.

According to a recent study by Commercial Café, Arlington County ranks No. 15 among the “Top 40 Sustainably Powered U.S. Cities.” The only other U.S. city on the East Coast to come ahead of us? Our neighbors in Washington, D.C., clocking in at No. 9.

Why is this important, you ask?

Well, beyond preserving our environment, it means quite a bit for locals. Compared to other cities, there are more energy options for everyday activities. There are also a number of electric vehicle charging stations.

And, as part of Commercial Café’s assessment, there is an abundance of biking and walking commuters, meaning we have top-notch transportation networks. As icing on the cake, Arlington ranked as No. 9 in the U.S. in terms of “U.S. Cities with the Largest Share of Green Buildings.”

In a nutshell: If sustainability and the environment are important to you, then you have options in Arlington County. And when you’re ready to explore those options, our team is ready to help you GET MORE out of your transaction.

As of November 26, there are 158 detached homes, 35 townhouses and 165 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 6 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week.

Here is this week’s selection of Just Reduced properties:

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.

Ask Eli: Why Is My Neighbor Mowing My Lawn?

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: My neighbor is mowing a portion of the lawn I thought was mine, but my neighbor claims it is his. Is this something I can prove through my title work?

Answer: Clients often ask me whether or not they should purchase a property survey, which is optional, when they buy their home. I think that in almost every case it is worth the relatively small investment (usually about $300-$400 for a standard survey).

I was recently chatting with Liz Wasserman of Universal Title, one of a small group of excellent title companies in Northern Virginia (they also serve D.C. and Maryland) and one of the few I recommend to clients, and she shared a story with me about a client who did not order a survey and ended up incorrectly assuming that a section of land was theirs.

Given how frequently I am asked about ordering surveys, I thought it was a good opportunity for Liz to share the story and provide some reasons why it’s a good idea to order a survey when you buy a home.

Take it away Liz…

A new homeowner noticed a neighbor mowing part of her front lawn. When she asked the neighbor why he was mowing her lawn, the neighbor replied the property he was mowing belonged to him, even though the line of trees separating the two houses looked as if the property belonged to the new homeowner. She called her title agent and found out the neighbor was correct. “How can that be? Didn’t you search my property?”

Unfortunately, the new homeowner did not understand the difference between a title search and a survey and failed to purchase a survey. A title search confirms ownership of property, but it does not show the details of the property location.

A survey is a map of real property that shows where the property is located on the earth, the boundary lines of the property, the improvements on the land and access to the property.

FIVE GREAT REASONS TO PURCHASE A SURVEY

  • Undisclosed Rights and Easements: You may own your new home and its surrounding land, but someone else might have a right to use a portion of your property. A survey will show physical evidence of the rights of others to use your property for access, parking, utilities, and other situations.
  • Undiscovered Encroachments: A survey may be the only way to tell if a third party holds a claim to part of your property because their improvements such as a garage, fence, or swimming pool, are on your land.
  • House Built on Incorrect Lot: It may seem impossible, but sometimes a house is built on the wrong lot. A survey provides peace of mind by showing the exact location of the house you are buying.
  • Size of the Property: A survey shows the exact dimensions of the property’s boundary lines and how much land is included within those lines.
  • Adding on in the Future: Many residential platted lots have building restrictions known as setbacks which prohibit building anything within a certain distance from the boundary lines. If you are thinking of adding on in the future, a survey will help you determine if the property is right for both your current and future plans.

Liz, thank you very much for sharing this story and providing some good reasons for ordering a survey. I’d also like to add that you can order a survey at any time if you did not do so when you purchased.

If you are in need of a survey, planning to sell or purchase a home and would like to work with a great title company, or have title questions in general I highly recommend reaching out to Liz and her team of attorneys at Universal Title.

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.

TechSpace Ballston: An Open Invitation

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Ballston’s work, live and play neighborhood has been getting a lot of attention lately. With Ballston Quarter opening soon and a ton of new restaurants, retail, multifamily and office space, it has truly unleashed a new identity for the neighborhood and has taken Arlington by storm.

In the world of coworking, we like to think TechSpace has been contributing to this excitement. If you have not seen us yet, we’d like to invite you to come visit us at TechSpace Ballston where we can take your small business to the next level.

A few ways TechSpace is redefining the coworking experience:

Concierge Staff

From the moment you walk in our space, you are warmly greeted by Julie Manning, the Site Manager, and Gabby, our Member Services Coordinator.

For companies, especially those in the early stages of their operations, we find it essential to be their biggest support system. The burden of having to hire a full-time office manager, IT support and administrators can be daunting. We take that burden away and have everything taken care of for you.

Our Community

Our campus has a great community feel.

Every day, you will not only be warmly welcomed by the TechSpace staff, they host a multitude of fun and educational networking events each month for members to meet and mingle (don’t be surprised if you find Julie or Gabby making the members waffles for breakfast some mornings)!

Flexible Space:

In addition to providing turnkey, flexible office spaces, we provide flexible terms and cool environment without sacrificing productivity. Our sleek and spacious suites and on-demand conference rooms allow growing companies to maintain productive work environments that most coworking spaces cannot provide.

Zack Armstrong of Quantum Partners and a TechSpace member states, “TechSpace has provided incredible customer service to Quantum since day one. Any request or issue that has been brought to the staff’s attention has been addressed immediately, which has not always been the case at other coworking spaces that we have been a part of in the past. Also, our teams’ productivity has increased significantly since moving to TechSpace.”

Our Tech

Your business needs a scalable, secure and fast platform that provides flexibility for all its users.

With TechSpace, that’s exactly what you’ll get: our technology is engineered specifically for your business. Each member receives access to dedicated, reliable, and fast connectivity featuring the latest in routing and switching, wireless, and security technologies.

Not only will you save time and money, but you’ll also gain peace of mind when your company connects to your own dedicated, private, and highly secure VLAN and enterprise Wi-Fi network.

So come see us when you’re thinking about taking your company to that next level. All the hard work is taken care of without the startup costs associated to setting up your own office – furniture, internet, staff, IT network, phone lines, and more. We’ve got it handled, so come check us out!

We look forward to meeting you! Contact Julie Manning, view her tour availability or call her direct at (703)-650-7702.

The Chew: 7 Perfect Items for Any Dog Lover’s Holiday Wish List

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

The following bi-weekly column is written and sponsored by Bark + Boarding, which provides a heart-centered and safe environment for your pets. Conveniently located at 5818-C Seminary Road in Bailey’s Crossroads, Bark & Boarding offers doggy daycare, boarding, grooming, walking and training services, plus in-home pet care.

by Cindy Aldridge

Admit it, you care more about getting your dog the perfect holiday gift than you do about getting yourself anything nice.

That’s okay, we love our dogs. This holiday season, don’t settle for a bag of bones and a new dog bowl. Think big. Here’s how you can stock your wish list with some truly useful items to help you, as the dog owner, as well as make your pooch happier, safer and more comfortable.

A dog-monitoring camera

Most of us work and therefore cannot spend all day with our dogs, however painful that reality may be. If you have to leave your dog home alone for long periods of time or you travel a lot, you can give yourself some extra peace of mind if you know that your dog is happy and safe at home (or at the sitter’s).

One of the best ways to do this is with a dog-monitoring camera. The tech for this has really improved over the past few years, with most new doggie camera models linking directly to your smartphone for 24/7 viewing.

A GPS tracking device

In the same vein as a monitoring camera, a dog-tracking device that uses GPS and links up with your smartphone will allow you to locate your beloved canine in the horrific event that they run away, go missing or even worse — get stolen. You don’t need to implant a tracker under your dog’s skin or anything. Modern trackers can be affixed gently to your dog’s collar.

A Thundershirt

Many dogs suffer from anxiety, are quick to frighten during loud events like parties and thunderstorms, and suffer from a variety of behavioral issues. Many vets and pet experts recommend a tight-fitting shirt, branded as a Thundershirt, to help with this. There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence out there that it works, too. Many dog owners swear by them. At under $30, they are worth a spot on your holiday wish list.

A puzzle toy

Sure, plenty of dogs enjoy your classic tennis ball or frisbee. But some dogs require a little more of a mental workout. Puzzle toys are great, inexpensive items to add to your wish list. These toys are highly varied but most require dogs to use problem-solving skills to access treats or food.

A new dog bed

If someone got you a brand-new, comfortable bed for the holidays, would you be happy? You bet. Your dog will be too. Dogs spend a lot of their time sleeping, so a nice bed is crucial to their happiness. Bed sizes vary, and there are options available for both large and small breeds.

A year’s supply of dental bones

Dental bones are great ways to kill two birds with one stone – they give your dog something to eat and they help with their dental care in the process. There are dental bones out there that help remove plaque, freshen your dog’s breath, and prevent the buildup of biofilm on your dog’s teeth.

An automatic ball thrower

Ok, you’re allowed one sort-of silly item. It is the holidays after all.

Does your arm get tired throwing that tennis ball hundreds of times? Would you like to sit and read and book but also give your dog a workout? Automatic ball throwers may not seem like a worthwhile expense any other time of the year. Now’s your chance.

So, what are you waiting for? Starting building that dog-centric holiday wish list today!

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:

5608 33rd Street N.
7 bed/7 bath, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Keller Williams Realty
Listed: $1,950,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

2829 1st Road N.
4 bed/4 bath, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Advon Real Estate LLC.
Listed: $1,264,900
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

4018 N. Woodstock Street
4 bed/3 bath single-family home
Agent: Re/Max By Invitation
Listed: $1,015,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

1800 N. Quantico Street
6 bed/4 bath single-family home
Agent: Xrealty.net LLC
Listed: $979,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1814 24th Street S.
3 bed/2 bath, 2 half bath villa/townhouse
Agent: Compass
Listed: $839,000
Open: Saturday 2-4 p.m.

 

6916 N. Fairfax Drive #312
2 bed/2 bath, 1 half bath condo
Agent: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Listed: $495,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

 

1931 N. Cleveland Street #409
1 bed/1 bath condo
Agent: Keller Williams Realty
Listed: $317,000
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 Team Cathell, “Your Orange Line Specialists.”

Thanksgiving week always sees Arlington’s real estate market hit the pause button, and this week is no different. Only 20 sellers braved to list their homes this week. But 70 buyers ratified contracts, the most in several months. Amazon’s news has inspired home buyers and investors to take action.

We will continue to analyze the impact of HQ2 in the weeks ahead, but for this Thanksgiving holiday, I would like to reflect on what I am personally thankful for. And maybe it will inspire you to reflect as well…

  • My family is so awesome!!  My amazing wife, 3 kids, in-laws, brother, cousins…
  • My dog Tank who gives love and joy endlessly
  • My crazy menagerie of friends who tease and taunt and express their love a thousand ways
  • My colleagues at work who support, encourage and share laughter
  • Our clients who entrust us to handle the largest financial transactions in their lives
  • My country that provides a set of laws that aspire to treat all Americans equally
  • Our military forces that pledge their lives to protect us all from foreign harm
  • Our police, firefighters and EMT professionals who risk their lives daily to ensure our safety and health
  • Our dedicated local, state and federal governments that work diligently to provide us with the infrastructure to secure life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

We should never take anything for granted. Complacency is the enemy of prosperity. We enjoy these benefits today because Americans who came before us fought for them. I cannot thank them enough.

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.

Crystal City Sets the Table for Community

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“You are Crystal City. You’re officially our ambassadors. All the work, planning, events. It’s meaningless without you. The community.”

These were the closing remarks made by Tracy Gabriel – President & Executive Director of the Crystal City Business Improvement District – at the recent Harvest Social in Crystal City. Days before Amazon’s selection of National Landing, 40 people gathered in front of the Lovers mural to share a meal and their visions for the future of their community.

“The first rule of Harvest Social is that you don’t talk about HQ2,” joked Tracy at the start of the meal. Held just days before the long-awaited announcement, many in attendance were hoping to get a hint about Amazon’s new headquarters. However, the conversation was centered mainly around what Crystal City is and what it can become.

Hosted by the Crystal City BID, the Harvest Social brought together residents, office workers and stakeholders to break bread and talk about all the exciting things happening in Crystal City.

The guests were selected by lottery and nearly 80 people responded for less than 40 seats. In attendance were longtime residents and new renters; young families and puppy parents; and property owners and employees working for a range of businesses and organizations. There was one thing that everyone had in common: a passion for Crystal City.

“Crystal City is a unique community and there is great desire all around for more connectivity among the residents and employees of the area.” says Irina Karmanova, a longtime resident of Crystal City who approached the BID about hosting a gathering of residents and workers. “Thanks so much to the BID for putting on such an amazing event!”

Most in attendance had never met each other, but you would never have known by the end of the evening. Laura Silliman, a young professional who has worked in Crystal City for two and a half years said “Crystal City is truly a community! It was neat seeing the diversity of residents and workers present, all of whom want Crystal City to thrive and grow.”

The dinner table was set along the insta-famous Lovers mural by No Kings Collective along Crystal Drive. The building at 1851 S. Bell Street, owned by JBG SMITH, is slated for demolition in the coming months to make way for future redevelopment.

About Crystal City and the BID

Located right on the Potomac River five minutes from the center of Washington DC, the greater Crystal City area, which includes Pentagon City and Potomac Yard – Arlington, has emerged as Virginia’s largest walkable downtown.

With a total asset value of over $11 billion, the area includes over 18 million square feet of office, nearly 18,000 residential units, 5,900 hotel rooms and approximately 475 retail storefronts and restaurants. This scale of development makes the greater Crystal City area an economic engine for Arlington County and comparable to other major central business districts around the country including in Austin, Indianapolis, and even Miami.

The Crystal City BID is a non-profit organization established as a public-private partnership with Arlington County in 2006 to promote the Crystal City business, retail, restaurant and residential community. The BID is committed to supporting the exciting transformation of Crystal City into a vibrant urban center and a great, mixed-use urban community.

Boring Title: Time to Give Thanks

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.

This Thanksgiving, Allied Title & Escrow is very thankful to be the fastest growing title company in all of the DMV!

We also are excited to launch our new commercial on our Boring Title blog. We think our commercial does a good job of summing up what we are about and how we are different.

Check it out and let us know of any feedback you have or what else we can do to improve as a company!

Don’t Buy a Home Until You Know These 6 Things

Before beginning to search for a home, you need to know what to expect financially. Consult with a reputable lender to discuss:

  • What price range you should search within
  • How much money you’ll need to put down
  • How to shore up your personal finances for the best loan possible

Once you have your affordable price range, make a list of qualities you’d like your home to have.

  • Where would you like it to be located?
  • What type of home do you prefer — condo, townhouse, etc.?
  • What features would you like to see — hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen, etc.?

The next step is to begin researching homes that have sold in your desired location at your affordable price range and compare that to your expectations.

To learn more about home buying and meet top real estate agents, attend The Keri Shull and Orange Line Living Team’s free First-Time Home Buying Seminar.

In this class, you’ll learn:

  • The 8 stages of purchasing a home, and what to expect at each stage
  • How to qualify for the house you want
  • How to get out of your lease — you’re not stuck there!
  • The “4 C’s” affecting home price
  • How to negotiate a lower price for the home you want
  • How to avoid double-paying rent and a mortgage

Every attendee of our First-Time Homebuyers Class gets $1500 toward their new home.

When: Thursday, November 29, 5:30-7 p.m.
Where: 1600 Wilson Blvd #101
Parking: Free parking, walkable to and from metro
Cost: Free

We do have limited space, so register now at: https://kst.house/2FzNSnD

Flying Colors: Winter Irruptions

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Flying Colors column banner

Flying Colors is a sponsored column on the hobby of backyard bird feeding written by Michael Zuiker, owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited store at the Lee Harrison Shopping Center. Visit the store at 2437 N. Harrison Street or call 703-241-3988.

When little Johnny or little Susie “irrupt” at the restaurant table, that is not a good thing.

When sports coaches “irrupt” on the sidelines, that is not a good thing.

When politicians irrupt… well you know!

But winter bird irruptions are a really unique experience. They happen, in varying degrees, every year. That is what makes them so exciting.

When natural winter food supplies are scarce in northern Canada, numerous bird species “irrupt”, migrating in large numbers to other areas in search of food.

Winter is a great time to attract these visiting species. Keep your feeders full and look for birds associated with irruptions. Juncos, white throated sparrows and finches may be making a repeat appearance to your yards this winter. Purple finches, pine siskins and common redpolls are “irruptive winter finches” attracted to finch feeders filled with nyjer or our WBU finch blend.

Sometimes nyjer seed takes a while to be eaten in the feeder. Make sure you keep the seed fresh and do not let it get wet. Once the seed starts to spoil, the birds will leave the feeder and find other sources of food elsewhere.

Many of these birds come back to the same exact location each year. Juncos and wintering sparrows can now be found hopping backwards on the ground scratching for seeds. They love blends with millet and sunflower chips.

We always recommend putting the food in a tray on the ground to keep the seed from getting spoiled with dirt, moisture, bird wastes, etc.

Birds are also developing into “foraging “guilds. They are forming small winter-feeding flocks. They can learn each other’s warning calls to stay safe. Chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, kinglets and titmice may join together.

Attracting these hungry and irruptive winter guests can be a lot of fun. So, be prepared. Before you know it, these out-of-towners will be just that, headed out of town.

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