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.”

Halloween must have scared the bejeebers out of buyers and sellers this week as the pace of Arlington’s real estate market slammed on the brakes. Sellers listed only 49 homes and buyers ratified only 43 contracts.

Arlington’s slow down, however, is not as stark as elsewhere. California, a harbinger of change, has experienced an 18% drop in sales in SoCal, and 19% drop in the Bay Area, but their prices have continued, so far, to climb slightly.

Freddie Mac puts the blame squarely on rising interest rates. Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, says, “While higher mortgage rates have led to a decline in home sales this year, the weakness has been concentrated in expensive segments versus entry-level and first-time buyer which remains firm throughout most of the rest of the country.” His comment fairly reflects the Arlington market as well.

Mortgage rates backed off a few basis points this week as Wall Street regained some of its lost value in October. The 30-yr fixed rate conventional with no points is now at about 4.875% to 5%.

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.


Address: 2134 Military Road
Neighborhood: Cherrydale
Listed: $739,000
Open: Sunday, November 4 from 1-4 p.m.

Privacy and space abound in this huge three-level 4 BD/3.5 BA end townhouse in the desirable Cherrydale neighborhood of North Arlington.

Over 2,600 square feet of living space with a well-landscaped and fenced yard (over 6,800 sq. ft.), perfect for entertaining. Open concept kitchen/dining room with extensive island for food prep. Large living room with gleaming hardwood floors, wood-burning fireplace and recessed lighting.

Bright master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, loads of closets and balcony for morning coffee. Upper level laundry and a lower level that is ideal for au-pair or in-laws with second living room w/built-ins and fireplace, large bedroom and full bathroom.

Two reserved parking spaces at your front door. Blocks to Cherrydale Library, Safeway, popular neighborhood restaurants and nearby hiking/nature trails. Just over a mile to Virginia Square and Ballston Metros and two lights to D.C.

Listed By:
Liz Lord
Keller Williams Realty
Cell: 571-331-9213
[email protected]
www.arlvahomes.com


Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic and winner of a 2017 Arlington Chamber of Commerce Best Business Award. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

Well, we couldn’t have asked for better weather last night for a little trick or treating! And we couldn’t have asked for better entries to our #caccostumecontest!

Above are just a few of the awesome costumed pet pictures that were submitted. Follow us on Instagram (@clarendonanimalcare) and facebook (@clarendonvet) to see all the entries and winners!

Now that everyone has way too much candy in their homes, let’s recap some of the many reasons we should keep it all away from our fur-kids:

  • Chocolate, raisins and xylitol are all toxic to our pets! Chocolate can cause gastrointestinal disturbances, cardiac arrhythmias and neurological symptoms; raisins can cause acute kidney failure and xylitol can cause acute liver failure!
  • Often, our pets are no good at moderation and eating lots of fat and sugar-filled candy can cause some pretty impressive gastrointestinal disturbances, but also trigger more severe issues like pancreatitis.
  • The wrappers can lead to physical irritation and obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract.

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

Arlington’s newest spot to catch great music is one you might not expect: Columbia Pike Branch Library!

With nearly 300 people dancing in the aisles for the season two’s opening concert last month, Groovin’ On the Pike: After Hours at the Library dance party continues Friday, November 2 with internationally-renowned West African musician and griot Cheick Hamala Diabate. As evidenced by Diabate’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert (see below), it’s going to be a great time!

A co-presentation between Arlington Arts and Arlington Public Library, the free event represents a partnership across Arlington County Government divisions that broadens the scope of performing arts venues in the County, while also bringing new and different constituencies into the library. The series continues with the New Orleans soul of Funky Miracle on Dec 7, and Little Red and the Renegades on February 1, 2019.

Featuring a diverse line up of musical groups from near and far, guests can dance in the stacks and enjoy a brew from the cash bar every first Friday of the month!

Washington may be chock-a-block with lobbyists and consultants, but only one of them rocks the n’goni, the West African plucked lute covered with animal skin.

Cheick Hamala Diabate advises presidents and the World Bank. He’s played for everyone from a struggling couple trying to save their marriage, to the U.S. Congress. He’s hobnobbed with American string and Blues legends — from Bela Fleck to Corey Harris — and along the way reunited his beloved instrument with its long-lost grandchild, America’s banjo.

While partying at your local library has been somewhat rare in recent years, they have a long history as special event venues. Historically, the Library was often among the more spacious and attractive public facilities in communities both large and small. Today architects and urban planners are increasingly viewing Libraries as ‘third places’: that space between ‘home’ and ‘workplace’ that serves multiple recreational and civic functions.

As detailed in this article in American Libraries magazine, more and more these spaces are being reimagined as “the “living room of the city,” and as such it was less focused on books and more focused on human needs, providing space for performances, meetings, children’s activities, art installations and general public gatherings.”

Come on out and get ‘balanced’ as you sway to the lilting rhythms of Cheick Hamala Diabate — free on Friday, Nov 2 at Columbia Pike Branch Library.

Click this link for free tickets.


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.

A happy and yummy Halloween to all of our readers out there. On this spooky holiday, may the chocolate (or whatever candy you like) flow your way.

Speaking of spooky, purchasing a home doesn’t have to be spooky at all. Sure, it can seem a bit daunting at times with a large amount of dough and important decisions involved. But, let’s make it a bit more stress-free.

A few quick tips for you:

Communicate Your Deadlines

If you want to move in by a specific date or have specific needs, let it be known. A time crunch can certainly add stress, but if you’ve communicated everything you need out of a transaction, the other parties involved should help you meet your goals.

Stay Flexible and Positive

With a mindset of “a curveball may come my way,” it’s a lot easier to handle any unexpected twists and turns during a transaction. Even if you or your team execute everything flawlessly, a lot can happen, folks!

Have a Trusted Team On Your Side

A real estate transaction can be a lot to handle for one person or one family. So, have a professional or two (or more!) in your arsenal. When you’re ready to get more out of your experience, we’re here to help.

As of October 29, there are 205 detached homes, 66 townhouses and 244 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 52 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.


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: You recently offered off-market condos near Rosslyn in your Off-Market Source post. Do you have any additional information about the building and other units that are available?

Answer:

Full Disclosure

Before I jump into the details, I want to disclose that my team and I have a direct role in the sales of Pierce Court (1245 N. Pierce Street), unlike previous condo buildings (Key & Nash, Trafalgar Flats) that I have written about. Now back to your regularly scheduled program…

The Basics

I’ve noted in the past that Arlington is starved for new condos, averaging less than one new condo building per year since 2010, but beyond that, Pierce Court will be one of only a few buildings with less than 20 units (12 total units). It has six 2 BR/2 BA units on the first two floors and six 3 BR/2 BA units on the top three floors.

All units have high-end finishes (gas cooking!), upgraded sound-proofing, parking and a lot of private outdoor space, including some units with multiple balconies and/or large terraces (the model unit alone has 596 square feet of combined outdoor space). The penthouse units each have private rooftop terraces with ~500 sq. ft. and wide open views.

These smaller boutique 2 BR-3 BR buildings are wildly popular in D.C. (zoning plays a big role in their prevalence) and I think it will play well in Arlington for buyers who don’t want to live in a high-rise or pay high monthly fees for amenities they don’t value.

What I’m Most Interested In

I have no doubt buyers will love the floor plans, finishes and outdoor space delivered by the builder, The Asset Companies, but what interests me the most about this project is how it will do in an underdeveloped, yet highly desirable, neighborhood.

Most locals will know it as being “around the corner from Quarterdeck,” it’s more easily described as being across Route 50 from Rosslyn/Courthouse and the County calls it Radnor/Fort Myer Heights. It’s a half mile walk to the Rosslyn or Courthouse Metro and the Iwo Jima Memorial, one mile to Whole Foods/Clarendon and truly a quiet, residential neighborhood (was a favorite of mine for dog walks when I lived in Rosslyn).

One would think that every neighborhood this close to Rosslyn-Clarendon would be developed and expensive (Lyon Village/Park), but Pierce Court sits in the middle of a 2-3 block radius of underdeveloped properties and will garner a lot of industry attention to gauge future condo and townhouse development.

There is precedent for $1M-$2M+ sales here, but for properties a few blocks east, with unobstructed views of D.C., like Monument Place townhouses (in my opinion, the most undervalued properties in the D.C. area) and condo buildings like Prospect House, Memorial Overlook and The Westlie.

I think the builder did a great job setting prices that will attract buyers to an area they aren’t used to seeing modern condos, which I will detail next…

On-Paper vs In-Person

The 2 BR/2 BA units range from $485k-$575k with monthly fees under $350 and the 3 BR/2 BA units range from $815k-$995k with monthly fees under $530. All units include parking and the fees cover all utilities except for TV and internet. For details on floor plans, pricing, availability and more you can visit the Pierce Court website.

When I initially reviewed the project on-paper, the square footage jumped out at me. With the 2 BR’s at 702 sq. ft.-870 sq. ft. and 3 BR’s at 1127 sq.ft.-1261 sq. ft., I was concerned about how buyers would receive that amount of space — would it be enough?

Once I had a chance to see the units in-person I was sincerely impressed with the layouts and how the space was used. The way it’s designed for functional space feels like there’s an extra 20-25% more square feet in each unit.

When you add in the large, usable outdoor space and low condo fee, I think the builder is delivering incredible value to the market and this building will stimulate more development in the neighborhood.

Say Hello at the Launch Party or Private Tour

We are hosting a public launch party at Pierce Court (1245 N. Pierce Street) on Thursday, November 8 from 3-7 p.m. I’ll be there the entire time and would love a chance to meet readers! We’ll have light snacks, beer and wine for you to either celebrate or drown away the results of the mid-terms! Please RSVP online if you think you’ll make it.

If you can’t make it to the launch party, the model unit (unit #1, a 2 BR with huge private terrace) and on-site sales office opened on Sunday and will keep regular hours Tuesday through Sunday.

You can also schedule a private tour online or directly with me by emailing me at [email protected]. I’m happy to share my personal thoughts on which units I think will sell the fastest and offer the best value, just shoot me an email and we can meet or find time for a call.

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.


St. Thomas More Cathedral School is an authentic Catholic learning community that promotes spiritual, moral and intellectual excellence for students in Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Prospective families are invited to attend an Open House on Sunday, November 4 at 11 a.m. and Wednesday, November 7 at 9 a.m. to meet faculty and explore the school on tours led by student and parent ambassadors. RSVP for this event by clicking here.

St. Thomas More is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School and recently became the first elementary school in the world to launch a CubeSatellite. There is a focus on high-interest projects which encourages students to stretch their knowledge and motivates them to attempt hands-on activities.

Teachers at St. Thomas More differentiate instruction in the classroom by meeting with students in small groups to reach all levels of learners. The curriculum includes The Comprehension Toolkit featuring Daily 5 and CAFE, Writer’s Workshop, Words Their Way and the Everyday Mathematics program.

Kindergarten students experience a robust program with STEM embedded in their day, 3 recesses daily and special performance events throughout the year such as America Sings and Manners Tea. Each grade level selects a service project to help others in our community, with kindergarten supporting HOPE in Northern Virginia, a non-profit organization committed to empowering women facing unplanned pregnancies

Students come to St. Thomas More Cathedral School from Arlington, as well as Alexandria, Fairfax County, the District of Columbia and Maryland. The diverse backgrounds and experiences of our families contribute to the welcoming spirit you will find at Saint Thomas More.

The Diocese of Arlington and the STM School and parish community are committed to making a Catholic education attainable for all who seek it. Families are encouraged to apply for tuition aid if assistance is needed, 30% of families receive a form of financial aid.

Visit our website for information regarding the admissions process, learn about the after school Enrichment Program, extended day care and more. St. Thomas More Cathedral School is conveniently located at 105 N. Thomas Street, in the center of Arlington near the Pentagon, Ballston, Ft. Myer and the National Guard.

To schedule a tour on an alternate day, call 703-528-6781,  extension 242 or email [email protected].


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 Chelsea Pennington, Bark + Boarding Writer and Animal Enthusiast

Getting a new dog can be exciting but what do you do if you realize your new pooch hates being home alone? Howling, destructive behaviors and urinating in the house are all habits no one wants in their pet, but there can be a simple explanation: separation anxiety.

Being aware of this common trait in dogs can help you identify the signs and get the help your pet needs so that you can both feel relaxed whenever you leave home.

There is no single defined cause of separation anxiety, which can make it hard to diagnose. Potential causes usually stem from a major life change, such as a new owner, moving to a new residence, a shift in their regular schedule or a missing household member, perhaps due to death or moving away.

Separation anxiety in dogs can manifest in a variety of ways. Common signs include excessive barking or howling, destructive acts like chewing furniture or scratching at doors and urinating in the house. Sometimes the signs aren’t as obvious, like intense pacing or excessive drooling, panting or salivation. If the dog is confined, separation anxiety may also cause him or her to try and escape, whether by digging if outdoors or clawing at their cage.

If your dog is displaying any of these symptoms, it’s important to first rule out some other potential causes. Incontinence might be a result of a number of medical problems, old age or lack of training. Boredom can also be a cause of destructive behavior.

Be sure your pup has plenty of toys left out for them to play with when you leave, so that they always have something to do. Try using interactive toys that allow you to hide a treat inside for the dog to find to keep them occupied.

Howling or barking can be caused by triggers in the environment, like a new sound or something they see through the window. If this is the cause, it will often happen whether or not the owner is home.

If you determine that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, there are several measures you can take to help. Ensure that your dog has had the opportunity to expel some energy prior to leaving. When you do leave, don’t make a big deal out of it, if you act as if leaving is normal it helps your dog get the message that it’s all part of a standard routine.

If this doesn’t work, you can also mix up your ‘going away’ signals. Use a different door, put on your coat and shoes but don’t leave immediately, or keep your keys, purse or shoes in a new location. The goal is to change the fact that your dog associates these behaviors with leaving, causing them to get anxious before you even step out the door.

You can also help relieve separation anxiety by giving them a distraction. Leaving them with a toy, particularly something like a Kong with peanut butter, helps them not notice you leaving. You can also leave a radio or TV playing while you’re gone. The sound of human voices has often been shown to help calm down anxious dogs while their owners are away.

If you’ve tried working with your pup and are still seeing signs of separation anxiety there are many over-the-counter, prescription or all natural supplements that may help. Pheromone collars and/or diffusers, like Adaptil, send calming messages to your dog helping them relax in stressful situations.

Supplements, like NaturVet’s Quiet Moments Calming Aid, use all-natural ingredients like tryptophan & melatonin to help your pup in times of stress. Many vets now recommend CBD oil, which can be put directly in the dog’s mouth or come in treat form to help relieve anxiety.

If all else fails, talk to your vet about starting your dog on an anti-anxiety or anti-depressant.  Remember that none of these are a magic fix and should be combined with training to ensure the best possible results.

If your dog is struggling to overcome separation anxiety, bringing them to doggy daycare is also a good solution. At daycare your dog spends time with other dogs and humans all day long, keeping them far too busy to experience separation anxiety.

Looking for more tips, interested in adorable pet pics or just want to get more information on what we do? Stay connected with Bark + Boarding on FacebookInstagram and our website.

Click here to check out our short video about this article!

Mention this article for a free evaluation and click here to sign up for one today. If you have a question about your pet, feel free to come in or email [email protected] any time.


https://www.facebook.com/kerishullteam/videos/1961085364184312/

Like most of us, dogs love fresh air, sunshine and room to stretch out.

Arlington’s neighborhoods are packed with condos and high-rise apartments, but dogs without backyards still have three excellent dog parks nearby. These are all places where you can let your dog run off leash and play with other dogs while you get to know your neighbors.

Taking your dog to the dog park might even help reduce the costs of veterinary care — like us, dogs are healthier when they’re well-exercised and have time to socialize. Young dogs need an outlet for their abundant energy, while older dogs can be taken to the park and motivated to play with younger dogs.

In the video above, Keri Shull and Drew Carpenter of the Keri Shull Team break down the top three dog parks in Arlington. All of these dog parks stand within easy reach of popular Arlington residential and business areas.

3. Shirlington Park — Shirlington

Location: 2754-2798 S Oakland Street, alongside the Four Mile Run Trail. Parking is easy to find here.

Shirlington park is natural and grassy, with many areas to run. One advantage of Shirlington dog park is that the smaller dogs and larger dogs have separate play areas, so your pug won’t have to dodge the massive mitts of a Newfoundland.

2. Glencarlyn Dog Park — Glencarlyn

Location: 301 S Harrison Street, northwest of Shirlington Dog Park, also located along theFour Mile Run Trail.

Glencarlyn dog park offers free parking.

Glencarlyn is the best of these dog parks to visit if you also have children who want to run and play. It’s a beautiful park with picnic tables, a playground, an off-leash dog park area and a stream. Glencarlyn is strung with trails for biking and jogging. There’s even a “learning loop” where wobbly young bicyclists can practice their skills.

1. James Hunter Park — Clarendon

Location: 1299 North Herndon Street, this is right in the heart of downtown Arlington.

Clarendon’s James Hunter Park features a solar-powered stone waterfall pool for dogs to cool off in during the dog days of Arlington summers. This fountain runs about three seasons of the year, then closes in the wintertime.

This park is completely enclosed by a fence, so dogs can run off-leash without escaping. Unique sound paneling muffles the dog noise so nearby high-rise neighbors aren’t disturbed by raucous dogs.

This dog park is locally a bit infamous for costing $1.8 million to construct.

Parking can be a little more difficult to find here than at the Shirlington or Glencarlyn dog parks, but if James Hunter Park is within a 30-minute walk of your house or condo in Arlington, this is a park your dog will love, especially during the summer.

Dog’s Choice

What’s your dog’s favorite dog park in Arlington? How can you tell? Let us know in the comments!


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.

Aaahhhhhh. It is the best season of the year. The birds are singing. The bees are humming. The flowers are blooming. Couples are snuggling. The candy shaped hearts are filling…

Oh Wait! Wrong Season.

This is the best time of the year. The birds are flocking. The flowers are going to harvest and seed. Candy looks more like bats and monsters. But, hey couples are still snuggling in the brutally fierce cold north winds blowing down from the Canadian Provinces. It is the perfect time to “fall for fall!”

With trees putting on a rainbow show of colors, the bright blue skies, the crimson sunsets and glorious brilliant golden sunrises, how can you not embrace this fantastic season?

In addition to natures colorful show, your birds are ever more active in your yards. They are in tune to the changes and are adapting their schedules to ensure they will survive.

We have it easy. The temperatures drop and we put on another coat or sweater or both. When it gets dark we go inside and snuggle up to the fireplace and a good book. The wild birds in your yards are not so lucky. Well, depending on what is on TV, they may be luckier than us. But their nights are longer and colder and they must eat a lot to survive.

To do so, they will find the good places to forage for food. This could be a large field with wild flowers and shrubs going to seed and fruit. Truth is, you do not see those fields very much around here anymore. So, the birds have to find other reliable places to go to get the food they need to survive.

This is where your restaurants come in. When you set up your feeding stations and keep them filled with “fresh, high fat foods”, the birds will set those up as their winter-feeding stations. The birds will know that those feeders will give them a source for high energy foods they need.

Does this mean you can’t take a week off and go to Miami to play in the surf? No, you can. The birds will not become dependent on only one source of food to sustain themselves. Birds will have multiple feeding stations around your neighborhood, as long as they exist, and forage at all of them. Yet you will insure that you get many visitors of different species by keeping your feeding stations full.

Remember, very soon, your backyard birds will be out in the cold nights for 12 hours. That is a long time to burn of their food that they were able to find during the shorter hours of the day. Less flying around to find food and more readily accessible high-quality food close by gives the birds a much better chance to survive the winter.

Many of our customers say that all is their favorite season. If you are one of them, then we say “fall for fall!” Get out and play — maybe not this weekend with the impending Nor’ Easter! Instead, fill up your feeders and help your wild birds get the food they need to weather this storm.

Until October 31, Wild Birds Unlimited is having our Fall Bird Food Sale! All of our 20 lb. bags of premium blends and seeds are 15% off. Daily Savings Club members will receive an additional 5% off.

If you want to learn more about becoming a DSC member, ask an associate for details. Stock up before the nasty weather and get those feeders filled. The entertainment of watching your birds will have your “fallin for fall!”


Address: 2203 19th Court N.
Neighborhood: Lyon Village
Listed: $1,189,000
Open: Sunday, October 28th from 1-3 p.m.

Must See! This newly built stone and brick townhome located in The Court at Lyon Village features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and 2,066 square feet. Tons of upgrades in this 2012 build including Silestone countertops, upgraded appliances, built-in cabinetry and CAT-6 cabling throughout.

Located just a few blocks from the Courthouse metro, Courthouse Plaza, Saturday Farmers Markets, local restaurants & bakeries, coffee & tea shops, Whole Foods and Trader Joes, this home is also across the street from Mom’s Organic Market.

The home is impeccably maintained and cared for by the original owners. Neighborhood schools include Arlington Science Focus Elementary School, Swanson Middle School and Washington-Lee High School.

Features:

  • High-end, gray silestone countertops
  • Modern kitchen with white cabinetry and gray countertops
  • Master suite with two secondary bedrooms and shared bath on same level
  • Master bath with large soaking tub, shower & dual vanity
  • Walk-in master closet
  • Oversized kitchen island with chef’s prep sink & room for 4 counter stools
  • Spacious breakfast nook that could accommodate seating for 8+ guests
  • Pre-finished hardwood flooring on main level
  • Plentiful closet storage and built-in bookcases and shelving for the at-home organizer
  • Convenient balcony off kitchen for social entertainment
  • Full size laundry room with custom built-ins
  • “New” modern, neutral tile, cabinetry, lighting, plumbing & hardware finishes
  • Two-car garage
  • Covered entryway
  • Large, floor-to-ceiling windows
  • Open concept living

Listed By:
Michelle Lynch
Classic Cottages Realty
Office: 703-256-1401
Direct: 571-366-3324
[email protected]


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