Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

What Can You Buy in Arlington on Your Budget?

Learn how to buy for less than your rent: explaining the home buying process — from forming your budget to crafting the winning offer!

Purchasing a home is not like any other purchase you’ve ever made — there are hundreds of factors at play!

The Orange Line Living Team and Keri Shull Team will be teaching all of the acronyms and definitions you will need to know, what happens at each stage of your transaction, real strategies on how to negotiate a lower purchase price, the different type of loans available and much more.

There will be local specialists from multiple industries in attendance, so come with questions!

Space is limited, register by clicking here.

Topics Covered

  • Financing programs
  • How to avoid double paying a rent + mortgage
  • How to calculate your budget the right way
  • How to craft a winning offer
  • Finding off-market properties
  • Leveraging your equity
  • The 4 C’s of real estate
  • Come with questions, we will answer them!

Benefits of Attending

  • $1,500 credit towards your new home or towards early lease termination*
  • 12-month home buy-back guarantee — purchase with confidence!
  • Wine and cheese provided
  • AND the first 3 to attend will receive a giftcard to Barley Mac restaurant!

Details

*Must use the Orange Line Living or Keri Shull Team when purchasing your new home to be eligible for $1,000 rebate. Earn another $500 by giving us the names of 3 people who may also be looking to buy or sell.

Ask Eli: What Type of Home Appreciates Faster?

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 have heard mixed opinions on whether single-family homes appreciate faster than townhouses and condos. Do you have any data that addresses this?

Answer: On an aggregate level in Arlington, single-family detached homes appreciate faster than townhouses, which appreciate faster than condos.

Over the last ten years the median single-family home has increased from a median purchase price of $630,000 to $850,000 (35% increase), the median price of a townhouse has increased from $542,000 to $696,500 (28.5% increase) and, condos have increased from $350,000 to $392,000 (12% increase).

Below is the chart for median purchase price, broken out by housing type, in Arlington over the last ten years:

Key Takeaways

  • One may assume that the appreciation of single-family homes over the last five years is mostly attributed to so many old, less expensive homes being replaced by expensive new homes. However, by using median price instead of averages, we know that the appreciation exists across the entire single-family market. In fact, the appreciation in average price is less than the median suggesting there’s stronger appreciation in the middle of the market than at the top or bottom.
  • As with any asset class, growth is directly correlated to risk and the historical appreciation of each housing type is reflective of the risk of ownership. Condo owners benefit from much more predictable and relatively low repair/replacement costs (mostly bundled into condo fees) than single-family owners who are responsible for anything that happens on their property (e.g. basement springs a leak and water line breaks in 6 months, you’re on the hook for tens of thousands without notice). You also tend to find condos centered around metros and dense office/retail centers which stabilizes market value during down years.
  • Scarcity also plays a role in the higher appreciation of single-family homes in that it is much easier to introduce a new supply of hundreds or thousands of condos (and rental apartments) into Arlington than it is new single-family homes or townhouses.
  • The above chart aggregates all homes in Arlington within each housing type, but it’s not hard to find sub-markets within each housing type that offer better or worse historical appreciation. For example, In December 2017 I ran an analysis on appreciation of condos built from 2000-2008 and found growth of 13% and 20% for one and two bedroom units, respectively, from 2010-2017. The conclusion? There are good deals and bad deals all over the market, so don’t rely on a single chart or data point.

I hope everybody had a great Fourth of July!

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: Maryland Attempts to Reduce Gun Violence Through Programs in At-Risk Neighborhoods

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

By Maryland criminal defense lawyer Kush Arora with Price Benowitz, LLP.

Maryland, like many other states throughout the union, is constantly trying to find new ways to address gun violence.

As legislators grapple with the political ramifications of gun control measures, attempts are being made at using alternative dispute resolution methods and other street-level approaches in at-risk neighborhoods as a way to reduce gun violence instead of waiting on consensus related to gun control.

“Programs like these are designed to try and stop disagreements from becoming gun battles,” said Kush Arora, a Baltimore Gun Crimes Defense Attorney with the law firm Price Benowitz, LLP.

These programs are not without precedent or a history of success. Prior to this most recent legislation, the City of Baltimore had implemented the “Cure Violence” public health strategy, which was developed by a doctor with the University of Illinois, Chicago that attempts to understand and treat violence in neighborhoods with the same approach as an infectious disease epidemic by using the following components:

  • Detect and interrupt potentially violent conflicts. Caseworkers are trained to identify situations that can lead to deadly conflicts by, among other things, speaking with members of the community to understand ongoing disputes, working with those involved in disputes to keep the issues under control, and when shootings do occur, immediately acting to try and stop any retaliation.
  • Identify and treat highest risk individuals. Caseworkers in the community work to build relationships with those who are most likely to be at high risk of gun violence and help educate those individuals regarding those risks.
  • Mobilize the community to change norms. Caseworkers act to organize the community against gun violence, the goal being to make the use of gun violence in dispute resolution unacceptable at the community level which should deter future actors.

In carrying out these components, the city employs the use of case workers that are in the streets identifying at-risk groups and individuals and providing counseling and mediation services to head off gun violence.

The program was utilized in four of Baltimore’s most violent communities, and the result was a coinciding decrease in shootings and homicides of anywhere from 34 percent up to 56 percent.

Seeing these results, state legislators moved forward with creating a pool of money from which to issue grants for programs like the one in Baltimore, statewide.

The $5 million in funds represents only a small fraction of the $294 million spent by the public on gun violence consequences each year in Maryland; however, if the impact seen in Baltimore can be replicated state-wide it should provide support for increases in funding.

The program has its opponents — mostly gun-rights supporters — but otherwise has strong support statewide. If caseworkers can continue to use alternative dispute resolution and mediation to decrease gun violence and save even one life, the program can be called a success.

Lydian + Lyric Luxe Apartments — Downtown D.C. Living with a True Neighborhood Vibe

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Love the idea of living in the heart of D.C.? Here are two reasons that will inspire your next move: Lydian + Lyric.

A standout addition to the Mount Vernon Triangle skyline, these sleek, sister residences are joined by one amazing lifestyle in an authentic neighborhood that cares about everyone.

Centrally located at 4th and K Streets NW in Downtown D.C., Lydian + Lyric fill a city block and join dozens of hotspot restaurants, new high-end shops and premier employers moving into the area.

On the ground floor of both buildings you will find eateries brought to you by the owners of Georgetown’s legendary Baked & Wired: A Baked Joint, and soon — la BETTY. Stroll to the popular Busboys and Poets, Alta Strada, RPM Italian, Mandu and the future Apple store at the former Carnegie Library.

Also in walking distance are NoMa, the 14th Street Corridor, Shaw and Chinatown, as well as two Metro stations. And it’s just 15 convenient minutes from Arlington and many commuter routes.

All-new Lydian arrived last month and local renters have been quick to take advantage of its exceptional location, well-appointed apartments and thoughtfully designed amenity spaces.

Lydian’s homes include studio, one bedroom and two bedroom apartments. One-third of the building’s 324 units are already leased. Socially connected Lyric opened in 2014 and is fully leased. Lyric’s homes include one bedroom, one bedroom plus den and two bedroom apartments.

What’s to love about Lydian + Lyric?

At both buildings, you’ll enjoy features and details that are as stylish as they are comfortable, including floor-to-ceiling windows, gourmet kitchens with built-in wine racks, designer cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances, porcelanosa tile flooring, full size stackable washer and dryer, NEST programmable thermostats and balconies and private terraces in select units.

Both buildings elevate living in Mount Vernon Triangle with thoughtful amenities like rooftop retreats with resort-style pools, fire pits, demonstration kitchens and more. You’ll discover tranquility gardens for unwinding and state-of-the-art fitness centers with Peloton bikes and WellBeats virtual trainers for a great workout.

Services like a 24/7 concierge, valet dry cleaning, pet walking and dog grooming stations make everyday life a breeze. And so does having keyless fob access, bicycle storage and available gated underground parking.

Both residences are leasing quickly. For more information or to schedule a tour, visit here or contact the leasing team at 202-777-0740. Developed by Quadrangle Development and The Wilkes Company.

The Chew: 3 Principles for Preventing Dog-Related Disasters

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.

Written by Tyler Evans, Animal Enthusiast from dogzasters.com

If you have a dog, you know that accidents are bound to happen. From torn-up furniture to potty accidents, these are a part of owning a dog that we could all live without. Prevention is always the best medicine, especially when it comes to a canine’s behavior.

Luckily, there are a number of ways you can avoid these unpleasant situations and clean-ups. To prevent your pooch from misbehaving, follow these three prevention principles.

Activity

Activity is a necessity of all dogs, no matter their age or breed. Some dogs though, do need more exercise than others. According to the Business Insider, the Belgian Malinois and German Pointer are the most active dogs in the world, needing over an hour and a half of intense exercise every day.

While most dogs do not need this much exercise, they still do need to get out and be active. Dogs who do not burn off their energy can easily become bored, which may cause them to turn their eyes towards a destructive game.

One of the easiest ways you can prevent doggie disasters is by providing your canine with a constructive, appropriate way to burn off their energy. The easiest way to do this is by taking them on frequent walks, preferably a couple of times a day.

For most people, this can be done before and after work. If you’re very busy, however, it might be in your best interest to hire a dog walker or a dog sitter to stop by once or twice a day to take your pooch on a walk. Though this service does cost money, it is a far better alternative than coming home to a ruined house.

Training

The second most common reason dogs misbehave is simply because they don’t know any better. If your dog has an accident on your carpet, it might not be that they were misbehaving just because they could, but that they didn’t know they weren’t supposed to.

We recommend training your pooch early and often. House training is essential to keeping your pooch in your house, but other types of training can be extremely useful too. For example, if your dog barks consistently, you can train them to not bark.

If you have a puppy, we highly recommend that you get them enrolled in a doggie training class. Puppy training classes are just as useful for you as they are your dog. Even if you’ve previously owned a puppy, each dog breed is different and responds to training techniques differently.

Attending one of these classes can inform you on what techniques would work best for your puppy. Furthermore, puppy training classes also socialize your dog with other people and canines. According to the AKC, proper socialization is a great way to prevent unnecessary aggression and fear as your dog gets older.

Enrichment

Another common reason dogs misbehave is because they’re bored.

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This Weekend’s Deals & Events in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This Weekend’s Deals & Events in Arlington

Each Friday, Tim’s Arlington sets the table with deals and events for the weekend ahead in Arlington.

Highlights for the upcoming weekend include:

Deal of the Weekend: $1 Small Gelato throughout July @ Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza in Clarendon.

Friday:

Saturday:

Sunday:

All Weekend:

See the entire list by neighborhood or scroll through the entire list here:

Follow Tim’s Arlington on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, & his newsletter for new deals and events, posted regularly throughout the week (typically 10-20 new deals & events are added daily)!

Interested in special promotion as the Deal or Event of the Week or Weekend? Have a deal or event tip? Comments? Suggestions? Email Tim at [email protected]!

Flying Colors: Birds Do Not Take The Summer Off

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.

Bags packed. Tickets in hand. Cooler filled. Kids buckled in. It is a fun time in the summer.

As we plan for those exotic vacations around the country and even overseas, we may forget that the wild birds in our backyards do not take the “Summer Off!” They are actually incredibly active. From dusk to dawn, they are still:

Breeding — the goldfinches are just starting.

Feeding their young — some birds such as hummingbirds and house wrens are having second broods.

Teaching the fledglings how to go it alone. Remember the first-time baby ate spaghetti on their own? Yeah it is like that with the baby birds on suet!

All of this activity takes a lot of energy. That energy burns up food. They need to replenish that food.

You see, bird feeding isn’t just a winter hobby. By continuing to feed your birds in spring and summer, you have the greatest opportunity to attract the widest variety of birds to your yard and feeders.

Access to abundant and healthy food supplies is important to birds… regardless of the season. Bird feeders provide a portion of these important nutritional needs for your backyard birds throughout the year. Birds with access to backyard feeder benefit greatly from their ability to spend less time foraging for food and more time engaging in activities that enhance their health and safety.

Bird feeding isn’t just a winter hobby. Many people stop feeding in late spring and early summer, thinking the birds have plenty of food. That is not true. Your yard, if somewhat untamed, will explode with food in the late summer and early fall. Right now, most gardens are still growing.

So, before you hit the pedal to the metal and crank up those tunes, load up your feeders. If only for a few days your birds have their restaurants open, you will be helping them. There is no need to worry that your birds will go away if there is not food. They will try out different sources of food. But I guarantee you that when you turn on the light of your feeder restaurants that you are open for business again, they will be calling to you for reservations.

Something New

Each month, we will be providing “Nature Notes” to you. These notes will give to you some of the highlights of the month as to what nature is doing.   From migration to breeding to singing to shooting stars — we will provide for you a checklist that you can use to explore some of the exciting events that will be occurring. One of my favorite moments of summer is when the fireflies come out. My yard, for the past three weeks, has been exploding with their light show. Now I know summer is on!

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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:

5601 N. Williamsburg Boulevard
6 bed/4 bath, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Liz Kirby
Listed: $1,850,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

537 N. Norwood Street
5 bed/3 bath, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Jane McGuire
Listed: $1,285,000
Open: Sunday 3-5 p.m.

 

1021 N. Garfield Street
2 bed/2 bath condo
Agent: Marcia Burgos-Stone
Listed: $939,518
Open: Sunday 2-5 p.m.

 

1304 S. Quinn Street
3 bed/3 bath, 1 half bath condo
Agent: Jennifer Blessman
Listed: $750,000
Open: Saturday 12-2:30 p.m.

 

1805 S. Crystal Drive
2 bed/2 bath condo
Agent: Harry Brubaker
Listed: $599,950
Open: Sunday 12-2 p.m.

 

4643 30th Road S.
2 bed/2 bath condo
Agent: Alex Foster
Listed: $480,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

2030 N. Vermont Street
1 bed/1 bath condo
Agent: Alexandra Holden
Listed: $230,000
Open: Sunday 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.”

Happy Birthday America!!

Team Cathell wishes you all the very best this week in celebrating our nation’s independence.

Call Team Cathell when you need to buy, sell, rent or have real estate managed in Northern Virginia. Call us at 703-975-2500.

Click to see all the fresh new inventory in MRIS and call Team Cathell when you find a home you like.

Legal Review: Jeff Sessions Implements Asylum Policy that Could Violate International Laws

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

By Virginia Immigration Attorney Natalia Segermeister with The Visa Firm of Price Benowitz LLP.

As more people request protection from persecution through asylum at the United States border, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has implemented new policies to make it even more difficult for them. The moves that are being made may not only violate international laws, they are also being touted as being ‘morally bankrupt.’

It was in May that the attorney general with the Department of Homeland Security implemented the zero-tolerance policy for those found to be trying to cross the United States border illegally.

It was this policy that has seen many prosecuted for crossing between ports of entry and has separated children from their family members. When the children are removed from the family, parents are left with no recourse and no way to contact or reunite with their children.

After the zero-tolerance policy was implemented, Jeff Sessions then changed the policies on what is considered valid reasons for claiming asylum.

While gang and domestic violence were once allowed as a basis for asylum if one could demonstrate that the harm suffered was on account of a membership in a particular social group, Sessions is stating that those claims should no longer be considered. The reasoning being that these claims founded on violence inflicted by non-governmental actors does not satisfy the requirement that the motivation for the persecution is group membership.

“This change is one that many are pointing to, stating that it violates international law. In most of these cases, those claiming these kinds of persecutions are not being given a chance to state their case and address the group membership component.” says Asylum Attorney Natalia Segermeister of the Visa Firm of Price Benowitz.

The new policies are meant to deter others that wish to cross the border illegally, but it does not seem to be working. In fact, the amount of arrests made for crossing between ports of entry has increased every month for the past three consecutive months.

But that is secondary to the serious consequences pediatricians say the children taken from their families will endure. Not only do they not know where their parents are or when they will see them again, they are also being held in detention centers with substandard care.

In addition to these new policies, Republicans in Congress have stood behind the new policies intended to deter all immigration. In a new proposed bill, they also continue to make it more difficult for asylum seekers that are trying to get the protection their families need.

Small Biz Focus: 3 Tips Before You Fall in Love… With a Location

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

By Tara Palacios

“Location, location, location.”

We’ve all heard the famous real estate saying — it’s all about location, location, location.

It’s true.

Customers value a location they can easily get to and parking. Popular pedestrian and neighborhood destinations are key for a small business to thrive.

Strategically targeted locations throughout Arlington fit the bill; however, before you sign a lease you need to keep in mind not to fall in love before you follow these simple steps.

Tip 1: Understand the Regulations

Commercial property is governed by Arlington’s Zoning Ordinance. Once you’ve identified a potential location you can check with the County’s interactive Zoning Map to see if the business use can be conducted in the leasable space.

Familiarize yourself with any policies that may impact the day-to-day operations of your business. For example, if you are interested in opening a Childcare Center your facility will need access to outdoor space — all regulations that can impact where you decide to locate your business.

If you have questions about regulations feel free to reach out to BizLaunch before you fall in love with a space.

Tip 2: Hire a Real Estate Broker

Finding the perfect location can take time.

The average length of time to find a retail location is between one to two years. The more experts you have helping you the better.

Space can be competitive; however, at the end of the day do not fall in love until the lease negotiations have ended. A broker can help identify space (that may not be published) and help with negotiations. Most landlords do not want to negotiate directly with the business owner.

More tips here on hiring and evaluating space. Remember do not fall in love yet — contact BizLaunch.

Tip 3: Negotiate the Lease

Negotiate.

A lease is meant to be negotiated prior to signature by both parties. Do not accept the proposed terms without having a professional review. If an offer is not favorable to your business prepare to walk away.

One example, of an area to negotiate is when the lease will commence. An entrepreneur can request to have the lease begin after construction is complete and a certificate of occupancy is issued. This could save money for the business owner in case of buildout delays.

Do not fall in love until the keys are in your hand and the terms of the lease are finalized. Need help? Contact BizLaunch.

Stay tuned. BizLaunch will be offering a course on lease negotiations in the fall. You can sign up here to keep up with the latest workshops and networking opportunities.

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