Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Just Reduced banner

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 is not the listing agent of these homes. 

Friday marks the beginning of December. Can you believe it?

We have one month left in the year and there is still time to accomplish your 2017 goals. Perhaps you want to pick up a new hobby? Get rolling! Perhaps you need to make amends with someone? Reach out! And, perhaps homeownership is on the to-do list? Let’s make it happen.

Sure, the beginning of the year is a great time to establish new beginnings and set goals, but let’s make the most of this final month. As some folks take a breather from their housing search and wait for the New Year, now is a prime time to GET MORE out of your transaction.

When you’re ready to roll and end 2017 on a high note, give my team a buzz.

And now for this week’s numbers:

As of November 28 there are 186 detached homes, 37 townhouses and 238 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 10 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.

Ross Douthat at The Mercatus Center on December 4

What is it like being a conservative voice at The New York Times? Ross Douthat has been just that for the better part of a decade, debuting his weekly column in the spring 2009. At the age of 30, he was the youngest regular op-ed writer the Times ever hired.

Join economist Tyler Cowen and the Mercatus Center at George Mason University for a conversation with Ross Douthat on December 4. The conversation is part of the Mercatus Center’s Conversations with Tyler series, and is open to the public free of charge. You must register to save a spot.

Conversations with Tyler was created with the goal of fostering deep dialogues between people with diverse viewpoints. Of the series, Tyler Cowen has said, “It’s the idea of having dialogues as serious as possible. Don’t make any concessions to the audience. And see who will listen.” Past guests of the series include Malcolm Gladwell, Jhumpa Lahiri and Larry Summers.

It’s no surprise that Ross Douthat is one of the most commonly requested guests for the Conversations with Tyler series; In many ways Cowen and Douthat are the perfect match. Like Cowen, Douthat is known for his comfort with complexity, his ability to think of counterarguments, and his openness to changing his mind.

But despite their similarities, the two have very different ideological leanings. Douthat, who converted to Roman Catholicism in his adolescence, represents the social conservative wing of conservatism. Comfortable with more government intervention than many self-identified conservatives or libertarians, Douthat focuses a lot of his writing on cultural issues: the decline of the family, abortion and the Catholic Church. Cowen, on the other hand, has described himself as a “moderate libertarian” and an “agnostic.”

In fact it was Cowen’s agnosticism that fueled Douthat’s July 6 New York Times column, Should Tyler Cowen Believe in God? In the column, Douthat and Cowen engaged in an online conversation about the rationality of believing in God.
Now, the conversation will continue in reality. Register to attend the December 4 Conversation with Ross Douthat.

Ask Eli: My Favorite Mortgage Programs

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: Are there good loan options available if I don’t have 20% or more to put down?

Answer: There are an abundance of loan products on the market that cater to different professions, down payments and financial circumstances that you should be aware of. “Rate shopping” is easy and moderately effective, but “product shopping” can be much more valuable and something an informed Agent can assist you with. Here are some of my favorite loan programs and the lenders I work with who provide them:

Doctors: Doctor Loan Program from SunTrust: CJ Kemp ([email protected], (301) 651-4189)

The Doctor Loan Program is a residential mortgage loan specifically created for licensed medical professionals to make obtaining mortgage financing easier and more hassle-free. It recognizes the financial toll of medical school and strong, stable future income post-graduation. The rates on these loans are also fantastic.

Eligible Doctors include:

  • Licensed residents/interns/fellows in MD and DO programs
  • Medical doctors
  • Doctors of osteopathy
  • Doctors of dental medicine/surgeons/orthodontics/general dentists (DMD/DDS)
  • Psychiatrist licensed as a medical doctor

Available financing terms include fixed and adjustable rate mortgages for purchases and rate/term & cash out refinances.

  • 0% down up to $750,000 loan amount
  • 5% down up to a $1M loan amount
  • 10% down up to a $1.5M loan amount
  • No mortgage insurance required

Homeowners Buying And Selling: Second Trust/HELOC Program from First Home Mortgage: Jake Ryon ([email protected], (202) 448-0873)

This is a great program for current homeowners who will be buying and selling simultaneously. It allows you to use the future proceeds from your home sale to make a large down payment on your new home, before even putting your current home on the market.

They partner with local banks and credit unions to provide you with a second trust that allows you to put as little 5% down up to nearly a $1,000,000 loan amount. The second trust finances the remaining amount of your down payment (e.g. 15% if you put down 5%).

The HELOC/second trust payment is interest-only, can be paid off any time and can be used like a bridge loan to allow you to purchase a new home without a home-sale contingency and to sell your existing home unrestricted.

Low Down Payment: Mortgage Insurance Payment Eliminator from McLean Mortgage: Troy Toureau ([email protected], (301) 440-4261)

This program enables you to put as little as 3% to 5% down using conventional financing (not FHA) and eliminate the monthly mortgage insurance payment by making a one-time more affordable payment.  This provides multiple benefits including a potential increase in buying power by reducing the Debt-to-Income ratio (lower monthly payment), allowing you to negotiate for the seller to make this payment by rolling it into closing costs, and ensuring that the entire payment is tax deductible (confirm with your tax advisor). (more…)

The Chew: Teaching Your Dog Good Table Manners

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.

Click here to check out our short (approx 60 second) video about this article

Colleen Corrigan, Writer and Animal Enthusiast

From barking, to whimpering and whining and drooling, a dog’s begging tactics can be disruptive, confusing and even frustrating; yet begging can be very effective for the dog in getting what she wants. If they stare at our food long enough with those big, brown eyes looking oh so forlorn, or pant and pace back and forth throughout our dinnertime, or paw at us incessantly, they may just get a bite of that juicy steak.

Our cats and dogs learn to beg from us. Giving this form of attention when we are eating however, conditions them to expect it and become demanding.  We cave, they get some food, and just like that — the begging behavior continues.

The good news is since we taught our furry companions to beg, then we can certainly teach them not to.  Here are some methods we at Bark + Board recommend that can change your little beggar into a respectful companion who knows her table manners, so you can enjoy your meal in peace.

Don’t feed your dog from the table in the first place. When you bring a new dog into your home, start the relationship with the ground rule that the dog has her own food and will not be fed human food. It might be hard getting everyone in the house to agree. Sure, lots of kids–and grown ups–have slipped their unwanted vegetables to the family pooch. But if you don’t want a dog that begs, then everyone in your home must agree about this.

Besides, a lot of what we eat is not good for dogs. Telling your children and family that it could make your dog very sick or cause weight gain and health problems may help them to enforce the no feed rule with you.

Use the crate. As you work to break the begging habit and insure that other members of the household don’t feed your dog during mealtimes, you can try putting her in her crate away from where you are eating. This might be tough to do at first, but give yourself a break, acknowledge yourself for how well she is fed and cared for and that for the next 20 minutes or so while you eat, she will be just fine in her crate. Bark + Boarding carries a variety of crate sizes ranging from XS to XXL. Mention this column to get 15% off your new crate. (more…)

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:

3313 John Marshall Drive
6 bed/6 bath single-family home
Agent: Tom Francis
Listed: $1,675,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

2317 Van Buren Court N
3 bed/3 bath villa/townhouse
Agent: Jane Price
Listed: $925,000
Open: Saturday 1-4 p.m.
Open: Sunday 12-2 p.m.

 

4616 Arlington Boulevard
4 bed/3 bath villa/townhouse
Agent: Phil Bolin
Listed: $759,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1300 Crystal Drive , 507S
2 bed/2 bath condo
Agent: James Thomas
Listed: $599,900
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1805 Crystal Drive , 407S
2 bed/2 bath condo
Agent: David Salmon
Listed: $480,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

4600-A 28TH Road S , A
3 bed/2 bath condo
Agent: Jason Curry
Listed: $395,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

 

1050 Taylor Street , 1-304
1 bed/1 bath condo
Agent: Pat Santiago
Listed: $345,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

Statutes of Liberty: Immigration Court is Dystopian

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This sponsored column is by James Montana, Esq., the principal of Steelyard LLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Arlington, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact him for an appointment.

By James Montana, Esq.

In Cool Hand Luke, there’s a delightful scene in which new prisoners are introduced to prison discipline. The punishment for every infraction is the same: you spend a night in the box. There’s a laconic poetry to it.

Our immigration courts are very similar. The punishment for every infraction is an order of removal. An order of removal gives federal authorities the right to arrest, detain, and deport you, typically without further legal process.

If you don’t show up to immigration court, you get an order of removal.

If you get evicted and forget to notify the immigration court about your change of address, you get an order of removal.

If you can’t make your case persuasively in a foreign language without any legal education, you get an order of removal.

If you somehow manage to prepare an application for relief but forget to send a copy to the prosecutor as required by regulation, your application for relief will be rejected, and you’ll get an order of removal.

If you ask to leave the country voluntarily and don’t, for whatever reason — say, because you were hit by a truck — you get an order of removal.

And, sometimes, even if you do everything right, you’ll get an order of removal. Our immigration laws are harsh.

The Immigration Courts work this way for the same reason that the prison starvation in Cool Hand Luke does: poverty. There are roughly 300 Immigration Judges for the entire country. There are roughly 500,000 cases pending in immigration court, which equates to about 1600 cases per judge. If each judge ruled on one case per workday, and no new immigration cases were filed, it would take eight years to clear the docket. And that’s a utopian fantasy.

Increased enforcement means that more cases will be filed, and the backlog will grow. There is no right to counsel in immigration court, so most immigrants have to try to paste together their own applications. That slows things down.

At my first appearance in immigration court, the judge gave me a four-year delay before trial. I thought I must have misheard, so I squeaked, “Excuse me, your honor? You mean there are no trial dates available for four years?” A rumble of chuckling erupted from the other lawyers in the gallery.

The judges aren’t at fault for this, and neither are the prosecutors. Congress has starved the Immigration Courts of resources for years, under both Republican and Democratic administrations.

There’s no good news here, folks, except this: Having a lawyer more than doubles your chance of winning in immigration court. If you’re in immigration court, you need a lawyer right now. It might take you a half-decade to get out of immigration court, but at least you’ll get out without an order of removal stamped to your forehead. Maybe.

Arts Focus: Make a Deposit, See Some Art

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

Showing up to an art studio open house on Columbia Pike was the moment of inspiration for a new relationship between business and art. Up until then, Arlington Community Federal Credit Union (ACFCU) had not considered itself a likely venue for original art. Nor did the members of the Columbia Pike Artists Studios (CPAS) imagine that their work would transform a financial institution into a place that displayed their commitment to the community.

But through Arlington Economic Development, connecting ACFCU headquarters with the studios is evidence of the collaborations being made through CPRO and the County. With the current number of commercial art galleries in Arlington being very limited, the time to rethink spaces proved timely. So the art came to the headquarters lobby and to a branch on Glebe Road.

Creative Economy initiatives in the U.S. and around the globe have been built on people already in place and businesses already thriving. At Americans for the Arts, the pARTnership movement paves the way for businesses and creatives to forge new partnerships that go way beyond philanthropy, sponsorships and donor support. With toolkits, success stories and more that put creatives at the forefront of everything from Advancing Corporate Objectives and Strategies, Fostering Critical Thinking and delving into Corporate Social Responsibility, the value of the relationships is changing.

Now in its second season of exhibiting artists work in the lobby gallery, ACFCU has taken its mission to serve Arlington to a new level. Businesses looking for their own inspiration can visit the open house at CPAS on December 2 and 3.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Just Reduced banner

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 is not the listing agent of these homes. 

In advance of tomorrow… Happy Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for here in Arlington County. On the housing front, our area persevered through the recession and our market continues to benefit from comparatively high incomes and low unemployment rates.

We also have one of the best public school systems in the nation and there is culture galore to enjoy at every corner – delicious restaurants, world-class shopping and beautiful parks.

On behalf of my family and team, we wish you and yours a happy Turkey Day. After you’ve enjoyed your feast and long weekend, we’re ready to roll with you on your housing search. We’re thankful for our neighbors and are always here to help you GET MORE out of your transaction.

And now for this week’s numbers:

As of November 20 there are 198 detached homes, 43 townhouses and 250 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 22 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: What You Need to Know About Buying a Second Home

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: We are buying a vacation home this winter and wondering how the process and rules differ from our experiences buying our primary residence.

Answer: Buying a vacation home is a little like buying a primary home, but there are key differences you should be aware of. Lenders tend to set more stringent lending requirements and you must be clear about your plans for the property. With these considerations, potential buyers can plan for the financial obligations and time commitments common to the purchase of a second home.

What Counts as a Second Home?

Lenders treat primary residences, second homes or vacation homes and investment properties as unique types of property purchases. Typically, lenders are more likely to grant loans with more favorable terms to people purchasing homes as a primary residence, as the occupation of the home usually ensures a higher degree of timely repayment. Properties that will never be occupied by the owner have different lending and tax obligations. As such, to buy a second home or vacation home, lenders often require you to choose properties that are a set distance away from your primary residence. You must also indicate that you’ll occupy the property for a set amount of time each year.

Vacation Home or Investment Property

Given that a vacation home must be a notable distance from your primary residence, you should consider the type of arrangement that works best for you. Homes suffer from lack of attention, so you should be prepared to make regular visits for maintenance and repairs, or hire a local company to do so. Larger or more remote properties may demand more care, while a condominium in a developed area might require less. You may also choose to rent out the property in your absence to help pay for the mortgage. However, this may affect the classification of the property purchase, and have other tax implications.

Capital Gains Taxes

Selling a primary residence often qualifies the seller to exclude up to $500,000 of the capital gains from their tax liability for a married couple ($250,000 for a single person), but vacation homes are viewed differently. Typically, a homeowner must have lived in the home as a primary residence for at least two of the past five years to qualify for the maximum capital gains tax exclusion.

People who never occupied the home as a primary residence do not qualify for the exclusion and may be required to pay capital gains taxes. Buyers who eventually intend to occupy the vacation home as a primary residence should carefully consider when they plan to sell both properties. For example, a person who sells a primary residence and moves into a vacation home may be able to claim the vacation home as a primary residence, if they occupy it for a minimum amount of time. However, they cannot claim the capital gains tax exclusion more than twice in a two-year period. (more…)

Legal Insider: Administrative Investigations by Employers

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.

When an employee has been accused of engaging in workplace misconduct, the employer will sometimes conduct an administrative or internal investigation to determine the validity of such claims and also what actions, if any, must be taken against the employee.

Reasons for Employment Investigations

The purpose of an investigation is for the employer to gather relevant evidence regarding the employee’s alleged misconduct and determine whether the misconduct warrants a disciplinary or an adverse action (e.g., termination, demotion or significant suspension) within the requirements established by law, policy or regulation.

While less likely, sometimes an investigation can lead to a potential criminal investigation. Depending on the federal, state, local agency or private employer involved, a supervisor or other designated investigator may be asked to conduct an investigation regarding the facts at issue. Employees may then be asked to provide verbal or written responses to questions regarding the alleged misconduct.

Employee Participation in Interviews

Employees, depending on their particular employer, may have a duty to fully cooperate with the assigned investigator or can decline to participate in the investigation unless they are ordered to do so. For example, federal employees may decline to participate in an administrative investigation if it is voluntary. Private sector employers have different rules. Refusing to cooperate with an investigation or providing false statements or answers during an investigation can sometimes be grounds for disciplinary action.

Additionally, providing false statements, if made to a federal or other law enforcement investigator, can also subject an employee to potential criminal penalties. Internal or administrative investigations can also involve risks for the employer. Inadequate employer investigations may raise questions about the accuracy of the results or whether the employee was treated fairly. In addition, the employer may not like what the investigation uncovers and will have an obligation to resolve or address issues, such as a systemic problem or legal impropriety.

When to Seek Legal Advice

If a matter under investigation is serious, it is generally important to seek legal advice. Prior to an employee providing information to an employer, it is helpful for an employee to discuss with an attorney the issues associated with the information being sought by the employer and the employee’s role in the matter being investigated.

An attorney familiar with administrative or internal investigations can provide legal advice to assist an employee in preparation for responding to questions about his or her actions in the matter being investigated. In addition, an attorney can often accompany the employee during any investigative interviews.

Our law firm represents and advises employees on employment-related matters. If you need legal assistance, please contact our office at (703) 668-0070 or at www.berrylegal.com to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BerryBerryPllc.

Eco-Friendly Luxury Living at Tellus Apartments in Arlington

1/10

It may seem daunting, looking for an apartment in Arlington that matches everything on the must-have list – convenient location on the Metro, urban lifestyle walking distance to dining and entertainment and natural serenity, too. But Tellus Apartments in Arlington does all that and more. With a unique mix of urban living and natural living, Tellus exceeds expectations with an array of upscale lifestyle amenities.

Just two blocks from the Courthouse Metro station, with access to the orange and silver lines, Tellus is located in a vibrant neighborhood with upscale restaurants, pubs, shopping and entertainment – everything for a convenient lifestyle.

These sophisticated high-rise apartments range from studios to two bedrooms, plus some with dens for extra space. Features include stainless steel appliances, glass tile backsplash, kitchen island with bar seating, balcony and oversized windows for maximum natural light.

When it comes to environmental sustainability, Tellus leads the way as one of Arlington’s first LEED Gold certified residential buildings. Countertops are made of recycled porcelain. 100% of rainwater is recycled. Plus, residents can breathe in a bit more fresh air at this smoke-free community.

Lifestyle amenities include:

  • Rooftop swimming pool offering stunning views of the DC skyline and monuments.
  • Rooftop outdoor lounge with grilling stations, plush seating and outdoor TV.
  • Resident lounge with catering kitchen.
  • Fitness center and yoga studio.
  • Fully equipped business center.
  • Outdoor terrace with fire pit and expansive landscaped lawn for recreation.
  • 24-hour concierge service.

Four-legged best friends are also welcome at Tellus, including large dogs up to 70 lbs.

With a 93 Walk Score, Tellus is a walker’s paradise in a bikeable, Metro accessible location, so residents can easily live without a car, but there is also garage parking available.

Tellus seeks to fulfill the vision of its namesake – the ancient Roman goddess of Earth – who embodied nature and abundance. This forward-thinking environmentally-friendly residence is built with the well-being of its residents and the planet in mind, providing what it takes to live in both comfort and luxury in Arlington, but also in a sustainable atmosphere that reflects the beauty of nature.

View their website at RentTellus.com to learn more about the “Urban Nature” lifestyle at Tellus Apartments and see floor plans, photos, rental rates and availability. Get social with Tellus on Facebook and Twitter or call 866.311.0350 today to schedule a tour.

View More Stories