Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Rethink Energy: It’s Not Too Late, Plant a Tree

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

If you thought you missed your last chance to plant trees in your yard this year, think again.

Hands down, fall is the best time of year to plant trees. It gives roots a chance to set and grow before the heat of the following summer arrives. Now is still a great time to get trees into the ground.

Trees are under-appreciate heroes. They clean the air, create wildlife habitat, soak up stormwater, provide food and even save energy.

When planted strategically, trees cast shade on buildings and pavement, lowering the temperatures and thus reducing demand for power to cool these buildings during summer. Planting the right trees in the right places can also create a wind break and keep your home warmer in the winter.

Here are some tips to help you select the right tree for the right spot:

Arlington’s TreeStewards can also lend a hand. Visit their website to learn about classes, upcoming events, and other resources.

Don’t delay, now is the time to drop a shade tree in the ground for future energy savings!

Flying Colors: Thank You

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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.

Thank You.

When I first started my Wild Birds Unlimited retail store twenty-six years ago, I was scared. My knowledge in the hobby of backyard bird feeding was very limited. I had two weeks training, a store full of feeders, bird food, birdbaths, books and other products for the hobbyists. But how was I going to answer the customers questions and solve their challenges when it came to attracting their favorite birds? How large would the learning curve be before I was comfortable and very secure in my answers to my customers? Little did I know that my teachers were going to be my customers.

You see, for twenty- six years, as I have been bringing people and nature together, my customers have been bringing me their stories of their backyard habitats. They have been educating me. They have been entertaining me. They have been challenging me. Like the guy who came in one Saturday morning and wanted to attract Blue Cardinals to his backyard.

After roaming this planet for 40 years I did know a few things. One there are no Blue Cardinals in Arlington, Virginia. Two, tailgate parties on Saturday mornings in the Fall start early. Three, Budweiser has a distinctive smell when someone has swigged down six of them for breakfast. So, I did not learn much from that guy.

But I learned from the customers that they have many different needs and desires when it comes to their backyards and birds. I learned that there are many favorite birds in my customers yards. That they will do anything to attract and feed them. That customers feed their birds at all times of the year. That there are year-round bird feeding hobbyists. That some customers feed only nine months out of the year.

When Spring comes, they put their feeders away. The belief is that the birds can fend for themselves. The reality of Spring is that the wild birds in our yards are very vulnerable because there is no “natural food” for them except insects. Were as most birds eat insects, that is not their only need. Most natural food goes to seed in the Fall. Then there is a bounty of food for the birds to choose from, including the restaurants (feeders) we have set up.

But in the Spring, plants that may provide food later are just beginning to grow. Add to that the stress of mating, building nests, and raising young birds and the birds are really hungry. This causes their need for food to increase. There are customers who want to just attract a limited variety of birds due to the size of their yards. There are customers who have a large habitat and invite any and all birds and animals to partake in their food pantry. (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:

3400 Military Road
6 bed/6 bath single-family home
Agent: John Irvin
Listed: $1,995,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1509 Randolph Street S
4 bed/3 bath single-family home
Agent: Michael Webb
Listed: $875,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

3207 South Glebe Road
3 bed/2 bath single-family home
Agent: James Larsen
Listed: $749,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1200 Hartford Street N , #507
2 bed/2 bath condo
Agent: David Lloyd
Listed: $605,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

4853 27th Road S
2 bed/2 bath villa/townhouse
Agent: Michael Korin
Listed: $415,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

4111 Four Mile Run Drive , #404
1 bed/1 bath condo
Agent: Valerie Hardee
Listed: $335,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

 

1021 Arlington Boulevard , #340
1 bed/1 bath condo
Agent: Melinda Schnur
Listed: $179,900
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

Just Listed in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Just Listed banner

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.”

Buyers kept a steady pace this week by ratifying 54 contracts in Arlington, and sellers refilled the inventory bucket by listing 60 homes. It appears the upper price range is softening in Arlington as only four of those homes sold this week were listed above $1 million. Some 16 of those ratified were gone within a week, and only one was priced above $1 million. The average days on market was 49 showing the trend of homes taking more time to sell.

There’s been much talk lately about the GOP proposed new tax plan with elements that will significantly affect home owners in this affluent area. Jerry Howard, CEO of the National Association of Home Builders, said the plan could lead to a housing recession. His members are “irate” that the plan would slice the mortgage interest deduction in half.  “There are seven million homes on the market right now that are more than $500,000. Those houses are automatically going to be devalued,” he said.

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

Carr Properties’ WaveOffice Coming to Clarendon Square

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The workplace environment is rapidly changing — moving from well-starched shirts and pencil skirts to cozy knits and all-day espresso. But it’s so much more than appearance. Employees are demanding to move away from workplace formalities, and developers must come up with creative ways to accommodate these new workspace needs.

Carr Properties’ response to these changes has been to create warm and dynamic office hubs with flexible lease terms and ample amenities that create opportunities for established companies and start-ups alike. The new roll out of WaveOffice will foster a sense of community amidst a creative layout of tenant suites.

Their first wave of these high-end, ready-to-go suites will launch in the heart of Arlington at Clarendon Square (3033 Wilson Boulevard). Once completed, WaveOffice will boast eight (8) move-in ready suites with lease terms starting at 1+ year(s) and low monthly leases that encourage the cultivation and future of how we work.

The WaveOffice (or “Wo.” for those of you who prefer nicknames) community will include: two 10-person conference rooms with 65-inch monitors and Barco Clickshare connectivity; wireless 30/30Mb internet connection provided to each suite; abundant informal gathering areas with soft seating; curated music playlist in Common Areas; two kitchens equipped with refrigerator, dishwasher, ice maker, microwave, Starbucks coffee machine, Bevi-filtered and sparking water machine; and ‘pod’ work areas.

Additionally, Wo. tenants will have access to Clarendon Square’s brand-new building amenities — a lounge area with fireplaces and comfy seating, bike lockers/bike area for those over-achieving commuters, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a café accessible from the tenant-only lounge.

Carr Properties is transforming the way people work into a tangible reality.

Statutes of Liberty: Love, Marriage and Immigration

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.

Just married! There’s just one hitch: no proper immigration papers. What should you do now? Everyone says that your new bride (or groom) should get a green card without any difficulty. But you’re worried. You’ve looked at the forms and they look… difficult. You’re worried about making a mistake. What should you do now?

The sensible answer is to call a lawyer, but I’m going to point you in the direction of the appropriate forms so you can DIY if you want to. Please call a lawyer, though. It’s in your own financial interest. Lawyers get paid by the hour, and it takes many delightfully lucrative hours to get you out of trouble after you finish your Belushi impression.

  1. I enjoy crushing beer cans against my forehead, so obviously I don’t want a lawyer. What should I do now?

Assuming you are eligible, you file a long ton of paperwork and supporting documentation. The foreign spouse will be fingerprinted. Three to four months later, the foreign spouse should receive a work permit. Six to twelve months later, you will both be interviewed by a government official. If that interview goes well, you’ll get a green card. If it doesn’t… well, you’re headed to Immigration Court, which is worse than Double Secret Probation and a heck of lot more expensive. More information about that to come in a subsequent column.

If you make a paperwork mistake or forget to enclose a supporting document, the government will helpfully remind you of this with a written Request for Evidence. Even if you respond instantly, a Request for Evidence will delay adjudication of your case by two to three months.

If you mess up your response to a Request for Evidence, the government may (or may not) send you another Request for Evidence. Uncle Sam is fully within his rights to keep your application fee — a cool $1,760 — and tell you to try again. You should have hired a lawyer the first time.

  1. I don’t care! I think this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture on somebody’s part.

If you’re going to do this yourself, you should read these forms (and their accompanying instructions) carefully. Any immigration lawyer you speak to should be able to tell you what these forms are, in coma-inducing detail, without opening his laptop. If he can’t, enjoy the free coffee and walk away.

  • Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative
  • Form I-130A: Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
  • Form I-131: Application for Travel Document
  • Form I-485: Application for Adjustment of Status
  • Form I-693: Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
  • Form I-765: Application for Employment Authorization
  • Form I-864: Affidavit of Support under Section 213A of the INA

(more…)

Small Biz Focus: Top 10 Tips to Effectively Promote Your Business Using Social Media

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This column is written by Tara Palacios and sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

Social media can be intimidating for a business. How often do you use it — if at all? Which platforms are your customers on? Is it a waste of time or do you get more business from your efforts?

In BizLaunch, we field questions from entrepreneurs regarding what are the most effective ways to use social media. How can you effectively get your message across in the clutter of the online world? How do you know you are reaching your target audience, and most importantly what role does social media play in sales?

First, think of social media as a part of your overall marketing plan. It can be an extremely useful tool in your toolkit if it is used wisely. Keep the below Top 10 Tips in mind as a handy guide to ensure that your business is getting the most out of your social media efforts.

Tip #1 — Identify which social media platforms your customers, competition, and industry colleagues are on.

You don’t want to be the only one at the party. Be present where members of your field are located. Business Decision is a free online tool offered by Arlington Public Library which can help you understand what social media platforms your target market is on.

For example, many businesses can be found on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is not just for job seekers but a community to identify like-minded colleagues that can help grow your business. Artists, retailers and food-related businesses use Instagram and Pinterest (imagery) to promote their businesses to name just a few platforms.

Tip #2 — Understand the best time to reach your customers using social media.

As a business, you can see how effective your sharing of information is to your target market by immediately analyzing the analytics as to how effective a tweet or post has gone. What time did you send the information? When are most of your customers on social media? At the end of the work day? On the weekends? Make sure to monitor your social media content daily so that you can develop a strategy around “when,” is the most effective time of day to post your information.

Tip #3 — How often do you want to be on social media?

Come up with a plan and stick to it. You’ll want to be responsive to your customers; however, you’ll also want to be realistic about how much time you can effectively spend online. Think of social media as you would when you respond to emails or respond to phone calls. It is another way for your clients to reach out to you.

Depending on your industry you may want to schedule 3 posts per day or 3 posts per week. It really is dependent on how much and how often you would like or need to share information. The biggest key here is to stick with your plan. You can also use multiple platforms to distribute the same information. (more…)

Arlington Building Renovation Opens Space for Homeless and Commerce

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Written by Carolyn Hamm

Arlington County wanted to tackle homelessness effectively by opening a shelter that would also provide employment training and substance abuse treatment. What county leaders accomplished is a model example of how to repurpose an existing 1965 office building into something that benefits the entire community and helps address the nation’s growing homeless problem.

One of the biggest challenges was making sure the converted office building at 2020-A 14th Street North felt warm in winter. It had drafty single-pane windows. The shelter opened in 2015 and that first winter, it was so cold, the county installed plastic sheeting on the windows and used space heaters. But that wasn’t going to work long term.

To replace the windows would have cost more than $1 million and required constructing scaffolding on the exterior of the building. Instead, the county found SuperGreen Solutions of Maryland which sells Indow interior window inserts. For less than 20 percent of what it would have cost to replace the windows, Arlington County installed 304 Commercial Grade custom window inserts. This eliminated the need for plastic sheeting and space heaters and enabled the 50-year-old single-pane windows to perform like new double-panes.

Residents throughout the region have also used Indow inserts in their homes to block drafts and increase energy efficiency.

The inserts can be easily removed and make the shelter’s living areas much more comfortable. “The inserts are integrated so well into the whole frame of the window that you don’t even see them,” said Bryan Pax of SuperGreen Solutions. “Unless someone tells you they’re there, you wouldn’t know.”

Since they are interior storms, the county didn’t need to apply for a permit to put up exterior scaffolding and get a crane to apply exterior storms. The Indow acrylic inserts just pressed into place on the inside.

Addressing the problem from the interior was better for the county, said Pax. “If you want to remove one, it can be easily removed. It was win-win all the way around.”

The building was a strategic location for the Arlington County because it’s in the heart of things, not far from public transportation, the police headquarters and various services. It has 50 year-round beds and an additional 25 winter beds for people who might otherwise suffer from hypothermia.  

Nationwide, on any given night in 2016, 549,928 people were homeless in the U.S. and living in a shelter, transitional housing or out of doors, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Earlier this year, Arlington County saw a 33 percent jump in its homeless population to 232 people, according to a survey published by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Repurposing a building for a homeless shelter takes planning and creativity. In addition to dealing with the windows, the county had to add bathrooms, sleeping areas and dining rooms. It also needed convalescent rooms for people recovering from illnesses as well as offices for those in charge of operations. The project’s leaders wanted a commercial kitchen to train people who are homeless in the hospitality industry.  

Pax takes pride in helping Arlington County create a more efficient building that works to solve a pressing social problem. He has helped commercial building owners across the region save money on energy costs and create more comfortable work environments by offering them an affordable solution for drafty windows.

For more information, visit www.indowwindows.com.

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. 

Well, those super-pleasant temps were nice while they lasted.

Now that the 50s and 60s (and lower) appear to be here to stay, it’s time to get serious about ensuring your home is ready for the winter. Among your top priorities should be a ready-to-go heating system.

Sure, you can easily Google how to self-prep your HVAC system for colder temps, but more likely than not you’ll want the help of a professional. Having been in the local real estate biz for more than 20 years, I’m always happy to connect my clients with someone that not only ensures top-notch work, but a fair price as well.

Whether it’s a flooring expert, plumber, landscaper, locksmith or electrician, I know just the right folks. In addition to helping my clients GET MORE out of their home purchase, I’m here to help folks get the very most out of living in this wonderful community!

As of November 6 there are 209 detached homes, 46 townhouses and 278 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.

WashingtonFirst Mortgage and Long & Foster Hosting Home Buying Seminar on Nov. 15

Denise Verburg with Long & Foster, a Washingtonian 2016 Best Realtor, and Joe Zamoiski with WashingtonFirstMortgage (NMLS# 118525) are hosting a Home Buying Seminar event on November 15 at WashingtonFirst Bank at Ballston (4501 N. Fairfax Drive). The seminar will last approximately one hour followed by a question and answer period.

The session will consist of a complete home buying overview and valuable home buying strategies that will provide you with some serious savings when you purchase. They will also be sharing tips in how to be successful in a competitive market.

DETAILS

When: Wednesday, November 15, from 7-9 p.m.
Where: WashingtonFirst Bank at Ballston (4501 N. Fairfax Drive)
Cost: FREE
Parking: Validated parking or street parking
Refreshments:  Complimentary pizza and water

Space is limited. To register or for more information visit http://www.besthomebuyingseminars.com/

Denise and Joe have helped hundreds of successful buyers over the last decade and are both consistently ranked in the top 1% nationally. Their unique “team oriented” approach enables buyers to feel very comfortable throughout the process.

*terms and conditions apply, click here for complete details

Ask Eli: New Trafalgar Flats Condos

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: Do you have any details on the new condo building on Columbia Pike?

Answer: The development of Columbia Pike continues westward with the introduction of a very affordable, brand new condo building by Pillars Development Group. The success of recent residential projects, Columbia Place (condos and some townhouses) and Carver Place (townhouses), along the eastern half of Columbia Pike, signal that this will be a successful project for Pillars, who has developed other local condos like The Berkley in Ballston, The Henry in Alexandria and The Paramount in Reston.

What I’m Tracking

The developers decided to make 25% of the units Jr 1BRs, with just under 500 sq. ft., which hasn’t been a very common product in newer construction so I’m looking forward to seeing how these sell. I think it will be a great secondary residence for buyers who live 90+ minutes away and work nearby, as well as the modern value-based buyer looking for affordability and less space.

Unlike most small studio spaces, they have a separate room to sleep (functional bedroom that doesn’t meet legal bedroom requirements) which makes them much more desirable than studios with one large living/sleeping space. The asking price of these units will range from $250k-$300k with monthly condo fees just under $200.

For reference, only 32 condos have sold in Arlington over the last two years for less than $300,000 and monthly fees under $250. The average construction date of those units was 1964, with none being built in the last ten years.

Affordable

Affordability and value are the selling points for Trafalgar Flats (ease of pronouncing the name is not) with 700+ sq. ft. 1BR units selling from the mid to upper $300s and 2BR/2BA units starting in the mid 400s.

The monthly condo fees are also a selling point, coming in about 10-15% lower than the average fee/sq. ft. of other Arlington condos, while still including a gym, lobby, outdoor terrace and bike storage. Above average condo fees were a problem for a lot of potential buyers of Rosslyn’s recent Key & Nash project, which is about 50% sold and about three months from completion.

For reference purposes, there have been 308 2BR/2BA condos sold in Arlington over the last two years for less than $500k and fees under $450/mo., but only three were built in the last 10 years. Bottom line… it’s rare to find value like this in Arlington.

Investment-worthy

There aren’t too many places left inside and around the beltway where you can expect above-market appreciation, but Columbia Pike is one of them, especially the western half now that the eastern section has already seen substantial growth.

At the current pricing and being in the early stages of western Pike development, savvy buyers and investors should pay attention. The property sits just two blocks from the site of the under-development Columbia Pike Village Center, anchored by a Harris Teeter (replacing Food Star), slated to open in 2019. Expect strong ROI from all three options — Jr 1BR, 1BR and 2BR. (more…)

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