Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Just Reduced Properties In Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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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. 

Before we dive in to real estate here, it’s been an emotional week or so for so many Americans. Our thoughts continue to be with Houston, the Southeast United States and our friends in the Caribbean. Additionally, the 16th anniversary of 9/11 was on Monday – a day I certainly will never forget.

Everyone impacted has been at the top of my thoughts.

As we enter the peak of hurricane season, it is important to be prepared — perhaps not specifically for a hurricane (though we’ve been impacted in times past) — but a disaster in general. Many of the same disaster preparedness items you’d buy to prep for a hurricane may be used for any type of situation.

A good starting point to build your own preparedness kit is at Ready.gov.

In addition to helping you find a home, I’m always here to help you make the most of living here in Arlington. And having some emergency items on-hand for you, your family and home certainly can’t hurt.

As of September 11 there are 245 detached homes, 69 townhouses and 292 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 64 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: Does A Pool Help Or Hurt When Selling?

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 installed an in-ground pool when we bought our house and now that we’re considering selling it, we’re wondering if it’s better to improve the condition of the pool or fill it in and replace it with more usable space.

Answer:

You Will Lose A Lot Of Buyers…

You will lose the majority of your buyer pool (pun intended) by offering your home for sale with a pool. With limited months of the year warm enough to use a pool, limited yard space, and high maintenance costs, most Arlington home buyers consider an in-ground pool a deal-breaker. You’ll see from the Fairfax County data that this is true for Northern Virginia, not just Arlington.

…But It May Not Matter In Arlington

This does not mean you should spends tens of thousands filling your pool in and covering it with new landscaping. Arlington has so few homes for sale with a pool that despite losing a large percentage of your potential buyers, you’re likely to benefit from the pool because it’s such a unique feature. Remember, it only takes one person/family to buy your home.

Arlington & Fairfax County Data

Since January 1 2012, only 29 detached homes have sold in Arlington with an in-ground pool, while during that same period, 1,548 homes in Fairfax County sold with an in-ground pool.

Arlington sellers with a pool fared well with an average of only 29.3 days on market, compared to about 50 days on market for all other detached homes. 18 of the 29 sales sold in 10 days or less.

On average, those 29 sales were 3 percent lower than the original asking price, with a county average during that period closer to 2.5 percent, but not everybody sold at a discount because 11 of the 29 sales sold for at or above the asking price.

Arlington has so few homes with in-ground pools, that we have to look to Fairfax County to gather some meaningful data:

During this time, detached homes spent an average of about 60 days on market and sold for about 97.5 percent of their original asking price.

As you can see from the table above, it took nearly 40 percent longer to sell a home with an in-ground pool and buyers negotiated an average of 3 percent more off of the original asking price. This supports the idea that most buyers in Northern Virginia don’t want a pool, but the lack of available inventory in Arlington offsets that and can be turned into a positive for sellers.

Take Notes From Fairfax, Timing Matters

The above table for Fairfax County also highlights that if you’re going to sell a home with a pool, you should do so within the spring market so your buyer has the immediate satisfaction of using it for a full season after they purchase.

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.

Job of the Day: Construction Supervisor/Project Manager

Arlington Construction Management, a locally owned and operated residential home builder and remodeler, is looking for supervisor/project manager to work with its client base in creating their dream homes.

ACM is seeking a self-motivated individual with experience in residential or commercial construction, who’s looking for a more flexible/independent work environment that provides a higher quality of life. Most of our work is right here in Arlington or a short drive just outside the county.  We are in the process of affiliating with a large north american organization that will provide additional training and advancement potential.

For more information, contact Chad Hackmann at 703-224-4428 or [email protected]. To apply, send your work history and contact info with a current address.

Legal Insider: Leave for Virginia Employees

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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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.

By John V. Berry

We thought it might be helpful to provide information on leave laws and rules that cover Virginia employees. Leave issues always come up either during the course of an employee’s employment or immediately following the end of employment.

Leave laws and regulations also vary by the type of employer. For instance, federal, state, county and private sector employers have different laws and rules governing leave. Virginia has not codified many areas of employee leave as of yet, but that may be changing as other states enact improvements.

Virginia is one of those states where most forms of employee leave are not mandatory, but I suspect that may change in the future as Northern Virginia grows larger with more employers.

Some jurisdictions, like the District of Columbia have moved towards expanded paid leave. Fortunately for most Virginia employees, many forms of leave, while not mandatory are typically provided by employers in order for them to remain competitive in retaining employees. I will go through each form of leave in Virginia below:

Vacation Leave/Annual Leave

In Virginia, private sector employers are not required by law to provide employees with vacation/annual leave, either in a paid or unpaid status. This is different for federal, state and county employees in Virginia.

For instance, federal employees accrue a certain amount of annual or vacation leave each pay period and can then use this leave for vacation or taking days off.  When a federal employee leaves the federal government, they are paid out for the remaining balance of annual leave.

While payout of accrued vacation or annual leave has not been mandated for private sector employers, if it is pursuant to a consistent company practice or policy, the employer in Virginia may be required to pay such leave out to departing employees.

Sick Leave

In Virginia, there is also no state requirement that employers provide employees with sick leave benefits. Virginia is different in this respect when compared to many other states.

However, if an employer chooses to provide sick leave to employees, it must follow the established policy. There are some other notes on sick leave.

First, federal, state and county employees are generally given sick leave in increments. Furthermore, under federal law, private sector employees of larger Virginia companies (more than 50 employees) are entitled to sick leave when given under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Under the FMLA, private sector employees in Virginia may take up to 12 weeks of leave in a 12-month period for a serious health condition, bonding with a new child, or qualifying exigencies. This type of leave renews every 12 months as long as the employee continues to meet the eligibility requirements set out above.

Employees may also take up to 26 weeks of leave in a single 12-month period to care for a family member who was injured on active military duty.

Administrative Leave

While there is no entitlement to administrative leave for employees in Virginia, it can and is often granted. Typically, this type of leave is granted for reasons related to misconduct or equal employment opportunity investigations or other miscellaneous issues that arise. Federal, state and county employees have their own unique policies for administrative leave, which vary.

Holiday Leave

Additionally, the Commonwealth of Virginia does not require private employers to provide employees with either paid or unpaid holiday leave. Additionally, a Virginia employer does not have to pay an employee premium or enhanced pay for working on a holiday.

Again, different standards apply for federal, county and state employees, depending on position (.e.g. law enforcement), who may receive holiday pay for their work and/or premium pays.

Voter Leave

In Virginia, an employer is not required to give leave for an employee to vote. However, Virginia does require an employer to accommodate an employee who has been appointed as an election official. Some federal and other public employees have policies of permitting some administrative leave for voting where necessary.

Jury Duty Leave

In Virginia, an employer is not required to provide leave for jury duty, but cannot discharge or retaliate against the employee if they have given reasonable notice to their employer.

Additionally, an employer may not charge a private sector employee vacation or annual leave for jury duty service. An employer that violates these provisions is guilty of a misdemeanor (VA Code. §18.2-465.1).

If you need assistance with an employment issue, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or at www.berrylegal.com to schedule a consultation. Please also like and visit us on Facebook.

Job Listing: Wild Birds Unlimited is Hiring Sales Associate Positions

WBU Associate PictureYour local Wild Birds Unlimited (2437 N. Harrison Street) is dedicated to the hobby of backyard bird feeding. We provide quality bird food and supplies to all of your backyard birds.

The position of Sales Associate can be either a part-time or full-time position that reports to the franchise owner or manager. The primary responsibility of a Sales Associate is to provide a high-energy customer experience.

Selling / Customer Experience:

  • Understands that the high-energy customer experience is the #1 priority.
  • Uses successful selling skills to satisfy the customer and complete the sale.
  • Wears the logo name badge and logo apparel while working on the sales floor.

Merchandising:

  • Understands and communicates the store’s merchandise and target products to the customer.
  • Completes the changing of displays, signing and the restocking of merchandise as directed by management.

Personnel Management:

  • Demonstrates a positive, enthusiastic and professional demeanor.
  • Attends store meetings as required.
  • Completes any other duties as assigned.

Administrative Control:

  • Adheres to all store policies and procedures regarding the ringing of all transactions, any administrative duties and scheduling.
  • Completes accurate and legible paperwork.

Store Maintenance:

  • Maintains good housekeeping standards to help present a clean and well-presented store.
  • Helps keep store and backroom clean & organized.

Please call (703) 241-3988 or come in to pick up an application!

WWBG: Sealed and Delivered

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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Editor’s Note: This biweekly column is sponsored by Dominion Wine and Beer (107 Rowell Court, Falls Church). It is written by Garrett Cruce, a Cicerone Program Certified Beer Server.

In June, the Brewers Association announced a seal that craft breweries could use to identify themselves as “independent.” The seal is a way for craft breweries who do not have the distribution power of big beer to differentiate themselves.

In the wake of craft brewery purchases by international beer companies like Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI) and Heineken, it is apparent that distributors and consumers might be a bit confused about who is being mass produced and who is still a local or regional — or even national — craft brewery.

An upside-down bottle with the words “Certified Independent Craft” comprises the seal, and is intended for use on everything from windows to packaging. Not restricted to members of the Brewers Association, they require only that you be a commercial brewery and that you meet their requirements for being a craft brewery.

The idea is to draw a bright line between those breweries that appear to be independent, but are part of a larger corporation, and those that have retained their independence.

While the seal has spawned a strong reaction in the form of a defensive video from ABI’s High End and a parody video that followed on Facebook, it appears to be gathering steam.

Since June, more than 2,000 of the 5,000 craft breweries in the U.S. have signed on to the program. Though the Brewers Association hasn’t published a list of participating breweries, an informal survey of local and nearby breweries includes Port City Brewing Company, Solace Brewing Company, Black Hoof Brewing Company and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.

Here’s my big question to you: Will this seal help you choose beer in the future? 

Healthy Paws: The Senile Old Friend

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Healthy Paws

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.

Lets face it, our pets age.  Just like us, some maintain cognitive function and stay sharp as a razor, and others … not so much. Whether you call it dementia or cognitive dysfunction, the symptoms we see in our pets are similar to what is seen in humans with Alzheimer’s or senile dementia.

These pets can get lost in the house, become ornery, not want to do things they used to enjoy, lose house training and litter box habits, pace/vocalize or otherwise seem agitated or anxious (and often at night), just to name a few common symptoms.

Cognitive Dysfunction is relatively common in an aged pet population – though the symptoms are not “normal” signs of aging. When screening and intervention occurs earlier in the process of this syndrome, we can often improve longevity and quality of life for the pet (and often their human companion), though we cannot cure it.

It is important to realize that these symptoms can be seen with many other diseases or chronic pain (such as from arthritis). Ruling out other treatable or manageable conditions is helpful and increases our chances of keeping our aged pets comfortable.

Adequate pain management is by far the most common issue we have to address before determining if additional therapies for cognitive dysfunction are needed. Our fur family is just so good at being stoic that sometimes we don’t adequately recognize subtle signs of pain until it becomes so bad and starts to alter their behavior.

Some other diseases that can cause similar symptoms are other primary neurologic diseases (brain tumors, inflammation around the brain, etc…), kidney disease, hypertension, altered thyroid function and altered adrenal gland function. Blood testing and a comprehensive physical exam are important screening tools for some of these underlying diseases.

Once any and all underlying problems are adequately addressed, management of cognitive dysfunction generally involves dietary management (there are some newer diets that specifically help address the altered brain nutrient needs), increased antioxidant supplements, melatonin and anti-anxiety medications such as selegiline or Prozac.

Reducing outside stressors on our pets has also been shown to be beneficial. If your pet is showing symptoms of cognitive dysfunction – then it is not ideal to make major changes in their life (such as getting a new pet or changing their environment), if possible those stressors can trigger things to get much worse for them, and more quickly.

If major stressors are inevitable, then easing them into the change may be helpful. Additionally, similar to doing crossword puzzles as a human, keeping cognitive skills fresh is important for our pets as well.

Environmental enrichment and mental stimulation is really important: ways we can work on these skills are with tools like puzzle and feeder toys, climbing and agility and general maintenance of a good activity level and ongoing task and obedience training.

If you have an older pet who is experiencing disorientation, changes in their sleep/wake cycle, loss of house training, changes in social interactions, increased agitation or anxiety and/or changes in activity level – talk to your veterinarian about looking into what underlying causes might be present and ways to help support your old friend’s brain health and comfort.

MMA & Sports Rehab Branches Out, Opens New Location

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It’s not quite a Grand Opening, but it is a big step and a new beginning for Dr. Ujjwal Shakya and the staff of MMA & Sports Rehab in South Arlington.

After almost 3 years of building a patient population inside Pentagon Mixed Martial Arts at 1041 S. Edgewood Street — near Columbia Pike — Dr. Shakya has moved his physical therapy practice two doors down to his own clinic at 1033 S. Edgewood on the same street.

Dr. Shakya says the clinic treats more than just the MMA competitor or athlete. “About 5 to 10 percent of our patients are MMA athletes,” he says. “Most patients have a number of sports-related injuries, chronic pain syndrome and acute pain/injuries from everyday activities.”

It helps that Dr. Shakya active in sports, which clearly helps him understand injuries specific to athletes. He has been practicing martial arts, particularly Muay Thai, for the last six years and plays cricket for the DC Royal Cricket Club locally.

Dr. Shakya believes that the clinic has experienced rapid growth and positive feedback because of widespread word-of-mouth referrals, evident by the sincere and abundant praises on Yelp, Google Plus and other social media platforms. He wholeheartedly appreciates patients for their kind words about his services.

The MMA & Sports Rehab practice includes multi-disciplinary approaches to disorders of general orthopedic, vestibular (balance), neurological and sports nature. Patients are likely to experience any combination of therapeutic exercises, Kinesio taping, soft tissue mobilization, Myofascial Release, Blood Flow Restriction training, Dry Needling and other manual therapies.

Dr. Shakya says, “We perform various manual therapy techniques along with specific therapeutic exercises, and patient education is a big part of our practice. We focus on a combination of excellent patient service, focused and effective therapy.”

But perhaps most crucially, Dr. Shakya sees a patient not as a single complaint to fix, but as a comprehensive and holistic person. “We see the patient as a whole person rather than just a pain in the neck or a low back ache,” he says.

For instance, he says, if the complaint is an ailing ankle, “We address the hip, the knee and the core. The patient is a full person, not just an ankle. I try to find the source of the symptoms, the source of the pain.”

Dr. Shakya, who is originally from Nepal, has the unique distinction of being one of the few physical therapists he knows of with double-doctorates: Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Manual Therapy, in addition to being a Board Certified Sports Specialist.

There are more credentials, and you can see them on the clinic’s website.

The transition from the gym setting to the clinic setting affords patients with opportunities for relief in both locations as Shakya’s practice continues to have access to Pentagon MMA.

The bottom line on the expansion of the business into its own clinic says something about the care and treatment patients experience at MMA & Sports Rehab. “Our patients have continued to support us and we are proud to provide exceptional care with expertise,” the doctor says.

For more information about MMA & Sports Rehab, see the website here, call 703-884-7084 or email at [email protected]. The preceding was sponsored by MMA & Sports Rehab and written by Buzz McClain.

How One Couple Saved $20,000 Selling Their Condo

washington dc real estate

homezen saves you thousands by making it easy to sell your home without an agent.

Alexa and Matt were ready to sell their condo, but found agents to be too impersonal and wanted to save the 3% seller’s commission. After reading about homezen in a local blog they decided to set up a call. “After the initial call we knew homezen was right for us,” said Matt.

They discovered that homezen would not only list their home on the MLS, Redfin, Zillow and other sites, but could help them set a price, offered professional photography, provided all the paperwork and guided them through the entire home selling process.

washington dc real estate homezen

Paying the initial fee was simple, and after homezen photographed their condo and uploaded the pictures, the listing went live within 24 hours.

Thirty minutes later, they received their first request for a showing. Every step of the way, homezen was available to answer their questions — via email or on the phone.

“The individualized assistance felt like we were part of a helpful and supportive organization,” said Alexa. “We never felt alone.”

washington-dc-real-estate-homezen

The couple sold their home for $10,000 above the asking price and saved $20,000 by avoiding paying a seller’s commission.

“We’ve already recommended homezen to many friends and family,” said Matt.

Ready for your homezen success story? Check out their website and their free tools to get started. They offer free instant home valuations, a free sales timeline planner and free phone consultations.

The preceding post was written and sponsored by homezen.

Just Reduced Properties In Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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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. 

Labor Day is in the books… which means Fall is just around the corner.

In our neck of the woods, autumn equates to cooler temperatures (finally!), beautiful foliage and an opportune time to check-up on some key home features before Ol’ Man Winter shows his ugly face.

Long before we get another Snowmageddon, now is a great time to:

  • Check window sealings for cracks. You’ll want to ensure you have an airtight abode to keep the cool air out come wintertime!
  • Clean out the garage. Don’t pick a hot day (now) or cold day (later) to do this. Pick a nice Fall day and thank me later.
  • Give your deck some love. Extreme temps (hot or cold) can do a number on your deck. If you’ve been holding off on staining or sealing your deck, get moving before winter attacks!
  • Hopefully you’ll GET MORE out of your home with these tips. And if you’re still looking for a home in our area, give me and my team a shout and we’ll help you GET MORE out of your transaction, too.

As of September 5 there are 225 detached homes, 61 townhouses and 266 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 46 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.

The Chew: Why Does My Dog Do That?

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

By Rae Patterson, Writer and Animal Enthusiast

Do you ever wonder what your dog is thinking? Why does she chase her tail? Why on earth would he want to sniff another dog’s behind? Our dogs make us laugh, smile and sometimes scratch our heads. Here are some fun facts about man’s best friend.

Why does my dog…

Bury Bones

Maybe you’ve caught your dog digging in the backyard, burying favorite toys, or hiding treats in the couch. We know that our dogs came from wild ancestors like wolves and foxes. These animals might hunt large prey that they can’t eat all at once or have remaining bones to chew from their last meal.

Wild dogs bury those items to hide them from other dogs and scavengers, while they are busy with other activities. Burying valuable items is a survival instinct that our dogs maintain from their ancestry. When your dog hides a beloved toy, it doesn’t mean she’s finished with it. She’s just saving it for later!

Howl

Occasional howling, whether at you or along with a siren, is another ancestral instinct. Wolves howl as a form of communication, especially to find one another if members of their pack become separated or to warn another dog to stay away.

Your dog may howl briefly when he loses sight of you in an unfamiliar place, to be sure you can find him again. Your dog’s howl might be alerting you to distress (be sure to check for injury or threat!), or to show you an exciting discovery. Howling at a passing truck or dog is probably your dog’s way of telling the intruder it’s in his territory.

Dogs also howl as a bonding experience, joining in on the fun when other dogs are howling.  In fact, at any given time of day, you may hear our resident bandleader Barry leading the Bark+Board pups in a lovely howling chorus!

Chase Her Tail

A puppy running around in a circle in pursuit of its own tail can be very entertaining. Your puppy thinks so too. She probably doesn’t know yet that her tail is a part of her body, and she sees it as a toy or prey. Adult dogs may chase their tails because they’re bored or seeking your attention.

If you have a dog that spins often, try throwing a tennis ball or taking your dog on a walk during times of high energy. If your adult dog suddenly starts biting at his tail, he may be experiencing pain in that area, such as fleas or parasites. This unusual behavior calls for a vet visit.

Lick Me

Your dog’s “kisses” really are a sign of affection. Mother dogs stimulate and comfort their newborn puppies by licking them. As the puppies grow, they lick their moms in return. It is bonding and comforting.

Your dog may lick you a few extra times to taste your salty skin. Among groups of dogs, the members of the pack often lick the leaders as a sign of submission. Your dog may also try to lick you when she’s in trouble.

Sniff Other Dogs’ Behinds

Dogs’ noses are estimated to have 215 million more scent receptors in their noses than humans do. Dogs sniff each other’s’ anal glands as more than just a greeting. It’s a full introduction. They learn the sex of the dog, what the dog is eating, and even some clues about a dog’s emotional state or readiness for mating.

Sniffing one another’s behinds can also disarm potential aggression between two dogs meeting for the first time.  At Bark + Boarding we make sure to give each dog the opportunity to meet other dogs in a non-aggressive manner so they’re all friends in the end!

Now you know a little more about your furry companion and his odd and amazing natural habits.

Mention this article for a FREE evaluation and click here to sign up for one today!

If you have a question about your pet’s behavior, feel free to email [email protected]. If you and your pet are featured in an article, you will receive $10 off any of our services!  For more information check out www.BarkandBoarding.com.

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