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Rental Trends: How Much Rent Should I Charge For My Arlington Property?

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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This biweekly sponsored column is written by the experts at Gordon James Realty, a local property management firm that specializes in residential real estate, commercial real estate and homeowner associations. Please submit any questions in the comments section or via email.

One of the biggest questions any landlord faces is how much to rent a property for. Even if you’ve been renting property for years, every time a unit becomes vacant you’ll be faced with the same question. This is especially tricky if you’ve had a long-term tenant and would like to find someone who’s willing to stay for several years.

The Problem With Craigslist

Many landlords start by going to Craigslist to check out similar properties and get an idea of what they can charge. While this seems like a logical place to start, there are two distinct problems inherent with this method.

Craigslist Is Full of Scams

The average rental price is heavily skewed because of the amount of fraudulent rental listings. It’s a common practice for scammers to scrape information from other websites listing houses for sale and repost them on Craigslist as rentals at ridiculously low prices.

This hurts everyone. Landlords using this method to determine their prices may seriously undervalue their rates because of what they find.

Rents Are No Indication of What People Are Actually Paying

Just because someone is asking $2,500 a month for their newly renovated Ballston condo doesn’t mean they’re actually getting that much. Landlords often base their rates on what they need to get instead of what the going market rates are.

Why Zillow Is a No-Go

Another popular method for landlords is to use the Rent Zestimate feature on Zillow. These estimates use a proprietary method for determining fair market rents based on public data, amenities and neighborhood. They provide both a low and high rent amount based on what they find.

The problem with Zillow is that it has no human going behind it and checking the data. You could have the worst house in a nice neighborhood and the rent prices would show as much higher. It’s also rife with scams, which can skew rent prices even further.

It’s common knowledge that Zillow prices are not accurate. It would be surprising that their rental rates would be any different.

What Should I Do Instead?

You may be feeling confused about how to accurately price your rental. But there are legitimate ways to come up with an accurate rate. SmartAsset recommends charging between 0.8 to 1.1 percent of your home’s value.

If your unit is worth less than $100,000 (highly unlikely in Arlington), charge on the high end. But if it’s worth $350,000 or more, charge on the low end to attract more tenants.

Here are a couple of resources to help you research the Arlington rental market.

RentJungle

Keep in mind RentJungle focuses on apartments, which generally have more amenities than single-family homes. But you’ll get a good baseline for how much people are paying, and if you have a condo with good amenities, prices are comparable.

Neighborhood Scout

In addition to rental data, Neighborhood Scout gives a complete picture of the area, including how old most homes are and the average selling price. This gives a better indication of how your rental property stacks up against others.

Contact a Property Management Company

Many landlords are skeptical about paying someone to manage their rental, but property managers have a vast network of resources and neighborhood knowledge that save you money in the long run. In addition to helping you determine the right price for your rental, they can manage the screening process and make sure your property is maintained to meet all local regulations.

Don’t Skimp on This Important Step

Pricing your property appropriately is one of the most important things you can do to attract long-term tenants that will not only pay the bill, but take care of the place as well. Take your time and do your homework to insure you’re charging appropriately. Your bottom line depends on it.

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.

Today is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. And, with it being another steamy day here in Arlington County, there is perhaps no better place to treat yourself.

Go ahead and indulge, you deserve it, especially ahead of what is such a busy month for a lot of folks in our area.

Yes, it’s that time of year again – where families kick it in to high gear to get ready for the new school year. And, a big part of that process can be finding a new place to call home.

If you and your family are looking for a new rental under a deadline or want to buy a place of your very own, my team has the resources to make it happen. Let’s GET MORE out these last days of summer together!

As of August 1 there are 235 detached homes, 56 townhouses and 271 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 53 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: Clarendon Neighborhood Spotlight

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!

Where is it? Clarendon is probably the most recognizable, well-known neighborhood in Arlington. Those outside of Arlington often refer to the entire Rosslyn-Ballston corridor as Clarendon.

Technically it is bound by Wilson Blvd to the north, 10th St N. to the south, Washington Blvd to the west, and N. Danville Street to the east (eastern border is based on the boundaries of the Clarendon Sector Plan).

Clarendon is known for its lively dining and retail scene, along with being host to a popular chains like an Apple Store and Whole Foods, where the parking line regularly overflows into the street.

From rooftop bars, numerous restaurants and high-end retail, Clarendon attracts people of all ages to its massive condo and apartment complexes, as well as droves of patrons from outside the neighborhood. Depending on your preference for entertainment, it’s either the place to be or the place to avoid on Saturday nights. The neighborhood is built around the Clarendon Metro station, which is located on the Orange and Silver lines.

About the interviewee: Tim Donaldson moved to Clarendon in 2014 after spending eight years in Los Angeles, and chose the area because it provides the walkability of a city, but he can hop in his truck any time and quickly be on the highway, which he can’t do from D.C.

He started as a renter in The Phoenix, a popular condo building at 1020 N. Highland Street, and loved it enough to buy a two-bedroom condo after one year. He loves the amenities, and chose to buy because of how well run it is due to the long tenure of its staff.

What do you love about Clarendon?

I love the balance of being able to walk to everything, but not having to fight through city traffic to get to a highway, which I do often for work and to fish. It’s a big city lifestyle, but more laid back. You also have the convenience and familiarity of successful chains like Whole Foods, Starbucks, Cheesecake Factory and Lululemon, but also some great non-chain places for music and craft beer/wine. I’m sad the record store closed!

Where do you shop, eat, and hang out?

My wife and I have a long list of favorites all within a few blocks. Green Pig Bistro is our date night spot, we’re regulars at Lyon Hall, I go to Fireworks for their great beer menu, Galaxy Hut for awesome music, Ambar’s all-you-can-eat is the best deal around, Texas Jacks BBQ is second to none (I agree), love the classics like Liberty Tavern and Bonchon, and the new Spirit of 76 is a cool, cozy bar! We love being able to walk to Whole Foods or Trader Joes for groceries.

Do you take advantage of nearby parks and trails?

I take weekly walks at Potomac Overlook and Zachary Taylor parks and love biking the WO&D, Four Mile Run, and Mount Vernon trails. I know there are parks closer by, but I love hiking and biking those areas.

How has your overall experience been in Clarendon?

Very positive! I’d love to be able to buy a single-family home in Lyon Park (adjacent neighborhood) so I can stay close to Clarendon. People mostly associate Clarendon with weekend partying, but it’s an incredible community with an art show, crafts fair, and bike race during the year. Most of the businesses put out water bowls for dogs in the summer and there’s always families out pushing kids in strollers, which gives the whole neighborhood a feel of closeness that I love being part of.

Thank you so much for your interview Tim! I’m sure this will help people considering a move into or within Arlington who are looking for a vibrant, walkable community like you described.

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.

At WeWork Tysons, Finding a Coworking Space That’s ‘Just Perfect’

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Serene Al-Momen and her team were in a different coworking office when she heard that WeWork was opening up a space in suburban Virginia. She had already seen what WeWork has to offer, so it didn’t take much convincing for her to book a tour of the new building in Tysons.

“We felt like it was a good place for the team,” says Al-Momen. “It was just perfect.”

Al-Momen is the co-founder of Senseware, a platform that helps building owners, operators, and managers to monitor everything about their facilities, from energy use to equipment status. Nine months ago the company moved into WeWork Tysons. Al-Momen says her staff tells her they feel right at home in the space just outside of D.C.

“I like the fact that the design is nice and modern,” says Al-Momen. “It feels good to our team to come every morning to a place like this.”

WeWork is a global network of more than 150 coworking spaces that are specially designed to foster creativity and collaboration. WeWork’s mission is to encourage members to “make a life, not just a living,” and it accomplishes that through modern workspaces, opportunities to network with other professionals in their field, and connect with potential customers all over the world.

In WeWork’s 10 locations in and around D.C., there are spaces to accommodate companies of all sizes, from one-person start-ups to well-established corporations with hundreds employees. Al-Momen’s growing company is right in the middle, occupying a 38-desk office.

Each WeWork location has its own personality, drawing different types of members. WeWork K Street, located on one of the best-known thoroughfares in Northwest D.C., has a wide range of members, including lobbyists to law firms. WeWork Dupont Circle, on the other hand, has quite a few tech startups and nonprofit organizations.

A 20-minute drive from D.C., WeWork Tysons is a convenient, modern workspace in a three-story glass building. It’s a LEED-certified facility, cutting down significantly on its carbon footprint. It’s a hub for business, with the headquarters for Hilton, Booz Allen Hamilton, and others corporations nearby. The space is perfect for companies in areas like tech and contracting, as well as former employees of larger companies who have left to start their own businesses.

On top of that, WeWork Tysons is surrounded by two world-class shopping centers and dozens of dining and nightlife spots. Easy access to parking and public transportation makes it great for commuters.

Al-Momen says WeWork provides everything a business owner could possibly need, from a front-desk staff and printing services to common areas and conference rooms where they can huddle with colleagues or meet with a potential new client. And, of course, there are extras like fruit water and freshly brewed coffee always at the ready.

“It’s great,” says Al-Momen. “I can’t think of anything I could want that’s not offered.”

The preceding article was written by Reesa Hylton and sponsored by WeWork.

WWBG: Modern Times is Employee-Owned and Available in Virginia

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.

“Modern Times is proof that a start-up brewery can compete and win in the craft beer market without selling out, all the while taking outstanding care of our employees and rewarding our investors.” — Jacob McKean, Modern Times founder, CEO and majority owner.

A healthy dose of idealism peppers the enthusiastic blog post announcing the 30 percent stake that San Diego’s Modern Times Beer granted its employees. It’s not surprising when you consider where the company got its name and the names of most of its beers — utopias, both real and fictional. “Modern Times” refers to a failed utopian society that was built in 1850 on Long Island, NY — not the Charlie Chaplin classic as I had supposed.

You can read a fantastic article about the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) over at Brewbound, but here’s another quote from McKean about the importance of the decision: “It ticked every box for us: achieving an outstanding return for our investors, maintaining our independence, rewarding the employees who have made our success possible, enhancing the collaborative culture that’s so vital to the company, and creating a sustainable ownership structure that will replace me when I’m ready to move on.”

Started in 2013 by former Stone Brewing Company alumnus Jacob McKean, Modern Times has grown enough to distribute to Virginia, California, Nevada and Hawaii. Since late June, the much loved San Diego brewery has been available at Dominion Wine & Beer.

Their flagship beer may be the Belgian style farmhouse ale, Lomaland, but they are not a Belgian style brewery. They claim to specialize in “aroma-driven, complex, flavorful, sessionish beers” — the four beers I’m sharing below certainly — mostly — fall into that category.

Fruitlands Gose (4.8% ABV)

Billed as a tropical fruit gose, Fruitlands is brewed with guava and passion fruit. It’s no surprise, then, that the aroma is all passion fruit. Flavor-wise, mild tartness and malty cracker steps to the fore — the fruit in the aroma ducks out of the way. Though carrying the tell-tale lemony sourness of a kettle-soured beer, Fruitlands is relatively mild. It’s light and exceptionally drinkable. Enjoy them on a hot, humid Virginia summer afternoon.

Fortunate Islands Tropical Wheat Ale (5.0% ABV)

Basically an IPA with wheat in the grain bill, Fortunate Islands is dry-hopped with Citra and Amarillo hops. The result is a crisp beer with aromatics of juniper and fresh laundry. Pine needles, peppercorns, sweetness and mild tropical fruits burst through in the sip. At 5%, this beer is super crushable — it’s light bodied and full of flavor.

 

Universal Friend Grape Saison (7.2% ABV)

Brewed using Modern Times’ proprietary Belgian yeast blend Lomaland and Pinot Noir grapes, Universal Friend is an adventurous spin on their flagship saison. Inhaling deeply invokes a delightful memory of Welch’s grape soda. The flavors are a bit more complex, though. Grape flesh emerges first, followed by juicy tartness with cloves. As this beer warms, the fruit hides behind the spice — it is a saison after all. Many American saisons tend to have an astringent bite, but Modern Times’ interpretation of the style is smooth with a hint of tartness.

Haunted Stars Imperial Rye Porter (8.0% ABV)

Holy Cow! First, imperial porters walk a fine line between black IPAs and stouts. To me, the difference is in the lack of hops for the former and the lighter mouthfeel than the latter. All that’s just a technicality. You want to call your black beer an imperial porter and not a stout? If it’s tasty, I don’t care. Haunted Stars happens to be super delicious. Full of vanilla and wonderfully bitter black malt with a bite like dark chocolate, this beer makes a perfect dessert beer.

Just Listed in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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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.”

Sellers were not shy this week. They listed 87 homes for sale. But buyers were a little hesitant, or maybe just having too much fun at the beach. Buyers ratified 58 contracts, and 16 of those homes sold in less than a week.

Mortgage interest rates were essentially unchanged this week with the 30-yr fixed rate still hovering at 4%.

The Federal Reserve met on Wednesday and decided not to raise their short term rate but expressed the likelihood of an increase before the end of the year. More importantly, the Fed indicated it will start shedding its balance sheet holdings of US Treasury bonds and mortgage backed securities in September. This is expected to cause a slow steady rise in mortgage rates.

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

Healthy Paws: Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

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.

Ever had a cat that peed on things around the house when they were “mad” or were doing it “out of spite”? Or had a male cat with frequent “UTIs” – going in and out of the box frequently to pee small amounts, sometimes with blood?

Well – this is actually a fairly common issue in cats and can present in a number of ways – and surprisingly it is rarely an infection, and it is rarely because they were “mad” or “spiteful” and most often it occurs because they were…stressed.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease or FLUTD is a catch all term that we use to describe the problem – and it’s a problem that we see most commonly in middle-age, indoor only, overweight cats that get little exercise. Symptoms of FLUTD include:

  • Difficult or painful urination
  • Increased frequency of urination
  • Crying out while urinating
  • Blood in the urine
  • Inappropriate urination (that is, outside of the litter box)
  • Frequent licking of the genital region.

So – what causes FLUTD in cats? Well most commonly it’s “idiopathic cystitis.” Idiopathic is a fun term we use in the medical field meaning we don’t know or fully understand the mechanisms and cystitis means inflammation of the bladder wall.

Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) is a diagnosis of exclusion — meaning we need to make sure nothing else is the problem before calling it this. What do we need to make sure nothing else is going on before we can call the cat’s painful bladder and inappropriate urinary habits FIC? Well below are a list of things that can cause similar symptoms that we need to make sure are not going on before we call these symptoms FIC:

  • Urinary tract infection
  • Bladder stones
  • Metabolic diseases (such as diabetes mellitus or hyperthyroidism)
  • Pain posturing to urinate (e.g. arthritis)
  • Congenital abnormalities
  • Bladder masses/tumors
  • Trauma to the urinary tract or spinal cord

We can rule out most of these other problems with a simple urinalysis (checking the urine for concentration, presence of blood and inflammatory cells, bacteria, crystals, etc…) and imaging of the bladder (ultrasound and/or x-rays).

In older cats, blood work is also often recommended to look for common metabolic problems as well as x-rays of their spine/joints if arthritis or orthopedic disease is suspected.

Once we’ve determined there’s nothing else going on – how do we manage something that is “idiopathic” and we don’t entirely understand? Well, what we do know about FIC is that the reasons for the bladder irritation are linked to stress, abnormal stress responses, neurogenic (or psychosomatic) stimulation of inflammation of the bladder wall and a defective bladder wall lining. Surprisingly, there is a condition in humans that is pretty similar called interstitial cystitis, also linked to stress.

Why do we need to treat this? Well: 1) it’s painful for the cat, 2) it can lead to a urethral obstruction (a life threatening situation where the cat is unable to pass any urine), 3) it’s often an indication of a stressed cat and 4) no one likes it when a cat is inappropriately urinating in their house.

Treatment in the acute phase/painful cat involves pain medications and anti-inflammatory medications. Long-term treatment often includes dietary changes (many of these are prescription diets that help protect the bladder wall lining, promote water intake and reduce crystal formation; some of these diets have supplements to reduce stress as well), increased water intake (canned foods, water fountains, etc…), and stress reduction.

Stress reduction can be managed with environmental management (more litter boxes, different substrates, changing how multiple cats or other pets in a household can interact, etc..), supplements (such as Zylkene and Feliway – to reduce stress; supplements to help with the bladder wall lining such as Dasuquin & Adequan), and in some cases prescription anti-anxiety medications.

With inappropriate urination being the number one cause for euthanasia of otherwise healthy cats – it’s really important to talk to your vet as soon as your cat starts showing any lower urinary tract problems.

While sometimes very frustrating, once the underlying problem is determined these guys can be managed and kept far more comfortable and live happy lives (and you can maintain your sanity).

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.

We’re in the dog days of summer here.

We’ve almost made it through July and August is shaping up to be just as steamy. And just as the temps are hot, there are some hot, home-related bargains to be had in August that should be on your radar.

Traditionally, August is a great month to buy outdoor and patio furniture at slashed prices. Sure, you may only have a few months to use your new outdoor items before they are covered in snow. But, you’ll love them in the meantime!

Also, with back-to-school season about to be in full force, it’s a great time to stock up on household items like tissues and paper towels. If your kids need something for school and it’s something you regularly use around the house, now is not the time to be bashful.

As always, we’re always looking for ways for you to GET MORE out of living here in Arlington County. And, if it’s a home you need, we always have your back.

As of July 25 there are 231 detached homes, 53 townhouses and 270 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 55 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: How Accurate Are Zillow Zestimates?

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: How accurate and reliable are online home value estimates like Zestimates (Zillow) and Redfin Estimates? My neighbor used his Zestimate to determine the asking price of his home. Can I trust that number?

Answer: Online estimates, like Zestimates and Redfin Estimates, are similar to doing a Rough Order of Magnitude estimate on a project, meaning it’s a good way to quickly determine approximate value. I suggest that clients only trust Zestimates/Redfin Estimates within +/- 10 percent of the value it provides.

In fact, I think that it’s irresponsible for Zestimates and other online estimates to be listed so prominently on their respective sites without an obvious disclaimer (readers must click for a short disclaimer). The fact that it’s a single number, down to the dollar, not a range or rounded falsely suggests it is highly accurate.

Why It’s Wrong

Zestimates, Redfin Estimates and other online estimates rely on public information like square footage, lot size, number of bedrooms, year built, tax appraisal (inaccurate), etc. and past sales in the area, but have no way of knowing details that drive true market value like quality of lot, natural light exposure, curb appeal, and age of major systems like appliances, roof and windows.

These details are critical to determining the actual market value and cannot be priced in without a full inspection of the home and understanding of their influence on local sales. In fact, there’s currently a lawsuit filed against Zillow for inaccurate Zestimates.

Zillow Admits Inaccuracies, Worse In Arlington

Zillow itself acknowledges that its Zestimates are inaccurate, stating that it has a median error rate of 5 percent (I’m sure the average error rate is much higher), only 53.9 percent of estimates are within 5 percent of the sale price, and only 75.6 percent are within 10 percent of the sale price. These last two stats are probably median error rates, with even worse error rates if you look at averages.

Further, because they’re national stats, they benefit from the large number of communities around the country that are full of nearly identical homes. When housing inventory is homogenous and there’s little variation in pricing by neighborhood (common in much of the country, not in Arlington), it’s much easier for online estimates to be accurate. I’m sure that the margin of error in Arlington and Northern Virginia is worse than the national numbers.

Comparing Popular Online Estimates

Industry spends a lot of money developing these estimate tools, so let’s take a look at how some of the most popular sites for estimates compare to each other. I’ve chosen to compare estimates on a few randomly selected properties in different sub-markets from Zillow, Redfin, and REALTORS Property Resource (RPR, created by the National Association of REALTORS for agents).

Note: there’s less variation between estimates on properties recently sold (recent sale price factors heavily) and listed properties (asking price factors into estimate formulas). Estimates below are rounded to nearest $1,000.

Listed Properties:

  • Crystal City, condo: Zillow ($376,000), Redfin ($418,000), RPR ($395,000)
  • Fairlington/Shirlington, condo: Zillow ($384,000), Redfin ($429,000), RPR ($231,000)
  • Rosslyn-area, townhouse: Zillow ($957,000), Redfin ($818,000), RPR (unavailable)
  • Donaldson Run, single family home: Zillow ($1,063,000), Redfin ($1,175,000), RPR ($1,125,000)

Unlisted Property (no recent sale):

  • Lyon Village, single family home: Zillow ($3,465,000), Redfin ($1,821,000), RPR ($2,751,000)

How To Price Your Home

With unreliable estimates from online tools and limited or no access to data on sales from 12+ months, it’s difficult for homeowners or anybody without access to your home and historical data to accurately determine the market value of your home. I frequently start with sales dating back 5 years when I price a home in order to capture true market data and trends, as 6-12 months simply isn’t enough in most cases.

If you want historical data on comparable or neighborhood sales for your home or would like an opinion on the market value of your home, shoot me an email at [email protected] or give me a call at (703) 539-2529 and I’ll be happy to help.

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.

The Chew: Does My Dog Get Tired of Eating the Same Thing?

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

As pet owners, we want our pets to be more than just “fine,” we want them to be healthy and happy. One of the most common questions that concerns dog owners is: “Does my dog get tired of eating the same thing every day?”

At Bark + Boarding we pride ourselves on offering some of the healthiest varieties of pet food available for your pup. While most dogs probably won’t “get tired of” their food, introducing variety into your dog’s diet could benefit your dog’s health if done correctly.

When considering a dog’s dietary needs, a good place to start is looking at what wild dogs eat. Their instincts teach them which foods to seek out to stay healthy.

According to “What do Wolves Eat?” an informative website designed to reduce fear of wolves, wolves prefer to hunt large hoofed animals, such as deer, bison, moose, elk, cattle and caribou. But they also supplement their diets with “smaller prey like rabbits, beavers, rodents and waterfowl.”

It might surprise you to learn that wolves also hunt for fruits and vegetables. They commonly eat “blueberries, ash berries, apples, and pears,” and they are known for sniffing out and raiding farmers’ vegetables.

From this we learn that our dogs need the vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables, just like humans do. Dog foods that include fruits and veggies are usually called “holistic diet” foods. However, the “holistic” label is not legally defined the way the term “GMO” is, so your best bet is to read the ingredient list.

Dog foods that include fruits and veggies as primary ingredients do so in an effort to reduce the amount of synthetic vitamins and minerals required in a processed food. From the wolves’ diet, we also learn that wild dogs have a variety of proteins in their diet. It can certainly benefit your dog’s overall health to include various proteins in their food.

There are some guidelines you will want to consider if you plan to add variety to your dog’s diet.

First, it is a good idea to stick with either a grain or grain-free diet. A dog’s stomach works differently to digest different products. Vacillating between the two could cause your dog to develop a previously non-existent grain allergy or sensitivity.

Second, consider remaining in the same brand of food on a regular basis. For example, feed Merrick chicken and then Merrick buffalo. These have two different protein sources but the rest of their ingredients are similar in type and proportion.

Switching between brands would mean changing more of the normal ingredients. Jumping right into a new food with a completely new ingredient list can upset your dog’s stomach, causing vomiting and diarrhea.

Third, it may be best to switch the food by bag or by month, rather than day to day. For example, finish the bag of Merrick chicken food before giving Merrick buffalo, instead of alternating the days. This should reduce the stress on your dog’s digestive system and ensure that the food stays fresh.

There are other options for adding variety to your dog’s diet. For example, you may want to supplement your dry food with a wet food of a different protein. You could also add freeze-dried or homemade meats and veggies to your dog’s bowl.

For dogs with especially sensitive digestive systems, you may consider choosing a single food that has two primary proteins, such as Acana Singles Formula food. Regardless, your dog’s taste buds and health will appreciate your efforts to feed your dog well!

Want to give one of these options a try?  Stop by Bark + Boarding anytime in July or August for 50 percent off any Stella + Chewy’s Meal Mixers or 20 percent off a bag of Acana Singles Formula!

Rethink Energy: 90% of Homes are Under-Insulated

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. Got a question? Email us at [email protected]!

You read that correctly, 9 out 10 homes in the U.S. are under-insulated. That means that you most likely live in one of them. Older Arlington homes were built when insulation was expensive and fuel was cheap. Many Arlington homes were built with no insulation and are uncomfortably hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and have uneven temperatures room-to-room and floor-to-floor.

People don’t see insulation so they don’t think about it. They see windows and doors so they think about those items more. The reality is that insulation has a significantly greater impact on the average home’s energy use and comfort than windows or doors.

Arlington’s Home Energy Rebates have helped nearly 500 households save energy, money, and increase comfort over the past year. You can receive up to $575 to add insulation and air seal your home.

Unsure where to start? Check out this list of participating Program vendors. Give an insulation contractor a call today to get an estimate. The sooner you take action the more comfortable your home will be.

POLL: What would motivate you to insulate your home?

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