Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Statutes of Liberty: We hired! Meet the new legal professionals

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Doran Shemin, Esq., and Laura Lorenzo, Esq., practicing attorneys at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Falls Church, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact us for an appointment.

Janice Chen., Esq. and Saran N. Cossman join The Law Office of James Montana PLLC!

You — yes, you, gentle reader — are part of our business! We rely on you to share the information we provide, and we hope that you will refer clients to our law practice — as indeed many of you already have done.

We’ve shared with you an insider’s view of the economics of our law practice, photos of Lawyers in Go-Karts, and sweet, sweet news about our new building. Now, we want to share more big news with you. Two new legal professionals have joined our practice: Janice I. Chen, Esq., and Sarah N. Cossman.

Cossman, Pointy-Headed Boss, Chen (L-R)

Janice Chen joins us from The Law Offices of Manuel Rivera, Esq., and Associates, where she distinguished herself as a litigator before the immigration courts. Janice brings huge new skills and competencies to our practice. Unlike our other lawyers — barred in Washington, D.C., New York, and Georgia, respectively — Janice is a member of the Virginia Bar, so we can now represent prospective Special Immigrant Juvenile applicants in Virginia State Courts. (We are very excited about this — helping children and teenagers is a big win for our practice.) Janice is also proficient in Mandarin, and so we will be able to welcome Mandarin-speaking clients in their own language.

Sarah Cossman is a student at American University Washington College of Law, and is not (yet) a licensed attorney. Her prior experience at the Capital Area Immigrant Rights Coalition and TRAC (an academic data tracker of immigration law — perhaps the gnarliest, dorkiest corner of our profession) positioned her well to help our clients, and she has already made important contributions as a researcher and legal assistant.

With Janice joining our office, we now have additional capacity to take on new immigration cases. Please feel free to make an appointment with her using this special link. Consultations at our office cost $200; if you hire us to represent you, we subtract that $200 from your bill.

Our office has a very old-fashioned pay and benefits policy. All employees are eligible for generous health insurance benefits, all employees instantly vest into our SIMPLE IRA with matching, and all salaried employees are eligible for four months of parental leave from Day One. We believe that these benefits help us to hire for the long term, and help our employees to do their very best for our clients.

Welcome, Janice and Sarah!

As always, we welcome your comments and will do our best to respond.

Greenheart Juice Shop: $10 gift card with newsletter subscription!

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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The freshest cold-pressed juice, cashew milks and cleanses delivered straight to your home or office from Greenheart Juice Shop!

Greenheart delivers to over 100 zip codes in Virginia, D.C., and Maryland. Check your delivery day here and start your first order.

Greenheart also has locations in Vienna, Leesburg and Aldie.

Visit us for superfood smoothies, açaí bowls, plant-based waffles, juice, cashew milks, salads and more. Check out our full in-store menu!

Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for specials and updates.

All new subscribers will receive a $10 gift card for their first home or office delivery, or their next visit to any Greenheart Juice Shop!

Arts Focus: Equity & inclusion central to P.L.A.C.E Grant for community arts projects

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
“Memory Bricks” by artist Winnie Owens-Hart in the historically African American Hall’s Hill/High View Park community.

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

Arlington Cultural Affairs and the Arlington Commission on the Arts are introducing the P.L.A.C.E. Grant, a new grant program that seeks to provide opportunities to artists, makers and performers from underserved and under-represented communities. Six $15,000 grants will be awarded. Applications are now being accepted through April 28.

The P.L.A.C.E. Grant, which stands for Promoting Local Arts and Community Equity, is a competitive grant program that will support community-initiated projects related to Arlington’s history, built environment and/or cultural heritage. The grant reinforces the goals of the Arts Commission to advance cultural equity in Arlington for all and enhances Arlington County’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

This grant seeks proposals that are at the intersection of arts, culture and heritage to provide opportunities to communities that have had limited access to programming, education and other art services. Arlington’s historic communities are a critical priority for this funding. Parties eligible to receive a Fiscal Year 2023 P.L.A.C.E. Grant include:

  • Individuals who reside in Arlington County (P.O. boxes are not eligible).
  • Institutions, community groups and organizations serving Arlingtonians and/or utilizing historic property.
  • A civic/citizen organization and/or homeowners association that serves Arlington County.
  • A 501(c)(3) organization in Arlington County.

How To Apply

The application process is electronic via Slideroom. The application period is now open, and applications will be accepted through Friday, April 28. To complete this process, applicants will need access to a computer with the latest version of Adobe Reader software, internet access and the ability to send and receive emails. The Grants Office can assist applicants with limited computer access or who need help submitting an online application.

Please direct any requests for application assistance to [email protected].

Click here for more detailed information about the new P.L.A.C.E. Grant.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: While Arlington Realty, Inc. provides this information for the community, it may not be the listing company of these homes. 

As of January 30, there are 108 detached homes, 24 townhouses and 128 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 15 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

4220 23rd Street N.

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 Arlington Realty, Inc.

Ask Eli: Tax assessments vs market value

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This regularly scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel. Enjoy!

Question: How close are the County’s tax assessments to actual market values?

TL;DR (1:16)

Answer: Earlier this month, Arlington announced that the next round of annual tax reassessments would increase the total residential assessment by 4.5% (this is overall, changes to individual home/land values will vary significantly). This change is meant to align with the increase in market values of Arlington homes, but assessed values remain well below actual market values for most homes. In fact, 81% of homes sold in 2022 sold for more than their most recent tax assessment value.

Homes in Arlington that sold in 2021 sold for an average of 8.7% (median 8.4%) above their most recent tax assessment.

Homeowners in the 22205 zip code benefit the most by underassessments, for a second year in a row, with an average difference between 2022 sold prices and their assessments of 14.8%, or over $194,000. Owners of single-family homes and townhouses (12.9% average difference) benefit more from underassessments than condo owners (4.1% average difference).

If County assessments were representative of actual market values, the average Arlington homeowner would pay over $900 more per year in property taxes, so don’t forget to send the Department of Real Estate Assessments a thank you card!

The following chart details the difference between how much a home in Arlington sold for in 2022 compared to its most recent County-assessed value:

If you believe that the County’s assessment of your home’s value is too high, you have the right to appeal the assessed value; the deadline is March 1.

If you’d like to discuss buying, selling, investing, or renting, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column or to discuss buying, selling, renting, or investing, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at EliResidential.com. Call me directly at (703) 539-2529.

Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel.

Eli Tucker is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with RLAH Real Estate, 4040 N Fairfax Dr #10C Arlington VA 22203. (703) 390-9460

Neighborhood Spotlight: Let’s talk about Bellevue Forest

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Bellevue Forest is a secluded and quiet neighborhood in the upper northeastern section of Arlington County.

Surrounded by a lush wooded area with plenty of wildlife providing a serene ambiance just minutes away from D.C. Located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., it is a close-knit community that enjoys the best of both worlds offering a family-friendly setting while only “one stoplight away” from the urban conveniences of the city.

The neighborhood offers idyllic landscapes, and local parks and trails including the Potomac Heritage Trail, Potomac Overlook Regional Park, Zachary Taylor Park, and Gulf Branch Nature Center. Only a 15-minute drive away from the nation’s Capital, Bellevue Forest offers active community involvement and a place for people to plant their roots and enjoy every aspect of their lives.

First established as a 120-acre subdivision in 1938, Bellevue Forest offers a rich history of pride and planning that has insured it remains a suburban haven of single-family homes with generous lots set amidst peaceful natural surroundings.

In many respects, Bellevue Forest has changed very little since it was first established. Filled with mature trees and meandering streams, it still has forested areas and a wide variety of wildlife including deer, foxes, pileated woodpeckers, and other wildlife. It is a neighborhood in which people truly enjoy everyday life.

There is so much more to discover! Connect with neighborhood expert Daniel Pierson to learn more about Bellevue Heights and other surrounding areas! 

Daniel Pierson | 703-795-9367 | [email protected] | www.piersonteam.com | www.McEnearney.com

McEnearney Associates — Arlington Office

Links & Recommendations

For 40 years, McEnearney Associates has been a premiere residential, commercial and property management firm with 11 offices located in the Washington metro region. With service excellence, hyper-local expertise, powerful data insights, innovative technology and cutting-edge marketing, McEnearney Associates have helped their clients make informed decisions on their most valuable real estate investments. There is an important difference at McEnearney: It’s not about us, it’s about you. To learn more, visit us at www.McEnearney.com.

Hungry? Buy one, get one free lunch week starts this Monday!

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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Meeting for lunch?

Starting Monday, January 30 and running until Friday, February 3, Copperwood Tavern, The Pinemoor, and Brass Rabbit Pub will be offering buy one, get one free soups, salads, sandwiches, and cold pressed drinks from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Each restaurant offers a selection of salads with fresh local greens and seasonal toppings, and handhelds like a spicy Avocado Burger or Buffalo Fish Sandwich.

Visit copperwoodtavern.com, thepinemoor.com or brassrabbitpub.com to book your reservation today!

Love the Wine You’re With — a Valentine wine party

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Love it or hate it, Valentines Day is right around the corner!

Treat your lover to something unique and tasty this year.

Join fellow wine lovers at screwtop wine bar for a walk around tasting of twenty love themed wines, nibble on cheeses, and dip “strawberries” in a chocolate fountain! Bring all your “gal”entines, dress in red and make a day of it.

Tickets are available now!

Join us Saturday, February 11 from 4-6 p.m.

Tickets are:

  • $79.99 Per Person Public Ticket
  • $49.99 Per Person Wine Club Member Ticket

*Join screwtop wine club today for only $49.99 per month*

And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more tasty wine events!

Home Buying & Selling Seminar: How to do both at the same time!

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This is an In-Person Happy Hour Seminar! Join us Wednesday, February 1 from 6-7 p.m.

Drinks and food will be provided as you learn how to navigate the process of buying and selling a home at the same time.

You’ve already experienced the excitement of buying a home, but may not have sold a property before. From preparations to marketing, our team approach ensures that your home is in front of as many buyers as possible, while you are searching for a new home yourself!

If you are looking for more space, less space, or planning to leave the area, the process of simultaneously buying and selling a home is different than when tackling these big life events separately. It is important to have an agent team on your side with the knowledge of how to save you money, time, and stress during this process.

Join top agents Nick Gashel and Elisa Stephano to discuss the following:

  • How to time buying and selling to align with the market and your personal life events like adding a family member to the household, graduation, vacations, and new jobs.
  • Maximizing your financial outcome when selling furniture and other items with the home
  • Identifying your next home that will take you into a new phase of your life
  • And more!

So if you’re ready to make a move into your next home, this seminar is a great way to start that journey!

Register for this event today!

Biz Talk: Looking ahead to 2023 after a strong year for venture capital

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This article was written by Adam Henry, CEcD, EDP, Senior Business Development Manager for Arlington Economic Development.

In 2022, there were several challenges facing tech companies and the venture capital community — inflation, a decrease in tech exits and IPOs, rising interest rates, and over 150,000 layoffs in the tech sector.

While all of these factors affected deal size and valuations for tech companies, Arlington’s tech ecosystem saw some exciting deal flow among its businesses.

Arlington-headquartered companies were involved in 31 deals totaling more than $1.5 billion from venture capital raises, mergers and acquisitions, strategic corporate investments and other activity. Some of the notable venture capital raises in 2022 included:

In addition to the dynamic venture capital activity, Arlington companies were also involved in some notable mergers and acquisitions and IPOs.

Finally, Arlington Economic Development also saw a number of great investments in our community this past year, including:

  • Technomics, an employee-owned decision analysis company that specializes in cost analysis, data management, and data analytics, announced with Governor Youngkin a $1.7 million expansion in Arlington County, creating 150 new jobs.
  • MarginEdge announced its relocation to Arlington County, taking 23,500 square feet in Ballston.
  • Shift5 announced it will double its space in Arlington to 19,840 square feet in Rosslyn citing a 54% growth in employment since the start of 2022 and revenue doubling year-over-year.
  • Federated Wireless announced a private wireless partnership with JBG Smith in conjunction with Federated Wireless’ corporate headquarters relocation to National Landing.

Despite the challenges of the past year, it’s clear that Arlington-based tech companies continue to launch and grow, creating several opportunities for employment growth in Arlington and Northern Virginia.

In 2023, AED is excited to continue the momentum of creating a welcoming environment for the tech community to raise capital, launch and grow businesses.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: While Arlington Realty, Inc. provides this information for the community, it may not be the listing company of these homes. 

As of January 22, there are 110 detached homes, 20 townhouses and 130 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 15 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

2407 N. Rockingham Street

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 Arlington Realty, Inc.

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