Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Ask Eli: Cherrydale Neighborhood Spotlight

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Ask Eli banner

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? Cherrydale is one of Arlington’s most sought-after neighborhoods, bounded by the intersection of Interstate 66 and Lee Highway to the east, N. Utah Street to the west, I-66 to the south, and Old Dominion Drive to the north, with an awkward configuration of boundaries just north of Old Dominion adding to it.

It is primarily served by Washington-Lee High School, with a small section north of Old Dominion districted to Yorktown High School. Cherrydale boasts a diverse housing selection, with a large number of single family homes dating back to the early 1900s mixed with homes from each decade, including new construction homes that have replaced smaller, aging homes.

In addition to single family homes, Cherrydale has some pockets of condos and townhomes. Most of Cherrydale is within a 15-minute walk of the Ballston or Virginia Square Metro stations.

About the interviewee: Jennifer Galloway and her husband moved to Cherrydale from a Ballston condo in 2016 to find community, more space and their target school district for their 10-month-old daughter. They moved into a beautifully renovated pop-top home that combined Jennifer’s love of older homes with her husband’s preference for new and were sold by the two beautiful magnolia trees in the backyard.

Hailing from Connecticut, Jennifer entered the D.C. scene working in politics and eventually leveraged her connections and fundraising experience to found the Wolcott Hill Group, a nonprofit consulting firm. Jennifer is a proud graduate of the 2016 Leadership Arlington cohort and 2016 “40 Under 40” winner.

What do you love about Cherrydale?

It’s such a close, supportive community. I think we’d met every one of our neighbors within the first month and everybody has been so helpful, which is invaluable for a young family like ours. We also love the generational mix in the community with everything from young families to retirees who have lived here for 40+ years.

My husband commutes into D.C. every day and I’m always going to appointments around the metropolitan area, so we both utilize the Metrobus system that runs through out the neighborhood and makes commuting easy.

Why did you move to Cherrydale?

We wanted to be in the Washington-Lee High School district and my husband needed a short commute into D.C., so we were focused on Cherrydale, Waverly Hills and Westover.

When we first started looking, we stopped by an open house in Cherrydale and ended up talking to the neighbor for a while. She told us they were considering a move, but loved the neighborhood so much that they invested in a major renovation/expansion of their home in order to stay in the neighborhood. That sold us.

What are some of your favorite places to go?

Our favorite restaurants are Cassats and Lebanese Taverna, which are both walkable. We spend a lot of time in nearby parks like Woodstock and Quincy Park and take walks along the Custis Trail. If you’ve never been to Arrow Wine, had pastries from Randolph’s, or empanadas from La Union Grocery, you have to go soon.

Are there any fun community events?

There’s a big July 4 block party every year at the top of N. Stafford Street with a George Washington impersonator who reads the Declaration of Independence. We also have an annual yard sale in the neighborhood that’s a lot of fun.

What do you think the next 10-15 years will bring for Cherrydale?

I’m sure we’ll continue seeing small, older homes replaced by larger new homes and a continuous flow of young families coming in. However, there are many families, like ours, who plan to raise their children in Cherrydale, so it will be exciting to see the community grow together over the years.

Thank you so much for your interview Jennifer! I’m sure this will help many families considering a move into or within Arlington who are looking for many of the same things your family wanted.

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 http://www.RealtyDCMetro.com.  

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: How To Deal With Your Dog’s Summer Shedding

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

Does cuddle time with your dog cause an avalanche of fur to tumble down his back? Your dog shedding in the summer is unavoidable, but it can be managed! Here are our top four tips to help you manage shedding season:

Correct Grooming: Grooming is about a lot more than a stylish cut. A summer groom for your pet could include a bath, which helps wash out loose hairs; a coat condition, which hydrates the fur to reduce unnecessary shedding; a brush out, which aids in removing fur about to shed; and a trim or shave for certain breeds.

You should always consult a professional groomer before asking for a summer haircut, since there are many types of coats that all have their own unique factors. For example, cutting a Husky’s undercoat for the summer could actually interfere with her natural cooling system. A professional grooming is the best first step for putting summer shedding in check.

The experienced grooming team at Bark & Boarding know exactly what your pet’s grooming needs are and have custom services for dogs of all breeds.

Quality Brushes and Combs: Regular brushing or combing will remove dead hair, dirt, and dandruff, in addition to collecting loose fur on the brush, instead of in the corners of your home. Using the correct type of brush is extremely important to avoid damaging your pet’s skin or coat, but also to ensure your brushing is effective.

A quality brush or comb, designed for your pet’s coat, is a worthwhile investment. You may be surprised by how much more lose hair you can remove from your pet with the right tool. One of the best de-shedding tools on the market is the FURminator. It comes in different widths and blade lengths to suit the needs of different breeds of dogs, cats and even horses.

Clean-Up Products: Since some shedding is bound to occur, it’s worth considering some of the products that are designed to collect fur.

For example, Bissell has a series of vacuums made for homes with pets, and these include attachment tools like the Pet Hair Eraser, which make fur removal from furniture and blankets much easier. (Hint: You can find these vacuums at Walmart and on Amazon as well!)

When it comes to hardwood or tile floors, “electrostatic or microfiber dry mops” are the best for attracting tricky hair, since both the vacuum and the broom tend to blow the fur around more than to collect it.

Quality Food: Our last tip is to consider what food you are feeding your pet. It is important that your dog’s diet includes Essential Fatty Acids, which maintain a healthy, lubricated skin and coat. If your pet’s skin is dry, it will produce more dander and shed more fur.

Take a look at the ingredients on your food bags and do a quick search on your food brand to find out more about the quality of the fatty acids in your pet’s food. Omega Fatty Acids can also be added to your pet’s diet through daily supplements that taste like treats, or by adding a topical powder or oil to your pet’s dry food dish. A healthy coat will make you and your pet much happier!

Have questions on summer shedding or want to book an amazing grooming session? Send us an email at [email protected] to ease the shedding stress!

Flying Colors: Water Critical for Wild Birds in Summer

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Flying Colors column banner

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.

Come on, jump in! The water is fine. And just in time with the first really hot weather of the summer. So, for humans, we have many options to stay cool. But what about the wild birds in our backyards? Going to the movies is not an option.

During the hot, dry conditions of summer, wild birds will continuously look for reliable sources of water.

Water is crucial to birds, sometimes more so than food. Water is vitally important when it’s extremely hot, because birds do not sweat and must remove excess body heat through their respiratory system. So when temperatures rise, birds’ respiration rate increases, sometimes to the point where they can pant like a dog. This activity dehydrates birds.

A reliable source of water also allows birds to bathe regularly, a critical part of feather maintenance and staying in top-flight condition. However, offering water does not have to be difficult or expensive.

There are many ways to set up a water station to offer birds a safe and clean place to bathe and drink.  From a simple plant dish to a 400-pound granite sculpture bath, any and all water features will be accepted. But they must be safe and they must be secure.

Attract more birds by offering water in a bird bath. These water sources are normally elevated to protect birds from natural predators. Bird baths with sloped sides permit visitors to move from shallow to deeper water, and they accommodate different sized birds that need to drink or bathe.  The bird baths should be shallow so there is no accidental drowning; two-inch depths are the norm. Dark colored baths retain the heat in the winter whereas light colored dishes stay a little cooler in the summer.

Some people use misters and drippers to provide birds with water. These devices are connected to the hose bib on the side of the house with a Y connection.  This allows for a separate hose to be attached for yard work and filling up the bath.

In my front yard, I have a six-foot slope with three baths in line. A water dripper is attached to the top bath and the excess water drips into the second and third baths. The excess water then drips onto my fern garden.

The baths are constantly receiving fresh water for the birds.  The moving water prevents the mosquitoes’ larva, that may be deposited in the water, from hatching.  When located near foliage, misters give birds the opportunity to “leaf bathe.” Birds exhibiting this behavior will flutter against wet plants or leaves to release droplets onto their feathers.

Open sources of water, such as bird baths, can cause a potential mosquito problem. For this reason, many people use a Water Wiggler, an agitator that creates ripples in water (mosquitoes cannot/do not lay eggs in moving water). Also, water in motion is far more attractive to birds than a stagnant pond.

Water is essential to wild birds’ survival and many people see that necessity as an opportunity to be entertained by the birds.  Make sure your birds pool is open and filled with good clean water before they jump in.  Then grab a “slushy” and enjoy. No lifeguard needed.

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.”

The real estate market thinks it’s still spring time. Some 87 fresh new listings came on the market this week, while 74 homes sold with 25 of those selling within a week. That pace kept the days on market low at 37.

Interest rates remained steady, edging slightly downward by two basis points on the news that inflation dropped in May to just 1.9%. The 30-yr fixed rate mortgage is now at about 3.9% with no points.

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

Ready Arlington: When it’s Hot Enough to Bake Cookies in the Car

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Ready Arlington banner

This biweekly column is sponsored by the Arlington Office of Emergency Management.

If the last time you got in your car you thought it was hot enough to bake a cake, you’re not far off! The internet is full of recipes for dashboard cookies and pizza, helping to keep your house cool and energy costs down when the heat rises, while also fueling your sugar tooth. But if your car can warm up enough to bake cookies, that means temperatures (inside and outside of your car) may also be dangerous.

In fact, heat emergencies kill more people every year in the US than any other natural disaster. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are caused by prolonged exposure to heat, loss of fluids and increased body temperatures, and, if left untreated, can be deadly. Consider:

Older adults, children, and males are more likely to die from a heat-related emergency. According to NOAA, adults aged 50 or older account for 73 percent of heat-related deaths nationally.

Men, who account for 71 percent of heat-related deaths nationally, have an increased risk of death due to higher rates of sweating. During a heat-emergency:

  • Drink plenty of fluids and wear cool, lose clothing
  • Use a buddy system when working outside or participating in strenuous activity 

Those living alone face a significantly higher risk of death during a heat emergency. Following the Derecho in 2012, when temperatures soared to 100F and nearly 3.8 million people were without power in Virginia and Maryland, 75 percent of the heat-related victims were unmarried or living alone.

  • If you live alone, set up a buddy to check on you twice a day during a heat emergency
  • Check on neighbors, friends and family at least twice a day during a heat emergency to make sure they’re okay

The most dangerous place during a heat wave is in a home with little or no air conditioning. A fan can provide some comfort, but once temperatures rise into the 90s it will not prevent heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion or stroke. Even just a few hours’ relief in air conditioning can help to cool the body significantly. During a heat wave, consider:

  • Visiting the library, community center, mall or movie theater to escape your home
  • Take a cool shower, bath or go to a pool or sprayground

The temperature in a car can increase to 114F within 30 minutes when the air temperature is just 80F (and reach 123F within an hour). Even with the windows cracked, the temperature in your car can increase 20F within 10 minutes. Heat exhaustion and stroke, a life-threatening condition, can set in when your body temperature reaches 104F. Children are particularly at risk because are not able to regulate their body temperature as well as adults.

  • Never leave a child or animal in a vehicle, even with the windows cracked
  • Form regular habits to help you remember that you have a child in the car, such as leaving your briefcase, purse or lunch in the back seat

Listing of the Day: 1706 N. Jefferson Street

1/10

1706 N. Jefferson Street
Listed: $1,350,000
Neighborhood: Tara-Leeway Heights
Open: Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25 from 1-4 p.m.

Thoughtfully expanded Williamsburg Cape Cod is a landmark in the desirable Tara neighborhood. The first addition of the master bedroom and bathroom was completed in November 1998. Award-winning architect Rob Shutler designed the 2006 addition of the kitchen, breakfast room, screen porch and deck along with the front portico, added in May 2010.

Follow the handsome brick path to covered portico opening to inviting foyer. The traditional living room with woodburning fireplace adjoins a private den with French doors to the rear yard. Ideal for entertaining and daily living, the dining room flows into the kitchen, breakfast room, family room, deck and screen porch. The cook-designed kitchen features crisp white cabinets, marble countertops, stainless appliances – gas cooktop, counter-depth refrigerator and beverage fridge.

A vaulted ceiling in the breakfast room enhances the open airy feel along with built-ins and French doors to the deck. The room flows into the family room with gas fireplace, built in cabinetry, and doors to the delightful screen porch – to while away a relaxing few hours. Sunlight dots the back gardens of the quarter acre level lot.

Also on the main level is a bedroom with recently renovated bathroom, the powder room and entry to the oversized garage with high ceilings for exceptional hanging storage.

Upstairs, the master bedroom offers a seating area, walk in closet, en suite bathroom with large shower, and a stack washer and dryer. Two more bedrooms are on this level and each has deep window niches for a desk or play area. A renovated hall bathroom serves these two bedrooms.

The lower level was renovated in 2017 and includes a rec room with area for media, play, reading, and exercise. A second laundry room is on this level along with a large utility room with space for hobbies, crafts, bike workshop and terrific storage.

McKinley Elementary School, Swanson Middle School and Yorktown High School. Conveniently located between Westover Village’s library, restaurants, and farmer’s market and the larger Lee-Harrison Center, the home is a short walk to three parks, the bike path and an ART bus to Ballston Metro.

A home brimming with character, quality and style in a location you will value each day.

Listed by:

Betsy Twigg
Washington Fine Properties
703-967-4391
[email protected]

Rental Trends: Best Practices for First-Time Landlords

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Rental Trends banner

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.

Renting property in the D.C. area can be very lucrative when done properly. Unfortunately, many first-time landlords find themselves in time-consuming and expensive situations because they never took the time to learn how to choose the right tenants.

We’ve combined our decades of property management experience to give you the best advice on how to rent your property with the least amount of headaches and highest amount of profit possible.

Assemble Your Team

Even if you plan on managing your own property instead of hiring someone, you’ll need an attorney to help you draft applications, leases and file evictions.

In addition to an attorney, you occasionally will need to hire one or all of the following people to assist you with various tasks:

  • Financial professional
  • Property manager or real estate agent
  • Handyman
  • Contractors

Prepare The Property

Once you’ve got your team in place, it’s time to get your property ready to rent. Remember that tenants are less likely to take care of a home than an owner is, so be mindful of this when considering upgrades and improvements.

At a minimum, the home should be free of major structural issues and all systems including plumbing, HVAC and electrical should be working.

Advertise Your Property

The D.C. real estate market has a variety of print and online advertising mediums available for landlords to attract prospective tenants.

Craigslist is among the most popular because of its ease of use and low prices. But it is a breeding ground for scams of all types. Be wary of poorly-written messages from prospective tenants stating they are out of the area and will send you money if you send the keys.

The Rentals section of The Washington Post is more expensive, but attracts more serious prospects. Because it is a regional publication, you’re less likely to get spammy messages from fake tenants.

Other options include large national websites like Trulia and Realtor.com, though these may not produce as many good leads.

Screen Tenants Carefully

Before you even agree to meet a prospect in person, you should have a pre-screening process in place to avoid wasting time on tenants who cannot afford what you have to offer. This is especially true in the D.C. market because housing costs are extremely high compared to the median income of most people in the area.

You cannot assume tenants will always be truthful about their financial situation and other details of their lives. It’s critical that you require a signed application and credit history once you’ve met and they would like to live in your rental.

Even if cashflow is an issue, you cannot move in the first person who comes along with cash in hand to rent your property. The screening process is the most important part of the rental process.

If you perform your due diligence and find the right tenants for your property, things go a lot more smoothly down the road.

Have a Contingency Plan in Place

Even if you’ve done a great job preparing your property and selecting the right tenants, nothing is perfect. Problems will happen.

If you prepare yourself for these problems ahead of time, you’re likely to have less issues keeping your tenants happy and your properties rented.

No matter how prepared you are mentally and financially, there will be curve balls thrown your way at the worst possible time.

Adopt a Long-Term Mentality

Becoming a landlord in the D.C. area is not for those looking to make big money in the short-term. In fact, because of the high cost of real estate in the area, you’re likely not going to make much money in the first couple of years, especially if you just bought the property.

You must look at this as a way to build long-term wealth. When done properly, your profits will steadily rise as you build equity in the property and incrementally increase the rent.

Being a landlord is hard work. If you find yourself constantly struggling to handle your growing portfolio of rental properties, it may be time to hire a property manager. They’ll save you time, money, and the headache associated with self-management.

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.

According to our local go-to MRIS (Metropolitan Regional Information Systems), home sale prices in the DC area just hit an all-time high. The median sales price is now at $460,000, up 7 percent (or $30,000) compared to last year.

Additionally, 5,620 homes closed in May 2017, up 3.5 percent compared to May 2016. The median days on market is hovering right around 10 days.

So, what does all of this mean for you, the buyer? It means our market is hot and homes are going fast. Sure, things are generally more expensive than last year, but that’s been the trend for some years now.

Regardless of the stats and facts, I’m here to help you GET MORE out of your home search and, ultimately, your transaction. There are still bargains to be found out there – when you’re ready to find them, my team and I are here for you!

As of June 19 there are 243 detached homes, 70 townhouses and 273 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 39 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 To Negotiate A Home Inspection

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Ask Eli banner

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: I just finished the home inspection for a single-family home I’m purchasing in South Arlington and there are about 40 items on it. Should I be nervous and consider walking away from the deal? What’s reasonable to expect from the seller?

Answer: Before you freak out about the list of issues the inspector found, I will say that for an older single family home, the number of items the inspector listed in the report is within the normal range of what I see. Unless you’re buying a new home, you should expect the inspection to turn up at least a handful of items that you or the seller should address.

What Is A Home Inspection?

Shortly after ratifying (signed by both parties) a contract to purchase a home, most buyers will (read: should) hire a third party inspector to inspect the entire home and produce a report of any issues, from foundation cracks to missing door stops.

In most cases, the contract to purchase is contingent on the home inspection, meaning the buyer has the right to ask the seller to fix or replace anything and/or provide a cash credit to the buyer at closing. If the buyer and seller are unable to come to an agreement on these requests, the buyer has the right to void the deal.

What Should You Look For?

The goal of an inspection is to ensure that the seller is delivering the property in the condition both sides expected while negotiating the sale price. Generally, you can divide findings into big-ticket items that impact the value of the home and must be addressed and smaller punch-list items that shouldn’t cause much friction. The big-ticket items I look for during an inspection are:

  • Structural flaws
  • Water penetration
  • Safety hazards
  • Inoperability (e.g. air conditioning not working)

System Life Expectancy

You should also determine the age of major systems like the roof, windows, HVAC and water heater prior to making your offer, and verify these are accurate during the inspection. Make sure you’re clear on the expected life expectancy of these systems while you’re negotiating the sales price and factor this information into your offer.

You’ll have a tough time convincing most sellers they’re on the hook for crediting you the cost of a 17-year-old water heater if that information was made available prior to your offer, assuming the system is working.

What Should You Ask For?

As I mentioned earlier, you’ll generally be deciding between asking the seller to handle the fix or replacement of something or asking for them to provide a credit at closing. Often times an inspection agreement includes both – a credit for some items and a request to fix/replace others. Sellers must use licensed contractors and provide works receipts for any work they do.

In general, if something you’re asking for involves personal preference or you want to have control over the quality of the result, it’s best to ask for a credit and handle it yourself. For example, if the deck is falling apart and needs to be replaced, you don’t want the seller managing the design and construction of a new deck so ask for a credit for the replacement cost and make sure you’re getting the deck you want.

Additionally, if the A/C system needs to be replaced and the seller has a mid-grade system, but you’d like to install a top-of-the-line A/C system, it’s best to request a credit equal to the replacement cost for a comparable mid-grade system and invest in the extra cost of a nicer system yourself.

Inspections Don’t Need To Be Contentious

Inspections are one of the most common points of contention between buyers and sellers, but with the right preparation and expectations going in, it can be a smooth process that both sides are happy with.

Like the negotiations you had on the sale contract, the inspection period is also a negotiation. Buyers should expect sellers to address big-ticket items and smaller items that are not classified as improvements/updates.

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 http://www.RealtyDCMetro.com.

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.

Legal Insider: Federal Hiring Freeze – The Latest Update

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Berry & Berry column banner

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

Many of our clients who are federal employees have been facing difficulties as a result of the hiring freeze enacted by President Donald Trump in January. While the initial hiring freeze has been rescinded in part, there are many restrictions still in place.

These restrictions have affected our federal employment practice since we often argue for or resolve cases involving changes, transfers, desk audits and promotions. This article covers the latest on the federal employee hiring freeze and where it presently stands.

Background

The federal hiring freeze began on January 23, shortly after the inauguration of the President, and covered most hiring actions for federal employees. This had the unfortunate result of causing many federal employees to take on additional jobs that were previously handled by other employees who had left but with no increase in compensation.

In many federal agencies, it appears that federal employees are unable to perform their basic work functions given the lack of staffing. The ban was eventually lifted, for the most part, on April 12. Additionally, there has also been a lack of staffing at the appointee levels as the current administration has only appointed one-third of the amount of appointees that the previous administration had in place at the same point in time.

Where We Are Now

While the original federal hiring freeze has been lifted for most agencies, some individual agencies have decided to leave the ban in place in order to reduce their number of employees. The somewhat understated goal is to reduce the size of the federal workplace.

For example, despite the lifting of the ban, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of State currently still have varying restrictions on hiring new personnel as of right now. Other agencies have not openly continued the hiring freeze but have only been hiring on a limited basis.

In addition, since the lifting of the initial freeze, guidance has been issued intending to restrict hiring of federal employees. Other agencies, like the Department of Defense that lifted the hiring freeze, issued requirements that hiring officials comply with the intent of the Office of Management and Budget’s memorandum of April 12, which focuses on reducing the numbers of employees for agencies.

In getting back to normal following the freeze, there has also been a significant backlog of background and clearance investigations from dozens of federal departments that need employees. This will slow down the on-boarding process for these employees.

We suspect that hiring will eventually increase and the policies will be liberalized somewhat, because even agencies looking to reduce their size and scope have to perform basic functions.

We have run across a number of federal supervisors and other employees who have become overburdened to the point that they may leave federal government altogether because they have no assistance and are performing multiple jobs.  This will eventually lead to increased hiring.

It will also likely take a year in order for the federal government to get back to where it was in staffing and productivity before the change in administrations and the enactment of the hiring freeze.

If you need assistance with a federal 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 at www.facebook.com/BerryBerryPllc.

Rethink Energy: Block Party Permit Go Packs

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/2

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. This post focuses on the Greater Arlington Solar Co-op, currently open for Arlington and other Northern Virginia residents interested in purchasing solar at a discount.  Got a question? Email us at [email protected]!

Summer is just about here and all across Arlington, people have reemerged from winter hibernation.

Our neighborhoods and neighbors are the heart of what make Arlington such a great place to live. Every week, any given corner of Arlington will be abuzz with a block party.

A block party is an opportunity for neighbors to get together, play games, let kids run about, learn a bit about your community history and just connect.

As popular as block parties are, they provide more than a good time; personal recommendations from neighbors are coveted.  Who uses which home contractor? Painter? Auto body shop? Pest control? We would like to share some information with you as you connect this spring, summer and fall.

When you get a block party permit this year, ask for a free Block Party Go Pack. Each kit includes ~25 cozies (R-value for your beverage!), along with information about Arlington’s green home renovation program, solar co-op and home energy rebates.

If your upstairs is roasting hot in the summer, if your utility bills are very high, if someone on your block has solar panels, if you’ve seen a Green Home Choice sign in a neighbor’s yard – don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation. You too could be more comfortable and save money with a smart energy upgrade.

Kick your feet up, connect with neighbors and let us help you get the conversation started as you celebrate community, summer and great neighbors.

View More Stories