This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.
By Prakriti Deuja
Arlington loves to add sweetness to its nonprofit and small business community, and OpenGrants is the box of chocolates we’ve all been looking for.
And, thanks to BizLaunch, this sweet treat is free of charge to ALL users. With three dominant and dynamic databases already in stock, adding OpenGrants only further candy-coats the data Arlington offers.
OpenGrants, a grant finding database, is an all-in-one platform that helps you find grant opportunities across the nation. A tool that is free easy to use with a simple login you create, the dashboard is user-friendly and catered completely to you. The way it works? Fill out some information about yourself and your nonprofit or business, and grants will come find you!
Once your dashboard is configured and complete, you can easily access unique features of the resource. From finding a grant writer to assist in making the grant writing process easier to creating an organized panel with your projects consolidated into one page, this database is one that was created with you in mind.
Used (and loved!) by more than 12,000 grant-fingers and experts, OpenGrants has created an effective and personable hub for start-ups, small businesses, and nonprofits alike. Access to webinars and news pertaining to grants can also be found across the website, in addition to the many other tools available from the site alone. If you’re looking for access to capital, OpenGrants is free to use and ready to find grants just for you.
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 16, there are 116 detached homes, 25 townhouses and 140 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 26 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:
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.
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: On social media, I have seen a new loan program advertised called the All in One mortgage. Whom might this program benefit and are there any pitfalls to look out for?
TL;DR Video Summary (3:13)
Answer: With mortgage rates so high, we’re seeing new products or new angles on old products (like the 2-1 Buydown) and lots of mixed information about why rates are high or where rates are likely heading in 2023 and beyond. So in keeping up with my promise to provide relevant, transparent information on the mortgage market, let’s talk about another buzzy product being discussed lately, the All-in-One Mortgage.
It’s a fairly simple product, but cutting through the marketing of it to know if it’s the right product for you isn’t easy.
The rest of this article is a guest column generously written anonymously by a lender at a local bank that offers this product, but wishes to remain anonymous so they could provide an honest review. So enjoy a brutally honest review of a mortgage product that isn’t as great as the marketing makes it seem…
The creators of the AiO claim in their marketing that this loan will pay off a homeowner’s mortgage faster than a traditional mortgage, but we have found this not to be the case and that the AiO may be more expensive than a traditional mortgage, on an apples-to-apples basis.
The goal of this article is to provide a quick overview of this product, as well as discuss which situations the AiO may or may not be a good financial instrument for the purchase or refinance of a home.
Mortgage, Home Equity Line, and Checking Account “All in One”
The All in One (AiO) mortgage combines a mortgage, a home equity line of credit and a checking account, all in one financial instrument. The AiO allows you to purchase a home just like any other mortgage, where you would apply for a pre-approval, shop for a home, and once a home is under contract, the AiO would fund the majority of the home’s purchase price.
In addition, you can deposit your pay into this account, and pay all your bills from this account, just like any other checking or savings account. The account has an ATM card and allows automatic bill pay. Finally, the AiO acts like a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), allowing you to access your home’s equity should you have such life events as paying for a child’s wedding or building an addition to your home.
Whether this product is a good fit for you depends on your goals and priorities, so the following summarizes how the AiO fits with certain personal and financial goals.
AiO Recalculates Interest Daily, Not Monthly
A traditional mortgage charges interest on the outstanding balance as of the date of the last mortgage payment, and you pay interest on this balance for each day of the month until the next mortgage payment. In contrast, the AiO mortgage calculates interest daily, so if you deposit your paycheck in the account, this immediately reduces the balance on which interest is calculated.
Said differently, if you make an additional payment to principal mid-month, the AiO would calculate interest on the lower balance for the remainder of the month, whereas a traditional mortgage would not. The creators of the AiO mortgage share that this feature saves interest, which it does.
However, the AiO mortgage has a higher starting interest rate than a traditional 30-year fixed mortgage and the AiO does not have a permanently fixed rate of interest, so the interest rate on this product may be higher or lower in the future, as it is market-driven.
Hence, any interest savings due to the AiO paying interest daily can be lost due to the higher initial interest rate and/or increases in the program’s interest rate down the road. This does not mean that the AiO would not save on interest; however, there are many instances when the amount of interest you pay may be higher despite the advantages of daily interest recalculations, so be sure to discuss interest rate risk with your financial advisor.
Did you set some lofty fitness goals for 2023 and need some inspiration? Have you ever wondered where the best places are to get fit in Arlington?
Well I’d like to share just a few of my favorites with you. I hope that these places inspire you to crush your New Year’s resolution fitness goals!
W&OD Trail — The W&OD Trail is such a great resource for anyone in Arlington. It starts in Shirlington and runs about 45 miles up to Purcellville, Virginia. You can walk, run, ride your bike, or you even have the option to ride your horse on the horse trail that runs parallel to part of the W&OD. Some of my other favorite trails in Arlington are Donaldson Run, and Lubber Run. We have plenty of great outdoor spaces here in Arlington so you have no excuse to not take advantage of them.
Bash Boxing — If you’re looking for accountability and a great way to step up your fitness goals in 2023 Bash Boxing is in your corner! They do full body workouts mixing boxing with high intensity interval training, so you can learn to box as you get a workout in. Here in Ballston you also have some other great gym options like Vida Fitness which I’m currently a member at or, you also have some group training classes like F45 Training and Orange Theory which I would definitely recommend if you want that team atmosphere.
CorePower Yoga — Just as important as working out your body is working out your mind and a yoga studio is a great place to do that. CorePower Yoga is a great option and it’s located right in the heart of Ballston. Another few other great options in North Arlington are Sun & Moon Yoga Studio and Mind The Mat Pilates & Yoga, but you can find yoga studios all throughout Arlington. If you’re looking for a fantastic place for pilates then I have to tell you about Picot Pilates which is owned by my good friend and colleague Sarah Picot.
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.
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 Kara Osborne, Esq.
On January 5, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed a rule that would ban U.S. employers from imposing non-compete clauses on workers.
The Code of Federal Regulations, Subchapter J, Part 910 (b)(1) defines non-compete clauses as “a contractual term between an employer and a worker that prevents the worker from seeking or accepting employment with a person, or operating a business, after the conclusion of the worker’s employment with the employer.”
This proposed rule not only would prevent employers from entering into non-compete clauses with their employees but also would require employers to rescind existing non-compete clauses within a specified period of time.
The proposal comes after President Biden called for the FTC to ban or limit clauses in employment contracts that restrict workers’ freedom to change jobs. FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said in a statement, “The freedom to change jobs is core to economic liberty and to a competitive, thriving economy,” and “Non-compete block workers from freely switching jobs, depriving them of higher wages and better working conditions, and depriving businesses of a talent pool that they need to build and expand.”
The FTC estimates that this proposed ban could dramatically increase wages by almost $300 billion per year.
Prior to this proposed rule the FTC issued new guidance on how it would exercise its authority to regulate “unfair methods of competition” under Section 5 of the FTC Act.
The proposed rules states that the use of non-compete clauses would be an “unfair method of competition for an employer to enter into or attempt to enter into a non-compete clause with a worker; maintain with a worker a non-compete clause; or represent to a worker that the worker is subject to a non-compete clause where the employer has no good faith basis to believe that the worker is subject to an enforceable non-compete clause.”
Employers could argue that non-compete clauses allow for broad protection of their trade secrets and investments, but as shown by the FTC and in comments made by President Biden, the clauses are overused at virtually every level of employment and deprives workers of their ability to grow within their field and pursue a higher salary.
Should the proposed rule pass, it might require employers to shift focus on protecting their innovations with the use of confidentiality clauses and compliance with trade secret laws rather than reliance on overly broad non-compete clauses that stifle competition and economic growth.
With this proposed ban on non-compete clauses, workers would have the ability to change jobs more freely causing employers to become more focused on protecting their employees, their working conditions, and the wages they earn.
It should be noted that within the proposed rule there is one narrow exception that applies to individuals selling a business: their ownership interest in a business or the business’ operating assets in total. These specific non-compete clauses would remain subject to federal antitrust law. Should the proposed rule go into effect it is likely to face many legal challenges.
If you are an employee in need of employment law representation, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook and Twitter.
Is buying a home in 2023 on your list of New Year Resolutions? Come join the NOVA Buyer’s Club!
We will be focusing on a multitude of different home buying programs and grants to use when purchasing your first home, as well as discussing topics that are relevant to purchasing a home in the DMV!
We’ll also be spilling all the tea on all tips and tricks on how best to smoothly navigate the process.
Come and find out how one of our buyers purchased a condo here in Arlington for only $2,166 down!
WE PAUSED! A Handmade Book by Studio Pause for Gates of Ballston, chronicles a year in the life of one Arlington community during the COVID-19 epidemic through creativity and art.
Now, that book has been ‘unbound’: becoming an art exhibit with four thematic installations from June 2022 to May 2023, at Gallery 3700, located at 3700 South Four Mile Run Drive, in Arlington.
The third installation, I Lost Being Lost, brings attendees into the process through engagement with the artists at the opening “reception.” Admission is FREE to the exhibit which is open during business hours. An Opening Reception will take place on Saturday, January 28, from 5-7 p.m.
Different from a traditional opening reception, attending the Community PAUSE brings Artists and guests together as they listen to each others’ stories, watch demonstrations of how PAUSErs explore creativity, and create artworks together. Artists and writers will engage guests in two interactive sessions making creations which invite responses to the artworks on display in Gallery 3700. The creations will then be added to the exhibit.
The featured artists and writers include: Sharmila Karamchandani, Edith Graciela Sanabria, Sushmita Mazumdar, MaryLouise Marino, Dena Jennings, Susan Sterner, Kara Billings, Kori Johnson, Michael Peteuil, Joan Lynch, Sharon McDaniel.
We PAUSED! is a Community Handmade Book Project created in 2021 by Studio PAUSE for the Gates of Ballston Apartments, an AHC Inc. community in Arlington’s historic Buckingham neighborhood. The book project was supported in part by Arlington Arts, which is the principal sponsor of the exhibit.
As the COVID-19 pandemic surged and the world grappled with its consequences, artist Sushmita Mazumdar, whose art studio and community space are located in the Rinker Community Center at the Gates of Ballston apartment complex, watched AHC Inc’s resident services team work tirelessly to provide essential services to their residents since March 2020.
“What if we shared everything we did when we paused in 2020 with the residents of the apartment community?” stated Mazumdar. “If they could not come to the studio, as the community center was closed to the public, could we take our stories to them? Could the space become a book?”
Project Director Sushmita Mazumdar rallied allies from her studio community, and others to make the project a reality, securing a grant from Virginia Humanities. Other partners were AHC Inc and Arlington Arts. Kori Johnson, editor; Susan Sterner, humanities scholar; Ella Endo, intern; Ruben Villalta, translator (Spanish); Soheir Ghali, translator (Arabic); MaryLouise Marino, adviser
In 2021-22 each of the 460 households in the GOB community was given a free handmade copy of the book. All copies were made during community bookmaking sessions at the Rinker Community Center, by students in the after-school program, or by PAUSErs at home, or in the studio. The bookmaking kept up with the variations in the pandemic, with building closures, and people’s levels of comfort. Then, they were delivered to each home, inviting the community to connect, reflect and share.
About Sushmita Mazumdar — After a 15-year career in advertising in India and the US, Sushmita started writing stories from her childhood for her American children and making them into handmade storybooks. She has designed programs for the Smithsonian Institution, area public schools and libraries, Glen Echo Park, and Arlington Arts Center, and has exhibited at the National Building Museum, and the Smithsonian’s Dillon Ripley Center. In 2018 she received the Woman of Vision Award from Arlington County and in 2019 she was appointed to the Virginia Commission for the Arts representing Congressional District 8.
Come check out the exhibit at Studio 3700 during the building’s business hours (Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday: 12-6 p.m.).
Become part of the exhibit by attending a “Community Pause”/Opening Reception at the Gallery, on Saturday, January 28th, from 5-7 p.m. Visit the arlingtonarts.org for more information.
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 9, there are 113 detached homes, 23 townhouses and 138 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 26 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:
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.
Address:1520 N. Randolph Street Neighborhood: Cherrydale Type: 6 BR, 6 BA single-family detached — 5364 sq. ft. Listed: $2,500,000
Noteworthy: Coming Soon! New, Custom-Quality Modern Tudor in Cherrydale
Amazing opportunity to own a custom-quality Modern Tudor in Arlington’s sought-after Cherrydale neighborhood!
With 5,000 sq. ft. on four finished floors, sitting on a .28-acre lot, this 6 BR/6 BA home with a thoughtfully-designed layout and high-quality finishes checks all the boxes. Incredible details include 8″ wide engineered hardwood flooring on the main and upper levels, main level guest suite/office with full bath, informal dining area, oversized mudroom with washer/dryer, additional upper level laundry, dual spacious walk-in closets in the Owners Suite, and solid core interior doors.
The gourmet kitchen features Subzero and Wolf appliances, 42″ designer cabinetry, 2 dishwashers, an under-counter beverage center, and an oversized pantry with wood shelving.
The bonus 4th level loft offers an en-suite bedroom and additional common area, ideal for guests desiring additional privacy. The lower level includes a spacious recreation room with a wet bar, an additional bedroom with a full bathroom, and oversized storage.
Throughout the home, the abundance of windows integrates beautifully with the exterior living space which features a screened porch with gas fireplace and covered rear porch, overlooking professional landscaping. And finally, the low-maintenance exterior features Hardiplank and brick siding, gorgeous oversized Marvin windows, Energy Star exterior doors, and a 2-car attached garage. All that is left is for you to choose where you’ll find a cozy spot to enjoy lazy summer afternoons and crisp fall evenings.
The Cherrydale community in Arlington is just blocks from Lee Heights Shopping Center, Ballston, Virginia Square, and Clarendon, less than a mile from 3 Orange Line Metro stops with access to trails and bike paths, fantastic restaurants and shopping, and just a few lights from 66 and other major commuter routes.
Stop wasting hours of time getting your car maintained or repaired!
Discover the joy that is CarCare To Go and see why so many people are leaving reviews like the one below.
CarCare To Go brings modern convenience and simplicity to car repair and maintenance. They combine the quality and trust of a full-service shop with a uniquely transparent process, plus free valet pick-up and delivery from your home or work.
If you’re reading this review and considering using this service, I wholeheartedly recommend it. This is the most convenient way to get your car serviced and they’ll treat you like you’re their only customer. Gladys who came to get my car was prompt and polite. They’ll keep you informed about the work while they have your car and return it clean and like new. They won’t upsell you and their prices are reasonable. I will be using them again for sure and I’m very pleased to have come across this business. — John G.
To celebrate the new year, CarCare To Go is so confident that you’ll love their new service and come back for more, that they’re offering first-time clients an oil change for just $20.23. No catch. Synthetic or blend for any make or model car. Just enter coupon code FIRST20 when you book. And the valet and a light hand clean are completely free.
Plus, there’s still time to take advantage of their winter special that combines an express detail, oil change and other important maintenance you need this winter at a big discount.
You’ll wonder why you ever took care of your car any other way.
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 Ask Eli, Live With Jean playlist. Enjoy!
Question: We’re moving to Arlington from out of state and have always had at least an acre of land. We’d like at least ½ acre in Arlington, but can’t find much. How big are most lots in Arlington?
TL;DR Video Summary (1:11)
Answer: I talk a lot about making sure the home you want exists before setting your hopes and dreams on finding it. Understanding what lot sizes you can expect to find in Arlington is a great example of that, so this week I’ll share data on lot sizes from homes sales going back to 2019.
The data is based on total square footage of a lot, including the land the home sites on. Most people think about lots in terms of acres, so here’s a quick conversion key:
Arlington Lot Size Highlights (sales since 2019):
Average lot = 8,479 SqFt
Median lot = 7,277 SqFt
Lot with ¼ acre or more is in the top 83% largest lots
4% with ½ acre or more
Just six of 4,355 were 1+ acre, none were 2+ acres
More homes sold on 1/10th acre or less than ½ acre or more
The chart below shows the percentage of homes sold in Arlington within five different ranges. 69% of homes sit on lots with 5,000-9,999 SqFt.
Drilling down even further, we see that 1,672 of 4,355 lots (38%) were between 6,000 and 7,999 SqFt.
