Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by licensed broker Aaron Seekford of Arlington Realty, Inc. GET MORE out of your real estate investment with Aaron and his team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6116 today!

Please note: While Aaron Seekford provides this information for the community, he is not the listing agent of these homes.

The number of the week is 10. Why, you ask?

Well, we’ve seen a 10 percent uptick in detached home listings over last week. We’ve also seen a 10 percent uptick in the number of townhouse listings over the past week. And, while we’re at it and for the purpose of this column, our number of homes experiencing a price reduction has jumped more than 10 percent as well.

So, what does all of this mean for you? It means that more and more listings are hitting the market, meaning that more and more sellers need to be competitive with their pricing.

As the temps warm up, our team anticipates that our local housing market will continue to warm up as well. If there is a home that catches your eye, just remember that the initial listing is only the starting point.

From there, you’ll want a team that’s ready to help you GET MORE out of your transaction. And we are certainly happy to help!

As of March 7 there are 175 detached homes, 40 townhouses and 201 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 42 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: ROI On Remodeling Your Rental

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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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: After reading your article two weeks ago about remodeling before selling a property, I was wondering what your thoughts are on remodeling our rental property. It’s a 1BR + den a couple blocks from the Virginia Square metro with a perfectly functional bathroom and kitchen, but about 15 years old.

Answer: A couple of weeks ago, I warned about spending money on major remodeling projects before selling your home and you should be equally cautious about making major updates to a rental property. In your case, it doesn’t sound like spending $15,000+ remodeling the bathroom and kitchen is a good investment at this time. Here are some of the questions/factors you should consider:

Payback Period

How long will it take to break-even on your remodeling expenses based on projected increase in rent? A moderate remodeling of your bathroom and kitchen is likely to increase the amount you can rent your unit by $150-$200/month (this is case-by-case), meaning your pay-back period is likely 10+ years. Keep in mind that the market value of your updates will depreciate annually and usually at a faster pace under the wear and tear of a rental unit.

Tenant Profile

The ROI of remodeling is heavily based on the type of tenant you’re most likely to have. Your tenants will most likely place more value in convenience, affordability, and functionality than they do aesthetics and upgraded finishes/appliances. As the tenant profile shifts towards families and higher-end properties, the ROI of upgrades increases.

Length of Stay

The less time a tenant plans to stay in a property, the less concerned they’ll be with updates, but tenants planning to stay for three or more years will consider their rental to be more of a home and place great value in an updated kitchen and bathrooms. As the tenant profile shifts to longer rental periods, the better the ROI on remodeling. In your case, the tenant profile is more likely to stay for 12-24 months, diminishing the value of remodeling.

Tax Write-Offs

According to Joseph Aiken, CPA with Aiken & Company, the current tax code considers any capital expenditures on remodeling to be depreciable assets, meaning you can’t write off the cost of your remodeling in the year you spent the money, rather deduct it over a 27.5 year depreciation schedule.

My advice for investing in a rental property is similar to investing in pre-sale improvements. Fresh paint, quality floors, lighting, and a deep clean go a long way on a rental property without breaking the bank and can usually be written off as maintenance expenses on your taxes. Check out IRS Publication 527 for tax details on rental properties.

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: The Importance of Environmental Socialization

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

A few years ago, one of my friends had a rare vacation in which she was unable to take her black Lab, Moonpie, along for the fun. She asked if I could take care of her for the week instead of boarding her. This was before I had a dog of my own and I thought it could be great training for me in becoming a dog owner, something I’d always wanted to experience.

One day, I decided to take her hiking on my favorite trail. When we got to our first manhole cover, instead of walking over it, she detoured around it. I thought it kind of funny so every time we approached another manhole cover, I would observe her behavior. Each time she went out of her way to avoid walking over them.

That night, I spoke with Moonpie’s owner Sonia, and asked about her dog’s little quirk.  She told me, “I know! At some point in time she must have walked over one and maybe it was too hot, or loose or something? Whatever it was, it scared her to death and she thinks manhole covers are the devil now.”

Last year, I was invited to a doggy dip and observed the different ways dogs reacted to a swim in the pool. Some jumped in head first, while others avoided getting too close to the edge. A few clung to their owners in fear. “If a puppy isn’t socialized during the first three months it can increase the risk of behavior problems later in life such as fear, avoidance and aggression,” says veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker.

At Dog Paws n Cat Claws, we recommend introducing a dog to as many different environments as possible. We work with our clients on having a well-rounded dog and to minimize the development of potential fear factors. While socializing your pup with other dogs is important, we think it’s just as important to take socialization a step further.

Introduce Different Environments

When you bring home a puppy or a rescued dog, expose them to as many different environments as possible. Show them how it feels to walk on grass, sand, gravel, pavement, dirt and mud. Lead them into water so they can experience that sensation. Take them outside when it’s raining or snowing to familiarize them with different weather conditions. Because puppies are more malleable, taking them out in different weather conditions can diminish the likelihood of developing a fear of such conditions as they mature.

Taking your dog to unfamiliar buildings is also important. Introduce them to pet friendly buildings and unusual spaces like pet stores, flea markets and outdoor shopping centers, both crowded and sparse.

Put them in your car and visit family and friends who won’t mind having you and your dog over for a visit. Your presence will help ensure your dog’s confidence.

Environmental socialization may be challenging if you bring home an adult dog that already has certain fears or dislikes instilled in him. However, if you expose your dog to these different environments, you will gain valuable insights and can begin to put a counter-conditioning plan into action if needed.

Every dog may react differently to new environments but widening your dog’s environmental socialization will improve your dog’s confidence and make YOU feel more confident the next time you are out together on a new adventure.

Sara Schabach
In-Home Pet Care Manager

9 Round Fitness: Punching, Kicking, Conditioning in 30 Minutes and No One Gets Hit

9Round

The first sweat broke during Round 1, which was three minutes of jumping rope. Easy right? Well, when’s the last time you jumped rope for three minutes?

The three minutes of elevated “plank jacks” — supported on your elbows, springing your legs in and out — really got the blood moving. By Round 4, the gloves were on and I was hitting a punching bag suspended from the ceiling and anchored to the floor. Right jab, right jab, left punch…

Five more rounds, or stations, to go.

By the time my 30 minutes was over I had finished a nine station workout that had me throwing combination punches, kicking heavy bags and challenging every part of my body.

And it was fun, above everything else, even though I had no idea what I was doing for the first 20 seconds of each round.

That’s the motivational concept behind the four Arlington and Falls Church locations of 9Round Fitness. The idea is to make a workout efficient (30 minutes, max; no appointment time, you drop in when you can and start right away), safe (a trainer is on the floor at all times to help with techniques) and fun (yes, hitting a heavy bag is fun).

While the signature movements are based on boxing and kickboxing be advised that no one hits anyone else, ever.

“We’re not a kickboxing or fight gym,” says co-owner Rob Graveline, who grew up in Arlington. “It’s a 30-minute, full-body workout with a trainer included. We’re not hitting each other or making contact. We’re for all levels: You don’t have to be an elite athlete or an MMA fighter in training to appreciate this workout.”

The idea is to keep the body moving in a strategically designed sequence that incorporates different motions to achieve maximum results, namely calorie burn and muscle development.

The nine workout stations are modeled on nine rounds of boxing; a timer on the overhead sound system keeps everyone apprised as to how many seconds are left in their three-minute round, and when the bell rings, you have 30 seconds of “active resting” to get to the next station.

I was brand new to boxing technique but in the 30 seconds between rounds Graveline was able to show me the basics of what I was going to do for the next three minutes.

Thankfully, you don’t have to be versed in gym-lingo to understand the instructions. In my case, I completed each station successfully, if a bit sweaty and out of breath, but was well aware that my technique was monstrously beginner. With practice my technique would improve and I would get the maximum benefit from the exercise.

The exercises on the circuit change daily, so those dropping in three, four or five times a week get a completely new workout each time. And yes, you can drop in as often as you like, and without appointments, a huge luxury in the personal training world.

Membership rates are based on how long you want to invest in yourself: The longer the commitment, the lower the rate. Included in the membership is a surprising number of value-adds, such as a heart-rate monitor to target fat-burning zone (calories burned, heart rate, effort level and other data); nutritional guidance and one-on-one nutritional support; an online meal planner; and 9Round instructional videos and podcasts.

Your gloves and wraps are included in the membership fee.

As for Graveline, a career trainer for 27 years, enjoys motivating people to reach their goals. For him, he fell for the 9 Round concept as soon as he heard about it.

“It’s one of those things where everybody can do it,” he says, adding that one client is an 85-year-old woman. “We’re there to modify it to your ability to keep it safe and fun.”

And nobody gets hit.

A single membership is good for all three Arlington/Falls Church locations:

  • 2250 Clarendon Blvd, Suite L, Courthouse: 703-276-9763. Link
  • 2501 9th Road South, Suite 65, Penrose: Link
  • 972 North Quincy Street, Ballston: 703-276-9763. Link
  • 6649 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church: 703-276-9763. Link

An Old Town Alexandria location is expected to open this summer. Email Rob Graveline at [email protected] for more information

 The preceding was a business profile written by Buzz McClain and sponsored by 9 Round.

New Condo Sales Center in Rosslyn

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Have you been looking into purchasing a new construction condominium or townhome in Arlington or Washington, D.C.?

The Keri Shull Team is excited to announce a new condo sales center at their 1600 Wilson Blvd office. This is the perfect way to learn about all of the newest and most well appointed properties in Arlington and D.C. without the hassle of finding all the information for yourself.

Stop by to learn about amenities, features, floor plans, fees, available units, and everything else you could ever want to know about all the condo buildings in Arlington and D.C. Whether you have been researching for a while now or are in stage one of your new condo search, the information will be tailored to your situation.

All of the homework has been done for you, so come by this coming Sunday afternoon!

When: March 5 from 2-4 p.m.

Where: 1600 Wilson Blvd, Suite 101 (Arlington, VA 22209)

To learn more, visit the new condo sales web page.

The preceding post was written and sponsored by the Keri Shull Team

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.”

Arlington’s spring real estate market is now in full swing with buyers snatching up 76 homes this week while 73 properties came on the market.

Mortgage applications spiked by 7% over last week reflecting the season of buying. Fresh inventory is hitting the market at the same pace as fresh buyers ratifying contracts.

Part of buyers’ motivation isn’t just seasonal. Mortgage rates crept upward slightly this week to 4.25% for a 30-yr fixed rate, and the Fed is expected to increase the short term bank rate this month, and more increases in the months ahead. Buyers want to lock in low rates before their purchasing power gets eroded by both higher interest rates and price increases. Agents are reporting bidding wars already this spring is some of the high demand areas.

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: Honoring Women’s History Month

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

Isn’t it appropriate to point out at the beginning of Women’s History Month that a field historically dominated by men has its roots attributed to a woman?

The groundwork for the field of emergency management can be traced back to the Office of Civilian Defense (OCD). The OCD was established by President Roosevelt during WWII to protect civilians and respond to community needs. The development of the agency was largely influenced by a plan drafted by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who helped lead the department as the Assistant Director.

Veterans and retired first responders were tapped to fill the earliest roles in the OCD, so naturally the field was largely male dominated. That trend continues today, with women accounting for only 34 percent of emergency management professionals.

In Arlington, we’re doing much better than the national average, with women representing 44 percent of our emergency management staff, and we’re working to close that gap further by offering programs like HERricane Arlington, a summer camp to develop girls ages 13-17, into our future emergency managers and leaders.

While our staff had very few female industry leaders to look up to as they developed into emergency managers, they didn’t lack for professional role models. We asked our OEM staff who they found inspiring, and although their responses varied in time periods and career paths, there were two common themes: all of the women were outspoken, and all pushed the social norms for their time period.

Ready Arlington, Jennifer Aniston in 2012 (photo via Wikimedia Commons)Amanda Nicoll – Watch Desk Officer

Jennifer Aniston: “She continues to have grace and decorum while going through a very public ordeal. She is a philanthropist while making people laugh. She has always fought back against critics who felt she needed to get married and have children. How she has handled all of these things encourages me to do the same.”

Ready Arlington Margaret Thatcher, (photo via Wikimedia Commons)Elizabeth Dexter – Watch Desk Officer

Margaret Thatcher: “She stayed true to herself, even though those around her doubted her abilities. She did not let anything get in her way.

Even when her opponents threw up road blocks, she pushed through, never losing sight of her end goals. And she succeeded.”

Ready Arlington, Amelia Earhart (photo via Wikimedia Commons)Lauren Stienstra – Senior Manager, Research and Policy Development

Amelia Earhart: “In the fourth grade, we were required to give a speech to our class on a personal hero, and I chose Amelia Earhart. Her sense of adventure, underscored by her grit and determination, resonates with me as strongly now as it did then.

She built an impressive career in a man’s field and advocated for women’s rights and women’s interests in engineering and science. Her courage, pragmatism, and commitment inspire me on a regular basis, and have motivated me to launch aspirational projects like HERricane Arlington. She asserted ownership over her future and made her own success- which is empowering women of all ages.”

Ready Arlington Eleanor Roosevelt, (photo via Wikimedia Commons)Samantha Brann – Deputy Coordinator

Eleanor Roosevelt “She overcame incredible personal challenges to find fulfillment in public life serving those without a voice. She was outspoken: holding press conferences, writing a daily newspaper article, hosting a radio show, and even disagreeing publicly with her husband, the President, when she felt morally obligated.

She advocated for women’s rights, civil rights, and the rights of WWII refugees. She reminds me that when I face adversity — when the couch, a pint of ice cream and Netflix is screaming my name — that’s when we can dig deep and achieve the most.”

Photos (1, 2, 3, 4) via Wikimedia Commons

Top Arlington Agent Releases Breakthrough New Book for Real Estate Agents

Dan Lesniak Orange Line Living founder Dan Lesniak is pleased to announce his new book, written to help agents grow their real estate businesses in innovative and competitive ways.

The new book, The HyperLocal, HyperFast Real Estate Agent, tells how Lesniak, an Arlington-based real estate agent in the D.C. area, started his career and rose to become one of the top agents in one of the most competitive real estate markets in the country, all in his freshman year.

All proceeds from the book’s purchase from March 1-8 will benefit The Folded Flag Foundation.

Lesniak started in real estate in 2012 after a successful career as a Naval Submarine Officer and a Defense Contractor.  In his first year, he closed over $22 million in sales, a feat matched by only a small fraction of agents, regardless of experience.

“Whether you are a new agent looking to start your career, an experienced agent looking for more growth, or a top agent looking to break into a new market, this book will give you plenty of strategies for how to compress time, quickly grow your business and provide more value to your clients,” says Lesniak.

HLHF Cover - frontThe release of The HyperLocal, HyperFast Real Estate Agent is timely. With recent events in the United States bringing uncertainty to many areas, Lesniak looks to show agents that they can use these strategies regardless of the state of the market.

“There is no greater opportunity right now in the real estate industry than there is in the expansion market,” says Noah Ostroff, CEO of Global Living and a top-selling Keller Williams agent.  “This will require you to grow in your existing market and know how to expand in new ones. This book is a great example of how to rapidly expand in any market and is a must read for expansion team leaders.”

For more information about Dan Lesniak and The HyperLocal, HyperFast Real Estate Agent, visit www.hyperlocalhyperfast.com.

To purchase the book on Kindle and support the spouses and children of the U.S. military, click here.

The preceding post was written and sponsored by Orange Line Living.

Rental Trends: Should You Invest in an Arlington Rental 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.

Investing in the D.C. area is always a sure bet. The combination of the country’s most stable economy, transient population and most desired places to be makes it easy to find tenant for your property.

Arlington is a stone’s throw from the District. It boasts a thriving nightlife, lush parks and trails, and great public transportation. People who work in D.C. prefer the lower rents and (somewhat) quieter streets.

Smart investors looking for rental properties that are easy to keep occupied should look into buying property in this area.

While the pros are many, there is a downside. Let’s take a look at why you should and maybe you shouldn’t invest in an Arlington rental property.

Arlington Pros:

Location, Location, Location

The most northern reaches of Arlington allow you to walk to D.C. by crossing one of the many bridges that connect the two. In addition to its proximity to D.C., Arlington is easily accessible via a variety of interstates and major roadways.

Less Expensive Than The City

While Arlington is not cheap, it still beats living in the city. Houses are readily available with off-street parking, both of which are almost impossible to find in the city. A variety of small restaurants allow for frugal dining, while plenty of public parks are available to enjoy for free.

Recreational Activities for Tenants

Clarendon is a millennial hotspot and is teeming with bars, ethnic restaurants, shopping and plenty of things to do. Restaurants, bars and even grocery stores are open late, catering to late night lifestyles. But it’s not just about the nightlife. Tenants will find plenty to satisfy every desire, from clubbing to bike riding to boating.

Superb Public Transportation

In addition to a vast Metrobus system, underground trains provide easy access from as far as Reston to parts of Maryland. During the week, commuter rails travel from Fredericksburg and Baltimore.

Arlington Cons:

Hard to Get Short-Term Return on Investment

If you’re buying a rental property now, even with minimal work it’s likely you’re not going to rent for higher than your mortgage. Investing in rental properties are a long-term wealth building strategy. Rents are high in the area, but probably won’t be high enough to cover your initial investment for some time.

Difficult to Afford

High rents are great for landlords, but terrible for tenants. Even with a well-maintained property in a desirable neighborhood, it may take a lot of due diligence to find the right tenants. It’s not unusual for renters to hold multiple jobs in order to make ends meet.

High Maintenance Costs

If you can’t do the work yourself, you’ll find repairs to be costly. Expect to dish out more money than other areas for contractors and maintenance work.

Multiple Tenant Situations

Are you ready to rent rooms instead of houses? Because rents are so high, you will likely have several tenants renting individual rooms in shared living situations. Even if you advertise an entire house for rent, be prepared to take multiple applications for one group of people.

Short-Term Renters Are Common

Because many workers work on contracts, it’s common for tenants to need less than a year on their lease. Contracts can end without notice, so don’t be surprised if your six-month tenant has to leave a couple of months later.

If you’re looking for a long-term investment in a stable economy, Arlington rental properties are a good option. Though it may take some time to really start making money, if you are flexible enough to accommodate multiple tenants, you’ll find Arlington to be a great place to buy and rent properties.

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.

Only 19 more days of winter.

That’s right – on March 20, spring officially begins and local home sellers will really start kicking it in to high gear. Warmer temps typically equate to more and more foot traffic in local homes as well as more listings.

So, what does this mean for you, the homebuyer? It means that things are about to get super-competitive. Other homebuyers will be bringing their A-games and their top offers.

You’re going to want someone on your side that you truly trust with your most important purchase and that will help you GET MORE out of your transaction.

As the temps – and local market – heat up, give my team and me a shout when you’re ready to spring forward.

As of February 27 there are 162 detached homes, 33 townhouses and 204 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 33 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: Advice for Complex Mortgage Decisions

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Rosslyn resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!

Question: We are buying and selling a home simultaneously and our lender has provided us with a few options to qualify for the purchase without making our offer contingent on the sale of our current home. Do you have any tips for choosing which mortgage product is best for us?

Answer: Buying and selling a home at the same time can be a complex transaction logistically and financially. I explored the seller side of home sale contingencies in October, but here I’ll share advice I give buyers who face difficult financing decisions. Tip of the day: it’s not just about getting the lowest interest rate.

Weigh Your Options

Selling your home before making a purchase may afford you the best loan options, but it doesn’t always make sense for buyers:

  • It weakens your negotiation position on pricing (you’ll pay more) and your ability to compete for new listings
  • You weaken your position on the sale side, with more pressure accept an offer quickly
  • For many families with children and/or pets, selling your home while living there is a logistical nightmare

Mortgage Solutions

Certain lenders have a wide range of loan products to help buyers with limited cash reserves for a down payment, but substantial equity in their homes, qualify for a home purchase without a home sale contingency. The options include a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), a second trust loan in which a large portion of your down payment comes from a second interest-only loan, and bridge loans (less common). Each of these options come with different short and long-term costs, so it can be difficult to decide what is best for you and your family.

Get A Professional Opinion

Most real estate transactions involve three professionals – your agent, your lender, and your title company, but when you’re faced with complex financial decisions, I highly recommend using a Financial Consultant to help you determine which financing option suits you. Your lender can explain the cost, pros/cons, and time constraints of each loan option and your agent can explain how different types of loans and contingencies will impact your transaction, but a good Financial Consultant will be able to help you determine the best way to leverage cash, debt, and tax write-offs to maximize your financial position.

Financial Consultants should do more than help you pick mutual funds for your retirement accounts and act as an expert sounding board when you’re facing major life decisions, like how to finance your home purchase. They can build models and run scenarios within the context of your personal savings/investment plan to help you make your decision. Although an experienced advisor can provide great advice with limited knowledge of your personal finances, you’ll get the most from somebody who has a complete picture of your finances and goals, so engage a professional early, if you haven’t already.

If you’re looking for a recommendation, Carl Grund (CFP, CPWA, AIF) with Signature Financial Parners has helped multiple clients of mine with difficult real estate decisions and is a local Arlingtonian. Feel free to contact him at [email protected] or 703-287-7128 for immediate or future advice.

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.

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