Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Listing of the Day: 3601 N. Powhatan Street

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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3601 N. Powhatan Street
Neighborhood: Minor Hill
Listing Price: $1,399,900
Open House: Sunday, January 22 from 2-4 p.m.

Beautiful custom single-family home with inviting open floor plan! This home features three finished levels with nearly 5,000 square feet of space and a two car garage. Tons of attention to detail has been made in this well-thought-out floor plan.

The main level features hardwood floors throughout, plenty of light, and a large open concept. Gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and large breakfast bar opens into both the dining room and the living room, each with their own fireplace. The main level also includes a study, bedroom and full bathroom.

Upstairs you will find a spacious master suite with walk in closet and luxurious master bath featuring claw foot tub, separate shower, and stunning finishes. Take your morning coffee out onto the master suite balcony overlooking private backyard. The upper level also includes two more large bedrooms, each with their own full bath.

The fully finished basement offers plenty of space for entertainment as well as a full bathroom and direct access to the garage.

This home sits on an incredible 16,800 square foot lot! The backyard is fully fenced and includes gorgeous custom hardscaping, two outdoor fireplaces, custom water feature and children’s play house. Great location close to the Metro and I-66.

Stop by to see everything this great home has to offer at our open house this Sunday, January 29 from 2-4 p.m.

Please contact Keri with the Keri Shull Team and Optimé Realty at [email protected] or call 703-436-2191.

WWBG: Biscotti and Habanero and Marshmallow Fluff — Oh My!

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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Editor’s Note: This biweekly column is sponsored by Dominion Wine and Beer (107 Rowell Court, Falls Church). It is written by Garrett Cruce, a Cicerone Program Certified Beer Server.

Wintertime ushers in the season of strong ales, whether they’re the hearty brown ales that I wrote about before the end of last year or imperial stouts. The imperial stouts are often barrel-aged or flavored in ways that might boggle your mind.

Barrel aging is no longer a matter of finding a set of barrels and aging the beer. Now, it’s desirable to source specific use barrels — sometimes even from particular distilleries like Pappy Van Winkle — like bourbon or port or bourbon and maple syrup.

And flavoring isn’t about adding a little bit of this and a little bit of that, nor is it just about adding coffee or chocolate anymore. Like bakers who attempt to wow by combining more flavors than are needed, brewers are increasingly adding a shopping list of items to a single beer. The goal is to recreate a particular flavor or sensory memory, as long as it’s not too overwhelming or muddled, that is.

The three beers I’m featuring today are in limited release and prove to be interesting examples of the two main types of imperial stouts that are popular this time of year. First is the bourbon maple syrup barrel-aged Michigan Maple Jesus. Then are two doozies of flavored imperial stouts: the s’moresy Dino S’mores and the cinnamony Imperial Mexican Biscotti Cake Break. I was not surprised to find that the two flavored stouts were collaborations — they sound like they have a too-many-cooks-in-the-kitchen list of ingredients. But let us take a sip…

Jan. 27 WWBG Maple JesusEvil Twin Brewing Company, Michigan Maple Jesus (12% ABV)
Evil Twin’s already formidable imperial stout, Even More Jesus, forms the base of this new, sweeter beer. Reportedly brewed at Dark Horse Brewing Company in Michigan then aged for 8 months in bourbon barrels that had also held maple syrup, Michigan Maple Jesus is it’s own special beer. Inhaling the aromas from this opaque black brew conjures up a comforting blend of wood and vanilla and dried stone fruits and loam. The sip is as simple as the aroma is complex. The sweet fruit of prune dominates giving way to vanilla in the finish. Aging has taken the sting out of the 12% ABV — this is a supremely smooth beer that goes down easy. You will likely only find this being sold by the 12 oz. bottle, but its worth stocking up. Drink some now and age some even longer.

Jan. 27 WWBG Imperial Mexican Biscott Cake BreakEvil Twin Brewing Company/Westbrook Brewing Company, Imperial Mexican Biscotti Cake Break (10.5% ABV)
Here we have a collaboration brew that mashes up Evil Twin’s Imperial Biscotti Break and Westbrook’s Mexican Cake stouts. If you think the name is a mouthful, check out the ingredients list: coffee, cinnamon, almonds, cocoa nibs, vanilla and habanero peppers. That pretty well checks the box for each of the words in the name. South Carolina’s Westbrook Brewing Company brewed this collaboration beer. The result is a decent, strong stout that doesn’t quite get all the way to any of the promised flavors. The habanero is completely absent, an observation that I’ve heard others make. The actual experience starts with strong aromas of black coffee and cinnamon with an earthy almond skin. The flavor runs with the almond, which combines with a booziness to remind you of marzipan. Before it gets very sweet, though, the sip finishes in bitter black licorice. The result is that it never quite gets to the sweetness I expected with both cake and biscotti in the name. This is a special, hard to find stout that probably doesn’t live up the reputation of either Imperial Biscotti Break or Mexican Cake.

Jan. 27 WWBG Dino SmoresOff Color Brewing, Amager Bryghus and West Lakeview Liquors, Dino S’mores Marshmallow Imperial Stout (10.5% ABV)
Chicago’s Off Color Brewing teamed up with a local liquor store, West Lakeview Liquors, and Danish brewery Amager Bryghus to create this complicated stout. The shopping list on this beer includes nine different grains and marshmallow fluff, vanilla beans, molasses, graham flour and cocoa nibs. It’s a doozy. In a good way. After pouring an opaque black, the aroma transports you fireside just like the mouse toasting marshmallows on the label. Molasses and dried stone fruit combine to conjure up memories of caramelizing marshmallows. Dino’s flavors are more traditional for an imperial stout: sweet and slightly black malt bitter with a subtle fruitiness that was hinted at in the dried stone fruit aroma. Much like the Michigan Maple Jesus, this strong stout is smooth and alcohol burn free. Dino S’mores is a charming dessert stout that will brighten any evening during this season of short days.

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.”

Finally, fresh new inventory outpaced sales in Arlington. Some 41 new listings came on the market this week, and 35 homes were sold. Of those sold, only seven had been on the market less than 10 days indicating that buyers are clearing out some of the old inventory.

Nationally, the last time our existing home sale supply was so low was back in 1999.

Last week, President Trump signed an order revoking an Obama Administration measure that lowered the cost of home ownership for low income and first time home buyers. Trump raised the rate of mortgage insurance on FHA loans. The measure is estimated to prevent 40,000 renters from becoming homeowners.

Also this week, the Dow Jones hit a new record of 20,000. The movement of investor capital from US Treasuries to the stock market caused an increase in the yield on the 10-yr note which influenced mortgage rates to spike Thursday by 10 points. The 30-yr fixed rate mortgage is now at about 4.3%.

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

Deal of the Day: BOGO VIP Tickets to Crystal Couture

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Crystal Couture

Crystal Couture is always free to attend and shop amazing designer discounts, but bargain-savvy shoppers can upgrade to the Crystal Couture VIP ticket for an enhanced show and sale experience.

Ticket holders receive an exclusive VIP gift bag, $20 of Couture Cash to spend at any retailer at Crystal Couture, and access to an open bar serving beer and wine (valid during VIP hours on Saturday from 2-6 p.m. only).

The Crystal Couture VIP ticket is $20 online and $25 at the door (if available), but through today’s ARLnow Deal of the Day, you can get a ticket for your shopping buddy, spouse, or partner for FREE with the purchase of your own ticket.

Be sure to purchase your tickets now — this deal is only available through Friday evening!

Note: VIP status is only valid during VIP hours on Saturday, February 4 from 2-6 p.m. VIP status is not required to attend and shop during VIP hours.

(more…)

Healthy Paws: More Specialists Your Vet Might Recommend

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Healthy Paws

Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

In a followup to our last post, we will discuss below some of the different veterinary specialties and why we might refer to them.

To recap, many of our daily appointments consist of pets that are not feeling well for a variety of reasons. In many instances we can determine the problem and treat effectively by obtaining a thorough history, performing a comprehensive physical exam, perform in-office diagnostics or send lab work out to a reference laboratory, and dispensing appropriate medications or treatments.

However, in some instances, problems may be more complicated or require diagnostics beyond the scope of a general practice, and a veterinary specialist may be recommended.

Behaviorist: A veterinary behaviorist is sort of a mental health professional for dogs. For some dogs, anxiety is such a large issue that certain medications we prescribe are not enough to help and, unfortunately, some dogs will hurt themselves in their crates by chewing or scratching (think of it like a panic attack). In these extreme instances, utilizing a behaviorist can help narrow down certain triggers and they can also help prescribe different medications in conjunction with a training program to help resolve these issues. Behaviorists can also be invaluable in handling a pet with difficult aggression issues that may provide a safety concern if not handled appropriately.

Dentist: It’s safe to say that most of our veterinary patients have a varying degree of periodontal disease. A dental cleaning, complete with dental radiographs, and polishing/fluoride treatment, can be done with your primary veterinarian. Many extractions can also be done with your primary veterinarian. However, sometimes the pathology in the mouth is so severe that referral to a veterinary dentist is required. They are trained to perform root canals and other endodontic treatments, or even remove parts of a jaw if there are tumors or abnormalities within the jaw bones.

Dermatologist: Veterinary dermatologists are incredibly helpful in diagnosing a multitude of skin disorders that we see on a daily basis, including allergies. After trying many different types of therapies here at our clinic, sometimes the use of a dermatologist, who may have access to newer drug therapies or diagnostics, is the best way to help your pet find relief. They can also perform skin biopsies, intradermal skin allergy testing, and different skin cultures/cytologies, etc…

Ophthalmologist: Veterinary ophthalmologists examine and correct a variety of different ocular diseases – both within the eye and on the surface. Their expertise includes, but is not limited to, performing surgeries (such as cataract surgery or third eyelid/”cherry eye” correction), managing glaucoma and complicated corneal defects, treating inflammatory conditions of the eye, etc…They also have special equipment to look at ocular structures better than most general practices.

Radiologist: Sometimes our veterinary patients eat abnormal things, or have recurrent bouts of vomiting/diarrhea. Other times we may find something abnormal while we are palpating the abdomen during a routine physical exam. Radiographs (X-rays) are a useful tool for looking at the size and shape of organs and noting if anything appears abnormal.

However, if your pet ingested something soft and we are unable to see it on an X-ray, an abdominal ultrasound will look at the internal structure of organs and determine if this object is stuck. Ultrasounds can also find tumors on some organs that are not easily identifiable via X-ray, such as the adrenal glands. Radiologists also have additional training in reading X-rays, MRIs and CT scans which can help us pick up and find subtle changes that can help us with a diagnosis.

For cats with hyperthyroidism, a veterinarian in a specialty hospital with the capacity to handle radioactive material can also administer a highly regulated radioactive isotope that can treat hyperthyroidism in one injection (with several days in the hospital for monitoring afterwards) if it is indicated by your primary veterinarian. Sounds crazy, but it’s also the treatment of choice in people, as well.

Veterinary specialists are great resources for your pets when your primary care veterinarian thinks their expertise will be needed to help make your pet feel better, faster! We are fortunate to live in an area with numerous specialty-trained veterinarians to help us provide the best care for our pets.

For A More Productive Business, Buy Your Employees Lunch

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Companies are offering free employee lunches to boost productivity, morale, and well-being; at the same time they’re helping to fight hunger in Washington, D.C.

Would you buy your employees a free lunch if it meant greater workplace productivity? Lunch is an important meal that holds some serious potential for businesses that seek to boost workplace productivity, culture and teamwork.

At some of the most successful companies in Silicon Valley, like Google, free lunch as a perk has been standard operating procedure for some time and it has enhanced their competitive edge in the market. Simply put, free lunches for their teams translate into increased business success and profitability. Not only does a free meal increases employee happiness, it also becomes one of those braggable benefits, helping to recruit and retain top talent.

Free lunch may sound expensive, but doesn’t have to be, says Shy Pahlevani, founder of HUNGRY.This Washington, D.C. based startup developed a unique office and catering service, that connects top chefs making incredible food to offices across the city.

“Our unique business model enables us to deliver top chef made food, directly to your desk,” Pahlevani says. “We deliver meals that are made daily by local chefs and delivered to offices around D.C.”

With a recurring lunch plan, employees order from menus prepared by top local chefs. The food is then delivered to the office any day of the week. Menus can be customized to meet health and dietary restrictions, including vegan, vegetarian, paleo, dairy-free, and gluten-free options.

After each meal, employees provide feedback to help office managers decide which dishes worked best.

“Think about the last time everyone on your staff got what they wanted from office catering,” Pahlevani says. “Either the order wasn’t easy or it was really expensive. We created HUNGRY to provide companies a better option.”

Free lunches are now becoming a standard workplace perk for some of the highest employee-rated companies nationwide. A free meal can save employees’ time, helping them to work around meetings and deadlines. Office meals also break the monotony of daily routines, like the “lunchtime rush hour.”

Take for instance Washington, D.C. It’s a city filled with plenty of fast-casual options, including up-and-comers like Sweetgreen and Beefsteak. In this market, competing for consumers’ lunch can be tough, and pricey. In fact, diners spend on average a minimum of about $12.29 per day on food.

“We offer companies an ability to provide their teams high quality, healthy meals in a way that helps foster team building,” Pahlevani says. “Rather than have your team leave the office and go in different directions for 60-90 minutes every day, you can provide them an incredible meal from a top chef (which they will greatly appreciate) and instead they will enjoy lunchtime bonding and talking with their co-workers. It also saves everyone time which enables them to accomplish more each day in the office.”

At the same time, this delivery option feeds into the corporate social responsibility of leading Fortune 500 companies. For every two meals purchased through HUNGRY, one meal is donated to fight hunger in the D.C. region via a partnership with the Arlington Food Assistance Center.

“A free lunch is not just a good return on investment for employee satisfaction,” Pahlevani says. “It’s a way to impact the community by supporting local chefs and fighting hunger.”

The preceding promoted post was written and sponsored by Clarendon-based startup HUNGRY.

This Weekend: Winter Open House for Our Savior Lutheran School

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Looking for a small, affordable, private, Christian day school with a small town community feel? Can you appreciate a school which begins each day with the students reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing My Country ‘Tis of Thee?

Then please come visit the winter open house at Our Savior Lutheran School, which will be held Saturday, January 28 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Come see a hidden gem of a school which has been in the heart of Arlington providing education and service since 1952. The school is conveniently located close to the Pentagon and Route 50 in Arlington.

Grades Pre-K (age 4 by September 30) through 8th grade are offered with very small class sizes (only 20 students per class). The elementary school grades have self-contained classrooms, while the middle school is departmentalized. The school also has one of the lowest tuition rates in Northern Virginia. The dedicated, caring teachers work hand-in-hand with an active community of families which make this school thrive.

Students are encouraged to start a life of service through various opportunities:

  • Weekly chapel offerings are designated to various groups in need for our neighbors in Arlington and around the world.
  • Walk for the Homeless and preparing bag meals for A-SPAN.
  • Letters to penpals (elderly members of the church congregation).
  • Stop Hunger Now — the entire school helped prepare dry meals to send overseas.
  • Pairing middle schoolers and kindergarteners as chapel buddies.
  • Sixth graders begin and start the day by raising the American flag and assisting with the kiss-n-ride line.

In addition to the school’s trading skill building curriculum which includes a foreign language program for middle school students, art and many extracurricular activities including a music and a choral program; Our Savior offers various after school clubs that include foreign language (Spanish and French), baking club, dance and chess.

If you are interested in what Our Savior has to offer and why this school shines, please come by the winter open house on Saturday, January 28 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. or call to schedule a tour any other day. The school is located at 825 S. Taylor St., Arlington, VA 22204. Our phone number is (703) 892-4846 and our web address is osva.org.

The preceding was written and sponsored by Our Savior Lutheran School.

Rental Trends: Five Traits of a Great Property Manager

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.

A great property manager can be hard to come by. In today’s fast-paced, social-media centric society, consumers and renters crave and demand instant gratification – they are ephemeral.

That being said, property managers must constantly be on their toes and ready to take on anything! Not only must they be ready to draw in and lease to rent-ready prospects, but they must also always roll with the punches in order to satisfy current renters. Leaky toilet at midnight? Be prepared for a call. Can’t find the mailbox key. Better be on it. Locked out of your apartment? Must be prepared! Property managers deal with these scenarios (among thousands of others) on a daily basis.

Here are five tips to being a great property manager that you and your team should keep in mind:

1. Communication

Communication is KEY! Property managers deal with tons of people (at all hours of the day) from all walks of life. Some may speak different languages, have different personalities, different needs and different backgrounds. Therefore, those in property management need to have impeccable communication skills. Staying calm and speaking in a professional manner is a top priority. A lot of times, this includes PATIENCE. Residents must always be kept in the loop on things like office closures, maintenance, payments, etc. Additionally – property managers must keep said communication timely. When a work order is submitted, the resident should be notified immediately that their work order has been received and that the issue is being worked on. When a parking lot is being worked on, residents should know of any alternative routes to take ASAP. These are just examples, of course, but the list goes on and on. Keep in mind, that with communication comes listening. Sometimes, the best thing a property manager can do for a current or prospective renter is ensure them that their voice is being heard and that the community is doing everything possible to make their living situation a comfortable one.

2. Organization

Property managers often have to deal with questions, comments, complaints and concerns from dozens of renters and prospects daily. Not only must property managers make sure their current renters are happy, make sure the rents are coming in on time and make sure that work orders are being fulfilled, but they must also work on bringing in NEW renters as well. Organization comes in handy on a daily basis through things like lease expirations and renewals, background checks, security deposits, invoices, etc. A skilled property manager must be organized, and make sure they are hiring organized staff members as well! If you are impatient, anxious, edgy or bad with tight deadlines and daily interaction with “customers” aka your residents, you may want to reconsider your future as a property manager. Do you think you have what it takes?

3. People Person

One of the best gauges of the level of quality of a property manager is the way they interact with people. This does not mean just their renters. This means current renters, prospective renters, renters moving out, maintenance, vendors, other staff, lifeguards, towing companies, plumbers, carpenters, etc. Managing an apartment community is a large undertaking, and men/women that do not have a happy, approachable, “can-do” attitude will find it hard to not only retain residents, but to draw new ones in. A personable property manager must be able to handle the fast-paced nature of community management and make the process of signing a lease and moving in an easy one. Let’s face it – moving is a drag and a hassle. When people move into an apartment, the last thing they want to deal with is an unhelpful property manager with a sour attitude. That said, go the extra mile to make your renters feel welcome! Perhaps a gift basket with community “swag” when they move in? Maybe a couple of take-out menus from your favorite local restaurants? At the end of the day, a “people person” property manager is always easier to work with than a grouch!

4. Honesty

Think about it. What are all property managers typically doing the first week of every month? Handling other people’s money! They collect rents, security deposits, and more. Property managers need to have the utmost understanding that the renters come first. They must always act with the highest level of integrity. As a property manager, they a lot of complaints are heard daily. While it may sometimes be easier to dance around the issue, a property manager needs to always be up front with the renter – even if it’s something the renter doesn’t want to hear. The washing machine can’t be fixed until Tuesday? Tell them ASAP so they can make other plans. The rent check won’t be deposited for another day? Let them know. Not being 100% truthful with renters can lead to mistrust and lower resident retention rates.

5. Reliability

Having a reliable property manager takes the burden off of a lot of people – the staff, the property owners, the renters, the prospects, etc. When a tenant asks something of a property manager or needs help with a certain issue, they should feel confident that their property manager is taking their struggle into consideration. This can be anything from a missing trash can, a broken lock, a bug problem, a noisy neighbor, etc. Property managers must come through for their residents and should be viewed as someone who can quickly and effectively problem solve. Now, the world isn’t perfect and problems aren’t always easily resolved. However, as long as a renter knows that you, as their property manager, are in their corner and working your hardest to make their stay at your property a happy one, then you have done the best you can!

These five qualities, among others, are staple traits of a great property manager. Moving into an apartment is, let’s be honest here, never the most fun and can make for a very stressful time in someone’s life. Working with a quality property manager can make the experience so much more positive – maybe even fun! An organized, honest, reliable, personable property manager with good communication skills is pure gold!

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.

Let’s enjoy this pleasantly warm Wednesday before temps dip back in to coat weather this weekend. And on that note, we’re starting to see some homes dip down to bargain pricing this week as well.

Why the dip, you ask?

Well, the holiday season is long gone and some homeowners are tired of their real estate sitting on the market through the seasons. Similarly, some homeowners want to be aggressive with their pricing in hopes that you, the homebuyer, will bite on a good deal.

Just remember that these listing prices are only the beginning. Yes, they can be a great indicator of homeowners wanting to move quickly on the sale of their home, but there’s still more you can do.

When you’re ready to GET MORE out of your home purchase, give me a shout.

As of January 23 there are 157 detached homes, 25 townhouses and 204 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 21 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: Aging In Place In Arlington

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: As a senior citizen looking ahead, I don’t want to move into a senior community and would like to stay in Arlington. What options do I have to age-in-place in my own home or another detached home? Is there a way to search specifically for suitable properties?

Answer: This may sound crazy, but Arlington isn’t made up of just Millennials! With 8% of our population between the age of 65 and 84, we have thousands of residents who have called Arlington home for decades and want to continue calling it home. If a senior community doesn’t suit you, there are some great ways to stay home and accommodate a live-in caregiver.

Accessory Dwellings (AD)

In Arlington, an AD is a living space attached to the main home with a separate entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. It can house up to two people, unrelated to the homeowner(s) in a space not to exceed 750sqft (size of most 1BR apartments) or half the size of the main dwelling.

  • ADs range from basements, additions to the main level, or attic conversions as long as they meet the various requirements for entrances, ceiling heights, size, egress, fire protection, etc.
  • Arlington County sets a limit of 28 new ADs per year, but speaking to the Zoning Office, they only receive a couple applications per year and quickly approve them as long as all requirements and permits are in place, so don’t worry about your application being denied
  • Homeowners can collect rent from somebody living in an AD (doesn’t have to be a caregiver), so often times aging homeowners will use a combination of rent and caregiving services as consideration for a place to live
  • While it’s common for the homeowner to live in the main dwelling, the requirements seem to allow the homeowner to also live in the AD with the tenant in the main home. This could make a lot of sense for a homeowner who prefers to exchange tenancy in the main dwelling for higher levels of care.

If you’re considering converting a portion of your home to an AD or building an addition, it’s strongly recommended to reach out to the county’s Zoning Office early in the process to avoid wasted investment or missed requirements. You’ll need to ensure certain design, parking, and safety requirements to get approved. Once a Zoning Inspector has signed off on the property, the application process generally takes about one month and costs a couple hundred dollars.

Caregiver Suites

In Arlington, a Caregiver Suite is a space inside the home, up to 500 square feet, for up to two people outside of the immediate family, related or unrelated. Unlike an AD, the occupant(s) of a Caregiver Suite must provide care to at least one member of the household (child, elderly, or disabled). The homeowner may still collect rent. The space can be an existing area of the home or a new addition.

Arlington County does not allow both an AD and a Caregiver Suite on the same property.

For some aging homeowners in Arlington County, their existing homes can be converted to accommodate an AD or Caregiver Suite with a total investment substantially lower than the costs of moving. However, if you who have steps leading to or inside the main dwelling, no basement access, or other issues that make a conversion difficult, you may need to look to the marketplace for an AD-ready home. While I’m not aware of a good way to search for homes that have already been AD-approved, there are certain search criteria that will help identify homes that can be converted at a relatively low cost such as rambler/ranchers with a walk-out basement.

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.

Free Homebuyer Seminar: Get the Keys to Home Buying Success

$1,500 credit for your home at closing and if you don’t love your new home we will buy it back or sell it for free for 12 months exclusive to event attendees only*

Orange Line Living logoThe Orange Line Living team is hosting a Home Buying Seminar event on January 30 from 6-8 pm at our Rosslyn office located at 1600 Wilson Blvd, Suite 10 in Arlington. The seminar will last approximately one hour and then we will have time after for questions and one-on-one appointments.

We will have specialists on hand (including lenders and buyer agents) to give you an overview of the buying process. Not only will you get a complete home buying overview, but you will learn our valuable home buying strategies that will save you 3% or more when you purchase.

The Orange Line Living and Keri Shull Team together helped over 200 families purchase homes in 2015. Together, they are the #1 real estate team in Arlington, the #1 real estate team in Virginia by volume and top 5 in the D.C. metro area as well. Their aim is to help even more families find their dream home in 2016 and you have the opportunity to be one of those people.

Details

When: Monday, January 30th from 6-8 p.m.
Where: Optime Realty, 1600 Wilson Blvd, Suite 101, Arlington, VA 22209
Cost: Free
Parking: Validated Parking or Street Parking
Food: Appetizers and Drinks
Contact: [email protected] or call 571-969-7653

Space is limited so you don’t miss out. To register, go to www.vipbuyerseminar.com or email [email protected].

*terms and conditions apply

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