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.MrArlington.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. 

Hello, summer! If you’ve lived in Arlington County for some time, you know that this equates to humidity galore, the periodic thunderstorm and – if you have a lawn – a once-a-week date with the mower.

In the real estate realm, it’s a sweltering time as well. Kids are out of school, providing the perfect time for families to explore local homes. Also, folks tend to take more time off, some of which is devoted to house-hunting. And, many folks are in a transitioning period, looking to settle in to a new residence before the new school year.

All of this equates to a competitive market and competitive pricing, benefitting you… the buyer. 

As of June 20, there are 243 detached homes, 59 townhouses and 344 apartments for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 64 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: Do Noisy Neighbors Hurt Resale Value?

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: Our neighbor recently turned their backyard into an outdoor living space and most nights the family and dog are outside making a racket. Do you have any advice to quiet them down? How will this impact our resale value?

There’s no great solution to dealing with noisy neighbors, especially if they’re not explicitly breaking county ordinances, like throwing a rager at 2 a.m., that ACPD or Code Enforcement can enforce. In most situations, these are your best steps…

Step 1: Try to be neighborly

Your neighbors may not know they’re bothering anybody, so kindly make them aware. If you’re comfortable doing it in person, drop by their house one evening with some treats for the kids and appeal to their pathos by letting them know you’re a light sleeper with an early morning start. Maybe they can cut their evenings short by an hour or tone down the games they’re playing. If you don’t feel comfortable making an appearance, drop some treats off with a letter expressing the same message. The key here is to not storm over in the middle of the evening demanding them to quiet down.

If it works, the next week, send a nice thank you note saying how much you appreciate it and you’re glad you have such great neighbors.

Step 2: Notify your Association

Many Arlingtonians live within an Association (condo or HOA) with specific quiet hours. Each Association handles and enforces complaints differently, but most will first ask if you’ve attempted to resolve the issue yourself first. As a member of my condo board, I can speak first-hand to the difficulty of proving and enforcing noise violations, but generally a formal notice from the Association of a complaint is enough to get a noisy neighbor’s attention and encourage a behavior change. The majority of people do not want to be bad neighbors.

Step 3: Call the Police (but please don’t) or Code Enforcement (business hours)

Calling the police should be reserved for the absolute worst cases where county law or ordinances are clearly being broken. I would not recommend involving the police in your situation and, remember, police cannot enforce Association laws (private). There’s no coming back from calling the cops on somebody and it’s an easy way to make matters worse, especially if steps one and two weren’t followed first.

  • Arlington Max Noise Levels (pg 5): note: “Daytime” means the local time of day between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday
  • Zoning Boundaries (referenced in above noise doc)
  • Arlington Noise Control Site (links to detailed maps of major zoning areas like Rosslyn, Clarendon, and Pentagon City at the bottom)
  • Who to call/when

Will it Impact Resale Value?

I highly doubt your noisy neighbors will impact the value of your home. Most buyers visit a home once or twice for maybe 20-30 minutes before making an offer, so the nuisance would have to present itself during that small window of time and occur in a way that makes the potential buyer think that it’s a regular occurrence that will negatively impact their enjoyment of the property. In your case, a potential buyer (likely a family, based on the info you provided me) may even consider it a positive factor to hear children playing in the neighborhood.

For most of us Arlingtonians, we live on top of each other and don’t get to pick our neighbors. Can any of the readers share a story or strategy they’ve used to successfully manage noisy neighbors?

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.

Orange Line Living to Host Free Home Buyer Seminar June 27

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Orange Line Living logo3% off the list price guaranteed or we pay you the difference in cash 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*

The Orange Line Living and Keri Shull Team are hosting a Free Home Buyer Seminar on June 27.

The event 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 along with ways to get the best mortgage.

The Orange Line Living and Keri Shull Team together have helped over 200 families purchase homes in 2015. Together, they are the #1 real estate team in Arlington and #1 real estate team in Virginia by volume. Also, not forgetting to mention 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: June 27, 2016 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

Local Woof: Boarding Your Dog

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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The Local Woof is a column that’s sponsored and written by the staff of Woofs! Dog Training Center. Woofs! has full-service dog training, boarding, and daycare facilities, near Shirlington and Ballston.

As school comes to a close for the year it’s time for summer vacations. Where to go? What to do? And who is going to take care of the dog?

If you can’t take your dog with you, the next best option is to have a family member or friend stay at your house. A familiar environment will help your pup cope with the stress of you being away. But sometimes that isn’t possible and you need to find a boarding facility.

The best boarding option is a facility that your dog attends regularly. Facilities that offer daycare and boarding often work well. The daycare option allows your dog to become familiar with the staff and the other dogs that attend regularly. For them it’s like a home away from home. Dogs who attend daycare regularly at WOOFS! are happy and healthy during boarding as well.

If your dog is stressed in the presence of other dogs they might do better in a traditional boarding environment where they do not interact with other dogs all day. Every dog is different, and luckily there are many options available in the area. In-home petsitting is a great option for dogs who don’t board well.

But for many dogs, boarding is stressful no matter what you do. Some dogs become incredibly anxious or depressed. Prolonged stress often leads to associated illnesses including gastrointestinal problems, weight loss and upper respiratory infections. Be sure to talk to your boarding provider and find out how your dog copes while you are away. If your dog does experience excessive amount of distress it might be time to find an alternative form of care.

So how can you help your stressed out dog survive a week away from home? First, be sure to book your petsitter as far ahead as possible. This gives you time to set up meetings and test runs with the caregiver so that your dog can become comfortable with them and the environment. Or, take the time to get your dog used to staying at a particular facility. Obviously, this is going to require paying for services that you don’t necessarily need, but it will more than pay for itself when your dog has an easier time while you away. It might even avoid the cost of a post vacation vet visit.

If all of this preparation is still not enough, talk to your vet. Just like in people, there are anti-anxiety medications that might help.

If you are getting a new puppy this summer, start getting them used to being away from you right away. Send your puppy to a friends for an occasional weekend even if you don’t need to travel. This is an important part of their socialization experiences and should happen two or three times before your pup is 6 months old. This will certainly help get them used to being away from you and make your future vacations away less stressful for everyone.

Happy Summer!

Rethink Energy: Home Energy Rebates Available

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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  • Get paid for installing insulation or upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment.
  • Spend less on future energy bills.
  • Be more comfortable in your home.

Arlington’s Rethink Energy Program is launching a Home Energy Rebate program for County residents!

Is your water heater on its last leg? Is the upstairs of your home roasting hot in the summer and freezing in the winter? Has your heating or cooling system reached its shelf life? Plug in to these rebates to save money and be more comfortable at home.

You can apply for up to $575 in rebates if you replace your water heater or heating/cooling system with an energy efficient model, or if you add insulation or air sealing to your home.

The following items are eligible for the Arlington rebate:

  • Air sealing and insulation– 50% of your expenses (excluding labor).  You must spend at least $200 to apply for a rebate, and you can receive up to $575.

All of these items are also eligible for a federal energy tax credit. Let’s repeat that – you can get money from the Feds and from Arlington’s Rethink Energy Program that will also save you money on your utility bills.

Check out our webpage or download the application for more program details.

Leave questions in the comments section below. We’ll answer questions about the rebate program and talk more about each rebate in subsequent posts.

POLL:

Which rebate do you expect to (or are you most likely to) use?

This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A 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. Got a question? Email us at [email protected]!

Listing of the Day: 3210 1st Road N.

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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3210 1st Road N.
Neighborhood: Ashton Heights
List Price: $1,835,000
Open House: Sunday, June 19 from 1-4 p.m.

Unmistakably Morris Day!

Four bedroom, 4 baths and ½ bath custom built home with 12 foot ceilings. Luxury dream kitchen has a 9×4 foot island, built in wine chiller and ample storage space. French doors with screened in mahogany porch. Finished basement for use as man cave with built in kegerator, gym or playroom. Top level loft for private retreat, teen escape, private office/studio.

Please contact Alyssa Cannon for details.

Alyssa Cannon
McEnearney Associates, Inc.
[email protected]
703-585-8167

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 real estate market is easing into a summer mode. Activity this week slowed from last week. Some 70 new listings came on the market, while only 63 properties went under contract. Of those sold, 45 had been on the market for more than a week.  Many of them were on the market for more than 100 days which has helped to clear out some stale inventory. That has raised the average days on market to 47.

Good news for buyers. The Federal Reserve this week decided not to raise short term interest rates.  Although those rates are not directly linked to long term mortgage rates, the Fed’s announcement did influence the mortgage markets and rates dropped 5 basis points to 3.7% for a 30-yr fixed rate loan, the lowest rates in 3 years.

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

Mission Possible: Free Speed Coaching for Local Makers and Entrepreneurs

Mission 2 Market flyerAre you a local entrepreneur looking to launch, run or grow your business?

Mission 2 Market, a hyperlocal consulting and marketing company, has assembled some of the best talent to help small businesses build success.

In their 30+ years experience in marketing strategy, merchandising, brand management, product launches and relationship building, the team behind Mission 2 Market has developed a network of industry experts who, like them, have a passion for helping others grow. They’re inspired to share their knowledge and resources.

Join Mission 2 Market and friends for an evening of one-on-one coaching, practical and real world business advice from the area’s top seasoned professionals. Topics include marketing, branding, design and packaging, social enterprise, finance, e-commerce and more. No small business subject is off-limits.

Speed coaching is free, but pre-registration is required.  Please come prepared with question regarding specific concerns or challenges your business is currently facing along with any samples of product, packaging, or logo design you seek feedback on.  The event is hosted by Link Local and NeoNiche Strategies with refreshments provided Cava Grill and Whole Foods Market. 

Register @ m2mspeedcoaching.eventbrite.com. Contact [email protected] for more information or any questions.

What: Mission Possible: Speed Coaching for Local Makers and Entrepreneurs
When: Thursday, June 23 from 6-9 p.m.
Where: Link Locale at 3140 Washington Blvd (Wells Fargo Building, 2nd Floor, two blocks from the Clarendon Metro)

The preceding post was written and sponsored by Mission 2 Market.

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.MrArlington.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.

A reduced price is only the beginning.

Each week, I bring you a snapshot of the Arlington County homes that are itching to be sold, among many others in the very same boat. While these homes stand out in terms of aggressive price maneuvering, their “For Sale” price is really only a starting point.

From there, you need an agent who will advocate on your behalf and ensure you are truly getting the most bang for your buck. It takes a certain level of meticulousness to get the job done. And with that being said, I’m always happy to talk with you about how to GET MORE out of your transaction – starting with the list price and well through closing!

As of June 11, there are 259 detached homes, 64 townhouses and 350 apartments for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 43 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.

Lafayette Federal Credit Union Comes to Crystal City; Grand Opening This Thursday

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This week’s (Thursday, June 16) grand opening of Lafayette Federal Credit Union’s new location in Crystal City is the perfect time for new members to discover a new way to handle their financial needs. And they are eligible to receive a special new member offer for opening an account, as well.

Lafayette Federal has been helping families and businesses since 1935, offering a wide range of financial products and services. With this latest addition to the Lafayette family of financial institutions –its third in Northern Virginia (joining McLean and Falls Church) and its seventh in the Washington metro area –the growing credit union welcomes the opportunity to bring its member-friendly full-service capabilities to folks who live and/or work in Crystal City.

The new Crystal City Financial Service Center, located at 2231 Crystal Drive, Suite R150, will host a Grand Opening event this Thursday (June 16) from noon until 1 p.m.

Arlington Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Kate Bates will speak, as will Lafayette Federal Chairman Norman Cohen and President/CEO B. John Farmakides. A special grand opening offer will be available to new retail members who open an account at the Crystal City branch now through June 24.

Lafayette Federal representatives at Thursday’s event look forward to discussing the benefits of membership which typically include lower credit card and loan rates than traditional banks as well as other advantages.

The Crystal City branch offers the full complement of financial services, including FREE online and mobile banking, NO-FEE checking accounts with mobile deposit, rewards credit cards, residential mortgages, auto and boat financing and a host of other products to meet the financial needs of its members.

For more information regarding Lafayette Federal Credit Union’s Grand Opening event and to hear about the special offer for new members, please contact Branch Manager Veronika Memetova at 703-639-6541 or via e-mail at [email protected].

The preceding post was sponsored by Lafayette Federal Credit Union and written by Buzz McClain.

Legal Insider: New Social Media Policy for Security Clearance Investigations

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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.

On May 12, 2016, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper issued the first policy on the federal government’s use of social media when evaluating background investigations and security clearances for federal employees and contractors.

Security Executive Agent Directive 5 does not require that security clearance decisions necessarily consider social media information, but instead permits the collection of “publicly” available social media information if an agency official determines it to be a useful tool for security clearance investigations. It is extremely likely that most, if not all, agency officials will find such information to be a necessary tool for security clearance investigations in the future given how significant social media has become in our society.

While the new policy does not require the collection of non-publicly available social media information, it is possible that such information could be required in future policies governing security clearance investigations, especially for individuals with top secret clearances. For now, however, security clearance investigators can only review publicly available social media information under the new policy. Information that is protected by appropriate privacy settings will not be reviewed by security clearance investigators.

Furthermore, unless there is a national security concern or criminal reporting requirement, information uncovered as a result of a review of an applicant’s publicly available social media information that involves other individuals or groups will not be pursued.

Security clearance investigators are also restricted from requesting or requiring individuals to provide their social media passwords or requiring individuals to log on to their private social media accounts to disclose non-publicly available information. The new policy also bars security clearance investigators or agencies from creating or using social media accounts to “Friend” or “Follow” the individual who is under investigation. We represent individuals in security clearance matters. If you need assistance with a federal retirement or an employment issue, please contact our office at (703) 668-0070 or at www.berrylegal.com to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BerryBerryPllc.

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