Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Legal Insider: Continuous evaluation for security clearance holders

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.

By John V. Berry, Esq.

Continuous evaluation (CE) is an ongoing screening process for security clearance holders that monitors cleared employees in between periodic reinvestigations. Many government employees, military personnel, and government contractors have already been placed in the CE system over the past few years.

What is Continuous Evaluation?

Continuous Evaluation (CE) is an ongoing security screening process reviewing the background of a cleared individual. Traditionally, the government has investigated individuals with security clearances through periodic reinvestigations after 5 or 10 years, depending on the level of the individual’s clearance. This has often caused gaps where the security clearance process has not uncovered potential adverse information on individuals between investigations.

CE is an effort by the government to reform the security clearance system and increase the timeliness of potentially adverse information reviewed between periodic reinvestigations. CE employs automatic record checks to provide near real-time security risk information on an individual. CE checks utilize commercial databases, criminal databases, U.S. Government databases, public records and other available information. Presently, CE does not use social media, although there have been some test programs using social media analysis.

When an individual is enrolled in CE, the government will be alerted to any changes in a clearance holder’s eligibility. If adverse or unreported information is identified through the CE process, the system will alert the sponsoring agency. One example of CE is where a security clearance holder is arrested for a crime which is then reported to government clearance adjudicators. The agency will then review the potentially adverse information to determine if further adjudication of the security clearance is required. With CE, it is important for individuals to focus on self-reporting issues that arise before they are later discovered.

CE is a work in progress. There will be changes and updates to CE as the government makes adjustments to the security clearance process as part of reform. The ultimate goal is full Continuous Vetting (CV), which is a more comprehensive form of CE. CV will likely eventually eliminate the need for periodic reinvestigations in the future.

Contact Us

When an individual is facing security clearance concerns it is important to obtain legal advice and/or legal representation. Our law firm advises individuals in the security clearance process. We can be contacted at www.berrylegal.com or by telephone at (703) 668-0070. Additionally, our Facebook page is located here and our Twitter account is located here.

Most expensive Arlington homes sold in October

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
3166 18th Street N. (via Google Maps)

There are homes you can actually afford, and then there are homes that are just fun to look at.

Our list of the most expensive recently-sold homes in Arlington, below, is definitely the latter for all but the most well heeled.

Last month, there were 197 sales and 164 new listings. October had a median list price of $697,000 with a median sales price of $570,000, according to Homesnap.

In the market? See properties that have been Just Listed and Just Reduced.

Image via Google Maps

Biz Talk: Announcing the winners of the Arlington REV Awards!

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This article was written by Sindy Yeh, Senior Business Ambassador for Arlington Economic Development.

Eight fast-growing Arlington companies were honored last night in Arlington Economic Development’s inaugural REV Awards ceremony.

REV, which stands for Revenue, Employment and Venture, recognizes Arlington-based companies who have experienced substantial growth in their respective categories. Close to 100 business leaders attended the reception that was held at JBG Smith’s state-of-the art experience center at National Landing. Arlington County Board Vice-Chair Christian Dorsey, as well as partnering organizations like JBG Smith, National Landing Business Improvement District, Arlington Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership were on hand to honor the awardees.

“The REV Awards were created to celebrate the innovation and perseverance in Arlington’s business community,” said Michael Stiefvater, Acting Director of AED’s Business Investment Group. “The eight winning companies exemplify these traits as leaders in their respective industries and we are proud that they call Arlington home.”

Companies honored at last night’s event include:

Revenue

  • Under $5M: Franklin IQ, a management consulting company that helps companies align strategy, empower talent, simplify challenges to create real impact for their clients.
  • $5M-$15M: C3 Integrated Solutions, a full-service IT provider that specializes in securing companies through cloud-based solutions with industry leading partners.
  • $15M-$25M: Black Cape, has a proven track record and expertise in developing mission applications and applying machine learning and artificial Intelligence to hard problems in the government and commercial sectors.
  • $25+M: PGLS, offers translation, interpretation, transcription, language training, and localization in more than 200 languages and dialects. The company delivers on-time, accurate, and personalized language service solutions to numerous companies and government agencies.

Employment

  • Under 100: Shift5, an operational technology cybersecurity company that protects the world’s transportation infrastructure and weapons systems from cyberattacks.
  • Over 100: Targeted Victory, a fast-growing digital first agency built for the mobile age, sitting at the intersection of politics and business. The company has collectively helped their clients raise more than $1.45 billion in online fundraising and managed over $330 million in digital advertising.

Venture Capital

  • Early-stage: EarthOptics, a soil data measurement and mapping company whose technology helps farmers more sustainably manage their soil, increase yields and feed the growing world.
  • Late-stage: Federated Wireless, a leading innovator of private wireless and shared spectrum services.

All REV winners were required to be privately held Arlington-based companies outside the retail sector and were required to provide documentation to demonstrate their growth in each relevant category. We salute these companies for their accomplishments and contributions to Arlington’s economy.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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 October 31, there are 163 detached homes, 57 townhouses and 219 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 32 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

3133 S. Glebe Road

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.

Ask Eli: How home sale contracts fall through

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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 just accepted an offer on our home and wanted to know what can happen to cause a home sale contract to fall through.

Answer: Happy Halloween! In keeping with the Halloween theme, I thought I’d write about something really spooky… home sale contracts falling apart! Now that we’ve returned to more “normal” real estate contracts with standard contingencies, it’s easier for buyers to walk away from a deal without risking their deposit, so let’s talk about some of the common ways buyers and sellers can get out of a deal.

Earnest Money Deposit Seals the Deal

The Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) is a negotiated amount of money that is held in escrow to ensure the Buyer performs their contractual obligations to purchase a property. In the event of Buyer default, some or all of the deposit can be claimed by the Seller for damages. If the Buyer voids the contract using a contingency or other contractual protection, their EMD is protected and returned in full. The amount of EMD is negotiable, but often falls somewhere between 1% and 5% of the purchase price.

For a more detailed explanation of EMD, you can read my May 2021 article on the topic.

How Can Buyers Back Out?

The sales contract stipulates if, and how, the Buyer can walk away from a home purchase without losing their EMD. I’ll highlight the most common protections Buyers have, which are also the most common ways home sale contracts fall through.

Home Inspection: Home inspections are usually completed within one week of being under contract and are the most common reason for deals to fall through. If your contract has a Home Inspection Contingency, it allows a Buyer to void the contract within a specified number of days (usually 3-10 days) and may also provide for a negotiation period after the inspection for the Buyer to negotiate for repairs and/or credits. The Home Inspection gives the Buyer a unilateral option to void and does not allow a Seller to void, only to reject requests for repair and/or credit.

Financing: The next most common way for a deal to fall through is a Buyer failing to secure financing, which can occur for a wide range of reasons. If a Financing Contingency is included in the contract, Buyers can walk away from the deal if they are legitimately rejected for their loan. Buyers are not protected if they self-sabotage their financing, but this can be a grey area and challenging to verify. Depending on the structure and handling of the financing contingency, Buyers may be protected up to the closing date.

The best way to reduce the risk of a deal collapsing from financing is to ensure the Buyer has a strong pre-approval letter from a Loan Officer who has reviewed critical financial info and documents like credit, proof of income, and tax returns.

Appraisal: When a Buyer is taking out a loan to purchase a property, the bank will usually require an independent appraisal from their third-party appraiser pool (in other words, the appraiser comes from the bank, not the Buyer or Seller).

The Northern Virginia contract requires Buyers with conventional financing to give the Seller the opportunity to lower the sale price to the appraised value before voiding the contract, but allows the Buyer to void in the event the Seller does not agree to the lower price and Buyer and Seller are unable to reach an alternative agreement. The Northern Virginia contract allows Buyers with FHA, VA, or USDA financing to unilaterally void the contract in the event of a low appraisal, or renegotiate the contract price with the Seller.

Association Document Review: Any time a property is sold within an Association, be it a condo association in a large building or a small HOA cluster of single-family homes, Virginia law requires Sellers to provide a resale package with information about the Association ranging from by-laws, to budget, to the reserve study. In Virginia, Buyers receive a three-day review period of these documents and can unilaterally void the contract within those three days.

(more…)

Neighborhood Spotlight: The Berkshire Oakwood neighborhood

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Conveniently located minutes from D.C., Arlington provides the best of both worlds — an urban feel in some areas closer to the metro; and quiet neighborhoods with parks and amazing schools. Being so close to D.C. and still feeling close to nature is a part of what makes Arlington unique.

Berkshire Oakwood is a well-established community of single-family homes that sits less than 9 miles from Washington, D.C. and is within walking distance of the East Falls Metro Station, along with shops and restaurants. This quiet neighborhood features a unique mixture of architecture, ranging from vintage Tudor and Cape Cod to Colonial and Modern.

Berkshire Oakwood began its modern day residential development in the early 1930s, not long before East Falls Church broke away from Falls Church to become part of Arlington County. Many of the homes in the community were built in the 1930s and 1940s, with construction resuming again after the end of World War II when building materials again became plentiful. While some of the older homes have retained most of their original charm, others have been extensively remodeled from top to bottom. Regardless of when the homes were built, they all feature detailed craftsmanship. 

The East Falls Church Metro is right at the western edge, and the transit-oriented nature of the area has contributed to a continuing evolution. A number of streets are being improved to provide better walkability, with the goal of continued increase in restaurants, retail and a “boulevard” type of experience.

Lee Harrison Shopping Center is close by, allowing for easy access to Harris Teeter, hair and nail salons, Perfect Pointe, and Jhoon Rhee Martial Arts. Don’t want to cook dinner? Stop by the family-owned pie-tanza, where Italian food and gourmet wood-fired pizza are always available in a family friendly environment, or Sushi-Zen, also family-owned and voted Best Sushi Restaurant in Arlington. Looking for dessert? La Moo Creamery and Duck Donuts offer a sweet treat for everyone.

Lee Community Center is also within walking distance and families with younger kids can participate in the Cooperative Playgroup, while everyone is invited to Lee’s Arts Center. Outside of the community center you’ll find a lighted basketball court, children’s playground, baseball field, and butterfly garden.

Berkshire Oakwood provides easy access to multiple trails that run along the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail, which is perfect for residents who like to jog, walk or bike.

Please reach out to me if you want to learn more about neighborhoods in Arlington and around the region.

Colleen Wright | 703-887-1410 | [email protected] | www.homeswithcolleenwright.com | www.McEnearney.com

McEnearney Associates — Arlington Office

Links & Recommendations

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.

Listing of the Day: 1930 N. Woodrow Street (Arlington)

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/5

Address: 1930 N. Woodrow Street
Neighborhood: Waverly Hills
Type: 4 BR, 4 BA single-family detached — 2214 sq. ft.
Listed: $899,000

Noteworthy: Walkable neighborhood; Glebe, Dorothy Hamm, Yorktown schools

Deceptively large rambler with a deep back yard offers versatile space on two levels. Refinished wood floors, fresh paint, and carpeting make this home ready to move in by the holidays!

Welcome family and friends into the light filled living room, anchored by a wood burning fireplace. The living room flows into the large dining room and then to the kitchen. Seasoned and novice cooks will appreciate room for multiple helpers, ample cupboards and generous counterspace. The primary bedroom has a large closet and a private, updated bathroom. The second and third bedrooms share a vintage gray and white tiled bathroom.

Even more versatility in the lower level with two suites — each with a private entry — kitchenette and two bathrooms. Ideal for in-laws, an au pair, college students, or working from home. The lower level also provides rental income potential. Take a vigorous walk or bike ride to Ballston — or an ART or Metro bus. Walk to dog-friendly Woodstock Park, the shops, restaurants, and services at Lee Heights, and the recently opened Compass Coffee.

Wend your way through the leafy neighborhood to the W&OD trial for bike rides and daily walks. Altogether, a home with much to offer.

Open House this Sunday, October 30 from  1 to 4 p.m.

Listed by:
Betsy Twigg
[email protected]
(703) 967-4391

The Nose That Knows: Why wine has sulfur, cork considerations, and an outstanding Virginia Chardonnay

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Order from Arrowine’s expanding online store for curbside pickup or in-store shopping. Have a question? Email thenose@arrowine.com.

Welcome to the final installment of the “so you want to make wine series” or “what was I thinkin?” So today, we will finish with the maturation process of red wine. And, of course, a delicious suggestion for your table.

Any winemaker worth his salt vinifies every parcel and varietal separately. That allows you to dial in and elevate the quality of every Cuvee you make.

Some parcels are better than others or different. The easiest way to create several wines at several price points is to declassify some. The “Grand Vin,” or first wine, is the best of the best. Take Chateau Latour. Only the very best barrels go into “Chateau Latour.” The second wine, “Les Forts de Latour” is the next best and, finally, a wine they call “Pauillac.” All are good, and some barrels and parcels are less complex. You can kill two birds with one stone, elevate your “Prestige” wine and offer a slightly less complex wine for less money or create something just as good but different.

To get the wine in the bottle, you first must homogenize all the components into one cohesive unit. But there are still more decisions to make before bottling.

The use of sulfur and how much to use can get complicated and controversial. There is a misguided movement to reduce added sulfur to ridiculously low levels. But you can’t make wine “stable” without a reasonable level. Wine without sulfur is a crapshoot. The slightest residual sugar can spontaneously referment, bottles explode, cork pop, or if it gets here in one piece, it’s fizzy. Winemakers compensate for reducing sulfur by increasing the inert gas they add at bottling, and it’s the wrong approach.

It’s table wine, and it shouldn’t be petulant. Decanting a “still wine” to air is okay, but de-gassing one is nonsense. I’ve opened many a bottle, and it’s bubbling like a Coke! Then you must put your hand over the top, shake the hell out of it, release your grip, and hear the POP! It can take several tries to get rid of all the gas. That’s not great for table service, nor is it sensible. And it reduces the aging potential.

Wine Corks (Photo by Elisha Terada on Unsplash)

Next, what closure will you use? Natural cork (my choice), composite cork (crushed cork glued together), synthetic cork, or a “screw-cap.” Each kind of closure has benefits and problems. I’m a traditionalist. I will always choose a traditional good-quality cork. I know how it performs, and I’m happy to accept the minuscule failure rate. It’s part of the game.

This week’s star is a “Real Eye Opener.”

If you want to see just how far Virginia wines have come, look no further. The Washington Posts Dave McIntyre proclaimed: the 2020 Chatham Vineyards Church Creek Chardonnay ‘Steel’, “a great value” and “…an outstanding Virginia Chardonnay that’s worth seeking out.” And Dave got it right!

Here is a Chardonnay that kicks butt, a game-changer! And it’s from VIRGINIA! Be proud, people! Support your state.

This wine floored me. And it is nothing like any California Chardonnay anywhere near its price! It is the spitting image of a Village-level Chablis, dry, with excellent palate-cleansing acidity, delicious lemon butter and sea-shell flavors, and a stone-dust mineral finish. Try finding anything this good from anywhere in the U.S. at its price of $22.99. You can’t!

Hat’s off to Jon and Mills Wehner for making such an outstanding and affordable Chardonnay. Jump on this one — the wine disappeared after the Washington Post review hit. Jon was kind enough to save me his last 30 cases, as we had supported it long before the Washington Post discovered it.

Cheers,
Doug

Photo (top) by Elisha Terada on Unsplash

Building your dream home: New construction seminar

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Building a new home should be a rewarding and memorable experience. That’s why a custom-built home requires personalized service!

Here’s your chance to learn everything you need to know about new construction properties from successful agents on the top-selling real estate team in the D.C. metro area.

Bridget Mendes, one of Keri Shull Team’s most experienced Buyer Success Agents, is leading this seminar at our Rosslyn office.

You’ll learn:

  • Advantages of New Construction — We’ll take an in-depth look at how you can design the exact home you are dreaming of!
  • Buying a Builder-Owned Lot vs. Finding Your Own — Which solution is best when finding a lot? In the D.C. metro area, land can be rare, we’ll show you how to find it.
  • Choosing the Right Agents and Specialists — Don’t risk costly problems or losing your dream home! A good agent will help you close faster and pay less.

Join us on Thursday, November 3 at 6 p.m. for this FREE in-person seminar. Make your new construction dream home a reality with experts by your side!

Register for this event today!

Statutes of Liberty: TPS Ethiopia — Don’t pay your lawyer, yet!

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Doran Shemin, Esq., and Laura Lorenzo, Esq., practicing attorneys at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Arlington, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact us for an appointment.

On Friday, October 21, the Department of Homeland Security announced that Ethiopia has been designated for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months.

Washington D.C. has the biggest Ethiopian community outside Africa, so this is huge news. We’re here to explain what it means. We know that Ethiopians in our area will be reading this, so we’re going to focus on facts and procedure here. If you’re curious about our editorial opinions, ask away in the comments.

First, a quick explainer on what TPS is, and how it works.

Temporary Protected Status, in theory, is a temporary measure meant to alleviate suffering in a country suffering from war or natural disaster. The U.S. Code permits the Attorney General (or, in modern practice, the Secretary of Homeland Security) to ‘designate’ countries which meet this description, and then provide temporary work permits, and temporary deportation protection, to nationals of the designated country who are in the United States on the date of the designation.

The process of applying for TPS is relatively simple. The applicant submits two applications: an application for TPS status on Form I-821, and, usually, an application for employment authorization on Form I-765. Fees vary depending on age. The Secretary of Homeland Security sets an ‘initial registration’ period for applicants, and then, if TPS is renewed, a ‘re-registration period.’ Miss these registration windows at your peril.

If you’re an Ethiopian who wants to apply for TPS, here’s what you need to know:

  • TPS is temporary. Sometimes — rarely — TPS designation ends. (We covered the attempt to end TPS-El Salvador in these pages. That attempt is still going more than four years later!) So, although TPS is a good thing, it is a bad substitute for permanent status. If you have an asylum claim, don’t let it drop just because you have the ability to apply for TPS!
  • The TPS application period for Ethiopia has not opened up yet. If a lawyer, an unethical ‘visa consultant,’ or ‘tax preparer’ (applicable soundtrack) offers to apply for you, do not pay them. TPS designation is a great benefit, but it also creates opportunities for scammers.
  • Start gathering your documents. Your lawyer will want to see your Ethiopian passport or your birth certificate, plus evidence that you have been physically present in the United States on or about October 20, 2022. Evidence of physical presence includes:
    • Your 2022 tax returns (file them next year!)
    • Employment records, if you have them.
    • Rent receipts
    • School records for you or your children
    • Medical records concerning treatment for you or your children
    • Religious records describing your attendance at a place of worship
    • Other documentary evidence which shows that you live here. Your lawyer can help you find more.
  • Put money aside. You can expect USCIS to charge up to $545 for your initial application.
  • Make a plan. Find a trusted place to apply for TPS after the initial registration period opens.

Once the application windows opens, our law firm will be delighted to help Ethiopians who want to apply for TPS. You can call us at 888-389-8655, or make an appointment via Calendly, here. But we know that, with hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians in the area, handling all of these cases is going to be a team effort. In that spirit, here are two other trustworthy local partners for Ethiopians who need help applying for TPS.

The Ethiopian Community Development Council

ECDC is located right at 901 S. Highland Street on the Columbia Pike Corridor, and has been a voice for Ethiopians in our area for almost thirty years. We’ve presented on immigration law at ECDC — they’re great folks.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington — Hogar Immigrant Services

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington is an excellent non-profit legal services center. They can handle your TPS application for a modest fee, and they’re wonderful people.

As always, we welcome questions and comments. We’ll answer all we can!

Small Business Focus: Round round baby– Is your internet spinning you in circles?

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

By Guest Author, Jennifer Skow, Arlington Department of Community Planning, Housing, and Development

Before the COVID-19 pandemic we were already living in an increasingly digital world. Then the pandemic made accomplishing daily tasks, obtaining information, and interacting with the world more intertwined with the internet than ever before.

Business owners without adequate capital for digital platforms or the skills to navigate technology risk being unable to compete for clients, customers, and more.

To find out if local businesses have the connectivity and the skills they need, Arlington County is conducting an online assessment called the Business eCheckup. The Business eCheckup will help the County learn about common e-commerce practices among our businesses, barriers to adopting online practices, revenue impacts, and internet quality and price. The eCheckup includes a built-in speed test for your connection.

Whether you are a business or organization that does not have adequate access or good connectivity, or you are a business with a strong internet connection and technical skills needed to leverage online platforms (or you’re somewhere in between), Arlington needs to hear from you! We encourage everyone to complete the eCheckup so we can get a full picture of Arlington’s internet use.

An eCheckup is also available for Arlington households. Both are part of a larger countywide Broadband Study to better understand the internet landscape in the County.

Ensuring local competitiveness in the use of online practices is why Arlington Economic Development created ReLaunch — to give small businesses tools to evolve and expand, despite our new normal.

Since its inception, nearly 200 businesses have received free consulting services that range from website and ecommerce development to leveraging social media and marketing and branding strategies. Through this program:

  • Arlington businesses are getting noticed — Through website development and better managing their online presence, program participants have expanded the number of customers in and outside of Arlington.
  • Businesses are navigating away from predatory behaviors and security issues — Participants learned the importance of setting up secure email addresses, gained a better understanding of cyber security and digital tools, and redirected lost profits to third parties charging for free services elsewhere.
  • Businesses are seeing their investments in broadband and more online exposure improve their bottom line — With access to capital, more digital tools, and a better understanding of online practices, many participants reduced costs and increased revenue for their business.

Share your story with us by taking the Business eCheckup or Household eCheckup — and encourage your friends and colleagues to take it as well. An investment of 20 minutes of your time will help the County plan for the future and provide needed resources for our community!

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