Feature

Open Houses in Arlington This Weekend

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Looking for a home? There are plenty of houses and condos open for viewing this weekend.

Check out the Arlington Realty website for a full list of homes for sale and open houses in Arlington. Here are a few highlights:

5601 Williamsburg Boulevard
6 BR/4 BA, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Compass
Listed: $1,750,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

2205 12th Court N.
4 BR/2 BA, 1 half bath condo
Agent: Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc
Listed: $1,029,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

 

6013 27th Street N.
4 BR/3 BA single-family home
Agent: Exp Realty Llc
Listed: $885,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

3800 Fairfax Drive #1014
2 BR/2 BA condo
Agent: Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Listed: $750,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

1600 N. Oak Street #122
2 BR/2 BA condo
Agent: Ttr Sotheby’s International Realty
Listed: $639,900
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

 

1640 10th Street S.
2 BR/2 BA villa/townhouse
Agent: Samson Properties
Listed: $449,000
Open: Saturday 1-3 p.m.

 

1515 S. George Mason Drive #11
2 BR/1 BA condo
Agent: Samson Properties
Listed: $220,000
Open: Saturday 1-4 p.m.

Just Listed in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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.”

Some great inventory came on the market this week in Arlington, and ready buyers didn’t hesitate to snatch it up.

Seventy-five homes were listed, 54 were sold and half of those (26) sold within a week on the market. Amazing! That robust activity dropped Arlington’s average days on market to just 12!

It’s a brutal market out there for buyers right now. There were more stories told this week in the hallways of realtor offices of bidding wars, each agent seeming to have an even more incredible story. The houses attracting bidding wars fall into two recurring categories — total fixer uppers priced low and properly priced homes that have been updated and show in pristine condition.

Today’s buyers are highly discerning. They want a home that appears to have just come out of a new wrapper, regardless of its real age. After pushing their maximum buying power, they don’t have any cash left for improvements, and they are anxious about taking on projects for which they know nothing about.

Interest rates bounced higher this week after hitting 18-month lows last week. Rates climbed nearly 1/4% to 4.125%-4.375% for a 30-yr fixed rate. Poor buyers just can’t get a break.

Arlington home owners should feel lucky as their values continue to climb. Far better than Londoners. The average sales price of a home in London has dropped 3.8% in the last three months. Surveys indicate that Londoners are very concerned about how the U.K. will exit the European Union and how that will effect their economy. Now is not a good time to swap for a home in Chelsea.

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

Healthy Paws: What Is That…?!

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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 and winner of a 2017 Arlington Chamber of Commerce Best Business Award. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

So many pet owners have been there…

You’re sitting in your living room watching TV while snuggling with your best bud, when all the sudden you hear a startling noise. You both jump with fright, but soon realize it was just a car backfiring outside. The next thing you know, you’re overwhelmed by what smells like a garbage full of raw fish or a pair of old unwashed gym socks.

You look to your right and see your furry pal — back arched, hackles up and a guilty look on his face. What is that?! That, my friend, is the smell of anal gland secretions. (Flip to the next photo in the gallery below to see where they come from.)

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Most mammals have anal glands, which secrete a scented material for varying purposes. Skunks use them to create their characteristic stench as a weapon against their predators. Opossums use them to add a scent factor to the illusion of “playing dead.”

Dogs and cats use them as a means of marking their territory and identifying each other with their own unique “perfume.” This is why most introductions between dogs start with a good sniff of the derriere.

Dogs and cats have anal sacs, little pockets that store this foul-smelling sebaceous secretion from the anal glands. The anal sacs are located just inside the anus at the 4 and 8 o’clock position and are about the size of a pea to a small marble, depending on the size of your pet.

The material in the glands is watery, beige to brown-tinged and it is meant to express naturally on a regular basis during normal defecation. Sometimes, it can also be excreted unintentionally when your pet tenses when startled.

Many pets don’t need any help expressing their anal sacs if nature is doing its job. There are several factors, however, that might impede this natural process. With all the anatomic variation among breeds of dogs and cats, some may have slightly unusual hind end anatomy.

Also, stools must be regular, formed and large enough to facilitate expression. Pets with chronic soft stools may have a harder time expressing their anal sacs naturally. Lastly, sometimes the sacs become inflamed and abnormal due to an underlying allergy.

If the anal sacs aren’t able to express, they can become impacted or infected, and this will require treatment by your veterinarian.

Symptoms to watch for that would indicate your pet is having an anal sac problem include excessive licking around the rear, brown staining of the fur around the rear, red and irritated skin around the rear, a swelling or discharge around the rear, a very continuous foul smell from the rear, or the dreaded obsessive butt-scooting (always seems to be when you have company over, too).

Unfortunately, the occasional slip when a car backfires outside your window is actually normal and one of those things we have to endure as the price for our pal’s unconditional love.

Arlington Pet of the Week: Bitey

By ARLnow.com

Arlington’s new Pet of the Week is Bitey, a one-year-old dog mysteriously born from a Bernese mountain mother and miniature poodle father.

Here is what Bitey’s owner, Dan, had to say:

Long before she joined her family, her owner’s decided over a decade ago (and perhaps over a few too many drinks) that if they ever did get a dog it would be named Bitey. Now that she’s here, her name prompts other parents to pull their kids closer, and other dog owners to pull taut their leashes. But once she bounds upon them looking for pets and hugs, all is well, assuming she doesn’t tumble them with enthusiasm.

When not out and about, Bitey is an ineffective but relentless backyard squirrel chaser, a gourmand consumer of toilet paper rolls, an incessant dispenser of licks and a huge proponent of lying near her dog bed but not on it. Highlights of her day include waking up the adults an hour before they need to, waking up all the kids for school (especially on Saturdays), and waking up the neighbors by barking. She is a huge fan of chase games at the dog park, and despite her 23 pound frame size she loves nothing more than shutting up bigger dogs that have far more bark than bite.

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos, they don’t fit in our photo galleries!

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care is the winner of six consecutive Angie’s List Super Service Awards, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year and a proud supporter of the Arlington County Pawsitively Prepared Campaign.

Becky’s Pet Care provides professional dog walking and pet sitting in Arlington and all of Northern Virginia, as well as PetPrep training courses for Pet Care, CPR and emergency preparedness.

Small Biz Focus: The Secret to Grow Your Business

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

By Tara Palacios

Calling all Arlington, Virginia business owners!

Is your business stuck, and not growing year-to-year? Are you looking for new tools to take your business to the next level? At BizLaunch, we have discovered the secret way to grow your business in 2019 — Scaling4Growth.

BizLaunch, and the Virginia’s Department of Small Business Supplier Diversity division are pleased to announce a free opportunity for Virginia-based businesses to Scale4Growth.

In partnership with Interise and using their StreetWise ‘MBA’, business owners who are selected for this 6-month business co-hort will increase their network, further their business knowledge and enhance their management know-how to grow their established business.

In 2017, 70% of Interise businesses who completed the Streetwise MBA increased their annual revenue by an average of $399,600.

If you are interested in applying for this innovative program, class begins May 23, and will meet every other Thursday through November from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Arlington Economic Development, 1100 N. Glebe Road, 15th Floor, Arlington, Virginia.

According to Tracey G. Wiley, Agency Director of Virginia’s Small Business Supplier Diversity, “Executive education is the key differentiator for businesses experiencing exponential growth… This is the Commonwealth’s investment in partnering to grow small businesses through development opportunities.” All businesses selected for the program will attend with no fees.

Basic requirements for the program include the following:

  • Certified by Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity as a Small, Women or Minority-Owned (SWaM) business (Note: If your business is currently not SWaM certified the SBSD will work with you to receive this certification ahead of class)
  • $250,000-$10,000,000 in annual revenues
  • One other full-time employee besides the owner(s)
  • Been in business for at least 3 years
  • Willingness and ability to attend class for 6 months, complete mandatory assignments and complete program survey’s as requested.

Testimonials from recent alumni of Virginia’s Scaling4Growth can be found here. This is the first time Scaling4Growth is held outside of Richmond, Virginia.

If you are ready to apply today click here!

It is a simple process, and will be a rewarding opportunity for all local businesses interested in taking their firms to the next level. If you have additional questions please contact Kathy Dolan, with Virginia’s SBSD at 804-786-1087.

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 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 may not be the listing agent of these homes.

Happy World Party Day!

It’s April 3 and that means you can party your tail off as hard as you want. Okay, so maybe it’s wise to hold your wildness until after work, but still. Enjoy it.

Let’s give you another reason to party here in Arlington. In addition to Arlington already being named the No. 1 city to live in America in 2019, let’s zoom in to another accolade that that affects us all.

The 2019 County Health Ranking Report just came out, outlining how healthy residents are and providing a better understanding of what impacts how long residents will live. The report took into account such factors as access to healthy foods, rates of smoking and obesity and high school graduation rates.

Arlington is the No. 2 healthiest county in the Commonwealth in Virginia, with our friends in Loudon taking home No. 1.

So, let’s keep up the healthiness, my fellow Arlingtonians and here’s to good health for all!

When you’re ready to explore owning a home of your own in our award-winning community, our team is always ready to help you GET MORE out of your transaction.

As of April 2, there are 143 detached homes, 17 townhouses and 88 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 20 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week:

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: Introducing Arlington’s Newest Condos, 2000 Clarendon

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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: Do you have any details in the new condos being built in Courthouse at 2000 Clarendon?

Answer: The Arlington market has been delivering about one new condo building per year over the last 8 years and will continue that trend with the introduction of 87 luxury condos at 2000 Clarendon, in the Courthouse neighborhood. Currently a hole in the ground, limited access pre-sales will start this week, with a projected delivery of spring 2020.

Broad Range of Size and Style

38 total 1 BR/1 BA units range in size from 627 sq. ft. to 739 sq. ft., priced from the upper $400s to mid $500s. The next jump is to a 1 BR +Den with 1.5 BA at 830 sq. ft., with 12 units starting in the upper $500s.

The most popular units, and fastest to sell, will likely be the 2 BR/2 BA options, of which there are 31, ranging in price and size from the upper $600s to low $800s and 973 sq. ft. to 1,076 sq. ft., respectively.

There are two 2 BR/2.5 BA floorplans, just six total units, with 1,362 sq. ft. and 1,739 sq. ft. Based on the floor plans I’ve seen, the dens are legitimate/legal 3rd bedrooms. These units are being offered from $1.1M to over $1.4M and are located only on the top three floors (Sky Suites).

All units include one garage parking space. Additional parking and private storage are available for purchase.

Given current market conditions, I think the 2 BR/2 BA units are the best value at these prices. However, I expect all floor plans to be in high demand. Over the last three years, there has been an average of 28 two-bedroom condos and 23 one-bedroom condos for sale in April in the 22201 zip code.

As of April 1 2019, there are only 11 two-bedrooms condos and 7 one-bedroom condos for sale in the 22201 zip code.

Below are some highlights of the unit designs and options:

  • Concrete construction between all units (very quiet and rare for newer buildings)
  • Owners can customize their units from a selection of wide plank hardwood flooring, quartz countertops and cabinetry
  • Chefs will be pleased to hear the building will have gas cooking
  • Hardwood throughout the living areas and bedrooms is standard (no carpet anywhere)
  • Most units have floor-to-ceiling windows, all have windows heights of 7′ or more
  • About 70% of the units have a private balcony or terrace
  • Floors 1-11 will have 10′ ceilings (9′ is standard in most condos so you’ll notice a difference)
  • Floors 12-14 are Sky Suites and have 12′ ceilings with an upgraded appliance package
  • Floors 1, 3, 6 and 9 are “loft style” with exposed ductwork, piping and columns which
    provides for additional ceiling height

Luxury Amenities, Modest Fees

I’ve been pretty disappointed in the bland exterior design of some recent condo and apartment buildings along the R-B Corridor, but kudos to the builder, The Bush Companies, for spending on improved architectural design and materials to make this building look sleek and modern.

While condo fees are not finalized, the projected fees are quite reasonable compared to the rest of the market. 1 BRs top out at $350/mon and the 2 BRs at $500/mon.

This is well below the average for one-and two-bedroom condos in Arlington. Owners will have access to amenities including:

  • Two-level cascading pool & sun deck
  • Rooftop terrace with Monument, Georgetown and city skyline views
  • Rooftop club room including kitchen and entertainment space
  • First floor fitness center with outdoor terrace

Who Is Building 2000 Clarendon?

The Bush Companies is the developer/builder of 2000 Clarendon. The firm has developed and built seven condo and apartment buildings with over 2,100 total units in Arlington including well-known communities Station Square (Clarendon), Lexington Square (Virginia Square), The Park at Courthouse (Courthouse) and Windsor Plaza (Ballston).

In the District, the firm developed 2020 Lofts in the U Street Corridor and many other projects dating back as far as the early 50’s. Currently, in addition to 2000 Clarendon, the firm is nearing completion of The Lexicon in the
NoMa neighborhood of Washington D.C.

If you’re interested in learning more about 2000 Clarendon including access to floorplans, finishes and pricing or would like to reserve a unit during the limited access pre-sale period please email me at [email protected].

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 www.EliResidential.com. Call me directly at (703) 539-2529.

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.

Legal Review: Prisoners Freed Because of ‘First Step Act’ Fighting to Stay Free

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

By Criminal Defense Attorney Allen Yates of Yates & Wheland

In May of 2018, Congress passed the First Step Act, a bipartisan bill that received special attention from White House advisor Jared Kushner.

This act implemented prison reforms that impacted many prisoners’ sentences. One of the most significant reforms in this bill was the reduced sentencing of drug offenders, with an emphasis on inmates who were in jail because of selling crack cocaine (many of whom were African-American). Many individuals saw their sentences slashed, with over 1,200 prisoners with drug charges freed. The act also allows inmates who are in jail because of selling crack cocaine to ask judges for a reduced sentence.

Furthermore, 3,100 prisoners have been slated to be released because of additional reforms included in the First Step Act, mostly due to time off for good behavior. However, 81 of these 3,100 prisoners are still having to fight the Federal government over their release. Additionally, 900 of the freed inmates were sent to immigration services because of criminal and deportation charges.

With the public confused as to why the Justice Department is seeking to send certain people back to prison after releasing them, they released an official statement explaining their reasoning: to ensure that the prisoners who received reduced sentences were not being treated more leniently than anyone currently facing prosecution for drug charges.

In the prosecution’s attempt to bring 81 of the prisoners back to prison, they combined all drug-related charges from each prisoner’s case, including any drugs that were found during the investigation and not just what was found on their person or vehicle–which is typically how many drug charges occur. The difference in the years of incarceration between these two drug charges can be vast, which would have a serious impact on how a case proceeds.

Since the freeing of these prisoners as a result of the First Step Act, prosecutors have only been able to succeed in the reversal of 9 of the 81 cases they have targeted to reverse. Despite this, prosecutors are undeterred. They’ve appealed three of the court decisions to date, and hope to appeal 12 more in the coming months.

Loosened FCC Regulations Open the Door for Ballston Startup’s Wireless Expansion

By Vernon Miles

Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow.com, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders, plus other local technology happenings. The Ground Floor, Monday’s office space for young companies in Rosslyn, is now open. The Metro-accessible space features a 5,000-square-foot common area that includes a kitchen, lounge area, collaborative meeting spaces, and a stage for formal presentations.

Ballston-based tech startup Federated Wireless is taking advantage of new changes to the Federal Communications Commission’s rules to expand its business partnerships.

On March 12, Federated Wireless announced a new partnership with Cambium Networks, an Illinois-based internet provider, to use frequencies newly available for commercial wireless use.

Federated Wireless works on making new frequencies available for commercial use and ensuring that those frequencies do not interfere with other signals. This allows — for example — automatic cash registers to securely interface or factories to wirelessly link their information systems.

Federated Wireless offers its wireless access through the Citizens’ Broadband Radio Service initiative (CBRS), which makes a subset of the airwaves open for commercial use.

“While the traditional licensed spectrum approach has served the largest U.S. mobile operators well, it has also constrained network operators like [wireless providers] who operate smaller networks throughout the U.S.,” Scott Imhoff, vice president of product management and marketing at Cambium Networks, said in a press release. “CBRS changes everything — unlocking a large slice of spectrum for broader commercial use.”

Federated Wireless said the new partnership was made possible by a change in FCC regulations on Priority Access Licenses (PAL). In October, new rules opened up the available spectrum even further for commercial development. The new FCC regulations allow those who are holding PALs but aren’t using them to lease the spectrums to private enterprises.

Part of the change allows wireless internet service providers room to work together on certain frequencies and create a market where groups like Federated Wireless can go toe-to-toe with telecommunications giants by pooling their resources.

“The proposal also opens the opportunity for a fluid and vibrant secondary market for PALs, addressing the PAL needs for many enterprises,” Kurt Schaubach, chief technology officer for Federated Wireless, said in a blog post. “The PAL rules state that the licenses obtained within a county must be used or they will revert to [general] use. This actually encourages PAL holders who aren’t using their licenses to lease them to… other enterprises, giving these properties a competitive edge in the market.”

Photo courtesy Federated Wireless

Neighborhood Spotlight: Crosshairs Garage Races

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This content was written and sponsored by The Keri Shull Team, Arlington’s top producing residential real estate team.

For most people, parking garages symbolize the dreary daily commute, annoyingly high rates and a metallic monotony that you can’t wait to get out of.

But four stories underground in one parking garage in Crystal City, Virginia, the garage is transformed for one weekend into a frenzied arena for intense, fast-paced and wacky bicycle races.

The Crosshairs Garage Races, now taking place throughout March and April on Saturdays (instead of Wednesdays as previously), challenges amateur and elite cyclists alike to compete weekly for prizes and points in pursuit of the “Petty Cup.”

Named in honor of Joseph Petty, the former Crystal City Business Improvement District employee and Crosshairs team member who conceived of the event, the Petty Cup is awarded to the racer in each category with the most points earned over the course of the first four weeks of the series.

The races span all sorts of styles, from Cargo Bikes to Tandem Bikes, Feds vs. Contractors team challenges and Fixed Gear to Open races, just to name a few.

All levels of athletes are welcome at the Crosshairs Garage Races, which features separate races for weekend warriors, women-only and elite cyclists. Elite veterans of the races know that it’s about much more than raw power — in fact, there are no open straightaways, so the real challenge is how nimbly racers can navigate sharp turns, zig-zags and obstacles.

Described by longtime attendees as “fight club with bicycles,” the Races, with their large, screaming crowds, funky outfits and brightly-decorated bikes, are a truly unique flavor for the Washington D.C. area, and they come at the perfect time of year when outdoor activities are just starting to ramp up.

Friends, family and those too timid to go that fast on two wheels can catch the excitement from the comfort of the sidelines while enjoying a drink from the event’s pop-up bar. And of course there’s an official after party at Highline RxR — where contestants and spectators can show their race bib or their #CrystalCity hand stamp for exclusive specials including $2 off burgers and sliders!

Click here to get more information about the races and to register.

If you’re looking to buy or sell your home, contact The Keri Shull Team, for amazing results. Let us know in the comments what other spots we should cover in our next episode!

Your Beermonger: Spare Me My Outrage

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This sponsored column is written by Nick Anderson, beermonger at Arrowine (4508 Lee Highway).

We need to talk about “gimmicky” beers. You know, the ones with cookies, cereal and the like thrown in.

I see and hear a lot of disproportionate anger about them; especially of course, on social media, which seemingly explodes daily over some new somebeer-or-other. Even I found my hackles momentarily raised last week, with the arrival of Captain Lawrence’s Cookie O’Puss.

If you don’t know — and if you don’t, take a moment and appreciate the life choices that brought you to a place where you don’t have to know — this is a “Pastry Stout” made with the ice cream, fudge and “chocolate crunchies from the famous (infamous?) ice cream cake, released to celebrate Carvel’s 85th Anniversary.

I don’t know why this one got to me: If you’ve shopped at Arrowine, you know I try to balance carrying what I like and find interesting with the trendy beer releases customers are looking for. Also, I’m a comic book reader and a wrestling fan — I can’t put on airs like I don’t appreciate a good gimmick.

Truth be told, I usually find my way into enjoying them, especially the Stouts. But here I was, drafting last week’s Newsletter, ranting about shameless cross-promotion and “synergy.” Getting mad is easy; staying mad takes work.

So I took a breath, and as I did some thoughts came to mind, coalescing into something that goes like this: Every beer style alive today has survived, thrived even, because of marketing.

Discovering that the origin story of IPA we all are told is a myth is a rite of passage for beer geeks, but it resurrected a style that continues to carry the segment. Porter was named for the working class drinkers partial to it in the 17th and 18th centuries; the coding of that name, the imagery it evokes, allowed Porter (and it’s offshoot, Stout) to be marketed to all classes over the past century, as it is today.

The paler, lighter Festbier had largely supplanted Märzen as the Oktoberfest beer of choice in Munich by the 70s. American breweries used the name to market a more exaggerated approximation of the “original” style — essentially what would otherwise be called Amber Lager — which came to be known as “Oktoberfest” here in the States.

More honest efforts to explore and recreate accurate Märzen Lager recipes as Oktoberfest releases are a relatively recent phenomenon.

TL;DR everything is copy. Or, to paraphrase Alan Moore with my greatest apologies: Milkshake IPAs and Pastry Stouts are imaginary styles. Aren’t they all?

I deleted my rant, made a dumb meme and moved on. Nothing to get mad about.

Until next time.

Photo via Captain Lawrence Brewing Company

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