Feature

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.”

Home buyers were sleeping this week, but sellers were eager to get started in the fresh fall season.

Only 33 buyers ratified contracts this week. They were probably exhausted after partying over Labor Day weekend and then dragging themselves back to a short work week. But sellers seemed excited to get on the market with 67 new listings.

As the fall season begins, watch for the frequency of multiple contracts on fresh listings. That may be the earliest sign of the market’s temperature, whether cooling down or heating up. There is some concern that price increases may be hitting a ceiling as the average household income in Arlington has matched the affordability for the average home price.

So until incomes start to rise, we may not see much movement on prices. The average household income in Arlington has barely moved in the last five years.

Glossary Term: Setbacks.

Setbacks pertain to county building codes and are the distances allowed for a structure to be from the property lines.

In Arlington, they must be no closer than 25 feet in back and in front to the property lines. On the sides, neither side can be less than eight feet, and total for both sides cannot be less than 18 feet. So typically 10 + 8. Detached garages can be within 1 foot of back and side property line, and minimum 8 feet from any structural part of the house.

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: Summers End

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.

With the unofficial end of summer this week, it’s time to look at what changes and challenges fall brings to our furry friends.

Most notably, school has started and the weather will start to cool. This combination generally brings about school and home improvement projects, which also creates an smorgasbord of inappropriate things for our pets to ingest.

Cats tend to go for shiny objects as well as string-type things. Dogs, well, they might go for just about anything — but we’ve personally seen them ingest carpet that was being ripped up, nails and many a kids art project. Glues, paints and markers can cause upset stomachs and other toxicity.

Antifreeze is highly toxic to both cats and dogs. Generally, cats are known to be particularly attracted to its taste. Antifreeze can cause seizures, severe kidney failure and ingestion is often fatal if not treated rapidly and aggressively.

The use of rodent traps and poisons increases in the fall as well. Products used to kill small rodents are toxic to both cats and dogs and can lead to neurologic dysfunction or bleeding problems, depending on the product used.

Ticks and fleas are just as active through the fall in this area! They don’t look at the calendar and because we don’t get multiple hard freezes in a row even during the winter they never actually go away. In fact, the fall tends to be the time of year we see fleas and tick-borne illness in our patients the most frequently.

This may be because pets spend more time outside when it’s nicer out but also it’s easy to think that because it’s cooler it’s okay to stop using preventives. This may hold true much farther north, but in our neck-of-the woods it’s best to use preventives year-round.

Mushrooms also start to come out in the fall — and while most are non-toxic, there are a small handful that are very toxic. It’s best to steer clear of all wild mushrooms. If you’ve seen your pet ingest a mushroom, please contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) and your veterinarian.

For information on toxic plants in general — ASPCA Animal Poison Control has a great website resource.

This recent sweltering heat definitely makes us appreciate the upcoming cooler seasons — Have fun and be safe as we start to transition to fall!

Small Biz Focus: Put Away Your Crystal Ball

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

By Tara Palacios

Entrepreneurship is tough.

Entrepreneurship is demanding.

Entrepreneurship is being present at the right time, and at the right place.

Why? Can’t you simply have a good idea and execute? Does entrepreneurship have to be tough, and demanding, and at the right time and place?

Well, an important reason why (and one not explained too often) is because you must be able to predict the future. Yes, your ability to invoke keen foresight is a key skill for an entrepreneur. However, don’t dust off the crystal ball yet.

As an entrepreneur, one must constantly be ahead of trends — whether it is the latest innovation, keeping up with your competition or knowing “exactly,” how the U.S. economy will respond to outside forces (i.e., think trade war). An entrepreneur must constantly be several steps ahead of the market to plan, to prepare, and to mitigate risk to succeed over time.

How does the overall U.S. economy impact the region? Will the trade war impact Arlington businesses, and if so in what way? Unemployment is at an all-time low — but does that mean many people are working? Or are individuals underemployed?

We hope to be able to help your crystal ball predict the future by bringing in experts who are looking at the current trends that may impact your business.

BizLaunch is pleased to announce with our partners the Arlington Community Federal Credit Union and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce our latest Brunch and Business: The 2018 Economy — Navigating Trade Wars and Discovering Business Opportunities.

Join us October 3 at SPACES The Artisphere as you hear from two experts in the field who will address this topic: GMU’s Director of the Center for Regional Analysis, Dr. Terry Clower, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Senior Director for International Policy, Kris Denzel will engage in a dynamic discussion of the 2018 economy and beyond.

The event is free and open to the public. We hope you will be able to join us!

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.

Today is National Be Late for Something Day. Yes, it’s a real thing. Fun facts: It has been celebrated each and every September 5th since the Procrastinator’s Club of America created it in 1956.

So, why in the world am I telling you this?

Well, amid all the things you can choose to be late for today, tomorrow or any day… don’t let it involve your real estate decisions and or transactions. If and when you see something you like, you must act quickly before someone else scoops it up. Sometimes if a seller is presented with equal offers, they may just opt to go with the buyer that responds quickly, too.

Timeliness is a good thing in real estate. And, on that note, you’ll want to work with a team that will help you GET MORE out of your transaction and does things in an efficient fashion. When you’re ready to roll, we’re ready to get things done on your behalf.

As of September 3, there are 182 detached homes, 46 townhouses and 226 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 26 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: GreatSchools.org Changes Ratings… Again

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 know why GreatSchools.org changed the ratings for Arlington’s schools?

Answer: Sometime this summer, the popular school rating website GreatSchools.org changed their rating for most of the schools in Northern Virginia. If this sounds familiar, it’s because they made sweeping changes to their grading system less than a year ago, which I wrote about in March.

The previous changes resulted in a drop of 1-2 points for nearly every school in Northern Virginia, leaving Arlington with high schools rated 5, 4 and 3. The latest adjustments seem to have increased the rating for most schools, but some schools got dinged again like Jefferson Middle. After the latest changes, Arlington’s high schools are rated 8, 6 and 4.

School Ratings Influence Home Prices

If you’re wondering why I’m talking about school ratings in a real estate column it’s because the ratings issued by GreatSchools.org heavily influence where people buy and how much they’re willing to spend. You can debate the merits of these ratings systems all you want, but the fact is that they play a significant role in real estate.

While Niche.com generates the most traffic, I find that GreatSchools.org is much more popular locally and I think it’s due to the fact that they grade harder than Niche (Niche gives out a ton of A-, A, and A+ ratings).

What Changed?

I reached out to GreatSchools.org for details on why so many ratings were changed and was told something along the lines of “GreatSchools is always improving our rating systems to make sure it is as accurate as possible.”

Through various threads and Googling I did earlier this year, it sounded like the changes earlier this year were due to a new score for how well schools help under-performing students improve year-to-year.

I haven’t been able to find any information on why scores changed so dramatically this time around. If any of the readers have insight into the scoring adjustments, I would love to hear from you in the comments section or by email.

Tracking the Changes

GreatSchools would not provide me with historical ratings, so in March I compared scores I had recorded for clients in Fall ’17 to the new scores in March ’18.

Now that we have another round of changes, I added a column to that table so we can continue tracking past and current scoring trends.

Unfortunately, when I built the table in March I didn’t have any recorded scores for elementary schools and limited middle and high schools in Fairfax County.

Good News/Bad News

The good news is that the most recent adjustments helped almost all of Arlington’s schools, especially the high schools.

The bad news is that it hurts the credibility of GreatSchools.org and other rating systems because it makes it hard to rely on their ratings when you have a school like Yorktown HS go from a 7 to a 5 to an 8 in under a year.

Ultimately, consumers need to decide for themselves how much they rely on these scores to influence their decisions, but nothing beats talking to neighbors, joining online forums and calling or visiting a school.

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.

Legal Review: Virginia Schools Teaching Child Abuse Prevention this Fall

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

By Criminal Defense Attorney Nicholas Braswell of Price Benowitz LLP

Math, science, history and English are all subjects expected to be taught in school. This school year, however, students will also be getting an education in child abuse prevention in some Virginia schools.

The move comes after Governor Ralph Northam signed a bill back in April, allowing the new program to be added to the schools’ curriculum. However, schools will not be required to include the new material in their family life education curriculum.

That is a step away from what the law currently requires of schools. All schools must already provide education on issues such as dating violence, domestic abuse, sexual harassment and sexual violence. Many, such as the bill’s sponsors Senator Jennifer McClellan and Senator Jennifer Wexton, did not think that was enough and pushed to move this latest bill forward.

The bill went into effect on July 1, 2018, and included guidelines for the program. The guidelines suggest that the education be focused on preventing child abuse, recognizing child abuse, abduction and sexual abuse and exploitation. All programs are to be made age-appropriate for the grades these subjects will be taught in.

The new law, says Wexton, is a great step forward for Erin’s Law, a movement that is gaining attention around the country and asking schools to implement sexual abuse prevention programs. While Wexton does not believe this constitutes enough to comply with Erin’s Law, she does believe it is greatly paving the way.

“Many children do not know what to do if they are being abused or are not even aware that it is happening,” says Nicholas Braswell of the Richmond Defense Group. “Being accused of these kinds of abuses can be life-changing, so it’s important that we educate our youth on what healthy relationships and behavior look like so they are armed with solid information that keeps us all safe.”

The Chew: Dos and Don’ts of Introducing Your Pets to Each Other — Part 2

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

by Chelsea Pennington, Bark + Boarding Writer and Animal Enthusiast

For Part I of this article, click here.

We’ve all seen the cute videos and photos of dogs and cats cuddling together on the internet. But how can you make sure your pets become the best of pals? While some animals are just made for the single-pet life, others can live well with and even become friends with other animals, but it largely depends on having a proper introduction.

Here are some tips of what you should and shouldn’t do when introducing a new animal to your pet.

Don’t be panicky, anxious or overbearing.

Animals pick up on how their humans are feeling, so the tone of the meeting between pets can be impacted by how the owners behave.

When handling a dog, keep the lead loose (though it shouldn’t be an extendable leash). If the person is anxious or the leash is tight, the dog will react accordingly and feel threatened and fearful. In many meetings, a calming voice is enough to diffuse tension. You should only physically separate the animals if they become overly aggressive.

Reacting too hastily on your part can reinforce to the dogs that this is a threatening situation. As the pets meet, you may feel the need to micromanage the situation, but it is often best to let them figure out the interaction on their own, only stepping in if it becomes clear a fight is looming or one of the animals is overly excited.

Do separate them while you’re gone.

After the animals have met while on a leash or partially separated without conflict, you can allow them to interact in an enclosed environment while you are present. For dogs, this should still be a neutral territory at first. For cats, it can be in a room where each has access to a safe space.

Even if these times go well, you should still separate them when you aren’t available to watch them. This can mean while you’re out of the house, or even if you are just going to be busy and unable to give them the supervision they need.

It only takes a second for a fight to break out and someone to get hurt. Only after several months of conflict-free interactions should you consider allowing them to roam freely together without your supervision.

Don’t force it.

In some cases, you might be able to make a pet situation work. Cats may require separate litter boxes, or dogs may need to be fed separately if they get possessive of food.

For some animals that seem aggressive, you may need to call upon a trainer or a behavioral specialist to see if the situation can be worked out. But there will be times when it simply won’t happen. Some animals are made for the single-pet life, and it would be detrimental to both pets (and you!) to try and force it.

Having multiple animals can prevent loneliness and stress for your pets while you’re gone, and thus keep them from destructive behaviors. But it’s important to be prepared going into the introductions so that everyone gets off on the right foot–er, paw.

Looking for more tips, interested in adorable pet pics or just want to get more information on what we do? Stay connected with Bark + Boarding on Facebook, Instagram and our website!

Click here to check out our short video about this article!

Mention this article for a FREE evaluation and click here to sign up for one today. If you have a question about your pet, feel free to come in, or email [email protected] any time.

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:

2152 N Quebec Street
7 bed/5 bath, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Sarah Howard
Listed: $1,165,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1137 S Monroe Street
4 bed/4 bath, 1 half bath villa/townhouse
Agent: Ellen Robinson
Listed: $899,990
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

3625 10th Street N #104
2 bed/2 bath condo
Agent: Katie Wethman
Listed: $835,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

 

2800 S Ives Street
4 bed/2 bath, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Minhthu Lynagh
Listed: $700,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

2328 S Quincy Street #2
3 bed/2 bath, 1 half bath condo
Agent: Phil Bolin
Listed: $459,900
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1600 N Oak Street #1104
1 bed/1 bath condo
Agent: Jay Lindsey
Listed: $364,900
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1300 S Army Navy Drive #710
1 bed/1 bath condo
Agent: Faryal Rashid
Listed: $227,900
Open: Saturday 2-4 p.m.

Flying Colors: Taking Flight

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Flying Colors column banner

Flying Colors is a sponsored column on the hobby of backyard bird feeding written by Michael Zuiker, owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited store at the Lee Harrison Shopping Center. Visit the store at 2437 N. Harrison Street or call 703-241-3988.

We have watched them all summer long. With careful observation, we started to notice a change in them. They are stronger, more confident and readier to take on the world without supervision.

No, I am not talking about your kids going back to school. Although they are and they are going to spread their wings, exert their independence and want to take charge of their life. Okay, maybe not Johnny and Susie in Pre-K! But Sierra and Asher in college and, well that could be quite an adventure.

But your feathered friends in your yards are also going through some big changes. Did you know that most of the birds in your backyard and going through the process of molting?

The birds in your yards are at peak molting stage now. They are growing their new adult feathers that they will keep with them the rest of their lives. Think of it like going to the clothing store for your kids. They need clothes for the fall and winter. So, do the birds.

But boy do they look strange! Remember when Tommy wanted that “rats’ tail” hairdo? Or when Sonja came home with BRIGHT PINK hair? It took a little getting use to. You will do a double take when you see the “bald” cardinal. And the blue jay with the mohawk will take you by surprise!

We all want them to look like Rod Stewart with the perfect crop on the top! And they will get there. It takes time. But you can help.

Birds feathers are 90% protein. When they drop their first feathers, it takes a lot of energy to grow new ones. In an effort to help them, you could feed them bugs. Live mealworms are a great source of food for them. Dried mealworms are also nutritious. You can place dried mealworms in your regular seed mix or leave them out by themselves.

There are also suet cakes with a lot of bugs in them which will provide birds with both the energy from the fat and the protein from the bugs!

Why feed bugs when they can fly around and eat all the bugs, especially mosquitos in my yard? I want those bugs to go and the birds to work for them! Well it may seem like mosquitos are out all the time, but they are most active at night. So, attracting bats to your backyard habitat with the installation of a bat house, would be an effective way to reduce that population, even by a little.

Bats eat many different types of insects, mosquitos being only one of the many bugs they consume. Migrating warblers, in spring and fall also eat mosquitos. Best way to get them in your yard for a few days stay over is by providing clean fresh water in a birdbath. Using a dripper or mister, to provide continuous fresh water, works the best.

Live mealworms will also get them to visit your yard. They will eat your mealworms and other flying insect in your yard while they are resting for their journey.

Let us get these rascals off to a good start with new clothes; i.e. bird feathers, high protein foods to eat and they will look better than ever come this Fall. You and your birds will be ready and prepared for the adventures of adulthood. Johnny and Susie may have to wait a little while longer.

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.”

The last week of summer is typically one of the slowest weeks of the year for real estate activity. But this week was surprising with 58 ratified contracts and 57 new listings.

Some old lingering inventory got cleared out which raised the average days on market to 45. And buyers ratified 16 contracts on homes that had been on the market less than a week. So this was a strong last week of summer as we’re about ready to hit the Fall market after Labor Day.

Interest rates remained virtually unchanged at 4.65%-4.75% for a 30-yr fixed rate with no points.

Glossary term: Mortgage.

A mortgage is a loan secured by real estate. It consists of two instruments; a “promissory note” (basically an IOU) which details the terms like loan amount, interest rate, and period of repayment; and a “trust deed” which legally pledges the property as collateral. If you don’t pay, you don’t stay.

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

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