Feature

This Clarendon Startup Wants You To Use 3-Factor Password Authentication

By Kalina Newman

Editor’s Note: 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.

Most people use facial recognition technology, a fingerprint reader, or a four-digit password to unlock their phones. Some go even further with two-step authentication. And as we continue to integrate crucial information into our phones such as account passwords and bank cards, SensiPass CEO Mike Hill realized people should use a three-step verification password for maximum security — and his startup was born.

SensiPass works as an interactive password that utilizes user-specific biometric imagery for maximum protection.

In order to unlock a phone, SensiPass scans a QR code or a number pattern, analyzes a unique physical object (i.e. a face), and finally, the user draws a distinct pattern over the object to create their 3-factor “digital signature.”

A demonstration can be seen in the video below.

It sounds complicated, but Hill told ARLnow that it takes up to six seconds, maximum, and provides top-notch security.

“It’s virtually impossible to fake or share with others, and this is for everyday people,” Hill said. “With Snapchat, you draw on your selfie as a means of social expression. On SensiPass, you would use your face as a three-factor authentication.”

“When we first started on the product, we realized the consumer wouldn’t be ready for it because it was just so different from the password they were used to,” Hill said. “But it’s far more secure than anything out there.”

Once finalized, the patented product is expected to be be available for both iPhone and Android users.

In 2014, after failing to secure initial funding in the states, SensiPass headquartered itself in Ireland. Recently, the team opened a subsidiary office in Clarendon in order to be closer to partners working in cybersecurity and counterterrorism.

Here in Arlington, Hill said they’re looking to work with more investors in the area before launching the official product.

Legal Insider: Federal Employment and Politics Don’t Mix

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.

The elections in 2020 are quickly approaching. Our law firm often represents and defends federal employees for potential Hatch Act violations in the federal workplace.

The Hatch Act was meant to limit the partisan political involvement of federal employees. Hatch Act political activity restrictions apply during the entire period of an employee’s federal service. There are certain rules that prohibit both on-duty and off-duty political conduct. As the 2020 elections start to come closer, this article is meant to help federal employees avoid the pitfalls of committing potential Hatch Act violations.

What is the Hatch Act?

The Hatch Act of 1939 prohibits certain types of political participation by federal employees. For example, federal employees may not seek public office in partisan elections, use their official titles or authority when engaging in political activity, solicit or receive contributions for partisan political candidates or groups, and/or engage in political activity while on duty.

Even though the word “partisan” is used other types of non-partisan elections where the candidate is backed by a particular party can also cause a federal employee potential Hatch Act violations.

Enforcement of Hatch Act Violations

For most federal employees, the Hatch Act is enforced by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC). The OSC has the ability to seek disciplinary action against federal employees if violations are found. Federal employees can potentially be disciplined or terminated for violations of the Hatch Act.

Generally, the OSC will first conduct an investigation and then if violations are found may then seek to negotiate a resolution. In other cases, the OSC may file a disciplinary action with the Merit Systems Protection Board against the employee and ask an administrative judge to take action against the federal employee for a violation.

Hatch Act Tips for Federal Employees

Here are some quick tips for avoiding Hatch Act violations in the federal workplace:

  • Avoid discussion of partisan politics using government email
  • To the extent possible, avoid partisan political discussions while at work or while performing work
  • Don’t try to raise money for partisan political candidates in the workplace (even passing along links for partisan candidates to co-workers)
  • Don’t post political discussions during work hours on social media
  • Don’t donate to a political campaign during work hours
  • Don’t bring political campaign signs or buttons into the federal workplace
  • Don’t run for office in a partisan political election

Federal employees can often still participate in political activities, but doing so at work can be a violation of the Hatch Act.

For further information on potential Hatch Act violations, please see the information offered by the OSC. While it is doubtful that brief discussions about politics in the federal workplace would trigger an OSC investigation, the potential risk is there. The safest course for federal employees is to simply avoid partisan politics in the workplace and save them for off-duty.

Conclusion

If you need assistance with federal employment law issues, 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.

Rethink Energy: Two October Solar Shindigs

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This regularly-scheduled sponsored 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.

The 2019 National Solar Tour is THIS WEEKEND — October 5 & 6.

This weekend is a fantastic opportunity to visit one of the 850+ solar open houses and 79 local solar tours across the country!

  • See solar installations on different homes
  • Ask homeowners questions about how their solar systems work
  • Learn why people in your community made the choice to go solar
  • Connect with other people in your community who support solar energy!

There’s still time to find and RSVP for solar homes in and around Arlington.

Already RSVP’ed? Invite a friend, colleague or family member to join you! The more people who learn about the benefits of solar power, the better!

The National Solar Tour is free and open to the public — Everyone is welcome to attend. Whether you are a solar owner, completely new to solar, or somewhere in between — this event is for you. Visit one or several. Stop by for a few minutes or stay for awhile!

Arlington Solar and EV Charger Co-op Happy Hour — October 22

Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill, 5:30-8 p.m.

RSVP for the 10/22 Solar Co-op Happy TODAY!

Join us for a free meet up to learn about solar technology, how our co-op model simplifies the process, and how going solar can save you money.

Solar has never been easier or cheaper to install. The tax credit is gradually phasing out between now and 2022. Next year, the solar tax credit will be reduced to 26 percent. In 2021, it will be 22 percent in 2022 and beyond, it won’t be available for homeowners at all. If you’ve been thinking about solar, now is the time to take action.

You don’t need to attend the event to participate in the co-op. Visit the website and click “Join Our Co-op” by November 30, for a no-cost and no-obligation solar assessment of your home.

New Homes in Arlington: October 4

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Welcome to New Homes, a biweekly column highlighting the new construction real estate market, written by Conor Sullivan and Dave Moya of Three Stones Residential at Keller Williams Realty. We are here to share our experience and expertise in lot acquisition, financing and construction of custom homes. 

The thought of building your own new construction home can be thrilling.

It is an exciting process, but one you should approach carefully and with an experienced builder to avoid potential issues down the road. Here are a few things to consider when looking for a lot of land for your new home.

  • Topography: The layout of the lot will play the biggest factor in how your home is built and what work needs to be done prior to construction. Are there hills or low spots that could potentially put your home in the way of a water runoff? Are there brooks or streams near the lot that could flood? This is what you’ll need to consider to avoid potential issues down the road, for you and your neighbors.
  • Home Style Options: The lot layout will also play a determining factor in the style of home you are able to build. When choosing your builder or architect, we suggest doing your homework to find someone who is able to provide you with a variety of customizable options to best fit the lot you’ve selected. Not all are equal!
  • Property Line Restrictions: Before you purchase your lot, you should have an idea of the size of the home you are looking to build. Will it fit on the lot with enough room for the local setback requirements, regulating how close to the property line you can build? If you are looking to have yard space, make sure to accommodate for this as well.
  • Utilities: It is important to make sure the lot of land you are planning to build on will be able to support the utilities you’ll need for your future home. If you are buying land that had an older home on it previously, do the homework to find out what condition the utilities are in. Does plumbing need to be updated? Is there a gas line? Is there a sewer hook-up? These things can add up.
  • Excavation: Does the lot require any excavation work? Are you looking to have a walk-out basement? This could potentially run upwards of thousands of dollars. Be sure to assess the land to see what needs to be removed prior to buying or building.
  • Zoning and Property Condition: Be sure to review the zoning, grade, and soil quality information before purchasing land. It would be a shame to buy a beautiful lot of land to later find out you aren’t able to build on it!

If you are looking to go through the process of building a new construction home, we recommend working with an experienced builder. At Three Stones Residential, we can also offer assistance in finding the best location for your dream home. To contact us, send an email to [email protected] or call (571) 429-7670.

Below is a list of new homes currently on the market in the Arlington areas.

Want to learn more about financing a New Home build? McLean Mortgage (NMLS ID: 99665) can handle all of your construction financing needs. You can build your new home with as little as 5% down. Contact construction loan expert Troy Toureau (NMLS ID: 5618) at 301-440-4261 or AnyHomeLoans.com to learn more.

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:

822 18th Street S.
6 BD/6 BA, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Samson Properties
Listed: $1,999,990
Open: Saturday 1-4 p.m.

 

4812 37th Street N.
3 BD/3 BA, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Mcenearney Associates, Inc
Listed: $1,199,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

1106 S. Edgewood Street
4 BD/4 BA, 1 half bath condo
Agent: Kylin Realty Inc
Listed: $899,900
Open: Sunday 12-3 p.m.

 

1200 N. Nash Street #551
2 BD/2 BA condo
Agent: Weichert Realtors
Listed: $749,900
Open: Sunday 1:30-3:30 p.m.

 

3219 13th Road S.
3 BD/2 BA villa/townhouse
Agent: Redfin Corporation
Listed: $546,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1530 Key Boulevard #927
1 BD/1 BA condo
Agent: Optime Realty
Listed: $450,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

2904 13th Road S. #201
2 BD/1 BA condo
Agent: Mcenearney Associates, Inc
Listed: $312,00
Open: Sunday 1-3 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.”

For some unknown reason, Arlington’s real estate market slid back into summertime doldrums this week.

Sellers listed only 46 homes, and buyers ratified only 48 contracts. Some 22 of those homes sold within seven days on the market. Arlington’s inventory has improved a bit to 1.3 months with 257 homes actively for sale. A balanced inventory level is about 5.5 months where it’s neither a buyers nor sellers market. If no additional homes in Arlington went on the market, all 257 active homes would be sold in 1.3 months.

Perhaps some bad economic news this week influenced buyers and sellers. A report indicated that U.S. manufacturing contracted for a second consecutive month in September. U.S. exports are down as several European countries economies are weakening and the U.S.-China trade war is showing its effects.

The manufacturing news, and the incessant impeachment news this week, prompted uncertainty and concern on Wall Street and the Dow Jones dropped 838 points in two days. Some investors are seeking the safety of less risky securities and moving their capital into 10-yr U.S. Treasury bonds which pushes the yield downward.

That’s good for homebuyers, as a lower yield influences lower mortgage rates. The current rate on a 30-yr fixed rate mortgage is 3.625%. With more capital moving into 10-yr bonds, that rate could come down further.

There’s some good news for many, but not all, Arlington home owners. The average value of most homes has gone up since last year, especially for condos in South Arlington. Those home owners enjoyed an average of 23% increase in their condo’s value, from $350,720 in September last year to $431,475 last month. Perhaps Amazon’s announcement had something to do with that. Perhaps.

Owners of detached homes in South Arlington saw their values go up by 6% to an average of $773,681, while owners in North Arlington experienced 6.2% increase to an average of $1,174,865.

Unfortunately, condo owners in North Arlington didn’t fare so well. Their average sales price dropped by 0.2% to just $520,47.

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

Arlington Pet of the Week: Keller

By ARLnow.com
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Meet Arlington’s newest Pet of the Week, 9 year old Australian Shepherd and Border Collie mix, Keller.

Here is what his owner has to say about Keller’s life here in Arlington.

After being a foster failure, Keller, a 9 year-old half blind, half deaf, Australian Shepard/Border Collie, was adopted 2.5 years ago in Alamance County, North Carolina. Although his early years were filled with fast food restaurants, and living out of a car, his life turned around, and graduated college, 10lbs lighter in May of 2019!

The life of any party, Keller loves any and all attention, especially belly rubs, head rubs, and a treat or 2. Although water is not his thing, he loves going to the groomer and getting a fresh haircut and manicure, and is sure to show off his good looks to anyone willing to listen.

His favorite part of the day is going for his walk, even though the pesky parked cars, telephone poles, and sidewalks tend to get in his way, he just shakes them off and keeps going. A big fan of having other doggo friends, he prefers humans, because well…they have treats and more belly rubs.

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 eight 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.

Arts Focus: Projection Illuminates the Future of Stagecraft for Arlington Ensembles

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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This column is written and sponsored by Arlington Arts / Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

The scenery audiences see on stage can be one of the most impressive aspects of a performance, virtually transporting audiences into a different time and space.

But for small and mid-sized presenters, the labor and skill intensive construction of elaborate hand built sets can be cost prohibitive. Arlington Cultural Affairs/Arlington Arts has found innovative ways to bring new advances in digital projection technology to impact performances ranging from chamber music and outdoor festivals, to student productions.

“Projections have opened up an entirely new way for smaller groups to enhance the production quality that was previously unavailable to them,” says Arlington Cultural Affairs/Arlington Arts Theater Technician Andres Luque. “A graphic designer can create either a static or a moving backdrop. We can create the sensation of flying, falling snow, a dense forest or bustling city streets.”

Arlington Arts repurposed projection equipment from larger venues such as the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre, located in the soon-to-be redeveloped Rosslyn Plaza complex on Wilson Boulevard. Now installed in smaller venues such as Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, and Gunston Theatre Two, it is having a profound impact on a broad range of ensembles, including Avant-Bard and Dominion Stage.

The impact of the technology isn’t limited to the confines of a theater. For the last few years, thousands of patrons and passersby have enjoyed the 3D Mapping projections on the façade of Arlington Arts Center for their annual Dia De Los Muertos Celebration (coming up on Saturday, November 2).

Last year, in partnership with the Center, Arlington Cultural Affairs/Arlington Arts commissioned artists Mas Paz and Robin Bell to design striking work (in 2017, Bell collaborated with Edgar Reyes). “Using 3-D Mapping technology, we can bend the artists image to create a striking, color-saturated image on the varied surfaces of the building,” says Luque, “all without a drop of paint on the historic brick façade.”

“It’s like being inside an MTV video,” is how a patron described the experience to Leo Sushansky, Artistic Director of the National Chamber Ensemble (NCE). Check out their video clip below from NCE’s May, 2019 world premiere performance of Alexander Goldstein’s “Introspective Piano Trio” for violin, cello, piano and computer.

The Ensemble’s 2019 season begins with a Mozart Celebration on Saturday, October 19, but the season includes an encore presentation of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons — the work for which they first began using multi-media presentations.

While hearing the familiar music, audiences see images of landscape paintings by Italian artist Marco Ricci that were the inspiration for Vivaldi’s 1725 masterwork. Each concerto also is accompanied by sonnets, believed to be written by Vivaldi himself to accompany the compositions transition between the seasons.

“After seeing the Four Seasons by NCE,” audiences tell Sushansky “they’ll never hear it the same way again.”

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.

Hello, October.

Now that 10th month of the year has officially arrived, there’s a lot to look forward to. With foliage predicted to peak in mid- to late-October, make sure your best camera is ready-to-go as it’s always stunningly beautiful in and around Arlington County.

On the home and bargains front, October is a wonderful time to stock up on anything and everything outdoor-related. Those summer patio items, grilling equipment and camping sets are generally primed to sell, so get moving. But, don’t go too wild beyond that because Black Friday is next month (yes, time is flying!).

If you haven’t checked off “purchasing a home of your own” on the fall to-do list, there is still time and our trusted team is ready to roll. Regardless of the season, we’ve been helping sellers, buyers and renters achieve their real estate goals since 1984.

So, let’s make your goals and dreams a reality. This October, there is surely something awesome out there just waiting for you to “fall” for.

As of September 30, there are 148 detached homes, 28 townhouses and 101 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 26 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: The 20% Down Payment Myth

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. Enjoy!

Question: Is it possible to buy a home with less than 20% down?

Answer: I’m always surprised by the number of people who assume they have to put 20% down to buy a home and delay their goal of becoming a homeowner for years because of it. Studies show that the most common reason people give for not buying a home is that they don’t have enough for a down payment.

In reality, about 1/3 of Arlington buyers purchase a home with less than 20% down and for many buyers, especially first-time home buyers, they’re putting as little as 3-5% down.

Programs For Everybody

For those with good credit, there are popular Conventional Loan programs allowing for as little as 3% down and for those with lower credit scores, FHA Loan programs range from 3.5%-10% down. There are also some exceptional programs available to those with great credit and strong incomes allowing for 10%-15% down at great rates.

Specialty Programs For Military and Doctors

If you are an active-duty or former service member you likely know about VA Loans that allow purchases with zero down. Doctors also have access to special loan programs offering great rates with low down payments for large loan amounts.

Mortgage Insurance

Most loans with less than 20% down will include mortgage insurance, which I wrote about here. It will increase your monthly payment and generally represents a higher percentage of your loan amount the less you put down. However, there are options to get rid of the mortgage insurance fees by buying it out or applying for early removal after a couple of years. There are also some programs that do not include mortgage insurance at all.

Impact on Negotiations

Clients often ask me how much a lower down payment will impact their ability to negotiate, so last year I ran the numbers on the impact of different down payments on the percentage buyers were negotiating off the sale price.

The results showed that only cash buyers (100% down) and buyers not putting any money down were materially impacted by their down payment, the negotiation leverage was pretty similar for everybody in between.

However, it would be misleading to suggest that down payment percentage doesn’t have any impact. Most sellers will respond more enthusiastically to higher down payments and this comes into play in competitive scenarios (multiple offers), which has become common in Arlington and the surrounding D.C. Metro neighborhoods. When sellers are choosing between multiple, similar offers, buyers with higher down payments have an advantage.

Buyers can combat the potential negative impact of a lower down payment in multiple offer scenarios by getting a strong pre-approval letter from a reputable local lender, offering to get pre-approved by a lender of the seller’s choosing, increasing the Earnest Money Deposit, or a number of other tweaks to the contract that will be looked at favorably by the seller, without increasing risk to the buyer or increasing the offer price.

Favorite Mortgage Programs

Here’s a link to an article I wrote with some of my favorite mortgage programs and contact information for great lenders who offer them.

If you’d like any additional information or recommendations on lenders or loan programs, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected]. If you’re thinking about buying a home in Arlington or the surrounding Northern VA/D.C. Metro neighborhoods, I’d be happy to meet with you to discuss your options.

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column or to set-up an in-person meeting to discuss local real estate, 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 D.C., and Maryland with Real Living At Home, 2420 Wilson Blvd #101 Arlington, VA 22201, (202) 518-8781.

Cybersecurity Startup Moves Up to Bigger Office in Courthouse

By Vernon Miles

Startup Monday header

Editor’s Note: 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.

DivvyCloud, an Arlington startup specializing in cloud-based cybersecurity, is planning to more than double in size with a move into a new much larger new headquarters in Courthouse.

It’s is far from the only cybersecurity company working in Arlington, but DivvyCloud carved out a niche as a cloud-focused security option that not only fixes gaps in security coverage but makes it easier for a company to see where its security is weakest.

Today (Monday) the company moved into a new 13,000 square foot office at 2111 Wilson Blvd, an office over six-times larger than its old 2,000 square foot office in Rosslyn. In a press release, CEO and co-founder Brian Johnson said the office expansion is a result of adding new employees, with more expected down the road.

“[Since 2018] the company has grown from 20 to 55 local employees — an increase of 175 percent — and plans to reach at least 120 employees within the next year,” Johnson said.

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The company has netted some sizable investments over the last year, along with new contracts with customers from Pizza Hut to Fannie Mae. In an email to ARLnow, Johnson said the expansion is justified by an increasing need in cloud-based coverage — particularly in light of recent major data breaches.

“In our recent report, we found that 77% percent of respondents reported having two or more clouds, yet less than half of respondents were able to accurately identify the risk of misconfiguration in public cloud as higher than the risk in traditional IT environments,” Johnson said. “Countless major data breaches, including Honda and Capital One, have been caused by misconfigurations just in 2019 alone. As a result, more and more companies are realizing the need for an effective solution to prevent misconfigurations and properly secure cloud and container infrastructure.”

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