Feature

Boring Title: Listing of the Month and Q&A’s with Industry Experts!

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Title insurance is boring, but Allied Title & Escrow is here to decode the jargon and make it (somewhat) more interesting. This biweekly feature will explore the mundane (but very necessary!) world of title insurance while sharing interesting stories of two friends’ entrepreneurial careers.

For this week’s edition of Boring Title we present to you, our monthly newsletter!

Make sure to check out our beautiful listing of the month, interviews with Super Home Warranty & Bosch Appliances, and our hilarious new video series. If you are interested in real estate you will enjoy this content!

Click the link below to read our monthly newsletter.

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Have questions related to title insurance? Email Latane and Matt at [email protected]. Want to use Allied Title & Escrow when you buy a home? Tell your agent when you buy a house to write in Allied Title & Escrow as your settlement company!

Arlington Pet of the Week: Thorondor

By ARLnow.com
1/4

This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is one-year-old green Pacific parrotlet, Thorondor.

Here’s what Thorondor’s owner has to say about this beautiful bird’s life in Arlington:

Thorondor is a green pacific parrotlet who just turned one year old this summer. He was hatched and weaned at Columbine Aviary in Denver, CO and flew to us in Arlington in the hold of a commercial airliner last August (it would have been a long way to fly on his own). He took some time to acclimate to his new home, but we instantly fell in love with this feathery little ball of attitude. He’s very much a part of the family now.

For food, Thorondor of course loves seeds, especially sunflower seeds and millet. Parrotlets shell all their seeds before eating the insides, so he generously shares all of his husks with the floor. But, he mainly eats lots of fresh food like broccoli, cauliflower, oats, apple, and kiwi.

Thorondor’s favorite activity is probably sitting on phones. He likes to chew on the case a little bit, tap at the screen with his beak (yes he can click on things and type gibberish), and just enjoys sitting up high. Thorondor’s other interests include bathing (mostly just dunking his head in water) and chewing. His favorite chew toys are shirts, socks, and beards. Thorondor has a feisty personality. He likes to playfully attack fingers and toys while making tiny roars. If he doesn’t want to step onto a finger or is annoyed by activity around his cage or wants someone to come pay attention to him, he can *loudly* let you know. But most of the time he likes to softly peep and swing on his swing or flap his wings for exercise. He’s even starting to roughly mimic some English phrases, but he has a lot of room for improvement! We look forward to seeing how our little beautiful birdy continues to develop and grow.

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.

Small Biz Focus: Be Prepared

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
1/2

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

By Tara Palacios

After many years of working with entrepreneurs — it wouldn’t be a stretch to say launching and running a small business is not for the faint of heart.

The risk of failure is constant. An entrepreneur needs to have both eyes open for every pitfall and danger sign. From industry changes, to knowing your competition and fighting for capital — today’s entrepreneur must be on their “A,” game — everyday.

One area of importance for entrepreneurs to bring their “A,” game is in preparedness.

We don’t always talk about preparedness because the likelihood of a natural or man-made disaster happening may appear to be small; however, when it does happen you’ll want to be ready. The best time to have your business ready is now. Flooding, fires and other acts may seem unlikely, but it is best when running a business to err on the side of planning. Mitigate risk by anticipating all aspects that could negatively impact your business.

PLAN is a great four-letter word. Here are 5 areas to make sure your business is prepared for a disruption.

Familiarize yourself with the types of hazards your business could face:

  • Natural Disasters (I.e., hurricanes, tornadoes earthquakes etc.)
  • Health Hazards (I.e., flu, measles, virus etc.)
  • Human-caused hazards (I.e., active shooter, on the job accidents)
  • Cyber threats or power outages.

Develop a plan

Ready.gov offers great resources and toolkits to help your business to come up with a plan. Ensure you have identified hazards you are most likely to encounter and work through a practical application.

Practice Your Plan

Make sure every member of your team is familiar with the details of how to execute the plan. Don’t let the plan gather dust. Update information and offer training on a regular basis.

Reach out for help!

Arlington’s Office of Emergency Management has several local tools to make sure your business is prepared. You can also reach out to them with help or assistance as you fine tune your plan.

As you plan, you’ll want to make sure you have the proper coverage necessary to ensure there is no long-term disruption of your business. The US Chamber of Commerce provides tips on how to make sure you have the right insurance coverage for your business in a recent blog post. FEMA also offers several tips and links on how to acquire the right flood insurance for your business.

Save the date! As part of BizLaunch’s Brunch and Business Series, on October 23, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Arlington Economic Development we will be addressing the topic of business disruptions and how to overcome them in more detail with a panel of experts.

You’ll find more information on our event page in the coming weeks.

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.

As our friends in the South prepare for a tropical storm or possible hurricane this Labor Day Weekend, a friendly reminder that it never hurts to be prepared.

Sure, we’re not quite as likely to be struck by a hurricane in these parts, but we do regularly see strong thunderstorms, flooding and the periodic tornado in Arlington County. So, how can you stay proactive?

At a minimum, it can’t hurt to have any or all of the following on hand: batteries, candles, matches, water, a full tank of gas for your care, non-perishable food and vital medical supplies. For a full list of recommendations, the Arlington County government site also has a handy checklist.

We’re always here for you to get the most out of living in Arlington, whether it’s the sunny or stormy days. When you’re ready to GET MORE out of your real estate transaction, we’re always ready to roll, too.

As of August 26, there are 136 detached homes, 17 townhouses and 93 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 13 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 Most Important Planning Tool for Condos

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: How often should a condo building conduct a Reserve Study?

Answer: In my opinion, the Reserve Study is the most important planning tool for Condo Associations because it provides a roadmap for how much money needs to be saved and what projects the Board should prioritize.

What is a Reserve Study?

A Reserve Study should be done by an engineer who specializes in condo or apartment buildings. The engineer inspects all of the common elements like the roof, garage, hallway carpeting, pool, etc to determine the remaining useful life and major repair schedules for all common systems/elements. For buildings around here, the cost usually starts around a couple thousand dollars and goes up from there.

After the inspection is complete, the engineer provides a report that generally includes:

  • Summary of the common systems
  • Maintenance or repair recommendations
  • Replacement schedule over the next 30 years
  • Estimated annual cost of repairs and replacement needs over the next 30 years
  • Analysis of the Association’s current reserve balance, annual reserve contribution amounts, and projected annual costs to determine if the current balance and contributions are enough to support costs over the next 30 years

How Often Should a Study Be Done?

Virginia Code states that a new Reserve Study should be done at least once every five years. This will still be the case when the new code becomes effective on October 1, 2019.

Who Cares?

The Reserve Study is important for many people including owners, Board members, management and buyers.

  • The financial analysis is critical for the Treasurer to determine monthly fees and reserve contribution levels.
  • The repair schedule allows the Board to set priorities for themselves and management to solicit bids for major repair or replacement projects.
  • Homeowners must provide a copy of the Reserve Study and current reserve account balance to buyers once they go under contract. Buyers have the right to cancel a contract within three days of receiving this information so having an updated Study and sufficient reserve funds is important.
  • Buyers should carefully review the Reserve Study and compare the recommended reserve balance and contribution levels with the current balance and current-year contributions in the budget.

Funding Depleted Reserves

After completing a new Reserve Study, you may find out there are insufficient reserve funds and contribution levels. Boards generally have two options — increase condo fees or issue a special assessment.

If the reserve deficiency is 5+ years out or relatively small, there’s likely enough time to slowly increase fees until you’re caught up. However, increasing fees by too much can have a negative impact on sale prices, so sometimes a one-time special assessment is in the best interest of the owners. A special assessment may also be your best option if the money is needed quickly to cover reserve costs in the next few years.

Not only does Virginia Code request Associations to complete a Reserve Study at least once every five years, it’s good practice for all stakeholders to have an update Study available for better financial planning and facility management.

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.

Legal Insider: Changing Jobs with a Security Clearance

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.

One of our major practice areas involves representing individuals in security clearance law matters.

We frequently speak to individuals who have issues or concerns relating to their security clearances and are seeking a new position elsewhere. We decided to put together some tips for employees that are changing positions in the context of holding a security clearance.

Tips for employees leaving one cleared position for another:

Leave Your Existing Employer on Good Terms

It is very important to leave your employer on good terms when taking a new position elsewhere. The better the departure, the less likely that you will have issues relating to your security clearance. Keep in mind that a former employer can still report security concerns about a former employee even when they have left.

I recommend the cordial departure approach with supervisors and the company and that the individual take every step possible to keep their former employer happy while you leave.

Know the Status of One’s Clearance Before You Go

It is important to know the status of your clearance before you leave. Too often we have seen a person accept a new position but not realize that their security clearance was out of scope or pending re-investigation, possibly leaving them without an active clearance when they leave.

There is also the possibility that a negative incident report is pending which is unknown at the time of departure. This is a major potential problem where an employee has left their position thinking that all is okay, but then later find out (usually after 2 weeks at the new job) that there is a problem with their security clearance which often leads to a termination.

Have the New Employer Check Your Status Before Leaving the Former Employer 

The individual leaving employment should confirm and re-confirm with the new employer’s security office the status of their security clearance.

This is especially the case where an individual maintains a security clearance in one system, i.e. the Department of Defense JPAS database and attempts to move to a position with an Intelligence Community agency (i.e. NSA, CIA) which is covered by a different database known as Scattered Castles. Sometimes these two databases do not sync well which can cause issues and delays.

Individuals Having Security Incidents Should Take it Slow Before they Leave

One of the most common problems that we come across is when an individual knows that they have an incident report but they still attempt to move to the new employer before their security issue is adjudicated and cleared.

If an individual knows that they have an incident report pending they are typically much better off by staying with their existing employer who will likely keep them employed while the matter is adjudicated. The new employer is far more likely to tell an individual, only after they have left their prior employment, that their clearance has an issue and that they can no longer hire them.

Special Transition Notes

When there is a difficult transition like when the employer is upset with an individual leaving their position for another job it is important to be very careful what the employee takes when with them when they leave the office. We have had numerous cases where an employee leaves one employer under less than favorable circumstances and then the employer claims loss of confidential information and reports the employee to clearance authorities.

In particular, an individual should be very careful in what they take from their computer or printed files from the office. If there is any question, get permission from the employer. Some clients have been reported for taking company emails, files or other information, even if not classified which results in significant security clearance issues.

Conclusion

If you need assistance with a security clearance issue, please contact our office at (703) 668-0070 or at www.berrylegal.com or securityclearancelawyer.com to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BerryBerryPllc.

Columbia Pike Incubator Aims to Help Refugees and Immigrants Build Independent Businesses

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.

For both new arrivals to the United States dreaming of starting their own business and locals who need a place to work, Columbia Pike’s Enterprise Development Group (EDG) strives to give them solid footing.

The Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) works to help refugees and immigrants, and within that organization the EDG strives to help entrepreneurs launch their own businesses.

“Our business incubator is a program where EDG rents office space below market rate,” said Fikru Abebe, managing director of the EDG. “This program primarily offers new start-up business access to free internet, free training meeting rooms and free utility. Participants will eventually graduate and move out.”

The ECDC launched in 1983 and the EDG was incorporated as a separate 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2001. Funding for the incubator comes from a variety of public and private sources, though Abebe said continuing to raise funds to manage the program has not been easy.

The incubator is based out of 901 S. Highland Street, just off Columbia Pike.

Successful graduates from the program include a few local healthcare professionals and attorneys, like the firm DC Metro Immigration Law, according to Abebe.

For those who aren’t successful and want to shut down their business concept, Abebe said the low cost and flexibility of their month-to-month lease can keep that from being a career-ruining collapse.

Members of the group also receive access to classes for creating business plans, handling taxes as a small business, and more.

There are currently 22 businesses in the incubator, ranging from lawyers, IT consultants, cleaning services and more. Abebe said the program is currently at around 85 percent capacity with four offices left.

A fact sheet for the program says it strives for low vacancy, but high turnover.

“A successful business incubator would have all space filled, but it would have a balanced rate of new clients, existing clients, and graduated clients,” the fact sheet notes.

Photo via EDG/Facebook

New Homes in Arlington: August 23

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. 

When you’re buying a home, you have to make lots of decisions — where you want to live, what type of house you want to look at, and most importantly, deciding between moving into an older home or building a brand new one.

There’s no getting around it: up-front costs of building a new home are more expensive than buying one that already exists. However, the average home sales price continues to climb in the Northern Virginia region. In July, the average home sales price was $619,082, up 1.58% from July 2018.

But just because the sticker price of an older home is significantly less doesn’t mean that there aren’t additional hidden costs associated with it. Older homes can potentially come with a barrage of problems, which requires extra cash to fix.

So, should you buy a new home — and can you actually afford to do it? Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about buying a new home versus an old one, plus the logistics of securing a loan.

Weighing The Pros And Cons

When trying to determine if you can afford a new home, it’s important to know all of the pros and cons before you buy. Here are some things to consider:

Additional Maintenance: An older home may be fine today, but eventually there will be maintenance that you’ll have to take on.

Warranty: An old home doesn’t always come with a warranty like a new home will. In many states, including Virginia and the District of Columbia, home builders are legally required to provide a home warranty for at least a year on workmanship and materials.

Age of Appliances: An older home may come with new appliances or may not. The average cost of replacing appliances can range between $350 and $8,000.

Renovation Costs: Not every room in an older home will be your taste, which could cost extra money for renovation. A new home can be designed exactly to your specifications.

The Logistics Of Buying A New Home

Buying a new home has a slightly different process than buying an existing home. Here’s what you need to know:

You’ll need to secure a construction loan — A construction loan is needed to pay for the work to be completed on your home. You can secure a stand-alone construction loan and then get a regular mortgage later, or a construction-to-permanent loan (which combines the two).

A construction loan requires a bigger down payment because it is considered “riskier” for the lender, and the interest rates are typically higher than a traditional home loan.

You may need a jumbo mortgage — Because new builds are more expensive, you may need a “jumbo mortgage,” or a home loan that is bigger than the conforming loan limits (a fancy term for the maximum amount Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae is allowed to loan). To qualify, you’ll need a credit score of at least 680 and a debt-to-income ratio of 43% or lower.

Here are some current options for buying new homes in the Arlington area:

Want to learn more about buying or building a brand-new house?  Three Stones Residential specializes in matching homeowners with the right builder and lot location. If you have any questions about new homes or builders, please email us at [email protected] today to get into your dream home. Let us help you love where you live.

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:

4784 N. Old Dominion Drive
5 BD/4 BA single-family home
Agent: Washington Fine Properties
Listed: $1,699,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

2309 N. Monroe Street
3 BD/3 BA single-family home
Agent: Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Listed: $979,999
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

5013 34th Street N.
3 BD/2 BA single-family home
Agent: Arlington Realty, Inc
Listed: $799,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

 

2270 S. Garfield Street #4
4 BD/4 BA, 1 half bath condo
Agent: Arlington Realty, Inc
Listed: $595,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

 

4119 S. Four Mile Run Drive #401
2 BD/2 BA condo
Agent: Kw Metro Center
Listed: $424,900
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

4636 B 28th Road S.
2 BD/1 BA condo
Agent: Classic Realty Ltd
Listed: $360,000
Open: Sunday 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.”

This week has been one of the most quiet weeks of the year for real estate activity in Arlington.

The summer doldrums finally kicked in. Sellers did their part listing 43 properties, but buyers ratified only 31 contracts. They must still be at the beach.

There’s only 10 more days before the fall market begins right after Labor Day. That will usher in lots of fresh new inventory, but also many more buyers so we will likely start to see competitive bidding again.

Interest rates dropped another 1/8th% to 3.5% this week, the lowest rates since 2011. So buyers have a window of opportunity over the next 10 days to ratify and lock in a great rate before the buyer frenzy starts and they lose their negotiating power.

With these low interest rates, you may consider refinancing your existing loan. If you can lower your rate by 5/8th% or more, it’s definitely worth talking to a reputable lender who can help you analyze your cost/benefit and breakeven point.

A home safety travel trip: If you’re going to be gone more than four days for vacation, turn off your water main valve. Water appliances like refrigerators or dishwashers seem to always time their failures when the owner is away. The owner returns to a watery mess costing thousands in repairs and hours of hassle.

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: Darla

By ARLnow.com
1/4

Arlington’s newest Pet of the Week is Darla, a four year old lab.

Here is what Darla’s owner has to say about their life in Arlington:

Darla is a four year old yellow lab and social butterfly. She insists on greeting any person or animal she passes with a wagging tail and kisses. Her favorite pastimes include napping (always on furniture and snoring), eating (literally anything), swimming, and visiting her friends at the dog park. She loves belly rubs and will adamantly request them by tapping you with her paw.

Darla is named after the character from Little Rascals, and is just as much of a charmer. As of late, Darla has a new baby brother who of course became her instant best friend. She got to visit her favorite place this summer (the Outer Banks) where she plays in the ocean and digs in the sand. She’s excited for fall to arrive which means jumping in leaf piles and snuggles while watching football.

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.

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