This regularly scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Ask Eli, Live With Jean playlist. Enjoy!

Question: Do homes sold on-market sell for more than homes sold off-market?

Answer: I want to start by saying that I know that this column comes off as being a shameless/salesy pitch for Realtors, but those of you who have followed my columns over the years hopefully recognize that I focus on informative, data-driven articles and steer clear of using this platform for sales pitches for myself or my industry.

With that said, I’m sharing this recent study of off-market vs. on-market sales released by BRIGHT MLS because I think that they did a good job solving for the right answers in the data (not just favorable answers) using a massive sample size, filtering out the right data and using a number of different cross-sections to confirm the findings within more specific datasets.

Study Overview

You can download and read the full study if you’re interested. The study included nearly 443,000 sales in 2019 and 2020 in the three BRIGHT MLS Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) of greater Washington D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia markets. The researchers compared about 116,000 off-market sales (using public records data) to about 327,000 comparable on-market sales.

What is On-Market vs. Off-Market?

An on-market sale is a sale that is listed and marketed on the BRIGHT MLS platform, which provides mass syndication/distribution to the 95,000 real estate agents in the BRIGHT network (includes Virginia, Maryland, D.C., Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia), brokerage websites and most third-party consumer-facing sites (e.g. Zillow).

An off-market sale is one that is not listed on the BRIGHT platform and either sold without any online marketing or only placed on a brokerage and/or third-party website for marketing. Off-market sales can take many forms but are ultimately defined by the lack of market exposure via the BRIGHT platform.

Results Favor Selling On-Market

Across the entire dataset, homes that were sold on-market sold for 16.98% more, based on the median price of comparable sales. Here’s a screenshot from the study showing the cross-section of the Washington D.C. MSA (extends all the way into West Virginia).

I’d like for this study to report on more cross-sections of the market and include larger and smaller homes, different price points, condo vs. single-family and more because I think it’s all really valuable data to help consumers make decisions about the sale of their home. There are certainly scenarios where sellers might benefit from an off-market sale or where an off-market sale makes sense for reasons beyond a seller’s bottom line, but having as much data as possible to help people make educated decisions is key.

If you’d like to discuss buying, selling, investing, or renting, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column or to discuss buying, selling, renting, or investing, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at EliResidential.com. Call me directly at 703-539-2529.

Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Ask Eli, Live With Jean playlist.

Eli Tucker is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with RLAH Real Estate, 4040 N Fairfax Dr #10C Arlington VA 22203. 703)-390-9460.


Being close to the Department of Defense’s headquarters may sound serious, but Pentagon City is a much more relaxed community, with plenty in the way of leisure and luxury. Follow the Keri Shull Team as we list a number of reasons Pentagon City is a cherished neighborhood of Arlington.

About the Neighborhood

Pentagon City, located in the southeast sector of the county, adjacent to the airport, is a relatively young district when compared to others in Arlington. Its origin only goes as far back as the 1940s, and the commercial sections surfaced much later. But what it lacks in history, it makes up for in current appeal.

Less than a mile to the north is the Pentagon, which explains how this neighborhood got its name. The Department of Defense headquarters isn’t the only structure of note nearby. Right around the corner are tourist attractions like the Arlington National Cemetery and Pentagon Memorial, an outdoor monument memorializing the victims who lost their lives during the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon. A series of illuminated benches are arranged within the memorial grounds, each containing the name and age of a victim.

Characterized by its developed urban layout, the city can be best compared to Rosslyn with its multi-story buildings, busy streets and bustling sidewalks lined with retail and restaurants. Shopping centers, fine dining and community events give this neighborhood a lot of charisma, which is why it’s such a popular place to live outside of D.C.

Top Places in Pentagon City

Pentagon Row

Pentagon Row is a stretch of commercial and residential buildings at the center of the neighborhood. It comprises several luxury apartment complexes, and these residents have the pleasure of enjoying events held at the Row’s plaza — everything from movie screenings to the Sip & Stroll policy allowing you to walk around a designated area with drink in tow. During the winter months, the second largest ice skating rink is open to the public. If there’s not enough here, right across the street is an even larger span of retail space.

Fashion Centre

Conveniently linked to the Metro station is a multi-level shopping mall. The Fashion Centre is the biggest enclosed mall in Arlington, so it sees a lot of foot traffic. And with well over 150 stores, it’s easy for those who love shopping to spend a Saturday going from one department store to the next.

Virginia Highlands Park

Find 18 acres of sports grounds, playgrounds and green space to the south of Fashion Centre. Visitors can reserve space for basketball, baseball, volleyball and tennis, or one of the many picnic areas. There are plenty of options for outdoor fun with family and friends, including an extravagant splash pad to cool off during the hot summer months. The Virginia Highlands Park is a short walk from the Metro station and has free parking, so it’s easily accessible for residents and local visitors.

Living in Pentagon City

Residents of Pentagon City enjoy all the conveniences that come with living in a commercialized area. They have access to excellent food and entertainment. Washington D.C., with all its sight-seeing and amenities, is just on the other side of the Potomac, and the Pentagon City Metro station is located at the heart of the neighborhood — within walking distance for many!

Real estate in this neighborhood consists mostly of high-rise apartment complexes, like the Gramercy and Park at Pentagon Row to name only a couple.

Due to the location and host of local businesses, Pentagon City is a popular destination for young professionals, especially with it being the site of Amazon’s HQ2. Even with busy peak hours, the Metro is the preferred mode of transportation for commuters.

Right now, real estate is still red hot in areas like Pentagon City, in part due to low interest rates and continuous development. If you’re looking for a change of scenery, one that supports a more active lifestyle, then Pentagon City is the next best place outside of living in D.C.

You can contact the Keri Shull Team to get priority access to homes in this neighborhood that haven’t been seen by anyone else yet — we’d love to help you find your dream home.


Just Listed highlights Arlington properties that just came on the market within the past week. This feature is written and sponsored by Andors Real Estate Group.

Greetings, Arlington, and welcome to JUST LISTED!

As we predicted last week heading into August, the market would likely slow down a bit more during the latter half of summer. Fewer sellers will list their homes in August, likely waiting until just after Labor Day to do so, and buyers are probably taking their last beach vacation before the fall.

This past week, according to the numbers below we saw a decent drop in available inventory, with 27 fewer homes to choose from in Arlington. For the first time since I’ve started tracking this, buyers ratified just as many contracts as sellers listed new homes at 73 each!

Overall inventory decreased, despite that brief equilibrium as some listings expire, sellers withdraw either permanently or temporarily, and some rethink their strategy going forward. 61 homes reduced their prices this week in Arlington, accounting for almost 12% of available inventory. This is up quite a bit from the spring, when houses sold faster than a seller needed to consider reducing the price (and for much more money than they were asking). For buyers looking for a “deal” or a “bargain,” this could be your moment of opportunity! If you’re hesitant to get into a bidding war, these may be your saving grace.

The Andors Real Estate Group has a fantastic, beautiful new listing that just hit the market and we’re excited to share! It’s our PICK OF THE WEEK — check it out: 2114 S. Joyce Street, Arlington, VA 22202 — $830,000.

The large covered front porch of this traditional, detached home is very welcoming and is a great place to people watch, observe a thunderstorm or enjoy a glass of wine to wind down after a stressful day. Gleaming hardwoods shine throughout this nearly 1900 s.f. three-bedroom, two full bathroom property with an open floor plan. A beautiful kitchen overlooks the serene backyard, boasting mature landscaping and hardscape.

Two main level bedrooms share a renovated hall bathroom, and a staircase leads to a truly impressive owner’s retreat. A tremendous bedroom with exposed wood beams and many skylights is the bedroom you’ve always wanted. A walk-in closet doubles as a sitting room and a large spa-like en-suite bathroom features a jetted tub, walk-in frameless glass shower, private water closet and double vanities.

Located just .7 miles to the Pentagon City Metro station, the convenience is unparalleled. Find our team here Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. for the open houses!

Sellers listed 73 homes for sale this past week, 24 less than the week before. Buyers ratified 73 contracts, nine less than the week prior. 28 of the ratified contracts were on homes JUST LISTED in the past seven days.

There are 518 available properties for sale throughout all of Arlington and across all property types: 142 are detached homes, 52 are townhome/semi-detached homes and 324 of the available units in Arlington are condos.

For a bit of perspective, this same week last year sellers listed 77 homes and buyers ratified 65 contracts. There were also only 340 available properties for sale this week last year.​

The average list price for currently available properties is $795,301 and the median is $585,000. Currently available properties in Arlington have an average of 60 days on market (DOM) and a median of just 36.

Click here to search currently available Arlington real estate. If you see a home that you’re interested in purchasing, give us a call!

Call the Andors Real Estate Group today at (703) 203-1117 to talk more about buying or selling Arlington real estate. Below are eight new listings that I think you might like to check out.


Do not leave money on the table in this market! Learn everything you need to know about selling your home from one of the most successful agents on the top-selling real estate team in the D.C. metro area.

Angela Decint, ranked as a top agent by the Washingtonian, is hosting a selling seminar at the Keri Shull Team office in Rosslyn to answer some of those burning questions you have as you prepare to put your house on the market.

Here are some of the things that you will learn in this seminar:

  • How to know the right time to sell your home
  • The right strategy for pricing your home to sell
  • The power of off-market home sales
  • How to market your home to as many buyers as possible
  • And much more!

This is a FREE seminar! Why squander an opportunity to learn how to maximize the value of your home, especially when it’s no cost to you? Get the details you need to make the most informed decision for your future, and avoid all that unnecessary stress.

The seminar is being held in person this upcoming Monday, Aug. 2, and parking will be validated for those commuting by car. Wine and cheese will also be available for attendees.

Register for this event today.


This article was written by Marian Marquez, Director of Business Investment for Arlington Economic Development.

It’s the end of Arlington County’s fiscal year, a time when we look back over the past twelve months to reflect on our successes, challenges and opportunities.

Clearly, the “normal” work of our Business Investment Group here at AED, which includes working with companies who are interested in locating or growing in Arlington, was anything but normal as the global health pandemic prevented companies from returning to the office. Nevertheless, we marked some exciting milestones during this past year spent mostly on lockdown and are excited to be moving forward from challenge to opportunity.

Our business investment team continued efforts to build the pipeline and get in front of high-growth prospects through digital touch points. Through 500+ virtual engagements over the past year, our team doubled down on retention efforts with the amazing companies that call Arlington home and had some exciting developments with several companies announcing expansions, even during a pandemic.

These include Two Six Labs, Vertical Apps, Orbital Effects, Fresh Impact Farms and Interos, which just announced Series C financing and is now Arlington’s first unicorn (female-led at that!). Other exciting news included the announcement of Microsoft’s regional Global Sales and Marketing hub at Commonwealth Towers in Rosslyn and, down the road in National Landing, the arrival of ZEBOX, a French incubator that will open its first U.S. location early next year. We anticipate increased interest from high-tech companies given recent investments on the part of JBG Smith in the digital infrastructure surrounding National Landing, which accelerates the innovation ecosystem we are fostering in Arlington.

In other positive news, Amazon’s HQ2 ramp up has progressed according to plan in terms of both hiring and construction, including the unveiling of its landmark structure, the Helix. As vaccination rates have picked up in recent months, we’ve seen increased activity in the market and our team has been busy responding to requests for information and conducting site tours for companies that are ready to make good on their expansion plans.

Through close dialogue over the past year with our businesses and real estate partners, we know that what companies are looking for in an office location has changed and will continue to evolve as employees return to the workplace. As trends in remote work and changing employee preferences challenge the demand for traditional office space, localities are entering a more competitive environment than ever.

To maintain attractiveness as a business location, communities must remain nimble and ensure that their offerings are in line with industry demand from a policy and real estate standpoint. During this pause in “business as usual” over the past year, AED has taken the opportunity to revisit its offerings and win themes; we are in the process of reworking elements of our value proposition as a business destination along with our marketing collateral (stay tuned this fall for AED’s new look!).

Looking ahead, we are excited about the future and confident that Arlington’s most compelling assets — its talent, connectivity and culture of innovation — are more relevant than ever in the post-pandemic world. In fact, these assets have only grown stronger with continued investments on the part of our businesses, real estate community, the County and its partners at the State level. Knowing that the “normal” we come back to won’t resemble that of the past, we are certain that Arlington is still an incredible place to live, work and play.


Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: While Arlington Realty, Inc. provides this information for the community, it may not be the listing company of these homes.

Hello there — massive uptick in Just Reduced properties!

Last week, we had 39 total homes experiencing a price reduction in Arlington County. And, this week, the figure has skyrocketed up to 68. That’s a nearly 75% jump.

We see fluctuations from week to week, but seldom do we see this much of a leap in a single week. So, why is this?

Well, summer vacation will be over before we know it, and the kids will be going back to school. And, on that note, there are still oodles of families out there looking to sell their existing property and move into something else before the next school year. Amid other factors, this is surely a part of the jump.

So, if you are looking to make the quick move and need a nimble, responsive and time-tested partner to make it happen, the team at Arlington Realty, Inc. is ready to get rolling. Until then, here are this week’s Just Reduced numbers:

As of July 26, there are 164 detached homes, 53 townhouses and 351 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 68 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

Please note this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc.


Have you scheduled your free tattoo removal consultation at ProMD Health yet?

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Most patients describe the procedure as “easy,” “only a minute” and “couldn’t even feel it.”

In light of new military guidelines, ProMD Health is offering discounted treatments to military service members and those looking to join.

Laser tattoo removal is safe and effective. Let ProMD Health evaluate your tattoo and walk you through the entire process. Call 410-449-2060 to schedule a laser tattoo removal consultation.


This regularly scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Ask Eli, Live With Jean playlist. Enjoy!

Question: How has Arlington’s condo market performed in the first half of 2021?

Answer: Given the tremendous appreciation we’ve seen locally and nationally on prices for single-family homes and townhouses, the mostly unchanged values of condos in Arlington highlights how much the condo market has struggled compared to the rest of the housing market. We did experience some periods of value loss in the last quarter of 2020 and early in 2021, but the first half data (and my experience in the market) suggests that prices have recovered and leveled out to about the same values we saw in 2019.

The biggest question I have is whether we will sustain these prices or see a slow decline as people adjust to new work arrangements and housing preferences in the wake of COVID. While it’s possible that we could see a delayed price surge due to sustained low interest rates and returns to offices, I think that scenario is unlikely.

This week, we will take a look at Arlington’s condo market in the first half of 2021. Note that the data does not include cooperatives (e.g. River Place) or age-restricted housing (e.g. The Jefferson).

Prices Relatively Flat, Listing Volume and Inventory Up

I think the biggest story in the condo market for Arlington and the D.C. metro area is the historically high number of condos being listed for sale since Q3 2020. There is clearly a flight out of condos by homeowners and investors, and the demand is not high enough to absorb the extra supply, so inventory levels have returned to 2015-2016 levels when we were in the midst of a near zero-growth condo market (in Arlington).

The return to 2015-2016 inventory levels isn’t a bad thing, but the suddenness of that shift was difficult for sellers to manage after we experienced a red-hot condo market from late 2018 (Amazon HQ2 announcement) to early 2020 (pre-pandemic).

Demand Metrics Down, Disaster Avoided

Demand metrics like days on market, percentage of homes selling within a week and the percentage of sold price to the original asking price are all down to 2017-2018 levels (pre-Amazon announcement), and prices are more reflective of what we saw in the first half of 2019.

During the pandemic, there were concerns of a fundamental shift in the condo market that would lead to a significant re-pricing of condo values, but that’s clearly not the case. Sure, it’s tough for condo owners to take a step backward while the single-family/townhouse market surges ahead, but the condo market looks to be recovered and safe at this point.

If you’re interested in seeing last week’s mid-year analysis of the single-family housing market, you can check it out here.

If you’d like to discuss buying, selling, investing, or renting, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column or to discuss buying, selling, renting, or investing, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at EliResidential.com. Call me directly at 703-539-2529.

Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Ask Eli, Live With Jean playlist.

Eli Tucker is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with RLAH Real Estate, 4040 N Fairfax Dr #10C Arlington VA 22203. 703)-390-9460.


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.

Depending upon the security concerns involved, it can be extremely helpful when federal employees or government contractors facing security clearance issues have support from a medical professional. In security clearance matters, it’s usually very beneficial and important for our federal employee and contractor clients to consult with a medical professional if appropriate and when medical or medical-related security concerns are under review by clearance authorities.

Types of Security Concerns that Could Involve Medical Professionals

Depending upon the facts of the security clearance case, there are a variety of security concerns for which a seasoned medical professional may be helpful to a security clearance applicant or holder. One of the most common types of security clearance cases in which a medical professional may be helpful involves the psychological or mental health condition of the security clearance applicant or holder under Guideline I, Psychological Conditions, under SEAD 4 (Page 19). Medical professionals may also be of assistance when a security clearance applicant or holder has security concerns involving illegal prescription drug use and/or an alcohol-related traffic matter.

Use of Medical Professionals in Security Clearance Matters

When an individual’s security clearance is at issue, it can be very helpful to obtain a medical professional’s review of the underlying issues for use in mitigating the security concern. When such situations arise, the clearance authority will ask whether there are mitigating factors present regarding the security concerns at issue. Clearance authorities will often take reasoned medical opinions into account when considering whether or not to permit an individual to obtain or retain his or her security clearance. When this occurs, it can be important to have a medical professional’s opinion, especially if a regular physician is not available to meet with the individual to attempt to mitigate the security concerns at issue.

The following examples more clearly demonstrate when a medical professional can be of help to a security clearance applicant or holder:

Example 1: The clearance holder has had three arrests for driving while intoxicated over the past five years. In this situation, it is important to have a medical professional evaluate, counsel and respond to the types of security concerns involved. The medical professional can often outline all of the treatment options available to the clearance holder and analyze the efforts undertaken by the clearance holder to address any alcohol-related concerns or treatment. A seasoned medical professional can also render a medical opinion as to whether or not such issues are likely to reoccur and the best way the clearance holder can avoid such issues in the future.

Example 2: The clearance holder has a significant mental health disorder, and a clearance authority needs to determine whether the medical condition would affect the individual’s ability to hold access to classified information. In this situation, it is important and helpful if a medical professional can provide a reasoned medical opinion as to whether the mental health condition will be an impediment to retaining a security clearance. The medical professional can evaluate the individual’s medical history, treatment undertaken for the medical issues and issue an opinion as to how the medical condition will likely affect the clearance holder in the future. (more…)


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.

We all love the Arlington Public Library, and we are excited to announce upgraded thermal cameras are now available to checkout.

Stop by the Arlington County Library or click here to borrow free energy efficiency tools, along with the information needed to identify and act on energy efficiency opportunities.

Use Knowledge to Take Action

  • Thermal imaging cameras see what your eyes can’t. They help identify hot and cold spots in your home, indicating where insulation is missing and where air leaks occur.
  • Energy meters show exactly how much electricity appliances and electronics consume. Understanding energy use in your home is the first step to taking action toward a “greener” home.
  • LED bulb sampler box lets you try various bulbs to find the right shape, color and brightness for each room in your home. All of the bulbs are dimmable and come with an informational guide.
  • The curated booklist offers energy saving tips and will help your complete “do-it-yourself” projects to save energy and money to make your home more comfortable. The list also includes Spanish titles.

The Energy Lending Library and other AIRE programs offer you energy-saving resources to rethink energy and help our community reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

Also, don’t forget that the last Solar and EV Charger Co-op info session will take place on July 28. Click here to register and join more than 200 other Arlington homeowners that have already signed up with the co-op this year.


Just Listed highlights Arlington properties that just came on the market within the past week. This feature is written and sponsored by Andors Real Estate Group.

Good morning, and welcome to JUST LISTED!

It’s been a great week in real estate here in Arlington! The pace has kept consistent for new listings for a second straight week while buyers took advantage of some homes that had sat for a little longer on the market. Overall ratifications were up as a result, and total inventory decreased slightly. I’ll go into more detail below, but as a summary overview, the market is still very strong, and I suspect inventory has just about plateaued as we head into August.

Historically, August is a slower month, though 2020 was of course an anomaly. We’ll see how this August behaves with regard to real estate. I expect a brisk fall market to start just before Labor Day this year, since the school schedule has shifted forward a week.

The Andors Real Estate Group has a fantastic, beautiful new listing that just hit the market, and we’re excited to share!

It’s our PICK OF THE WEEK, check it out: 730B 15th Street S., Arlington, VA 22202 — $774,000

The most convenient living in National Landing — top-to-bottom 100% renovation with premium materials throughout! This private end-unit three bedroom, two full and one half bathroom townhome has been completely renovated and features 1,400 square feet of finished living space on two levels. A beautiful chef’s kitchen with eat-in island, private balcony, gorgeous bathrooms and hand-hewn style hardwood flooring are just some of the many things to enjoy about this beautiful home. Southampton is extremely convenient, just across the street from the Pentagon City Metro and close to all the shops, grocery stores, and dining and an easy trek into D.C.

Find me here Saturday and Sunday afternoon, 1-4 p.m. for the open houses!

Sellers listed 97 homes for sale this past week, three less than the week before. Buyers ratified 82 contracts, 14 more than the week prior. 36 of the ratified contracts were on homes JUST LISTED in the past seven days.

There are 545 available properties for sale throughout all of Arlington and across all property types. 146 are detached homes, 55 are townhome/semi-detached homes and 344 of the available units in Arlington are condos.

For a bit of perspective, this same week last year sellers listed 113 homes and buyers ratified 80 contracts. There were also only 350 available properties for sale this week last year.

The average list price for currently available properties is $791,023 and the median is $580,000. Currently available properties in Arlington have an average of 57 days on market (DOM) and a median of just 35.

Click here to search currently available Arlington real estate. If you see a home you’re interested in purchasing, give us a call.

Call the Andors Real Estate Group today at 703-203-1117 to talk more about buying or selling Arlington real estate. Below are eight new listings I think you might like to check out:


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