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Just Sold: April 22, 2021

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This past week, 76 properties were reported sold across Arlington, including a 5 BD/5 BA home complete with an indoor saltwater pool and a custom wine cellar that sold for $1,900,000.

As of April 18, there were 646 homes listed for sale in Arlington, according to Homesnap. This includes 427 condos, 173 detached homes and 46 townhomes.

“The median list price is $594,000 and the median sales price is $610,000,” Homesnap reports. “There have been 197 new listings in the last 4 weeks and 287 sales.”

Here’s a look at a few of the properties sold in the past seven days:

In the market? See properties that have been Just Listed and Just Reduced.

Arlington’s Top Personal Trainer: Q&A With Andy Shin

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

For Andy Shin, exercise is more than just about looking good or being fit. It’s a means for getting healthier, stronger and gaining the confidence to tackle anything. For Shin, his business is his passion.

A one-man show, Shin is at once a personal trainer, life coach, cheerleader and secretary. Even after his in-person or virtual training sessions, Shin can be found on his computer, often late into the evening — planning for the week ahead, answering questions via email and devising new tactics to keep his clients engaged.

It’s been 10 years since Shin started Andy Shin Fitness, and earlier this year ARLnow readers voted him Arlington’s best personal trainer. He’s worked with more than 1,000 clients across the D.C. metro area.

We caught up with Shin to learn more.

How does it feel being voted Arlington’s top personal trainer in the winter Arlies?

It’s an honor. Arlington is one of the fittest communities in the country, which means personal trainers are a dime in a dozen. It can be dizzying how many options there are. But I strive every day to be the best for my clients, and it makes me incredibly happy to be recognized as one of the top trainers here.

What’s your philosophy as a personal trainer?

I tell all my clients exercise is the best medicine. Sure, it can’t fix everything, but it’s a surefire way to improve your life. The more you exercise, the stronger you become and the more energy you have to keep up with the things you love. It’s an opportunity for you to de-stress and get in “me” time, which only gets more difficult to carve out over time.

How would you describe yourself as a trainer in three words?

Charismatic, motivational, funny.

I’m not your typical trainer. I’m going to be there for you and keep you accountable from start to finish. Plus we’ll have a blast doing it.

What are your classes like?

I offer virtual private training and fitness classes. My classes involve a lot of functional movements to help focus on your instabilities. You just need minimal equipment — a set of dumbbells, resistance bands and sliders — and leave the workout and playlist to me. I also still offer in-person training.

What about the nutrition piece?

Diet is the hardest part — even for me. At my heaviest, I was 290 pounds. I usually recommend a carb-cycling diet, which means alternating carb intake on a periodic basis. Have carbs on the days you exercise so your body can utilize that energy. On the days you don’t exercise, limit your carb intake. I also tell my clients to have one cheat meal on Friday or Sunday. If you consistently work hard, it’s okay to treat yourself without feeling guilty.

Can you share a standout success story?

One of my clients is the executive head chef for the Washington Wizards. He started at 230 pounds and is now 180 pounds. That’s 50 pounds in five months. That takes a lot of determination. I am very proud of him.

Tips for someone who’s having a tough time getting motivated?

Start moving, even for a little bit at a time. That’s the beginning. You don’t have to hire a trainer or spend a lot of money. Start jogging, take your dog on walks, take the longer route from point A to point B. Then, you can incrementally add weight-training. That’s the key.

Andy Shin Fitness
Website | Instagram

Want to learn more about Shin? Here are some fast facts…

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Arts Focus: From Art Making to Art Marketing — Skill Sharpening Workshops

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
“SMM-Jigsaw-Banner” (Illustration via greyweed/CC BY 2.0)

This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

Arlington Arts continues to offer a range of capacity-building opportunities for Arlington artists. The final round of our Arts Enterprise Institute Spring Classes on Zoom can help you to sharpen your skills as creatives and better promote your work via social media.

Upcoming workshops include:

Hands, Paper Go!
Tuesday, May 4 and May 11, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Explore creative ways to work with paper and make fun personal storybooks by hand while learning about diverse traditions. No experience necessary and good for both budding and practicing artists.

Session 1: Fold, Cut, Punch, Glue. How did books start out, and what kinds of books did humans create? Learn about Japanese and Himalayan traditions as you fold, cut and punch papers to make creative books.

Session 2: Staple & Sew. How did different writing styles dictate the shape of books? Learn about ancient Islamic book art styles and enjoy blending them with today’s everyday materials.

Leading the above workshops is Sushmita Mazumdar, an Arlington-based artist, writer and educator. She works across stories, book arts and mixed media to explore her memories of home, heritage and migration from India. She mixes into her work present-day places, which inspire, and the community who collaborate, discuss and respond to inform her creations. Sushmita is the founder of Studio PAUSE, a community space for art and stories, and a studio arts instructor with the Smithsonian Associates.

Some supplies are needed in advance (not included with registration). See Eventbrite description for details. The final two sessions of her Artful Mind series’ are still ongoing: the origami session “Fold, Fold, Fold” (April 22) and paper workshop “Tear, Tear, Tear” (April 29).

Social Media Storytelling
Tuesday, May 18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Social media is a form of communication that utilizes written, visual and verbal storytelling. By engaging with your audience in real-time and being an active user, you can promote your work and build your core audience. The main ingredients for a successful social media presence are consistency and authenticity.

Learn why social media is important for small organizations and individual artists with Nicole Schenkman, Communications & Outreach Manager for City Blossoms, a successful D.C.-based nonprofit that cultivates the well-being of urban communities through creative programming in kid-driven gardens. Learn how to get started with setting up your goals and a communications strategy.

Arlington Arts’ Arts Enterprise Institute Spring Classes often fill to capacity. Artists, performers and arts professionals looking to up their game are encouraged to explore the remaining sessions, continuing through May 18, 2021. (All classes are virtual.)

As this is our final round of workshops until the fall, classes are filling up quickly. Sign up now! Attendees will receive a Zoom link via email after 5 p.m. the day before the event. Certain supplies not included with your registration fee will be needed in advance. Visit our Eventbrite page for registration fees and details.

Arlington Pet of the Week: Athena

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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Meet Athena, Arlington’s newest Pet of the Week and a true Greek warrior. (Seriously, she’s bilingual and responds to both English and Greek!)

Here’s what Athena’s humans had to say about her:

This is Athena. She’s half Bichon and half Shih-Tzu, but her spirit is 100% Greek warrior. At 15 months old and an intimidating 14 pounds, Athena has no trouble running with the big dogs. She loves to jump, run at high speed and get in big dogs’ faces. With her mantra of “constant vigilance,” Athena patrols the mean streets of Rosslyn looking for abandoned chicken bones, discarded take out and… security threats, of course.

Like her namesake — the Greek goddess of war and wisdom — Athena has an academic side to her. She is bilingual, responding to both Greek and English, and hopes to travel to Greece someday to study its history and culture. She spends her free time subjecting human socks to stress testing to better understand their composition and durability and exploring the feasibility of various hiding places for her smart bone.

Athena has a sweet and funny side, too. She keeps her humans entertained with her antics and loves to snuggle on the couch with them each evening and go on midday walks with her auntie who lives down the street.

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!

We are also looking for local pets who look like their owners or like celebrities. Email us photos of your pet and their doppelgänger, explaining the resemblance and whether it has been noticed in your neighborhood.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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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.

Tomorrow is Earth Day, so let’s show Mother Nature a little love!

Odds are that so many of us take advantage of everything our County has to offer, whether it’s biking along the W&OD Trail, boating along the Potomac or having a family outing at any of Arlington County’s award-winning parks.

We have a lot to be grateful for locally here on Earth Day. In addition to our own unique ways of showing our community a little love, the County has put together a calendar of activities for you and your family. From greening your kitchen to hitting up a local farmers’ market, it’s a pretty handy resource for this week and beyond.

If and when you’re ready to call our park and activity-filled community “home,” the time-tested team at Arlington Realty has your back on the real estate front.

Until then, now on to this week’s Just Reduced figures…

As of April 19, there are 143 detached homes, 46 townhouses and 305 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 31 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.

Ask Eli: Cost of an Arlington Bedroom

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 much more can I expect to pay for a five-bedroom house compared to a four-bedroom house?

Answer: The primary criteria for most buyers is the number of bedrooms, so this week we will break down the cost of detached and condo housing in Arlington by bedroom count. The dataset includes all closed sales since January 1, 2020, except a $45 million sale, River Place Coop and age-restricted housing.

Below are some highlights from the data:

  • For detached homes, the biggest price jump is from four bedrooms to five, with an average price increase of 33.1%.
  • The best value for a detached home, with the lowest cost per bedroom, is a four-bedroom house.
  • Larger homes are much harder to find in South Arlington, with just 58 homes with five or six bedrooms sold since 2020 compared to 353 sold in North Arlington.
  • Nobody builds smaller homes anymore. Of the sold homes built within the last 20 years, zero had two bedrooms, three had three bedrooms, and 33 had four bedrooms compared to 141 and 64 with five and six bedrooms, respectively.
  • Smaller, more affordable homes sell faster with approximately 70% of two- and three-bedroom detached homes selling after just one to 10 days on market compared to approximately 40-45% of five- and six-bedroom detached homes.
  • For condos, going from a two-bedroom to a three-bedroom adds 78.1% and is even more expensive in North Arlington, nearly doubling the cost
    The number of three-bedroom condos sold is less than 10% of the number of one-bedroom and two-bedroom units sold.
  • If you are looking for a three-bedroom condo on a budget, focus on South Arlington, where the average comes in under $550,000 compared to over $1.7 million in North Arlington.
  • Expect to pay about 20% more for a property (detached or condo) built in the last 20 years.

Hopefully this helps those of you currently searching for a home in Arlington or planning a housing search soon!

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 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 DC, and Maryland with RLAH Real Estate, 4040 N Fairfax Dr #10C Arlington VA 22203. 703-390-9460.

Legal Insider: Implications in Virginia on Employers and New Marijuana Law

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.

Virginia recently decriminalized many marijuana-related issues through legislation. As a result, the possession of limited amounts of marijuana will be legal in Virginia, effective July 1, 2021, with certain restrictions.

Many employers and employees have begun to question how this new state law will impact them. There are many questions to be answered. For instance, can employers perform drug tests on employees or fire them for using marijuana outside of work hours? This brief article will touch on the impact of the new Virginia marijuana law.

Federal Marijuana Law Remains the Same

It is critical to understand that the change in Virginia law does not affect the fact that marijuana usage remains illegal under federal law. For instance, if an employee holds a security clearance, they can quickly lose it (and their employment) for any marijuana usage (at work or at home) despite small amounts now being legal on the state level. Until Congress changes the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana remains a Schedule 1 drug (along with heroin and LSD) and a criminal offense.

Virginia Law Changes

The newly enacted law permits individuals in Virginia who are over the age of 21 to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and grow up to four cannabis plants at home. Previously, doing so was a criminal offense. Furthermore, adults who are caught with more than an ounce but less than a pound of marijuana will face a potential $25 fine. Lastly, any adults caught with more than a pound can be charged with a felony punishable by one to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

While sales of marijuana are illegal, the legislation permits gifting up to an ounce of the drug to any adult.

Employment Law Issues Remain with Marijuana Use in Virginia

In terms of employment law, the new law should lessen, but not end, many employer’s restrictions on employee off-hours use of marijuana. I eventually see a gradual lessening of drug testing over time for minor usage in non-critical or non-government security positions. There will be numerous exceptions to this, however. Furthermore, nothing in the new law changes the fact that employers can still enforce drug policies even though Virginia has legalized marijuana.

Breaking an employer’s policy may still result in termination. Additionally, many security clearance and safety-based occupations are subject to drug policies, which require employees to pass drug tests and can include employees in the security, construction, medical and government sectors, and others. There are many other exceptions in the legislation, 283 pages in length, which is included in the link above.

The new law also does not eliminate the ability of an employer to require that employees not be impaired by marijuana at work. Furthermore, employers could potentially establish policies stating that it will deny employment to anyone using an illegal substance under the Controlled Substance Act. Employers will also be able to establish policies that employees are not allowed to possess marijuana on employer property. Furthermore, use of marijuana is still illegal for those under the age of 21. Lastly, there may be some potential assistance for the reasonable accommodation of employees that need medical marijuana usage for medical conditions and who work for certain employers.

This is a new law, and it will take some time for employers and employees to fully sort out the full ramifications. For now, while certain amounts of marijuana usage are legal in Virginia, it doesn’t mean an employee may not be fired for using it. However, the new Virginia law will give some employers leeway to be less strict in their marijuana policies should they choose to do so.

Conclusion

If an employee needs assistance with an employment investigation or other issue, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or visit our website to schedule a consultation. Please also like us on Facebook or connect with us on Twitter.

Rethink Energy: Earth Day 2021

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.

On Earth Day — April 22, the Biden administration is holding a global climate summit as more than 300 corporate leaders ask the Biden administration to take additional actions to address climate change.

As our schools, businesses, restaurants and the world head toward a “return to normal,” there is no going back to business-as usual.

COVID-19 reminds us that global action is possible to address and mitigate dire threats. It also shows how quickly governments — including Arlington’s — can act given the urgency. The conversation shifts from what should be done to what must be done.

We’re experiencing the possibilities of collective action right now.

Working with residents and businesses, the Rethink Energy team remains committed to addressing climate change to create a carbon-neutral Arlington along with similar efforts around the world.

Together let’s keep working toward that healthy and sustainable future. We can do it. There really isn’t a choice.

Happy Earth Day, Arlington!

Listing of the Day: 2827 N. Underwood Street

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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Address: 2827 N. Underwood Street
Neighborhood: Berkshire/Oakwood
Listed: $1,795,000
Open: Saturday, April 17, and Sunday, April 18, 1-4 p.m.

Built by Spring Street Development in 2011, this home is in pristine move-in condition and offers these desirable details: built-ins in the main-level office, family room and upstairs bonus room; window treatments; a patio with extensive landscaping, playset and friendship gate; a natural gas generator and electric car charger.

The traditional living room flows into the dining room and then to the kitchen, breakfast area and family room. The office, powder room and guest closet are just off the foyer. The kitchen features warm wood cabinets, center island gas cooking and a wall oven — ideal for those with a renewed or new-found interest in cooking and baking. A large pantry holds equipment and supplies while a planning desk provides space to organize daily activities. The coffered ceiling and gas fireplace in the family room are handsome details along with the gleaming wood floors throughout the main level. A mudroom off the oversized two-car garage provides nooks and hooks and a coat closet. Doors from the breakfast area open to a deck and patio for casual dining and distance entertaining. Ample areas remain for sport, play and gardening. Raised beds and a rain barrel will please gardeners and environmentalists.

Upstairs, there are four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a bonus room. This large room features dormered ceilings and an enchanting window seat. It could be used as the fifth bedroom, playroom, second office or space for a pampered guest. The primary bedroom has a cove ceiling, sitting area and a fitted walk-in closet. Double vanities and an oversized shower, soaking tub and linen closet are in the primary bathroom. A nook at the front of the home is a perfect spot for a computer or reading spot. Another linen closet is in the hall near the laundry room. Additional cabinet storage is in the laundry room along with a utility sink.

The lower level of the home has a large rec room with double doors to the yard, tall windows, and spots for media, play, games, and casual gatherings. A large bedroom and bath on this level are ideal for an in-law, nanny or distance-learning college student. Just off the rec room is a gym with mirrored wall and rubber flooring, and another space at the base of the stairs is great for hobbies, crafts or educating at home. The utility room offers even more storage.

The home is in the Tuckahoe, Williamsburg, Yorktown school district and near the East Falls Church Metro, Tuckahoe Park and Playground, and bike trails. Whether commuting to Washington, business centers in Virginia or Maryland, this home is well positioned for an easy commute.

Quality, space, and an enviable location.

Listed by:
Betsy Twigg
McEnearney Associates
703-967-4391
[email protected]
www.betsytwigg.com

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:

1806 S. Arlington Ridge Road
6 BD/4 BA, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Neighborhood Real Estate
Listed: $2,000,000
Open: Sunday, 1-4 p.m.

 

228 N. Edgewood Street
4 BD/3 BA single-family home
Agent: KW Metro Center
Listed: $1,300,000
Open: Saturday and Sunday, 2-4 p.m.

 

2215 N. Powhatan Street
5 BD/3 BA single-family home
Agent: RE/MAX West End
Listed: $1,125,000
Open: Saturday and Sunday, 2-4 p.m.

 

2401 S. Culpeper Street
4 BD/3 BA, 1 half bath single-family home
Agent: Samson Properties
Listed: $960,000
Open: Sunday, 12-3 p.m.

 

2502B Fairfax Drive
3 BD/3 BA, 1 half bath townhome
Agent: Optime Realty
Listed: $875,000
Open: Saturday, 1-3 p.m. and Sunday, 2-4 p.m.

 

1276 N. Wayne Street #1230
3 BD/2 BA condo
Agent: RLAH Real Estate
Listed: $765,000
Open: Saturday and 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 Andors Real Estate Group.

Good morning, Arlington, and welcome to JUST LISTED! If you’re reading this with your morning cup of coffee, I thank you for including this in your morning routine. If you’re not an early riser, I’m glad you scrolled down this far!

No surprises this week — the heat of real estate in Arlington is not just hot, it’s on fire! As you’ll see later in the column, we dramatically outpaced the same week last year, and week-over-week from last week is way up as well. With the warm weather now here to stay, military PCS orders rolling out and the end of school in sight, the primary market movers are now in place for the spring.

PICK OF THE WEEK: 1017 16th Street S. Arlington, VA 22202 — $1,450,000

A one-of-a-kind architectural gem designed by John Burke of Studio Twenty Seven Architecture in Washington D.C.! This like-new 2013 custom-build features stunning design, incorporating soaring ceilings, bamboo flooring, a functional floor plan and energy-efficient living with a geothermal HVAC system.

Find four bedrooms, two full and one half bathrooms, with an optional third full bathroom in the basement. A main-level owner’s suite provides a private oasis with spa-like en-suite bathroom. A large carport, spacious basement with fantastic head height, and a large, flat landscaped 7,957 square-foot lot truly completes this amazing, move-in ready home.

Find me here hosting open houses this weekend — Saturday, April 17, and Sunday, April 18, from 1-4 p.m. Covid protocols apply.

Sellers listed 136 homes for sale this past week, up 40 from the week before! Buyers came out in force this week and ratified 88 contracts in the same timeframe — 29 more than the week prior. 50 of the homes that went under contract were on the market for seven days or less.

This week, there are 458 available properties for sale throughout all of Arlington and across all property types; 117 are detached homes, a whopping 25 more than last week. This is great news for the buyers out there who have been feeling like they can’t get into a detached home.

There are 42 townhome/semi-detached homes currently for sale, and condominiums make up 299 of the available units in Arlington.

A quick comparison to last year: For the same week, sellers listed 44 homes and buyers ratified 39 contracts. There were also only 232 available properties for sale this week last year.

The average list price for currently available properties is $821,311 and the median is $575,000. Currently available properties in Arlington have an average of 62 days on market (DOM) and a median of just 30.

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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