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Small Business Focus: Do I really need an Arlington business license?

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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

For anyone who runs or is looking to open a business in Arlington, the answer is yes.

With only a few exceptions, Arlington business owners need to get a business license and maintain that year over year. This includes businesses of all types of sizes. If you’re a freelance artist/maker, own a retail establishment or restaurant, operate as a consultant or even have a home-based business or nonprofit, an Arlington Business License is required to operate.

Obtaining that business license is pretty simple through the Arlington Commissioner of Revenue, which issues business licenses every year and assesses the amount of tax businesses are required to pay. The entire process can be done online via the CAPP — Customer Assessment and Payment Portal. Simply go to the website and click on “Register a new business/location.”

Be sure to have your EIN (Employer Identification Number) or SSN (Social Security Number) and your home occupation permit or your Certificate of Occupancy (CO) number handy as you’ll need those to complete the application. Once you’ve completed your business license application, click submit and you officially applied for your business license. A business tax inspector will review your application, once approved, you will receive an e-mail confirmation, and you’re done.

But why is having a license so important? A business license serves as the taxing mechanism for both the Business License Tax, which is based on the gross receipts of a business, and the Business Tangible Personal Property Tax, which is based on the individual tangibles, or personal assets, of a business — things like furniture, machinery, tools or programmable computer equipment.

We all know that no one is overly excited about the prospect of additional taxes, but it’s important to remember that not only does that tax revenue help to fund Arlington’s many amenities, like public transportation, social services, public art, parks, community centers and bike trails. But even more importantly, if a business is found to be operating without required licenses, it can be fined and/or sent to court for each day of operation without required licenses. Making sure all of our businesses are operating in full compliance of the law is key, and the BizLaunch team is here to help ensure Arlington businesses are up to date.

We know the various licenses, taxes and fees can be a little overwhelming, especially at the beginning, and BizLaunch and the Arlington Commissioner of Revenue are here to help.

For new businesses wanting to start, the BizLaunch team has put together a thorough Small Business Checklist outlining each step a business needs to take to launch, including licensing and regulation. Additionally, the Arlington Commissioner of Revenue’s Office has put together a helpful guide for businesses opening in Arlington.

For more information about BizLaunch visit www.bizlaunch.org.

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 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.

As of July 24, there are 125 detached homes, 25 townhouses and 146 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 22 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

5205 6th Place S.

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 Arlington Realty, Inc.

Ask Eli: How much commission do buyer agents make?

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. Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel. Enjoy!

Question: What is the normal commission rate for a Realtor who represents a buyer in Arlington?

Answer: There has been a long-held belief that real estate agents should avoid public discussion of commissions because of antitrust laws and ethics violations, but now that many public-facing real estate websites (e.g. Zillow and Redfin) are publishing buyer-side commissions, not to mention recent efforts by the National Association of Realtors and our local MLS (BRIGHT) to open-up transparency. I’ll make an annual column out of the data on buyer-agent commissions.

The data and charts below represent the buyer-side commissions published in the MLS for transactions in Arlington, sans any subjective commentary that could get me in trouble. I don’t have access to listing-side commission data, so you’re only seeing commission data for one side of the transaction.

How Are Commissions Determined?

In most cases, commissions are set in the Listing Agreement between the seller and the seller’s real estate agent. A total commission fee is established, with a disclosed amount going towards the agent/broker representing the buyer of the home. That buyer-side commission is published in the MLS. Buyer agents may establish minimum commissions or other fees in their Representation Agreement between them and the buyer (PSA for buyers: be sure to ask about these minimums or fees when selecting your agent or reviewing your Agreement).

Buyer Agent Commissions Down 12% Since 2015

In 2015, buyer agent commissions averaged 2.89% across all transactions in Arlington. As of 2022, the average buyer agent commission in Arlington dropped by 12%, to 2.54%. The average commission dropped by 6% from 2017 (2.81%) to 2019 (2.65%).

Buyer Agent Revenue Flat for Past Decade

Setting aside the historically high volume of real estate transacted in 2021, revenue (calculated by sales volume multiplied by the average buyer agent commission percentage) to brokerages covering buyer-side transactions in Arlington has remained fairly flat since 2015 (and earlier) because higher sales volume (driven by higher prices) has been offset by lower commission fees.

Broker/Agent revenue in 2023 will drop as significantly as it increased in 2021 due to low sales volume in 2023.

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The Nose That Knows: A Two Table Super Tasting!

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Order from Arrowine’s expanding online store for curbside pickup or in-store shopping. Have a question? Email thenose@arrowine.com.

Are you looking for something fun to do this Sunday? How about tasting some Virginia Wine? Let’s meet at Arrowine!

Join us at Arrowine (4508 Cherry Hill Road) this Sunday, July 23 from 1-4 p.m. for our Two Table Super Tasting! Featuring some of Virginia’s Best with Glen Manor, Early Mountain, Midland, Vino del Bosco, and Veritas Wineries all in one place — without driving to the wineries. They will all be here for you to sample at Arrowine!

By Reservation only. Attendance is limited to ensure a great experience. All attendees must be 21 and possess a valid picture ID.

Wine (Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash)

Additional details:

Cost: There is no charge for this tasting event!
Discounts: Tasting discounts are “on”! Every wine you taste will be on sale during the event, at least 10% off the regular price. We’ll have wine available for purchase, and if you want more than we have available, discounts will apply to tasting wines you order during the event, too!

This event will be popular. To attend, please fill out this form, or e-mail us at [email protected] and let us know you plan to attend. Include the following information in your email:

  • Name
  • E-mail and phone contact information
  • Number of people in your group
  • When you expect to arrive: (a) 1–2 p.m., (b) 2–3 p.m., or (c) 3–4 p.m.

We will confirm all reservations by e-mail. If attending, we will add you to our e-mail list that announces special events and sales.

We look forward to seeing you!

Doug Rosen

The Suspen(sion) is real: How much does suspension repair cost?

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Your car is designed to move smoothly across the surface of the road, and the components that make up your suspension are part of what keeps your car stable. When you hit an uneven surface or crevice, you may feel the car jump or jerk — but without a suspension system, that feeling would be even more… well… jarring.

If your car is a magnet for curbs, potholes, and other road hazards, the odds that you may eventually need to repair your suspension are much higher. Pay close attention to how your car responds after hitting a speed bump. Does it bounce? A shaky steering wheel, uneven wear on your tires, bouncing after a speed bump, and leaking fluid could all be indicators of a suspension problem.

Each wheel of your car has shocks and struts that comprise the suspension system. To keep the car level and in good contact with the road, replacement should be done in pairs. So how much might the parts cost to repair or replace your suspension?

CarCare To Go Parts Manager Claire Treadway shares this insight:

“Usually each strut and spring assembly has a good range, about $200-$600 aftermarket depending on the car and options. Most dealerships and OEM distributors will charge each piece individually (the shock absorbers, the coil spring, and everything to replace them) and that will usually be about 600 for each side [of the vehicle.]”

What about costs specific to some of the most common makes in our area?

“An example for a 2012 Toyota Camry shock assembly is $326 each. Not every vehicle will come as an assembly from the aftermarket either, for a 2018 Mazda CX-5, they only sell the shock absorber, and then you’d need to buy anything else the car might need during that replacement.”

It’s important to note, that may be just the cost for parts and not the expertise required to install them. With CarCare To Go, pick-up and return of your vehicle is always free with no mark-up for it in the price of your service, no pushy additional sales, and easy digital approval of your estimates and invoices line-by-line.

The team also includes detailed photo and video inspections in their report, along with the opportunity to connect directly with the experts working on your car. In short, it’s a service experience like no other. For a limited time, Car Care To Go is also offering a discount on routine maintenance like an $89 alignment that can help preserve your suspension. First time customers can also get their initial oil change for just $20.23 with code FIRST20.

Statutes of Liberty: For whom the bell tolls — it tolls for Chevron

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Doran Shemin, Esq., and Janice Chen, Esq., practicing attorneys at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Falls Church, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact us for an appointment.

The Supreme Court is taking an important case next term — Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo — in which we expect a foundational element of American constitutional law to change.

If the Court decides the case as we expect, there will be knock-on effects in practically every area of federal law. We’ll focus on immigration here, because that’s our specialty.

Chevron Deference was a cool doctrine, but all good things must come to an end.

First, some background: What is at stake?

In the 1930s, the Roosevelt Administration fundamentally changed the federal government via a vast expansion both of federal power and a concomitant expansion of federal law. New administrative agencies both created and enforced rules across the country. In 1948, Congress sought to regularize the process by which rules were created and interpreted in the Administrative Procedure Act. The APA was largely successful in setting procedures for the creation of regulation, but the question of interpretation remained troublesome.

In 1984, the Supreme Court decided Chevron U.S.A. v. NRDC, and settled (for forty years) the question of how to interpret federal regulations. Chevron Deference, as it became known, is that federal courts should defer to the expert judgment of administrative agencies, in the interpretation of administrative regulations, so long as Congress has not spoken directly on the issue at hand. This allows administrative agencies — which are, in theory and practice, more familiar with their own regulations and the underlying facts than federal judges — to apply their expert judgment, within fairly broad bounds.

Immigration regulations are just like any other form of regulation. As we have explained in these pages, the Attorney General is the Grand Poobah of immigration regulation and interpretation; all Immigration Judges, all Board of Immigration Appeals judges, and indeed all immigration adjudicators are merely his legatees. Thus, the Attorney General has broad deference, under Chevron, to construe immigration regulations within the broad outlines set by the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended.

When the Supreme Court overturns Chevron in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, as we expect it will, the Attorney General will no longer have such broad power to interpret immigration regulations. The substantive effects will depend on how strictly the Court clips the wings of administrative agencies. At its most extreme, Loper Bright could make individual federal judges the primary interpreters of immigration regulations; a more measured decision would simply enlarge the role of judiciary in overseeing regulatory interpretation.

Over time, our prediction is that the end of Chevron will lead to a slow change in the nature immigration regulation — a change which would be, in general, positive for our clients. Federal judges tend to be more sympathetic to immigrants who challenge restrictive interpretations of the Immigration and Nationality Act than immigration adjudicators are. But, of course, that tendency is not universal. Immigration skeptics are well aware of which federal judges are less sympathetic than the norm, and they know how to file civil actions.

If federal judges become more hands-on in the realm of administrative law, federal judges will issue conflicting decisions concerning the same regulations. Those conflict will filter up through the Circuit Courts of Appeal to the Supreme Court. The Court may prefer, as a matter of jurisprudence, to center the interpretation of federal regulation in Article III courts; but the Court may have practical reasons to regret its principles.

As always, we welcome your comments and will do our best to respond.

Discover stylish Alexandria living at Towngate North’s Premier Showings Event

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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It’s time to experience the luxury and lifestyle of Towngate North like never before.

With the recent completion of the final condominium building in this stunning Old Town North community, you now have the chance to explore all Towngate North has to offer at our Premier Showings Event on Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22.

When you schedule a Premier Showing appointment, you’ll get to discover firsthand the luxury of life in these stylish condominiums. Guided by one of our expert sales team members, you’ll spend your one-hour appointment touring multiple finished residences, taking a full community amenity tour and discussing options for getting you into your dream home. Additionally, those who attend a Premier Showing appointment have the opportunity to save up to $7,500 in closing costs.*

Request your appointment today at TowngateNorth.com/RSVP.

With Towngate North over 70% sold out, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to experience this incredible offering up close. Our boutique community includes two buildings making it easy to get to know your neighbors and make fast friends. Whether you’re inviting over family or hosting a neighborhood gathering, the community accommodates plenty of entertainment options. Gather for a game night in the on-site clubroom or host a cookout on the gorgeous rooftop terrace with scenic views of the Washington, D.C skyline. Get your blood pumping in the fitness studio or get down to work in the conference room.

These move-in ready homes have a range of floorplans from 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom layouts, so you’re sure to find a home that meets your needs. Whether you’re moving in with family or ready to enjoy your own space, your home will work perfectly with your lifestyle. But Towngate North is more than a home, it’s a community built for the lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of.

Located just steps from the Mount Vernon Trail, you’ll have quick access to plenty of outdoor recreation options. Wake up to a morning walk with the dog in the park or relax in the evening as you watch the sunset along the Potomac. However you spend your time, you know you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty. Your home will also be located just moments from Old Town Alexandria, where you’ll have access to plenty of shopping, dining and more. Enjoy a dinner out on the town or indulge in a day of shopping with friends.

And when you’re ready to travel a little farther, you’ll have direct access to G.W. Parkway and Metro. With all of this and more to uncover, you can see why you have to experience it yourself to understand all that Towngate North has to offer. So don’t miss the opportunity to schedule your Premier Showing appointment and get in the know on everything that awaits you in this incredible community.

Visit TowngateNorth.com/RSVP to request your showing today. *Terms and conditions apply and are subject to change without notice.

Arts Focus: Dark Star Park Day shadow alignment heralds Arlington Public Art’s 40th anniversary

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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An Arlington tradition for four decades, the public is invited to participate in Dark Star Park Day, on Tuesday, August 1 to watch the shadow alignment that the iconic sculpture was designed to capture.

Dark Star Park is located at the convergence of Fort Myer Drive and North Lynn Street, just off of Route 50/Arlington Boulevard, in Arlington’s Rosslyn neighborhood.

Every August 1st at 9:32 a.m., Nancy Holt’s Dark Star Park (1984), in Arlington’s Rosslyn neighborhood, aligns with the sun. Shadows cast by the spheres and poles of this landmark outdoor sculpture align with their permanent forms on the ground, marking the moment of Rosslyn’s founding. The community is invited to celebrate with light refreshments provided by the Rosslyn Business Improvement District.

The work of pioneering Land art artist Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park is one of the first major examples of “integrated public art” in the nation, and Arlington’s first major commissioned public art project. It also marks the anniversary of the day in 1860 that William Henry Ross purchased the land that later became Rosslyn, where the park is located. As many of Nancy Holt’s site-specific artworks were purposely built in remote areas, Dark Star Park is also extraordinary in that it is among the late artist’s few major artworks in an accessible urban area.

A deeply moving experience in-person, you can get a sense of the event from this video of the 2019 alignment which coincided with a live performance of a site-specific composition by Cuneiform recording artists Janel and Anthony.

In addition to being a regional landmark, Nancy Holt’s sculptural park is the cornerstone of Arlington’s internationally acclaimed Public Art collection. This 40th shadow alignment since the artwork’s inception will launch Arlington Public Art’s yearlong 40th anniversary observance with a series of events and activations highlighting the entire collection, including the dedication of several artworks new to the collection. Join us in celebrating four decades of sparking civic engagement and urban placemaking in Arlington County!

About: Arlington Public Art
Arlington County, Virginia, is home to more than eighty permanent public works of art. Arlington Public Art directly commissions artworks integrated into County capital improvement projects, coordinates artworks commissioned by real estate developers as part of the site plan process and assists community groups to initiate public art projects on public property. We also partner with local arts and community organizations, artists and businesses to present interpretative projects, temporary artworks, exhibitions and more.

Arlington’s history of commissioning public art stemming from County planning objectives began in 1984 with the dedication of Nancy Holt’s Dark Star Park in Rosslyn which features a community-celebrated annual shadow alignment. August 1, 2023, marks the 40th shadow alignment since the artwork’s inception and will launch a yearlong 40th-anniversary celebration with a series of events and activations highlighting the entire collection. Arlington Public Art is a program of Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs.

For more information about Dark Star Park Day, click here.

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 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.

As of July 17, there are 135 detached homes, 23 townhouses and 142 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 27 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

15 N. Highland Street

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 Arlington Realty, Inc.

Spotlight on the newest Goodwin Living Senior Community

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Welcome to The View Alexandria by Goodwin LivingTM, where people age 62 and over enjoy senior living at its best.

Conveniently located in the West End of Alexandria, The View Alexandria is the newest community to join the Goodwin Living family. Nonprofit and faith-based, Goodwin Living has been uplifting the lives of older adults since 1967.

Location Is Everything

Nestled in the hills overlooking Washington, D.C., on a beautiful seven-acre campus, The View Alexandria has breathtaking views of the city from its top floors and offers special excursions to the city’s many attractions. This mission-driven community offers a value-priced rental contract for independent living, assisted living and future long-term care, if needed — all conveniently located on one campus.

Campus Highlights

The campus of The View Alexandria has abundant amenities and community spaces to enjoy. Residents can stroll along walking paths through the gardens, enjoy restaurant-style dining, pick out a favorite book in the library, work out in the fitness room, express themselves in the creative arts center or simply relax in the privacy of their own comfortable home. From well-appointed studios to spacious two-bedroom apartments, there are options to fit every lifestyle and budget.

Best of all are the welcoming neighbors who quickly become friends. As one resident said, “What I like about The View Alexandria is that it is large enough to have so many activities, yet small enough that you really get to know people.”

Right now, you can take advantage of limited-time move-in specials. Learn more at 703.382.1469 or TheViewAlexandria.org.

Ask Eli: Mid-year condo market review (Arlington)

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. Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel. Enjoy!

Question: How was the market for condos in Arlington during the first half of the year?

Answers: The condo market loves stability, often it’s a bit too stable for most condo owners (low appreciation), so after a wild ride from 2019-2021, we can finally say with a high level of confidence that the Arlington condo market has found its level in the wake of Amazon HQ2 (rapid appreciation) and COVID (supply surge and depreciation).

The data below is based on the sales of apartment-style condos in Arlington during the first six of of the past five years. Note: I filtered out new construction data because it throws off the readings on actual market trends and gives a distorted view of pricing in 2021 (mostly due to 2000 Clarendon sales).

Average Prices Down Slightly

I’m generally not a big fan of using $/SqFt because it can throw off so many false readings, but in this case, I think $/SqFt is a more reliable way of reading the year-to-year price trends of the market than average sale price, but both readings indicate pretty similar market conditions over the past five years.

  • The average price for a 1 BR decreased by .6% to just over $375,600 and the average $/SqFt decreased by 2.5%
  • The average price for a 2 BR decreased by 1% and the average $/SqFt decreased by 3%
  • Overall, prices have changed very little since the Amazon HQ2 bump in 2019, with just 1.6% appreciation for 1 BR in the last five years and 6.9% for 2 BR on an average price basis, and a 2.7% increase for 1 BR and 3.8% increase for 2 BR on a $/SqFt basis
  • On average, condos are selling for just under their original asking price
  • Keeping up with the market-wide trend of low supply, sales volume in the first half of 2023 came in just higher than 2020, when the market froze for Q2. 2023 sales are down well below the first half numbers over the rest of the decade.

  • Just over 50% of condos are selling within the first ten days on market
  • Just over 50% of condos are selling for at or above their original asking price

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