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Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

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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 licensed broker Aaron Seekford of Arlington Realty, Inc. GET MORE out of your real estate investment with Aaron and his team by visiting www.MrArlington.com or calling 703-836-6116 today!

Here we are on the eve of…  New Year’s Eve.

It’s been another great year housing-wise in the D.C. area. According to the Case-Shiller index, prices in the D.C. area rose nearly three percent, year-to-date, even after a string of incredibly strong years.

By all indications, this positive momentum should continue through the next year, fueled in part by a strong local job market, low unemployment and high average salaries in comparison to other major markets.

For property owners in Arlington and beyond, here’s to keeping that mojo going well through 2016 and beyond. And now, on to this week’s stats…

This week, as of December 27, there are 160 detached homes, 43 townhouses and 251 apartments for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 11 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week.

Here is the final batch of 2015 Just Reduced Properties (and yes, we’ll be back in the New Year!):

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.

ARLnow Profile: Blackstone Management

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Blackstone Management, LLC
2221 South Clark St.
Arlington, Virginia 22221
703-828-4504

A property management firm is planning to open a new office in Courthouse in January.

Blackstone Management, a company that helps run properties for the board of directors for home owner and condo associations, is aiming to have a larger presence in Arlington, said Forrest Baggarly, the managing director of the company.

“We would definitely like to have a larger presence in Arlington. That’s something we’re trying to push this year,” Baggarly said.

Blackstone Management takes over the management of residential buildings for homeowner associations, which includes tasks such as maintenance requests, amenities management and training community managers. The company also focuses on helping associations collect memberships fees and budget their money properly.

“We’re locally owned and operated,” Baggarly said. “We are very familiar with the D.C. area. We know where are properties are. And another big point is that we visit our properties.”

While the company is locally owned, it also has the features of a larger corporation, he said. The company is constantly adding and improving technology to make management easier for associations to run better and low the board of directors to have access the info they need.

“People see us online and all our capabilities and think we’re large frim. He said. “And we are a large company, but we’re locally owned and operated.” So we can give each customer the attention they need.

The company has an app that allows board members to see all the different maintenance requests, manage payments, set tasks for themselves and other board members and other tasks needed to keep up property management. The app also lets owners view their account and make payments and request on the go.

Baggarly said he thinks the app will be popular among Arlington home and condo associations, as the local residents are up to date on new technology.

“The homeowner associations and condo owner associations we have in Arlington, they use are online system more than 80 percent of the other areas,” he said.

The company already manages buildings in Arlington, including in Rosslyn, and so far, Baggarly said he noticed that things are “newer, things are better kept” in the county.

Although the company is pushing its technology, the company is still reachable by phone and email, Baggarly said, adding that the company is very responsive and will return all their calls and emails.

“If you call us, we’re going to respond as quickly as we can,” he said. We have a request tracing system to make sure owner’s calls do not go unanswered.

The company’s focus on being reachable, whether through an app or by phone is what separates them from other management companies, Baggarly said. The company has taken over properties where former managers failed to respond to maintenance requests or failed to collect dues, he added.

One of these properties was in Maryland, where a management company had let a condo association rack up about $200,000.00 in maintenance bills and had numerous unpaid electricity bills. The association now has paid all its bills and has money in savings. More members are showing up to the association meetings, as well, Baggarly said.

“We listen to what the issues are in the community and tell them in our experience what we can do to help them,” he said. “We want to make sure we’re running the association, homeowners association, condo owners association, apartment building, the way its supposed to be run.”

The preceding was a sponsored profile written by Heather Mongilio for ARLnow.com.

New Restaurant Marble & Rye Brings Whiskey to the Pike

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A new restaurant on Columbia Pike is ready to reintroduce Arlington to whiskey.

Marble & Rye opened last week at Penrose Square (2501 Columbia Pike), near the Giant and new Starbucks. Although the restaurant has served customers for only about two weeks, the restaurant is already making a name for itself when it comes to its whiskey and ribs, said spokeswoman Sarah Lakey.

“We really want to be known as the new place for whiskey in Northern Virginia,” Lakey said.

The new whiskey bar and restaurant features a tasting room, more than 150 different whiskeys and whiskey-based cocktails, in addition to its wine and beer selection.

From strong and smokey to smooth and sweet, the staff can recommend just the right whiskey for you from their extensive list. The cocktails have also been popular among both whiskey fans and newcomers.

One of the more popular drinks is the Marble & Rye Old Fashioned, which uses a whiskey infused with orange zest and cherries. The drink is getting rave reviews, with customers saying it is one of the best they have tried. Staff members also recommend the Gold Rush, which features a pistachio sugar rim.

Beyond the drink menu, the restaurant boasts a seasonal menu, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. One must-try dish is the baby back ribs, which are moist and fall right off the bone. The ribs can compete with some of the best in the city, but customers are encouraged to come try for themselves.

For those who are vegetarian or gluten-free, Marble & Rye has plenty of options, which are highlighted on the menu. Vegetables, including this season’s crispy Brussel sprouts and roasted squash, are cooked in a wood fired oven, giving them a little extra flavor in the process.

To compliment the locally-inspired menu, Marble & Rye brings in wine and beer from Virginia wineries and local breweries.

The local angle extends beyond the food.  They used a local artist to paint the large backsplash mural and logo and the chandelier was done by an Arlington resident, Lakey said, adding that all furniture was made in the United States using reclaimed wood for the tables and walls.

To enhance the experience, it was important that the staff had a say on what was being presented to customers so they could stand behind it. Each server has sampled every dish, every cocktail, wine and beer, they understand where it comes from and what makes it special.

While the restaurant hopes to bring whiskey to Columbia Pike, Marble and Rye is focused on creating a dining experience and working with other Columbia Pike restaurants to make the Pike a destination.

“Our goal is to be a neighborhood place where people can relax, enjoy a great drink or sip on some whiskey, and just have a great time,” Lakey said. “We want to create an experience for everyone who walks through the door.”

Marble & Rye is open on Monday from 4-11 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The preceding post was written by Heather Mongilio for ARLnow.com.

Brixx Takes a New Spin on Wood Fired Pizza in Clarendon

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A new pizza place in Clarendon has fired up its wood fire oven and is ready to serve a wide variety of pizza, salads and beer.

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza recently opened a new restaurant in Clarendon, at 1119 N. Hudson Street, and the company is ready to introduce Arlington residents to a healthier type of pizza, said co-owner Jeff VanDyke.

“Our pizzas are thin crust so they tend to be healthier than other pizzas out there,” VanDyke said.

Brixx’s pizzas are made on traditional or whole wheat crust, both made from scratch every morning. Both doughs are vegan and guests can ask for vegan cheese. Gluten-free dough is also available. The restaurant, which is known for its large selection of beers on tap, offers gluten-free drinking options as well.

Brixx strives to have a casual and relaxing atmosphere, Van Dyke said. The restaurant is kid and family friendly, but looks to attract an older crowd as well with its late night offerings. The restaurant is open until 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

Its late openings fit in with the Clarendon bar scene, and Clarendon’s dynamic environment attracted the company to the area.

“We love the energy of the neighborhood in Clarendon,” VanDyke said. “Very vibrant. We’re excited to settle into the neighborhood. We love to work with the schools for fundraisers.”

The pizza chain offers discounts to police officers and firefighters, VanDyke said, noting that he often sees emergency personnel eat at the restaurant.

Beyond being a neighborhood-friendly restaurant, Brixx was built on the idea of being green and fresh. The chain recycles the glass from beer bottles and makes everything fresh that day.

“We do a lot of different styles of pizza,” VanDyke siad. “There’s good variety in terms of the menu.”

He recommends newcomers try the Bronx Bomber, a pizza with Italian sausage, prosciutto, mozzarella and gorgonzola; the Mexican, which has a black bean spread, chicken and jalapenos; or the Margherita, though there are so many options it is hard to choose.

In addition to pizzas, the restaurant offers a selection of salads, sandwiches and pastas.

“Even though we are called a pizza place, we have really good salads,” VanDyke said.

Customers over 21 can enjoy a selection of 24 beers on tap or 14 wines. Brixx tries to use local breweries for each of their selections, and the beer choices rotate monthly, he said.

“We have what we call our M.B.A. program, Masters of Beer Appreciation, where you can earn rewards,” VanDyke said.

Those who enroll in the program can earn t-shirts, beer goblets and free pizza based on the amount of times they visit Brixx.

Brixx Wood Fired opened in Clarendon last month and is already seeing steady business. Call it a hidden gem: the Hudson Street location is a bit set back from Clarendon’s main drag. Look for it between the CVS and Nam-Viet restaurant.

Brixx is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday.

The preceding was a sponsored profile written by Heather Mongilio for ARLnow.com.

For Fire Works, Opening in Arlington Meant Starting from the Ground Up

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Fire Works
2350 Clarendon Boulevard
Phone: 703-527-8700
http://www.fireworkspizza.com/Arlington

When Fire Works opened its first urban location, in the Courthouse neighborhood of Arlington, the owners thought it would be best to start from scratch, to create a space to suit the needs of both the restaurant and the community it’s in.

Fire Works was built from the ground up, taking the same ideas of the wood fired pizza restaurant’s successful Leesburg location, and going bigger, upscale and trendier. The construction included bars inside and out, a huge patio and glass windows.

To take on this project, the owners of Fire Works hired Jon Hoffmeyer. He’s been in the business for 25 years, but this was the first time he took a restaurant from conception to operation.

Hoffmeyer worked with engineers and the restaurant owners. He says because the restaurant is family-owned, he got more autonomy than he would have with a corporate owner.

“I took it from a shell,” Hoffmeyer said. “It’s been rewarding actually, because it was something I hadn’t done in that scope before, and got to go from the ground up.”

Once construction was completed, Hoffmeyer hired and trained the staff, and opened Fire Works in August 2010. Training is very important to Hoffmeyer, because in his philosophy, the staff come first.

“First and foremost staff is well trained and equipped, and they can take that to the guests,” Hoffmeyer said.

When employees are well-trained, they can take a positive attitude and transfer that to guests, he says. When the focus is only on the guests of restaurants, staff members don’t love to work there — and it shows.

The restaurant business tends to be transient, but Hoffmeyer has been pleased at how many staff stick around. He says some bartenders and servers have been there since day one, and a good portion of the kitchen staff.

“It’s a fun place and a good place to work and people can make a living at doing it,” Hoffmeyer said.

The pizza at Fire Works is very good, but is not the sole reason people come back, Hoffmeyer says. With music on and a crowd inside and out on the patio, the atmosphere is lively. It’s the energy, he says, that really sets Fire Works apart.

Something that makes Fire Works fit into the Northern Virginia restaurant landscape is its interest in finding locally-sourced foods.

It’s something that has become popular in recent years, but Hoffmeyer says “farm-to-fork” eating has been a priority of the owners since before the idea was trendy.

The standards for farm-to-fork mean it’s harder to make it work from the Arlington location — the meat comes from about 100 miles away, for example. In Loudon County, where the owners’ other restaurant locations are, it’s easier to get local foods.

Fire Works has now been in Arlington for more than five years. Hoffmeyer appreciates how businesses in Arlington look out for each other. He says the mix of business and residential spaces nearby make for an interesting balance.

He says Fire Works gets a chance to interact with that community, partially because of the glass walls of the building. When there’s light coming inside, guests can see out and pedestrians can see in. Because of that, he says the dining area isn’t removed from the outside world, and it feels like part of Arlington.

The preceding was a sponsored profile written by Eleanor Greene for ARLnow.com.

Being Successful in Real Estate After a Mid-Career Switch

Lou Sagatov Headshot

Lou Sagatov
Real Estate Agent
http://lousagatov.com/
571-305-2405
[email protected]

You may have heard the Sagatov name around Arlington, especially if you’re house shopping. It graces signs in front of new homes and work trucks traversing local streets.

The man behind the name is Lou Sagatov, but he’s no longer in charge of his eponymous design-build business. Lou passed the business to his son and has started a new career as a real estate agent.

Lou, who also has a daughter-in-law who works in real estate, is proud of his family business. He’s also proud to treat his clients like family.

“One of the things that I offer personalized service to people. I’m not trying to capture the whole world, I just like working on a one to one basis with people and helping them reach their goals,” Sagatov said. “I’d rather work with less people and have a full relationship than try to be so stretched out that I can’t fully service the people I’m dealing with.”

That philosophy for real estate clients is influenced by Sagatov’s 28 years of previous experience in design-build.

When he works with a seller, he uses market analysis to help him determine the current value of the home. Then he helps the owners figure out if they need to make any improvements to maximize its value on the market.

“We do whatever makes the most sense so they can sell their house to meet their goals,” Sagatov said.

After that, he manages the marketing, using online promotion and open houses to help sell the homes.

With buyers, it’s important to set priorities, whether it’s to find a home that’s perfect today or finding a property that buyers can expand or renovate, Sagatov says.

Sagatov says what keeps his clients coming back and referrals rolling in is his transparency and personalized service.

There are challenges in working real estate, Sagatov says. He’s used to dealing with them, because they’re similar to those he’s faced before. It’s about communicating with clients and helping clients get what they want out of the experience.

“I’m working with a builder right now, there are a lot of new builders on the market, how do we get his product sold in a competitive market?” Sagatov said. “For clients, it’s how do we find the right home for them that will allow them to end up with what their dream is? For sellers, it’s how do we sell the house quickly so they maximize their net profit?”

From speaking with him, it’s clear Sagatov puts a great deal of thought into his interactions with clients, as he does with his family.

“I try to figure out how can I support my son and my brother and my daughter-in-law,” Sagatov said. “How do I support them in their business and help them achieve what they want to do too.”

The family is based in Northern Virginia, an area Sagatov has called home for decades. Whether working with a buyer or seller, Sagatov himself is sold on the Arlington area, because of the parks and trails balanced with cultural events and local businesses. Sagatov said Arlington “gives you all the elements you want,” but noted it wouldn’t be the same without the people.

“What I really enjoy about Arlington is the people, there’s a great diversity of people so that makes living here a lot of fun.”

The preceding was a sponsored profile written by Eleanor Greene for ARLnow.com.

Local Professionals are Making Big Changes in a Small Group

Belleconnecta group shot

Belleconnecta
Founder: Alison Cardy
www.belleconnecta.com

Do you wish you had a group of fellow professionals who could help you with your career and personal goals?

Alison Cardy did, and that’s why she started Belleconnecta.

Cardy describes Belleconnecta simply as “A community of women who are interested in improving their lives in some way.”

What these women have in common is that they’re professionals living in Northern Virginia who want to increase their sense of community and make positive changes in their lives.

Cardy’s main work is as a career coach who specializes in guiding men and women through career transitions. Cardy has been doing this work for almost seven years, and while she enjoys helping people with their careers and giving specialized advice, she wanted to connect with clients and the local community in an ongoing way.

So in January, with the encouragement of several of her friends and clients, Cardy launched Belleconnecta’s first six month women’s coaching cohort.

The members meet once a month for a structured coaching workshop over dinner. Cardy provides frameworks and exercises that can be applied to any area of life, and members work through this material together and share their insights with one another. They also have a monthly group phone call to share updates and reconnect to the improvements they’re focusing on. Cardy says these two touchpoints mean clients’ goals are never too far from their minds.

“Most things in life improve with attention. This program is really about giving yourself the time and space to pay attention to your life, so that you can make the changes you want to see,” Cardy said. “In addition, the program emphasizes courage. A lot of what we want is on the other side of a hard or scary action. It’s so much easier to take those uncomfortable steps that will really move your life forward when you know there’s a group of wonderful women right beside you cheering you on.”

Cardy was pleased with the outcomes from the session that started in January. Healthy routines were implemented, closets were organized, boundaries were set, outlooks were improved, leadership opportunities at work were snagged, and cross country moves were embarked on. She is wrapping up her second cohort this December and will be launching a new group in January.

There is a second component to the Belleconnecta community. Cardy puts on a personal Self Care Day for Belleconnecta members and the general public a couple times a year. The next one is on December 12 at the Lyon Park Community Center in Clarendon.

“For most of us we think ‘self-care’ and wind up coming home and watching TV at the end of a long day,” Cardy said. “This is more active. It’s a time and space to reflect, a day to recharge and reconnect.”

Cardy knows hers isn’t the only group that provides space for area professionals to connect with one another. But these groups tend to be framed around industry specific professional development or networking events, where it’s often hard to get past small talk level connections.

“I’m so attracted to the in-person format where you get to see the same people every month and talk about things that really matter, because it allows connections to strengthen much more easily,” Cardy said. “This is something the average professional can participate in, get a great result, have a good time and make new friends.”

To receive an invitation to Belleconnecta’s next coaching cohort Open House and a community discount to Self Care Day, join the Belleconnecta community at www.belleconnecta.com.

The preceding was a sponsored profile written by Eleanor Greene for ARLnow.com.

United Social Sports Winter Registration Now Open

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Winter 2016 is almost here, and USS is set to kick off its Winter Social Sports season! And we have good news!

United Social Sports is bringing more leagues to Northern Virginia this Winter! Want to meet new people? Maybe see your friends more often? Wanna stay active and moving?

United Social Sports Winter registration is OPEN and you can accomplish all of these by registering for one or more of the Winter leagues in Arlington and D.C.! But act fast, Winter registration is closing soon, and leagues are filling fast! Check out our featured leagues that still have space below.

Ready to get active this Winter? Check out the returning and new leagues playing this Winter! Use Promo Code: ARLWT16 & save on registration!

Bar Sports (Click for Full Fall Lineup)

Bocce (Click for Full Fall Lineup)

Cornhole (Click for Full Fall Lineup)

Dodgeball (Click for Full Fall Lineup)

Skeeball (Click for Full Fall Lineup)

Shuffleboard (Click for Full Fall Lineup)

Soccer (Click for Full Fall Lineup)

Volleyball (Click for Full Fall Lineup)

Heads up — Team Sports registration closes Jan. 12, and Bar Sports on Jan. 19 or when leagues fill. Be sure to act fast!

Also, don’t miss out on our upcoming events, including the Bubble Soccer Tournament in D.C. on Dec. 5.

Choose Modern Living in Rosslyn’s Sedona | Slate

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Sedona | Slate creates an inspired choice tailored for modern living, just across the river from D.C. in Arlington’s trendy Rosslyn neighborhood. In this upscale building, residents an ample selection of enjoy spacious floor plans from studios to two bedrooms, unparalleled amenities and eco-friendly features all centered in a vibrant neighborhood.

If you’re apartment hunting, check out these incentives — new residents moving in by November 30th receive up to 2 months of rent FREE, plus a $250 Target gift card, which will be great to use at the brand new Target in Rosslyn, conveniently just a block away.

The residences in Sedona | Slate are equipped with stainless steel appliances and versatile moveable kitchen islands. Show of your exceptional style and select from three cabinet finishes and plank flooring shades. Natural light cascades in through stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, or step outside and take in the view of the city skyline from your balcony.

Take advantage of the top notch amenities right at home in Sedona | Slate. Work out at the KICK Fitness Center with towel service, personal trainer and group classes available. Take in the view at the rooftop swimming pool with sundeck or chill out with friends in the courtyard lounging in adirondack chairs and firing up dinner at the grilling stations. Perfect your bank shot at the top floor lounge with billiards or host your next party — there’s even a separate catering kitchen. So busy that you have no time to shop? Sign up for the 4P Foods weekly delivery and get locally grown farm fresh produce, meat and eggs sent right to you.

But for those who want to venture out into the neighborhood, and believe us, you’ll want to, Sedona | Slate is just three blocks from the Rosslyn Metro which is conveniently on the Orange, Silver and Blue lines. There’s easy hiking and biking along the nearby Custis and Mount Vernon trails, and you’ll also find a range of nightlife, restaurants, and cultural activities waiting for you right outside your door. For those who want to venture a bit further from home, take a leisurely mile walk right over the Key Bridge into Georgetown.

Call, swing by for a tour or visit the website today to check out the inspired residences at Sedona | Slate.

Sedona | Slate
1510 Clarendon Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22209
866-977-0468

The preceding post was sponsored by Sedona | Slate.

Home Listing: 2300 N. Vernon Street, listed at $1,979,000

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This luxury three story home is slightly elevated on a large 15,663 square foot lot is a quiet neighborhood north of Lee Highway. From the street, a grand entrance has a curved staircase up to a covered front porch with grand door entrance that reveals a luxurious open foyer with an elevator conveniently tucked away.

The large open family room with gas fireplace connects to a gourmet kitchen complete with a 48″ Wolf range, Subzero built-in refrigerator and a chef’s prep island with counter seating surrounded by granite countertops and premium wood cabinetry. In addition, the main level has a private home office, spacious living room and a formal dining room with double doors opening out to a spacious backyard with gorgeous fireplace and patio primed for entertaining.

The second floor master suite with double door entrance opens to a large room complete with two walk-in closets, a luxurious master bathroom with two sinks, walk-in shower and free-standing tub. Just down the hall is a bedroom suite with private bath and two additional bedrooms, bathroom and laundry room.

This property is listed at $1,979,000 and will be completed in early 2016. Contact us now to pick your finishes before it’s too late! For more information or to schedule a showing please contact Classic Cottages via email at [email protected] or by phone at 703-350-6365.

The preceding post was sponsored by Classic Cottages.

Visit Notch 8’s Open House This Weekend for Some Scary-Good Deals

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There are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween, and even though apartment hunting may not be top-of-mind, consider attending Notch 8 Apartments‘ BOOOpen House for a frighteningly fun Halloweekend. On Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Sunday, October 25 from noon to 5 p.m., take a look around these brand new modern-industrial apartments in Potomac Yard.

This weekend has incentives so good they’ll make you scream! This weekend only, save up to 1.5 months FREE plus a $1,000 Giant gift card. Yep, imagine stocking your fridge with $1,000 worth of free groceries. There is a Giant grocery store located right on-site along with a PNC Bank and Starbucks, all super convenient to your brand new apartment.

Take a haunted tour of the spooktacular model apartments at Notch 8 decorated extra creepy especially for Halloween, and enjoy some complimentary tasty treats and refreshments we know you’ll be goblin up.

This is an event not to be missed, especially when you see all the features and amenities these apartments have to offer. In your apartment, you’ll find stainless steel appliances, contemporary plank flooring, oversized windows streaming in natural light, and a hi-tech Nest learning thermostat.

The amenity areas include a courtyard with swimming pool and hammocks, fitness center with a personal trainer and group classes, game room with Xbox One and PS4, lounge with billiards, and so much more.

Commuting is made easy with a Metroway bus running every six minutes during rush hour to the Crystal City and Braddock Road Metro stations on the blue and yellow lines.

Plus, Notch 8 offers the best in eco-living with a smoke-free community, EV charging stations in the garage, and Zipcar right next door.

Enjoy some fang-tastic fun and scary-good deals at Notch 8 in Potomac Yard at this weekend’s Open House. Learn more about the event on Notch 8’s website or call 866-811-1457.

The preceding post was sponsored by Notch 8 Apartments.

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