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 October 3, there are 155 detached homes, 59 townhouses and 224 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 48 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:
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.
Join us at 1500 Arlington Apartments for an open house event this Saturday, October 8th! Stop by between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to tour and take advantage of limited-time leasing specials.
Receive up to two months free on studio and one-bedroom apartments plus apply to lease by Sunday, October 9, and receive a $250 Visa gift card!
Make plans to attend and see why residents love our community featuring 10,000 square feet of amenity space including a co-working lounge, 24/7 fitness center with smart equipment, bike storage, club room, pet spa and more.
Restrictions apply. Offers are subject to change. See the leasing office for details.
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: We are finalizing our 2023 condo budget. Do you have any advice for ways to save money?
Answer: As a former Condo Board Treasurer, I feel the pain that this time of year brings, so I’m happy to offer some advice that helped me finding savings while I oversaw the budget and has helped other Associations do the same… review your Master Insurance Policy.
I know, it’s not the most exciting answer, but your insurance policy is likely a top three expense on every year and if you haven’t reviewed it lately, there’s a good chance you can cut the cost by 5% or more and probably improve your coverage at the same time.
I’m not an expert in insurance so, I asked Andrew Schlaffer, President of ACO Insurance to provide some details on what Boards should look for when they do a review of their Master Policy. If you’d like to discuss a review with Andrew directly, you can reach him at 703-595-9760 or [email protected]. Take it away Andrew…
Hardening Markets, Increasing Premiums, Decreases in Coverage
The condominium insurance marketplace is facing challenges that will impact homeowners in 2022 and beyond. Water damage claims are still among the loss leaders impacting Unit Owners, along with fire damage and wind/hail claims. The DMV is home to many aging condo buildings that continue to struggle with mitigating water damage losses and their impact on insurance premiums.
As water damage claims continue to rise and property damage costs increase, many insurance carriers are beginning to make changes to their coverage offerings that may increase your risk exposure. A few examples of these coverage changes include Increased deductibles, per unit water damage deductibles, removing coverage for Sewer or Drain Backup and Wind-Driven Rain.
In general, condominium property rate increases in the DMV have been significant and unpredictable. Much of the pricing impact can depend heavily upon carrier underwriting discretion which highlights the importance of your insurance professional specializing in this space. It has not been unheard of for Master Insurance policies to receive between a 7% to 15% property rate increase in 2022. For struggling communities, these rates are much higher.
The umbrella/excess liability carrier marketplace has also faced tremendous disruptions. There are several factors driving these rate increases including but not limited to: COVID-19 impacts, years of underpricing, reinsurance rate increases, and the rise of nuclear verdicts (claims over $10MM).
Additionally, there have been several specialty real estate programs who no longer offer umbrella/excess liability options for the habitational industry which has put a lot of strain on remaining carrier markets to fulfill the increase in demand. Many communities can expect umbrella/excess liability rates to increase between 10% to 25% this year.
Pillars of Insurance Reviews
Condo insurance reviews require a holistic approach, so it’s important to break the cost into a few distinct categories: insurance premium, deductible expense, and out-of-pocket costs. To effectively accomplish long-term savings, all three of these categories need to be considered and addressed with a qualified insurance professional.
Adjust Coverage Responsibly to Save on Premium
Premium is certainly a factor to consider during the insurance selection process; however, available insurance products differ significantly. Coverages and services should be very carefully analyzed and compared. While omitting various coverages will save premium dollars, it might also result in substantially increased costs to the Association for out-of-pocket expenses related to uncovered claims.
It is critical to work with a professional who understands local insurance needs and can adjust your insurance program in a way that maximizes premium savings while maintaining adequate insurance coverage. Some coverages may be required by statute and/or Association documents, so cutting required coverage exposes the Board to unwanted risk.
Thank you to the 1,700+ Arlingtonians who have provided input and the 100+ attendees that joined us last night for our virtual open house to share thoughts. You’ve been heard, we appreciate your input, and your engagement will inform the final draft.
Good question. Arlington is developing a Forestry and Natural Resources Plan that will be the blueprint for stewarding our natural resources in the coming years.
The plan is an update to the 2004 Urban Forest Master Plan, the 2010 Natural Resources Management Plan, and addresses many topics including: impacts and opportunities related to Arlington’s tree canopy, natural lands, urban development, wildlife, recreation, public education and stewardship among others.
Thank you for taking the time to support Arlington’s forests and natural resources.
What were you think’n? It’s 4 a.m., time to get to work. So you spent a month checking your parcels, monitoring ripeness by tasting berries to select or the perfect moment to harvest. A sudden forecast of rain sends shivers up your spine, sending you into over-drive to pick as fast as you can if you find people crazy enough to join you.
Armed with shears, working in oppressive heat, roasting under the hot sun, you carefully select only the ripest bunches as you swat mosquitoes; bees buzz swirling around you, only to land on the bunch you are about to grasp. You must continuously bend, stretch, and contort yourself while gently tossing a season’s worth of work into plastic bins. You schlep the countless plastic containers full of fruit while some escaping juice runs down your legs as you run to the receiving truck.
Alley up, throw them up to the unlucky harvester who must have pissed someone off to get stuck on the truck all day long in the scorching sun, humping plastic lugs full of grapes, bees, and what have you. Back and forth until your arms numb, and it’s just 9 a.m. Thank G-d it’s 9 a.m.
Time to stop for “casse-croute” or the French version of a “coffee break in the vineyard.” Bread, cheese, salami or pâte, and of course, a little liquid sustenance, i.e., wine. Just like the office. A quick snackeroo, and back you go!
Grapes (Photo by Thomas Schaefer on Unsplash)
The fruit arrives at the winery. So you undo what you just did. Thankfully you are after twenty or so bee stings; you hardly feel them. But at least you are given a cot to sleep on in an unairconditioned barn, attic, or old kitchen with 20 strangers. But the food is good, and there’s plenty of wine.
Time for “triage” or sorting the fruit either by hand or with a fancy vibrating table that does it for you. The aim is to remove any malformed, damaged, or unhealthy clusters, even down to individual berries, along with any leaves, bugs, and the occasional cigarette butts.
Many growers refrigerate the fruit for 8 to 12 before fermentation to preserve freshness. Then off to the de-stemmer, where the bunches are relieved of their berries. So from here on, we are talking about the fermentation of red wine.
Decision number one, do you destem, all or partially or entirely? Under-ripe or vintages with less than perfect fruit are usually wholly destemmed — no need for unripe raspy green stem tannins. If the stems are mature, fermenting a portion of “whole clusters” is an option. Adding stems brings complexity, but be careful of the proportion you use. Stems are also a source of tannins.
The crushed grapes, juice, and skins head into a vessel of the winemaker’s choosing (I’ll talk more about this next week) to settle and macerate. The temperature can be controlled by using refrigeration. Cold retards the yeast activity. You don’t want the juice to ferment straight away. This maceration also has the benefit of reducing the sulfur needed to keep the demons away.
The time that the skins are in contact with the juice is critical. Think of making tea; the more you seep, the more color and tannin you extract. Healthy, clean skins allow for extended mingling in juice with great benefits. The skins are the aromatic heart and soul of the wine.
Everything comes from the skins (in reds.) The winemaker decides when the “right” level of extraction has taken place, and then it’s off to the races — more about that next time. If I’m “nerding out,” please tell me!
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.
Welcome to JUST LISTED, Arlingtonians!
I’ll pile on the bad news for those seeking a mortgage and let you know right off the bat that rates have continued to surge, with Freddie Mac reporting that over the past week, the average rate has hit 6.7%, and that’s with almost a full point at closing!
Wow, compare this to the same week last year when mortgage rates were 3.01%. This translates to well over $1,000 in additional costs for a typical Arlington mortgage, per month!
What does this mean for buyers and the market? Well, it means it has gotten more expensive to finance a home, but the rest of the calculation is the same — go ahead and buy that home, live in it for five or more years, and expect that you may refinance somewhere along the way! Mortgage rates are not likely to stay this high, though they may continue to rise in the short term — there will be opportunity down the road to correct your mortgage payment with a lower interest rate. Give strong consideration to an ARM (adjustable-rate mortgage) product these have surged in popularity recently and can save you a lot of money.
This week in Arlington, sellers listed 64 homes for sale (three more than last week), while buyers ratified 45 contracts, 19 of which were on homes just listed in the last seven days.
Of the 415 homes currently available for sale (one more than last week), 137 are detached homes, 69 are semi-detached/town houses, and 209 are condos. Of those currently available properties, the average asking price is $919,984 and the median is $699,999. These properties have been sitting on the market for 53 days on average, while the median is 29.
This is a once in a generation (or two or three) opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind storied Arlington Colonial with views! In the same family for over half a century, this beautiful home shines with loads of charm, character and attention to detail. Beautiful wrap around staircases, soaring 20′ ceilings in the foyer, seven bedrooms, four full bathrooms and one half bathroom and nearly 5,000sf of finished space on all four levels. An almost 10,000sf lot overlooks Crystal City’s skyline and into Washington, D.C. Gorgeous hardwoods throughout, large proportioned rooms, a very functional floor plan and a walk-out lower level are just some of the features of this wonderful home.
Find my team there this weekend for public open houses, Saturday 1-4 p.m. and Sunday 1-3 p.m.!
Click here to search currently available Arlington real estate. If you see a home that you’re interested in purchasing, give us a call! Our team are experts at WINNING when it comes to Arlington real estate — our agents routinely outmaneuver others when it comes to multiple offer scenarios — call us to find out how!
Call the Andors Real Estate Group today at (703) 203-1117 to talk more about buying or selling Arlington real estate. Below are eight properties I think you might light to check out!
Address:3800 Fairfax Drive, Unit 1304 Neighborhood: Virginia Square Type: 3 BR, 2 BA condo — 1721 sq. ft. Listed: $815,000
Noteworthy: Direct views of the Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol & National Cathedral
Watch the fireworks from your balcony on this 13th floor expansive 3 Br/2 Ba with over 1,700 sq. ft. Uninterrupted views of the Washington Monument and memorials from floor to ceiling sliding doors across your living room with an open living room/dining room. The separate kitchen is freshly painted with stainless appliances. There is a huge pantry/closet that can double as a workroom.
Parquet floors are throughout. A large primary bedroom with en-suite bathroom and two closets includes views of the Washington National Cathedral. In unit laundry included. One parking garage spot conveys (close to elevator).
Enjoy all the amenities of Tower Villas, a full-service building, with 24 hour concierge, pool with lifeguard, recently updated fitness center. Condo fee includes electricity, water, trash and cable TV.
Virginia Square metro and Ballston Quarter are steps away. Easy commute to D.C. and National Landing via I-66. Open this Sunday from 2-4 p.m.!
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 Laura Lorenzo, Esq., practicing attorneys at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Arlington, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact us for an appointment.
Though the mills of God grind slowly; Yet they grind exceeding small; Though with patience He stands waiting, With exactness grinds He all.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow contemplating DACA’s chances before the Fifth Circuit
The federal courts grind very slowly, but they grind exceeding small. The DACA program is about to be shuffled into a very large set of grinding wheels before the Fifth Circuit, and the smart money suggests that it might be turned into powder.
We’re here to explain how we got here, what the Biden Administration is trying to do about it, and what might happen next.
How did we get here?
In 2015, twenty-six states sued the Obama administration in an attempt to stop an expansion of DACA. That litigation, before U.S. Federal District Court Judge Andrew Hanen, stopped the planned expansion of DACA. During the pendency of that litigation, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States, and the Trump administration began making plans to rescind DACA, which would have mooted the case before Judge Hanen.
The Trump Administration’s attempt to rescind DACA failed, thanks to sloppy regulatory work by the Administration, which Chief Justice Roberts red-penciled with gusto in the Regents decision. (We covered that failure in these pages.) The Regents decision prevented the rescission of DACA, thereby un-mooting (as it were) the question of DACA’s constitutionality before Judge Hanen.
The litigants hostile to DACA therefore re-raised the question of DACA’s constitutionality before Judge Hanen. On July 16, 2021, Judge Hanen issued an order which stopped just short of rescinding DACA.
In a lengthy opinion, Judge Hanen described the reasons why (1) in his view, the promulgation of DACA was illegal, and (2) therefore the plaintiffs should prevail, but (3) stopped short of vacating DACA entirely, because (4) Judge Hanen expected the question to be re-examined on appeal.
Judge Hanen was right: the question was re-examined on appeal, before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel threw substantial judicial shade (“I’m just surprised that your lead case isn’t even in your brief”) on the arguments presented against Judge Hanen’s order.
The Fifth Circuit is expected to issue a ruling in the coming days. Judge Hanen’s order is likely to be upheld. That is how we got here.
What is the Biden Administration trying to do about it?
According to news reports, the Biden Administration is preparing to issue orders to ICE to de-prioritize deporting DACA recipients, in the event of a loss before the Fifth Circuit.
By doing this, the Biden administration would be reasserting its prosecutorial prerogatives in a way that would be more difficult for the courts to block. As both Judge Hanen and Justice Roberts emphasized in their respective opinions, DACA has two components – the discretion not to prosecute, and the grant of benefits – chiefly, employment authorization – consequent on that decision not to prosecute. The Biden administration is likely working to preserve the first of those two components in the event that the second component is removed from play.
What might happen next?
We have no crystal ball, but we predict the following.
Judge Hanen’s summary judgment order will be upheld by the Fifth Circuit Panel.
A request for en banc rehearing will immediately follow to the entire Fifth Circuit.
No matter what the outcome of that en banc rehearing is, the losing side will file a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court.
Justice Roberts’ fine head of hair will increasingly resemble Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as this litigation rumbles on.
We’re here to answer all questions, major and minor. Ask them in the Comments. We’d love to hear from you.
Good question. Arlington is developing a Forestry and Natural Resources Plan that will be the blueprint for stewarding our natural resources in the coming years. This virtual open house is open to everyone to learn about the draft plan, hear what feedback others in our community have provided so far, and offer your input. There will be 4 breakout rooms focusing on the following topics:
Breakout 1 — Working with the Community Breakout 2 — Development and Natural Resources Breakout 3 — Climate Resiliency Breakout 4 — Clarifying Questions on the Draft and Process
The plan is an update to the 2004 Urban Forest Master Plan, the 2010 Natural Resources Management Plan and addresses many topics including: impacts and opportunities related to Arlington’s tree canopy, natural lands, urban development, wildlife, recreation, public education and stewardship among others.
We’d like to know:
If you think the plan’s vision statement and strategic directions are on target
Which action steps the County should focus on to support its forests and natural resources
From roads and housing to light rail, development is booming in Northern Virginia. But what are the impacts of development on the natural environment, particularly the bird population?
The kickoff activation for the Arlington Art Truck’s Fall 2022 Season lets you make a bird sculpture made from native seeds to plant in your garden. Learn about Arlington’s birds and those that are a “species of concern”* by loss of habitat in Flight by Greg Stewart, at various locations through November 5th.
Make & Take: A sculpture in the shape of threatened birds made of native Arlington seeds and clay to plant in a garden. Using sifted soil, stencil on the ground the names of Arlington’s birds.
Meet: Greg Stewart, Virginia based artist and Professor at James Madison University, Naz Anissi, BFA candidate in painting at George Mason University, and a park naturalist from Arlington County’s Conservation and Interpretation Section.
Learn: About birds and trees of Arlington County and the importance of native plants and species.
Learn about Arlington’s birds, and those that are threatened by loss of habitat in Virginia. Artist Greg Stewart and Naz Anissi, a George Mason University student, will be on-hand to facilitate your artmaking. You can select from a library of laser cut names of Arlington’s birds, then stencil them onto the ground with sifted soil and create a bird sculpture using clay and native seeds in the shape of the threatened birds to take and plant.
Our community partner for this project is Arlington County’s Conservation and Interpretation Section, who will offer you information on Arlington’s birds, advice on finding and identifying them, and tips on native plants you can grow in your yard and community. You can find the Arlington Art Truck at the following upcoming activations. For more detailed information, visit www.arlingtonarts.org.
