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Small Business Focus: Arlington Small Business GRANT 2.0

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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For many small business owners, the past 18 months have been incredibly challenging. Small business owners have been juggling a lot — from ensuring the safety of customers and employees to adjusting business models to comply with social distancing measures.

It’s no doubt that these 18 months have been incredibly disruptive for many small businesses. BizLaunch is here to help with the Small Business GRANT 2.0 program.

The Small Business GRANT 2.0 will provide direct financial assistance to small businesses struggling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide a total of $2 million in immediate funds to businesses and nonprofits. The program focuses on industries most affected by the governor’s stay-at-home orders and those that have not previously received state or federal funding.

The GRANT 2.0 program will begin accepting online applications from eligible businesses on Oct. 6, 2021. Applications close on Oct. 20, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Eligible businesses include:

  • Businesses or nonprofits in the following industry sectors:
    • Arts and entertainment
    • Child care
    • Hotel and accommodations
    • Personal services
    • Restaurants and food service (including food trucks)
    • Retail
  • Businesses whose primary location is in Arlington County
  • Businesses that operate from a physical brick-and-mortar building in a commercially zoned area
  • Businesses with a current 2021 Arlington business license and that are current on their tax obligations
  • Businesses whose staff is fully vaccinated or follow COVID-19 testing protocols will receive special consideration.

After the application period closes, 200 eligible businesses will be randomly selected and awarded a $10,000 grant. The grant can be used for salary and benefits and other business capital and operating expenses related to the impacts of COVID-19.

More information about the program can be found at www.arlingtongrant.com, and you can sign up for our newsletter to be notified when the program opens.

Regardless of GRANT 2.0 eligibility, Arlington businesses can access BizLaunch resources, including ReLaunch, consultations and our Marketing Toolkit. 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.

We’re about to head into the fourth quarter of 2021. And, before we know it, 2022 will be here. Pretty wild, right?

Forecasts are starting to emerge for the 2022 national housing market. Fortune Magazine has one. Forbes has surveyed a panel of experts, too. So, what does this all mean for the D.C. area?

Let’s keep a couple things in mind amid the forecasts. Number one: The D.C. area is and has historically been anchored by low unemployment rates, comparatively higher salaries and an abundance of government-related and cultural offerings. Secondly, regardless of what a forecast may say, each and every housing scenario is unique.

So, if you are considering a real estate transaction to close out 2021 or to kick off 2022, you’re best bet is to chat with someone who truly understands the local market and can make the best forecast possible for you. If or when that time comes, the time-tested team at Arlington Realty, Inc. is ready to roll on your behalf.

Until then, on to this week’s Just Reduced numbers:

As of September 20, there are 169 detached homes, 59 townhouses and 353 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 55 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week:

2411 N. Glebe Road

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: Financing a Major Remodel or New Construction

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 Ask Eli, Live With Jean playlist. Enjoy!

Question: We are deciding between buying a lot to build a new house on or expanding and remodeling our current home. Do you have a recommendation for a lender who can finance these projects?

Answer: Over the years, I’ve found that one of the best banks for construction or major remodeling loans — and a favorite amongst local builders — is Sandy Spring Bank. They are large enough to offer some excellent, customized products with great rates and local enough that relationships with builders and homeowners matter to the success of their business. That’s usually a good combination for a business, especially lenders.

I have worked with Skip Clasper ([email protected]), a loan officer at Sandy Spring Bank, for years so I reached out to him to gather some details on their popular construction and remodel loan products.

Remodel Loans

Sandy Spring Bank will give you a loan to finance the cost of your remodeling project based on the expected post-construction value of your home. Given how high market values are now, that means you can get a significant amount of financing to expand and remodel your home.

There are a few things that stand-out about the way Sandy Spring Bank handles these loans:

  • They offer 90% loan-to-value (LTV), meaning you can get financing for 90% of the future value of your completed home. Most banks limit their loans to an 80% LTV.
  • They accommodate a flexible draw schedule. Banks give borrowers/builders draws to pay for construction incrementally as the project progresses. Many banks offer their draws on a fixed schedule, but given the unexpected twists and turns construction can take, a flexible draw schedule makes for a better process for everybody.
  • You only pay interest on the money you have drawn from the loan so you only pay interest on the money you’ve used, not the money you will use
  • Interest rates are competitive with rates you will find on standard, non-construction loans. This is noteworthy because oftentimes specialized loan products require paying higher interest rates.

Construction Loans

A construction loan allows buyers more control over building a new home because it allows you to finance the purchase of the lot and construction yourself. That means you can purchase the lot you want (easier said than done) and choose the builder you work with, as opposed to hoping that the builder who acquires a lot you like is also a builder you want to work with.

Here are some highlights and key pieces of information about the Sandy Spring Bank construction loans:

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Listing of the Day: 1205 N. Garfield Street #408

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Address: 1205 N. Garfield Street #408
Neighborhood: Clarendon
Listed: $679,900 (plus $588/month condo fee)

Contemporary corner unit in Clarendon! This two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo features excellent natural light, tall ceilings and a balcony. The kitchen is outfitted with granite countertops, gas cooking and stainless steel appliances. The refrigerator (2020) and microwave (2019) were recently replaced.

The kitchen opens up to the dining room and living room. Ten-foot ceilings are found throughout the entire residence. The condo has been freshly painted and features new light fixtures in the living area. Both bedrooms feature an en-suite bathroom. The larger bedroom features a walk-in closet. Elfa closet organizers have been installed in the bedroom closets.

One garage parking spot conveys with the property. The Residences at Station Square features an outdoor pool as well as on-site management.

Contact The Battle Group or your buyer’s agent for more information or to set up a private showing.

Listed by:
Matt Leighton
The Battle Group | Century 21 Redwood Realty
703-472-0574
[email protected]
TheMattLeighton.com

Legal Insider: Signing a Severance Agreement in Virginia

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 Kimberly H. Berry, Esq., www.berrylegal.com

Many employees that leave or are terminated from their employment in Virginia enter into severance agreements. Most employees in Virginia are considered “at will,” which generally means they can be terminated or resign at any time. Even if these employees are “at will,” an employer may offer severance to an employee in exchange for an employee’s waiver of their rights, including the right to file suit for any work-related issues (e.g. discrimination/harassment claims).

In the absence of an employment contract, an employer usually has no obligation to provide an employee severance pay. If severance pay is offered, an employer will always require that the employee sign a severance agreement, which will include a general release of liability. It’s very important to obtain legal advice before signing such an agreement.

What is a Severance Agreement?

A severance agreement is simply a contract between an employee and an employer that spells out the terms of an employment departure. Severance agreements can be offered in cases of terminations, resignations, layoffs or in other situations.

In order for a severance agreement to be valid, it must typically provide something of value to the employee. For example, in most cases, financial benefits are provided to the departing employee by an employer in exchange for a waiver of the employee’s rights. Often, an employee receives continued salary for a period of weeks or months in exchange for a release.

The terms of a severance agreement are generally negotiable between the employer and employee (and their attorneys).

Areas of Consideration in Severance Agreement Terms

Some of the issues that can be bargained over in severance agreement include, but are certainly not limited to:

  • Financial terms for the departing employee
  • The clearing of termination or other discipline from an employee file
  • Agreed to reference letters or contact points
  • Non-compete clauses
  • Non-solicitation clauses
  • Non-disparagement clauses
  • Non-disclosure clauses
  • Re-employment/re-hiring clauses
  • Health benefits
  • Unemployment compensation issues
  • Description of claims waived
  • Preservation of trade secrets

Each severance agreement is different, and an employee can typically benefit in negotiating the specific terms involved with the employer.

Before an employee enters into a severance agreement, he or she should consult with an attorney to discuss the rights that he or she may be waiving and the terms of the severance agreement. An employee will want to ensure that they know what they are signing and any potential admissions that they are making.

Conclusion

If an employee needs assistance in negotiating a severance agreement in Virginia, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or at www.berrylegal.com to schedule a consultation. Please also like and visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BerryBerryPllc or follow us on Twitter.

Rethink Energy: Arlington Drive Electric Day September 25

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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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.

Decarbonizing transportation, meaning the removal of fossil fuels from vehicles, is key to reach Arlington’s Community Energy Plan goals.

Arlington County is actively planning for electric vehicle charging throughout the County, evaluating Arlington Public School and ART buses for phasing out to electric models, and transitioning County fleet vehicles to EVs where appropriate.

If you are thinking of purchasing an EV or just want to learn more, stop by the Sierra Club’s EV event next Saturday, September 25. Arlington Drive Electric Day is an opportunity to see electric cars and speak with owners. Learn from owner experience what it is like to own and drive an electric car.

The event is located at Kenmore Middle School in central Arlington with ample parking. Kenmore Middle School can be reached via Metro Bus routes 25B, 4B and 75. All attendees and volunteers are required to wear face masks whenever they are within six feet of another person.

Register to attend.

Day: Saturday, September 25
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Kenmore Middle School
200 S. Carlin Springs Road
Arlington, VA 22204

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.

Hello, Arlington, and welcome to JUST LISTED!

Buyers stepped up big this week, ratifying a ton of contracts, but sellers put even more new inventory on the market! The market is moving, but it is not moving at the pace we saw in the spring. Perhaps earlier this year we experienced all or most of the appreciation we would for the year, and now we’re just leveled off for the time being.

There is a big misconception about how slightly lower demand impacts prices. Many ask us if this means prices are going down, but the simple and straightforward answer is “no.” Prices are established by previous sales and what current buyers are willing to pay for them. While they correlate to days on market (DOM), it will take much more than a couple months of slightly lower demand before prices fall.

Reminder — 6 months of inventory is considered a market equilibrium. Right now, we’re still running at around 2.5 months of inventory, so it is a strong seller’s market, especially in the detached and semi-detached/townhome market.Prices haven’t fallen on any type of adjusted basis in Arlington, in over a decade. Of course, we move upward in some fits and spurts, so occasionally the appreciation slows along the way as we work towards new highs each year.

A huge surge in condo inventory over just the past four weeks (about 15%) is adding heavily to our overall inventory, and we have 77 more to choose from than this week last year (and 26 more than last week!)

PICKS OF THE WEEK: The Andors Real Estate Group is proud to have JUST LISTED two beautiful Arlington homes this week.

717 26th Street S., Arlington, VA 22202 — $1,185,000

Stylishly updated and expanded home located on a meticulously landscaped 6,075sf lot situated on one of the prettiest streets in the neighborhood with a broad, tree-lined median. Upper-level features four bedrooms and two full bathrooms, including a beautiful owners suite complete with a bay window, fireplace, large walk-in closet and an en-suite bathroom with soaking tub.

Kitchen and family room addition is perfect for large gatherings, including bar seating, tons of cabinet and counter space, and dual French doors leading to a screened-in porch and a private rear deck. On the main level, the formal living and dining rooms feature built-in shelving and cabinetry, as well as a fireplace. A convenient butler’s pantry and half bath along with main-level laundry and a beautiful sunroom round out the first floor.

Basement with good head height provides great storage space. The backyard is a serene oasis with beautiful gardening and landscaping. With gorgeous oak and heart pine flooring throughout both levels and loads of updates throughout, this home is perfectly move-in ready!

2448 N. Pocomoke Street, Arlington, VA 22207 — $1,150,000

Beautifully expanded and renovated Arlington Colonial located across the street from a small Arlington park and .9 miles to East Falls Church Metro. This four-bedroom, three full bathroom home sits on a flat 7,572 sq. ft. lot and has a screened porch overlooking the backyard as well as an open deck. The gorgeous owner’s suite has dual closet, a sitting area, picture frame window, vaulted ceilings and an enviable en-suite bathroom with air-jet tub.

Three more bedrooms are located on the upper level and share a hall bathroom. Main level has a circular flow, including formal living, formal dining, a sunroom and a chefs kitchen open to the expanded family room. Lower level features a third full bathroom, laundry room, rec room and abundant storage. A brand-new HVAC system was just installed this week!

You can find me and my team at these beautiful homes this weekend hosting in-person open houses —  Saturday and Sunday 1-4 p.m.

Now for more of this week’s numbers and analysis.

Sellers listed 107 homes for sale this past week, 14 more than the week before. Buyers ratified 79 contracts, 38 more than the week prior. 33 of the ratified contracts were on homes JUST LISTED in the past seven days.

There are 555 available properties for sale throughout all of Arlington and across all property types: 147 are detached homes, 57 are townhome/semi-detached homes and 351 of the available units in Arlington are condos. For a bit of perspective, this same week last year sellers listed 84 homes and buyers ratified 68 contracts. There were also only 444 available properties for sale this week last year.

The average list price for currently available properties is $768,383 and the median is $575,000. Currently available properties in Arlington have an average of 59 days on market (DOM) and a median of just 36.

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

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

Arlington NAACP 74th Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet Set For Oct. 28 (via Zoom)

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

On Oct. 28, attend Arlington’s biggest civil rights and social justice event of the year — virtually.

Arlington’s branch of the NAACP presents the 2021 Virtual Freedom Fund Banquet and Awards Ceremony, which will kick off at 7 p.m.

Following a short gathering, Leon W. Russell, chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors, will present the opening remarks. A keynote address from Marilyn J. Mosby, state’s attorney for Baltimore, is to follow.

Awards and $2,000 in donations will be presented throughout the event.

For kids 17 and under, tickets are $20. General admission costs $30. There are also sponsorship opportunities available. You can purchase tickets online or print and mail a registration form. Zoom links are sent three days before the event.

If you can’t attend, you can always make a donation instead!

Learn more about the upcoming event at ArlingtonNAACP.com.

Alexandria Symphony Presents Beethoven’s Fifth & Rhapsody

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
Michelle Cann (courtesy of Alexandria Symphony Orchestra)

Under the direction of Maestro James Ross, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (ASO) launches the 2021-2022 season on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 3 at 3 p.m.

ASO presents two giants from the symphonic repertoire: Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Described as a “compelling, sparkling virtuoso,” Michelle Cann will grace the ASO stage with Gershwin’s Rhapsody. The concert also features Copland’s inspired Fanfare for the Common Man and Umoja by Valerie Coleman, recently commissioned by the Philadelphia Orchestra. Ms. Cann appears by arrangement with the Curtis Institute of Music.

Alexandria Symphony Orchestra is committed to providing a safe concert environment. The concerts will be presented with no intermission. Audience members, musicians, staff and volunteers will be required to wear a mask during performances. ASO is also requiring all attendees, musicians, volunteers and staff be fully vaccinated.

Adult prices start at $20, $5 for youth and $15 for students. Military, senior and group discounts are also available. You can purchase tickets online.

Statutes of Liberty: COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates Soon Required for All Green Card Applicants

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This sponsored column is by James Montana, Esq., Doran Shemin, Esq. and Laura Lorenzo, Esq., practicing attorneys at Steelyard LLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Arlington, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact James for an appointment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has lasted a year and a half (so far!) which is just enough time for our immigration bureaucracy to take vigorous and decisive action. Beginning Oct. 1, 2021, the COVID-19 vaccine will be required for most green card applicants.

It’s a sensible policy, but we’re really tired of this pandemic.

Green card applicants have always had to undergo medical examinations as part of the application process — indeed, our current procedure is an outgrowth of the famous Ellis Island medical screenings. In its modern form, these examinations are conducted by specially certified doctors in the United States, called Designated Civil Surgeons. (Are you reading this just for the useful tips? Here’s the link to finding a Designated Civil Surgeon near you.) The Department of State likewise has selected a few doctors in each country to perform immigration-related medical examinations for applicants abroad.

These exams aim to confirm that the applicant does not have any communicable diseases like tuberculosis, drug or alcohol dependency issues, or mental illnesses that pose a danger to themselves or society at large.

The medical exams also include confirming that the applicant has had required U.S. vaccinations. If the applicant has not received those vaccinations, the applicant must receive the vaccines to receive his or her green card. These vaccines include the polio, varicella (chicken pox), mumps and influenza vaccines.

On Sept. 14, USCIS announced that green card applicants inside the United States must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the medical examiner can complete the required medical exam beginning on Oct. 1. Therefore, if an applicant intends on completing her medical exam after Oct. 1, she must show that she has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Likewise, the Department of State will begin requiring the COVID-19 vaccine beginning on Oct. 1. Importantly, there are various acceptable COVID-19 vaccines. The three “big” vaccines available in the United States are acceptable, along with vaccines approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization.

However, there are also exceptions to the vaccination requirement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated the physician instructions to explain appropriate circumstances under which the applicant may be excused from receiving the vaccine or when the doctor should note that completing the vaccine requirement is impossible.

For example, the physician may note in the medical examination that the applicant cannot or should not receive the vaccine because it is not age appropriate, it is contraindicated for that individual, or an approved vaccine is not routinely available in the area.

Additionally, applicants may request a waiver based on religious or moral convictions. This waiver is not new; it has been available to applicants who object to other vaccinations as well. If the applicant simply refuses the vaccine and does not receive a waiver, the applicant will be deemed inadmissible (barred) from entering the United States.

As always, we’re glad to respond to questions from readers.

The Best Thing To Do This Month Is 100% Outdoors

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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Enjoy car-free streets, epic monuments, local music and photo stops in the region’s most fun recreational bike ride coming up on Saturday, Sept. 25.

DC Bike Ride offers unlimited fun and a new 20-mile course map, featuring the recently renovated Arlington Memorial Bridge.

Registration closes soon! Join now and support safer streets and healthier communities.

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