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Arts Focus: Arlington Visual Art Studio Tour Returns to In-Person Format

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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By guest blogger and artist Melanie Kehoss.

This year marks the fourth Arlington Visual Art Studio Tour (AVAST). On September 25 and 26, 48 artists open their studios to art lovers so they can see inside the artistic process and the studios, most of which are rarely open to the public.

The various disciplines include paintings, ceramics, metals, photography and more. The weekend event will begin with a launch party Friday, September 24, at the Cody Gallery on the Ballston campus of Marymount University.

After going virtual last year due to the pandemic, this marks the activity’s return to being an in-person format. The event will follow CDC guidelines with masking, social distancing, and other safety and health measures determined by individual artists.

AVAST is a joint effort of independent artists and volunteers, supported by contributors, including Schnider Investment group and Dominion Lighting, and in cooperation with Arlington’s visual art organizations. Arlington Arts was a founding sponsor of this new cultural tradition.

This year’s participants are listed, each with a sample photo and short description of their work, at this link. AVAST will add a guide with opening times and locations so that visitors can select for themselves the studios they wish to visit. The guides will be online and print versions will be available at Arlington galleries and sponsor locations starting in mid-September, and at studios during the tour.

For last year’s virtual tours, some 40 artists created online video tours that attracted thousands of viewers. To give you an idea of what you can once again experience in person, check out the montage of videos below.

For complete info on this year’s tour, visit the AVAST website and Facebook Page!

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.

A week from today, we’ll officially be ringing in a new season! Wednesday, September 22 is the first day of fall 2021. For fans of seemingly extended daylight, don’t get bummed just yet. Daylight Saving Time does not end until Sunday, November 7… so don’t set those clocks back just yet.

For lovers of those super-sweaty Northern Virginia days: Now is the time to make the most of it! Before we all know it, the leaves will be turning and Ole Man Winter will be knocking on all of our doors.

As we enter the fall season, there are plenty of things buyers, sellers and property managers should be doing to prepare for the days ahead. Pro-tip: The Arlington Realty Management site has a blog that is regularly updated with helpful and timely insight… and our latest post covers the big items that should be on your fall checklist!

Enjoy, and here is to many happy seasons ahead. And now, on to this week’s Just Reduced numbers.

As of September 13, there are 177 detached homes, 50 townhouses and 358 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 63 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week:

927 N. Nottingham Street

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.

Listing of the Day: 1600 N. Oak Street #310

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Address: 1600 N. Oak Street#310
Neighborhood: The Belvedere — Rosslyn
Listed: $699,900

This is one of the best two-bedroom floor plans The Belvedere has to offer! Introducing #310 — a fully renovated two-bedroom, two-bathroom residence that features 1,315 square feet, newer flooring throughout, a gourmet kitchen, a large primary suite and a fantastic outdoor balcony.

The living area is equipped with newer COREtec luxury vinyl plank flooring (2019). The balcony faces east and can be accessed from both the living and dining areas. The gourmet kitchen features stainless steel appliances, backsplash, cooktop and wall oven (2019).

The primary bedroom features three closets to go along with a dressing area and a spacious bedroom area. The primary bathroom has a tub and separate shower. The second bedroom comes with two closet areas and features excellent natural light. The second full bathroom is accessed from the hallway.

The Belvedere has a fantastic amenity package that features a large pool, fitness center, 24/7 front desk, party room, convenience store, car wash area and much more! The community has an incredible location that is a short walk to the Rosslyn Metro, Target, Starbucks and Safeway. The location offers easy access to D.C., major highways and everything the area has to offer!

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

Ask Eli: Answering Common Real Estate Timeline Questions

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: I’m getting ready to buy my first home and wondering how long things will take during the process. Can you explain some basic timelines I should be aware of?

Answer: Timelines vary by regional markets quite a bit due to different customs, contract structure, or local/state governance. Below, I’ll offer a quick answer to common timeline questions I get as it relates to real estate in the greater D.C. Metro area.

How long does it take to close/settle on a home after an offer is accepted?

  • The median contract-to-close period in Arlington has been ~30 days since 2018, down from ~36-38 days a decade ago. Most sellers want to close as quickly as possible, so buyers who can close faster have an advantage. Be sure to talk to your lender about how long they need to close before signing off on your offer. Some bigger, national banks and credit unions often need 35-40+ days to close. Many of our local lenders can comfortably close in as little as three weeks (sometimes even faster).

How long does a seller (or buyer) have to respond to an offer/counteroffer?

  • Our contracts do not stipulate a response deadline so any deadline for a response must be written into the contract or otherwise communicated by the party who wishes to set a deadline. Technically, an offer/counteroffer can go on forever if it is never responded to or withdrawn.

When is the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) due?

  • It is common for the EMD (usually 1-3% or more of the sale price) to be due to the EMD holder (usually the Title Co.) within 3-5 days of going under contract. With such a quick turn-around for a substantial amount of cash, make sure those funds are in an account that you can quickly and easily transfer (wire or check) money out of. For a reminder on what the EMD is, here’s an article I wrote earlier this year.

How long do you have to complete a home inspection and decide whether or not to move forward with the purchase?

  • The game has changed lately for home inspections, which I wrote about earlier this year, but for buyers who can secure a post-contract inspection contingency, they usually have as little as two days to as many as ten days from going under contract to complete the home inspection and decide whether or not to move forward or submit their requests for repair or credit. The timing and type of inspection contingency are all negotiable terms and factor heavily into the strength of offer.

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Just Listed in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Just Listed highlights Arlington properties that just came on the market within the past week. This feature is written and sponsored by Andors Real Estate Group.

Good morning, Arlington, and welcome to JUST LISTED!

The influx of new inventory for the fall market has begun with a 33% increase week over week! Sellers are really going to need buyers to step up to the plate in the coming weeks to absorb the new offerings.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) puts out weekly statistics on the number of new mortgage applicants, and it’s been holding flat the past few weeks, though they have decreased slightly (about 2.5% over the past two weeks). Rates are steady, and fall is a popular time to buy; I’m pretty convinced these numbers will start to pick up.

PICK OF THE WEEK: The Andors Real Estate Group is proud to have JUST LISTED 925 26th Place S., Arlington, VA 22202 — $1,150,000.

925 26th Place S.

You will absolutely love this gorgeous mid-century ranch-style Aurora Hills home perched on a hill overlooking the neighborhood. It has 2,600 square feet of living space with three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and one half bathroom. A stunning, perfectly laid-out chef’s kitchen features quartz countertops and backsplash, stainless-appliances and walks out to a private patio.

There’s amazing storage and closet space throughout. Also find large picture windows, wood-burning fireplaces, a climate-controlled sunroom, spa-like bathrooms, a workshop, a laundry room, off-street parking and two additional rooms for just about anything — this house has it all. Entirely updated from top to bottom with top-of-the-line finishes and materials, this home is like-new and 100% move-in ready!

You can find me and my team here 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 93 homes for sale this past week, 30 more than the week before. Buyers ratified 41 contracts, 15 fewer than the week prior. 19 of the ratified contracts were on homes JUST LISTED in the past seven days.

There are 532 available properties for sale throughout all of Arlington and across all property types: 148 are detached homes, 59 are townhome/semi-detached homes and 325 of the available units in Arlington are condos.

For a bit of perspective, this same week last year sellers listed 92 homes and buyers ratified 55 contracts. There were also only 428 available properties for sale this week last year.

The average list price for currently available properties is $794,576 and the median is $596,100. 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.

Runners Rejoice! Registration Is Open for the PNC Parkway Classic Road Race on Nov. 7

By ARLnow Sponsor
2018 GW Parkway Classic produced by Pacers Running (courtesy of Brian W. Knight/Swim Bike Run Photo)

Registration is open for the annual PNC Parkway Classic, hosted by Pacers Running.

The event, which draws thousands of runners from around the country, takes place Sunday, Nov. 7 with a 7:30 a.m. start time for the 5K and an 8 a.m. start time for the 10-miler.

This year the course runs out and back from Oronoco Bay Park in beautiful Old Town Alexandria and along the George Washington Parkway. Enjoy running the historic streets of Alexandria, and take in the vistas of the Potomac.

A favorite since it began in 1984, the PNC Parkway Classic is a rare opportunity for runners of all abilities to run in historic Alexandria. The event includes a 10-mile race, a 5K and a kids’ dash. There are also virtual options available for the 5K and 10-mile this year.

Finish up the run with friends and family and enjoy one of the many outdoor eateries in Old Town. Easy, free parking is available!

You can find more information about the event and register online.

Brand-New J Sol Apartments in Ballston Offer WFH Space to Improve Your Productivity

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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With today’s Zoom lifestyle, carving out a work-from-home space has been essential, and the brand-new J Sol apartments in Ballston offer several solutions to help residents of this 22-story luxury building boost their productivity.

Read on to discover the top 12 ways you can stay on the top of your WFH game at J Sol.

  1. Create a dedicated office space in your den. Select a one-bedroom plus den floor plan to enjoy the benefits of a dedicated space to create an organized home office. Best of all, at 5 p.m. you can close the door to your den and take a short commute — three steps to the living room — to start your evening.
  2. Reserve a private work pod. The community offers two private work pods that can be reserved by residents. These two work pods are your office away from the office.
  3. Find your favorite spot. There are ample lounge areas throughout the building to find a quiet corner to bring your laptop or a lively spot to meet neighbors when you want a break. Choose from the sky lounge, indoor hanging garden, solstice lounge, wifi lounge with printer or lobby lounge — there’s always a space that’s just right to suit your mood.
  4. Hit the town for lunch (or happy hour). Ballston is a dynamic neighborhood bustling with energy and life. With a 94 Walkscore, J Sol is an easy stroll to the Ballston Quarter and close to numerous boutiques, cafes, restaurants and happy hour spots.
  5. Stay organized with a built-in desk. Select floor plans offer a built-in desk to provide a distinct workspace to keep you organized.
  6. Tap into 24/7 service. The front desk concierge is at your service to help simplify your life.
  7. Work outside with skyline views. Why limit your home office to four walls? Take your laptop out to your private balcony or the rooftop terrace amenity, and enjoy the skyline view to work-from-home alfresco.
  8. Take advantage of a built-in bookcase. A bibliophile’s dream, select layouts offer a custom-built millwork bookcase in the living room, a perfect spot for books, organizing work papers or showcasing collectibles.
  9. Sleep soundly. Blackout shades in the bedrooms ensure a blissful night’s sleep so you wake up in the morning refreshed and ready to start the day.
  10. Hit your health goals. Self-care is important, too. Meet your health goals at the on-site fitness center featuring leading-edge cardio equipment, spin bikes, strength training, a MIRROR interactive system, TRX, and everything from a punching bag to battle ropes that will amp up your workout.
  11. Maximize space with closet organizers. Whether the day calls for a tailored suit or yoga pants, the built-in custom closet organizers help maximize space to house your wardrobe.
  12. Take a break. You know what they say about all work and no play… Unwind in the rooftop infinity pool, swing in a hammock, play a game of shuffleboard, ping pong or billiards with a friend, or cozy up by the fire pit. J Sol’s high-altitude amenities deliver breathtaking experiences day or night.

J Sol is located at 4000 Fairfax Drive in Arlington. Call 703- 782-4168 to schedule a tour of these boldly designed, brand-new apartments ascending 22 stories above Ballston. Visit this website to explore floor plans and availability, browse the photo gallery, view 360-degree walk-throughs, and apply online.

Biz Talk: Arlington Companies Make Strong, Showing on 2021 Inc. 5000 List

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This article was written by Arlington Economic Development.

Thirty Arlington companies were recently named to the annual Inc. 5000 list. This list features the nation’s fastest-growing privately owned companies, historically identifying today’s most prosperous companies early in their growth trajectories.

As a leading hub for entrepreneurship, Arlington is consistently well represented on the annual list. Some companies, like 540.co and Sehlke Consulting are annual mainstays, exhibiting consistent year-over-year revenue growth. Others, like DonorBureau, HUNGRY and Vemo Education, are among the Arlington-based companies notching their first appearance.

Advertising and marketing firm Olympic Media was the highest-ranked Arlington company on the list, making its debut at No. 13. The firm’s impressive three-year growth rate of 20,330% earned it the distinction of being the top-ranked company from Virginia and the top company nationwide in its category, advertising and marketing.

Arlington and the D.C. metro region’s reputation as a hub of both tech talent and innovation are fundamental to success and offer a strong foundation for the area’s large collection of fast-growing companies. While each company is driven by different goals, principles, and ideals, two constants in their success are quality leadership and strong employee talent.

“Making the Inc. 5000 list as Arlington’s fastest growing IT Management firm gives our great team national recognition and validates the hard work and dedication we put in every day,” stated C3 Integrated Solutions Co-Founder and President, Bill Wootton. “Our core market is the defense community, so being based in the heart of Arlington gives us local access to our target market as well as a great location for us to sell nationally.”

Zach Wahl, CEO of Enterprise Knowledge, said: “Our fourth consecutive year on this list is a great achievement for Enterprise Knowledge, and one that belongs to each member of our growing team. What is important to me is that we’ve successfully sustained our culture and kindness and collaboration as we’ve grown.”

Arlington’s 30 Inc. 5000 companies join an additional 183 companies in Northern Virginia on the list. Despite the inconsistent and turbulent economic conditions over the past 18 months, the representation of companies in the region on the 2021 list is clear evidence of the region’s strong and diversified economy.

About the Inc. 5000 List

To qualify for the Inc. 5000, companies must show the past three calendar years of sales to prove their revenue. Additionally, they must be U.S. based, privately held and independent — not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies. Revenue in the initial year must have been at least $100,000, and revenue in the most recent year must have been at least $2 million to qualify.

Here is the full list of Arlington companies that made the cut, and their respective rankings:

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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.

How was everyone’s Labor Day?

In addition to perhaps a barbecue, spending time with loved ones and/or a well-deserved nap, hopefully you took a moment to reflect on all the contributions American workers make to our society every single day. After all, that is the meaning of Labor Day!

In the world of real estate, so many different types of workers are — or could be — a part of the process. Of course, we have our staff here at Arlington Realty that does so much on a daily basis for its clientele. There are builders that bring homes to life. We have trusted service providers that do everything from landscaping to painting to handiwork. And, the list goes on and on.

To all the local folks we’ve had a pleasure of working with throughout the decades, a big thank you. And, to all of the workers who positively impact our community here, we are grateful and hope you enjoyed the long weekend!

And now, on to this week’s Just Reduced numbers.

As of Sept. 6, there are 165 detached homes, 56 townhouses and 341 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 47 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week:

1708 23rd Street S.

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.

Aging Right at Home: The Cost of Long-Term Care in Your Retirement Plan

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Aging Right @ Home is a monthly blog series, answering your questions on providing care for individuals with disabilities, loved ones with dementia and older adults aging in place. If you have a question, please submit it to [email protected].

Our retirement dreams might include travel, hobbies, spending more time with family and having time for all the other things we’ve always wanted to do. So we carefully budget for years. But studies show many people forget to factor in a significant expense they’re likely to encounter after retirement: the cost of health care.

Neglecting this piece of the retirement financial planning puzzle could really throw your retirement plan off track. This is especially true as people turning 65 today are advised to set aside at least $150,000 just for out-of-pocket care costs they’re likely to incur for holistic healthcare.

Knowing this, here are a few things to consider as you plan for the cost of care as an aging senior:

What Might You Expect?

Start with a realistic vision of your later years. How is your health now? Are there lifestyle changes you could make in the immediate term to lower your risk of disability and related costs later in life? Are there other “activities” you see yourself needing assistance with in the coming years — personal care such as bathing, keeping your home safe and clean, preparing meals, and transportation? These costs are often overlooked but need to be considered.

Where Might You Receive Care?

Today, there are many options to receive care. If your needs are complex, long-term care provided in a nursing home might be best. Assisted living communities provide varying levels of help and daily activities. There are also continuing care retirement communities with varying levels of support. However, none of these options are inexpensive and only medically necessary care is covered by Medicare. (Medicaid and other programs may cover some costs, however, for those with lower income.)

Could Care Support Help You Stay Home?

More than 75% of people say they would prefer to receive care in their own homes, if possible. Home care providers offer many of the services provided in a skilled nursing facility, such as injections, medication administration, wound care, rehab, etc. These medically necessary services may also be covered by Medicare and other insurance.

Professional in-home caregivers assist seniors with activities of daily living and help support seniors in their own home. An aging life care professional (geriatric care manager) can help locate support services and work with families on care planning and equitable payment solutions. Financial planning or other financial advisor can help provide financial guidance and may be able to advise on the topic of “spending down” to qualify for Medicaid.

Right at Home caregivers are screened, supervised and trained to meet all the care needs of clients, and support for families. Contact me today at Right at Home if you’d like a care consultation or if I’m able to provide any other assistance to you and your family.

Your neighbor, and Owner/President of Right at Home of Northern Virginia,

Phillip Turner, CDP, CSA

Legal Insider: Reasonable Accommodations for Employees With Disabilities

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.

By John V. Berry, Esq.

A reasonable accommodation is a modification to employment conditions or work practices that provides employees with disabilities equal opportunity at employment.

Reasonable accommodations apply to both employees and job applicants in all states and the District of Columbia. Most employees are generally covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but federal employees are covered under a similar law known as the Rehabilitation Act. In Virginia, employees are also covered under the Virginians with Disabilities Act. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and other civil rights governmental entities enforce these laws.

Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation

A request for reasonable accommodation can be formal or informal. Some employers have specific forms covering reasonable accommodation requests and others simply involve verbal discussions between the employee and his/her immediate supervisor or human resources department.

The most typical accommodation involves an employee who has developed a medical condition or disability that requires some changes to his/her working arrangement.

The discussion between an employer and employee is often referred to as the “interactive process,” which means that the employer works with the employee in an effort to arrive at a reasonable accommodation that does not create an undue hardship on the employer. Although the employer is not required to grant every accommodation request, the employer is required to make a reasonable effort at resolving the accommodation at issue.

Examples of Reasonable Accommodations

  • An employee develops a back disability and requests a new chair because his current chair is aggravating his back condition.
  • An employee has developed a serious medical condition and is undergoing medical treatment in the morning. She informs her supervisor that she needs an adjustment in her start time for eight weeks while she undergoes treatment.
  • An employee develops cancer and requests daily breaks at a certain time to take his medication.
  • An employee develops a disability that prevents her from performing her assigned duties so she requests a position reassignment.

For more information, the EEOC has published additional guidance on reasonable accommodations.

Contact Us

If you are in need of legal representation or advice in security clearance matters, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook or Twitter.

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