real estate

Here’s How Alair Homes Updated an Older Home Within a Growing Family’s Budget

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Arlington Construction Management is now Alair Homes Arlington. While the company’s name is new, its values remain the same.

Alair Homes Arlington specializes in residential construction for people in the Washington, D.C. area, with a focus on Arlington. Home projects range from renovating a bathroom to building an entirely new abode.

For projects of all sizes, Alair follows a client control model, which emphasizes convenience, customization, service and transparency for the client. That helps to eliminate any unexpected surprises. Plus, before entering an agreement, projects are fully scoped, priced and validated.

The photos above are an example of one of Alair’s recent projects. Here’s what company owner Chad Hackmann said about how he totally transformed this Arlington home:

This home started out as a typical 1940’s Arlington Cape, brick and block construction with a center hall stair, upstairs had two bedrooms and one bath under a shed dormer off the back and two small dormers off the front. Clients were looking to add room without significantly expanding the footprint of the house in order to keep the budget reasonable and preserve the large back yard for the enjoyment of the growing family.

After getting into the design it was quickly decided that so much drywall and plaster were being removed that it made sense to gut the entire floor, completely updating everything including insulation, electrical, HVAC, all windows and creating a new thermal envelope. The new dormers were made as big as possible to raise the ceiling height in those rooms as high as possible to really open up the space. This allowed for plenty of space for a new custom bunk beds in the kids room. The master bedroom addition was built on the angle to take advantage of the side yard setbacks creating as much room as possible. A custom bureau was further cantilevered into the set back in the master bedroom. The front entrance was dressed up to blend properly with the addition. All this to maximize utility but keep to a value and budget goals of the owners.

In the end we transformed a home whose second floor could barely sleep 4 to one that could easily handle 6 and in addition the owners now have actual storage on that second floor including a walk-in closet! A major transformation indeed for the typical Arlington home.

Want to see more? Come visit Alair at the Home + Remodeling Show at the Dulles Expo Center. Need tickets? Email [email protected] or call 202-409-1280 for a free ticket while supplies last.

The preceding was written by ARLnow and sponsored by Alair Homes Arlington.

Orange Line Living Hosting Home Buying Seminar in Arlington

The first 3 to register and attend the class get a FREE Google Chromecast!

Attend the free Home Buyer Class hosted by Orange Line Living and learn all of our tips and get $1,500 towards your next home purchase. Plus another $500 towards appraisal from our friends at Pure Mortgage.

Earnest Money Deposits (EMDs) Explained

Earnest money deposits or EMDs are deposits that the buyer makes at the time of ratifying a contract with sellers. It is held by a third party, usually a real estate brokerage or title company. It is a good faith testament from the buyers to the sellers that they are serious about the contract. EMDs typically range from 1 to 5 percent of the contract price based on the down payment amount.

Learn Other Home Buying Essentials at Arlington’s Free Home Buying Workshop

You will get a comprehensive explanation of the home purchasing process — there’s more to know than you’d think. The Orange Line Living Team and Keri Shull Team will be teaching all of the acronyms and definitions you will need, what happens at each stage of your transaction, real strategies on how to negotiate a lower purchase price, the different type of loans available and much more. There will be local specialists from multiple industries in attendance, so come with questions. 

Benefits of Attending

  • $1,500 credit towards your new home or towards early lease termination
  • 12-month home buy-back guarantee
  • Wine and cheese provided
  • $500 off your appraisal provided by Pure Mortgage
  • The first 3 to attend will receive a Google Chromecast

Space is limited, register by clicking here.

The event is hosted by best-selling author and top nationally-ranked real estate agent Dan Lesniak, author of The HyperLocal HyperFast Real Estate Agent. Dan and his team have developed a special process that has allowed them to help over one thousand local families buy or sell their home.

Details

Space is limited so be sure to register here or at arlingtonhomebuyerclass.com.

Arlington Experiencing Downward Trend in Total Home Demolitions

By ARLnow.com

Single-family home demolitions dropped in 2017, hitting the lowest point since 2012, according to statistics from the group Preservation Arlington.

A new report from Preservation Arlington says there were 158 single-family home demolition permits issued last year, making it the second year in a row with demolition permits falling from the year prior. Demolitions peaked in 2015 at 204, according to the data.

The downward trend may seem like a “mission accomplished” moment for Eric Dobson of Preservation Arlington, but instead he thinks it reflects changing market dynamics, not a new-found interest in preserving older homes.

“I was afraid someone would ask,” he joked after being contacted by ARLnow.com.

Dobson said that the number of homes in Arlington that are attractive candidates for demolition — those that have been poorly maintained, that sit on a lot that can be subdivided, or that are worth substantially less than the underlying property — is finite and shrinking.

But there’s another trend in play that may explain why demolition permits are falling: a trend towards gut renovations that keep just enough of the structure to not be classified as a demolition under county code.

“People are getting creative as supply dries up,” Dobson wrote. For example, “someone buys a house that is on a substandard lot — a lot that has a small side yard or something that would not be permitted today. So they cannot ‘tear it down’ because they would need to meet today’s code for setback. Instead [they] keep that exterior wall that gives them more building room and tear the rest of the house down.”

“The definition of teardown somewhat hides the fact that dozens of more houses are essentially torn down,” he added. “As lots become more scarce, people are becoming innovative/creative.”

Local realtor and ARLnow columnist Eli Tucker largely echoed Dobson’s analysis.

“The sale of single family marked as new construction increased slightly from 121 to 130 homes in 2017,” he said. “New construction can be considered a total demo or building on top of/expanding [an] existing foundation. I’m seeing more of this lately so it’s possible that we’re seeing fewer complete demolitions, but just as many or more new construction with higher numbers of new homes on existing structure.”

Meanwhile, it’s not uncommon for buyers to demolish million-dollar homes. There were a total of 12 demo permits issued in 2017 for homes purchased for more than $1 million, according to Preservation Arlington.

Image via Preservation Arlington

Orange Line Living Hosting Home Buying Seminar in Arlington

The first 3 to attend each class get a free Google Chromecast!

Attend the free first time home buyer workshop on January 8 co-hosted by Orange Line Living and The Keri Shull Team to learn all of our tips and get $1,500 towards your next home purchase. Bonus for this class date: Receive an additional $500 towards appraisal from our friends at Pure Mortgage.

Reasons to consider buying even in light of the 2018 Tax Plan Changes:

  1. New mortgages will still be deductible up to $750,000
  2. The child tax credit is doubling
  3. Most people will be playing less overall in taxes therefore having more money to put towards housing.

At this first-time home buyer workshop, you will get a comprehensive explanation of the home purchasing process — there is a ton to know when it comes to mortgages, taxes, government programs, titles — the list goes on.

Home buying specialists with The Orange Line Living and Keri Shull Teams will be teaching all of the acronyms and definitions you will need, what happens at each stage of your transaction, real strategies on how to negotiate a lower purchase price, the different type of loans available and much more. There will be local specialists from multiple industries in attendance, so come with questions.

Benefits of Attending

  • $1,500 credit towards your new home or towards early lease termination
  • 12-month home buy-back guarantee
  • Wine and cheese provided
  • $500 off your appraisal
  • The first 3 to attend will receive a Google Chromecast

Space is limited, register by clicking here.

The event is hosted by best-selling author and top nationally-ranked real estate agent Dan Lesniak, author of The HyperLocal HyperFast Real Estate Agent. Dan and his team have developed a special process that has allowed them to help over one thousand local families buy or sell their home.

Details

Space is limited so be sure to register at arlingtonhomebuyerclass.com.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Chamber Calls for Pause on Housing Conservation District — The Arlington Chamber of Commerce is calling for the Arlington County Board to pump the brakes on a proposed Housing Conservation District policy, set for a vote at tomorrow’s Board meeting. The Chamber says the policy would affect more than 450 privately-owned properties. “The County’s failure to provide any notice to property owners that would be affected by the Framework is inconsistent with Arlington’s established government process and the level of transparency the community has come to depend on,” said Chamber President Kate Bates. [Arlington Chamber of Commerce]

Carlin Springs Bridge Work to Resume — Demolition of the Carlin Springs Road Bridge over George Mason Drive was curtailed by winter weather last weekend, but is set to resume this weekend. Drivers should expect a number of detours in the area. [Twitter]

Fisette Tribute Packs Local Church — “A Dec. 13 tribute to departing Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette was about 90 percent heartfelt thanks for his 20 years of service in elected office. And about 10 percent celebrity roast.” The event was so well-attended that the parking lot of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington was filled to capacity by those whom Fisette has not yet convinced to take the Car-Free Diet. [InsideNova, InsideNova]

Gossip: Britt McHenry Back on Local Airwaves? — A noted local Twitter user who goes by the name “Clarendon Bros” shared some local TV gossip last night, claiming that Britt McHenry was seen auditioning for a job at Fox 5. McHenry at one point lived in Arlington — it is unclear if she still does — and had a well-publicized run-in with local towing company Advanced Towing. [Twitter]

Fox Leaves Crystal City BID — “After more than a decade running the Crystal City Business Improvement District, Angela Fox is stepping down. The BID’s board of directors announced Fox’s departure Thursday, but has not named a permanent replacement.” [Bisnow]

Local Homebuilder Getting Bigger — “Arlington-based homebuilder CalAtlantic Homes is purchasing Home South Communities, a privately held homebuilder based in the Atlanta area. CalAtlantic itself is in the midst of a $9.3 billion merger with Miami’s Lennar Corp. (NYSE: LEN), expected to close early next year.” [Washington Business Journal]

Realtor Group Extends Clothing and Food Drive — “Despite the weather, the first community wide drop off for the Arlington Realtors Care (ARC) initiative, held on Saturday, Dec. 9 was a great success. ARC is sponsoring a second community wide drop off date scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 16 at RGS Title.” [Press Release]

Board to Vote on Buying Aurora Highlands Property for Park Use

By Chris Teale

The Arlington County Board will consider a plan to buy vacant property in Aurora Highlands to create space for new parkland in the neighborhood.

The Board is set to spend $1.23 million to buy a bungalow at 905 20th Street S. and the adjacent lot, which is vacant. Someone rents the house, but earlier this month agreed with its owner to terminate the lease on February 1, 2018, with no rent due for January. The property’s assessed 2017 value is $1.068 million.

Under a plan put forward by county staff, the house would be demolished and the driveway removed to make room for a quarter-acre public park at the intersection of 20th Street S. and S. Ives Street.

“The acquisition of the property would create an opportunity to increase park land in the densely-populated Pentagon City area,” staff wrote in a report. “The approximately [quarter-acre] new park could be used to provide the kind of casual use space residents in the area have been asking for — a park that is open and available for a range of casual uses such as having a picnic, throwing a Frisbee, laying out on a blanket, reading or having small social gatherings.”

Members of the Aurora Highlands Civic Association told the county about the opportunity buy the lot.

Photo via Google Maps

Orange Line Living Hosts Home Buying Class in Arlington

Attend the free Home Buyer Class hosted by Orange Line Living on December 12 to learn all of our tips and get $1,500 towards your next home purchase. + Another $500 towards appraisal from our friends at Pure Mortgage. The first 3 to attend each class get a free Google Chromecast!

Reasons to consider buying even if you’re unsure how long you will stay in Arlington:

  1. Your rental prices will increase each year, your mortgage typically will not
  2. You will have more options for using it to generate revenue
  3. Benefit of home-owner tax deductions on your mortgage interest and real estate taxes
  4. Benefit from leveraged appreciation

You will get a comprehensive explanation of the home purchasing process — there’s more to know than you’d think. The Orange Line Living Team will be teaching all of the acronyms and definitions you will need, what happens at each stage of your transaction, real strategies on how to negotiate a lower purchase price, the different type of loans available and much more. There will be local specialists from multiple industries in attendance, so come with questions.

Benefits of Attending

  • $1,500 credit towards your new home or towards early lease termination
  • 12-month home buy-back guarantee
  • Wine and cheese provided
  • $500 off your appraisal
  • The first 3 to attend will receive a Google Chromecast

Space is limited, register by clicking here.

The event is hosted by best-selling author and top nationally-ranked real estate agent Dan Lesniak, author of The HyperLocal HyperFast Real Estate Agent. Dan and his team have developed a special process that has allowed them to help over one thousand local families buy or sell their home.

Details

Space is limited so be sure to register here or at arlingtonhomebuyerclass.com.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Hot Item for the Holidays: E-ZPass — With tolling set to begin on what are now the I-66 HOT lanes, stores in Arlington and elsewhere in Northern Virginia are having trouble keeping E-ZPass transponders in stock, particularly the E-ZPass Flex devices that will allow carpoolers to continue to use I-66 for free. [WJLA]

W&OD Trail Changes Discussed — Officials are considering options for separating cyclists from those on foot on the W&OD Trail. “I love the potential separation,” Arlington County Board member John Vihstadt is quoted as saying. “I think that will be well-received by both sets of users.” [InsideNova]

Dad Speaks Out After W-L Grad Son ODs — “As an admiral I helped run the most powerful military on Earth, but I couldn’t save my son from the scourge of opioid addiction,” writes retired Adm. James Winnefeld, in an Atlantic article entitled “No Family Is Safe From This Epidemic.” Jonathan Winnefeld, a Washington-Lee High School grad, died in Denver this past September “after a long and honorable battle with addiction.” [The Atlantic, Legacy, Denver Post]

More on Accessory Dwelling Vote — A GGW writer argues that while the Arlington County Board is to be commended for allowing the creation of basement apartments that can be rented out, it punted on the issue of backyard cottages at its Tuesday meeting. The Board’s action on so-called Accessory Dwelling Units included instructing the County Manager to study setbacks from the property line for detached accessory structures before any are approved under new rules.  [Greater Greater Washington]

New Incentive for Sustainable Buildings — “Arlington County will pioneer Virginia’s first Commercial-Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program–a public-private partnership to provide affordable, long-term financing for projects to improve the energy or water efficiency of commercial buildings in the county.” [Arlington County]

DCA Tweets at Teigen — Model and social media personality Chrissy Teigen told followers yesterday that she left “a very large mom bra” under her seat on a flight that arrived at a D.C. area airport. Reagan National Airport’s official Twitter account responded by recommending that Teigen stop by the Spanx store in the airport for a replacement. [Twitter]

‘Age in Place’ Tax Deferral Questioned — Mortgage and title companies are reportedly not big fans of Arlington’s Real Estate Tax Relief Program, which allows older residents who meet certain income requirements to defer property tax payments until the home is sold. The system has sometimes sprung large tax bills on unsuspecting heirs, real estate agents and mortgage settlement officers. [Falls Church News-Press]

Flickr pool photo by Michael Coffman

Chantilly’s Preserves at Westfields Offer Luxury, Rooftops & Private Yards from the Upper $500s

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Craftmark Homes has opened sales of their luxury townhomes at Chantilly’s The Preserves at Westfields for delivery in early 2018. Priced from the upper $500s, these contemporary homes in the Dulles Technology Corridor are walkable to shopping, dining, & transportation options, and are close to recreation facilities and Wegmans.

These townhomes truly live like single family homes. With nine-foot ceilings, hardwood floors on the main living level and up-to-the-minute built-in technology, Craftmark’s townhomes boast up to four bedrooms, three to four full and one half baths, and one- to two-car garages.

They also feature one of the most sought-after amenities: Wooded private backyards. And with rooftop terraces and optional decks that provide extra outdoor living space, residents will be able to entertain and enjoy the seasons.

Need more space for your household? These homes are selling quickly, so book an appointment soon.

The Preserves at Westfields on-site sales trailer is open daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m at 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, VA 20151. Please contact Bethany Stewart at (703) 214-6661 for more details.

New Long & Foster Arlington Office Centers on Serving Clients and Community

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Long & Foster Real Estate’s Arlington office recently underwent a full renovation, allowing its sales associates to better serve clients while providing an inviting space for both business and the community.

The Arlington office, led by Managing Broker Kara Chaffin Donofrio, has been a part of the local community for more than 25 years and continues to place a high level of importance on community involvement. As a way of celebrating the newly finished renovation, the office is hosting an art exhibit by Stanley Piotroski entitled “Piotroski New Works” through Dec 1.

“Our relationship with Christie’s International Real Estate and Christie’s Auction House puts us in a natural position to blend our mission of guiding people on their journeys home with the art world,” Chaffin Donofrio said. “Additionally, providing cultural and philanthropic events allows us the opportunity to be more than the local real estate leader — we’re a true member of the community.”

The renovations to the Arlington office include comfortable, private spaces for sales associates to meet with clients, fully technologically equipped conference rooms and workspace with a variety of settings. The workspace features booth seating, high-top tables and coffee shop-like sitting areas so agents can work in a setting that’s optimal to their needs.

“We’re thrilled to invite the community and our clients into our new space and look forward to continuing to create strong relationships,” Chaffin Donofrio said. “While we sell more properties than any other brokerage in the region, this business is about so much more than selling a house. Our agents become advocates and trusted advisors to their clients, going above and beyond to help them achieve their goals and in the process becoming a part of the story of their life.”

Long & Foster Real Estate will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2018. The company combines its rich history and experience with the best technology available to ensure the best representation for its clients. Long & Foster is the market leader in Arlington and in the Washington, D.C., region with 17 percent of the market share compared to the next closest competitor at 4.1 percent.

The Arlington office is located at 4600 Lee Highway and is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Long & Foster Real Estate is the nation’s No. 1 independent real estate brand and the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate in the metropolitan Washington area. Learn more about Piotroski at http://stanpiotroski.com, and find more information about Long & Foster at www.LongandFoster.com.

WashingtonFirst Mortgage and Long & Foster Hosting Home Buying Seminar on Nov. 15

Denise Verburg with Long & Foster, a Washingtonian 2016 Best Realtor, and Joe Zamoiski with WashingtonFirstMortgage (NMLS# 118525) are hosting a Home Buying Seminar event on November 15 at WashingtonFirst Bank at Ballston (4501 N. Fairfax Drive). The seminar will last approximately one hour followed by a question and answer period.

The session will consist of a complete home buying overview and valuable home buying strategies that will provide you with some serious savings when you purchase. They will also be sharing tips in how to be successful in a competitive market.

DETAILS

When: Wednesday, November 15, from 7-9 p.m.
Where: WashingtonFirst Bank at Ballston (4501 N. Fairfax Drive)
Cost: FREE
Parking: Validated parking or street parking
Refreshments:  Complimentary pizza and water

Space is limited. To register or for more information visit http://www.besthomebuyingseminars.com/

Denise and Joe have helped hundreds of successful buyers over the last decade and are both consistently ranked in the top 1% nationally. Their unique “team oriented” approach enables buyers to feel very comfortable throughout the process.

*terms and conditions apply, click here for complete details

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