Crews are working to repair a 15-inch water valve leak in the Rock Spring neighborhood that has impacted around 100 customers.
A traffic detour is currently in place around the intersection of Old Dominion Drive and Little Falls Road, and water is expected to be restored “in the next couple of hours,” Katie O’Brien, a spokesperson for Arlington’s Department of Environmental Services (DES), told ARLnow.
A proposed redevelopment project at the Ballston Holiday Inn is requesting an extension on an impending construction deadline.
County Board members are expected to approve a request to extend the deadline to begin construction at 4600 and 4610 Fairfax Drive from July 2026 to July 31, 2029.
This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at [email protected].
Fannie Mae sets the rules for (most) residential lending and just released new requirements for condo loans. Here’s a link to the full release and I’ll highlight a few changes that have the biggest implications for Arlington/Northern VA condos.
Thanks to the always-on it, Trey Reed of Cross Country Mortgage ([email protected], 703.297.9382), for the notice and helpful explanation on these changes.
Elimination of 50% Investor-Owned (rental) Unit Limits
This rule caused mass confusion for years for condo boards/owners and is now eliminated.
Effective Immediately: The 50%+ investor-owned limit is eliminated for ALL loan types.
Why it Matters: This should increase the buyer pool for investor-heavy buildings which is good for values, but may push rental percentages even higher, which most owner-occupants consider a negative.
What to Watch: Many condo buildings with rental caps set them at, or just below, 50% because of this rule (I’m generally opposed to rental caps) so it makes sense that some buildings will drop their rental caps. On the other hand, the elimination of this rule may increase the number of investor purchases and owner-occupants may play defense by adding a rental cap. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out over the next 2-3 years.
Increased Reserve Allocation to 15%
What Changed: For loan applications dated after Jan 4 2027, condos must budget at least 15% of their total income from assessments (condo fees) toward Reserve contributions.
Background Context: Previously, the requirement was 10%. Reserves are a building’s savings account for the maintenance and replacement of common elements (e.g. HVAC, roof, carpet, paint, parking garage, etc).
Between the Lines: Underfunded Reserves are the biggest financial risks for a condo association; and thus for the banks that lend to its owners. The minimum contribution requirement is an effort by Fannie Mae to reduce this risk exposure.
Why it Matters: This is a nationwide rule, but Arlington/Northern VA condos tend to be in a better financial position, with stronger reserve balances, than many others across the country and do not need 15%+ annual reserve contribution to properly maintain their Reserves. As a result, this rule will force these buildings, that have been financially responsible for years/decades, to increase condo fees unnecessarily to meet the new requirement. This will result in an unnecessarily overfunded Reserve account and put downward pressure on market values because monthly fees are higher. (more…)
Low-income Arlington Transit riders can now get half off their bus fares through Metro Lift, a regional discount program.
ART began accepting Metro Lift on all of its routes on July 1, becoming the first of Metro’s regional partners to sign on, according to Metro.
The owners of a beloved Westover hardware store are reflecting on a 78-year legacy of community investment and support as they prepare to close their doors.
Over the decades, Ayers Variety and Hardware — established in 1948 — built a reputation around friendly, knowledgeable staff who embraced the “small town feel” of the surrounding neighborhood. Spending time to help customers solve household problems and track down hard-to-find items, employees connected with generations of shoppers who knew the retailer as a local fixture.
🏡 Ready to Stop Dreaming and Start Planning for Homeownership?
Whether you’re thinking about buying your very first home or preparing for your next move, this FREE Home Buying Class is designed to give you the knowledge and confidence you need to take the next step.
A 57-year-old Arlington man is facing a felony charge after police say he beat someone he knows with a combination lock Sunday afternoon.
The alleged incident happened in a residential building on the 2000 block of 14th Street N., a block away from Arlington County police headquarters in Courthouse.
A series of free outdoor concerts from D.C.-area artists is returning to Crystal City beginning this Friday.
“Fridays at the Fountain” will kick off at 6 p.m. with a performance from the indie rock band The Montaines at Water Park (1601 Crystal Drive). Shows will continue every Friday through Aug. 21.
A recent straw poll from the Arlington County Democratic Committee offered an early glimpse into the local party’s leanings in the 2028 presidential race, along with local races.
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) received 33 votes at the event, held July 11 at Bon Air Park. Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg came out in second with 26 votes.
The Planning Commission has unanimously supported a plan to convert two vacant, 1980s-era office buildings in Pentagon City into a major residential project.
The 8-0 vote on July 6 paves the way for July 18 County Board consideration of the plan by JM Zell Partners and Lincoln Equities Group for 601 and 701 12th Street S. The team seeks to create 607 residential units, plus nearly 30,000 square feet of retail space and ancillary office use.
Transportation improvements on the Annandale Road corridor will be able to move forward in Falls Church, thanks to $30 million in newly approved regional funding.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s board of directors approved the funding on July 9 as part of a $776 million fiscal year 2026-31 package of projects for localities across the region. All told, $1.26 billion had been requested by participating localities.
