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Ask Will: How Do I Choose a Title Company?

Published September 22, 2015 at 2:45PM | Updated September 23, 2015 at 12:03AM

Q: I’m a first-time homebuyer in Virginia getting ready to begin the house hunt. Does the seller pick a title company or can I?

A: That’s a great question. In Virginia, the purchaser can choose any title company or real estate attorney to handle their side of the closing. RESPA, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, is a federal law that prohibits a seller from requiring a buyer to purchase title insurance from any particular title company. A purchaser can designate his or her own closing agent from either a title company or attorney. At the same time, a seller can elect a different attorney to handle their side of the transaction if they choose. This is often referred to as a split closing.

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Legal Insider: Federal Contractor Employees Can Now Receive Paid Sick Leave

Published September 21, 2015 at 3:55PM

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

By Kimberly Berry

Arlington Company Combines Vacation with Dance

By Heather Mongilio

Published September 21, 2015 at 12:40PM

Editor’s Note: Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow.com, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders, plus other local technology happenings. The Ground Floor, Monday’s office space for young companies in Rosslyn, is now open. The Metro-accessible space features a 5,000-square-foot common area that includes a kitchen, lounge area, collaborative meeting spaces, and a stage for formal presentations.

“I really wanted to provide a way to have fun, exercise a little on vacation and bond with the locals,” said Megan Morrison, the CEO of Dance Adventures.

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WWBG: Shiraz and Syrah– What’s the Difference?

Published September 18, 2015 at 2:30PM

Editor’s Note: This biweekly column is sponsored by Dominion Wine and Beer (107 Rowell Court, Falls Church). This column is written by Dominion owner Arash Tafakor.

One of the most repeated questions I get from customers is, “What’s the difference between Shiraz and Syrah.” The simple answer from a wine merchant is nothing, there’s no difference: same grape, different name. While Australia and some other regions call the grape Shiraz, other regions such as France, California and Washington state call the grape Syrah. But there are definitely differences in styles and taste profile; all based on the climate the grape is grown in. It has almost become industry standard that in warmer climates, the wine is called Shiraz and in cooler climates the wine is called Syrah.

Open Houses in Arlington this Weekend

By Eleanor Greene

Published September 18, 2015 at 1:30PM

As the weather remains relatively cool and clear, it’s hard not to notice the earlier sunsets happening these days. Even as the days get shorter, there’s still time to check out the multitude of open houses around Arlington this weekend.

As always, see our real estate section for a full listing of open houses. Here are a few highlights:

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Just Listed in Arlington

Published September 18, 2015 at 6:00AM

Just Listed highlights Arlington properties that just came on the market within the past week. This feature is written and sponsored by Team Cathell, “Your Orange Line Specialists.”

Arlington’s real estate market this week has seen fresh new inventory that is quickly getting snatched up.

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Rental Report: Can I Negotiate My Rent?

Published September 17, 2015 at 2:30PM | Updated September 17, 2015 at 8:19PM

Editor’s Note: This biweekly sponsored column is written by Rick Gersten, founder and CEO of Urban Igloo, a rental real estate firm that matches up renters with their ideal apartments, condos or houses. Please submit any questions in the comments section or via email.

Finding a great apartment can be like trying to catch a leprechaun. It seems impossible. But once you do find a great place you might feel uncomfortable about the negotiation process. You might wonder if you can negotiate at all. We have a few tips on how to negotiate and when to get the best deal on your next apartment.

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Wellness Matters: Protect Yourself Against the Flu

Published September 16, 2015 at 2:45PM

The following weekly column is written and sponsored by Virginia Hospital Center, a proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and one of America’s 100 Top Hospitals for the third year in a row.

What is the flu?

Pet of the Week: Nymeria

By ARLnow.com

Published September 16, 2015 at 12:15PM

This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Dowager Countess Nymeria MacBattleby Logiealmond MacGold. She’s a sweet Shiba Inu who lives in Shirlington. She loves to steal toys, and will leap to incredible heights to give her people kisses on the face.

Here’s what Nymeria had to say for herself.

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Ask Will: One Home, Two Owners, So Many Ownership Options

Published September 15, 2015 at 2:45PM

This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Will Wiard, Arlington-based real estate broker, voted one of Washington’s Best Realtors of 2015 by Washingtonian. Please submit your questions via email.

Q: My girlfriend and I are thinking about buying a home. We both have steady jobs and have watched the market closely. We think a condo would be best, but are unclear about owning a place together because we aren’t married. What are our options?

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Local Woof: Debunking Common Dog-Training Myths

Published September 14, 2015 at 2:45PM

Editor’s Note: The Local Woof is a column that’s sponsored and written by the staff of Woofs! Dog Training Center. Woofs! has full-service dog training, boarding, and daycare facilities, near Shirlington and Ballston.

Dogs were domesticated at least 15,000 years ago. Today Americans keep about 78 million dogs as pets. 78 MILLION!

Commuting Assistance App Wins Startup Competition

By Heather Mongilio

Published September 14, 2015 at 2:00PM | Updated September 14, 2015 at 2:45PM

Editor’s Note: Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow.com, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders, plus other local technology happenings. The Ground Floor, Monday’s office space for young companies in Rosslyn, is now open. The Metro-accessible space features a 5,000-square-foot common area that includes a kitchen, lounge area, collaborative meeting spaces, and a stage for formal presentations.

RouteHero, built by Arlington native Thomas Woo, provides traffic and Metro updates based on an user’s route and time of travel.