The Arlington County Board has authorized staff to move forward with the sale of $208.4 million in 20-year general-obligation bonds.
The county government has tried to defer major bond sales as long as possible over the past two years, citing concerns about the region’s economic health and the county’s revenue conditions. But the time has come to move forward with the next sale, Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said on Saturday.
A rotating exhibit of art pieces from the Arlington Artists Alliance is coming to an American restaurant in Clarendon through a new partnership.
Westville will be hosting a reception for the new project from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, May 29 at 2800 Clarendon Blvd. The exhibit, which is expected to change on a quarterly basis, will feature works available for purchase that are aligned with the restaurant’s earthy aesthetic and veggie-forward menu.
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].
Question: Do you have guidance for choosing a Title Company to work with when buying or selling a home?
Answer: Title companies manage the legal side of the transaction like ensuring buyers have clear ownership after closing, reviewing and recording the deed, issuing title insurance, and preparing paperwork for the buyer and seller to sign at closing. They work in the background of transactions and, usually, the less you hear from them, the better. In the DMV, title companies generally do not represent one party; they are a fiduciary to the transaction (support both parties).
Locally, it is common for buyers to select the title company. Sometimes, a seller may want to use their own firm/attorney and will request a “split settlement” but that is uncommon.
Your Real Estate Agent, But Ask Why
Among the reasons you’d hire an agent should be their network of professionals that support a real estate transaction: title, lending, inspections, contractors, etc.
If you have an agent, they should be the first person you turn to for a title company recommendation. They’ve probably worked with dozens of local firms before and should have a vetted service partner.
It’s perfectly fair to ask your agent why they’re recommending a title company to make sure it’s for the right reasons. Some agents and brokerages benefit financially from doing business with title companies and it’s important that you know if a financial relationship exists.
Fees
Title insurance is typically the largest fee, and rates are set by the insurer, not the title company. Rates are usually similar, so large differences may reflect basic vs. enhanced coverage. Buyers can choose the coverage level; or whether to purchase owner’s title insurance at all.
Discretionary fees charged by the title company usually don’t vary by more than a few hundred dollars. You can always find a cheaper option for title services, but the quality of legal/title support on a real estate transaction may not be a smart place to save a few hundred dollars.
Location
Use a local title company who is familiar with the local real estate and tax practices, not just licensed to practice here. I use a different title company in Northern VA than I do in Washington DC or Maryland.
Office locations matter less than you’d think because most title companies will support virtual (like a Zoom meeting) or mobile (send a notary to you), but most consumers like closing in an office so check where they conduct closings to make sure it’s convenient.
Attorney Experience
Most sales follow a standard, predictable process that inexperienced title companies/attorneys can handle but occasionally something unexpected comes up that requires experience and expertise to resolve. If problems do surface, having access to an experienced local title attorney makes a big difference in keeping a deal on track and reducing the risk, stress, and effort of all parties.
A locally owned plant shop in Crystal City is celebrating its one-year anniversary this month with giveaways, a market and other activities.
PLNTR, the D.C.-based boutique and nursery known for making an appearance on Season 7 of “Love is Blind,” will host a celebration on Sunday, May 31 at 269 19th Court S. Attractions will include a pop-up market with art and vinyl records and a “flash” tattoo session with Hummingbird Tattoo.
Please join us in congratulating Benny Mirpuri, owner of Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repair at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, on reaching an incredible 35 years in business.
For three and a half decades, Benny has proudly served the Pentagon City and surrounding communities, providing quality jewelry and watch repair services along with the exceptional customer service that has made Fast-Fix a trusted local business.
County voters are likely to see nearly a quarter-billion dollars spread over five local bond referendums on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Revenues from future bond sales would support County Manager Mark Schwartz’s proposed new 10-year, $4.3 billion capital improvement plan, unveiled on Tuesday evening.
Featuring both voice and instrumental performance on vielle, lute, gittern, harp, recorder, douçaine, and bagpipe, the program will include works by, among others, Johannes Ciconia, Trebor, Johannes Senleches, Solage, Guillaume de Machaut, Guillaume Dufay, and Gilles Binchois, rousing dance music from medieval Florence and finely wrought instrumental arrangements from the Faenza codex and the Buxheim Organ book.
All Virginia workers will be eligible for paid sick leave under new legislation backed by State Sen. Barbara Favola (D-40).
The new law, signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger yesterday (Wednesday), requires employers to provide both full-time and part-time employees with up to five sick days per year beginning in July 2027. Workers accrue one hour for every 30 hours worked, and will be able to take time off for either mental or physical illness.
The team’s first-year head coach compared the second straight outdoor track-and-field girls championship of the Washington-Liberty Generals to a puzzle.
The Generals convincingly won the Liberty District high-school title with 136 points at Wakefield High School, well ahead of the runner-up Langley Saxons with 86.
Parks Stay in Top 10 — “Arlington County’s nationally recognized park system has once again earned the number seven spot in the 2026 Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore, marking 11 consecutive years in the top 10.” Arlington earned 76.1 out of 100 points across 15 measures. [Arlington County]
Argentine Festival Returns — The Argentine Festival USA returns to Kenmore Middle School auditorium on Saturday, bringing a full day of live music, Argentine food and community celebration. The indoor event runs 3:30–10:30 p.m. and features more than 39 performers. [ARLnow]
Stop the Bleed Training — “Learn to stop major bleeding using tourniquets and direct pressure.” Ready Arlington is hosting a free, hands-on “Until Help Arrives” training on Monday, May 28 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. [Ready Arlington/X]
Composted Bodies at ANC? — Retired Air Force Col. Dave Buermeyer says he plans to lobby Arlington National Cemetery to allow composted remains, following the opening of a new “human composting” facility in Howard County, Md. “Environmentally, it’s head and shoulders over any other method that I’ve ever heard of,” Buermeyer said. [Axios]
Sewage Spill Hearing — “Key officials involved in the cleanup of a massive sewage spill in the Potomac River testified Wednesday at a congressional hearing that they quickly responded after a pipe burst and that public health was never at risk.” More than 240 million gallons of sewage spilled into the river in January. [WTOP]
Most Riders Skip Fare — “Metro says about 70% of riders are not paying their fare on the bus — about twice the national average and the highest rate of bus fare evasion in the country — and it’s costing the transit agency tens of millions of dollars.” Bus operators will begin quoting the fare to riders as a reminder to pay. [NBC 4]
Spanberger Splits on ICE — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed legislation banning law enforcement officers from covering their faces while vetoing a separate bill that would have restricted federal immigration agents from making civil arrests in courthouses, schools and health care facilities. Both bills were sponsored by Fairfax state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D). [FFXnow]
Spanberger on NAEP — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) said her administration will look further into the expanded National Assessment of Educational Progress before committing to using the additional tests. “A test for a test’s sake is not what I think does any value for kids or for educators,” she said. [Virginia Mercury]
Revenues Up, Jobs Down — Virginia has lost 41,900 jobs since the start of fiscal year 2026, but General Fund revenues are roughly $851 million ahead of forecast. “It would not be unprecedented for us to use some of this money to get past this impasse, if we needed to,” Secretary of Finance Mark Sickles told lawmakers. [Virginia Mercury]
Va. Overdose Drop — Virginia recorded one of the steepest declines in overdose deaths nationwide over the past year, according to new CDC data. Expanded naloxone access and improved treatment programs have helped drive the drop. But state officials warn that potential Medicaid spending reductions could disrupt addiction and mental health treatment programs. [WAMU]
Sunshine Bill Returns — “House Republicans will try again to extend daylight saving time, seeking to end the nation’s semiannual clock changes — and deliver on a priority for President Donald Trump.” The House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to propose adopting the Sunshine Protection Act this week. [Washington Post]
It’s Thursday — Expect showers and thunderstorms today with a high near 67 and northeast winds of 9–13 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%, with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch possible. Overnight, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 11 p.m., with a low around 54. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — May 20, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect showers and possibly a thunderstorm today, with a high of around 67°F. Northeast winds will be 9 to 13 mph, and there is a 90% chance of rain, with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, potentially more in thunderstorms. Thursday night will be cloudy with showers likely before 11 p.m. and a slight chance after 5 a.m., with a low of around 54°F. Northeast winds will range from 7 to 10 mph, and there’s a 60% chance of rain with less than a tenth of an inch expected. See more from Weather.gov.
“If you can dream it, you can do it.”
– Walt Disney
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.
Parts of Arlington’s northernmost neighborhoods are without power after a tree toppled along Military Road.
The arterial road is reportedly blocked by the large fallen tree, which took down poles, wires and transformers. Police, firefighters and Dominion Energy crews were on scene as of 5:15 p.m.
NAACP Arlington Branch is thrilled to invite you to a vibrant evening honoring the collective power, resilience, and unity of our people. On October 17th, we are coming together to celebrate community strength, shared progress, and unapologetic pride. This won’t just be an event—it will be an energetic celebration of what happens when we rise together.
In-Person
