Arlington’s level of homelessness was largely stable from 2025 to 2026, but the number of those considered chronically homeless showed a year-over-year increase.
A total of 29 single adults in Arlington were counted as chronically homeless in this year’s Point-in-Time Survey, a one-night regional tally of those experiencing homelessness across the region. That’s up from 23 a year before.
Electronics and other personal items were reported stolen from numerous vehicles in Potomac Yard in a series of break-ins earlier this week.
The windows of 16 vehicles were damaged, with a suspect or suspects stealing tires off of three of the vehicles in addition to snatching belongings, according to the Arlington County Police Department.
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 Clarendon barbecue restaurant earned a recent feature on “Signature Dish,” a WETA program highlighting standout cuisine in the D.C. area.
A plate of cedar plank smoked salmon at Smokecraft Modern Barbecue (1051 N. Highland Street) was one of three dishes highlighted on the show’s “BBQ Bonanza” episode this week, where host Seth Tillman “follows the aroma of smoke across the DMV.”
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Arlington.
The watch is in effect from now until 8 p.m., with forecasters warning of the possibility of severe storms packing quarter-sized hail and 70 mph wind gusts.
Give your family more than assets. Give them clarity, protection and a plan. This seminar will show you how to put a plan in place so they're not left trying to figure everything out on their own.
A new cafe opened this week in Crystal City, offering espresso, tea and a selection of meals at an office undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation project.
Constellation is now in business at 2011 Crystal Drive, serving coffee, loose-leaf tea, entrees and house-made pastries along with grab-and-go items. The space can seat about 60 guests and is equipped with a “slow bar,” where customers can purchase beverages prepared in a more deliberate, intentional fashion than a typical fast-paced cafe.
Virginia’s Democratic congressional delegation is demanding the restoration of Arlington House educational materials that cast Robert E. Lee’s role in history in a critical light.
U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, who represents Arlington in the 8th Congressional District, led Democrats in demanding the National Park Service bring back a Junior Ranger Program activity booklet to Arlington House. The booklet was reportedly flagged for stating, “In 1829, Robert E. Lee promised to serve in the Army and protect the United States. In 1861, he broke his promise and fought for slavery.”
Gas prices in Virginia have crept past $4.30 a gallon on average, more than 40% higher than this time last year — and the squeeze at the pump shows no obvious sign of letting up.
AAA’s Virginia average for a gallon of regular sat at $4.322 on Monday, with the metro D.C. average just above $4.53. The national average has climbed roughly 25 cents in each of the last two weeks, according to WSLS, and the Virginia average is now about $1.31 above where it stood a year ago, Northern Virginia Magazine recently reported.
The cause isn’t a mystery.
Since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28 — drawing condemnation from Virginia’s Democratic congressional delegation — Iran has blocked access to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes. The Federal Reserve, which had been expected to cut interest rates this year, has turned cautious as it waits to see how long the conflict lasts.
The result has been the fastest run-up in consumer prices in three years. Federal data released last week showed inflation climbing 3.8% from April 2025 to April 2026, with gasoline prices up more than 28% year-over-year and real hourly wages falling for the first time in three years.
The economic ripples have already shown up in local coverage: the Iran conflict has complicated Arlington’s real estate market, cut flights out of Dulles, and prompted Northern Virginia housing markets to brace for a slower spring than expected.
How much pain is felt at the pump depends on how someone gets around. Arlington residents who commute by Metro, bike, e-bike, or electric vehicle, or who work from home, may barely notice the new price tag at the gas station. Others — those who drive daily for work, ferry kids to school and activities, or live in parts of the county less served by transit — are absorbing the increase fill-up by fill-up.
Earlier this spring, Virginia House Republicans proposed a 90-day suspension of the state’s gas tax, which would have shaved an estimated 30 cents per gallon off prices at a cost of roughly $125 million per month in lost transportation funding. Many Democrats opposed the idea on the grounds that it would shrink road and transit budgets. The proposal did not advance.
Last year, when DOGE-driven federal workforce cuts started to bite, 65% of poll respondents said they were “very worried” about the local economy. Two months later, most readers said they had already started pulling back on spending. With prices now rising faster than wages and gas leading the climb, we’re curious how directly all this is hitting home.
How are rising gas prices affecting your life?
A pair of open-house-style events held over the weekend provided local residents an up-close look at the inner workings of the commonwealth’s attorney’s office.
The two Interactive Data Walks on Local Prosecution and Diversion Programs aimed to demystify the work of the prosecutor’s office, Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti told ARLnow.
Pike Robbery Arrest — An Alexandria man, 32, was arrested on robbery charges after a Saturday morning incident in the 4100 block of Columbia Pike. Police said the suspect stole cash from the victim, then “threatened the victim with scissors” before fleeing the scene. He was held without bond. [ACPD]
DCA Parking Upgrade — The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is committing $17 million to modernize parking systems at Reagan National and Dulles, replacing aging tech that’s “approaching end of life” with a system supporting license plate recognition, mobile wallets and ticketless payments. The MWAA board is expected to vote on the proposal Wednesday. [WBJ]
Pup Rescued Near Key Bridge — A dog separated from its owner ended up on the rocks along the Potomac River above Key Bridge. Good samaritans alerted authorities, and DC Fire and EMS Department Fireboat 4 came to the rescue, “retrieved the pup and returned it to the owner.” [DC Fire and EMS/X]
Park Volunteer Honored — Arlington County recognized Noreen Hannigan on Tuesday with the 2025 Bill Thomas Park Volunteer Award, citing her roughly 2,800 hours of work with the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists and Tree Stewards since 2015. Hannigan co-leads a project to plant 100 trees and shrubs along a stretch of Four Mile Run. [Arlington County]
Arlington Mural Tour — In his column, Bill Fogarty traces the history of public murals in Arlington, starting with seven New Deal panels by Auriel Bessemer in the lobby of the Clarendon Post Office. He also visits murals at two American Legion posts and interviews the artist behind the John Mercer Langston tribute along Langston Blvd. [Falls Church News-Press]
Cannabis Sales Vetoed Again — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) on Tuesday vetoed legislation that would have created Virginia’s long-delayed adult-use cannabis retail market, five years after the commonwealth legalized possession. The veto “likely pushes any renewed negotiations into the 2027 legislative session.” [Virginia Mercury], Washington Post, WTOP]
Drug Board Vetoed — Spanberger on Tuesday also rejected a bill creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to help cap drug costs for state-regulated insurance plans, marking the proposal’s third veto across two governors. The veto came hours after the governor touted a separate bill she signed capping out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 a month. [Virginia Mercury, Gov. Spanberger/X]
Summer Outlook — NBC4 chief meteorologist Doug Kammerer posted his summer outlook for the D.C. region, predicting a strong El Niño pattern will bring more humidity and rainfall but less intense heat than typical. “All in all, it should be a pretty good summer,” he said. [Doug Kammerer/X]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunshine and potentially record-setting heat, with a high near 96 but falling to around 90 in the afternoon as a cold front moves through. Showers and thunderstorms are likely later in the day, with a 70% chance of precipitation. Overnight lows will drop to around 59 behind the front, as a cool and damp pattern takes hold through the holiday weekend. [NWS]
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Registration is now open for Rosslyn Fall Fest, returning to the NOW pop-up park (1401 Wilson Blvd) on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 1 to 6 p.m. Expanded this year onto Oak Street, the FREE event will transform Arlington’s most urban neighborhood into a seasonal destination featuring an inflatable corn maze, local makers market, seasonal beer garden, live music, and fall-themed experiences for all ages to enjoy.
Attendees can explore a curated market of local makers and artisans, enjoy ciders and seasonal brews in the beer garden, navigate an inflatable corn maze, test their skills at inflatable axe throwing, and take part in pumpkin-themed activities and other fall experiences. Food vendors, live music, and dog-friendly programming round out the afternoon.
