Selling a home in Arlington means competing in one of the most active real estate markets in the country — and having the right agent can make the difference between a good outcome and a great one.
Here are the nominees for “Best Real Estate Agent for Sellers in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.
BHC Chicken's new Ballston storefront (staff photo by Katie Taranto)
A popular fried chicken franchise from South Korea is celebrating the grand opening of its first D.C.-area location in Ballston today (Friday).
BHC Chicken, which describes itself as the “No. 1 Korean Chicken Franchise,” plans to offer three free chicken tenders to its first 100 guests from today through Sunday at 875 N. Randolph Street, in the former Hangry Joe’s spot.
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.
Bird's-eye view of VHC behavioral-health facility as submitted to county officials (via Earl Swensson Associates and Arlington County)
The three Democratic candidates for County Board are all in favor of extensive community input on a proposal for a new behavioral health facility in Glencarlyn.
“You need to listen — it needs to be community-first,” challenger Julie Farnam said at a debate hosted by the Arlington County Civic Federation on Tuesday.
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.
There’s good news for one group of commuters between Arlington and D.C., and bad news for another.
The southbound GW Parkway ramp onto the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge is expected to close for repairs beginning today (Friday) and continuing through mid-August, according to the District Department of Transportation. At the same time, weather permitting, the eastbound ramp onto the bridge from Arlington Blvd will be reopening for the first time since February.
Join us Saturday, October 10th from 10AM – 12PM for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, welcoming everyone back into the shop, and kicking off a day full of food, fun, and pie history.
Pedestrian promenade in Courthouse (courtesy George Brazier)
Arch Contract Shortcut — The Trump administration planned to begin work at the proposed Triumphal Arch site at Memorial Circle by using an existing, unrelated White House engineering contract — a move that would bypass competitive bidding, the Washington Post reports. The arch site, near the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, sits on National Park Service land. [Washington Post]
Car Carrier Crunch — “Four car carriers at once this morning,” Dave Statter wrote, after auto haulers blocked bus lanes and a bus stop outside the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. He called the recurring scene a daily indictment of the county’s $11 million safety investment in Army Navy Drive. [Dave Statter/X]
Summer Travel Season — “More than 19 million travelers are expected to take to the skies” at the region’s airports between May and August, MWAA said. Reagan National’s new arrivals include Busboys and Poets near the D Gates and Colada Shop near the C Gates, while Dulles is preparing for new nonstop service to Taipei in late June. [MWAA]
Busboys Lands at DCA — “Busboys and Poets is now open!” the airport announced. The restaurant is located near the D Gates and open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. [Reagan Airport/X]
ACPD Marks Police Week — The Arlington County Police Department is observing National Police Week, which began Sunday and honors officers who died in the line of duty. VHC Health staff stopped by evening roll call to deliver snacks and thank officers for their service. [ACPD/X, ACPD/X]
East Potomac Design Reveal — Interior Secretary Doug Burgum unveiled the proposed design for the East Potomac Golf Links renovation, calling for “championship-quality golf at affordable, highly discounted rates” from Fazio Golf Design. The course’s future remains in limbo amid a lawsuit over the Trump administration’s takeover and lease termination. [Fox 5, Secretary Burgum/X]
Bus Fare Policy Backlash — Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 condemned WMATA General Manager Randy Clarke for a “despicable and callous decision” to require bus operators to quote fares to all passengers, reversing a 2017 policy the union says has reduced operator assaults. The new fare-quote policy takes effect May 24. [PoPville]
State Revenue Beats Forecast — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) announced that April revenues grew 6.9% compared to the previous April, and Virginia’s general fund revenues are running 7.3% ahead year-over-year through the first 10 months of Fiscal Year 2026. “Revenues for Fiscal Year 2026 are ahead of expectations,” Spanberger said, while warning that national uncertainty and federal workforce cuts remain concerns. [Press Release]
It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies today with a high near 72 and northwest winds around 12 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 53. [NWS]
The weather will be sunny with a high of around 71°F and northwest winds blowing at 10 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. Friday night will be mostly clear with a low near 53°F and calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Self-care is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others.” – Parker Palmer
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.
A Metro Transit Police vehicle escorts a family of geese on I-66 (via Dave Statter/X)
A family of geese — walking, instead of flying — backed up traffic on westbound I-66 in Arlington for more than an hour this afternoon.
A Metro Transit Police K-9 officer was the first to respond, protecting the birds alone for about 45 minutes, according to a post on X from longtime D.C.-area public safety chronicler Dave Statter. Virginia State Police and Arlington County Police later joined the effort.
Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39) (staff photo by James Cullum)
New publicly-accessible buildings could be required to have baby diaper changing tables after a push from state Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39), whose district includes part of Arlington.
Virginia’s Board of Housing and Community Development voted Monday to approve Bennett-Parker’s proposal to require diaper changing tables in new buildings that are open to the public. The policy would apply to each floor containing public restrooms in new assembly, business, educational, and mercantile occupancy buildings, Group R-1 hotels and motels, and highway rest stops.
Mural at Harvey's in Falls Church (via Harvey's/Facebook)
A fair in Falls Church next week will pull together local organizations, games and dining specials to raise funds for an Arlington nonprofit.
“Summer Stomp” is expected to draw more than a dozen local businesses and organizations next Thursday at Harvey’s, an American restaurant at 513 W. Broad Street.
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.
