Arlington has just crossed the 50% mark.
New figures released today by the Arlington County elections office show that 85,776 votes have already been cast in the upcoming Nov. 3 election. That represents more than 50% of active voters in the county, and more than twice the early and mail-in votes of the entire record-setting 2016 presidential election.
The owners of The Lot, the popular outdoor beer garden near Clarendon, are planning a new seasonal pop-up in a familiar space.
“[We] are converting the iconic Clarendon Ballroom into a rotating, multilevel pop-up and event venue,” The Lot co-owner Mike Bramson confirmed this afternoon, after an inquiry from ARLnow.
Welcome to Kami’s Korner where we’ll take a deep dive into Arlington’s condominium market by focusing on what’s coming next. From emerging developments to shifting trends, this space will spotlight the opportunities and insights shaping the future of condo living in Arlington.
Many of you have asked about best practices when it comes to buying a new condominium. Some of us only want new and are willing to pay a premium for the best in current design. There are several recommendations and insights here that will help you get what you want.
First decide what type of condominium you need… size, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking needs, or separate office, followed by a list of wants such as level of building service, amenities on-site, space for dining for six, balcony, open floor plan, and natural light. (Here she goes again.) Not to be sexist about it, but females generally are better shoppers and come with a preconceived set of non-negotiables.
Identify the areas you would consider living, such as Arlington or Old Town… but not wanting to go as far as Tysons, Reston, or DC. People don’t buy condominiums in places they aren’t familiar with or already spend time in, unless relocating entirely. Many upcoming communities put up signage and a website first which makes early interest hyperlocal. Register as a VIP on the website early and you will get regular communication, time to consider the offering, and learn when pre-sale will begin.
Once open, come early in pre-sale. You’ll get the pick of the litter. This is particularly important if you want something larger and are interested in the best views. Prospects are smart and pick the best floorplans first. If you have some idea of your ideal size and price point it makes good use of everyone’s time. Once you make a selection, expect to leave a 10% deposit as this is pretty standard in the industry. The developer generally has their own contract and it’s written much in their favor but not unreasonably so. Pricing this early is usually not negotiable… the price is the price. But you can purchase with some confidence since all buyers are getting the same terms and the developer has a shared interest in protecting values through delivery while sales are ongoing.
You do not need to be fully qualified for financing to come out and look but it’s wise to have some idea of what you can afford. Most builders give incentives for paying cash or using their title company and lenders. Often your contract might even offer a short financing contingency in exchange for considering them.
Once firmly under contract, a buyer might have 12- 18 months to prepare for the move. How blissful. This is one of the best parts of buying early in pre-sale. Moving is daunting, especially if you have been in your current homes for 30 years and the thought of moving seems excruciating. Decide what to take, sell/donate, and hire a proper interior designer to space plan and create a unique home that reflects your tastes. All with the time to do it properly.
Something to note. Finishes have gotten more high end, brands carry weight, and there is less customization offered these days. Gone are the days of going to a design center. If you know you are getting a Sub Zero refrigerator included you probably won’t ask if there are other options available. (more…)
In the 1985 version of “Brewster’s Millions” starring Richard Pryor and John Candy, Pryor inherits $300 million, but as a condition of accepting it he has to spend $30 million in 30 days.
As a way to spend the money quickly he jumps into a divisive political campaign for Mayor of New York City, but then encourages everyone to vote for “None of the Above” as he says none of the candidates are worthy of being elected. He withdraws his candidacy, and voters end up choosing “None of the Above,” forcing a new election.
Arlington is getting a little greener.
Affordable housing developer AHC Inc., in partnership with Arlington County, introduced 342 solar panels at The Apex complex (2900 and 2910 S. Glebe Road) last week. The nonprofit touted the undertaking as “the largest solar panel array on a multifamily apartment building in Northern Virginia.”
We’re excited to announce the opening of our second location in Arlington, VA! ❤️
📍 Opening June 1st
(Updated 12 p.m. 02/24/21) Early stages of construction have started on the future site of a new Harris Teeter, three apartment buildings and a new green space in Ballston.
Utility relocation and demolition of the recently-vacated American Service Center building will soon begin at 600 N. Glebe Road, said Mark Senn, the president of Georgia-based developer Southeastern Real Estate Group, LLC, the developer overseeing the project.
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!
Question: We just finished out home inspection and are a bit overwhelmed by the list of recommended repairs. How do we know what to ask for and what’s reasonable to expect from the seller?
Euphoria, a flea market that has drawn huge crowds to Arlington’s normally quiet Barcroft neighborhood, went so viral on the social media app TikTok that it’s now on hold here while its founder figures out how to handle the newfound popularity.
The market was launched by Washington-Lee (now Washington-Liberty) High School graduate Fabricio Gamarra and features vintage sneakers, t-shirts and other carefully-curated items.
The restaurant business is hurting nationwide.
The pandemic has kept diners at home and contributed to the closure of thousands of restaurants. It has also prompted temporary restrictions on how restaurants operate, which in Virginia means no bar seating, reduced capacities, and increased cleaning expenses, among other things.
Courthouse Wendy’s Project Changing — “A new developer appears to be taking over a Carr Properties’ project in Arlington’s Courthouse neighborhood, queuing up a switch from office to residential in the process. Greystar Real Estate Partners filed new plans with Arlington County earlier this month for a triangular parcel at the confluence of Clarendon and Wilson boulevards… [for] a 16-story residential building with 225 units above 4,000 square feet of ground-floor retail.” [Washington Business Journal]
Opera at Local Farmers Market — Two operatic performance will be held at the Crystal City farmers market this afternoon. The Washington National Opera performances will take place from a converted moving truck. [Facebook, WUSA 9]
