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Concerts uplift the music of Arlington’s Roberta Flack & female big band of 1940’s

By Sponsor
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This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

South Arlington’s neighborhoods were undoubtedly fertile ground for women musicians of color. The area was home to both the legendary vocalist and pianist Roberta Flack as well as the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, an all-female, multi-ethnic big band that toured to national acclaim in the 1930’s and 40’s. Now, two contemporary women musicians uplift the legacies of these Arlington legends with a weekend showcase at Theatre on the Run, at 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive, in Arlington.

The world premiere of Suite for Sweethearts by Amy K Bormet takes place on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025 (shows at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.). The following evening hear Killing Me Softly: A Love Letter to Roberta Flack by vocalist Munit Mesfin and the First Take Band on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. (Mesfin’s 7:00 p.m. show is already sold out). Reservations for this FREE event are available on Eventbrite.

Additionally, Bormet and Mesfin will each offer youth-oriented presentations at the same location on Sunday, Oct. 5. Bringing Flack’s children’s book, The Green Piano to life via an interactive performance, Munit and z Lovebugs Celebrate Roberta, Music and You! occurs at 11:00 a.m. Amy K Bormet offers an improvisation workshop for all experience levels (Age 14+) at 2:00 p.m. Bormet also offers a free Open Rehearsal, Wednesday Oct. 1 (8:00 – 10:00 p.m.).

Suite for Sweethearts by Amy K Bormet.
At the height of the Swing Era, a racially integrated women’s big band called the International Sweethearts of Rhythm attracted the finest women jazz instrumentalists and toured to national acclaim in the 1930s and 40s. From 1942 through 1949, the band’s home base was at 908 S. Quinn St. (no longer extant). Inspired by their journey, Ms. Bormet has composed a suite of new music for her large ensemble, Bitter Sweethearts. In addition to the performance, the rehearsals of “Suite for Sweethearts,” will be open to the public in the Theatre on the Run. The project will include a zine of photos and memorabilia from the Washington Women in Jazz Archives and the International Sweethearts of Rhythm collection at the Smithsonian American History Museum.

Amy K Bormet is a performer, composer and director who tours the U.S., Europe, South America and Asia. Amy was an artist-in-residence for Betty Carter Jazz Ahead, and a Mary Lou Williams Emerging Artist at the John F. Kennedy Center. An advocate for women musicians, Amy is the founder and artistic director of the Washington Women in Jazz Festival. Her 17-piece jazz orchestra, Celestial Spang-A-Lang, co-led with Baritone Saxophonist Dr. Leigh Pilzer, premiered at the Atlas Performing Arts Center for the Washington Women in Jazz Festival in March 2023. A proud graduate of D.C.’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Howard University, Amy is the chair of the alumni board at University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance where she studied with Geri Allen.

Killing Me Softly: A Love Letter to Roberta Flack by Munit Mesfin

Using both original compositions as well as music from Flack’s cannon, Munit Mesfin and the First Take Band convey the story of the five-time Grammy-award winning musician. Flack, who passed away on Feb. 24, 2025, lived her formative years in Arlington’s historically African American Green Valley neighborhood. She attended the Hoffman-Boston High School where she was voted “Most Musical”! This project will celebrate Roberta Flack’s place in Arlington’s history using her music, her social justice activism, and her children’s book for a multi-generational, multi-disciplinary experience. Munit had the tremendous honor of having played for Roberta Flack at her apartment in New York in 2023 and 2024.

Munit Mesfin is an award-winning Ethiopian American singer, songwriter, teaching artist, MC and a Pan-African who uses her art to advocate for peace, human rights and justice. Munit has performed in Ethiopia, Egypt, South Africa, Germany, Spain and across the U.S. Regionally she has appeared at the Smithsonian National Museum for African Art, the Kennedy Center, Mr. Henry’s and Blues Alley. She has been featured on Voice of America, SABC in South Africa and Deutschewelle Radio among other media outlets. Mesfin loves creating community through music for all ages in her own soul, jazz or reggae band, with her children as Munit and z Lovebugs and through the global music collective, Project Locrea!

Arlington Arts received one of the top-ranking awards from the National Endowment for the Arts American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant. It then launched a competitive Artists In Residence (AIR) Grant which awarded grants to four different artists. The winning artists-in-residence included: the two performing artists in the upcoming showcase — Jazz musician Amy K Bormet, and vocalist Munit Mesfin (Sefanit Mesfin-Champagne); visual artist MasPaz (Federico Frum) and visual artist Adam Henry. The work of the two visual arts winners will be realized over the coming year.

Collective Heritage: Celebrating Hispanic-owned businesses in Arlington

By Sponsor

This article is written and sponsored by Arlington Economic Development.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich cultural legacy and entrepreneurial spirit of Hispanic communities across the United States. In Arlington, that spirit is reflected in the vibrant network of Hispanic-owned businesses that continue to shape our local economy and community identity.

This year, BizLaunch is proud to celebrate under the national theme “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future” as a tribute to the legacy of long-standing businesses and the promise of emerging entrepreneurs redefining success in our region.

Among the Hispanic-owned businesses that have become pillars of Arlington’s neighborhoods are:

  • Amoroso Art: A vibrant creative studio celebrating Latin American culture through visual arts
  • Island Jewelry: Known for its handcrafted pieces that reflect Caribbean heritage and craftsmanship
  • Panamerican Bakery: Brings the warmth of traditional Latin baked goods to the community
  • Heads Up Hair Design: Offers personalized beauty services rooted in cultural pride and style
  • La Coop Coffee: A social enterprise connecting Guatemalan coffee growers with local consumers;
  • Café Sazón and Cassiel Salon: Community favorites blending hospitality and wellness, creating welcoming spaces that reflect the diversity and entrepreneurial spirit of Arlington’s Hispanic community

These businesses are part of a broader movement in Arlington, Virginia and beyond. Across Virginia, Hispanic entrepreneurs own more than 9.2 percent of small businesses, contributing significantly to the state’s economic growth . Nationally, there are more than 5.1 million Hispanic-owned firms employing nearly three million people and generating over $766.8 billion in annual revenue. Hispanic business owners currently represent 14.5 percent of all entrepreneurs in the United States, a figure that continues to grow each year (U.S. Small Business Administration, 2024). Hispanic-owned businesses have experienced remarkable growth, increasing by 44% between 2018 and 2023, compared to a slight decline in white-owned businesses during the same period. This surge highlights the dynamic expansion of Latino entrepreneurship in the U.S. (Stanford GSB, 2024).

But Hispanic Heritage Month is not only about honoring the past. It is also about inspiring the future. Arlington is home to a new generation of Hispanic entrepreneurs who are launching innovative ventures and bringing fresh energy to our business landscape. These early-stage businesses, such as Red Bean Harvest Coffee, a specialty coffee startup connecting local consumers with Latin American growers; Prize App, a creative platform that benefits employees and employers at the same time; Tech Solutions by Alexis Rivas, providing tech support and digital services to small businesses; and Portal Maya Food Truck, serving traditional Mayan flavors with a modern twist, are full of promise, and their stories are just beginning.[DE8]

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Ask Eli: Sharing some exciting personal news

By Eli Tucker

This regularly scheduled sponsored 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].

I’d like to share some exciting personal news with the ARLnow community… our family of three just became a family of four!

We welcomed baby girl Summer Tucker into the world in the early hours of September 21, the last day of Summer! We had the name picked out well before, so her birth date was a fun coincidence.

Summer is healthy, Mom is well, brother is excited, and we are enjoying every minute of it.

Baby girl Summer Tucker

If you’d like to discuss buying, selling, investing, or renting, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].

We have access to the most pre and off-market listings across the DMV of any brokerage and are happy to share what’s available with anybody who asks.

Below are some of our team’s pre/off-market listings, details and additional listings available by request:

  • Ballston – 4BR/3.5BA+office/4,000 sqft – Four Townhouses (2026/2027) – 11th St N Arlington VA 22201
  • Falls Church City – 4BR/4.5BA/3,000+ sqft – End-unit townhouse (1995) – Rees Pl Falls Church VA 22046
  • Rosslyn – 2BR+den/2.5BA/2,000+ sqft – Condo (2021) – 1781 N Pierce St Arlington VA 22209
  • Highland Park/Overlee Knolls – 6BR/5.5BA/5,000+ sqft – Detached Single Family (2025) – 22nd Rd N Arlington VA 22205

Eli and his team believe that your real estate needs should be managed by advisors, not salespeople. Their mission is to guide, educate, and advocate for their clients through real advice, hands-on support, and personalized service.

Schedule a meeting

10 more homes that should have sold by now

By Jean Ropp

This recurring Real Estate feature is sponsored by The Eli Residential Team. Their mission is to guide, educate, and advocate for their clients through real advice, hands-on support, and personalized service. This week’s post is written by Jean Ropp

Last month, I shared a handful of homes that, “should have sold by now.” This month, I’ve found another round of properties that, if we were looking back just a few years, would likely have been snapped up in a heartbeat.

It’s important to note that by definition, we’re still in a seller’s market. Inventory remains low, and we’re not near the levels that would signal a true buyer’s market. And if we rewind to pre-pandemic times, it was normal for a home to be on the market for a few weeks. Sellers didn’t worry if their listing didn’t disappear in three days.

But after the last four years of intense frenzied demand, we’ve gotten used to a new pace where anything less than lightning-fast feels unusual. So when I say these homes “should have sold by now,” it’s only in the context of that recent precedent.

The properties I’m highlighting below are well-prepared, appealing listings. Today, they’re still available, giving buyers a rare window of opportunity.

2727 N George Mason Dr
  • 2016 N Adams St #604
     1 Bed | 1 Bath
    Presented by: RLAH @properties (RLAH3)
    Price: $295,000
    Days on Market: 20
  • 2903 S Woodstock St #B
     3 Bed | 2.5 Bath
    Presented by: EXP Realty, LLC
    Price: $549,900
    Days on Market: 25
  • 4855 27th Rd S
     2 Bed | 2 Bath
    Presented by: EXP Realty, LLC
    Price: $599,900
    Days on Market: 26
  • 2001 15th St N #1210
     2 Bed | 2 Bath
    Presented by: Central Properties, LLC
    Price: $799,000
    Days on Market: 26
  • 2801 Langston Blvd #302
     2 Bed | 2 Bath
    Presented by: Corcoran McEnearney
    Price: $799,000
    Days on Market: 27
  • 5713 19th St N
     3 Bed | 3 Bath
    Presented by: Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
    Price: $998,000
    Days on Market: 25
  • 630 N Edison St
     3 Bed | 2 Bath
    Presented by: Compass
    Price: $1,275,000
    Days on Market: 26
  • 2566 Military Rd
     4 Bed | 3 Bath
    Presented by: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
    Price: $1,299,900
    Days on Market: 25
  • 322 N George Mason Dr
     5 Bed | 4.5 Bath
    Presented by: Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
    Price: $1,450,000
    Days on Market: 24
  • 2727 N George Mason Dr
     5 Bed | 5.5 Bath
    Presented by: Corcoran McEnearney
    Price: $1,795,000
    Days on Market: 25

If you would like to tour any of these homes please reach out to me to book a private showing, Jean Ropp, [email protected] or 781.635.5530

Statutes of Liberty: “I’ve Seen Better-Organized Riots” – $100,000 fee added to H-1B Program

By James Montana

This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq. and Janice Chen, Esq., practicing attorneys at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Falls Church, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact us for an appointment.

On Friday, September 19, 2025, the Trump Administration published a Proclamation – “Restriction on Entry of Certain Non-Immigrant Workers” – which purported to impose a $100,000 ‘supplemental fee’ on all petitions, with the penalty being that visas – that is, entry documents provided by the US Embassies and consulates abroad – would not be issued for any beneficiary of a petition for which the supplemental fee had not been paid. The Proclamation did not explain whether this $100,000 ‘supplemental fee’ applied only to prospective H-1B petitions or to current petitions. The plain text of the Proclamation suggested that it applied to all H-1B workers “currently outside the United States” as of 12:01 AM EST on September 21, 2025. Therefore, every H-1B visaholder who happened to be outside the U.S. on September 19th had excellent reason to panic. Corporations, including Google, and Amazon, reacted rationally by telling their workers to drop everything and fly home, pronto.

On Saturday, September 20, 2025, USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow published a one-page memorandum that walked back the worst elements of the Proclamation. It clarified matters, at least to a degree, by stating that the proclamation “only applies prospectively to petitions that have not yet been filed” and not to current H-1B visaholders. On Sunday, September 21, 2025, the Department of State and Customs and Border Protection released similar clarifications.

The result of this haphazard rollout was – predictably – chaos, which sparked criticism across the ideological spectrum, from Steve Bannon to tech industry trade groups. Even the attempts to reassure current H-1B visaholders fell flat, because – incredibly – the Administration appears not to have decided yet whether the $100,000 surcharge is annual or once every three years, or whether it applies to changes of employer outside the annual lottery process.

This chaos managed to overshadow another massive change to the H-1B process – a notice of proposed regulatory action, by which the Administration is seeking to eliminate the current H-1B lottery, which allocates visas randomly so long as the proposed employment meets the threshold qualifications and does not fall the prevailing wages observed by the Department of Labor. In its place, the Administration is seeking to create a ‘weighted’ system which prioritizes positions that are being paid at higher than the prevailing wage. Note that, unlike the 2021 proposed revisions, this new proposed system doesn’t prioritize the highest-wage positions, as an absolute matter, but rather prioritizes those positions with the greatest difference between the wage offered to the foreign employee and the prevailing wage. If the prevailing wage for legal secretaries is $50,000 per year and you offer to pay a foreign legal secretary $150,000 per year, the new weighted lottery system prioritizes your application over an application for a foreign AI researcher who earns much more.

It’s difficult to say why the Administration rolled out the new $100,000 surcharge in this way. It seems likely that the speed of the rollout was intentional; if the Administration had provided even two weeks’ notice, companies would have rushed to file new applications before the deadline. But, given that intentionality, it is hard to understand why the Administration didn’t foresee the inevitable consequences of sloppy drafting – in cost, heartache, and legal bills – and work to prevent them.

Who was at fault for this? We’ll have to wait for the memoirs and tell-alls to be released. The official White House ‘Rapid Response 47’ Twitter account offered an interesting theory: “Corporate lawyers and others with agendas are creating a lot of FAKE NEWS around President Trump’s H-1B Proclamation.”

The White House didn’t mean to include Statutes of Liberty in its criticism, and properly so. We don’t traffic in fake news. We’re real advertisers.

Readers are, as always, invited to ask questions, real or fake,, and we will do our best to respond.

Arts Focus: Theatre on the Run hosts tribute to Arlington’s trailblazing women musicians

By Sponsor

This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

South Arlington’s neighborhoods were undoubtedly fertile ground for women musicians of color. The area was home to both the legendary vocalist and pianist Roberta Flack as well as the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, an all-female, multi-ethnic big band that toured to national acclaim in the 1930’s and 40’s. Now, two contemporary women musicians uplift the legacies of these Arlington legends with a weekend showcase at Theatre on the Run, at 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive, in Arlington.

1/3

The world premiere of Suite for Sweethearts by Amy K Bormet takes place on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025 (shows at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.). The following evening hear Killing Me Softly: A Love Letter to Roberta Flack by vocalist Munit Mesfin and the First Take Band on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 (shows at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.). Reservations for this FREE event are available on Eventbrite.

Additionally, Bormet and Mesfin will each offer youth-oriented presentations at the same location on Sunday, Oct. 5. Bringing Flack’s children’s book, The Green Piano to life via an interactive performance, Munit and z Lovebugs Celebrate Roberta, Music and You! occurs at 11:00 a.m. Amy K Bormet offers an improvisation workshop for all experience levels (Age 14+) at 2:00 p.m. Bormet also offers a free Open Rehearsal, Wednesday Oct. 1 (8:00 – 10:00 p.m.). (more…)

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: September 24, 2025

By Sponsor

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: While Arlington Realty, Inc. provides this information for the community, it may not be the listing company of these homes.

As of September 22, there are 215 detached homes, 55 townhouses and 235 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 39 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

1610 N Queen Street

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc.

Ask Eli: Expect a slower housing market through year’s end

By Eli Tucker

This regularly scheduled sponsored 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: What market conditions do you expect through the rest of the year?

Answer: One of the best ways to use data in real estate is studying seasonal trends to understand expected market conditions during different times of the year, to maximize the results of your sale or purchase. Market activity, specifically the volume of listings coming to market and the speed at which homes go under contract, follows a predictable pattern.

This time of year, in the DMV, we can expect a post-Labor Day pop in listing activity and increase in the speed homes go under contract, followed by a sharp and continuous drop in both metrics, through the end of the year. Activity picks up once the calendar turns.

Expect Listing Activity to Drop Sharply Now to Year’s End

Only 18% of homes get listed for sale October-December, compared to 33.1% from March-May. The number of homes listed in the three months from March-May is almost the same amount listed in the five months from October-February.

If you have difficult criteria to meet, it might take a while to see a home for sale that works for you, especially after Halloween.

A graph with numbers and a line AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Homes Will Take Longer to Go Under Contract Through Year’s End

It isn’t just the supply side of the market that slows down in Q4, the speed at which homes go under contract will drop sharply from now through the end of the year, too.

While you may have more time to make offer decisions in Q4, don’t get too comfortable, more than 1/3 of homes go under contract within the first ten days on market and nearly 2/3 go under contract within thirty days.

Eli and his team believe that your real estate needs should be managed by advisors, not salespeople. Their mission is to guide, educate, and advocate for their clients through real advice, hands-on support, and personalized service.

Schedule a meeting

All Aboard Penrose: historic Hunter Station for sale

By Carolanne Korolowicz

This regularly scheduled sponsored column is written by Carolanne Korolowicz

Every Arlingtonian knows the slog down 395, the bumper to bumper on Route 50, and the jam on 66, but we should consider ourselves lucky to live in a time with a fairly efficient and well-oiled commuter system. The county had a long history of various modes of transportation before the automobile and bus systems of today.

At the beginning of the 19th century, citizens journeying to Richmond would endure a 38-hour trip by horsedrawn coaches. By 1815, this was dramatically reduced down to 24 hours thanks to an overnight steamboat running from Aquia Creek to the Federal City. Twenty years later, a rail line from Fredericksburg to Potomac Creek was chartered— at a lightning speed of 10 miles per hour! Rail lines began popping up around the greater D.C. area making for quicker travel for both freight and passengers.

A Washington-Virginia Railway Company trolley on the Nauck Line (circa 1909).Photo Courtesy of the Penrose Neighborhood Association

One of the biggest impacts on Arlington’s development was the creation of a passenger trolley line. Starting in 1896, The first trolley line went from Rosslyn to Fort Myer. Like transportation years before, the first trolley car was literally horse-powered. The horse would pull the car up the hill and then would coast down on the back platform. Later on, motor-powered cars came into play, and the Rosslyn trolley connected with multiple new lines, which created the blueprint for many of the major roads we drive today, including Washington Blvd. and Fairfax Drive.

The trolley helped turn rural areas into the start of suburban neighborhoods. By the turn of the century, the Historic Penrose Neighborhood grew into a thriving working-class neighborhood thanks to it becoming the epicenter of commuter line connections. Hunter Station, positioned on the corner of 2nd St. and S. Wayne St., was where the trolley line would meet the Washington-Virginia line, a direct connection to the city. The trolley lines, unfortunately, went out of business by 1939 when automobile and bus travel became more prevalent.

Hunter Station, Courtesy of Megan McMorrow, Long & Foster

After the fall of the rail system, Hunter Station became a private residence. The property’s current owners purchased the property in 1977. Over 45 years later, the residents are now selling the property to a new “conductor”. Listed by Long & Foster, this over 2,500 square-foot property is currently listed for $899,000. If owning an unconventional home, or a home considered a landmark by neighbors, is of interest, you won’t find too many other opportunities within county lines.

Penrose has a rich history that its citizens take pride in. The trolley has become the community symbol and can be found on the neighborhood identification signs. The Mr. Rogers-esque charm of a neighborhood trolley isn’t the only remarkable trait of this South Arlington enclave. The Penrose Neighborhood Association has traced their history all the way back to 1649. From English settlers, Civil War battles, the establishment of Freeman Villages, to 20th century telecommunications — Penrose has a story.

Other Current Listings in The Historic Penrose Neighborhood:

  • 304 S. Veitch Street
    2 Bed/2 Bath, $685,000
    Presented by Sean Judge, Real Broker LLC
  • 507 S. Adams Street
    5 Beds/5.5 Bath, $2,250,000
    Presented by Kristen Schifano & Lindsay Stuckey, RLAH @properties
  • 2028 6th Street S.
    2 Bed/3 Bath, $605,000
    Presented by Beate Whitesell, Wilkinson PM LLC

Does your Arlington home have a story? I would love to highlight it! Please email me at [email protected]

Biz Talk: Arlington Innovation Fund companies scale fast in security, safety, and logistics

By Business Investment Group

This article is sponsored by the Business Investment Group of Arlington Economic Development.

When Arlington Economic Development (AED) launched its $1 million Arlington Innovation Fund (AIF) in 2023, the goal was to accelerate high-growth startups in critical sectors. A year later, the results are coming into focus. As Technical.ly recently reported, AIF is part of Arlington’s broader strategy to cement its position as a hub for tech entrepreneurs. Now, grantees like Phalanx, KnoNap and GenLogs are showing how that strategy translates into traction.

Cybersecurity startup Phalanx has built momentum around SendTurtle, its secure file-tracking tool. “We recently passed 4,000 users on SendTurtle, which shows people when their documents are opened, what pages are viewed and what actions they should take next,” Ian Garrett, CEO and co-founder of Phalanx said. Phalanx also points to Arlington’s innovation ecosystem as a key driver: “Being part of the Arlington tech ecosystem has given Phalanx access to a community of mission-driven founders, early adopters and strategic partners who prioritize innovation and security.”

For KnoNap, a female-founded safety tech company combating drink spiking, the Arlington ecosystem offers both resources and influence. “The region’s commitment to inclusivity, innovation and entrepreneurship has provided us with the resources and community support needed to scale confidently,” Danya Sherman, founder and president of KnoNap shared. Additionally, proximity to Washington, D.C. keeps the team plugged into conversations on equity, innovation and regulation that directly impact its mission.

KnoNap’s milestones since receiving a Catalyst Grant include joining the Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship, expanding its operations, and advising Pernod Ricard’s CSR team on responsible marketing and sustainability. “We’re proud to represent Arlington as a female-founded company making waves in both the tech and nighttime industries,” Sherman said.

Meanwhile, GenLogs, which builds logistics intelligence software, is scaling rapidly. In just its first year on the market, the startup grew from zero to more than 70 customers and projects 12 times its previously reported revenue growth in 2025. Additionally, the company’s total headcount has surged from three co-founders to 60 employees in under two years, with expansion into law enforcement use cases.

“Being headquartered in Arlington means having access to some of the best talent in the world,” said Ryan Joyce, CEO of GenLogs. “It also affords immediate access to the nation’s capital — which is critical for any company touching the public sector.” One high-impact example: GenLogs’ platform recently provided the tools police needed to rescue a minor from a truck involved in sex trafficking.

The Arlington Innovation Fund was built to fuel exactly these outcomes — startups scaling with purpose to drive economic resilience. AED is now extending this impact through the AIF Ecosystem Support Fund, which invests in local programming to strengthen the regional startup community and elevate Arlington’s profile as a nationally recognized tech hub. If you’re developing an event or resource that supports the innovation ecosystem — or want to learn more about AIF — we’d love to connect.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: September 17, 2025

By Sponsor

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: While Arlington Realty, Inc. provides this information for the community, it may not be the listing company of these homes.

As of September 15, there are 197 detached homes, 54 townhouses and 225 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 40 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

3909 30th Street N

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc.

Ask Eli: Six tips for selling to a builder

By Eli Tucker

This regularly scheduled sponsored 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: I’m planning to sell my home to a builder to be torn down, do you have any advice?

Answer: For many homeowners with older, smaller homes in expensive markets, selling to a builder is the easy and most profitable option when you’re ready to move. If you live in a home like this, you probably get hundreds of calls and letter from builders, investors, and real estate agents offering to buy your home as-is.

Here are six tips if you’re considering this option…

A brick house with a chimney Description automatically generated with low confidence

1. Don’t Overvalue Cash

The idea of somebody paying cash for your home sounds exciting and more reliable than somebody getting funds from a bank. “They pay cash” is one of the most common reasons I hear from homeowners explaining why they prefer selling to a builder.

The truth is that many builders don’t buy homes with a mountain of cash they have sitting around; they rely on strong banking relationships to finance their purchase with cash-like deals (the money is available quickly and easily).

The real value of cash is that a buyer can close quickly and does not require any bank approval, but a cash-like deal from a well-qualified buyer working with a great bank can often mirror this by removing any finance or appraisal contingency and closing as fast as the bank will allow (many can close in 2-3 weeks).

The contingency (or study period) structure and Earnest Money Deposit terms are more important than the funding source being a buyer’s private cash balance vs a trusted bank/lender. I would also argue that it’s more likely that an individual or builder cash-buyer will run into a cash crunch prior to closing than an established bank/lender.

2. Your Home May be Worth More to a Homeowner

It’s no secret how hard it is to find entry level homes these days. You may think that your current home with a small kitchen, old roof, and unfinished basement is only worth the land it sits on, but buyers are hurting for inexpensive homes, even if they need loads of improvements. Don’t assume that just because your home is small and dated that a builder is your only option.

Make sure you’re comparing builder offers to what you can get on the open market, taking into consideration other financial (e.g. differences in commission) and non-financial (e.g. timeline and showings) differences between the two routes. There may be little downside to testing the open market before committing to a builder, depending on your situation.

Your community will also appreciate your contribution to preserving the local tree canopy!

3. Builders Can Offer Attractive Rent-Backs

A rent-back means that you can live in your home after closing (aka after getting paid) for a specified period, usually for little or no cost, for months after a sale. For many sellers, this extra time is perfect for searching for your next home or apartment, with cash in-hand, or taking time to clear out decades of personal belongings.

A normal buyer can also offer a rent-back, and are often happy to, but if a home is being purchased using a mortgage for a primary residence, the buyer cannot offer a rent-back over two months. A builder, even if the funding comes from a bank, or cash buyer has no restriction on the length of rent-back. It’s well within reason to negotiate 3-4+ months of free or low-cost rent-back from a builder after closing.

4. Share in the Builder’s Profits

Jealous of the profit a builder will generate from building a new home on your lot? Rather than selling your home to a builder, consider negotiating an equity stake in the project and getting paid based on the sale of the new home. It’ll most likely take 16+ months longer to be paid and there’s more risk, but you can make a lot more than you would selling your existing home.

5. Delayed Settlements Can be Very Profitable

Most sellers want their proceeds as quickly as possible, but that may be costing them tens of thousands of dollars they could earn by agreeing to delay closing 4-6+ months (after going under contract). It takes at least 4-6 months for builders to get County-approved plans and start work and if a builder can avoid carrying the property during that time, the value of the deal goes up because their costs go down. So plan early to maximize the return on your home sale.

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6. Realtor Representation Can Be a Net Benefit

A direct sale without agents/commissions is one of the primary selling points builders offer and it’s certainly a good one, but representation and commissions come in many shapes and sizes that sellers can benefit from when selling to a builder. Benefits range from understanding how to measure the value/risk of contract terms like a study period or deposit, knowing what to negotiate for based on your needs/preferences, or effectively soliciting more bids to ensure you’re getting the best price.

Even though working directly with a builder can be simple, it’s important to remember that a builder’s core business is acquiring lots with favorable terms/prices, which runs counter to your best interests.

If you’d like to discuss buying, selling, investing, or renting, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].

We have access to the most pre and off-market listings across the DMV of any brokerage and are happy to share what’s available with anybody who asks.

Below are some of our team’s pre/off-market listings, details and additional listings available by request:

  • Rosslyn 2BR/2BA/1,100 sqft – condo (2008) – 1800 Wilson Blvd Arlington VA 22201
  • Rosslyn 2BR+den/2.5BA/2,000 sqft – condo (2021) – 1781 N Pierce St Arlington VA 22209
  • Ballston – 4BR/3.5BA+office/4,000 sqft – Four Townhouses (2026/2027) – 11th St N Arlington VA 22201
  • Falls Church City – 4BR/4.5BA/3,000+ sqft – End-unit townhouse (1995) – Rees Pl Falls Church VA 22046
  • Rosslyn – 2BR+den/2.5BA/2,000+ sqft – Condo (2021) – 1781 N Pierce St Arlington VA 22209
  • Highland Park/Overlee Knolls – 6BR/5.5BA/5,000+ sqft – Detached Single Family (2025) – 22nd Rd N Arlington VA 22205

Eli and his team believe that your real estate needs should be managed by advisors, not salespeople. Their mission is to guide, educate, and advocate for their clients through real advice, hands-on support, and personalized service.

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