column

Ask Eli: Winter damage covered by homeowner’s insurance

By Sponsor

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 Eli@EliResidential.com.

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.

Question: If somebody slips and gets hurt on the icy sidewalk outside of my home, will my homeowner’s insurance cover medical bills?

Answer: Winter introduced a slew of risks for homeowners, many of which can be managed through proper insurance coverage and planning (don’t forget to winterize your exterior plumbing!). I talked to my go-to insurance contact, Seth Kutner of ACO Insurance ([email protected]) about common winter claims and how they are handled by homeowners insurance.

Homeowners insurance can cover most winter-related claims if the policy is set up properly. Considering the high cost of the average insurance claim, it’s important to know what is and isn’t covered.

Trip & Fall Lawsuits

Make sure to properly clear your sidewalk area of snow and ice because you may be liable for someone tripping and falling on the sidewalk outside of your house in hazardous conditions. The liability coverage on your homeowners insurance will cover this and Seth recommends that everyone have a minimum of $500,000 in liability coverage.

Burst Pipes Due to Freezing

During the winter months, freezing pipes are a common issue that can lead to major problems. When the temperature drops, water inside your pipes can freeze, causing the pipes to expand and potentially burst. This can lead to significant water damage, expensive repairs, and the inconvenience of being without running water. To prevent freezing pipes, make sure to insulate any exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas.

If you do experience freezing pipes, it is important to call a plumber right away to help clear the pipe. In most cases, damage caused by a burst pipe from freezing is covered by insurance, a common exception is to a vacant home with the heat off.

Wind Damage

Whether wind directly damages your home or causes a tree to fall on your home, most policies cover the resulting damage. The deductible that you pay for this type of claim may be different than your normal deductible. Depending on your policy, this could be 2-5 times larger than your normal deductible. Some insurance companies have raised these deductibles and unless you have read your declaration pages (not common), you may not be aware of the changes.

Water Backup

After snow melts, it can create a large amount of water around the house. If you have a sump-pump, make sure that your insurance policy covers “Water/Sewer Backup” or the damage caused if your sump pump fails might not be covered. This is one of the most common home insurance gaps that catches homeowners off-guard with expensive uncovered repairs.

Chimney Inspections

As the weather gets cold, many homeowners will be firing up their chimney (literally). Regular chimney inspections are essential. Over time, chimneys accumulate debris, soot, and creosote, which are not only fire hazards but can also obstruct proper airflow, leading to dangerous carbon monoxide indoors.

Regular inspections and chimney cleaning will help minimize risk, so you don’t find yourself with a fire-related insurance claim (covered) or breathing hazardous carbon monoxide.

I find that homeowners insurance is often an afterthought for many homeowners. It’s a box they check when buying a home and they choose the path of least resistance to get a policy. It’s this approach that can leave you exposed and surprised by costly uncovered insurance events.

Having a real person review and design a policy for you based on where you live, what you own, and the type of home you’re in can be extraordinarily valuable. If you need a great resource for this, reach out to Seth at [email protected].

Shoveling Snow (credit: Adobe Stock)

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

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column or to discuss buying, selling, renting, or investing, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at EliResidential.com. Call me directly at (703) 539-2529.

Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel.

Eli Tucker is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with RLAH Real Estate, 4040 N Fairfax Dr #10C Arlington VA 22203. (703) 390-9460. 

Neighborhood Spotlight: Corcoran welcomes first affiliate in the Greater Washington, DC metropolitan area

By Sponsor

Neighborhood Spotlight is a bi-weekly column exploring Arlington County. This recurring column is sponsored and written by Corcoran | McEnearney.

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with you — McEnearney Associates | Middleburg Real Estate | Atoka Properties has joined forces with Corcoran, one of the most esteemed names in real estate. We are now Corcoran McEnearney!

What does this mean for you? It’s simple: the same trusted service and local expertise you’ve always relied on, now paired with the global reach, cutting-edge resources, and industry-leading innovation that Corcoran brings us.

This partnership enhances our ability to serve you better, whether you’re buying, selling, or investing. With Corcoran’s renowned network and our unwavering commitment to your success, we’re confident this marks a new chapter of possibilities for your real estate journey.

If you have any questions about this exciting change or how it benefits you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to continuing to provide you with exceptional service as Corcoran McEnearney.

Corcoran McEnearney

More Than 40 Years of Exceptional Service

The first McEnearney Associates office opened in 1980 with John McEnearney at the helm, whose personal commitment to offer best-in-class service with the industry’s best agents set the foundation for the company. More than 40 years later, the McEnearney name has continued to uphold this foundation while steadily growing to include more than 420 agents and 40 support staff across 13 offices, located throughout Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia.

Today, Maureen McEnearney Dunn, daughter of John McEnearney, is the President of Corcoran McEnearney, having been a part of the company since its inception and holding her current position since 2007. Throughout her tenure, Dunn has brought visionary leadership to grow the firm sevenfold, transforming its operations and expanding its market presence significantly.

Under her leadership, the firm has recruited top talent and fostered success amongst the agents, while focusing on marketing, education, training, relocation, and technology to keep the company ahead of the curve. Deeply committed to industry and community involvement, she has served on the Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS® Ethics and Professional Standards Committees and has led hundreds of key fundraising initiatives including the Capital Area Food Bank, Arlington Food Assistance Center, At Home in Alexandria, SCAN, Act for Alexandria, Share of McLean, and more.

“The authentic culture and dedication to excellence with the Corcoran® brand has always aligned seamlessly with the core values of McEnearney,” said Dunn. “Corcoran’s robust marketing strategies and expansive network can help equip our agents to deliver even greater care and support to both new and loyal clients. We are energized by the immense growth potential this partnership brings, reinforcing our commitment to delivering the exceptional service that has defined our company for 45 years.”

Depth of Industry Leadership

As a strategic growth merger, McEnearney Associates joined forces with Middleburg Real Estate/Atoka Properties in June 2023. Having led successful careers as agents, Peter Pejacsevich and Scott Buzzelli founded Atoka Properties and acquired Middleburg Real Estate in 2008. Initially drawn to Middleburg, Virginia, for its strong heritage and deep history, the team channeled their personal interest and successful business into establishing a premier brokerage serving Virginia and West Virginia’s countryside and beyond.

Now operating as Principal & Chief Operating Officer of Corcoran McEnearney, Pejacsevich brings his strong business acumen and global perspective to continue driving the company’s presence and growth throughout the greater Washington, D.C. metro region. His extensive industry experience in luxury sales and track record of success provide him with a profound understanding of every level within the business. This deep-rooted expertise allows him to drive innovation and enhance overall operational efficiency, ultimately contributing to the firm’s continued long-term success.

“This partnership has been a natural fit from the beginning,” said Pejacsevich. “The Corcoran® brand’s genuine spirit resonated with us – values of service, integrity, market expertise, and neighborhood fluency, affirming that together we could achieve something even more impactful in our market. While maintaining independence, we now gain access to cutting-edge technology, refined marketing strategies, an expanded network, and enhanced resources.”

Joining Dunn and Pejacsevich on Corcoran McEnearney’s executive leadership team is David Howell, Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer. Howell is a recognized industry leader who, among other distinctions, is a member of the Hall of Fame for both Virginia REALTORS® and the Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS®, where he also formerly served as President.

The Corcoran McEnearney executive team also includes Scott Buzzelli, Chief Strategy Officer; Jeanne Choi, Chief Marketing Officer; Kristen Doczkat, Chief Financial Officer, and a strategic growth team. Complementing this executive team, Corcoran McEnearney is further supported by five exceptional Managing Brokers, skilled corporate department leads, and dedicated office managers.

“We are thrilled to welcome Corcoran McEnearney, an impressive and well-respected company with a well-earned reputation for excellence and integrity,” said Stephanie Anton, President of Corcoran Affiliates. “By joining forces, our network is gaining invaluable expertise and presence in a major world market, while providing the tools and resources to further strengthen Corcoran McEnearney’s high standards in client service and agent support.”

Just Listed in Arlington: December 6, 2024

By Sponsor

Just Listed highlights Arlington properties that just came on the market. This biweekly feature is written and sponsored by Coral Gundlach Homes.

Hello Arlington!

Coral Gundlach here with Coral Gundlach Homes in Arlington. I’ve been an Arlington homeowner since 2001 and a Realtor since 2004. I love this real estate market, even though it has its challenges.

We are officially in the holiday season, and I am back after taking the Thanksgiving week off. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is enjoying our chilly December weather.

Typically this is the slowest time for buying and selling houses. People are busy with holiday parties and travel, and often put home buying off until the new year. For the week ending of December 1st and Thanksgiving week, it should come as no surprise that showings in Arlington were down to 456 compared to 636 the week prior. Purchase contracts were down to 22 compared to 44 for the week prior. 

Here are the numbers as of the time of writing: Friday, December 6 at 1 p.m.

Also, this week we will feature the highest and lowest condos listed. 

  • All active listings in Arlington: 258, down from 280 3 weeks ago.
  • New Listings in the past week: 39, down from 53 two weeks ago
  • Under Contract/Pending in last week: 23, down from 32 three weeks ago
  • Median Days on Market for Active Under Contract: 40, up from 18 three weeks ago
  • Median Days on Market for Pending: 17, up from 15 three weeks ago
  • All active detached listings: 96, up from 94 three weeks ago
  • New active detached listings: 16, up from from 12 three weeks ago
  • All active townhouses, fee simple: 19, down from 29 three weeks ago
  • All active condos/co-ops: 141, down from 155 three weeks ago
  • New active condos/co-ops: 24, down from 29 three weeks ago

Thirty-six total properties closed in the last week, down from 38 two weeks ago. The median CDOM was 19, down from 20 three weeks ago, and the median original list price to sales price ratio was 98.7% and the average current list price to sales price ratio was 100%, 

The highest priced new condo is a unique offering at Liberty Center condos in Ballston. This rare unit spans 2,970 square feet and has monthly fees of $2341/month. It has 3 parking spaces too. It is offered at $2,250,000.

The lowest priced newly listed condo is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 966 square foot condo in 22204’s Stratton House building. Condo fees are $1103.27 a month and include all utilities. It is listed for $255,000.

Contact Coral Gundlach Homes today at (703) 200-3631 or email [email protected] to talk more about buying or selling Arlington real estate.

This week’s Just Listed feature:

2235 North Nottingham Street, Arlington VA, 22205 — $1,800,000

2235 North Nottingham Street

This week, I’m excited to feature my wonderful private exclusive listing in the charming Parkhurst neighborhood of Arlington! 2235 North Nottingham Street is a 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath home offered at $1,800,000.

Just a stone’s throw to Overlee Pool, conveniently close to Westover shops and dining, and a little over a mile to the East Falls Church Metro, this home truly has the perfect location. Built in 2006, this lovely craftsman features an attached two-car garage and a stunning 8,900 square foot lot with over 4,200 square feet of beautifully finished living space over three levels. It’s situated in the popular Tuckahoe/Swanson/Yorktown school pyramid as well. You’ll love the welcoming foyer, the spacious 9-foot ceilings, and the comfortable and sensible. The open kitchen flows into the family room, complete with built-ins and a breakfast area that accommodates six, all overlooking a fantastic Trex deck and a vast, flat backyard.

The basement has a finished rec room with built-ins and a fireplace, 5th bedroom full bath and storage. Upper level has 4 generous bedrooms including a primary suite with a spacious bath including soaking tub, dual sinks, separate shower and private water closet. Two additional bathrooms and a full sized laundry room make this a fantastic upper level! With quality updates like a newer HVAC system and modern kitchen appliances, hardwood flooring on the main level and a brand new garage door opener, you can enjoy the comforts of a new home at a more accessible price than new construction.

Showing by appointment only during December. Call me for a private tour. 

Want to see more Just Listed properties? Interested in an Open House this weekend? We’re happy to show them to you privately! Contact Coral Gundlach Homes today.

Please note: While Coral Gundlach Homes provides this information for the community, they may not be the listing agents of these homes. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Statutes of Liberty: TPS-Lebanon is here, apply before January 20, 2025!

By Sponsor

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.

In October, we explained, in these pages, that TPS-Lebanon had been announced but that the application window had not yet opened yet. Great news!

The filing window is now open. In this brief advertorial, we want to describe the application process and offer our general view about the wisdom of applying early.

On October 17, the Department of Homeland Security announced that Lebanon was  designated for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months. This supplements — and, for most, will supersede — the previous grant of Deferred Enforced Departure for Lebanon. The application window opened on November 27, 2024 — just a week ago — and runs through May 27, 2026.

May 27, 2026 is more than a year away. January 20, 2025 — Inauguration Day — is substantially closer. Temporary Protected Status is a benefit granted by the Secretary of Homeland Security as a matter of discretionary authority delegated by Congress under the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

President Trump will appoint a new Secretary of Homeland Security — currently slated to be Gov. Kristi Noem — and it’s fair to assume that President Trump’s new Secretary of Homeland Security will have a different attitude towards TPS than President Biden’s Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas. The Trump Administration may move to revoke the grant of TPS for Lebanon.

Why is it fair to assume this? Because the Trump Administration, in its first iteration, moved to revoke TPS for El Salvador, Nicaragua, Sudan, Honduras, Haiti, and Nepal. These maneuvers were blocked by lengthy (and complex) litigation. A second round of attempts to revoke TPS is likely.

President-Elect Trump has said so, directly, that he intends to revoke TPS-Haiti; when asked if he planned to revoke TPS for Haitians in the United States, he replied, “Absolutely. I’d revoke it, and I’d bring them back to their country.”

We do not know whether President-Elect Trump will attempt to revoke TPS-Lebanon, but we believe that prospective applicants will be in a better position if they apply before he has a chance to do so.

The famous cedars of Lebanon.

So, if you qualify for TPS-Lebanon, we recommend that you apply before President Trump takes office. Here’s how:

  • Start gathering your documents. Your lawyer will want to see your Lebanese passport or your birth certificate, plus evidence that you have been physically present in the United States on or about October 16, 2024. Evidence of physical presence includes:
    • Your 2024 tax returns (file them next year!)
    • Employment records, if you have them
    • Rent receipts
    • School records for you or your children
    • Medical records concerning treatment for you or your children
    • Religious records describing your attendance at a place of worship
  • Put money aside. You can expect USCIS to charge up to $550 for your initial application.
  • Apply! You can apply online directly here, either on your own or (as we recommend) with the assistance of counsel.

You can call us at 888-389-8655, or make an appointment via Calendly, here. But we know that, with tens of thousands of Lebanese nationals in Northern Virginia, handling all of these cases is going to be a team effort. In that spirit, here are two other trustworthy local partners for Lebanese nationals who need help applying for TPS.

Just Neighbors

Just Neighbors has a wonderful program that focuses on immigrants who make 200% or less than the amount prescribed by the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For information on how to get help from them, see here.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington — Hogar Immigrant Services

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington is an excellent non-profit legal services center. They can handle your TPS application for a modest fee, and they’re wonderful people.

As always, we are grateful for your questions and comments, and will do our best to respond.

Arts Focus: Shop Arlington artists for unique holiday gifts!

By Sponsor
1/5

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

Looking for one-of-a-kind gifts this holiday season?

The studio artists of Arlington’s LAC Studios will hold their Annual Holiday Fine Crafts Show and Sale on Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the LAC Studios, 5722 Langston Boulevard in Arlington.

Shop local this holiday season and let Arlington’s extraordinary community of artists help you find that unique gift you’ve been looking for. The annual show and sale features ceramics, pottery and hand-pulled prints for sale by member-artists of LAC Studios (formerly Lee Arts Center), a program of the Arlington Cultural Affairs Division.

Participating artists include Amit Jalan, Cinda Berry, Claudia Vess, Cora Olson, Dana Lehrer Danze, Emily Shepardson, Gayle Weiss, J. S. Herbert, Julie Buyon, Laura J Fall, Nancy Quirolo, Susan Elliot, Susanne Seefeldt and other talented resident artists.

This is just one of the many opportunities to engage with Arlington’s arts and culture community this winter. For an array of activities across the visual and performing arts, please visit the Winter Arts Highlights page.

LAC Studios is a program of Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development which delivers public activities and programs as Arlington Arts. Our mission is to create, support, and promote the arts, connecting artists and community to reflect the diversity of Arlington.

We do this by: providing material support to artists and arts organizations in the form of grants, facilities and theater technology; integrating award-winning public art into our built environment; and presenting high quality performing, literary, visual and new media programs across the County.

For information on the Annual LAC Show and Sale, call LAC Studios at 703-228-0560 or visit arlingtonarts.org.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: December 4, 2024

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 December 2, there are 110 detached homes, 27 townhouses and 139 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 10 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

5920 35th 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: Market conditions will change quickly next month

By Sponsor

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 Eli@EliResidential.com.

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.

Question: I’ve noticed that the market has slowed down quite a bit the last few months. Is that a sign that the market is finally turning?

Answer: I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Last week, I asked everybody to vote on whether you should start eating your Thanksgiving meal before 5 p.m. or 5 p.m. or later. With 825 total votes, 77% of you said the meal should start before 5 p.m. and 23% voted for 5 p.m. or later. We aimed to start our meal at 4 p.m., but ended up starting at 5 p.m.

Will The Slow Market Continue into 2025?

Like clockwork, the second half of the year is slower than the first half (except when COVID flipped 2020 upside down) and it gets especially slow in the 4th quarter as focus shifts to holidays, family/friend time, and travel. This period of seasonal slowness consistently succeeds in lulling the market to sleep, resulting in predictions that whatever economic/housing headwinds exist at the time (high rates, rattled economy, affordability crisis, etc) will result in a down housing market the following year.

These predictions are consistently wrong, and the market usually proves that within the first few weeks of the new year.

The Data Says Prepare for a Rapid Increase in Demand

The data in the chart below is collected from Arlington sales going back to 2019, sans 2020 data and new construction. It shows market performance based on the week that properties go under contract based on the percentage of properties selling over the original ask, percentage of properties selling at or over the original ask, and the percentage of properties selling within ten days on market (my preferred measure of market speed).

  • The highlight of the chart is how rapidly the market shifts in January, relative to the previous 1-2 months. By the third week of January, the market is moving faster than it has in over three months and by the fourth week of the year, the market is experiencing stronger performance than it has in nearly every week over the past six months.
  • Only 27% of properties that go under contract in the second half of the year are over the asking price, but from the fourth week of January through May, an average of 45% of homes sell for over the asking price.
  • For buyers in the market, it’s important to also prepare for just how quickly homes will start selling. In the last seven weeks of the year, only 33% of homes were going under contract in the first ten days, but that jumps to over 46% by the third week of January and by early February over 50% of homes sell within the first ten days on market and the pace hovers around 60%-70% through May.

These percentages will vary based on the market conditions of a given year, but the important takeaway is how quickly demand shifts in the new year relative to the end of the prior year. As a reminder, Q4 ’22 to Q1 ’23, a period many predicted would result in a continuation of a slow/down market, delivered us the most significant whiplash effect through a new calendar year we have seen.

Contract Week Performance

You can see a similar shift in market conditions in this chart from Altos Research showing the percentage of properties in Arlington on market that have had a price decrease. The steep drops you see start when the calendar turns to January.

Properties With Price Decrease

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

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column or to discuss buying, selling, renting, or investing, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at EliResidential.com. Call me directly at (703) 539-2529.

Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel.

Eli Tucker is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with RLAH Real Estate, 4040 N Fairfax Dr #10C Arlington VA 22203. (703) 390-9460. 

Biz Talk: Amid strong business climate, Arlington invests in startup ecosystem in 2024

By Sponsor
1201 Wilson Boulevard

This article was written by Michael Stiefvater, Director of Business Investment for Arlington Economic Development.

Arlington stands out for its thriving business climate, and Arlington Economic Development (AED) took advantage of these strong fundamentals to invest in our startup ecosystem in 2024.

This year, Arlington was named the Country’s Best Mid-size Metro for Business while being the CNBC Best State for Business, recognizing our educated workforce, top-notch education system and business-friendly policies that support long-term growth and success for businesses.

However, despite these great fundamentals, Arlington is still experiencing challenges with office vacancies, which impacts Arlington’s commercial tax base. With large U.S. companies making fewer big moves or expanding less frequently to new markets, we looked to foster “homegrown” businesses and talent in 2024.

Arlington’s economic development strategy focused heavily on investing time and resources into Arlington startups and the startup ecosystem through the Arlington Innovation Fund (AIF). AIF encouraged the growth and success of Arlington technology startups by providing access to capital and enhancing the local tech ecosystem through sponsoring unique initiatives and programming. New hires at AED helped execute the strategy and supported new partnerships with Citrine Angels, Unstuck Labs and DC Startup Week.

Through the AIF Catalyst Grant program, Arlington awarded nine eligible Arlington-based startups non-dilutive coinvestment grants ranging from $25,000 to $50,000. Qualifying companies were early-stage ventures, and their grant funds can be used for hiring employees, conducting research and development, occupying commercial real estate, and other business-related expenses.

AED is closely tracking the success of this program. Still, early wins include AI trucking logistics startup GenLogs expanding from five employees to nearly 30 in the past nine months and HR-tech company Pryze scaling its platform and gaining traction with large customers.

Other significant moves and investments this year include:

Looking ahead to 2025, AED expects continued growth in our tech ecosystem, especially in the Advanced Computing (AI, cloud computing, etc.), Cybersecurity and Defense Tech industries. We’re also excited to see Virginia’s 2018 investments in our tech talent pipeline come to fruition with the opening of two new higher education tech and entrepreneurship programs, George Mason’s FUSE in December and the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus in February.

Arlington will continue to grow as an innovation hub thanks to Amazon and Virginia’s investments in the area. Exciting things are in the pipeline for the County in the new year.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: November 27, 2004

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 November 25, there are 111 detached homes, 11 townhouses and 134 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 17 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

2645 Fort Scott Drive

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: Important Thanksgiving poll — what time should you eat?

By Sponsor

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 Eli@EliResidential.com.

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.

Happy Thanksgiving ARLnow!

Eli Residential Group has donated $500 to Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) on behalf of ARLnow readers to support their mission to feed our neighbors. I’m grateful for you all.

Every Thanksgiving I ask the hard questions and poll ARLnow readers on Thanksgiving preferences:

  • In 2022, votes came in 291 for Dark Meat and 290 for White Meat — amazing (that 290 people are wrong)!
  • In 2023, 470 voted for Pumpkin Pie, 310 voted for Apple Pie, and 280 voted for Pecan Pie

This year, I’m back with another critical poll question:

Two Awesome, Local Businesses

I would like to shoutout two awesome local businesses that supported our annual client event. Acme Pie Co handmade 182 incredible pies for our clients. Interestingly enough, they chose pies in the exact opposite order of preference as ARLnow readers voted in 2023 — our clients ordered 75 pecan, 71 apple, and 36 pumpkin. Get yourself an Acme pie, you will thank me. They also do slices and other treats at their bar.

Thanksgiving pies (photo via Acme Pie Co.)

We hosted the pie pick-up at the recently opened Parciti indoor/virtual golf. They’ve got seven high-end golf simulators, and our clients had a blast playing. If you haven’t visited and are looking for a fun activity with friends/family over the holidays, give them a visit. The simulators have about 1,000 different courses, including many of the world’s most famous tracks. And the best part — when you shank your drive into the trees, you don’t have to go searching for it.

Both businesses are along The Pike and have endured 12-18 months of non-stop road and utility work, along with all the other awesome, mostly local/family-owned businesses along The Pike that all deserve our patronage. If you like supporting small, local businesses in your community and Pike business and restaurants aren’t usually on your radar, consider adding them to your rotation this holiday season.

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

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column or to discuss buying, selling, renting, or investing, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at EliResidential.com. Call me directly at (703) 539-2529.

Video summaries of some articles can be found on YouTube on the Eli Residential channel.

Eli Tucker is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with RLAH Real Estate, 4040 N Fairfax Dr #10C Arlington VA 22203. (703) 390-9460. 

Neighborhood Spotlight: Give where you live — highlighting local nonprofits

By Sponsor

Neighborhood Spotlight is a bi-weekly column exploring Arlington County. This week’s column is sponsored and written by Kelsey Crittenden of Corcoran McEnearney. Questions? Reach Kelsey at 703-863-2629.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it’s a wonderful time to think about how we can give back to the community that we’re all so grateful for.

There are many incredible organizations right here in Arlington that could use our help. Let’s talk about how we can ‘Give Where We Live’ this holiday season! Together, we can support these groups who work every day to create a better, more caring community.

Animal Welfare League of Arlington

First up, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. For animal lovers like me, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington is a great place to make a difference. For more than 75 years, they’ve been helping our four-legged friends find homes and provide resources so animals can stay happy and healthy.

They offer everything from dog walking and cat socialization to adoption counseling and more! Fun fact: if you know anyone who’s looking for a way to unwind, spending time with animals is a great way to de-stress. So if you or someone you know would love a little more animal time, the Animal Welfare League might just be the perfect fit!

EcoAction Arlington

EcoAction Arlington is our community’s answer to a sustainable future. From stream cleanups to their Energy Masters program, they give volunteers hands-on ways to help our environment and build awareness right here in Arlington. A pro tip: sign up with a friend to make volunteering a fun and meaningful way to spend time outdoors, all while helping the planet! Know someone who’s passionate about the environment? EcoAction is a great way to turn that passion into action! It’s a rewarding way to enjoy Arlington’s natural beauty while giving back.

EcoAction Arlington Barcroft Park Cleanup and Trash Tally 2023 (photo courtesy EcoAction Facebook)

The Clothesline for Arlington Kids

If you’re cleaning out closets and swapping seasonal wardrobes think about donating to The Clothesline. Arlington’s Clothesline provides a fun, free shopping experience for kids in need. With donations from generous neighbors, they offer children the clothing they need to feel confident and comfortable in school and life. This is Arlington’s first free clothing store for school-aged children.

Twice a year, kids in need get a chance to pick out a season’s worth of clothes — completely free. Volunteers here sort and display donations like a real boutique! And teens — here’s your chance to join in, too, by helping sort clothes or even organizing a drive of your own. If you’ve got clothes your children have outgrown, consider donating them to The Clothesline. Ask your schools if they are donating their lost and found items anywhere before the new year — it would be a great opportunity.

Arlington Community Foundation

Next, we have the Arlington Community Foundation, the heart of local giving. If you want to be a part of something bigger, you can volunteer in fundraising or grant committees that really help shape the future of Arlington.They bring people, resources, and ideas together to create positive change in our community.

From fundraising to outreach, their volunteers work hard to build economic opportunities. Think about how you can make an impact on Arlington’s future by lending your time or expertise here. Looking for a way to add more charitable giving to the season of giving while supporting your neighbors in need? Every Giving Season (November — New Year’s), Arlington Community Foundation hosts the Nonprofit Holiday Wish Catalog featuring grant ideas of local nonprofits with wishes of up to $5,000 each. Check it out here (link).

PathForward

PathForward provides shelter, supportive housing, and medical care for those experiencing homelessness. Their story started with just a few bagged meals, and now, they’re a full-service center helping people rebuild their lives. Volunteers can serve a hot meal to over 80 people each night. Come with a smile and make someone’s day a little brighter! Get educated on the program with a tour of the center to learn more. There are many ways you can donate here, including sponsoring a bagged meal — you can pack them up at home and drop them off at the center.

Arlington Food Assistance Center

Finally, At the Arlington Food Assistance Center, their mission is to provide groceries so families can focus on essentials like housing and health. As a mom, I know how essential it is to keep our families fed and healthy, and that’s where the Arlington Food Assistance Center comes in. AFAC provides groceries to local families, which helps them focus on other important needs like housing and medication. Kids ages 12 and up can help pack bags — it’s a great way to teach kids about community and kindness.

There are also easy ways you can get involved with your schools. Discovery Elementary School has a Food Bus program where volunteers take donations every week from the school to AFAC. There are so many ways volunteers of all ages can help. Pitch in to help feed your neighbors this season — it’s something that’ll nourish the whole community.

This Thanksgiving, let’s show our gratitude by giving back to these wonderful organizations that make Arlington a stronger, kinder place for everyone. Because when you give where you live, you’re not only helping your neighbors — you’re strengthening the entire community. Get involved, make a difference, and let’s make this season of giving one that counts.

If you have something you are passionate about that you did not see represented I encourage you to visit the Arlington non-profit link to explore more, there are so many ways that I did not cover.

It’s Kelsey Crittenden with Corcoran McEnearney and I hope I’ve inspired you to give where you live this holiday season. As a native Arlingtonian I am so thankful to be a part of this vibrant community! Kindness counts and Happy Holidays!

Corcoran McEnearney, 3135 Langston Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201, 703-525-1900, corcoranmce.com. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Statutes of Liberty: A screwtape letter — dear Stephen Miller

By Sponsor

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.

[Note to readers: We decided this week to bring you a work of satire. This advertorial is written in the style of C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, in which a senior devil offers his best — that is, worst — advice to a junior devil.]

My dear Stephen,

The Fallen Angel, by Alexandre Cabanel.

I have been very pleased — to the extent that we can feel pleasure, here, in the Infernal Realms — by what I read of your team-building efforts aboveground. You have assembled a remarkable lineup. (Inkgibbet’s dispatches concerning your new colleagues have been most intriguing. I look forward, in particular, to reading more about your new Attorney General — a kindred spirit if I ever met one.)

However, as servants of the Archfiend, we are not permitted to rest; we are not granted even a moment of respite. If you do not achieve results, rest assured: I will not suffer, and you will.

You seem happy with your plans. I do not think that you have a reason to be. Here, as I understand it, is what you propose to do.

  1. You plan to create a “Warrior Board” to weed out military officers who might oppose you.
  2. You then plan to mobilize the National Guard to then start a campaign of mass deportations.
  3. Once you’ve arrested the non-citizens, you then, of course, expect to repatriate them promptly. That will, of course, include mothers and children.
  4. The last time you tried deporting mothers and children, you ran into a very human problem: sniveling complaints about “breaking up families.” Your proposed solution is to deport the entire family, even if the family includes U.S. citizens. No family separation problem this time!
  5. Where do you intend to put all of these people? Well, we read that your team wants to put them in “vast holding facilities that would function as staging centers.” Euphemisms are for childish mortals. Between us, let’s be frank: you intend to open the camps.

You cannot seriously believe that these plans will come to fruition.

First, the humans will instantly understand the nature of your plan, and they will oppose it. It simply will not do to fire all the generals who “lack leadership qualities”; doing so will alienate and irritate the very people you expect to carry out your orders.

Second, the troops that you mobilize will not readily agree to become domestic law enforcement agents. What the humans mean by ‘oath’ is, at the deepest level, a mystery to us, but it seems clear that they mean, by that word, a promise which they find difficult to break. They have all promised to uphold “the Constitution” — mere parchment to be sure — but you may find them to be rather stubborn in their insistence upon following its inky edicts. Moreover, many of those troops are immigrants themselves. Do you expect them to whistle while they work?

Third, you will be checked at every turn by lawyers and judges. Your record, in your first four years of bull-rushing the Constitution, was not impressive. If you invoke the Insurrection Act, open up camps to detain migrants en masse, expect to read a lot about Korematsu v. U.S.. Expect your actions to be enjoined left, right, and center. And expect buckets of habeas corpus predictions.

Federal judges will be ordering you to release people from custody faster than you can say “qualified immunity.” And don’t count on that immunity, either. Qualified immunity protects you, personally, from the suit, as long as you don’t violate that was “clearly established” at the time you took action. Nothing is more clearly established, under the Americans’ silly laws, than the right to have your day in court. You may enjoy it yourself — and what possible evil would that achieve?

Remember, you were granted this awesome power, not because you are a dreamer. Dreams, like the specious dribbling the humans call ‘philosophy,’ are for those who have not embraced the Infernal Realism: What we see is all there is, and we must bend it to our own ends, until the subjects of our experiments are twisted like wire. They must regard plain evil as “policy” and cruelty as “toughmindedness”; they must do our will not because we tell them to, but because they regard it as inevitable.

You cannot expect to achieve low ends without preparing the ground with a proper psychological barrage. Work on that first, or, after your inevitable failure, prepare to meet me in my office. I long to lecture you on strategy and tactics. I feel a certain ravenousness just thinking about it.

As always, I loathe questions — and, especially, comments — and you may not expect a response.

Your Affectionate Uncle,

Screwtape

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