The last two years have made history in the number of fatalities recorded on American roads. The spike in fatalities was noticeable soon after most states went on lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The uptick came as a surprise to experts because the expectation was that the rate of fatalities would slump with fewer cars on the road. As the economy reopened and more cars came back on the road, the rate of deaths on the road seemed to change for the worse, with approximately 32,000 deaths recorded in the first nine months of 2021. That figure is 12 percent higher than the numbers recorded in the same period in 2020.
Pedestrians Death Statistics
While most recorded fatalities involved persons in a vehicle, pedestrian deaths have also shown a drastic increase. According to the Governors Highways and Safety Association, approximately 6,721 pedestrian deaths were recorded in 2020. This number represented a 4.8 percent increase in the previous year’s numbers, at 6,412. The NHTSA is yet to release 2021 data but going by the accidents reported in the first nine months of the year, pedestrian deaths are likely to hit a record high.
While the last two years have been especially bad, the last decade has seen a steady rise in pedestrian fatalities, with data indicating a 45 percent rise in fatal pedestrian accidents between 2010 and 2019. In the ten years, 53,435 pedestrians died after being hit by vehicles.
Anxiety Plays a Role
According to experts, the high incidence of pedestrian fatalities in 2020 and 2021 may have resulted from anxiety, DUI, and the fraying of social norms. “2020 was the darkest year in the recent past; people lost jobs, and the future looked very uncertain,” says car accident attorney Maxwell Paderewski of Lone Star Injury Attorneys .
The uncertainty causes anxiety which presents a high likelihood of taking the driver’s mind from the road resulting in an accident. The fraying of social norms like meeting up with friends and relatives meant that many drivers did not find a way of relieving built-up pressure further increasing anxiety evidenced by a surge in road rage.
Lack of Enforcement
The open roads also created an opportunity for drivers to engage in risky driving behavior like speeding. In 2020 a woman was arrested for killing a pedestrian while speeding along Central Avenue. According to her boyfriend, they were engaging in a game of racing home in separate cars. This is only one case among many where drivers were engaged in reckless behavior on open 2020 roads that had a record number of auto fatalities despite the low volume of cars on the road.
Lack of enforcement in 2020 also contributed to reckless driving at the height of the pandemic, even as police minimized traffic stops for fear of exposure. This lack of enforcement encouraged some drivers to engage in risky driving behavior like Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
The Pedestrian Share the Blame Too
Drivers are not to blame for all pedestrian deaths. Sometimes it is the pedestrian that is at fault. According to data from the NHTSA, three out of four passenger deaths happen at night. Unfortunately, not many pedestrians think about visibility when walking at night, increasing their possibility of being hit by a vehicle.
It is unlawful for a pedestrian to leave the sidewalk and enter the road in a manner that puts a motorist in danger of hitting them. Unfortunately, jaywalking is pretty common, especially with intoxicated pedestrians increasing their chances of getting hit.
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By Melissa L. Watkins, Esq.
Social media has a very long half-life, possibly longer than radioactive material.
As a federal employee, you are subject to certain limitations regarding your social media activity. There are five basic rules you should keep in mind as you engage with social media:
- Don’t: Use Personal Social Media During the Workday
- Don’t: Give the Impression You Are Posting in An Official Capacity
- Don’t: Share Non-public Information.
- Don’t: Violate the Hatch Act
- Don’t: Post Content that Could Raise a Security Concern
These rules will help you to avoid violations of the Federal Government Standards of Conduct and the Hatch Act.
The Federal Government Standards of Conduct do not prohibit federal employees from establishing and maintaining personal social media accounts. However, employees must ensure that their social media activities comply with the Standards and other applicable laws, including agency supplemental regulations and agency-specific policies.
When federal employees are on-duty, the Standards of Conduct require that they use official time in an honest effort to perform official duties, and that they use government property only to perform official duties, unless they are authorized to use government property for other purposes. Where agencies have established policies permitting limited personal use of government resources by their employees, those policies may authorize employees to access their personal social media accounts while on duty.
However, you should keep in mind that there is no right to privacy on work devices. If you do use your work device, whether desktop computer or mobile phone, to access personal accounts, understand that your activity may be monitored by the agency. The Standards of Conduct also prohibit employees from using their official titles, positions, or any authority associated with their public offices for private gain.
In addition to rules arising from the Federal Government Standards of Conduct, federal employees are also prohibited from engaging in certain activities on social media due to the Hatch Act. The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from sending messages through social media that advocate for a political party or candidate for partisan public office while on duty or in a federal building. Engaging in such activity may subject federal employees to disciplinary action.
There are three general prohibitions under the Hatch Act that apply to all federal employees:
- Employees may not engage in political activity while on duty or in the federal workplace.
- Employees may not knowingly solicit, accept, or receive a political contribution for a political party, candidate in a partisan race, or partisan political group at any time.
- Employees may not use their official authority or influence to affect the outcome of an election.
Beyond the rules established by the Federal Government Standards of Conduct and the Hatch Act, federal employees, contractors and applicants should also be mindful of the impact that social media can have on possessing or applying for a security clearance.
Federal agencies may also consider publicly available social media information in connection with an application for a security clearance. While the government has been quick to point out it has not yet created a good process for ‘checking’ social media in the background investigations process, the government has been clear that publicly available social media information may be a part of the government’s continuous evaluation process. It is advisable to change your privacy settings to “friends and family only” and to not accept new friend requests from people who you don’t know.
Contact Us
If you are a federal employee in need of employment law representation, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook and Twitter.
Crime rates across the U.S. have steadily fallen over the past few decades. However, the murder rate rose 30 percent between 2019 and 202, the most significant single-year increase since the early 1900s (1905, to be precise), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This increase even exceeded the 20 percent rise in the murder rate from 2000 to 2001, including the deaths resulting from the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Discussions regarding appropriate law enforcement practices increased following this unexpected uptick. Over the years, several suggested police reforms have been proposed, ranging from the widespread use of body cameras to abolishing the police.
Debate On How To Reform Police
The yearly declines in murders and calls for increased vigilance in the wake of police killings prompted police reforms in past years. What was already a widely-debated topic and become even more controversial in the face of continuing community unrest and increasing crime rates.
Some are proponents of harsher policing measures to help curb what many fear will be a continuing problem (that is, they fear the murder rate will continue to rise), such as re-introducing stop-and-frisk policies. Others advocate for reforming current policing measures, such as bringing in use-of-force consultants and better de-escalation tactics. And yet more want to integrate expanded services that involve the police coordinating with community services, such as teaching officers how to respond to calls involving mentally ill or disabled individuals.
There is little agreement between political factions (and even within the parties) on the most appropriate reforms. Many are concerned about addressing persistent violence without violating individuals’ constitutional rights or further damaging the relationship between officers and the communities they protect.
Potential Causes For Violent Crime Increases
Similar to the murder rate, aggravated assault rose roughly 12 percent between 2019 and 2020. Violent crime increased approximately five percent during this same period, though rape and robbery (two specific subsets of violent crime) both decreased.
There is conjecture surrounding what caused the sudden upward trend in murder and other violent crimes. Two commonly-cited potential causes are the economic and social stress brought on by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the strained relations between police and communities following events such as the murder of George Floyd.
However, preliminary data suggest that it may be possible to rule out responses to police killings as one reason for the increased murder rates. As reported by The Washington Post, which tracks police-involved fatal shootings, the number and circumstances of fatal shootings remain relatively consistent (roughly 1,000 per year). There was an increase from 2019 (999 shootings) to 2020 (1,021 shootings), but a decrease from 2020 to 2021 (962 shootings).Â
Context For The Increased Murder Rate
Though this sharp rise is the largest single-year increase recorded since the early 1900s, the 2020 murder rate (7.8 homicides per 100,000 people) was still 22 percent lower than the 1991 murder rate (10 homicides per 100,000 people) and far below the murder rates of the 1970s and 1980s.
Additionally, the Pew Research Center reported that roughly 61 percent of U.S. adults described violent crime as a “very big problem.” Although, the murder rate for 2020 was 42 percent lower than the suicide rate (13.5 deaths per 100,000 people) and 71 percent lower than the rate of deaths related to drug overdoses (27.1 deaths per 100,000 people).
As discussions continue for what reforms are most appropriate for the future, it is important to keep historical context in mind. In this manner, individuals will be able to propose reforms and practices informed by the past but equipped to handle the present and future.
Unexpectedly losing a loved one is traumatic, and no amount of money could replace that pain. When the death occurs due to someone else’s negligence or irresponsible actions, the grief can feel even more severe. However, filing a wrongful death lawsuit can help lessen the financial burden and provide a sense of justice for the recovering family.
Child custody disputes are not uncommon when the relationship between the parents has come to an end. When the matter cannot be settled amicably, parents may have to involve lawyers, a mediator, or even seek the court’s intervention on who the child(ren) will live with.
If you are paying the fees for a child custody hearing, especially without savings, your costs will most certainly increase the burden on an already stressful court case. The good news is that understanding what to expect in a child custody case can help you to minimize your costs.
The Average Cost of a Child Custody Case
“Most parents do not pursue child custody after a marriage has broken down because of the additional stress and high costs that come with it,” said family lawyer Nicole Bikakis of Dolan Divorce Lawyers, LLC. While child custody battles can be expensive, the cost may vary widely due to the many variables involved in a child custody case.
Under normal circumstances, the cost will range somewhere between $3,000 to $40,000 in total expenses. However, it can be far more expensive based on the case’s circumstances. Attorney’s fees account for a large portion of the overall total cost, but there are more factors that determine how expensive a case will be.
Here are some of the factors that greatly affect the cost of a child custody case.
Type of Custody Dispute
Much like divorce, there are two different types of child custody disputes: contested or uncontested.
Having a contested case typically means there is a challenge or dispute regarding how the child’s custody will be handled. For instance, if one party is determined to have sole custody and doesn’t cooperate or agree to anything, the case will proceed to trial in court. This often requires depositions, court time, and much more.
On the contrary, having an uncontested case means both parties agree on all the major issues. Since both parents already agree on most issues, an uncontested child custody case will cost a lot less to resolve than a contested case. In addition, an uncontested case gives the option to use mediation instead of a trial.
Although mediation is not free, it is the less expensive option. A mediator is often paid hourly and charges anywhere between $100 to $300 per hour.
Specialists and Expert Witnesses in The Custody Case
If the custody case is aggressively contested, the court may call a specialist or an expert, such as a psychologist or doctor, to give their opinion. However, these professional witnesses can be very expensive. Even if the dispute is amicable, the parties involved may still need to undergo a custody evaluation.
Custody evaluation, including tests, interviews and professional monitoring, also impacts the overall cost of a child custody case. It can cost anywhere between $1,500 to $6,000.
Miscellaneous Fees
Besides the cost of an attorney, the overall cost of a child custody case will also include some miscellaneous fees. An example of a miscellaneous fee is the payment for the sheriff or a third-party process server who represents the other party, which costs approximately $30. Other additional fees might include the fees associated with filing the required documents and papers with the court, which can cost as little as $1 or as much as $300.
Putting It All Together
Child custody cases can be emotionally and financially draining to parents. Since these cases usually get heated and can take time to resolve, you need a family lawyer in your corner to ease your burden while working through this complicated legal matter.
Togetherness is good for the heart. Be together at The Kensington.
Open House by Appointment Only
Saturday, February 5 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
To RSVP call 571-570-9607 or email [email protected]
Join us at The Kensington Reston for a cozy peek inside our community at our Winter Open House!
The moment you step inside, you’ll feel The Kensington Reston difference: an indescribable sense of warmth, belonging and home.
Get acquainted with The Kensington, where we promise to love and care for your family as we do our own. And we do. We are here for you — skilled, prepared and ready to participate fully in your care journey.
As specialists in all aspects of Assisted Living and Memory Care, we offer services and programs that are thoughtfully designed, clinically comprehensive and highly personalized. By offering three levels of Memory Care, we improve quality of life for our residents to the greatest extent possible. And couples are welcome, even if their care needs differ. We’re standing by, eager to listen and ready to help.
Our team and residents are fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, and we are taking all the necessary precautions to keep you and your family safe during our Winter Open House. Our team is also available to meet virtually!
Meet Furniture Max, the Herndon furniture showroom that goes beyond the usual in its service, in-stock selection, and fast delivery options — as in, same day and tomorrow at the latest. No more waiting weeks or months for your furniture!
When you’re in the market for new furniture, like, now, and — this is kind of a big thing for you — you would like it made with American craftsmanship and materials, Furniture Max has it.
Furniture Max has the latest design and decorating styles for every room of the house: The obvious ones (living room, bedroom, dining room) — but also the home office (so important these days) and the entertainment center (ditto).
Furniture Max eliminates bouncing from one store to the other to compare deals. You’ll do it anyway, but you’ll see for yourself. And if you need it, there is online financing to continue the speed-of-light furnishing of your house or apartment.
Oh, and one more thing: Most of the products are made in the USA by American companies. It’s important to you, we know.
And one more thing: There’s a store-wide President’s Day sale going on.
Furniture Max is at 2441 Centreville Road in Herndon. Call 571-459-7178 or email [email protected].
In the first six months of 2021, the U.S recorded the highest death toll in the past 15 years. The secretary of transportation, Pete Buttigieg, considered the event a “crisis,” stating that above 20,000 died in road accidents within the first six months, leaving behind thousands of loved ones. These fatalities can not and should not be accepted as an everyday event in America.
“The increase in road fatalities notwithstanding the restrictions in movement as a result of the pandemic is a cause for concern,” says Lin McCraw, personal injury attorney.
There have been collective efforts from law enforcement agencies and transportation officials to bring down the number of deaths to a bare minimum.
Death Toll Statistics
Drawing from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), an estimated number of 20,160 people died in vehicle traffic crashes within the first half of 2021. This figure represents about an 18.4 percent increase compared with the first half of 2020, which had a figure of 17,020 as projected.
This figure not only represents the highest fatality rate ever recorded in the U.S. since 2006, but it also represents the highest percentage increase ever recorded in a half-year in the data record history.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 8,935 fatalities were recorded in the first quarter, a 13.1 percent increase from previous quarters. The department recorded 11,225 deaths in the second quarter, a 23.1 percent increase. The sum of the two quarters records a total of 20,160 fatalities and a percentage change increase of 18.4%.
Traffic Safety Misbehaviors
Observation reveals that many drivers, especially motorists ignore the speed limits while hurrying to meet up with an occasion, a job, or an appointment. And, they fail to obey basic safety rules like wearing a seat belt, which has increased the number of ejections from fast-moving vehicles.
Private research supervised by the federal transportation safety expert reveals that some drivers use their cell phones to call or chat while behind the wheels. Many fatalities have also been linked to the use of drugs and alcohol during the COVID-19 period. These factors have contributed to the increase in road fatalities.
Sometimes body weakness can also contribute to poor driving, such as sickness or sleepiness. Though this might appear to be outside the driver’s control, it can be managed by just staying out of the wheel for the period.
This suggestion also stands for taking some medication before stepping on the wheels. No matter how compelling, these situations have consequences for the public’s safety.
Caution Against Traffic Safety Misbehaviors
In reaction to these misbehaviors, the deputy administrator of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), Dr. Steven Cliff, commented in a sad and cautionary note. He considered the report disheartening.
Drivers could do more to reduce accidents on the road by wearing a seat belt or driving with extra care, which involves avoiding any form of distractions while on the wheel. He urged that everyone put hands on deck to prevent road fatalities and end any form of dangerous driving.
The road safety authorities, including the police, have taken it upon themselves to trail speeders and offenders who violate road safety rules in hopes of reducing accidents and influencing people to take more precautions.
For example, the Government officials of some Districts, the District of Columbia, have vowed to address safety issues involving roads’ optimal signage and speed limits design and construction, particularly to safeguard pedestrians and bicyclists.
Wrapping up
Regardless of the spontaneous rise in road fatalities, the situation can still be cushioned by intentionality and selflessness on the part of everyone, which includes drivers and road authorities. If drivers, be you, motorcyclist, bicyclist, or vehicle, can be more responsible behind the wheels, there certainly will be a decreasing change in road accidents.
The newly renovated Buffalo Wing Factory at Hunters Woods Plaza is ready to celebrate the Big Game on Sunday, February 13. Are you?
No?
Then get with the game plan!
- Dine in —Â At the remodeled restaurant and let them serve you from their revamped menu of well-crafted comfort food, ranging from their patented “smashburgers” (two seasoned patties that are smashed and seared on the grill) to oversized salads to a wide variety of pizzas.
- Brews —Â Buffalo Wing Factory features craft beer, with an extensive list of popular domestic beers and rotating selection of special label and local suds on draft. The revised cocktail menu is for those who enjoy spirits with their wings and sports.
- Carry-out —Â Enjoy the Big Game on your own screen at home and order from Buffalo Wing Factory on line. It is strongly suggested (by your guests!) that you pick up an assortment of Buffalo Wing Factory’s Buffalo-style wings, in some 25 flavors and four different heat intensities, ranging from mild to the “torrid zone.”
Beer, sports and wings. Enjoy. We hope your team wins!
Buffalo Wing Factory is at 2260-D Hunters Woods Plaza in Reston. Call 703-390-9015 or see the map here.
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By John V. Berry, Esq.
Governor Glenn Youngkin announced last week that his administration has opened an official email tip line for Virginians to submit “reports and observations” of “inherently divisive practices” in Virginia schools. On a radio show last Monday, he touted the new tip line and encouraged parents to send his administration “any instances where they feel their fundamental rights are being violated [or] where their children are not being respected.”
While it remains unclear exactly what might constitute such a “divisive practice” in the eyes of the new Governor, he has emphasized his broader goal to rid the school system of such teachings, including Critical Race Theory — despite CRT not actually being taught in K-12 schools in Virginia. This move comes after the Governor expressly banned CRT in Virginia public schools via his first executive order.
But all those political controversies aside, this new tip line presents a new and unnecessary worry for the dedicated teachers of our Commonwealth. For society generally, I think this tip line is a terrible idea. As an employment lawyer, however, I think it is even worse.
Educators across the Commonwealth may be obviously and justifiably upset at the idea of having someone report them. This worry is only magnified by the lack of clarity regarding this new tip line. For instance, there is no clear guidance about what counts as “divisive” — so teachers now have to worry about anything they teach, or even just the way they teach it, possibly being perceived as “divisive” by a disgruntled parent, student, community member, or random third party.
Although it is not clear what sort of investigative and/or enforcement actions the Governor envisions against teachers, the move comes just as our teachers face among the lowest salaries for their profession in the United States and just as the Commonwealth continues to face serious teacher shortages that have only been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Being investigated by the government over such ambiguously defined concerns is the last thing our hardworking teachers need right now.
Many other questions about this tip line remain unanswered at this point, in addition to the vagueness of the “divisive practice” label. The Governor has not expressly stated that his goal is to investigate teachers, and his press secretary tweeted last Wednesday that the tip line is intended as a “resource for parents, teachers, and students to relay questions [and] concerns,” calling it a “customary constituent service to hear from Virginians.”
Asking people to report teachers over anything perceived as offensive or divisive is sure to result in overinclusion relative to anything that is truly a problem, and the breadth of this potential coverage is what is so problematic for the teachers faced with the Governor’s efforts. We have school boards and administrations for a reason — there is simply no need to create a culture of reporting schools and teachers to the state government rather than by solving problems within the school district.
The newly renovated Buffalo Wing Factory at Hunters Woods Plaza is ready to celebrate the Big Game on Sunday, February 13. Are you?
No?
Then get with the game plan!
- Dine in —Â At the remodeled restaurant and let them serve you from their revamped menu of well-crafted comfort food, ranging from their patented “smashburgers” (two seasoned patties that are smashed and seared on the grill) to oversized salads to a wide variety of pizzas.
- Brews —Â Buffalo Wing Factory features craft beer, with an extensive list of popular domestic beers and rotating selection of special label and local suds on draft. The revised cocktail menu is for those who enjoy spirits with their wings and sports.
- Carry-out —Â Enjoy the Big Game on your own screen at home and order from Buffalo Wing Factory on line. It is strongly suggested (by your guests!) that you pick up an assortment of Buffalo Wing Factory’s Buffalo-style wings, in some 25 flavors and four different heat intensities, ranging from mild to the “torrid zone.”
Beer, sports and wings. Enjoy. We hope your team wins!
Buffalo Wing Factory is at 2260-D Hunters Woods Plaza in Reston. Call 703-390-9015 or see the map here.
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By John V. Berry, Esq.
The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) recently issued new guidance for federal agencies and security clearance holders on marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) usage, in addition to investments in marijuana businesses. The guidance clears some issues up, but also raises new questions about the use of CBD for security clearance holders.
The three areas covered in the DNI’s new guidance include:
- Usage of CBD products
- Use of marijuana
- Investments in marijuana
Use of CBD
The most important update provided involves the use of CBD products by security clearance holders and applicants. The new guidance discusses the fact that the Agriculture Improvement Act excluded hemp with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than 0.3% from the definition of marijuana within the Controlled Substances Act.
Further, the new guidance explains that hemp-derived products that contain greater than 0.3% THC continue to remain illegal and potentially a problem for clearance holders. The memorandum explains that CBD usage can be a problem because the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) does not certify levels of THC in individual CBD products and that some products may be labeled incorrectly.
The guidance suggests the CBD products that cause a clearance holder to test positive for marijuana use could cause a negative security clearance action. The guidance, however, doesn’t really explain how far security clearance adjudicators will consider regular CBD use that does not result in a positive drug test.
Use of Marijuana
The DNI essentially restates the current standard for prior marijuana use to determine whether such behavior raises a security concern and whether that concern has been mitigated. The guidance states that marijuana usage is a problem, but not necessarily determinative in the security clearance process. It appears that the DNI is trying to make it clear that some prior usage will not be an automatic disqualifier.
Security clearance holders should clearly refrain from any marijuana use in advance of seeking (or while holding) a cleared position. Also, the guidance states that an individual that indicates an intent to continue using illegal drugs in the future (e.g. marijuana) will be disqualified from holding a security clearance. The DNI stresses that such use should be balanced with the overall person’s history (the whole-person concept) when making a decision as to whether to grant or deny a security clearance.
Investments in Marijuana
The new DNI guidance is helpful in clarifying a confusing area for security clearance holders concerning involvement in marijuana businesses and/or investments. We have received many inquiries from clearance holders about where the line is drawn with respect to investing in marijuana investments. The guidance makes it clear that investments in marijuana are still cause for losing a security clearance until Congress changes the Controlled Substances Act, even where states have legalized marijuana.
Basically, the DNI draws the line at whether the individual knowingly is involved in a marijuana investment, business or stock. If the investment happens to be part of a diversified mutual fund, however, there is a presumption that there is no security clearance issue.
We believe, given the rapid changing nature of CBD and marijuana laws that this guidance will be updated again in the next few years.
Contact Us
If you are in need of advice or representation in security clearance matters, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook or Twitter.
You’re in the market for new furniture. But you need it, like, now, or tomorrow at the latest.
And — this is kind of a big thing for you — you would like it made with American craftsmanship and materials. Those conditions eliminate just about every store at the mall (not that you would go there in the first place), and the discount stores, and that icon of Dutch do-it-yourself balsawood puzzles.
Meet Furniture Max.
The Herndon furniture showroom goes beyond the usual in its service, in-stock selection, and fast delivery options — as in, same day and tomorrow at the latest.
Furniture Max has the latest design and decorating styles for every room of the house: The obvious ones (living room, bedroom, dining room) — but also the home office (so important these days) and the entertainment center (ditto).
Furniture Max eliminates bouncing from one store to the other to compare deals. You’ll do it anyway, but you’ll see for yourself. And if you need it, there is online financing to continue the speed-of-light furnishing of your house or apartment.
Oh, and one more thing: Most of the products are made in the USA by American companies. It’s important to you, we know.
And one more one more thing: There’s a store-wide sale going on.
Furniture Max is at 2441 Centreville Road in Herndon. Call 571-459-7178 or email [email protected].
By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction
The beginning of another year brings the opportunity to start afresh and rethink our living spaces. We’re turning our attention to ‘what’s new in ’22’ when it comes to home remodeling and interior design. In the last few years, we saw a huge shift in what homeowners want when it comes to a home remodel, from calming spaces to multifunctional rooms with enough space for dual home offices due to the demands of virtual work and school. Some of these trends are here for the long haul, but there’s also a few surprises we think will gain in popularity this year. So, join us as we take a look at our team’s top picks for home remodeling and interior design trends.Â
Moody VibesÂ
Feeling moody? You’re not alone! It’s the first thing on the list for Synergy Founder, Mina, who says, “I feel people are feeling a little ‘moody’ (at least I am). Be it the lingering pandemic or just a yearning for more color in their lives, A big trend will be to darken things up a bit (darker blues, greens, and, yes, even grays) on walls and in cabinetry.” In her own home, Mina used this specially mixed paint color on the walls of her home office and added another on-trend design feature to lighten things up; the beautiful floral wall decals.Â
Organized Mudrooms
Not a new trend, but mudrooms are now packing a design punch in their own right. The multifunctional mudroom is now a top request for both newly constructed homes and home remodels, with everything from dog washing stations to home gyms to storage solutions being high on the “must have” list for homeowners. It certainly was for Nicola, Synergy’s Director of Marketing, who made sure there was not only a dog shower, but a built-in dog crate for her doggo in her new home. Likewise, in this home remodel in Vienna, our clients wanted a space that pulled double duty as a family-friendly mudroom and pool equipment storage area as well as a gym separated by a cool custom-built wooden slat dividing wall.
Geometric Tile
We called this trend way back in early 2020 and for Emily, Lead Designer, and Barbara, Project Coordinator, this one is still on the hot pick list. This is especially true when it comes to kitchen backsplashes. Emily says, “Classic-shaped subway tile is giving way to more fun, wacky shapes.” You don’t have to go too ‘out there’ to get the look. In this recent home remodel in Reston, the geometric backsplash adds a touch of modern design in a transitional kitchen. The floral window treatments are also on-trend. Floral wall and window coverings are making a BIG resurgence.
This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
39 properties successfully traded hands over the past two plus weeks. Not too bad given the holidays and other distractions.
What’s significant is that is almost 100% turnover of housing inventory! We have just 43 active listings in Reston, about a 2-week supply. This is consistent with what we’re seeing around the region. Buyer demand is high, but listings are in very short supply.
It’s interesting to note that coming on the market at the right price is still key to securing a good solid contract on your home. Short supply hasn’t driving buyers to write offers, solid value is what motivates buyers. You need to be the best presented item in your category — for your condition. In other words, your property doesn’t have to be perfect, you just can’t price it as if it is perfect!
Below are some of the properties that traded hands.
- 1851 Stratford Park Place #310 — 2 BD/2BA, $459,000 — $410,000 — 271 Days on Market
- 2360 Paddock Lane — 5 BD/3 BA, $795,000 — $825,000 — 11 Days on Market
- 1418 Church Hill Place — 2 BD/2 BA, $375,000 — $385,000 — 2 Days on Market
- 11238 Harbor Court — 2 BD/2 BA, $520,000 — $520,000 — 7 Days on Market
- 1230 Tottenham Court — 5 BD/5 BA, $1,249,000 — $1,350,000 — 2 Days on Market
If you’re looking to buy or sell in Reston and have questions, feel free to reach out!
This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
The Reston real estate market is starved for inventory with just 35 active listings and 13 in a Coming Soon status. For years we have averaged between 150-200 active listings, so this is painfully low.
Sparse inventory always favors the seller, however buyers are rejecting listings that don’t provide a good value proposition. Getting a fast contract for the best price usually happens because the property is in move-in ready condition, or, because the price acknowledges work to be done to get the property in good shape.
The market is very condo heavy with 31 of the total 48 properties being condos. As mentioned in my last blog, if you’re selling a single family and downsizing into a condo this is your market! You should be able to sell your single family house or townhouse for a premium and get a good deal on a condo!
Here’s a few of the new listings in Reston this week.
- 1629 Fieldthorn Drive — 2 BD/1.5 BA — $439,000 — Open Sunday
- 12000 Market Street #288 — 1 BD/1BA — $295,000
- 10801 Midsummer Drive — 5 BD/3 BA — $939,000
- 2320 Rosedown Drive — 5 BD/3.5 BA — $725,000
- 1656 Parkcrest Circle #101 — 1 BD/1BA — $274,980 — Open  Sunday
If you’re looking to buy or sell in Reston and have questions, feel free to reach out!
