This is a sponsored article from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.

Total property inventory is holding steady in the 225 range. A big improvement over the very constrained numbers we’d been seeing over the past year.

The momentary lull that many agents, myself included were talking about last week seems to be over with more showings and properties going under contract this past week.  This week we added 30 new properties for sale. The new listings are almost equal to the number of properties going under contract.

Here are a few of the new listings for this week.

11739D SUMMERCHASE CIR #1739-D 1BR, 1 Bath $204,000

1666 PARKCREST CIR #200 2BR, 1Bath $230,000

1978A VILLARIDGE DR #1978A 2BR 1 Bath $275,000

2151 POND VIEW CT 4BR, 3.5 Bath $430,000

2049 DURAND DR 5BR, 2.5 Bath $699,000

1960 BARTON HILL RD 5BR, 4 Bath $855,000

This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.

Lovely Lake Audubon is one of Reston’s gems. The South Reston homes built around Lake Audubon are worth a look if you love lakeside living. Lake Audubon Terrace is a good neighborhood to start — about half of the townhomes are direct lakefront property.

These three-level townhomes have three- and four-bedroom models that feature brick and siding. Some of the units have one-car garages, and all have two assigned parking spaces (with plenty of visitor parking available).

The cluster, located on Thrush Ridge Road and Glade Court, was built between 1983 and 1988.

Residents have lake access, complete with a private dock.  It is in close proximity to one of Reston’s premier hiking trails, the Turquoise Trail. The Walker Nature Education Center is just down the street. You are just minutes away from nature and all that the Reston Association trails have to offer.

Cluster residents attend Reston’s Sunrise Valley Elementary, Langston Hughes Middle and South Lakes High schools. South Lakes Village Center, with its Safeway store and restaurants,  is an easy walk.

See what properties are available in this South Reston neighborhood by visiting All Reston Real Estate.

This is a sponsored post from Michael Burns of RE/MAX Allegiance. The Just Sold column runs Mondays on Reston Now.

Here are some recently sold listings in Reston.  For an update on current market conditions in Reston, see the market update below.

• 11160 Mediterranean Court. 4 BR, 2.5 BA SFH. List price: $575,000. Sold price: $565,000
• 11216 Chestnut Grove Square. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. List price: $275,000. Sold price: $262,000
• 11776 Stratford House Place #705. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. List price: $599,500. sold price: $599,500
• 1515 North Point Drive #204. 3 BR, 2 BA Condo. List price: $379,900. Sold price: $375,000
• 12195 Abingdon Hall Place #204. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. List price: $412,000. Sold price: $390,000
• 2221 Wheelwright Court. 4 BR, 3.5 BA TH. List price: $359,900. Sold price: $350,000
• 2224 Springwood Drive. #102A. 2 BR, 1 BA Condo. List price: $245,000. Sold price: $245,000
• 11459 Washington Plaza W. 4 BR, 2.5 BA TH. List price: $569,000. Sold price: $550,000
• 11990 Market Street #812. 3 BR, 3 BA Condo. List price: $1,395,000. Sold price: $1,385,000
• 1411 Northgate Square #2A. 1 BR, 1 BA Condo. List price: $205,500. Sold price: $204,500

Current Reston Market Conditions

There are currently 222 properties for sale in Reston, and 178 properties under contract.  The ratio (1.25) is very favorable for sellers, and is the same as last week.

This ratio can be very different across different price points too.  For example, the ratio in the $1 million-plus price range is much higher (13.0).  Furthermore, additional trends can emerge across property types (single family detached, townhouse, condo) and zip codes (20190,20191, and 20194).

If you are thinking about selling your house, or would just like to know the more relevant ratio for your property, simply click here to fill out this short form and we will send the information to you within 24 hours.

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Every cat needs some form of identification, even indoor-only felines.

The most common reason owners don’t microchip their cats is that they “never go outside. However, many lost felines are the result of an accident like slipping out the door.

Another important reason to microchip is disaster preparedness. In the event of a natural disaster, evacuation, or even a house fire, your cat may become scared and in their efforts to get away and hide, become lost. If you and your cat are evacuated to a shelter or have to stay in a hotel for a period of time, your cat may be more likely to be scared and potentially get lost in unfamiliar surroundings.

Cats that get picked up by Animal Control are nearly impossible to return to their parents if they lack identification, and microchipping is the best chance of seeing your cat returned to you.

The simplest and most comprehensive way to register your cat’s information is by implanting an identity microchip in the scruff of your feline’s neck. It carries its own unique number that will be registered in a database along with the owner’s address and contact information. So if your cat is ever lost and picked up by Animal Control, a rescue group, or even taken to a veterinarian’s office by a good samaritan, the first thing they will do is scan the cat for a microchip.

So what exactly is a microchip? And how is it inserted into your cat?

The microchip is an approximately rice-grain-sized “living-tissue-friendly” glass bead.

The chip is inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades. Implanting the microchip into your cat is done with a needle, similar to an injection. The needle is slightly larger than an injection needle, and the best time to do it is if your cat is already having sedation or general anesthesia for a procedure. However, a microchip can be inserted during a regular appointment and takes only a few seconds.

Unfortunately, microchip brands and scanners are not yet universal, and there are several different manufacturers. In the United States, the two most common chip companies are AVID and Home Again. Most animal control facilities, shelters, and veterinary offices are equipped with readers for both types, and it’s important to remember that no matter what brand of chip you use, you remember to register it with the most up to date contact information. Typically when your cat is microchipped, your vet’s office will either register the chip for you or provide you with a form to submit directly to the chip company.

Remember, if you adopt your cat from a rescue group or shelter, he or she may already have a microchip. If they do, make sure to find out what kind it is so you can contact the company and transfer ownership and contact information from the rescue group to you. Additionally, any time you move or change phone numbers, contact the microchip company and update the information!

While microchips are the safest and best way to ensure you are reunited with your pet if they are ever lost, it’s only as good as the information you registered.

Additionally, if you are traveling overseas with your cat, an ISO chip is the best microchip to use because it can be universally scanned. Many countries including those in the European Union and Australia will not allow pets in the country without microchips. Make sure to check your destination’s specific requirements as many countries, including those in the European Union, require not only a specific type of microchip, but a specific timeline of when the cat is chipped and when it receives its vaccinations.

Please contact your veterinarian for more information.

This is a sponsored article from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.

I’ve had several calls from agents this past week or so all asking the same question — “Does the market seem quiet?”

We almost whisper this question, as if saying it too loud will somehow make it true. I have to admit to engaging in some of this worry myself. It has been quieter the past few weeks, but when you look at the numbers it’s clear that the market is still very active.

There are 230 properties that are fully active, and 47 new listings. This represents a little more than a 2 month supply of houses in our market, which still translates to a competitive market.

Here are a few of the newly listed properties.

1647 FIELDTHORN DR 2BR 2 Baths $347,500

1402 BELCASTLE CT 4BR 3.5 Baths $925,000

11613 SOURWOOD LN 4BR 3.5 Baths $774,000

2627 STEEPLECHASE DR 5BR 3 Baths $672,500

11012 RACCOON RIDGE CT 4BR 2.5 Baths $849,000

This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.

If you are doing an exterior home improvement project and are a member of Reston Association, you know you need to work the RA Design Review Board. But they aren’t the only people who need to be involved. When you’re doing an exterior home improvement in Reston, you also need to work with Fairfax County for your permits and be aware of any easements on your property.

Fairfax County Permits

Fairfax County administers structural codes, zoning, types of property use and regulations related to health and safety issues. The County also issues permits, inspects construction and holds bonds. Contact the county before you begin any work to verify what permits are required.

Easements

Any exterior change to your property needs to accommodate any easements. For example, utility companies have the right of easement for the underground installation, replacement and maintenance of their equipment, supply and transmission lines and drainage facilities, including ingress and egress for such purposes. Your property deed and site plan should indicate any easements that might affect a planned addition or alteration.

Utilities: Virginia makes is easy for you to work with the utilities–just call “Miss Utility” at 811. They’ll come out and mark the underground lines.

County Parks: If you have a property adjacent to Fairfax County Park Authority land (and there is quite a bit in Reston), contact their Planning and Development Division early in the planning phases to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Involving everyone who has a say in your exterior renovation early in the process is the best way to make sure the process goes smoothly. Now that summer is almost here, it’s a great time to start making those calls!

This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Reston Town Center that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement, and private sector employee matters. They write biweekly on RestonNow.

Many current and former employees often ask whether they have the right to obtain a copy of their personnel file or have the ability to review and inspect it at the very least. It is important to understand that each state has its own laws and regulations concerning personnel files of private sector employees. In addition, public sector (federal, state and county) employees are governed by different state and federal laws.

Access to Personnel Files Varies

Private sector employees are generally not entitled to a copy of their personnel file. Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland currently do not have statutes that require private sector employers to provide a copy of or even the ability to review employee personnel files. Some states, such as California and Connecticut, have passed laws requiring that employees have access to their personnel files. The national trend seems to be moving in favor of passing laws that require employers to provide current and former employees access to their personnel files.

Unionized private sector employees may have additional rights to review or obtain a copy of their personnel files, depending on collective bargaining agreements negotiated between a union and an employer. Federal employees generally have the right to obtain a copy of their personnel files through the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a. Virginia public sector (State or County) employees have the right to review their personnel files under Va. Code 2.2-3705.1 and Va. Code 2.2-3705.5.

In addition, if a personnel matter goes to court, an employee will typically be able to obtain a copy of his or her personnel file through litigation procedures.

Advice to Employees and Employers

If employees do not have a statutory or other right to obtain a copy of their personnel file, we advise that they still request the ability to review it. Even though employers may not have a formal policy on personnel files, human resources often will grant an employee’s request to review his or her personnel file.

We advise employers to consider allowing employees, under certain conditions, the ability to review their personnel file even if it is not required. This often has a positive effect on workplace morale and helps to limit suspicion in the workplace. It also gives the employer the ability to clearly document that an employee was put on notice where disciplinary or performance actions have been taken. An employer should certainly have a policy in place that is consistently applied to all employees.

Our firm represents federal employees and private, state, and county employees and employers in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland regarding employment matters and requests for information from personnel files.  We can be contacted at www.berrylegal.com or by telephone at (703) 668-0070.

This is a sponsored post from Michael Burns of RE/MAX Allegiance. The Just Sold column runs Mondays on Reston Now.

Here are some recently sold listings in Reston.  For an update on current market conditions in Reston, see the market update below.

• 2114 Green Watch Way #201. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. List price: $270,000. Sold price: $260,000
• 1117 Northwind Drive. 5 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. List price: $769,900. Sold price: $754,500
• 11529 Links Drive. 4 BR, 2 FB, 2 HB TH. List price: $475,000. Sold price: $485,000
• 1378 Cameron Heath Drive. 5 BR, 4.5 BA SFH. List price: $1,189,000. Sold price: $1,125,000
• 1305H Windleaf Drive, #168. 2 BR, 2.5 BA TH. List price: $399,900. Sold price: $399,900
• 11859 Dunlop Court. 4 BR, 2.5 BA TH. List price: $435,000. Sold price: $427,500
• 2251 Wheelwright Court. 3 BR, 3.5 BA TH. List price: $394,000. Sold price: $397,000
• 11248 Chestnut Grove Square #28. 2 BR, 2.5 BA Condo. List price: $239,900. Sold price: $233,500
• 11632 Chapel Cross Way. 3 BR, 4 BA TH. List price: $600,000. Sold price: $595,000
• 11463 Heritage Commons Way. 2 BR, 2.5 BA TH. List price: $475,000. Sold price: $467,500

Current Reston Market Conditions

There are currently 216 properties for sale in Reston, and 173 properties under contract.  The ratio (1.25) is very favorable for sellers, and has decreased from last week.

This ratio can be very different across different price points too.  For example, the ratio in the 1 Million plus price range is much higher (13.0).  Furthermore, additional trends can emerge across property types (single family detached, townhouse, condo) and zip codes (20190,20191, and 20194).

If you are thinking about selling your house, or would just like to know the more relevant ratio for your property, simply click here to fill out this short form and we will send the information to you within 24 hours.

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Human food is generally not meant for feline consumption. As a general rule, the food we eat lacks the specific nutrients in premium cat food that cats need for a healthy life. But human food tastes good to our kitties, and they can quickly develop a liking for it and lose their appetite for cat food.

For that reason, once you feed them the first time, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a cat who acts cute and begs for scraps the minute you go into the kitchen. Just in case that happens, it pays to know ahead of time which foods are ok for your kitty to eat.

The following foods are generally considered safe for cats:

Beef, chicken, turkey:

Given that cats are carnivores, cooked scraps of meat are generally pretty safe for your cat to eat. And if your cat steals an uncooked piece, that is not a big problem either. The feline digestive system is designed to process meat, so salmonella is usually not an issue.

The biggest threat to cats is choking on small bones, so make sure that any meat you feed your cat is boneless. Also ensure that the meat doesn’t have any seasonings that are dangerous to cats, such as garlic, onion, or salt.

Fish:

As with meats, cats generally like fish, and an occasional small piece of tuna as a snack is fine. But be careful about giving your kitty too much. Some species, such as tuna, swordfish and salmon, may contain higher levels of mercury that can deplete the cat’s vitamin E supply. Cod, halibut and flounder are generally safer.

Regardless of which type of fish you give your cat, always make sure that it is cooked, smoked or grilled. Uncooked, oily fish can break down thiamine in your cat’s body, and uncooked fresh water fish might carry a tapeworm.

Eggs:

Cats can safely eat eggs, as long as they are well-cooked and unseasoned.

Vegetables:

Even though cats are carnivorous, they do sometimes consume vegetables to help their digestion. Be careful, though, as onions, garlic or peppers can be dangerous. Vegetables that cats can safely enjoy include baked carrots, steamed asparagus or broccoli, green beans, winter squash, corn and chopped greens. Wash the vegetables well and avoid feeding your feline something that it cannot digest, such as raw carrots.

Dairy products:

Some cats like milk, cheese or yogurt, and they are a good source of protein. But many of our furry friends become lactose-intolerant as they mature into adulthood. For those cats, dairy products can cause diarrhea.

But if your cat likes and tolerates dairy, it is perfectly safe to give your kitty some milk, cheese or yogurt as a snack.

For more information about human foods that are toxic to cats please visit this fact sheet on the ASPCA website.

Classic Reston is a biweekly feature sponsored by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce that highlights businesses, places and people with deep roots in Reston.

For Reston’s first 25 years or so, the space now occupied by Reston Town Center was mostly woods and fields.

The location was always planned to be a downtown for Reston, but it took many years to figure out just what exactly that meant.

Reston was originally envisioned by founder Bob Simon as a series of villages with walkable amenities. But after Lake Anne and Hunters Woods were built in the 1960s, the project lost money. It was sold to Gulf Oil and Simon was fired. The vision was then amended, and the remaining “villages” took on a more typical suburban look.

Based on that history, if the planners of Reston Town Center wanted to be different they had better get it right.

By the late 1970s, Mobil Oil Corporation owned the remaining undeveloped land. It formed Reston Land Corporation to continue as the master developer of Reston.

Reston Land Corporation hired Himmel/Miller-Klutznick-Davis-Gray as its development partner for Phase I of Reston Town Center. The two groups then hired RTKL, a Baltimore-based architecture firm, and landscape architects Sasaki in 1984.

The first designs for town center looked more like a typical suburban mall. The mid-1980s, were, after all, still the golden age of malls. Read More

This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.

 Reston is a pedestrian-friendly place, and the West Market community in Reston Town Center is the perfect embodiment of that.

Built in the late 1990s, this neighborhood is within walking distance of Town Center (and all the great restaurants, shops, and entertainment there), Lake Anne Plaza, grocery stores (Trader Joe’s and Harris Teeter), the W&OD trail, and the YMCA.

You don’t need a car to live here, but if you do have one it is a quick hop onto Fairfax County Parkway and the Dulles Toll Road.

West Market comprises two condo communities: Lincoln Park Condominiums and Madison Park Condominiums. The Lincoln Park community has 104 luxury, two-story townhome style condos. Madison Park has 122 condominium units, 24 of which are townhouses, accommodated within seven buildings.

Five different builders came together to create a community with a diverse architectural style — many people notice the rounded exteriors that are unlike anything else in Reston. Spacious common areas include a club house, which includes a main hall and kitchen for meetings and gatherings, a fitness center and sauna, and an outdoor pool.

West Market is a great choice for anyone wanting to live in the Reston Town Center area without actually being in Town Center.

Photo by Karen Fegani.

This is a sponsored post from Michael Burns of RE/MAX Allegiance. The Just Sold column runs Mondays on Reston Now.

Here are some recently sold listings in Reston. For an update on current market conditions in Reston, see the market update below.

• 11180 Glade Drive. 3 BR, 2.5 BA TH. List price: $585,000. Sold price: $590,000
• 1951 Sagewood Lane, #12. 1 BR, 1 BA Condo. List price: $139,900. Sold price: $130,000
• 2241 Castlerock Square, #11c. 3 BR, 2 BA Condo. List price: $215,000. Sold price: $213,000
• 1314 Garden Wall Court, #210. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. List price: $307,000. Sold price: $307,000
• 1516C Summerchase Circle. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. List price: $264,900. Sold price: $264,900
• 12090 Chancery Station Circle. 2 BR, 2 FB, 3 HB TH. List price: $950,000. Sold price: $950,000
• 1610 Barnstead Drive. 3 BR, 1 FB, 2 HB TH. List price: $369,900. Sold price: $380,000
• 1951 Sagewood Lane #122. 1 BR, 1 BA Condo. List price: $135,000. Sold price: $130,000
• 1920B Villaridge Drive. 1 BR, 1 BA Condo. List price: $215,000. Sold price; $213,000

Current Reston Market Conditions

There are currently 211 properties for sale in Reston, and 161 properties under contract.  The ratio (1.31) is very favorable for sellers, and has decreased from last week.

This ratio can be very different across different price points too. For example, the ratio in the $1 million plus price range is much higher (13.0). Furthermore, additional trends can emerge across property types (single family detached, townhouse, condo) and zip codes (20190,20191, and 20194).

If you are thinking about selling your house, or would just like to know the more relevant ratio for your property, simply click here to fill out this short form and we will send the information to you within 24 hours.

This is a sponsored article from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.

Forty-seven new properties came on the market this week, the single largest increase in Reston homes for sale in more than nine months; total inventory is at 213 homes fully active.

Beautiful Spring weather has Reston neighborhoods looking their best — it almost doesn’t seem fair to the buyers! Below are a few of the houses that are new to the market this week.

1703 SHAGBARK CIR 2BR 2.5 Bath $820,000

2009 LAKEWINDS DRIVE 3BR 3.5  Baths $749,000

2429 SILVER FOX LN 4BR 3 Baths $619,000

11362 LINKS DRIVE 3BR 2 Full, 2 Half Baths $540,000

1912 WINTERPORT CLUSTER 2BR 2 Full 2 Half Baths $420,000

1625 PARKCREST CIR #3012 BR 1 Bath $249,900

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Heartworm is a parasitic disease that can be deadly to cats. Though it occurs more frequently in dogs, you should take precautions to ensure that it does not develop in your cat.

The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. When an insect carrying heartworm bites your cat, the parasites’ larvae pass into your cat’s bloodstream. If the cat is not on preventative medication, the larvae then develop into worms that can live in the right side of the heart and the pulmonary arteries. This process usually takes about eight months.

It is a common misperception that only outdoor cats are at risk of contracting heartworm. Any cat can get the parasite if bitten by an infected mosquito, and indoor cats in areas with mosquitoes are no safer than outdoor cats.

Unfortunately, there are no clinical signs that clearly indicate that your cat has heartworm disease. A cat with heartworm might start coughing suddenly and breathing more rapidly. However, these can also be signs of other diseases such as asthma or respiratory infections. The following table lists both acute and chronic clinical signs of heartworm, but please remember that these may also be indicators of other diseases.

Acute clinical signs: collapse, dyspnea, convulsions, diarrhea/vomiting, blindness, tachycardia (faster than normal heart rate while resting), loss of consciousness and sudden death.

Chronic clinical signs: coughing, vomiting, dyspnea, lethargy, anorexia, weight loss and pleural effusion resulting from fluid accumulation.

Whether those turn out to be signs of heartworm or not, please seek immediate medical attention if your cat shows any of these symptoms. Your vet will likely run blood tests to determine if the parasite is present, but many of these tests are not accurate and will not completely rule out the diagnosis.

If heartworms are present, there is unfortunately no cure and treatment can be difficult. Your vet will treat the symptoms, but unfortunately there is a risk your cat could die of pulmonary failure during the worm’s lifespan.

So what’s the good news in all of this? Preventing heartworm disease is extremely easy and helps to ensure your cat stays happy and healthy. Many heartworm preventatives are simple topical medications applied once monthly to the back of your cat’s neck. While there are a variety of heartworm preventatives on the market, they aren’t all effective or safe.

Always ask your vet about the different options available for your cat. Also by buying the product directly from your vet’s office, many manufacturers offer a guarantee and back their product 100 percent. Some will even pay for your cat’s treatment should they contract heartworms while on the preventative, or will even refund your money if your cat ends up having an allergy or sensitivity to the preventative.

For more information, please visit the Feline Health Library on our website: www.justcatsclinic.com.