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

It doesn’t feel like Spring, but the jump in housing inventory says that the Spring market is here. Thirty-two new listings hit the market this past week pushing Reston’s full list of active properties is at 142 — more than we’ve seen in a long while.

11990 Market St #712 $1,450,000

12200 Dark Star Ct, 4BR 3.5 Bath $799,900

11426 Tanbark Dr $679,000

12509 Fox View Way $574,900

2335 Millennium Lane $425,000

1670 PARKCREST CIR #201 $245,000

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

Chatham Colony Cluster is the kind of neighborhood where neighbors get together to watch ball games and children wander freely in and out of each other homes. If you wanted one word to describe this townhouse community in the Lake Anne area of Reston it would be “friendly.”

This is a small cluster of about 45 homes, each of which has a wooded backyard. These colonial style townhomes have brick exteriors, shuttered windows, and two designated parking spaces. With three bedrooms and full basements, each home offers plenty of space for growing families and empty-nesters alike. And like most Reston homes built in the 1970s, each has beautiful hardwood floors and large windows.

This quiet neighborhood sits right of Moorings and North Shore Drive, just a five-minute walk to Lake Anne and a five-minute drive to the new Wiehle-Reston East Metro station. Although not on Lake Anne, the cluster offers easy access to the Reston Association pathway that circles Lake Anne, making walks around the picturesque lake easy.

Children attend Forest Edge Elementary, Langston Hughes Middle School, and South Lakes High School. The North Shore Pool is an easy walk across Lake Anne Plaza, and the sprinkler park is practically in the neighborhood’s backyard.

Click here to find listings in Chatham Colony Cluster and the Lake Anne area of Reston.

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.

• 1830 Fountain Drive, #704. 3 BR, 3 BA Condo, List price: $799,900. Sold price: $799,900
• 11712 Mossy Creek Court. 3 BR, 1.5 BA TH. List price: $349,900. Sold price: $345,000
• 11977 Greywing Court. 4 BR, 2.5 BA TH. List price: $425,000. Sold price: $423,000
• 1717 Ascot Way #D. 2 BR, 2 BA TH. List price: $295,000. Sold price: $295,000
• 11416 Links Drive. 4 BR, 2.5 BA TH. List price: $389,900. Sold price: $391,000
• 2200 Springwood Drive #103E. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. List price: $274,900. Sold price: $274,900
• 1236 Weatherstone Court. 3 BR, 2 FB, 2 HB TH. List price: $499,900. Sold price: $483,500
• 1520 Farsta Court. 4 BR, 3.5 BA TH. List price: $435,500. Sold price: $442,000
• 1405 Earnshaw Court. 5 BR, 3 BA SFH. List price: $599,000. Sold price: $600,000
• 11188 Beaver Trail Court. 1 BR, 1 BA Condo. List price: $230,000. Sold price: $230,000

Current Reston Market Conditions

There are currently 134 properties for sale in Reston, and 140 properties under contract.  The ratio (0.96) is very favorable for sellers, and decreased slightly 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 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 weekly on Reston Now.

We often advise employees on how to best handle their employment problems in the workplace either while they are developing or after an adverse employment action. It is important for employees who are experiencing workplace problems to stay focused and calm while issues are developing and to follow some general guidelines. Here are 10 tips:

1. Relax.

When facing employment issues, don’t get visibly upset in the workplace. For instance, if you are meeting with Human Resources (HR), it is important to remain calm during the HR meeting. As difficult as it may seem at the time, it is important to stay calm even when dealing with significant employment issues. It generally is not helpful to argue with HR or a supervisor over an employment issue that arises. Doing so can put an employee at risk for discipline, placement on leave, or even retaliation. Listen to what HR or the supervisor has to say, remain non-committal about any allegations, but indicate a willingness to cooperate and work out any employment problems, if at all possible.

2. Don’t Post About Employment Issues on Social Media.

It is highly recommended that an employee not post his/her employment problems on social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter). Employees often forget who they have friended in the social media realm or haven’t adequately set privacy settings. Despite having set privacy settings adequately, there still may be an extended audience (e.g., friends of friends) who are privy to the employee’s posts.

Our firm often sees insubordination or misconduct cases involving posts that employees have placed on their social media accounts about issues in their employment (or about a particular supervisor) that have somehow been forwarded on to the employer or supervisor involved. Employers and their attorneys have simply become more adept at obtaining this type of information. Read More

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

The Spring market has arrived in Reston with 125 active listings and 25 new listing in the past 7 days. The market continues to be very active with agents reporting strong Open House activity and multiple contracts for properties that have been well prepared and priced for the market.

It’s interesting to note that for as fast as the market has been moving there is none of the frenzied buying at any cost– the activity is all related to constrained inventory.

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

2161 Cabots Point Lane– 3BR 3 Bath $660,000.00

11459 Washington Plaza W 4BR 2.5 Bath $579,000

1449 Newport Spring Court 3BR 2 Bath $460,000

1959 Belmont Ridge Court 2BR 2 Bath $335,000

Want to see more listings? Visit the Reston Real Estate website and see homes in Reston and all over Northern Virginia.

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.

More than a dozen years ago, the idea was hatched to offer commemorative bricks to Restonians for a permanent place at Lake Anne Plaza.

Since then, nearly 700 bricks have been dedicated at Reston’s original village center, says Lynn Lilienthal, longtime Reston resident and former chair of the Reston Historic Trust.

And with Reston’s 50th anniversary and founder Robert E. Simon’s 100th birthday approaching next month, 2014 will be a big year for commemorative bricks. About 50 bricks will be dedicated at the 2014 Founder’s Day on April 5. That’s about twice as many as in a typical year, says Lilienthal.

“When we started the project, we thought it would be a good fundraiser,” said Lilienthal.

While the nonprofit Reston Historic Trust does make some money from the bricks, Lilienthal says she is proud of the way the bricks have turned into a historic timeline of Reston founders, original residents and other people who have had an impact on the community over the years.

Most of the bricks honor people who still live in Reston, but many memorialize those who are no longer with us. The latter is particularly important at the 50-year mark, as many founders have died, Lilienthal says.

Simon purposely designed Reston without a cemetery as he thought the funeral home business was money-hungry. So the bricks serve as kind of memorial, though Lilienthal makes it clear “they are commemorative, not a graveyard.”

Among some of the people memorialized in the bricks are members of Simon’s family: his parents Robert E. Simon Sr. (1877-1935) and Elsa (1885-1964), as well as sisters Helen, Betty and Carol, and his late son, Paul.

Other memorials include former Reston Used Book Shop co-owner Victoria Reid, who died in 2004; arts and civic leader Ann Rodriguez (2009); and Leonard Taylor, Norma Cruz Kahn and Norma Lang Steuerle, who perished on American Airlines Flight 77 on Sept. 11, 2001.

This year, seven bricks have been purchased by “The Kids on The Plaza,” a group of people who grew up in Reston and are now in their 40s and 50s. They raised money to honor 11 among them who died young but will now be memorialized near where they spent so many good times at Lake Anne.

If you are looking for a particular brick, stop by the Reston Historic Trust and Museum at Lake Anne Plaza. The museum has a database of where each brick is located.

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

Many of my clients are curious about the whole Reston Association Design Review Process. It is something they really want to understand before buying a home in Reston.

In a previous post, I talked about working with Reston Association’s Design Review Board. Today, the topic is appealing a DRB decision. And yes, you can do it.

How to Appeal a DRB Decision

To appeal a DRB decision, you must be either the applicant or a registered Affected Party. And the DRB will hear only one appeal of a decision.

To get your appeal heard, you must submit it to the DRB Secretary within 15 days after the notice of a decision has been mailed. If you’re filing the appeal as an Affected Party, it must submit it within seven days after notice of a decision has been mailed. All requests for appeals must be submitted in writing.

After that, the process is that the Secretary will schedule the appeal to the next available full Design Review Board. DRB decisions may be overturned on appeal for either or both of two reasons:

• If the original reviewer(s) misapplied specific guidelines or DRB-approved cluster standards.
• If there is new and/or additional design information that was not available to the original reviewer(s).

Typically, the appeal decision becomes the final decision.

For more information on the Design Review process, visit the Reston Association website.

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.

• 1509 North Point Drive #103. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. List price: $314,500. Sold price: $305,000
• 11055 Bishopsgate Court. 3 BR, 2.5 BA SFH. List price: $708,000. Sold price: $700,000
• 11214 Harbor Court. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. List price: $350,000. Sold price: $340,000
• 1708 Lake Shore Crest Drive #26. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. List price: $316,500. Sold price: $301,000
• 2233H Lovedale Lane #409A.  2 BR, 2 BA Condo. List price: $274,900. Sold price: $270,000
• 1130 Round Pebble Lane. 5 BR, 4.5 BA SFH. List price: $999,900. Sold price: $975,000
• 12104 Kinsley Place. 3 BR, 3 FB, 2 HB TH. List price: $949,900. Sold price: $910,000
• 11723D Summerchase Circle. 2 Br, 1 BA Condo. List price: $245,000. Sold price: $245,000
• 11220 Chestnut Grove Square #124. 1 BR, 1 BA Condo. List price: $219,900. Sold price: $219,900

 Current Reston Market Conditions

There are currently 133 properties for sale in Reston, and 132 properties under contract.  The ratio (1.01) is very favorable for sellers, and decreased slightly 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 column from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.

The spring market is picking up, and inventory is moving fast in Reston. Here are a selection of homes new to the market this week:

11990 Market Street #1002, 3 BR, 3 BA Condo, $1,475,000

1298 Stamford Way,  6 BR, 4.5 BA SFH, $1.160,000

11187 Longwood Grove Drive, 5 BR, 3.5 BA SFH, $939,000

1141 Meadowlook Court, 3 BR, 3.5 BA SFH, $829,000

1275 Lamplighter Way, 4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH, $699,900

2068 Lake Audubon Court, 3 BR, 3.5 BA TH, $699,900

12035 Edgemere Circle, 3 BR, 2 FB, 2HB TH, $569,900

11800 Sunset Hills Road #821, 2 BR, 2 BA Condo, $469,900

To see all new listings, visit Reston Real Estate’s website.

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

Links Pond Cluster in South Reston feels like a little touch of country in the heart of Reston.

The 67-home neighborhood borders Reston National Golf Course, and features the pond for which the cluster is named. It’s a common sight in the summer to see people spending lazy days fishing in the pond. This cozy neighborhood feels remote, but is actually in the heart of all Reston has to offer.

Developed in 1974, the Links Pond community features three-level, four-bedroom brick-and-siding townhouses. Each home has one assigned parking space, with plenty of additional parking on South Lakes Drive.

This is a great community for young families. The schools — Terraset Elementary, Langston Hughes, and South Lakes High School – are all close. With easy access to the Reston Association paths, it’s easy to get out for a run or walk. Links Pond is close to both South Lakes Village Center and Hunters Woods Village Center, home to the Reston Community Center.

Residents also have easy access to the Toll Road and the Wiehle Metro station. As with every cluster that is part of Reston Association, Links Pond residents have access to the RA pools and tennis courts—nearby Glade pool with its waterslide is a favorite for kids!

Find listings for Links Pond and South Reston on my website.

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.

• 11981 Barrel Cooper Court. 4 BR, 2.5 BA TH. List price: $324,900. Sold price: $ 318,500
• 12001 Market Street #311. 1 BR, 1 BA Condo. List price: $324,900. Sold price: $302,000
• 1754 Sundance Drive. 3 BR, 2.5 BA TH. List price: $369,900. Sold price: $361,500
• 2292 Gunsmith Square. 3 BR, 2.5 BA TH. List price: $388,000. Sold price: $390,000
• 11021 Ring Road. 4 BR, 3 BA SFH. List price: $495,000. Sold price: $483,000
• 2353 Hunters Square Court. 2 BR, 2 BA TH. List price: $314,900. Sold price: $315,000
• 11809 Briar Mill Lane. 4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. List price: $585,000. Sold price: $550,000
• 11442 Tanbark Drive. 4 BR, 2.5 BA SFH. List price: $689,900. Sold price: $675,000
• 1300 Windleaf Drive #160. 2 BR, 2.5 BA Condo. List price: $359,900. Sold price: $355,000
• 1601 Barnstead Drive. 3 BR, 1.5 BA TH. List price: $359,900. Sold price: $361,000

Current Reston Market Conditions

As of Friday, there were 129 properties for sale in Reston, and 119 properties under contract. The ratio (1.08) is very favorable for sellers, and increased slightly 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.

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.

Before there was a widespread movement to buy local, reuse and recycle, there was Small Change Consignments.

In 1981, Susann Gerstein was a New York transplant with young children who found herself with time on her hands and an idea. Kids grow out of their toys and clothes so fast — why was there no children’s consignment store in Reston?

Gerstein teamed with two friends, and they opened Small Change at Lake Anne Plaza, unsure of what kind of reception they would find.

“This was before people even recycled newspapers,” she said. “But they knew garage sales. We were the only game in town — there was no eBay, no Reston Town Center, no discount stores.”

The store was successful from the start, says Gerstein. Thirty-two years later, the two other founding partners have moved on, the store has moved to a bigger spot at Lake Anne Plaza and the second generation of consignment shoppers and sellers are the new store regulars.

That includes Gerstein’s own now-grown children, who bring their three children by for some Grandma time among the kids’ stuff.

“It’s paradise when they come here,” she said.

Small Change is stocked — even crammed — with kids items, which are generally half of what you would pay retail. There is everything from everyday play clothes to high-end designer wear from Burberry. In winter, North Face jackets are a top seller, Gerstein says. In summer, shoppers are always looking for Keen sandals. Always in demand are pricey strollers (you can get your name on a waiting list if you are in the market for one).

Consignments (great condition only, please) are by appointment, and you can bring in about 25 items at a time. Consigners get a 50/50 split for items selling under $100; a 60/40 split for items over $100 (60 percent to the consigner). The consignment period is two months — you can shop against your credit balance or take cash at the end.

Small Change also carries new items — mostly toys and handmade goods. The store has a wide selection of Melissa and Doug wooden toys and puzzles, Bruder trucks and Guycraft toys. Local crafters make knitted dolls, baby blankets and other gift items.

Gerstein says she is eager to see what changes come to Lake Anne Plaza in the years ahead. She admits the plaza suffers from a lack of foot traffic, particularly in winter. The historic plaza won’t change much under the proposed revitalization plan, but redevelopment of nearby Crescent Apartments and the periphery of Lake Anne should bring more people to the area to live and to shop, she predicts.

“I am delighted [revitalization] is a go,” she said. “This will be a long process, though. It could take 8 to 10 years. I may still be here, but I can’t promise. But I only see positives with the changes. “

Small Change Consignments is located at 1629 Washington Plaza. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To make a consignment appointment, call (703) 437-7730. For more info, visit the store’s website or Facebook page.

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

Bet that title made you think of green buildings, green living, green space –or really any way you can live a more environmentally sustainable life in Reston. But it’s not. After all, it’s March! So I’m wondering how green you get on March 17.

Everyone is a little Irish on St. Patrick’s day. Donning shamrocks and eating corned beef is fun! Reston provides plenty of opportunities for you to show the world just how green you are. And since March 17 is a Monday this year, there will be plenty of celebrating happening all weekend. Here is my run down of ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s day in Reston, with a little something for everyone.

Lunasa at CenterStage

Wednesday, March 12 at 8:00 P.M.
The CenterStage at Reston Community Center
$20-$40
Phone: 703-476-4500

What better way to get into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day than listening to one of the finest traditional Irish instrumental bands touring today? Lunasa is a funny, talented, and delightful group of Irishmen that has celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with Restonians for more than 20 years. If you’ve never seen or heard them, don’t miss this opportunity. These concerts usually sell out, so get your tickets now!

Clyde’s of Reston 4th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party
Saturday, March 15, 2014, 9:00 AM to 11:00 P.M.
Reston Town Center at 11905 Market Street
Phone: (703) 787-6601

Clyde’s will kick off St. Paddy’s day with delicious Irish fare beginning at 9—is anything better than Irish breakfast? You can also have a Guinness, listen to Irish music and enjoy Irish folk dancing. This is a family event, so there will plenty of children’s activities, including a moon bounce and face painting, all day long.

Potomac River Running’s Lucky Leprechaun 5K

Saturday, March 15, 2014 – 8:30 a.m.
Reston Town Center, 11911 Democracy Dr.

Before you hit the Clyde’s party, put on  your best Leprechaun gear and chase the rainbow in this fun 5k race that ends at Clyde’s. You may not catch the pot of gold, but you’ll certainly deserve the treats that await you at the end of the run.

Senior Social: St. Patrick’s Day Style

Thursday, March 13
Noon-2:30 p.m. Free.
Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road
Join the quarterly Reston Community Center and Reston Association social event to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day—as if Reston seniors need a reason for a party. Spend the afternoon with friends while enjoying traditional Irish fare and beautiful Irish music and entertainment. Registration required. Contact [email protected] or call 703-435-6577 to register.

Washington, DC St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2014
March 16, Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Okay, so heading into DC for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade does mean leaving Reston. Trust me, it’s worth it. This parade is always fun and entertaining. Until our own metro station opens, you still need to head to Vienna or Falls Church, but this will be the last year for that! The parade goes along Constitution Avenue — 7th to 17th Streets NW. This two-and-a-half hour special event includes floats, marching bands, pipe bands, military, police, and fire departments. Look for fun stuff happening at the various Irish pubs in the neighborhood tool. This is a fun family day for those who didn’t get enough at Clyde’s.

Whatever you choose to do, have fun and be responsible! Happy St. Patrick’s day!