This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
There were just nine new listings this past week in Reston. Possibly sellers have been distracted with the news, maybe they are waiting for the so-called spring market. Whatever it was, we are left with a tiny pool of properties for buyers to consider. The total number of homes for sale is 82, which breaks down to 71 active listings and 11 in a “coming soon” status.
One interesting dimension of this pool of listings is that 78% of them are condominiums. The condo market in Reston is slightly softer than the market for townhouses and single-family houses. The average days on market for condos is at 65-plus days, while townhouses and single-family homes have averaged 21 days on the market.
As mentioned last week, the limited inventory is constraining a market that would like to boom. If you have a townhouse or single-family house and are ready to downsize, now is the perfect time. You will have the advantage on both sides of the equation — a fast sale and more inventory to choose from on the buy side.
Here is a look at a few of the new listings in Reston:
- 11529 Pine Cone Court — 3 BD/2.5 BA — $499,272
- 1671 Parkcrest Circle #101 — 1 BD/1 BA — $250,000
- 12013 Taliesin Place #35 — 2 BD/2 BA — $365,000
- 11240 Chestnut Grove Square # 260 — 1 BD/1 BA — $210,000
For information on great Reston neighborhood, or if you’d like a free valuation of your home, please feel free to contact me.
Meet Cute Chloe, a 2-year-old terrier who’s looking for her home sweet home.
Here’s what Cute Chloe’s friends at Safe Haven Puppy Rescue have to say about her:
Look at that face! Chloe is a gorgeous 2-year-old terrier who just LOVES to be with her humans, and at 43 pounds, she’s the perfect size to cuddle.
She came to the shelter as a stray, underweight and with a few scars. She put on a few pounds, her scars have healed and she’s learning that humans are actually pretty cool, especially when giving belly rubs. She is wary around other pups so we are looking for a family without any other pups. We believe in time she will be fine with other pups with the proper introductions, but for now she is enjoying the one-on-one attention, and we think she deserves it.
She enjoys a fenced backyard, but honestly, this is the pup you are looking for if you want a TV cuddle buddy. She wants nothing more than to hang out with her human.
Are you and Cute Chloe the perfect match? Learn more about her.
This is a sponsored post from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. For a more complete picture of home sales in your neighborhood, contact her on Reston Real Estate.
Extremely low inventory continues to plague the market — there just are not enough houses on the market to meet the demand. In Reston there is currently ONE single-family home on the market. At the current rate of consumption, we have less than one month of housing inventory to meet buyer demand. We expect record low interest rates to continue through 2021, which is a big component of what is driving demand for housing.
The buy-up market is especially active. If you’re thinking of downsizing, especially if you’re considering a move to a condo, now is the time to do it. You will maximize your profit on the selling side and benefit from a slightly softer condo market on the buy side.
In the past 10 days, 30 properties in Reston successfully completed settlement and transferred ownership. Here are some of the recent sales in Reston:
12046 Creekbend Drive
5 BD/3.5 BA
List Price: $1,100,000
Sold Price: $1,100,000
12130 Purple Sage Court
3 BD/1.5 BA
List Price: $395,000
Sold Price: $400,000
11428 Tanbark Drive
4 BD/2.5 BA
List Price: $725,000
Sold Price: $715,000
1313 Headlands Court
2 BD/1.5 BA
List Price: $399,999
Sold Price: $400,000
1462 Greenmont Court
3 BD/3.5 BA
List Price: $499,500
Sold Price: $532,500
We are proud to announce that our doors are officially open! We spent the past year getting ready to deliver to Reston an assisted living and memory care community designed and built to meet the unique needs of seniors.
Located on Sunrise Valley Drive, adjacent to Reston National Golf Course, it’s beautiful inside and out. We are proud to share that we are the third Kensington community to bring uncompromising care and service to D.C. area seniors and their families.
We will uphold our promise to love and care for your family as we do our own. In fact, we will deliver more comprehensive assistance than many other traditional assisted living communities can offer. Our staff are the most talented and kindhearted professionals we could find. We offer excellent staff-to-resident ratios, which help deepen connections between caregivers and residents. Pocket programs, which are small-group activities tailored to different interests and abilities, foster friendships and boost a sense of mastery.
Two levels of memory care enable us to address the challenges unique to each phase of disease progression. Couples are welcome, even if the care needs of one half of the couple are not the same as the other. Complimentary meals for family and friends make dining together a real treat. And please note, we are taking great care to comply with all COVID safety regulations.
We are currently conducting our tours in-person and are taking all recommended precautions to protect our guests from COVID. We will gladly make a virtual tour available, if you prefer.
No matter what you choose, we’re standing by, eager to listen and ready to help.
Please call us at 571-494-8100 or email us at [email protected] to schedule your tour today!
Visit our website at www.KensingtonReston.com.
Reston has been ranked as the number one place to work from home.
According to a recent ranking from Money magazine, Reston came on the top of a national list, which considers the cost of living, safety, education quality the number of residents working from home, access to necessities like daycares and pharmacies, and sufficient internet connection.
The magazine states that Reston was “practically designed with the remote employee in mind.”
The ranking comes as Americans across the country make the transition to remote work, transforming living rooms into work stations and closets into virtual classrooms.
According to a recent survey by Redfin, roughly 72 pe recent of homebuyers expects to continue working remotely after the pandemic winds down.
Here’s what Money had to say about Reston.
Built from the ground up in the 1960s, Reston is a planned residential community created to be a green suburb where families could live, play and work without having to rely on a car.
The census-designated place has 55 miles of paved pedestrian pathways and trails that connect the various neighborhoods and a majority of residents live within a 10 minute-walk of one of Reston’s 73 parks. It’s home to two golf courses and four man-made lakes perfect for fishing, boating, or lakeside picnics.
The city has one main town center and five village centers — one for each neighborhood. Residents boast about the endless food options they offer. Like Cafesano in South Reston, where you can enjoy a $14 steak kabob seated on a deck that overlook Lake Thoreau.
The city is no stranger to work-from-home families so it’s well-equipped to take care of your remote needs. Pre-pandemic, about 6.3% of Reston residents worked from home, compared to the national rate of 4.5%.
Nearly all households have an adequate internet connection by the BroadbandNow definition. But if you need access to an office, Washington D.C. is only a 33-minute drive away (or 45 minutes and $8 via public transportation). In the opposite direction, Washington-Dulles International Airport is only 15 minutes by car (or 20 minutes and $2 on the Fairfax Connector).
The community has a median home price of $434,000 and roughly 88 percent of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Overall, a little over 3 percent of residents were working from home before the pandemic.
Other areas that ranked high on Money’s list include Naperville, Illinois., Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Roseville, California.
Photo by Marjorie Copson
This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
With record low interest rates and people clamoring for a little more space, the Reston housing market wants to be soaring… wants to be… but is not. Why?
Well, there is very, very little to sell. There are currently just 73 active listings and only two of those are single-family homes. There are 10 properties listed as coming soon.
If you are thinking about selling, now is the time. This is especially true if you are looking to downsize. People who are ready to shed their large homes for something smaller can cash in on equity and then turn around to buy something smaller. Interest rates are so favorable that mortgages are as low or lower than the cost of a nice rental in Reston.
Here’s a look at a few of the new listings in Reston:
By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction
It’s the New Year and despite the backdrop of the ongoing pandemic, home remodeling services are in high demand. The low-key holidays at home and ongoing virtual nature of work and school have many of us thinking ahead to later this year when (hopefully) we’ll be able to entertain once more and/or have family come to stay.
Whether you’ve decided it’s time to remodel your kitchen, create a more open concept on your main level, finally finish that unfinished basement or just simply turn your master bathroom into a retreat, here’s our guide to helping you find the right remodeler for your project.
1. Match your project needs to the right type of remodeler
Knowing who you need is the first step in any remodel. With some many different companies out there, it’s not always easy to navigate who does what. Here’s a good place to start (and it’s one of the biggest questions we get): What’s the difference between a general contractor and a design-build home remodeling company?
A general contractor (sometimes simply referred to as a “GC”) typically focuses on small- to medium-sized interior projects. They are responsible for overseeing the construction phase of your remodel and for finding/hiring the appropriate tradespeople to complete the project if they do not have the expertise themselves or in-house. You, on the other hand, will likely have to come up with the design and, in most circumstances, pick out the materials for the project and project manage it.
GCs are perfectly suited to smaller pull-and-replace type remodels where you are not significantly changing the footprint and are replacing like-for-like in the existing footprint. The quality and price of using a GC varies greatly depending on the level of support they offer, the size of the project and the quality of the project management in keeping the remodel on-time and on-budget.
In terms of a design/build company, a full-service firm (like Synergy Design & Construction) manages all aspects of your home remodel and guides you through your project — from design all the way through construction. They do all the heavy lifting as well as project manage it along the way. Design/build firms tend to focus on medium- to large-scale residential projects: design-thoughtful whole home renovations as well as kitchens, basements and bathrooms. They may also offer services for home additions (though we do not).
Most design/build firms “design everything they build and build everything they design,” so most local firms will not bid on design-only services, and/or the design services they provide cannot be used to hand off to a general contractor. In-house design and professional project management delivers a better customer experience from an accountability and quality perspective, but on the flip side, good design and well-executed construction takes time and may cost more. At Synergy, our typical clients intend to stay in their home to enjoy their space, so we don’t offer kitchen “refreshes,” flips or simple updates like powder rooms (unless it’s part of a larger project).
Do your research and poke around various websites to see examples of the type of work and level of support a company provides. Read testimonials and Google reviews — they are a great way to get a sense of what a company is all about from real clients.
Still need more help? Read Best Remodelers in Reston and Where To Find Them.
2. Don’t play your cards too tight to your chest
It’s one of the biggest hurdles to overcome: being honest about budget. It’s important to have this conversation early in the process so the companies you talk to better understand your investment goals. Your remodeler of choice can be realistic with you in terms of how far your budget will go and how best to maximize it.
Keep in mind a pull-and-replace kitchen remodel is going to cost less than reconfiguring your kitchen to move your sink (for example) or any changes that require additional plumbing, mechanical and electrical work. The level of finish will also drive up cost. From cabinetry to countertops to tile to flooring, these costs add up. Appliance packages alone can be a huge chunk of your budget, so your home remodeler should be able to work with you to determine where to splurge and where to save without sacrificing quality and finish.
Say “hi” to Ranger, a sweet and calm 10-year-old kitty looking for his forever home.
Here’s what Ranger’s friends at Fancy Cats Rescue Team had to say about him:
Ranger is a very sweet 10-year-old male looking for his forever home. He is very easygoing and enjoys napping most of the day away. He will gladly sit on the couch next to you for hours! He has a very calm disposition but does get the kitty zoomies when chasing a laser pointer! He loves to communicate with you when he wants attention, especially in the mornings when he is being fed. He is a great cat and is so deserving of a loving home!
Are you and Ranger the perfect match?
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.
We represent many employees in the workplace and individuals in administrative and civil forums. The unthinkable Capitol riot that took place on January 6, 2021, will lead to many serious consequences for the individuals who took part. While the full extent of what happened is still being investigated, there will be many consequences for those identified as being involved in the illegal riot in the Capitol.
These may include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Loss of Employment
Whether or not the individual involved is convicted, charged or just identified as being involved in the illegal activities in the Capitol on January 6, 2021, they can be fired from their employment. Private and public sector employees can be easily fired for their participation in the Capitol riots. There is no First Amendment protection for their actions.
2. Loss of Security Clearance
Aside from the issue of termination from employment, an individual that was involved and identified as being part of the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, almost certainly will face the potential loss of their security clearance or a future inability to hold one. Whether the issue is criminal or just misconduct, individuals that hold or plan to hold a security clearance will likely have significant issues.
3. Criminal Charges
A number of the Capitol rioters have already been charged criminally for their actions on January 6, 2021. There is reason to suspect this list will grow significantly in the weeks to come as the FBI continues their work.
Depending on whether the individual is charged with (1) knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without law authority; (2) theft; (3) vandalism; (4) disorderly conduct; (5) violence (the murder of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick) (or assault on a federal law enforcement officer or a member of Congress); or (6) seditious conspiracy, there are major criminal penalties that await many of the rioters.
This is just a sample of the potential criminal charges that could be filed by prosecutors against Capitol rioters.
4. Placement on the No Fly List
Another consequence that individuals participating in the Capitol riot likely did not consider is that some appear to now being placed on the “No Fly List.” The No Fly List is a list created and maintained by the United States Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) of individuals who are prohibited from boarding commercial aircraft for travel within, into or out of the United States.
Already it looks as if some individuals have had difficulties returning home from Washington, D.C. after their participation in the Capitol riot. It can be extremely difficult to ever be taken off this list after being placed on it.
5. Lawsuits
For those Capitol rioters who engaged in violence or other actions that hurt others, they are likely to face civil lawsuits when they are identified. Insurers will be unlikely to defend them so rioters will face significant legal and liability costs. Others who did not participate in violence towards others but were present may also be called as witnesses and be dragged into multi-year litigation.
Conclusion
This is just an interim list of consequences for Capitol rioters as there are a number of other potential consequences they may face in the days and months to come as a result of their actions.
The Capitol riot was a horrific event that caused at least two police officers to tragically lose their lives, more than 50 other police officers to be injured, in addition to a number of rioters who lost their own lives. Those who participated in the Capitol riot are going to face a number of legal consequences as a result of their actions.
Meet Jenny, a sweet, affectionate 3-year-old hound mix available for adoption locally.
Here’s what her friends at NOVA Pets Alive! had to say about her:
Jenny is 3 years old and around 60 pounds.
Jenny’s foster mom says: ‘Jenny is an incredibly sweet dog who will take as much love and affection as she can get! She’s crate trained and leash trained. She’s a little bit of a snob when it comes to her food but is also very gentle when accepting treats. She would make a great family dog. She’s about medium energy — she’ll happily go on hour-long walks, play with a ball or relax on the dog bed in the living room with everyone.’
Jenny would prefer to be the only dog in the home but will happily share her space with some human siblings!
Are you and Jenny the perfect match? If you’re interested in meeting her virtually, apply at novapetsalive.org/adopt.
The ever-evolving “security threat landscape” and changes in user behavior and IT infrastructure require IT professionals to keep their knowledge up to date and stay on top of the latest trends and developments.
Earning a 100% online Master of Information Technology or graduate certificate with cybersecurity specialization from Virginia Tech can help individuals meet these heightened demands in a number of ways.
Ranked one of the top online master’s degree for cybersecurity by Cyberdegrees.org and one of the top four online graduate IT programs nationwide by U.S. News and World Report, Virginia Tech’s VT-MIT program takes a unique approach to specialized education.
Core courses in areas such as information systems design, electronic commerce, software engineering and computer programming help students master technical expertise in a business context. After completing these core courses, degree students can choose to specialize in cybersecurity technologies, cybersecurity management or cybersecurity policy. Virginia Tech also offers these topic areas as standalone graduate certificates for those not pursuing the full degree.
Whether interested in running an in-house cybersecurity practice or exploring the legal and ethical concerns triggered by data breaches, students have the opportunity to tailor their education around their career ambitions.
Part of Virginia Tech’s core strength is its world-class cybersecurity research, supported by $15 million in research grants and contracts. Students can access six cybersecurity research centers, including the Ballston-based Hume Center for National Security and Technology.
The VT-MIT program’s 100% online format allows students to pursue higher education at their own by deciding their own course load each semester. Further enriching the student environment is the program’s openness to students with diverse backgrounds and interests, including business line leaders looking to improve their technology capabilities while leveraging their domain expertise.
Combating today’s cyber threats has never been more difficult — or more critical to business continuity. A Master of Information Technology degree with cybersecurity specialization or standalone graduate certificate from Virginia Tech can help leaders better understand the systemic nature of these threats and teach them strategies for dealing with an increasingly complex security landscape.
Learn more about Virginia Tech’s 100% online Master of Information Technology with cybersecurity specializations at vtmit.vt.edu.
Say “hi” to Alaska, a sweet and cuddly girl who’s available for adoption locally.
Here’s what her friends at Fancy Cats Rescue Team had to say about her:
Alaska is a sweet and cuddly girl. She’s an easygoing and laidback cat and even loves belly rubs.
When she’s not lounging around on her comfy cat blanket, she likes to follow and lay down next to her foster. She has been around small dogs and doesn’t pay any mind to them! She will love her human more than other animals. It is unknown how she is with another cat.
Her meows sound like she’s saying “mama.” She loves treats and she has great litter-box manners. When she arrived at her foster home, she was buried in her bed in the carrier for five minutes before she became a cuddle-bug.
Could you and Alaska be the perfect match?
The Kensington Reston, a beautiful assisted living and memory care residence, is well on its way toward completion on Sunrise Valley Drive, adjacent to Reston National Golf Course. We are proud to share that we are the third Kensington community to bring uncompromising care and service to metro D.C. area seniors and their families.
When we officially open our doors in late February 2021, we will uphold our promise to love and care for your family as we do our own. In fact, we will deliver more comprehensive assistance than many other traditional assisted living communities can offer.
For example, excellent staff-to-resident ratios help deepen connections between caregivers and residents. Pocket programs, which are small-group activities tailored to different interests and abilities, foster friendships and boost a sense of mastery.
Two levels of memory care enable us to address the challenges unique to each phase of disease progression. Couples are welcome, even if the care needs of one half of the couple are not the same as the other. Complimentary meals for family and friends make dining together a real treat. And please note, we are taking great care to comply with all COVID safety regulations.
We are currently conducting our tours in-person and are taking all recommended precautions to protect our guests from COVID. We will gladly make a virtual tour available, if you prefer.
No matter what you choose, we’re standing by, eager to listen and ready to help.
Please call us at 571-494-8100 or email us at [email protected] to schedule your tour today!
Visit our website at www.KensingtonReston.com.
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.
We represent many federal employees in the workplace, including defending federal employees against proposed disciplinary actions. Despite the common belief that it’s hard to discipline or remove a federal employee, that is simply not the case. Federal employees quite often face disciplinary and adverse actions.
The following are some general tips regarding how to avoid these potential problems. There are too many to list here, but the following are some good ones to consider.
Get Along With Supervisors
Not getting along with supervisors is the leading cause of disciplinary actions for federal employees. When serious disagreements arise between a supervisor and his or her subordinate, it degrades the employment relationship, which often leads to future disciplinary or performance issues. Even in difficult situations, federal employees should do their best to be professional and pleasant to supervisors (and then find other employment or a transfer if need be). This is not always easily accomplished.
Don’t Use the Internet at Work for Personal Use
While many federal agencies are somewhat relaxed in their enforcement of these types of internet policies, it’s important to avoid using the internet for personal use while at work. Also, avoid using government-issued computers for personal use (e.g. laptops). We have represented many federal employees who are investigated for either inappropriate use of the internet (accessing inappropriate sites), misuse of government computers or in regards to too frequent personal internet use.
Often, we defend federal employees who have used the internet for Facebook, Twitter or even personal banking. It is important to keep in mind that, if an agency wants to, they can quickly determine personal usage and an investigation can start.
Avoid Using Government Email for Personal Use
It is best practice to use your personal email account for personal email correspondence. There are some exceptions. We have represented a number of federal employees who have been proposed for discipline due to misuse of their official government email account, especially with respect to certain types of content. Sometimes the federal employee’s issues involve using government email for personal use or sending inappropriate correspondence or photos. Also avoid using quotations or sayings in signature blocks when corresponding to others using your government email account.
Do Not Use Government Credit Cards for Personal Use
This happens frequently and many times it’s just mistaken use. We have represented many federal employees who have innocently used their government credit card for personal charges. Not only are many federal employees disciplined or removed for such misuse, but they can be forced to repay the funds to the government. Even if policies on credit card usage are not apparently enforced, do not use a government credit card for personal use under any circumstances. If an accidental use happens, consult an attorney to determine how to disclose this to your agency.
Meet Charming Chad, a 10-pound terrier mix with a big personality!
Here’s what his friends at Safe Haven Puppy Rescue had to say about him:
Charming Chad is just that — so charming! He is all of 10 pounds with a HUGE personality. He is 2 years old and just a love. He is with one of our wonderful fosters in Northern Virginia, and they say he has been a delight and gets along well with her two pups and kids. He seems to be house-trained and fully vaccinated.
He has been a joy to have with us, but he is ready to go to his forever family. We’re confident he will make his adopters a terrific companion. This charming guy is a nice blend of friendly affection and normal playfulness and will bring lots of love to any home.
Are you and Charming Chad the perfect match?
