Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
As I sat here this weekend trying to come up with a traditional Thanksgiving meal for my vegetarian in-laws, a 4-year old who will only eat the rolls with butter and a small gathering of 2 families, the fantasy of going out for Thanksgiving slowly become a loud battle cry.
Did you know that nearly 20 million people dine out or cater their holiday meal? You’re not alone!
So if this weekend of meal prepping stressed you out or the idea of fighting your way through Whole Foods is giving you shingles, here’s a list of my favorite local places who might still have reservations or who might still take orders for take out:
Vienna
- Clarity — Booked for tables, but still have open bar seating
- Bazin’s On Church — A la carte options or full to-go menu.
- Maple Ave Restaurant — Brunch options until 2 p.m.
- Café Renaissance — Dinner menu
- Chima — Complete menu plus Thanksgiving day favorites
McLean
- Assaggi — Special Thanksgiving day menu
- Barrel & Bushel
- Eddie V’s — Thanksgiving day menu
- J’Gilberts — Prix-fixe 3-course menu, regular dinner and prix-fixe menus too
- Wildfire — Full family style meal plus carryout, also a portion of each meal goes to Food for Others
- Ritz Carlton — To-go meals (orders due Monday 11/19 at 5 p.m.) or brunch available
Looking for Catering?
Other Local Favorites
- Pie Gourmet — Desserts
- Fresh Market — Apple crisp (my personal favorite)
- Norm’s Beer and Wine
Whether you’re eating out, cooking at home, traveling or avoiding your mother-in-law, may you be surrounded by loved ones, laughter and happiness on your Thanksgiving day. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Every week the Eli Residential Group scours our network for off-market and pre-market homes to give home buyers and investors access to properties they can’t find anywhere else online. If you are interested in a property you see here or have specific needs you cannot find on the market, please reach out to us at [email protected] to talk to a real person, not an automated response system.
If you are a homeowner, investor, builder or agent who would like your off-market or pre-market property featured for a half million local readers on PoPville, ARLnow or Tysons Reporter, please email us at [email protected].
Downtown McLean Townhouse
McLean Crest Community
Description: 3 BR/4.5 BA/2,400 sq. ft. townhouse with 2-car garage, built in 2006 in McLean Crest community. Walk to downtown McLean shops and restaurants. Within Franklin Sherman ES, Longfellow MS, and McLean HS boundaries. Currently tenant occupied with option to purchase with tenant or purchase at end of lease.
Price: Mid $900’s
To view all of our off-market or pre-market properties, visit the off-market section of our website. We add new properties every week.
The Eli Residential Group is a real estate team with RLAH Real Estate, (703) 390-9460, operating in Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Contact the team directly at [email protected].
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Val Sotillo, Northern Virginia-based Realtor and Falls Church resident. Please submit your questions to her via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!
Question: We are moving to Tysons and would like to get a dog. Is there a dog friendly neighborhood near Tysons?
Answer: Yes and yes! It’s no secret that homebuyers love dogs and now they are starting to influence the decisions they make about housing.
A recent survey by SunTrust Mortgage found that a third of millennials who purchased their first home said they were influenced by the need to have space for a dog. For those with dogs, renting can be more expensive and a hassle; home ownership takes some of the stress off by providing a better living situation.
I mean, who can resist dogs? They love you unconditionally, they can cheer up your worst days and they’re the number 3 reason young people are buying their first homes — ahead of marriage or having a baby.
If you have dogs you know that they need daily exercise, which is more than just a walk, no matter what the weather is like. I’ve personally discovered that having a dog park nearby can help you exercise and socialize your dog.
I took my volunteers Ringo, Pepper and Parker on a field trip to test some dog parks and even when it was a rainy day, they took their jobs very serious!
Fairfax County has many great dog parks. Here are the parks closest to Tysons that we visited during our research:
The Mile Dog Park
Located off of Westbranch Drive and Westpark Drive. I could not find a specific address but that’s the closest intersection. It’s a round fenced park with gravel, which makes it mud free on rainy days. There is plenty of street parking and according to a regular visitor, the park never gets too busy.
There is no separation for small and big dogs. It has benches for owners and the park is clean with many trash cans and free bags for cleanup. I noticed there are no trees around so it must be very sunny during summer.
There were no toys available for dogs so bring your own tennis balls to play fetch!
My awesome volunteers ran a few laps around the park and seemed to love it. Just make sure you bring water with you because there are no fountains available.
A great feature for families: there is a playground right next to the park, so you can take your human child and your furry child out for some fun at the same time.
Vienna Dog Park
The Vienna Dog Park is located at 700 Courthouse Road, SW. The parking lot is off of Old Courthouse Road. If the lot is full, patrons can park up the hill at Nottoway Park basketball courts.
The Vienna Dog Park offers a doggie and human water fountain, fully shaded wood chip surface, many trees, a fully fenced area that’s 5 feet high with double gates and agility equipment.
The park can get very busy on evenings and weekends, but that means that your pup will have many friends to play with!
Life Is Easier When You Know The Rules
Here’s a few tips to help you and your dog enjoy the awesome dog parks Fairfax County has to share:
- Safety first: do not unleash your dog until it’s safe in a gated area.
- Always lock your car and don’t leave valuables on sight.
- Dog parks usually have double gates for safety. Make sure one is always locked before opening the other.
- Keep your dogs up to date with their rabies shots.
- Always clean up after your dog.
- Make sure dogs have clean, drinking water.
- Be responsible for your dog’s behavior. If he plays too rough, acts aggressive, or he seems threatened by another dog, just remove him from the situation. Dogs get over it quickly!
- If you bring children to the dog park, expect them to be approached and kissed by the dogs. They think they’re puppies too! If your kids are scared of dogs, it’s better not to bring them inside the park.
I Want A Dog
I’ll be more than happy to help you with that! Dogs bring you joy and happiness, and they can also make you more active and healthy. So think for a minute, if they can save your life, maybe you should consider a rescue!
I’m a strong believer in adopting over buying a dog. Did you know that when you adopt a pet, you make space in the shelter for another homeless animal? So you’re technically rescuing two!
Check out your local humane society. You can adopt, donate or volunteer.
Ringo the foxhound was adopted from Fairfax County Animal Shelter, a rescue with 90% adoption success. All pets are neutered and adoption fees are low. They host children’s birthday parties at the shelter and they include games, shelter tours, pet visits and optional crafts. What a great idea!
Pepper is a rescue from Fairfax Humane Society.
You can also look at Friends of Homeless Animals, a no kill shelter and Wolf Trap Animal Rescue.
If you are considering buying a home with enough space for a pet, I’ll be thrilled to help you. Please contact me at [email protected] to schedule a consultation and we can discuss neighborhoods and options for you. I’ll be happy to visit an animal shelter with you too!
If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column, please send an email to [email protected]. I hope to hear from you soon!
Val Sotillo is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland with Real Living At Home, 2420 Wilson Blvd #101 Arlington, VA 22201, 703-390-9460.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
Happening Now: Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights
Daily, 5:30 p.m.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens transforms into a half mile walk of amazing light displays with music. You can buy tickets online with the first entrance starting at 5:30 p.m.. At the end, there’s a big fire pit and a S’mores Snack Shop (the kids favorite part!).
The event runs everyday until January 6 and you can buy tickets online here.
Vienna Turkey Trot
Sunday, November 18, 8 a.m
Kids Fun Run, 5k and 10k race starting at 8 a.m.
Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild Art & Craft Show
Friday, November 23, 10 a.m.
Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild hosts their annual Art & Craft show at the Vienna Community Center where approximately 60 artists offer handmade pieces. Admission is $5 and you can learn more here.
Reston Town Center Holiday Parade
Friday, November 23, 11 a.m.
Macy’s style balloons, musicians, dancers, antique cars, characters, dignitaries and more come together at Reston Town Center for a 1-hour, half mile parade along Market Street.
The event includes Santa and Mrs Clause, along with photos, a mini-train ride and later in the day, the tree lighting and sing along. They usually hand out bells and the stores surrounding are open. You can find more info here.
2018 Church Street Holiday Stroll
Monday, November 26, 6 p.m.
Hosted on Church Street in front of the Freeman Store and Museum, you’ll find Santa on his fire truck at 6:15 to help the mayor light the Holiday Tree. There will be music, marshmallow-roasting stations and crafts.
Every week the Eli Residential Group scours our network for off-market and pre-market homes to give home buyers and investors access to properties they can’t find anywhere else online. If you are interested in a property you see here or have specific needs you cannot find on the market, please reach out to us at [email protected] to talk to a real person, not an automated response system.
If you are a homeowner, investor, builder or agent who would like your off-market or pre-market property featured for a half million local readers on PoPville, ARLnow or Tysons Reporter, please email us at [email protected].
Investor or HGTV Lover Ready in Sleepy Hollow
3440 Sleepy Hollow Road
Falls Church, VA 22044
Description: Over 2,600 total sq. ft. 3 large bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms on main level. Lower level has bonus room with full bath, den, laundry, storage and family room. Unfinished two car garage. Plenty of parking, large front and back yard. No HOA.
Price: $575,000 or best offer
Courtesy of RLAH Real Estate
To view all of our off-market or pre-market properties, visit the off-market section of our website. We add new properties every week.
The Eli Residential Group is a real estate team with RLAH Real Estate, (703) 390-9460, operating in Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland. Contact the team directly at [email protected].
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Val Sotillo, Northern Virginia-based Realtor and Falls Church resident. Please submit your questions to her via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!
Question: Are funding fees on VA loans Eligible for Seller Credits?
Answer: Loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs are known as VA loans and provide current and former Service members with an opportunity to purchase a home with as little as 0% down.
In addition to the normal closing costs (title fees, transfer taxes, etc), a funding fee is charged at settlement, which is equal to anywhere from 1.25-3.3% of the loan amount, depending on size of down payment, type of service and whether or not it’s the borrower’s first time using the VA loan program. It’s a fee paid to the VA on every loan to offset the cost of loans that default (similar to Mortgage Insurance on non-VA loans).
Disabled veterans are eligible to have the entire fee waived.
Buyers can negotiate for seller credits to reduce or eliminate the out-of-pocket expense of closing costs at settlement. Fortunately, the funding fee falls into this category, along with the rest of the standard closing costs associated with a VA loan, and buyers are eligible to have all of these costs covered by the seller.
In theory, if a buyer is able to negotiate 100% of closing costs paid by the seller and chooses a 0% down payment loan, a home can be purchased cash-free.
If the buyer is unable to negotiate seller credits to cover the funding fee, they’re also allowed to roll the funding fee into the mortgage so that it becomes part of their monthly payment.
Did You Know?
I spoke with Myles Wilson, Private Mortgage Banker with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and he provided a list of things most veterans don’t know about VA home loans:
- Most people think a VA loan max is $454,150, when actually financing is available up to $1,500,000.
- It is a myth that you can use your VA entitlement option once and only to purchase your first home. If you purchased a home with a VA loan, you can sell it and pay off the VA loan completely, and you can re-use your benefit to buy another home. Your entitlement is restored in full.
- Most people think you cannot assume a VA loan. They are 100% assumable for veterans and non-veterans if qualified.
- Borrowers are not limited to fixed rates only. Wells Fargo provides 5/1 arms and various fixed options.
- VA loans are available for the purchase of condos, planned unit developments, manufactured homes and 2-4 unit properties.
- Many think active duty or deployed service members cannot use their VA benefit. Many depending on length of service are eligible for entitlement.
- Reserves and National Guard are eligible as well, their funding fee is slightly higher at 2.4% compared to 2.15% for regular military.
Advantages Of VA Loans Read More
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
There are many local charities you may not know about that offer great opportunity to give back this holiday season (and year round).
Committee for Helping Others (CHO)
All volunteer based organization in Vienna, Oakton, Dunn Loring and Merrifield providing emergency financial assistance, food aid, clothing, furniture, meals on wheels and transportation.
For directions to drop off or to pick up, please visit their website.
Bringing Resources to Aid Women’s Shelters (BRAWS)
Bringing empowerment to women and girls living in shelters by providing new undergarments and menstrual supplies. There are several drop off locations around the area, but their office is in Vienna at 303 Maple Avenue in Suite F. You can drop off new bras (tags on), unopened boxes of tampons and pads, and unopened packages of underwear.
Second Story (FKA Alternative House)
Providing a safe haven for children, youth and their families. You can donate hygiene products, food, shoes, clothing, school supplies, office supplies and/or furniture. They have 2 places to donate:
- Administration Office: 8221 Old Courthouse Rd Suite 105, Vienna
- Teen Shelter: 2100 Gallows Road, Vienna
Check website for donation hours
*They do accept lightly used goods, but won’t begin until January 2. Everything else must be new.
SHARE of McLean
Organization that provides emergency assistance in McLean and surrounding areas. They collect food, used clothing, furniture and help with transportation. They also provide computers and school supplies.
You can donate at their location at McLean Baptist Church (1367 Chain Bridge Road, McLean) every Wednesday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. (except Saturdays before Federal Holiday Mondays). For a list of what they need now, click here.
Britepaths (Formerly Our Daily Bread)
Britepaths helps 800 Fairfax County families with Thanksgiving meals, December holiday meals and holiday gifts for their children. You can sponsor a family, donate funds or volunteer.
Every week the Eli Residential Group scours our network for off-market and pre-market homes to give home buyers and investors access to properties they can’t find anywhere else online. If you are interested in a property you see here or have specific needs you cannot find on the market, please reach out to us at [email protected] to talk to a real person, not an automated response system.
If you are a homeowner, investor, builder or agent who would like your off-market or pre-market property featured for a half million local readers on PoPville, ARLnow or Tysons Reporter, please email us at [email protected].
New 3 BR Penthouse Condo in Arlington
1245 N Pierce Street
Arlington, VA 22209
Description: Two separate 3 BR/2 BA penthouse units in brand new luxury 12-unit condo building near the Rosslyn neighborhood in Arlington. Both penthouse units have ~500 sq. ft. private roof deck with wide-open views. Building includes six 2 BR/2 BA and six 3 BR/2 BA units. All include parking, luxury finishes and low condo fees.
Price: $900’s
Courtesy of RLAH Real Estate
To view all of our off-market or pre-market properties, visit the off-market section of our website. We add new properties every week.
The Eli Residential Group is a real estate team with RLAH Real Estate, (703) 390-9460, operating in Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland. Contact the team directly at [email protected].
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Val Sotillo, Northern Virginia-based Realtor and Falls Church resident. Please submit your questions to her via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!
Question: My neighbor is mowing a portion of the lawn I thought was mine, but my neighbor claims it is his. Is this something I can prove through my title work?
Answer: Clients often ask me whether or not they should purchase a property survey, which is optional, when they buy their home. I think that in almost every case it is worth the relatively small investment (usually about $300-$400 for a standard survey).
I was recently chatting with Liz Wasserman of Universal Title, one of a small group of excellent title companies in Northern Virginia (they also serve D.C. and MD) and one of the few I recommend to clients. She shared a story with me about a client who did not order a survey and ended up incorrectly assuming that a section of land was theirs.
Given how frequently I am asked about ordering surveys, I thought it was a good opportunity for Liz to share the story and provide some reasons why it’s a good idea to order a survey when you buy a home. Take it away Liz…
A new homeowner noticed a neighbor mowing part of her front lawn. When she asked the neighbor why he was mowing her lawn, the neighbor replied the property he was mowing belonged to him, even though the line of trees separating the two houses looked as if the property belonged to the new homeowner.
She called her title agent and found out the neighbor was correct. “How can that be? Didn’t you search my property?”
Unfortunately, the new homeowner did not understand the difference between a title search and a survey and failed to purchase a survey. A title search confirms ownership of property, but it does not show the details of the property location.
What Is a Survey?
A survey is a map of real property that shows where the property is located on the earth, the boundary lines of the property, the improvements on the land and access to the property.
Five Great Reasons to Purchase a Survey
- Undisclosed rights and easements: You may own your new home and its surrounding land, but someone else might have a right to use a portion of your property. A survey will show physical evidence of the rights of others to use your property for access, parking, utilities and other situations.
- Undiscovered encroachments: A survey may be the only way to tell if a third party holds a claim to part of your property because their improvements such as a garage, fence or swimming pool are on your land.
- House built on incorrect lot: It may seem impossible, but sometimes a house is built on the wrong lot. A survey provides peace of mind by showing the exact location of the house you are buying.
- Size of the property: A survey shows the exact dimensions of the property’s boundary lines and how much land is included within those lines.
- Adding on in the future: Many residential platted lots have building restrictions known as setbacks which prohibit building anything within a certain distance from the boundary lines. If you are thinking of adding on in the future, a survey will help you determine if the property is right for both your current and future plans.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
Looking for mommy friends or friends for your little one? Look no further! There’s a group for that.
If you live in 22180, 22182, 22182, 22027 (Dunn Loring) and 22124 (Oakton) you can join the robust Vienna Moms group for $30 per year.
The group has a very active Facebook Page where members post questions ranging from child topics, vendors for various services and a gamut of other topics. Vienna Moms also provides a range of benefits:
- Playgroups
- Kids social events
- Larger scale playdates (i.e. seasonal crafts)
- Monthly events (magicians, musicians and traveling petting zoo)
- Moms night out (sometimes free exercise classes, other times drinks at a local restaurant)
- Speaker series (self defense, parenting experts, 529 and financial planners)
- Philanthropy
- Book club/other clubs for moms
The current headcount is around 900 members.
In the infancy stage, there is a developing Vienna Dads group as well. Currently organized via a Facebook Group, I’m sure they’d love some new members!
If you’re in McLean, you can join the McLean Moms Club and their closed Facebook page. Zip code requirements include moms living in 22101, 22102, 22106, 22107, 22108, 22109, 22182, 22066 and 22027. The group offers amenities similar to the Vienna Moms group as well as an online marketplace (think: very local Craigslist).
I’m currently a member of the Vienna Moms group and things I’ve loved from the group:
- Hearing Rachel Bailey, a LCSW and parenting expert, talk about handling meltdowns from your kids and how to keep yourself in check.
- I helped sponsor a “HandyMOM 101” event with Moss Building and Design where they brought in excerpts to talk about design trends when renovating or building your home.
- Trying out new exercise places in town like Spin, Pure Barre and Orange Theory, usually for free!
- The friendships! Some of my closest friends I’ve met through Vienna Moms, and some businesses too (for example, the woman who did my new logo is a fellow Vienna Mom who owns Tangible Designs).
I highly encourage you to look into the groups both for yourself as well as your kids.
