Three Stones Residential agents pride ourselves on our consultative service approach, local expertise and real estate market knowledge. With over 26 years of business experience in the DMV, we have consistently performed in the top 2% of local Realtors and are currently the #1 group at Keller Williams Metro Center. 

The following properties were recently listed in the Tysons, McLean, Vienna and Falls Church areas.

• 6803 Jackson Avenue, Falls Church — $550,000
• 2903 Meadow View Road, Falls Church — $889,000
• 3426 Farm Hill Drive, Falls Church — $869,000
• 1924 Hull Road, Vienna — $769,999
• 918 Ninovan Road SE, Vienna — $1,550,000
• 1700 Asoleado Lane, Vienna — $799,900
• 6821 Dean Drive, McLean — $1,514,900
• 6448 Divine Street, McLean — $1,599,900

Our role is to offer sound advice and guidance to our clients in order for them to achieve their goals in either buying, selling, leasing or managing real estate. We are truly “Your Home… for Everything Real Estate.” To schedule a private showing of these or any other properties of interest please do not hesitate to contact us here or email us at [email protected].

This is a sponsored column by 3Summit Investment Management, LLC based in Vienna, VA. 3Summit designs custom, modern investment portfolios and has unique expertise in managing investment risk.

By Dan Irvine | Principal, 3Summit Investment Management

The recent pandemic has delivered a sudden and deep economic shock to local businesses in the Tysons/Vienna region.

There are several government programs that have been created or expanded through the CARES Act, which was recently passed through Congress and signed into law by the President to help small businesses cope and survive this health and economic crisis.

This column is to assist small business owners to better understand the emergency support programs available to them through the Small Business Administration and to help them decide the program that may be best for their business.

I will start by saying any business owner that is suffering lost revenue and other business challenges as a result of COVID-19 should absolutely take advantage of one of the SBA loan programs we are going to cover. Both programs include either loan forgiveness or a financial grant that results in financial assistance for your business that does not need to be re-paid!

SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The first program is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which seeks to underwrite two months of payroll and related expenses to help business retain and pay their employees during the pandemic crisis.

The most important feature of a PPP loan is that any portion of the loan that is used for qualified expenses during the 8-weeks after the loan is originated are eligible to be forgiven and do not need to be paid back!

Here are a few key details of the PPP loan program:

• Businesses operating on February 15, 2020 with less than 500 employees that can qualify for a PPP loan include business entities, sole proprietorships and specific categories of nonprofits.
• Qualified expenses that you may use the loan proceeds to cover and that are eligible for loan forgiveness include payroll, group health insurance premiums, rent, utilities and mortgage interest payments.
• Your business is eligible to borrow the lesser of $10 million or 2.5 times the average payroll costs you incurred during the prior year before the date the loan is made. There are many details to how the average payroll cost is calculated, you should work with your accountant and loan originator to ensure you understand the calculation.
• The amount of debt that is eligible to be forgiven decreases if your business lowers wages in excess of 25% or decreases the number of full-time equivalent employees during the initial 8-week period after loan origination. Employees laid off and re-hired by June 30, 2020 will not reduce the loan forgiveness amount.
• Any portion of the loan that does not qualify for loan forgiveness will become a maximum 10-year loan with an interest rate not to exceed 4%. There is a 6-month deferment on the first loan payment.

The PPP loan program is on a first come first serve basis with loans being distributed until the $339 billion in funds allocated have been depleted. If you believe your business qualifies for a PPP loan, you should begin the application process by contacting a commercial banker and your accountant. You must go through an authorized SBA 7(a) lender to apply.

Read More

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: What has been the impact of the coronavirus on the real estate market in the past weeks?

Answer: First of all, I hope you and your families are healthy and safe. I want to give a special thank you to all the frontline coronavirus workers; from nurses, doctors, hospital personnel, law enforcement, grocery store and pharmacy workers, cleaners, US postal service, to all of those who produce and deliver food, goods and services necessary for our healthy existence!

I’ve seen lots of carryout and delivery activity at local restaurants, and I hope we can keep our favorite establishments in business. Here’s an awesome interactive map that the DMV Foodie Crew put together for restaurants offering delivery and carry-out in Northern Virginia during the Temporary Stay at Home Order.

Okay. Now back to real estate!

What the Stay At Home Order — Executive Order 55 Means for Real Estate Practices

The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR) and the Virginia Association of Realtors (VAR) announced that Realtors may continue to operate real estate businesses, but must do so in accordance with Executive Order 55 released on March 30.

This means that real estate operations such as showings, inspections, appraisals, lending, closings and any activities crucial to a real estate transaction are allowed in Northern Virginia.

Due to social distancing, Open Houses have the potential to violate the 10-person guideline and could pose an unnecessary risk to the public. Therefore virtual Open Houses and virtual showings are highly encouraged.

Personally, most buyers I’ve been working with are happy to virtually tour properties while in the safety of their homes. Other buyers who need to find a home immediately and need to see the property in person before making an offer, can still see the properties while taking safe social distancing measures. I always have extra masks, gloves, disinfecting wipes and shoe covers for my clients. As much as I understand a buyer’s need to see a property in person before making an offer, I’m advising clients who are not purchasing for another few months to stay home.

Tysons Market Update

It seems that most of the Virginia market in general has softened in the past weeks. In the graphic below you can see the significant drop in property showings. However, the showings that are taking place tend to be to ready-buyers so it should take fewer showings than it used to for the right buyer to surface.

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.

Originally opened in 1948, McLean Hardware has been an institution in McLean for over 70 years.

It is located in the Total Wine Plaza across from Giant at 1445 Chain Bridge Road. The store carries most products that you’ll need on a day to day basis: cleaning products, plumbing, electrical, tools, paint, parts, etc. They also offer keys, sharpening services, Rug Doctor Rentals and more.

For a full list of supplies, visit their website.

During this COVID-19 shift, they’re also adapting and offering call ahead ordering with curb-side pick up.

Their hours are Monday thru Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., for now. Regular store hours are Monday thru Friday 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

If staying home has you looking at doing home maintenance projects, check out my April maintenance reminders and call McLean Hardware if you need anything!

They also have some décor items like outside solar lighting for your walkway, your favorite sports team flag or outdoor décor, and more. Call ahead for availability or check their Facebook page, but they are still stocking Colorx wipes and other essential cleaning supplies during the pandemic.

April Maintenance Reminders:

• Have your HVAC spring service done
• Stain your deck, replace any rotten boards
• Repair caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows
• Seal tile grout, caulk tubs and showers
• Turn water on to winterized hose bibs
• Fertilize your lawn
• If you have a sprinkler system, now is a good time to get them to turn it back on if it’s been winterized
• Clean out refrigerator and freezer coils; change your water filter
• Clean bathroom vents

In today’s digital environment, organizations must collect vast volumes of data, analyze that data to retain high-value customers, predict trends, identify emerging markets, mitigate risk, drive innovation and more.

This means IT leaders must know how to gather and store information, combine data into meaningful clusters, mine it for compelling insights, and present it in a way that can help the business.

“Nowadays every company needs data-literate IT leaders who understand how to manipulate data, hear the voice of data, and translate insights into a competitive advantage for the business,” says Barbara Hoopes, Associate Professor of Business Information Technology at Virginia Tech.

For those companies or individuals looking to deepen their data analytics skill set, Virginia Tech’s online Master of Information Technology (VT-MIT) program provides an excellent foundation.

Not everyone has the time or financial resources to commit to a full master’s degree program, however. Some may already have a master’s and are just looking for a narrow update on a current skillset. For these reasons, the VT-MIT program also offers IT professionals the option to earn a graduate certificate in six specialized IT subject areas, including Business Analytics and Data Mining.

“IT leaders can find a certificate that speaks exactly to their professional needs without having to commit several years to pursuing a master’s degree,” says Hoopes. In fact, students can earn a certificate in as little as 12 months.

Whether looking to enhance existing skills or prepare for a major career transition, VT-MIT students can expect:

• Enhanced marketability as they develop skills where a current dearth of talent is driving competitive salaries and prime opportunities for career advancement.
• Greater convenience through exclusively online courses and a flexible schedule that allow for VT-MIT students to stay in the workforce while they earn a credential, shift their course loads at busier times for their business, and benefit from the experience of peers from across the globe.
• Rapid upskilling in high-demand areas through focused graduate certificate options. Employers often provide tuition reimbursement “to contribute to the skill sets and the knowledge base of employees without having to release them to earn a degree as a full-time student,” says Hoopes.

Data analytics can provide organizations with invaluable insights — but only if IT leaders know how to parlay data into insights that drive informed business decisions.

Learn more about Virginia Tech’s 100% online Master of Information Technology and graduate certificate options at vtmit.vt.edu.

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 we begin week 3 of this fight against the Coronavirus, I wanted to take a moment and express my sympathy for everyone impacted by this horrendous circumstance.

I know this hasn’t been easy in so many different ways, for so many different people, but hopefully we’ll all be able to go back to normal life soon(ish) and get everyone back on their feet. In the meantime, if you are able to, there are many ways you can support our local community. If I don’t mention your organization, PLEASE add it to the comment section below to get the word out.

Meals for Those on the Front Line (Nurses, Firefighters, EMT, Doctors): This helps support the local restaurants all while donating meals to those who deserve extra thanks right.

• Social Burger + Sandwich Shop: A partnership to drop off 900 meals to INOVA Fairfax over the next 3 weeks. Meals are $12 + tax, and will be donated to ER, respiratory, laboratory, surgical and several other departments. Order on the Social Burger site, look for “Frontline and First Responder Meals“.
• CrossFit Mill Street is joining this partnership and hosting ZOOM Fitness Sessions (check out the times on their Facebook page). For everyone who attends, they’ll donate $2 per person towards a meal through Social Burger + Sandwich Shop.
• INCA Social: Delivering 50 meals 2 days a week to the INOVA Critical Care Unit at $8 a meal. You can order on their app or website: Order Now -> Delivery -> Choose Items -> Buy a Nurse a Meal (at the bottom).
• Vienna Inn + Church Street Pizza: Providing breakfast, lunch and dinner for the Vienna Fire Department and Vienna Police Department. You can sign up for a slot here.
• A Shout out to Clarity in Vienna for delivering their Focaccia Pizza to some medical workers and emergency personnel last week on their own.

Also don’t forget about the BRAWS Organization in Vienna. Not only do they support women directly, they support other organizations like Women Giving Back. Donate money, new undergarments or menstrual supplies here.

There are also multiple signs up for helping people directly impacted:

• Bear Branch Tavern GoFundMe for their employees
• Adopt a Family — provide 3 meals for a family impacted by the pandemic (can also be gift cards)

Last but not least — I know for my family, talking about where we’re going to get take out or delivery can infuse some small bit of normalcy into our day, all while supporting our local businesses to help them weather this storm. The Vienna Foodies group has put together a spreadsheet to help identify places that are open, their operating schedules, and how you can get the food.

Some things we’ve done are take my kids for a walk to get ice cream at Rita’s or Kiln & Co, grab sandwiches at Sandwich Shop, or go try a new restaurant we normally wouldn’t get a chance to. A positive note is that there’s no traffic — so it’s a quick drive to anywhere to get take out from a new place.

Last night we actually got Peter Chang’s in Arlington, we got Liberty BBQ one night in Falls Church… you can see where my savings in gas money has gone these past 2 weeks. If you’re worried about how they’re handling the food — call and ask. For example, Kiln and Co has free toppings, but nobody should be sharing a spoon… so the smart people there are packaging the toppings to go so there’s no contact.

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 Kimberly Berry

Our law firm handles many different types of federal retirement issues in our representation of federal employees.

One of the more common types of retirement cases that we often handle involves the representation of federal employees in the disability retirement process before various federal agencies and the Office of Personnel Management.

Federal employees filing for disability retirement are typically covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System or the Civil Service Retirement System.

Federal employees should consider the following questions before they pursue OPM disability retirement:

How serious are the federal employee’s medical issues and are they linked to the federal employee’s position description duties?

When making a disability retirement decision, keep in mind that OPM evaluates your continued ability to work with your medical condition in the context of the duties described in your position description. If the medical disability is not deemed serious enough, or not fully supported by medical documentation and evidence, and is not sufficiently linked to your inability to “usefully and efficiently” carry out your job duties, then OPM may deny the disability retirement application.

How long is the medical disability realistically expected to last?

OPM requires that a medical disability be expected to last at least one year in duration. When considering whether to file for disability retirement, it is important for you to consider the expected duration of your medical disability. Disabilities with known shorter duration could be problematic for you in the application process.

Can a federal employee survive on a reduced annuity?

If you are considering filing for OPM disability retirement, understand that this type of retirement usually provides you with a lower monthly retirement annuity in comparison to full retirement. As a result, we recommend that you obtain benefit estimates from your human resources representative and consult with a financial advisor about the impact of a potential reduced annuity prior to filing for disability retirement.

Are there modifications to a federal employee’s current position that can be made to allow the federal employee to continue to work?

Oftentimes a federal agency will work with you to provide you with a reasonable accommodation (i.e., change in duties, hours, telework or other adjustments) that can make your current position and medical condition workable. This can often be the best solution, even if it is only a short-term solution.

As a part of the disability retirement process, the federal agency is required to certify that it is unable to accommodate your disabling medical condition in your present position. The agency must also certify that it has considered you “for any vacant position in the same agency, at the same grade or pay level, and within the same commuting area, for which [you] qualified for reassignment.”

Do your medical professionals believe that you should not continue in your current position?

This is an important consideration when filing for disability retirement. In most cases, physicians will be open with their patients about whether it is a good idea to keep working in their current federal employment position.

There are at least two reasons to discuss a possible filing for OPM disability retirement with your treating medical provider(s). First, your health should be of primary importance and a consideration when determining whether continuing in a job hinders or impedes your recovery. Second, physicians and their medical opinions are necessary and, in fact, crucial in the disability retirement application process with OPM.

OPM will require a physician’s statement about your medical issues, and the physician’s statement can either make or break the outcome of your disability retirement application.

When considering OPM disability retirement, it is important to obtain the advice and representation of legal counsel. You can contact our law firm through www.retirementlaw.com, www.berrylegal.com, or by telephone at (703) 668-0070, to schedule a consultation to discuss your individual federal employment retirement matter. Please also visit and like us on Facebook or Twitter.

Three Stones Residential agents pride ourselves on our consultative service approach, local expertise and real estate market knowledge. With over 26 years of business experience in the DMV, we have consistently performed in the top 2% of local Realtors and are currently the #1 group at Keller Williams Metro Center. 

2913 Rensselaer Court, Vienna
4 BD/2.5 BA
Agent: Weichert Realtors
Listed: $625,000
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

10509 Wickens Road, Vienna
4 BD/3.5 BA
Agent: Optime Realty
Listed: $960,000
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

9480 Virginia Center Boulevard #203, Vienna
2 BD/2 BA
Agent: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Realty
Listed: $389,900
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

1943 Griffith Road, Falls Church
6 BD/5 BA
Agent: Kw Metro Center
Listed: $1,455,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

6721 Kennedy Lane, Falls Church
6 BD/5.5 BA
Agent: Signature Realtors Inc
Listed: $1,065,000
Open: 4:30-6:30 p.m.

1839 Lusby Place, Falls Church
6 BD/6 BA
Agent: Samson Properties
Listed: $1,394,500
Open: 1:30-3 p.m.

6801 Market Square Drive, McLean
4 BD/2.5 BA
Agent: Keller Williams Realty Falls Church
Listed: $849,900
Open: Sunday 1-3 p.m.

6600 Old Chesterbrook Road, McLean
6 BD/5.5 BA
Agent: Weichert Realtors
Listed: $1,399,000
Open: Saturday & Sunday 2-4 p.m.

Our role is to offer sound advice and guidance to our clients in order for them to achieve their goals in either buying, selling, leasing or managing real estate. We are truly “Your Home… for Everything Real Estate.” To schedule a private showing of these or any other properties of interest please do not hesitate to contact us here or email us at [email protected].

Three Stones Residential agents pride ourselves on our consultative service approach, local expertise and real estate market knowledge. With over 26 years of business experience in the DMV, we have consistently performed in the top 2% of local Realtors and are currently the #1 group at Keller Williams Metro Center. 

The following properties were recently listed in the Tysons, McLean, Vienna and Falls Church areas

• 9409 Gamba Court, Vienna — $749,990
• 2201 Chestertown Drive, Vienna — $779,900
• 9030 Dellwood Drive, Vienna — $1,548,000
• 2915 Cherry Street, Falls Church — $595,000
• 6032 Kelsey Court, Falls Church — $679,900
• 2224 Great Falls Street, Falls Church — $1,119,000
• 1909 Woodgate Lane, McLean — $1,000,000
• 1479 Buena Vista Avenue, McLean — $1,499,000
• 1645 Wrightson Drive, McLean — $900,000

Our role is to offer sound advice and guidance to our clients in order for them to achieve their goals in either buying, selling, leasing or managing real estate. We are truly “Your Home… for Everything Real Estate.” To schedule a private showing of these or any other properties of interest please do not hesitate to contact us here or email us at [email protected].

The U.S. Census count is underway, the enormous effort happens once every 10 years to count every person living in the United States regardless of age or immigration status.

The census helps determine how much funding Fairfax County receives from money allocated by the federal government to improve transportation, provide education, healthcare, affordable housing and prepare for emergencies. It also determines how many representatives are sent to Richmond and Washington D.C to advocate for the county.

According to the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia, Fairfax County could lose $12,000 in potential funding over the course of a decade for each person who does not respond to the census.

In March, the U.S. Census Bureau began mailing every household an invitation to complete a simple questionnaire about who lives at their address on April 1. People can respond to the census online, by phone, or by mail.

The census will ask for names, age, sex, race and the relation of everyone living in each household. Federal law keeps those responses safe, secure and confidential.

Everyone should be counted to ensure Fairfax County receives its fair share of federal funds and representation.

Learn more at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/census.