So, you’ve bought a home in Northern Virginia.

Congratulations!

By now, you should very well know that the Washington, D.C. area is well-renowned for its long commutes, heavy traffic and endless list of roads that end with -95.

Don’t panic. There are other options, aside from the traditional commute. Below are three Arlington VA commuting options for you to check out:

1) Slugging. Sounds funny, but it will save you a ton of money in the long. Slugging is a form of carpooling in that takes place on various street corners and in commuter lots across Northern Virginia. And best of all, it’s absolutely free for passengers. Check out if there is a slug line near you today: Slug-lines.com

2) The Metro. The D.C. area’s Metro system is one of the cleanest and most efficient in the country. With nearly a hundred stops across D.C., Maryland and Virginia, there is bound to be a stop near you: WMATA.com

3) Biking. Yes, we are for real. If you live in Arlington, you have access to world-class bike trails and an abundance of bike lanes. If you’re two miles away from work, why not get some exercise rather than sit there for 45 minutes. A lot of people are turning to biking, maybe you should too.

This Arlington VA commuting options information courtesy of Aaron Seekford, your Arlington VA realtor.

Two of the most common questions I get are: Is this property in a safe neighborhood and… are the schools good here?

Unfortunately, as a Realtor, I can not make judgment as to whether a neighborhood is safe or if a school is “good” because everyone’s standards are different.

In an effort to aid you with your independent research, I’ve created a School Zones page on MrArlington.com.

The page gives an overview of Arlington County Public Schools and also directs you to the Arlington County Public Schools website, where you can pinpoint exactly what you need.

Arlington Public Schools, in general, are highly-ranked in the United States and constantly listed among the top school districts in the nation.

I’ve also supplied zoning maps for a handful of Arlington VA Elementary Schools. If there is a school that’s not on there that you are interested in, just let me know. I am happy to research it for you.

This Arlington VA public school assignment information courtesy of Aaron Seekford, your Arlington VA Realtor.

$3,200/month

This beautiful 4 bedroom 3.5 bathroom Arlington VA home for rent is available May 1.

This Alcova Heights Arlington VA home for rent is in a quiet neighborhood and boasts a large 1/2 acre yard. If you love to entertain, this is the perfect home to have your friends over for a nice spring BBQ, horseshoes and much, much more.

This 4 bedroom 3.5 bathroom Arlington Virginia home has a detached garage and ample off-street parking. Within commutable distance are a number of Arlington VA schools, restaurants, boutiques and shops.

The property is located at 3410 8th Street South, Arlington, VA 22204. It is ready to go and ready to rent!

If you would like to arrange a showing or would like more information about the property, contact Aaron Seekford today!

This 4 bedroom 3.5 bathroom Arlington VA home listing courtesy of Aaron Seekford, your Arlington VA real estate agent.

The Wooster and Mercer Lofts simply have it all.

Located at 1600 Clarendon Boulevard in the heart of Arlington, the Wooster and Mercer Lofts boast nearly 90 unique condominium units, ranging in price from $500,000 to $2 million. Many of the loft condominiums have been sold, but there are some that become available periodically.

Amenities include beautiful spiraling staircases, floor-to-ceiling windows, rooftop decks, a beautiful lush courtyard and a community pool. Nearby community amenities and offerings include a Safeway grocery store, a number of world-class clothing boutiques and the endless culture excursions of Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia.

Within walking distance of this Arlington VA condominium building are the Courthouse and Rosslyn Metro stations.

Schools serving Wooster and Mercer Lofts include Key Elementary School, Stratford Middle School and Washington-Lee High School.

If you would like a list of current Wooster and Mercer Lofts condos for sale or condos for rent please contact Aaron Seekford.

This Wooster and Mercer Lofts information courtesy of Aaron Seekford, your Arlington VA real estate agent.

“Anyone may arrange his affairs so that his taxes shall be as low as possible…for nobody owes any public duty to pay more than the law demands.”

Judge Learned Hand

This opinion refers to federal income tax but the logic and spirit can easily be applied to any tax including Arlington VA property tax. Most property tax is based on a valuation called an assessment placed on the property by a government taxing authority.

When property values rise due to appreciation, the assessments usually rise. However, when values decline as they have done in many areas in the past few years, the assessments should follow accordingly.

If you don’t believe your Arlington VA tax assessment reflects market value, put together proof to support your position. Recent comparable sales, similar in size, condition and location are very persuasive. Check to see if the square footage on the assessment is accurate. If the home is not in good condition, take pictures to show that.

As your Arlington VA realtor, I can supply the comparables, filing deadlines and other pertinent information needed to make a challenge. Lowering your assessment will result in lower property taxes and more money in your pocket!

This Arlington VA property tax assessment information courtesy of Aaron Seekford, your Arlington VA real estate agent.

There are a ton of gimmicky cleaners out there these days.

They claim to clean up red wine. They claim to make scuffed carpets look brand new. We’ve all heard the pitches.

If you’re looking for a company that can truly make your carpet shine, give Absolute Carpet Cleaning a call. The Dulles Virginia carpet cleaning company has been in business since 1987.

The business’ hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The company also accepts Saturday appointments and is available 24/7 for emergencies (flooding, plumbing issues).

Absolute Carpet Cleaning offers a number of services, including carpet cleaning, protecting, hardwood cleaning, tile cleaning, leather cleaning and much, much more. Essentially, if you have a surface of some sorts in your home, Absolute Carpet Cleaning can take care of it!

The company offers a number of specials throughout the year on its website, so make sure to check out www.absolutecarpetcare.com.

For appointments, call 703-925-0022.

This Dulles VA carpet cleaning information courtesy of Aaron Seekford, your Arlington VA Realtor.

Beetles. Fleas. Roaches. Spiders.

You name it. More likely than not, if you’ve purchased a resale home, you’re going to have to deal with them at one point or another. The best way to combat any type of bug is to be prepared.

Below are a a few basic tips to consider if the bugs at your Arlington VA home are starting to really bug you:

1) Work from the outside in. Think of the outside of your home as a fort against bugs. If the bugs can’t get past the outer layer, they will not creep inside. Ask your local hardware store for the best product for beating the specific bug(s) that are pestering you.

2) Use natural products. Sure, that high-chemical product can kill every spider. But, what are the other effects the chemical could have on your health? Always opt for a natural solution, if possible.

3) Spray regularly. It’s not one and done with every bug treatment. You must be persistent. Most bug treatments require a once-every-three-months treatment. Keep fighting battles to win the war.

This Arlington VA real estate information courtesy of Aaron Seekford, your Arlington VA Realtor.

$3,200/month

This beautiful 4 bedroom 3.5 bathroom Alcova Heights home for rent is available May 1.

This Alcova Heights home for rent is in a quiet neighborhood and boasts a large 1/2 acre yard. If you love to entertain, this is the perfect home to have your friends over for a nice spring BBQ, horseshoes and much, much more.

This 4 bedroom 3.5 bathroom Alcova Heights home has a detached garage and ample off-street parking. Within commutable distance are a number of Arlington VA schools, restaurants, boutiques and shops.

The property is located at 3410 8th Street South, Arlington, VA 22204. It is ready to go and ready to rent!

If you would like to arrange a showing or would like more information about the property, contact Aaron Seekford today!

This 4 bedroom 3.5 bathroom Alcova Heights listing courtesy of Aaron Seekford, your Arlington VA real estate agent.

Northern Virginia is a major hub for America’s military. Among the many military communities stationed in our area are Fort Belvoir, Fort McNair, the Pentagon and Fort Myer.

Fort Myer Heights is bordered by Wilson Boulevard to the north, Jefferson Davis Highway to the east, the Fort Myer military base to the south and North Courthouse Road to the west.

Fort Myer Heights is chock–full of modern apartment complexes, primarily serving the Rosslyn, Courthouse and Fort Myer neighborhoods.

Within its urban confines are a number of prominent Northern Virginia employers, including Airbus, Raytheon and State Department offices. Most homes, particularly in the Northern portion of the Arlington VA neighborhood, are within walking distance to the Courthouse and Rosslyn Metro stations.

Schools serving the Fort Myer Heights neighborhood include Francis Scott Key Elementary School, Jefferson Middle School and Washington-Lee High School.

For a complete list of homes for sale and homes for rent in Fort Myer Heights, please contact Aaron Seekford.

This Arlington VA neighborhoods information courtesy of Aaron Seekford, your Arlington VA real estate agent.

Some residents of Augusta, Georgia have purchased tickets to the Master’s for years but have never attended the famous golf tournament. It’s because they include the tickets as a bonus to the people who rent their home during the event.

Each year, owners rent their home for a big premium during the Masters and make tax-free income. Homeowners benefit from a little known provision in the tax code that does not require taxpayers to recognize the income derived from renting their home for less than 15 days per year. See Rental of property also used as home on IRS.gov.

Large sporting events like golf and tennis tournaments, championship games and other high attendance events increase the demand for a temporary Arlington VA rental of a private residence. Obviously, there are challenges with personal belongings and damage but getting a premium rental rate with a substantial deposit and not having to recognize the income could be worth it.

You’ll certainly want to discuss this with your tax professional prior to making this decision. You’ll probably also want to get some help from an experienced real estate professional.

This Arlington VA short-term rental information courtesy of Aaron Seekford, your Arlington VA real estate agent.