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Pest & Plant, The Art of Attraction
Author: Matthew Zuccari, TLC Design
As we begin to shake off what will hopefully be the last of a wet, snowy season, days are becoming longer and warmer, the buds are breaking on trees, and blooms are unfolding from their winter retreats. Along with all these beautiful natural forerunners of spring come some not-so-welcome changes as well – especially the return of awakening home and garden pests. Just as we humans become more active and energized during these sunny days of early spring, all types of ants, aphids, mosquitos, and other bugs are as well. Being less welcome than most other guests in the house, homeowners will often select the most effective, readily available solution to get rid of their pest problems; usually this includes harmful chemical compounds that require careful contained use to avoid a laundry list of dangerous adverse effects.
However, for those of us who enjoy spending time in our property’s greenspaces, solutions for spring pests may be as simple as some inspired planting options. There are many plants that can be incorporated into the landscape that offer pest-repellent properties. Most pesticides on the market will feature plant-based oils or chemicals in their extensive ingredient lists, therefore, it makes sense to utilize these benefits directly from the source. However, most homeowners do not have an extensive enough pest problem to dedicate their whole garden solely to plants with repellent properties. It is my suggestion that homeowners looking to add pest-repellant plant material to their property make their selections based on one of the following two properties: Would they like plants to be culinary or cosmetic?
Some of the plants best at repelling pests from your property are equally at home in the pantry as they are in the garden. For seasoning lamb, I recommend a few sprigs of rosemary as a garnish. For repelling snails, slugs, rats, cockroaches, and mosquitos, I recommend planting this fragrant herb near your entryway. The smell of garlic and onions caramelizing is enough to attract many to the kitchen, but a row of either planted in the garden will help deter root maggots, beetles, cabbage loopers, rats, and rascally rabbits from your other vegetables. It is only appropriate that basil and oregano, two of the most dynamic, widely-used spices, are also able to repel one of the longest lists of pests: flies, fleas, beetles, aphids, asparagus and cucumber beetles, cabbage butterflies, mosquitos, and more.
It is quite convenient for we humans that many of the oils that make these plants palatable for our diet as vegetables, herbs, or spices, are as repulsive to pests as they are enticing to us. There are many other plants familiar to most entry-level cooks with oils that help repel pests in the home and garden: chive, chamomile, dill, fennel, lettuce, parsley, peppermint, radish, sage, thyme, tomato, and even tobacco, to name a few. However, don’t expect a sparsely planted spearmint plant to fight off the entire spring rush of critters into your home. Dense plantings thick with multiple plant selections from above are best suited to help repel the longest lists of pests year-round. Much like a recipe, the ingredients of a garden are best served rich and blended.
The second, more obvious, quality by which you could select your pest-repellent plants is cosmetics. As the old argument goes, there’s no reason to sacrifice form at the cost of function, especially in one’s curb appeal. Luckily, many of the plants best known for repelling insects, rodents, and other pests, are both repulsive to them and attractive to us; there’s a wide palette of shapes, colors, and styles to help build a landscape that is selective in its invitation.
With their rich clusters of red to orange to yellow blooms, marigolds have been a classic choice for gardeners looking for sun-loving summer annuals. Though there is little scientific evidence to support claims, marigolds have been touted for generations as having pest-repellent properties. Old green thumbs will swear that marigolds will help repel ants, beetles, nematodes, rabbits, and a long list of other critters from your garden; often, they will recommend filling spaces in your vegetable garden with marigolds to help melons, cucumbers, basil, broccoli, and tomatoes grow well.
Soon, planter beds, garden centers, and any space with a fistful of soil will be filled with rich arrangements of geraniums and petunias to mark the arrival of spring and summer. With a rainbow range of colors, shapes, and sizes, it is easy for homes and businesses to incorporate these annuals into alluring displays. While the flowers help attract guests, customers, and neighbors, they will also help repel aphids, beetles, hornworms, and earworms. Geraniums and petunias are often planted alongside corn, cabbage, grapes, and roses to help in their development.
Arguably the most beautiful of pest-repelling flowers for the garden is the chrysanthemum. A staple of both eastern and western gardens for centuries, these elegant blooms add their signature flare to flower beds, pumpkin patches, Amish markets, corsages, Japanese-styled tattoos, and any place in need of lush radiance. While being full of joy and optimism, mums are also full of pyrethrin – a compound that repels fleas, ants, ticks, beetles, and more. In addition to those above, there are enough flowers out there to build a beautiful bouquet of pest-resistance. Some other pretty pest-fighters include dahlias, four-o-clocks, nasturtiums, borage, catmint, and daffodils, just to name a few.
In summary, whether they are for cooking or contemplating, pest-repellant plants can bring other great benefits to your property. The fantastic oils in these plants that help repel unwanted critters are also able to create amazing culinary palettes and enticing aromas. Just as one builds a recipe or a bouquet, these plants are enriched through cohesion; adding together pest-repellant plantings of various flowers, grasses, and shrubs creates a vibrant, living tapestry of form and function to be enjoyed and admired for years. When selecting a landscape professional to help with your next pest-repellant planting, ensure you find a passionate individual who understands and respects the beauty in ecological cohesion.
PS: On the note of pests, for any local gardener concerned about the arrival of the infamous BroodX of cicadas, biblical examples of smoke and fire as repellants may prove excessive. Though their noisy presence is dreaded by humans, most of your plants are ready for it. Cicadas are usually only able to finish off plants already struggling, so don’t worry about them wiping out your property à la Old Testament. However, many of us are still inclined to protect those new pansies and geraniums. To give your plants an extra layer of protection all summer, I recommend picking up some neem oil concentrate from your local garden and following the instruction label guidelines for mixing with water so you have a ready supply through the season. A gardener’s best friend, neem’s pest-repellent properties have been valued by humans for centuries.
Tactical Land Care
Tactical Land Care is net-zero to help protect our world and environment for all of us. We specialize in sustainable construction, conservation landscaping, and stormwater management solutions, including permeable hardscape and rain gardens. By working together, we can maximize the ecological benefit of your property.
Your yard endures a twelve-month cycle and our team at Tactical Land Care stands ready to work with you on all your fall and winter maintenance needs. Please give us a call at 703-879-7091, or email us at info@tacticallandcare.com, where someone from our TLC team will develop a plan with you to help enhance your yard or property for many years to come.
Patrick Moran, PMP, LSC, HIC, LEED | CEO Tactical Land Care
Patrick utilizes his passion for the outdoors along with his professional skills as a licensed Landscape and Home Improvement contractor in Virginia and Maryland, as well as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and LEED Green Associate. Patrick has a BA from Yale University, where he studied climate change and its impact on society.
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Have the stars aligned for downsizing?
Despite the pandemic, or partly because of it, the seller’s market in real estate has continued. A several-years-long trend toward fewer houses on the market has only become a more acute shortage. As we all obeyed stay-at-home orders, even fewer of us were selling our houses than in prior years.
As safety measures became standard protocol, however, buyers and sellers returned to the market after the first month or so of C-19. But more buyers than sellers returned, and the number of homes for sale remains extremely low. The overall effect has been that prices have accelerated, and most well-maintained homes are receiving multiple offers when they go to market. It is tough to be a buyer these days — but great to be a seller.
That dynamic can keep a seller from considering a move, since they will likely become buyers for their next house. When you look more closely, however, it could be a wonderful time to move to smaller housing. The statistics show that the housing shortage is most acute in the single-family arena. The number of detached houses, in particular, is way down over previous years, followed by townhouses. That makes sense — shortages have been building for several years, and the pandemic has driven some folks out of apartments/condos and into single-family homes, increasing demand.
Condominiums, however, have not had as much demand. In fact, the supply of condos on the market overall is up from years past. It is much less of a seller’s market in the condo world. I’m not sure it is a buyer’s market for condos, but it certainly is different from the demand for single-family homes.
So, what is the opportunity for downsizing? First, single-family prices have accelerated by as much as 15% in the last 12 months, depending, of course, on location and condition. For many existing homeowners, that means their homes are worth much more — often $100,000 to even $200,000 more. Plus, condos are the softer area in the market, again depending on location and condition. For anyone who was considering downsizing before the pandemic, this could be a wonderful opportunity to sell high and buy low (and close in/”walkable”). If downsizing away from our high-cost area, the benefit could be even more accentuated.
Another factor is the treatment of capital gains taxation on the sale of a principal residence. Every taxpayer selling a principal residence is entitled to an exclusion of gain of $250,000 or $500,000 for a couple. (Read IRS Publication 523 for conditions, and always check with your tax professional regarding your personal situation.) So, if a house has gone up dramatically in recent years, and you are thinking of going smaller, you could have a nice opportunity to go smaller with a great tax benefit. There is, however, a hint that capital gains tax treatment may change under the new administration, so it could be the best time to take those winnings off the table, so to speak.
With the roll-out of the vaccines and the lifting of some restrictions, there is a prospect of life getting back to somewhat “normal.” It might be time to consider — or reconsider — that move to smaller housing. The opportunity right now is to take advantage of the strength of the single-family market, the relative weakness of the condo market and the current very favorable tax treatment of housing gains.
Dad always told me to buy low and sell high. Have the stars aligned for you?
Pete Crouch is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist, which means he is well-versed in all aspects of moving as we age. His own downsize gave him tremendous insights into what is involved, from emotional matters to real estate considerations. Pete is a Board Member of At Home in Alexandria (AHA), our local Senior Village, and was the 2018 National Recipient of the “Outstanding Service Award” by the National Association of Realtors for his work with Senior Moves. Text 703-244-4024 or email PCrouch@McEnearney.com for a copy of his Downsize Alexandria! Booklet about living more simply in Greater Alexandria.
Take a look at our website for all of our listings available throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
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How Do I Create An Outdoor Room?
Think about how you will use the space.
What are you trying to create? Additional living space, scenic views, privacy — all of the above?
The first thing an outdoor room does is provide additional living space with the added bonus of enjoying nature — the warmth of the sun on your face (wear sunscreen, you’ll thank me later), the chirping of birds (wow, loud!) and, yes, the occasional red fox trotting by during morning coffee. I’m used to Mr. Fox now. Initially startled, it quickly became clear that he had places to go and no time to bother with me. I look forward to his next visit. And the greatest entertainment has to be Chip & Dale who chase each other through the flower beds and occasionally peek out from under the chair as if to say, ‘We’re back for another summer of fun!’
Group your space according to the way you’ll use it. For me, that’s a conversation circle — chairs arranged in a circle (or square) to chat with friends (socially distanced, of course) or to sit and read decor magazines. The lounge chair is essential for a 15-minute power nap.
Bistro tables for an intimate dinner for two or pushed together for larger gatherings provide a fresh take on dining throughout the day — complete with an outdoor grill, which makes for easy kitchen cleanup. The umbrellas over the two bistro tables provide shade from the sun and keep a light drizzle from spoiling a meal or sending me inside. Hang a lantern under the umbrella for evening dining.
Before, during and after patio construction
You’ll need a quality contractor. Choose a patio material like flagstone or brick and determine the amount of space you have to work with. Go as big as you can — you want to be able to walk around without bumping into furniture. And don’t forget to put a PVC pipe under the patio to run wires for landscape lighting because that, my friend, is the secret to the outdoor room lasting long into the evening. Bring out a Bose wireless speaker and a few citronella candles, and you can rock the night away. Add a firepit or heater and extend the season (though a mohair blanket and a hot drink work, too).
For the landscape plan, think spring, not summer, for planting, and remember to constantly water the new trees, bushes and plants while they establish roots. Delight in blooms and color, but start with evergreens as your base. The green wall offers privacy and fabulous views even in the winter.
An essential element of the outdoor room is how it looks from inside as it draws your eye outward and makes the interior feel larger for extended, blended living spaces. Low windows and/or patio doors help create this seamless outdoor room extension.
Enjoying nature… 1) Azalea season; 2) and 3) Mr. & Mrs. Cardinal as viewed from inside; 4) Winter landscape with lighting
Give some thought to bloom timing. What blooms early spring, late spring and summer? What changes color in the autumn? (Fire bush!) What will stay evergreen all winter so you always have a serene view and privacy? Enjoy the evolving personality and color as you time the blooms. A professional landscaper — most garden centers have them — can guide you on bloom timing.
Susan Craft is a licensed real estate agent with McEnearney Associates, Inc. in Old Town. Her success has been built on the art of listening and providing excellent personal service to deliver the results people want, expect and deserve. For a no-obligation consultation, call or text 703-216-4501 or email susan@susancraft.com today!
Take a look at our website for all of our listings available throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
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Thinking of Buying or Selling Real Estate? Why Not Choose The Expert?
In this fast-paced Washington-area market, expectations for what a Realtor does today are greater than they have ever been.
Some axioms always hold true, though, and one is you get what you pay for. This is especially true for the Realtor you choose to work with when you buy or sell your home. There are a myriad number of options available for you to choose from beginning at a limited-service brokerage (i.e., a discount broker) to a full-service brokerage (like McEnearney Associates). When choosing your Realtor, I would like you to keep these three A’s in mind: applicable knowledge, accessibility of staff, and available resources.
Applicable Knowledge
Real estate is a lot like owning a car. From an outsider’s perspective, you put the key into the ignition, turn it to start and the car takes you where you need to go.
The reality is obviously a lot more complicated than that. Like a car, the real estate industry consists of a lot of moving parts between buyers, sellers, settlement companies, mortgage lenders, etc. The list goes on… Finding a house on the internet and buying it the next day simply doesn’t happen. When your car breaks down, you take it to a mechanic to get it fixed. When looking to sell your home or buy a new one, you should look toward the experts.
A great real estate agent has seen a lot of houses and been to a lot of home inspections. In my career, I have personally attended well over a hundred home inspections. My time spent with the home inspector is not idle, either; I follow him around and ask questions on behalf of my clients. This means that I now have enough applicable knowledge to guide my clients in their home purchase and can give them a good base to make their home-buying decision.
With today’s market as it is, many home buyers are making offers that are not contingent on a home inspection. Often this means that I save my clients money in the long run because I can help steer them away from homes with real problems. I can usually tell if floors have hardwood underneath carpet. I keep an eye out for signs of unwanted water in the house, whether or not there are visible foundational issues. There are so many more things that I can point out when we are walking through a home.
Obviously, I am not a licensed inspector and I always advise my clients to have a home inspection (usually prior to even making an offer), but I can often help them avoid red flags that they would not have noticed on their own. This way they avoid making an offer on a home and paying $500-$600 on an inspection to learn that they do not want to purchase the house after all.
Accessibility of Staff
Another aspect of a full-service brokerages is that they employ a staff, including a managing broker, marketing directors, office managers and accountants. What this means is that you have more experts invested in helping you find your dream home or selling the house you already live in.
You only get one first impression with your future buyer so it is important to make a good one. Marketing materials from design experts will do that for you. For my business, in order to allow me to be more responsive to my clients, I have hired assistants to help me with paperwork, social media and various other tasks so that I can spend my time “out in the field” so to speak, meeting with clients and answering their questions. Agents who work on a discounted commission are not able to use all of the options I have because they are trying to do it alone.
This leads me to my last point.
Available Resources
Because I work with a full-service brokerage, my clients have access to a wider range of resources. McEnearney has deals with various companies to provide services to all of our clients. One of them is RealScout. This is a search platform similar to Zillow in style, but personally tailored to my buyer clients. It allows my clients to adjust their search, see properties that are coming soon, and interact directly with me via the platform so that they can tell me which properties they are interested in seeing.
For my seller clients, the wide network I have created of vendors and handymen allows them to get their home market ready in a shorter amount of time at a smaller cost. Nowadays, staging, professional photographs and small remodels are essential tools in getting top dollar for your home. Without the advice of an expert, you could be costing yourself thousands of dollars in the long run.
If you have the choice, why not choose the expert? They have the knowledge, staff, and resources to help make your next real estate transaction smoother.
Jean Beatty is a licensed real estate agent in VA, MD, and DC with McEnearney Associates Realtors® in McLean, VA. If you would like more information on selling or buying in today’s complex market, contact Jean at 301-641-4149 or visit her website JeanBeatty.com.
Take a look at our website for all of our listings available throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
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9 Exciting Condos On the Market Now in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia
This year we have seen very tight inventory for townhomes and detached homes as demand has increased. In many areas, the interest in condominiums in high-rise and multi-story buildings is not as strong because of more communal aspects to the lifestyle, but we feel that is worth reconsidering.
Condo ownership can be the easiest type of homeownership. You can live in a beautiful setting without needing to worry about mowing the lawn, trimming shrubs, planting flowers, or handling other exterior maintenance projects because the association takes care of landscaping and maintaining the common areas for you. Community amenities often include rooftop terraces, grilling areas, outdoor pools, and spaces that will be in demand when we begin gathering in groups again like inviting lobbies, exercise facilities, party and billiards rooms, even a hair salon. Below are a few condos on the market now.
Listed by Katherine Martin, 202-494-7373
Top-floor corner unit in Crescent Plaza! One of the largest one-bedroom models (744 SF) with loads of natural light. This lovely condo offers space for a living room, dining room, and a home office. Washer and dryer in unit. Assigned parking space on the first parking level included in price. With a 98 Walk Score everything is nearby…Bethesda Row, Apple Store, Target, Trader Joe’s, Giant, Farmer’s Markets, Movies and the Metro. PLUS the Capitol Crescent Trail entrance is across the street.
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6 Rhode Island Avenue NW #5, Washington DC
Listed by Matt Windsor, 240-210-4350
Charming two-bedroom, two-bath turnkey condo in the historic Rhode Island Pointe condominium. Enter into a bright living room that connects to an open concept kitchen with stainless steel appliances, gas cooking and ample room for a dining area. The primary bedroom features a spacious closet and en-suite bath. The condo’s second bedroom makes for an ideal office or guest room. Located in Bloomingdale, the condo is steps from The Pub and The People, Red Hen, and DCity Smokehouse and a short walk from Union Market, Trader Joe’s and the new Whole Foods.
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460 New York Avenue NW #202, Washington DC
Listed by Cesar Rivera, 646-496-3806
Light-filled one-bedroom, one-bath condo with storage included! Centrally located in Mt. Vernon Triangle with 13.5-foot high ceilings, the unit has tons of upgrades including: wide-plank floors throughout, custom closets designed by EcoNize, stainless steel appliances, modern cabinetry, and motorized shades. Beautifully designed building lobby, concierge, rooftop lounge and terrace all within a few blocks of Metro, groceries, and restaurants.
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225 Strand Street #403, Alexandria, VA
Listed by The BBZ Group, 202-520-4274
Enjoy Potomac River views from the balcony of this newly constructed corner unit in Old Town’s premiere boutique condominium. This 2,600+ SF apartment is one of just 18 at Watermark. The property offers 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and 2 garage spaces. Fresh and bright with a wide open floor plan perfect for entertaining. Special features include top-tier appliances, smart home automation to control lighting, window shades, and A/V media. Residents enjoy a rooftop terrace. Pet friendly community.
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2151 Jamieson Avenue #810, Alexandria, VA
Listed by Madeline Caporiccio, 703-898-0032
Seldom available corner unit in Carlyle Towers with panoramic vistas year round. The spacious living room opens to the tile floored sunroom extending your living and entertaining space. The primary bedroom is located away from the other rooms allowing for privacy. A few of the updates include wide-plank walnut hardwood floors, all new light fixtures, window treatments, and stainless appliances. Convenient location walking distance to King St and Eisenhower Metro, Amtrack commuter train, and a plethora of restaurants.
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1300 Army Navy Drive PH #3, Arlington VA
Listed by Julie Pearson, 703-862-4543
Experience single family living in this light-drenched and airy condo showcasing a thoughtful living space which has been tastefully remodeled. Private entry and key-accessed elevator. Living room with fireplace and separate family room with custom built-ins. Spacious primary bedroom with spa-style bath, custom-build closets, and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to huge private terrace. Enjoy expansive views and year-round entertaining when the time is right on the huge private rooftop terrace with a glimpse of the White House!
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1111 19th Street N #1603, Arlington, VA
Listed by Annette Hinaman, 570-216-4411
The Residences at Waterview is a stunning contemporary-style building overlooking the Potomac River in Rosslyn. Luxury features abound in this two-bedroom, two-bath unit and include high-end kitchen cabinets and appliances, gleaming hardwood floors in the living area, marble tiled bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows with privacy shades, and one parking space in the underground garage. The roof-top terrace on the 31st floor offers an opportunity to grill outdoors while taking in the magnificent world-class panoramic views of the city and Potomac River.
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1800 Old Meadow Road #1410, McLean, VA
Listed by Jillian Keck Hogan Group, 703-951-7655
Spacious 1,700-SF, two-bedroom, two-bath condo in the heart of Tysons Corner! Interior amenities are abundant including a renovated kitchen with walk-in pantry and breakfast area, and separate dining room. The spacious living room and owner’s suite with walk-in closet and private bathroom both access the oversized balcony with community and city views. Community amenities include 24/7 concierge service, outdoor pool, library, party room, storage unit, and two tandem garage parking spaces.
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2726 Gallows Road #1317, Vienna, VA
Listed by Barbara Simon & Robin Cale, 703-598-4662
Beautifully renovated condo with sunset views from the balcony. Contemporary open plan with remodeled kitchen featuring white cabinetry, white quartz countertops, subway tile backsplash, and new stainless steel appliances. Pet-friendly community with rooftop pool, fitness center, billiard room, and party room. Two garage spaces convey. Unbeatable walkability to Dunn Loring Metro and vibrant Mosaic District for shopping and dining.
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How To Protect Your Home from Stormwater (Part II)
This week Pat Moran, CEO of Tactical Land Care, continues the conversation on how to best waterproof your home and properly protect your investment. If you didn’t catch last week’s article ‘How To Protect Your Home from Stormwater (Part I)‘ we encourage you to check it out as the information below is a continuation.
What if the water is coming into your basement from below? It’s important to differentiate between water that is coming from drain lines and plumbing, or if the moisture is from groundwater seeping up from the earth below. For cases in which water is entering your home from backed-up drain lines, backflow preventers are in order. Many cities, including Alexandria, offer incentives or partial reimbursement for these installations.
If it’s a matter of groundwater seepage, you will need a sump pump. Sump pumps are generally installed in areas below the finished grade of your basement floor. They are often located in a > 2-foot corrugated pipe or dry well casing. The sump pump is plugged into an electrical outlet and is generally installed with a flotation switch. This flotation switch is designed to turn the sump pump on if there is enough water in the basin to cause the switch to floating. The sump pump is generally installed with PVC piping and a backflow preventer that will carry the pumped water from the basin up the PVC pipe through a hole in the foundation to the outdoors. I would be remiss if I didn’t offer a few additional pro-tips: if you have a sump pump running through a hole in your foundation, ensure that the hole is sealed on the outside with mortar, and sealed on the inside with pest-resistant insulating foam to avoid potential heat loss or pests getting inside. If you have a generator or backup power supply, ensure that the circuit your sump pump draws power from is connected to receive backup power. This can help avoid an unfortunate situation in which a power outage results in flooding.
But now that the water is outside, what now?! Here is where attention to detail is important. The ideal water management system installation will have the water pumped into a gravel bed or dry well area that can help displace water without eroding soil. Depending on how often your sump pump operates, the location where the water is emitted can also be a great place for water-loving trees, shrubs, and flowers. You’ll want to make sure that you avoid situations in which sump pumps emit near concrete sidewalks. During the winter months, these areas can become icy. It’s also best to avoid directing this to the curb where groundwater drains into stormwater infrastructure. I think of these as examples of missed opportunities to utilize freshwater to irrigate some of your beautiful water-loving plants!
And if groundwater from outside the walls or below the basement floor was not enough, we must also account for rainwater from above. Stormwater requires its own suite of solutions that complement the groundwater solutions. For stormwater, it’s a matter of responsible collection and reducing potential off-site runoff. Given the older infrastructure that we face in Alexandria and throughout other historic neighborhoods of our region along with the increased amount of roads, rooftops, and other impervious surfaces, it’s best to avoid any rainwater from running off your property. Existing stormwater infrastructure is simply ill-equipped to handle it. Mitigating runoff can be achieved by taking multiple steps including having high-capacity rain barrels to hold water until needed for irrigation, permeable hardscape areas, and uncompacted planting beds and lawns, and rain gardens. Once these systems are installed, runoff from any impervious surfaces you have must be directed into your stormwater best management practices (BMPs) via swales, grading, or downspout, and gutter lines. And when using gutter lines, particularly those that are underground, ensure you have cleanout valves and utilize PVC rather than corrugated pipe so that they can be maintained and cleaned out. These BMPs; rain gardens, permeable hardscapes, bio-retention ponds, swales, dry-wells, exfiltration pipes, etc. have the opportunity to avoid or mitigate potential runoff, which can ultimately lead to flooding.
To recap, often the relationship with water is more about management than outright permanent mitigation. Specific strategies can be implemented in just a few steps with a licensed and properly trained contractor:
- For below-grade water, sump pumps are important. They are devices, generally tied to floating triggers, which pump water up and out.
- The only waterproofing that will matter is exterior waterproofing. Concrete and especially CMU’s (concrete masonry units), such as cinder blocks are permeable. They absorb water and without proper sealing and waterproofing, they can leak water or emit water vapor. This can make for musty basements. Exterior drain tiles collect water against the house and direct it into a French drain installed at the footer of the house.
- By implementing diversion strategies, you as a property owner can responsibly manage your stormwater by keeping it on-site through rain barrels, converting any patios or driveways to permeable surfaces, and maintaining planter beds as part of rain gardens.
At my company, Tactical Land Care (TLC), we utilize CBLP (Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional) best management practices (BMPs) in conjunction with Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute (ICPI) and Permeable Interlocking Concrete Paver (PICP) principles and design criteria. We find that these protocols are critical in quality assurance for our clients. But that isn’t to say that there aren’t other ways of identifying solutions. I would just recommend that when hiring a contractor, do your due diligence and confirm what materials are selected, what their lifespan is, and whether there are any manufacturer warranties. Also, ask for a written guide for maintenance procedures or schedule follow-up maintenance. Professional stormwater management professionals will adhere to manufacturer specifications and industry standards and should be happy to discuss their installations. Ultimately, we hope that you will embrace more ecologically responsible solutions in approaching the various ways of contending with water in all its forms.
Tactical Land Care
Tactical Land Care is net-zero to help protect our world and environment for all of us. We specialize in sustainable construction, conservation landscaping, and stormwater management solutions, including permeable hardscape and rain gardens. By working together, we can maximize the ecological benefit of your property.
Please give us a call at 703-879-7091, or email us at info@tacticallandcare.com, where someone from our TLC team will develop a plan with you to help enhance your yard or property for many years to come.
Patrick Moran, PMP, LSC, HIC, LEED | CEO Tactical Land Care
Patrick utilizes his passion for the outdoors along with his professional skills as a licensed Landscape and Home Improvement contractor in Virginia and Maryland, as well as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and LEED Green Associate. Patrick has a BA from Yale University, where he studied climate change and its impact on society.
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How Do I Balance Purchasing and Selling a Home at the Same Time?
To meet the needs of today’s seller-friendly market, agents must juggle more than ever before to bring all the pieces together. I am often asked which should come first: finding my dream home or selling my current home?
To answer that question, I looked back at my sales for the past 14 months and discovered that over 90% of my buyer clients purchased prior to selling their current residences. I know that sounds scary; however, with the current lack of inventory, most buyers are writing a number of contracts before they “win the deal.”
Establishing a financial game plan to make this possible may be your answer. Between cash purchases, bridge loans, rent-backs and borrowing against your investments, your agent and a good local lender will help you explore a variety of options. Keep in mind that your house will also be on the market during this competitive environment when you go to sell. If this strategy is not doable — and since home sale contingencies are not an option at this time — you may alternatively consider selling your house and moving to a rental prior to finding your next home.
I recently had the opportunity to help a client buy an Old Town condo in a building that she had been interested in for almost two years. For one reason or another, every time a unit came up, the timing just wasn’t right. My client said: “Thankfully, Lisa kept her eye on the listings for me and alerted me immediately when one came on the market. She suggested I attend the brokers open house with her, and I did. The unit was absolutely perfect for me, and I made an offer that was accepted right away.”
Lisa’s team of contractors and service providers help her sellers prepare their homes for today’s fast-paced market.
The next step was selling Jane’s “beautiful home of 23 years during the busy holiday season of a pandemic year.” We worked together to create an action plan that allowed for her house to be on the market in a timely manner. This included decluttering, donating furniture, completing a few repairs, conducting minor staging, and procuring both photography and video of the property. With help from my team of contractors and service providers, we were able to quickly check off all the items on the list, and we even dealt with a few tricky issues as they came up along the way.
“Shortly after listing the house, mold was discovered in the basement, which required immediate remediation,” Jane explained. “Throughout this process, Lisa kept everything firmly on track while reassuring my many concerns. Following remediation, showings resumed, and the house sold to attractive buyers who presented an excellent offer and agreed to closing before my important deadline.”
I often hear from clients making the move from a single-family home to a condominium that they are worried about transitioning their furniture and accessories to a smaller space while still having the comfortable feel of their home. In Jane’s case, she “knew that this was the right move” for her and said she “did not have buyer’s remorse for a second.”
Lisa’s purchaser is happily settled in her comfortable new home.
As a follow up, I visited Jane’s condo with my fabulous photographer to take pictures of her new home. I was not surprised to feel that I was walking into her home in Jefferson Park. She had painted the walls the same color, added similar carpet in the bedrooms, and arranged her furniture and accessories beautifully. (I have included a few before and after pictures for you to see.)
I was extremely honored to receive a testimonial from Jane, which I would like to share: “Throughout this very stressful process, Lisa served as my cheerleader, advocate, confidante and knowledgeable real estate expert. I simply could not have asked for more responsive and capable representation when buying and selling. I recommend her highly!”
If you are thinking of making similar moves and need guidance on where to start, feel free to reach out to me for a private and confidential conversation. I would be happy to help!
Lisa Groover is a licensed real estate agent with McEnearney Associates, Inc. in Old Town Alexandria, VA. As an active member of the community since 1989, Lisa specializes in Alexandria, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to work closely with her friends, neighbors, former clients, and their referrals.
Take a look at our website for all of our listings available throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
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How To Protect Your Home from Stormwater (Part I)
This is the first installation of a two-part series where Patrick Moran, CEO of Tactical Land Care, has a conversation on how to best waterproof your home and properly protect your investment. After reading be sure to check out the second installation ‘How To Protect Your Home from Stormwater (Part II)‘!
Stormwater Management is a pervasive issue in Alexandria and across the DC Metropolitan Region. It should not be a surprise though. The DMV is after all located within the watershed of our nation’s largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay. Beneath our feet, under our sidewalks, through our lawns, and against our basement walls, water flows. Along the Potomac River, water makes it to the Chesapeake Bay and ultimately, the Atlantic ocean.
Living in this watershed is a source of pride for many ecological stewards, such as myself, but it also results in a host of issues for property owners if proper steps to protect your home or property against water damage are not taken. Through the course of this article, I will share information about several options that exist for most properties in Alexandria and across the DMV. It is important to keep in mind, however, that solutions related to water are never permanent, and it is important to consider that routine maintenance is essential to your water solution’s effectiveness.
The first type of water you’ll often encounter if you have a basement is groundwater. Depending on where your home is, your basement is likely below the water table. This is important to keep in mind because it means that groundwater is likely to pool or migrate to your basement walls via ‘capillary action’. Most basement walls are built from concrete masonry units (CMUs) or cinder blocks. Cinder blocks are used because they are inexpensive and strong, but they are also very porous, meaning that they can absorb groundwater, ultimately leading to a damp basement or crawlspace. Newer construction projects address this concern by applying a waterproofing membrane on top of the cinder blocks, but older ones rarely included these materials. Therefore, it is important to note, whether you have a basement or are considering digging out a crawl space to make one, exterior waterproofing is a must.
As property values continue to increase, the economics of digging down to extend usable square footage through converting crawlspaces to basements makes sense. But we shouldn’t assume that it is as simple as moving the dirt out. Properly waterproofing outside is critical, and though many products that are applied inside claim to solve the problem, they are only temporary bandaids if you have an active leak, or underground water abutting a basement wall. In a region such as ours, where the water table is often above the basement floor, this means having extremely effective outdoor waterproofing membranes, and applicable exterior drainage solutions.
Some contractors and material vendors may recommend that applying a paint sealant, such as DryLok, on the inside of a basement wall will be sufficient to address moisture concerns, but this is ineffective, and should only be considered as a supplementary installation to exterior waterproofing. It is best to address groundwater at its source. To avoid water entering your basement living spaces, the only reliable solution is waterproofing the foundation from the outside. This should include installing an adhesive waterproofing membrane. Whether it be rolled, painted, or sprayed on, an impermeable membrane must be applied to your porous exterior walls. On our waterproofing projects associated with permeable hardscape installation, we generally install a 40 mil PVC liner against the underground portion of the wall to prevent direct contact between block or brick. In situations where there is a permeable hardscape abutting an exterior wall, we utilize this liner to serve as a subterranean eave extending several feet away from the house to ensure that percolating water dissipates away from the wall. In other types of installations, this can be coupled with waterproofing tar membrane and/or drainage tile. Otherwise, water will find its way into your home.
But even these solutions are considered by some to be only the last line of defense after a redirection or collection system is installed. A prime example of such a system is drain tile or dimple boards adhered to the exterior wall to allow water to flow downwards into a perimeter French drain. When drainage tile is installed, the intent is not just to defend against water incursion into basements and crawl spaces, it is intended to redirect down the wall and into a French drain to direct the water away. When correctly installed, a French drain utilizes a perforated PVC pipe, rather than a black corrugated pipe, that will generally be installed in at least a 12-inch depth gravel at the base of the foundation near the footer. These drainage systems will collect and redirect water. But this doesn’t work for all properties, since the water will need gravity to flow elsewhere towards a lower grade area. Where this is not possible, some contractors will suggest that water be piped into the interior footprint below-grade and into a sump pump basin, (more on this later). Generally, these are costly retrofit installations, since it requires a substantial amount of excavation to dig down below the basement floor. Given the dynamics of the installation, they are generally only plausible for single-family homes, and not possible for townhomes unless systems are installed for the entire block face or contiguous section of homes.
Tactical Land Care
Tactical Land Care is net-zero to help protect our world and environment for all of us. We specialize in sustainable construction, conservation landscaping, and stormwater management solutions, including permeable hardscape and rain gardens. By working together, we can maximize the ecological benefit of your property.
Please give us a call at 703-879-7091, or email us at info@tacticallandcare.com, where someone from our TLC team will develop a plan with you to help enhance your yard or property for many years to come.
Patrick Moran, PMP, LSC, HIC, LEED | CEO Tactical Land Care
Patrick utilizes his passion for the outdoors along with his professional skills as a licensed Landscape and Home Improvement contractor in Virginia and Maryland, as well as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and LEED Green Associate. Patrick has a BA from Yale University, where he studied climate change and its impact on society.
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How Hard Is It to Sell a Home in Today’s Market?
The short answer, it’s not too difficult to sell a home in today’s market. The longer answer is, to sell a home well in any market, it takes skill, expertise and experience. Selling a home well involves a lot more than just putting a sign in the yard or even getting it sold. Selling a home well means getting the home sold at the best price possible, with good terms for the seller and with the least amount of stress.
In the past six months, there have been 374 expired, withdrawn or canceled listings in the City of Alexandria alone. In a great market for sellers, those canceled listings were unsuccessful at selling, had to adjust, possibly sold later or just pulled the listing from the market. Considering that 1,429 homes sold in the same period of time, that’s a pretty substantial number.
There are many reasons selling a home may not succeed, and we would venture to guess that in most of these cases there was not a clear understanding of how to price the property well, or the property was not “show-ready” for the market. Many people believe that in a strong “seller’s market” such as this, a home can just sell itself. These numbers suggest otherwise.
It’s really important that your listing shows up on all marketing channels. Your Realtor should have access to all the traditional channels, but a strong digital presence and great media partners are especially important. Not all companies are able to provide this, but it is important so that your listing reaches the maximum number of potential buyers. Online marketing should include local news sources as well as national and global channels. Social media has now become a source of first glimpses at listings, so your chosen Realtor should have strong skills in putting out professional exposure in all channels.
Preparing for the market is a huge step in the process. Your home needs to be 100% show-ready, before buyers see it. Your Realtor should have excellent, reasonably priced contractors that can get any work done quickly. We often get homes painted, add granite counters, power wash, refinish floors and more — all in just a week or two. The contractors that a Realtor recommends know how important the “getting on the market” timeline is and work in tandem with your real estate professional to get the job done well and on time.
[blockquote author=”” link=”” target=”_blank”]The Peele Group has a Dream Team of experts — contractors, staging advisors, photographers and more — to help make the right preparations, minimize stress and maximize profits![/blockquote]
Creativity is huge in real estate. Not only is it important in marketing your home to the fullest extent, but it makes a big difference once you are under contract as well. Every real estate transaction is different and just when we think we’ve seen it all, a new wrinkle develops. This is normal, and a seasoned professional has a vast toolbox of resources and other professionals to keep the process going smoothly. Our team has trained with everyone — from the Ritz Carlton Hospitality team to FBI hostage negotiators — in order to expand our toolbox and accomplish our clients’ goals!
Your Realtor should be there throughout your entire process, guiding you through every stage. They will keep every step of the real estate transaction organized and on track to close. They will assist with preparation, the selling process, the final sale and even beyond. Their expertise will be key in realizing the highest profit for your home and the best match for your goals.
Selling a home well is an involved process, and it takes a professional to know how to make a plan, implement the steps and to sell your home smoothly. And it certainly means NOT having to be withdrawn or canceled, because it was not planned properly. For more information on selling a home in today’s market, contact Kim or Hope Peele of The Peele Group at 703-244-5852.
Kim Peele is a licensed real estate agent with McEnearney Associates, Inc., lives in Old Town and works in Virginia, D.C. and Maryland. She and her daughter Hope Peele are The Peele Group. Kim is a second-generation Realtor and fourth-generation Washingtonian and is dedicated to helping owners through the challenges of selling their home.
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A Real Estate Market in Escalation
Ever been to an open house on a Tuesday? Me neither… until last week.
My client and I walked into a single-family home in Reston priced in the golden $700,000s for (what I thought) was a private showing. The cul-de-sac was packed with cars, and I counted at least five other groups touring the home at the same time.
When I noticed the listing agent sitting at the kitchen table, I asked her if I had my time wrong. She replied, “No, we just had so much interest we decided to open it up today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.” She also informed me that six offers had already come in on this listing before it went on the market officially. By Wednesday evening, the house was under contract.
Is this a true depiction of today’s market? Not exactly, but in some areas and particularly with detached single-family homes, this is our new reality.
The average sales price is up more than $50,000 compared to last year. Despite interest rates starting to creep back up, this will continue to be a seller’s market for the foreseeable future. If you are looking to buy a home (especially a detached single-family home) be prepared to bid well above asking.
This month instead of highlighting active or coming soon listings, I want to share with you some homes sold in the past few weeks that went tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars over list price.
A little overwhelming, right? Call me, text me or email me. I would love to help you develop the right strategy for this escalating market.
Mackenzie Horne, MBA is a licensed REALTOR® in the Commonwealth of Virginia with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Send Mackenzie a message at 571-594-9136, mhorne@mcenearney.com, or @MackHorneRealtor.
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