By Railroad Mesothelioma Attorney Christopher Murphy of Doran & Murphy, PLLC

It has long since been known that asbestos is a main cause of cancer. Unfortunately, this substance is absolutely everywhere, even in the air, and it is undetectable by the naked eye.

For years researchers thought they knew everything there was to know about this dangerous toxin and its relationship to cancer. Namely, asbestos was most commonly associated with lung cancer and mesothelioma. Now, in addition to those diseases, a new study has found that asbestos may also be linked to ovarian cancer.

The connection between asbestos and these two types of cancers may seem confusing to some. However, the study showed a clear link. Inhaling asbestos causes the mineral to become lodged in the pleura, which is in the lung cavity. This can result in either lung cancer or mesothelioma.

This connection has been clear for some time. It has also been known that asbestos can also be ingested. When it is, it can travel further into the body, down into the abdominal cavity. For women, this is particularly concerning because it then becomes lodged in the ovaries. According to the National Cancer Institute, this can easily lead to ovarian cancer.

(more…)


Real Estate Fresh Finds is a weekly selection of newly-listed properties in the District, brought to you by Real Living At Home.

Featured Property of the Week: 1230 Farragut Place NE

This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom semi-detached townhome in North Michigan Park is an “Architectural Digest inspired home with a custom created outdoor oasis” that includes a privately fenced-in garden, hot tub, shed and dining/grilling space as well as 2 off-street parking spaces.

The home has been fully renovated on all 3 levels with “more than $100k worth of owner renovation and improvements” such as hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, designer lighting and modernized bathrooms.

The open floor plan of this show gives it an “effortless flow” across its 1,600+ square feet and is perfectly located equidistant to Brookland and Takoma Park as well as less than a mile walk to the Fort Totten Metro Station.

(more…)


Virginia Tech’s Evening MBA program moved up three places to No. 14 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 rankings of the best part-time MBA programs.

The Northern Virginia-based program now ranks as the top public university part-time MBA in the Washington, D.C. metro area. The report assessed more than 300 part-time MBA programs across the country on factors such as student quality, peer reputation and the ratio of part-time to full-time students.

“This marks the fifth consecutive year that the Evening MBA has featured in the top 20 programs nationwide,” said Dana K. Hansson, director of MBA programs. “We believe the faculty expertise and high level of flexibility we offer are key factors in continuing to attract high quality students to our program.”

The Evening MBA is one of three MBA programs offered by the Pamplin College of Business. With many shared courses and faculty, the Executive and Professional MBA program options offer a similar academic experience to the Evening program, but with alternate formats and locations to better serve a range of students.

(more…)


By Personal Injury Attorney Jamie Karek of Commonwealth Law Group

Virginia has a problem. They want to keep their drivers safe, so they install metal road reflectors that are supposed to help guide drivers. Unfortunately, now those very safety measures are starting to hurt drivers. They have caused several car accidents already and when they do, accident victims can file a claim for compensation.

The biggest problem with the metal reflectors is that they weigh over five pounds. When they come loose from the road, they fly into the air and land — sometimes on a driver’s windshield. The driver could then become injured by the broken glass, or it could cause them to get into an accident with another vehicle.

This sounds traumatic, and it is. It is also something that has happened to 90 people over the past five years alone. When they do happen, motorists should understand they can file a complaint with the Virginia Department of Transportation.

When a government agency is negligent, as they have been with these reflectors, they can still be held liable. However, these claims are much more difficult than other personal injury cases. This is why the help of an experienced attorney, and swift action, is absolutely necessary.

(more…)


Address: 5024 9th Street NW
Neighborhood: Petworth
Listed: $460,000-$485,000
Open: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Located between the dynamic Upshur and Kennedy Street Corridors, The Gallatin condominiums are 2 bedroom, 2 full bath homes built for urban living and designed with a modern edge.

The open concept layouts provide an organic flow from kitchen to living area, with custom built-in media storage and shelving throughout. Kitchens include quartz counters, movable Brazilian Walnut islands and glass tiled backsplashes (in select homes). Both full bathrooms include marble flooring and tile. Amenities include an outdoor social area with grilling station and seating, secured bicycle storage, one large storage space per unit, security system with intercom and package room.

Schedule an appointment by contacting: Jay Zelaska, 202-792-0070.

(more…)


Now that the Spring weather seems to be matching the uptick in the market, we’re looking at 70 degree days, nearly 400 new homes listed in the past week and an upcoming weekend with over 250 open houses all across the District.  To see the entire DC Open House List, click here.

  • 733 Hamilton Street NW — $675,000 — Brightwood Park
    Open Sat. 2-4 p.m. & Sun. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Jen Goroff
    “This beautiful, light-filled 3 BR/3.5 BA rowhouse has been completely renovated in 2014.”
  • 1230 Farragut Place NE — $574,900 — Michigan Park
    Open Sun. 12-2 p.m. — Heath Graves
    This “Architectural Digest inspired home” has over $100k worth of updates, a hot tub and includes 2 parking spaces.
  • 809 6th Street NW #53 — $499,000 — Chinatown
    Open Sun. 2-4 p.m. — Metro DC Houses
    1 BR/1 BA unit with an open floor plan in a building that’s not even  15 years old in a neighborhood so walkable it gets a 98 Walk Score.
  • 1812 S Street SE — $374,900 — Fairlawn
    Open Sat. 1-3 p.m. & Sun. 2-4 p.m. — Kyo Freeman
    2 BR AS-IS just back on the market at a great price.
  • 3510 New Hampshire Avenue NW — $749,900 — Columbia Heights
    Open Sat. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Balaram Owens
    “Unique home has a mix of original charm and modern updates” with over 1,500 square feet just a couple blocks from the Petworth Metro Station.

Joining the latest and greatest at Ballston Quarter, 5 Wits officially opened for business earlier last month, bringing its unique style of interactive entertainment to the Arlington area.

Located in a 15,000 square foot facility within the mall, 5 Wits creates deeply immersive, theme park-style adventure experiences. Guests travel through real, physical environments, interacting with their surroundings through challenges, puzzles and elaborate special effects.

Each adventure tells its own story, with its guests’ performance deciding the outcome: the ending actually changes depending on how well its participants perform.

While the technology that runs this massive $2 million venue is cutting edge, the company behind it isn’t exactly new — in fact, 5 Wits is celebrating its 15th year in business. Its arrival in Ballston Quarter signals a shift toward entertainment-based offerings that set the redeveloped center apart as a destination.

(more…)


This column is written by Metro DC Houses, a local real estate team serving DC, MD, VA made up of Colin Johnson, the immediate past President for the D.C. Association of Realtors and Christopher Suranna, the current President for the D.C. Association of Realtors.

For those of you that don’t have knowledge of the cult classic movie “Office Space”, the strange character Milton Waddams has an obsession with his Red Swingline stapler.

In one of the last scenes of the movie he is sitting on a beach and demands a margarita with NO SALT or he’d…  For those “Office Space” fans I have buried another movie reference, enjoy!

Well that’s a long story to hook you in to talk about taxes, specifically SALT taxes (State and Local Taxes) that have recently been limited with the passage of the Tax Cuts and Job Act. Plus some other interesting updates.

To Itemize or Not to Itemize, that is the question. A lot of this is going to be based on your total income and available deductions. If you are not going to itemize, stop here. I am of no use to you, unless of course you want to catch the movie reference. If you are going to itemize please enjoy the following.

The SALT tax is now limited to 10K and if in the state of Maryland or other higher local tax areas it is very likely you will hit your maximum deduction fairly quickly.

(more…)


Address: 1300 4th Street SE
Neighborhood: Navy Yard
Listed: 2 BR/2 BA, $734,900-$974,900
Open: Sunday, March 17 from 1-4 p.m.

The Bower offers a variety of layouts to suit your lifestyle from studios starting at $394,900, one-bedrooms starting at $419,900 and spacious two-bedrooms starting at $734,900.

Explore The Bower’s expansive two bedroom units including sweeping city views through floor to ceiling windows with generous layouts that you can make your own.

With access to an ample rooftop terrace along with inviting community spaces from the residents’ lounge to the fitness studio, The Bower offers the ideal mix of energy, convenience, and style.

Resident move-ins at The Bower have begun, with now over 75% sold, tour Sunday and own it all at The Yards only at The Bower.

Listed By:
PN Hoffman Realty
202-869-5233
www.thebowerdc.com

(more…)


Real Estate Fresh Finds is a weekly selection of newly-listed properties in the District, brought to you by Real Living At Home.

Featured Property of the Week: 1738 Park Road NW #2

  • On the ground level of this converted townhouse in Mount Pleasant sits this immaculate 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom open floor plan unit with nearly 1,200 square feet of living space. The semi-detached building offers windows on 3 sides, allowing for lots of natural light streaming throughout the home, illuminating the gorgeous dark hardwood floors across all rooms. The home features exposed brick, 9’+ ceilings, laundry room with front-loading washer/dryer and a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops. The master bedroom suite elegantly boasts a large walk-in closet as well as an ensuite master bath with dual vanities and a separate shower. Completing the home is the beautifully private rear wood deck overlooking the backyard, ideal for those upcoming warm summer nights.

Other Notable Fresh Listings:

  • The Most Expensive Home of the Week is one that actually deserves that moniker with 4 levels and 10.5k total square feet encompassing 8 bedrooms, 9 total bathrooms, a swimming pool, billiard room, theater room and a massively green backyard.
  • Modern and open 4 BR townhouse in Petworth only a block from the Petworth Metro includes solar panels on the roof, creating instant cost savings for the new owner.
  • “Incredibly spacious and bright 2 BR/2 BA condo in a lovely, quiet spot on Capitol Hill/just steps from the H St Corridor!”
  • Your REO/Bank-Owned Property of the Week is a 3 BR interior unit row home in Washington Highlands “AS-IS, needs work.”

View More Stories