Sponsored

This column is written and sponsored by Alan Lescht & Associates, PC, an employment litigation firm in Washington, DC, that handles cases involving contract disputes, wage and hour issues, discrimination and retaliation, wrongful termination, whistleblower retaliation and security clearances.

A non-compete agreement is a contract between an employee and an employer that limits the employee’s ability to disclose information and to work in the future. A non-compete usually prohibits an employee from competing with the employer for a certain period of time, and in a certain location, after his employment ends. This means that an employee could not work for a competing business or start his own business to compete with his former employer.

Why does my employer want me to sign a non-compete?

Employers use non-compete agreements to protect their trade secrets and valuable information. For example, a non-compete agreement could prevent an employee from going to work for a competitor and sharing her former employer’s confidential information with her new employer.

Companies also use non-competes to protect investments they make in their employees. Many employers provide or pay for employee training. A non-compete may be intended to prevent an employee from using that training to get a new job with a competitor.

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This weekly column is written and sponsored by D.C. real estate agent and Edgewood resident Jessica Evans. Email her questions at  [email protected].

Renovating a home is not for everyone, it is expensive, time consuming, frustrating, but one of the best adventures of your life. If you’re up for this challenge, the journey can be well worth it.

The key is in finding a home that offers the right scope of project for your budget and time constraints and will be a finished product that meets your needs. Aside from the obvious financial benefits of instant equity, renovating a home is also the best way to get exactly what you want.

Finding the right home for you is the first step and there are a wide range of options. But don’t stress, I have that covered! Below, I’ve identified 4 homes that I think offer great potential and are renovation ready!

1846 Capitol Ave NE – $389,000

10 years from now, it’s going to believe that this price ever existed in this neighborhood. The days of non-condo homes selling under $400,000 this close to downtown are very limited. If guaranteed appreciation and a neighborhood full of fun new bars and restaurants isn’t enough, here are a few more features:

• 2 levels and 1,184 sq ft (per tax record)
• Upstairs: 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, but could easily be reconfigured as 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms
• “Average” condition, may meet conventional financing guidelines (which means you can get a traditional mortgage)
• Recent $10,000 price reduction

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This weekly column is written and sponsored by D.C. real estate agent and Edgewood resident Jessica Evans. Email her questions at  [email protected].

With open floorplans, shiny new appliances, and modern conveniences like central air, it’s no surprise that renovated homes are a hot commodity in the DC real estate market.

The District had the highest number of home flips in the first quarter of 2017, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Unfortunately, some of these homes have expensive hidden issues, where developers or contractors (whether intentionally or unintentionally) cut corners or masked over costly problems that buyers may not detect before purchasing.

Below are my top 10 tips for how to determine if a home is a flip or flop:

1. Check for permits — The DCRA Property Inspections Verification System website is your friend.

2. Check for inspections — inspections are part 2 of the permitting process, certifying that the permitted work was done correctly. The DCRA website (above) may not include 3rd party inspections, ask the seller to provide written documentation.

3. Have a home inspection done — use an inspector who is experienced, and familiar with inspecting renovated homes, ask their opinion of the quality of renovation.

4. Check all major systems — a home that is advertised as “fully renovated” should have all a new HVAC system, roof, and the electric panel should be upgraded to modern capacity.

5. Run all of the water in the house — do the shower floors have the correct slope to drain? Are the drains slow or backing up? Is there water coming out of any drain?

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Dear PoPville readers,

Maybe you sang in college. Maybe you sing in a large chorus now. Maybe you’re looking for a diverse and tightly-knit community of skilled musicians. We’re the 18th Street Singers, and we’re looking for singers like you.

You enjoy music from the Renaissance and music being penned today, music from different cultures and with different viewpoints, and even music on the radio. You’re excited to amplify the voices, composers, and themes that are often missing at typical concerts.

We’re committed to musical excellence and using a fresh take on choral music to bring it to wider and younger audiences. At the same time, we’re dedicated to being a supportive community and “urban family” for our members, who come from all walks of life and are all cherished friends and colleagues.

We’re holding auditions for singers of all voice parts this week. Learn more here.

Thanks for listening to our sponsored post — you’re also welcome to listen to us perform!

This column is written and sponsored by Alan Lescht & Associates, PC, an employment litigation firm in Washington, DC, that handles cases involving contract disputes, wage and hour issues, discrimination and retaliation, wrongful termination, whistleblower retaliation and security clearances.

DC laws govern when, how, and how much your employer must pay you. In fact, DC laws provide employees with more protections than federal laws. This article applies to most employees who work in DC.

How much should I be paid?

If you work in DC, minimum wage is $12.50 per hour. However, if you are a tipped employee, you must be paid at least $3.33 per hour, and your combined hourly wages and tips must be equal at least $12.50 per hour.

When does my employer have to pay me?

Your employer should establish a regular pay day schedule with at least two paydays per calendar month. It is also okay for your employer to pay you once per month, if that is its regular procedure.

If you resign or quit, you must receive your final paycheck no later than the next regular pay day. For example, say your employer pays you on the first and third Mondays of every month. If you resign on Friday, August 11, 2017, you should receive your final paycheck by Monday, August 21, 2017

However, if your employer terminates your employment (e.g., you’re fired or laid off), you must receive your final paycheck within one working day after your job ends. Therefore, if you are fired on a Tuesday, you must receive your final paycheck by Wednesday.

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