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Featured Events This Weekend

Happy Friday! The weekend is here and so is a list of featured events for Saturday and Sunday, as submitted to our event calendar.

DC Proud 2019 Celebration

Saturday, January 5 from 7-11:59 p.m.

The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW

Join Mayor Muriel Bowser for a celebration marking the start of her second term as Mayor of the District of Columbia.

Local entertainers, national artists and special guests will come together with District residents for this black tie affair and make DC Proud!

DC Open House List for This Weekend

By PoP Sponsor (a)

It’s a new year and if you made yourself any resolutions to become a homeowner, boy, do you have some great choices for 2019 with over 230 open houses across the District. To see the entire DC Open House List, click here.

  • 1215 Park Road NW #3 — $699,000 — Columbia Heights
    Open Sat. & Sun. 1-3 p.m. — Balaram Owens
    “Beautiful contemporary condo in the heart of Columbia Heights is flooded with sunlight.”
  • 412 Woodcrest Drive SE #A — $349,900 — Congress Heights
    Open Sun. 1-5 p.m. — Kirby Mitchell
    A mix of photos and renderings means you could own one of these nearly brand-new units built in 2017.
  • 408 Ava Way NE — $564,500 — Michigan Park/Fort Totten
    Open Sat. 2-4 p.m. — Sarah Brown
    3 BR/3.5 BA townhouse in Emerson Park, “a quiet community newly constructed only 10 years ago at the intersection of Brookland and Fort Totten.”
  • 1325 18th Street NW #912 — $425,000 — Dupont Circle
    Open Sun. 2-4 p.m. — Kevin Wood
    A nicely sized 1 BR condo at The Palladium with a community rooftop pool.
  • 520 N Street SW #S621 — $1,200,000 — Southwest Waterfront
    Open Sat. 2-4 p.m. — Wyevetra Jordan
    “Here is your chance to own a rarely available top floor corner unit with balconies off every room at the historic Harbour Square on the SW Waterfront.”

Guaranteed Ride Home — Don’t Let Emergencies Limit Your Commuting Options

One thing that discourages commuters from joining carpools, vanpools or even using public transportation to and from work is the possibility of missing the ride home because of unscheduled overtime. Staying late might end up costing money if they have to take a taxi or another paid service.

But missing the ride home isn’t a worry for members of Commuter Connections. The regional network of transportation organizations coordinated by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments offers a guaranteed ride home for those held up by emergencies, such as unscheduled overtime or illness, up to four times a year.

There is no charge for the ride.

The free service is offered as a “peace of mind insurance policy” for carpoolers and those who use public transportation. Commuters who share their transportation save money, reduce stress, contribute to a healthy environment and remove at least one more vehicle from the region’s overworked transportation system (Some restrictions apply; see the website for details).

Commuter Connections offers other free services and programs that help employees and employers throughout the region find the most cost-effective, convenient and safe commutes. Information on ridematching, public transit, HOV lane restrictions, park-and-ride lots, bicycling, and teleworking are among the services Commuter Connections has been promoting since its founding in 1974.

New members can sign up for the program here. Email [email protected], or call 1-800-745-RIDE.

Join Mayor Muriel Bowser for DC Proud 2019 Celebration

Mayor Muriel Bowser will make history when she’s sworn in as the first female two-term Mayor of her hometown, Washington, D.C.

A new year offers new opportunities to connect and work towards common goals and a shared vision. Mayor Bowser is inviting all 700,000+ D.C. residents to celebrate her second inauguration as the seventh Mayor of the District of Columbia on Saturday, January 5 at The Anthem on the Southwest Waterfront.

Mayor Bowser’s commitment to D.C.’s creative economy and community has been unwavering. Building upon that, this year’s lineup for the DC Proud 2019 Celebration is inclusive and representative of D.C.’s diverse and vibrant creative community.

It’s a pretty amazing lineup with scheduled performances by: Ledisi, EU featuring Sugar Bear, Mary McBride, Raheem DeVaughn, Ms. Kim & Scooby, Big G, Wiley Brown, DJ Gemini, the DCBX Dancers, Infusion Band, Sirius Company, the We Are One Band, Beverly Perez and a host of other artists!

Most of the artists hail from the District and are honored to be a part of this experience.

The Wharf is such an exciting new area of the District with several new hotels and many fantastic new restaurants. It reestablishes Washington, D.C., as a waterfront city and destination. The mile-long stretch along the Potomac River comes to life with restaurants, retailers, residences and businesses — all complemented by monumental views and a vibrant culture.

Please come early, dine at one of the many great restaurants, and then join us for DC Proud 2019 Celebration at The Anthem. Tickets are free for this black-tie affair, but you must RSVP here.

D.C. is after all the greatest city in the world, so come join the celebration and make DC Proud!

Real Estate Fresh Finds: Jan. 2

By PoP Sponsor (a)

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: 1338 Parkwood Place NW

  • Located in a central and serene location, this 3 BR/2 BA row home is surrounded by some of the most popular neighborhoods all within a great Walk Score of 93. The classic Wardman style home “features gorgeous original floors and woodwork,” as well as a new kitchen, a fully finished basement and a fenced-in rear patio that’s perfect for BBQ’s and late summer night lounging. 

Other Notable Fresh Listings:

Legal Review: Oleg Deripaska Steps Back After U.S. Sanctions

By PoP Sponsor (a)

By OFAC Sanctions Attorney of Price Benowitz LLP

It was in April that the Trump administration imposed sanctions against Oleg Deripaska, and the company, Rusal, he had shares in.

The sanctions were meant as a disciplinary action after it was suspected that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election. Now, Deripaska has lowered his stake in the company in hopes that the sanctions will be lifted.

The new plan, known as The Barker Plan, would limit the role Deripaska once had in the company. Rusal is one of the world’s biggest aluminum producers. Since the sanctions were levied, it has caused the cost of aluminum to spike around the world. For Deripaska, it meant losing many of the profits that helped make him a billionaire.

Under the new plan, the company says that it will be appointing two new directors to the board of En+Group. This would prevent Deripaska from using the company to generate profits for his own use. In addition to this, Vladimir Kiryukhin will take place as the group’s new CEO, and Vyacheslav Solomin will take the position of COO. Vladislav Solovyov, who was once the CEO, will now be made president of the company.

“The Trump administration faces the dilemma of lifting the sanctions and facing the disapproval of the Democrats, or leaving the sanctions as they are and continuing to face repercussions from Russia. Leaving the sanctions as they are would also cause the price of aluminum to continue to skyrocket, which affects manufacturers and consumers everywhere,” says the OFAC Sanctions Attorney of Price Benowitz, LLP. “It is certainly not an easy position to be in.”

Rusal states that more than just the sanctions imposed by the United States caused the changes, though. New Russian environmental regulations were recently released. The company says the reorganization is also an effort to comply with these regulations.

While the plan may have the sanctions lifted, Deripaska has already lost half of his net worth since they were first imposed in April. It is unclear whether or not he will still have any ownership in the company after the new plan is put into place.

DC Open House List for This Weekend

By PoP Sponsor (a)

With Christmas behind us and New Year’s on the way, we’re in that weird strip between holidays where no one wants to do anything, let alone answer emails or do any serious work.

While there’s still not a ton of open houses scheduled across the District this weekend, we’ve found some of our favorites below and to see the entire DC Open House List, click here.

  • 57 N Street NW #425 — $854,900 — Truxton Circle
    Open Sat. 12-4PM — John Guggenmos
    Super modern 2BR condo in a converted old horse stable/automotive garage at The Chapman Stables.
  • 423 18th Street NE #5 — $459,800 — Kingman Park
    Open Sun. 1-3PM — Monir Dellawar
    3BR/3BA condo has been recently renovated with a brand new kitchen, appliances and flooring.
  • 525 Water Street SW #205 — $449,900 — Southwest Waterfront
    Open Sun. 1-3PM — John Edelmann
    A 1BR condo in a 2-years-young building within walking distance of all things on the Wharf.
  • 1223 16th Street NE — $615,000 — Trinidad
    Open Sat. 12-2PM — Alicia Hines
    “2 UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING -100% RENOVATED -Live in one and Rent other-Separately Metered with Rear Parking.”
  • 3320 Reservoir Road NW — $2,150,000 — Georgetown
    Open Sun. 11AM-1PM — Irma Alba
    “This beautifully updated [4BR/4BA] home comes with all the modern conveniences of 21st century living and comforts of Georgetown life.”

Convenient Ridesharing With Commuter Connections

Driving to and from work every day on your own is costing you time and money, and you know it. But how do you find a compatible companion to share your daily round-trip commute?

The answer is Commuter Connections‘ program called “Ridesharing.” And it’s free.

When you register for a free Commuter Connections account, you can sign up for the Ridesharing program, which pairs you with a viable carpool or van pool. You can also download the CarpoolNow app for ridesharing on demand. The app allows you to ride when you want, where you want, without the cost of a ride-hailing service or taxi.

Ridesharing commuters save an average of $22 a day, reduce stress and make friends.

How does it work? Once you register and become a Commuter Connections member, you can find other commuters at or near your company, in your neighborhood or along your route to work who want to share their ride.

One of the benefits enjoyed by Commuter Connections’ Ridesharing commuters is that they don’t drive every day, which saves wear and tear of vehicles and lowers toll and Express lane fees. Since some commuters prefer to drive, passengers help pay for fuel. Some Ridesharing partners prefer to alternate driving duties, so there is no exchange of money.

Another benefit? Sleeping while someone else negotiates rush hour traffic.

Why is Ridesharing and other valuable services and programs of Commuter Connections free? Because Commuter Connections is a regional network of transportation organizations coordinated by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments that are united in helping improve the region’s traffic congestion.

New members can sign up for the program here. Email [email protected], or call 1-800-745-RIDE.

Commuter Connections offers free services and programs that help employees and employers throughout the region find the most cost-effective, convenient and safe commutes. Information on ridematching, public transit, HOV lane restrictions, park-and-ride lots, bicycling and teleworking are among the services Commuter Connections has been promoting since its founding in 1974.

New Years Eve Gala at the International Spy Museum Supports The Red Cross

If you like good parties and good causes, then you will love the newest New Year’s Eve event to hit D.C.

Not only does each ticket to the NYE Charity Gala at the new International Spy Museum get you access to open top-shelf bar, food and great music to dance to all night, but all profits from this party go to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund.

Guests also get exclusive access to the brand new yet-to-be open International Spy Museum where everyone will be dancing on an LED dance floor to the backdrop of the Washington Monument, the Capitol and the new D.C. Wharf.

Entertainment for the night will include illusions by a professional magician, a mystery spy theater, fortune-telling palm readings by all-seeing psychics, fantastical feats and tricks of sparks and glassware flying by professional flair bartenders, and comedic interactions with the International Man of Mystery himself, Austin Powers.

The concept for developing experience-based social impact events came from a group of locals who believe that you can have fun and do good at the same time. For the New Year’s Eve Gala, the donation will help people affected by disasters like storms and countless other crises.

The profits going to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from tragedies big and small across the United States. Tickets to the Gala range from General Admission to Gold VIP level and can be bought by visiting www.nyecharitygala.eventbrite.com. Use code NYE2019 for $25 off.

Post & Poll: Do You Plan to Purchase Real Estate in 2019?

By PoP Sponsor (a)

This column is written by Marcus Correll, the Marketing Coordinator at RLAH Real Estate. He is not a licensed agent, nor intends to be portrayed as such, but he is entrenched in the industry helping approximately 200 agents with their marketing.

Ahhhhh… December, such a month of reflection. In addition to taking inventory of our current year’s goals, we segue into the outlook of what next year may bring.

For many, the momentous occasion of buying a home is on deck. Assuming that Santa can no longer afford to help you with the typical down payment for a place in the District, there are several other factors to consider; appreciation, interest rates, inventory, competition.

Housing forecasting predictions are just that — predictions and by no means fact. Let’s take a look at what some of the experts are saying and let us know at the end what you think your personal 2019 forecast might look like…

Realtor.com predicts:

  • Look for rising mortgage rates
  • Home prices expected to rise @ 2.2% national rate
  • Mortgage rates to hit 5.5% by end of 2019
  • Home sales decline by 2%
  • Bottom Line: Higher rates and prices impacting potential buyers could forecast for a slower year.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) Lawrence Yun forecasts:

  • Home prices will see a 4.7% growth in 2019
  • Builders are adding about 1.2 million homes a year
  • “No signs of a housing bubble, even though prices have been outpacing income for many years.”
  • International trade war could stall economic growth, interest rates to rise and signal a recession.
  • Bottom Line: “All indications are prices will keep moving higher, and buyers who wait risk missing out on wealth gains,” said Yun.

Zillow suggests:

  • Prices are still rising, but the price growth is slowing down in some of the hottest markets.
  • Zillow forecasts “annual home value growth to slow to 6.6 percent over the next year, compared with 8.3 percent over the past year”
  • 14% of listings across the country had a price cut in June signaling market shift (in DC, 15.4% had price cuts)
  • Home value growth is slowing in almost half of the 35 largest metropolitan areas
  • Price cuts occur more frequently amongst high-priced homes

After seeing what some of the market leaders have said about 2019….

 

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