Photo from PoPville flickr user mediaslave
You can talk about whatever is on your mind – quality of life issues, a beautiful tree you spotted, scuttlebutt, or any random questions/thoughts you may have. I’ll open this thread every Monday and Friday. Anything good happen this week?
In real life, hipchickindc is licensed as a real estate broker in the District of Columbia and Virginia, and as a real estate salesperson in Maryland. Unless specifically noted, neither she nor the company that she is affiliated with represented any of the parties or were directly involved in the transaction reported below. Unless otherwise noted, the source of information is Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS), which is the local multiple listing system. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Featured Property: 610 Upshur St NW
Original List Price: $375,000.
List Price at Contract: $285,000.
List Date: 03/19/2009
Days on Market: 142
Settled Sales Price: $267,200.
Settlement Date: 10/16/2009
Seller Subsidy: $10,700.
Bank Owned?: No
Type Of Financing: FHA with loan amount of $296,726. The property was not in condition that would meet criteria for a regular FHA loan. This was likely a 203 streamline product.
Original GDoN Post is: Here.
Recent Listing is: Here. Sorry. No extra pics.
Good Deal or Not (GDoN) commenters were at a disadvantage on this one in that there were no interior photos posted with the listing. I visited this property with buyer clients back in the Spring when it was newly listed. The property had been owned by an organization called, “Anchor Mental Health” and may have been a group home. It had been cleaned out prior to listing, but definitely was in need of updating. The property is a detached brick home and, as Jamie mentioned in the GDoN comments, it is wedge shaped. Anybody who has looked at lots of houses in Petworth is used to seeing about two or three variations upon the basic porch front rowhouse floor plan, so in relation, the layout of this property is a bit unique. If I recall correctly, the staircase was straight and central, with a rectangular dining room on one side of the stairs and a rectangular living room on the other side and the kitchen along the back. There are four bedrooms on the second level. Continues after the jump. (more…)
Thanks to all the readers who sent in her column from this morning’s Washington Post titled: Columbia Heights still has far to go. She concludes the piece with this:
“On Thursday, as Oscar’s family was preparing his funeral arrangements and kids stayed away from the playground, the Prince of Petworth blog posted a reader’s complaints about the neighborhood. The reader, who has lived in Columbia Heights since 2002, was devastated by the lackluster service at the sleek new coffee bar half a block from the building where Oscar was killed.
“I ordered latté and it was a disaster. The latté smelled and [tasted] so bad I only had one sip and that was it,” he complained. He was also frustrated that there was never room to sit in the little shop.”
You know it’s a shame she decided to take the easy way out by taking an unrelated post out of context. Regular readers of this blog know that we regularly talk about serious issues, including crime, quality of life, schools etc. This site discusses 75-100 posts a week. Yes, some discuss coffee shops. They too are a part of our community. But it’s not like we didn’t and don’t discuss the horrible crime that exists in our communities. PoP readers, the same ones who complain or enjoy coffee shops, also donate countless hours volunteering at schools, libraries, mentoring programs, churches etc.
Her decision to include that quote is like me picking up the Post on the day after the Fort Hood massacre and quoting a piece from the sports page lamenting the state of the Dallas Cowboys. Yes, Fort Hood and the Cowboys are both in Texas but that doesn’t mean that the two items are related.
Columbia Heights does still have far to go and so does the Post’s coverage of this great and diverse neighborhood.
I’ll add a note written to the columnist by a reader who sums up the situation far better than I:
“Your column today would have been really good if it wasn’t for the intentional deception you added at the end to portray newcomers as shallow self-absorbed yuppies. PrinceofPetworth’s blog had a section dedicated to this murder where people listed all sorts of ways they are involved in trying to reduce crime, but your article referenced a separate issue about service at a coffee bar as if it was related to this event.
Never before have I lived in an area where newcomers and old timers alike are working together so hard to improve a community. Some of the same people who frequent coffee bars are working with groups like Mentoring Works, In the Streets, and DC Youth Power Network. In this area of Ward 1 black/white rich/poor are working together in a lot of creative ways to improve life for everyone living here, rather than move out to the suburbs where they can live in peaceful bliss. I really resent that you chose to lay insult to our diverse community rather than explore the positive ways people are working to improve the situation around here.
Cliff Valenti
Charman, ANC1A”
A commenter writes from yesterday’s post showing before and after pictures from 14th Street:
“The Solea “Before” picture is almost identical to a building under renovation on 14th between N and Rhode Island. It’s going to be a Subway sandwich shop.”
I was wondering what that spot was going to become as last weekend when I walked by it looked very close to being finished. I’ll go by this weekend and try to confirm whether or not a Subway sandwich shop is going in.
And while the commercials say Subway is a healthy choice I thought I could combine this FQoTD from a reader:
“Aside from going to the typical weights and cardio gyms, can people recommend alternative places to go for staying in shape? Organized soccer leagues? Gymnastics? Dance studios? Running groups? I’ve seen that group of people at Meridian Hill Park who do what looks to be some sort of couples acrobatics – even stuff like that. What alternative programs are out there for staying in shape?”
I know ultimate frisbee kicked my ass. I’m sticking with walking all over town taking pictures… Anyone have good alternatives for staying in shape besides going to the gym?
More great news for this section of U Street! From an email:
“Affinity Lab, a co-working space which has been rooted in Adams Morgan for 9 years is expanding to a second location at 918 U Street. We are really excited about the new space, new neighborhood and the opportunity to provide a home to 70 new, creative and innovative entrepreneurs and businesses.
We will be occupying the entire first floor. And plan to be open Feb 1st.
Here is some info on Affinity Lab:
Affinity Lab, or as we say “the Lab” provides business tools, managed infrastructure, and a collaborative culture to people looking to launch their dream business or organization in a creative, effective, and affordable space.”
Winner goes to ET with:
“We may have to wear these stupid hats but at least we aren’t on the menu.”
Runner up is J.on14th with:
“We’re all ready for a night on the town, if only the GOP would bring us back our lipstick.”
And WDC with:
“I swear, Sal… one more of these stupid costumes and I’m going to throw myself to those lions over on 14th Street.”
Please email me directly so I can get you t-shirts.
Hahahaha. While I obviously like most of these this one made me laugh out loud. “Great Vibes with Mufftars”. Ah…
I thought this one was awesome.
We spoke about this terrible incident that took place on the 5400 block of Georgia Ave here.
From Council Member Bowser:
“I am pleased that Metropolitan Police Department officials have made an arrest in the Nov. 7 murder of Rufina Hernandez, the owner of La Casa De Morata liquor store on Georgia Avenue. Now that this assailant is off the street, our community is safer for it. For the family and friends of Rufina, affectionately known to the neighborhood as “Mama,” swift justice is necessary. The community will be anxiously following this case through the court proceedings.”
Sometimes I really appreciate the simple solid ones. Though this one also has a cool arch above it as well.