A few readers had sent in news about DC’s Office of Tax Revenue (OTR) closing 8 restaurants. As we’ve heard the Argonaut has already reopened. I also noticed that Cafe Nema located at 1334 U Street, NW was also on the list. I got frightened that the sports bar upstairs, Momo’s also may have closed. I’m happy to report that I just got off the phone with them and both spots are now open. Whew! Go Yankees!
The Convention Center Community Association (CCCA) has updated plans on the new Carter G Woodson Park:
“But Ms Hazelwood did share a description of the current draft of plans for what might be the sculpture that will be installed at the triangle park on the 1600 block of 9th Street. The park was formerly owned by the National Park Service, but it has been transferred over to the District Department of Parks and Recreation and been renamed in honor of Mr Woodson. We might have someone from DPR come to a future CCCA meeting to discuss this park. Mr Hazelwood did state that there will be appropriate public meetings about the property before any plans are implemented. These images photos we submitted to CFA by DDOT and they were approved in concept.
On October 29, 2009 it was DDOT and District Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced that landscaping of Carter G. Woodson Park and creation/installation of public art has been approved to receive between $50k-$579k in grants from DDOT’s Transportation Enhancement Projects in FY2010.”
Read the rest of the article and see renderings here.
Hat tip @IMGoph’s twitter feed
Photo from PoPville flickr user rockcreek, titled “The Haunted Library”.
HAUNTED HOUSE! Continues after the jump (more…)
Parts of the video are a bit goofy but overall it’s very well done and there are some good interviews with local residents within.
This photo from Sanjay Suchak titled, “Adams Morgan at Dusk” blew me away.
Submit your photos via email or to the PoPville flickr pool here.
This home is located at 1937 Park Road, NW:
The flier says:
“Beautiful 1912 “extra-width, ” four-level, 4/5 bedroom and two bath rowhouse on the quiet side of Park Road (as it winds down into Rock Creek Park). An inviting front porch, plus warm, original wood floors, mouldings, trim, decorative fireplaces, and staircases combine perfectly with an updated stainless kitchen, two-zone HVAC, a multi-level deck, and off-street parking.”
More info found here and a virtual tour found here.
So basically I find these homes by walking around town and if they have a for sale sign in front, I take a photo. Sadly/happily, some are already under contract by the time I get to posting them. But I think a few are still worth looking at. This one in particular has some of the greatest wood details I’ve seen in a while. The floors, fireplace and trims are super fresh. There is also a pretty interesting back yard. And it’s Friday – so enjoy! Asking price was $849,000 for this 5 bed/2 bath. How much value do you think the “extra-width” adds?
Photo by PoPville flickr user Matt.Dunn
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: 1423 New Jersey Ave NW
Original List Price: $524,900.
List Price at Contract: $475,000.
List Date: 3/3/2009
Days on Market: 181
Settled Sales Price: $475,000.
Settlement Date: 10/15/2009
Seller Subsidy: $15,000.
Bank Owned?: No
Type Of Financing: Conventional (loan amount not noted, but probably at least 10% down payment, since currently a less than 10% conventional loan is not likely to sell on the secondary market.)
Original GDoN Post is: Here.
Recent Listing is: Here. Virtual Tour is Here.
Commenters on the original Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post speculated that this house was worth anything from $300,000. To $400,000. One person thought $435,000 to $452,000. With the closing cost subsidy, the net price ended up at $450,000. I’m so glad to see PoP continuing to get around to different neighborhoods in the city. Several readers noted that they found this area of less interest than some more commercially populated spots. For someone who needs to zip onto 395, it’s a very convenient location. It’s also quite close in to downtown. The main objection I’ve had from clients when showing on New Jersey Avenue is primarily that it is a busy street. I showed this property when it was recently on the market and though not to my taste, I found the quality of the construction was actually pretty solid.
The research on this property was kind of fun for me since I learned that during the four transfers of ownership prior to this sale since 2002, I’ve known and previously done business with two of the parties who owned it. Both are cash investors with long family ties to the real estate investment business in DC. (Note that I was not involved with them on any of the transactions for this particular property.) Also kind of interesting was the frequent change of exterior color. In 2002, the house was blue. I guess someone felt the need to tone it down and painted it beige somewhere around 2003. The most recent listing features it painted olive green. You can see the pics by opening this link and scrolling through by clicking “next” after opening the first listing.
For anyone that needs a reminder of the insanity of the DC real estate market over the past seven years or so, here you go:
2002 Purchased as a shell for $135,000.
2003 Sold as a shell for $189,000.
2004 Sold as a shell AND a foreclosure, purchased with cash for $210,000.
2005 Sold as a shell for $315,000.
2009 Sold Renovated for $450,000. Net (Current Sale)
A reader wrote in asking about general brunch options. This email was followed by the one below:
“Have you ever blogged about The Highlands? It’s a diamond in the rough restaurant on 14th across the street from the Metro Bus Depot. OBSCENELY cheap and AMAZINGLY good (best crab cakes i’ve ever had). Wonderful service; chef comes out for every diner to ask how it is. Perfect brunch, cheap brunch. It’s never busy and i don’t understand why! People must know!”
I do like The Highlands located on 14th Street, NW between Crittenden and Decatur. And back in August of ’08 there were some good breakfast recommendations listed. However, there have also been a ton of new restaurants that have opened since Aug. ’08 so I’m wondering if any of them have good brunch options?
Also I’d like to add a caveat, besides Highlands, where can one get a good brunch in the city without waiting an hour for a table? This is one of the toughest questions I ever have to answer. I’m always hesitant to make recommendations because the wait for tables drives me crazy. So where are the other secret or not so secret spots that have good brunch without a long wait? Of course other essentials beside the wait are great Bloody Marys and/or inexpensive mimosas…and bacon definitely good crispy bacon options.
As expected, lots of great entries this week. It was really tough to pick a winner (and only two runners up.)
Congrats to winner Quigley:
“‘We want our own lane!’ They chanted in unison.
Runners up are Herb:
Sometimes a cowboy needs a good crepe!
and Pennywise:
“Cripes Bob, how long were we in that traffic jam, like 110 years??”
“Sumthin like that…”