When you buy a home in Washington, D.C., in most cases the city collects a recordation tax from the buyer — 1.1% of the purchase price under $400,000 and 1.45% if the price is above $400,000.

This makes up a big portion of the buyer’s closing costs and is paid up front at closing. But it’s possible to get this tax reduced significantly for those who qualify. The D.C. First-Time Home Buyer Recordation Tax Reduction reduces this to just .725% of the purchase price. That’s some BIG savings!

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Now that the weather is bearable enough to walk outside for longer than 5 minutes, it’s time to get back to your 2020 homeowning goals. Check out some of our recommended open houses scheduled across the District this weekend below and to see the full list, click here.

  • 910 9th Street NE #2 — $925,000 — H Street Corridor
    Open Sun. 12-2 p.m. — Tumi Demuren
    JUST REDUCED BY $75k, “This newly renovated semi-detached 2-unit condominium is just 1 block from the very vibrant H Street Corridor. #2 is a 4 BR/3.5 BA unit with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths on the first level, with a washer and dryer. The master bedroom comes with a huge master bathroom with a shower and bathroom tub, large walk-in closest, and stunning natural lights. The second floor is a must see work of art with the kitchen of your dreams, which includes Quartz countertops, KitchenAid appliances and a wonderful island with a side deck to die for. The unit also comes with hardwood floors throughout, and parking for each unit in the rear.”
  • 4430 Kansas Avenue NW — $949,900 — Petworth
    Open Sat. & Sun. 2-4 p.m. — Dshaminova Shaminova
    “This newly completed residence by Zion Developments crafted with such authenticity, style & quality materials offers 4 BA and 3.5 BA floor plan. All 2,170 square feet are immaculately designed and finished with high-end designer finishes and details.”
  • 3556 Texas Avenue SE — $649,000 — Penn Branch
    Open Sun. 1:30-3:30 p.m. — Christopher Georgatsos
    Gorgeous 4 BR/2.5 BA detached stone and brick Colonial perched on a hill could use a little refreshing on the inside, but the total package, including the large fenced-in backyard makes this one hard to pass up for the price.

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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: 2109 M Street NE #9

“Welcome to Arbor Flats! A brand new 9 unit, stylish and chic, condominium that provides everything you need to live at the intersection of urban culture and tranquility; private balconies for soaking in the calm, high-end kitchens for cooking and entertaining; designed using Italian White Carrara Quartz, European glass mosaic backsplash and more.

Bedrooms boast with oversized windows for tons of natural light. The master bedroom has an en-suite bath and a walk in closet. Penthouse offers 2 levels of luxury living and private roof deck. Equipped with high quality finishes and appliances, this energy efficient, luxurious building is one of a kind and a MUST SEE. Blocks to everything H Street and Trinidad have to offer.”

Other Notable Fresh Listings: 

  • The Most Expensive Home of the Week is a 2 BR/3.5 BA luxury condo “that comprises an entire wing of Wardman Tower, offering an ideal plan of generously scaled rooms designed to facilitate gracious living and entertaining” at the low, low price of just under $6M.
  • 3-story Petworth rowhome with 4 BR/2 BA has offers due by Sunday and features gorgeous hardwood floors, 2 levels of balconies and a rear yard with off-street parking.
  • 1 BR/1 BA unit at The McCoy in SE DC “is practically new and boasts tasteful, high end finishes throughout.”
  • Your REO/Bank-Owned Property of the Week definitely has 4 walls and a roof, the rest however is up to you to see in a home tour of this detached 4 BR/2.5 BA in Fort Dupont.

Estate — the newest addition to The Yards neighborhood — is now offering tours for those seeking an unparalleled level of sophisticated living.

The collection of studio to two-bedroom boutique residences offers striking views of the waterfront, elegant Parisian-style accents and a carefree spirit that’s inspired by the French joy of living, joie de vivre.

Residents will be able to select from two thoughtfully curated home-styles. Estate’s Chalets and Villas are designed with a wealth of natural light and warm wood accents that pay tribute to the artisans of French luxury. Residences feature floor-to-ceiling windows, soaring ceilings, keyless entry, spacious kitchens equipped with Caesarstone quartz countertops, walk-in closets, in-unit washer-dryer and much more.

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Some like it hot, some like it cold. It’s the third annual Fire & Ice Festival at The Wharf featuring the WAFF ice house.

Come play in the snow, while you help us raise money to support the Washington Area Fuel Fund — providing heating fuel for our neighbors in need. Sample whiskeys from Catoctin Creek, Elijah Craig, St. George, Miscellaneous, Larceny, Filibuster, Proper No. 12 and Pendleton or grab a ginger whiskey hot toddy at the Johnnie Walker tent.

Play ice shuffleboard or corn hole, sit in the official Capitals ice throne and don’t miss the fire dancers and DJ on the main stage. Plus we’ll be showing the Caps game on the jumbotron at the Caps Campfire.

The event is free to attend. To purchase sampling tickets on-site, you must be 21+. RSVP on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheWharfDC.

The Wharf
January 18, 1-4 p.m.
District Pier
101 District Square SW
Washington, D.C. 20024


This holiday weekend we’ve got 200+ open houses scheduled across the District, with an abundance of various row homes and row home conversions. If buying a home was one of your 2020 New Year resolutions, it’s a good weekend to start. Check out some of our favorites below and to see the full list click here.

  • 430 M Street NW #6 — $389,000 — Mount Vernon Square
    Open Sat. 12-3 p.m. & Sun. 2-4 p.m. — Andrew Norris
    “Experience the opportunity to reside in this spectacular 1 bed, 1 bath condo with private balcony and in-unit laundry located in the heart of D.C. with parking space included in the sale!”
  • 800 4th Street SW #N815 — $510,000 — Southwest Waterfront
    Open Sat. 1-3 p.m. — John Martinich
    2-story top level 1 BR/1.5 BA unit at Potomac Place Tower with an open floor plan, large balcony and an entire level master suite with a den.
  • 4902 Kansas Avenue NW — $600,000 — Petworth
    Open Sun. 1-4 p.m. — Lisa Tucker
    “Classic [3 BR/1.5 BA] Petworth row home! Updated, yet retaining all the period charm and character you crave!”
  • 605 M Street NE — $1,189,900 — NoMa
    Open Sat. 1-3:30 p.m. — Mike Paige
    Beautiful 3-level 4 BR/3.5 BA end-unit townhouse with ~2,400 square feet boasts a fenced-in side and front yard as well as a rear elevated patio overtop of the 2-car garage.
  • 2141 Wisconsin Avenue NW #502 — $359,000 — Observatory Circle
    Open Sun. 1-3 p.m. — Sean Forschler
    1 BR/1 BA unit in a boutique condo building with “brand new hardwood floors, sparkling new windows, flooded with light and a treetop view, private balcony, renovated bathroom, garage parking” and more!

Parents, if you’re exploring educational opportunities for your child, Washington Episcopal School (WES) is having an Admission Open House on Saturday, January 25, from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

You’ll get the chance to learn more about the school while your children get a taste of the WES educational experience with hands-on activities.

Located just across the city line in Bethesda, Maryland, WES is an independent, co-ed, day school for children in Nursery through Grade 8. WES’s motto is “kind, confident, and prepared,” and its small, intimate class sizes nurture and foster a friendly and welcoming community. 

It has an experiential approach to education, and the curriculum includes a rigorous STEM and Innovation program; math coursework that advances to algebra and geometry; French or Spanish starting in pre-K with Latin beginning in Middle School; biweekly art and music classes for all ages that incorporate art history; and the highlight — extensive field trips that conclude with class trips to Utah, Italy, Spain and France during your child’s Middle School years. 

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Let’s be honest — car ownership is a hassle.

No one likes haggling with dealers or wasting hours waiting on the finance guy. Then once you FINALLY have the keys, the value of your car plummets the second you drive it off the lot (20% on average, ouch!). And once you put a few miles on your new wheels, you have to deal with maintenance and insurance, continuing the expensive inconvenience. Leasing isn’t much better either, as you still have the same issues, only with mileage restrictions.

Imagine skipping all of those hassles, and on top of that, having the freedom to access an entire fleet of the latest, most tech-forward hybrid and electric cars.

Look no further, Steer is here.

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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: 731 Fairmont Street NW #1

“Bright and spacious row home style residence has 2 levels w/1,800+ sq. ft. Private Secure PARKING included! Not 1, but 2 private outdoor spaces convey! This smart floor plan creates flexibility so it can live like a 3 bedroom home or it can live like 2 residences where you can generate rental income on the 2 bedroom/2 bathroom lower level unit. This Victorian home is charming with a historic exterior, and modern interior complete with w/luxury finishes. A perfect blend of old and new. Careful attention to every detail from the white oak floors, custom baseboards/door/window trim, solid wood doors, kitchen aid appliances, tile selections, hardware, light fixtures, Ring doorbell, keyless entry, and Nest Thermostat. Timeless renovation to last another 100+ years.”

Other Notable Fresh Listings:

  • The Most Expensive Home of the Week is a $4.9M dual sale of 2 buildings side-by-side that are comprised of a total of 21 separate units so if you’re looking to break into the property management and/or landlord world, this could be your chance to make money for years to come!
  • MASSIVE (10k square feet) 2-level 5 BR penthouse unit previously owned by 8-time NBA ALL-STAR DWIGHT HOWARD at the former Pierce School could be yours and this one you gotta see!!!!!
  • “Every square foot of this [Petworth] 4-bedroom 3.5-bathroom 2,052 square foot interior is new and tastefully curated” with a deck, private patio, 2-car parking and a “deep backyard on a 1,670 sq. ft. lot.”
  • Your REO/Bank-Owned Property of the Week is an immaculately renovated 3 BR/2 BA interior row home in Anacostia at a fantastic price.

We’re a little more than a week into January 2020 and the weekend weather is predicted to hit up to 70 degrees, albeit with some rain.  Throw on a light rain jacket, get outside to check out some of our suggested open houses below and to see the full list click here.

  • 4017 13th Street NW #2 — $779,000 — Petworth
    Open Sun. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Tumi Demuren
    Newly converted 3 BR/3 BA condominium on the edge of Petworth includes “an assigned parking space and a garage fob for easy access” as well as “high-end stainless steel appliances, Quartz counters, hardwood floors, luxurious master bath, spacious bedrooms, large closets & tons of natural light.”
  • 3065 Clinton Street NE — $799,900 — Woodridge
    Open Sun. 1-4 p.m. — Katherine Krevor & Pfashema Faber
    Back on the market with a $20k price reduction means you have a second chance to own this beautiful 5 BR/4 BA detached home with 2,600+ square feet.
  • 738 Longfellow Street NW #413 — $239,900 — Brightwood Park
    Open Sun. 1-3 p.m. — Jessica Evans
    “This updated top floor condo located one block from the dynamic Kennedy Street Corridor features all of the ‘must have’ items on your condo wishlist.”
  • 317 10th Street NE #1 — $559,000 — Capitol Hill
    Open Sun. 2-4 p.m. — Ellen Klein
    2 BR/1.5 BA unit at the Hawthorne features deeded parking, a wood-burning fireplace and a ~400 square foot private patio.
  • 386 N Street SW — $565,000 — Southwest Waterfront
    Open Sat. 1-3 p.m. — Heban Andargie
    “Mid century modern [3 BR/2 BA] townhome by Charles M. Goodman in the gated community of River Park just blocks away from the new Wharf.”

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