Author: PoP Sponsor (a)

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

“Just needs a little TLC”

This ubiquitous phrase is a frequently trending topic in the world of MLS remarks. Is TLC the newest and greatest home feature? Probably not, but every once in awhile you may also find a “diamond in the rough,” “excellent bones” or “character” as well — the trifecta of DC fixer uppers!

Although these homes haven’t reached unicorn status, if you have a little extra TLC to give, here are 5 homes that could use it!

3871 Halley Ter SE – $272,990

This 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom home features a “breathtaking view,” along with a large lot and long private driveway. With enough textured ceiling to try all of the Pinterest hacks you can find, the only thing missing — “a little TLC and your personal touch.”

2215 13th St NE – $345,000

Located in Brentwood, this home presents a chance to live in “Little Rome.” Slightly mysterious with its limited internal photos, we’ll trust the remarks that, along with its convenient location, and loads of character this one “just needs TLC.”

110 49th Pl NE – $450,000

This “lovely 4 sided brick rambler” has features that include vintage kitchen cabinets (that may be coming back into style at some point), a party-ready basement, rec room with a built-in bar, hardwood floors, and 2 fireplaces! As an added bonus, this one also comes with “lots of love to give.” As you may have guessed it “just needs some TLC and vision.”

(more…)

The following is a sponsored post from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.

In the event of a financial crisis, there is one person you want around: economist Lawrence H. Summers. As the director of the National Economic Council under President Obama and the Treasury Secretary under President Clinton, Dr. Summers played a key role in addressing the major financial crises of the last two decades at home and abroad.

On Wednesday, September 6, Dr. Summers’ expertise and intellect will be on display in a one-on-one conversation with economist Tyler Cowen at the W Hotel in D.C. The discussion will be open to the public free of charge.

Click here to register for the event.

(more…)

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.

That’s right. The federal government rewards individuals who properly report companies that overcharge or otherwise defraud the government. Last year, the federal government paid out more than $519 million to people who came forward with information that led to the discovery of fraud against the government. These individuals filed lawsuits under the False Claims Act (FCA), which prohibits companies, people, and even local and state governments from submitting false claims for payment to the federal government.

What is a false claim?

Under the FCA, it is illegal to submit a claim for payment to the federal government that you know or should know is false. Some claims are expressly false, like when a doctor bills Medicare for services the doctor did not provide.

Other claims are impliedly false. In a recent case, a company had a contract with the government to provide armed guards. The contractor hired guards that did not meet the shooting accuracy requirements in the contract. Although no one explicitly told the government the guards actually met the contract requirements, the contractor knew the guards were unqualified but billed the government anyway.

FCA violations can occur in any industry that is connected to federal funding. Here are some real-life examples:

• Medicare/Medicaid: IPC Healthcare, Inc., recently paid more than $60 million in settlement after billing Medicare and Medicaid for more expensive services than it provided (commonly known as “up-coding).”
• Defense contractors: A court ordered a defense contractor to pay $24 million for engaging in a bid-rigging conspiracy to inflate prices the contractor charged to ship goods for military families.

(more…)

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

Woodridge (not to be confused with its VA counterpart WoodBRIDGE) is a neighborhood that doesn’t get much attention as a DC destination. The unassuming residential vibe of the neighborhood is one of the features that attracts residents to the quiet tree lined streets and numerous parks.

Location: Northeast DC, along the Maryland border of Eastern Ave, west of Brookland with Rhode Island Ave running through the middle.

Why it’s great:

• Single family homes, with yards, and alleys = the best of both urban/suburban living
• 5 miles from downtown!
• Barnard Hill Park: one of the lesser known Fort Circle parks, while it lacks a website you can’t miss the large grassy expanse.
• DC Brau: DC’s first craft brewery which recently celebrated it’s 5 year anniversary
• Community centric, spirit of neighbors helping neighbors. Check out Good Food Markets from Oasis Community Partners, helping to minimize inequalities in access to food.
• Home to one of the few DC Rita’s water ice locations

(more…)