Real Estate

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Sangria Café by Tony

By Prince Of Petworth

Tony runs the blog goodenoughgatsby and last contributed to PoP in a post about life in the Woodner. We judged the Sangria Cafe back in July ’09.

Controversy swirls around the Sangria Cafe, a restaurant and bar in the lobby of the Woodner, (3636 16th St NW) the apartment building I call home. Based on some of the comments I get when I mention Sangria, many people think it is home to nothing but sots and stumblebums and MS-13. I have lived at the Woodner for a little over six months now, and I am surprised every day at some of the incidents. But every day, with the exception of Monday nights, the Sangria Cafe opens its doors to residents and outsiders alike.

Most nights only a handful of people are at the bar, ordering beer or food. Patrons filter in and out. A pair of tiny televisions dating to the early Clinton administration hangs on either side of the black formica bar, silently broadcasting subtitles and plots and subplots of telenovelas. A jukebox in the corner blares the sounds of drums and trumpets across a pool table, past the wooden tables, and out the giant windows into the Woodner’s main corridor. At the front of the place, a pair of bull’s horns sits atop a chest of drawers. A sign, written in Spanish and posted near the men’s restroom, suggests the barest hint of sordidity, advising patrons that the sale and use of illegal drugs is prohibited and the Sangria Cafe’s management will eject violators, as well as notify the police. “El que avisa no es traidor,” the sign admonishes. The one who informs is not a traitor. It’s important to know where Sangria Cafe stands in the drug war.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Good Deal or Not? Weekly Wed. House Porn Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 3331 N Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“One of the most Elegant Homes in Georgetown, this true 1817 Federal on Cox’s Row includes grand entertaining and Living Spaces. Featuring a double parlour Living Room with two fireplaces, soaring ceilings, magnificent wide plank hardwood floors, gourmet chefs eat-in Kitchen, Dining Room, exquisite details and finishes though-out, beautiful garden terrace and pavilion. 3-Car Parking.”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

Woah, this one looks a bit like a museum to me. I think this might set the record for the most expensive featured house porn. Do you think it matches the price? It’s yours for $9,950,000.

HGTV Show Casting in DC

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user julianne’s

Sounds cool but I can’t believe the only compensation is a DVD copy of the episode…

From a press release:

“MY FIRST SALE, the popular primetime HGTV show, is looking for first-time home sellers (and their real estate agents!) in the Washington DC/Arlington VA areas.

We are looking for fun, high-energy people who are just starting the process of selling their first place! Our cameras will be there to capture all the trials and tribulations, stress and success of prepping for sale, pricing, negotiating, and ultimately selling a home for the first time.

Taping will begin in Spring 2010 and will continue through Winter 2010. Ideal candidates will be motivated, financially candid people who want to share the experience and the purchase details with HGTV and their audience. Singles, couples and families are all invited to apply!

if selected to appear on an episode of My First Sale, home sellers will receive a DVD copy of the episode to enjoy for years to come. Real estate agents will also receive a DVD of the episode. If this sounds like fun, first-time sellers should apply now for immediate consideration!

For more information or an application contact:
Sami Hartman
[email protected]”

(Was it a) Good Deal or Not? “MBD w/ FMBA” Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 3159 Adams Mill Road, NW:


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The flier says:

“Gorgeous 3bd, 3fba overlooking the Zoo. Features Garage Pkg, New kitchen w/ Granite, SS Appl. , Break. Bar & Recessed lights. MBD w/ FMBA, Hdwds thru-out, 2 FP, Fenced rear yd w/ Patio, Finished bsmt w/ Walk-out Stairs, 2-Zone HVAC. Amazing location in Mount Pleasant – Steps to Dining, Shops, METRO, Rock Creek Park+”

You can find more info and photos here.

Gotta love acronyms, yeah? So I know this is under contract but I’ve been eager to get a peek inside some of these cool looking homes. I thought some of you would enjoy the photos as well. I’m def. not disappointed and can see why it is already under contract. I am curious what you guys think about the asking price of $735,000 – does that surprise you? Seem high, low or about right?

Fuddruckers Closes at 1216 18th St NW

By Prince Of Petworth

This is a pretty prime location so it’ll be interesting to see who moves in. This is near Eighteenth Street Lounge by Connecticut Ave and Jefferson Pl.

Good Deal or Not? “Sun-splashed luxurious renovated condo” Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 1201 Q Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Sun-splashed luxurious renovated condo in Historic landmark building in a great location, 11 bright, sun-filled windows on 3 sides( E-N-W) provide serene views of historic Logan. Features include high ceilings, HWFS, modern kitchen with granite and stainless steel, washer dryer, separate dining area off kitchen and two generous sized bedrooms. Custom window treatments & California closets.”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

Wow, that is how you do a virtual tour. Do you think $422,500 ($285 condo fee) sounds reasonable for this 2 bed/1 bath?

Bonus Good Deal or Not – Truxton Circle (Owner Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 67 N St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Gorgeous High-end renovation mixes old and new. Dark floors, high ceilings, 2 fireplaces, exposed brick. Parking, zen patio. In-law suite rents easily for 800/month. Huge master suite with double showers, walk-in closet with Bosch laundry. True chef’s kitchen with professional appliances, double-thick honed granite, custom french base cabinetry. Truly thoughtful design with high end finishes including Bisazza tile throughout, honed slate, Flos & Kovacs lighting, floor-to ceiling Andersen glass doors, Dornbracht and Duravit fixtures. New roof. A mix of modern minimalism while attempting to keep the charm of a 100-year old Victorian.”

You can find more info here and more photos here.

The owner writes:

“We bought it at the peak of the market and are actually listing it at a slight loss, so I think it’s a really good deal especially for design types who like open floorplans and emphasis on a nice kitchen. Open House is on Sunday (May 16) from 1-5pm”

What do you guys think – does $565,000 sound reasonable?

Good Deal or Not? “Extensively Renovated Efficiency” edition (Owner Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 1816 Kalorama Road, NW:


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The flier says:

“AN OUTSTANDING LOCATION IN THE HEART OF THE ADAMS MORGAN COMMUNITY, CONVENIENT TO DUPONT, METRO, U ST CORRIDOR, & THE AMENITIES OF ROCK CREEK PARK. GORGEOUS AND EXTENSIVELY RENOVATED EFFICIENCY WITH GRANITE-ALL NEW APPLIANCES-CERAMIC TILE IN KT AND BATH-HARDWOOD FLOORS-LOW CONDO FEE-PET FRIENDLY BLDG-REPLACED WINDOWS-ELEGANT LOBBY-LAUNDRY IN BLDG TOO-AN INCREDIBLE VALUE”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

The owner writes:

“The whole building was upgraded 3 years ago and has lots of high end finishes including a huge walk in closet with custom Elfa shelving and a floor to ceiling bookshelf. The condo fees are $162.77 and cover everything except electric (ie- building maintenance, gas, water, trash). It is steps from the L2 and all the 90 buses, as well as equidistant from U Street, Dupont Circle, and Woodley Park Metros.”

I do like the location. What do you guys think – does $224,500 sound reasonable?

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc

By Prince Of Petworth

In real life, hipchickindc is licensed as a real estate broker in the District of Columbia, 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: 804 East Capitol St NE

Original List Price: $2,100,000.

List Price at Contract: $2,100,000.

List Date: 09/26/2009

Days on Market: 160

Settled Sales Price: $1,800,000.

Settlement Date: 04/28/2010

Seller Subsidy: $0.

Bank Owned?: No

Type Of Financing: Conventional

Original GDoN (it was a “Wednesday” House Porn Post) is: here.

Listing is: here. Catch the virtual tour here.

I well remember the article in the Washington Post Real Estate Section in 2000 that made a big deal out of the first house in the Capitol Hill neighborhood to sell for over a million dollars. (Incidentally, that first sale on The Hill over a million was located just a block away from this house and had a similarly sized lot, but was an attached end unit, whereas this is a detached house.) Now, nearly ten years out, 7% of the fee simple houses that sold in Capitol Hill over the past year, settled in the seven figures (four of those properties sold over two million dollars).

This property was particularly unique for its 5000+ square foot lot. While teensy by suburban standards, 5000+ square feet this close to the Capitol, Lincoln Park, and Eastern Market, is veritable farmland. In this case, however, they’ve gone the route of formal garden space.

Available sales data shows a transfer of this property in July of 2000 for $897,500. Three years later, in October 2003, it sold for $1,350,000., which was an increase in value of nearly 50%. This current sale saw an additional $450,000. increase in market value. If you’re playing along here, this is where you realize that this house gained just shy of a million dollars in value over the relatively short period of ten years, and more than doubled its Turn of the Millennium value.

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