Real Estate

Good Deal or Not? “skylights & spacious luxury master bath” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 3546 Rock Creek Church Road, NW:


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The flier says:

“Gorgeous renovation just steps to the METRO in HOT Columbia Heights/Park View area! 4/3/1 including a complete finished lower-level in-law suite/English bsmt for potential rental income! 2-Car Pkg! Beautiful finishes throughout, open floor plan-Great for entertaining! Exposed brick, custom built-ins, gas fireplace, covered front porch, skylights & spacious luxury master bath!”

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

So what do you think of the renovation? Personally I’m a huge fan of this location – sorta halfway between the Petworth metro and all the new development restaurants on 11th St in Columbia Heights. Does $580,000 sound reasonable given the basement rental income?

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc

By Prince Of Petworth

In real life, hipchickindc is actually the not-so-hip Suzanne Des Marais, an associate broker with Urban Pace. Voted one of the best real estate agents in DC by the Washington City Paper Readers’ Choice Poll in 2009, Suzanne is currently Chair of the DC Public Policy Committee for the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® and is President Elect of the Washington, DC Association of REALTORS®. She lives (and sells a lot of houses) in Bloomingdale, but works all over DC, with everyone from first time buyers to highly regarded developers.

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: 1235 W St NW

Original List Price: $974,900.

List Price at Contract: $949,000.

List Date: 10/05/2009

Days on Market: 68

Settled Sales Price: $920,000.

Settlement Date: 05/17/2010

Seller Subsidy: $2500.

Bank Owned?: No

Type Of Financing: Conventional

Original GDoN is: here.

Listings for both the shell (a year ago) and recent sale are: here. Pics can be seen once you open the link to the listing (click on the main pic to scroll).

The DC Spring real estate market was a frenzy encouraged along by historically low mortgage interest rates and buyers eligible for the Federal Home Buyer Tax Credit. While the tax credit played an important role in motivating first time homebuyers, what about higher priced homes? As we saw from last week’s Good Deal or Not Revisited (GDoN-R), houses in price ranges not likely to be affected by the tax credit are moving along quite nicely. Today’s GDoN-R is another example of a property in an expensive price range.

This property is a complete renovation of what was, until quite recently, a dilapidated run down shell of a building. It was purchased with cash for $395,000. in May 2009 by a member of the Koutromanos family, who has been renovating DC real estate for many years. The comments in the recent listing indicate that the house was stripped down to the brick walls and is otherwise completely new construction.

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?

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