Real Estate

Good Deal or Not? “Closets Galore” Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1017 Fairmont Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Totally Renov 3-Lvl Brick TH * 3-Bdrms 3-Full Baths Master Bdrm Suite w/ Jacuzzi & Closet Sp Galore Gourmet/Chef’s Kit 42″Cabs SS Appl Granite Counter Tops Open Sp Flr Plan w/ Surround Sounds HW Flrs Hi-Ceilings w/ Recessed Lighting CAC & Heating & Washer/Dryer Rr Priv Fenced Garden Designer Stair Railing Skylites Galore”

You can find more info and photos here.

I was surprised to learn that this was a 3 bedroom. From the outside I thought it would only have 2 bedrooms. What do you think of the renovation itself? Does $449,995 sound reasonable for this 3 bed/3bath?

Dear PoP – What are the Benefits of Using a Realtor?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I’ve found a house I’m strongly considering putting an offer on. I don’t yet have an agent. If I already have found the house– and can prequalify for a loan on my own, what is the benefit of hiring an agent? By hiring an agent, don’t I give up a minimum of 3% negotiating room? If I don’t have an agent– the seller saves 3% in agent commissions– so I would think that they would be more willing to pass that 3% along to me. Am I mistaken? What are your reader’s opinions on using an agent if you’ve already found the house you want to buy?”

I’ll be interested to hear what folks think. I know when I bought my house I was so green I didn’t know anything and wouldn’t have been able to do it without a realtor. I also didn’t know DC’s neighborhoods that well at the time so the realtor was able to show me many more properties than I probably would’ve seen on my own. But if you’ve already found the house I guess the equation would change. What do you guys think are the pros or cons of using a realtor if you’ve already found a house on your own?

Good Deal or Not? Sherman Circle Reader Request Edition

By Prince Of Petworth


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This home is located at 425 Decatur Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Fully available! Hot Petworth, granite counters, stainless appliances, hardwood floors, ceramic tile, solid maple cabinets, jacuzzi, closet space, finished basement, covered deck, off street parking, and more. Needs paint, carpet, and one smart buyer. One bank, but be patient to get this great deal. We’ll get it done, and you’ll get instant equity!!”

You can find more info and photos here.

It was originally going for $400,000 but has now dropped to $345,000. Sound reasonable? What do you think of the house itself?

Good Deal or Not? 2 Bedroom for well under $200k Edition

By Prince Of Petworth


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This coop is located at 429 Kenyon Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Lower-level, two bedroom unit offers one full bathroom and lots of closet space. In good condition but needs a little TLC. Great opportunity, great price. Enjoy co-op ownership (co-op fee includes all utilities, taxes, operating expenses and underlying mortgage) and lower closing costs! Seller will replace all appliances and install carpet prior to closing.”

You can find more info here.

Sadly there are no interior photos but I thought the price was too incredible for a 2 bedroom not to discuss. Given that the rooms may need some updating do you think $150,000 sounds reasonable for this 2bed/1 bath?

Good Deal or Not? Weekly Wed. House Porn Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 2857 Brandywine Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Stately Brick Colonial built in 1941 on 9000+ sq. ft. w/ Great Room flooded with light from cathedral ceilings and numerous skylights, Kitchen w/ granite counter and new appliances, 5BR, 3.5BA and 1 car gar. Lg secluded beautifully landscaped lot with terraced gardens.”

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

While this home is under contract I had to show it because I’ve been featuring so many homes in Forrest Hills. Sadly the other home I had from Forrest Hills had no internal photos. This house has an incredible sun room. What do you think of the home itself? This house was originally listed at $1,299,000 and went under contract when the asking price was $1,099,000.

Good Deal or Not? Under $300k Renovation – Reader Request

By Prince Of Petworth


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This home is located at 128 Longfellow Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“This is a Freddie Mac Foreclosure! Stunning Renovation! Hardwood Floors, Top of the Line Stainless Steel Appliances. 4 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths & Main level Powder room. Granite Countertops. All New fixtures/crown molding. Skylight in Master Bath. New Berber Carpet in Fully Finished Walkout Level Basement. Fully Fenced Backyard with Off street Parking. New Deck off kitchen.”

You can find more info and photos here.

What do you think of the renovation itself? The reader who sent this one in (who lives nearby) was surprised in the price drop from $358,800 to $280,000. I wish the pictures showed all 5 bedrooms. Nevertheless, do you think $280,000 sounds reasonable for this 5 bed/3.5 bath?

Good Deal or Not? Bonus House Porn Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

Since we didn’t have any house porn last week I thought I’d start the week this good looking house located at 1925 15th Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Wonderfully renovated beauty – offers modern living & flexibility – as a grand 5 bed/3.5 ba home on 3 luxury levels or as a 3 bed/2.5 ba home on 2 levels + sep metered 2 bed/1 bath legal CofO rental in LL (could get $2000+ mo). Meticulously redone, dramatic dual stairways, entertain size open spaces, custom doors & details, 5 FPs, open spaces, 2 car secure parking!”

You can find more info here and a mouse on house virtual tour here.

What do you think of the renovation itself? Think it can go for the asking price of $1,175,000 (dropped from $1,249,000)?

Good Deal or Not? Not Technically House Porn but Pretty Close Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1622 6th Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Newly Priced bayfront beauty and carriage house with 2-car parking. Exposed brick walls, tall ceilings, crown moldings, wood floors and 3 working fireplaces add warmth and character to this perfectly staged home. Short walk to two Metros, Convention Center, Logan Circle, Gallery Place. Oh . . and don’t miss the 1 BR in-law suite w/ private entry.”

You can find more info and photos here.

From the outside I had no idea the inside was gonna look this nice. What do you think of the house itself? It even has a carriage house/garage! It was originally going for $839,900 but is now on the market for $825,000, sound reasonable?

Good Deal or Not? Eckington Reader Request Edition

By Prince Of Petworth


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This home is located at 129 U Street, NE:


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The flier says:

“Wonderful 3 BR 1 FB classic townhome in Eckington. Beaut. dark wood trim with inlayed HWD floors. All new paint. Full BSMT waiting for buyers personal touches. Lvl fenced back yard with access to alley. Has many orig. classic features found in the early 1900 townhomes.”

You can find more info and photos here.

The reader writes:

“I’ve been looking to buy my first home and have noticed a lot of recent home sales in Bloomingdale and Eckington. My realtor tells me that this is due to an influx of new home buyers taking advantage of the tax credit and the fact that these neighborhoods have a bunch of historic homes at relatively low prices. I know that there are some disadvantages to living in this neighborhood but would appreciate feedback from your readers as to the deal of this particular home.”

This 3 bed/1 bath is going for $229,900. Sound reasonable?

Good Deal or Not? Mt. Pleasant Reader Request

By Prince Of Petworth

This house is located at 1720 Newton Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Striking quality renov of sunny 1904 Vict TH into 21st century beauty! Soaring ceilings, big low-e wood windows, exposed nat brick, gorg oak flrs & stairs, huge granite/SS chef’s kitchen, Pakistani marble baths. All new from studs out. More closets, kitchen counter & cabinet space than most houses! Elegant marble hallway leads to parking (included). Best of Mt Pleasant!”

You can find more info on Unit A here and more info on Unit B here and a virtual tour on Unit A here and a virtual tour on Unit B here.

The reader writes:

“Just wanted to let you know that there’s 2 units for sale in a rowhouse on Newton St NW between 18th St. and Mt. Pleasant Rd, right across from Bancroft Elementary. I used to live a couple doors down and saw construction going on for a year….totally gutted the building.”

I am a sucker for exposed brick but these do look pretty nice to me. I’m thinking they might be priced a bit on the high side since they are both only 2 bedrooms. What do you guys think of the renovation? Unit A is going for $625,000 and Unit B is going for $649,000. Sound reasonable?

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