This home is located at 148 Todd Place, NE:


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The flier says:

“WOW. .. THIS IS IT! Amazing renov. house just back on the market at a most awesome price. This end-unit is flooded with natural light, stunning details, great kit, hardwood, lower level, media/family/party level with wetbar, full bath, storage, W/ D and fridge. The main level has so much space, formal living, sep dining, huge sunroom, front porch, rear courtyard and 2-car garage. Upper has 3BR & 1BA.”

More info and photos found here.

Here’s another home that has some nice original details. I know it’s all going to come down to location but let me know what you think of the house itself. Does $416,000 sound reasonable?


This home is located at 4418 14th Street, NW:


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The flyer says:

“Welcome to this Oversized and Very Well Kept Traditional Row House. This home boasts five spacious bedrooms, three full bathrooms, a sunroom, a breakfast room, a 3rd story deck, and much more! Your buyers will also love the vast green space that includes an ivy covered trellis, an English garden with flowering shrubs, climbing roses, azaleas, hydrandeas and perennials.”

More info and photos found here.

There’s lots of nice original details in this home. I guess the main question I have – would it bother you to live on a really busy street like 14th? Does $500,000 sound reasonable for this 5 bed/3 bath (even though the kitchen looks like it needs some updating)?


This home is located at 1937 Park Road, NW:


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The flier says:

“Beautiful 1912 “extra-width, ” four-level, 4/5 bedroom and two bath rowhouse on the quiet side of Park Road (as it winds down into Rock Creek Park). An inviting front porch, plus warm, original wood floors, mouldings, trim, decorative fireplaces, and staircases combine perfectly with an updated stainless kitchen, two-zone HVAC, a multi-level deck, and off-street parking.”

More info found here and a virtual tour found here.

So basically I find these homes by walking around town and if they have a for sale sign in front, I take a photo. Sadly/happily, some are already under contract by the time I get to posting them. But I think a few are still worth looking at. This one in particular has some of the greatest wood details I’ve seen in a while. The floors, fireplace and trims are super fresh. There is also a pretty interesting back yard. And it’s Friday – so enjoy! Asking price was $849,000 for this 5 bed/2 bath. How much value do you think the “extra-width” adds?


In real life, hipchickindc is licensed as a real estate broker in the District of Columbia and Virginia, 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: 1423 New Jersey Ave NW

Original List Price: $524,900.

List Price at Contract: $475,000.

List Date: 3/3/2009

Days on Market: 181

Settled Sales Price: $475,000.

Settlement Date:  10/15/2009

Seller Subsidy:  $15,000.

Bank Owned?: No

Type Of Financing: Conventional (loan amount not noted, but probably at least 10% down payment, since currently a less than 10% conventional loan is not likely to sell on the secondary market.)

Original GDoN Post is: Here.

Recent Listing is: Here. Virtual Tour is Here.

Commenters on the original Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post speculated that this house was worth anything from $300,000. To $400,000. One person thought $435,000 to $452,000. With the closing cost subsidy, the net price ended up at $450,000. I’m so glad to see PoP continuing to get around to different neighborhoods in the city. Several readers noted that they found this area of less interest than some more commercially populated spots. For someone who needs to zip onto 395, it’s a very convenient location. It’s also quite close in to downtown. The main objection I’ve had from clients when showing on New Jersey Avenue is primarily that it is a busy street. I showed this property when it was recently on the market and though not to my taste, I found the quality of the construction was actually pretty solid.

The research on this property was kind of fun for me since I learned that during the four transfers of ownership prior to this sale since 2002, I’ve known and previously done business with two of the parties who owned it. Both are cash investors with long family ties to the real estate investment business in DC. (Note that I was not involved with them on any of the transactions for this particular property.) Also kind of interesting was the frequent change of exterior color. In 2002, the house was blue. I guess someone felt the need to tone it down and painted it beige somewhere around 2003. The most recent listing features it painted olive green. You can see the pics by opening this link and scrolling through by clicking “next” after opening the first listing.

For anyone that needs a reminder of the insanity of the DC real estate market over the past seven years or so, here you go:

2002 Purchased as a shell for $135,000.

2003 Sold as a shell for $189,000.

2004 Sold as a shell AND a foreclosure, purchased with cash for $210,000.

2005 Sold as a shell for $315,000.

2009 Sold Renovated for $450,000. Net (Current Sale)


This condo is located at 235 Emerson Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“SELLER MUST SELL!!TUDOR REVIVAL-STYLED APARTMENT HISTORIC LANDMARK IS LISTED IN THE “BEST ADDRESS BOOK”. SEP DINING ROOM, ARCHWAYS, HIGH CEILINGS, GORGEOUS HARDWOOD FLOORS AND UNIT OVER LOOKS LOVELY COURTYARD, “GREAT FOR WALKS & JOGGING”, NEWER REFRIDGERATOR & STOVE, 2 CEILING FANS. ALL UTLITIES EXCEPT ELEC. WALK TO METRO!NEW WINDOWS COMING!can rent after 2yrs!”

More info and photos found here.

This place looks like it has some sweet old school details. The listing says it is under contract but it has been under contract for ages so perhaps the deal may not go through? If it doesn’t this price seems ridiculously good. Is $107,000 for this 1 bed/1bath the deal of the century?


This home is located at 3609 R Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“SPECTACULAR CONTEMPORARY 3BR/4BA IS THE MOST DRAMATIC EXAMPLE OF MODERNIST ARCHITECTURE IN DC. NEWLY CONSTRUCTED (2006), FINEST MATERIALS, BUILD-QUALITY & TECHNOLOGY, INCL. BRAZ. CHERRY HWF’S, GOURMET KIT, SPA BA’S, MSTR SUITE W/ 2 BALC. , SMART HOME CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MUSIC/ENT/SEC. PROFESSIONALLY LANDSCAPED GARDEN W/ HOT-TUB, LL-AU-PAIR + 2-CAR GAR.”

More info found here and a must see virtual tour found here.

After last week’s GDoN house porn a few readers threw down the gauntlet and dared me to find one worthy of the title house porn. Well, I have answered and answered with vigor… Seriously, this house is so wild, I couldn’t believe I just stumbled upon it. It is interesting to note that it, and the next door neighbor, (see photo below) are two very modern houses within an old school block. But back to the house itself – what do you think of it both inside and out? What’s your favorite feature? It’s yours for $2,495,000.



This condo is located at 1615 Q Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Two units combined to make this spacious & bright two bedrooms plus den, two full baths home. Features include hdwd floors, exposed brick throughout, kitchen w/ granite counters and SS appliances. Renovated hall bath w/ granite vanity. A luxurious MBR suite; MBA w/ travertine, granite & wonderful soaking tub. Private laundry room in unit. 24hr desk and the city’s best roof deck. Close to Metro & shopping”

More info found here and a virtual tour found here.

Wow, all this time I thought the Cairo was rentals. Ok, so I thought this was an interesting property because two units were combined into one. Do you think the layout works? (You can see the floor plan in the virtual tour.) Does $578,825 sound reasonable for this 3 bed/2 bath?

For comparison there is also an interesting 2 bed/1bath also for sale for $398,500. Which do you like better?


This home is located at 613 Upshur Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Recent reconstruction has turned this GRAND porch-front into a neighborhood showplace! All new EVERYTHING: systems, floors, roof, walls, kitchen, baths, windows +more! 19′ wide with fully finished basement and AMAZING bonus loft/office in 2-LVL master bedroom! DEEP backyard with two car private parking! Just 4 blocks to METRO!”

More info found here and a virtual tour found here.

Wow, I wasn’t expecting the inside to look like this at all. I kinda dig the open feel. And of course I’m a huge supporter of the bay windows. What do you guys think of the reno? Does $549,000 sound reasonable for this 4 bed/3.5 bath home?


This coop is located at 1869 Mintwood Place, NW:


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The flier says:

“2BR/1BA COOP HAS BEEN UPDATED W/ ORIG. DETAILS RETAINED. FEATURES CHEF’S KIT. W/ CUSTOM WOOD CABINETRY, FROSTED GLASS DOORS, H/W/ FLRS, OPEN LVG/DNG ROOM & BALCONY. IDEAL KALORAMA TRIANGLE LOC. STEPS TO REDLINE METRO & BUS. PETS WELCOME. EX STORAGE & BIKE RM. UNDERLYING MORTGAGE AS OF 5/31/2009 $30,211.28 IS DEDUCTED FROM SALES PRICE. PYMT IS $255/MO.”

More info found here and a virtual tour found here.

I’m really digging the floors and look of this place. It is 2 bed/1 bath thought it seems to have a pretty cool layout. It’s interesting to look at an apartment with old school details. What do you think of the apartment itself? Does $449,500 sound reasonable?


List Price at Contract: $308,900.

List Date: 7/24/2009

Days on Market: 5

Settled Sales Price: $380,000.

Settlement Date: 09/22/2009

Seller Subsidy: $0.

Bank Owned?: Yes

Type Of Financing: Conventional with $38,000. (10%) down payment.

Original GDoN Post is: Here.

Recent Listing is: Here.

This was an interesting Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post as there was a reader who went ahead and put an offer in. Although it needed some work, this foreclosed Victorian rowhome was listed at $308,900. and garnered multiple offers. It ultimately sold over $70,000. above the list price.

Although located literally just a block east across North Capitol, homes on the northeast side of Eckington can still usually be had at lower price points than their very similar Victorian counterparts on the Bloomingdale side. Check out the neighborhood blog which includes some great history. Eckington landmarks include the refurbished McKinley Technical High School, which is a focal point that sits high up on a hill. I often meet NE Eckington residents during my frequent visits to the largest unofficial dog park in DC (also affectionately referred to as Fedex Field, since it is next door to the main Fedex building). In addition to Fedex, XM/Sirius Radio is an Eckington-based business. North Capitol Main Streets, Inc. is a notable tenant, as well. Bloomingdale and Eckington residents (myself included) can be found at the public pool on Lincoln Road during the summer months.

PoP noted that the closest dining option seemed to be the Big Bear Café, located at 1st and R St NW. It’s worth mentioning that Eckington is just north of NOMA and the New York Avenue Metro. There is a new Marriott Courtyard at the Metro, as well as a Five Guys and other food options. Given the push from NOMA Bid, as well as North Capitol Main Streets, I expect great things to continue in this area.


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