Real Estate

Good Deal or Not? Dig The Triangle Window Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 3321 Holmead Place, NW:


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The flier says:

“Beautiful, pristine, two bedroom, two luxurious bath condo. Gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, exceptional closets, a beautiful slate landscaped terrace and nearby rental parking available for $ 125 per month”

More info and a virtual tour found here.

Here’s another house that I’ve always wondered about. I hadn’t realized it was split into condos. It is located very close to the Giant which has to be a perk. I like the condo and the location but it is located on the lower level, right? I’ve often wondered how they price underground/basement apartments. How much do you think this would go for on a higher level? The asking price for this unit is $425,000. Sound reasonable?

Good Deal or Not? Small Rooms But Great Street Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 2234 13th Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Traditional floor plan with large, open kitchen and breakfast bar. LARGE, SECURE PKG space with overhead door. Sharply appointed kitchen with silestone counters and walk-in pantry. Warm hardwoods and exposed brick. Festive front patio and landscaped yard. Sky-lit stairwell and upstairs bath. 2 wood fireplaces. Separate laundry and storage. Less than 3 blocks to U street metro.”

More info and photos found here.

I think it’s no secret that I love this section of 13th Street. I had a chance to go into this home which was pretty sweet. It def. had the charm of an old house. My only complaint was that the bedrooms were def. on the small side. But I do like the exposed brick. So does $639,000 sound reasonable?

GDoN Revisited- Bay Window Edition by Hipchickindc

By Prince Of Petworth

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: 1318 Girard St NW

Original List Price: $615,000.

List Price at Contract: $599,000.

List Date: 01/09/2009

Days on Market: 76

Settled Sales Price: $602,000.

Settlement Date: 04/17/2009

Seller Subsidy: $18,000.

Bank Owned?: No.

Type Of Financing: Conventional

Listing History: Last sold in 2006 for $626,000. Before that in 2001 for $299,000. Before that for $77,200. in 1996.

Original GDoN Post is: Here.

Recent Listing is: Here.

Back when this was featured as a “Good Deal or Not” (GDoN) post, it was listed at $615,000. Per usual, commenters were not restrained in their concerns over neighborhood crime. I have to say that I’m honestly starting to wonder where all of the GDoN posters actually live, given that there seems to be a lot of random crime incidents happening all over lately.

One poster stated, “No one in their right mind would drop $600k to live on that block.” How about $584,000.? That was the net (less the hefty $18,000. closing cost subsidy). The home has central air, a deck, lots of parking, and a “self-contained unit” in the basement for potential rental income. The kitchen and baths don’t look all that fancy, but not in need of immediate replacement. The lot is about 700 square feet bigger than what I typically think of as a good-sized lot for a row house.

I’d say that this sale is reflective of the relatively limited active inventory in downtown DC. While prices have come down from where they had been, things are moving along pretty steadily.

Good Deal or Not? Nice Laundry Room Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 1615 Kenyon Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“WALK TO METRO & NEW COL. HTS SHOPPING/RESTAURANTS (TARGET, BEST BUY, GIANT/THE HEIGHTS, RUMBEROS), EVER-POPULAR ADAMS MORGAN. READY TO GO UNIT IN SMALLER, HISTORIC BUILDING OVERLOOKING COURTYARD W/ FRESH PAINT, WOOD FLOORS, NEW FRIDGE, GOOD CLOSET SPACE + XTRA STORAGE. COMMUNITY LAUNDRY ROOM. INTERCOM AT FRONT DOOR. EASY, IN-TOWN LIVING.”

More info and photos found here.

I really like this location and I’m often curious about these medium sized buildings. But I have to admit, I really cracked up when I saw a photo of the laundry room in the building. I didn’t know that’s an area you’d want to focus on. I like how the flier also mentions an Intercom and Fresh Paint. Reaching a bit, eh? Otherwise this looks like a classic one bedroom. So does classic one bedroom going for $299,000 sound reasonable?

Good Deal or Not? (Almost) Weekly Wed. House Porn

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 2736 Woodley Place, NW:


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The flier says:

“Fabulous 2006 Renovation of Wardman townhouse on quiet block just 1.5 blks to Metro. Features kit w/ maple cabinets & GE Profile appliances, designer european baths, LR, separate DR, 1st Floor FR open to Kit, DR & Rear patio. 3BR/1.5BA up including Master BR w/ half bath & playroom/study across the back two BR’s. Electrical heavy up & radiant heat flooring in Kit & BA’s. Off-street parking.”

More info and photos found here.

I’m a huge fan of Woodley Place. So I’m always interested to see what these rowhomes are going for. This home is going for $959,000. What do you think of the home itself?

Good Deal or Not? Ridiculously Cool Looking Building Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 1502 13th Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“This boutique 8-unit property was recently renovated just 4 years ago. Bright 2BR, 1.5BA condo residence, featuring wood-burning fireplace, bamboo floors, kitchen has Gran Counters & SS, recessed lighting t/o, private patio, w/ d in unit, & extra storage. Close to Whole Foods Corridor & 2(Red & Green) Metros”

More info here and a virtual tour here.

I’ve always loved this house/building so I’m glad to get to see what one of the condos looks like. I’d be more interested in one on a higher floor but this one looks pretty good too. Hard to get a feel of the size from these photos though. What do you think of the condo itself? Does $434,900 sound reasonable?

Good Deal or Not? Cape Cod Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 2020 Lawrence Street, NE:


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The flier says:

“Nicely restored detached Cape Cod. The facade belies the very sharp interior. New HVAC systems. 2-zone: Lower Level and first and second floors. Enjoy large yard. Parking. This is Value Packed and an investment grade property. Shown easily by appointment. Bonus lower level for au pair suite or “mother-in-law suite”.”

More info and photos found here.

Let me say that Brookland really knocked my socks off. A great quiet neighborhood with some really cool homes. There are a few restaurants but my friend who lives there told me that his and his wife’s number one complaint is the lack of restaurants and bars. But it’s not too far by car or bus from the hot spots.

So this home is interesting. It has dropped from $542,000 to the current asking price of $499,000. In addition to the price what do you think of the home itself?

Ed. Note: I think this home may actually be in a neighborhood called Woodridge which borders Brookland.

Good Deal or Not? It Doesn’t Take a King’s Ransom Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo building is located at 1321 Fairmont Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Cute, well maintained recently renovated building/unit 1BR/1BA. Granite, stainless, hardwood floors, Perfect for 1st time buyer. Low fee. Close to Columbia Heights Metro and all shopping.”

More info and photos found here.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a price that is isn’t jaw dropping. This condo is one the first floor and is asking $219,000. Also in a quick search there is also a basement unit going for $229,000. But let’s consider the featured one on the first floor for $219,000 – sound reasonable?

GDoN Revisited – Half of a Dueling Edition by Hipchickindc

By Prince Of Petworth

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: 1421 Varnum St NW

Original List Price: $485,000.

List Price at Contract: $465,000.

List Date: 02/06/2009

Days on Market: 42

Settled Sales Price: $455,000.

Settlement Date:  04/27/2009

Seller Subsidy:  $9,930.

Bank Owned?: No.  This was a family estate.

Type Of Financing: Conventional

Listing History: This property had been owned by the same family for many years.

Original GDoN Post is:  <a href=http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/02/good-deal-or-not-battle-of-renovated-vs-non-renovated-on-varnum-street/>Here</a>.

Recent Listing is: <a href=http://matrix.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Email.aspx?ID=30661264174>Here</a>.

The last time I sold a house on this block, it was to an architect, a few years ago.  Shortly after this home came on the market, I had clients, a couple who were both architects, make an offer.  The house was listed with one of my very favorite listing agents, real estate veteran and 16th Street Heights Maven, Denise Champion-Jones with Long and Foster.  (If you see any house with a sign that says, “Champion Collection”, it’s one of Denise’s listings).  We went back and forth for a while, but ultimately, based on what they figured they would have wanted to invest in renovations, we never came to an agreement.  The Sellers held out and, according to Denise, ended up selling to someone who had previously been looking at condos and thus saw the value of all that space and yard.  (My clients ended up getting a really cool and even bigger house off of 16th Street NW).

The general consensus of the “Good Deal or Not” (GDoN) commenters was that this unrenovated home would sell around $400,000.  Less the closing cost subsidy, it sold for $445,070 and was on the market for less than two months.

The other house from the GDoN post, that is on the same block, with some updates and priced much higher, is still on the market.

 

Good Deal or Not? “Cutest house on The Hill” Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: Full disclosure – this property is being shown by PoP regular contributor, hipchickindc.

This home is located at 240 Parker Street, NE:


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The flier says:

“Cutest house on The Hill! Exposed brick, wood burning fireplace, Miele convection oven, TWO outdoor spaces (patio & upstairs deck), whirlpool tub, washer/dryer, recent double pane Pella wood windows. Possible parking (alley access). 1 block to Landmark Lofts, easy access to Metro/Union Station, H St Corridor, Capitol.”

More info and photos found here.

As H Street, NE becomes more popular I’ll be curious to see how the real estate prices are affected. If this home goes for asking then I’d say they’re doing pretty well. It can be yours for $450,000. Sound reasonable? And here’s another question that I have – do most people who buy in that area work on the Hill in some capacity? But more importantly – what do you think of the house?

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