Real Estate

I thought this building was really cool looking. It is located at 1901 19th Street, NW. The flier for #301 says:

“Buyer got cold feet. His loss is your gain! It’s like Paris in DC! Flooded with light from 14 windows & 4 exposures. 1yr pre-paid rental parking. Renovated table-space S/S kitchen. Renovated bath w/ over-sized tub & window. Nearly 10′ ceilings, Juliet balconies & original detailing. Oval LR/DR & open layout perfect for entertaining. Walk just steps to Metro & more!”

Hilarious, never read one like that before. More details for #301 found here.

The flier for #401 says:

“OF THE CITY & WASHINGTON MNMT. 3 EXPOSURES; 9.5’CLGS; GLEAMING WOOD FLRS. FORMAL ENTY FOYER W/ ELEGANT MOLDINGS; CIRCULAR LR/DR W/ LARGE WINDOWS; UPDATED KIT INC. A SKYLIGHT; SUN-DRENCHED MBR W/ WINDOW SEAT & BUILT-INS; SPAC 2ND BR W/ 3 CLOSETS; UPDATED CERAMIC BATH; SEP W/ D. HEAT & A/C INC IN FEE. EXCELLENT LOCATION.”

So I’m really curious about how one decides when there are multiple condos available in the same building. #301 is going for $500,000 and #401 is going for $499,900. So are either a good deal? Is there a premium for a higher floor? How do you decide if both units are similar?

The flier for this condo at 1105 Park Road, NW says:

“Stunning 2BD/2.5BA with large outdoor space. Hardwood flooring and exposed brick walls throughout unit. Unit pre-wired for audio system in ceilng. State of the art, stainless steel kitchen complete, beautiful open floorplan, and great natural light.”

More photos and info found here.

I’m a huge fan of this location and the photos really do look great. Any fans of exposed brick out there? Anyway, does $539,000 sound reasonable?

A reader writes the following about the house for sale at 1208 Fairmont Street, NW:

“It’s at a great location and I think a good price, but it’s been on the market for so long there must be something wrong. It looks like a deal fell through and I’m wondering if that happened after the potential buyer had it inspected. The lack of photos also bothers me.”

The flier says:

“BACK ON THE MARKET. GREAT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY IN PRESTIGOUS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS. FOUR LEVEL ALL BRICK TOWNHOUSE ZONED R4. HUGE BACK YARD, BRICK GARAGE, FRONT & REAR BASEMENT ENTRANCE. CLOSE WALK TO SUBWAY, SHOPPING & SCHOOLS. QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD, CALL FOR CODE. SUBJECT TO THIRD PARTY APPROVAL.”

You can find more info and some photos here.

The asking price is $550,000. Seems like a great deal for a 4 level rowhome in Columbia Heights. Any ideas why it hasn’t been snatched up yet? My guess is that it probably has something to do with “Third party approval”. Do you think $550,000 is a reasonable price?

The flier for this home at 303 Rock Creek Church Road, NW says:

“ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS RENOVATION OF 4BR 1.5BA W/ SEMI-FINISHED WALK UP ATTIC, FIN BSMT. LG RMS, NEW WOOD FLRS, EAT IN KT, LG PANTRY, 1 CAR GAR, NEW:ELEC SYS, BOILER, ROOF, WINDOWS, KT, CERAMIC FLRS IN KT BA & BMT, FENCED YRD”

More details and photos found here.

The original price was $469,900 but it is now on the market for $419,000. This is a sweet block because it looks onto the Old Soldier’s Home. I also like the fact that it has an attic. So what do you think is $419,000 reasonable?

I think this was a house of the day back in the day. Apparently it has been split into two condos. The flier for this home/condo at 1836 11th Street, NW says:

“A most perfect offering in an ideal location, delightfully situated in a turn-of-the-century Victorian. This upper level 2BR 2BA is an impressive space w/ hardwoods, 10ft ceilings & generous storage space. A true gourmet kit incl: top of the line appliances & granite. Unit #2 includes one parking space. Located in U Street Corridor & just 2 blocks to Metro.”

A most perfect offering is the greatest start to the hundreds of these descriptions that I’ve read. Sorry. More info and photos can be found here.

So is a two bedroom, two bathroom with a parking spot at this location reasonably priced at $542,000?

The flier for this home located at 3624 New Hampshire Avenue, NW says:

“GREAT LOCATION, READY TO MOVE-IN & PRICED BELOW COMPS FOR QUICK SALE!CONTEMP-DESIGNED 3BR, 3BA HOME IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS. CLOSE TO GA AVE & COL. HGTS. METRO & ONLY 15 MIN WALK TO ADAMS MORGAN & U ST CORRIDOR. NEW KITCHEN W/ CHERRY CABS, GRANITE & NEW SS APPLIANCES, ORIGINAL POCKET DOOR BETWEEN LR & DR, MBR W/ BATH, NEW CAC & WINDOWS, REFINISHED WOOD FLOORS & FINISHED BSMT. NEW BOILER WILL BE INSTALLED SHORTLY.”

More photos and info found here.

I’m a pretty big fan of this location. Do you think $519,000 is a reasonable price?

The flier for this home at 4120 13th Street, NW says:

“Northern Columbia Heights Gem! Porchfront Home, renovated w/ lots of original detail. 3 bedrooms up, one with sitting room, 2.5 ba, Living Room, Dining Room, Designer Kitchen, Granite Counters, Maple Cabinets, Powder Room, Back Porch, OSP, CAC, Finished Basement, Lots of Light, windows and more. Come see this great Home in Great Neighborhood!”

More info and photos found here.

I’m not sure if I’d consider this Columbia Heights but the renovation does seem nice.

It was originally priced at $550,000 but is now listed at $539,000. So does this seem like a reasonable price or not? If not, what price do you think would be reasonable?

“I am really curious to know if you think this house is a good deal or no.

It’s on Euclid between Sherman and Georgia. I stopped by the open house this past weekend and they’ve done a great job with the renovation and kept a lot of the character of the house. There is no backyard – just a deck with offstreet parking underneath the deck in back. And it’s on an alley.

http://www.mlsfinder.com/kwls/kw/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&kw_id=4253897&domain=a241855.yourkwagent.com

Thoughts? Thanks!”

The property is located at 919 Euclid Street NW and is going for $399,900. The comments say:

“Absolutely stunning renovation with tons of character and historic charm! This three bedroom, two bath home has beautiful restored hardwood floors and woodwork, a brand new chef’s kitchen with granite and stainless steel appliances, a huge deck off of the kitchen and two new bathrooms with travertine tile. The master bedroom is sure to impress- with cathedral ceilings, exposed brick and three closets. The fully finished basement features a third bedroom, full bath and wet bar. The home includes off street parking and is conveniently located one block from Howard U and just a few blocks from U street and Columbia Heights!”

Wow, they had me at wet bar… Seriously, I do think this seems like a reasonable price. Personally, I prefer an end unit and don’t think it’s a big deal that it abuts an alley. I would suggest that you walk around the area a bit to see if you feel comfortable. I’d even suggest that you take the walk to the metro a few times if that will be your mode of transport. I think sellers are probably a bit flexible during these times so if you do put in a bid I don’t think it can hurt to go under asking maybe $350,000 and see what they counter with. What do you guys think?