Real Estate

Good Deal or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo at 1406 Corcoran Street, NW is a former “best spot for a morning cup of coffee?”. The flier says:

“Light filled duplex PH w/ nearly 1400 sf. , soaring 17 ft. ceilings, Travertine stone flr, 2BRs, 2BAs w/ large private roof terrace $ 2 terraces. Large open granite SS KI w/ gas cooking, gas FP, custom designed finishes and lighting and central air. Private one car garage with storage.”

More info and photos found here.

It was originally listed at $765,000 but is now on the market for $679,000. It’s been on the market for 187 days so I’m wondering if the new price makes it more reasonable? I’m also wondering – how long do you wait before you start dropping the price?

Good Deal or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

The flier for this home located at 1347 V Street, NW says:

“To be built and delivered by December. Soaring 13 foot ceilings on both levels, bay front windows, gleaming wide plank maple hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, custom cabinets, recessed lighting, luxurious bathrooms, private deck and outdoor space, and secure parking. So close to all the new retail coming on 14th and V. Pictures are of model unit 1321 V Street.”

More info and photos from a similar unit found here.

I thought the house looked bigger than a two bedroom one and a half bath, yeah?  I guess the bedrooms will be pretty large.  I was curious about this house because it is a total gut renovation.  Obviously the location is great but do you think it’ll sell for the asking price of $725,000?

Good Deal or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

The flier for this home located at 733 Park Road, NW says:

“LOCATION IS EVERYTHING! Welcome to this 3BD, 1.5BR spacious & warm Federal style row house located on a friendly, quiet street. The kit & BA have been renov, while the rest of the house still maintains its beautiful, original condition. The house features a 1 car garage, h/d floors, 3 porches, original wood work and a sizable bsmt. Mins from Petworth Metro, Target, Giant, Best Buy and dining.”

More info and photos found here.

As they say in the business, this one looks like it has good bones. Does $410,000 seem reasonable?

Good Deal or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

Here’s an interesting house at 23 Rock Creek Church Road, NW. The flier says:

“LOOKING FOR A GOOD DEAL? TRY THIS ONE! (Pre-approved) home with a sep. car garage in the rear. full basement, 2.5 baths, MAKE YOUR BEST OFFER (SOME RECENT DAMAGE OCCURED DUE TO TANK OVERFLOW). check prices in area and then compare, good opportunity for the right buyer.”

More details can be found here.

Wow, “some recent damage due to tank overflow” is a bit terrifying, yeah? But the price reflects it – it’s yours for $325,000.

The original asking price was $399,900. Does the new price of $325,000 seem reasonable given the damage? (Here was a house on Rock Creek Church a few blocks away for $419,000.)

Good Deal or Not? Multiple Units In The Same Building Edition

By Prince Of Petworth


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?

Good Deal or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

The flier for this beautiful house located at 1332 Irving Street, NW says:

“Comfortable, elegant city living in fully renovated 4-level Victorian w/ 1-BD in-law suite. Main house has 4-5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, sep. LR & DR, eat-in kitchen, HW floors, high ceilings, gas FPs, wet bar, 2-car garage, deck, patio, etc. Perfect for entertaining. Must see! Best Columbia Hgts location–1 blk to Metro, restaurants, retail.”

You can find more photos and info here.

The original asking price was $1,089,000 but it is now on the market for $998,000. Hmm, not a very significant price reduction, yeah? So clearly it’s a good looking house but what will it sell for?

Good Deal or Not? Condo Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

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?

Reader Requested – Good Deal or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

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?

Good Deal or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

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?

Good Deal or Not? Condo Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

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?

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