Real Estate

(Was it a) Good Deal or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

Well, I was a little too slow on this house at 1029 Kenyon Street. It is already under contract. The Web site says:

“Leave the car and the condo fees behind & be ready to enjoy the luxury of having everything at your doorstep in a stunning town home renovation. With convenience, location and accessibility where else would you go other than Columbia Heights. Within 2 blocks you are in the heart of shopping, cafes, restaurants, Metro and much more. This home has gleaming hardwood floors extending throughout the first floor a modern kitchen, the perfect back yard to hold all those backyard parties you have been thinking about, 2 nicely sized bedrooms and a stunning full size bathroom with separate tub and shower.”

It’s a pretty small house but the location is pretty killer. So for a two bedroom, one bathroom was $380,000 a good deal?

Good Deal or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader suggested I feature this home a couple of weeks ago. It is located at 1207 Lamont Street. The flyer says:

“Home was gutted & expanded, keeping 3 walls. Now all brand new with sophisticated contemporary design and materials. 2-level unit provides 1,850 sq. ft. of dramatic styling & features marble, granite, maple hardwood flooring, all new stainless appliances and front load washer/dryer. Great location-Walk to 2 Metros, shops, restaurants, & new DC USA Center. Parking included.”

It is divided into two units with unit #2 featuring 3 beds and 3.5 baths. More info and photos can be found here. It seems to have been on the market for over 90 days. The price is for unit #2 is $575,000. Good deal or not?

Unit #1 looks even sweet with a roof deck. The flyer for this unit says:

“Rowhome was gutted & expanded, keeping 3 walls. Now all new 2+levels with dramatic contemporary design, upscale materials include granite, marble, maple hardwood flooring, stainless appliances, parking included! 1,932 sq. ft. with 3 bedrooms & 3 full baths. Exciting glass ceiling and roof deck–great views!”

More details and photos including roof deck photos can be found here. This unit is going for $699,000. The location seems great. What do you think about this unit – good deal or not?

Good Deal or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

The flier for this two unit condo conversion at 3660 New Hampshire Ave. says:

“Brand new conversion near Park Place dev! 2 units available-both 2BR/2BA, parking, great rear decks/patio. Modern kitchens-granite cntrs, maple cabs, SS appliances, new hdwds. Beautiful slate baths, spacious closets, custom shelves. Great size BRs with plenty of light. Less than 1 block to Petworth metro and steps to Columbia Heights dev: Target, etc!”

You can find more info and photos here.

I normally don’t like when the rowhouses are converted into condos but this one was pretty cool. Both units had two levels and the bathrooms were quite nice. I also think the location is pretty good. The first unit is $449,900 and the second unit is $499,900 (condo fees are $274). So, good deal or not? But I’m also interested to hear what you think about the conversion. Like I said, I thought this one looked pretty good.

Good Deal or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

Here’s a sweet rowhouse in Mt. Pleasant. The flyer says:

“Welcome to this beautiful, spacious, updated, 3BR, 3BA, home in Mount Pleasant. Enjoy gleaming hardwood floors, granite counters, ceramic tile, fireplace, recreation room, front porch, patio, mature landscaping, parking, and location close to shopping, Rock Creek Park, METRO, and more.”

More details and photos found here.

The home is located at 3211 Walbridge Place, NW. The original price was $724,900 but it is now on the market for $689,999. So, good deal or not?

Good Deal or Not? Mini Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

The flyer says:

“Beautifully and meticulously renovated modern interior behind an historic facade. 2BR/2.5BA with private rear garden, 1-car parking, chef’s kitchen with ss appliances, new baths with travertine tile & walk to metro and U Street.”

You can find more info here.  House is located at 2022 10th Street, NW.  (Very close to U Street.)

So the location seems pretty tight but the quarters also seem a bit tight. So for a small house in a good location is $679,000 a good deal or not? It is interesting to contrast with yesterday’s good deal or not? which was 4 bed, 2.5 bath for $659,950…

Good Deal or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

The flyer says:

“Welcome home to this spacious, sun-filled, 4 level rowhouse w/ high ceilings & rustic pine floors. This large home boasts 4 bed, 2.5 ba on the top 3 floors, basement 4th floor avail. to turn into your own w/ front & back entrance. Great backyard perfect for grilling.”

More details and photos can be found here.

It looks pretty sweet but my question is about this particular block. It sits on a street that has whole apartment buildings boarded up. But the house really is sweet. And it’s a stone’s throw from all the development on 14th Street. So for $659,950 is it a good deal or not?

Good Deal or Not? Rental Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This spot was found by a reader on Craig’s List. The reader writes:

“I’m not sure whether you only like to post houses/rentals that you see on your walks, but if you’re interested in taking Craigslist submissions, I recently came across what is probably the most incredible (as in wtf) apartment for rent in Columbia Heights:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/806458278.html

I’m not sure if it’d make a good Good Deal or Not? post because I think the answer is obvious (no), but maybe commenters would have some insight into how the asking price could possibly be so high?”

The spot is located at 1390 Kenyon Street.

The ad says:

“This professionally-designed apartment features dark-stained hardwood floors, grasscloth accent wallcoverings, darkwood cabinets in kitchen and bathrooms, and complimenting granite countertops. Floating wall-mounted cabinetry and an integrated audio-visual system with two flatpanel TVs in living room and master bedroom. Two walk-in closets– one of which has been adapted to a small office ideal for casual work-at-home sessions– can easily be converted back to a closet. ”

So for $5500 – good deal or not?

Good Deal or Not? Fantasy Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This house at 1334 T Street is amazing. The house itself is amazing and the location is ridiculous. The flyer says:

“Enchanting & sophisticated 4BR, 3.5BA home features high ceilings, renovated top-of-the-line kitchen, large DR w/ pocket doors & fpl, living room w/ lovely fpl & built-ins, Master suite w/ fpl, lovely rear terrace & garden w/ path leading to extraordinary studio/office w/ 4th BR & 3rd full BA over garage.”

This house has all the historical details with a nice upgrade. I particularly liked all the old school doors and floors. Plus it had a sick carriage house. And of course all that costs. Lots more details can be found here. So is $1,195,000 a good deal for this location? What do you think of the house in general? The location (too close to St. Ex)? If you don’t think it’s a good deal what do you think would be?

Good Deal or Not? Reader Request

By Prince Of Petworth

Actually a number of people have written me about this house so I thought I’d give it a go.  One reader writes:

“I wanted to suggest a newly listed house in Petworth as a candidate for “Good Deal or Not?” I’m not the seller, nor do I have any affiliation with the people who renovated house. My interest is that it’s near my house, and it’s an unprecedented price point for this area of Petworth (i.e., North Country). The address is 5101 Illinois Ave., NW (20011). It’s a 5 bedroom / 4.5 bath house on a corner lot. The house went on the market Aug. 10, and they’re asking $795,000. That’s an unheard of amount for just about anywhere in Petworth, but particularly for a house not near the metro. I’m curious what others who read the blog think. Here’s a link with information and photos of the house.”

http://www.wfp.com/propertySearch/prop.asp?id=33923647

It is a pretty huge house but that seems really high for that neck of the woods. I’m guessing nobody is going to say it is a good deal (but maybe I’m wrong). If you don’t think it’s a good deal what do you think would be a reasonable asking price for this property?

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