Real Estate

Dear PoPville – Did We Get a Good Deal?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

After a two year saga that included five failed contracts, my fiance and I just managed to buy this house. It was a double short sale (the owner had two mortgages, both of which had to take a loss), with four tenants, and is in good group-house condition. We think we got a good deal, but what about the commentariat?”


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This 5 bed/3.5 bath, located at 3163 18th St, NW in Mt. Pleasant, was bought for $720,000. You can see photos here.

First let me say congrats on your perseverance! Given the location and even if it needs $100k in reno I still think it’s a good deal because of the location and size. Houses that size in Mt. Pleasant regularly go for over $1 million.

What do you guys think?

Good Deal or Not? “The size is deceptive” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 406 K St, NE:


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The flier says:

“Open House cancelled! accepted offer! Quality renovation 4 years young. The size is deceptive. Deep house w/ high cielings, open LR & DR that sweep back into an open table space kit, w/ granite and SS apps, ending w/ a half BA & large laundry room. Go up the modern and open staircase to 2/3 BR & 2 full BA. Huge closets in all BR’s. Gleaming Brazilian cherry hrdwds. Parking! Blocks to H st, 2 metro”

You can find more info here and photos here.

I know the description says “accepted offer!” but the listing has no mention of it under contract. So, does $559,000 sound right for this 2 bed/2.5 bath?

Good Deal or Not? “GLORIOUSLY SUN DRENCHED” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 3531 Porter St NW:


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The flier says:

“GLORIOUSLY SUN DRENCHED, SPACIOUS CLEVELAND PARK SEMI-DET! CHARMING FRONT PORCH, STUNNING REMODELED KIT, FABULOUS WINDOWS IN BREAKFAST/FR, RENOVATED BATHS, WOOD FLRS, HIGH CEILINGS, MOVE-IN COND. LL IN-LAW SUITE, DET GAR, INVITING REAR YARD. METRO!”

You can find more info here and photos here.

$875,000 sound right for this 4 bed/2.5 bath in Cleveland Park?

Dear PoP – If You Had $150k Where Would You Look to Buy?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Are there any recommendations you can give to 1st time homebuyer with a meager budget of 150k in dc?”

Ah, this is a challenging one. Personally, I would look to buy in the SW Waterfront. There are a number of developments in the queue, the new Safeway, the new Arena Stage and you’re right on the waterfront not to mention you are also close to all the SE development. In a very quick search I liked this coop located at 1311 Delaware Ave SW:


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The flier says:

“Check out the new kitchen, floors and paint in this lovely and spacious one bedroom on 3rd floor balcony with view. Southwest DC is hot – walk to Baseball, marina, golf, tennis, Starbucks, Safeway, CVS, Five Guys, Fish Market, Arena Stage. Riverpark is a gated Coop community wiht outdoor pool and fitness room. Fee includes property taxes and all utilities, extended cable package. Parking $35 mo.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

This 1 bed/1 bath is going for $130,000 ($573 monthly coop fee).

If you guys had $150k budget where would you recommend?

Good Deal or Not? “3 Bedroom & 2.5 Bath condo” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 1118 Monroe St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Welcome to this amazing 2 Level – 3 Bedroom & 2.5 Bath condo in the heart of Columbia Heights! This gorgeous 1,550sf home offers Gourmet Kitchen, Wood Floors, lots of closet space, Opt. gas fireplace, Deck, W/ D & parking for 2-3 Cars! Steps to Target, Restaurants, Metro & Shops!”

You can find more info here and photos here.

$579,900 ($150 monthly condo fee) sound right for this 3 bed/2.5 bath?

Good Deal or Not? “ready to start living” edition (reader request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This house is located at 4401 7th St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Fantastic space in this unique Petworth detached home. 5BR/Den/Family rooms give you tons of space not to mention the large living room and combo dining/open kitchen complete with granite/stainless. Tons of light from the large windows, front porch, rear balcony, and side yard/patio. HWF on main level and wood-burning FP. Enjoy a completely renovated home, ready to start living”

You can find more info here and photos here.

Lots of readers have been sending requests that we take a look at this one. Does $549,000 sound right for this 5 bed/3.5 bath?

Good Deal or Not? “Charming 1870 home. Flat screen conveys.” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1824 11th St, NW:


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The flier says:

“AN ENTERTAINER’S DREAM IN THE U STREET CORRIDOR, Charming 1870 home with period details & modern conveniences. 2BR+den, 1.5 BAs, 11-ft. -hi ceilings, orig crown moldings, wide-plank pine flrs, pocket drs, exposed brick, wood-burning FP, Viking range, wine chiller, cutting-edge kitchen, dual zone HVAC, spacious slate patio plus gated pkg for two cars. Flat screen conveys.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

$799,900 sound right for this 3 bed/1.5 bath?

Good Deal or Not? “4 finished levels & 2900+ sq ft” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1921 2nd St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Just Reduced 20K! Classic historic LeDroit Park Victorian semi detached townhouse. 4 finished levels & 2900+ sq ft. . Grand rooms. 4 bedrooms w/ 5th bedroom being used as den but easily usable for bedroom. 2.5 baths. Deep rear yard w/ room to put in off street pkg. Finished lower lvl. Property being sold “as-is.”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

$660,000 sound right for this 5 bed/2.5 bath?

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc – 500 M St NW #1

By Prince Of Petworth

Hipchickindc is a licensed real estate broker and a professional artist. Her official real estate bio is here and her art website is here. 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: 500 M St NW #1

Legal Subdivision: Old City #2
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Mt Vernon Square
Original List Price: $289,000.
List Price at Contract: $289,000.
List Date: 03/02/2011
Days on Market: 17
Settled Sales Price: $289,000.
Settlement Date: 05/05/2011
Seller Subsidy: $8,280.
Settled Price per Square Foot: $501.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: FHA

Original Good Deal or Not post is: here

The listing can be seen: here. Pics can be seen by clicking on the main photo and scrolling through using the arrows.

Despite being a large attractive end unit Victorian with a sexy round turret, 500 M St NW languished on the market for over 200 days with no takers. Oh yah…it was 1998. In 1998, the entire building was being offered for $219,900. Eventually, it sold in 1999 for $200,000.

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Good Deal or Not? “beautiful historic architectural details” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1731 Swann St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Exquisite Dupont Circle Townhouse w/ beautiful historic architectural details. Updated amenities, traditional living & dining space w/ period fixtures. Sunny modern granite, SS Kit. Gracious ent & Stair Hall. Master suite w/ bath, fully renovated LL can be integral part of main house w/ additional BR BA, or perfect In-law suite. Lovely front Garden & Porch. Steps to everything on quiet tree lined st.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

$1,099,000 sound right for this 4 bed/3.5 bath?

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