Real Estate

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc – 103 8th St NE

By Prince Of Petworth

Voted one of the best real estate agents in DC by the Washington City Paper Readers’ Choice Poll in 2009, hipchickindc aka the not-so-hip Suzanne Des Marais is the Principal Broker (DC) for Urban Pace, LLC. She lives (and sells a lot of houses) in Bloomingdale, but works all over DC, with everyone from first time buyers to highly regarded developers. 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: 103 8th St NE
Legal Subdivision: Capitol Hill
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Capitol Hill
Original List Price: $489,500.
List Price at Contract: $489,500.
List Date: 03/16/2011
Days on Market: 14
Settled Sales Price: $625,000.
Settlement Date: 04/28/2011
Seller Subsidy: $18,253.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: FHA-apparently proving that FHA does allow a main kitchen at below grade (see original comments)

Original Good Deal or Not post is: here

The listing can be seen: here. To see pics, open the listing link, click on the listing then scroll through from the main pic.

Only a couple of weeks ago, we looked at similar multiple offer escalating craziness in this same area. Note to anybody new to the DC real estate market: If the price is looking too good to be true, it might just be. Veteran listing agent with Coldwell Banker and Hill maven Bob Williams knows his market and priced this one to move.

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Good Deal or Not? “ample room for pets” edition (reader request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 735 Kenyon St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Newly updated 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath rowhouse with hardwood floors throughout, brand new open kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, exposed brick, central heat and air, balcony off the master bedroom. Deep landscaped backyard. Great deck, lawn, ample room for pets, gardening, parking, and entertaining. Close to 11th St, Wonderland, RedRocks, Room 11, METRO. WalkScore 92.”

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

What do you think of the reno itself? Does $499,000 sound right for this 3 bed/1.5 bath?

Good Deal or Not? “with wood burning fireplace” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 317 10th St, NE:


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The flier says:

“Terrific 1 BR 1 BA condo with wood burning fireplace, built in bookcases, washer and dryer in unit, separate dining room, hardwood floors, and new windows! Extra storage unit in basement. Spacious roof deck for relaxing and enjoying views of DC. Secure building is clean and well maintained. Close to Capitol, 2 metros, H street and Barracks Row– location, location, location!”

You can find more info here and photos here.

This 1 bed/1 bath condo is going for $318,900 ($283.50 monthly condo fee) – sound right?

Good Deal or Not? “Trex deck with private parking” edition (reader request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 4312 14th St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Beautiful, complete renovation in 16th St Heights. This end-unit has it all – Bosch stainless steel appliances, cherry wood flooring, marble bathrooms, fully finished basement w/ kitchenette. Trex deck with private parking in rear. 4bdr, and 3.5 bath.”

You can find more info here and a mouse on house tour here.

This 4 bed/3.5 is going for $639,900 – sound right?

Good Deal or Not? “renovated into a palace” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1001 Otis St, NE:


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The flier says:

“This is a spectacular home that has been renovated into a palace. Originally it was a standard Bungalow but the owner has bumped it out into include a huge master bedroom suite. The main level has been renovated with a new kitchen, renovated rec room, rear patio/barbecue pit and parking for 4 cars.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

This 4 bed/3 bath is going for $1,500,000. Wow.

Ed. note: I really wanted to post this house at at 646 Keefer Pl NW that was going for $359,500 but I was too late and it’s already under contract.

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc – 1731 20th St NW

By Prince Of Petworth



Voted one of the best real estate agents in DC by the Washington City Paper Readers’ Choice Poll in 2009, hipchickindc aka the not-so-hip Suzanne Des Marais is the Principal Broker (DC) for Urban Pace, LLC. She lives (and sells a lot of houses) in Bloomingdale, but works all over DC, with everyone from first time buyers to highly regarded developers. 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: 1731 20th St NW #9
Legal Subdivision: Old City #2
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Dupont
Original List Price: $289,000.
List Price at Contract: $289,000.
List Date: 02/11/2011
Days on Market: 5
Settled Sales Price: $289,000.
Settlement Date: 03/30/2011
Seller Subsidy: $0.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Since purchasing in a cooperative is not technically buying real estate, but rather buying a share in a corporation, co-op loans are an animal unto themselves. There are a small hand full of lenders who will do them. Because the financial health of the cooperative is tied together, co-ops often have their own rules regarding a minimum down payment.

Original Good Deal or Not post is: here

The listing can be seen: here. To see pics, open the listing link, click on the listing then scroll through from the main pic.

Buildings that are cooperatively owned are plentiful in DC, so I think it is useful to take a look at them here from time to time. I had profiled this same building in October 2010 and wrote some information about what makes a co-op different from a condo.

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Good Deal or Not? “lovely wraparound porch” edition (owner request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1728 Park Rd, NW:


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The flier says:

“A rare opportunity to own a grand-scale home on a very large lot with loads of parking in convenient, popular Historic Mount Pleasant. This gorgeous home has a lovely wraparound porch with access to a charming side yard with fish pond and a walkway to a huge rear yard. The house is filled with handsome original details, and the kitchen has been expanded to include a sunny breakfast/den area with a 2-story ceiling and a fireplace!”

You can find more info here and more info and photos here.

Always fun to get a look inside former houses of the day. This 6 bed/4.5 bath is going for $1,199,000 – sound right?

Dear PoP – Anyone Familiar with Limited Equity Cooperatives?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Anyone ever heard of a limited equity cooperative? This looks like you “buy” for $6,000.00, pay $750.00 a month, then get your $6,000 back when you “sell?”

The Craigslist ad says:

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE:
1489 Newton Street Cooperative

Our Cooperative has 3 one-bedroom units available for sale. We are located in Columbia Heights on Newton Street, NW, between 14th and 16th Streets, just a three blocks from the Columbia Heights Metro Station, around the corner from the new DC USA shopping center.

The buying price is $6000 and the monthly carrying charge is approx $750.

You get the buying price back when you move out and sell your apartment, and the monthly charge covers your proportional share of the building’s expenses.

The apartments are about 650 sq ft., arranged in a suite style, in which the living room and bedroom are in opposing haves of the unit, and the kitchen and bathroom are clustered in between. All units have gas stoves, refrigerators, new carpet, and new paint. The building features a laundry room on site, in the basement.

Sounds pretty cool – anyone ever heard of a deal like this before?

Good Deal or Not? “Rear deck perfect for BBQs” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This house is located at 1927 2nd St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Completely renovated from top to bottom with attention to every detail. Four bedrooms/3.5 baths including stunning master bedroom w/ walk-in closet and master bath and lower level suite with kitchenette and separate entrance (think potential rental income?). Rear deck perfect for BBQs and entertaining this spring & summer. Parking! Sq. footage is approx.”

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

What do you think of the renovation? $629,900 sound right for this 4 bed/3.5 bath?

Good Deal or Not? “root cellar below kit” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1103 S St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Refinished historic red pine floors thruout this spacious home. 2 bdrms + small den. Recently renovated kit w/ SS appliances & granite counters. 10.5′ ceilings on 1st flr, 9′ ceilings on 2nd flr, skylight, ceiling fans in bdrms & root cellar below kit w rear ext entrance. Japanese Cherry Tree in front yard, fenced garden-style backyard w wood deck/slate patio. 2 blocks to U St Metro, easy parking!”

You can find more info here and photos here.

This 2 bed/1.5 is going for $814,900. Sound realistic?

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