This home is located at 5 Grant Circle, NW:


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The flier says:

“Another total renovation by Urbiz! Federal porch-front overlooking green Grant Circle. Stunning open layout w/ all the bells & whistles. Gleaming HW floors, custom kitchen, shining new baths. Skylights & transoms brighten the upper level, private deck off master suite. LL offers an enormous family room/guest suite w/ full bath. Fenced yard, private parking.”

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

Well I waited a little too long to post this one. It’s already under contract in 8 days. But I’m still curious what folks think of the renovation. This 3 bed/2.5 bath was going for $550,000. Did someone get a good deal?


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: 1103 Harvard St NW
Legal Subdivision: Columbia Heights
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Columbia Heights
Original List Price: $499,900.
List Price at Contract: $399,900.
Settled Price per Square Foot: $224.00
List Date: 11/16/2010
Days on Market: 70
Settled Sales Price: $320,000.
Settlement Date: 03/01/2011
Seller Subsidy: $0.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Conventional

Original Good Deal or Not post is: hereThe listing can be seen: here. To see pics, open the listing link, click on the main pic and scroll through.

We looked at a unit from this condo association about a year and a half ago. The Good Deal or Not Revisited (GDoN-R) can be seen here. This unit sold for $40,000. below that sale. The prices in this association appear to have come down in relation to several foreclosures in the past year. In any case, $224.00 per square foot for a renovated condo in this location, despite the siding, is a deal for someone who wants the amount of space. Typical price per square feet for updated condos in this area is more likely in the low $400’s/square foot.

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This condo is located at 2713 Ontario Rd, NW:


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The flier says:

“FABULOUS VIEWS from HUGE PRIVATE Rooftop Deck! Contmp 3-lvl rowhome w/ panoramic views. TOTAL RENOVATION! Sunny LR has balcony w/ strs to deeded prkg-space below. Fabulous MBR w/ blt-in closet systm & BA w/ Jacuzi & walk-in shower. Remodeled Kit w/ grnit cntrs, SS appl & brkfst bar. Bamboo flrs, new enrgy effct sidig, non-VOC inter paint. Be the host w/ the most view on 4th of July!”

You can find more info here and photos here.

Thanks to a reader for sending, “It looks like the penthouse condo of one of your least favorite pop-ups is on the market”. This is my second least favorite pop up. Free PoP t-shirt to the first person who correctly guesses my least favorite pop up.

But back to this pop up penthouse – it’s yours for $769,000. Sound right for a 3 bed/2 bath with those views?


This home is located at 1675 31st St NW:


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The flier says:

“Stately Georgetown residence on one of the loveliest tree lined streets in the city – just south of Dumbarton Oaks. Grand principal rooms – 6 firepl – very recent & extensive renovations which include 3 separate new addtns. (Kitch/Fam Rm; Master Suite/Bath; cherry paneled Library), new priv. gardens, state of the art HVAC/cable. .. Enormous wine cellar, garage & driveway prkg. Exquisite property”

You can find more info here and photos here.

Wow, I’m digging the library/study. What’s your favorite part. This 5 bed/6 bath is yours for $6,200,000.

And since we’ve done two in a row from Georgetown let me add a bonus one from Chevy Chase for those looking for a more modern look:

This wild one is located at 2318 Ashboro Dr in Chevy Chase, MD. You can find more info here and photos here.

How ’bout that pool? It’s yours for (a relative bargain in comparison to the one above) $1,795,000.


This home is located at 403 E St, NE:


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The flier says:

“Super combo of location, space & value! Tall, handsome bayfront offering 3 levels of fun, flexible living! 2-3 BR, 2 newer BA, & a terrific open kitchen w/ lots of options for hanging out & dining. Cute private patio right off the kitchen! Warm wood flrs thru-out, CAC, & W/ D on BR level. Home Warranty provided. Great location near Stanton Park, Union Station, & Metro!”

You can find more info here and photos here.

We recently looked at one of these styles for a house of the day a few weeks ago. I’m just gonna say it – I would buy this one. Do you guys see a flaw that I’m missing? Are the floors/rooms really small or something? I bet this sells in a month unless I’m missing something. (I’ll make sure hipchickindc revisits this one after the sale.)

This 3 bed/2 bath is going for $549,000.


This home is located at 1873 Monroe St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Gracious 1915 gem, w/ classic Mt P frt porch, gently reno’d and beautifully cared for 30+yrs. Newer roof, appliances, HWH, CAC. Lovely orig hdwds in spacious LR/DR rooms & upper floor. The flow fr frt porch to rear garden provides wonderful entertaining/living space. Lg updated K features window seat overlooking rear garden. LL w/ sep in-law suite. NOTE DNC items in disclos!”

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

This 4 bed/2.5 bath is going for $749,950 – sound realistic? What’d you think of the house itself? And perhaps more importantly – what the hell does “DNC items in disclos” mean?


This home is located at 3902 Kansas Ave, NW:


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The flier says:

“Simply gorgous! Open to the E, S & W, light just pours in! Charm still in tact, this TH is completely renovated. Gorgeous frml living & dining rooms, expansive kitch w/ cherry cabs, ss appls & Silestone counters. Flex layout w/ 3BR up+lg office-add 3rd ba here. Rec rm+br space+full ba down. Entertain on the back patio w/ huge yard. METRO, YES!ORGANIC, RSTRNTS, CAFES, BARS just blocks away. GARAGE prkg”

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

What do you think of the reno? This 4 bed/2.5 bath is going for $595,000. Sound realistic? If not, what do you think it’ll go for?


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: 2820 34th St NW
Legal Subdivision: Observatory Circle
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Observatory Circle

Original List Price: $1,649,000.
List Price at Contract: $1,595,000.
List Date: 12/13/2010
Days on Market: 59
Settled Sales Price: $1,570,000.
Settlement Date: 03/16/2011
Seller Subsidy: $0.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Conventional

Original Good Deal or Not post is: here

The listing can be seen: here. Virtual tour can be found here.

I hate to tell you this, but if you’re still waiting for real estate prices to hit bottom in DC before you seriously consider buying a place, you kind of missed the boat. The DC real estate market has been getting awesome press lately and as long as Congress doesn’t mess around too much too fast with financing reforms, we’re going to stay solid. Given that interest rates are on the way up, demand is strong, and inventory is tight, I predict that we’ll see a very competitive Spring market for buyers.

It’s been a while since we re-visited any of the Good Deal or Not (GDoN) house porn posts. It should be noted that it is not because they are not selling. The seven figure sales, sometimes referred to as “Upper Bracket”, in DC are doing quite well. In 2009, DC saw 59 condos and 362 fee simple homes sell over $1,000,000. In 2010, those numbers increased to 86 condos and 449 fee simple sales over $1,000,000.

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This condo is located at 636 Q St, NW:


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The flier says:

“* * $5,000 Buyer Credit * * Brand New 2BR/2BA w/ Parking Included – Bright Victorian End Unit w/ Balcony too, Open Floor Plan, Oak HWs, Big Stone & SS Kitchen, Recessed Lghts, Full Size W/ D, Ceil Spkrs, Ceramic BAs w/ Glas Shwers. Master Suite w/ Double Vanity BA, & Bright Southern Exposure – – CONVENTIONAL FINANCING ONLY”

You can find more info here and a video here (coincidentally it’s the same guy as Brookland video tour below) and some photos here.

$480,000 sound reasonable for this 2 bed/2bath?


This home is located at 1316 33rd St, NW:


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The flier says:

“One of Georgetown’s most unique properties, “The Stables”, TWO mid-19th century carriage houses (can be combined) w/ amazing details & myriad possibilities. 1316 is 3 bd/2.5 ba, 1318 is 2 bd/2.5 baths. Both are recently renovated & possess cathedral ceilings, leaded glass windows, h’wood floors, 3 fireplaces, abundant sunlight & lovely yard with koi pond. Separately deeded prkg avail. Sold As Is.”

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

Sweet! I’ve featured this house numerous times. It’s def. pretty unique. I had no idea it was two carriage houses. Unfortunately the tour is not furnished but it’s still awesome to get a look inside. It’s yours for $2,499,000.


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