Real Estate

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc – 8 Snows Ct 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 an Associate Broker with Urban Pace. 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: 8 & 9 Snows Ct NW
Legal Subdivision: Foggy Bottom
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Foggy Bottom
Original List Price: $419,000. & $424,900. respectively
List Price at Contract: $419,000. & $424,900. respectively
List Date: 09/18/2010 & 07/23/2010
Days on Market: 8 & 68
Settled Sales Price: $409,000. & $410,000. respectively
Settlement Date: 10/28/2010 for both
Seller Subsidy: $0. & $11,500.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: FHA & Conventional

Original GDoN is: here for 8 and here for the rental version of 9.

The Listings for both 8 & 9 can be seen: here. To see the pics, after opening the listing link, click on the main pic and scroll through using the arrows.

As some of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, and located close to the popular and practical mode of bringing
goods into the city of Washington, both Foggy Bottom and Georgetown are peppered with teeny houses that
may have once housed nineteenth century laborers. When showing these structures to twenty first century
buyers, I often wonder what some of those early inhabitants would think of the current market for their houses.

Both 8 Snows Court NW and 9 Snows Court NW were on the market simultaneously and just happened to settle
on the exact same day. Although it was suggested in Good Deal of Not (GDoN) comments that it might not
be a bad idea to buy both and make one larger home, I think it’s unlikely that we’re seeing that, only because
the agents on the buying side of each transaction were different. I suppose it’s possible that someone used two
different agents to purchase properties immediately next to each other, but I’m still going with unlikely.

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Good Deal or Not? “Versatile layout” edition (Reader Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 106 3rd St NE:


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The flier says:

“This sweet 2BR 2.5BA 4lvl TH is just blocks from the action! Charm in every nook-gorgeous HW floors, built-in bookcases, exposed brick, stained glass, slate patio, fireplace, eat-in kitchen & 2 balconies. Versatile layout:1br/den/frml dining rm or 2brs/frml living rm. No location is better-steps from Capitol/LOC/Supreme Ct/Congress/Stanton Prk/Eastern Mkt/2 metros! Must see!”

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

The reader writes:

“I can’t get over looking at the listing for this house. Great location. Great stained glass and other original detailing. And on the tiniest postage stamp of a lot I’ve ever seen. The listing claims a 288 square foot lot; it also claims that the four-story house is 1500 square feet, so obviously one of those numbers is incorrect, but still: tiny. I’m curious whether other PoP readers think the location and curb appeal are worth having a bedroom three floors up from the laundry closet and rooms where you can touch both walls.”

This is a wild one! I’ve def. featured the stained glass before so I was psyched to get a peek inside. I freaking love it. So it’s no surprise that it is under contract already. What do you guys think? Would it be a pain going up and down the stairs? Was this 2 bed/2.5 bath a good deal for $485,500? Do you think it went for more?

Good Deal or Not? Weekly Wed. House Porn Edition (Reader Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 3053 P St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Superb residence at 31st & P, Transitional Victorian w/ Mansard roof, elegant & very large entertaining rooms – LR, Music Rm, 28ft DRoom, beautiful Kitchen & sep. breakfast Rm overlooking walled garden. Very large 2nd floor panelled library & balcony. Elavator, swimming pool, PARKING 6 CARS, sep. staff apt. 7 family bdrms, 6 fam. baths. SHOW EXCLUSIVELY BY APPT. Commission payable at settlement.”

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

The reader simply writes, “love this”. Hard to disagree. It’s yours for $11,250,000.

Good Deal or Not? “11 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms” edition (Reader Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1243 New Jersey Ave, NW:


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The flier says:

“Priced reduced for quick sell! Bright beautiful huge townhouse 11 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, 3 separate entrances. 2009 renovated. Main floor & up are all wood floor. New kitchen with Granite counter and Maple cabinet. Basement with its own small kitchen. New water heater and appliances. Super location. Seller is very motivated.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

It was originally going for $888,000 but is now on the market for $799,900. Good deal or not?

Good Deal or Not? “Modern Design/Old World Charm Unite” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1329 V St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Modern Design/Old World Charm Unite in this Renovated Row House located in DC’s Hottest Neighborhood. Steps to Busboys & Poets, U Street Metro, Yes! Market. 3 bed, 1.5 baths featuring all-new sleek black granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, ebony stained hardwood floors, recessed lighting, gas fireplace, coveted off-street parking, central HVAC, and deck.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

Do you think $649,000 is on target for this 3 bed/1.5 bath?

Good Deal or Not? “rear yard has garage with barn doors” edition (Reader Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 106 V St, NE:


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The flier says:

“Gorgeous 3 Bedroom, 2 full bath. Tastefully renovated rowhouse with many original details. Gorgeous pinewood floors throughout. Gorgeous kitchen, new bathroom and new HVAC. Great front porch, rear yard has garage with barn doors. Finished walkout basement. Close to Rhode Island Metro on a quaint street.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

Is this Edgewood or Brookland or on the border? I always thought of this area as Edgewood. Anyway I think the house looks good. Does $389,900 sound reasonable for this 3 bed/2 bath?

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 an Associate Broker with Urban Pace. 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

Original List Price: $349,000.
List Price at Contract: $285,000.
List Date: 04/02/2010
Days on Market: 147
Settled Sales Price: $255,000.
Settlement Date: 09/27/2010
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 GDoN is: here.

The Listing can be seen: here. To see the pics, after opening the listing link, click on the main pic and scroll through using the arrows.

As noted in the comments in the original Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post, this unit is in a building that is cooperatively owned. DC actually has a good number of co-op buildings all over the city. Although most were set up with that ownership structure several decades ago, both The Chastleton (at 16th and R St NW) and Capitol Hill Tower (near the new baseball stadium) are both examples of recently structured co-ops.

Living in a co-op feels a lot like living in a condo unit. (I’ve owned in both situations). With condominium ownership, each owner individually owns their unit, while co-op owners cooperatively own the building. What is effectively being purchased is a certain number of shares in a corporation and in turn the owner receives a proprietary lease to the unit. Given that purchasing a co-op is not technically a real estate transaction, one of the advantages used to be that the District did not expect transfer and recordation taxes at settlement, which meant for very low closing costs. Unfortunately, co-ops are now subject to both transfer and recordation, as in regular real estate transactions.

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Good Deal or Not? Weekly Wed. House Porn – 930 Hughes Mews Ct, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

This house is located at 930 Hughes Mews Ct, NW:


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The flier says:

“Walk to METRO/Gtown/Dntn/West End. LUMINOUS! Dramatic CA-style contemporary–UNIQUE–the only detached home in Foggy Bottom w rare roof deck! Designed by owner architect, this 3 BR, 3.5BA is made with top of the line materials, inside and out. Weru windows, Scavolini cabs, luxurious master bath with fp, soaking tub, dramatic shower, skylights! Master BR sitting room, library nook on top floor!”

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

I knew when I read, “Designed by owner architect” that this was going to be an interesting one. What’s your favorite/least favorite part? The 3 bed/3.5 bath is yours for $1,795,000.

Good Deal or Not? “AS Is, Rehab” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1483 Newton St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Vacant. AS Is, Rehab. Bring your investors. 3bed up with one bath. Main level entrance hall, to livingroom, dinning room and kitchen. Small room in front could be office or study. all hardwood floors throught. Small fenced in back yard. Front and back entrance to basement with half bath unfinished. Unfinished basement waiting for a nice English Basement potential. Between16 & 14th st, near Columbia metro.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

I’ve had some requests to show some fixer uppers and when I saw this one I thought it was perfect. What do you think of the potential? How much will it cost to fix up? Does $375,000 sound reasonable given the work that is needed?

Good Deal or Not? “boutique bldg” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 1632 16th St, NW:


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The flier says:

“WOW!! RENOVATED + PRICED TO SELL WITH $20K REDUCTION! 2BR/2BA boutique condo in converted TH in amazing location! PARKING SPACE + PRIVATE DECK! Renovated marble baths, Kitchen w/ granite/stainless appliances, fireplace w/ mantle, good closets, high ceilings, beautiful (original) wood floors, LOW FEE in boutique bldg.”

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

Well, I have to be honest, I was a bit disappointed by the virtual tour. I’m thinking it’s probably way more impressive in person. I know I was digging the outside when I walked past it. What’d you guys think? Does $549,000 ($375 monthly fee) sound reasonable for this 2 bed/2 bath?

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