Real Estate

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc – 1731 1st St NW #2

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 1st St NW #2

Legal Subdivision: Eckington
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: LeDroit Park (LeDroit Park is actually north of Rhode Island Ave. It used to be common to advertise this spot as LeDroit because it was considered a more recognized neighborhood. In recent years, however, Bloomingdale has become increasingly familiar).

Original List Price: $495,000.
List Price at Contract: $495,000.

List Date: 07/07/2010
Days on Market: 6

Settled Sales Price: $495,000.

Settled Price Per Square Foot: no tax record yet & no sq footage listed
Settlement Date: 09/03/2010
Seller Subsidy: $15,000.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Conventional

Original GDoN is: here.

The Listings for both units 1 (under contract) and unit 2 (settled sale profiled) can be seen: here. To see pics, after opening the listing link, click on the film strip icon to see the virtual tour.

I make it no secret that Bloomingdale is my favorite ‘hood in DC. Given that we’re at the lowest level of active listing inventory in the neighborhood since I’ve been tracking stats for over nine years, it looks like a lot of people are in agreement.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Gallery Inn for Sale

By Prince Of Petworth

The Gallery Inn is located at 1850 Florida Ave NW. Thanks to a reader for sending in the tip that Gallery Inn had recently hit the market. It’s going for $2,100,000 and the remarks are:

“Profitable Hotel/Inn with 8% CAP Rate, Charming all brick hotel at the busy corner of 19th and Florida in Adams Morgan, just a few short blocks from Dupont Circle and metro. 8 Units, upper floor units feature lofts, Perfect for Owner/Operator or Investor, Existing SBA financing is assumable, Leaseback Possible.”

It seems like lots of bed and breakfasts have been going for sale lately.

The reader thought it would be interesting to ask where people’s favorite Bed & Breakfasts / Inns / Hostels are in DC. We looked at some of your favorite B & Bs back in April ’08. For those who missed that conversation – do you have any favorites for friends and family to stay at while visiting DC?

Good Deal or Not? “Lots of period charm” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1730 V St, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Single family house currently configured as two units. Lots of period charm. 2008 roof, updated main kit w/ granite & stainless. Juliet deck off master br suite. 2nd BR up. Sep. DR up. 1st floor has one bedroom, table space kit. Rear garden. Upstairs tenants on month to month, leaving end of Oct. By appointment only weekdays with limited times. New baby.”

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

I’ve always loved this strip of houses and have featured many houses and doors of the day so I’m happy to get a peek inside. This home is going for $709,000 and nearby 1734 V St, NW is going for $879,000 ( mouse on house tour here). Which one do you like better?

Mt. Pleasant’s Famed ‘Pig House’ has Sold

By Prince Of Petworth

If intangible arts is reading this I hope he is sitting down. He is the only one I know who was as mesmerized by these pigs as I am. They are located at 1864 Monroe St, NW.

As I was making my regular rounds in Mt. Pleasant I was stopped dead in my tracks when I noticed the for sale sign was under contract. (Listing price was $835,000, for the curious you can see lot of photos of the interior here.)

So the only question I have is – will the new owners keep these beloved pigs? Or will they go the way of the knights…?

Good Deal or Not? Weekly Wed. House Porn

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1824 R St, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“THIS MAJESTIC, LIGHT FILLED, TRULY “ONE OF A KIND” 10,000 SQ. FT. DUPONT CIRCLE MANSION, WAS COMPLETELY RENOVATED FOR THE 21ST CENTURY IN 2006 COMBINING EVERY MODERN LUXURY WITH BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES. EXQUISITE ANTIQUE FURNISHINGS/ART COLLECTION MAY BE PURCHASED WITH THE HOME. 5+ PARKING SPACES. ZONED R5: PERFECT FOR EMBASSY, FOUNDATION, GRAND HOME OR OFFICE.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

Some of these rooms are insane. What’s your favorite and/or least favorite part? And it’s a new record asking price for house porn – this 9 bed/10 bath mansion is yours for $14,950,000.

Good Deal or Not? “E-X-T-R-A wide” edition (reader request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 715 5th St, NE:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“E-X-T-R-A wide with welcoming front porch for the rocking chairs. UPGRADES and SPACE galore – bring the grand piano – even a GARAGE for the car! Fall in love with the high end custom kitchen, swoon over the exquisite wood inlay floors and marvel at the rare interior fretwork. Master BR suite w/ luxurious bath. Bonus: Fully finished lower level with 1BR, BA, rec room, easy conversion to in-law suite”

You can find more info here and photos here.

The reader writes:

“We just saw this property at an open house and it was AMAZING. Beautifully finished inside and out with original inlaid floors, stained glass, custom baths, and an incredible kitchen. Totally fabulous property. Makes me wish we were in the market for a house. I have no affiliation with the house beyond the fact it’s located in our neighborhood.”

It’s definitely a good looking house! But do you think this 4 bed/3.5 bath will go for $839,999?

Good Deal or Not? “luxurious bathrooms” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1534 15th St, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Fabulous detached house in one of DC’s hottest neighborhoods, Logan Circle. This c. 1892 home has tons of new amenities mixed with old world charm. Features include brand new kitchen with Viking appliances, 2 fire places, three exposures, luxurious bathrooms, high ceilings, recessed lighting, central A/C, two car parking, and a lower level rental unit.”

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

For those stuck at work on Columbus Day, I thought you’d like a fun one. It’s yours for $1,175,000.

Good Deal or Not? “serene Victorian w soaring ceilings” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This house is located at 1515 12th St, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Walk everywhere! Enjoy hip Logan Circle then retreat to this serene Victorian w soaring ceilings, vast rooms, pocket doors, classic moldings. Endless opportunities for entertaining w. new kitchen, formal LR & DR, powder rm, rear deck. Huge MBR suite on top lvl with luxurious BA, private terrace. LL fam rm, in-law suite provides income potential.”

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

Does $889,000 sound reasonable for this 4 bed/3.5 bath?

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc – 131 Longfellow 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: 131 Longfellow St NW
Legal Subdivision: Chillum
Advertised Subdivision (per listing): Chillum
Original List Price: $339,700.
List Price at Contract: $339,700.
List Date: 07/21/2010
Days on Market: 17
Settled Sales Price: $339,000.
Settlement Date: 09/30/2010
Seller Subsidy: $3500.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: FHA

Original GDoN is: here.

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

Last week’s edition of Good Deal or Not Revisited (GDoN-R) took a look at a fully renovated rowhouse in a downtown urban neighborhood in the low $300,000. price range. This week, we head north, looking at another renovated property in a similar price range. The Prince tagged this neighborhood as Brightwood in the Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post. I’m going to say it’s a little east for Brightwood and will go with South Takoma DC.

This property was purchased in May in its “needs work” state for $190,000. The folks who bought it travel under the name “The Everyday Home Buyers LLC”, which I thought was a good name for a group that does modest but clean rehabs. They installed central air but left the radiators, which home inspectors generally seem to appreciate.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Good Deal or Not? “LARGE WINDOWS AND AMPLE SUNLIGHT” (Reader Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 3900 14th St, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“AMAZING RENOVATED ONE BEDROOM/BATH+++UNITS HAVE BEEN RENOVATED WITH GRANITE/REFINISHED HARDWOOD FLOORING/BUILT-IN WASH CABINETS FEATURING FRONT LOADING WASHER AND DRYER!+++SELLER WILL PAY UP TO 3% CLOSING COSTS+++ ALL UNITS HAVE LARGE WINDOWS AND AMPLE SUNLIGHT.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

Does $224,900 ($238 condo fee) sound reasonable for this 1bed/1bath condo?

View More Stories