This home is located at 1204 Hamilton St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Amazing floorplan w/ 3-4 bdrms up+bd & fba in fin. w/ o bsmt, MBD w/ FMBA, fin. attic. Updtd windows, hrdwd flrs, fenced backyd, shed, deck & front porch, fp. Needs kitchen+other work, but shows well. 4Blks to Rock Crk Park & Tennis! Bank-Owned. Sold AS-IS. Seller requests ETitle for closing & to hold emd. Seller=”Owner of Record.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

It’s been a while since we’ve looked at a 16th St. Heights home and this one certainly seems pretty interesting from the outside. Do you think $679,000 sounds reasonable for this 4 bed/3.5 bath?


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: 311 Rock Creek Church Rd NW

Original List Price: $529,000.
List Price at Contract: $515,000.
List Date: 05/07/2010
Days on Market: 51
Settled Sales Price: $495,000.
Settlement Date: 07/26/2010
Seller Subsidy: $10,000.
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.

The comment that stood out to me most from the original Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post was this from an Anonymous commenter: “Having recently been in the market trying to find a renovated rowhouse in the Petworth area for $500k or less, I would pay $500k for that place in a heartbeat.” I understand the sentiment and I think it is reflective of how significantly our inventory of available homes for sale has gone down in the past year.

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This home is located at 1318 G St, NE:


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The flier says:

“FIVE STAR PROPERTY! Warmth & Quality Abound on Capitol Hill! Refreshingly Open Floor Plan * 3 FIN Levels * Formal LR & DR * Gleaming HDWD’s * True Chef’s KIT * Top-Of-The-Line Appliances * Updated Bath * Finished LL FR * Great Storage * Workshop * CAC * Fully Restored Moldings, Windows, & Staircase * Private Rear Garden *”

You can find more info here and photos here.

Does $624,500 sound reasonable for this 3 bed/2 bath?


This penthouse is located at 2230 California St, NW:


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The flier says:

“PLATINUM STAR PROPERTY! Rare 3BR/3BA/2DEN St. Nicholas PENTHOUSE completely redone by reknowned architect Steven Glassman. Oversized proportions, top of the line finishes in chef’s KIT & baths, designer lighting, skylight, harwoods, custom built-ins, 2 gas fireplaces, HUGE private rooftop terrace with sweeping views, garage pkg for 2 cars. Truly exceptional in every way!”

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

Wow, I’m digging that kitchen. What’s your favorite room? It’s yours for $1,599,000.

And for those not looking to pay that type of coin, another 3 bed/3bath, Unit 3B-E is going for $1,095,000.


This home is located at 1646 Park Road, NW:


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The flier says:

“Owned by the Missionaries of Charity and very well cared for. House has been made very sparse and utilitarian but underneath is tons of character and charm. Large rooms filled with lots of light. Has 2 parking spaces in back with electric gate. Walking distance to Metro & Columbia Heights shopping corridor. On Sentri-lock, vacant, go anytime. Sold As-Is.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

Thanks to a reader for sending this one in. Back in July a reader had noticed that the shrine had been removed out front. Now we know why. Does $649,000 sound reasonable for this 4 bed/2.5 bath house?



Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

“Dear PoP,

The farm where my firm gets their CSA shares is partnering with Volt Restaurant of Frederick, MD, to host an heirloom tomato festival at their farm this weekend. Tickets are still available:

Spend a relaxing afternoon in the country, sample over 40 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, wines from top VA & MD wineries, cheese, olive oil imported from Greece and other delicious gourmet items. This event will feature the best restaurants & celebrated chefs from Maryland, DC, and VA. Meet the chefs, play croquet & horseshoes, bring a blanket & stay awhile. This is a child friendly event and will include hay rides, farm tours, music, baby goats for petting and much, much more!

Admission includes all restaurant tomato creations & vendor samples, a huge variety of heirloom tomato samples, wine & cheese tastings, hay rides, and farm tours.”

And if you’re looking to stay in the city and are tired of virtual house tours one reader recommends seeing this one in person at 1500 Vermont Ave, NW. Though if you just want the virtual tour of this million condo, you can see it here.


Photo from www.greenmyrowhome.com

“PLEASE JOIN US FOR A GREEN CONSTRUCTION TOUR

Sunday August 29th, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
1877 Ingleside Terrace NW

Balancing the best energy-efficient green building practices is challenging in existing homes, especially historic homes. Come join Historic Mt. Pleasant for a tour of a green home rehab in process. You can see how the homeowners, who are doing much of the work themselves, are reinventing the floorplan while keeping the historical integrity of the home. They will discuss their strategies for reducing energy and water use, improving indoor air quality and making decisions on green materials.

You will see the unique framing, insulation, plumbing, and HVAC of this row house, which will certify Platinum under USGBC’s LEED for Homes program. Get a sneak peak and keep up with progress at www.greenmyrowhome.com.”


This condo is located at 626 Q St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Tired of cookie-cutter condos lacking charm & character?Try this stylish & charming 2 BR/2.5BA unit in the heart of thriving Shaw area. Occupying 2 lower levels of a completely renovated 1905 rowhouse, w/ beaming H/Ws, granite, SS apps, open floorplan, new windows, baths & much more. Beautiful tree-lined street rich in Victorian architecture Q just 3 blks to Metro”

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

What do you think of the condo itself? Do you think the price cut from $414,900 to $399,900 ($68 condo fee) is more realistic?


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: 1321 Fairmont St NW #301
Original List Price: $161,000.
List Price at Contract: $161,000.
List Date: 04/15/2010
Days on Market: 15

Settled Sales Price: $175,000.

Settled Price per Square Foot: $454.
Settlement Date: 07/15/2010
Seller Subsidy: $0.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale?: Yes
Type Of Financing: Conventional

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.

This multi-unit building in Columbia Heights was updated and converted to condo ownership in 2004. Unit 301 sold in January 2005 for $197,760. less a closing cost subsidy of $7948. Given that this studio unit shows in tax records as having a total living area of 385 square feet, it’s not surprising that the owner may have outgrown it within a period of five years. The property was listed for $161,000. on the 15th of April, just in time for the Federal Home Buyer Tax Credit contract deadline.

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This home is located at 2131 Wyoming Ave, NW:


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The flier says:

“Historic 1908 Italianate mansion in Kalorama featuring dramatic double living room with dual fireplaces, large dining room, eat-in kitchen, in addition to large master suite. The property also includes 4 other bedrooms, 5.5 baths, extremely large 2-car garage/carriage house with staff apt above. Property is located on a large lot.”

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

Ah, more proper house porn… This was also a House of the Day back in Dec. ’09. What’s your favorite part? It’s yours for $3,200,000.


This home is located at 236 F St, NE:


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The flier says:

“Beautifully renovated Federal style end-unit row house in super location – blocks from Union Station. Hardwoods, recessed lights, new windows/treatments. Exquisite custom renovated kitchen w/ granite counter tops, tall cabinets, track lighting, wall tiling, replaced appliances, ample cab space. Bathroom remodeling & updates. Attractive design touches thru-out.”

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

Yesterday we looked at a sweet lawn decoration and a reader recognized it from this house. Good eye! So if you buy this house there is a bonus… So what do you think of the house itself? The location? Think this 4 bed/3.5 bath will go for $974,500?


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