This home is located at 523 Shepherd St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Sold ” as is” only. Natural, unpainted wood and nice sized rooms. Has had some updates. Big yard w/ garage. Had been a rec room in basmt with full bath.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

We looked at this house back in Jan ’09 when it was on the market for $329,900. Well it’s just been put on the market again for $228,500. While it likely needs some work I haven’t seen a whole row house for this price in quite a while. Do you think the $100k price drop will make this one move?


In real life, hipchickindc is actually the not-so-hip Suzanne Des Marais, an associate broker with Urban Pace. Voted one of the best real estate agents in DC by the Washington City Paper Readers’ Choice Poll in 2009, Suzanne is currently Chair of the DC Public Policy Committee for the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® and is President Elect of the Washington, DC Association of REALTORS®. 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: 1354 Quincy St NW
Original List Price: $629,900.
List Price at Contract: $599,000.
List Date: 04/09/2010
Days on Market: 52
Settled Sales Price: $590,000.
Settlement Date: 06/18/2010
Seller Subsidy: $3,500.
Bank Owned?: No
Type Of Financing: FHA

Original GDoN is: here.

Listing is: here. To see pics, click on the listing, then click on the main pic and scroll on the arrows.

While we have not seen the end of foreclosures, we are definitely seeing fewer and fewer foreclosures actually on the market. This particular property was a purchased for $267,000. in December 2009 by George Koutromanos from a regular seller who purchased the property back in 2004. Additionally, we continue to have an influx of owner occupant buyers purchasing in the city and taking advantage of fabulously low mortgage interest rates. Because we have a healthy supply of buyers at this point, we are continuing to see another wave of renovation activity, not unlike what we saw in the early 2000’s.

One of the commenters on the original Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post for this property pondered, “It makes me wonder if 90% of houses are being flipped by the same person or company in DC or whether all the flippers/builders have the same boring taste.” I actually think that there are quite a few active investors out there now, but just a few weeks ago, I featured another property that was also renovated by the Koutromanos family, who has been renovating in DC for decades.

This particular location has seen a tremendous amount of real estate activity recently. I did a search within just a few blocks of the property showing active, under contract listings, and settled sales since March 2010. You can see here the wide range of prices reflecting the vastly differing sizes and conditions of properties in the area, including 3600 13th St NW.


“Dear PoP,

I was wondering if you’d ever noticed the Washington News Company
building at 1121 Fifth Street, NW. I thought I saw a for sale/lease
sign for residential/commercial use on the building this morning, but
I can’t find anything about it online. It looks like it would be a
super cool loft-type place. I’d love to know if you can find out
more!”

The MRIS listing says:

“Fully sprinklered 21,237 sf 3 story building with 13 foot ceilings. 4,000+ sf office on 1st floor with 7,000+ unfinished loft apartments on 2nd floors. Lower level has 7,000 sf with ramp for parking or additional apartments. 1/2 block from New York Ave and New Safeway on 5th Street NW. 2 blocks to Metro 4 blocks to Chinatown, Verizon Center.”

You can see more photos here.

It’s yours for $4,950,000.


This home is located at 223 11th St, SE:


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The flier says:

“A brilliant top to bottom, inside and out, restoration. Vacant for 30 years, now restored to it’s former glory. 3300 sq ft of magnificent open entertaining spaces, tons of natural light, marble counters, stainless steel appliances, rich wide plank wood floors, 2 car secure parking, all new wiring, plumbing, roof, HVAC, 4 blks to E Market, 2 to metro.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

The reader writes:

“This total reno was just listed in my neighborhood so I am curious to see what others think of the list price. The interesting thing about this property is that it and its sister property next door (220) were sold as total shells back in January of this year for $560,000 each.”

I think I like this one better than yesterday’s house porn post with a pool. Do you guys like the reno? Do you think this 4 bed/3.5 bath will go for $1,279,000?


This Carriage House is located at 1735 Fraser Ct, NW:


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The flier says:

“EXTRAORDINARY CARRIAGE HOUSE BUILT IN 1892 AS PART OF THE HISTORIC FRASER MANSION, CURRENTLY THE RESIDENCE OF ARCH DIGEST “TOP 100 DESIGNER. ” 4BR/4.5BA’S, DRAMATIC LIVING ROOM, GOURMET KITCHEN, MIRRORED ENGLISH CONSERVATORY, LIB, 3FP’S & 1,300 BTL WINE CELLAR. PROF LANDSCAPED ROOF GARDEN W/ KOI POND & FOUNTAIN. GAR PKING FOR 2-3 CARS. A MOST UNIQUE & PRIVATE RESIDENCE.”

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

Uh, er, uh, my ability to speak (write) escapes me at the moment. Holy cow, that is a killer carriage house. I’ve featured it before just from the outside but I had no idea the inside and garden were so wild. It’s funny I was going to Re-PoP this carriage house this week because I was going through carriage house withdrawal and in a random search it came up for sale. It’s yours for $3,995,000.


This home is located at 523 7th St, SE:


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The flier says:

“In the Historic District! Simply Extraordinary – One of Capitol Hill’s Crown Jewels, Four time favorite on the House & Garden Tour. Three fantastic floors – 3591 SqFt – artfully blend the warmth and intimacy of a family home (3 -4 BR) with the stately elegance of an ambassadorial residence. Sublimely situated on a 4365 SqFt lot: terraces, lush gardens, POOL! THREE CAR GARAGE! Reward yourself.”

You can find more info here and more photos here.

I had to go with this reader request because of the pool. I’m typing this in a room without air conditioning and while I consider myself a tough guy, I’m nearing tears it is so hot. Looking at this pool is giving me the strength to finish posting today. Back on point, while I love the pool and location this price seems a bit high to me. Do you guys think $2,050,000 for this 3 bed/3.5 bath is realistic?


“Dear PoP,

I know last you covered the DC property auction and it seemed to draw a good bit of interest from your readers. The DC Gov is doing it again and there are some properties that may interest your readers.

You can see the list of properties here.

Which of these properties do you think has the best potential.
Last year’s auction seemed to have a lot of investor types and they have worked to change this.

Participation in the auction is limited to the following participants:

A) Homeowners who intend to purchase the property and reside in the property as their principal place of residence

B) Business entities which are active certified business enterprises (“CBE”) registered with the District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development

C) Not For Profit Corporations

Here is a press release from the DC Gov about the property sale. “


This home is located at 1956 2nd St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Beautiful 3 BD 2.5 BA row home w/ english basement on quiet tree lined street in historic Ledroit Park! Boasting crown molding, 2 f/p, eat-in kit, formal liv-din room, in-law suite, sitting room, jacuzzi, patio and off street parking for 4 cars. MBR has 20ft cathedral ceilings while the 2nd BR comes with a private balcony.”

You can find more info here and more photos here.

I think I’ve featured this home before as House of the Day so it’s pretty sweet to be able to get to see inside. What do you think of the home itself? Think it’ll go for $899,500?


This home is located at 1930 11th St, NW:


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The flier says:

“REDUCED PRICE! Gorgeous home 1 block to metro, steps to U Street. Newly renovated with custom moldings, built-ins, and hardwoods throughout. Plantation shutters add to charm. Separate legal rental unit below. Master with huge walk-in closet and sitting room. Parking in rear for 2 cars with remote opener. Deck in back and garden in front. Bring your pickiest clients. Owner agent.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

I’ll be very curious to see what this ends up going for. Do you guys think it’ll be in the ballpark of $854,900?


This home is located at 4205 Illinois Ave, NW:


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The flier says:

“This is a lovely old Petworth home – built in 1914 – with marvelous woodwork throughout the house. Even the front door is the original! And, sit on the front porch and enjoy Grant Circle.”

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

You dig the old wood? Does $459,000 sound reasonable for this 3 bed/1.5 bath?

And just down the block is a renovated home, 4 bed/3.5 bath at 4118 Illinois Ave, NW going for $549,900 ( photo tour here.)

Which do you think is the better deal?


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