photo by Rich Renomeron
“Dear PoPville,
Just curious if anyone else is reporting a rise in copper theft. We live in Adams Morgan and recently had a 12 inch piece of copper pipe replaced along with a new faucet at a cost of over $500. Yesterday, I noticed someone had cut off the new pipe and faucet. Thankfully the water was still off and they didn’t take more than they did. Any suggestions from the community on how to prevent future issues?”
“Dear PoPville,
Just a shock – but my apartment building (300 Massachusetts Ave) just provided our lease renewal and it was a 23% increase! Their leasing office said they don’t fall into rent control due to age of building.. which follows the CPI-W of 8.3%”
Photo by Jim Havard
“Dear PoPville,
Any recent experiences being summoned to federal grand jury? Received my summons this week for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Not talking about petit jury service (one trial) or grand jury service at the DC courts (27 days of service). This is a 6-12 month commitment of 1-2 days a week, with a potential extension of up to 6 months. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
My wife and I went under contract for a condo in early January, and we were told at the time that the seller (a developer that converted an old property into a duplex) needed a few weeks before scheduling closing so that the city could process the paperwork approving/forming the condo association and assigning a tax ID number to the property (required before the developer can sell). That was over two months ago. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
We are adding a small addition (one room) to a single-family home. We obtained the permits for everything and have been instructed that we need a “Wall Check” to proceed. According to DCRA, “A wall check is performed to confirm that the location of the foundation walls, in relation to the property lines, are consistent with the issued building permit’s approved plat and plans.”
Our addition is nowhere near the property line, but I understand the reasoning for wanting to ensure that your new structure does not encroach on a neighbor’s property. I learned that DCRA used to perform this minimal task as part of the inspection process since there is already a DCRA permit plat generated. However, this “Wall Check” is now being outsourced to a select list of “approved DC land surveyors.”
Usually, that wouldn’t be a big deal if it was a set rate (say $500.00), but it is currently a free-for-all. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
Do you know how to report the use of gas leafblowers? I live close to National’s Park and they are using a gas leafblower to blow out the parking garage. 311 does not have an option to report.”
“Dear PoPville,
I purchased my home in Oct. 2021 (in Petworth!) and in the course of trying to get solar panels installed on the house, Solar Solutions informed us that there is a Stop Work Order on the house from 2017. Obviously, I did not own the home back then. I reached out to the previous owner and they say they never received notice from DCRA of any Stop Work Orders. I’ve reached out to DCRA repeatedly and they say we are liable even though it was issued under the previous owner’s name. (more…)
photo by Eric P.
“Dear PoPville,
Where in NW DC can I park at a reasonable monthly rate? I really only use the car on weekends. Are any places “safer” than others? When I look at Google reviews, they all look awful with vandalism and whatnot. I am lookin for a place to park.”
photo by angela n.
“Dear PoPville,
My partner and I have started the process of buying our first home. We recently lost a bid, but are preparing to bid on another home tomorrow. I would love to hear perspectives from others on what it takes to win on homes in this market and how they’ve structured bids on homes they won (we of course have our realtor’s perspective already).
I know waiving contingencies is basically required and we have an inspector who will come to the showing with us to give input so we can waive inspection l, but I would love to hear about:
– How much money people are putting down as earnest money (we’ve seen as high as 20% of the purchase price, which surprised me)
– How homes in the $1m-$2m range have appraised when you’ve offered above the list price
– The difference between your offer and the escalation cap (if any). How much should you signal your willingness to bid above your offer?
Thanks for the perspective!”
photo by Bekah Richards
“Dear PoPville,
Last Friday around 6:30pm at the intersection of Irving and 11th street I was biking in a grey sweater and shorts with a backpack that had a yoga mat sticking out of the top, and I caught up to a guy who was biking in front of me in brown pants and a white shirt at the red light. (more…)