Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.
“Dear PoPville,
Petworth homeowner with a question: Can anyone recommend a reliable contractor with experience building brick or stone retaining walls for row house front yards? Thanks so much.”
Also for those who’ve had it done, how much did it cost?
“Dear PoPville,
I have a question about private parking experiences for other readers. I recently bought a condo in SW and learned after closing that I also own a spot. I confirmed this all with my management company, had my key fob programmed, and was shown my spot. However, another unit is claiming she owns my spot, and has threatened to tow me every time I park in the spot. This morning I found a $250 ticket issued from MPD for parking in a private spot. The property manager continues to assure me that it’s mine. But what do I do when I have my car ticketed and towed (in my own parking spot)? The other owner has apparently called the property manager and screamed at her, so I don’t doubt that this could get ugly real quick. Has anyone had similar experiences? Any advice to keep this from escalating?”
Photo by PoPville flickr user Joe Flood
“Dear PoPville,
I am planning to rent out my condo in upcoming months. I’d prefer not to use a management company if I don’t have to as I’ll still be living in the city. I was wondering if your readers have advice or recommend resources for a first time landlord. I want to make sure I do things by the book to protect my home and respect prospective renters. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!”
“Dear PoPville,
My front porch is supported by two columns.
The base of one of the columns (which I think is wood) seems to be deteriorating — sort of “sinking in.” (Possibly termite damage?? I haven’t had it looked at yet.)
Regardless of what’s causing the damage… what kind of contractor (or contractors?) do I get to look at it and possibly fix it? I’m worried that if the column itself has sunk — and/or continues to sink — it could make the porch roof imbalanced and possibly strain it. (more…)
1432 Pennsylvania Ave, SE
“Dear PoPville,
I am under contract for a condo in the hill east neighborhood, I wonder if the readers are able to tell me what their thoughts are of hill east, the pending development at res 13, and there favorite things to do or eat in the neighborhood, that would be great.”
Old Trusty’s Signage at 1420 Pennsylvania Ave, SE
Photo by PoPville flickr user Ted Eytan
“Dear PoPville,
Just wanted to let you know this seems to be happening again. A guy in a beat up old van tried to get me to pull over twice, saying my tire was about to fall off. Luckily, I knew better and the tire was perfectly fine. This was on Massachusetts Ave NW near the Convention Center. Wondering if he targeted me because I had a clearly marked Enterprise Car Share and maybe he assumed I don’t drive a lot?”
“Dear PoPville,
I would like to know what needs to be done to stop street sweeping / Ward 1 parking only on my street?
The street sweeping / Ward 1 parking only does not allow my friends, family and medical personnel to visit or conduct business on Mondays and Tuesdays in my area.
Im located between New Hampshire Avenue and Georgia Avenue with several elderly, handicap, retired and working class people who keep the front of their homes clear of trash and some neighbors request other neighbors to move their cars while on vacationing or in hospital.
I have given people that came to visit me or my neighbors my visitor’s parking pass,(only issued one per household) to use but on Mondays / Tuesdays you can’t find a parking space because the residents have moved their cars to the correct side of the street the night before.
I hope you can provide me with some direction, because I know that my area is not the only affected by street sweeping or Ward Only parking.”
“Dear PoPville,
I live in a semi detached duplex style house. The neighbor was issued a stop work order in August 2016. The house is currently a see thru with a failing structure. Our party wall is made of wood (shiplap) and it is serving as my exterior wall. I currently have wildlife inside the walls of my home because the party wall was damaged leaving gaping holes larger enough for squirrels or rats or even raccoons. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user John Sonderman
“Dear PoPville,
I live in Logan/Shaw and have noticed a major increase in helicopter overflights during the last several days. Any insight into why would be appreciated….saw several marine one flights in one day over the weekend, for example. The noise pollution has suddenly increased significantly and id like to know whether this is dcpd and/or White House activity.”
Ed. Note: Recently I’ve been getting helicopter inquiries from all over the District, not just Shaw.
Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil
“Dear PoPville,
Monday night, I noticed a strange deposit of $20 cash into my Wells Fargo checking account, followed quickly by a $1,800 cash withdrawal. Cue panic mode.
Yesterday was spent trying to sort out what happened, and it boils down to there’s a woman somewhere in the area who has a driver’s license with all of my personal information but her photo instead of mine, and she has memorized my signature (I have a copy of the withdrawal slip she signed, and it fully freaked me out – I can send you the photo of it next to mine if you’re interested but do not want that on the internet, please).
I’m doing everything I can think of to protect myself. I’ve changed all logins for credit cards, had Wells Fargo change all of my account numbers, and I put a 90-day freeze on my credit with all three bureaus. I already had a LifeLock account, which notified me on Monday that some information about me had been sold on the deep/dark web. (more…)