This home is located at 1409 Kennedy Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“RENOVATED WONDROUS GRAND DAME FEATURING 10 BR/6 BA/2 HB. SPACIOUS KITCHEN, HUGE DECK, NEW CENTRAL AIR, 3 CAR GARAGE, FULLY FINISHED LOWER LEVEL WITH 2/3 BR & 2 FB CAN BE USED AS IN-LAW/ AU PAIR SUITE. STAINED GLASS WINDOWS, WOOD FLOORS AND GRACIOUS PORCHES ON THREE UPPER LEVELS, LANDSCAPED GROUNDS”

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

Wow, I think the inside is pretty killer. I’m not a huge fan of the big columns in the front though. Any fans of the columns? Kinda reminds me a bit of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. But like I said the inside is pretty sweet. Even though the price has come down about $100k it’s been on the market over 200 days. Think the new price of $849,140 is reasonable?


In real life, hipchickindc is licensed as a real estate broker in the District of Columbia, and as a real estate salesperson in Maryland. 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 Properties: 1505 Emerson St NW

Original List Price: $875,000.

List Price at Contract: $699,500.

List Date: 10/09/2009 and 8/26/2009

Days on Market: 178

Settled Sales Price: $699,500.

Settlement Date: 1/21/2010

Seller Subsidy: $0.

Bank Owned?: No

Type Of Financing: FHA

Original GDoN Post is: here.

Recent Listing is: here.

This detached 16th Street Heights property was featured as a Good Deal or Not (GDoN) in September, when it was listed at $725,000. A reader by the name of crin was the first to rightfully declare that the property would sell in the high $600’s. There was a bit of debate over the condition, but this is an absolutely immense house, with a wraparound porch, and a 10th of an acre lot (more than three times the size of downtown city lots, or twice the size of a big Petworth lot), and it’s not far from Rock Creek Park. Transfer history shows the prior sale in 1998 at $308,500., and at $290,000. in 1992.

16th Street Heights is a tricky neighborhood to price given the range in the size of houses, condition, and, of course, location. For buyers seeking detached houses, it’s a great spot to be looking, especially for brave souls interested in taking on a few home improvement projects. Currently, there are detached homes on the market in this neighborhood ranging from just under $400,000. to over $1,000,000. The highest price paid for a detached single family house in 16th Street Heights in 2009 was $815,000. Somebody got a steal of a deal on a foreclosure on 13th Street NW back in March ’09 for $190,000.

Here are all of the sold listings from 2009 for detached single family houses in 16th Street Heights, as well as current active and pending sales, ordered from lowest to highest list price.



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“Dear PoP,

There was an incident on the street southbound near 4842 16th Street NW last night 11/4/09 between 11:30pm-12:30am. I live behind that address and heard a pop right before the incident. Not sure if it was a shooting or hit and run. There were about 10 police units, fire and ems there as well. An unconscious man was transported away via ambulance. As of this morning at 9:30am, a squad car is still stationed there.”

Anyone know what went down? I’ll keep my eyes peeled on the MPD listserv.


We looked at this spot a number of months ago and had wondered what would go in. This past weekend I picked up a flyer announcing that it is Capitol Movement Studio. Their Web site says the space has been open since April:

“In April 2009, CMI also opened the Capitol Movement Studio, located on 14th and Crittenden Streets, NW in the 16th Street Heights neighborhood. The studio is as diverse as our organization, offering classes in Ballet, Pilates, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Afro Cuban, Salsa, Modern and more…We strive to keep participation fees low to ensure that all who are interested in training can afford to do so.”

Sounds super cool.


This home is located at 4418 14th Street, NW:


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The flyer says:

“Welcome to this Oversized and Very Well Kept Traditional Row House. This home boasts five spacious bedrooms, three full bathrooms, a sunroom, a breakfast room, a 3rd story deck, and much more! Your buyers will also love the vast green space that includes an ivy covered trellis, an English garden with flowering shrubs, climbing roses, azaleas, hydrandeas and perennials.”

More info and photos found here.

There’s lots of nice original details in this home. I guess the main question I have – would it bother you to live on a really busy street like 14th? Does $500,000 sound reasonable for this 5 bed/3 bath (even though the kitchen looks like it needs some updating)?


I thought this was an interesting one from the 16th Street Heights area. I couldn’t tell if it was new(ish) construction or the part to the right of the door was an addition – what do you guys think? If it is an addition – thumbs up or down?


“Dear PoP,

I got the tip from a neighbor that 4714 15th St. NW (formerly the “no heat or AC” GDON) was flipped and back on the market. This time it’s got a fireplace, new HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and lots more. Formerly listed at $389,000 and sold for $100,000 less, it’s now up for sale at $629,000. That’s a pretty sweet potential profit.”

http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/02/good-deal-or-not-no-heat-or-ac-edition/

http://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/4714-15th-St-NW-20011/home/10017194

http://slideshow.mris.com/slideshow.cfm?ListingKey=90134037154

Do you think the new price matches the renovations?


I’ve never seen a carriage house with a roof like this before. It’s just off 16th St. in 16th St. Heights. Totally bad ass. Here’s the main house:


This great house is from 16th Street Heights. Actually, the flag was super cool but I couldn’t get a good angle of it from the sidewalk. Oh well, the house itself is mighty sweet though.


This home is located at 1505 Emerson Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“NEW PRICE! NEW KITCHEN FLOOR! NEW BR CARPET! Handsome period piece: 10′ ceilings, hearts-of-pine floors, huge windows, gorgeous oak staircase; move-in condition, updated 1995. Great corner lot, fully fenced back yard, professional landscaping, back deck, all on a wonderful street just one block off 16th- easy access to everything!”

More info and photos found here.

This home stopped me in my tracks. What do you think of the photos? That new kitchen floor is pretty sweet, yeah? It has had a pretty significant price reduction. Originally offered at $875,000 it is now on the market for $725,000 – Good deal or not?


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