Mural from side of Good Libations Liquor at 1201 5th St NW
From Ronny at Good Libations (1201 5th St NW):
“Come and share some love today. Stop by for free liquor infused cupcakes, Chocolate covered strawberries and a Champagne punch. 5pm – cupcakes are gone.”
Info on Laundry for Love after the jump. (more…)
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: 507 Q St NW
Legal Subdivision: Old City #2
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Shaw Mt Vernon Sq
Original List Price: $739,000.
List Price at Contract: $599,000.
List Date: 08/26/2010
Days on Market: 162
Settled Sales Price: $570,000.
Settlement Date: 01/14/2011
Seller Subsidy: $0.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Conventional
Original Good Deal or Not post is: here
The listing can be seen: here. The virtual tour can be seen here.
Public records show a transfer of this property for $346,000. in March 2010. The property was gutted and completely renovated. In August 2010, it was optimistically listed for $739,000. The Virginia-based sellers tried a significant drop to $659,000., then moved down to $629,000. In December, they moved the listing to DC-based TTR Sotheby’s agent, Diana Hart. It went under contract within 15 days after being listed at $599,000. and re-marketed with the virtual tour you can see at the link above.
I always find it interesting to see the trail of listings over time. The first listing for this property that appears in the multiple listing system (remember, there was no central database available online until the mid-1990’s) was back in 1995 for $50,000. Comments state that “HOUSE IS NOT QUITE LIVABLE, BUT A GOOD CLEANING AND COSMETIC MAKEOVER COULD MAKE IT A CHARMER.” It settled for $48,500.
Continues after the jump. (more…)
This rental is located at 1126 11th Street NW:
The Craigslist ad says:
“Fantastic opportunity! If you are looking for a place to live, close to everything, this furnished bachelor’s unit is right for you! Space has no kitchen and is furnished.
All utilities included;
Walking distance from Mt. Vermont Sq 7th St – Convention Center (Green and Yellow lines), McPherson Square Station (Blue and Orange lines) and near cross-town/downtown buses;
Walking distance to Logan Circle, Downtown and Chinatown.
*Utilities included.
*Laundry facilities.
*Secured entrance.”
When I saw the location and asking price of $850 I thought it might be a scam. But then I saw one crucial detail – “Space has no kitchen”. But given the location – does $850 sound about right?
Looks like the new building going up next to Yale Lofts and near City Vista between 4th and 5th on New York Ave, NW is nearly completed (on the outside at least). I believe a reader said these would be rentals when completed but I’m not 100% sure. I’m kinda neutral on this building – anyone really like it or really hate it?
Back in late Dec. I noted that there was some movement at the old EFN Lounge space at 1318 9th St, NW. At the time a commenter said: “I’m a neighbor to 1318 9th. I talked to the woman who bought/leased the building. It is going to be a restaurant bar called Mood and is scheduled for a New Year’s Eve opening.” Clearly they didn’t make a New Year’s opening but I just noticed a new awning went up. Anyone hear anything else about this new space?
Back in mid-Dec. we learned of the launch of this new “underground market”. At the time it was going to take place in Petworth. However the organizer, Maya, has told me that Kushi located at 465 K St NW in Mt. Vernon Square was able to offer up space that would work very well. She says the event at Kushi will be:
“Featuring the band Frau Eva
Vendors to include: The Seasonal Pantry, Dre’s, The Gourmet Cherry, Gavin and Friends, Cunningham Farms, Guerilla Yoga DC, Zachari’s, Smokin’ Somethin’ BBQ, Kushi’s, and more!”
I’m still intrigued by the market. You can sign up for it here.
From Grey DC’s Web site:
“Come down to Kushi Izakaya & Sushi on Sunday January 30th from 12 to 5pm.
465 K St NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20001 Sign up to avoid a long line at the door! $2 entrance fee.”
This condo is located at 922 N St, NW:
The flier says:
“PRIVATE DECK OFF BR and GATED PARKING – Boutique 3 Unit building. All New 2005! Loft like w/ high cielings, exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, 2 Blocks to Convention Center/ Metro. SELLER WILLING TO INCLUDE SOME CLOSING HELP”
You can find more info here and more photos here.
This 1 bed/1 bath is going for $359,899 ($360 condo fee). Sound realistic?
I had the opportunity to stop by Mandu’s 2nd location in Mt. Vernon Square Sat. afternoon to take a quick peek at the space. It is located at 453 K Street, NW in the City Vista complex next door to Kushi. The space looks great and I’m digging the duck theme. Though the classic bibim bap will still be available, Kitchen Manager, Je Kang told me that the Mt. Vernon square location will also have a few options not available at the 1805 18th St, NW location including a few more vegetarian options. (See mock service menu after the jump.)
We judged Mandu’s 18th St, NW location back in Feb. ’09.
1st floor bar
More photos including the mock service menu after the jump. (more…)
At the end of Dec. we learned of a temporium to open up in the future Nana’s space at 3068 Mt. Pleasant St, NW. Last week a press release went out announcing a 2nd location near the convention center:
The DC Office of Planning (OP) is pleased to award funding to establish two Temporiums, or local pop-up retail shops. A Temporium transforms vacant storefronts or spaces into a temporary retail space for local entrepreneurs to exhibit and sell their work. Awardees include Mount Pleasant Main Street and Shaw Main Streets.
The Mount Pleasant Main Street Temporium will feature handmade goods from independent crafters and artists, as well as special programming such as autobiographical and theatrical storytelling, trunk shows, educational panels, and live music. The Shaw Main Streets Temporium will incorporate local fashion and design, unique art installations and offer workshops, sewing classes and special events.
The Mt. Vernon Square/Shaw location will be located at 1005 7th Street NW (pictured above). Not clear when they will open but the Mt. Pleasant location has announced it’s opening date for Jan. 28th.
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: 468 Ridge St NW
Legal Subdivision: Old City #2
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Mount Vernon
Original List Price: $559,900.
List Price at Contract: $524,900.
List Date: 10/14/2010
Days on Market: 41
Settled Sales Price: $512,500.
Settlement Date: 01/10/2011
Seller Subsidy: $15,735.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Conventional
Original GDoN is: here.
The Pre and Post-renovation listings can be seen: here. The current subject listing is at the top of the list once you open the link. To see pics, open the link for that listing and scroll through the arrows on the main pic. Once you open the listing, you can also see a location map.
For my first posting of the new year, I’m happy to review this recently settled sale in a neighborhood that has not seen much Good Deal or Not (GDoN) action. As was mentioned among the comments to the original GDoN post, the surrounding area has experienced tremendous development activity in the past few years. It’s worth considering that it has only been a very short while that nearby Chinatown has become, for better or worse, full of (non-Chinese) restaurants and stores that attract lots of people. Several large scale new construction condo projects sprung up in this area during the boom years, including Yale Lofts, Madrigal Lofts and its sister building, The Sonata. Some nearby projects that initially sold well pre-construction, fell victim to the shift in the real estate market and became high end rental buildings. The Sexy Safeway and Busboys and Poets opened up three blocks away. The (I will probably always call it New) Convention Center and associated Metro stop are a couple of blocks away.
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