Park View

Good Deal or Not? 2 Bedroom for well under $200k Edition

By Prince Of Petworth


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This coop is located at 429 Kenyon Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Lower-level, two bedroom unit offers one full bathroom and lots of closet space. In good condition but needs a little TLC. Great opportunity, great price. Enjoy co-op ownership (co-op fee includes all utilities, taxes, operating expenses and underlying mortgage) and lower closing costs! Seller will replace all appliances and install carpet prior to closing.”

You can find more info here.

Sadly there are no interior photos but I thought the price was too incredible for a 2 bedroom not to discuss. Given that the rooms may need some updating do you think $150,000 sounds reasonable for this 2bed/1 bath?

CM Graham Says Ward 1 Park Projects Back on Track

By Prince Of Petworth

Council Member Jim Graham sends an update of Ward 1 parks in an email:

“After the D.C. Council’s vote on Tuesday, December 14, to rescind $83 million in Parks and Recreation Contracts many of you called and wrote to me asking what that meant for Justice Park, Park View and LeDroit Park.

I am happy to report that these parks construction projects are already “back on track.” The Deputy Mayor for Economic Development has assured me that the $750K Justice Park project and the $1.2 million Park View project will be overseen by Allen Lew − Executive Director of the Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization − and will move forward. This is excellent news given the great speed and success with which Mr. Lew has handled school renovations and constructions.

The final project, the LeDroit Park (former Gage school transformation) will remain in the Deputy Mayor’s portfolio and the contract for the reconstruction will be re-bid and move forward.”

Dear PoP – Petworth/Park View Dog Parks?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Wayan Vota

“Dear PoP,

After a long separation, my dog will be moving back in with me (from my parents’) over the holidays. I’m relatively new to the neighborhood, and have seen a few dogs around, but I’m curious if there are some suggestions about dog friendly parks in the Petworth/Parkview area?

Also, I’d love to know if folks have any suggestions for dog walkers, vets, and boarding. I know – it’s a lot of dog questions, but I appreciate any help I can get! Thanks a lot!”

Well, we had some good recommendations for dog park/dog friendly spots here. Eric Nuzum wrote about doggie day care here. Can anyone recommend some good dog walkers, vets and/or boarding spots?

Warder and Irving Building Update

By Prince Of Petworth

A number of readers have written in inquiring what’s going on here. Back in September a reader heard it was going to be a corner/grocery store. But more recently I’ve been hearing it’s going to be residences and maybe an office. Well, it’s been painted and I promise to update as more info becomes available. If anyone who lives near there has any more info please add to the comments.

New Restaurant Coming To 3543 Georgia Ave + Nearby Senior Center Rising

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for the heads up on the work going on at 3543 Georgia Ave. across from the EL Haynes charter school. Sadly, there was a bit of a language barrier in my brief chat with the workers out front. They did however confirm that a restaurant was going in. When I asked what type they said American but I’ll be sure to follow up when they open. And in nearby news it was nice to see the new Senior Center rising a half block to the south at Georgia and Newton:

Dear PoP – Bizarre Incident at 700 block of Gresham Pl.

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP

This past Saturday afternoon in the 700 block of Gresham Pl. there was an insane amount of police activity. Police cars came speeding down the street as if they were making some sort of huge arrest/bust… there had to be have been about 15 cars all blocking each other in, even a van on the small one-way street. They went into one house and and 5 minutes later went in another a few doors down. After about 15 minutes they began to disperse. I asked an officer who was walking back to his car what was going on and he responded that they had been receiving prank calls that an officer had been shot. When hearing that explained it kind of made me wonder is it really that easy to divert police attention? I would also think that they could do a better job at being able to substantiate a claim of an officer being shot.”

Wow, that’s insane. But I think you have to err on the side of caution in that situation. If there are reports of an officer shot and they can’t confirm they’re pranks then I imagine MPD definitely has to respond in full force. Terrible story though. The fact that people would prank like that and divert necessary resources to crap like this is beyond frustrating. I hope the caught the prank caller.

Break in at Hadiyah Cafe, 3118 Georgia Ave.

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending the photo. The reader writes:

“Happened this morning. The store is hardly ever open. It was a matter of time.”

We spoke about Hadiyah Cafe back in April and I have to agree it was truly bizarre the place never seemed to be open (even on weekends). Still, always sad to see destruction like this.

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc

By Prince Of Petworth

In real life, hipchickindc is licensed as a real estate broker in the District of Columbia and Virginia, 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 Property: 2905 Sherman Ave NW

Original List Price: $345,000.

List Price at Contract: $325,000.

List Date: 06/27/2009

Days on Market: 88

Settled Sales Price: $315,000.

Settlement Date:  10/22/2009

Seller Subsidy:  $12,600.

Bank Owned?: No

Type Of Financing: FHA loan with a loan amount of $303,975., so maybe these folks financed the upfront MIP (as noted in comments as a possibility in last week’s GDoN-R)

Original GDoN Post is:  Here

Recent Listing is: Here .  To see pics, click on the main picture after opening the link.

Perusing the original Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post of this property, it struck me that an overwhelming majority called “good deal”.  Frequent GDoN readers know that this, indeed, is a rarity.  That was at the original list price of $345,000., so $315,000. plus $12,600. toward closing costs should look pretty sweet.  For reference, recently converted condos down the street (the last one I listed at 2608 Sherman, 2BR, nicely upgraded and staged, sold in May 2009 for $299,990. with a $7500. subsidy) are selling in a similar price range.

Some mentioned that Sherman is a busy street to be on, and for sure, that was the major objection I heard when I had my client’s condo on the market.  The lot size is a mere 869, but includes a bit of outdoor space.  Love it or hate it, as one reader mentioned, the new owners should never have trouble giving directions to their very yellow house.  I admire the listing agent’s optimism in noting that one of the conveniences of the property is that it is “close to Schools”.

The recent Seller purchased the property back in January 2009 when it was a foreclosure.  The listing from that time period shows that it was priced at $189,000., and settled at $180,000.  It was purchased with cash.

Good Deal or Not? Multiple Reader Request

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 734 Rock Creek Church Road, NW:


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The flier says:

“Beautifully renovated 1910 townhome on a quiet street just one block from Georgia Ave/Petworth Metro/Shopping Ctr. Main level entry with artfully exposed brick, LR w/ fire-place, elegant dining, btfl kitchen. Second level 3BRs, ldry rm, 3rd level light-flooded master BR-Suite w/sitting area, study, his/hers closets, dbl vanity and jet tub, lwr lvl 2BR aptmt with Cert. of Occupancy,rent $1500/month”

More info and photos found here. I’ve received the most emails requesting a GDoN for this house. It does look pretty nice, but most who’ve written think the price may be a bit high. What do you guys think of the home itself? Do you think $724,900 is realistic?

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