This article is sponsored by RLAH @properties.
DC Open House List for This Weekend: April 17, 2026
Spring (while feeling like summer) is in full bloom across the District, and with 430+ open houses happening citywide this weekend, there’s no better time to lace up your walking shoes and tour in person. Whether you’re hunting for your first condo or a forever home, the neighborhoods are looking their best. To see the full DC Open House list, click here. (more…)
This article is sponsored by RLAH @properties.
Featured Property of the Week: 3639 New Hampshire Ave NW
“Prominently positioned on a corner lot in the heart of DC’s Petworth community, this vacant two-unit rowhome with Certificate of Occupancy offers over 3100+ square feet of flexible living for the investor, house hacker, and everyone in between. Light-filled with three exposures, the main residence features 4 bedroom, 3,5 baths, an open kitchen and dining area with a connected yet private living room, solid oak floors, fireplace, main-level laundry, and a spacious composite deck for outdoor living. Upstairs includes two primary suites with en-suite bathrooms, plus two additional bedrooms and a full hall bath. The lower level (approx. 1,100+ sq ft) is a fully separate 2BR/2.5BA unit with a complete kitchen, in-unit laundry, and an open, light-filled layout—well-positioned for strong rental income or a high-performing Airbnb just steps to Metro. Both units are separately metered and come with Certificates of Occupancy, offering true flexibility for investors or owner-occupants alike. Delivered vacant, the opportunity is immediate: live in one unit and rent the other, or maximize income from day one. Ideally located near Columbia Heights and Petworth Metro, with easy access to Giant, Target, Rock Creek Park trails, and neighborhood green spaces.” (more…)
This article is sponsored by RLAH @properties.
Spring is heating up in DC, and so is the real estate market, with 510+ open houses across the city this weekend, there’s something for everyone from first-time buyers to seasoned house hunters. Grab your coffee, map out your route, and get ready to explore. To see the full DC Open House list, click here.
Right now, condo boards across DC are sitting on a fiscal problem they can’t see yet — not because anyone did anything wrong, but because three separate pressures have been building quietly for years, and a softening economy is about to make them visible all at once.
Reserve funds. Most DC condo associations are underfunded relative to their actual capital replacement schedule. The numbers in the spreadsheet look passable — until the roof needs replacing, the elevator fails, or the boiler goes. Then the gap between what you have and what you need becomes a special assessment. In a market where owners are watching every dollar, a surprise $4,000–$8,000 hit isn’t just painful. It’s a board credibility crisis.
Vendor and maintenance costs. Labor is more expensive than it was three years ago. Materials are up. Insurance premiums have jumped significantly across DC. Boards that set their annual budget in 2022 and haven’t stress-tested it against current vendor quotes are likely running a quiet deficit — spending down reserves without realizing it, because the line items look familiar even though the real costs have shifted underneath them. (more…)
This article is sponsored by RLAH @properties.
Featured Property of the Week: 1427 Parkwood Pl NW
“Welcome to 1427 Parkwood Place NW — a beautifully finished Columbia Heights rowhouse tucked on a quiet, tree-lined street just steps from the happenings of the heart of the community. Fully remodeled in 2021 and spanning 2,100+ square feet, this 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home blends thoughtful design with high-end finishes throughout. The main level is built for both everyday living and entertaining, with an open layout, tall ceilings, white oak hardwood floors, abundant natural light, and motorized shades throughout for effortless comfort and privacy. The kitchen is the centerpiece — featuring custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, a substantial island with white oak detailing, and polished nickel fixtures. A full suite of professional-grade appliances includes a dual-fuel range and built in accessible microwave in the kitchen island. Just beyond, the dining area opens directly to a rear deck — creating an easy indoor-outdoor flow.” (more…)
This article is sponsored by RLAH @properties.
Featured Property of the Week: 3951 Massachusetts Ave NW
“This stately Tudor residence is a rare blend of classic architecture, enduring elegance, plus thoughtful modern updates. Set back gracefully on Mass Ave just below Macomb, the home commands attention while offering exceptional privacy. Spanning four finished levels, the layout is both grand and livable. Three fireplaces heighten the home’s aura. The main level features a formal dining room, a generous living room, and a beautifully open and expanded kitchen that flows seamlessly into a spectacular great room anchored by a dramatic stone wall fireplace and filled with natural light. A full bath completes the main floor. The second level offers three bedrooms and two baths and the easily accessible laundry. The second level is enriched with custom-built wood shelving cabinets providing expansive storage for clothes, linens and more. The primary suite with its sophisticated ensuite bath features a level-walk-in shower and spa system and a private commode. An elevator provides access directly to the primary suite.” (more…)
If your Pepco bill made you do a double take last month, you’re definitely not alone.
Across DC, residents have been reporting electric bills in the hundreds or even the thousands. Not exactly ideal in a city where the cost of living is already about 40% higher than the national average.
There may be some movement on the policy side. A recent decision out of the DC Court of Appeals found that the Public Service Commission improperly approved some of Pepco’s rate increases. This investigation is still in its early stages, so there’s more to sort out before anything changes on your bill, but it’s hopefully a step in the right direction.
In the meantime, a lot of residents are looking for ways to get some relief. One option that keeps coming up? Solar energy. By installing solar panels, you can generate your own electricity instead of relying entirely on the grid. Depending on the setup, some homeowners report cutting their electric bills significantly (sometimes up to 80%), though results vary based on the home, usage, and system size.
To help residents in immediate need, one local solar installer, Solar Solution is offering a $300 sign-on bonus that can go directly towards paying off high-cost Pepco bills.
What’s even better? Most DC residents can get solar power completely free through Solar Solution’s Free Solar program, where homeowners can have systems installed with no upfront cost and no monthly payments to use the solar power produced.
Going solar is one of the few long-term solutions available that protects you from energy costs that historically trend upwards. If you’re considering switching to solar power, get in touch with DC’s biggest installer, Solar Solution to learn more about your solar options.
This article is sponsored by RLAH @properties.
Spring is officially in full swing, and Washington, DC’s housing market is keeping pace — with 365 open houses happening across the District this weekend. Whether you’re ready to make a move or just love peeking inside other people’s homes (no judgment), it’s a great weekend to get out and explore. To see the full DC Open House list, click here.
This article is sponsored by RLAH @properties.
Featured Property of the Week: 1802 Lamont St NW
“Step through the original oak entry door into the gracious foyer of this quintessential Mount Pleasant Victorian rowhouse, where historic craftsmanship and refined modern living exist in perfect balance. Framed by rich millwork, the entry opens to a broad, light-filled main level defined by generous ceiling heights, a turned original staircase, and an elegant progression of rooms that extend from the bay-front façade to the garden beyond… an arrangement that allows the home to function beautifully for both daily life and gatherings. At the front of the home, the bay-windowed spacious living room showcases exceptional original woodwork and a decorative fireplace, its historic detail complemented by understated contemporary lighting and a restrained palette. Further inside, exposed brick walls, warm hardwood floors, and oversized windows define a generous dining and sitting area with almost loft-like details, an inviting and comfortable space. This level also includes a well‑placed powder room for added everyday convenience. At the heart of the home, a thoughtfully renovated modern kitchen features sleek dual-toned cabinetry, stone counters, glazed ceramic tile backsplash, and quality appliances create a space that is both beautiful and highly functional. Upstairs, the main residence offers five well-proportioned bedrooms, three of which are en-suites, each enhanced by thoughtfully designed custom closets. The functional layout provides exceptional flexibility for use of this space.” (more…)
If you’ve ever wandered through Community Forklift’s reuse warehouse store, you know it’s more than a place to find salvaged building materials and home goods. It’s a space full of stories, creativity, and community, and we’re excited to invite our neighbors to experience that energy at our free 2026 events!
Throughout the year, Community Forklift hosts events from relaxed evenings with live music to seasonal pop-ups and community partnerships. These gatherings are designed to be welcoming, accessible, and fun for all ages.
Our popular First Friday series returns this year with themed events that highlight different parts of our region and the role reuse plays in shaping them. In May, we’ll celebrate the Anacostia River and the communities connected by it. June brings a focus on bicycling and sustainable transportation. After a summer break, First Fridays return in September with a look at historic homes and the stories they hold, followed by a Halloween-themed evening in October. (more…)