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DC Open House List for This Weekend

By PoP Sponsor (a)

Rumors are that the District might see up to 4 inches of snow this weekend (or maybe NBC 4’s Doug Kammerer is overexcited as usual).

While there’s no need to stock up on groceries, it might be a fun weekend to throw on some boots and winter gear and get out to see some of the newest listings of 2019. To see the entire DC Open House List, click here.

  • 1017 Girard Street NE — $729,900 — Brookland
    Open Sat. 1-4 p.m. — Katherine Krevor & Pfashema Faber
    “Remodeled 4 BR/2.5 BA detached row home in the heart of Brookland!”
  • 2111 32nd Place SE — $569,900 — Hillcrest
    Open Sat. 1-3 p.m. — William Close
    A renovated (and price reduced) 4 BR/3.5 BA detached home has a bit of bizarre rear “yard,” but surely can be enhanced with some grass seed and water.
  • 801 Crittenden Street NW — $925,000 — Petworth
    Open Sun. 2-4 p.m. — Andres Serafini
    3 BR/3.5 BA renovated end-unit with 3,400 square feet has a recent price drop, making it $50k less expensive than the original listing.
  • 505 H Street SW — $1,175,000 — Southwest Waterfront
    Open Sun. 1-4 p.m. — Lewis Bashoor
    “Rare opportunity to own this AS-IS 3 BR/2 BA & 2 half bath elegant Federal townhouse” with a one-car garage and 2 extra parking spaces.
  • 1300 N Street NW #515 — $685,000 — Logan Circle
    Open Sat. 1-3 p.m. — Jason Martin
    A modern and spacious 2 BR condo with “industrial charm” at The Radius.

Start the New Year With a New Way to Commute: Ridesharing

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to save money and stress, not to mention reducing your personal carbon footprint by van or carpooling in the coming year, Commuter Connections is here to help.

Those looking for ridesharing partners find them fast and at no cost with the Commuter Connections service called, simply, the Ridesharing Program.

Those registering for a free Commuter Connections account are eligible to sign up for ridematching services to discover other commuters in their area who live and work in the same places. They also match work schedules with the more than 20,000 other commuters already signed up for the service.

Van and carpools can be arranged in many configurations, based on who drives (some prefer to drive all the time, others prefer to alternate driving) and pick up locations (at home, a park & ride lot or a mutually convenient location).

Commuters may also download the CarpoolNow app for ridesharing on demand. The free app allows you to ride when you want, where you want without the cost of a ride-hailing service or taxi.

Those who sign up for the Ridesharing Program enjoy additional benefits, including saving an average $22 a day in transportation costs and reducing stress. Not a bad way to start the new year.

New members can sign up for the program here. Email [email protected], or call 1-800-745-RIDE.

 Commuter Connections, the regional network of transportation organizations coordinated by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, offers free services and programs that help employees and employers throughout the region find the most cost-effective, convenient, and safe commutes. Information on ridematching, public transit, HOV lane restrictions, park-and-ride lots, bicycling, and teleworking are among the services Commuter Connections has been promoting since its founding in 1974.

The State of DC: I Sold My Property Off Market

By PoP Sponsor (a)

This column is written by Metro DC Houses, a local real estate team serving DC, MD, VA made up of Colin Johnson, the immediate past President for the D.C. Association of Realtors and Christopher Suranna, the current President for the D.C. Association of Realtors.

How does a real estate agent start their 2019?

Well, by shooting themselves in the foot; not really. It shouldn’t be a surprise to many that when it comes to selling one’s property, it turns into a little bit of a chest-beating moment.

You’ve probably heard people say they received “this” amount over list price or “that” many offers; yadda, yadda, at the end of the day it only takes two parties to tango, but how you get there is the dance. We were recently at a listing appointment and a potential seller asked if we could sell their property off market and we said sure but, WHY?

Now I’m sure people, especially agents, would love to jump at this chance. But I asked, what is the concern? Is it people having access to your home, time constraints or are you afraid that if you list your property for sale someone or, even worse, no one is going to like it?

I once had a much wiser mentor say to me “sales is like dating.” Now I’ll spare you the details, but let’s put it this way: you’re NOT likely going to the courthouse with the first person that catches your eye and in today’s market with the amount of eyes on a limited number of properties just think of all the potential catches that are available.

Now don’t chew my head off, I am sure a whole group of agents and buyers have purchased properties off plans (when building is pre-construction). Even then, others may be competing for a particular property and the seller is very commonly heavily directing pricing; usually the seller is more than knowledgeable on real estate conditions.

There are also lots of examples of 1031 exchanges, family exchanges, etc… but we wanted to look at the numbers for a traditional resale sale.

Is there a clear winner when an off-market property sale takes place? NO. We looked at 3 zip codes in D.C. — 20003, 20010 and 20011. We wanted an even mix of condo/coop sales, fee-simple (house) sales and enough data to really see if it matters, so we looked at all of the transactions in the past 60 days.

Now remember our blog is only 500 words and if you made it this far you’ve likely read more than 80% of our readers, high five, so I am going to keep it too the point.

(more…)

“Curious to Know Who Met Their Spouse through Social Sports”

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“Dear PoPville Readers:

I am one of the founding members of the DC Bocce League (started it way back in 2004!) and I’m curious to find out how many couples met playing in the League. We used to keep track of our “bocce couples” — players that met at bocce and eventually married — on our website.

Unfortunately as the League has grown, it’s been difficult to keep the page up to date. I’m putting out a call to your readers to find out who’s missing from this page! Add your comments to this post or send us an email at [email protected] to be included.

Full disclosure: I recently married and met my spouse playing bocce!

If you’re looking to meet area singles or just want an excuse to be social once a week, you can sign up to play in the DC Bocce League this winter. Play bocce indoors at one of these local bars:

  • Tuesdays at Shaw’s Tavern (Shaw)
  • Tuesdays at the G.O.A.T. (Arlington)
  • Wednesdays at the American Legion (Capitol Hill)
  • Thursdays at Lou’s City Bar (Columbia Heights)
  • Thursdays at Buffalo Billiards (Dupont Circle)

Use discount code COUPLES to get $20 off registration.

Readers — thanks for your help. Maybe we’ll see you at bocce this winter!

Cheers!

Sarah D.”

Real Estate Fresh Finds: Jan. 9

By PoP Sponsor (a)

Real Estate Fresh Finds is a weekly selection of newly-listed properties in the District, brought to you by Real Living At Home.

Featured Property of the Week: 560 N Street SW #N707

  • 560 square foot studio unit at the Harbour Square condominium complex in Southwest Waterfront boasts a wealth of community features including a community rooftop with amazing views, a renovated gym, library, indoor swimming pool, 24-hour security and water gardens with tables and grills just steps from the Wharf neighborhood!

Other Notable Fresh Listings:

  • The Most Expensive Home of the Week is a 11 BR/10 BA, 7 half bath villa in Forest Hills with over 16,000 square feet described as “Palazzo della Felicita” (Palace of Happiness) listed for $15M.
  • “Fully renovated (4 BR detached) on a quiet street in the sought-after neighborhood of Deanwood.”
  • Another newly constructed 1 BR unit in the recently completed Chapman Stables at Truxton Circle with a private fenced-in south-facing patio entrance.
  • Your REO/Bank Owned Property of the Week is a Brentwood end-unit townhouse with some strict AS-IS contract requirements, but a 3 BR for $400k could be a good value if you can overlook the amateur paint job that ended up on the hardwood.

Learn How to Buy a Home at a FREE 2 Hour Class Saturday

By PoP Sponsor (a)

Is your New Year’s resolution to buy a home in 2019? Let us simplify the home buying process for you!

Stop by our First Time Homebuyer Workshop this weekend, grab some refreshments, and learn from our team of industry experts. The workshop is centrally located at GreenLine Real Estate’s NEW office at 2216 14th Street, NW — between W Street & Florida Avenue

The class is happening Saturday, Jan. 12 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Legal Review: States Get Help with Preventing Drug-Impaired Driving

By PoP Sponsor (a)

By Personal Injury Attorney Clayton T. Hasbrook of Hasbrook & Hasbrook

With so many states legalizing recreational and medicinal marijuana, police officers are now facing a problem.

More people under the influence of drugs are driving on the roads, threatening their own life as well as those of others. It is an issue police departments around the country have been trying to grapple with for years. Now, some of those states just got an answer.

Delaware, Guam, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Oklahoma and West Virginia recently received federal funding to help law enforcement get drug-impaired drivers off of the roads.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made the announcement awarding the federal grants in December of 2018. In total, $100,000 in grants was awarded.

The funding from the grants will go directly to law enforcement in those states. It will allow police departments to hire more officers, and train them specifically in recognizing drivers under the influence of drugs.

Officers will receive training in identifying opioids and marijuana, among other types of drugs. Once law enforcement is able to identify the signs that someone has used drugs, they can then take them off the road.

“This type of funding is so important,” says Clayton T. Hasbrook of Hasbrook & Hasbrook, “and more states are likely going to need it in the future. Driving under the influence causes too many accidents every day around the country. It can devastate lives and leave people with serious injuries. Our law enforcement needs proper training to help prevent that from happening.”

The six grants recently given to the different states were the second major federal funding grants given around the country. Idaho, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont also received similar grants in 2018.

The Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility will manage the latest rounds of grants provided.

The news is good not only for the states that received the funding, but also those that may want to apply for similar grants in the future. In the statement, the GHSA said all 11 jurisdictions that asked for grants in 2018 have now received funding.

With so many state governments wishing to make their roads safer by preventing drug-impaired driving, federal funding may be there to help with the problem.

Calling All Foodies! Winter Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week Returns to the District in January

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Georgetown Events, a D.C. based restaurant group, will be participating in this years Winter Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week (January 14 – Sunday, January 20, 2019) with restaurants Millie’s and Due South. Join them for delicious three-course menus ($22 for lunch and $35 for dinner) during one of D.C.’s most anticipated weeks of the year!

Millie’s, recognized as a 2019 Michelin Bib Gourmand, features fresh coastal fare with a Nantucket vibe. Choose from a creative mix of tacos, quesadillas, salads and seasonal entrees like their grilled branzino served with green olive tapenade, tomato sherry vinaigrette and lemony greens or the crispy salmon with wild mushrooms, lentils, caramelized pearl onions and sautéed spinach.

Due South, located in the heart of D.C.’s Navy Yard, honors traditional southern cuisine and genuine hospitality. The Restaurant Week menu includes tasty options and favorites from their southern-inspired menu such as their sweet tea brined half chicken, shrimp & grits with sautéed kale and tasso ham gravy, butternut barley bowl with brussel sprouts and shiitake mushrooms and an in-house smoked Carolina style pulled pork platter.

View Millie’s and Due South’s special Restaurant Week lunch and dinner menus at RWDMV.com. Reservations can be made through RWDMV.com and Open Table. Ready, set, book!

Follow @milliesdc, @duesouthdc and @georgetownevents for all the delicious updates.

Featured Events This Weekend

Happy Friday! The weekend is here and so is a list of featured events for Saturday and Sunday, as submitted to our event calendar.

DC Proud 2019 Celebration

Saturday, January 5 from 7-11:59 p.m.

The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW

Join Mayor Muriel Bowser for a celebration marking the start of her second term as Mayor of the District of Columbia.

Local entertainers, national artists and special guests will come together with District residents for this black tie affair and make DC Proud!

DC Open House List for This Weekend

By PoP Sponsor (a)

It’s a new year and if you made yourself any resolutions to become a homeowner, boy, do you have some great choices for 2019 with over 230 open houses across the District. To see the entire DC Open House List, click here.

  • 1215 Park Road NW #3 — $699,000 — Columbia Heights
    Open Sat. & Sun. 1-3 p.m. — Balaram Owens
    “Beautiful contemporary condo in the heart of Columbia Heights is flooded with sunlight.”
  • 412 Woodcrest Drive SE #A — $349,900 — Congress Heights
    Open Sun. 1-5 p.m. — Kirby Mitchell
    A mix of photos and renderings means you could own one of these nearly brand-new units built in 2017.
  • 408 Ava Way NE — $564,500 — Michigan Park/Fort Totten
    Open Sat. 2-4 p.m. — Sarah Brown
    3 BR/3.5 BA townhouse in Emerson Park, “a quiet community newly constructed only 10 years ago at the intersection of Brookland and Fort Totten.”
  • 1325 18th Street NW #912 — $425,000 — Dupont Circle
    Open Sun. 2-4 p.m. — Kevin Wood
    A nicely sized 1 BR condo at The Palladium with a community rooftop pool.
  • 520 N Street SW #S621 — $1,200,000 — Southwest Waterfront
    Open Sat. 2-4 p.m. — Wyevetra Jordan
    “Here is your chance to own a rarely available top floor corner unit with balconies off every room at the historic Harbour Square on the SW Waterfront.”
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