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

Featured Property of the Week: 809 6th Street NW #21

“Rarely available, sunny 2 bed, 2 bath unit with garage parking in the boutique, 30-unit Chinatown East Condominium. This spacious unit with over 900 square feet of living space features industrial details such as exposed ductwork, 10ft+ ceilings and concrete accents. The kitchen is equipped with a gas stove, stainless steel appliances, Bosch dishwasher and a breakfast bar area. The HVAC was replaced in 2022. The primary suite offers 2 closets, an en-suite bathroom and a large linen closet. The second bedroom offers great flex space and is large enough for a guest bed and work area. An in-unit W/D and dedicated garage parking complete the package. Developed by Bundy Development in 2005 (CityVista, The Conrad Hotel, City Center), Chinatown East Condominiums is pet-friendly, conveniently located within minutes to I-395, and walking distance to numerous bus stops, and 4 Metro stops (red, yellow and green lines) and Capital Bike Shares. The vibrant neighborhoods of Chinatown, Penn Quarter and Mount Vernon Triangle offer top D.C. restaurants, entertainment, shopping, grocery stores, and the Cap One Arena. A great dim sum restaurant is literally next door and a top ramen spot is a short, one block walk. This is city living!”

Other Notable Fresh Listings:

  • The Most Expensive Home of the Week is a 5 BR/6.5 BA 4-level hilltop Villa in Massachusetts Ave. Heights with 5,700+ luxurious square feet and features floor-to-ceiling windows, 2-car garage, wine cellar, outdoor kitchen, firepit, and a massive owner’s suite with walk-in closets, spa-bathroom and wetbar — all for $6.5M.
  • “This [2 BR/1 BA] pet-friendly condo boasts low monthly fees! With inspection repairs already made, this is a “certified pre-owned” home. And when you tour this condo you’ll be greeted by sunbeams from the huge picture windows.”
  • “4710 8th Street NW is a gorgeous three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom Petworth home blending high-end finishes and tasteful designs with classic character. Come home to the best porch on the block with charming neighborhood views and landscaped front yard.”
  • Your Auction Property of the Week is a 3 BR/2 BA interior rowhome in Brookland with bidding that started yesterday and final bids due tomorrow, August 18 at 11:20 a.m.

Before Amy Shoaf joined Well-Paid Maids in January, she worked for a large home-cleaning company. (Let’s just say it’s an international franchise.)

There, she earned a 20% commission per home. The model went like this: The more houses you cleaned, the more you got paid. She was told to dedicate only one hour to each home — we’re talking about 6,000-square-foot homes in some cases.

In other words? “There’s no thoroughness. Just a quick swipe, swipe, get out of the house,” Amy says. “I didn’t like doing it. It wasn’t actually clean, and these people were paying money for it.”

Another problem: She wasn’t getting enough work. She’d clean seven houses by 1 p.m. then that was it. She didn’t have other opportunities to make more money. On average, she’d bring home $500 a week. That equates to about $26,000 a year.

“It wasn’t going to cut it,” she says. “I would literally get paychecks and cry.”

One day, Amy was looking for a job for her husband, and she came across Well-Paid Maids.

“I was reading everything about them and how they actually take care of their employees,” she says. “It’s not commission pay. They offer benefits and paid time off. With any other cleaning company, you’re not getting that.”

Amy also loves that she can take full responsibility for all her cleans. 

“Things I couldn’t do with my last company, I’m getting praised for at this company,” she says. For example, with Well-Paid Maids, she spends about three hours cleaning a 1 BD/1 BA apartment. She’s not just wiping things down — she’s really able to get in there and do a thorough job.

“It’s so much more fulfilling,” she says. “The clients are so appreciative of the work and effort, and you can actually take pride in it.”

Want to book a cleaning with Amy? Book online in less than two minutes.


We’re looking at an upcoming weekend with low 80s and relatively moderate humidity which we rarely encounter in mid-August around here. Take advantage of the great weather and come check out some of these 200+ open houses scheduled across the District this weekend.

Check out some of our favorites below and to see the full Open House List, click here.

  • 517 F Street NE — $1,029,000 — Capitol Hill
    Open Sat. 2-4 p.m. & Sun. 1-3 p.m. — The Denny & Leyla Team
    “Super location in Capitol Hill! A stone’s throw to Union Station, Stanton Park, H St and more, this 3 Level home comes with a new roof (2021), new windows (2021), a huge deck and attached garage! Plenty of storage throughout, high ceilings, huge primary bedroom with a wall of closets, newer kitchen open to the huge deck, lower level with newer full bathroom and recreation room with wood-burning fireplace, laundry and access to garage. Location, outdoor space and parking… we give it 3 big thumbs up! “
  • 1407 15th Street NW #1 — $739,900 — Logan Circle
    Open Sat. & Sun. 1-3 p.m. — Mandy & Tim Hursen Jr.
    “A beautifully renovated 2 BR/2 BA home with three private entrances, several outdoor spaces including a covered patio AND secure off-street parking right at your back door! This home is so elegant and has been impeccably maintained.”
  • 809 6th Street NW #21 — $582,000 — Chinatown East
    Open Sun. 11-1 p.m. — Stacey Barton
    This “Rarely available, sunny 2 bed, 2 bath unit with garage parking in the boutique, 30-unit Chinatown East Condominium. This spacious unit with over 900 square feet of living space features industrial details such as exposed ductwork, 10ft+ ceilings and concrete accents.”
  • 700 Capitol Square Place SW — $1,075,000 — Southwest Waterfront
    Open Sun. 1-3 p.m. — Tammy Locher
    “Here’s your chance to own a three level 2 bedroom + den, 2.5 bath end unit town home with 2 car garage in the Capitol Square community located in the SW Wharf neighborhood.”
  • 1417 Newton Street NW #408 — $360,000 — Columbia Heights
    Open Sat. 12-2 p.m. & Sun. 1-3 p.m. — Molly Branson
    “This light-filled, one-bedroom, one-bathroom corner unit on the fourth floor brings exposure from two sides. There are hardwood floors with ample space for dining and living areas.”
  • 211 8th Street SE — $1,225,000 — Capitol Hill
    Open Sat. & Sun. 12-2 p.m. — Aaron Brainerd
    “Before entering the [2 BR/2.5 BA] home, you’ll notice the beautiful curb appeal with well-maintained landscaping and welcoming front porch. Once inside, enjoy the bright and sunny front living room that features stunning natural light, wide-plank flooring and a decorative fireplace.”
  • 1115 H Street NE #501 — $395,900 — H Street Corridor
    Open Sun. 1-3 p.m. — Jordan Parker
    “RARELY available, we invite you to 1115 H Street NE right in the heart of the H Street Corridor. You can’t miss this quaint LIGHT FILLED 1 BD | 1 BA condo featuring FRESH paint throughout, gleaming hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, and community roof top!”

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

Featured Property of the Week: 1407 15th Street NW #1

COMING SOON! “Who says you can’t have it all?! A beautifully renovated 2 BR/2 BA home with three private entrances, several outdoor spaces including a covered patio AND secure off-street parking right at your back door! This home is so elegant and has been impeccably maintained. There is so much to love. Wood floors throughout. Gas fireplace set in custom stone. Open floor plan. Generous sized bedrooms – one with an ensuite bath, Lots of storage space. Low condo fees. Pet friendly. High-end finishes are a theme throughout this home and the kitchen is no exception, showcasing stainless steel appliances, plentiful quartz countertop space and immaculate shaker-style cabinets. The breakfast bar offers flexible dining options. A gourmet kitchen made for entertaining in a space fit for the perfect dinner party. Unbeatable location in the heart of Logan Circle. Right around the corner from Whole Foods, Starbucks, Vida Fitness, and some of the best restaurants in the entire city such as Le Diplomate, Estadio, Pearl Dive, Barcelona.”

Other Notable Fresh Listings:

  • The Most Expensive Home of the Week is a 6 BR/4.5 BA BRAND NEW detached home built in 2021 in Palisades with 6,100+ sq. ft. across 3 levels features a 2-car garage, fireplace, 10′ ceilings, hardwood floors, luxurious owner’s suite, fully-finished lower level and a private rear patio with backyard — all for 3.25M.
  • “This 3 level [2 BR/2.5 BA] home comes with a new roof (2021), new windows (2021) a huge deck and attached garage” in Capitol Hill.
  • “Located In The Heart Of Petworth, Lidia Combines The Best Of This Blossoming Neighborhood And Historic Rowhome Charm. Newly Completed 2 BR/2.5 BA/DEN home with stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, and patio space. Photos are of model home.”
  • Your REO/Bank-Owned Property of the Week is a 2 BR/2.5 BA 2-level penthouse condo at Washington Harbour in Georgetown that has had a “gorgeous new high-end kitchen remodel.”

Photo via  Alan Harder/flickr

It’s peak moving season, and with moving comes an endless to-do list. 

The worst task? The final clean before you officially hand over the keys. Mopping floors, dusting baseboards, cleaning appliances, scrubbing the bathroom… For renters, the list feels especially daunting with a security deposit at stake.

Instead of dedicating hours (and buckets of sweat) to a thorough move-out clean, let Well-Paid Maids handle it.

With Well-Paid Maids, all cleanings include:

  • Vacuuming and mopping.
  • Countertop, table and mirror cleaning, including refrigerator and oven exteriors.
  • Sinks, toilets and showers cleaning.

Plus, you can add extras, like cleaning the inside of the fridge, cabinets, microwave, oven and more. (Does anyone really know how to clean the inside of an oven besides the pros?)

Online reviewers love letting Well-Paid Maids help them with their moves.

Yelp reviewer Steve T. wrote:

“My apartment is as clean as when I moved in! My cleaner (Diana) did a really thorough job with an attention to detail.”

Google reviewer Sandra wrote:

“I want to give a special shoutout to Nishad, who cleaned my place before I moved out. He did a wonderful and meticulous job getting my place clean from top to bottom and stayed until the job was done… By the time he was done, the apartment was cleaner than when I moved in!”

Perhaps even better than glowing reviews? Well-Paid Maids is the only living-wage cleaning company in D.C. It pays employees at least $22 an hour. Plus, they get comprehensive benefits like 22 paid days off per year. That means you can feel good supporting Well-Paid Maids.

Moving out and wanting to skip the dirtiest part? Go ahead and settle into your new place — book your move-out cleaning with Well-Paid Maids.


Welcome to Coffee with Coleman! I’m John Coleman, and in this feature, I’ll cover real estate topics in fun and easy-to-digest video breakdowns. If there’s a topic you are interested in hearing more about, feel free to comment on the video and/or reach out to me directly.

One of the significant things you must know when buying your first home is how to pick the best mortgage lender.

Here are some things you should know!

Most Thursdays I host a livestream at 6 p.m. to cover a lot of the nuts and bolts of the home-buying process. Sign up here to learn more: www.learntobuydc.com


Are you sick of this heat and thinking about a new place, maybe with a pool or better air conditioning? There are over 280 open houses scheduled across the District this weekend, plenty of which feature central A/C and even some with varying degrees of cooling  water features. Check out some of our favorite open houses below and to see the full Open House List, click here.

  • 4301 17th Street NW — $1,575,000 — Crestwood
    Open Sun. 12-4 p.m. — Andrew Essreg
    “SPACIOUS + CHARMING 4 LEVEL [5 BR/3.5 BA] BRICK HOME WITH GORGEOUS LANDSCAPED FENCED YARD IN HIGHLY DESIRABLE CRESTWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD. While this home has been recently upgraded and modernized, it exudes the original character + charm of 1922 construction, with its hardwood flooring, arched doorways, timeless moldings, built-in bookshelves, wood burning fireplace, slate roof, gracious front porch, double corner lot entrances to front and side of the home, and window placements at aspects that bring natural lighting across every room. The whole home has been tastefully upgraded between 2017 and 2022: new gourmet kitchen with sitting island; energy efficient windows, lighting + electrical upgrades; central AC; new gas heating boiler; eco-preferable paint throughout; all 4 bathrooms tastefully renovated. The FINISHED BASEMENT LEVEL is ideal as in-law/au-pair bedroom or potential rental, or family room + home office/gym area. It features a private entry, spacious floor plan, awesome kitchen, full bath, laundry, and functional closet/storage spaces. THE MAIN ENTRY LEVEL has great flow from the inviting entry foyer to the grand living room with stately fireplace that is flanked by large built-in bookshelves. The dining room has tons of natural light and flows seamlessly into a brand new gourmet kitchen with eating bar and custom shaker cabinetry, deep sink, and subway tiled backsplash. Off the dining room, there is a four season sun room that makes a perfect office, reading nook, or TV room — and overlooks the spacious, fenced yard. A conveniently located half bath rounds out this well-appointed main level. THE FENCED YARD features magazine worthy landscaping, level yard, a gracious sized ipe wood deck, two car driveway, and a great grilling/dining area. THIS IS A MUST SEE, GEM OF A HOME. A++ FOR THOUGHTFULLY RENOVATED, WELL MAINTAINED, CLEAN, SPACIOUS, AND MOVE IN READY!”
  • 456 Woodcrest Drive SE #A — $454,900 — Woodcrest Villas
    Open Sat. & Sun. 12-3 p.m. — Kirby Mitchell
    BACK ON THE MARKET: “Immediate Delivery. Spacious open floor plan with gorgeous LVP flooring throughout. Gourmet kitchen featuring quartz countertops, 42″ shaker style cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Generous sized bedrooms with walk-in closets. 1 car- garage. Visit Model by Appointment.”
  • 1301 20th Street NW #407 — $345,000 — Dupont
    Open Sun. 1-3 p.m. — Sean Forschler
    “Bathed in sunlight, come visit this fantastic one bedroom/one bathroom condominium residence in the heart of Dupont Circle. Refinished oak floors, stainless steel appliances, freshly painted, ample closet space, and lovely street view are just a few of the particulars you’ll enjoy.”
  • 1211 17th Street NE — $799,000 — Trinidad
    Open Sat. 5-7 p.m. & Sun. 12-2 p.m. — Jennifer Stein
    $50K PRICE REDUCTION on this “1,700 square foot townhouse on a 1,947 square foot lot with 4 bedrooms, 3 full and 1 half bathroom. This home was fully gutted and renovated, has a beautiful open floor plan, recessed lights, the master bedroom and bath are spacious and private, hard wood floors on the main and top levels, tiled basement, paved back yard, off street parking deck and wooden privacy fence.”
  • 150 Rhode Island Avenue NW #202 — $589,000 — Eckington
    Open Sat. 12-2 p.m. & Sun. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. — John Coleman
    “This unit boasts what many newer buildings simply can’t: a spacious layout, tons of windows for natural light, and that special D.C. charm. This two-bedroom unit wears its size impeccably well with wonderfully sized bedrooms and a living area with the trifecta of a full-sized kitchen, dining room, and living room.”
  • 829 3rd Street SW #309 — $850,000 — Southwest Waterfront
    Open Sat. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Tiffany Richards
    “This gorgeous 3 BR/2 BA end unit townhouse has three full levels, 1800+ square feet of indoor living space, original hardwood floors on the upper and main levels and modern finishes throughout the home. Sunlight fills the living and dining room areas from not one but two private outdoor areas where you can enjoy the upcoming summer nights with your friends and family.”

Commission a Watercolor Portrait of your dog by Elizabeth Graeber as part of the Dog Days of Summer Sidewalk Sale.

Watercolor portraits will be painted by Elizabeth Graeber on Saturday, August 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Viceroy Hotel, 1430 Rhode Island Ave NW. The cost is $75 (including a $25 donation to LCMS).

Elizabeth Graeber is a freelance artist and illustrator working with watercolor and gouache paint on paper. She is inspired by color and pattern and enjoys painting a series of things such as birds, plants, food and DOGS! Her style is reminiscent of a delightful New Yorker cartoon. Elizabeth has created illustrations for Alice + Olivia, Whole Foods, Warby Parker, Edible DC and the Washington Post.

The cost is $75 (including a $25 donation to Logan Circle Main Street. Donations will be used to support the Mid-City Dog Days Summer Sidewalk Sale which attracts 20,000 people annually.

The Custom Pet Portraits with Elizabeth Graeber is organized by District Bridges’ Logan Circle Main Street.

District Bridges is a nonprofit organization with a mission to enrich neighborhood vitality by bridging community engagement and economic development opportunities so individuals, businesses and organizations can thrive together. District Bridges offers a broad range of small business technical assistance, neighborhood development and consulting services.


CarCare To Go is shaking up the car service world by introducing new ideas to an old industry: convenience, trust and simplicity.

CarCare To Go delivers celebrity-level service with surprisingly competitive prices. They combine the quality and trust of a full-service shop with a uniquely transparent process, plus free valet pick-up and delivery from your home or work.

Maintenance, repair and detailing for all makes takes as much time as ordering groceries online. Best way to learn about them is to hear what their clients (many of your neighbors) say. Here’s a recent review and you can see many others like this here.

These guys were quick courteous and this could not have been simpler. I have a really busy job and it was so nice to have them come to my work place, grab my car, change the oil and bring it back to me in great shape. Could not recommend them more highly. –– Melissa, Bethesda

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

Featured Property of the Week: 1288 Morse Street NE

“COMING SOON! Welcome to this stylish 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom rowhome featuring over 2200 sq. ft. in sought after Trinidad. Renovated in 2017 and 2022, this home showcases the best in urban living. The charming front porch greets you and invites you to sit down and relax. Entertain with elegance and ease on the main level with a true open and spacious living room that effortlessly transitions into a dining area. The sleek kitchen boasts plenty of cabinetry, granite countertops, gas cooking, tiled backsplash and stainless-steel appliances. Upstairs you will find all the comforts of home in a spacious primary bedroom with a sitting area, a rare find in Trinidad, along with hardwood flooring and ensuite full bath. Two additional bedrooms and another full bath makes everyday living a breeze. Extend your living space to the finished walk-up lower level which includes new waterproof vinyl flooring, tons of recessed lighting, a large family room, laundry room and a full bathroom. From the kitchen, step out onto your private stone patio equipped with an elegant BBQ grill and stone firepit, spacious enough for entertaining and relaxing. Convenient 1-car garage in the back, plus additional parking pad for another car. Backyard shed for extra storage space. 2022 updates: refinished flooring, new basement flooring, several windows replaced, new gas range, new lights, freshly painted, fresh new landscaping and sods. 2017 updates: new roof, new HVAC, stone patio, firepit, parking pad. Situated on a serene tree-lined street in the Trinidad neighborhood, you’re just steps from Gallaudet, Union Market, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and the dining and entertainment of H Street.”

Other Notable Fresh Listings:

  • The Most Expensive Home of the Week is a 3 BR/5.5 BA luxury penthouse at the Ritz Carlton with 5,100+ sq. ft. spread across 2 levels and features floor-to-ceiling windows, home gym, wood-burning fireplace and a warp-around rooftop terrace with “360-degree views of the city” including the Washington Monument, National Cathedral and GW University — all for $7.5M.
  • “Bathed in sunlight, come visit this fantastic 1 BR/1 BA condominium residence in the heart of Dupont Circle. Refinished oak floors, stainless steel appliances, freshly painted, ample closet space, and lovely street view are just a few of the particulars you’ll enjoy.”
  • “Charming, updated 3 BR/2.5 BA 1,532 sq. ft. townhome in Petworth, D.C., with loads of upgrades” is “almost brand new, built in 2019, fully-renovated 2-level, 2 Bed + Den (or third bedroom) with PARKING.”
  • Your REO/Bank-Owned Property of the Week is a 3 BR/2.5 BA “end unit condo townhome” with “an open floor plan, spacious bedrooms, a full basement, a private patio, and off-street parking.”

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