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Washington, DC Real Estate News

By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
Posh Washington: Homes For Sale In Wesley Heights Once years ago, I was showing houses in Wesley Heights, one of my favorite Washington neighborhoods.  After going through about three of them, the husband said, "Um, Pat, if we buy one of these places we'll have to hire a butler!" Well, maybe.   The home on the right belonged to Richard Nixon when he was Eisenhower's Vice President.  If he didn't have a butler, it had plenty of room for Secret Service agents! Wesley Heights is a neighborhood nestled between New Mexico Avenue and Foxhall Road with many stately homes, some abutting Glover Archibald Park.  (And in this report, I am not including the townhouse developments east of New Mexico) There are currently eight homes listed for sale (click here for the details and virtual tours).  The...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
History Matters:  For When It Really Does! There is wise advice often given to people who are trying to figure out what to do when they grow up:  fiocus on something you are passionate about, and a career in that area will make itself happen.Edna Johnston, founder of Washington’s History Matters is the perfect example of how great this advice can be.   With doctoral work at the University of Virginia and her expertise in 19th and 20th century American history, Edna created a business to address the needs of individuals and corporations who own historic properties - and in this town, there are a lot of them!If you are buying a home in one of Washington’s historic districts, like Dupont Circle or Georgetown, Edna is the go-to person for helping you take advantage of the Federal Historic P...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
© 2009 Patricia Kennedy. Unless otherwise noted, the content, both written and in pictures, is the property of Patricia Kennedy . If you would like to use this image, please  email me (housepat@mac.com) with your request. I'll almost certianly say yes, and ask only that you provide a link back to my original content as well as an acknowledgment.  The same thing applies to any other material you see posted here on Active Rain or on any of my other blogs.
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
Posh Washington:  Georgetown Market UpdateFor many decades, Georgetown has been a favorite Washington neighborhood for many of the politicians, journalists, lawyers, and all the other charachters who make life in this city so interesting.   So when I meet new buyers who are relocating here to DC, this historic place is often at the top of their list.Houses in Georgetown come in all shapes, sizes and price points.  Right now, they range from a low of $644,900 for a little 2-bedroom near the old C&O Canal to a high of $39,500,000 for a magnificent 9-bedroom mansion on a 3.5 acre estate.  Of course, it’s the rich choices in between that will be of interest to most buyers.  Currently, there are 67 homes to choose from.  You may click here for a complete list, most with virtual tours, of hom...
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By Roslyn Ashford, Home Stager
(ra reDoes rooms - Home Staging, DC and Maryland)
ops...we did it again!  We turned another drab and boring beige on beige space to life!  This time, the massive fireplace sort of overtook the space, even though everything was the same drab beige color.  So we infused color to give it life and function, in a recently remodeled single family home in NW DC.  Take a look for yourself!   Before   After - with color and life!         See how much just a bit of color carefully placed can really bring a room to life!  Staging brings rooms and homes to life!  If you are in the DC area, ask us how to bring YOUR properties to life!  
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
© 2009 Patricia Kennedy. Unless otherwise noted, the content, both written and in pictures, is the property of Patricia Kennedy . If you would like to use this image, please  email me (housepat@mac.com) with your request. I'll almost certianly say yes, and ask only that you provide a link back to my original content as well as an acknowledgment.  The same thing applies to any other material you see posted here on Active Rain or on any of my other blogs.
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By Lise Howe, Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC
(Keller Williams Capital Properties)
  Lise Howe | Coldwell Banker | 240-401-5577 5040 Klingle Street, NW, Washington,, DC open Sunday 2-5. Charming brick cape in prestigious neighborhood has been spiffed up from top to bottom. Move-in quality! 3 big bdrs w/ample closet sp 3BR/1.5BA Single Family House   offered at $819,000 Year Built 1940 Sq Footage 1,651 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 1 full, 1 partial Floors 3 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 4,339 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION I promise that it doesn't get better than this in the Kent neighborhood at this price. 3 full large bedrooms and 2 full baths up, an updated kitchen, elegant living room with classic moldings and trim, a gracious dining room and a sunny den/garden room. Key Elementary, Hardy Middle and Wilson highschool - Starbucks and restaurants are nearby. Sibley...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
I have some fond memories of the old Watergate Hotel, notably the second most romantic dinner of my entire life at Jean-Louis’ Restaurant.  So a few years ago when this Washington landmark was about to become condominiums, I did sort of think about what it might be like to live there.But the condos never happened.  They had the location, location, and location thing down.  It was the timing, timing and timing issue that gave the developers fits.The Watergate Hotel was a favorite of world-renowned musicians coming to perform at Kennedy Center and lobbyists coming to perform before Congress.  If you were a diplomat with business at the State Department, it was a convenient place to stay.  By the time the hotel closed, it had gotten a little bit thin at the elbows.  But in it’s heyday, it ...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
One thing that has always made me feel a little pit in my stomach is anticipating a home inspection with an inspector I don’t know.  It may even be worse than anticipating one with an inspector I do know who is a little goofy.Today’s inspection is on a really old Victorian house, built somewhere around 1914.  And I have to say, it appears that Jack Reilly, the inspector my buyers selected, is very much an old house guy!   He’s an inspector who also has a lot of knowledge about architectural history, and he knows exactly what to look for.What a relief!In this area, a lot of the inspectors don’t really get old houses.   They may be faulous with mid-century tract houses in the suburbs or new construction.  But here in DC, we have a lot of turn-of-the-century homes.  And we are not even sur...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
Last night was our first meeting.  On many Friday nights, my neighbors and I get together at my neighbor, Jean's, house for a meeting of the Webster Street Cocktail Club.  But last night, we did something different, turning it into a book club. We started off reading Christopher Buckley's memoir about losing his parents.  The book is a beautiful tribute to his eccentric parents and their marriage, and he writes about something that many baby boomers have or will soon face with their own parents. Part of the fun was, of course, the food and the sugar-free Mohitos!  Everyone brought something, so the menu was pretty eclectic.   And I don't think that, in spite of all the healthy stuff on the table, any of us lost weight last night. And as I looked around the room, I couldn't help but noti...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
It was a pretty house in a wonderful neighborhood, built sometime around 1915.  It had a lovely fireplace mantle, beautiful crown mouldings, and lots of charm and character.  But something was off. Then I realized that it was the thick, beige wall to wall carpet throughout the house.  Every square inch of the place had this carpet that made it look like something from "That 70s Show". The property description mentioned that the house had been lovingly cared for by the current owners for the last 50 or so years, and part of that care was, I'll bet, leaving the old wood floors protected by a bunch of carpet. But you never know.  Maybe they wanted to keep the wood pristine, or maybe they put it down to cover up prior damage to the wood.  My guess?  Granny loved wall-to-wall.  And I'll bet...
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
DC Petworth Real Estate Market Report Zip code 20011. Avg days of a DC Petworth house on the market: 110 days compared to 121 days a 9.09 decrease from June 2008. Total units sold: 45 DC Petworth compared to 47 this time last year a 4.26% decrease from June 2008. Total sold dollar volume: $15,397,667 compared to $19,837,229 a 22.38% decrease from June 2008. Avg sold price of a DC Petworth house for sale was $334,732 compared to $422,069 in June 2008. Average listing price of a DC Petworth house that sold was $369,447 Out of the 45 DC Petworth houses for sale that sold:15 of them were conventional loans,16 of them were FHA loans,3 of them were VA loans,5 of them were Assumption loans,6 of them were cash purchases,1 of them was another form of payment and one was unreported. Looking for a...
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By Claude Labbe, Realty for Your Busy Life
(RLAH / @properties)
You'd like to think that this metro area is in the top of rankings of US Cities. Surely, the Metro helps, as do some of the urban villages, but we still rank #31. Ouch, see how other cities are ranking, see Smarter Cities.
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
Yesterday, I held open a pretty house in Crestwood, the neighborhood where I live.  And while people oohed and aahed over the pretty house, the fabulous family room, and the screened in porch, there was one feature of this fine home that got lots of comments.  And that was this guy at the top of the stair well between the first and second floor! So does he convey? What?  Of course not! But wait!  This is a super crappy market, and before I say that Elvis is not included as a "fixture" (he is, after all, attached to the wall)  perhaps I should check with the sellers.  If it takes Elvis to sell a home with a price point of a million and a half, maybe they'd throw him in! No harm in asking, is there?
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
© 2009 Patricia Kennedy. Unless otherwise noted, the content, both written and in pictures, is the property of Patricia Kennedy . If you would like to use this image, please  email me (housepat@mac.com) with your request. I'll almost certianly say yes, and ask only that you provide a link back to my original content as well as an acknowledgment.  The same thing applies to any other material you see posted here on Active Rain or on any of my other blogs.
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By Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan, I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
(Samson Properties)
Description and Features   Links DC Homes for sale http://www.GetDCSold.com Listing Website   Looking for a Real Estate Agent that will help you buy and/or sell your next house? Want a "Free Real Estate Market Report" in your area of choice? Register on my website at DC Real Estate. I can also be reached at my new Active Rain Outside Blog www.GetDCSold.com -We will get it Sold. Your home that is. Twitter http://twitter.com/DCHomesforsale. Please give me a call at 202-378-0283 (Direct) or 301-560-6700 x1154 (Office) at your earliest convenience. Thank you very much. Looking forward to helping you make your home purchase or sale a stress free and very happy one. Have a great day. "Buy home Washington DC" Zip codes 20019,20020,20032,20011 AREA HOMES Looking for just the right property? Cl...
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Price: $318,900 FIZBER.com ID 11646483 Condo/Townhome/Co-op with 1 bed, 1.0 bath, in 1438 Columbia Rd #306 Washington, DC, 20009 http://www.fizber.com/11646483/ 1438 Columbia Rd #306 - For Sale By Owner Property Details: Type: Condo/Townhome/Co-op Address: 1438 Columbia Rd #306, Washington, DC, 20009 Sq footage: 524.0 Floors: n/a Bathrooms: 1.0 Bedrooms: 1 Year built: 1916 View full property details and seller's contacts. View more District of Columbia homes for sale. Homes for Sale by Owner. Description: Modern contempory condo in the heart of Columbia Heights with a sweeping open floor plan, wonderful natural light entering through windows, new hardwood floors, fresh paint, gourmet kitchen, & living room with fireplace. Extra closets in bedroom and updated bath. Home also comes with ...
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By Jane Kosheleva
(Markett)
Price: $149,500 FIZBER.com ID 11646482 Condo/Townhome/Co-op with 1 bed, 1.0 bath, in 939 Longfellow St NW #202 Washington, DC, 20011 http://www.fizber.com/11646482/ 939 Longfellow St NW #202 - For Sale By Owner Property Details: Type: Condo/Townhome/Co-op Address: 939 Longfellow St NW #202, Washington, DC, 20011 Sq footage: 804.0 Floors: n/a Bathrooms: 1.0 Bedrooms: 1 Year built: 1942 View full property details and seller's contacts. View more District of Columbia homes for sale. Homes for Sale by Owner. Description: YOU'LL LOVE HOW CLOSE THIS 1 BEDROOM AND DEN CONDO IS TO WORK,RESTAURANTS,& DOWNTOWN DC!CHARMING CONDO WITH NEW PAINT GREAT STORAGE,AND A BALCONY TO RELAX ON THE WEEKENDS. STYLE AND GRACE FOR ONLY 149500! DON'T LET THIS ONE PASS YOU BY! 27/7 INFO ON THIS PROPERTY CALL 703-...
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By Lise Howe, Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC
(Keller Williams Capital Properties)
There are seven properties on the market in DC over $10 million - ranging from $10 million to $39.5 million.  Five have been listed for at least 6 months - with one being on the market almost two years, but no properties over $10 million have sold in the same 6 month time frame.Interestingly, the "youngest" of the properties (57 years old) is the least expensive, while the oldest ones - both in Georgetown - are the most expensive. Halcyon House is a 30,500s.f.historically designated mansion overlooking Potomac River.The home was built in 1787 by James Stoddert- the 1st US Secretary of Navy, and George Washinton confidante. It was once owned and expanded by Mark Twain's nephew. Originally listed at $30 million but reduced to $19,500,000 this 5 level home with 9 fireplaces and room for 12...
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By Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@Properties)
Soon after I got my real estate license, I became fascinated with a monolithic brick building on the corner of Connecticut Avenue and Porter Street NW.   It was the Broadmoor Cooperative, one of the largest buildings in Cleveland Park.   Back then, 1983, there was one old guy who was sort of the real estate king of this lovely old building.His name was Nelson, and he must have been 200 years old.  He got all of the listings, and he put nothing into the multiple listing service, which was a fairly new thing back then.  If Nelson liked you, he'd call you and let you know when something came on the market.  I loved the building and I made it a point to schmooze this particular colleague.  Call it primitive social media. We got along really well until one day the old guy goosed one of my cl...
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