All Blog Entries by Ben Puchalski

1603 Isherwood St NE #202, Washington, DC 20002 | List Price: $199,000
Very affordable price for a top floor 2 bedroom condo on Capitol Hill.  This unit is about 640 sq ft and the condo fee's are very low($125/mo).  Laundry in the unit.  Short distance to metro and H Street. 

1248 Fairmont St NW, Washington, DC 20009 | List Price: $955,000
Great condo development potential here in Columbia Heights.  This end unit Victorian is currently set up as a 6 bedroom with 3.5 bathrooms.  The total sq ft on this property is 3540.  Zoned for multiple units and is on a .12 acre. 

61 Underwood St NW, Washington, DC 20012 | List Price: $235,000
Most affordable fee simple(non-condo) property on the market in Northwest Washington DC.  These semi-detached homes are small…

1303 Allison St NW, Washington, DC 20011

List Price: $399,900

Way overpriced short sale in 16th Street Heights.  Needs full renovation.  Big issue is no backyard.  Has potential rental/second unit in basement.  Close to Petworth area.  Dog park is just down the street.  Need to buy at a much lower price to make this deal make sense.

4915 Illinois Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011

List Price: $350,000

Another overpriced property.  This one is in Petworth.  Estate sale.  Good sq ft(2280).  Needs a full renovation.  Purchase price needs to be in the mid $200's to make this work.  After repair value is in the low $500's.

819 Farragut St NW, Washington, DC 20011

List Price: $299,900

Will get multiple offers.  Low priced for a home that you can move…

Hot Properties in Washington DC

3063 Clinton St NE, Washington, DC 20018

List Price: $209,900

Just came back on the market today.  Cheap for a single family home.  Regular sale.  Woodridge area.  Fix and flip for mid $300's.  Not too far from the development occurring in Fort Lincoln. 

3949 R St SE, Washington, DC 20020

List Price $108,000

Cheap home in Fort Dupont area of SE DC.  Fannie Mae owned.  Resale is in the mid $200's.  Low price.  Good flip.  Will sell fast.

160 Adams St NW, Washington, DC 20001

List Price $465,000

Who is going to be the first buyer to get this seller down to earth?  Estate sale.  Get price down and make some money.  Ledroit Park real estate is doing very well. 

4915 Illinois Ave NW, Washington, DC…

Five Things I Learned From Reading the July Consumer Reports

This month’s issue focused on making your home feel more luxurious for less. 

1. CR surveyed thousands of readers on hotels.  The top rated hotels were Ritz Carlton(Luxury), Residence Inn by Marriot(Upscale), Wingate by Wyndham(Moderate), and Microtel(Budget). 

2.  The top three places to buy major appliances in order are Abt Electronics, Independent stores, and Lowe’s.  The top three for buying small appliances in order are Amazon, Independent stores, and Costco. 

3.  CR does not recommend buying extended warranties for appliances. 

4.  Quartz and Granite are best for countertops.

5.  The best ways to save gas are to slow down and drive between 55-65 MPH, check gas prices on a site…

Hot Washington DC Property Post for June 5, 2012

905 Emerson St NW, Washington, DC 20011

List Price: $264,900

Petworth is on fire right now.  Buy this and flip it.  Sell for $500-600K.

1420 Crittenden St NW, Washington, DC 20011

List Price: $549,990

This is in 16th Street Heights.  The price is way too high.  I think I have posted this on the blog 3 or 4 times now.  This seller needs a reality check.  A cash offer with quick close in the low $400's is what it will probably take to get this one.  Renovated it would sell in mid $600's.

3314 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010

List Price: $345,000

Wells Fargo really underpriced this property.  It is available for owner occupants only.  It will get multiple offers.  This…

3437 Massachusetts Ave SE, Washington, DC 20019

List Price: $249,900

Will need to offer less.  Offer $180K.  Fix and Flip for $329K. 

453 Manor Pl NW, Washington, DC 20010

List Price: $450,000

4 Unit within walking distance to Petworth metro.  This area is considered Columbia Heights.  This area is east of Columbia Heights. 

5411 Illinois Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011

List Price: $299,900

Would probably need to buy as owner occupant at this price.  Too high for an investor to make a lot of money. 

708 Emerson St NE, Washington, DC 20017

List Price: $140,000

Short sale.  Needs full renovation.  Close to Fort Totten metro on the red line.  Good flip possibilities. 

5 Things I Learned From Reading the June 2012 Consumer Reports(CR)

This month's CR was focused on protecting your privacy. 

1.  The 365 brand of pickles from Whole Foods got the best rating when they tested pickles.  I don't think I have ever had them.  Are they good? 

2.  You get very little extra protection from sunscreens ranked above 30 SPF. 

3.  Comcast got terrible reviews.  How can they be growing?

4.  15.9 million people have experienced identify theft in the last year. 

5.  For detailed instructions on protecting yourself on facebook go here. 

812 C St NE, Washington, DC 20002

List Price: $425,000

This is a 2 unit centrally located on Capitol Hill.  What a steal at this price.  Worth over $600K.  Will have to deal with tenant.  Good buy in a popular area. 

441 Kenyon St NW, Washington, DC 20010

List Price: $360,000

Becoming very difficult to find anything this close to the Petworth metro.  Home needs a full renovation but has walk out in front for basement.  Potential rental in basement.  Close to WashingtonHospital.

4506 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20011

List Price: $450,000

Good size property.  Overpriced.  Needs to be closer to $400K.  Good rental potential in basement.  Short distance to Petworth metro.  Petworth and 16th Street Heights real estate has been moving…

Deals of the Week          

427 7th St SE, Washington DC 20003

List Price: $525K

Bank owned 3 Unit.  Very close to Eastern Market metro on Capitol Hill.  Details are a little sketchy on this one.  May have to be a cash purchase.  Great value for the location.

1017 Monroe St NW #1  , Washington, DC 20010

List Price: $403,500

Fannie Mae owned.  3 Beds, 2.5 Baths on 2 levels.  Lots of development going on in this area.  Super location between Petworth and Columbia Heights.  Hard to find anything with this sq ft under $500K. 

4915 Illinois Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011

List Price: $350,000

Estate sale.  Large home.  4 Bed, 3 Full Bath.  Petworth real estate is booming. 

1420 Crittenden St NW, Washington, DC 20011

List Price:…

Information about DC TOPA Act

We do a lot of work on the Washington DC tenant opportunity to purchase act, which can also be referred to as the first right of refusal in the District of Columba.  TOPA, as it's called, was created out of the Rental Housing Conversation and Sale Act in the early 1980's.  It is designed to restrict owner rights and provide benefits to tenants.  The benefits for tenants include the option to purchase as well as the ability to assign their right to purchase to a third party. 

If you are considering buying a property that is tenant occupied or if you are thinking about renting your property out, you need to familiarize yourself with the Washington DC Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act.  The process can be a challenge to…