Under Contract! 1624 Corcoran Street #J $699,000

After looking at 1 and 2 bedroom condos all over Dupont and Georgetown, my out of town buyers picked this lovely 2 BR at 17th and Corcoran to call home. They liked the more traditional separated layout over the newer units with their total openness. Having two fireplaces and a gorgeous kitchen helped seal the deal as well. Pictures here.

Smallest Kitchen I've Ever Seen

This just made me laugh when I saw the picture of this kitchen in a Dupont circle studio (priced at $185,000) It's a nice studio/jr. 1 bedroom with a massive walk-in closet but with this kitchen I would think you would have to get used to eating take-out every night!

SOLD! 1901 Wyoming #60 $400,000

Today my client closed on a beautiful one bedroom in one of Kalorama's "Best Addresses" buildings. The Altamont is a beautiful old Coop building with the original lobby and a great roofdeck. Unit #60 has an updated kitchen (with a new range with magnetic knobs that come on and off...very high-tech) as well as a re-done bathroom and lots of closet space. The arched windows, fireplace, and wood floors give the place loads of charm. See pictures here. It wasn't easy getting to settlement, my buyer had to switch lenders due to an appraisal issue, and going through the coop board approval process and interview required lots of extra paperwork, but I think he will find it well worth it!

Condo in DuPont Gets 9 Offers

This condo, priced at $499,000 on S Street went on the market on Monday and they reviewed NINE offers on it last night. My clients wrote a very good offer, escalating quite a bit over the asking price and we lost out to a buyer willing to pay a higher price. I won't know until it settles what it went for but I would guess somewhere around $550,000. The condo was lovely (see pictures here) and had a real dining room area which is rare in these converted row-house condos.

SOLD! 1620 Corcoran Street NW #A $365,000

Last Friday my client settled on this lovely 1 BR condo in the heart of DuPont. Corcoran is a quiet one way street off of 17th Street and steps to Safeway, restaurants and Mr. Yogato!

New Listing in the Appoline

The condo pictured above is a new listing at the Appoline, a gorgeous building just southwest of DuPont Circle. I sold a smaller one bedroom here in May and my client loves the building and the rooftop pool! It's a good buy at $399,900. Click for more pictures.

Under Contract- 1901 Wyoming Ave NW #60 $425,000

My buyer got a ratified contract last night on unit 60 at the 1901 Wyoming. This floor plan is a winner, three (20, 30, and 60) are under contract right now! The Altamont is one of the prettiest buildings in Kalorama with stunning architecture, a beautiful lobby and a roofdeck with fantastic views. My client loved the size of the rooms, arched windows, classic moldings, and high ceilings. Take a look at the condo here.

1620 Corcoran Street NW #A $369,000- UNDER CONTRACT

Last night my buyer ratified a contract on this lovely 1BR unit on Corcoran Street in DuPont. The small building (and low fee- developers take note!) really appealed to her, and the central location can't be beat! For more pics, click here.

Craziest Bathroom EVER!

I see a lot of odd houses in this profession. In addition to the odd taste that some folks have, DC has a lot of old houses that have been adapted to the way we live today but often those renovations create some funny spaces and lots of design challenges. Today I saw a four story stone mansion on 16th Street that that was absolutely gorgeous, but had the strangest master bath I have ever seen. The owners expanded up into the attic to add the bathroom as a loft in the master bedroom. The huge gray marble bathroom looks over the master with no doors or even a shower curtain separating bathroom space from living space! I'm all for sunken tubs and open showers, I could even live with the gray marble, but the lofted aspect was way too much. The bathroom also led out to a fabulous roofdeck, but having guests up there would be way too awkward since they would have to basically walk through your shower to get out there! Click here for more pics of this interesting house.

JUST SOLD! 1330 New Hampshire Ave #724 $283,000

Last friday my client settled on this great condo in the heart of DuPont. The Apolline is a very nice building with a 24 front desk and the best rooftop pool! More pics here.

1330 New Hampshire Ave NW #724- Under Contract!!

This gorgeous condo has just been snapped up by one of my buyers. It has been renovated to the nines and has a great view over DuPont rooftops toward the National Cathedral. Building amenities include a front desk and a fantastic rooftop pool! Click here for more photos.

2 ratified contracts last week...the Spring market is picking up!

Cute Funky House for the Price of a Condo!

Check out this cute little house on Florida between 16th and 17th, a great neighborhood advertised as DuPont but closer to Adams Morgan and U Street. Priced at $598,000, it's a great condo alternative in move-in condition with 3 BR, 1.5 baths and a huge back deck. I love the exposed brick and those floors!
Click for pics:
http://www.homevisit.com/mlsTour/select/?id=34483

Just Sold!! 1700 17th Street NW #208

Yesterday #208 in 1700 17th Street (The Admiral DuPont) went to Settlement. The condo sold just under asking price at $344,000! The buyer was even able to cash in on these lower interest rates, so he was very pleased.

Buyers Braving the August Heat!

At the open house yesterday for my new listing at the corner of 17th and R, I had 17 groups come by! I was expecting the majority to be people who saw signs and were curious but most had seen the property online or advertised in the Post, they were serious buyers. Everyone talks about DC being dead in August...with Congress not in session and this year the Conventions, but people are still out there looking for Real Estate! I actually received an offer on the property last night and we are in the midst of getting the contract ratified. 4 days on the market, not bad!

New on the Market- 1700 17th Street #208

OPEN SUNDAY 1-4. $349,000 This condo is newly renovated and looks great! Features include a new open kitchen, new floors, marble bath, balcony, fresh paint and plenty of closet space. Building has relaxing outdoor space on the roofdeck and private courtyard, and welcomes pets. Feel free to stop by on Sunday or call me if you would like to see it at another time!

For more pictures/info: www.17andRcondo.com

Coming Soon....1 BR in the Heart of DuPont

I have a new listing coming on next week in the Admiral DuPont on 17th and R, just blocks from the DuPont Metro, Safeway, Whole Foods, and all of the nightlife and restaurants that DuPont and U Street have to offer! This spacious 1 BR has just been renovated from top to bottom; marble bath, renovated open kitchen with breakfast bar, new floors and fresh paint. Other features include a wood burning fireplace, ample closet space, stacked Washer/Dyer, light-filled rooms, and a balcony overlooking the Admiral DuPont's serene private courtyard. Will be priced in the mid-300's.

Restaurant Review- Tomate in DuPont

Last week I tried Tomate on Connecticut Avenue just north of DuPont and was not impressed. Its an Italian bistro with a nice simple decor and some of the tables by the windows have great people watching, but all in all the food wasn't great and the whole place seemed rather un-interesting. I went on one of those DC summer nights where it feels too hot to eat so I ordered a tomato soup that said it was "room temperature" assuming it was going to be like a gazpacho, but it was pretty much normal hot tomato soup temperature (maybe "room temperature" has a different meaning in DC's sweltering summer months?). I also had melon and proscuitto the most delicious italian appetizer in the world, which was good. My friend got the salmon which I tried and it was really fishy and overcooked. I think there's probably a lot of places that will give you better Italian food for your money!

New Obsession- Mr. Yogato

Ok so two new frozen yogurt places have opened around DuPont this summer. I have yet to actually try TangySweet on 20th and P because I can't handle the club scene vibe (think dark and loungy with techno music) when I'm waiting in line. However, I braved the long line at Mr. Yogato on 17th and P last night and it was well worth it. I got the tangy flavor with blackberries and honey, delicious. I also volunteered to have my forehead stamped (astringent got it right off) to get a 20% discount. See below for other "rules" that I copied and pasted from www.mryogato.com

Rules of Yogato
If Mr. Roboto comes over the speaker system and you sing along, you get 10% off yogurt.
Try your luck with a trivia question. Get it right for 10% off, but get it wrong and 10% is added.
If you will wear a yogato stamp on your head, you get 20% off.
If you can recite the Stirling battlefield speech from Braveheart in a great scottish accent, you get 10% off yogurt.
Order a yogurt for 30 consecutive days and we'll name a flavor after you.
If a customer suggests a topping or flavor which is then adopted, that customer receives a 5% discount for life.
If anyone can stump Steve on trivia regarding Seinfeld or "The Rock," 10% off yogurt.
Anyone wearing a kickball uniform and has played hard (evidenced by dirt on their knees) will receive an automatic 10% off yogurt.

Perfect space for cocktail party

Its very hard to find a space for a small cocktail party. DC has many venues that are perfect for 100+ partygoers, but those spaces feel cold and awkward for a smaller crowd, and can be too expensive for small-scale entertaining. Fortunately I've just discovered the top floor room at Floriana Grill on 17th and Q. I attended a going-away party there for a friend and the space was just perfect for about 20-35 people. At this particular party there were tables around the perimeter with cheese plates and various other nibbles, and then a small table was set up for a cash bar, with 2 very friendly bartenders. The restaurant is in an old townhouse, so you have the feel of entertaining at home in a cozy space. Another plus: the restrooms are on the second floor so guests don't have to travel far! The only downside to hosting an event here is that parking will be difficult, so I would encourage guests to metro (DuPont and U Street are fairly close) or cab over.

I have yet to eat at Floriana but I hear the food is quite good and Wednesday is half price wine night.

Restaurant Review- Tabard Inn

Simply fantastic. Walking in to this historic inn on quiet N Street transports you to another time and place. Cozy decor, low ceilings and interesting art everywhere make it feel like an elegant old world supper club. There is a lobby lounge with low tables, a real bar where people were enjoying drinks or dining solo, a dining room and then a back patio garden. The dining room, where I ate, was fairly full but even so, it's a quiet restaurant. This is the place to go for a small business dinner, date, or relaxed evening, I wouldn't try it with a group of more than 3 or 4. The menu changes nightly but last night their halibut and sea scallop entree was cooked perfectly and was delicious.