What's the smallest, most affordable, nicely located DC property I can buy that is NOT a condo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be concerned about buying a rowhouse if you will only be there a few nights a week. Maybe look at a coop if you don’t want a condo.

This is a good point. There are also a ton of condos in smaller buildings (<10 units) that might be a happy medium for you. But then, of course, you own a property with a small number of strangers.

[Anonymous]

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/304-Bryant-St-NE-20002/home/10074367

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your budget is actually $1m, look for teeny row houses. If you are commuting to Farragut north, look along the red line and orange/blue (to Farragut west, Check out foggy bottom or eastern market or Potomac ave).

+1. Your budget won’t go super far if you don’t want a condo, but you could do a small-ish rowhome in some areas.

For example, you can find a 3 bed/2 bath rowhome in the area around Union Station, for roughly $700-900k (depending on the exact neighborhood).

thanks - this is super helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be concerned about buying a rowhouse if you will only be there a few nights a week. Maybe look at a coop if you don’t want a condo.

You could look at Paper Mill Court in Georgetown. They have townhouse style homes but it’s a condo. They seem to sell pretty quickly and looks to have parking.

Fair enough - will check out

[Anonymous]

There are one bedroom houses located in certain neighborhoods. Here is one in foggy bottom.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/19-Snows-Ct-NW-Washington-DC-20037/395003_zpid/

Here is one in Georgetown west village. Probably a 25 minute walk to Farragut north.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7-Pomander-Walk-NW-Washington-DC-20007/429714_zpid/

[Anonymous]

Horrible idea unless you have money to burn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Horrible idea unless you have money to burn.

I do have a small amount of money to burn, hence the bad idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Horrible idea unless you have money to burn.

I do have a small amount of money to burn, hence the bad idea.

I’d buy the cheapest studio possible closest to your office. This is not an investment - it’s something you are doing to make your life a little easier. (I won’t get into how your wife feels about it …) A rowhouse that you have to take a 20 min metro ride to makes very little sense. Unless you are actually trying to separate from your wife on the DL or won’t admit it to yourself. In that case you ought to consider the legal ramifications of moving out.


I would go for something like this: https://redf.in/qYEGul

Actually not a terrible investment if you pay cash and hold onto for a long time and rent to GW students when you don’t need it any more.

[Anonymous]

Would you consider being in Arlington? You’d have better luck finding a townhouse or small SFH that could meet your requirements.

There are a few within blocks from Ballston metro (quasi walkable area). Metro ride from Ballston to Farragut is about 12 min (plus tack on walking time).

https://redf.in/4KNAO7

https://redf.in/tkpqf2

https://redf.in/aCWzYl

As someone who lives in Arlington, I can say the local services are very good and there is the bonus that if you ever decide to hold onto it (or kids inherit it) as a rental, VA is much more landlord-friendly than DC.

[Anonymous]

^Meant to add this is commute time to Farragut West, but considering the stations are across the street from each other maybe this is close enough for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you consider being in Arlington? You’d have better luck finding a townhouse or small SFH that could meet your requirements.

There are a few within blocks from Ballston metro (quasi walkable area). Metro ride from Ballston to Farragut is about 12 min (plus tack on walking time).

https://redf.in/4KNAO7

https://redf.in/tkpqf2

https://redf.in/aCWzYl

As someone who lives in Arlington, I can say the local services are very good and there is the bonus that if you ever decide to hold onto it (or kids inherit it) as a rental, VA is much more landlord-friendly than DC.

We raised our kids in Arlington, which was great, and now live in the Logan Circle area of DC. There is absolutely zero comparison between the two. Arlington is a complete snore compared to living in town when you don’t have school aged kids (well, even when you do ha ha). Nothing about the two locations is similar.

I don’t think Arlington is the vibe that OP is looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your budget is actually $1m, look for teeny row houses. If you are commuting to Farragut north, look along the red line and orange/blue (to Farragut west, Check out foggy bottom or eastern market or Potomac ave).

+1. Your budget won’t go super far if you don’t want a condo, but you could do a small-ish rowhome in some areas.

For example, you can find a 3 bed/2 bath rowhome in the area around Union Station, for roughly $700-900k (depending on the exact neighborhood).

thanks - this is super helpful.

This one is probably the smallest and cheapest in that area https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1110-3rd-St-NE-20002/home/9890808 close to NoMa metro so not a bad commute to Farragut North

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/304-Bryant-St-NE-20002/home/10074367

Severe flood risk there (8 of 10). And be sure to walk to and from the RI Ave metro at night to see how you feel about it, if you ever hope to commute by transit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you want a co-op?
In your situation, if you didn't want a condo, it probably makes sense to rent. Fee simple homes very close to downtown are generally going to be bigger and more expensive than you want.

If OP is concerned about the appreciation rate of condos I’m not sure co-ops are a good suggestion.

[Anonymous]

You can buy small rowhouses in Shaw, Foggy Bottom, and Capitol Hill at that price point.

Having lived in one, I'd question whether that's the right move given your needs/proposed use.

Older rowhomes require a lot of maintenance and upkeep. Given that you're only going to be there occasionally, it doesn't seem worth it to me. Condos do not require nearly that level of effort, and would seem like a better fit your needs.

While I think you're correct that there will not be substantial price appreciation for condos, (a) the appreciation of rowhomes is offset somewhat by the cost in money and time for maintenance, (b) I don't think we are going to see significant price appreciation in rowhomes over the next few years either, and (c) you'll benefit from a lower purchase price for a condo.