Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bet you can find a 2 BR condo in Glover Park for less than $500K. Good schools, near the bus line, and a great neighborhood.

Yeah. I was thinking this is doable anywhere in NW along the red line, but your problem will be OP's requirement that the condo fees stay below $300. That's tough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about that one for $179K IB for Janney that was such a weird post here this morning? Is it still up somewhere?

(Of course, it's tiny and sold AS IS so who knows what surprise comes with it.)

That's a screwup. It's on Hayes St. NE, not Harrison St. NW. And it needs too much work for OP.

All the ceilings are caving in on that house.

OP, agent here, and you really are looking for a unicorn. I have clients doing a similar search and they're finding their only options are ground or below ground level dark condos for that price range. And you won't get a condo over 900 square feet with a fee under $300 a month. Doesn't happen.

Okay. I humored myself. I did a search for a 2/2 with 900+ sf and condo fee less than $300. There are 21 units that meet that criteria in DC. If you're okay with below ground / ground level, check out 3921 Fulton St in Glover Park. I was just there today showing them. They're beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Why do you need to buy? Just rent. Despite what some people will try to have you believe, you don't need to own. Just move inside DC in a rental.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bet you can find a 2 BR condo in Glover Park for less than $500K. Good schools, near the bus line, and a great neighborhood.

Yeah. I was thinking this is doable anywhere in NW along the red line, but your problem will be OP's requirement that the condo fees stay below $300. That's tough.

Hm. No.

[Anonymous]

I would look in the Manor Park area - here is a listing (I know - no pictures). But I know a few families who live in that area and go to charters.

http://www.mcenearney.com/property/44107742/214-JEFFERSON-ST-NW-WASHINGTON-DC-20011

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bet you can find a 2 BR condo in Glover Park for less than $500K. Good schools, near the bus line, and a great neighborhood.

Yeah. I was thinking this is doable anywhere in NW along the red line, but your problem will be OP's requirement that the condo fees stay below $300. That's tough.

Hm. No.

.

PP here. Actually, you are right. I should have said Upper NW, like from Woodley Park north. Also along Wisconsin Ave. I even went on Redfin to confirm. There's not much on the market now, but there are lots of recent sales that meet OP's requirements, except of course the condo frees. Of course, OP is not really going to get those extras s/he wants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have been house hunting for TWO YEARS and have not yet been able to find the right place. We have had a few close calls but nothing has panned out. We have to move in the next six months.

We require:
-At least two bedrooms
-A reasonable amount of safety. We have a small child.
-Price less than 500k, though of course less is better
-Turnkey ready. No fixer uppers. We are not at all handy.
->900 square feet
-Close to some sort of public transport, but can be bus
-If a condo, then condo fees less than $300/month
-If a condo, no shared laundry

We would like:
-At least three bedrooms
-At least 1100 square feet
-A house vs a condo
-Walking distance to metro (1 mile or less)

In an ideal world:
-A small yard
-A finished basement with kitchenette
-A friendly community with lots of kids
-Amenities in walking distance, like playground, grocery store, library etc

Not a factor:
-Schools
-Parking, as long as abundant street parking is available

Any suggestions?

Ticking most of your boxes: Hillcrest? There are buses.

Closer to metro and more frequent bus service, River Terrace. Although you will have to compromise on size. However, houses are cheaper (for DC)

You're going to have to go up to Riggs Park/Fort Totten, or make the jump to EotR.

[Anonymous]

I see several 2 bdrm condos around $500k in Columbia Heights, Adams-Morgan, and Petworth. As long as you don't need brand new construction any of those would work.

[Anonymous]

East of the river you should check out Anacostia or Congress Heights, 20020 and 20032 respectively. The first zip code includes Hillcrest which pp mentioned, but I think most single family homes go for more than that/inventory is pretty limited there. Inventory is also moving quickly in Anacostia.

[Anonymous]

Most of the houses on the market EOTR are fixer uppers right now. But there are usually a couple of renovated houses as well. Here's one in Congress Heights: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1000-Congress-St-SE-Washington-DC-20032/527210_zpid/

[Anonymous]

Alexandria or South Arlington. Just bring your kid to school when you commute to work.

[Anonymous]

Wait, it's gotten so crazy people are recommending spending $500K in Anacostia or Congress Heights and living there with a family?

Bubble much?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria or South Arlington. Just bring your kid to school when you commute to work.

OP obviously got a job at a decent school in DC but must live in boundary to let her child attend. No way is she going to drop her kid off at some shitty Alexandria City school on the way to her decent DC school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, it's gotten so crazy people are recommending spending $500K in Anacostia or Congress Heights and living there with a family?

Bubble much?

I'm suggesting it because it fit OP's parameters. Op wanted a detached SFH with a yard, etc, and mentioned interest in EOTR neighborhoods, aka Anacostia and Congress Heights. You can find less expensive houses (usually attached) <300k there, but for a larger renovated detached home, even EOTR, it's going to be 350k and up.

[Anonymous]

Deanwood, you could find something near the Benning Road subway. There are houses that come up in the Langdon Park area within your price range, however some work may be required. There are some smallish houses in the Ft Totten area that would fall in your price range.