Is buying in Brookland a good investment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If prices are this high where updated are needed throughout the house, I’m not too sure.

https://redf.in/NQWDK0

That is quite expensive for that area I am thinking. Really not sure why someone would opt to pay 825k for that TH which a) needs quite a bit of work and b) is in Brookland (fairly crappy area and def not that safe ) rather than opting to pay around the same in N Arlington or near Georgetown (there are THs currently for sale near Georgetown U for around 900k, and also in N Arlington for around that same price). Given its price, the amount of work that needs, plus the area, willing to bet this one is gonna stay on the market for a while.

Similar argument goes towards that one that someone posted on Chancellors Way (the TH looks nice enough, minus the lack of backyard which granted nowadays is very common with THs) but why would someone opt to pay 920k to get a TH there, versus getting one in Georgetown, N Arlington, Wesley Heights or frankly anywhere that is much nicer and safer than Brookland, boggles my mind. I get buying there due to affordability reasons (say can only afford 500k) but once we hit the 900k mark, makes 0 sense in my view given you can live in other areas of the DMV that are nicer.

Show me one Georgetown TH for around $900,000. Just one.

Here are two near Georgetown U that are currently on the market (to be fair closer to 1m than 900k) but still, much rather live in one of those and in that area for only like 80k more than Brookland. Both are 3br.
https://redf.in/4mrs9Q
https://redf.in/dTAUfe

Here is one that sold a month ago for 970k https://redf.in/hnpyB0

Here is one in N Arlington for 850k (almost same price as that one listing someone showed in Brookland). Needs work imo but less so than the one in Brookland. But still a little overpriced (which shows by fact that it's been on market for a bit) https://redf.in/RA7xOt

$1 million isn't $900,000, which is what you claimed. The first "Georgetown" listing you provide isn't a townhouse but two apartments in one unit. The second one is a shoebox on a busy road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If prices are this high where updated are needed throughout the house, I’m not too sure.

https://redf.in/NQWDK0

That is quite expensive for that area I am thinking. Really not sure why someone would opt to pay 825k for that TH which a) needs quite a bit of work and b) is in Brookland (fairly crappy area and def not that safe ) rather than opting to pay around the same in N Arlington or near Georgetown (there are THs currently for sale near Georgetown U for around 900k, and also in N Arlington for around that same price). Given its price, the amount of work that needs, plus the area, willing to bet this one is gonna stay on the market for a while.

Similar argument goes towards that one that someone posted on Chancellors Way (the TH looks nice enough, minus the lack of backyard which granted nowadays is very common with THs) but why would someone opt to pay 920k to get a TH there, versus getting one in Georgetown, N Arlington, Wesley Heights or frankly anywhere that is much nicer and safer than Brookland, boggles my mind. I get buying there due to affordability reasons (say can only afford 500k) but once we hit the 900k mark, makes 0 sense in my view given you can live in other areas of the DMV that are nicer.

Show me one Georgetown TH for around $900,000. Just one.

Here are two near Georgetown U that are currently on the market (to be fair closer to 1m than 900k) but still, much rather live in one of those and in that area for only like 80k more than Brookland. Both are 3br.
https://redf.in/4mrs9Q
https://redf.in/dTAUfe

Here is one that sold a month ago for 970k https://redf.in/hnpyB0

Here is one in N Arlington for 850k (almost same price as that one listing someone showed in Brookland). Needs work imo but less so than the one in Brookland. But still a little overpriced (which shows by fact that it's been on market for a bit) https://redf.in/RA7xOt

$1 million isn't $900,000, which is what you claimed. The first "Georgetown" listing you provide isn't a townhouse but two apartments in one unit. The second one is a shoebox on a busy road.

I said around 900k which leaves a lot to interpretation, in my view 900k and 999k count as that but fair that's closer to a 1m.

Furthermore let's compare that second listing for 999k vs the 920k brookland listing. The brookland one is around 200sq feet more according to listing (frankly don't trust listing Sq ft since they are constantly fudged by realtors but it is what it is). So by your definition both are shoeboxes effectively.

The other thing is, the Georgetown house has no HOA while the Brookland th does have an HOA, and when you consider that, the monthly difference in PITI is merely 500. Again, frankly, where would you want to live given you are spending that much, near Georgetown where it is nice, close to plenty of shops, has good schools, and is safe...or Brookland.

Again I get living there for affordability reasons, but when pricing around 900ishk budget, then it just makes no sense to opt for there.

[Anonymous]

What about Bloomingdale? Obviously, this area along with Brookland is up and coming. Bloomingdale seems to have more stuff. What about safety?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If prices are this high where updated are needed throughout the house, I’m not too sure.

https://redf.in/NQWDK0

That is quite expensive for that area I am thinking. Really not sure why someone would opt to pay 825k for that TH which a) needs quite a bit of work and b) is in Brookland (fairly crappy area and def not that safe ) rather than opting to pay around the same in N Arlington or near Georgetown (there are THs currently for sale near Georgetown U for around 900k, and also in N Arlington for around that same price). Given its price, the amount of work that needs, plus the area, willing to bet this one is gonna stay on the market for a while.

Similar argument goes towards that one that someone posted on Chancellors Way (the TH looks nice enough, minus the lack of backyard which granted nowadays is very common with THs) but why would someone opt to pay 920k to get a TH there, versus getting one in Georgetown, N Arlington, Wesley Heights or frankly anywhere that is much nicer and safer than Brookland, boggles my mind. I get buying there due to affordability reasons (say can only afford 500k) but once we hit the 900k mark, makes 0 sense in my view given you can live in other areas of the DMV that are nicer.

Show me one Georgetown TH for around $900,000. Just one.

Here are two near Georgetown U that are currently on the market (to be fair closer to 1m than 900k) but still, much rather live in one of those and in that area for only like 80k more than Brookland. Both are 3br.
https://redf.in/4mrs9Q
https://redf.in/dTAUfe

Is it unsafe? Looking at the crime map it seems fine
Here is one that sold a month ago for 970k https://redf.in/hnpyB0

Here is one in N Arlington for 850k (almost same price as that one listing someone showed in Brookland). Needs work imo but less so than the one in Brookland. But still a little overpriced (which shows by fact that it's been on market for a bit) https://redf.in/RA7xOt

$1 million isn't $900,000, which is what you claimed. The first "Georgetown" listing you provide isn't a townhouse but two apartments in one unit. The second one is a shoebox on a busy road.

I said around 900k which leaves a lot to interpretation, in my view 900k and 999k count as that but fair that's closer to a 1m.

Furthermore let's compare that second listing for 999k vs the 920k brookland listing. The brookland one is around 200sq feet more according to listing (frankly don't trust listing Sq ft since they are constantly fudged by realtors but it is what it is). So by your definition both are shoeboxes effectively.

The other thing is, the Georgetown house has no HOA while the Brookland th does have an HOA, and when you consider that, the monthly difference in PITI is merely 500. Again, frankly, where would you want to live given you are spending that much, near Georgetown where it is nice, close to plenty of shops, has good schools, and is safe...or Brookland.

Again I get living there for affordability reasons, but when pricing around 900ishk budget, then it just makes no sense to opt for there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If prices are this high where updated are needed throughout the house, I’m not too sure.

https://redf.in/NQWDK0

That is quite expensive for that area I am thinking. Really not sure why someone would opt to pay 825k for that TH which a) needs quite a bit of work and b) is in Brookland (fairly crappy area and def not that safe ) rather than opting to pay around the same in N Arlington or near Georgetown (there are THs currently for sale near Georgetown U for around 900k, and also in N Arlington for around that same price). Given its price, the amount of work that needs, plus the area, willing to bet this one is gonna stay on the market for a while.

Similar argument goes towards that one that someone posted on Chancellors Way (the TH looks nice enough, minus the lack of backyard which granted nowadays is very common with THs) but why would someone opt to pay 920k to get a TH there, versus getting one in Georgetown, N Arlington, Wesley Heights or frankly anywhere that is much nicer and safer than Brookland, boggles my mind. I get buying there due to affordability reasons (say can only afford 500k) but once we hit the 900k mark, makes 0 sense in my view given you can live in other areas of the DMV that are nicer.

Does not appear unsafe...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If prices are this high where updated are needed throughout the house, I’m not too sure.

https://redf.in/NQWDK0

That is quite expensive for that area I am thinking. Really not sure why someone would opt to pay 825k for that TH which a) needs quite a bit of work and b) is in Brookland (fairly crappy area and def not that safe ) rather than opting to pay around the same in N Arlington or near Georgetown (there are THs currently for sale near Georgetown U for around 900k, and also in N Arlington for around that same price). Given its price, the amount of work that needs, plus the area, willing to bet this one is gonna stay on the market for a while.

Similar argument goes towards that one that someone posted on Chancellors Way (the TH looks nice enough, minus the lack of backyard which granted nowadays is very common with THs) but why would someone opt to pay 920k to get a TH there, versus getting one in Georgetown, N Arlington, Wesley Heights or frankly anywhere that is much nicer and safer than Brookland, boggles my mind. I get buying there due to affordability reasons (say can only afford 500k) but once we hit the 900k mark, makes 0 sense in my view given you can live in other areas of the DMV that are nicer.

Does not appear unsafe...

Brookland resident here. It feels much less safe than it was 5 years ago. I don’t think it’s unique in DC in that respect though. Check the metro DC forum for plenty of discussion about this. There’s been a significant increase in crime this year in DC, including in Brookland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If prices are this high where updated are needed throughout the house, I’m not too sure.

https://redf.in/NQWDK0

That is quite expensive for that area I am thinking. Really not sure why someone would opt to pay 825k for that TH which a) needs quite a bit of work and b) is in Brookland (fairly crappy area and def not that safe ) rather than opting to pay around the same in N Arlington or near Georgetown (there are THs currently for sale near Georgetown U for around 900k, and also in N Arlington for around that same price). Given its price, the amount of work that needs, plus the area, willing to bet this one is gonna stay on the market for a while.

Similar argument goes towards that one that someone posted on Chancellors Way (the TH looks nice enough, minus the lack of backyard which granted nowadays is very common with THs) but why would someone opt to pay 920k to get a TH there, versus getting one in Georgetown, N Arlington, Wesley Heights or frankly anywhere that is much nicer and safer than Brookland, boggles my mind. I get buying there due to affordability reasons (say can only afford 500k) but once we hit the 900k mark, makes 0 sense in my view given you can live in other areas of the DMV that are nicer.

Show me one Georgetown TH for around $900,000. Just one.

Here are two near Georgetown U that are currently on the market (to be fair closer to 1m than 900k) but still, much rather live in one of those and in that area for only like 80k more than Brookland. Both are 3br.
https://redf.in/4mrs9Q
https://redf.in/dTAUfe

Here is one that sold a month ago for 970k https://redf.in/hnpyB0

Here is one in N Arlington for 850k (almost same price as that one listing someone showed in Brookland). Needs work imo but less so than the one in Brookland. But still a little overpriced (which shows by fact that it's been on market for a bit) https://redf.in/RA7xOt

$1 million isn't $900,000, which is what you claimed. The first "Georgetown" listing you provide isn't a townhouse but two apartments in one unit. The second one is a shoebox on a busy road.

I said around 900k which leaves a lot to interpretation, in my view 900k and 999k count as that but fair that's closer to a 1m.

Furthermore let's compare that second listing for 999k vs the 920k brookland listing. The brookland one is around 200sq feet more according to listing (frankly don't trust listing Sq ft since they are constantly fudged by realtors but it is what it is). So by your definition both are shoeboxes effectively.

The other thing is, the Georgetown house has no HOA while the Brookland th does have an HOA, and when you consider that, the monthly difference in PITI is merely 500. Again, frankly, where would you want to live given you are spending that much, near Georgetown where it is nice, close to plenty of shops, has good schools, and is safe...or Brookland.

Again I get living there for affordability reasons, but when pricing around 900ishk budget, then it just makes no sense to opt for there.

Brookland and Georgetown are VERY different neighborhoods and not because one is safer than the other. Let's be honest, I am sure Georgetown residents get targeted just as much as Brookland residents. You say Georgetown like it's the most amazing place. It's nice, but you also have to deal with lots of traffic and you just can't run into a place. It's a hassle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are getting a Sprouts in old forman mills.

Really? That's awesome!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where will your kids go to school? It’s all fun and eclectic until you figure out how awful the schools are.

This right here. Don't move to Brookland unless you already have schools figured out or are comfortable risking the DCPS lottery or paying for private. The neighborhood DCPS schools just aren't getting any better. We have had so many friends move to the neighborhood with a "oh, we'll figure out the school issue when we need to" attitude. All of them figured it out by moving away.

And yet, it remains a really popular neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where will your kids go to school? It’s all fun and eclectic until you figure out how awful the schools are.

+1

Or if you are blond.

Whatever. Brookland is wonderfully diverse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've lived in brookland 2x. The first time was amazing. I lived in the neighborhood and my neighbors were fantastic. I loved in 2002 and when I go back to the block, they still ask about my now adult children. Loved, loved, loved it. The house got too small, but it was wonderful.

The second time I lived in Brookland, I lived in one of the new townhouses behind the Busboys and Poets development. New house, but hated it. No where near as neighborly. I actually met my second husband there (he lived 7 houses down). When we decided to get married, I told him that I wanted to move to another neighborhood. People didn't even speak when walking the dog.

I like old Brookland way more then the new developments springing up.

Got it. So, there is less of community feel nowadays. What about amenities (e.g., retail, grocery)?

It depends on which part of Brookland you live in. Yes, the amenities are way better if you like fancier stuff. Quite frankly, I loved shopping at places like Glut in Mt. Ranier when I lived in Brookland in the early 2000s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are getting a Sprouts in old forman mills.

Really? That's awesome!

Says who? Isn't that the axe and pick ball place?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've lived in brookland 2x. The first time was amazing. I lived in the neighborhood and my neighbors were fantastic. I loved in 2002 and when I go back to the block, they still ask about my now adult children. Loved, loved, loved it. The house got too small, but it was wonderful.

The second time I lived in Brookland, I lived in one of the new townhouses behind the Busboys and Poets development. New house, but hated it. No where near as neighborly. I actually met my second husband there (he lived 7 houses down). When we decided to get married, I told him that I wanted to move to another neighborhood. People didn't even speak when walking the dog.

I like old Brookland way more then the new developments springing up.

Got it. So, there is less of community feel nowadays. What about amenities (e.g., retail, grocery)?

It depends on which part of Brookland you live in. Yes, the amenities are way better if you like fancier stuff. Quite frankly, I loved shopping at places like Glut in Mt. Ranier when I lived in Brookland in the early 2000s.

What is the “fancier” stuff they have? Seems it’s mainly Bryant Street, Monroe Street Market (mix and fast casual and sit down, Orange Theory), the arts walk, and the immersive experience. It seems like this still pales in comparison to other neighborhoods.