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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=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.

[b]Older rowhomes require a lot of maintenance and upkeep.[/b]  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.[/quote]

I know many families with rowhomes in Capitol Hill and Georgetown.  The maintenance and upkeep isn't all that substantial...especially with a brick exterior that never needs to be painted.

Just curious what you are referring specifically, especially if you buy one with modern heating/cooling, modern plumbing, modern electrical (i.e., it's been upgraded at least in the last 20 years).[/quote]

roof, gutters, hvac, water heater, extermination, exterior lights, cleaning the dryer vent, landscaping/masonry, snow removal (including shoveling sidewalk), scheduling bulk trash removal or dealing with missing/broken trash cans...it's not constant, but it's all stuff that many condo associations would hire pros for.

and a lot of cheaper rowhomes have not been flipped well, so you have that to deal with too. [/quote]

Well, ok...but those have nothing really to do with OP buying a rowhome vs. any home.  Again, if the roof has somewhat recently been replaced, then that's a non-issue, and landscaping could easily be a complete non-issue with a Capitol Hill rowhome with little outdoor space.

Snow removal is also usually like next to nothing given it snows so infrequently these days and a rowhome has a tiny postage-stamp amount of shoveling that needs done.  Work out a deal with a neighborhood kid to spend 15 minutes to shovel if needed.

Bulk trash removal is very rarely needed and it's free in DC...so not really an expense.[/quote]

the question was not about a rowhouse v. detached home but rowhouse v. condo. If OP buys in a professionally managed condo building, he's never going to call a roofer, shovel snow, remove a fallen tree limb, etc. None of these things are a big deal, and maybe OP would rather deal with them than pay a condo fee. That's fine. It just gets a bit trickier if he's only there a few nights a week.  [/quote]

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