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]Meant to add.  In older rowhomes, there is a greater chance that there's an infiltration point.  This is because of years of wear and tear.  And because there are plenty of ground level access points.  Finding them usually isn't too hard if you know how to look (a good exterminator can help with this), and I've been able to eliminate them with a combination of steel wool and expanding foam.

[quote=Anonymous]We have had issues, and hired exterminators over the years.

When I talk to the exterminators, they've always said essentially the same thing.  No matter where you live, rodents are always nearby, and will get in eventually if there is an infiltration point.  There are always more if there is an abundant food source nearby, such as food waste from restaurants.  The key to eliminating them from your home is to close off the infiltration point, and kill or trap the rodents that are inside.  If you don't find and close the infiltration point, the problem will persist, no matter how many you trap or kill.

[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.

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.[/quote]

I wouldn't mind getting a small rowhouse like this in this area. How is the mouse/rat/roach situation given shared walls, proximity to restaurants, etc?[/quote][/quote][/quote]

In our experience having lived in one years ago rodents come from the outside.  You have to be vigilant with patio doors, not letting them open without paying attention as it's easy for a mouse to sneak in behind you.  We had a cat and no issues with rodents taking hold in our place.  I suppose rodents can smell its predator and its litterbox even if humans cannot or it could be that we weren't near any commercial food place.  I really don't think it's any different than pest control in an SFH or an apartment having lived in all these situations.  You have to exterminate pests you see early on (ants, roaches, spiders, etc) and keep your outdoor spaces neat and free of debris.  because of urban living there are trash cans everywhere, so your neighbors taking care of their trash containers is also important.  But so it is in suburbia and in an apartment building where your next door neighbor could have infestations you have to deal with.  There is nothing really dramatically different [/quote]

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