Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 11:01     Subject: Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
OP mentioned that they've had "a few close calls" within the last two years. Maybe it's less of a matter of finding a place and more of a matter of making the right offer?
Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 10:56     Subject: Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
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?


Woodridge in NE might meet most of your goals.
Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 09:52     Subject: Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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/


Lovely, but who wants to live over there?


It's a pretty nice neighborhood. I realize not everyone wants to live EOTR, but OP was interested in EOTR. I live in this neighborhood and consider schools, not crime, to be the biggest problem. OP has resolved that problem. Therefore, given OP's interest, it might be a good fit.
Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 09:51     Subject: Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
Anonymous wrote:It has to be DC. That is the one thing that is 100% non-negotiable. The plan is for my child to attend the school where I work. But we need to live inside DC city limits for that to happen. We currently live just outside the city limits.


How can you guarantee that your child will get into this school? If it's private, it doesn't matter where you live, if it's public or charte there is no guarantee unless it's your neighborhood public.
Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 09:38     Subject: Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
OP isn't serious about her search. She must have a bad Realtor or isn't that serious in her search.
Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 09:36     Subject: Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
9:29 here again. That Ft. Totten house is down the street from a grocery store and around the corner from a library. Almost everything checked on your list (no basement kitchenette) and for $100K less than you were willing to spend.
Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 09:29     Subject: Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
Here's something you could have had in Riggs Park, half a block from a bus stop, one walking mile from the Ft. Totten Metro that fit all of your parameters: https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/5614-Eastern-Ave-NE-20011/home/10081592

How did you miss this or the other 200 houses the poster shared earlier? Are you working with an agent?
Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 09:28     Subject: Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
Anonymous wrote: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/


Lovely, but who wants to live over there?
Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 09:26     Subject: Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
Anonymous wrote:The development by Costco is all in that price range.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/2503-Ralph-Ellison-Way-NE-20018/home/96344675


That's more than a mile from the subway, and it is called Ft. Lincoln. However, there is a bus that originates from Ft. Lincoln that takes you directly to the RI Avenue subway.
Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 09:16     Subject: Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
I just sold my condo in Dupont Circle for just under $500 and it meets your minimum criteria, if on the small side. It was a 1 BR plus den, just under 900 square feet. Condo fees just over $300 per month. Dupont Circle metro and 16th street bus lines. Had its own laundry and was in good shape. Basement storage area. It's possible if you stay on the low end of your square footage requirements.
Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 09:10     Subject: Re:Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I presume you're on a time crunch?

Do you have to own your residence? Is that an employment requirement?

Why don't you just rent for now? Then take your sweet time looking? Personally, I think we're in a housing bubble.

Otherwise, be prepared to buy a shitty basement condo west of the river or something EOTR.


OP stated very clearly she has been looking for two years.


I hope anyone who is still looking and taking their sweet time is paying attention to this. OP could have much more easily found something with this criteria two years ago than now.
Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 09:09     Subject: Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
Anonymous wrote:The development by Costco is all in that price range.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/2503-Ralph-Ellison-Way-NE-20018/home/96344675


I actually recently moved into one of these condos - we got ours for 289 and while it was a unicorn (seller wanted out asap) it is 1600 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a small patio, and a parking spot. We love it here and feel really lucky that not many people know about this - or at least aren't seriously looking.
Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 09:06     Subject: Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
Kingman Park should have a few houses that fit your criteria. May need some work. But they are usually 2-3 bedrooms with full basement.
Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 09:04     Subject: Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
I happen to like this neighborhood (I live nearby) though I realize not everyone would be comfortable living there:

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1648-Kramer-St-NE-20002/home/10113977

This one is in a great location:
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/516-4th-St-NE-20002/unit-101/home/11747045

This one's pristine: https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/329-Rhode-Island-Ave-NE-20002/unit-104/home/40501968

I see a ton of stuff out there, both condos and tiny row houses. I think you must have more stringent requirements than you let on.

Anonymous
Post 11/03/2015 09:02     Subject: Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper
The development by Costco is all in that price range.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/2503-Ralph-Ellison-Way-NE-20018/home/96344675