Holy shmoly..Mt. Pleasant 3 bedroom house for 475K

1626 Oak St, NW is the latest deal I've discovered.  It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom rowhouse in Mt Pleasant for 475K.  It's 1001 sf, it has a back yard for grilling and two car parking.  It's located off 16th Street.  DC USA and the metro are a 15 minute walk.  There's an Open House tomorrow, 2/20 from 12-2pm, if you want to check it out yourself.  I bet they have a ton of traffic at the Open tomorrow.  There aren't a lot of single family homes in this price range in Mt. Pleasant.   

*photos courtesy of Matrix

Happy Hour at Al Crostino

Al Crostino was my go-to Italian joint for the first year and half I lived on U St.  After my initial love affair, I became fickle.  I started exploring shiny, new restaurants off my four block grid.  Although I've visited Al Crostino on occasion over the last year and half, I've never completely renewed my love affair.

There's a reason there's truth to the phrase "oldies but goodies."  Al Crostino recently introduced HAPPY HOUR two weeks ago and my love affair has resumed.  The menu is simple but elegant.  3 drinks:  Multipuciano (red), Pinot Grigio (white) or Prosecco (bubbles) for $4.  6 bites:  meatballs, arancini di riso (fried rice balls similar to croquettes), polenta bites, a selection of cured Italian meats and cheeses, grilled smoked mozzarella and eggplant or crostini.  All dishes are also priced at $4.  Each is scrumptious.

Another interesting development:  Al Crostino has recently changed hands.  Long time manager Juliana Nicolai recently purchased the restaurant from Luigi Diotaiuti of Al Tiramisu.  She's launching a new menu in the beginning of March.  Don't worry.  She's keeping the dishes treasured by regulars and adding dishes to entice mercurial (!) customers and newcomers alike.  

Revamped

One of my favorite parts of owing a home is the ability to refresh the rooms.  When I moved into our condo, I utilized what I already owned.  Although I loved everything I employed in my initial decorating frenzy, my taste has evolved.  Recently, I revamped my bedroom.  Below is the before and after:

I'm a big fan of color (as if you couldn't tell from my other photos.)  My bedroom is pale yellow.  The furniture is my great grandmother's bedroom suite.  I refinished the set and added new pulls.  The chairs were my Nana's.  Originally mauve velvet, they were recovered in 1998.  They're due to be recovered again but that's a project for later this year.  I'm already plotting what kind of fabric I'm going to buy at the Paul and Galbraith sale.

This is the bedroom now.  Same furniture, new configuration.  We installed hardwood floors in the bedrooms, I added new bedding, my JA lamps (SO EXCITED!!), a Campbell Laird poster and a dark gray upholstered headboard.  Same soothing, comfy atmosphere with a few elegant twists.  I love it. 

Holy shmoly..check out these deals.

As I mentioned in my last post, a few listings have recently hit the market have intrigued me.  They definitely fit the "holy shmoly" category.

The first is 1419 Clifton St, NW #303.  It's a 2 bedroom, 1 bath and it also has a sun room.  It has parking and it's 915sf.  It's $429,900.  You can walk down 14th St. to U St. or up 14th St. to Target.  Both are about a 10 minute walk.  I also like the building.  It isn't your typical, cookie cutter condo and has character.  Check it out this weekend on 2/13 from 1-4pm.

The second is 917 Kennedy St, NW.  It's a 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath house with parking in Petworth.  It's been renovated and has an open floor plan.  It's 1,080sf and it's listed at $339,700.   I don't think this is going to last long.  There aren't many renovated houses in Petworth at this price point!

Buyers...move fast.  The selling season has officially started!

Holy shmoly properties..what happened to them?

What happened to those properties that I've featured as good deals in previous posts?  My curiosity was piqued and I bet yours is too.  Here's the results:

In December, I featured this cute house that was listed at 289K. As predicted, it went fast.  It was under contract in 6 days.  Final price:  289K with an 11K seller subsidy.

In November, I featured this 3 bedroom condo that had just been reduced to $549,000 in Columbia Heights.  At 549K, it was $361 a square foot.  Somebody else thought it was a good deal too.  It sold for 535K with a 10K seller subsidy.   

Nice to see my instincts are on the money.  Next post:  more holy shmoly deals.  

Distracted

I've been preoccupied this week and it shows in my lack of posts.  Sorry folks..my Dad had surgery on Wednesday and it was major.  He's fine but he's still in the hospital.  Everything that's happening is "normal" according to the doctors but it feels abnormal to me.  Seeing someone you love in a lot of pain seems unnecessary.  Especially when there's a lot of good pharmaceuticals out there.  But I digress.

Meanwhile, all hell has broken loose (in a good way!) on the real estate front.  Typically, the real estate season kicks off AFTER Super Bowl weekend.  Except this year, it's starting this weekend.  YEA!  I have a bevy of buyers and listing appts.  You'll be seeing those soon (I hope).

A few articles that caught my eye this week: 

The Post has a great article about selling your house:  "Trying to sell your home?  Take the theatrical approach."

Urban Turf posted about changes Obama wants to make to mortgages:  "Obama Administration Poised to Propose Mortgage Changes."

RisMedia talks about the top 5 home improvement projects and the return on your investment.  I thought this was fascinating:  Top 5 Home Improvement Projects Based on Average Cost and Return on Investment."

Last but not least, a fab, fun post of some gorgeous decor from Coco+Kelly:  "February Light."

*image via Elle Decor





 

Kalorama Classic

I love the classic lines of the houses that line the streets of the Kalorama neighborhood.  Above is 2123 Leroy St, NW and it was listed today.  It's just under 6,000 square feet and has six bedrooms, six full baths and one half bath.  This house can definitely host a crowd.  This would be perfect for an Angotti Christmas Eve celebration!  Check out the amazing kitchen.  (below)

The price tag is hefty:  $3,595,000.   As you can tell from my multiple posts about houses in this price range, I have HUGE aspirations.