Riveting Rooms

House in Merida, Mexico via HGTV's "House Hunters International"

The first study abroad program I attended was in Cuernavaca, Mexico.  While I lived in Cuernavaca, I was fascinated by the Mexican tile.  It's utilized in every room in warmer climates to keep the house cool.  It led to a life long love of intricate tile patterns and indoor/outdoor living.  Although I'm partial to blue tile, I love the floor featured above.  The neutral colors compliment the decor and add an elegant design element.  

How's the neighborhood?

Washington Circle

One of the most popular questions that home buyers ask in DC is "how's the neighborhood?"  It's a logical question.  If you're not familiar with an area, surely your real estate agent can give you the low down about safety.  Except we can't due to Fair Housing Laws. 

What are the Fair Housing Laws?  Laws that "prohibit the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings and in other housing related transactions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody) and handicap (disability)."   That's the definition of the Federal law.  Each state has additional categories as well.  DC, in particular, also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Buyers find Realtors inability to tell them about the schools, neighborhoods, and safety frustrating.  I understand but I can't violate any of the Fair Housing Laws or else I get in big trouble.

There are a number of ways for a buyer to discover the information they seek.  My favorite sources are neighborhood blogs.  (See my Daily Obsessions).  Most neighborhood blogs aren't written by real estate agents.  Therefore, they can discuss crime, schools and the residents.

The Washington Post real estate section is another valuable resource.  Their "neighborhood" section allows a buyer to search all the pertinent topics. 

Buying a home has many intricate steps.  Doing research on neighborhoods is part of the process.

*photo via The Murphy Team website

First Friday

This week, several houses hit the market that caught my interest.  Normally, August is a slow month for real estate in DC due to Congress being out of session/people going on vacation. Not this year!

923 French St, NW exterior

923 French St, NW living room

923 French St, NW kitchen

923 French St, NW is a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath row house listed for $699,900.  It's 1,890 square feet and the yearly taxes are $4,419. The house has been recently renovated.  It has hardwood floors through out, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, a spacious living room and dining room, sunny bedrooms and updated bathrooms.  There's a backyard (currently overgrown) with a lot of potential for a patio or a parking spot.  French St. is located in Shaw.  The house is several blocks to the Shaw Metro, the new library at the intersection of Rhode Island and 7th St, NW.  It's also a short walk to U St., NW.

1517 Kingman St, NW exterior

1517 Kingman St, NW living room

1517 Kingman St, NW roof deck

1517 Kingman St, NW is a historic 6 bedroom, 3 bath row house for sale at $980,000.  It's 3,168 square feet and the yearly taxes are $6,794.  It's a four level row house located on a quiet street behind the Studio Theatre.  It has hardwood floors through out, many original architectural details, three fireplaces, a private garden and a roof deck plus rental unit.  There's also a separately deeded garage that conveys with the house.  It's minutes to the Whole Foods on P St. and other Logan Circle amenities.  If you'd like to see if for yourself, it's Open on Sunday 8/7/11 from 1-4pm.

*Note:  Houses this size in Logan generally go for over a million.  I think it's priced aggressively because it doesn't have central a/c and the kitchen and baths need work.*

*photos courtsey of Matrix

Real Estate Round Up

Update on the mandatory 20% down debate via Urban Turf.  Hoping ardently that this bill doesn't pass.  I can't imagine what it will do to the real estate industry.  As it is, buyers are often frustrated by the loan current loan process.  The stories I could tell!

Real estate apps that deliver by The Washington Post.  For all of you addicted to your iPhone and Android.

Singles dive into the real estate market from Today.com.  It's good to have your own assets.

Sorting through lending fees from the NY Times.  This is why a GFE (good faith estimate) is important.  Once you have one, ask questions.  Know what fees your lender charges.

DC Council fixes foreclosure law.  As I mentioned in the last Real Estate Round Up, two of the largest title insurers in the US had decided to stop insuring foreclosures in DC due to foreclosure legislation.  Thankfully, DC Council realized what a huge problem this would be for the DC housing market and revised the legislation.  Whew.

*image via Urban Turf

oh joy! workshop

On Monday afternoon, I took a quick road trip (up and back) to Philly for a blog workshop by Joy Cho of oh joy!
 
Although I've done tons of research on blogging and what makes one successful, I've wanted "hands on" advice to make this blog more polished.  I love the aesthetic of oh joy! and she is very successful.  It sounded like a win win situation to me.   

Joy had a lot of good advice.  My two biggest "light bulb" moments?  I need to learn Photoshop *stat* and I need to get my cameras working again.  My blackberry and my husband's iphone cameras aren't good enough.

Cards galore

Overall, it was a fantastic experience.  The room was brimming with people with interesting ideas.  Look at those cards...creativity everywhere. 

I also had a quick glimpse of my cousin Josh, who lives in Philly.  You might remember me mentioning him in this post.  Nice man that he is, he brought me a delicious turkey, brie and caramelized onion sandie from Termini Bros. (holy Italian cookies! *swoon*) plus this lovely confection below.  Wasn't that thoughtful?  I brought an apple for dinner.  Needless to say, my sandie and chocolate/cashew treat were tastier than the apple. 

Termini brothers chocolate cashew confection

Riveting Rooms

Rue Magazine feature "750 square feet in Stockholm" pg. 124-137

Today, I'm focusing on good design in a small space.  Condo living in all cities=small spaces.  This is true whether it's DC or in this example, Stockholm.  My favorite features in this layout are the use of color and space saving ideas.  I also love the rustic floors with the modern dining room/kitchen.  It's a phenomenal contrast.  Check out the new issue of Rue for more international design.

DIY in the DMV

Chic Cottage Charm house

I stumbled upon this delightful blog, Chic Cottage Charm, about a couple in Arlington documenting their first home transformation.  As a real estate agent, I love blogs about older, dated houses being converted into something modern.  A lot of buyers can't "see" the potential in these types of properties.  Take a peek and check out the wonderful metamorphosis of this cottage.  It's impressive. 

*photo from Chic Cottage Charm