Area Information

Here are some of the latest additions (or soon-to-be additions) to the real estate market in the neighborhoods of Columbia Heights, Kalorama, and Woodley Park.

Woodley Park

1. Marriott Wardman Park Hotel Redevelopment – Currently a planned project, this hotel redevelopment plan will transform the hotel into a condo or rental.

2. Wardman Tower – Already under construction and currently selling units, Wardman Tower will be a 32-unit condo development located in Woodley Park.

3. The Woodley – A rental development, The Woodley features 212 units. Developers are currently leasing up.

4. South Cathedral Mansions – Currently under construction, South Cathedral Mansions will feature 165 units available for rent.

Kalorama

1. The Calistoga – Developed by MMG Development, The Calistoga is a 5-story residential building with 9 condo units and a restored historic garage billed as the oldest garage in Washington, D.C.

2. Kalorama West – This 117-unit apartment building in Kalorama Road is currently under construction.

Columbia Heights

1. Victoria – Victoria has 16 units up for sale and features access to private courtyards and underground parking, among other amenities. Units range from one- to two-bedroom units to duplex penthouses.

2. The Apex – The Apex is a 20-unit condo development currently under construction in Columbia Heights. It’s strategically located near several establishments and the Columbia Heights metro stop.

3. The Helicopter Factory – A planned development, The Helicopter Factory will feature 15 condo units (14 duplex units and one three-level residence).

4. Lawrence House – A boutique condo currently under construction in Columbia Heights, Lawrence House will feature 30 units, two of which are penthouses with dens and roof decks.

5. 2914 Sherman Avenue NW – A project from Madison Investments, this new condo development under construction will house 15 two-bedroom units and 5 one-bedroom units.

6. 1315 Clifton Street NW – A planned rental development, this six-story project will feature 159 residential units available in different price points. Underground parking spaces and bicycle parking spots are just some of the planned amenities.

7. Meridian Hill Hall Redevelopment – Once a part of the Howard University campus, the Meridian Hill Hall is set to be renovated into a residential building with 200 rental units.

For more information on other real estate developments in the D.C. area, check out this page.

Share

Filed under: Area Information, Blog, Community Updates by Andrew Pariser
Comments Off on New developments in Woodley Park, Kalorama, Columbia Heights

From tours and music festivals to cherry blossoms and monuments, D.C. has an array of captivating sights and sounds for anyone who steps foot in the nation’s capital.

1. Visit the National Zoo
   3001 Connecticut Ave NW
   The zoo’s most popular residents include the giant pandas Tian Tian and Mei Xiang, along with their cubs Bao Bao and Bei Bei.
2. Take the DC by Foot tour
   1740 18th St Northwest #304
   DC by Foot has no upfront costs. Their signature tour is the National Mall Tour, which covers most of the major monuments and memorials in D.C.
3. Go to Luce Unplugged
   8th and F St NW
   Hosted by the Luce Foundation Center for American Art, Luce Unplugged is a monthly concert series that features local talent.
4. Drop by the National Building Museum
   401 F St NW
   Come to the National Building Museum to admire and explore its architectural design. Tours of the Great Hall and the building are free.
5. Visit the Renwick Gallery
   Pennsylvania Ave at 17th St NW
   Get your fill of art and culture by visiting the newly renovated Renwick Gallery. Housed in a historic building, it features decorative arts and crafts from the 19th century onwards.
6. Go for a walk at the Tidal Basin
   1501 Maine Ave SW
   This artificial inlet is lined with cherry blossom trees that the mayor of Tokyo gifted to D.C. in 1912. The trees bloom in March and April, making the Tidal Basin a sight to behold. There are also three memorials to see in the area.
7. Visit the Washington Monument
   2 15th St NW
   Built in honor of George Washington, the monument can either be admired from the ground or from the observation deck, which is 500 feet up via an elevator.
8. Take a tour of the White House
   1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
   Take a tour of the public rooms of the White House or come to the Visitor Center for interactive exhibits and a 14-minute film. A gift shop sells souvenirs, book, and other trinkets.
9. Watch a performance at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage
   2700 F St NW
   Live performances that range from opera, children’s choirs, poetry readings, and classical quartets to comedy shows are staged on a daily basis. No reservations required.
10. Browse through some books at Politics & Prose
    1025 5th St NW
    Attend an author’s reading and book signing in this venue, where locals and writers congregate. Enjoy discussions on politics, literature, and everything else in between.

Share

Filed under: Area Information, Blog, Things to Do by Andrew Pariser
Comments Off on Top 10 Free Things to Do in D.C.

You’ve finally decided that you’re tired of renting and hauling your belongings from one unit to another. Now that you’re ready to commit to a mortgage, here’s what you need to know about buying a condo in D.C.

Condo Buying Trends

1. Small is in

   The tiny condo movement is gaining traction in downtown D.C., and developers are marketing the units to millennials. A tiny studio, for instance, affords 300 square feet of livable space. What makes it attractive is the price point – a unit sells for about $275,000, or half the median price for a typical home in the area.

2. First-time buyers can get tax credit

   First-time home buyers may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $5,000 as long as they meet set requirements. To qualify, you should have purchased your home within the current tax year, and you mustn’t have owned a home in D.C. the previous year. Moreover, the tax credit gets phased out depending on your adjusted gross income.

3. The FHA has made purchasing easier for first-time buyers

   The Federal Housing Administration, which helps first-time buyers get mortgages, lowered their fees in 2015. Fees were again cut in 2016 as the FHA’s financial situation gets better. Getting an FHA-approved condo in D.C. is also helpful because the agency will insure your loan, which mitigates risks and minimizes costs for the lender. You’ll also be required to give a down payment of only 3.5%.

4. Condo living in D.C. is synonymous with lower maintenance and better lifestyle choices

   Condos are easier to maintain than single-family homes and townhouses. Their affordability also lets you live in the city and gives you access to cafes, shops, restaurants, and events. Condo living also allows you to enjoy the walkability of the city, which either minimizes or completely does away with your commute.

Neighborhood Guide

Still wondering which area in D.C. is for you? Here’s a quick rundown of local neighborhoods.

• Woodley Park, Kalorama, and Chevy Chase are affluent neighborhoods. Here’s you’ll find good restaurants, ethnic eateries, and cafes.
• Kalorama residents prefer to keep the area’s noise level down, which makes it perfect for retiring homebuyers.
• Petworth is a close-knit community, with a mix of long-time residents and creative types who have just started moving to town.
• Shaw is known for U St., where residents go for food, drinks, and retail. Currently in the midst of a renaissance, the area is one to look out for over the coming years.
• Along with Shaw, Ivy City and Southwest Waterfront are considered to be up-and-coming neighborhoods. Condos are still affordable and yet are expected to gain value in the next few years.
• Columbia Heights is known as one of D.C.’s grittier areas, but an influx of retailers and increasing entertainment options serve to gradually change its reputation.
• As the name suggests, Mount Pleasant has a small-town vibe that active community members want the neighborhood to retain. There’s a crop of independent businesses worth checking out and supporting.

Sorting through Your Options

As a first-time buyer, you have a lot of options when it comes to condo units, amenities, and location. When choosing a condo, find a building and a neighborhood that will match your budget and complement your lifestyle.

Buyers also tend to look for condos that they can rent out when they feel ready to move up to townhomes or single-family homes. If this is something you plan to do, then you have to find a unit that’s likely to attract tenants, and which will grow in value over time.

Get started by checking out our Condo page to look for the unit you need in the area you’re interested in. You can also call 410.371.0581 and 202.483.6300 or email andy@LNF.com.

Share

Filed under: Area Information, Blog, Home Buying, Real Estate Tips by Andrew Pariser
Comments Off on Your Guide to Buying Your First Condo in D.C.