Fall Real Estate 2012

2012REAL ESTATE

fall guide

THE CURRENT NEWSPAPERS NORTHWEST • GEORGETOWN • FOGGY BOTTOM • DUPONT

By BRADY HOLTCurrent Staff Writer

As the District’s population declines have reversed in recent years, resi-dents and city officials have generally

pointed to a few high-development hot spots as the key drivers of growth — mainly large apartment buildings in sections of wards 2 and 6. But the last census actually showed popu-lation growth in every part of the city except Ward 8, albeit by differing rates. And with a series of new developments planned or under construction across Northwest D.C. — including rental apartments, condo-miniums and even single-family homes — developers seem confident the trends can continue. Here is a sam-pling of significant residential projects within The Current’s coverage area, listed by neighborhood:

Brightwood■ Walter Reed Army Medical Center site: 6900 Georgia Ave. The Army has shuttered the sprawling, walled-off campus and is in the process of handing over 67.5 acres – all but the north-west corner, which is envisioned as an enclave for embassies — to the District. Preliminary plans call for condos and apart-

ment buildings along Aspen Street and town houses along Fern Street, along with mixed-use proj-ects with additional housing along Georgia Avenue.

A total of 2,110 housing units are envi-sioned once the project is complete, coming online in phases between 2014 and 2032. Office, retail and institutional space will also be part of the redevelopment. tinyurl.com/walter-reed-plan

Cleveland Park■ Cathedral Commons: Wisconsin Avenue and Newark Street An overhaul of the aging Giant supermar-

ket is corresponding with a full-scale redevel-opment of two blocks along Wisconsin Avenue, which now feature a surface parking lot and adjacent low-density retail. In addition to a new, larger Giant and other retail and office space, the project will create 137 apart-ment units and eight town homes. Demolition of the existing supermarket is now under way, and the entire project is slat-ed to be completed in 2014. wisconsinavegiant.com

Foxhall■ 1801 Foxhall: Hoban Road and Foxhall Circle One of two subdivisions nestled along the Foxhall Road corridor, this one is broken into 27 custom home sites near Glover Archbold

Throughout area, construction ahead

Bill Petros/The CurrentAmong the projects under way are The District at 14th and S streets, above, and Foxhall Ridge on MacArthur Boulevard, left.

By CHRIS KAINCurrent Staff Writer

Local Realtors have long said that inadequate inventory was limiting the pace of

Northwest’s residential market, but the statistics are becoming all the more persuasive. There were 1,339 houses, con-dos and coops on the market in D.C. in August, well below the five-year August average of 2,321,

according to the monthly “Local Market Insight” report compiled by RealEstate Business Intelligence. The figure was also 35 percent lower than that of last August. The average listing had been on the market for 56 days — much shorter than the five-year average, as well as last year’s figure (70 in both cases). And owners came closer to get-ting what they were asking for their properties: The average ratio of

sales price to original list price was 96.8 percent, a rise from the five-year August average of 94.3 percent and last year’s 93.6 percent. In short, all three measures out-paced the August tallies since 2008. For days on the market and sales versus asking prices, this year’s numbers come close to those from August 2007 — but the D.C. mar-ket had about twice as many prop-erties for sale back then. “Our issue right now is invento-

ry,” Dan Melman of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty said in an inter-view last week. “We have a really low, low supply of homes.” With the limited supply of hous-es and condos on the market, the demand is sufficient — thanks in part to historically low interest rates and the area’s relatively healthy economy — to create a fairly strong, stable market, according to several local Realtors. “The low inventory helps the

sellers and gives support to the pric-es,” said Keene Taylor Jr. of the Taylor/Agostino Group at Long & Foster Real Estate. “It’s a little frus-trating for the buyers sometimes.” Despite an increase in multiple contracts — and despite inventory shortages in many instances — buyers remain careful, Taylor said. And a major drop in consumer con-fidence nationally could dampen D.C.’s market, he said.

Low inventory adds to stable market but can frustrate house hunters

Eight-bedroom Chain Bridge Road mansion sports ballroom, infinity pool

— Page RE3

After languishing for years, historic Mount Pleasant estate is remade as a dozen condos

— Page RE4

Walkability study judges neighborhoods, pedestrian appeal

— Page RE12

New independent firms emerge in real estate field with growth in high-tech outreach tools

— Page RE21

Sitting pretty in Northwest: A look atpurchasable porches

— Page RE26

Corcoran Street house boasts intriguing past with plaque honoring former resident

— Page RE6

INSIDE

See Market/Page RE16

See Development/Page RE20

RE2 Wednesday, september 19, 2012 the Current

ADAMS MORGAN $439,000LARGE, sunny 2BR, 2BA. Updated gourKIT w/granite s & maple. Lovely Baths,one w/a clawfoot tub! Panoramic viewsof National Zoo, Cathedral, RC Park fromRoof deck & Patio. Low fee! Pet friendlybuilding, short walk to TWO METROS!Mitchell Story 202-270-4514Woodley Park Office 202-483-6300

ADAMS MORGAN $629,900WOW, BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR! 2BR,2BA twnhse style condo! Nearly 1300 SFof huge luxurious space. Top of the linefinishes: gleaming solid oak flrs, grandgour KIT, high ceiling, crown molding,frplc, custom built-ins & limestone baths,W/D, outdoor deck, and PKG avail.www.RobyThompson.com.Roby Thompson 202-255-2986Woodley Park Office 202-483-6300

BETHESDA $2,250,000STUNNING Contemp minutes from DC!5BR, 5.5BA w/amazing sunset views, 40’custom in-ground pool and tons ofupgrades. Mste w/priv balcony, SubZero,Asko and GE Monogram appls, expansivecustom deck off main level, oak HWs andsound system. Central vacuum system,2-car gar, 2 gas frplcs.Yusef KhatibFoxhall Office 202-363-1800

BRIGHTWOOD $499,900SPECTACULAR RENOV with all the bellsand whistles! 4BR, 3.5BA home. GourKIT w/island, gleaming wd flrs, gran, SSappls. High ceilings, MBR ste, in-law stew/wet bar, new HVAC & windows and somuch more. PKG for 2 cars. THIS ONEWON'T LAST! www.SamuelRDavis.com.Samuel Davis 202-256-7039Woodley Park Office 202-483-6300

BRINKLOW /BROOKE GROVE $1,299,900THIS 7BR, 4.5BA exciting and immacu-late-superior setting on 6.2 acres is sur-rounded by picturesque water view ofpond features hotel sized D, marble flr,heated pool and so much more.Tim Gallagher 301-537-8464Friendship Hts Office 301-652-2777

CHEVY CHASE, DC $1,695,000ELEGANT Completely renov & expand-ed – blocks to Friendship Hgts metro! Allthe bells & whistles – previous ambas-sador’s residence! Bright, sunny tree-topviews. Prof KIT, 6BR, 4BA, wired, 2-cargar, backyard. 4409 Longfellow St.

Vassiliki Economides 202-345-2429Georgetown Office 202-944-8400

CLEVELAND PARK $335,000JUST LISTED!!! Ordway Gardens. Large1BR w/ built-ins updated KIT w/ ss appl,dual closets in bedroom and separatelydeeded parking that convey. Low fees andsituated in a park like setting. 2 blocks tometro and shopping and restaurants.www.ScottPurcell.com.Scott Purcell 202-262-6968Woodley Park Office 202-483-6300

CLEVELAND PARK $442,500BROADMOOR COOPERATIVE. Five-stars! Large 1BR + den in premier tier.Beautiful renov KIT & spa-bath. Openspacious floor plan perfect for entertain-ing. Facing SW w/lots of light &Cathedral view. Gracious entry hall,HWs, New windows & tons of customclosets! Full srvc Bldg, Indoor PKG/Rent,Steps to Metro & shops. Walk-Score 86!John Mammano 571-331-8557Woodley Park Office 202-483-6300

CLEVELAND PARK $635,000PARKING! Every inch of this 1540 SF aptw/ 3BR, 2 updtd BA & KIT says "Move in,and enjoy the good life". 3 exposures forsunshine & verdant views. Inviting foyer,LR w/FP, formal DR, HWFs, 10' ceilings,bookcases & extra storage. Best schools,shops, dining & 2 METROs.Mary McGuire 301-717-7563Chevy Chase Office 202-363-9700

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS $374,900SOPHISTICATED 1BR offers 10’ ceiling,large closets, great light, gorgeousgourmet kitchen & beautiful dark HWflooring.Daryl LasterLance Horsley 202-294-9055Friendship Hts Office 202-364-5200

DEANWOOD $314,500BEAUTIFUL, spacious new home to bebuilt! Play designer to the home of yourdreams. Buy now and start choosing youroptions. Three bedrooms, 2 full bath

plus basement. Minutes to DeanwoodMetro, 295, Downtown DC & Maryland.Mary SaltzmanFoxhall Office 202-363-1800

GEORGETOWN, DC $945,000BEAUTIFULLY maintained 1900Victorian on one of Gtown’s quaint cob-blestone streets. Recently renov 2BR,2BA. Steps to all the conveniences ofHistoric Gtown. 3417 O St NW.Margaret Heimbold 202-812-2750Georgetown Office 202-944-8400

KENT, DC $1,295,000SPACIOUS, bright single family detachedbrick colonial w/driveway/garage. 3 lev-els: 4BR, 2.5BA, sep DR. KIT opens tosunroom onto patio, large back yard.Large LR, library/den, 2 fplcs. Large entryfoyer. Wood floors, new paint. Great layout for entertaining. Steps to Palisades-Kent amenities. Mins to Gtown, dtownDC, VA, MD. 5709 MacArthur Blvd NW.Sara Bjerde 202-374-0052Georgetown Office 202-944-8400

MOUNT PLEASANT $284,998VERY COZY 1BR, 1FBA condo in MountPleasant/Columbia Heights. Near all thenew development of Columbia Heights.Great location close to Metro, shops anddining. Owner wants to sell!Payam BakhajeFoxhall Office 202-363-1800

OBSERVATORY CIRCLE $515,000FANTASTIC END-UNIT apt at thesophisticated Colonnade! Stunning gar-den views from all rooms. Spacious livingspaces, eat-in KIT, lovely den with hand-some built-ins, exceptional entertainingspace. Large private balcony, garagespace, extra storage. Gorgeous groundsw/heated pool, fitness ctr, 24 hr desk, fullsrvc/all amenities.Jeanne KerstingFoxhall Office 202-363-1800

OBSERVATORY CIRCLE $2,925,000LIVING LARGE in Observatory Circle!Brand new, grand-scale rooms flow fromparty-sized foyer. Handcrafted customcontemp cabinetry & chef's KIT w/everyamenity, massive stone frplc in library &more! 3-car gar! 3 lux finished levels!Kathleen“Bridget” McGovern 210-833-6156Chevy Chase Office 202-363-9700

PALISADES $735,000NEW LISTING Fab renov 3BR, 2BA +2HBA, semi-detached TH on 4 finishedlvls. 3rd flr Mste w/priv balcony. Laundryon 2nd flr, LR w/FP & French doors over-looking priv fenced patio. Finished LLw/wet bar & FP. HWFs on 3 lvls. 2 zoneCAC. 1 car PKG.Susan Fagan 202-246-8337Chevy Chase Office 202-363-9700

PETWORTH $75,000BIG SPACE! Large unit loaded with char-acter! KIT, sep DR, big LR, HWFs, highceilings, 3 closets. Priv courtyard. Pet OKincls dogs (20 lb). Walk to Ft TottenMetro! in "BEST ADDRESS BOOK".www.TheChampionCollection.com.Denise Champion 202-215-9242Chevy Chase Office 202-363-9700

SW / WATERFRONT $339,000FANTASTIC renovation on this 2BR,1.5BA, 1,142 SF + table space balconyand garage parking.Lewis Bashoor 202-646-1063Friendship Hts Office 202-364-5200

GEORGETOWN1680 Wisconsin Ave. NW

202.944.8400

FOXHALL3201 New Mexico Ave. NW

202.363.1800

FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS5101 Wisconsin Ave. NW

202.364.5200

CHEVY CHASE20 Chevy Chase Circle NW

202.363.9700

WOODLEY PARK2300 Calvert St.202.483.6300

ALEX / OLD TOWN $475,000BRIGHT, 3 lvl 2BR, 1BA twnhse. Renov KITw/brkfst br, new cabs, Silestone, SS appl. BrightLR & BR, HWs. Finished rec rm, front/backyards. Energy eff A/C, windows & roof.Restaurants, shops, Balducci’s, Metro, bike trail,1-mile walk! www.homeswithcasey.com.Casey Aboulafia 703-624-4657Woodley Park Office 202-483-6300

CHEVY CHASE, MD $1,649,000A WORK OF ART! A fab renov transformed this1921 Bungalow into a spectacular 4BR, 4BA homewith Artist’s Studio, screened porch, Guest Rm, FR,modern Chef’s KIT. Dble lot on quiet street w/roomfor your imagination. www.CherylKurss.com.Cheryl Kurss 301-346-6615Chevy Chase Office 202-363-9700

BETHESDA$359,000

GORGEOUS newlyrenovated 2BR, 1.5BAin the Hearth ofdowntown Bethesda.Call for more details.

Sintia Petrosian 301-395-8817Friendship Heights Office 301-652-2777

FT WASHINGTON $219,000NEWLY RENOVATED 4BR home with 3 full BAson a settled street. Enjoy bright open spaces withwindows galore. Fully-applianced KIT w/granite& stainless. Separate DR, HWD flrs, lots of clos-ets and so much more!Maria Hardy-Cooper 202-302-2225Friendship Heights Office 301-652-2777

GLOVER PARK $795,000UPGRADES GALORE! 4BR, 3FBA, 3-level TH in super-convlocation. Gour KIT, HWs, marble foyer and BAs. LL In-LawSte has 2nd KIT, BR & FBA. New furnace, HW heater, gutters& windows. PKG for 2 cars at rear. Great front porch, reardeck.Gay Ruth Horney 301-503-7152Chevy Chase Office 202-363-9700

PALISADES, DC $735,000FABULOUSLY renov 3BR, 2BA (& 2HBA), Semi-Det TH on 4fin lvls. 3rd flr Mste w/priv balc. Laundry on 2nd flr. LR w/fpl& French drs to priv fenced patio. Fin LL w/wet bar & fpl.HWFs on 3 lvls. 2 Zone CAC. 1 car PKG. 4410 Lingan Rd NW.Scott Polk 202-256-5460Georgetown Office 202-944-8400

GEORGETOWN$2,500,000FABULOUS price for sun-filled Grand Vict-orian.Recently updtd with superb1st level perfect for large scaleentertaining. Wow KIT w/butler’s pantry opens to FRnext to garden. CharmingMBR suite w/frplc & alcove.High ceilings thruout. Upperlevel is like studio apt. LeasedPKG at Georgetown Inn, 1/2block away.

Nancy ItteilagFoxhall Office 202-363-1800

The CurrenT ■ Fall real esTaTe Guide 2012 Wednesday, sepTember 19, 2012 RE3

If British royalty were to settle in Northwest Washington, this Georgian estate might suit. The

six-level mansion would be at home in the English countryside, but it’s also content tucked away on Chain Bridge Road, where Battery Kemble Park takes the place of the

vast (but upkeep-heavy) grounds that would typically surround such a property. Realtor/owner Brian Logan, who built the 15,600-square-foot man-sion eight years ago, said he wanted “a house with a central gallery that opens up to the park.” Indeed, the green space provides a focal point throughout the house, even peeking at visitors from the entry, where a 60-odd-foot-long center hallway stretches all the way back to a rear stairway tower made of glass. Logan said he designed the place with the possibility of an ambassador as resident, and that’s clear from both the elegant enter-taining spaces and the careful atten-tion to security. The main gathering space is a true ballroom, up on the third floor, that’s big enough for a 125-person wedding (Logan has hosted one) or a 70-guest sit-down dinner (that, too). To complete its functionality for such events, the floor offers two powder rooms, a service kitchen and two balconies. But the highlight of parties here would be climbing up a center flight of stairs — or taking a quick elevator ride — to a rooftop deck with 360-degree views. The space

has a sightline to Virginia, but Battery Kemble’s trees almost entirely obscure Washington’s hot spots. The first floor is also suited to parties, with an expansive dining room that has built-in cameras so caterers know when to clear places, and a living room with space for two seating areas and a grand piano. But there’s also a family-friendly kitchen/den on this level, and in fact the property’s last inhab-itants — as renters — were a set of parents and two small kids. A library rounds out the first floor, which also offers two outdoor patios — of equal size, but with one surrounded by screens. A bridge stretching back from these spots takes guests to what Logan said is a favorite attraction for many: a two-level pool house and infinity pool. This outbuilding is particularly cozy and private — the perfect place to put guests who would enjoy the romantic appeal of two fireplaces and exposed beams. There’s also an upstairs bathroom, a small downstairs kitchen and living area, and a wall of doors from which one could jump directly into the black-bottomed pool. But this area is also — again — suited to entertaining, with doors on another wall opening from the flag-stone-floored first level to a similar-ly paved patio, allowing owners to create one open space for parties. A waterfall into the pool adds to the ambiance. The rear property line sits just beyond this building, mean-ing there’s almost no yard to main-tain; as Logan notes, the Park Service mows Battery Kemble’s grass.

Back in the main house, there are two basement levels. The first houses a staff suite — two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitch-en/living area — as well as a catering kitchen, laundry room, gym complete with sauna and shower, 1,200-bottle wine room and two heated two-car garages. The true basement — as the pre-vious level actually sits above grade except in front — hosts a mechani-cal room and a storage space that, thanks to its location 20-plus feet below ground, could serve as a safe room. Such security considerations repeat in other floors, such as on the bedroom level, where pocket doors can close off the private spaces on party nights. The all-levels elevator also has locks, allowing owners to limit their guests’ access. The bedroom level offers a den and five sleeping spaces, all at least 13-by-18 feet and all with their own bathrooms. The master suite cer-tainly stands out from the others with a wall of French doors open-

ing to a balcony; two walk-in clos-ets; two bathrooms; and a connec-tion to a possible nursery or study. The suite’s primary bath features not only a steam shower and Jacuzzi tub, but also a bathing space that opens slightly to the elements. The floor is completed with a small laundry area — to save that trip to the basement for quick washes — and a breakfast bar to store things like sodas and coffee. The home’s finishes and wall colors contribute to its classic, state-ly look. Crown moldings top many rooms, and Brazilian walnut covers

the floors. Most of the bathrooms are simple, with white tiles on floor and walls, so as to last for decades. Final amenities include a private generator to protect the home from the uncertainties of the city power grid and a steel beam structure that Logan said makes the place as solid as an office building. This eight-bedroom home with nine full baths and three half-baths at 3101 Chain Bridge Road NW is offered for $16,125,000. For more information, contact Brian Logan of Brian Logan Real Estate at 202-387-5555 or [email protected].

On Chain Bridge Road, a six-level home fit for a king

Photos courtesy of Brian Logan Real EstateThe eight-year-old Chain Bridge Road house features an infinity pool, above right, and a ballroom that spans a full floor, top left.

ON THE MARKET BETH COPE

Susan Jaquet

RE4 Wednesday, sepTember 19, 2012 The CurrenT ■ Fall real esTaTe Guide 2012

By KATIE PEARCECurrent Staff Writer

A few years ago, the mansion at 3324 18th St. NW in Mount Pleasant seemed

headed toward irreversible rot. The property had lived through many phases — as the grand home of a German-American family in the early 1900s, a facility for dis-abled veterans in the middle of the century, and finally, as the target of an idealistic but ultimately failed renovation. By the time developer Grant Epstein came upon the faded four-story man-sion in 2010, a condo conversion was the inevitable lifesaver. But Epstein says his firm, Community Three Development, handled the project dif-ferently than others might have. In the first place, they took it on. “We started this company a number of years ago to do projects that other developers didn’t want to do,” Epstein said. Community Three purchased the ramshackle Mount Pleasant proper-ty for $1.35 million after its previ-ous owners — a couple who had dreamed of renovating it as a sin-gle-family home — gave up on the daunting project and moved out of town. Over the past two-plus years, the firm has carved out 12 distinc-

tive condo units from the sprawling mansion. The building takes its new name, The Schafer, from its initial owner, and each unit is named after its location in the home’s original lay-out. The largest, “The Library,” is a 1,825-square-foot, two-level unit with two bedrooms, two baths and a broad front porch. The tiniest, “The Study,” is a 465-square-foot one-bedroom unit in the attic. The project also includes a detached car-riage house unit and five parking spots.

The condos, which range in price from $279,000 to $599,000, are expected to go up for sale early next month.

“This is a building that was dying,” Epstein said. “Now it’s going to have a life again.”

Community Three specializes in challeng-ing restorations of his-toric properties in D.C. Epstein started the

company with two other colleagues from the Silver Spring-based Torti Gallas architecture firm, where he had spent seven years before com-pleting a master’s of business administration at Georgetown University. Community Three’s condo proj-ects include The Nine, which incor-porated Civil War-era stables and a 1920s storefront in Blagden Alley; and the Residences at St. Monica,

which transformed a historic Capitol Hill church. The firm is now working on a 24-unit building at 435 R St. in Shaw, which will replace a derelict commercial store-front. In the Mount Pleasant project, Community Three tackled a turn-of-the century property designed by German-American architect Albert Goenner, who worked in the same circle as the prominent Adolf Cluss. Goenner’s still-standing work includes The United Church at 20th and G streets and several buildings in Chinatown. Through a German financial organization, Goenner came in con-tact with Charles Schafer, the well-to-do president of the American Fire Insurance Company. Schafer enlisted the architect to design his new home on 18th Street, which was completed in 1909. With his

wife, four children and a small team of servants, Schafer lived in the mansion until his death in 1939.

The house remained in Schafer’s family until the late 1960s, when it was sold and converted into the Embassy Rest Home, a live-in facil-ity for about 20 disabled veterans that operated for about three decades. The property’s most recent own-ers, Ron Lipsius and Marta Ortiz, pursued an ambitious vision of restoring the home to its past gran-deur. The couple started by ripping out features from the veterans’ home, like linoleum floors and wall partitions. But the mansion’s poor condition, along with its sheer size — 30 rooms, two staircases and eight fireplaces — made the project untenable. The house then made for a complicated sale, involving vari-ous legal issues and aborted deals.

Epstein said he embraced the condo conversion because he likes a challenge. “When you’re doing a building like this … you have to design every day,” he said. “You assume stuff about the structure of the building, but then you have to change.” “This is fun for me,” he added. “Every day is different.” For the new condos, Community Three retained the home’s hall and grand staircase as the centerpiece. “The plan was to keep the central hall and create all the units around it,” Epstein said. On the upper lev-els, that meant extending the origi-nal wooden staircase — by sending pieces to a mill that could replicate the features as closely as possible. The firm also re-created the col-umns and balustrades of the home’s wrap-around porch, and the wavy concrete tiles of its roof. And devel-opers retained, whenever possible, the building’s original woodwork and tall ceilings. The new features in the 12 condo units include energy-efficient window glass, hardwood floors, solid quartz kitchen counters, cen-tral air-conditioning, modern bath-rooms, and washers and dryers. Since the property falls within the Mount Pleasant Historic District, Epstein’s firm had to work closely with the city’s Historic Preservation Review Board. The process “wasn’t that difficult,” he said, “because we weren’t trying to do anything too outrageous.” The largest change developers made was building a two-story addition that creates an outdoor bal-cony for one unit and an enclosed, sun-filled main room for another. Epstein said he never considered a more radical transformation for The Schafer. “As an architect, I like things to fit.” The Urban Pace firm is handling sales and marketing for The Schafer’s units, which real estate agents toured this week as construction wraps up. More information about the project is available at theschafer.com.

Decaying mansion transformed into condos

Photos courtesy of Community ThreeThe 1909 property seemed doomed before the firm Community Three remade it as a dozen condos.

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Mount Vernon – 1237 10th Street NW.Live in upper levels and rent first and base-ment! Only 2 blocks from Convention Center.Convenient to Logan Circle and Chinatown.Easy to renovate/convert. Savvy investors willsee value in this LOCATION. $1,400,000.

Gina Carvana 202.258.6452CBMove.com/DC7914624

Capitol Hill – 1353 Independence Court SE.ENJOY THE CAPITOL LIFE! Quality, Luxury andLocation! Four floors with 3 bedroom suites,den, garage and wow rooftop deck. Perfect forentertaining, working at home or family living.$829,000.

Chuck Burger 202.258.5316202.547.3525

CBMove.com/DC7900472

Dupont – 1763 P Street NW PH#2.Spacious and elegant two bedroom, two and ahalf luxurious bath duplex with two terraces andtwo parking spaces in tandem. This penthouseoccupies the top two floors. Contemporarydesign. Living room with a wood-burning fire-place, warm hardwood floors, a wonderful,very large gourmet chef’s kitchen with granite/stainless and high end appliances. $1,135,000Martin Toews and Jeff Brier 202.471.5203

CBMove.com/DC7920485

Georgetown – 1338 28th Street NW.Perfect, sun-filled 2 bedroom, 1 bathroomdetached townhouse. Meticulously renovatedin 2008 w/beautiful wood floors, fireplace,plantation shutters, recessed lighting andbuilt-ins. Custom kitchen, Viking, Bosch.Granite shower w/Kohler fixtures. Land-scaped rear courtyard w/side alley access tofront of home. $810,000.

Lenore Rubino 202.262.1261CBMove.com/DC7924290

Logan – 1413-1415 Swann Street NW.Originally built as a garage, the carriage househas evolved into a wonderful, renovatedloft-style 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom + office.Bright open floor plan. Everything has beenupgraded. Kitchen w/Viking, Sub Zero & Mieleand a steam oven. Garage parking & one ofDC's first residential green roofs. $735,000.

Martin Toews and Jeff Brier 202.471.5203CBMove.com/DC7920444

Georgetown – 3030 K Street NW, #201.Stunningly re-built/renovated 2BR/2.5BA atWashington Harbour. Three balconies, twofireplaces, high-end kitchen, marble baths, allnew windows. 24 hr service/security, rooftoppool, extra storage. GARAGE PARKING. Strollalong the river walk, and get your morningcoffee at Starbucks, right outside your frontdoor. $1,495,000.

Marin Hagen 202.257.2339

Brookland – 1300 Taylor Street NE. HugeClassic Colonial. Priced to sell. Distinguisheddetails throughout. Chef's Kitchen featuringgranite counters and SS appliances, FamilyRoom off Kitchen, gleaming wood floors, newHVAC, 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and interiorgarage. Walk to METRO, shopping, parks.$599,000.

Mary Magner 301.785.1601CBMove.com/DC7924480

Kalorama – 2011 Columbia Road NW #2.Gorgeous 2 BR/2 BA in "The Annecy", a5 unit boutique condo building in KaloramaTriangle. Renovated in 2005 with old worldcharm and modern conveniences. OpenLR/DR, FP, hardwood floors, Granite/SS kitchen, W/D, marble baths, andprivate "Urban Oasis" patio. Walk to METRO,Shopping, Restaurants! $619,000.

Dan Conway 202.486.9115CBMove.com/DC7922638

Bethesda 301.718.0010 Capitol Hill 202.547.3525Chevy Chase 202.362.5800 Georgetown 202.333.6100 CBMove.com

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In the local real estate market, so-and-so-slept-heres are fun — though not easy to verify —

addenda to the typical listing infor-mation. But at a Dupont Circle row house now listed as a private offer-

ing, a plaque on the red-brick facade backs up claims of a pedi-gree. Carl Lutz, a Swiss diplomat who saved the lives of 62,000 Hungarian Jews during World War II, once lived here. The plaque notes that Lutz received the title of “Righteous Among the Nations” for his efforts. The circa-1900 property also boasts as a former resident Dean Acheson, secretary of state under President Harry Truman — though he didn’t get a plaque. On the ground floor, a one-bedroom, one-bath rental unit leases, according to Realtor Jennifer Knoll, for approximately $1,800 per month. The next three floors comprise a sin-gle-family home. On the first level, a living room is anchored by a fireplace and looks out on quiet Corcoran Street through a large bay. A window seat here invites lounging, and the spot also hides extra stor-age. A dining area sits between the living room and a remodeled kitchen, and hardwood floors continue. Storage is always a challenge in historic properties, but owners here sought to include as much as possi-ble. Cherry cabinets stretch all the way to high ceilings, offering space for everyday items on lower shelves and once-in-a-while implements up top. An angled corner sink maxi-mizes counter space, and the wood floors continue even here, keeping the look warm and classic. Through one door, a half-bath and laundry center wait, while another exits to the wood deck that stretches along the rear of the home. Under that deck lies a garage, though it is unavailable for parking because of its location behind other parking spots. Possible uses include storage or conversion to a home office.

One floor up there are two bed-rooms and a remodeled bath with a double vanity. Hardwood floors continue on this level as well. Appropriately, the best bit comes at the end, up one more flight of stairs. A master suite sports a large, skylit bath — renovated to the tune of $70,000 — with a very roomy, five-showerhead space behind a frameless glass door. Glass tiles line the double vanity’s mirror, and sconces sit directly on that mirror. Floor tiles are Daltile porcelain and tie in nicely with the white-on-wood vanity. The master bedroom is a large space perfect for cocooning at the

end of the day. Walls are a rest-ful blue-gray,

and there’s space for a sitting area near the window. The room’s original closet is still in place, but renovations yielded a large, walk-in spot next to the bath-room. Elfa fittings include loads of drawers as well as the expected rods and shelves. Though less than two blocks from the Dupont Circle Metro sta-tion, this stretch of Corcoran Street is peaceful, as well as picturesque. But all the offerings of the neigh-borhood, from restaurants to shops to green space, are mere blocks away. This three-bedroom, 2.5-bath home with a one-bedroom, one-bath rental unit at 1828 Corcoran St. NW is offered in a private sale for $1,500,000. For details, contact Realtor Jennifer Knoll of Long & Foster Real Estate at 202-331-2301 or [email protected].

Dupont house offers location, history and stylish renovations

ON THE MARKET CaROL BuCkLEy

Photos coutesy of Long & Foster

Real EstateThe installation of a plaque honoring a previous resident drew a crowd.

Long & Foster Georgetown Sales Office

Looking for a Career Change? Call Stacy Berman, Manager

1680 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20007 Office: 202.944.8400


Celebrating 100 Years of Selling Homes in Your Neighborhood!Congratulations to our Top Producers!

Nathan B. CarnesBranch [email protected]

Griffi n B. HollandAssistant Manager

[email protected]

Chevy Chase North • 202-966-14005518 Connecticut Ave, NW • Washington, DC 20015

Chevy Chase South • 202-966-04004434 Connecticut Ave, NW • Washington, DC 20008

And BRAVO to the rest of our dedicated team!Welcome toour fi rm

Michelle Munro Michelle Buckman Erica Lee Pat Dading Mary Jane Molik Mintewab Bulcha Dwight Pearson Sharie Sivertsen Albert Elliott

Scott Noyes Angela Wilson Andrew Eisel Patricia Millar Phyllis Thomas Mike Sandifi er Jane Davis Adams Gemma Morris Barbara Finkelstein

Ashk Adamlyatt Jay Schiaffer Judith Duarte Sherie Day Kerwin Davis Kathleen Leavy Jean Wright Helen Lyons Maggie Hudak

Lauren Perry Carter Cusick Shella Beasley Mary Jo Wilson Joan Wheeler Andrea Stewart Stuart Pollitt Lorie Larue Elizabeth Szollosi

Tyler Weymouth Blen Woldearegay Seaty Yoseph Frank Nemeth Patrice Daveport Edward Darden Kyani Lockett Charles Miller Jr Lucy Lu

Agents not shown: Marcia Howard, Josephine Holliday, Marijke Jurgens-Dupree, Diana Montero, Thomas Reitano, April Roberson, Andrea Stewart


Stellar Service. Brilliant Results.Whether Buying…

#1 Agent Company-Wide #1 Agent in Chevy Chase#177 Agent in the USA as reported by the Wall Street Journal202-253-8757 cell202-966-1400 [email protected]

* KIMBERLY BROUGHT THE BUYER

2600 TILDEN PL NW | FOREST HILLS, DC* SOLD PRICE: $2,175,000 5711 NEBRASKA AVE NW | CHEVY CHASE, DC* SOLD PRICE: $810,000

6429 31ST PL NW | CHEVY CHASE, DC* SOLD PRICE: $1,200,000

6138 31ST PL NW | CHEVY CHASE, DC* SOLD PRICE: $935,000 700 7TH ST., SW #142 | WATERFRONT, DC* SOLD PRICE: $229,000

10109 MINBURN ST | GREAT FALLS, VA* SOLD PRICE: $905,000

F OUND BUYER!

F OUND BUYER!

F OUND BUYER!

F OUND BUYER!

F OUND BUYER!

F OUND BUYER!

3114 TENNYSON ST NW | CHEVY CHASE, DC* SOLD PRICE: $810,000

4300 BRANDYWINE ST NW | AU PARK, DC* LIST PRICE: $995,000

F OUND BUYER!

F OUND BUYER!

“� ank you so much for being so easy to work with and so helpful throughout the buying process. Brian and I both enjoyed working with you and felt like we were in good hands. � anks for being prompt, answering all our questions and providing us with good advice and counsel.” -Brian and Lori Finch of 31st PL NW

UNDER CONTR ACT!

“Sold in 6 days for $825 over 4th of July - now that is good work. Kimberly had great advice for staging, preparation, good contractor referrals and brought solid knowledge to the table pre-sale. But, it was in the post o¤ er stage that she proved that she is the best in the area. A tough negotiator, she got us to a good price while keeping the buyers at the table. Finally, she is also pragmatic and gets things done - for example, our house was vacant and the AC backed up on the eve of the ¦ nal walk-thru. Kimberly, herself, blew out the line clog, wet-vaced the drip tray to re-start the system. Above and beyond? Well, the best always are. In simplest terms, it doesn’t cost you more to use the very best - the percentages are the same, so call her!” - Andrea and Hamish Hay formerly of 42nd St NW


...Or Selling

5327 43RD ST NW

LIST PRICE: $839,0007 OFFERS IN 7 DAYS!

5327 43RD ST NW

UNDER CONT R ACT!

Career Median Days on Market: 10 days • Career Average Sold to List Price: 99.4%

5412 NEBRASKA AVE NWSunny Colonial w 4 � nished levels. Front porch, large white kit & rear screened porch. 5BRs, 2.5 BAs, incl a LL au pair suite. Amazing light-� lled attic w skylights. Large fenced rear yard w det gar.

$815,000

NEW LI ST ING! 3717 INGOMAR ST NW1920 stucco Colonial with room sizes & details of a bygone era. 4200 sq ft of space on 4 levels. Updated table-space kit. 5 BRs, 2.5 BAs. New windows. 2 car det gar. Walk to Wisc & Conn Ave corridors plus Metro!

$1,150,000

Sunny Colonial w 4 � nished levels. Front porch, large white kit & rear screened porch. 5BRs, 2.5 BAs, incl a LL au pair suite. Amazing light-� lled attic w skylights. Large fenced rear yard w det gar.

$815,000

NEW LI ST ING!

1858 CALIFORNIA ST NW #8

LIST PRICE: $379,0001858 CALIFORNIA ST NW #8

AVAIL ABLE!

1155 23RD ST NW #4NL

LIST PRICE: $649,0001155 23RD ST NW #4NL

AVAIL ABLE!

4409 FESSENDEN ST NW

LIST PRICE: $730,000UNDER CONTRACT IN 8 DAYS!

4409 FESSENDEN ST NW

UNDER CONT R ACT!

2215 39TH PL NW


2215 39TH PL NW

UNDER CONT R ACT!

5605 33RD ST NW


5605 33RD ST NW

UNDER CONT R ACT!

3211 44TH ST NWLIST PRICE: $1,595,000

CONTRACT AFTER THE 2ND OPEN!

3211 44TH ST NW

UNDER CONT R ACT!

6002 32ND ST NW

SOLD PRICE: $830,0003 OFFERS!

6002 32ND ST NW

SOLD!

3611 VAN NESS ST NW

SOLD PRICE: $849,000SOLD IN ‘0’ DAYS!

3611 VAN NESS ST NW

SOLD PRICE: $849,000SOLD IN ‘0’ DAYS!

SOLD!3936 MCKINLEY ST NW

SOLD PRICE: $1,060,000SOLD IN 3 DAYS FOR$11K OVER ASKING!

3936 MCKINLEY ST NW

SOLD PRICE: $1,060,000SOLD IN 3 DAYS FOR$11K OVER ASKING!

SOLD!4534 RENO ROAD NW

SOLD PRICE: $1,149,830SOLD IN 5 DAYS!

4534 RENO ROAD NW

SOLD PRICE: $1,149,830SOLD IN 5 DAYS!

SOLD!

#1 Agent Company-Wide #1 Agent in Chevy Chase

#177 Agent in the USA as reported by the Wall Street Journal

202-253-8757 cell202-966-1400 office

[email protected]


Home buyers without an extensive reading collection may want to hit the book-

store after visiting this circa-1880 end-unit row home on the edge between the Logan and Dupont neighborhoods. In the house’s

sunny bay-front living room, acres of built-in shelving stretch nearly to the ceiling, emphasizing the height of the lofty ground floor. Streamlined sconces cast pools of light here and are just a couple of the contemporary touches that fit easily in this historic — but thor-oughly renovated — property at 1531 S St. NW. Pocket french doors slide to reveal a dining room anchored by a fireplace. The room, lined in hard-wood flooring like the rest of the ground level, also features of-the-moment lighting — a conical pen-dant that will convey with the home. There are buyers who always check out the kitchen first, and they won’t be disappointed here. A bright spot thanks to a half-dozen windows, the renovated space is clean and contemporary. Black granite tops cool, off-white cabi-nets, and stainless steel appliances sport names like Sub-Zero.

A trend in kitchen design is well-deployed here: There are hardly any upper cabinets along the wall with windows, just a range hood and an expanse of glassy minia-ture subway tiles. On the opposite wall waits tons of storage, meaning there’s no shortage of spots to stash stuff. But the effect is that of a larg-er, more expansive space thanks to the absence of bulky upper cabinets. A bi-level bar and a trio of pendants separates the kitchen from the adja-cent family room, an ideal spot for watching televi-sion or the birds outside in the garden. A glass-panel door leads to that formally landscaped space, which centers on a fountain now used as a planter. The garden accesses a few more spots. A one-car garage waits in one direction, while stairs take visitors to the lower-level studio apartment. Tiled floors line the clean, well-kept space, which includes a white kitch-en and bath as well as a laundry closet. As is required by D.C. law, the apartment has two entrances. A separate basement area can be used for owners’ storage needs. On the main home’s second

level, three bedrooms and two baths wait. Two of the bedrooms sit next to each other at one end of the level and share a renovated bath that’s a classic in black and white. A laun-dry closet is also located on this level. But the real focus of this floor is the master suite — a large, sunny bedroom linked to a show-stopping bath. The bedroom offers space for a sitting area as well, thanks to the bay window here. In the bath, marble and other

stone are classic materials that nod at the home’s vintage, but fixtures here are decidedly modern. Dual showerheads inside a large, frame-less-glass enclosure, for example, are state-of-the-art. But there are old-world elements here, too — from the restrained pal-ette to the fireplace that sits oppo-site the marble-topped vanity.

Twin walk-in closets are kitted out with custom fittings, including angled shoe shelves. The buyer for 1531 S St. will likely be drawn in by the neighbor-hood as much as by the stately gray home itself. Almost equidistant from Logan and Dupont circles, the property also has easy access to the shops and restaurants of 14th and U streets. Two Metro stops — U Street and Dupont Circle — are close by as well. This three-bedroom, 3.5-bath home at 1531 S St. NW is offered for $1,595,000. For more informa-tion, contact Lindsay Reishman Real Estate at 202-491-1275 or [email protected].

Stately row house gets spot-on renovation

Photos courtesy of Lindsay ReishmanThis three-bedroom, 3.5-bath row house on S Street is listed at $1,595,000.


JENNIFER KNOLLRealtor® Licensed MD, DC, VA

(202) [email protected]

www.jenniferknoll.com

Your Real Estate Investments Are My Top Priority.

Chevy Chase O ce20 Chevy Chase Circle, NW

Washington, DC 20015O ce: 202-363-9700

We recently bought and sold a home in Chevy Chase, D.C. with Jennifer Knoll and we cannot recommend her highly enough. She is a consummate professional; smart and knowledgeable about the local real estate market. Jennifer gave us great ideas on getting our house ready to sell, actively looked for houses for us in a tight market, and was always available to discuss all aspects of the process. Because of Jennifer’s expertise, we found the perfect house for our family and sold our house in four days with multiple o� ers! Jennifer de nitely goes the extra mile and is a pleasure to work with. She made a stressful time both easier and enjoyable.Lisa & Tom

Jen is the reason you use an agent to buy a house. She watches the market diligently to nd the properties you want, knows how to manage a negotiation, always thinks one step ahead of you, and doesn’t rest until you are moved in and happy! Amie & Evan, Kalorama

Jennifer Knoll is amazing – e� cient, smart, creative, unfailingly helpful in getting everything done quickly to sell my home – and at top asking price. She made it all seem easy. I highly recommend her. Jean, Woodley Park

Jennifer treated us as if we were her only clients. Her ideas for properly staging and selling our condo were creative and brilliant. We sold our condo for far more than we ever thought we could. � is allowed us to buy a house with Jennifer's help. Again, thanks to Jennifer's excellent negotiating skills, we paid far less for the house than we thought we would and than we were willing to pay. Jay & Carol, Cleveland Park

I have worked with Jennifer on three transactions over the last ve years. From listing to closing, she makes the selling process simple and straightforward, and her comprehensive knowledge of DC markets is a buyer's dream. Whether you are buying or selling, I highly recommend Jennifer Knoll. George & Amy, Cleveland Park and AU Park

Own A Piece of History - Mere Steps to Dupont Metro

1828 Corcoran St NW

Less � an 2 Blocks to Dupont Circle and MetroFormer residence of Dean Acheson, Secretary of State under Truman and later of Carl Lutz, A Swiss Diplomat during WWII, who saved over 62,000 Jews.4 Bedrooms, 3.5 BathsRemodeled Kitchen with 60” Upper CabinetsRemodeled $70,000 Master BathPro¢ table Rental Unit Large Deck for EntertainingHardwood Floors, Huge ClosetsShown By Appointment Only

You really can have it all - this beautifully remodeled 4-story historic row home has an unbelievable remodeled master-bath, remodeled kitchen, and a rental unit.

� e Washington DC market has proved its resilience. Unlike other markets, DC home values continue to rise month after month. Please contact me so that I can help you make the most of this trend. I will work to save you money whether I am helping you sell your current home or ¢ nding you a new place to call home. I have worked very hard for my clients during these years and my sales have put me in the top 1% of agents in the country, in my region, and within my company. My number one priority is protecting your investment.


Thank Youfor another great year!

We are committed to serving the entire Washington DC Metropolitan area andwe are delighted to give back to our community by contributing our time and financial support to:

The Humane Society of Washington DC • DC Central Kitchen • Christ House Calvary Women’s Shelter • Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home

Congratulations to these agents for an outstanding year!

For a career in real estate in our award-winning offices, call Holly Worthington, Managing Broker and Vice PresidentWDCAR and GCAAR Realtor of the Year 2008

20 Chevy Chase Circle NW, Washington DC 20015 202 363 97002300 Calvert Street NW, Washington DC 20008 202 483 6300

John PlankTop Group

Josh HarrisonTop Team

Roby ThompsonTop Individual

Founders Club

Dianne Bailey Denise Champion Elaine Conroy Sam Davis Shelley Gold Cindy Holland Jennifer Knoll

Cheryl Kurss Richard Oder Scott Purcell Julie Roberts Sam Solovey Peggy Speaker Lenora Steinkamp

Chairman’s ClubCasey AboulafiaDiane AdamsJulie BurfieldSteven CummingsSusan Fagan

Barbara FagelSean ForschlerBetty GeeDon GuthrieTim Healy

Gay Ruth HorneyAJ JohnsonWalt JohnsonGary KraftJohn LoulanEvelyn Lugo

John MammanoMargaret McLaughlinHarry MooreJohn PaynterMitch Story

Emily SwartzJosh WaxmanAnneliese WilkersonChristy ZacharyMary Zitello

Rookies of the Year

Lindsay LucasAdam Isaacson


New ‘WalkUP’ report looks at neighborhoods’ walkabilityBy ELIZABETH WIENERCurrent Staff Writer

Some of Northwest Washington’s trendi-er neighborhoods — and some of the dowdy ones, too — have made a new

list of “walkable urban places” that attract new residents and spur investment as they become engines of growth for the region. But the designation comes, predictably, with a downside. It’s pretty hard to be trendy, walkable and dense without also being an expensive place to live. So the neighborhoods doing best in the report’s economic rankings, with some varia-tion, tend not to do so well in what author Christopher Leinberger calls “social equi-ty” — diversity, affordable housing prices and lack of displacement of minorities by whites. The report released last week by LOCUS, a network of real estate investors and developers who favor smart growth, designates 43 “walkable urban plac-es” in the Washington area where people can live, work and shop without getting in a car. It says they represent the next big trend in real estate development. The so-called “WalkUPs,” both in the city and its suburbs, boast high density, multiple modes of trans-portation, and many different “real estate products” — meaning residential, retail and office — in the same place. Leinberger, an urban real estate expert at George Washington University, discards the old “urban vs. suburban” dichotomy, instead

dividing the metropolitan area into “drivable sub-urban” communities and “walkable urban” ones. For decades, the drivable subur-ban model was the focus of growth as resi-dents fled the cities. But such communities are now overbuilt and out of fashion, he says. Now there’s a pent-up demand for walkable urban neighborhoods, making them attractive for investors and residents alike. The trend has gained strength in the last two decades, he writes: “The market has spo-ken.” And D.C. and its suburbs, for a variety

of reasons, stand “at the van-guard of this trend.” But many wealthier neighbor-hoods leading the trend rank lower on the more nebulous scale of “social equity,” offer-ing fewer job and housing opportunities for lower-income residents. The report also ranks neighborhoods on an eco-nomic scale, which

Leinberger uses to assess their growth and economic potential. The ranking is based on office, retail and residential rents and housing prices. Among neighborhoods in Northwest winning the “WalkUP” designation, the ones rated highest on this economic scale are Georgetown, downtown, Foggy Bottom/West End and the Golden Triangle — all of which got the “platinum” ranking. Georgetown earns the dubious distinction of being “the least affordable WalkUP,” because of poor transit accessibility and because a resident’s average housing and transportation costs consume 84 percent of the area’s median income. Leinberger pairs it

with Old Town Alexandria, describing them as “the oldest, most historic, riverfront places, with no rail transit and little affordable hous-ing.” Foggy Bottom/West End, meanwhile, which “has large wealthy institutions, includ-ing George Washington University and the World Bank, sits strategically between down-town and Georgetown … and is evolving into D.C.’s Upper East Side,” he writes. The report offers pithy, sometimes biting, comments on other Northwest neighbor-hoods: Van Ness earns the lowest economic rating among the WalkUPs, for its relatively low rents and density. The neighborhood strad-dling Connecticut Avenue, Leinberger writes, is “not close to achieving critical mass. The character is still perceived as drivable sub-urban.” Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, U Street/Shaw, and Woodley Park are a little higher on the economic scale. “Critical mass is still not achieved, although it is obvious it eventually will be.” Columbia Heights is a “national model of urban commercial WalkUP redevelopment,” he writes. Adams Morgan has “successfully implemented an urban entertainment strategy … but its perfor-mance is leveling off.” Dupont Circle, Friendship Heights, Logan Circle and Tenleytown have “achieved critical mass.” Land prices and rents are high, with developers attracted by the low market risk. Some of these neighborhoods have “aggres-sive place management, and also benefit by being near other walkable places.” Dupont Circle was perhaps the region’s first WalkUP, located in a former luxury man-

sion district and benefiting from “early rein-vestment by the gay community, an urban pioneering demographic.” But the circle is “vulnerable,” Leinberger writes, because of its “fat, dumb and happy” approach to devel-opment, with no plans for streetcars and no aggressive “place management.” Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights and Dupont Circle do better on the social equity scale, largely because of more diverse popu-lations, Metrorail accessibility and some affordable housing. Some Metro-accessible neighborhoods, such as Petworth, Brookland and Cleveland Park, get only fleeting mention. Leinberger describes them as “local serving WalkUPs,” rather than “regionally significant” ones, and says he will study them in the future. The Palisades is described, dismissively, as “driv-able sub-urban,” and lopped in with “subdivi-sions” in Prince William County. The WalkUP report is available online at business.gwu.edu/walkup.

Bill Petros/The CurrentDupont Circle may have been the region’s first “WalkUP,” according to the study.


Washington, DC $815,000Center hall brick Col, 4 fin levels, fenced back yard! Main level entry foyer, LR w// FP & built-ins, DR, lg Kit. 3 BRs/2FBs. Light filled fin attic (4th BR) w skylights & storage. LL rec room w/ au pair suite (5th BR) & updated FB. Detached gar w/ storage. Chevy Chase Miller North Office 202.966.1400.

Chevy Chase, MD $2,888,000Fall Preview: Fab c1915 Arts & Crafts brick home in the heart of Chevy Chase Village West. 12,000 SF level lot w private gardens. Formal rooms, Cook’s kitchen, Conservatory, plus BR suite on 1st. 3 fin levels, 2 car gar, Custom amenities.Sheila Leifer 301.529.4130 / 202.364.1300 (O).

Chevy Chase, MD $1,799,000 The most STYLISH choice in Chevy Chase! 4 finished levels of perfection. 6BR/5.5BA, huge open spaces, chef’s KITCHEN w/ BREAKFAST RM, FAMILY RM opens to lush rear yard/patio, majestic MBR, LL w/ 2nd FAMILY RM. Gordon Harrison 202.557.9908 / 202.237.8686 (O)

Chevy Chase, MD $1,649,000 Fab renov 1921 prairie style house, transformed into spectacular 4BR/4BA. Visionary architects combined forces to make this tour de force. Spectacular chef’s kitchen, sun porch, artist studio, 1st flr guest suite & spacious Master Suite.Chevy Chase Office 202.363.9700.

Great Falls, VA $1,840,000 Stunning 6BR, 6½BA Contemporary on prestigious Riverbend lot with 1.87 acres of wooded land & landscaped pool/deck area. Walls of Palladian windows, gorgeous views, 1st class amenities, gourmet kit with family room, luxury master ste.Miller Spring Valley Office 202.362.1300.

Garrett Park, MD $999,000 Expansive (4600 SF) 5BR, 4BA Tudor style home. Gourmet kitchen with center Island and large bright breakfast room. Two fireplaces, wood floors on main and upper levels, crown molding, vaulted ceilings, skylights and much more!Friendship Heights Office 301.652.2777.

Brinklow, MD $1,299,900 Exciting & Expansive custom 7BR, 4.5BA Contemporary / Rambler immaculate-superior setting on 6.2 acres. One level living, walls of lights, and expansive views from every room. A must see!!! Friendship Heights Office 301.652.2777.

Washington, DC $950,000Renov Wardman-style home. Sunlit main w/ foyer, LR w/ fp, DR, family/sunrm, kit, Half BA. 2BR/2FB up incl master ste w/ sitting rm/study, spa BA, walk-in closet. Fin bsmt w/ rec rm, office & Full BA. Garden w/ deck, patio, arbor, parking. W.C. & A.N. Miller Bethesda Office 301.229.4000.

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Bethesda, MD $1,425,000 Exquisitely maintained, one-owner home, Magnificent floor plan. Five spacious bedrooms, three full and two half-baths provide ample space for family and guests. This impressive home sits on a beautifully landscaped 9,750+ SF lot. W.C. & A.N. Miller Bethesda Office 301.229.4000.

Washington, DC $1,150,0001920 stucco Col w/ front porch! 4 levels w/ 4,200 SF of space & 2 car gar. Wide entry foyer, LR, DR, PR & updtd TS kit on the main. 4 BRs & 2 FBs up & fxd stairs to lrg attic w/ 5th BR & storage. Unfin LL w/ good ceiling hgt & capped plumbing. Metro!Chevy Chase North & South Office 202.966.1400.

Falls Church, VA $1,199,900 Enjoy your own Lake Barcroft (Falls Church) resort home, 20 minutes from Capitol Hill. 4 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths, 4-zone radiant heat. Postcard views from every room. Patios, entertainment areas, a dock, and your private trails on a 32,000 SF lot.Chevy Chase Office 202.363.9700.

Bethesda, MD $1,525,000 Miller-built Sumner Colonial refreshed in & out. At just under 4,000 SF, it is one of Sumner’s largest homes. Currently configured as 8 BRs with 4 full BAs / 2 half BAs, 2 car garage, lrg FR opening to redone pool, fountain and flagstone patio. Miller Spring Valley Office 202.362.1300.

Palisades, DC $1,750,000 A STEAL AT THIS PRICE! Over 7200 SF of luxury in 2003 custom built 6BR, 5.5BA home! Entertainers dream home w/ chef’s kitchen, grand FR sumptuous master suite, 2 frplcs, & bonus rooms, custom landscaping, garage parking.Woodley Park Office 202.483.6300.

Bethesda, MD $2,250,000Stunning Contemporary! Near DC. 5BR, 5.5BA, 40’ in-ground pool, upgrades! MB ste w/ private balcony, SubZero, Asko & GE Monogram appliances, custom deck off main level, oak HWs & sound system. Central vac, 2 car gar, 2 gas frplcs.Foxhall Office 202.363.1800.

RE14

NEWBURG, MDMaiden Point Farm is 127 manicured, waterfront acres w/ a meticulously renovated 18th century manor house as its centerpiece. It o� ers 5BR/4.5BA and 7 fi replaces. 250’ pier w/boat lift, 17 stall barn, 1BR garden cottage, 2BR/1BA gate house, 3BR/1BA waterfront tenant house, 3 stall carriage house.

$4,450,000 | sothebysrealty.com/id/ch7884001Michael Moore | 301.967.3344

KENT, DCThis 6-bedroom residence is sited across from beauti-ful Battery Kemble Park on Chain Bridge Road. With exquisite renovations, this residence o� ers over 6,000 sf of living/entertaining space on four fi nished levels, and a shared tennis court and pool.$2,750,000 | sothebysrealty.com/id/dc7921201 Theresa Burt | 202.258.2600Michael Rankin | 202.271.3344

KALORAMA, DCPrivate townhouse boasts large foyer, DR w/ fpl overlooks private garden. Large kitchen w/ sep breakfast room. LR & Library w/fpls, 10ft ceil. & crown mldg. MBR w/ fpl, his & hers sep BR/closet. 3 more BRs, 2 baths, elevator, 2-3 car private parking w/ guest parking. 24-hour doorman, gardens and pool.$2,495,000 | sothebysrealty.com/id/dc7915491 Lawrence Calvert | 202.510.7040

CHEVY CHASE, DCFeaturing over 5,000 sf of custom fi nished living space with spacious rooms, soaring ceilings and custom millwork throughout, this newly constructed craftsman style home is ideally suited for both entertaining and family living with 5 BRs, 5.5 BAs, screened porch w/ fi replace and a fi tness center.$2,295,000Bill Abbott | 202.903.6533

CHEVY CHASE, DCModern and chic interior, with double foyer, double living room & sublime chef’s kitchen. There are 6 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths, including a magnifi cent master suite with private terrace. New green-friendly systems. Walk to metro, shops, parks and more. Garage.$1,499,000 | sothebysrealty.com/id/dc7922157Richard Seaton | 202.907.8037Claudia Donovan | 202.251.7011

CHEVY CHASE, DCThis renovated yet classic residence blends modern con-venience w/ the charm of a bygone era. Renovated kitchen w/ breakfast area, sun room, o� ce, and rec. room are among the highlights. 5 BRs, 3 full BAs. Features enclosed porch and detached one-car garage. $1,480,630 | sothebysrealty.com/id/dc7925666Claudia Donovan | 202.251.7011Richard Seaton | 202.907.8037

LOGAN CIRCLE, DCOpportunity to own a 2 BR unit in the Metropole! Enter-tain in your kitchen with custom cabinets & Bosch appli-ances or relax in your 3 spa-like BAs. Enjoy the fi nishes in this 1,490 sf condo. Use your garage parking spot or walk to all that Logan Circle has to o� er.$935,000 | sothebysrealty.com/id/dc7923951Bill Hounshell | 202.427.7890Michael Fowler | 202.812.0272

WESLEY HEIGHTS, DCSpacious and renovated end unit on upper fl oor with views from every window. Featuring balcony, kitchen with window, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, parquet fl oors, garage parking. Bldg features 24 hr desk, pool, tennis, grocery store, beauty parlor and dry cleaner. Stunning new lobby and spectacular grounds.$3,300 rental | sothebysrealty.com/id/dc7920339Barbara Zuckerman | 202.997.5977

KALORAMA, DCPrestigious Embassy Row townhouse, limestone façade, porte-cochere entrance, w/ 1-car garage plus parking for 4 more vehicles. Nearly 6,000 sf, 4BR plus au pair suite, 4.5 BA. High ceilings, exquisite architectural detail throughout, 4 fi replaces, elevator, library, and entertaining room w/ roof terrace overlooking yard, Rock Creek Park, and the city.$3,295,000 | sothebysrealty.com/id/dc7921599Jonathan Taylor | 202.276.3344

PALISADES, DCExquisite new home to be built with open fl oor plan, gen-erous rooms with soaring ceilings and unique architectural details. When fi nished, this rare gem will have 5 BRs, 4.5 BAs and feature over 5,000 sf of custom fi nished living space on three levels. Additional features include fi replace, fi tness center, and attached garage.$2,200,000Bill Abbott | 202.903.6533

CHEVY CHASE, MD301.967.3344

McLEAN, VA703.319.3344

DOWNTOWN, DC202.234.3344

GEORGETOWN, DC202.333.1212

ttrsir.com©MMXII TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, licensed real estate broker. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each Of� ce Is Independently Owned And Operated. Equal housing opportunity. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Price and availability subject to change.

High touch.The best of Washington luxury real estate is now at your fi ngertips. Faster. Easier. Richer in detail. Introducing our new iPad app.Another exclusive from TTR Sotheby’s International Realty.

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1001 Dogue Hill Lane, McLean, Virginia$6.5M USD

GREAT FALLS, VANestled on a 6-acre wooded oasis, this contemporary retreat is a private haven! Master suite w/ sitting room, gas fi replace, walk-in closet and luxury bath w/ steam shower, jacuzzi tub and double vanities. Detached 3 car garage, circular driveway w/ parking pad. Landscaped property w/ koi pond, gazebo, decks and patio.$1,395,000 | sothebysrealty.com/id/fx7871239Penny Yerks | 703.760.0744

CHEVY CHASE, DCThis elegant home with grand wrap-around veranda sits on a nearly 1-acre landscaped lot. Perfect for entertaining, this four-level home o� ers a top-level private suite with kitchenette. Also o� ers a bright lower-level family room, living room with fi replace, eat-in kitchen, den and exercise room. Move-in condition.$1,675,000 | sothebysrealty.com/id/dc7813356Tad Stewart | 202.431.5856

RE15TheCurrenTWednesday,sepTember19,2012


A condo shopper with a laundry list of wishes might find fulfillment in 1417 Chapin St. NW.

Two-bedroom Unit 506 has a balcony, a roof deck, a garage parking spot, 2.5 bath-

rooms and even a fireplace. It’s also pet-friendly, and to top it all off, the unit is split into two levels, with the bedrooms tucked away below to nearly guarantee a peaceful night’s sleep. The Denver building is centrally located, sitting between three major commercial cor-ridors: U Street, 14th Street in Logan Circle, and 14th Street in Columbia Heights. Yet because this unit faces into an interior court-yard, the busy city seems far away. This central outdoor space provides the light for the entire apartment, with windows shining into the living room and kitchen/din-ing room upstairs and the two bedrooms downstairs. The unit also has a balcony that looks

down at the court-yard’s abundant plantings. There’s room for a table here, and a light and electrical outlet make it perfect for small-scale enter-taining. Inside, the top floor offers an open plan, extending the entertainment options. The kitchen is spacious and bright, with a black granite counter serving as both a room divider and breakfast bar. The appliances here are stainless steel, and dark-wood cabinets add visual interest. There’s room for a dining table between the kitchen and living room, and in fact plac-ing one here separates the space nicely. A gas fireplace with wood mantel provides a focal point in the living area, where two windows bring in light from the courtyard. A wall of closets offers both room for coats as well as space for the unit’s own hot-water heater and

HVAC system. And a half-bath with both a stacked washer-dryer and extra storage space completes the level.

Down a wide spiral staircase wait two ensuite bedrooms, which are similar in size; the current owner has chosen to use one as an office. Both bathrooms have tubs, and hardwood floors stretch throughout this level and the one above. While the Denver was built in 1903, this unit was upgraded in 2003, providing a nice mix of history and convenience. A garage

parking spot and two nearby Metro stations mean a buyer could easily access the rest of the city. But with all the offerings of the bur-geoning Columbia Heights and 14th Street areas, staying close to home would be appealing as well. Unit 506 at 1417 Chapin St. NW is offered for $574,500. Monthly fees total $468. For details, contact Washington Fine Properties’ Nate Guggenheim at 202-333-5905 or [email protected] or Anne Savage at 202-342-0409 or [email protected].

Unit in the Denver offers an oasis with varied amenities

Photos courtesy of Washington Fine PropertiesUnit 506 at 1417 Chapin St. offers two levels, two bedrooms and parking for $574,500.

ON THE MARKET BETH COPE

“People are bombarded by news media sources that say it’s still not a great real estate market,” he said of local buyers. “We don’t live in a vacuum.” Because of buyers’ attitudes, it remains essential that sellers pay attention to professional advice when setting a listing price. “Property that’s priced close to where it needs to be is getting mul-tiple offers,” said Holly Worthington, managing broker at Long & Foster Real Estate’s Chevy Chase and Woodley Park offices. “We are seeing the return of the multiple offer if something is priced right,” said Melman. “Particularly with the scarcity of properties, if a home works, you don’t want to wait for the next one.” But a willingness to go against the grain can provide an opening for buyers who are flexible. Most of their competitors, for instance, want a home in move-in shape upon purchase. One way of expanding the available inventory is

having the inclination — or perhaps the time, money and energy — to undertake renovations. Lindsay Reishman of Lindsay Reishman Real Estate noted that loan products are available to help buyers pay for renovations as part of the same deal. “I think it opens up a lot of options,” Reishman said. For instance, someone who can’t find the $1 million house they want might consider looking at $800,000 listings with plans to spend $200,000 on renovations. “I think people get homed in on finding that $1 million house.” Another strong preference among today’s buyers is to mini-mize the need to spend time on the roads. They’re increasingly willing to trade space for convenience. “Home buyers are looking to save time, and the commuting time is really a critical factor, more so than ever,” said Worthington. “Home buyers also want to live near amenities they can walk to — restaurants, theaters, shopping, pub-

MARKET: Inventory still at issueFrom Page RE1

See Market/Page RE23

Bonnie Roberts-Burke · 202-487-7653 · [email protected] 22nd Street, NW · Washington, DC 20037 · 202 464-8400


www.AbramsFinnell.com

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There’s an elephant in the room that no one likes to talk about when it comes to

kitchen renovations. This elephant is often a too-large, purposeless island that interrupts the cook’s flow and separates the chef from

everyone else in the room. Not all, of course; many islands fit into their settings just fine. But it’s past time to remind home buy-ers and renovators that an eat-in — or table-space, as it’s now called — kitchen suits many properties just fine. That’s certainly the case with this 1920 stucco Colonial in Chevy Chase. The kitchen, though updat-ed, is clearly that of a vintage home, thanks to the wise decision to keep a large built-in cabinet that’s origi-nal to the home. A newer arrival is the restaurant-grade, stainless-steel gas range and double oven. This behemoth includes a griddle and a grill, as well as a utility shelf and a no-non-sense hood. But what makes this space an inviting, sit-down-and-stay-awhile sort of kitchen are the table and chairs in one corner. They create a homey, welcoming effect that an island just can’t accomplish.

There’s warmth throughout this proper-ty, in fact. A sunny, three-exposure living room is grounded by a very large fireplace with its original white surround. A chair rail, crown molding and hefty baseboards are other bits that acknowledge the large room’s vintage. A dining room, also lined in hardwood floorboards, sits across the center hall from the liv-ing room. Wide doorways to both the living and dining rooms, as well as a stairway that’s set back from the front door, help this entry feel quite expansive. A swinging door — another touch of 1920s charm — leads from the dining room to the kitch-en. A half-bath on this level features

the same smart design decision that the home’s other renovated baths share: classic white fixtures and a marble-tiled floor. Out back, a two-car detached garage sits on the other side of a patio. But most outdoor relaxing will take place on the deep front porch, which now comfortably fits two seating areas. A large basement includes a laundry spot and could be fully fin-

ished to add a rec room and guest suite to the home. For many families, though, the second floor’s four bedrooms will prove to be enough. Two bedrooms share a jack-and-jill bath, and a hall bath serves the other two rooms, including the master. If new owners wanted to create a master suite that included that bath, however, adding a door at one end of a short hall would easily accomplish that goal. Another option for owners look-ing to create a new master suite waits in the large attic. The home’s final bedroom, in fact, already sits up here, and Realtor Kimberly

Cestari has marked where capped-off plumbing could be transformed into a bath. With Connecticut Avenue locat-ed steps from this quiet location, there’s easy access to much of the city from this spot. In the other direction, Friendship Heights has a Metro stop as well as shopping and dining. This five-bedroom, 3.5-bath home at 3717 Ingomar St. NW is offered for $1,150,000. For details, contact Kimberly Cestari of W.C. & A.N. Miller Realtors, a Long & Foster Co., at 202-253-8757 or [email protected].

Chevy Chase Colonial offers plenty of 1920s-style warmth, modern comforts

Photos courtesy of W.C. & a.N. Miller RealtorsLocated just off Connecticut Avenue, this five-bedroom, 3.5-bath Colonial in Chevy Chase is priced at $1,150,000.



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Park, of which 14 have already been sold, according to the project’s website. St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School bought the Casey Mansion property there, setting aside part of it for a new campus and part of it for the housing development. 1801foxhall.com■ Phillips Park: Foxhall Road and W Street Just north of the 1801 develop-ment, the partially developed 46-site Phillips Park project also has addi-tional lots available for custom homes. phillipsparkdc.com

Georgetown■ Key Bridge Exxon station site: 3607 M St. Developer EastBanc purchased the gas station property for $7.5 million in December, and the firm’s Mary Mottershead said in an inter-view that the company plans to “dust off” earlier plans for some three-dozen residential units. Design work will likely begin in earnest next year, she said, working toward an envisioned 2014 groundbreak-ing. EastBanc will continue to lease the site to the Exxon’s operators until the firm is ready to proceed with redevelopment, she said.■ Hurt Home site: 3050 R St. Work began last month on over-

hauling the three-story 1897 struc-ture into a 15-unit condo building with three affordable units. First built as an assisted living facility for the blind, it had been owned by the District government since 1987. The Montrose is set to open in late 2013. themontrosegeorgetown.com

Logan Circle■ The District: 14th and S streets A seven-story, 125-unit rental apartment building, The District is slated to be completed by the end of this year at the former Whitman-Walker Clinic site. The mixed-use project will include ground-floor retail space. dcdistrict.com

Palisades■ Foxhall Ridge: 4452 MacArthur Blvd. Thirty-four town homes are under construction on the site of the former Riverside Hospital. The project, previously known as Canal Parc, began a year ago and is set to wrap up by mid-2013. Half of the homes are already sold. foxhallridgetowns.com

Petworth■ Safeway site: 3380 Georgia Ave. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for today for the redevel-opment of the aging Safeway super-market site, which will create 218 residential units atop a new store. Though officials initially worried

that a residential component of the project wouldn’t be viable, increased confidence in the local economy encouraged them to move forward. The 80-foot-tall building is expected to be completed in 2014. tinyurl.com/petworth-safeway

Tenleytown ■ The Terraces at Tenley: 42nd and Davenport streets In contrast to the Petworth proj-ect, an effort to redevelop the Tenleytown Safeway is facing com-munity opposition, and developers withdrew their zoning application to continue community negotiations. As presented earlier this year, the project would include 175 apart-ment units above a new supermar-ket, and 14 town houses attached to the building facing 43rd Street. tenleytownsafeway.com■ The Bond at Tenley: Wisconsin Avenue and Brandywine Street Another controversial Tenleytown project, the proposed 60-unit apartment building on the vacant Babe’s Billiards site has sparked community concerns because the developer plans to include no parking spaces. Developers have argued that the proximity to Metrorail stations and other transit will attract tenants who don’t own cars and that the site could accommodate parking only without a desired retail component. The Zoning Commission expressed

skepticism over the summer but has yet to hold a full hearing on the pro-posal. thebondattenley.com

u Street■ Louis, 14th and U streets Construction began early this year on a nine-story mixed-use building — formerly dubbed Utopia — that will include 267 apartment units above retail and office space. Developers are preserving some historic buildings, which will serve as office space. The building is slat-ed to be completed in late 2013. louisat14.com

West End■ Fire station site: 23rd and M streets; library site: 24th and L streets Two related developments from EastBanc will rebuild the neighbor-

hood’s library and fire station as mixed-use projects. With dramatic designs and inclusion of city prop-erty, the projects have attracted sig-nificant attention — and some resis-tance — over the years. The DC Library Renaissance Project, a com-munity group, has appealed a Zoning Commission order approv-ing the project, causing some delays, but the developments have otherwise cleared most hurdles. EastBanc expects to break ground in the second quarter of 2013 for two years of construction. The firehouse project will include between 52 and 60 units of affordable housing and likely a squash court; the library project will have approximately 164 high-end units. EastBanc will decide later whether to offer the library site as condos or rental housing.

DEVELOPMENT: Northwest projects vary in scale From Page RE1

Bill Petros/The CurrentThe Louis building under construction at 14th and U streets will include 267 residential units as well as retail and office space.


By DEIRDRE BANNONCurrent Staff Writer

The Internet has radically changed many industries, even what may seem the

least virtual enterprise — real estate. These days, more and more bou-tique and independent real estate firms are leveraging new technolo-gy and social media — as well as old-fashioned customer service — in an effort to provide clients with the same or a greater level of ser-vices as traditional brokerages. One of the newest members of that vanguard is Real Living At Home, a D.C. franchise of the national real estate company, opened last month by Darrin Friedman and Jason Sherman at 11 Dupont Circle. “I think what we’ve seen over the last five years is an innovation in the delivery system of content and listings online,” said Friedman. “You don’t need to be one of the national power players to deliver.” More than 85 percent of people looking to buy a home begin their search online, according to Friedman. Popular real estate listing websites include realtor.com, zillow.com and trulia.com. Friedman says his firm’s niche is serving a younger clientele, from Generations X and Y. That’s also the age group Friedman and Sherman fall into, along with most of the 10 agents at their firm, and it’s the age group that participates in 70 percent of all real estate transac-tions nationwide, according to Friedman. “We speak their language,” he said. And his firm’s marketing tech-niques demonstrate that: In addition to its website, the firm has a pres-ence on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. “We’re trying to provide people with not only a platform to look at listings, but a platform to under-stand what it’s like to live in Washington and be a Washingtonian,” added Friedman. Skip Singleton, co-founder with his wife Debbie of DC Living, has been providing a boutique real estate experience for clients at his 4933 MacArthur Blvd. office for more than 10 years. Originally an attorney at a high-tech law firm, Singleton said his wife, already a successful Realtor, encouraged him to make the jump.

DC Living incorporated cutting-edge technology from the start. “We were like a high-tech real estate start-up,” said Singleton. “The Internet has been a great equalizer for all of us.” Singleton says the District’s market is dynamic, as are his cli-ents, who often operate in a “24-7” world, which prompted his firm to go paperless, incorporating elec-tronic signature capabilities with its transaction documents. “We’re a little more nimble and

able to adjust to our clients’ needs,” said Singleton. “If they have to fly out for a business trip, as is so often case with our clients, we can con-tinue with negotiations and signing documents. It doesn’t matter where in the world they are; they can still conduct real estate business with the technology that’s out there.” That’s not to say that larger firms aren’t incorporating digital tools. One example is Evers & Co., a local firm established in 1985 that now fields more than 100 agents. The firm offers a blog and monthly market analyses online as well as via podcast. Smaller offices, therefore, must compete on the fundamentals as well, and Singleton says his firm does that with an old-fashioned focus on customer service. “We establish strong relation-ships with our clients, and hopefully they will come back to us, tell their friends about us,” he said. Boutique firms can also simplify a client’s bill, eliminating some fees that larger brokerages may levy, according to Singleton. He says DC Living doesn’t have the overhead of a larger firm, so Singleton doesn’t have to pass along those costs through the $200 to $400 administrative charges that are often standard with larger com-panies. After more than 10 years in the business, Singleton believes that boutique firms have created solid competition for larger firms. “The competition is good for

everybody,” he said. “It creates bet-ter results and more choices for cli-ents.” One more competitor is Joseph Himali, who founded boutique firm Best Address Real Estate in 2004. “The most important thing about independent brokers is that they can offer all the same services or more at a competitive price or better than the bigger companies,” said Himali, whose office now has 14 agents. Himali offers clients a 24-hour cancellation policy with all con-tracts; at larger firms, contract terms often last several months, he said. “If an agent signs an agreement that locks a client in for six months, what is the incentive to work hard?” Himali asked. “At my firm, if I’m not doing my job, the client could fire me, so they know I’m going to

work hard every day.” One challenge Himali notes is that without instant name recogni-tion, potential clients are sometimes hesitant to hire a smaller firm. “People sometimes say to me, ‘Why would I hire you? I’ve never heard of your little firm,’” Himali said. “It’s a natural tendency, but once I explain how we are different, what we can provide and our firm’s statistics, we can make it happen.” Working for a smaller firm, Himali found, can sometimes lead to professional isolation, so three years ago he formed the Alliance for Independent Real Estate Brokers, serving Realtors in the greater Washington area. The group started with 15 members in 2010 and has grown to 63 members who work for firms with fewer than 100

agents. Those firms must be “truly independent,” said Himali, “and not affiliated with a larger broker.” “When you’re an independent broker, you don’t have 100 other agents to talk to every day, so this alliance is a way to give brokers the opportunity to find information out-side of their usual bailiwick,” he said.

Boutique firms aim to leverage social media, optimize service

Photo courtesy of Real Living At HomeDarrin Friedman and Jason Sherman launched Real Living At Home last month.


These sales are among those recorded from July 1 through 31 by the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue and listed on its Real Property Sales Database.

SINGLE-FaMILy HOMES■ 3280 Aberfoyle Place in Chevy Chase. Sold to Christopher D. Barraza for $660,000.■ 7408 Alaska Ave. in Shepherd Park. Sold to kim C. D’abreu for $715,000.■ 4414 Albemarle St. in american university Park. Sold to Carl Pechman for $853,750.■ 4943 Albemarle St. in american university Park. Sold to Van W. Fowlkes for $717,000.

■ 4721 Alton Place in american university Park. Sold to Eric D. Tucker for $925,000.■ 4836 Alton Place in american university Park. Sold to Margaret D. Lopez-Balboa for $959,000.■ 3257 Arcadia Place in Chevy Chase. Sold to Mercedes V. Martin for $930,000.■ 4319 Argyle Terrace in Crestwood. Sold to Christopher L. Seek for $942,000.■ 4507 Argyle Terrace in Crestwood. Sold to Donna L. Brazile for $1,200,000.■ 3227 Beech St. in Hawthorne. Sold to

Lisa R. Hopson for $895,001.■ 4520 Blagden Ave. in Crestwood. Sold to Calvin R. Robinson for $735,000.■ 4834 Blagden Ave. in Crestwood. Sold to Douglas M. Beridon for $936,000.■ 4348 Brandywine St. in american university Park. Sold to Daniel O. Pulido for $715,000.■ 4514 Brandywine St. in american university Park. Sold to Seth R. Gassman for $1,130,000.■ 1857 California St. in adams Morgan. Sold to alessandro Ghidini for $1,350,000.■ 3300 Cathedral Ave. in Woodley Park. Sold to Christopher a. Landberg for $1,125,000.■ 4311 Cathedral Ave. in Wesley

Heights. Sold to Richard R. Robinson for $1,720,000.■ 5211 Chevy Chase Parkway in Chevy Chase. Sold to Stephanie B. Tankel for $760,000.■ 1237 Crittenden St. in 16th Street Heights. Sold to Melissa L. Davenport for $800,000.■ 919 Decatur St. in Petworth. Sold to Enrique Borroto for $220,699.■ 1213 Decatur St. in 16th Street Heights. Sold to Steve aupperle for $500,000.■ 1217 Delafield Place in 16th Street Heights. Sold to William D. O’Brien for $755,000.■ 3335 Dent Place in Georgetown. Sold to Tillie a. Fowler for $1,495,000.■ 3124 Dumbarton St. in Georgetown. Sold to atila Omer for $1,820,000.■ 905 Emerson St. in Petworth. Sold to Nantucket Holdings Ltd. for $287,750.■ 4421 Faraday Place in american university Park. Sold to Jacob S. Rubin for $830,000.■ 817 Farragut St. in Petworth. Sold to Catherine Ogorzaly for $434,500.■ 819 Farragut St. in Petworth. Sold to Nikki Lugo for $341,000.■ 730 Fern Place in Brightwood. Sold to kenneth R. Stinson for $380,000.■ 1205 Fern St. in Shepherd Park. Sold to Penelope E. Codrington for $585,000.■ 4413 Fessenden St. in american university Park. Sold to Christine E. Eibner for $700,000.■ 1416 Foxhall Road in the Palisades. Sold to Nicholas kappas for $829,900.■ 2701 Foxhall Road in Berkley. Sold to anthony D. Bruce for $2,475,000.■ 3213 Foxhall Road in Wesley Heights. Sold to Foxhall Real Estate LLC for $899,000.■ 5028 Fulton St. in kent. Sold to Irby J. Thompson for $1,060,000.■ 1208 Gallatin St. in 16th Street Heights. Sold to Cheryl Ringer for $640,000.

■ 4511 Garrison St. in american university Park. Sold to Mark E. Stacey for $1,015,127.■ 4453 Greenwich Parkway in Foxhall. Sold to Sudeep anand for $814,999.■ 5009 Hawthorne Place in kent. Sold to ahmed R. al Tamimi for $1,205,000.■ 3706 Huntington St. in Chevy Chase. Sold to Michael McNeely for $690,000.■ 3805 Huntington St. in Chevy Chase. Sold to Bethany Hatef for $1,800,000.■ 4816 Hutchins Place in the Palisades. Sold to Foxhall Developers LLC for $760,000.■ 4419 Illinois Ave. in Petworth. Sold to kevin T. Byrne for $515,000.■ 4829 Illinois Ave. in Petworth. Sold to aDG DC 1 LLC for $255,000.■ 423 Ingraham St. in Petworth. Sold to Eduardo Simpson for $260,000.■ 441 Ingraham St. in Petworth. Sold to kirth Bobb for $375,000.■ 639 Ingraham St. in Petworth. Sold to 5 Design Management LLC for $220,000.■ 1323 Ingraham St. in 16th Street Heights. Sold to Mohammad a. khasawinah for $670,000.■ 3751 Jenifer St. in Chevy Chase. Sold to Nathan S. Tyrrell for $1,863,000.■ 1413 Kalmia Road in Shepherd Park. Sold to Ian a. Elder for $560,000.■ 4713 Kansas Ave. in Petworth. Sold to Jessica L. Watson for $629,000.■ 5304 Kansas Ave. in Petworth. Sold to BTC Holdings I LLC for $262,000.■ 527 Kennedy St. in Petworth. Sold to Janet E. Lawrence-Johnson for $379,000.■ 4349 Klingle St. in Wesley Heights. Sold to Colin Curvey for $1,580,000.■ 1316 Leegate Road in Shepherd Park. Sold to James D. Werner for $560,000.■ 5105 Lowell Lane in kent. Sold to David G. Helfrich Trustee for $5,400,000.■ 3509 Lowell St. in Cleveland Park. Sold to Timothy R. Schantz for $1,850,000.■ 4417 Lowell St. in Wesley Heights.

JUST SOLD

See Sales/Page RE24


lic transportation.” “Part of it’s being green. Part of it’s convenience. Part of it’s life-style,” Taylor said. “It wasn’t some-thing 20 years ago that people were obsessed about.” Though the convenience of most neighborhoods within the city limits means D.C. benefits overall com-pared to most suburbs, some urban buyers focus on the micro boundar-ies of different neighborhoods. Taylor said that proximity-mind-ed buyers set on American University Park often will rule out anything west of 46th Street because of the distance from the Tenleytown and Friendship Heights Metro stations. The same applies in Chevy Chase, where proximity to shops and restaurants on Connecticut Avenue is a big plus. But there, he said, “you’re going to get more bang for your buck if you’re looking east of Utah.” When it comes to home values, Realtors said they are seeing appre-ciation. The median sales price climbed 9.78 percent in August, from $399,000 in 2011 to $439,00 this year; the average price grew more modestly, with a 4.5 percent rise from $532,992 to $556,974. Worthington said prices have already gone up at least 5 percent this year in many areas. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see them go up another 5 percent,” she said. “There’s no inventory — that’s what jacks the price up.” Taylor said that he’s observed a 2 percent to 5 percent growth trend over that past two to four years. In most market segments, owners are coming close to where they peaked in 2006 or 2007, he said. “It’s been a slow, modest trend

upward, with peaks and valleys,” Taylor said. “It’s not crazy up — it’s good, stable up.” Melman cautioned against expecting the kind of rises seen in the white-hot market that character-ized much of the past decade. “I don’t think we’re going to sustain multiple years of 10 and 15 percent increases,” he said. “I don’t think we’ll compound them year after year, but things will be higher next year than they are now.” Traditionally, the D.C. market experiences a rise in inventory in the fall, Realtors noted. But the cur-rent level is so low, it may not be enough to satiate demand. “I think we’ll see a little bump — it will get absorbed, and we’ll see prices rise,” Reishman said. Melman and Fred Kendrick of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty offered similar assessments. “I’m hopeful we’ll have more housing coming on,” Melman said. “But I think we are going to be at these low levels for a while, which means the sellers are driving the market.” “Typically September is a transi-tion month where the inventory builds up,” said Kendrick, who compiles a monthly report on the District’s real estate market. “I think the hope is that in September we would see some kind of buildup, but it looks like the demand is so good right off the bat that that’s not going to have a chance to happen.” At this point, D.C.’s market dynamics provide fodder for both buyers and sellers, Realtors said. “The fact that interest rates are low is what makes this a great time to buy,” said Worthington. “And having very little inventory makes it a great time to sell. It’s a very unique time from my experience.”

MARKET: Home prices risingFrom Page RE16

THE WESTCHESTER


Sold to ZP Lowell LLC for $915,000.■ 5347 MacArthur Blvd. in kent. Sold to andrew Martin for $1,200,000.■ 5129 Macomb St. in kent. Sold to Lisa J. Bender for $1,295,000.■ 1208 Madison St. in 16th Street Heights. Sold to SQB LLC for $235,000.■ 1322 Madison St. in 16th Street Heights. Sold to Timothy Fuchs for $446,000.■ 3501 McKinley St. in Chevy Chase. Sold to Jeffrey kaplan for $1,138,500.■ 3337 Military Road in Chevy Chase. Sold to Mark Schofield for $825,500.■ 1431 Montague St. in 16th Street Heights. Sold to Jacquelyn D. Leatherman for $635,000.■ 2907 N St. in Georgetown. Sold to Laura R. Taylor for $975,000.■ 3106 N St. in Georgetown. Sold to 3106 N Street LLC for $2,950,000.■ 5134 Nebraska Ave. in Chevy Chase. Sold to Derek H. Chollet for $855,000.■ 5142 Nebraska Ave. in Chevy Chase. Sold to Jennifer L. ayres for $750,000.■ 5301 Nebraska Ave. in Chevy Chase. Sold to Sean M. Tepe for $939,000.■ 5616 Nebraska Ave. in Chevy Chase. Sold to Oracle Construction LLC for

$570,000.■ 6110 Nebraska Ave. in Chevy Chase. Sold to Brandon L. Butler for $725,000.■ 3055 Oliver St. in Chevy Chase. Sold to Charles E. Meisch Jr. for $855,000.■ 601 Oneida Place in Brightwood. Sold to Talib M. Shareef for $419,000.■ 2125 Ontario Road in adams Morgan. Sold to Mehmet O. Ozlu for $781,000.■ 2254 Ontario Road in adams Morgan. Sold to Justine White for $723,000.■ 7927 Orchid St. in Colonial Village. Sold to Terri H. Reed for $730,500.■ 5020 Overlook Road in Spring Valley. Sold to Jose J. Gomez for $1,300,000.■ 2734 P St. in Georgetown. Sold to Timothy J. Naughton for $1,020,000.■ 3132 P St. in Georgetown. Sold to James F. Humphreys for $2,100,000.■ 1805 Phelps Place in Sheridan-kalorama. Sold to Leslie Zuercher-Sublett for $1,205,035.■ 4863 Potomac Ave. in the Palisades. Sold to Landbreeze LLC for $1,500,000.■ 5517 Potomac Ave. in the Palisades. Sold to Christopher R. Degarmo for $1,900,000.■ 603 Quintana Place in Brightwood. Sold to Martin Hayes for $295,000.■ 812 Randolph St. in Petworth. Sold to Marc Goldwein for $610,000.■ 4201 River Road in american university Park. Sold to Rupsha 2006 LLC

for $625,000.■ 4720 Sedgwick St. in Spring Valley. Sold to Randall S. Coleman Trustee for $1,200,000.■ 727 Shepherd St. in Petworth. Sold to Brent E. Troyan for $628,000.■ 613 Somerset Place in Brightwood. Sold to Mark J. Hayburn for $369,000.■ 2748 Stephenson Lane in Chevy Chase. Sold to John T. Haecker for $800,000.■ 1815 Sudbury Road in Colonial Village. Sold to Marta Mazurkiewicz for $605,000.■ 1528 Swann St. in Dupont Circle. Sold to Thomas G. young for $1,185,000.■ 1464 T St. in Logan Circle. Sold to Christian P. Cronin for $634,000.■ 1519 T St. in Dupont Circle. Sold to Gerard B. White for $1,240,000.■ 3816 T St. in Burleith. Sold to Jill E. Brown for $829,000.■ 721 Taylor St. in Petworth. Sold to Patrick k. Desmond for $608,000.■ 1351 Taylor St. in Columbia Heights. Sold to Phillip a. Bush for $510,000.■ 3319 Tennyson St. in Chevy Chase. Sold to Neil Joseph Numark Revocable Living Trust for $1,220,000.■ 608 Tewkesbury Place in Brightwood. Sold to Christina B. White for $275,000.■ 2743 Unicorn Lane in Chevy Chase. Sold to Susan Chertkof for $970,000.

■ 3880 University Ave. in Spring Valley. Sold to Diana Block for $885,000.■ 2930 Upton St. in Forest Hills. Sold to Steven M. kaufmann for $1,245,000.■ 705 Varnum St. in Petworth. Sold to Dennis M. Lee for $615,000.■ 1720 Varnum St. in Crestwood. Sold to katherine a. Trefz for $967,500.■ 6115 Western Ave. in Chevy Chase. Sold to karen E. McSweeney for $855,000.■ 4312 Westover Place in Wesley Heights. Sold to Bruce C. Zotter for $775,000.■ 4442 Westover Place in Wesley Heights. Sold to Brinton a. Miller for $880,000.■ 4322 Windom Place in american university Park. Sold to Benjamin E. Berkman for $1,049,000.■ 2725 Woodley Place in Woodley Park. Sold to John J. Honea for $1,105,000.■ 3218 Woodley Road in Cleveland Park. Sold to Meera Narayanaswamy for $1,500,000.■ 3846 Woodley Road in Cleveland Park. Sold to Ernest B. White for $1,623,500.■ 7055 Wyndale St. in Hawthorne. Sold to andrew Geary for $625,000.■ 4008 5th St. in Petworth. Sold to Thomas kullish for $615,000.■ 6905 5th St. in Brightwood. Sold to

Jason a. Levitis for $631,000.■ 6200 7th St. in Brightwood. Sold to Ivo R. Morales for $353,000.■ 6926 9th St. in Brightwood. Sold to Brian Leatherman for $558,000.■ 5206 14th St. in 16th Street Heights. Sold to Nathan S. Murphy for $750,000.■ 1812 24th St. in Sheridan-kalorama. Sold to Eric B. Bruce for $1,657,500.■ 1337 27th St. in Georgetown. Sold to John Salamon for $995,000.■ 5308 28th St. in Chevy Chase. Sold to Stephen G. Penhoet for $1,299,500.■ 4435 29th St. in Forest Hills. Sold to Patricia Davies Trustee for $1,155,000.■ 6100 29th St. in Chevy Chase. Sold to Robert E. Tucker Jr. for $350,000.■ 1337 30th St. in Georgetown. Sold to Estelle James Trustee for $417,000.■ 6139 30th St. in Chevy Chase. Sold to Julia M. Cohen for $761,000.■ 5924 31st Place in Chevy Chase. Sold to David a. Bruns for $840,000.■ 6138 31st Place in Chevy Chase. Sold to Lori R. Finch for $935,000.■ 6621 31st Place in Chevy Chase. Sold to Ross D. Lewin for $800,000.■ 1681 32nd St. in Georgetown. Sold to Barbara M. Bayer for $1,250,000.■ 1612 34th St. in Georgetown. Sold to Zoran Mladenovic for $1,275,000.■ 1817 37th St. in Burleith. Sold to Suzanne E. Erickson for $930,000.■ 4315 39th St. in North Cleveland Park. Sold to Susan Canning for $910,000.■ 4426 42nd St. in american university Park. Sold to Daniel J. Simons for $795,000.■ 4617 42nd St. in american university Park. Sold to Brian Haugh for $1,230,000.■ 1401 44th St. in Foxhall. Sold to Sam L. Frenkel for $730,000.■ 2706 44th St. in Berkley. Sold to Joseph Deal for $1,800,000.■ 1645 45th St. in the Palisades. Sold to Victoria a. Tigwell for $699,000.■ 4204 46th St. in american university Park. Sold to aristotelis Papageorgiou for $820,000.■ 2235 49th St. in Berkley. Sold to Thomas W. Lalor for $2,869,000.■ 3715 49th St. in Spring Valley. Sold to Richard k. Taylor Jr. for $1,520,000.■ 4600 49th St. in american university Park. Sold to Robert a. klinck for $695,000.

CONDOS■ 2627 Adams Mill Road unit 401 in adams Morgan. Sold to Froylan Gracia for $355,000.■ 1626 Beekman Place unit 3H4 in adams Morgan. Sold to arturo J. andrade for $620,000.■ 1642 Beekman Place unit 3S2 in adams Morgan. Sold to Catalina Garcia-kilroy for $620,000.■ 1900 Biltmore St. unit 9 in adams Morgan. Sold to James R. Lipinski for $132,000.■ 4201 Cathedral Ave. unit 621E in Wesley Heights. Sold to yasar yaghl for $228,000.■ 1807 California St. unit 101 in adams Morgan. Sold to andrea Moreland for $510,000.■ 1840 California St. unit 5a in adams Morgan. Sold to Gerard Passannante for $339,900.■ 2138 California St. unit 107 in Sheridan-kalorama. Sold to Robert S. allison for $597,000.■ 2725 Connecticut Ave. unit 508 in Woodley Park. Sold to David N. Bonine for $424,500.■ 3100 Connecticut Ave. unit 320 in Woodley Park. Sold to Brad Neumann for $390,000.

SALESFrom Page RE22

See Sales/Page RE25


■ 3701 Connecticut Ave. unit 305 in Forest Hills. Sold to kelley M. Blanchard for $245,000.■ 4600 Connecticut Ave. unit 807 in Wakefield. Sold to Paul E. Salem for $415,000.■ 4700 Connecticut Ave. unit 309 in Wakefield. Sold to Christopher Paranicas for $520,000.■ 4701 Connecticut Ave. unit 305 in Forest Hills. Sold to Jaime Porter for $520,000.■ 4707 Connecticut Ave. unit 515 in Forest Hills. Sold to Martin kirkwood for $500,000.■ 4740 Connecticut Ave. unit 715 in Wakefield. Sold to James L. Mirance for $385,000.■ 4740 Connecticut Ave. unit 916 in Wakefield. Sold to Elisabeth R. anker for $415,000.■ 2737 Devonshire Place unit 21 in Woodley Park. Sold to Christopher S. koinis for $310,000.■ 1678 Euclid St. unit 23 in adams Morgan. Sold to Gaynor Bourgeois for $362,000.■ 2030 F St. unit 803 in Foggy Bottom. Sold to Francesca Tantazzi for $235,000.■ 2401 H St. unit 509 in Foggy Bottom. Sold to NM Properties LLC for $260,000.■ 2141 I St. unit 202 in Foggy Bottom. Sold to yogeshwar k. Dhawan for $235,000.■ 2710 Macomb St. unit 315 in Cleveland Park. Sold to Terry Layton for $315,000.■ 1312 Massachusetts Ave. unit 210 in Dupont Circle. Sold to ana R. Galvez for $350,000.■ 4200 Massachusetts Ave. unit 102 in Wesley Heights. Sold to Douglas Denby for $500,000.■ 4200 Massachusetts Ave. unit 104 in Wesley Heights. Sold to Joseph a. Bello for $570,000.■ 4200 Massachusetts Ave. unit 107 in Wesley Heights. Sold to 4340 associates LLC for $1,400,000.■ 4200 Massachusetts Ave. unit 117 in Wesley Heights. Sold to Carl Pfeiffer for $1,225,000.■ 1420 N St. unit 305 in Logan Circle. Sold to Jonathan P. Raviv for $254,250.■ 1440 N St. unit 815 in Logan Circle. Sold to Steven L. Rys for $180,000.■ 2301 N St. unit 314 in the West End. Sold to Judith M. amsalem for $633,500.■ 1330 New Hampshire Ave. unit 315 in Dupont Circle. Sold to amedou M. Ndiaye for $447,500.■ 1330 New Hampshire Ave. unit 913 in Dupont Circle. Sold to Timothy y. Fox for $435,000.■ 1735 New Hampshire Ave. unit 403 in Dupont Circle. Sold to Brent J. Rudell for $625,200.■ 1926-1930 New Hampshire Ave. unit 51 in Dupont Circle. Sold to Jean E. Theinhardt for $444,000.■ 2801 New Mexico Ave. unit 304 in Glover Park. Sold to Doreen E. Crompton for $450,000.■ 3101 New Mexico Ave. unit 1112 in Wesley Heights. Sold to Mahnaz Nikou for $550,000.■ 3033 New Mexico Ave. unit 302 in Wesley Heights. Sold to Michaelyn V. McLoughlin for $255,000.■ 2007 O St. unit 504 in Dupont Circle. Sold to Peter Bolton for $360,000.■ 2730 Ordway St. unit 4 in Cleveland Park. Sold to Elizabeth F. Thompson for $419,999.■ 1718 P St. unit 208 in Dupont Circle.

Sold to Sue D. Edwards for $349,000.■ 2141 P St. unit 906 in Dupont Circle. Sold to ariturk Properties LLC for $405,000.■ 2141 P St. unit 1007 in Dupont Circle. Sold to Valon Budima for $413,500.■ 1042 Paper Mill Court unit 1042 in Georgetown. Sold to Latife Sawda for $515,000.■ 2555 Pennsylvania Ave. unit 410 in the West End. Sold to Sally G. Willis for $562,500.■ 1615 Q St. unit 408 in Dupont Circle. Sold to althea a. Schwartz for $398,000.■ 1615 Q St. unit 1107 in Dupont Circle. Sold to Michael a. Giordano for $395,000.■ 2500 Q St. unit 542 in Georgetown. Sold to The Carlyn 542 LLC for $343,750.■ 2022 R St. unit 1 in Dupont Circle. Sold to James R. Hexter for $2,695,000.■ 3850 Rodman St. unit 231 in Cleveland Park. Sold to Giovanni Diviacchi for $329,900.■ 2109 S St. unit G in Sheridan-kalorama. Sold to John E. Dillon for $489,000.■ 1 Scott Circle unit 8 in Dupont Circle. Sold to ashly M. Bauserman for $263,000.■ 1822 T St. unit 1 in Dupont Circle. Sold to P.L. Van Housen for $465,000.■ 1825 T St. unit 405 in Dupont Circle. Sold to Jean-Francois Bernard-Dauphin for $237,948.

■ 2939 Van Ness St. unit 216 in Forest Hills. Sold to the Herrero Family Trust for $295,000.■ 2939 Van Ness St. unit 602 in Forest Hills. Sold to Judy M. Buelow for $565,000.■ 2939 Van Ness St. unit 1003 in Forest Hills. Sold to Iraj Bahirai for $188,000.■ 3 Washington Circle unit 505 in the West End. Sold to Christopher a. Beatty for $369,000.■ 2209 Washington Circle unit 3 in the West End. Sold to Michel Charouk for $800,000.■ 1812 Wyoming Ave. unit 303 in adams Morgan. Sold to Meryl Sufian for $498,000.■ 1245 13th St. unit 513 in Logan Circle. Sold to Charles W. kindermann for $306,000.■ 1245 13th St. unit 900 in Logan Circle. Sold to Eric Dunn for $425,000.■ 1823 16th St. unit 2 in Dupont Circle. Sold to aude-Sophie R. Boitreaud for $950,000.■ 1830 17th St. unit 308 in Dupont Circle. Sold to Roberto G. Salazar for $385,000.■ 1931 17th St. unit 103 in Dupont Circle. Sold to Sean M. Thibault for $259,900.■ 1545 18th St. unit 519 in Dupont

Circle. Sold to Francesco D. Nesci for $392,000.■ 1601 18th St. unit 403 in Dupont Circle. Sold to Mark Mlakar for $310,000.■ 1815 18th St. unit 202 in Dupont Circle. Sold to Stuart P. Dekker for $389,400.■ 1918 18th St. unit 32 in Dupont Circle. Sold to David Marwell for $435,000.■ 1301 20th St. unit 803 in Dupont Circle. Sold to kevin kovacs for $329,000.■ 2415 20th St. unit 17 in adams Morgan. Sold to Mary H. Ester for $345,000.■ 1280 21st St. unit 701 in Dupont Circle. Sold to Sharon L. Bangert for $396,000.■ 1111 23rd St. unit S2E in the West End. Sold to Roger L. Frankel Trustee for

$825,000.■ 1140 23rd St. unit 702 in the West End. Sold to Timothy R. Schnabel for $480,000.■ 1155 23rd St. unit N4E in the West End. Sold to JSW Condo LLC for $1,022,000.■ 922 24th St. unit 716 in Foggy Bottom. Sold to Maria Sebastian for $240,000.■ 1077 30th St. unit 612 in Georgetown. Sold to Maggy El Gawly for $425,000.■ 3630 39th St. unit 533 in Cleveland Park. Sold to Michael Byrne for $417,500.■ 2400 41st St. unit 512 in Glover Park. Sold to Solange Tissandier for $259,900.■ 2325 42nd St. unit 206 in Glover Park. Sold to Jeffrey W. kuckuck for $265,000.■ 800 25th St. unit 206 in Foggy Bottom. Sold to Janet C. Lin for $431,000.

SALESFrom Page RE24


By BETH COPECurrent Staff Writer

Back decks might be the spot of choice for grillers, but front porches have charm. Though porches have certain-

ly declined in popularity from their heyday, many still find appeal in sitting out front, where it’s easy to gab with neighbors or observe a community’s goings-on. Grab a mint julep at dusk or the paper first thing in the morning and pull up a seat: These Northwest homes offer perching spots drawn from our country’s past.

5411 39th St. NW The spacious front porch is surrounded by greenery on this classic Chevy Chase home, and the enchanted feel continues out back, where a large backyard features care-ful, meandering landscaping and mature plantings. There are four bedrooms, two full baths and two partial baths in the 6,300-square-foot home, which was built in 1912. ■ Price: $985,000■ Realtor: Claudia Donovan of the Donovan Seaton Group at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty; 202-251-7011 or [email protected]

4430 Grant Road NW This porch truly feels like a step back in time: The three-bedroom, one-bath house is one of a scattering that have survived from the early days of the village that is now Tenleytown, and the wraparound porch seems little changed. Known as the Parks-Connor house, 4430 hasn’t seen the tender-loving care that others in the Grant Road Historic District have enjoyed, and it awaits a buyer who will appreciate its history. ■ Price: $629,000■ Realtors: Steven Dean and Eddie Rangel of RE/MAX Allegiance; 202-547-6499 or [email protected]

3745 McKinley St. NW The Realtor describes this circa 1908 property as a “quintessential porch-front Chevy Chase residence,” and the porch in question is indeed a major factor here. It wraps around a side of the house, providing ample square-footage for outdoor relaxing.

The renovated house with period details includes a breakfast nook with a window seat and stacked sleeping porches in the rear.■ Price: $1,480,630■ Realtor: Claudia Donovan of the Donovan Seaton Group at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty; 202-251-7011 or [email protected]

1808 New Hampshire Ave. NW This Dupont Victorian mansion is notably grand inside, and the porch, surrounded by sculpted red brick, matches that vibe. The 14-bed, 12.5-bath property, which has served as a bed-and-breakfast, was built by archi-tect Walter Paris in 1883. It features a circu-lar turret, dining room with seating for 20, eight working fireplaces, a swimming pool and six parking spaces.■ Price: $6,495,000■ Realtor: Michael Gerrior of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage; 202-746-7101 or [email protected]

3310 Ross Place NW With not just one, but two usable porches — and the front an expansive space with

room for a swing, couch and bench — this 1906 Victorian is a porch-enthusiast’s dream. Located in historic Cleveland Park, the four-bedroom, 3.5-bath house was remade in a 2005 res-toration that took the structure down to its original studs and rebuilt from scratch, while pre-serving the architecture. ■ Price: $1,850,000 ■ Realtor: Joseph Himali of Best Address Real Estate; 202-669-4656 or [email protected]

5040 Sherier Place NW Not all new construction features porch-es, so shoppers should take note of this arts-and-crafts-style property in the quiet Palisades. The wide flagstone porch also connects to the living room via French doors, making the space even more useful. (Grillers: There’s also a back deck.) The house has five bedrooms and 4.5 baths. ■ Price: $1,695,000■ Realtor: Andrew O’Neill of O’Neill Realty Advisors LLC; 301-801-1166; andreworallc.com

2203 Wyoming Ave. NW This 1912 center-hall Colonial has four porches, with the front offering space for sizable seating areas on both sides of the

home’s main door. The five-bedroom, 4.5-bath house in Sheridan-Kalorama features a recent renovation and is described by TTR Sotheby’s International Realty as an “embas-sy-size home” sited on one of the neighbor-hood’s largest privately owned lots.■ Price: $4,750,000■ Realtor: Michael Rankin of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty; 202-271-3344 or [email protected]

Perch appeal: Perusing the local housing market for pleasant porches

Photos courtesy of RealtorsClockwise from top right: 3310 Ross Place, 1808 New Hampshire Ave., 2203 Wyoming Ave., 4430 Grant Road, 5040 Sherier Place, 5411 39th St., 3745 McKinley St. and 3310 Ross Place again.


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Nikolas Groshans 202-258-3129

Michael Seay; President W.C. & A.N. Miller A Long & Foster Co.202-362-1300 (O)301-980-1939 (C)

Kent, DC • $1,350,000/$5,500Handsome 3 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath Colonial located in the prestigious community of Kent. Newly renovated kitchen, gracious rooms, fi ne architectural details and excellence in quality and design await you in this wonderful property.

Faezeh Khalili 202-286-6955

FOR SALE

OR RENT

Bethesda, MD • $439,000Charming light-fi lled 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo with spacious living room, separate dining room opening to balcony, table space kitchen, washer/dryer in unit. Enjoy all the community amenities that Sumner Village has to offer.

Janis Cook 202-262-4405

SOLD !

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

Nikolas Groshans 202-258-3129Hamid Samiy 202-714-1300 Sarah Talcott 202-365-0056

Tony Towler 202-409-5079 Julie Six 202-686-3232

The CurrenT Wednesday, sepTember 19, 2012 43

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school prefects which homeroom teacher they would have; this moment always produces many cheers and groans, but students soon discover that every teacher is kind and welcoming. Students in forms I and II (seventh and eighth grades) reported to their respective science labs and found out which adviser they would have. Sept. 5 was the first day of regu-lar classes, when students get to meet many of their new teachers. The day begins with an opening chapel service. C formers are walked into the Washington National Cathedral by Form VI stu-dents (12th-graders), and the head-master presents a homily. The first lunch of the year is always chaotic because many stu-dents are not familiar with the St. Albans “family-style” method. All of the students are assigned to a table with a specific teacher and students from various forms. The lunch is at the table when one comes into the refectory (lunch-room), and students must wait for the blessing to be said before they eat.

— Will Boggs, Form II (eighth-grader)

St. Ann’s Academy The seventh grade is off to a great start. In math we are finding out about many creative ways to learn and retain information. In sci-ence we are doing many different types of labs, such as classifying beans by their shapes, textures and lengths. We have also measured wet and dry sponges. In world history we are currently studying Mesopotamia, and in religion we are beginning our preparation for the sacrament of confirmation. In language arts we are reading “Huckleberry Finn,” and in music we are learning about composers. In October we will be going to Camp Calleva for a day of team-building activities, which promises to be a lot of fun. Also, we are start-ing to have high school visits and for seventh-graders that means going to open houses. So far Gonzaga, Holy Cross and Good Counsel have been here for presen-tations.

— Abby LeNoir and Aeiriel Ahadi, seventh-graders

St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day After a few days of bounding up stairs and dashing from one class to another, we have finally settled into the steady rhythm of the MacArthur campus — the home of St. Patrick’s grades seven and eight. This year, we welcomed the largest group of seventh-graders ever on the campus. We were pleased to get to know them and give them our tips as eighth-grad-ers. Our teachers organized some fun meet-and-greets with our new students, and we got to know them as they walked through the halls and spent time in the common

room. Although some of us made a few changes to our class schedules, we quickly adjusted thanks to the guiding hands and sharp wit of our teachers. Even though we have been here for two weeks already, we still greet each other with gig-gles and shrieks, glad to be with our friends. On the athletic side of things, our cross country and soccer teams are running and kicking their way into a great school year.

— Auguste White, eighth-grader

School Without Walls Three weeks have passed since school started, and Walls is back to its everyday school routine. Students have adjusted to the new schedule that was put in place this year, and no longer do you see kids lost in the hallways, searching for the right class. Sports teams have been practicing for a while now and have begun to scrimmage other schools to prepare for the season that’s soon to come. Walls also had a club fair this past Friday. Clubs, ranging from the Rubik’s Cube Club to the Cheese Club (you sam-ple different cheeses), explained what they do, and students signed up for those that they were interest-ed in. Three weeks in, summer seems long gone. Our summers, whether they were spent working a job, hanging around D.C. or traveling abroad, have passed. Summers are made good use of, however. For example, this past summer students traveled to many places, many not on vacation, but for cultural exchange, to learn a language or to do community service. But in com-ing back to Walls these internation-al experiences are not lost, as each year the school hosts exchange stu-dents from across the world. This year there are many exchange stu-dents, and even they, after three weeks, walk comfortably through-out the school. Three weeks have flown by, and Walls is in full swing.

— Delmar Tarragó, 11th-grader

Shepherd Elementary Cross country and track tryouts began last week. Tryouts were held on Tuesday and Wednesday after school. Mr. Thornton was set to host the final tryouts on Tuesday, Sept. 18, and Wednesday, Sept. 19. Sept. 19 is an exciting day! It is my birthday (woo-hoo!), it is the day the track team is selected, and it is also Back to School Night. I hope everyone makes it out to Back to School Night to learn what the Shepherd family is up to. It will be held in the auditorium from 6 to 8 p.m. Finally ... drum roll, please ... it’s time for Shepherd’s annual Fall Fest! On Saturday, Sept. 22, it will be a time for us to gather together and enjoy all of the activities at one of our school’s biggest fundraisers. There will be moon bounces, spin art, vendors, food and more. The Fall Fest will be held from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. See you there!— London Downing, fourth-grader

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