The Best Open Houses in the DC Area: The $450,000 to $550,000 Edition

• January 28, 2010

by Mark Wellborn

In this week’s special edition of Best Open Houses we feature properties that all fall within the $450,000 to $550,000 price range. The listings include homes in Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill and Takoma Park.

A Two-Bedroom Lauriol Plaza Special in Dupont Circle

1815 18th Street NW, #103 (map)

• Price: $474,000
• Bedrooms: Two
• Bathrooms: 1.5
• Square Footage: 935
• Year Built: 1939

We imagine that this listing will have a fairly crowded open house on Sunday. The two-bedroom condo in Dupont Circle has 935 square feet of living space, which includes a large living room with a wood-burning fireplace, a renovated kitchen with Energy Star appliances and a master bedroom that has built-in bookshelves around the bed area. The second bedroom is currently being used as a den/office. There is no parking for this unit, one of its only downsides given the popularity of this neighborhood. Perhaps its biggest upside? The Lauriol Plaza pager probably works in your apartment given that the trendy Tex-Mex restaurant is a few doors down. The open house is Sunday, January 31st from 1 to 4pm. For the full listing, click here.

Capitol Hill Two-Bedroom Townhouse with Rental Unit

225 5th Street SE (map)

• Price: $549,000
• Bedrooms: Three
• Bathrooms: Two
• Year Built: 1900

We were tipped off that this townhouse was coming on the market before it was entered into the MLS (we will have the listing link soon here’s the link), but we can tell you that it offers great income potential for its eventual owner. Just a few blocks from Eastern Market, the home has a cozy main level with an open kitchen-living room and wood burning fireplace. Both bedrooms and one full bath are on the second level, but the prized feature is the in-law suite on the lower level that could be rented out to help with mortgage payments. The open house is Saturday, January 30th from 1 to 3pm and Sunday, January 31st from 1 to 4pm.

Three-Bedroom Takoma Park Bungalow

7213 Cedar Avenue, Takoma Park, MD (map)

• Price: $495,000
• Bedrooms: Three
• Bathrooms: Two
• Year Built: 1923

This three-bedroom bungalow is a find in Takoma Park, even if the eventual owner may need to invest in some renovations. The main level is fairly open as evidenced by the photo above, and has ample room for a separate dining area in addition to the living room. The kitchen will need a face lift and the grounds surrounding the home could use some landscaping, but if you are interested in a well-priced house that has a lot of potential, this is a good choice. The open house is Sunday, January 31st from 1 to 4pm. For the full listing, click here.

11 Comments

1. Nikki said at 11:11 am on Thursday January 28, 2010:

   Your price range is different in your title than in your post. I think you meant to say $550,000 in the body of the post. Thanks!

1. benji said at 11:16 am on Thursday January 28, 2010:

   That is a great looking living space in Takoma Park. And yes, I imagine that the Lauriol Plaza pager does work from that apartment given how close it is.

1. mike said at 10:48 am on Friday January 29, 2010:

   any updates on the mls listing for the capitol hill townhouse?

1. Geori said at 11:43 am on Friday January 29, 2010:

   Cap Hill place sounds like a steal.  I’m very curious to see the listing.

1. Will Smith said at 12:12 pm on Friday January 29, 2010:

   Hey all,

   225 5th Street SE in Capitol Hill still hasn’t hit the MLS yet. We’ll hear when it does, and be sure to post here to let you know.

   Thanks,

   Will Smith
   UrbanTurf

1. UrbanTurfLurker said at 12:30 pm on Friday January 29, 2010:

   @benji - the Takoma Park place might seeem like a cool place…if you enjoy having your fridge in your dining room! take a look closely at the additional pics in the MLS

1. Will Smith said at 2:30 pm on Friday January 29, 2010:

   225 5th Street SE just hit the MLS. Here it is:

   http://tinyurl.com/ykf6o69

   There aren’t photos on the Redfin page itself, but you can click the virtual tour link to see them.

   Will

1. Mary said at 2:44 pm on Friday January 29, 2010:

   The house in Takoma Park is super cute and what sounds like terrific metro proximity. But, I think life might be too short to live in DC without a/c and I do see radiators and do not see hvac vents…

1. johnny said at 5:47 pm on Friday January 29, 2010:

   From the photos, it looks like the Dupont unit is below ground.

1. Kimberly said at 4:39 pm on Sunday January 31, 2010:

   Hi Johnny -

   I am one of the agents for the listing in Dupont and wanted to be sure you know that that the unit is not below ground.  We are having it open today (Sunday 1/31/10) if you would like to visit. 

   Thanks!
   Kimberly

1. KatheM said at 11:17 am on Sunday May 16, 2010:

   Your prices are insane and so is your attitude. I’d rather buy a yacht.