UrbanTurf Reader Asks: Where Can I Get the Most Bang For My Buck for $350K?

• October 6, 2009

by Mark Wellborn

In this installment of UrbanTurf Reader Asks, a reader who has a $350,000 limit to buy a home inquires about where he can get the most for his money in or around downtown DC.

I am a 28 year-old professional living in DC, and was recently pre-approved to buy a home for up to $350,000. I have been reading this site and casually going to open houses on the weekend, but was wondering where people thought I could get the most for my money in the neighborhoods in and around downtown DC. I am looking for a one-bedroom property (co-op or condo) and favor location and space over amenities like a building gym and doorman. Thanks for any input.

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15 Comments

1. Tom A. said at 11:43 am on Tuesday October 6, 2009:

   The Chastleton, no doubt about it.  You can probably get a really nice one-bedroom unit there for that price.  It’s a co-op, though, with all that entails.  Not sure what you mean by ‘downtown’ DC though.

1. SimonF said at 11:52 am on Tuesday October 6, 2009:

   Mount Vernon Tri, baby! Lotta good deals down there, and very close to most parts of downtown.

1. Michelle said at 1:28 pm on Tuesday October 6, 2009:

   I live in Dupont and a pretty spacious (700 square feet) one-bedroom in my building was on the market for awhile before it was taken off for lack of interest. My building does not have any amenities or parking, but for the price ($340,000), I doubt you could do much better in the area.

1. Joel said at 4:35 pm on Tuesday October 6, 2009:

   is the Chastelton nice? I had always heard that it was once a grand building but that it was terribly renovated.

1. Michael said at 4:58 pm on Tuesday October 6, 2009:

   I’d say Navy Yard’s Capitol Hill Tower co-op, where you live one block (literally) from Metro and just a few stops from Gallery Place and Navy Memorial, as well as have access to 395/295 in just a few seconds.  Plus, you’d have a lot of $$$ left over for eating out at nice places next to the above-mentioned stops.

1. Alicia said at 8:16 pm on Tuesday October 6, 2009:

   What about houses? I don’t care for condo amenities but I know 350 may not get much house in this city. Any ideas?

1. washingtonydc said at 8:25 pm on Tuesday October 6, 2009:

   I’ll echo SimonF and say Mt Vernon Triangle.  You can walk to everything you need and there are some great buildings with units in that price-range.

1. PetworthRes said at 9:55 am on Wednesday October 7, 2009:

   You can get the most house for the lowest $ per sq ft and still be close to metro and amenities in Petworth. If you’re in the southern part of the neighborhood you’re still a short walk to Columbia Heights and there’s a ton of development underway around the metro. A renovated house across the street from me 4 blocks from the metro was listed for $360K; there are fixer uppers for $250K-$300K that would have sold for $375K a few years ago.

1. Tom A said at 11:11 am on Wednesday October 7, 2009:

   re:  Chastleton.  They did a decent rennovation job, but some units are exceedingly nicer than others, in terms of both layouts and views.  Some have a view of the other part of the building, while others have some of the best views in the city!

1. Rosedale said at 11:11 am on Wednesday October 7, 2009:

   Rosedale, NE is definitely up and coming.  Good variety of housing stock, large and small rowhouses, dating 1890s - 1930s.  Lots to choose from in the 200k and 300k and up.  Just east of Historic Capitol Hill (Lincoln Park, Eastern Market), just southeast of H Street/Benning Rd just north of Hill East, near the Stadium-Armory Metro Station and just west of Kingman Park and the Anacostia River (Kingman and Heritage Island Park, Langston GC, Anacostia Riverwalk Trail).  Not to mention close to I-295, Rte. 50, I-395

   You should consider it.

   Ken

1. David said at 12:44 pm on Wednesday October 7, 2009:

   I would look at East Columbia Heights, aka Parkview, north of Howard University.

1. Bernie said at 12:58 pm on Wednesday October 7, 2009:

   I feel like we are getting farther and farther away from downtown. You can get a nice one-bedroom in Dupont, MV Triangle (I think Madrigal Lofts just dropped their prices again) or even Glover Park for $350K.

1. Robert said at 1:58 pm on Wednesday October 7, 2009:

   There is a nice ~700 square foot one bedroom in my condo for $325,000. It is near Dupont Circle with its metro stop, stores, proximity to employment, culture and lifestyle amenities.

   Come by 1711 Mass. Ave NW any time and ask to see the rental/sales book at the front desk.

   Walkscore rates it 100, so you can eliminate the cost of a car from your budget.
   http://www.walkscore.com/get-score.php?street=1711+Massachusetts+Ave+NW+Washington+DC+20036&go=Go

1. James said at 2:12 pm on Wednesday October 7, 2009:

   A friend of mine just purchased in Capitol Hill at Jenkins Row.  It’s directly across the Potomac Avenue Metro and has a Harris Teeter on the first floor.  Granted, I’ve already purchased but had I known about this place, I would have certainly reconsidered.

1. Dyn2see said at 3:01 pm on Thursday October 8, 2009:

   Woobbury Heights In Arlington…

   Cannot beat the Orange Line corridor of Arlington - I think of it as “city light”. All the benefits (especially if you are single) without any of the grit - while it comes at a price, bargains abound especially in some of the older buildings (like the Charelston)

   My pick is Woodbury Heights for three reasons….
   1. Unparralled views of the city on the Eastern Exposre (many with unobstructed views of the captial, Kennedy Center, Jefferson, Air Force Memorial ECT _ PS 18th floor units are all two story lofts
   2. Location Location Location -Could not be safer, same block as Arlington County Police Dept - Metro, One Block - Farmers Market Weekly, One Block - More than 20 Restraunts and Bars within short walking distance - Ragtime is my local favorite (Live Music Seven Nights a Week and $2.00 beers till 8 cannot be beat) Walk to three gracery stores - and even Gerogetown (1 mile) when the weather is nice.
   3. HOA Fiscal position - BEFORE BUYINY ANYWHERE EXAMINE THE BUILDINGS FINANCES CAREFULLY - Most of these places are barely making ends meet making your threat of “special assessment” great - With more than a million in reserves (and consistant recent renovations IE elevators)and only one special assessment in more than 15 years this place is unparralled.

   If you can get over the museum lobby lol