Highlight of the Week
Highlight of the Week:
A Charming Bungalow in DC’s Best Kept Secret
Price: $469,500 — Approximately $190 per square foot
2500 33rd Street SE
Hillcrest is sometimes described as “one of DC’s best kept secrets” because of its quiet surroundings and manicured lawns. Unfortunately, it is such a well-kept secret that many people don’t know where it is (answer: far southeast DC). Hopefully this three-bedroom bungalow will help boost the reputation of a neighborhood that was dubbed “Lawn and Order” by the Washington City Paper.
Specifics
This three-bedroom bungalow at 2500 33rd Street SE (see map here) was built in 1926. The current owners began renovations in 2001, and now the only rooms that have not had a makeover are the bathrooms. There is even a white picket fence, a traditional down-home touch.
The walkway to the front door of this home is made of brick and there is a white archway that you must walk under that is the first indication that this house has separated itself from others in the neighborhood. The first room that you enter is the living room, but there is an all-glass sunroom off to the left. The entire first floor has hardwood flooring.
Two of the bedrooms in the home are on the first floor behind the living room. One is quite large and used to be the master bedroom, while the other is noticeably smaller. Both bedrooms share a single bathroom.
The dining room on this floor, which has windows on two walls, measures 14 feet by 10 feet, about enough room to fit an eight-person table. Right next to the dining room table is the kitchen that features dark granite counters, white cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances that are about a year and a half old.
There is a split-level section of the house that is essentially the ground floor. That area includes a large family room (20’x16’) which has one wall entirely made of glass that offers a beautiful view of the back of the house. This level also has a very large master bedroom (the size of the dining room and living room combined) and a huge walk-in closet just outside the room. The washer and dryer are also on this floor.
The expansive backyard of the house leads out to a full, detached two-room office suite (this used to be the two-car garage) which makes this a great house for anyone who works at home. The office is not equipped with water, but is set up for A/C and heat.
How Does This Property Stack Up In The Area?
Most of the homes in Hillcrest have not undergone extensive renovations like this property, so prices are generally in the $300,000 to low $400,000 range. However, there is a four-bedroom property at 3230 Highwood Drive SE that has been renovated and while it is slightly more expensive lacks the character of 2500 33rd Street. Here is how they stack up:
| 2500 33rd Street SE | 3230 Highwood Drive SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $469,500 | $499,000 |
| Number of Bedrooms | Three | Four |
| Number of Bathrooms | Two | 2.5 |
| Parking | Street | Garage |
| Outdoor Space | Front and Backyard | Front and Backyard |
| Year Built | 1926 | 1950 |
Sun Room
Who Should Buy This Property?
If you put down 20 percent ($93,980) and can get a 6.1 percent interest rate on a 30-year loan, then your mortgage payments will be about $2,278 a month. Adding in property taxes and insurance, those monthly payments come out to about $2,678 a month.
So, with those type of numbers, who should buy this home?
A friend who loved this house when we showed it to her said that she felt like it would be the “perfect starter house” for a young family. We tend to agree, but would add that it would also be the ideal property for anyone with the professional flexibility to set up an office and work from home. Or, for those who work on the Hill, the Capitol is only about ten minutes away right up Pennsylvania Avenue (assuming no traffic).
What Do The Experts Say?
“This house is very well-priced compared to the other listings in Hillcrest. Not only does it have great curb appeal, but the interior is beautifully renovated, and looks to be well maintained. If a buyer's looking for a classic bungalow in any neighborhood, you can't beat this price for what you get.
”
— Jennifer Vaughan, Evers and Co.
Master Bedroom
Parking & Transportation
This property is about a 25-minute walk from the closest Metro stop (Naylor Road Green Line). Because of its location and the lack of amenities within waking distance, it is critical that the new owners have a car. That said, it is only about a eight-minute drive to I-295 or ten minutes to downtown DC.
Although the property does not have a garage, street parking is plentiful in this section of Hillcrest.
Quick Answers
Closest Grocery Store — Safeway, 2845 Alabama Avenue SE (15-minute walk)
Closest Coffee Shop — Starbucks, 2845 Alabama Avenue SE (15-minute walk)
Closest Movie Theater — Cineplex Odeon Theatres, 3899 Branch Ave, Temple Hills, MD (about two miles away)
Photos & Resources
- Full listing for the property.
- Listing Broker: James Firkser
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