DC Buyer: Attorney Power Couple Looking For More Space

• March 10th 2010

by Martin Smith

DC Buyer is a series on UrbanTurf where we look at buyers from various demographics and provide available housing options for them in the current DC market. After presenting some choices, we will ask readers to help them make their choice. If you are a prospective buyer and would like to be featured in DC Buyer, send an email to editor@urbanturf.com.

This week, we’re working with Evan, 35, and Julienne, 38, a couple who would like to make the move from their downtown condo to something with a little more space to stretch out.

Evan is a corporate attorney at a firm near Metro Center who is on the partnership track making about $175,000 per year. He has a strong credit score of 768 and has paid off his law school loans, but does carry a credit card balance occasionally. Combined with car payments, his monthly debt is usually around $500 each month.

Julienne is also a lawyer with a small private practicehttps://dc.urbanturf.com/admin.php?S=0&C=edit&M=edit_entry&weblog_id=28&entry_id=1857 based in Old Town Alexandria. While her income fluctuates a bit from year to year, it tends to average out at a pretty steady $145,000 annually. She also has a good FICO score of 738, no student loan debt, and a car loan with about 36 months remaining. She carries a credit card balance from time to time resulting in total debt payments of around $700 per month.

Evan and Julienne have loved their downtown condo, but want the space and privacy that a townhouse, or better yet, a single-family home can provide. While they have been fortunate enough to have a roof terrace, they would love additional outdoor space as well as private parking and a good layout for entertaining. Currently they have no children, but nieces and nephews visit often, so at least two extra bedrooms are important.

Lastly, Julienne is ideally looking for a quiet neighborhood, but something that still has easy access to the city and activity nearby. Evan does not want to spend more than $50,000 on renovations and redecorating, which will come out of separate savings. With about $700,000 to $750,000 in equity from the sale of their current home, they are looking at properties in the $1 million to $1.2 million price point.

The first choice that we found that fits Evan and Julienne’s criteria is a four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath townhouse at 1453 Q Street NW in Logan Circle, recently reduced to $1,119,000. This property offers several key features that appeal to both Evan and Julienne, including a stunning master suite with a walk-in closet that’s practically large enough to be a fifth bedroom and a two-person walk-in shower in the bathroom. The living room, while not enormous, is a good size for entertaining guests and has built-in bookshelves and an alcove with bay windows, and the eat-in kitchen has stainless steel appliances and a large island. As an added bonus, the house features an in-law suite on the ground level that offers $1,500 per month in rental income. The home's downside: the only parking options are zoned street parking or off-site rental.

Just listed for $1,089,000, the second choice is a three-bedroom craftsman home in Palisades at 4462 Macarthur Blvd NW. Built in 2004, this home has a kitchen with high-grade appliances and stone as well as a fireplace and access out to a rear balcony off the in-room dining area that can easily hold a table for ten. A spa bath, glass-enclosed shower, two walk-in closets, a fireplace and private balcony round out an impressive master suite. A third bedroom, bathroom, and laundry suite make up the top floor, and there is a two-car garage and rec room on the basement level. Aside from a real yard and a slightly more walkable neighborhood, there is nothing this house does not offer that Evan and Julienne wanted.

The final property we have proposed for Evan and Julienne to consider is 3416 30th Street NW in Cleveland Park, on the market for $1,225,000. What this four-bedroom lacks in charm from the street, it more than compensates for once you step inside. The entire home was recently redone, so all our couple will need to do is decide if they want to paint. The master suite is not as impressive as those of the other two properties, but the home is in an ideal location just two blocks to the Cleveland Park Metro, offers garage parking, and has one of the best backyards that we have seen in DC, ideal for entertaining this spring and summer.

Given these three choices, where should they put in their offer?

Similar Posts:

• DC Buyer: Office Manager and Part-Time Grad Student Looking for First Home
• DC Buyer: Manhattan Couple Looking for Outdoor Space (If Possible) in Logan Circle

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/dc_buyer_attorney_power_couple_looking_for_more_space/1857.