Multiple Bids: Rowhouse in Oft-Overlooked Truxton Circle

• June 17, 2013
• 14 Comments

by Shilpi Paul

401 R Street NW

In Multiple Bids, UrbanTurf showcases homes that we think will attract the attention of several buyers. This week, we look at a rowhouse in oft-overlooked Truxton Circle, the neighborhood squeezed between Shaw, LeDroit Park and Bloomingdale.

This three-bedroom listing on R Street NW checks a lot of boxes: it’s pretty big, has historical charm (like a clawfoot bathtub), and its end-of-the-block placement means it has many windows and yard space in a neighborhood where that house feature is in short supply.

With 2,060 square feet, the price per square foot is a reasonable $257, but we suspect that the home will get several offers that drive the asking price up a bit. Though Truxton Circle is not as popular as its neighbors, the home is on the northern edge of the neighborhood and is three blocks from Big Bear Cafe on one side and the Shaw Metro station on the other.

One family rented the house for several years, and the current owner made a few improvements before putting it on the market, including replacing the windows and exterior doors, and adding new floors in the kitchen and the bathroom. More photos and details below.

• Address: 401 R Street NW (map)
• Price: $529,900
• Bedrooms: Three
• Bathrooms: 1.5
• Year Built: 1900
• Price Per Square Foot: $257
• Listing Agents: Edward Poutier, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Here are some monthly payment calculations based on a 20 percent down payment and a 30-year fixed rate mortgage at 4 percent.

• Loan Amount: $423,920
• Principal and Interest: $2,024
• Property Taxes: $282
• Total Monthly Payments: $2,306

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/multiple_bids_rowhouse_in_oft-overlooked_truxton_circle/7213

14 Comments

1. John said at 5:54 pm on Tuesday June 18, 2013:
   Meh -- the house needs a lot of work. The floors are a mess and there's only one full (and outdated) bath for 3 bedrooms. That and a lack of parking are some big downsides.

1. TWL said at 6:28 pm on Tuesday June 18, 2013:
   The previous comment is right. In addition, the property also doesn't have a basement or any closets in any of the bedrooms so there is absolutely no storage space in the whole house.

1. mona said at 8:21 pm on Tuesday June 18, 2013:
   And Truxton circle is still really crime ridden, there is an organization called S.O.M.E that feeds the homeless that adds to a lot of the homelessness in the area and a lot of that leads to crime, prostitution and drug use

1. Rachel said at 8:50 pm on Tuesday June 18, 2013:
   As a Truxton Circle resident, I would probably classify this more as Shaw. I know it is right on the technical border, but it's pretty removed from what people think of as Truxton Circle (if people think of Truxton Circle at all). Crime is steadily improving in our neighborhood, and homelessness is a problem in almost every DC neighborhood.

1. Jones said at 10:27 pm on Tuesday June 18, 2013:
   From MPD yesterday: At approximately 8:30 PM, a shooting occurred on the basketball court located near 9th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, N.W. Several shots were fired by an unidentified suspect, and one adult male victim was struck in the hand. The victim is being treated at a local area hospital. Two suspects believed to be involved with this shooting were observed by witnesses fleeing eastbound on R Street, N.W. At this time, the investigation is in progress.

1. Karen said at 10:51 pm on Tuesday June 18, 2013:
   I actually heard this place was haunted and everyone should quit bidding because there are dead humans buried under the kitchen. So weird.

1. DCShaw said at 11:28 pm on Tuesday June 18, 2013:
   If you are affraid of city life live in the suburbs. Neighborhoods get better when new blood moves in & people who care to make thing happen. Georgetown & Dupont weren't always wonderful wealthy "hoods. Change is good and this house has great bones, high ceilings and large bright rooms. Regardless of some dumb ass comments I'm still presenting my offer. You can sit on the sidelines and cry in a few years when you say "I should have" Viva DC!!

1. gshaw said at 12:41 am on Wednesday June 19, 2013:
   It is in Truxton. Shaw ends at New Jersey. It will go for over asking, in spite of the snarky comments about the area. Close to Beau Thai, Boundary Stone, Red Hen. New Jersey Ave is also a secret fast way to 395 and NOVA. It doesn't need work (not sure what people were referring to exactly). Trust- this will move fast.

1. jag said at 6:34 am on Wednesday June 19, 2013:
   "If you are affraid of city life live in the suburbs." I can't stand when people accept crime as an attribute of a city. No one on here is afraid of "city life"; they're afraid of neighborhoods where stray bullets fly around and people get the crap beaten out of them on a regular basis (which is exactly what any reasonable, well-adjusted human being should feel). God forbid some of us not find such crime acceptable and simply shrug it off as part of "city life".

1. Jones said at 2:44 pm on Wednesday June 19, 2013:
   From MPD last night: This evening [Tuesday] at approximately 10:00 pm, we had a shooting in the 1300 block of 6th Street, NW. Over the past 2 weeks there have been shootings in the area even with my uniformed police officers nearby. I have increased my uniformed and plain clothes officers due to recent violence. However, these criminals have no regard for public safety or law enforcement. We are asking for the public’s assistance. In every shooting a dark colored vehicle has been observed by witnesses and officers fleeing the area. Please report any suspicious activity, vehicles, and subjects to the Metropolitan Police Department on 202-727-9099.

1. Adam said at 3:45 pm on Wednesday June 19, 2013:
   I live across the street. Sad to see the neighbors go, but they were non-US citizens and one worked for a multilateral. They made some big improvements to that house. The block is very quiet and neighbors are friendly. It is in the far northwest corner of Truxton - a block away from borders with Shaw (NJ Ave) and Ledroit Park (FL Ave) - and generally feels more like part of those neighborhoods. We've seen lots of positive change in 10 years. Hope the new owners add to it.

1. dash riprock said at 6:19 pm on Friday June 21, 2013:
   well, its gone under contract now. who is the lucky lotto winner?

1. buyer said at 7:49 pm on Friday June 21, 2013:
   I put an offer on the house, there were at least 11 offers to my knowledge, still don't know if I got it or not (probably not...)

1. David-Michael Shott said at 6:05 am on Friday December 27, 2013:
   This is great and not much of a surprise-honestly! I have a 2 story Federalist at 125 Bates, NW (35'wide x 95'deep), a dedicated parking space plus the street is plush with trees and brick paved sidewalks--any interest?