The Best Real Estate Deal of 2017 (With a Catch) -- Two Free Houses For Curbside Pickup

• December 18th 2017

by Nena Perry-Brown

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UrbanTurf usually stays away from publishing rankings or lists…except at the end of the year when we look back at what DC’s residential real estate scene had to offer during the previous 12 months. So, this week we are looking at not only the best but the most intriguing and peculiar things that came across our radar over the course of 2017. Enjoy.

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In the midst of DC’s high-priced and highly-competitive housing market, locals were given a unique opportunity this year: to take a free house (or two).

In April, J Street Companies announced their intention to build a nine-unit by-right boutique condominium development at 2122-2128 N Street NW, applying for raze permits for the two rowhouses at 2126 and 2128 N Street NW (map). However, the Dupont Circle Citizen’s Association (DCCA) intervened and teamed up with J Street to offer the houses, which are located on the outskirts of the Dupont Circle Historic District, for free to whomever could haul them away from the site.

The new owner of the houses (or their facades) would be responsible for any costs and permits associated with moving the houses elsewhere. J Street received a lot of interest, even holding three or four open house events for individuals and their representatives.

“Unfortunately, nothing panned out, but in view of the narrow streets and other daunting logistics it was always going to be an expensive proposition,” DCCA president Robin Diener shared with UrbanTurf. For now, the houses remain on the site.

The Rest of UrbanTurf’s Year in Review

• The Best Listing of 2017 (For the the Mere Mortal)
• Most Innovative Way to Pay the Rent in 2017—DC’s Reefer Rent Parties
• The Best Furnishings For a Studio Apartment: Automated Furniture
• The Best New Apartment Views in DC: Right Into Nats Park
• The Best House Transformation That We Will Never Get to See
• The Best Listing of 2017 (For the Well-Paid Lobbyist)
• DC’s Most High Line-Like of High Line Spin-offs — Transforming the Georgetown Canal

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/the_best_real_estate_deal_with_a_catch_--_two_free_houses_for_curbside_pick/13334.