June 2011

If you have been searching for a place in DC with a wow factor, it is definitely time to check out the Residences at St. Monica's. This Capitol Hill project is the re-development of the former St. Monica's church into nine boutique condos.

Each of the nine condos has a unique floor plan and includes interesting architectural features from the former church including stained glass windows, heavy timber beams and the sanctuary alter. A private interior courtyard offers a peaceful respite in the middle of Capitol Hill. Each of the nine condos has its own private outdoor entrance.

St. Monica's units are currently priced from $449,000 for a 1 BR / 1 BA with 735 SF to a 3 BR / 3.5 BA with 2,075 SF listed for $1.199M. Here is a resource to view active

In a city where everyone seems to be out walking their dog, why is it so challenging to find a decent pet-friendly condo?

Pet-friendly is one of those terms that seems to have a different meaning to each and all and it is almost impossible to come up with a generic definition. Many condos are marketed as pet-friendly, sometimes it means that there are no restrictions, in other instances there is a weight limit or breed restriction.

If you are a dog owner in the market for the perfect DC condo, our team has experience assisting pet owners and can help you laser focus your search. To get started, here are some pet-friendly DC condo developments:

Adams Morgan

• Adams Station
• Beekman Place

Capitol Hill

• Axis

Tucked between Connecticut Avenue, Columbia Road and Calvert Street in NW DC, Kalorama Triangle is a popular and convenient neighborhood.  The neighborhood has easy access to the Woodley Park Metro Station, which is located just over the Duke Wellington Bridge.  Kalorama Triangle residents also walk to the Dupont Circle Metro Station.

Kalorama Triangle was first developed in the 1890s and features grand apartment buildings intermingled with traditional DC rowhouses along its leafy streets.  Architectural styles in Kalorama Triangle include English Arts and Crafts, Georgian Revival and Mediterranean.  Several of the of the grand apartment buildings in the Kalorama Triangle are featured in James Goode's Best Addresses.

Condo and co-op developments in

Step aside Upper East Side concierge buildings, the Residences at the Ritz-Carlton in DC's West End delivers the ultimate in luxury service.  The 162 condo owners at the Ritz-Carlton Residences on 23rd Street enjoy all the amenities of the adjoining Ritz-Carlton Hotel.  Services available include room service, maid service, valet parking and a 24-hour concierge desk dedicated to the condo residences.

The onsite 100,000 SF Sports Club/LA fitness center is recognized as the finest exercise facility in the District.  Onsite dining at the Ritz includes the gourmet West End Bistro, the Lobby Cafe offering lighter fare and the Bar also featuring lighter fare to compliment a global wine list.  The menus from each of these restaurants are available for a

Buyers looking for a luxury new construction townhouse or single-family home in Northwest DC currently have several options worthy of consideration. New NW DC developments include:

1801 Foxhall

1801 Foxhall is a new community featuring 27 single-family homes in a prime location bordering both Glover-Archbold Park and Whitehaven Park. Custom homes at 1801 Foxhall feature chef's kitchens, owners suites, two-story foyers and two-car garages. 1801 Foxhall is located in Berkley off Foxhall Road just north of Reservoir Road.

Berkley Chase

Berkley Chase is a development of eight single-family homes in the Berkley neighborhood of Washington DC featuring upscale finishes and integral two-car garages. Berkley Chase is located on U Street and

The West End and U Street have top sales

The most expensive condo to sell in the District during May 2011 was in the West End at 22 West, located at 1177 22nd Street NW #8A, Washington, DC.  This 2 BR / 2 BA, 1,501 SF condo includes two parking spaces.  The selling price was $1.3M / $866 SF which was 98% of asking price.

Congratulations to Nadia Nejaime of DC Living Real Estate LLC for closing the most expensive condo sale in the District in May 2011.

Honorable mention for the 2nd most expensive DC condo sold in May 2011 was in the U Street Corridor at Woodson Row, located at 1922 12th Street NW #2, Washington, DC. This 3 BR / 2.5 BA, 2,112 SF condo includes one parking space.  The selling price was $1.275M / $603 SF which was 98% of asking

The accolades continue to pour in for DC as Parenting Magazine named the District the top city in the country to live in and raise a family.  Parenting used a set of 84 categories including great schools, affordable homes, low crime rates, jobs and parklands to calculate their rankings.

This DC top ranking for families follows several other recent chart topping recognitions including:

• #1 Performing Real Estate Market
• #1 Smartest City
• #2 City For Young People
• #1 For Inbound Migration
• #2 City for Working Moms

DC ranks high for its vast array of museums and multitude of parks and bike trails.  Traffic congestion and high housing prices are two of the top challenges facing our region.  With long commutes and escalating suburban home prices, 

DC was rated as the top performing real estate market in the nation by Clear Capitol In its June 2011 Home Data Index (HDI) Market Report. The Clear Capitol HDI report compares how local markets perform compared to national averages.

The HDI report detailed that the DC (Washington, DC - Arlington, VA - Alexandria, VA) real estate market topped the nation with a quarter-to-quarter price increase of 4.5%. The year-to-year price increase for the DC market was also tops in the nation at 4.9%.

With a strong job market and the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, the DC economy is firing on all cylinders. Residents are feeling confident about the future and looking to purchase now before prices increase even further. If you are condsidering a buying

The much anticipated Canal Parc development on MacArthur Boulevard in Palisades is moving forward.  The site on a hill overlooking both the Potomac River and the C & O Canal was formerly home to the now-razed Riverside Psychiatric Hospital.

This location offers easy access to the Georgetown University Campus, Georgetown University Medical Center, GW-Mount Vernon Campus and is a block from the Georgetown Day School.  The Capitol Crescent Trail passes just south of this location and the Glover Archbold Park is to the east.

The project will include 34 luxury townhomes with floor plans ranging in size from 2,220 SF to 3,500 SF.  All homes will have dedicated garage parking within the residence.  Delivery is scheduled for late 2011/early 2012 and unit

NBCWashington covers the growing popularity of DC's Trinidad neighborhood.  Trinidad remains one of DC's more affordable neighborhoods and is attracting young buyers who have been priced out other popular DC neighborhoods like Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights. Trinidad is still a neighborhood in DC where first-time buyers can purchase a single-family rowhouse.

 Located directly north of DC's blossoming H Street corridor, Trinidad is just steps away from this happening entertainment district.

photo courtesey of flickr user Moravsky Vrabec