Rent Move Buy - Ep. 44: How to be a Landlord in DC, MD, or VA

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 44: How to be a Landlord in DC, MD, or VA with Guest Barry Lieberman

Frequently in the DMV area, buyers purchase a home they know they’ll only live in for a few years, and when they are able to upgrade, they’re sometimes in a position to rent their first home out instead of selling it. Other times, people decide to buy a property with the sole purpose of renting it out as an investment. But being a Landlord in DC, MD, or VA isn’t necessarily a simple process that one can haphazardly jump into. Barry Lieberman is a Property Manager with over 15 years of experience managing, leasing, and selling homes for his clients. In this episode, Alison and Barry discuss the ins and outs of what’s necessary to being a Landlord in the area and how one can navigate becoming a landlord in the DMV for the first time.

RARE Pick of the Week: 3514 Woodbine St-- Chevy Chase, MD

What makes this a RARE pick?

Here we go again — another MCM pick. But truly, can you blame us? This one is a true beauty.

The blending of organic materials with high-end finishes, expansive windows and skylights throughout, and a floor plan that offers full-on views or peaks of the outdoor surroundings from every room make this home a big winner. We’re especially partial to the 12-foot vaulted wood-beamed ceiling in the dining room, and the massive outdoor spaces that are segmented into a few different distinct areas.

Definitely check out the photos linked below!

4BR | 3BA | 2,258 SF | $1,299,000

Also see Friday January 28th’s New Listings at Noon show where we profiled this home!

RARE Pick of the Week: 371 O Street SW-- SW DC

What makes this a RARE pick?

MCM might just be our overall favorite style of home, so the Rover Park barrel houses always turn up here on our site as homes we love. This particular one has more bedrooms than some of the others in this townhouse complex, and with some updates in the kitchen and baths, this specific home is a magical mix of old and new.

It’s a co-op, so the fees are high, but if you understand how co-ops work that shouldn’t spook you too much. And if you don’t, hit us up so we can lay it all out for you!

Definitely check out the photos linked below!

4BR | 2BA | 1,536 SF | $649,000 + $2,079/co-op

See Friday January 21st’s. New Listings at Noon show where we profiled this home!

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 43: Tiny Homes in the DMV

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 43: Tiny Homes in the DMV with Guest Lee Pera

Pre-pandemic, nomadic lifestyles weren’t something many residents in the DMV region often considered, but since the covid19 pandemic and the subsequent ease of working from home or in some cases, from anywhere, people have started reconsidering how much room they need, where and how to live. Add to that the issue of housing affordability in the area, and maybe you decide you want to build a tiny home… so where do you start? Where can you keep it? Lee Pera is a geographer and tiny home consultant who in 2012 built her own tiny home and started the nation's first urban tiny home community in Washington DC. In this episode, Lee and Alison discuss navigating tiny homes in DC, MD, and VA and outline best first steps for one to take.

RARE Pick of the Week: 1101 9th St NE # 1 -- H Street NE

What makes this a RARE pick?

This condo is stupid amounts of cool. With its 2 story dining area to its orange stairs, there’s nothing cookie-cutter about it. It’s packed with custom details, including Hermes wallpaper, remote-controlled electric blinds, heated floors, and designer finishes throughout.

Definitely check out the photos linked below!

3BR | 3.5BA | 1,745 SF | $875,000

See Friday January 14th’s. New Listings at Noon show where we profiled this home!

RARE Pick of the Week: 7013 Endicott -- Bethesda

What makes this a RARE pick?

The pandemic came and everyone wanted a pool because there was nothing else to do during the summer. People who had pools started renting out their pools by the hour. Then winter came and pools weren’t needed anymore… but hear me out - what if you had an INDOOR POOL?

OMG sold. That’s all you need to know. Indoor pool.

OK the rest of the house is pretty cool too. Check out more photos below.

4BR | 4.5BA | 5,023 SF | $1,395,000

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 42: How to Get Solar Power in your Home When Living in DC, MD, and VA

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 42: How to Get Solar Power in your Home When Living in DC, MD, and VA with Guest Aliza Vaida

In recent years, DC, MD, and VA have established new goals and targets for responding to climate change, including a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Solar energy is emissions free, and installing solar panels on your home is one clear way that one can help us all achieve these goals. In this episode, Alison is joined by Aliza Vaida of EnergySage, a company that offers valuable educational resources, calculators and marketplaces to help people learn about and shop for solar with confidence. Together they discuss how solar can work for homeowners and renters in the area, and how one can go about figuring out what options are best for each person.

RARE Pick of the Week: 2912 Ellicott Terrace -- Forest Hills

What makes this a RARE pick?

Holy time warp! This home was a custom build in 1958 and has been owned by the same family ever since. Most of the furniture is custom to fit the home, and… THE WALLPAPER!! Amaze. 😍

Honestly we would leave a decent amount of this house as-is, with some thoughtful changes and redesign, but so much of this home is pure nostalgic bliss.

5BR | 4.5BA | 4,370 SF | $1,750,000

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 41: How to Get a Mortgage When You Are Self-Employed

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 41: How to Get a Mortgage When You Are Self-Employed in DC, MD, and VA with Guest John Downs

If you are self-employed, want to buy a home, and would like to get a mortgage, the process is not the same as when you are an employee and have a steady paycheck and known salary. In this episode, Alison is joined by John Downs, a mortgage lender with over 20 years of experience lending in DC, MD, and VA who has an incredibly successful track record in helping self-employed people obtain loans. Together they discuss how the process works in general for non-W2 employees and changes that have happened in the process since the covid-19 pandemic.

RARE Pick of the Week: 1324 4th St SW -- SW DC

What makes this a RARE pick?

You bet your ass we’re going to feature a mid-century modern home with Flavor Paper wallpaper!

We LOVE the Charles Goodman designed River Park community. This particular townhome has been updated throughout and is really well designed with some fun and funky touches throughout. They’re co-ops, so the monthly fees might make you blink twice, but it makes the total monthly payment on par with a condo of the same size and stature.

2BR | 2BA | 1,413SF $615,000 + $1,373/month

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 40: All About Home Warranties in DC, MD, and VA

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 40: All About Home Warranties in DC, MD, and VA with Guest Tory Hunnicutt

What are home warranties? Do they really work and what do they cost? In this episode, Certified Home Inspector and Owner of Protect the Investment, Tory Hunnicut, and Alison discuss much of the details of home warranties that Buyers should know as they consider if getting one is right for them from pros & cons, when they make sense, and when they don’t.

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 39: How to Pick Your Real Estate Agent in DC, MD, or VA

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 39: How to Pick a Real Estate Agent in DC, MD, or VA with Guest Host Michael Fowler

When there seems to be dozens of people you know or meet in the real estate industry, how do you choose who to work with to represent you in a transaction?  In this episode, Alison and Guest Host Michael Fowler tackle some Agent basics, like the difference between an Agent, REALTOR, and Broker, and discuss things you can do to find the right person to entrust with the awesome responsibility of guiding you through your home purchases and sales.

RARE Pick of the Week: 2567 Washington Blvd -- CLARENDON, VA

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

What makes this a RARE pick?

This 5BR/5.5BA house in Arlington is definitely unique! The top floor addition with wraparound terrace make this home look more like a treehouse from below. It’s currently being rented out as a group house which honestly makes total sense to us based on the number of rooms and the fact that the funky top floor probably makes an incredible shared space!

Check out the listing photos below for more funky details!

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 38: Running Short Term Rentals, AirBnBs, VRBOs in DC, MD, and VA

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 38: Running Short Term Rentals, AirBnBs, VRBOs in DC, MD, and VA (Part II) with Guest Zac Rushton

In Episode 31, our Part I episode about short term rentals, we discussed the market for AirBnBs and VRBOs with Karl Scarlett, the Founder and Owner of Great Dwellings, a Washington DC-based property management company that helps homeowners manage their long and short-term vacation rentals. In this episode, Karl’s Partner, Zac Rushton, delves into the specifics of how one runs a successful and popular rental so that hosts can maximize their returns and keep customers coming back time and time again.

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 37: Estate Planning and Passing on Real Estate in DC, MD, and VA

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 37: Estate Planning and Passing on Real Estate in DC, MD, and VA with Guest Marissa Bagasra

Your house is one of your most valuable assets so making sure you have a plan for how it will be taken care of after you pass is something all homeowners should consider and understand. 

Marissa Bagasra is an attorney who practices and specializes in estate law in DC, MD, and VA. In this episode, we discuss the process of what happens to one's home when they pass away in all three jurisdictions so you can plan for the unexpected and hopefully make these decisions ahead of a time when they need to be made.

RARE Pick of the Week: 1312 21st St NW, Unit 2 -- DUPONT CIRCLE, DC

What makes this a RARE pick?

Old world + new updates = <3

This owner’s suite is a total dream with its funky chandelier, custom wallpaper, and fireplace mantle. There are also a large private outdoor space with pergola that has us dreaming of al freso dining especially on these gorgeous Fall days we’re currently experiencing!

3BR / 2BA / 1,350 SF / $949,900

RARE Pick of the Week: 609 Maryland Ave NE # 1 -- CAPITOL HILL

What makes this a RARE pick?

Eastern Presbyterian Church was built in 1892 and was converted into 6 3-story condos in 2018. This unit, and all within the complex, retains historical and architectural festures such as stained glass windows and arching beams. This conversion stands out against so many others, and while the price tag is nothing to bat an eye over, you certainly know you’re investing in something original and full of unique history.

3BR / 4.5BA / 2,700 SF / $1,575,000

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 36: Listing Price and Offer Price Advice and Theories for DC, MD, and VA

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 36: Estate Planning and Passing on Real Estate in DC, MD, and VA with Guest Amit Bhuta

Figuring out how much to list a home for or price at offer at is far from a perfect science, and picking the wrong price can set up a real estate transaction well or on the wrong foot.  Amit Bhuta is the leader of a top-selling Miami FL Real Estate team that prides themselves on thinking like a consumer and not like a typical real estate agent. In this episode, we discuss things to consider when pricing properties and offer prices that can help you make sure you arrive at a place that you’re happy with in the sale or purchase of your home.

RARE Pick of the Week: 4018 Ingersol Drive -- NORTH KENSINGTON, MD

What makes this a RARE pick?

HOLY SHIT!!! This house is incredible!

Straight out of the 70s, this Charles Goodman house looks incredible, with all of the details we want and need in our life. Honestly, we could write a novel about this listing… it’s just too awesome for words! Just go to the listing and check it all out for yourself… that’s the best way to go on this one!

4BR / 2BA / 1,950 SF / $925,000

BALTIMORE

Honestly, I’ve always had a thing for Baltimore.

Maybe it was the fact that I spent my whole freshman year at GW taking the MARC train there to visit my friends at Hopkins and have so many fun memories of that time. Maybe it’s because I have always liked gritty cities (hello, NYC, with the always present street garbage!). And maybe more recently, it’s because there are so many incredible homes there that cost a fraction of what they’d cost in DC.

So I started a Baltimore Homes Collection and have been keeping my eye on things there for a bit. Please enjoy and marvel at some of this splendor.

… and if you find yourself wanting to buy one of these bad boys, you know who to call 😉