RARE Pick of the Week: 301 Sophia Street -- Fredericksburg, VA

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What makes this a RARE pick?

I have been *obsessed* since I found this listing a while back. This reused mid-century industrial building that was originally a water intake pumping station in Fredericksburg VA for the worlds largest cellophane manufacturing plant downstream on the Rappahannock and is now used as a riverfront pied-a-terre and party venue by the owner, a former major of Fredericksburg.

The pump station house has three distinct spaces: Two floors in the upper area high above the river with fabulous views, a full kitchen, and bath. The lower with screened in room, small kitchen and a half bath, and huge concrete deck with terraced patios right by the river. And in the basement, five flights of stairs from the upper rooms, is the industrial heart of the building where all of the original water pumps and electric motors are still there, untouched since they were turned off 1979.

And then there is more than an acre of open yard. It has 425 feet of River frontage

Definitely check out the current photos linked below!
$1,195,000

Repped by Suzy Stone of Century 21 Redwood Realty

RARE Pick of the Week: 901 D St NE, Unit 2 -- Capitol Hill, DC

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What makes this a RARE pick?

The Edmonds School was one of Ditto’s first adaptive re-use projects. This 1902 Marsh and Peter-designed elementary school was converted into twenty condominiums. To preserve the historical integrity of the building, they re-engineered and reclaimed the extant wood and masonry structures from the foundation to the roof.

This unit has a lot of things that you just can’t find in a studio very often: exposed brick, private outdoor space, tons of natural light, and my favorite, some funky wallpaper.

Definitely check out the current photos linked below!
studio | 1BA | 1517SF | $419,,900

Repped by Sue Goodhart of Compass.

My 36 Hours in Baltimore

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It was my birthday this week so I took myself to Baltimore for a quick 36 hour trip.

For the record, I love Baltimore. I love its grittiness, history, and distinctly different feel from DC. Here’s where I went and what I did:

  • I started at the Sagamore Pendry Hotel in Fells Point. A stay there isn't cheap, but I thought, well... TREAT YO'SELF. The hotel has a beautiful lush interior courtyard and a sick pool right on the harbor. AND THEY LEFT A BIRTHDAY CUPCAKE AND CARD FOR ME IN MY ROOM!

  • For dinner, I really wanted Italian food, so we headed to Dalesio’s for dinner in Little Italy. (FYI, lots of restaurants in that part of town were closed on Monday & Tuesdays, so we didn’t get to try my first choice, but this place did the trick and I got my fix of garlic bread, fried calamari, and pasta.

  • Afterwards, we went to The Rockwell in Fells where they have Tuesday night karaoke and is a stone’s throw from the hotel (no long stumble home this time!) They have a photo booth which made my night :)

  • The next day I checked out some real estate listings because you know, that’s what I do (and holy whoa, I saw some awesome places for a fraction of what they’d cost in DC. Cue me thinking about buying a place there…

  • Midway through showings I had lunch at the oldest pizzeria in Baltimore, Matthew’s Pizza in Canton. The pizza is amaaazing.

  • Then I hopped up to Hampden to see some more homes and to take a walk down The Avenue where I checked out all of the super fun and cute shops and as if I hadn't eaten enough already, to grab some tasty ice cream at The Charmery

  • Last stop was at my favorite Baltimore spot for funky photos, Graffiti Alley where I checked out what new art had popped up since my last visit.

xoxo

alison

RARE Pick of the Week: 1954 2nd Street NW -- Bloomingdale, DC

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What makes this a RARE pick?

This three level row home was totally renovated in 2017 by Yvette Freeman, co-owner of District Design & Development. The renovation included removing all interior walls on the main living area and an addition put on back — this all black room featured here that opens up to the full back garden and 2 car enclosed garage area.

This home is a VIBE and it’s not for everything. A primary bedroom that looks like the inside of an old European cathedral? Black walls and cabinets on the main floor? Funky mural wallpaper throughout? I think it would be share to buy this and undo all of that, but we’ll see what happens.

I’d argue that the 4th bedroom, the studio basement, isn’t really a bedroom, but it certainly is an extra place to put guests or to utilize as an extra living space. Originally, Yvette that the ceiling of that bottom level painted as a huge union jack — it was unbelievably cool.

Definitely check out the current photos linked below!
4BR | 3.5BA | 3,097SF | $1,599,000

Repped by Joe Petrone of Monument Sotheby's International Realty

RARE Pick of the Week: 1310 T Street NW -- Logan/U Street, DC

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What makes this a RARE pick?

Sometimes you don’t have to say much about a listing because the photos do all the talking. And in the case of this listing, there aren’t even that many photos… but you don’t need them to know that this is a one-in-a-million property, especially in DC.

Developed by Ditto, a visionary developer who has pioneered some of the most interesting and unique properties in the area over the last decade, this home was created by architect Chuong Cao and interior designer Darryl Carter. What started as a mid-block Victorian was transformed into a modern work of art with sliding walls, glass walls and floating stair treads.

But maybe you came here for the story about how I got hired by Ditto years ago… In short, I basically wrote a love letter to the Owner after obsessing over his projects for a few months and told him that while I was newer in the industry, I had a passion and drive that was unmatched… and that I was absolutely taken by his work. He kindly told me he had no positions open, and I moved on. Weeks later, he showed up to one of my open houses and politely introduced himself and I started smiling uncontrollably. I told him that we’d semi-met already… that I had written him an email stating I wanted to work for him and that he had (very nicely) told me no thanks. He laughed, checked out the open house, took my business card, and emailed me the next week to set up a time to see if there was a way we could work together. Even if the position was relatively short-lived, it was an experience that helped me grow both as a person and an Agent.

Definitely check out the photos linked below!
2BR | 2.5BA | 1,900SF | $1,595,000

JUST LISTED: 1250 4th Street SW, Unit 801W -- SW, DC

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What makes this a RARE pick?

SW DC is one of the most on fire neighborhoods in DC lately, and with good reason: the water, the wharf, the venues, the restaurants… it’s booming. But if you’re also partial to mid-century modern style AND want a penthouse unit with a view (views that won’t change even with all of the booming, we might add…), then you should check this listing out.

This unit used to have a different floor plan with a dining room and galley kitchen, but thanks to some excellent reimagining of the space, the condo was transformed into a 1BR + den with sexy open kitchen where one can entertain and enjoy the natural light that streams into the unit from its high up perch.

Check out the photos linked below!
1BR + den | 1BA | 930SF | $424,900

JUST LISTED: 151 V Street NW #1 -- Bloomingdale, DC

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What makes this a RARE pick?

Well, for starters, if you buy this home you’ll literally be my downstairs neighbor. Should I end there? No? Ok.

Aside from having the coolest neighbors alive upstairs, this condo is one to check out based on its major sex appeal. The main level has 12’ soaring ceilings which adds more drama than you can capture in photos, and the lower level has the most perfect movie room complete with projector (but I think it would make an equally awesome space to chill and blast some surround sound speakers when you’re in the mood to listen to music).

Definitely check out the photos linked below!
2BR + den | 2.5BA | ~1,800SF | parking | $849,000

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 48: Should You Rent or Buy in DC, MD, and VA

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Rent Move Buy - Ep. 48: Should you Rent or Buy in DC, MD, and VA with Guest Rianka Dorsainvil

There’s no single answer to the question “Should I rent or buy?” but there certainly are questions one can ask to help determine what the right decision is for them. Rianka Dorsainvil is a Certified Financial Planner and the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of 2050 Wealth Partners a virtual, fee-only comprehensive financial planning firm dedicated to serving first-generation wealth-builders, entrepreneurs, and thriving professionals. Because so much of the decision to rent or buy comes down to one's finances and financial goals, a CFP® can offer insight beyond what traditional real estate professionals have on this topic. In this episode, Rianka and Alison discuss their thoughts on how to best evaluate renting vs buying and list things to think about and consider as one makes this important decision.

RARE Pick of the Week: 912 F St NW # 905 -- Downtown, DC

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What makes this a RARE pick?

While RARE is an acronym for Radically Authentic Real Estate, because that is how I approach all things, in this case, this RARE pick also speaks to the word’s true meaning - unique, seldom found, and almost always incredible.

This condo is what happens when you take two 2-level condos, one with outdoor space on a third level, combine them, add an elevator, and then customize the shit out of it.

With one of the best city views we’ve seen to date, this condo truly feels worth every penny.

Definitely check out the photos linked below!
5BR | 4.5BA | 4,400SF | $3,000,000

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 47: How to Navigate a Design / Build

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Rent Move Buy - Ep. 47: How to Navigate a Design / Build in DC, MD, and VA with Guest Sean Ruppert

Amid rising interest rates and an inability to compete in the housing market, many buyers are exploring their options and considering homes needing major renovations or building new.  Once someone decides to move in that direction, they then have to decide how to navigate: hire a design / build firm?  Separately hire an architect and contractor? In this episode, Sean Ruppert of award-winning design / build OPaL and Alison discuss some of the differences for people new to these concepts.

RARE Pick of the Week: 2947 26th St N -- Arlington, VA

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What makes this a RARE pick?

What happens when you combine a classic mid-century modern home with a contemporary addition that is cantilevered over a wooded hillside? This home is what happens, and we couldn’t be more smitten.

The current owners opted not to stage the house, so just imagine what this would look like with some bomb-ass modern and contemporary furniture to pull all of the rooms together!

Definitely check out the photos linked below!
3BR | 3.5BA | 2,791 SF | $1,500,000

RARE Pick of the Week: 1420 Paloma Way NW -- U Street NW, DC

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What makes this a RARE pick?

Sweet dreams are made of this! And doesn’t “Paloma Way” even sound like a dream??

Truly, this is Alison’s dream home. An industrial diamond nestled in the heart of the 14th and U Street corridors. This turn of the century former carriage house has been thoughtfully reimagined by its current owners to produce a one-of-a-kind DC hideaway. Truly every single inch of this home is sheer perfection.

Where is Paloma Way, you ask? It’s basically behind, or south, of U Street, tucked neatly behind the main drag, and flanked on either side by 15th and 14th Streets.

Definitely check out the photos linked below!
3BR | 2.5BA | 2,720 SF | $2,499,000

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 46: How to Plan for Home Renovations

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Rent Move Buy - Ep. 46: How to Plan for Home Renovations in DC, MD, and VA with Guest Erin Helland

According to Statista, in Q1 of 2022, U.S. homeowners have already spent $370 billion on home renovations. While some homeowners are fixing homes up to sell, much of the focus is on repairing and renovating homes that are newly acquired in addition to projects for people who feel priced out of or frustrated by the market and have opted to modify their current homes in lieu of selling and moving. So when it’s time to move forward with home renovation projects, how does one really maneuver through the various steps? In this episode, Alison and guest Erin Helland, Founder and Owner of Hard Hat Diplomat, home improvement consulting service, discuss the steps involved in planning for home renovations so homeowners can confidently engage with contractors and go in with eyes open.

RARE Pick of the Week: 770 Girard St NW, Unit 6E -- Columbia Heights

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What makes this a RARE pick?

If you love industrial, this is the place for you!

The Gyro Motor Co. and Standard Material Co. operated from 1902 to the mid-1920s. Inventor Emile Berliner created a material for record manufacturing, a system of improving sound reproduction, and rotary engines for the world’s earliest helicopter, The Gyro Copter. Gyro Copters, manufactured there, was a predecessor to the helicopter, hence the development’s name. The brick warehouses that stood here during the first three decades were transformed in 13 industrial-styled luxury condos.

Restoration Hardware vanities, marble countertops, hardwood flooring: wide plank Italian oak, high-end lighting: Industrial fixtures + Edison-style filament bulbs, expansive windows, custom walk-in closets, luxury finishes, soaring 10+ foot ceilings make this one a winner.

Also see Friday, March 11th’s New Listings at Noon show where we profiled this home!

Definitely check out the photos linked below!
2BR | 2BA | 1,255 SF | $799,900

RARE Pick of the Week: 2701 Hume Dr, Unit 1300/PP5 -- Silver Spring, MD

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What makes this a RARE pick?

Talk about unique!

The National Park Seminary originated in 1887 as a resort named “Ye Forest Inne,” designed by T.F. Shneider, architect for the famed Cairo Hotel building in Dupont Circle (and impetus for DC’s Height of Buildings Act of 1910) but was transformed into a finishing school for girls where several of the unique structures around the property were added (hello, windmill and pagoda!) and later, during WWII, was purchased by the army and used as an Annex to Walter Reed. In 2019, Washington Landmark Construction preserved the architectural integrity of the property and created incredible, one-of-a-kind homes nestled in this unique enclave of structures and buildings. The condos created are housed in three distinct buildings -- the Firehouse, Practice House, and the industrial-chic Power Plant where this unit is housed.

Definitely check out the photos linked below!

3BR | 3.5BA | 1,900 SF | $930,000

RARE Pick of the Week: 7920 Deepwell Dr -- Bethesda, MD

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What makes this a RARE pick?

How often can you find a single story open layout home in the area? And when you do, one that has a sexy cedar cladding exterior, biophilic design and a plethora of oversized windows throughout? The listing agent said it best: this home boasts a California dream home vibe.

​Biophilic design seeks to address the human need to connect with nature in the modern built environment. This home defines this concept.

The spa-like primary bathroom complete with sauna is an especially nice touch, but truly there are so many more things to note, from the built-in Sonos system, Thermador appliances, and garage Tesla charging station.

Definitely check out the photos linked below!

3BR | 3BA | 2,003 SF | $1,299,000

Also see Friday, February 25th’s New Listings at Noon show where we profiled this home!

RARE Pick of the Week: 1331 Naylor Ct NW -- Logan Circle, DC

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What makes this a RARE pick?

We are constantly sifting through DMV listings for unique properties, and carriage houses have a very special place in our heart. So when this listing on Naylor Ct came on the market, we couldn’t have been happier. Full of thoughtful details (hello, window boxes w/ automatic drip lines and built-in home sound system), custom additions (the closets are totally built out and there’s a full laundry room), and high end finishes, this home is truly one-of-a-kind.

OPaL is a design-build firm in DC that we have been following for years because the work they produce is consistently incredible. And as such, they have been the winner of the DC Home of the Year 5 of the last 8 years.

Definitely check out the photos linked below!

2BR | 2.5BA | 1,600 SF | $1,450,000

Also see Friday, February 18th’s New Listings at Noon show where we profiled this home!

Rent Move Buy - Ep. 45: How I Purchased My First DC-Area Home

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Rent Move Buy - Ep. 45: How I Purchased My First DC-Area Home with Guest Michael Fowler

Buying a home in the DC-area can be scary and intimidating for lots of reasons, but something that’s been said a lot, especially lately while there is low inventory and high home prices, is that buying your first home is impossible.  Of course, REALTORs will tell you that it IS possible… but sometimes that might come off as salesy and insincere.  So in today’s episode, guest Michael Fowler and Alison share their experiences with how they purchased their first homes in the area, how those purchases helped them with subsequent home purchases, and where they are now in the home owning journey.

RARE Pick of the Week: 2035 2nd St NW, Unit G305 -- Bloomingdale / Ledroit

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What makes this a RARE pick?

Sometimes listing photos don’t do a home justice, and this is the case in today’s pick in The Gage School at Parker Flats in Bloomingdale.

We’re surely neighborhood experts in this area of town, because we may or may not live mere steps from the Parker Flats… and we love this building which btw is across the street from our favorite neighborhood bodega (yeah, Cookie’s Corner!!) . Built in 1904 and used as a school for 70 years for kids in Bloomingdale, Ledroit, and Eckington, and after 30 years of sitting in disrepair, this building sprung back to life in 2007.

This particular unit has some incredible window alcoves, gorgeous exposed beams, super funky copper ductwork, and 2 garage parking spaces. Even with no staging this place is a showstopper…

Definitely check out the photos linked below!

2BR | 2.5BA | 1,309 SF | $820,000

Also see Friday, February 11th’s New Listings at Noon show where we profiled this home!

RARE Pick of the Week: 3422 Blair Road -- Falls Church

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What makes this a RARE pick?

🎶Summer summer summer summer tiiiime. 🎶

Pool season - it’s coming! And when it does, wouldn’t it be awesome to have a house with a pool AND that has lakefront frontage on Lake Barcroft? Totally.

The house itself is pretty killer too… with the floating staircase, open yet distinctly separated floor plan, renovated everything, and tiered multi-level outdoor spaces, this home is one you could move into and live in for a long long time.

Definitely check out the photos linked below!

5BR | 3.5BA | 4,324 SF | $2,150,000

Also see Friday, February 4th’s New Listings at Noon show where we profiled this home!