House of the Week

The Cribline House Pick of the Week – San Francisco Food and Real Estate Porn

May 20, 2013 By thecribline Leave a Comment

Greetings Cribline readers from San Francisco!

It’s a stunning day today. And knowing about the tragic storms going through the South and Midwest, I wanted to send my condolences to those who died and their families as well as those who lost their homes and who were injured.

As I was told during my visit, San Francisco is also a city known for unpredictable weather given its location on the Pacific Ocean, but today was one of the ideal days for this city. People were out in droves, especially given the Bay to Breakers event taking place–an annual footrace that takes place on the third Sunday of May drawing tens of thousands of people from the Bay area. The name reflects the fact that the race starts at the northeast end of the downtown area a few blocks from The Embarcadero (adjacent to San Francisco Bay) and runs west through the city to finish at the Great Highway (adjacent to the Pacific coast, where breakers crash onto Ocean Beach), according to Wikipedia. The event is well known for many participants wearing costumes, and a few engaging in varying degrees of public nudity. It is San Francisco after all!

I was out in this very European and lively city for a work event, which started last Wednesday, and I extended my visit through the weekend as I have a cousin and several friends who live in the city.

My cousin and his girlfriend introduced me to a great spot called Beretta in the Mission district. This place has a great mixologist who served up a refreshing cocktail called the Kentucky Mule (bourbon, lime, ginger, martinique). For our meal we improvised with a self-styled tasting menu of specialty brick oven pizza, mushroom truffle (funghi and truffled panna) risotto and artichoke risotto with lemon and pecorino romano. And to top it off, we had a generous scoop of panna gelato with extra virgin olive oil & sea salt (to die for) and bonet-chocolate gelato with amaretti & caramel (also amazing)…. Whew! The only thing to make this evening more decadent was to swing by Buena Vista on my way back to the hotel where it was recommended that I try the Irish Coffee. I wound up sitting next to a delightful couple both PhD’s from Stanford. This truly is a city for foodies… and smart people!

On evening three, I went with a friend to Garcon, also in the Mission. My cousin’s girlfriend knows I love French cuisine and recommended it. It too was great. We started off with raw oysters, shared a bottle of Sancerre, and I had to work hard not to inhale the pork molasses brined pork tenderloin with white cheddar grits, bacon, artichoke and mitake (like I did the oysters). This venue was warm, sophisticated, yet friendly. We even spent some time talking with the chef Arthur Wall who recommended the pork entree.

While you might start to think that this is a food blog, between the wonderful meals and exploring the city, I did make a point to explore the world of real estate in what is probably one of the most expensive markets in the country. Like Washington, San Francisco’s real estate scene is hot.

Take a look at 540 DELANCEY St #301, which is this week’s House Pick of the Week. It is one of sixteen fabulous live and work condominium lofts originally built in 1892 and completely renovated in 1997. It’s a little over 1,200 square feet, and is a one bedroom, one bathroom end unit featuring high ceilings, exposed brick, metal siding and exposed wooden and metal beams that dramatically accentuate the interior and exterior space. The unit also has an open and contemporary kitchen and an updated bath, both with Silestone countertops and Hansgrohe fixtures. It’s just on the market for $899,000. How can you not want to live here. Take a look:

To the Point Analysis: With 20 percent down on $899,000 of $179,800, the mortgage would be $719,200. At an estimated 3.5 percent 30-year fixed rate, the gross payment would be about $3,978/mo. After tax deductions the monthly payment would be about $2,800/mo. Add $463/mo. for the HOA and you have a final payment of $3,263/mo. It would be a challenge to find something this nice and this size to rent for this price.

Honorable mention: Check out 4531 20th St located in highly desirable Eureka Valley neighborhood. It’s a 3 bedroom, 3 bath with stunning panoramic 2-level views. It’s listed for $1,195,000.

This home is perfect for entertaining and has floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room. There’s also an eat-in gourmet kitchen with Sub-zero & Bosch appliances and opens onto a private south-facing patio.

The Master en-suite has double sinks in the bathroom and ample closet space. The unit also comes with a 1-car parking space, storage, and laundry.

Happy house hunting!

Here are some other pictures of SF to leave you something to hang onto…

Local Kitchen and Wine restaurant

Mermaid fountain Ghirardelli Square

Filed Under: House of the Week Tagged With: ask Eric, CL Recommends, home sales, house of the week, house tour, interest rates, mortgage broker, mortgage rates, mortgages, real estate, renting, San Francisco, savings, washington dc

The Cribline House Pick of the Week – Mother’s Day Edition

May 13, 2013 By thecribline 1 Comment

Greetings Cribline readers!

What a perfect day for house hunting, and Happy Mother’s Day to all the mother’s out there!

Funny comic from Cribline Approved realtor Marian Marsten Rosaaen

Today’s Cribline House Pick of the Week tour follows what was a wonderful dinner get together with my friend’s Sheryl and Eric on Saturday night.

Just about a year ago they asked me to dinner to talk about buying a home. They said that they were considering buying a place in about a year and wanted my help in breaking down the real estate math in order to determine whether it made sense for the to invest in a home rather than rent.

During that dinner, on the back of a napkin, I explained what a mortgage would be in the price range they were considering and the next day they followed up asking for a recommendation for a realtor and a mortgage broker. The numbers spoke for themselves. It was clear that owning was going to be a better option than renting, especially with interest rates being so low. That’s what we do at The Cribline.

About a week later I received an email from Eric telling me that he and Sheryl bought a house.

Last night was my first time actually visiting them in their new fully restored historic home in Old Town. And, let me just say, it is beautiful. And, the gourmet meal prepared by Eric was over the top. It included 3 kinds of steak (ribeye, Kobe, and dry aged), domino potatoes, creamed spinach, and fresh berries for desert.

Thank you guys!

Now onto the pick of the week. This week, there were 2 neighborhoods that we focused on: Bloomingdale and Capitol Hill. And, it really was a toss up this week! So much so that there are 2 house picks of the week. Both are on Capitol Hill: 1533 East Capitol, SE and 614 F Street, NE.

The home on East Capitol (close to Lincoln Park) is a carefully renovated detached 4 level 5 bedroom and 4.5 bath home situated on a beautifully landscaped corner lot. It’s listed for $1,100,000.

The open kitchen is gourmet, designed by a chef, and has a subzero and white marble counters. There is a formal living a dining room, and a sun room with great built-ins.

The developer and I

There are pocket doors, a fireplace, a lot of light and great architectural details.

The second floor contains 4 bedrooms and 2 baths including the large master ensuite. On the top floor is an open attic/playroom perfect for kids. On the lower level there’s a large au-pair suite.

There is a back slate patio, and a new garage. There’s also plenty of off street parking on the property which is very unusual.

To the Point Analysis: With 20 percent down of $220,000, the mortgage would be $880,000. At an estimated 3.5 percent interest rate, the gross payment would be about $4,868/mo. After tax deductions, the estimated net payment would be about $3,400/mo. This is a find!

The F Street Victorian classic row home is newly renovated and is 5 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, including a ground level 2 bedroom stunning rental unit that will cover about $500,000 of the mortgage. It’s listed for $1,195,000. You may be surprised how low the final mortgage payment will be given the income unit.

This home features brick exposed walls, huge skylights, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, Travertine tile, crown molding, recessed lights, Bose surround sound, a gourmet kitchen with SS appliances, and built in wine fridge.

The upstairs has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. The master is an ensuite.

There’s also a beautiful garden and back patio space. 2 car garage.

To the Point Analysis: With 20 percent down on $1,195,000 of $239,000, the final mortgage would be $956,000. At an estimated 3.5 percent interest rate the gross payment would be about $5,288/mo. After deducting about $2,000 for the rental apartment (that’s what it was renting for most recently), the gross payment would be about $3,288/mo. After tax deductions the net payment would be about $2,300/mo. Now, that’s a sound investment.

Happy house hunting!

Filed Under: House of the Week Tagged With: ask Eric, Bloomingdale, capitol hill, CL Recommends, Eastern Market, home sales, house of the week, house tour, interest rates, Marian Marsten Rosaaen, mortgage rates, mortgages, real estate, renting, savings, washington dc

The Cribline House Pick of the Week – Anniversary Celebration Salon Dinner Edition

May 6, 2013 By thecribline 1 Comment

Dear Cribline readers:

I have long thought that Washington, D.C. isn’t just a government town, or federal city… it’s a city of people… dynamic people from all over the world and many different walks of life… a true melting pot. And, the mixture of diversity among its citizens gives our great city a brain trust that may be unmatched, and this can be observed not only in the halls of Congress and the world of politics, but on our streets in the form of new, diverse and innovative restaurants that are popping up everywhere.

And tonight, in commemoration of The Cribline’s 2nd anniversary and the launch of Cribline Charlotte, we teamed up with Iron Chef trained culinary master Jon Taub for a Salon dinner to bring together some of the people who have really helped shape our community. And, it’s evenings like this that really emphasize how fortunate we are to have such talented people among us. Thank you to our special guests which included: Alan Ring (Partner Bub and Pop’s), Suzanne DesMarais of Keller Williams, Zachary Bodine of First Home Mortgage, Peter Cherukuri, Chris Frates, Lisa Sylvester, Jim Brandell, Kim Luk, Molly Weaver, and Richard and Kath McGreggor.

We had 9 courses with wine pairings. And, what can I say? It was a Cirque du Soleil of the culinary arts of mouth watering proportions. We even started the evening with a taste of a hoagie Italian sandwich to die for a signature item at Taub’s Bub and Pop’s restaurant at 1815 M Street, NW downtown. This evening’s dinner was a first peek at one of Taub’s concepts that he plans to pursue in the near future featuring a tasting menu. Here’s a sampling:

Oysters, leeks, black truffle served with Champagne

Seasonal Transitions of Burgundy Snails

Textures of Beef Burginon French red wine (finding out the name… it was a hit)

Duck and Foie Gras, pineberry and strawberry

Black Cherry, chèvre, pistachio

Wow! Wow! I will have a hard time getting this evening out of my head. Thank you Jon, Arlene, and Alan and team!

Now onto the House Pick of the Week. This week, it was a toss up between a Capitol Hill home or a home in Petworth. We settled on Petworth at 314 MISSOURI Ave NORTHWEST. It’s a 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath fully renovated home just on the market. It’s listed for $549,000.

The home features a chef’s kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite counters, and recessed lighting. The basement is fully finished and has plenty of natural light.

The master bedroom has an ensuite and numerous other details including custom cabinets. This home is close to the metro, includes off street parking and garage space.

To the Point Analysis: With 20 percent down of about $110,000, the mortgage would be about $439,000. And at an estimated 3.35 percent interest rate for 30 years, that would be a gross mortgage payment of about $2,400/mo. After tax deductions the net payment would be about $1,700/mo.

This is a great find! Happy house hunting and please share with your friends the new Cribline Charlotte.

Filed Under: House of the Week Tagged With: ask Eric, capitol hill, CL Recommends, Cribline Charlotte, home sales, house of the week, house tour, interest rates, mortgage rates, mortgages, Petworth, savings, washington dc

The Cribline “House of Cards” and a Toss Up for the House Pick of the Week

April 29, 2013 By thecribline Leave a Comment

Greetings Cribline readers!

Well famous last words…”I’m going to get to bed early…” But, after all, it was The White House Correspondent’s dinner, and I was the guest of The Washington Post this year, hobnobbing with the likes of Stephen Steelburg, Shannon Stone, and of course the President of the United States. I hope you’re laughing at my horrible sense of humor. This is my way of diffusing the name dropping game at what is probably the biggest social event of the year in Washington, and making sure you’re awake on this Monday morning.

Yes, I went, it was a great time, I stayed up too late, and I did rub shoulders with some Hollywood types including Stephen Spielberg, SHARON Stone, and the cast of House of Cards.

Some of the cast from House of Cards (check out the spoof video from the dinner here)

Teaching Justin Bartha from The Hangover how to fold a pocket square. He asked!

With Mike Allen from Politico, Tita Freeman

With Sharon Stone

Moment on C-SPAN

I am grateful for a fun and eventful evening. It was my first time attending this dinner after almost 20 years in DC.

But even as star studded an evening as it was, and having gotten carried away a bit by all of the glitter and glamour, and a night that should have ended around pumpkin time, the wheels of The Cribline had to keep on moving, and sure enough The Cribline house tour was in full swing this Sunday with visits through the neighborhoods of Mt. Vernon Square, Dupont Circle, Eckington, and Capitol Hill.

This week it was a toss up. There were 2 homes that really caught my attention and I thought might be the pick of the week. One is located on Capitol Hill and the other in Eckington. As there is only ONE pick of the week, I had to go with: 27 Q St NE in Eckington. It’s listed for $569,000. See how the real estate math is broken down below in the To The Point Analysis, and how this could be an opportunity to live for free!

This is a DC classic row home with 3 bedrooms and one bathroom. There are hardwood floors throughout, fireplaces with historic mantles, the bedrooms are large, and there’s a basement with income unit potential due to the tall ceiling and front and back doors.

There are rear balconies, and a large backyard space that includes a detached garage for one vehicle. It’s also 3 blocks to NOMA/NY Ave Metro, walkable to Big Bear Cafe (one of my favorites) and Harris Teeter.

To The Point Analysis: Twenty percent down on $569,000 is about $114,000. That would leave a mortgage amount of $455,000. At an estimated 3.5 percent interest rate (rates dropped at or near record lows last week), the gross mortgage payment would be about $2,500 per month. After the estimated tax deductions, the final net payment would be about $1,800 per month. If the unfinished basement was turned into a rental apartment (it has a front and rear entrance and a tall ceiling), that could generate about $1800 per month allowing the owner of the home to live for free. This is quite a find.

The runner up is steps from Union Station at 225 F Street, NE This unique home was once a store that has been converted and upgraded with many great features such as an open layout and a lot of natural light. It’s 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths and is listed for $788,000.

And, finally, there’s one honorable mention. It is 1728 New Hampshire Avenue, NW in Dupont Circle. It’s a one bedroom, one bath home in a great location. It is also one of the lowest priced properties in town. It’s listed for $279,000.

Happy House hunting!!! And, check out House of Cards sometime if you’re not watching it already.

Filed Under: House of the Week Tagged With: Barbara Streisand, capitol hill, CL Recommends, Daniel Day Lewis, Dupont Circle, Eckington, house of the week, house tour, mortgage rates, mortgages, Mt. Vernon Square, real estate, renting, savings, Sharon Stone, Steven Spielberg, washington dc

The Cribline House Pick of the Week – NYC, The Kardashian’s and Yoko Ono

April 22, 2013 By thecribline Leave a Comment

Dear Cribline readers from New York City!

The city that doesn’t sleep… and no wonder… there is so much to do. Among the highlights of my weekend visit was attending a matinee of Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and dinner with friends on Saturday night at The Beatrice Inn. There are benefits to the close proximity of tables where real estate and space is at a premium. There were two women sitting next to our table, and at first it appeared like they were from the Kardashian family. While, I’m not particularly good at identifying famous people anyway, it turned out that these were not the Kardashians, but two very fun and nice women visiting for a long weekend getaway from the West Coast.

And, today, it was the Tribeca film festival and spotted on the red carpet was Yoko Ono!

Tomorrow begins a big day of meetings, and I head back to DC on Tuesday.

Still there was time for looking at some real estate. And, while I didn’t view homes in person this week, fortunately, I had a couple of realtors from The Cribline send me their recommended picks in both DC and New York City.

Here’s the Pick from New York City: Check out 781 Fifth Ave. It is a 7 bedroom, 8 bath home in one of the best areas of Manhattan. It’s listed for $95,000,000.

Rarely does a fullfloor residence become available in one of the world’s greatest skyscrapers, says the listing. It’s located in one of the best addresses in midtown in the 1927 legendary Sherry Netherland Skyscraper.

This fullfloor fifteen room residence in triple mint condition is flooded with light, surrounded with terraces, and has amazing views. This is truly one of a kind.

To the Point Analysis: with 20 percent down on $95,000,000 that would be $19,000,000, leaving a mortgage of $76,000,000. Now, I am applying conventional real estate math on this, but many properties of this price either are paid in cash or there is a special funding arrangement. But, for the sake of getting an idea of what this would translate to in a montly payment, at an estimated 6 percent rate for a 30 year mortgage we estimate a monthly gross payment to be about $530,000/mo. After tax deductions, the estimated net payment would be around $370,000/mo.

And, in DC, check out 335 8th Street, NE. It’s a spacious updated 3 bedroom 2.5 bath bay-front row house plus a legal 1 bedroom, 1 bath rental unit that rents for $1,400 currently. It’s listed for $829,000. But see how much the rental income will help reduce the monthly out of pocket cost in the To The Point Analysis below.

This home features an open living area with great hardwood floors, a gourmet kitchen, fireplace, and a grand master suite.

It also has a private patio and is close to the bustling H Street corridor, Eastern market, and the metro!

To the Point Analysis: With 20 percent down on $829,000 of about $166,000, the mortgage would be about $663,000. At an estimated 3.75 percent interest rate, the gross monthly payment would be about $3,761/mo. Subtract $1,400/mo. for the income unit and that leaves a gross payment of $2,361/mo. After estimated tax deductions for the interest payment on the loan and property taxes, the net payment would be about $1,660/mo.

Happy house hunting, and visit NY sometime if you haven’t been in awhile.

Filed Under: House of the Week Tagged With: ask Eric, capitol hill, CL Recommends, home sales, house of the week, house tour, interest rates, mortgage rates, mortgages, New York City, Phantom of the Opera, real estate, renting, savings, St. Patrick's Cathedral, The Beatrice Inn, washington dc

The Cribline House Pick of the Week – Brunch, House Tour, Fundraiser, and Sushi

April 15, 2013 By thecribline Leave a Comment

Greetings Cribline readers!

Today was action packed. I started off the morning perusing the real estate section of the Post and scanning open houses online. There were a number of homes that caught my attention in the neighborhoods of Forrest Hills, Kalorama, Capitol Hill, Bloomingdale, and Mt. Vernon Square.

I set out about 10:45 for the Omni Shoreham hotel to meet some good family friends for brunch. The restaurant has one of the best buffets in town (including steel cut oatmeal, an omelette bar, smoked salmon, fresh breads and French jams, pastries, fresh fruit, etc…) and the atmosphere is spectacular. I then hit the road again for a 2 hour tour, then stopped by a fundraiser for A Wider Circle a non-profit dedicated to fighting poverty hosted by my good friend Lisa Sylvester, Washington correspondent for CNN’s Situation Room. Wolf Blitzer even stopped by for the afternoon event in Cabin John.

I topped off the evening at dinner with my friend Amanda at our favorite Sushi restaurant Young Chow on Capitol Hill, and now I’m waiting for Mad Men to come on while writing this week’s House Pick of the Week which is 2867 Tilden Street, NW in Forrest Hills. It’s a newly constructed 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath 4,600+ contemporary home with an open floor plan and awesome kitchen with island, stainless steel appliances and granite counters.

There are also maple hardwood floors throughout the home and floor-to-ceiling windows. The lower level has an open kitchenette/bar with access to large patio, and there’s a garage. It’s listed for $2,195,000. See below to learn what this will cost per month.

To the Point Analysis: Starting with 20 percent down on $2,195,000 of $439,000, the mortgage would be about $1,756,000. At an estimated 4.5 percent interest rate for a 30 year fixed jumbo rate, the gross payment would be about $10,700/mo. After tax deductions this would be $7,500/mo.

There are 3 honorable mentions this week:

3 W Street, NW in Bloomingdale. It’s a 4 bedroom, 4 bedroom just on the market renovated porch front row home. And, it has a rental unit making this quite a find. It was featured last week as a Sneak Peek which showed how the final net monthly mortgage would cost about $1,150/mo.

2220 20th Street, NW No. 47 in Kalorama. This is a one bedroom, one bath treasure in The Mendota. It’s got all of the historic detail in a great neighborhood. It’s listed for $279,000.

And, finally, take a look at 606 Massachusetts Ave, NE on Capitol Hill. This is the first time in about 40 years that this home has come on the market. It is a 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath home that is impeccably maintained and is a double the size classic Victorian row house with a large back garden. It also has a rental income unit on the lower level. It’s listed for $1,595,000.

Happy house hunting!

Filed Under: House of the Week Tagged With: ask Eric, capitol hill, CL Recommends, CNN, Forrest Hills, home sales, house of the week, house tour, interest rates, Mt. Vernon Square, real estate, savings, Situation Room, washington dc

The Cribline House Pick of the Week – Check out Hot Prop in Palm Springs

April 8, 2013 By thecribline Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for film festivals, music festivals, opera in the park, golf, tennis, hiking, top spa’s, and overall fun in the sun, Palm Springs may be worth checking out. It is one of Hollywood’s playgrounds and it is a place I have been retreating for over 10 years.

I was out there for a week to spend Spring Break with my family.

Today, as I left for my return to DC, my neighbors were going to Opera in the Park, and my mom was going to the local theater. The next 2 weekends is Coachella Music and Art festival. There is so much to do, and while that may be the case, I often just enjoy doing nothing… except lounging by the pool and going for runs or hikes… there are some of the best trails around in the San Jacinto mountains. And, I also enjoy dining out at some of the coolest restaurants. My favorites include Mister Parker’s, LuLu’s, Jakes, Matchbox (yes, it is the same Matchbox as those in DC), and Melvyns.

Mister Parker’s with mom and neighbors

Picture with sister at Matchbox

Farewell dinner with mom at Melvyns (Vine video)

And, there’s a new health food restaurant, Palm Greens, that I was introduced to with smoothies to die for… very healthy. There’s one called the “Suzanne Summers” made with Spinach, kale, mint, banana, apple juice, and spirulina that really hits the spot, providing a perfect refreshment in the desert heat. (Ms. Summers is a local and is known to frequent the spot).

I’m just back to DC and ready to hit the ground running, but during my visit, I made time to suss out more real estate. Last week I featured a home I would love to make my own, and this week, it’s a renovated 3 bedroom, 2 bath home that is quite the deal. It’s located at 3690 East Avenida Fey Norte that just came on the market today. Check out how affordable this is in the To The Point Analysis below.

13-663043PS_2_0

This is a Wexler Designed Mid-Century beauty that brings in great natural light. Recently remodeled, this home is located in the small enclave of El Rancho Vista Estates. It features a gorgeous pool with spillover spa, tanning shelf, outdoor firepit and tremendous mountain views to be enjoyed under starry desert nights. The home has many amenities including a chef’s kitchen, open floor plan, and spacious bedrooms. It’s listed for $479,000.

To the Point Analysis: with 20 percent down on $479,000 of about $96,000, the mortgage amount would be about $383,000. At an estimated 3.5 percent interest rate the gross monthly payment would be about $2,120. After tax deductions the net payment would be about $1,500/mo. That’s less than renting a room in some houses in DC.

Happy vacation house hunting!!!

Filed Under: House of the Week Tagged With: CL Recommends, house of the week, house tour, Palm Springs, real estate, savings, washington dc

The Cribline House of the Week – Spring Break in Palm Springs… like the 70′s

April 1, 2013 By thecribline Leave a Comment

Greetings Cribline readers!

There was a time when……. when I bought my first home in Washington, DC…… I was 26 years old, a kid, green, scared, and dumb as a nail… dumb enough to take a risk and not over-think the consequence. And, years later, Easter Weekend no less, I get to reflect on the ridiculousness of my youth. Some of those early risks… at least those made in real estate wound up paying generous dividends… and to this day I have to pinch myself.

Now, I have a second home in Palm Springs, CA (a ten year old investment and great place to retreat from DC) and I’m here spending time with my family all of whom come from the West Coast. And suspending a few hours of time away from the sun, the pool, playing games, and ping pong with my twin nephews (both of my sisters have twin boys), I snuck out to tour the desert city where I get to recharge and relax for the next week.

The Cribline really doesn’t rest, by the way, even during vacations! So this weekend, my first stop was the Mesa neighborhood, one known for second homes of many famous Hollywood directors and what have you. It was just one of several neighborhoods I explored today.

During my search of homes before setting out on the road, there was one home that I came across back in December during the holidays… it was originally built in the 1970′s right into the mountainside overlooking the entire desert valley. It is back on the market just as the height of the Spring home buying season is beginning. I fell in love with it during my first visit… and sometimes, like with some romances, the love returns… and it is this week’s House Pick of the Week.

I’ve been told by a friend who is helping with with the logistics of The Cribine, that the post about this home last December was one of the most visited posts over the blog’s almost 2 year history.

This stunning home was open for viewing again today, but this time it had a more competitive pricetag. Take a look at 375 West EL PORTAL. It is a 2,500 square foot, 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with a regality you only find with the best homes on the market. Securely built into the mountain, every room peers over the large terrace and pool which also overlooks the valley desert of Palm Springs. It’s listed for $1,495,000.

Take a look at my first attempt at incorporating a video in my blog:IMG_5520…

And, here are the photographs:

You can see that this exceptional renovation of a 1970′s estate just completed in November of 2012 by Valentino Design features walls of glass and french doors that perfectly blend the captivating views of the entire valley with the best of modern and traditional architecture. Built into the majestic San Jacinto Mountains, this home is situated on one of the highest points in the Mesa which encompasses 1.37 acres.

There is a paver stone driveway, custom garage doors and gates that welcome you to the hacienda style home with authentic smooth mission finishes. Inside you will find wood plank doors from New Mexico with custom hardware. The floors are travertine and they provide a natural flow making it difficult to discern where the outside and inside areas transition. It is a work of art as are the views that are framed from every window!

The kitchen is custom with stone countertops, stainless appliances and high-end fixtures from Hans Groehe that naturally connect to the open living and dining spaces. I’m still trying to figure out how I can make this a home of my own….

This brings me to the To The Point Analysis: Twenty percent down on $1,495,000 ($299,000) leaves a mortgage of $1,196,000. At an estimated 4 percent interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage, that translates to about $6,955/mo gross. After tax benefits, the net payment is estimated to be less than $4,850/mo. That just means I have to get another job, and at that pace, I wouldn’t have any time to visit this breathtaking oasis.

Perhaps one of you are in a different situation and can take advantage of this find in a location that is very special!

I hope if you can, you’ll at least invite me to visit.

Happy house hunting!

Filed Under: House of the Week Tagged With: ask Eric, CL Recommends, home sales, house of the week, house tour, mortgage rates, mortgages, Palm Springs, real estate, washington dc

The Cribline House Pick of the Week – Home with a View of the Capitol in Mt. Vernon

March 25, 2013 By thecribline Leave a Comment

Gee Willikers Cribline Readers… as we enter the first weekend of Spring it is ironically snowing. Luckily, I completed a tour of the newest homes on the market in our growing city before the weather started to change. I hope the cold doesn’t harm the Cherry Blossoms too badly as they begin their season of full bloom… in any case, the cold weather doesn’t appear to be slowing down the real estate market in D.C.

This week, The Cribline tour explored Capitol Hill, Mt. Vernon Square, Columbia Heights, and Woodley Park. And, while there is something worth checking out in each neighborhood, there is only one House Pick of the Week. This week that house is 1238 New Jersey Avenue, NW. in the rapidly changing Mr. Vernon Square neighborhood. This stunning top to bottom renovation has 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths.

The kitchen is gourmet with stainless steel appliances, marble counters, and an island. The top-floor master suite has all of the trimmings including a spa bath with double vanities, a wet bar, and a roofdeck.

There is also a lower level rental unit with 2 additional bedrooms and 1 bath. It’s listed for $979,900.

This home is also in eye shot of the Capitol, steps to Safeway, VIDA, Starbucks, Chinatown, and the Metro.

To the Point Analysis: Listed at $979,900, 20 percent down would be about $196,000 leaving a mortgage of about $784,000. At an estimated 4 percent interest rate the gross payment would be about $4,550 per month. Because there is a 2 bedroom rental that is estimated to bring in about $2,400/mo. that would reduce the monthly gross payment to about $2,150/mo. And, after the estimated tax deductions the final net payment would be about $1,500/mo. That’s not too shabby for a home valued at almost a million dollars.
As I said above, there are stand out homes in all of the neighborhoods we explored today. Check out the following:

Capitol Hill: It’s a four story 6 bedroom, 2.5 bath with 2 car garage stately home on 637 East Capitol, S.E.
It has all of the classical Victorian row house features including pocket doors, a generous sized back yard, and back stairwell on one of the most coveted blocks in the city. It’s listed for $1,495,000.

In Columbia Heights take a look at 756 Lamont Street, NW. It’s a 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with a possible rental unit… fully renovated with all of the upgrades including marble and stainless kitchen and big room, open space and a lot of light. It’s listed for $669,900.

And, finally, check out this gem in Woodley Park: 2854 Connecticut Avenue, NW #41. It’s a Jr. 1 Bedroom, 1 bath with lofted ceilings and southern exposure. The unit features imported tile floors, granite counters and air conditioning. It’s listed for $239,000.

There is a washer and dryer in the unit and is only blocks to Woodley Park Metro and the National Zoo. There are also very low fee including most utilities and property taxes, and a parking space is available for additional $35K.

Happy house hunting… and stay warm!!!

Filed Under: House of the Week Tagged With: capitol hill, CL Recommends, Columbia Heights, Mt. Vernon Square, real estate, renting, savings, washington dc

Cribline Sneak Peek – A One of A Kind Robert Gurney Contemporary Row Home in the Heart of Dupont

March 22, 2013 By thecribline Leave a Comment

Take a look at this rare gem highlighting one of the best examples of contemporary architecture in D.C. This 2,800 square foot renovated 3 bedroom, 3 bath row home at 2104 R Street, NW #5 is a rare renovation by renowned architect Robert Gurney who is know for his modern style. The home was originally designed as an officers club in 1944. It was converted into condominiums in 1990, and fully renovated by Gurney in 2007.

The home impeccably blends indoor and outdoor living spaces. The main floor features 5” plank white oak floors that follow the arched footprint which encompasses a dramatic living and dining room. Those rooms lead to a Bulthaup kitchen with Miele and Sub-Zero appliances, a bar and wine cellar. The kitchen is anchored by a floor to ceiling doorway (one of several on the main floor) that leads to a generous sized outdoor oasis perfect for entertaining.

The second floor is dedicated to the master suite, complete with a spa bathroom including a Duravit Strack freestanding bathtub and a rainfall shower. There is also an attached dressing room with a Poliform custom closet and a spacious changing area.

The third level houses a spacious second bedroom and a full bathroom, and there’s a large den with built-in media cabinetry, a wet bar, and a roof top patio.

The bright lower level features a third bedroom with a movable wall and custom murphy bed that allow the space to instantly transform into a den adjacent to the home office with built-in desk and bookshelves. There is also a third full bathroom.

You really have to see it to appreciate the thought that went into this home! It truly is one of a kind! It’s listed for $2,995,000.

To the Point Analysis: With 20 percent down of about $599,000, the mortgage would be about $2,395,000. At an estimated 4 percent interest rate, the monthly gross payment would be about $13,950/mo. After tax deductions the estimated net payment would be about $$9,800/mo.

Happy house hunting!

Filed Under: House of the Week, Sneak Peek Tagged With: CL Recommends, Dupont Circle, home sales, house of the week, interest rates, mortgage rates, mortgages, real estate, Robert Gurney, washington dc

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