Comp and Circumstance: The Battle of the Two-Bedrooms

• September 22nd 2010

by Rebecca Ortega

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Comp and Circumstance presents two “for-sale” homes of roughly similar prices in DC and compares the pros and cons of each. This week, we discuss two condos that are similar in size, location and price for a true head-to-head match-up. The price point is between $409,000-$419,000. Let us know in the comments section below which of the two you feel is the better buy.

See all our past Comp and Circumstance features here.

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First-Floor Two-Bedroom Unit in the Center of Mount Pleasant

1651 Lamont St NW, Unit 1C is a 928 square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bath condo in the middle of Mount Pleasant. The main selling points are the updated kitchen, a very large master bedroom, wood-burning fireplace and a garage parking space. The unit also has a large built-in bookcase spanning the living room into the dining room. Drawbacks of this unit are few considering the price point, but some buyers are turned off by a first floor unit and the living room and dining areas are on the small side, areas that may have been scaled back in favor of the large master bedroom. Condo fees for the unit are fairly low at $227/month.

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Two-Bedroom Condo Minutes From the U Street Corridor

This two-bedroom condo is located at 2004 11th Street NW just north of the U Street Corridor bar and restaurant scene. The renovated unit is about 50 square feet smaller than the Mount Pleasant property, but it includes two full bathrooms, a larger, more open living/dining and kitchen area, a gas fireplace and a balcony. Like the Mount Pleasant unit, this condo comes with a garage parking space, but the building also has a fitness center and a roof deck. Those amenities do come at a cost as the condo fees for the unit are on the high side, however the eventual buyer can take solace knowing that he/she won’t have to pay for a gym membership and will have a great outdoor space to entertain friends on the weekends.

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So, what do you think? If you were condo shopping, which of these properties would you buy? Does the second bathroom tip the scales? Would you rather live in Mount Pleasant? Do features like a wood burning fireplace or a roof deck matter? Let us know your preference in the comments below.

	1651 Lamont Street NW, Unit 1C	2004 11th Street NW, #239
Bedrooms	2	2
Bathrooms	1	2
Square footage	928	877
Pros	Large master bedroom, renovated kitchen, wood-burning fireplace, garage parking, 4 blocks to Columbia Heights Metro	Roof deck, fitness center, garage parking, 2 full bathrooms, 4 blocks to U Street Metro, near U Street bars and restaurants
Cons	Small living/dining room, only one bathroom	Older kitchen, high condo fees
Price	$419,000	$409,000
Neighborhood	Mount Pleasant	U Street Corridor
Links	1651 Lamont St NW, Unit 1C — Map	2004 11th Street NW, #239 — Map

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.production.logicbrush.com/articles/blog/comp_and_circumstance_the_battle_of_the_two_bedrooms/2497.