DC Buyer: The Southern California Couple Relocating to DC

• May 19th 2010

by Martin Smith

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DC Buyer is a series on UrbanTurf where we look at buyers from various demographics and provide available housing options for them in the current DC market. If you are a prospective buyer and would like to be featured in DC Buyer, send an email to editor2010@urbanturf.com. See all of our past DC Buyer articles here.

This week, we are working with Sharon and Tom, a couple that is relocating from southern California to the DC area in the coming weeks. They are 30 years old, and would prefer something with a minimum of two bedrooms, so they can stay put as they start a family. Tom would like something that offers an easy commute each day to Metro Center, where he will be starting a new job. Financially, they are prepared for DC prices - they have a combined income of about $200,000, a nest egg of $120,000 for a down payment, and solid credit scores. Also, they have no consumer debt between them. While they are open to Virginia and Maryland, they want to avoid anything that is "too suburban". They specifically want to be able to walk to grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping. They have a dog, so pet-restricted properties are not an option. They anticipate shopping in the $550,000 to $620,000 range.

The first option for Sharon and Tom is 321 D Street SE. This three-bedroom home on Capitol Hill is 105 years old, making it actually a relatively "young" property for this neighborhood. In addition to being just three blocks from the Capitol South Metro and Eastern Market, the home has a deep backyard and a large deck, that are great assets if the couple stays here when they have children. The inside needs to be cleaned up some, but not all that much. The family-friendly Hill neighborhood comes at a price, however: 321 D Street is listed for $619,000.

The second option is 3837 Albemarle Street NW in Tenleytown. Of all the homes featured, this three-bedroom farmhouse built in 1875 probably has the closest feel to the southern California environs from which the couple is moving. It has a rustic and open design and a large backyard that is good for barbeques now and could be a great play area for the couple's kids in the future. The home is close to the Red Line and the Tenleytown Whole Foods as well as some of the better public schools in DC. This charmer is listed for $629,000, making it a justifiable stretch for Sharon and Tom.

Our last choice is 67 N Street NW in NoMa. This four-bedroom, 3.5-bath Victorian may have been built in 1915, but the recent renovation has brought it up to modern standards with a stainless steel and frosted glass kitchen, a Bosch laundry center, and a landscaped rear garden offer everything a young, growing family could need. This townhouse also offers an in-law suite below, which could offset some of the monthly mortgage payments if it is rented out. There is also a parking pad in the back. While NoMa and the North Capitol corridor is still emerging and developing, there will be a Harris Teeter in the Constitution Square project shortly, and the house is three short blocks from the Red Line at New York Avenue. 67 N Street hit the market six days ago, and is listed for $565,000.

Given these three choices, where should Sharon and Tom put in their offer?

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.production.logicbrush.com/articles/blog/dc_buyer_the_southern_california_couple_relocating_to_dc/2084.