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Where Should You Buy a Home in Washington, D.C.?
 
Quick Links to Popular D.C. Neighborhoods:
Adams Morgan homes | Capitol Hill homes | Cleveland Park | Colombia Heights | Dupont Circle | Georgetown homes | Kalorama | Mt. Pleasant
Washington, D.C. Fast Facts:
1 - I list Washington, D.C. homes for sale and help clients buy Washington, D.C. homes. Since 2003, I have sold just under $9 million in residential real estate in Washington, D.C. with an average sales price of $450,000.
2 - D.C. public schools
3 - D.C. crime information
4 - D.C. taxes
5 - Washington, D.C.'s public transportation system
6 - Official Web site of the D.C. Government
7 - Search for D.C. jobs
8 - U.S. Census Bureau data for Washington, D.C.
9 - Washington, D.C. for visitors
10 - Washington, D.C. taxi fare calculator
Washington, D.C. Real Estate Market Snapshot (MLS Residential Listings Only):
According to data analyzed by the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors, for single family detached homes through March 2008 there has been a 44.6% increase in listings, a 24.1% decline in contracts, and a 31.1% decline in settlements compared to the same period last year. Through March 2008, the median price of all single family detached homes sold in D.C. is $531,000. For condos and co-ops, through March 2008 there has been a 25.4% increase in total listings, a 42% decline in contracts, and a 38.6% drop in settlements compared to the same period last year. Through March 2008, the median price of all condos and co-ops sold in D.C. is $354,750.
Location of Washington, D.C.:
The city is approximately 68.25 square miles in area, sandwiched between Maryland and Virginia. Although the earliest references to the D.C. area go back to the 1500's, modern history began in 1790 when Congress set up establishing the area as the new capital of the United States. Today the city has an estimated population of approximately 575,000.
The city is divided into four geographic quadrants: northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest. All four quadrants meet at the U.S. Capitol and radiate out from there along North Capitol Street, East Capitol Street, South Capitol Street, and the National Mall to the west. That's why you'll find street addresses ending in N.E., N.W., S.E., and S.W. The largest of the quadrants is Northwest and the smallest is Southwest. Southeast is divided by the Anacostia River. Traverse the city with this great interactive map.
Notes on Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. can be a great place to live. I've lived in the area for 20 years (10 of which were in the city) and enjoy it for its diverse population from around the country and the world who have had interesting life experiences, for its layout with broad avenues and tree-lined streets, for its building height limitation that allows so much sunlight into the city, for its quality of life with museums and sporting venues, and for its proximity to so many rural and urban attractions in the mid-Atlantic and neighboring areas.
As the largest quadrant, it's no surprise that Northwest contains the greatest number of neighborhoods. Those Northwest neighborhoods that are more well known include Adams Morgan, Cleveland Park, Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, Glover Park, Kalorama, Mt. Pleasant, and Woodley Park, but also include neighborhoods like Chinatown/Penn Quarter, LeDroit Park, Logan Circle, Petworth, and Shaw among others. By contrast, Southwest is essentially a single neighborhood referred to as either Southwest or the Waterfront. Southeast on the western side of the Anacostia River is Capitol Hill, while on the eastern side of the Anacostia River are neighborhoods like Anacostia, Congress Heights, Deanwood, Ft. Dupont Park, Hill Crest, and Randle Heights. Northeast neighborhoods include the other side of Capitol Hill, Brightwood, Brookland, and Eckington among others. All of these neighborhoods have their own unique character, housing stock, proximity to transportation, and level of economic development.
The Washington, D.C. Economic Partnership promotes business opportunities throughout the District and contributes to business retention and attraction activities.
Found the D.C. neighborhood, but not sure how you're going to finance it? Heard about some of the D.C. specialty financing programs, but not sure what they're all about? Find out more about financing your D.C. home purchase by visiting the D.C. government's website.
(If you're interested in seeing what Virginia has to offer, click here -- for Maryland, click here.)
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