On Christmas Day we ventured into the city to see the national Christmas tree. While the crowds were squeezing in to get a good shot in front of the White House, this REALTOR® was much more interested in the block of historic mid-19th century rowhomes on Jackson Place, right across the street. No. 708 is my favorite. The Trowbridge House was built as a residence for William P. Trowbridge, a mechanical engineer, military officer, and naturalist in 1859. Among its stand-out features are a stunning bracketed cornice, a slate mansard roof (in fact, an add-on 30 years later to go with the times), the gorgeous front door with its sandstone surround, and - just like its neighbors on the block - a characteristic three-bay design. No. 708 was used as a government office building for decades unti... 01/10/2023

The 2023 DC Real Estate Market vs 2008 The 2023 DC Real Estate Market Isn't a Throwback To 2008 There's nothing like a year of drastic mortgage interest rate hikes on top of breathtaking price increases to bring back bad memories of the 2008 real estate market crash, and its subsequent fallout, which lasted half a decade or more for many in the U.S. 2022: Year-over-year CPI peaked at 9.1% in June, and monthly readings since have steadily declined. After bottoming out at 2.65% in January of 2021, mortgage rates peaked in October 2022 at just over 7% and since have adjusted down, currently averaging in the high 5% to mid-6% range.  It was the sudden, dramatic increases made by Fed Chair Powell that have most concerned U.S. consumers, 41% of whom say they now fear a housing crash in the ne... 01/06/2023

 [ This is the neighborhood in Washington, DC.  Everyone wants live here, or to come here to eat and enjoy the city.Logan Circle is the quintessential NW DC neighborhood.  It simply looks and feels right, without the attitude one finds with the usually older & more established NW neighborhoods.Penn Quarter, closer to downtown/ Penn. Ave., has the nightlife, clubs and Capital One Arena.Shaw is the place to be and the neighborhood has a great feel of new & old woven together.  This time of year we typically see a lull in the housing market and this month is no exception.  And just like last month, we saw a drop in numbers sold vs. the previous month, for a total of 33 homes sold in November 2022. This month we are again below the 5 year average of 53. After the first of the year we should... 12/31/2022

Capitol Hill is also a neighborhood in Washington, a big village, split halfway across, half in the NE and half in the SE quadrant of Washington, DC.  Politicians work here, but people live here also.On the north side, an iconic landmark is Union Station, with some 40 million people annually, shown here to represent the local perspective. This is a true transportation hub, with Amtrak, suburban rail, intercity  bus and the Metro(subway) stations to converge. As of 2019, 2nd busiest station in the country.As of February 2016, the H Street Trolley now gets people from (almost) Union Station to past the 15th St Starburst.This view shows the station as you drive up in a cab, or Bikeshare or walk from Capitol Hill on left.  If you were there today, you'd see no cabs, and no people inside (or... 12/31/2022

Capitol Hill is not only a political idea, it is also a big village, a neighborhood split halfway across, half in the NE and half in the SE quadrant of Washington, DC.  Politicians work here, but people live here also.On the south side of this neighborhood is Barracks Row, and the ever growing and popular Navy Yard with the Nationals Park neighborhood.  Let's consider that we will return to some level of foot traffic here in the summer of 2022, even if not 2019 levels yet.The Navy Yard has very good Metro access, and is also home to baseball's Nationals Park. This neighborhood has also become the 'it' neighborhood, growing faster than any other in the past year.  All the residential growth has fueled demand for lots of new neighborhood amenities, which brings more people.  It certainly ... 12/31/2022

This quote is getting older, but even more relevant in 2022. Councilmember Charles Allen was quoted in the Washington City Paper (8/21/2O15) saying "Southwest is an absolutely incredible neighborhood.  It's a neighborhood that has so many things: Metro stations, water access, parks & greenspaces, small and big residential buildings.  A lot of people just didn't realize it was there".Audi Field, home of DC United Soccer, as well as PNHoffman's The Wharf will ensure a lot more people find this neighborhood.This view shows the opening day, which was a good day, albeit with opening issues. DC United has upped it's game this season with a few team additions, surely to benefit a stronger team.   A total of 21 homes were sold in November 2022, more than the previous month and above the 5 year ... 12/31/2022

the other night in DC#nofilter♥ It's always been the vintage, the old house charm and the original details that I adore the most, that draw me in, make my [REALTOR®] heart flutter, and prompt me to pause, to listen, and then to retell their stories. I specialize in finding and marketing charming homes that are unique and rich in character, or history, or both. I believe in preservation, second chances, saving the pink bathrooms, and front porch living. In this series I highlight charming homes that I am listing to find just the right buyer for or I am admiring with my special clients; or that have simply caught my eye while exploring the [historic] communities of Maryland and [far] beyond. Adore charming homes as much as I do? Then I'd love it if you'd follow me on Instagram, @onceupona... 12/28/2022

A little rate increase, and forecasts for a little more, and a little more, with no definite end in sight.A little more pain and a promise for more to come from Fed Chair Jay Powell after today's FOMC meeting. Today's rate hike of 0.5% lifts the terminal rate projection to 5.1%. It was the 7th and final rate increase of 2022, to the highest benchmark interest rate level in 15 years. Powell answered questions about possible 2023 rate cuts, and the likelihood of a 2023 recession at the presser following the meeting.Read the full post  12/14/2022

 Dropping in on client friends who bought a fixer and seeing the results of their hard work is  #changeisbeautiful #capitolhilltransformation #mobisfire #homeonthehill #stylishcapitolhillrow #laurenandkumail#buildingdreams #buildingafuture #capitolhillhomes #dc#theisaacsteam #realestateinthedistrict 12/10/2022

With changing mortgage rates, the amount of the mortgage loan you qualify for is also changing. One of the factors used to determine how much you can borrow is the Debt-To-Income-Ratio, or DITI. Learn how it works!Visit our DITI page  #debttoincomeratio #qualifyingforamortgage #DITI #debttoincomeexplainer #debtratio #incomevsdebt #dcrealestate #buyingdcrealestate #theisaacsteam #momagent #dcrealestatetools #dcrealestateexplainers #dcrealestatewiki #realestateinthedistrict #wevegotthis 12/08/2022

Fed-Induced Recession In 2023 NY Fed's Recession Probability Model shrieking warnings of an incoming downturn, odds at 38% have analysts saying it's really a near-100% chance DataTrek’s Nicholas Colas said: “It is clearly saying high short term interest rates are going to cause a recession in the next 12 months. Moreover, these odds are very likely to increase.”  Colas referenced the model’s 60 year track record, showing nine times out of 11, a probability reading over 30% was able to accurately predict a downturn. The model measures the difference between yields on the 3-month and 10-year Treasury – similar to the 2-10 Treasury curve, a bellwether of a recession when the curve is inverted. Analysts deem the 3-10 Treasury curve a “more accurate” predictor, as does Fed Chair Jerome Powel... 12/07/2022

On November 30, 2022, Fed Chair Jerome Powell' message could not have been clearer: Interest rates will continue to rise, moderately, and for some time to come.If you have the means to take advantage of market uncertainty, this is your time. There's a brief window of opportunity to move forward as others pause, in a market with reduced competition, softer pricing, and more flexible terms.Read the Update at realestateinthedistrict.com 12/07/2022

Chances are... no. 😬Many decks in Washington DC aren't built to code. If you're thinking about spending some time this fall-winter preparing your home for a spring sale, or you just bought a home and are planning to build or rebuild a deck, you'll want to follow construction code and neighborhood + historic preservation guidelines to ensure safety and value.If only there was a guide for that...oh wait...There is! 12/04/2022

Following suit with conforming loan limit increases, HUD has increased FHA loan limits for next year.Beginning January 1 2023, 3,222 U.S. counties will see higher loan limits, while 12 counties will remain the same. For most of the country, the new baseline FHA loan limit will be $472,030 for a single-family home. Limits increase for 2-, 3-, and 4-unit properties. But in high cost of living areas like Washington DC, limits are substantially higher.See the breakdown chart with 2023 limits for District of Columbia at realestateinthedistrict.com 12/03/2022

 [ This is the neighborhood in Washington, DC.  Everyone wants live here, or to come here to eat and enjoy the city.Logan Circle is the quintessential NW DC neighborhood.  It simply looks and feels right, without the attitude one finds with the usually older & more established NW neighborhoods.Penn Quarter, closer to downtown/ Penn. Ave., has the nightlife, clubs and Capital One Arena.Shaw is the place to be and the neighborhood has a great feel of new & old woven together.  This time of year we typically see a lull in the housing market.  And just like last month, we saw identical numbers sold vs. the previous month, for a total of 42 homes sold in October 2022. This month we are below the 5 year average of 59. We should start to see numbers increasing again. Are we seeing the repercus... 11/28/2022

Capitol Hill is also a neighborhood in Washington, a big village, split halfway across, half in the NE and half in the SE quadrant of Washington, DC.  Politicians work here, but people live here also.On the north side, an iconic landmark is Union Station, with some 40 million people annually, shown here to represent the local perspective. This is a true transportation hub, with Amtrak, suburban rail, intercity  bus and the Metro(subway) stations to converge. As of 2019, 2nd busiest station in the country.As of February 2016, the H Street Trolley now gets people from (almost) Union Station to past the 15th St Starburst.This view shows the station as you drive up in a cab, or Bikeshare or walk from Capitol Hill on left.  If you were there today, you'd see no cabs, and no people inside (or... 11/28/2022

Capitol Hill is not only a political idea, it is also a big village, a neighborhood split halfway across, half in the NE and half in the SE quadrant of Washington, DC.  Politicians work here, but people live here also.On the south side of this neighborhood is Barracks Row, and the ever growing and popular Navy Yard with the Nationals Park neighborhood.  Let's consider that we will return to some level of foot traffic here in the summer of 2022, even if not 2019 levels yet.The Navy Yard has very good Metro access, and is also home to baseball's Nationals Park. This neighborhood has also become the 'it' neighborhood, growing faster than any other in the past year.  All the residential growth has fueled demand for lots of new neighborhood amenities, which brings more people.  It certainly ... 11/28/2022

This quote is getting older, but even more relevant in 2022. Councilmember Charles Allen was quoted in the Washington City Paper (8/21/2O15) saying "Southwest is an absolutely incredible neighborhood.  It's a neighborhood that has so many things: Metro stations, water access, parks & greenspaces, small and big residential buildings.  A lot of people just didn't realize it was there".Audi Field, home of DC United Soccer, as well as PNHoffman's The Wharf will ensure a lot more people find this neighborhood.This view shows the opening day, which was a good day, albeit with opening issues. DC United has upped it's game this season with a few team additions, surely to benefit a stronger team.   A total of 14 homes were sold in October 2022, a few less again from the previous month and below ... 11/28/2022

DC Assumable Mortgages: Seller Advantage? If you're a home seller in the District of Columbia with an assumable mortgage, you're probably asking the question; Is it a big advantage in the current market?With a decade of historically low mortgage interest rates, low inventory and stiff competition, FHA | VA represent a much smaller portion of mortgages in the District of Columbia.Then rates shot up this year.So now, borrowers are rediscovering assumable mortgages and reassessing their relevance in the DC real estate market.What's An Assumable Mortgage?It's one that can be transferred from the current mortgagee to a qualified buyer, reassigning the terms agreed upon when the loan was first originated.​ How Does That Work?In simple terms, the seller checks their loan contract and confirms ... 11/26/2022

If you're shopping for DC real estate in the current market and dismissed the idea of discounted mortgage loans, maybe think again. 🤔Programs like the 5/1 ARM can offer rates a full percentage point or more below 30 year fixed rates, lowering your monthly payments while increasing your purchasing power. And that addresses two major challenges for DC home buyers right now: soaring mortgage interest rates, and tougher loan restrictions.We tell you the why's and how's here:https://realestateinthedistrict.com/dont-waive-your-arms/For a quick take, listen to our audio clip  11/07/2022