A Year End Review of 2017

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A Year End Review of 2017

DC's Top 10 Hottest Neighborhoods

These neighborhoods saw the greatest year-over-year increase in median sold prices last year. A few not so surprising places like Congress Heights and Deanwood, but also a rising star in Glover Park.

      1. Congress Heights – 36.3%
      2. Mass Ave Heights – 29.1%
      3. Glover Park – 22.4%
      4. Crestwood – 19.4%
      5. Deanwood – 16.7%
      6. Ledroit Park – 16.4%
      7. Randle Heights – 16.2%
      8. North Cleveland Park – 14.2%
      9. Forest Hills – 13.1%
      10. Marchall Heights – 12.6%
*Honorable Mention – Southwest Waterfront, Capitol Hill, Fort Dupont Park, Riggs Park, Lily Ponds
 

DC’s Top 5 Not-So-Hot Neighborhoods

Unlike the neighborhoods above, these areas experienced a decrease in median sold prices last year when compared to 2016.

      1. Barry Farms – -37.1%
      2. Wesley Heights - -32.5%
      3. Observatory Circle - -17.1%
      4. Colonial Village - -13.4%
      5. Fort Lincoln - -6.7%

 

DC Top 10 Sellers Markets

These neighborhoods commanded top dollar, as homes on average sold above list price. Sellers were getting what they wanted, as buyers often found themselves competing with other buyers. Here’s the list of neighborhoods with the highest average sold price (SP) to original list price (OLP) ratio.

      1. North Cleveland Park – 104.24%
      2. Lily Ponds – 101.39%
      3. Burleith – 100.83%
      4. American University Park – 100.75%
      5. Glover Park – 100.72%
      6. Chevy Chase – 100.56%
      7. Brookland – 100.42%
      8. Mount Pleasant – 100.34%
      9. Ledroit Park – 99.76%
      10. Crestwood – 99.73%
 

DC Top 10 Buyers Markets

Unlike the seller’s markets noted above, these neighborhoods were a bit more buyer-friendly. With the average home selling below list price, buyers found themselves in a better position to negotiate.

      1. Barry Farms – 93.76%
      2. Spring Valley – 94.41%
      3. Georgetown – 94.98%
      4. Berkley – 95.05%
      5. Wesley Heights – 95.7%
 

DC’s Top 10 Most Expensivest Neighborhoods

You are going to need to open up your wallet to purchase in these neighborhoods, where the median sold price was highest in 2017.

      1. Mass Ave Heights - $2.35M
      2. Spring Valley - $1.65M
      3. Berkley – 1.56M
      4. Kent - $1.45M
      5. Georgetown - $1.267M
      6. Burleith - $1.179M
      7. North Cleveland Park - $1.1M
      8. Crestwood - $1.075M
      9. American University Park - $996k
      10. Capitol Hill - $970k
*Honorable Mention – Chevy Chase, Foxhall, Colonial Village, and Shepherd Park
 

Know Your Neighborhood

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D.C. by the Numbers

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D.C. by the Numbers

Washington City Paper released it's annual collection of charts, stats, and infographics about life in D.C. This year included some pretty cool graphics that cover topics from the city's population break down to the most popular Smithsonian destinations. Check out the latest District of Data

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How to Save Thousands in Closing Costs

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How to Save Thousands in Closing Costs

Whatever your thoughts may be about the Trump tax overhaul, we can all agree that DC’s recent change to the recordation tax is a winner for folks buying their first DC home. Of course there are certain requirements that must be met to qualify, but the savings are real…about $3,600 on a $500,000 home.


What’s This All About?
A buyer typically pays about 3% of the purchase price to cover closing costs, which consists of taxes and fees paid to the city, lender, and the title company. DC charges a Recordation Tax of 1.1% of the purchase price on homes under $399,999 and 1.45% on homes above $400,000. However, as of October 1, 2017 the new recordation tax is reduced to 0.725% for those who qualify.

Who Qualifies?
• Must be purchasing a residential property in DC as your primary residence
• Must have never owned a property in DC
• Purchase price must be below $625,000
• Income restricted to $139,140 for one person and $158,940 for two people
• Submit an application for the DC Homestead Tax Exemption, which will also knock about $600 off your annual property tax bill

What’s the Catch?
You have to apply for the tax break! Sadly, I’ve heard too many horror stories of buyers who were never made aware of the program, so be sure to work with an experienced real estate agent.

Source: https://otr.cfo.dc.gov/publication/otr-tax-notice-2017-07-reduced-recordation-tax-rate-first-time-homebuyers
 

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