NEW LISTING - RARE Pick of the Week: 2125 14th Street NW #427

What makes this a RARE pick?

Either you want to be in the heart of it all or you don’t, and if you’re in the first camp, then this condo is 100% for you. And being that it’s in the middle of all of the things with people running in and out of the building all the time, you know what things you definitely want? Concrete & parking. You want concrete in between the floors because it helps cut down on noise between floors, and you want secure parking because you will legit lose your mind trying to regularly park in an area like this. Luckily this unit has both.

I’m allowed to say this, because I own a condo that was built the same year as this one was, but the design aesthetic in the first decade of this century was kinda yuck. So what happens when you get a listing with all of that outdated reddish-brown wood and style? You update it as we did here. The floors, vanities, walls — all updated to stand out and look fresh for whoever scoops this baby up.

1BR + DEN | 2BA | 895 SF | garage parking

Listed at $609,000. Represented by Alison Scimeca of Compass

NEW LISTING - RARE Pick of the Week: 61 W Street NW

What makes this a RARE pick?

Are you sick of all the flipped and renovated rowhomes in DC with totally open floorplans and no original character left? Me too. So if you’re looking for a home that gives some shoutouts to the fact that it’s over 100 years old, this one is for you. The original hardwood floors, millwork, and light fixtures gives this house the respect it deserves, but fear not, the whole house hasn’t been left in its original form — it’s the perfect blend of original and updated.

Extra things to take note of: $50k of interior and exterior brick repointing — something necessary to do though it isn’t the most sext home project — and solar panels that are paid for in full (and that have allowed the Seller to have an electricity bill of less than $100 A YEAR)!

4BR | 2.5BA | 2,416 SF | parking

Listed at $1,249,000. Represented by Alison Scimeca of Compass

NEW LISTING - RARE Pick of the Week: 232 Florida Avenue NW

What makes this a RARE pick?

IMO, the sweet spot for buying and getting a deal on a townhome in DC is when updates have happened in the home along the way, but it isn’t all totally gutted and brand new. Of course, that buyer will likely need to have some cash on hand to continue to update and renovate after they buy, but that’s where the next part comes in handy:

It’s not as easy for homeowners in DC to operate short term rentals anymore due to changes in the law over the last few years, but lucky for the new owner occupant of 232 Florida, they’ll be able to generate some income by renting out the separate 2BR/1BA unit in the lower level.

5BR | 3.5BA | 2,196 SF 

Listed at $959,000. Represented by Alison Scimeca of Compass

NEW LISTING - RARE Pick of the Week: 1314 Massachusetts Ave NW #505

What makes this a RARE pick?

Ah, corner units - aren’t they the best? Having listed several units in this building, I can definitely comment on each layout and each condo in this building with more knowledge than most, and I have to say that this is one the best 1BR layouts in The Grant.

The Owner has updated pretty much everything, so whoever scoops this one up is going to have very little to think about doing or replacing for the next several years!

For more details and the full listing, click on the link below to see & read more. 

1BR | 1BA | 734 SF 

Listed at $435,000. Represented by Alison Scimeca of Compass

NEW LISTING - RARE Pick of the Week: 1321 Irving Street NW -- Columbia Heights, DC

What makes this a RARE pick?

One rarely gets a chance these days to buy a 4-level home in the middle of the city for close to $1m, but lucky for the Buyer who snags this one, they probably won’t be too far off from that.

This home has been a family home for 2 generations and could use some freshening up here and there, but whoa, with over 3,700sf, 6BRs, multiple outdoor spaces, and 2-car parking, does it have space to grow & evolve!

For more details and the full listing, click on the link below to see & read more. 

6BR | 3.5BA | 3,715 SF 

Listed at $1,025,000. Represented by Alison Scimeca of Compass

RARE Pick of the Week: 1405 12th Street NW -- Logan Circle, DC

What makes this a RARE pick?

Where does one even start? On a personal note, my first condo purchase is just one block away so I have walked by this building over 100x and it always fascinated me from the outside and couldn’t wait to one day see the inside..

Once inside this Spring, I was beyond charmed. The current owners lovingly transformed this building into a home worthy of any design publication or Architectural Digest feature. The photos speak for themselves while the history is nothing to write off either.

For more details and the full listing, click on the link below to see & read more. 

2BR | 2BA | 1,908 SF 

Listed at $1,575,000. Represented by Matt McHugh of Compass

NEW LISTING - RARE Pick of the Week: 801 O Street NW #207 -- Shaw, DC

What makes this a RARE pick?

Most luxury buildings that I’ve seen in the DMV are predictably beautiful and have fabulous amenities, but are also in neighborhoods that don’t speak much to me.

Enter Perla, Shaw’s premier luxury building, half a block from one of my fave DC spots, Blagden Alley. But aside from the awesome location, this condo is also amaze with its huge terrace, floor-to-ceiling windows, and my fave, custom Scalamandre wallpaper in the bathroom.

For more details and the full listing, click on the link in our bio to read more. 

2BR | 2BA | 1,009 SF 

Listed at $780,000

Represented by yours truly, Alison Scimeca of The RARE dc

NEW LISTING - RARE Pick of the Week: 5207 Wyoming Rd -- Glen Echo Heights, MD

What makes this a RARE pick?

This is been one of my favorite listings to date. This home is nestled up on a hill, like most of the homes in Glen Echo Park, and tbh if I ever leave DC proper, this is a neighborhood that would be top of my list.

But the house itself is also fantastic. While not mid-century modern, it definitely has some MCM elements which of course I love. My clients also have impeccable taste so we were able to use their own furnishings to stage.

For more details and the full listing, click on the link in our bio to read more. 

4BR | 3.5BA | 3,500 SF 

Listed at $1,677,000

Represented by yours truly, Alison Scimeca of The RARE dc

RARE Pick of the Week: 1738 Glick Ct NW -- Shaw, DC

What makes this a RARE pick?

I mean, even if you don’t think you could do a 500sf home, you have to admit that this one is really quite cool.

Because it’s brand new, it’s move-in ready, and guess what - no condo fees! It’s truly minimalism at its best here and if you’re into the hustle and bustle of the city, this location cannot be beat.

For more details and the full listing, click on the link in our bio to read more. 

1BR | 1.5BA | 500 SF 

Listed at $799,900. Represented by Deirdre Thao Vo of Pearson Smith Realty

Answers to the Most Commonly Googled Real Estate Questions

When you’re starting the process of buying or selling a home, you probably have a lot of questions.  So what do you do? You go to your internet browser and search for the answers to your questions, right?  In this episode, Alison addresses all of the most commonly searched and asked real estate questions posed by a current Buyer and Seller ready to enter the market, and gives concise and honest responses that can help inform and answer most if not all buyer and seller questions! 

Subscribe to our show and feel free to reach out to us on The RARE website or directly to Alison with comments and questions: www.theRAREdc.com | alison@theraredc.com IG: @theraredc

RARE Pick of the Week: 3322 Elm Terrace -- Falls Church, VA

What makes this a RARE pick?

This mid-century modern stunner located in the Holmes Run Acres neighborhood in Falls Church, VA is so my vibe. The hand painted wall around the fireplace, the funky kitchen light fixtures, the vintage-inspired refrigerator… I mean, come on, this whole house is executed in such a cool and unique way

And with bedrooms on opposite sides of the house, there’s so much potential, including for an multigenerational home, which as we all know, is something I always keep an eye out for!

For more details and the full listing, click on the link in our bio to read more. 

3BR | 3BA | 2,236SF 

Listed at $980,000. Represented by Amy Sills Eggers of Coldwell Banker

Assistance Animals: Your Rights as a Renter or Landlord with Guest Abby Volin

Let's say you have an animal who lives in your home with you -- not necessarily a pet, but perhaps an assistance animal of some sort -- and you're looking to move to a new home.  What rights do you have when navigating your search with your animal in tow?  What if you're a landlord and you have someone with an animal who wants to live in your property -- what rights do YOU have? In this episode, Alison is joined by Abby Volin, a subject matter leader on animal accommodation law, and together they discuss common concerns both for those seeking housing and those providing it. They will answer common questions that are often asked and give context to the topic as a whole. 

Subscribe to our show and feel free to reach out to us on The RARE website or directly to Alison with comments and questions: www.theRAREdc.com | alison@theraredc.com IG: @theraredc and Abby Volin: abby.volin@dc.gov

RARE Pick of the Week: 1409 44th St NW -- Palisades, DC

What makes this a RARE pick?

Is your dream is to live in an updated, stylish, modern house with abundant natural light, outdoor sitting areas, & green space, and ample parking? Do you also want that home to be under $2m and close to parts of the city with lots of restaurants, bars, shopping, etc?  Then this gorgeous home is 100% for you. 

Located at the very southern tip of Palisades, DC and overlooking Foundry Branch Park, this home had a top-to-bottom modern renovation in 2019. The main level was completely transformed by opening the entire floor, adding more space, introducing glass walls at the rear, and adding a powder room.  The upstairs primary suite feels like you’re in a treehouse, and the downstairs also walks out to the wide and deep terraced backyard that has direct access to the park.

Definitely check out more photos in the link below!

4BR | 3.5BA | 2,565 SF Listed at $1,995,000. Repped by Ron Mangus of TTR Sotheby’s.

Everything You Need to Know About VA Loans with Guest Brandon Frye

VA loans are an incredible financing option for those who qualify, but like all special loan types, they have unique conditions and differences from conforming loan types such as conventional, fixed rated, and adjustable rate mortgages. In this episode, Alison is joined by Brandon Frye, a Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending at Guaranteed Rate in the DC metro area who has regularly helped clients secure VA Loans over the past decade. In this episode they discuss all details of this loan type – who qualifies, specific caveats to the program, and common questions clients have about them. 

Subscribe to our show and feel free to reach out to us on The RARE website or directly to Alison with comments and questions: www.theRAREdc.com | alison@theraredc.com IG: @theraredc and Brandon IG: @bfryemortgage

Writing Love Letters When Offering on a Home with Guest Karen Ringo

Love Letters, personal letters written to homeowners when trying to buy a home, have been a hotly contested topic in the real estate world for many years. So when you’re ready to offer on a home, should you write one? What are the pros and cons? In this episode, Alison is joined by Karen Ringo, Realtor with Compass licensed in DC, MD, and VA who consistently provides ease of process and personalized experience along with direct and healthy communication to each and every client. Together, Alison and Karen truly break down love letters from all angles and leave the choice up to you whether or not including one in an offer is right for you. Subscribe to our show and feel free to reach out to us on The RARE website or directly to Alison with comments and questions: www.theRAREdc.com | alison@theraredc.com IG: @theraredc and Karen www.karenringodmvrealtor.com | IG: @thekarenringo

RARE Pick of the Week: 5169 MacArthur Blvd NW -- Palisades, DC

What makes this a RARE pick?

This is the personal home of the Listing Agent, and an Agent who I think has amazing personal style so the fact that this home is styled so well is no surprise to me.

She opened up a ton of the walls and the top floor is one large primary suite with the second bedroom or guest area in the lower level. For everyone? Maybe not. Would I buy it? Absolutely.

Definitely check out more photos in the link below!

2BR | 2BA | 1,530 SF Listed at $1,095,000. Repped by Mary Lynn White of Compass

RARE Pick of the Week: 27950 Tred Avon Dr -- Easton, MD

What makes this a RARE pick?

When talented architects make homes for themselves, you can almost guarantee that their homes will be truly spectacular, and this one is no exception. The listing agent’s MLS description is perfection, so I wont’t embellish, but will simply confirm that this house shines in person as much as it does in photographs. Truly an incredible one of a kind house.

Definitely check out more photos in the link below!

3BR | 2.5BA | 4,000 SF Listed at $3,995,000. Repped by Ronald B Mangas Jr of Sotheby’s

RARE Pick of the Week: 2533 N Ridgeview Rd -- Arlington, VA

What makes this a RARE pick?

I haven’t seen a MCM house in Arlington in a hot minute. Built in 1953, this house has been expertly updated to keep up with a 2023 lifestyle while maintaining the original awesomeness of this gorgeous design. There is SO MUCH GLASS in this house that I bet they keep gallons of windex on hand and wipe them incessantly… but totally worth it for a house this gorgeous.

Definitely check out more photos in the link below!

6BR | 5.5BA | 5,104 SF Listed at $3,395,000. Repped by Ronald B Mangas Jr of Sotheby’s

How to Write and Win When Competing with Multiple Offers with Guest Michael Fowler

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It’s a tough market and with interest rates up and fewer homes being listed so far this year, competition is fierce yet again in the DC-metropolitan area. When buyers find the right home to offer on, they can end up competing against other buyers who feel it’s the home for them, too. In this episode, Alison is joined by Michael Fowler, her RARE teammate with over 10 years of experience as a Realtor in DC, MD, and VA who has helped a large number of buyers and sellers navigate multiple offer situations.  Together they discuss the various things to consider when entering into a multiple offer situation along with some tips that hopefully will help you win when and if you enter into such situation yourself.

Subscribe to our show and feel free to reach out to us on The RARE website or directly to Alison with comments and questions: www.theRAREdc.com | alison@theraredc.com IG: @theraredc and Michael www.michaelfowlercreative.com

RARE Pick of the Week: 440 12th St NE, Unit 203 -- Capitol Hill, DC

What makes this a RARE pick?

I was just saying that I’m tired of school condo conversion, and then saw this one hit the market…

There is so much that I love in this listing, but in short, it’s the NYC loft warehouse vibe that really revs my engine. The current owners have done a great job by enclosing the den (and making it into the 3rd BR) and by redoing the concrete floors to rid of the orange patina that the floors were given when originally delivered on the market in 2011.

3BR | 2BA | 1,275 SF Listed at $949,900. Repped by Jake Anderson of Compass