Posts tagged Real Estate
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Should TOPA rights be scaled back for renters in single-family homes? Here’s the latest in DC’s debate.
Advocates continue to debate new TOPA legislation. Some say the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, or TOPA, lets tenants demand a payout in exchange for allowing a home sale to proceed. Others say it’s a tool for protecting renters and affordable housing that shouldn’t be weakened. Keep reading…
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The housing market has a ceiling, but it’s too high to help most people
Ten years after the Great Recession, home prices in many parts of the District have reached or even topped their pre-recession peaks. However, a mismatch between what buyers can afford and what kinds of homes are available could jeopardize the market. Keep reading…
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Hundreds testify that DC needs to #fixTOPA, but does it need to be fixed? If so, how?
Debate is raging in DC over whether the city should alter the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA). Does TOPA need to be fixed? Two GGWash contributors weigh in on the pros and cons of amending the law. Keep reading…
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National Links: Go east, young man
If you're heading out of DC at rush hour, your best bet may be to drive east. Cities seeking to grow their nightlife are bringing in Night Mayors. And this weird quirk in the tax code explains why Vancouver builds way more condos than rental apartments. Check out what's happening around the nation and the world in transportation, land use, and other related areas. Keep reading…
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Suburban neighborhoods are still struggling after the Great Recession. Here’s how we can fix that
Nearly a decade ago, the Great Recession wiped out house values across the region. Today, booming close-in, urban areas have basically recovered. But many further-out, suburban communities are still struggling. Here’s one example from eastern Montgomery County. Keep reading…
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I’m buying a home for the next phase of my life. Here’s what’s on my mind.
After two years of renting an overpriced apartment, I’m ready to get back into living in my own home. However, this time I’m in a committed relationship with near-term plans for children. Here's what I'm looking for in a new place to live. Keep reading…
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Chat: How should reporters write about “up and coming” neighborhoods?
Last week, an article called “River Terrace is a modest jewel tucked away in NE Washington” ran in the Washington Post’s Real Estate section. The next day, DCist staff writer Christina Sturdivant, who grew up in River Terrace, wrote that article’s author left out a lot of important detail about the neighborhood. Christina, some GGWash editorial board members, and I recently talked about the matter. Keep reading…
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Should DC curb Airbnb?
Airbnb, the popular site that lets people rent out rooms or whole apartments for short times, could face strict new limits in DC under a bill from Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (Ward 5). Does Airbnb need regulation, and if so, what kind? Keep reading…
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I was frustrated by our region’s housing market. So I got my real estate license.
The housing market in the Washington region can be a pretty daunting place for young homebuyers, particularly those who want to live closer in. I knew I wanted to help. So six months ago, I got my real estate license. Keep reading…
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Breakfast Links: Virginia tackles transportation
The Virginia General Assembly is reviewing multiple transportation bills during their 45-day session. The Capital Crescent Trail crossing in Bethesda is getting major safety improvements. DC spent more than $40 million for snow removal after 2016's blizzard, but a new audit shows that some of those funds may have been used improperly. Keep reading…