Morning Real Estate Review

DC leaders to defend law that requires hiring locals on construction projects (Washington Post)  A suit by builders against a law demanding local hires will be contested by the District, with a rally today at the Wilson Building.


MGM and Peterson to develop casino at National Harbor (PR Newswire)  MGM, operator of numerous high profile Las Vegas casinos, has signed an agreement to operate a new casino to be built close to the beltway.

Chief sustainability officer at Tower Companies talks shop (Forbes) David Borchardt talks about the greening of office space and commercial profitability.

"Pinball" houses used by agents to sell other homes (Washington Post)  Homes with unrealistically high asking prices make others nearby look better by comparison.

Arlington announces energy heightened efficiency program for new buildings (Arlington, VA)  Under the new regulations, developers will be given additional density for higher LEED rankings - buildings that achieve LEED Silver or higher.

Your Next Place

This fantastic 1920s-era home has all the subtle charm and panache of that simpler era - note how coyly it seems to peek out from behind the beautiful garden and fence, like a silent film actress or something.  But inside it has all the modern cutting-edge finishes - fully remodeled everything, central air, etc. - that you could ask for.  I didn't know whether to put in an offer or propose to it.  (Doesn't matter - either way, the answer would've been contemptuous laughter.)

If you like natural light - and who doesn't, aside from, like, hoarders - this is the house for you.  Everyplace claims to be "bright!" but this place actually is.  Extremely bright.  I was a little hungover the day I saw this place and when I walked into the family room, with its wall of windows, I felt like I was actually melting, vampire-style.  (I mean that in the most complimentary way possible.)

There's a beautiful parlor for all your parlorin', a huge living room, and a spacious family room with fireplace. From there you go through french doors out to the gold standard for all screened-in porches; the perfect place to sleep during the summer, or sit late at night and "think" (i.e. sneak a cigarette).

Out back is a flagstone patio and a standalone brick garage that's nicer than many actual houses.  There's also a vibrant perennial garden featuring all sorts of flowers and shrubbery, etc.  I'm not really into gardening so I didn't really know what a "perennial" garden was, so I asked a couple who was standing nearby.  The husband explained it was a garden that grew back every spring by itself, without any planting required.  The wife nodded and then said, "what it really means is that you don't have to do any work."  We all nodded in silent agreement:  this was the best kind of garden.

1410 Manchester Lane NW
5 Bedrooms, 4 Baths
$875,000

Washington D.C. real estate news

The Big Deal

4344 Forest Lane, NW

Washington, DC 20007

8 bedrooms, 5.5 baths

6,635 square feet/$25,195 yearly taxes

DOM: 0

List price: $3,350,000

Sold price: $3,350,000 

May's largest residential sale was a renovated Tudor in Wesley Heights.  Details were scarce as it was entered into the MLS as a comparable.  Listing agent Nancy Itteilag said one of her clients that lived down the street was searching for a similar house and a deal was struck before it hit the market.

The home has hardwood floors, five fireplaces, an updated kitchen and baths, a two story addition and a slate patio.

*photos via MLS.  Listing courtesy of Nancy Itteilag, Long & Foster