DC in the News

Housing Affordability Surges to Highest Level in 18 Years
Nationwide housing affordability jumped 10 percentage points during the first quarter of 2009 to its highest level since the series began 18 years ago, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI). The HOI showed that 72.5% of all new and existing homes sold in the first quarter of 2009 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,000, up from 62.4% during the previous quarter and up from 53.8% during the first quarter of 2008.

Kiplinger’s has ranked D.C. among the top 10 cities across the U.S. that will help create new jobs and businesses once the recession ends.
Its Personal Finance July issue features the 10 best cities of 2009 list.  D.C. ranked No. 3 due to the presence of the government, which employs one in eight workers in the D.C. area and supports nearby companies across various industries. Northern Virginia technology firms and Maryland biotechs also offer many job opportunities, noted the magazine.

DC Ranked #1 Fittest City in America (Forbes)
When it comes to healthy living, Washington, D.C., is seldom mentioned in the same breath as cities like San Francisco, Portland, Ore., and Seattle, all of which are known for their active, health-conscious residents.

But according to a new report, the city of pomp and politics is the healthiest in the nation. In the second annual American Fitness Index (AFI), a publication released by the American College of Sports Medicine, Washington, D.C., edged out Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., Denver, Boston and San Francisco.
According to the index, Washington, D.C., residents are healthier than other Americans for a number of reasons. They have increased access to farmers' markets, at 13 per 1 million residents, compared to a national average of 11. Fewer residents smoke and have diabetes, and nearly 90% have health insurance compared to a national average of 86%.

Kimberly & Daryl's Hot Sheets for Neighborhood Listings

Are you looking for property in a specific neighborhood? We've created searches to focus on the areas our clients are most interested in to help narrow your home search. Please click on any of the following neighborhoods to see a list of properties currently for sale specifically for that area. If you would like to schedule an appointment to view any of the properties, please give us a call.

3046 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007

• Restored residence features a sun-filled parlor with 10 foot ceilings and fireplace, separate formal dining room with fireplace, new kitchen with stainless and marble.
• Spacious master suite has marble bath with tub and shower, two walk-in closets and private deck.
• Three additional bedrooms and bathrooms, huge day-lit lower level with family room, bedroom, bath, kitchenette, large closets and storage.
• Private rear brick patio, rental parking available.
• Offered for sale at $2,650,000
• OPEN HOUSE - Sunday, May 31, 2009 1-4pm

1512 Kingman Place, NW
Washington, DC 20005

• Renovated historic Logan jewel with three bedrooms, two and a half baths, stunning family/wine room with hardwood floors, plentiful closets & large windows throughout. 
• Outdoor terrace & deck + two-car secure parking. 
• Charming street just one block to Whole Foods, shops & restaurants.
• This house has it all!
• Offered for sale at $1,185,000
• OPEN HOUSE - Saturday, May 30, 2009 1-4pm
  and Sunday, May 31, 2009 2-5pm

675 E Street, NW #250
Washington, DC 20004

• A boutique building with only 29 units has won several design awards.
• This condo in the heart of Penn Quarter is only one of two with a private outdoor terrace.
• This secured building has a gym, parking available and the large unit is walking distance to everything.
• Offered for sale at $549,995
• OPEN HOUSE - Saturday, May 30, 2009 2-4pm

2111 Wisconsin Avenue, NW #716
Washington, DC 20007

• Fabulous two bedroom on the penthouse level with high ceilings, sunny, open floor plan.
• Renovated kitchen with limestone counters, beautiful cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Bathroom with white marble and stainless vanity.  Bosch washer and dryer in unit and plentiful built-in cabinets and closets.
• Garage parking.  Desirable Observatory of Georgetown has 24-hour staffed front desk, pool, roof deck, gym and party room. Steps to Whole Foods, Safeway, Starbucks, lots of restaurants.
• Offered for sale at $499,000

2111 Wisconsin Avenue, NW #204
Washington, DC 20007

• Cheerful one bedroom in the highly desirable Observatory of Georgetown.
• Sunny, open floor plan includes renovated kitchen with granite counters, new cabinets and stainless steel appliances.
• Oversized balcony, new washer and dryer in unit and plentiful closets.
• Super convenient location - walking distance to Whole Foods, Safeway, great restaurants, multiple Starbucks + more.
• Garage parking, 24-hour front desk, pool, party room and gym.
• Offered for sale at $395,000

1827 Earle Road
Charles Town, WV 25414

• Comprising three sections, the stunningly restored circa 1750 and 1820 structures, along with the magnificent extension built in 2003, provides many entertaining opportunities.
• Richwood Hall is sited on land given to George Washington by Lord Fairfax and is on the National Historic Registry.
• Three stories and 10,000 square feet of Federal architecture allow for exquisite country living.
• Groves of trees, gardens, barns, a smokehouse, multiple patios and a tennis court complete the grounds.
• Offered for sale at $2,495,000

1739 P Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

• Offered for sale at $4,475,000

1506 30th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007

• This Inviting four bedroom, four and one half bath East Village home has received a stunning top-to-bottom renovation by nationally published designer.
• High ceilings, designer chandeliers, oak wood floors, rare Italian limestone and marble dream kitchen + complete in-law suite with separate kitchen and entrance.
• This sunny home is perfect for convenient everyday living and sophisticated entertaining.
• Offered for sale at $1,995,000

1908 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009

• Wonderfully renovated, this three bedroom, three and a half bath townhome is in the heart of Dupont.
• Two-car parking and private terrace make this a rare find in the city.
• Sun-filled rooms, updated kitchen, fireplace and bonus study will bring years of joy to the new owners.
• Offered for sale at $1,138,000

142 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20003

• Three bedroom, three and a half bathroom rowhouse on one of the first residential blocks of the city.
• Clean lines and sophisticated engineering blend in perfect harmony.
• Light, livability and location make for an extraordinary place to call home.
• Offered for sale at $849,000

1312 Massachusetts Avenue, NW #701
Washington, DC 20005

• Two bedroom, two full bathroom condo with walk-in closet and large master bathroom.
• Large open living room with bonus den.
• Balcony overlooking Thomas Circle, garage parking included.
• Offered for sale at $499,555

1901 Columbia Road, NW #404
Washington, DC 20009

• Stunning updated top to bottom one bedroom, one bathroom at the Montello.
• Elegant period detailing and moldings including exquisite rare chestnut paneled bedroom.
• Gorgeous kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counters, newly tiled bathroom with jetted tub.
• Offered for sale at $399,500

5016 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011

• Beautifully renovated while preserving many original details.
• Dramatic two story foyer with winding staircase, upscale kitchen with adjoining family room, dining room with buffet and coffer ceilings, wood library and in-law suite.
• One bedroom, one bath carriage house.
• Sold for $1,550,000

1517 Q Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

• In one of the most desired blocks in our Capitol City, this Q Street home is walking distance to restaurants, Whole Foods, Metro and Vita Gym.
• This three bedroom, three bath has original hardwood flooring, high ceilings and is bathed in Southern-exposed light.
• The large lot allows for a decorative garden in the front, large deck behind the house, lush garden space and two parking spaces!
• Sold for $1,000,000

1746 Kenyon Street, NW
Washington, DC 20010

• Wide, sunny 1920's townhouse with spacious rooms, charming front porch and skylights.
  
• Beamed dining room, granite counters in kitchen and family rooms that opens to a lovely rear deck.
• Three bedrooms plus sunroom and two bathrooms up, finished lower level with third bathroom, laundry room and rear entrance.
• One car garage, plus two car driveway.
  
• Sold for $745,000
  

1532 T Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

• Beautiful turn of the century Dupont Circle rowhouse.
  
• Original moldings, fireplace, floorings, light fixtures, doors and architectural details.
• Parking and large rear yard.
  
• Sold for $656,000
  

1516 R Street, NW Flat #1
Washington, DC 20009

• Extraordinary one bedroom, one bathroom condo with pure modern design.
• Italian kitchen by Elmar Cucine with stainless steel counters, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Wolf duel-fuel range and Bosch dishwasher.
• Master bathroom with European vanity, multi-jet spa tub and limestone steam showers.
• Sophisticated halogen lighting, patio and custom designer closets, two fireplaces.
• Sold for $499,000

1632 30th Street, NW #5
Washington, DC 20007

• Designer-renovated condo in small historic building in stylish Georgetown East Village.
  
• Upper level includes French doors to Juliette balcony, fireplace, brick accent-wall, built-in bookshelves and gourmet kitchen with cafe bar.
• Lower-level has chic bath with rain shower, master bedroom with large walk-in closet, washer/dryer and access to private patio.
  
• Sold for $450,000
  

Art historians claim Van Gogh's ear 'cut off by Gauguin'

Vincent van Gogh's fame may owe as much to a legendary act of self-harm, as it does to his self-portraits. But, 119 years after his death, the tortured post-Impressionist's bloody ear is at the centre of a new controversy, after two historians suggested that the painter did not hack off his own lobe but was attacked by his friend, the French artist Paul Gauguin.

According to official versions, the disturbed Dutch painter cut off his ear with a razor after a row with Gauguin in 1888. Bleeding heavily, Van Gogh then walked to a brothel and presented the severed ear to an astonished prostitute called Rachel before going home to sleep in a blood-drenched bed.

But two German art historians, who have spent 10 years reviewing the police investigations, witness accounts and the artists' letters, argue that Gauguin, a fencing ace, most likely sliced off the ear with his sword during a fight, and the two artists agreed to hush up the truth.

In Van Gogh's Ear: Paul Gauguin and the Pact of Silence, published in Germany, Hamburg-based academics Hans Kaufmann and Rita Wildegans argue that the official version of events, based largely on Gauguin's accounts, contain inconsistencies and that both artists hinted that the truth was more complex.

Van Gogh and Gauguin's troubled friendship was legendary. In 1888, Van Gogh persuaded him to come to Arles in the south of France to live with him in the Yellow House he had set up as a "studio of the south". They spent the autumn painting together before things soured. Just before Christmas, they fell out. Van Gogh, seized by an attack of a metabolic disease became aggressive and was apparently crushed when Gauguin said he was leaving for good.

Kaufmann told the Guardian: "Near the brothel, about 300 metres from the Yellow House, there was a final encounter between them: Vincent might have attacked him, Gauguin wanted to defend himself and to get rid of this 'madman'. He drew his weapon, made some movement in the direction of Vincent and by that cut off his left ear." Kaufmann said it was not clear if it was an accident or an aimed hit.

While curators at the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam stand by the theory of self-mutilation, Kaufmann argues that Van Gogh dropped hints in letters to his brother, Theo, once commenting : "Luckily Gauguin ... is not yet armed with machine guns and other dangerous war weapons."