“Dear PoP,

I purchased a 2 bedroom condo last week at Holmead Place and Newton Street in Columbia Heights with the plan of renting it out. It is in a 4 unit building that was completely renovated in 2006 and I just repainted and fixed up everything in my unit. It has 2 full bathrooms, 10 foot ceilings, W/D, tandem parking space (2 cars can fit), private deck, W/D, tiled shower/tub, requisite stainless steel appliances, and a huge granite counter. The location is perfect in CH — 3-4 blocks to everything.

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here is the slide show.
http://picasaweb.google.com/fjordlevy/20091HolmeadPlace#

Any ideas on what it should rent for? I have seen 1 bedrooms listed as high as $2100 and my wife rents out her 1 bedroom for $1800 at 15th and Fuller. Based on the rents that I am seeing, it seems like an attractive price is $2200. It is completely vacant and ready to go so I don’t want it to sit on the market too long. I am surprised that there isn’t more of a premium on two bedrooms as they can be used by roommates, couples, and wealthier singles. Do you think that high flying singles just look at 1 bedrooms and skip over the two bedroom options? From the prices that I am seeing, it seems like you could get much more for your money by renting a two bedroom.”

Hmm, I’m thinking you could probably ask $2400 for a 2 bedroom and parking at this location. What do you guys think? Are 2 bedrooms harder to rent out than 1 bedrooms?

Photo by PoPville flickr user schmiddi

“Dear PoP,

I’m not sure if you’ve done any stories about this in the past, but my Pepco bill has jumped from $68 in October to $330 in December. My roommate and I share a smaller two bedroom apartment in an older row house. We are very energy efficient and were actually out of town for 9 days in December while we racked up this bill- the heat was off and major appliance were unplugged. So my question is, does the bill seem reasonable for December or is there something wrong with my bill or heating system? Any help you or your readers can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

Has anyone had crazy increases to their Pepco bills? I’ve never had an electric bill jump that high? Has anyone had an error in billing before? If so, how did you remedy it?

There’s been a lot of focus on Tai Shan the panda lately (I’m pouring a little coffee out for him…) but Rukasu1 got some other great shots from the zoo.

Submit your photos via email or to the PoPville flickr pool here.

This condo is located at 1613 Harvard Street, NW:

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The flier says:

“2 blocks from the Columbia Heights metro, at the entrance to Adams Morgan. Walk to Target, Best Buy, Giant and many more retail and restaurants. Live in a one of a kind building built in the 20′s with original hardwood floors, high ceilings, large bedrooms, marble, tile and balcony! Building is featured in the “Best Addresses” book.”

You can find more info here.

Sadly there are no photos but I’m intrigued by this property due to the price and location. I think the location is terrific given the proximity to Adams Morgan, Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Heights. The studio is going for $204,900 and a one bedroom is going for $367,900. Sound reasonable?

Bistro La Bonne is located at 1340 U Street, NW. When I first wrote about this space changing from Axis bar and grill many folks were saddened to see Axis go. Now that it’s been open a couple of weeks I’m wondering if anyone has checked out this new bistro? You can see their menus here. Any fans?

DC Street Photographer Mike Hicks works primarily in black and white, using a Leica with a 40mm Summicron Lens.   Join the group LOOKDC.

Results Gym #1.  © 2010 Mike Hicks

Results Gym #2.  © 2010 Mike Hicks

Bloomingdale has been teased with the arrival of a neighborhood bar for years. Many thought that Baraki to be located at 1st and T Streets, NW would be the answer. Baraki’s opening has been delayed for months and there is no indication that it will open any time soon. On Twitter, there is some talk that Big Bear Cafe (1st and R) has applied or will apply for a liquor license though I didn’t see an application in the window when I walked by last weekend. But what I did learn was even more exciting. I ran into the owner of the soon to be Rustik Neighborhood Tavern to be located at 1832 1st Street, NW.

The owner, Diton Pashaj, told me that there are still a few hurdles to clear and some construction to be completed but his description sounds like just what many residents of Bloomingdale are craving. He hopes the space will be ready to open in May. He are some details:

“Yes, we will have food

Yes, we will do brunch

Happy hour…check

Yes we will have outdoor seating

Jukebox…no problem

Yes, it will be a cozy, neighborhood bar

Yes, we will have many delicious kinds of draft beer, and a wine or two for you wine lovers

Yes, we will be active participants in the Bloomingdale community”

Photo by PoPville flickr user sciascia

“Dear PoP,

One of WMATA’s proposals for balancing the budget is to close the 10th and U Street entrance to the green line on weekends. This and other proposals on the link below are up for public comment until Wednesday, January 27th. Would you please post this on your website, in case your readers would like to object to (or support) the metro entrance closure?”

http://wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4248

“Written comments may be e-mailed to public-hearing-testimony@wmata.com or sent to the Office of the Secretary, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. Please reference Hearing Number 547. Submissions must be received by the close of the hearing on Wednesday, January 27.”

While we discussed service cuts vs. a 10 cents fare increase, how do folks feel about closing metro entrances?

Sadly the reader didn’t know what was going on. I hope the Mayor had a few drinks after this interview because he looks less than pleased at this moment…

I don’t know what exactly drew me to focus on these rocks. But when I realized they were all painted like feet I started to hyperventilate a bit. Perhaps I’ve watched one too many episodes of Dexter but seeing all these rocks made me very uneasy…

I think everyone should paint their garage doors.

This is a great backyard gate from a Mt. Pleasant alley.

I thought this was a good looking rowhouse in Adams Morgan. The ones up on a hill like this in Adams Morgan and Mt. Pleasant always get my attention.

There was a little confusion as to whether or not Cork and Fork was coming to 1522 14th Street next to the recently opened HomeMade Pizza. I just want to clarify that I’ve received word from the folks behind Cork and Fork and they are indeed still coming. They write:

“Cork & Fork is on track to open in the retail space located next to Homemade Pizza. In addition to a well rounded wine selection created by owners Anna and Dominique Landragin, winemaker from Champagne France, we will also carry a extensive micro- and craft brew selection. The “Fork” part will be focused on light foods that compliment wine and beer, as well as our catering branch. Our wine education series, as well as social vineyard day trips will be ready to launch on our opening day.”

You can read more about Cork and Fork here.

From an email:

“Police Chief Cathy Lanier and City Councilman Jim Graham will be among a 10-member panel discussing criminal justice issues Monday during a forum hosted by the Northwest Columbia Heights Community Association. The forum, being held at St. Stephens Church at 1525 Newton St. NW, begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be hosted by Sam Ford of ABC 7 News. The public and media are encouraged to attend. A full list of speakers follows. For more information or to RSVP, email nwchca@gmail.com.”

Full press release after the jump. (more…)