This classic from Adams Morgan is one of the best because you can see the actually knocker part also has a face on it.

This one’s all about the bay window. Found it near Mt. Vernon Triangle.

Puro Cafe is coming to 1529 Wisconsin Ave, NW. I asked a neighbor if she knew when it would open but she didn’t know the exact date. I’ll be sure to update when they officially open their doors.

And I was excited to see construction begin at the corner of 13th and U Streets, NW. I’m eager to see what tenants move in:

The above building on Wisconsin Ave in Glover Park is one of my least favorite in the city because it clashes so badly with neighboring rowhouses. However the addition below from Mt. Pleasant is one of my favorites. I love that style of wood:

This apartment is located at 7th and Jefferson St. NW:

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The reader writes:

“I live at 7th and Jefferson St. NW and I’m thinking of renting the unit, I work in Alexandria and its a long drive. It’s a one bedroom unit, 600-700sf, I’m not sure exactly. The building was renovated in 2006, I’ve been the only one to live there. New kitchen appliances and countertop, dishwasher, washer and dryer in unit, hardwood floors. About equal distant between the Georgia Ave and Fort Totten Metro. One block to Kennedy St, 3 Blocks to Georgia Ave. One block to two bus lines. Ample parking, quiet street.

Anyway, my question is what people think of the rental market up north? I was thinking around $1200? Also, has anyone had any experience with using a management company for a single rental. And lastly, if anybody has any thoughts on accepting section 8 vouchers from tenants?”

Personally I think $1200 for a one bedroom that far north and that far from the metro is way too high an asking price. I’d think that $900 would be much more realistic. What do you guys think?

“Dear PoP,

I wonder if anyone out there in PoPville has any recommendations… I am in the midst of deconstructing drywall on a 28ft wall in order to expose the brick underneath. I will do the drywall work myself, but I’m reluctant to try clearing the brick because it involves acids and all kinds of things that I don’t care to learn about or attempt on my own.

Anyone out there have recommendations for a mason or handyperson who I could hire for just the brick-clearing part of this project?”

This great photo was emailed by Meaghan from her balcony in Mt. Pleasant. I’m loving these sunset photos.

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

This home is located at 4125 4th Street, NW:

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The flier says:

“Gorgeous urban renovation, tastfully completed. Recess lighting, crown molding, exposed brick, granite kitch + bath, lots of storage (incl. attic), mudd room and bonus room on main lvl. New windows, double deck and two car parking w/ plenty of street prkg. Proximity to metro trasport/downtown/restaurants/shopping a plus.”

You can find more info and photos here.

Wow, I’m pretty impressed with the photos. I had no idea it looked like this on the inside. Full disclosure: I live nearby, not sure how much that drags down the price… So what do you think of the photos? Does $409,500 sound reasonable for this 3 bed/2 bath?

Following the theme of judging restaurants in hotels, the Beacon Bar & Grill is located at 1615 Rhode Island Avenue, NW. Is this place more of a bar or a restaurant? Good place for brunch? You can find their menus here.

The scuttlebutt from Dec. has been confirmed. A press release says that Pete’s second location will be located at 4940 Wisconsin Ave, NW at the corner of Fessenden (halfway between Tenleytown and Friendship Heights). The store will be 3,400 square feet and can seat up to 100 people. The space is expected to open in April and like the Columbia Heights location will serve wine and beer. In the warm weather there will be outdoor seating as well. Looks like a great spot.

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A portrait by photographer Josh Yospyn, taken during the December snowstorm with a Mamiya RZ67 using color film.  Join the LOOKDC group.

Untitled, © 2010 Joshua Yospyn

Griffin & Murphy, LLP, is a boutique law firm in Washington, D.C. concentrating its practice in real estate law (including development, finance, leasing, zoning and condominium conversions), as well as estate planning and probate, civil litigation, and business law. The attorneys of Griffin & Murphy, LLP are licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Griffin and Murphy, LLP was founded in 1981.

Please send any legal questions relating to real estate, rentals, buildings, renovations or other legal items to princeofpetworth (at) gmail (dot) com, each week one question will be featured. You can find previous questions featured here.

A reader, Amy, writes:

There is a fenced-in empty lot the width of my house and my next door neighbor’s house. I only bought my house 2 years ago, and the title search at the time shows we have all the land we are meant to. But regarding the empty lot, we believe they have adversely possessed the city alleyway between our lot and theirs. That would be about 10 feet in back of our two houses. If their fence were moved back, we could park in the alley like those across the block do in their alleyway. It would significantly add to the value of the house, even though it wouldn’t technically be our land.

How can we prove if they have adversely possessed this city alleyway? If they have, what recourse do we have, given that it is the city that has been harmed, not us, technically? Do we have any standing in this matter? I tried contacting the owners of the lot when we first moved in, but incorrect/out of date information on the tax records led nowhere, as did googling the name of the owner…not really sure how else to track the owner down. Of course what I would really like to do is buy the whole lot from the mystery owner, and sell half of it to my neighbor…but that is a different question.

Thanks,
Amy

Griffin & Murphy, LLP Respond:

Good news for Amy! Amy’s lot is part of a legal subdivision covering the square where her lot is located. The alley in question was created at the time the original Subdivision Plat for Amy’s square was recorded at the DC Surveyor’s office. The drawing which Amy supplied (see attached) and which she titled “adverse possession scenario” was not completely accurate because it did not show the alley located behind Amy’s property. According to the City records, there is a record alley that runs directly behind Amy’s property which has been illegally fenced in. Throughout the City we have what are commonly known as “paper alleys.” Paper alleys exist only on paper and are not paved, may not have curb cut access, or appear to be an alley to the passer-by, but do have all the same legal protections of a government designated alley. Amy should be able to get the City to stop the owner of the interior lot from encroaching upon the portion of the alley behind her lot so that she can gain access to the rear of her property from the alley. Answer continues after the jump. (more…)

Photo from PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

“Dear PoP,

I went to move my coffee table and realized the leg was cracked. Do any readers know of someone who does furniture repairs that they recommend?”

This restaurant will be located at 2313 Wisconsin Ave, NW not too far from the bookstore up there. I’m guessing this is part of the same group that opened up an Angelico’s in Mt. Pleasant back in April.

Do you think the recent blizzard did this? Wind? Do you think they can be fixed with stakes or are they a lost cause?