We know DC Housing. We know it well. We want to use that knowledge to help people. That’s why every week we will release a handful of houses on the rental market that we think are good deals. We can’t guarantee every single one will be perfect for you, but we hope that one of them may someday become the place you call home.

September 6th, 2018

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We aren’t sure if you noticed, but there was a big push by apartment buildings around the city to get people to sign leases last week. That’s because many contracts run September 1 to August 31 and contracts ending mean vacancies and vacancies mean the buildings lose money. Now that we are entering the second week of September there may be fewer rentals on the market, but they will almost certainly be at a better price because these buildings to do not want to keep bleeding money. If you are looking for a place to live at this time of year, you might be able to score on some promotion on rent. Happy Haggling!

1. Studio Apartment in The Eddystone

Nooks and crannies are excellent in English muffins but even better for helping to add flow to your studio. The Eddystone has them. One of the biggest complaints about studio apartments is that it’s a little strange to be cooking dinner in the same place that you will eventually sleep. The solution is to position the studio in such a way that makes it feel like it has more rooms than it does.
Check out the floor plans of the studios in the Eddystone:

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You can almost imagine yourself moving throughout the different sections of the space. That’s rare. For a price below the DC average is extraordinary.

2. One Bedroom Apartment at The Flats

   Would you consider yourself active? If so, check out The Flats. It’s featured picture on Zillow is literally a basketball court. It also includes an open indoor fitness center, a sizable pool, and a back rack room. It has amenities coming out of its ears.
   We are often wary of the “luxury” apartments that pop up all over the District. Thin walls, buggy FOB locks, cheap appliances, and faulty air conditioners are common issues for people paying upwards of $3000/month for a one bedroom in these faux-couture pop-ups. We aren’t saying this is true for the Flats, but the stereotype remains.
Regardless, these apartments go for well under the city average and offer well more than the average place. We think that makes the Flats a good value and worth a tour.

3. English Basement in Mt. Pleasant

   We are going to take this time to drop some knowledge about English Basements. First, they are a fantastic deal. Take this one in Mt. Pleasant. A 2 bedroom apartment with this amount of square footage, in this location, with that patio space, is likely worth close to $3000 per month. This guy is going for $1800--almost half. However, here are some things to keep in mind:
   
Who is living upstairs? They are your housemates even though you technically share different apartments. The number one complaint our tenants in English Basements have is with their neighbors to the north. When you are considering EB’s, do your best to gauge that future relationship.
   How does it feel? Stand in the living room. Do some jumping jacks. Are the ceilings too low? Does it smell weird? Is it too dark? Anything that annoys when you tour will probably bother you after move-in.

Be flexible. English basements are not always luxurious--although they can be. However, you are getting a cozy space at a fantastic price. Know what’s essential versus what you can compromise. Even if it’s not 100% ideal, it may surprise you.
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4. Two Bedroom Apartment in Mt. Vernon Square

Location is valuable. This apartment building screams 90’s louder than Boyz II Men and Jennifer Anniston, but it’s beautiful, clean and is in one of the most practical locations in the District. We would argue that your quality of life is inversely related to your length of commute and you should think hard about how much of your life you are willing to commit to moving your human around.

This apartment would give you a short commute to almost every office job in the city at an Arlington-level price. That’s enticing. Sure you might find a walkman behind the refrigerator, but that Die Hard poster you’ve had in your closet would look great in the living room.

5. Three Bedroom Apartment in Dupont Circle

   This apartment shows the benefits of living with more people and paying a little more. It is just below average for DC 3 Bedroom’s, but it is in one of the most expensive locations. It has modern appliances, spotless new tiling, hardwood floors, and bathrooms and it looks modern and fresh.
   If you can find two other people that you like (or your kids, if you want them enough), then you can be living the DC Elite life without having to pull in a DC Elite paycheck.

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