Living
House party unity
Check out River East before you get priced out of the market
Over the past several weeks thereās been a lot of talk about party unity. Last Saturday night I experienced it for myself at my first block party in my new neighborhood. I can guarantee you that after a shared tub of beer and wine, there was plenty of party and a ton of neighborhood unity.
People talked about their homes, their children and their businesses, and shared stories about the area, its people and its history. Interestingly, national politics never came up. Refreshing, no?
Where was all this raising Kaine taking place, you ask? East of the River, or as itās slowly being rebranded, āRiver East.ā
Inhabitants of this last bastion of truly affordable housing have been Feeling the Bern for years as the media and non-residents continue to refer to neighborhoods with as many as 40 different monikers as āAnacostia.ā In reality, each neighborhood in Ward 7 and 8 that lies east of Capitol Hill has its own distinct characteristics; Anacostia is but one of them.
Deanwood, located in D.C.ās Northeast quadrant and served by three Metro stations, features homes built by African-American architects W. Sidney Pittman and Howard D. Woodson. According to the Metropolitan Regional Information System (MRIS), 126 homes have changed hands there this year, including an expanded and renovated detached home that raised investorsā eyebrows and sellersā expectations when it sold for $455,000.
In the southeast quadrant of Ward 7 you will find several neighborhoods that were invested in heavily by newspaper publisher and real estate developer Colonel Arthur E. Randle during the late 19thĀ and early 20thĀ centuries.
With the completion of what is now the John Phillip Sousa Bridge in the early 1890s, the stately homes that were being built along Pennsylvania Avenue became more accessible. One of the most prominent homes ā The Arthur Randle Mansion ā is an expansive, Greek Revival-style residence that has come to be known as āThe Southeast White House.ā
Local real estate agents will tell you that in the residential, tree-lined neighborhood of Hillcrest you can get the architecture and quality of a Chevy Chase home with a plus-sized yard for a third the price.
Homes sold in Hillcrest so far this year number 63 and range from a two-bedroom bank-owned condominium with a sale price of $67,000 to $585,000 for an eight-year-old, five-bedroom detached, brick home with a two-car garage and a contemporary interior.
Randle Heights offers some of the lowest and the highest prices in the area, due in part to the development of Woodmont Place, where newly built detached homes have sold for as much as $512,000. Of the 37 homes sold in 2016, some lucky investor saved a few Pence by snagging a bank-owned condominium for a purse-pleasing price of $23,000.
You might be tempted to think that Barry Farm in Ward 8 was named for the late Mayor Marion Barry but youād be wrong. In 1867, David and Julia Barry sold their 375-acre farm to the Freedmenās Bureau, which subdivided the land and sold one-acre lots to freed slaves and free-born African Americans who built homes there.
Colonel Randle also made his mark on Congress Heights, which spans parts of the Southeast and Southwest quadrants of D.C. With a new Metro stop and fast-paced sales, this area Trumps most other neighborhoods with 74 homes sold, ranging from $40,000 for a one-bedroom condominium to $420,000 for a four-bedroom, three-bath, detached home.
And lest we forget, there really is an Anacostia; its name an anglicized version of its original inhabitants, Nacochtank Native Americans. Initially called Uniontown, it was one of the first suburbs of D.C.
In addition to its Victorian and Art Deco architecture, the redevelopment of the west wing of nearby St. Elizabethās hospital will draw new residents to the area when it becomes the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The Anacostia Waterfront Initiative will infuse the area with parks, recreation, shops and eateries to supplement the cultural resources that already exist, such as the Washington Improv Theater and the Anacostia Arts Center, so if youāve been Biden your time wondering where you can get the best house for the money, hereās my advice:
Start Cruzing around River East to find your new home before you get priced out of the market and find yourself between Barack and a hard place.
Valerie M. Blake can be reached at 202-246-8602 or [email protected]. Each Keller Williams Realty office is independently owned and operated.
Advice
Navigating these uncertain times
You have no power over others, but you have a lot of power over yourself

For Valentineās Day, I was planning to write a column about shifts we can make in our attitudes and behaviors to strengthen our love relationships and deepen our connection with our partners.
Then, over the past few weeks, as Iāve been listening to many of my clients express their concerns about the state of our country and our world, I realized that much of what is required to have a great relationship can also help us get through the difficult times we live in.
So here are some principles that I hope will help you to navigate both the challenges of being in a close relationship and the challenges of uncertain times.
These principles overlap because they are all components of an approach to living that focuses on developing and maintaining agency over your life, and working to strengthen your resilience. The more solid you are, the better you can get through the hard stuff.
Strive to behave with integrity, in a way that you respect. You are likely to feel a lot better about yourself if you do what you believe is right, rather than betraying your values out of fear or to please others. The playwright Lillian Hellman, pressed to appear before the House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1952 and āname names,ā said it well: āI cannot and will not cut my conscience to suit this yearās fashions.ā (Of course, only you can decide how to balance possible consequences with the importance of honoring your principles.)
Stand up for what you believe in. Being quiet out of fear or concern for what others will think leaves us feeling like helpless victims. And you cannot have an intimate relationship when you donāt let your partner know important parts of who you are.
Strive to be non-reactive. Do your best to not let others (or circumstances) press your buttons so that you lash out, rather than responding thoughtfully and with deliberation, based on your values.
Strive to always soothe your anxiety. The philosopher Viktor Frankl wrote: āBetween stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.ā When someone or something is starting to make us crazy, the best first move we can make is to quiet ourselves. Doing so allows us to think how to best respond.
Thereās a great saying from Twelve Step programs: āIf you want to have self-esteem, behave in esteemable ways.ā You are more likely to do so when you first calm yourself, rather than exploding with anxiety or rage.
Strive to tolerate discomfort: Sometimes we canāt do much about what is making us uncomfortable or causing us distress. Our partner may not change in ways we would like; our job situation may be rough; we may face hostility in the outside world. Identifying how we can deal with challenges and difficult circumstances in a way that helps us become stronger and more resilient can often help us to weather them a bit more easily.
Strive to tolerate uncertainty: There really are no guarantees about anything important in life. Thatās the way it goes. We canāt know how things will turn out āneither our relationships nor our lives nor the fate of humanity. So if we are to construct a meaningful life, we have no choice other than to keep putting one foot in front of the other, doing our best to respond thoughtfully and to have an impact when and where we can, without knowing the outcome.
Strive to stay anchored in reality, not lost in feelings. When we let our feelings run the show, itās easy to get spun up and reactive. While our feelings are a source of information, they are not reality. All sorts of thingsāour pasts, the distortions of social media, what people around us are doing and sayingācan contribute to how we feel about a situation.
Yes, itās always a good idea to be aware of our feelings. But before acting on them, calm yourself, get some clarity about why you may be feeling what youāre feeling, and think about how reality lines up (or doesnāt line up) with what youāre feeling. In other words, aim to keep the big picture in mind.
Remember that you cannot change others, but you may at times be able to influence them. For example, when I first became vegetarian, I wanted to push my friends to adopt a vegetarian diet by āenlighteningā them about the misery of factory farms and the environmental cost of raising animals for food. I soon realized that lectures and judgment are not a great way to change minds. Serving delicious vegetarian food for a dinner is more helpful. So think about how you can reach out to someone or to others with different views, in a way that they are more likely to hear you.
Obviously, there are limits to this approach. There may be times when you arenāt going to be heard, no matter how you say what you have to say. The point at which we shift from reaching out to someone to taking a ādonāt tread on meā stance can be tricky to discern, and the decision to make that shift should be taken thoughtfully and with appreciation of possible consequences.
Keep your focus mainly on what you can do about a situation. Focus less on what the other person is doing wrong, or not doing. While you have little or no power over others, you have a lot of power over yourself. Thinking about what you can do to effect at least some of the change you would like, in your relationship or your community or our world, is an antidote to feeling powerless.
Michael Radkowsky, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist who works with couples and individuals in D.C. He can be found online atĀ michaelradkowsky.com. All identifying information has been changed for reasons of confidentiality. Have a question? Send it toĀ [email protected].)

As Valentine’s Day approaches, our thoughts often turn to love. While we may think of candlelit dinners or romantic gestures, love extends beyond relationshipsāitās about the spaces we inhabit and how we nurture our connection to them. Loving where you live can have a profound impact on your well-being, and for renters in Washington, D.C., transforming an apartment into a cherished home is not only possible, but also can feel essential.
Washington, D.C., offers a vibrant lifestyle, but it can also pose challenges for renters. High costs, stressful work environments, limited space, and the very nature of urban living might make it harder to settle in. However, with some thoughtful adjustments, you can turn your rental into a space you love. Letās explore how to create a home thatās a sanctuary, not just a stopover.
Personalize Your Space
One of the first steps to loving where you live is making it feel uniquely yours. Although renting may come with restrictions, there are plenty of ways to customize your apartment:
- Add Color: Use removable wallpaper or peel-and-stick decals to introduce vibrant or calming hues. Area rugs are another excellent way to bring warmth and character to any room.
- Display Your Story: Showcase meaningful art, family photos, or souvenirs from your travels. Gallery walls can make even a small space feel personal.
- Lighting Matters: Replace harsh overhead lighting with floor or table lamps to create a cozy ambiance. Use LED bulbs to save energy and customize brightness levels.
Embrace Multifunctional Furniture
City living can impose limited square footage and multifunctional furniture is your best friend. Look for pieces that serve dual purposes:
- A storage ottoman can double as seating.
- Fold-out tables save space while offering dining or work surfaces when you need them.
- A quality sofa bed is perfect for accommodating guestsĀ
Incorporate Plants and Greenery
Bringing nature indoors can instantly uplift your mood and enhance your living space:
- Low-Maintenance Options: Snake plants, pothos, and succulents thrive with minimal care.
- Vertical Gardens: If floor space is limited, consider wall-mounted planters.
- Window Sills: Herbs like basil or mint not only look and smell good, they are useful for cooking.
Create Comfortable Zones
Think about how you use your apartment and design dedicated areas:
- Work Corner: With remote work becoming increasingly common, invest in a comfortable chair, desk, and good lighting.
- Relaxation Spot: A corner with a plush chair, blanket, and books can be your go-to for unwinding.
- Entertaining Area: Even small spaces can shine with the right setup for hosting, such as a stylish bar cart or foldable chairs.
Maintain and Refresh Regularly
A clutter-free and clean apartment naturally feels more inviting:
- De-clutter quarterly, donating or discarding items you no longer use.
- Use storage systems to stash things away you do not need regularlyĀ
- Add seasonal touches like new cushions or throws to keep your space feeling fresh.
- Invest in quality cleaning tools to make upkeep easier.
Discovering the Loveable Side of D.C.
Beyond your apartment, Washington, D.C., is a city rich in experiences that make life here unique. Embracing the D.C. lifestyle can deepen your connection to where you live. Here are a few affordable and distinctly D.C. activities to enjoy this Valentineās Day month:
Loving Life in D.C.
1. Explore Hidden Gems:
- The United States Botanical Garden: Even though it is the middle of winter, the Conservatory on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol is a wonderful place to get out of the cold.Ā And a bonus – it is the time of year when orchids are in bloom. Enjoy a touch of a tropical environment right in downtown DC.
- Kennedy Centerās Millennium Stage: Enjoy free performances showcasing local and international talent. Every day, usually at 6 p.m., you can see artists from around the world in the central hall at the Kennedy Center. And all you have to do is get there in time! Check out the entire program here:Ā https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stageĀ
2. Taste D.C.’s Diverse Cuisine:
- Sample global flavors at Union Market. https://unionmarketdc.comĀ
- Grab a half-smoke from Benās Chili Bowl, a true local original, on U Street, H Street, and other locations citywide.
3. Embrace the Outdoors:
- Walk or bike the Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac River; the Capitol Crescent Trail on the west side, and the newer trail, the Metropolitan Branch Trail that runs from Union Station to Silver Spring.
- Visit Malcolm X Park (also known as Meridian Hill Park) for its cascading fountains, lively drum circles, snow ball fights, and more! Ā
4. Dive Into History:
- Tour the lesser-known exhibits at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, the National Museums of Asian or African Art, and the incredible Renwick Gallery of American Art opposite the White House.
- Explore the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site for a deeper understanding of D.C.’s role in history.Ā https://www.nps.gov/frdo/index.htmĀ
5. Enjoy Affordable Culture:
- Attend pay-what-you-can nights at local theaters like Studio Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, or Theatre J located in the Jewish Community Center at 16th Street and Q Streets, NW.
- Take advantage of free museum access year-round, from the National Gallery of Art to the Hirshhorn Museum.
Building a Life You Love
Loving where you live isnāt just about the walls that surround youāitās about the life you create within them. By personalizing your apartment and immersing yourself in the unique experiences D.C. offers, youāll better foster a personal sense of belonging and joy. This Valentineās Day, remember to nurture not only your relationships, but also your relationship with your home and your city. After all, love begins at home.
Scott Bloom is owner and senior property manager of Columbia Property Management. For more information and resources, go to ColumbiaPM.com
Real Estate
Navigating D.C.ās down payment assistance programs
On the way home, after a detour and a few speed bumps

D.C. offers some of the most extensive programs for down payment assistance that are managed by the Greater Washington Urban League and the DC Housing Finance Authority, for programs like HPAP and EAHP (Home Purchase Assistance Program and Employer Assisted Housing Program).
The District also offers the DC Opens Doors Program. All of these are great examples of offerings to help first-time or newer home purchasers to afford buying in the District of Columbia, one of the nationās most expensive housing markets.
There are various requirements for a buyer to use the program. These can be found at dhcd.dc.gov/service/homeownership. Many qualified local lenders are knowledgeable about these programs and can assist in dozens of these transactions each year. Often, asking a lender about these programs is a great place to start. Tina Del Casale with Sandy Spring Bank has been helping her clients with these programs for years. As part of her education outreach for clients, Tina informs her buyers of the following:
- In the HPAP and the EAHP program, the seller must provide the opportunity for the buyer to perform a home inspection with a qualified home inspector. Ā
- The items that are flagged as āmust repairsā need to be fixed by the seller. Ā
- The buyer must get their financial documentation to the lenders involved, as well as to the District of Columbia to be approved to use the program. Ā
- Whichever organization or department is managing the down payment assistance fund disbursal will also be involved in the process.Ā
- Ideally, it takes about 45-60 days from the date of ratification (going under contract) to close (the settlement date)Ā
- The lenders help to qualify/approve the condo buildings for financial health, ensuring that the finances within the building are being maintained by the homeowner association.
What happens, often, is that the process goes smoothly until the organization that manages the down payment assistance funds receives the file. The closing date can be extended time and time again, causing both the buyer and the seller to recalculate moving dates, moving trucks, packing, when to move funds around, whose home they will be sleeping at after the 3rd or 4th delay, and wondering if the seller is going to become so agitated with the entire process that they begin to Google search the term āsmall claims court.ā In a recent instance, the buyer was delayed about four times over the holidays and when the file was ready to close, they were informed that the settlement had to be the following day. So, it was a situation of delay, delay, delay, delay, delay, delay, delay, and do this NOW, which means a buyer must coordinate (for the maybe 3rd time) a day off of work and recalculate their entire schedule at the last second to accommodate an organization that seems to have made few efforts to stay in communication along the way.
These delays make the buyer less competitive to win an offer and can make a planned purchase fail due to the failure of the buyer to perform. Nobody wants to be told their house will sell and then must make alternative plans when they realize the contract is not going through, OR there will be a significant delay by up to one to three months.
How can we make this process more user friendly? If we could, developers might be more motivated to make affordable housing units available for more people, knowing that the process of selling a unit wonāt cause interminable delays and headaches for all parties involved. Buyers must be fully vetted financially before submitting an offer. Is there a way to fully vet the down payment assistance funds, that they arrive in escrow at the title company a week or two before settlement so that all parties can plan their lives accordingly?
Self-awareness as an organization is crucial for knowing where blind spots exist, how they can be looked at, and how a decent process can be improved to fulfill its own goal of helping buyers get into homeownership. Perhaps an exit interview or feedback form could be sent to each buyer after purchase and looked at for suggestions for improvement.
Joseph Hudson is a referral agent with Metro Referrals.Ā Reach him at 703-587-0597 orĀ [email protected].
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