WOMAN: Support for If You Lived Here comes from... MAN: The Yuen Foundation, committed to bridging cultural differences within the greater Washington DC community.

WOMAN: And now, If You Lived Here, a WETA original series.

JOHN: Hi, I'm John.

CHRISTINE: I'm Christine.

We're producers at WETA, and pretty much joined at the hip.

JOHN: We love living in the DMV, but finding a place to live here can be challenging and exciting.

CHRISTINE: So, join us as we tour three homes at three price points... JOHN: And try to guess the listing price of each house without going over.

CHRISTINE: And find out what it would be like...

BOTH: If You Lived Here.

(doorbell) JOHN: Hey, good morning.

CHRISTINE: Good morning.

KEITH: John and Christine, welcome to Deanwood.

JOHN: Well, we heard it through the grapevine that you are the perfect guy to tell us what's going on in Deanwood.

KEITH: Oh, it sounds like you've been listening to some Marvin Gaye.

He's one of Deanwood's most famous residents.

JOHN: What a coincidence.

(laughter).

KEITH: Marvin Gaye spent majority of his childhood here, in the Deanwood neighborhood.

He grew up right over on East Capitol Quarters.

CHRISTINE: So tell us, where are we in Deanwood right now?

KEITH: At the Minnesota Avenue Metro, which is one of three metros here in Deanwood.

CHRISTINE: Wow.

JOHN: Three, that's a lot.

KEITH: It has more metros than any other neighborhood in the city of DC.

JOHN: Yeah.

KEITH: Also, we have a lot of parks, recs, things of that nature.

Let me show you some more of it.

JOHN: Oh, let's do it.

CHRISTINE: So tell us, where are we at right now?

KEITH: You want a great chai tea latte?

The Eclectic Café is where you wanna get it from, here in Deanwood.

CHRISTINE: Oh, nice.

KEITH: We're located right off of Minnesota Avenue.

One cool thing to note is that the Citizens Association does a lot to make sure Black-owned businesses like the Eclectic Café stays in the neighborhood.

CHRISTINE: That's so important.

KEITH: Yes it is, very important.

CHRISTINE: So, what is the inventory like?

And what are the styles of homes?

KEITH: You have semi-detached homes, row homes, Cape Cod homes, and even multi-family homes, here in Deanwood.

And right behind you, you have apartments buildings, condos here as well.

CHRISTINE: So, how long have you lived here?

And what drew you to the area?

KEITH: Yeah, I've been here for five years.

And I'm from Mississippi, my grandmother fed everybody in the neighborhood.

JOHN: Nice.

KEITH: And I wanted to make sure that my family had that same feel.

We have cookouts here in Deanwood, we get together a lot, and that camaraderie is very important for me and my family to be here, in Deanwood.

JOHN: Well, that's like having a little slice of home, right here in Washington, right?

CHRISTINE: Oh, it is.

KEITH: Absolutely.

CHRISTINE: Well, I cannot wait to get started and see our first home today.

JOHN: House number one?

KEITH: House number one, let's go.

JOHN: Let's do it.

CHRISTINE: Okay.

(doorbell) KEITH: Welcome to house number one.

So, this house was built in 1926.

Cape Cod style.

A lot of houses in DC don't have a porch but this house has a porch.

JOHN: Every good house has a porch, right?

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

So, where exactly in Deanwood are we?

KEITH: Yeah, we're in the front of Deanwood, right off of Nannie Helen Burroughs, and also right down the street from the Benning Road Metro.

JOHN: Well, we drove in that way so we saw this great market, right on the corner.

KEITH: Oh, yeah.

Yeah, amazing deli sandwiches right here.

Me and my family walk to the market just about every other day.

JOHN: Ah.

CHRISTINE: Wow.

JOHN: Well, we will be walking over there and we'll be getting sandwiches today.

CHRISTINE: I think so.

KEITH: Absolutely.

JOHN: Well, this is one great looking house.

KEITH: This is newly renovated.

And what you will notice about the bathroom, it's super funky tile and I think you might like that.

CHRISTINE: Ooh.

JOHN: We like funky tile.

KEITH: Absolutely.

CHRISTINE: We like things... JOHN: You know our taste.

CHRISTINE: We like things a little different.

JOHN: Yeah.

KEITH: There you go, there you go.

So, why don't you guys head in and I'll meet you right back here?

JOHN: Perfect.

CHRISTINE: Okay, thank you.

Ooh, it is completely renovated.

JOHN: Well, isn't this nice?

CHRISTINE: Well, where walls once were are no more.

JOHN: Yeah.

CHRISTINE: It is just one, great, open space.

JOHN: Well done.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: How about these casings around the windows?

CHRISTINE: Yes, those... JOHN: Those are definitely original.

CHRISTINE: Updated windows.

JOHN: Yep.

CHRISTINE: Oh, I'm just gonna... JOHN: Wow, how nice.

CHRISTINE: Sit right here.

JOHN: We just passed the dining room, another great seat in the house.

CHRISTINE: Even though you have a dining table here, it's nice that they were able to put additional seating.

JOHN: Well, that's the dining room and this is the wine bar.

It'd be like... CHRISTINE: Oh, that's true... JOHN: Can I pour you something?

There you go, ma'am.

CHRISTINE: Overall, looking at this kitchen design... JOHN: Yeah.

CHRISTINE: Very functional.

JOHN: Yeah.

CHRISTINE: Plenty of cabinet space, plenty of counter space, really nicely done and well thought out.

JOHN: Yeah, I agree.

I love when they do the lighter cabinets above and the darker cabinets below because I feel like that darker color kinda weights, you know... CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: The kitchen.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: And it's handsome to boot.

CHRISTINE: It really is handsome.

How about that backsplash?

That touch of gray... JOHN: Mm-hmm.

CHRISTINE: Just kinda gives it a different mood to it.

JOHN: And it ties in with the rest of the house so far.

CHRISTINE: Exactly.

JOHN: The palette, right?

Nicely done and it looks like there's a deck.

CHRISTINE: Oh, let's go check it out.

JOHN: Let's go.

CHRISTINE: Ooh, this is a nice back deck.

If you have kids, there's plenty of room for a swing set or, hey, if you have dogs, this is perfect.

So, let's check out this door.

JOHN: All righty.

CHRISTINE: Ooh.

JOHN: Downstairs.

CHRISTINE: There's a lower level.

JOHN: There we go.

CHRISTINE: Ooh, watch your head.

What a great space.

JOHN: Very nice, and they put in good lighting into the ceiling.

CHRISTINE: But a nod to the original home.

JOHN: Ah, look at this.

CHRISTINE: Well, you know, not only does this give the home character... JOHN: Mm-hmm.

CHRISTINE: But it also holds up the house.

JOHN: That's very important, to hold the house up.

CHRISTINE: Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

JOHN: And I spy a washer and dryer.

Tina, take a look at this.

CHRISTINE: Wow.

JOHN: A full bath.

CHRISTINE: But this is a really nicely designed full bath.

JOHN: Yeah.

CHRISTINE: I mean, the black honeycomb tile on the floor... JOHN: And it even has like, a type of... CHRISTINE: Oh, it does... JOHN: Texture to it.

CHRISTINE: Good eye.

JOHN: I've never seen that.

CHRISTINE: And they used it as an accent around the tub... JOHN: Mm-hmm.

CHRISTINE: With the white subway tile.

JOHN: Yeah.

CHRISTINE: Really nicely done.

JOHN: And I see something else, right behind you.

CHRISTINE: Wow.

I wasn't expecting a bedroom down here.

JOHN: Added value, for sure.

CHRISTINE: Yeah.

JOHN: It's super private, has a nice window to the outside and a closet.

Nice lower level.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: Let's go check out the other bedrooms.

CHRISTINE: Okay.

JOHN: All right.

Love this look.

CHRISTINE: Uh... JOHN: Another door, Tina.

CHRISTINE: Closet?

No, it's a half bath.

JOHN: Nice pedestal sink.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: Love the mirror.

CHRISTINE: But where did they find the room?

Obviously they did find the room.

JOHN: Yeah, obviously.

CHRISTINE: But I'm really curious of the original layout now.

JOHN: Crazy that we've seen one and a half baths so far.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: That's great that they did that.

CHRISTINE: Okay.

JOHN: All righty, another door... CHRISTINE: All right, let's try... Oh, it's another closet.

JOHN: It's like a half closet.

CHRISTINE: Broom closet.

JOHN: And look at the tile in this bathroom.

CHRISTINE: Oh, that takes me back to like, 1920s art deco.

JOHN: Total art deco.

He said it was funky, I think it's cool and classic.

CHRISTINE: I like the vanity top.

You got the blue cabinet that carries through.

JOHN: Same.

CHRISTINE: So... JOHN: There's not one thing I would change.

CHRISTINE: No.

JOHN: I love it.

CHRISTINE: You know what, he was right, we did go gaga over this bathroom.

JOHN: Yes, we did.

Left or right?

CHRISTINE: Uh, let's go this way.

JOHN: Okay.

CHRISTINE: This would be the first bedroom of this level.

JOHN: Yeah.

CHRISTINE: I like that they carried over, again, the original casing.

JOHN: Yep.

CHRISTINE: It's still bright... JOHN: Mm-hmm.

CHRISTINE: Even with just one window.

JOHN: Okay.

Well, last but certainly not least, the front bedroom.

It isn't until you come into a combined space like this where you see how tall the ceilings actually are.

This would be the main bedroom, don't you think?

CHRISTINE: Right.

Obviously it's the biggest.

JOHN: And I have to add, you have a very nice view of the front porch from this room.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: So, I think this makes a lovely bedroom.

CHRISTINE: Right.

JOHN: You know, this is a great starter house for Deanwood.

CHRISTINE: It really is.

JOHN: Ah, there you are.

CHRISTINE: Hello.

KEITH: Awesome.

So, what'd you guys think?

CHRISTINE: Great renovation.

KEITH: Yeah.

JOHN: And a great first home.

CHRISTINE: The minute you walk in, you see all the great thought that was put into the design of this home.

JOHN: The kitchen is very nice.

Love the blue cabinets and the white cabinets above, countertops, whole nine yards.

But I would say our favorite thing was probably the tile you knew we would love.

KEITH: Funky tile, I knew you would like it.

JOHN: Funky tile.

CHRISTINE: Yeah.

JOHN: No, but it's so classic and that deco style, I love it.

CHRISTINE: And I was trying to figure out how they got that half bath on this first floor?

KEITH: Cool story, right?

During the renovation process... JOHN: Yeah?

KEITH: There were stairs that led to a bonus bedroom, which we got rid of for attic space.

CHRISTINE: Oh.

JOHN: Oh, okay but you added a ton of storage upstairs, right?

KEITH: A ton of storage.

And what we did, we created that extra bedroom in the basement.

When you have a bedroom and a full bath in the basement, it becomes a income producing property.

So this is a newly renovated, three-bedroom, two and a half bath property, 1200 square feet, built in 1926, with a basement, and a back yard, and a front yard, and a porch.

So, what do you think?

CHRISTINE: I'm going to say 525,000.

KEITH: Okay.

JOHN: Okay.

KEITH: Your turn.

JOHN: I'm gonna play the game smart.

KEITH: Okay.

JOHN: Just to leave... KEITH: Uh-oh.

Uh-oh.

JOHN: A wider margin.

CHRISTINE: I know what he's gonna do.

JOHN: $1.

No, I'm not gonna say $1 because I think this is a great house but I'm gonna go for 425,000.

KEITH: So, the actual list price of this home is $472,000.

JOHN: All right.

KEITH: You got it.

JOHN: Thank you very much, Deanwood.

Hey, that's a great value for this house.

KEITH: Oh, amazing value.

Very unique for DC.

JOHN: Well, great starter.

Can't wait to see what's next.

KEITH: Well, let's head onto the second home.

It's in walking distance, so let's go.

CHRISTINE: Ooh, nice.

JOHN: Perfect.

KEITH: Cool.

CHRISTINE: Okay.

MICHELLE: So, we're standing on the historic land of Nannie Helen Burroughs.

She built the training school for girls, and there was just a variety of trades that was taught in her school that helped a lot of people.

It helped the neighborhood and the community to survive.

DAVID: All right, so now we're headed toward First Baptist on Sheriff Road.

For the last 100 years, uh, many of our communities original residents were small business owners, contractors, skilled labor men, masons, that sorta thing.

So, we had a very, uh, independent community from economic development perspective.

So, in the early 1900s, we had a streetcar.

And that streetcar, the infrastructure, made it possible for our business to thrive.

And then, we had an amusement park connected to our streetcar system along with our Strand Theater.

But this was the, the quintessential, so many famous artists that, that came through.

To my left is Marvin Gaye Park.

This is the location famously where Marvin Gaye would perform when he visited his aunt in our neighborhood, every summer.

All the land that you see from this corner up and over, uh, was owned by probably about 30 or 40 families that were members of the Deanwood churches.

And specifically in this case, this would be First Baptist Church.

The original structure and the land that it's on was donated by families to the church.

And from that, um, First Baptist was able to build a school.

MICHELLE: Sheriff Road is actually known as Church Row.

Every other block, there is a church.

And this is the chapel that was designed by George Ferguson, who was an African American architect.

It is in such disarray, it just brings tears to my eyes to see the condition.

Deanwood is important, uh, in regards to African American architects because the churches that were built, 95% of 'em were designed by pioneering architects such as Lewis Wentworth Giles, H.D.

Woodson, Roscoe Vaughn.

The architects wanted to make sure that where they lived represented their profession.

They designed anywhere from, um, Victorian revival homes, craftsman homes, single family.

Modest, but nevertheless, they were homes that African Americans could afford at the time.

DAVID: To my right, you see these homes, many of these homes were built by the architects and construction, and all Black contractors, all minority contractors working with minorities.

You see a lot of historic structures that were built by the original builders of this community who are architects.

DC was built by these people.

MICHELLE: There's just too much history.

Our structures need to be saved to pass on to our future generations.

(doorbell) KEITH: Welcome to house number two.

CHRISTINE: Wow, this feels like urban suburban.

JOHN: It does, doesn't it?

I mean, we're still close to the city, but this feels so different.

CHRISTINE: And sitting on this corner lot, it just stands out.

KEITH: Absolutely.

The owners are still living there, so you might see some personal things.

This property has so much potential, and you have the opportunity for the right buyer to come in and fix it up.

JOHN: They're some of our favorites 'cause we see the possibilities, that's what we say.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

KEITH: This area is near and dear to my heart because my house is just right around the corner.

JOHN: Ah, really?

CHRISTINE: Oh, okay.

KEITH: Absolutely.

So, you get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Why don't you guys go check it out?

JOHN: All right.

CHRISTINE: All right.

JOHN: We'll see you afterwards.

KEITH: Awesome.

CHRISTINE: All right.

JOHN: Oh, isn't this nice?

CHRISTINE: It has a really nice, open concept already.

JOHN: It sure does.

CHRISTINE: Yeah.

And I'm gonna give a shout out to the wood stove.

JOHN: Yes.

CHRISTINE: Because we grew up with them, they're great for heating, and we would always put a tea kettle on top.

JOHN: Yeah.

CHRISTINE: So we always had hot water.

It was really smart putting in the recessed lighting because it brightens up this space.

JOHN: It sure does.

And how nice, this flow, right?

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

This is a good size space for a dining room table.

You could have a long, farm table.

JOHN: Yeah, you sure could.

CHRISTINE: It would look so good in this space.

All right.

JOHN: All right, Tina, classic kitchen here.

CHRISTINE: Yep, typical galley kitchen.

JOHN: Yep, a lot of good space, here.

It's not tight.

And it has nice granite.

And how about these floors?

These floors have a lot of character.

I would keep these, just like they are.

CHRISTINE: Yeah.

But the cabinets, I'm thinking not enough of.

JOHN: Hmm, yeah.

CHRISTINE: All right.

JOHN: Yeah, they don't have so many, but I think there's a pantry at the end of this kitchen.

Okay.

CHRISTINE: All right.

JOHN: Ooh.

CHRISTINE: How about here?

JOHN: Basement.

CHRISTINE: Let's check it out.

Oh, nice basement.

JOHN: So, this definitely has a refreshed feel to it.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: And what about these floors?

CHRISTINE: Yeah.

JOHN: They're pretty cool.

CHRISTINE: Well, I think it's just vinyl.

JOHN: Perfect for a basement, you don't have to worry about it, and it looks good.

CHRISTINE: Yep.

JOHN: It's a nice space.

CHRISTINE: Right.

Let's see what's around the corner.

Oh, a full bath.

JOHN: Very nice full bath with a window.

CHRISTINE: Right, and it's been updated.

JOHN: Yeah, I love the marble.

CHRISTINE: All right.

JOHN: Good lower level.

CHRISTINE: Yep.

JOHN: Let's go check out the bedrooms.

CHRISTINE: Okay.

JOHN: Okay, the entryway.

CHRISTINE: Ooh, that's a long hallway.

JOHN: Okay, so where should we start?

How about... CHRISTINE: Let's start in the back, okay?

JOHN: Back to front it is.

CHRISTINE: Back bedroom.

JOHN: Yeah.

CHRISTINE: Oh, and you know what's cute about this room is that they have a perfect little alcove for a twin bed.

JOHN: Yeah, it's cute.

And you know, these are big bedrooms but I think the ceiling height... CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: Really adds to the space.

CHRISTINE: Right.

JOHN: So, I like this little bedroom.

And it has a great window.

CHRISTINE: Oh, okay, no, no, no, no, no.

I have three windows in this room.

JOHN: Well, you know, I'm good with my window.

CHRISTINE: Okay, all right.

JOHN: I'm, I'm cool like that.

CHRISTINE: Okay.

JOHN: Yeah.

All righty, Tina, next bedroom.

CHRISTINE: Okay, so this is the third bedroom.

JOHN: Yeah.

CHRISTINE: And what this bedroom has is the largest closet so far, so... JOHN: People will be fighting for this room.

CHRISTINE: That's true.

JOHN: Mm-hmm.

All righty, into our final bedroom.

CHRISTINE: Okay, I would say this is the primary bedroom.

JOHN: Yes, nice corner front room.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: With these lovely windows.

CHRISTINE: And okay, full bath, so it is an en suite.

JOHN: Aha, I was starting to worry 'cause we haven't seen a bath on this floor.

CHRISTINE: I know.

JOHN: Okay.

CHRISTINE: Okay.

JOHN: So, this is definitely the primary.

Did we miss something?

Oh, we missed something.

CHRISTINE: All right.

And okay, full bath.

JOHN: Because on the other side of the other bathroom... CHRISTINE: Right.

JOHN: There had to be a hall bathroom for all the rest of these bedrooms.

CHRISTINE: Exactly.

Well, that answers that question.

JOHN: Okay.

Well, we have another important question to answer and that is, what does this house cost?

CHRISTINE: Yeah.

JOHN: Hey there.

CHRISTINE: Hey.

KEITH: Hey.

How was it?

JOHN: Wow, this was a cool house.

I love the exterior, it is beautiful, that Spanish style.

CHRISTINE: You've got a great front yard, and patios too.

JOHN: Yeah.

(laughter) CHRISTINE: And then, when you go inside, there's a lot of space.

Especially when you factor in that nice basement.

KEITH: You probably can rent that basement out for 1,500, 2,000 bucks.

CHRISTINE: Really?

Wow.

JOHN: That's a lot.

CHRISTINE: That's a nice investment.

JOHN: Yeah.

KEITH: Absolutely.

So, let me just tell you about the house.

We're standing on an almost 10,000 square foot lot size, four bedrooms, three full baths, 2,020 square feet, built in 1927.

So John... JOHN: Yes sir.

KEITH: What's the price?

JOHN: I am going to give you a price of 575,000.

KEITH: Okay.

CHRISTINE: Hmm, okay.

I'm gonna go higher just because of the square footage and the size of this lot.

KEITH: Mm-hmm.

CHRISTINE: So I'm just gonna come in at 600,000.

JOHN: Okay.

KEITH: The price of this home is $599,999.

CHRISTINE: No!

No.

No, that's not fair.

KEITH: $1.

CHRISTINE: $1.

JOHN: You were so close.

CHRISTINE: Oh, when will I learn?

JOHN: Yeah, you should've ended it with 99.

CHRISTINE: Oh, $1.

JOHN: $1, that's hysterical.

JIMELL: Driving around, you see a diverse, you know, collection of houses.

I think people are really surprised that, "Oh, I can live in a single family home with a large yard, and I'm still in the city."

I live in a neighborhood where my kids can walk comfortably to their school.

I live in a community where I have a metro station, you know, that I can walk to, easy access to the highway system.

Not many communities in the District offer those kind of opportunities.

ANATWAN: Right now, we're at the Deanwood Recreation Center.

This is a place where the kids come to after school, play basketball, tennis courts, swimming, that's what our residents want.

We've had a pendulum swing of seeing amenities go away, and now we're seeing amenities being discussed, talking about coming back.

We love our green spaces.

Green spaces is definitely one of the pluses that you get living in Deanwood versus other parts of the city.

JOSH: Marvin Gaye Park is one of the longest parks in DC, second I, I believe only to Rock Creek Park.

So it's this huge, beautiful park with bike trails, and creeks, and, and things like that.

But right in the middle of that is this one acre farm called Lederer Gardens.

In early 1900s, there was lots of local stores, grocery stores, co-ops.

Then, in the last century, a lot of that food access, particularly grocery stores, left a lot of communities in this area a lack in food security.

In the direct response to that, cities trying to increase food access at this moment, one of these ways is urban agriculture.

This is a new model where we wanna grow communally.

SHAMERA: I was looking for different community gardens and a way that I could learn more about gardening, that also gave back to the community as well.

And so, I came across this and it is so near and dear to my heart for so many different reasons.

JOSH: So, between May to December, we'll come out super early, harvest a whole bunch of food, and people can just come and grab their produce.

It was a really busy spring last spring.

We gave away 4,500 pounds of produce and we hope to double it this year.

ISAAC: Food is medicine and the medicine is food.

I have garlic here today, and I have a bag of other goodies over there.

SHAMERA: Food access is a really big deal for me because food is so much about how we stay healthy.

It really is about building community and helping people to understand not only, "Okay, here's the food," but, "What do I do with it?"

It's conversation, it's community, we're talking about them, they're asking questions like, "Oh, what is this vegetable?

How do I make it?

What do I do with it?

How do I cook with it?"

And that's the part that I enjoy the most.

ISAAC: One importance of having this garden in this neighborhood is to allow the residents to be aware that there is an alternative to going to the grocery stores and spending exorbitant prices for fresh produce.

And the food is healthy.

And I believe that your wealth is your health.

(doorbell) KEITH: Welcome to house number three.

CHRISTINE: Well, I can already say I love the balcony.

JOHN: And I love all the stonework too.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

KEITH: Oh, it's beautiful.

And you really get to see the classic style of homes in Deanwood.

We have a bungalow next store, we have houses that were reconstructed across the street.

JOHN: Yeah.

KEITH: We're located close to the Deanwood metro.

CHRISTINE: Okay.

KEITH: And I know you're a fan of Marvin Gaye.

JOHN: Yes.

KEITH: Marvin Gaye spent most of his childhood here, in the Deanwood neighborhood.

And Marvin Gaye Park is right down the street.

CHRISTINE: Wow.

JOHN: Okay, big pluses.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

KEITH: Absolutely.

This is a newly renovated... JOHN: Mm... KEITH: Three-story house.

Why don't you guys go check it out?

CHRISTINE: Okay, sounds good.

JOHN: Okay.

KEITH: Awesome.

CHRISTINE: Let's go.

All right.

JOHN: Well, I love this door from the outside.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: And I love it from the inside, all this great light.

Wow, this is a total renovation for a 1915 house.

CHRISTINE: And look at these floors.

JOHN: They're beautiful.

They're short plank.

CHRISTINE: Right.

There's different grades of lumber.

JOHN: Yeah.

CHRISTINE: Your FAS and your Select are the pristine with no knots, and then you had these boards that would have these little flaws.

But I always found those to have a lot of character.

JOHN: Goes nicely with this beautiful banister.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: Look at the size of this kitchen.

CHRISTINE: Wow.

JOHN: This has a ton of floor space.

CHRISTINE: Okay, I'm gonna open up Christine's Coffee Café in Deanwood.

This is a space where you can have as many cooks in the kitchen as you'd like.

JOHN: Absolutely.

I love the cabinets.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

Well, there's plenty of cabinet space.

JOHN: Yes.

CHRISTINE: No denying that.

JOHN: On both sides.

CHRISTINE: Definitely, and I like what they've done with the little pop of blue.

JOHN: I do too.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: You know what I'm not seeing?

A backsplash.

But I kinda like that 'cause the new owners can pick their own.

CHRISTINE: Right, or leave it as-is.

JOHN: There's a purpose for a backsplash, right?

Get all these little splotches, that's when you cook.

CHRISTINE: Oh.

JOHN: Oh, sorry.

I forgot who I was talking to.

(laughter) And then, out back, Tina, we have a backyard.

And I spy a parking space.

CHRISTINE: Nice.

Perfect for my café.

JOHN: It's perfect for your café.

Should we go downstairs?

CHRISTINE: Yep.

All right.

Oh... JOHN: Look how they carried this... CHRISTINE: I know.

JOHN: Fancy railing down to the lower level.

CHRISTINE: It is fancy for the basement.

JOHN: And marble floors.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

Utility room and a bedroom.

JOHN: With the marble floors in the bedroom.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: This is fancy.

CHRISTINE: Yeah.

JOHN: Okay, we have, maybe storage over here, and full bathroom.

CHRISTINE: Full bath.

JOHN: And more marble.

CHRISTINE: There's a lot of marble.

JOHN: There's more marble on this floor, very fancy.

Okay.

Oh, that's the separate entrance.

CHRISTINE: Oh, but this is like its own foyer.

JOHN: Wow, this is perfect for a rental.

CHRISTINE: Head on upstairs?

JOHN: Up we go.

CHRISTINE: All right.

Hey, more maple floors.

And I just noticed the light.

Isn't that... JOHN: That's so retro.

CHRISTINE: Yeah, I could see this like, a magazine picture.

JOHN: Sure, it looks like a magazine picture.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

All right, full bath.

JOHN: Yeah.

CHRISTINE: And they carried the marble through.

JOHN: That looks like marble but I think that might be... CHRISTINE: Porcelain.

JOHN: Porcelain?

CHRISTINE: I think you're right.

JOHN: Yeah.

CHRISTINE: But I do like the little bit of an accent in the shower.

JOHN: Yeah.

CHRISTINE: And you know, a nice rain shower head and fixtures.

JOHN: Everything brand spanking new.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: All right.

CHRISTINE: All right.

Ooh.

JOHN: Oh yeah, this is the room.

CHRISTINE: Wow.

JOHN: I want it, I call it.

CHRISTINE: No.

You have to give me a moment to take it in.

The minute you walk in, you're just completely drawn to the light.

But this balcony... JOHN: Yeah, I know you love my balcony.

Would you like to go see it?

CHRISTINE: I would.

JOHN: Come on.

CHRISTINE: I would.

JOHN: Oh, yes.

CHRISTINE: Ah.

JOHN: This is what I'm talking about.

CHRISTINE: This is so lovely out here.

JOHN: Mm-hmm.

Deanwood is so green.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: And then, oh, look at this beautiful stone here, nice contrast.

CHRISTINE: It is.

I don't think it's original but I think it really gives a nice architectural detail to the home.

JOHN: Well, you can come back and visit sometime.

CHRISTINE: Oh, thank you so much.

JOHN: Sure.

For a 1915 home, this really has a lot of... CHRISTINE: It... JOHN: Modern flair.

CHRISTINE: It does.

Second bedroom on this floor.

JOHN: Nice and bright.

CHRISTINE: Right.

Perfect space for a kids room, guest room, office.

JOHN: And the floors look great up here too.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

Into... JOHN: Oh yes, this must be primary.

CHRISTINE: The primary.

JOHN: You can see how new the windows are.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

JOHN: And there's something good here and, I don't know, could it be a bathroom?

It's a bathroom.

CHRISTINE: It's a en suite.

Double vanity, nice shower, tub area, and your marble.

JOHN: Yes.

Okay, well I think this concludes our tour.

CHRISTINE: I think so.

JOHN: Let's go find Keith.

CHRISTINE: Hey, Keith.

JOHN: Hey, there.

KEITH: How was it?

CHRISTINE: Oh, the renovations on this home were just fabulous.

And standing here, we get a whole new perspective of this home.

JOHN: Yeah, look at that, looks like a complete different house.

CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.

KEITH: Absolutely.

Tell me a little bit more about the renovations that you saw.

CHRISTINE: Well, first of all, that maple flooring just like, wowed me.

JOHN: And how about that kitchen?

It was huge.

You could put two islands in there.

CHRISTINE: I cannot believe you didn't mention your favorite bedroom.

JOHN: Oh, well my bedroom in the house, I chose it, is the front bedroom with the porch.

KEITH: Of course.

JOHN: Yeah, get all the good breezes up there.

KEITH: Absolutely.

And it's a lot of space on that walkout as well.

CHRISTINE: Yes, I did notice that.

But speaking of space, that lower level, I mean, it was nicely redone but to have that separate entrance... JOHN: Mm-hmm.

CHRISTINE: To me, that just screams income property.

KEITH: You never have to see the tenant coming in and out.

And that's what buyers in this marketplace want, an income producing property.

And maybe also charge for parking as well.

JOHN: Hey, never even thought about that.

CHRISTINE: Ooh.

KEITH: This house really gives you that wow, right?

And we have four bedrooms, three and a half baths, 2,300 square feet.

JOHN: Mm-hmm.

KEITH: This house was built in 1915 and renovated at the end of 2021.

Tina, tell me a price.

CHRISTINE: All right, I just better not go over by $1 this time.

I'm gonna come in at a listing price of 639,999.

KEITH: I like that.

JOHN: Okay.

I'm gonna go for 675,000.

CHRISTINE: Ooh.

KEITH: The price is 669,900 bucks.

JOHN: Oh, I was so close.

CHRISTINE: Oh, that was good.

JOHN: Yeah, yeah.

KEITH: Yeah.

CHRISTINE: Okay, but you know, hmm, rules are rules.

I'm the winner.

JOHN: Uh, yeah but two to one, I'm the King of Deanwood.

CHRISTINE: Oh, that's true.

KEITH: King of Deanwood.

But hey, I'm gonna have to treat you like my clients.

I'm hungry, let's go eat.

CHRISTINE: Oh, now... JOHN: All right.

Where to?

KEITH: Sala Thai, which is right up the road.

JOHN: I love Sala Thai.

KEITH: Let's go.

CHRISTINE: So, when you say treat us like your clients, does that mean you pay?

KEITH: I do.

CHRISTINE: Yes.

MICHELLE: If you lived here, you would know that there was an amusement park called the Suburban Garden Amusement Park.

ALICE: The Strand is a movie theater.

And on Saturdays and Sundays, they would have matinees.

And at that time, you could go in for 25 cents.

JIMELL: If you lived here, you would know that this is home to some of the pioneers in African American political activism and action.

WOMAN: To find out more about living in the Washington metro area, visit WETA.org/ifyoulivedhere.

Support for If You Lived Here comes from... MAN: The Yuen Foundation, committed to bridging cultural differences within the greater Washington, DC community.