reviews and advice from current students gw law … · 14% mount vernon square/downtown 12%...

HOUSING GUIDE2015-2016

R E V I E W S A N D A D V I C EF R O M C U R R E N T S T U D E N T S

Housing data

neighborhoods explained

apartment ratings

Intelligent Apartment Search

top properties

brownstone info

renter resources

GW LAW

2

39% Foggy Bottom/West End

18% Rosslyn

14% Mount Vernon Square/Downtown

12% Dupont/Logan Circle

17% Elsewhere in DC area

68% Mid- or High-rise Apartment Buildings

16% Standalone Apartment Units, Low-rises, and Houses

16% Mid- or High-rise Condo Buildings

34% Studios or Efficiencies

24% One Bedrooms

29% Two Bedrooms

13% Three or more Bedrooms

Where GW Law Students Live

What Types of Properties GW Law Students Live In

Distribution of Overall Ratings

What Size Residences GW Law Students Live In

Average Rent by Apartment Size

0-6.9 7.0-7.9 8.0-8.9 9.0-1025% 21% 28% 26%

STUDIO $1,850

1BR $2,050

2BR $2,200

3BR $3,400

42% Alone

41% Roommate (excluding spouse/partner)

17% Spouse/partner

Who GW Law Students Live With

*12% of students live with pets

**4% of students have children

Rent versus Own Most Frequent Transit Method

Driving/CabUNDER 5%

Public Transit45%+

Walking45%+

Bike/OtherUNDER 5%

RENT99%

OWN1%

3

Contents

What’s in the 2015-2016 GW Law housing guide

Our data on GW Law housing

Foggy Bottom/West End, Rosslyn, Mount Vernon Square/Downtown, Dupont/Logan Circle

Using the VeryApt website alongside this guide with Scott Bierbryer, Co-Founder of VeryApt

Compiled from 100+ student reviews

Landlord grades, renting process explained, brownstones

DisclaimerThe reviews and ratings presented throughout this guide and the VeryApt website do not reflect the opinions, position or endorsement of VeryApt or George Washington University. The responses and reviews presented are solely those of the survey respondents. VeryApt and George Washington University assume no responsibility for readers’ or users’ interpretation of the data. The results do not in any way constitute a warranty or representation by VeryApt or George Washington University as to the quality, safety, or other features of a property. Students are encouraged to check all available sources of information about properties prior to leasing. The data in this guide is compiled from GW Law students, though this guide is not an official publication of George Washington University. Finally, we do not alter results or edit reviews based on any outside partnerships. However, “Featured” content (unlike “Top” content) is often supplied by partners who helped support this guide, or are from new properties that lack reviews but are likely relevant to students.

Contact Scott Bierbryer, Co-Founder of VeryApt at:

[email protected] | (561) 271-3202

Table of Contents

Housing facts

VeryApt.com and DC Overview

Neighborhood Guides

Apartment Ratings

Renter resources, brownstones

Most popular apartments

Highest rated apartments

Best for families

Best for pet owners

Best amenities

Best value

2

3

4

6

10

18

11

12

13

15

16

17

Questions or comments on the housing guide?

If you enjoy the guide, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

facebook.com/veryaptco

@veryapt

Best for roommates14

mailto:scott%40veryapt.com?subject=Comment%20on%20UPenn%20Housing%20Guide

http://veryapt.com/

http://facebook.com/veryaptco/

http://twitter.com/veryapt/

http://facebook.com/veryaptco/

http://twitter.com/veryapt/

4

Why we started VeryApt, and how we can help you find your perfect apartment

Scott [email protected]

Intelligent Apartment Search

My housing search began around this time two years ago. After the initial excitement of getting accepted into grad school and I ran out of Game of Thrones episodes to watch on my company computer, I figured I needed to find a place to live. I really didn’t know anything about the city, so I approached every person I knew who went to school or worked in the area to learn more.

Countless Google searches, Craigslist refreshes, and spreadsheet tables later, I figured out where I wanted to live. That process helped me find an apartment I love - I managed to balance my desire for space, proximity to students, and high-quality amenities. That said, it didn’t make sense that the process should be so time consuming. My Co-Founder (and neighbor), Ashrit Kamireddi, who worked at TripAdvisor prior to business school, went through the same process as I did and thought that the review and data model he knew so well would be a great one to apply to apartments where grad students and working professionals live.

One year and thousands of reviews later, we’re proud to offer this guide along with our companion site VeryApt.com. We want this guide to be a starting point for your search: an idea of where you should be looking given your unique situation. The site allows you to go through all of our data in detail and

Scott Bierbryer is a recent UPenn MBA

graduate student. Prior to UPenn, he worked

at Glenview Capital Management in NYC. He

is a Co-Founder of VeryApt and lives in Center

City Philadelphia.

sort buildings by ratings and features. In addition, we’ve partnered with the most popular buildings to offer you accurate and up-to-date information, so you don’t have to sit in front of your computer refreshing Craigslist.

We’re still in beta, so please reach out to us if you experience any issues. Try out our Intelligent Apartment Search that will provide you with personalized apartment recommendations based on your unique needs and budget. Please contact us with questions or feedback on the site or this guide, and good luck with your housing search!

Use our intelligent search algorithm to receive a list of top properties

Explore property details and reviews

Book viewings directly withproperty managers and leasing agents

This guide was compiled from survey data of 100+ students We asked students to rate their residences on a 1-10 scale Building ratings are determined by averaging these scores from students Visit VeryApt.com to search quickly for more detailed amenity and rating information

At VeryApt.com, you can read reviews on buildings in the guide as well as other great properties in DC

About the data in this guide

mailto:scott%40veryapt.com?subject=Comment%20on%20UPenn%20Housing%20Guide

http://bit.ly/WhartonHG

http://bit.ly/WhartonHG

http://veryapt.com/

5

18% of students

12% of students

39% of students

14% of students

<5% of students each

A quieter and affordable option for students. Safe and pet friendly but dining and nightlife selection is somewhat limited.

Offers a central location near transit and major downtown destinations, though there can be a limited offering of necessities nearby depending on location.

More expensive options in the heart of downtown DC, offering access to great nightlife, restaurants, and stores.

Great option for students who want a safe environment close to campus. That said, nightlife options aren’t as great as they are in nearby downtown spots.

RosslynFoggy Bottom/West End

Clarendon/Lyon Village

Adams Morgan

Percentage of surveyed GW Law students who live outside of the top 4 neighborhoods.

Georgetown

Pentagon CityMount Vernon Square/Downtown

Other Neighborhoods

Dupont/Logan Circle

The Top FOUR GW Law Neighborhoods

Ballston

Clarendon/Lyon village

GW Law

Rosslyn

Georgetown

Foggy bottom/West End

Adamsmorgan

Columbia Heights/Mt Pleasant

Dupont/Logan Circle

Mt Vernon Sq

Pentagoncity

Potomac River

Arlington, VA

Washington, DC

DC Neighborhoods ExplainedThe most popular neighborhoods for GW Law students

21

5

6

17

7

83 4

Foggy Bottom (south) and West End (north) in Washington, DC begin to the west at the Potomac/Rock Creek, and extend west to roughly 17th St NW. The neighborhoods are bound on the south by Constitution Ave NW and on the north by P St NW, with the Dupont Circle area cutting into the boundaries around N St NW.

Foggy Bottom and West End are favorites for students looking for a short walk to campus in a safe, family friendly environment. The neighborhoods offer convenient access to public transit and close proximity to the more lively Dupont/Logan Circles. However, students did say that the housing and restaurants can get expensive and activity tends to taper off at night, making nightlife somewhat limited.

Under 25Minutes

Under 15Minutes

Under 15Minutes

Under 20Minutes

What could be better

What’s greatLocation and Features

Getting to GW Law

Founding Farmers, Blue Duck Tavern, Rasika West End

Dining

Whole Foods, FoBoGro

GroceryPetsPlanet Pet (via Logan Circle)

BeautyIbiza Day Spa, Nusta SpaEquinox, Yoga District

Fitness

Washington Circle Park, West Potomac Park

Parks

Signature Spots

Foggy Bottom/West EndClose to campus, family friendly, and safe

Close to campus

Safe and family friendly

Great transit access

Clean and well-maintained

Expensive

Limited nightlife

Undergrads can get annoying

Few shopping options

6

Rosslyn is located in Virginia just west of the Potomac River and the District of Columbia. It extends west to Clarendon at approximately North Courthouse Road, and is bound on the north by Custis Memorial Parkway and the south around North Marshall Drive.

Students enjoy the calmer and safer feel to Rosslyn relative to some of the downtown neighborhoods of both DC and Virginia. The Rosslyn Metro is a key positive of the neighborhood, offering quick access to campus. That said, restaurant and nightlife options are okay but not great, with some students saying the prevalence of chain restaurants make dining either in Clarendon or downtown DC more attractive options.

40-50Minutes

10-20Minutes

5-10Minutes

10-20Minutes



Getting to GW Law

Ray’s The Steaks, Pho 75, Fire Works Pizza

Dining

Safeway, Rosslyn Gourmet, 7-Eleven

GroceryPetsPawfect Pups, Give a Dog a Bone

BeautyJon David Salon, Hair GalleryGold’s Gym, Verve Health &

Fitness, Synergy Health and Fitness

Fitness

Freedom Park, Hillside Park, Rosslyn Highlands Parks

Parks

Signature Spots

RosslynAffordable option in Arlington with short commute to campus

Great transit access

Very safe feeling

Pet/family friendly

Affordable housing options

Restaurant options could be better

Okay but not great nightlife

Underdeveloped in parts

Limited green areas

7

Mount Vernon Square is bound on the south by Massachusetts Ave NW and on the north by M St NW. The neighborhood extends from roughly 14th St NW east to New Jersey Ave NW.

Mount Vernon stands out to students for its central location and decent proximity to campus. Students highlighted the neighborhood as clean, well-maintained, and close to the metro. That said, certain parts of the neighborhood can be far from necessities such as a grocery or convenience stores, and depending on location the commute to campus can get quite long.

25-35Minutes

10-20Minutes

10-15Minutes

15-25Minutes



Getting to GW Law

Acadiana, City Tap House, Del Campo

Dining

Safeway, Whole Foods (via Logan Circle)

GroceryPetsUnleashed (via NoMa or Shaw)

BeautyCeladon, BlissVIDA Fitness, Balance Gym

Fitness

Mt Vernon Square, Franklin Square

Parks

Signature Spots

Mount Vernon SquareClean and central location near transit

Close to transit

Clean and well-maintained

Central location

Limited necessities in the area

Commute can be hard in parts

Okay but not great shopping options

8

Dupont Circle refers to the area in Washington, DC just east of Georgetown, bound by 15th street on the east and 23 street on the west. The north/south boundaries run from roughly M St. to V St. Logan circle is just east of Dupont Circle and extends to 10th Street NW.

Dupont Circle and Logan Circle both stand out for being in the center of DC life, with great bars, grocery stores, restaurants, and transit access. That said, these features come at a price, with rental options in the area getting pretty expensive. In addition, students called out the area as very safe feeling but also potentially crowded and noisy on the weekends.

25-35Minutes

5-15Minutes

5-10Minutes

15-25Minutes



Getting to GW Law

Raku, Hank’s Oyster Bar, Bub and Pop’s

Dining

Glen’s Garden Market, Metro Supermarket

GroceryPetsThe Cheeky Puppy, West End Dog Park

BeautyBluemercury, Spa Logic, Diego’s Hair Salon

Soul Cycle, Sports Club LA, Pure Barre Dupont

Fitness

Farragut Square, Stead Park

Parks

Signature Spots

Dupont and Logan CirclesGreat downtown feel but pricier housing options

Close to public transit

Easy access to stores

Lots of great restaurants

Excellent nightlife

Rent can get expensive

Heavier city feel than some would like

Few mom and pop stores

Can get very busy on weekends

9

About our Categories

Building Quality Ratings

RoommatesFamilies

Pets

Living Situation Ratings

Overall Rating

AmenitiesValue

Overall feedback on building quality

In-room and building features beyond the basicsBuilding quality given cost of rent

How people with roommates rated the buildingHow people with partners and/or children rated the buildingHow pet owners rated the building

Key Building Factor Ratings

Apartment (Apt)

Condo

Properties with one building manager. Often have consistent pricing/features

Properties with multiple owners. Lease terms and features can vary significantly by unit

Property Type

Apartment Ratings

KEYTop 25% for a categoryTop 50%Bottom 50% (or N/A)Bottom 25%

$1,550+ average per renter$1,350-1,549$1,150-1,349$1,149 and under*Pricing may vary by unit type and availability

$$$$

$$$

$$

$

••••

••••••

Ove

rall

Ratin

g

Top

5 fo

rRo

omm

ates

Top

5 fo

rFa

mili

es

Pric

eRa

nge

Top

5 fo

r Pet

s

Valu

e

Amen

ities

Prop

erty

Typ

e

1210 Mass2424 Pennsylvania Avenue555 MassBon Wit PlazaCH HoustonCityline at TenleyColumbia PlazaEmpire ApartmentsFairfax Village ApartmentsFlats 130 At Constitution SquareHamilton HouseLondon Normandy HouseLorcom HouseMassachusetts House ApartmentsMeridian at Mount Vernon TriangleMetropolitan CondosMonroe HouseNew Quin ApartmentsRichmond Square ApartmentsSedona l SlateSummerwalk WestSutton Plaza ApartmentsThe Apartments at CityCenterThe CavendishThe Envoy ApartmentsThe Harlowe ApartmentsThe Park at CourthouseThe President CondominiumsThe RadiusThe Reserve at Tysons CornerThe SavoyThe StatesmanThe Woodward BuildingWentworth HouseWestpark ApartmentsWindsor HouseWinston HouseYale West

AptAptCondoCondoAptCondoAptAptAptAptAptAptCondoAptAptCondoCondoAptAptAptCondoAptAptCondoAptAptCondoCondoCondoAptAptAptAptAptAptAptAptApt

8.06.79.07.57.0

10.06.8

10.09.09.08.79.08.09.09.0

10.08.59.09.0

10.09.09.08.08.08.08.0

10.06.0

10.09.08.37.0

10.010.09.09.08.09.0

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

$$$$$$$$$$$$

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

$$$$$

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

••••

••••••

••••••

•••••••••••••••••••

•••

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

•••••

••••••••••••

•••••••••••

••••

•••••••••••••••

•••

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

••••••••

•••••••

10

2nd

2nd

Buildings with the most GW Law students

Columbia PlazaFoggy Bottom, 2400 Virginia Ave NW

30+students

$$$$

I love my apartment. It’s a great size, and we have plenty of room for entertaining. It’s close proximity to campus makes it so convenient (7-10 min walk). Management has always been prompt in answering any requests. Everything is well kept, and good quality. There is a market in the apartment complex that is a life saver when you don’t want to walk to Trader Joe’s.

Review byRead moRe Reviews at veRyapt.com

Close to other students

What the most popular GW laW student properties typically offer:

Top Five

1st Columbia Plaza

30+ students

most popular neiGhborhoods:

MostPopular

Convenient common spaces

Easy access to campus

Good value-to-amenity ratio

2nd The asTon 20+ students

2nd The sTaTesman 20+ Students

4th The savoy 15+ students

5th The PresidenT Condominiums

10+ students

GW Law JD ‘17

The STaTeSmanFoggy Bottom, 2020 F St NW

20+students

$$$$

Because it’s commercially managed, you rarely have troubles with the landlord. Work orders are submitted electronically and get resolved within 2 days sometimes hours. The rent fee does not exceed those of other alternatives. I cannot give a 10/10 for its burdensome rent, which is yet well vindicated by its location in DC and proximity to GW Law.

Review by GW Law JD ‘17

The aSTonDowntown, 1129 New Hampshire Ave NW

20+students

$$$$

It was okay living in the Aston. The building was most of the time kept clean.

Review by Anonymous

Foggy BottomMount Vernon Square

1st

averaGe rents fort the most popular properties:

STUDIO 1BR 2BR 3BR$1,600 $1,900 $2,700 $3,900

11

3rd

2nd

Buildings with the best overall ratings

Yale WeSTMount Vernon Square, 443 New York Ave NW

9.0overall ratinG

$$$$

Yale West is a fairly new building that is great for grad students and young professionals. The location is amazing and the staff are friendly and responsive. There is a Safeway across the street, and lots of places nearby to eat including a Chipotle.


Great amenities

What GW laW students typically value in top properties:

Top Five

1st yale WesT 9.0 Overall Rating

neiGhborhoods With the hiGhest rated properties:

HighestRated

Close to transit or campus

Nearby nightlife

Good value offering

2nd hamilTon house

8.7 Overall Rating

3rd monroe house

8.5 Overall Rating

4th The savoy 8.2 Overall Rating

5th 1210 mass 8.0 Overall Rating

GW Law JD ‘16

monroe houSeFoggy Bottom, 522 21st St NW

8.5overall ratinG

$$$$

The Monroe House is a wonderful value for students looking to live near GW Law School. The building is convenient to campus, the Metro, and Whole Foods, and is affordable compared to similar buildings in the Foggy Bottom area.

Review by Nicole, GW Law JD ‘15

hamilTon houSeDupont Circle, 1255 New Hampshire Ave NW

8.7overall ratinG

$$$$

Close to both campus and to one of DC’s nightlife hubs (DuPont Circle). The building underwent a fairly renovation over the course of my 2 years as a resident, which likely will make my rent amount inaccurate for future renters. It’s a nice building and the management and staff is incredibly friendly.


West EndFoggy Bottom

1st

averaGe rents for the hiGhest rated properties:

STUDIO 1BR 2BR 3BR$1,600 $1,900 $2,700 $3,900

12

1st

1st

Highest rated properties by couples and families

Sedona l SlaTeRosslyn, 1510 Clarendon Blvd

10.0family ratinG

$$$$

The apartment is perfect. We love that the building is only a couple years old and that it is in the perfect location, only a 4 minute walk to the orange/blue/silver metro. The rent is very reasonable for the high quality apartment, amenities, and location. Everyone is very nice and helpful.


Safe and secure properties

What GW laW students With partners and children typically look for:

Top Five1st sedona l slaTe 10.0 Family Rating

most popular neiGhborhoods for GW laW students With families:

Best for families

Close to parks

Nearby parking

Quiet properties

2nd The reserve aT Tysons Corner

9.0 Family Rating

2nd 555 mass 9.0 Family Rating

2nd yale WesT 9.0 Family Rating

2nd FairFax village aParTmenTs

9.0 Family Rating

GW Law JD ‘15

555 maSSMount Vernon Square, 555 Massachusetts Ave NW

9.0family ratinG

$$$$

I’ve lived here since 2009 (6 years total) and love the building’s location.


WenTWorTh houSeNorth Bethesda, 5411 McGrath Blvd

9.0family ratinG

$$$

I love where I live, the only bad thing is that it’s not walking distance to anywhere.

Review by GW Law Student

RosslynMount Vernon Square

1st

averaGe rents for the hiGhest rated family properties:

STUDIO 1BR 2BR 3BR$1,600 $1,900 $2,700 $3,900

13

1st

1st

Highest rated properties by pet owners

neW Quin aParTmenTSPetworth, 811 Quincy St NW

9.0pet ratinG

$$$$

The neighborhood is amazing, and the apartment building is very close to the Metro station, so transportation is convenient. It’s on the green line, so you’re close to Columbia Heights and U Street as well. The building itself is a good value.


Larger units and open floorplans

What GW laW students With pets typically look for:

Top Five1st neW Quin

aParTmenTs9.0 Pet Rating

most popular neiGhborhoods for GW laW student pet oWners:

Best for pet owners

Nearby parks and green space

Flexible pet policies

Great building management

1st yale WesT 9.0 Pet Rating

1st 555 mass 9.0 Pet Rating

4thThe aParTmenTs aT CiTyCenTer

8.0 Pet Rating

5th Ch housTon 7.0 Pet Rating

Jannat, GW Law JD ‘15

555 maSSMt Vernon Square, 555 Massachusetts Ave NW

9.0pet ratinG

$$$$

It is easy to walk to the Metro, Circulator, Bikeshare, and Safeway grocery store and there are a lot of young professionals that live in the building which makes it a great place for law students.



9.0pet ratinG

$$$$

Yale West is a newer apartment building with great views of the city. Its location in north Chinatown makes getting around the city by foot very easy. It’s around a 30 minute walk to campus or a 20 minute bus ride. It’s two blocks from the yellow/green line and 3-4 from the blue/orange/red lines. The staff are very friendly and know most residents by name.


ClarendonMount Vernon Square

1st

averaGe rents for hiGhest rated properties by pet oWners:

STUDIO 1BR 2BR 3BR$1,600 $1,900 $2,700 $3,900

14

3rd

1st

Highest rated properties by GW Law students with roommates

The radiuSLogan Circle, 1300 N St NW

10.0roommates

ratinG

$$$

Great condo building with high ceilings and modern appliances.


Spacious floorplans

What GW laW students With roommates typically look for:

Top Five

1st The radius 10.0 Roommates Rating

most popular neiGhborhoods for GW laW student roommates:

Best for roommates

Multi-bedroom options

Affordable price range

Near public transit

1stThe WoodWard building

10.0 Roommates Rating

3rd summerWalk WesT


3rd yale WesT 9.0 Roommates Rating

3rd neW Quin aParTmenTs


GW Law JD ‘15

SummerWalk WeSTBallston, 1029 N Stuart St

9.0roommates

ratinG

$$$$

Private owner, found on Craigslist, great value. Separate BAs are nice. Electricity is expensive. Super close to metro station, Ballston, 10-15 min to Foggy Bottom during rush hours. If you’re inclined to go out on weekdays and weekends, you may get stranded in DC. $10-15 uber to get back.


The WoodWard buildingDowntown, 733 15th St NW

10.0roommates

ratinG

$$$$

The Woodward building is a fantastic place to live. The prices might be on the higher end, even for DC, but it’s well worth it. The front desk and staff are fantastic and management has always been very responsive. The units look great and all of the appliances are upgraded and fairly new. Lastly, the rooftop terrace has one of the best views in the city.


Dupont/Logan CircleMount Vernon Square

1st

averaGe rents for hiGhest rated properties by roommates:

STUDIO 1BR 2BR 3BR$1,600 $1,900 $2,600 $3,700

15

3rd

2nd

Highest rated properties for amenities


10.0amenities

ratinG

$$$$

The rooftop pool is great during the summer, but they recently added some new rules like only allowing two guests. The gym is open 24 hours but missing things like a squat rack and barbells. It’s not a budget residence, and the high price is unfortunate.


Great common spaces

What top amenity properties typically offer:

Top Five1st yale WesT 10.0 Amenities Rating

neiGhborhoods With hiGhest rated properties for amenities:

BestAmenities

Convenient location

Excellent building management

Newer construction

2nd hamilTon house

8.0 Amenities Rating

3rd 1210 mass 7.5 Amenities Rating

3rd monroe house


5th2424 Pennsylvania avenue


GW Law JD ‘15

1210 maSSDowntown, 1210 Massachusetts Avenue NW

7.5amenities

ratinG

$$$$

The apartment has everything you’d need: concierge to receive packages, gym in the basement, patio with grill, and a dry cleaner in the building. You’re walking distance to essentially everything in NW. My walk to the law school in the morning is 23 minutes. The management is super responsive and the space is really nice, definitely a great value.

Review by Matt, GW Law JD ‘16


8.0amenities

ratinG

$$$$

The Hamilton House has been an amazing place to live. I live in one of the renovated apartments. It is spacious, and I love the hardwood floors. The staff at the Hamilton House are friendly and helpful. I have had few maintenance issues, and these issues were handled quickly. The location is close to Dupont Circle and U Street. There are quite a few things to do around the area with great dining options.

Review by GW Law Student

RosslynMount Vernon Square

1st

averaGe rents for hiGhest rated amenity properties:

STUDIO 1BR 2BR 3BR$1,600 $1,900 $2,700 $3,900

16

3rd

2nd

Highest rated properties for amenities


9.3value ratinG

$$$$

Hamilton House is the perfect distance from school (a block away from the Aston). It’s not one of the cheaper options for off-campus housing but you get a lot of bang for your buck: utilities included, pool, 24/7 doorman. Most significantly, you get peace of mind. I cannot stress enough how wonderful the management company is, as well as the entire staff in the building. They are always kind and happy to help.


Good price-to-space trade off

What top value properties typically offer:

Top Five

1st hamilTon house

9.3 Value Rating

neiGhborhoods With hiGhest rated properties for value

BestValue

Decent property maintenance

Good location

Solid amenities and basic features

2nd monroe house

8.5 Value Rating

3rd2424 Pennsylvania avenue

8.0 Value Rating

4th 1210 mass 7.5 Value Rating

4th bon WiT Plaza 7.5 Value Rating

GW Law Student

2424 PennSYlvania avenueWest End, 2424 Pennsylvania Ave NW

8.0value ratinG

$$$$

Excellent location, plenty of space, management is responsive. My only gripe is that the kitchen is quite small and cabinet space is limited.


monroe houSeFoggy Bottom, 522 21st St NW

8.5value ratinG

$$$$

My particular apartment was recently renovated, with an awesome landlord, and was FULLY furnished as part of the rent. This is not typical. It was pretty awesome.


Foggy BottomRosslyn

1st

averaGe rents for hiGhest rated value properties:

STUDIO 1BR 2BR 3BR$1,600 $1,900 $2,700 $3,900

17

What COULD BE BETTER

What’s GreatAbout Brownstones

TIPS AND Advice

Leases with independent landlords are negotiable. Check your lease for restrictions on subletters and visitor policies. You may be able to avoid a rent increase by locking in a longer lease.

Lease TermsWatch out for noisy neighbors or light sleepers who may not allow you to host parties. Sounds often travel well through older buildings and you can easily be disturbed by barking dogs, music, or construction.

Noise and NeighborsCheck online reviews and talk to previous tenants to find out about your landlord. Look for one that responds quickly to maintenance requests and has a history of fully refundingdeposits.

Reliable Landlords

No doorman

Older buildings

Few amenities

Often farther from downtown/campus

Lower rents

Spacious floor plans

Great for hosting

3+ bedrooms available

Brownstones are apartments in older buildings, typically a few stories tall. They typically do not have a doorman, elevator, or many amenities, but are often cheaper and more spacious than the apartment and condo units in larger high-rises.

Brownstones &standalone homesSmaller properties and how to find them

Finding A BrownstoneBrownstones can be challenging to find because they tend to be individually owned and do not have full time leasing managers. Brownstone listings for July and August move-in dates typically become available in May, June, and July. You can find a brownstone by searching online listings, contacting a landlord directly, or using a local broker who works with multiple landlords.

Most popular brownstone landlordsIf you’re set on a brownstone, students in DC and Northern Virgina typically lease from individuals and smaller landlords, so check recent listings to stay up to date on what’s available.

18

Grades were assigned to landlords that received two or more reviews by using a combination of management ratings and overall ratings for the properties they manage. Letter grades correspond to the following:

2424 Penn LLC

AvalonBay

Borger Management

Bozzuto

Columbia Plaza

Community Realty Company

Dittmar Company

Equity Residential

JBG Companies

Keener Management

Paradigm Properties

Polinger Shannon and Luchs

Roseland Management Company

Simpson Property Group

The Gelman Company

Washington Real Estate Investment Trust

WC Smith

LandlordGrade

Over 9.5

9.0-9.4

5.0-5.9

6.0-6.9

8.0-8.9

7.0-7.9

4.0-4.9

2.0-3.9

Below 2.0

A+

C+

A

C

B+

B

D+

D

F

LANDLORD GRADES andthe renting process

LANDLORD GRADES

C+

B

B

B

C+

B+

B+

B

B

A

B

B

C+

B+

B+

B+

B

The renTing ProCeSSUnderstanding

If this is your first time renting, here is a heads up on what the process is like:

Application processYou will be asked to fill out an application for an apartment. Likely this will include an application fee ($30-50) and potentially a deposit (up to one month’s rent). If you’re coming from abroad, you may have to provide alternate information - in the absence of a social security number, bank accounts, etc., often landlords will accept your visa documents and acceptance letter. Landlords will use your information to approve you based only on your credit history and income. In the event where there are issues, a landlord may grant the application on the condition that a guarantor cosigns the lease.

after you’re approvedA landlord will often ask for a security deposit and prepaid rent. A landlord typically charges up to two months rent as a security deposit and will ask for up to two months in prepaid rent. At the end of your lease and after you give proper notification that you are moving out (typically 60-90 days), the landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit at the end of the lease. The landlord may not return the deposit in full if there are claimed damages to the property or other charges outstanding.

What to look out forCheck for additional charges or obligations that could cost you more than the listed price of a property. This could include move-in/move-out fees, renters insurance requirements, condo fees, common electrical fees, etc. Definitely ask about previous electrical/utility bills to get a feel for what additional monthly costs there may be. Be sure to research the landlord and management company before placing any sort of deposit. If you have any specific questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

19

www.VeryApt.comFOR DETAILED REVIEWS AND PERSONALIZED RECOMMENDATIONS VISIT

reviews and advice from current students gw law … · 14% mount vernon square/downtown 12%...

Documents