The Block of Q

55 Q Street NW is the first investment property for owners, Khaliah Hall & Kellee Baker. The duplex was purchased in early 2003 and has been a successful investment property for CityDwellers.

Originally constructed in the 1900s as a 2 family flat home, the current property that stands on the corner of 1^st and Q Street has had several renovations, face lifts, and updates.

The house has enabled many families to call this place home, and once it was purchase by Citydwellers it became a successful investment property.

The current space is going through an extreme makeover and we are excited to share the journey with you all.

Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2
Listing Type: Residential
Type: A-Frame
Neighborhood: OLD CITY #2

Is your home winter ready?

Today DC experienced its first snowfall of the winter!  Although it was only a few flurries, it got us thinking

Are we ready for winter?

Moreover are our  homes prepared for the winter season?    

If you answered NO! to the questions above, don’t worry, we have you covered.  The CityDwellers team has put together a list of ways you can get your home winter ready in time for the next snowfall.

For those of you that answered yes to the above questions, let us know what you did to get your home winter ready. We will had your tips, techniques, and checklist to our Winter Home Prep Pinterest Board.

Let’s get started:

• Close off any room you aren’t using in the winter: Attic, porches, sitting rooms or spare  bedrooms

Windows and Doors

• Check all the weatherstripping around windows and doorframes for leaks to prevent heat loss. Replace weatherstripping, if necessary.
• Examine wooden window frames for signs of rot or decay. Repair or replace framing to maintain structural integrity.
• Check for drafts around windows and doors. You can check for leaks by holding up a lit candle to common trouble spots like:

• Window frames
• Door frames
• Outside vents to your dryer
• Baseboards
• Spaces around window air conditioning units

If the candle flickers, you’ve got a leak. Pick up a tube of caulk (about $5 in hardware stores) and use it to seal up any leaks.  

Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning

• Check that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order.

• Remove air conditioners from windows or cover them with insulated liners, to prevent drafts.
• If you have an older thermostat, replace it with a programmable unit to save on heating costs.
• Make sure fans are switched to the reverse or clockwise position, which will blow warm air down to the floor for enhanced energy efficiency and comfort.
• Examine exposed ducts in the attic, basement, and crawl spaces, and use a sealant to plug up any leaks.

Gutters, Roof, and Drains

• Check for missing, damaged or warped shingles and replace, as necessary before you get stuck with a leak.

• Check for deteriorated flashing at the chimney, walls, and skylights and around vent pipes. Seal joints where water could penetrate, using roofing cement and a caulking gun.

• Check the gutters and downspouts for proper fastening, and re-secure if loose or sagging. The weight of snow and ice can pull gutters off the house.

• Clean gutters of any debris. Make sure downspouts extend away from the house by at least 5 feet to prevent flooding of the foundation and water damage from snowmelt.

• Clean leaves and debris from courtyard and pool storm drains to prevent blockages.

• Ensure all vents and openings are covered to prevent insects, birds, and rodents from getting inside to nest in a warm place.