Hard-To-Find Family Homes in DC, NH And WA: How Much House

ACROSS AMERICA — Finding a three-bedroom home with enough back yard to keep a couple or three kids occupied can be a struggle for families in housing markets that are still trying to sort out various challenges.

Analysts say that with mortgage rates headed in the right direction, buyers are returning to the market. And, with the housing inventory still low in many cities, buyers may be calling the shots, driving prices down from 2022’s eye-popping prices. Overall, according to the National Association of Realtors, the average cost of a home increased 39 percent in early 2022.

Finding the right home can take time (Patch real estate listings are a good place to start). This week in How Much House, we looked at a trio of three-bedroom homes with back yards in New Hampshire, Washington and the District of Columbia.

New Hampshire | $550,000

309 Cohas Ave., Manchester
Listed by: Fine Homes Group International | Keller-Williams Metropolitan

• Square feet: 3,990
• Bedrooms: 3
• Baths: 3 (2 full)
• Year built: 1976

This home on a 1-acre wooded lot combines country living with the convenience of a city. It has plenty of room for a family to play, explore and spend time with friends.

A stone pathway leads to an inviting, oversized farmhouse porch along the length of the front of the house that is a perfect vantage point to watch the sunset. In warmer months, step out of the kitchen onto a deck for alfresco dining or a dip in the in-ground pool. Gas is piped to the grill on what amounts to an outdoor kitchen with full wet bar. Inside, the finished garden level boasts a full bath and jet tub.

Rustic beams, brick and a fieldstone fireplace add character, this house with large picture windows that allow the light to stream in. The chef’s kitchen lives up to its billing. The master bedroom is en suite with two closets, and the other two bedrooms also have ample closet space.

Monthly costs at a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate figure out at about $3,250, including property taxes, insurance and homeowners association fees. Peek inside for more photos.

Washington | $669,950

507 Seventh Ave., Wilton
Listed by: Dan Dennis | Keller Williams Federal Way

• Square feet: 2,174
• Bedrooms: 3
• Baths: 3 (2 full)
• Year built: 2007

This turnkey-ready, two-story house has a private, country feel to it, too. It’s located on a .75-acre lot with tons of fruit trees and a backyard oasis that includes a family-sized patio with a hot tub and new privacy fencing.

The functional open-concept home flows gracefully from one room to the next. But prepare to stop and admire the beautiful entryway with a soaring two-story ceiling that anchors the second floor with a beautiful statement window.

Among the special features: The living room has a wood burning stove, and the kitchen has a large center island the whole family can sit around and a massive walk-in pantry. The large family with a fireplace is just steps away.
The master bedroom has large walk-in closets and the en suite bathroom was recently remodeled. A highlight is a large walk-in shower. New carpet and vinyl flooring is found throughout.

The attached two-car garage allows for RV and boat parking.

The estimated monthly costs of a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, including property taxes, insurance and homeowner association fees, are around $3,930 a month. Peek inside for more photos.

District of Columbia | $849,600

2403 17th St. NE, Washington, D.C.
Listed by: Sunita Bali | Compass

• Square feet: 2,489
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 4 (3 full)
• Year built: 2000

By D.C. standards, the .16-acre lot has a good-sized fenced back yard, and this home’s location near the National Arboretum and an 8-mile paved biking trail means there are plenty of opportunities to get out in nature. When nature doesn’t cooperate, just retreat to the covered patio or four-season gazebo that’s wired with electrical for a cooling fan and heat.

The living room with a wood-burning fireplace is warm and cozy. The updated kitchen has a large island that can seat eight — a perfect place for casual gatherings of family and friends. A separate dining room can be used for more formal gatherings, or to handle overflow from the kitchen.
The second-level en suite master bedroom features a standing shower and a jet tub, a double vanity with granite countertops, a walk-in closet and a second closet.

Two other bedrooms with new windows that let in the natural light share a full bathroom. The current owners used a large walk-out basement room as a rec room, but with a fully updated bath separating it and the laundry room, it could be converted to a fourth bedroom.

With a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, owning this home will cost around $4,950 a month, including property taxes, insurance and homeowner association fees. Peek inside for more photos.