James Douglass, Broker

04/22/2026

The 93rd Annual Georgetown House Tour is coming up! Check out some amazing homes, as well as my friend Danielle in the news! 😁

One of Georgetown’s most prestigious traditions is back—the 93rd Annual Georgetown House Tour returns.

02/24/2026

It appears that MoCo has adapted a version of rent stabilization that I had been talking about for years in DC: "all or nothing".

According to the article, early results are showing that rent stabilization can work if almost *all* properties are compelled to comply. It doesn't work if only a portion is under it.

In DC we created a significant affordability gap when only older properties are kept under rent control or stabilization, but newer properties are allowed to skirt the rental cap. Newer properties can charge higher rates and offer more amenities. The older properties eventually fall behind market rate to the point the owners can't afford the upkeep, and so the properties are eventually sold off, demolished, converted, or completely renovated and thereby no longer under rent stabilization.

The number of rent-stabilized properties drops every year in DC as a result, so when the mayor or council members say they are putting rental freezes, reductions, or financial assistance on rent controlled properties, they are just playing for political points.

After precipitous drop in early 2025, permits for new multifamily housing now trending upward, annual report finds 

12/30/2025

Washington Gas was approved (by some group of knuckleheads) to raise gas prices almost 13%!! Keep an eye on your thermostats!

Part of the increase in the Washington Gas bills will go toward the utility’s large pipeline-replacement program in the District.

08/13/2024

When the landlord calls and encourages you to drink water and stay home... it's time to sober up.

08/08/2024

I am familiar with the trendy term "overemployed", which came about with ever more remote positions in the workforce, but this was a new level!
DC's DOB already had a lot on its plate before this scandal...

Caroline Lian, deputy director of the Department of Buildings, held an undisclosed full-time job with Freddie Mac, a city report said.

07/23/2024

Remember folks, when looking for a place to live, don't blindly ask for an application. Ask for a tour and more information about the property. Ask about the area and what's nearby.
I am more comfortable with meeting who I am about to do business with, rather than receiving a piece of paper; one does not equate the other.

07/15/2024

When Intuit QuickBooks charges 1%, up to $15, per online ACH transaction, it's unkind to put that on the tenants. So, we moved to Zelle to save everyone an unnecessary cost. 💲

$15 might not seem like a lot to some, but after thirty or more charges, that's the cost of a plumber or carpentry repair that the company can't afford. No need to pay ridiculous fees on an automated service. 😎

06/13/2024

Thinking of buying a home in DC? Know someone who is? This would be an event worth checking out!
And if you need an agent, you should talk to my friends Michelle Hessel at Dana Global Advantage and Danny Tippett Realtor!

SAVE THE DATE! 🏠🔑 Learn what you need to know about buying a home at the *free* Dream Big Homeownership Fair on June 22 at the Cambria Hotel Washington D.C. Navy Yard Riverfront. Register today at https://www.dchousing.org/RSVPDreamBig
Dream Big is hosted by the District of Columbia Housing Authority and MANNA, Inc., and sponsored by Capital Bank.

06/06/2024

It's not one of my properties, but he's a great friend and works for an excellent roofing company! 🦸
If you, or a friend, are looking for a 2BR in DC, check it out!👍

03/18/2024

Dear Amazon.com, please be so kind as to keep your delivery staff to respectable working hours. Phone calls from front door call boxes at 4:00AM will continue to be denied. Let your employees sleep.
We wouldn't want them to start a union over long and odd hours now, would we? 😉