All Forum Posts by: Danielle Polen

@Eric Teran Thank you so much for your incredibly thorough reply. I appreciate the time you took to explain the DC process and I'm also gratified to hear that you feel that DCRA is better than some of our other local jurisdictions. I just took a look at the Blue Star Design Build website and your bio and have to say that any friend of flamenco is a friend of mine! Regarding our basement project, we're not wedded to the idea of beginning construction this summer so we're not in a rush. (we're currently doing a full rehab, including basement drop with underpinning, in PG county--our first such project--and I suspect it's going to be a very long process) I'd be interested in learning more about your work as we decide how best to move forward with our DC project. In the meantime, best of luck with the Trinidad rehab!

@Russell Brazil, thanks so much for the recommendation! I'll reach out to @Jack Seiden and I appreciate your reply.

Hello, my husband and I are handling our first major rehab, which includes popping the top on a small SFH to add a second level, and digging out the basement to create additional living space. The basement dig involves underpinning and we're receiving less than clear information from the inspector's office on process requirements (building plans have been approved and permit is in place). I'm hoping someone here might be able to provide some clarity (with the understanding that your jurisdiction may have different requirements. My questions are:

1. Is it a standard requirement to have 3rd party engineer inspect and certify each of the 3 or 4 underpinning sets prior to the concrete pour?

2. If the answer to the first question is yes, is it typically the case that the county still must inspect each of the underpinning sets as well? Or does the 3rd party engineer's certification serve in place of the county inspection for this piece of the project?

I just located a 3rd party inspector and he tells me that I don't need to have the underpinning inspected by the county once he inspects each of the sets. However, the county's response to my question seems to indicate that they still need to come back out and inspect each underpinning set, after the engineer has made his visit.

Any guidance, however anecdotal, would be appreciated, and I'll continue to try to get some clarity from the county. In addition, I would welcome any recommendations for 3rd party inspectors in the MD/DC/VA region that might do this type of job, as I would like to get more than one bid.

Sincere thanks!

Hi Ashley, I'm wondering if you had any luck with recommendations for architects who can help expedite the permitting process in DC for a basement dig with underpinning. I plan to do this in to my primary residence basement here in DC this summer and would be grateful for any recommendations and/or insights. Thanks, and hope your project is coming along!

Thanks for your response, @Theresa Harris.

@Eric James, thank you for your thoughts.

@thanks, @Russell Brazil. That's helpful.

@Dustin Allen, thank you for your thoughts!

My agent and I submitted an all-cash offer earlier today that included a sale price above the list price as well as an escalation clause. Seller's agent has now come back to my agent and asked: "what is your client's highest and best offer?," to which my agent responded, "the offer you received earlier today with the escalation clause!" Seller's agent informed my agent that another prospective buyer escalated more, but added that "the seller would prefer to work with your buyer since it's a cash offer." My guess is that the seller thought that the bidding would go higher than it did, and she's looking for more but also wants an easy-to-close cash offer. Since the seller did not come back to us with a counter-offer, I don't know how much the other prospect offered in their escalation clause. The seller is, in essence, asking us to rebid without any proof that the other prospect did, indeed, escalate higher. I'd appreciate any constructive advice you might offer. Property is in MD.

Hello, I'm seeking a referral for an attorney with knowledge of the Jefferson County, WV, short- and long-term rental regulations. More specifically, I'm seeking to learn what the requirements are for each in terms of licensing, inspections, and taxes, as well as the interplay between any such regulations and local HOA restrictions on "commercial businesses." Thanks in advance for any suggestions!