Last summer I did a subway tile surround, I hate the plastic ones, and only use fiberglass for shower stalls.

I've bought some nice subway tile from the Habitat for Humanity Restore. 

Definitely up and coming, but I've worried that lack of subway access will cap future development (though the trolley could be a huge help).

It's a high demand area and the subway is coming in a year or two.There is always (imo) a trade-off between return and appreciation and/or "headache factor".

If you only have a couple bucks, consider adding some subway tile to either area.

I have been in the Subway system for 25 years.

I knew that if I could find a condo that just needed a little lipstick, and that was within a 10 minute walk to the subway, that I would always have a place in a primary rental market and with exceptional equity growth.

INTERIOR FINISHESI've gotten several PMs about the finishes we used, so anyone in Atlanta looking for their own spin on THIS level of pimpness...hit up @Justin ChildersAll paint colors Sherwin Williams...Interior-Walls- Knitting NeedlesInterior Trim - Natural ChoiceInterior Doors - Summit GreyFloors - Jacobean - 3 Coats Semi-GlossKitchen Perimeter Cabinets - Kith Harmony Antique White with Hand Brushed Gray GlazeKitchen Island Cabinets - Kith Harmony NutmegUpstairs Bathroom Cabinets - Kountry Wood Vanderburg CoffeeDownstairs Bath Cabinet - Home Depot AshlandMaster Bath Floor Tile - Home Depot Matagna Rustic BayMaster Bath Freestanding Tub - American Standard CadetGranite - Moon WhiteBacksplash - Home Depot 3x6 Subway Tile]All grout in house was light greyNext Up Exterior Finishes...

They even preferred that bath over the one that had tub, with subway tile around the tub (rather than a plastic surround), and the main bath also had an upgraded maple vanity with granite counter top sink with matching mirror (floor was almost identical to the other bath).So the bath with more $$ into it got less bang than that cheaper powder room conversion - it's crazy, unpredictable and very hard to gauge what a buyer will be attracted to sometimes.

My husband and I did the same as you--bought a row house surrounded by several new highrises going up in the particular neighborhood of DC very close to the subway and tons of new restaurants & grocery stores going up.