Michele Lerner

Compromise is the watchword for location and affordability

Renting part of the property helps buyers offset mortgage costs

The decision on whether to buy or sell first is never simple.

A house that’s not move-in-ready can be a terrific opportunity.

New housing inventory remains low

AFFORDABLE HOME OF THE WEEK | Community amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, a sauna, fitness center, meeting rooms and laundry facilities.

TOWN SQUARE | At the Yards, Urby will have public green spaces that connect to the rest of the community and 20,000 square feet of retail space on all four corners of the development.

AFFORDABLE HOME OF THE WEEK | The main level has an open floor plan with a two-story family room, new luxury vinyl plank flooring, a gas fireplace and a sliding glass door to a front patio.

TOWN SQUARE | Among the homes available for tours this year are chef Julia Child’s 1950s home.

AFFORDABLE HOME OF THE WEEK | The Sheffield has a roof deck with views of the Washington National Cathedral, a private courtyard, and allows pets up to 25 pounds.

TOWN SQUARE | Building amenities include a rooftop swimming pool with city views, a rooftop terrace with an indoor club room with a catering kitchen and a rooftop lounge with games.

TOWN SQUARE | If you like stained woodwork — and/or if you want to remain true to your Victorian or Arts & Crafts house — then fine, leave it alone. But if you purchase a house with dark trim that is depressing you, I absolutely support painting it.

TOWN SQUARE | More than 200 companies will showcase their products and services in home remodeling, renovation, home décor, landscape and garden design. Several gardens will be created within the Dulles Expo Center.

AFFORDABLE HOME OF THE WEEK | The condo sits in the neighborhood that surrounds George Washington University and is less than one mile from Georgetown’s shops and restaurants.

TOWN SQUARE | The development is in a park-like setting with a creek and includes two swimming pools, a new two-story clubhouse by one pool and a renovated pool house next to the other pool.

AFFORDABLE HOME OF THE WEEK | The condo has new flooring, including tile floors in the kitchen and flooring that resembles wood in the living area and bedrooms, a balcony off the living area that overlooks a wooded area and wood cabinets and stainless-steel appliances in the kitchen.

TOWN SQUARE | Sellers should never meet prospective buyers or host a showing or open house alone. There is safety in numbers, and crimes are reduced when there is a potential witness.

TOWN SQUARE | Community amenities include two rooftop swimming pools with seating areas, fire pits, grills and views of the Capitol building, the Washington Monument, downtown D.C., the Anacostia River waterfront and the new Frederick Douglass Memorial bridge.

TOWN SQUARE | There should be a comfortable feeling upon entering, like you have walked into a new foyer or room, versus the feeling of entering a space that was bumped out for extra storage.

TOWN SQUARE | One possible approach is to do the renovation before moving in.