Real estate round-up: December 9

Headlines from the DC Metro Area:

Deal of the week: U Street Corridor fixer-upper
DC Urban Turf

Built back in 1892, the three-bedroom home on 13th Street just south of Florida Avenue NW still has some of its original details — pocket doors, ornate mantels and stained glass — but the listing agent told UrbanTurf that the eventual buyer will likely want to extensively renovate the home while maintaining these aspects.

New in Maryland: Waverly Overlook
Washington Times

Each home in this Howard County community will include low-maintenance beaded vinyl siding, professional landscaping and a two-car garage. Brick fronts are optional.

Where we live: The Westchester
Washington Post

The collection of buildings that constitutes the Westchester boasts a staff of 43, including five porters at the ready and a cluster of engineers who tend the boilers and answer maintenance calls round-the-clock.

Will commuter benefits for federal workers expire?
Washington Post

With Congress and the White House bickering over a potential extension of a payroll tax credit, other commuter, employer and renewable energy tax breaks are also set to expire at year’s end.

National real estate news stories:

Robert Shiller: The best advice I ever got
CNN Money

What are buyers really putting down for a mortgage?
CNBC

Down payments have been an impediment to the housing recovery, and most mortgage market experts say you can't get those great low rates today without putting down at least 20 percent, and more if you need a jumbo loan.