I have no idea how often large commercial properties go up for auction or a foreclosure sale in other parts of the city but this feels like a lot for one zip code. Factoring in the attempted auction last month of the retail plaza on Martin Luther King Jr. Ave these less than traditional sales represent a significant portion of the shopping center real estate in zip code 20032.

Now that I have become aware that in Congress Heights it is possible to buy an entire subdivision of houses for a song (and hardly anyone notice or care); I am now actively searching past and present auction listings and foreclosure sales.

What did I find? A surprising number of past auctions including retail plazas.

Three things really worry me about these auctions:

1. That commercial properties of this size are up for auction in the first place.
2. That the final selling price is so low (assuming the reserve is met at all).
3. These auctions don't appear to be on the radar (or interest) of DC's most well-known developers.

Including some listings I found at auction site Alex Cooper.

Click here to learn more about our advertising philosophy!