James T. Lisowski – “Jimmy” – is moving back to the Hill with his dogs Isabella and Huw (Welsh for Hugh). “I’m moving back to 15th Street SE, kind of by Harris Teeter,” said Lisowski. “I lived at this house three years ago and want to finish doing some work there.” He’s been in Hillcrest, but his house and lawn there are too big for a single guy who puts in 80-hour work weeks.

Not Far from the Tree
Jimmy Lisowski has been a Realtor for five years and has lived in the area on and off since 1993. “My mother has been selling real estate for 25 years [in Pittsburg], so I grew up around the business, and I have an affinity for old houses,” he said. When he told his mom that he wanted to go into real estate, she cautioned him against it, saying that with his personality, he would work too hard. Mom was right. “I’m single,” said Lisowski, “because work is number one. People don’t understand why you can’t go out on a Friday night because you’re working late.”

He started out in wholesale, was transferred to New York and then the Midwest but couldn’t stay in a job he didn’t like. “I love the Hill,” he said, and so he returned. He did some bartending at 18th Amendment and Tunnicliff’s, and it was there, flipping through the homes for sale that were listed in the Hill Rag, that he decided to move to residential real estate.

When he’s not working, he’s out with the dogs. “I’m a total outdoors guy,” Lisowski said. He snowboards, kayaks, hikes and plays Ultimate Frisbee. He has 35 acres in West Virginia, which he hopes to retire to one day. Until then, he takes his dogs trail-running at Fort Dupont Park or walking through Congressional Cemetery. “Our family trips were overnight canoe trips – not anything planned out.”

Sustainably Renewable
“Although I am not a certified ‘green broker,’ I do encourage my clients to search out alternatives for renovations with sustainable resources,” Lisowski began. “I'm committed to helping my clients use a triple bottom-line approach to home ownership. In a business sense, this means accounting for 'People, Planet, and Profit.' In your home it means that projects such as sustainable renovations and improvements in energy efficiency can allow you to feel more comfortable in your home, reduce your carbon footprint and save money,” Lisowski explained. “I love to take people to Community Forklift for deals on reclaimed building supplies. Home energy audits are important. There are really a lot of simple things you can do to make your home more eco-friendly. One recent client had her floors replaced with old barn wood which turned out to look amazing after they were finished,” he said. “I'm also an active supporter of DC Greenworks, a nonprofit provider of green-roof installations and green-collar job training.”

Giving it Up for Free
Lisowski has some definite ideas, which he tries to convey to buyers and sellers. “It pains me to see people taking out old doors – I like quirky old homes,” he said. To sellers, “less is more.” That means clean up your clutter, and put on a fresh coat of paint. “It makes a big difference,” he said. In one instance, it made a $40,000 difference when the homeowner took Lisowski’s advice and spent $2,000 in small updates to dated fixtures, and the house sold that much over the asking price.

For buyers, Lisowski recommends patience. “Look until you find a place that feels right,” he said, “and once you buy a place, stop looking.” He also tries to “keep people down on their budget. If they tell me they can go up to $500,000, I suggest we start looking in the $425,000 range,” he said.

For renovators, “know your neighborhood,” he cautions. “People make the mistake of renovating over what the area will support for the home. You won’t get the return on your investment [if you over-renovate].” Additionally, “You don’t always have to go new and shiny.” Lisowski plans to look for a reclaimed farm sink for his kitchen renovation, providing plenty of charm but without the cost of buying new.

“I’m a full-time commitment to the business,” said Lisowski. “Over 90 percent of my business is from referrals. I’m fortunate I’ve got fantastic clients to refer me. I love my job, and helping people is what drives me.”

To contact Jimmy Lisowski with Re/Max Allegiance, call his cell at 202-550-7278 or go to www.lisowskirealty.com.