Just published, though I'm not sure how the Washington Business Journal selected the neighborhoods. The metrics are listed, but why would Capital Riverfront or Brookland not be included? I'm in agreement with some, and not fully convinced of others. The thinking is aligned with Richard Florida, who is becoming the Jane Jacobs for our generation. Those identified are hot, be that in 2008 or a few years later if any or my arguments were to hold water.
The neighbhoods are:

District:

• Anacostia
• Fort Totten
• Hill East
• Poplar Point

Maryland

• Gaithersburg
• Greenbelt
• Laurel
• Landover
• Mount Rainier

Virginia

• Braddock Road
• Columbia Pike
• Occoquan
• Rosslyn

To maximize appreciation, find the disaster in a neighborhood of homes. Of course, further options include finding the neighborhood that will soon be the "it" place. Some of these hot spots have very good homes are reasonable prices.