Beyond Frustrated in Vienna market

[Anonymous]

The type of person who is smart enough to earn and save $2 million in cold hard cash wouldn’t be asking these dumb questions like they have no clue how supply and demand works in any market.

So we know this is inherited or gifted money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why Town of Vienna specifically?

Yeah, what is the deal with Vienna? Seems like it’s blowing up recently.

It is just a nice community-centered place to live. Feels cozy and as if everyone wants to live there if that makes sense.

For example, tomorrow is the annual Taste of Vienna which is held outside at the Vienna Volunteer Firehouse parking lot. Tons of food vendors and bands playing where you see your neighbors and hang out.
It is one of many similar events throughout the year. It is nice to have a community like this.

I’ll have to go check out the area around Maple. I kind of remember Maple being mostly strip malls? But this was a few years ago, and it’s possible I’m misremembering.

With the demand, I’d expect it to be comparable to Lyon Park or FCC.

I have to go to Maple street often enough, and It's still very much strip malls. Idk what people expect it's going to be. There isn't much of a "grid" to Vienna area around Maple st, because even one street over is already residential, which limits development of urban grid with perpendicular streets that can bear retail and parking lots, so it's not all located in the front. Plus redeveloping strip malls with front facing parking lots is $$$$.

Until about a year ago I lived in Vienna near Wolf Trap. With this whole walkable thing people are discussing here, I wonder if people are mixing up Maple and Church. Of course Church is right behind part of Maple. But walkable to Church would be a really nice thing. I wouldn’t walk to Maple.

Church street area is tiny though and doesn't have a lot of practical daily errand businesses, it's more focused on boutiques, spas, small eateries? It's cute, but not enough to get a meaningful walk out of it or run errands without going into Maple st. area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The type of person who is smart enough to earn and save $2 million in cold hard cash wouldn’t be asking these dumb questions like they have no clue how supply and demand works in any market.

So we know this is inherited or gifted money.

It was pretty clear in the opening post that OP has no idea how well paid a lot of people in this area are.

Reminds me of when my fed employed trust fund friend assumed everyone else in our friend group was benefitting from the new SALT deductions too and went on and on not realizing nobody else was eligible because of the income cap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why Town of Vienna specifically?

Yeah, what is the deal with Vienna? Seems like it’s blowing up recently.

It is just a nice community-centered place to live. Feels cozy and as if everyone wants to live there if that makes sense.

For example, tomorrow is the annual Taste of Vienna which is held outside at the Vienna Volunteer Firehouse parking lot. Tons of food vendors and bands playing where you see your neighbors and hang out.
It is one of many similar events throughout the year. It is nice to have a community like this.

I’ll have to go check out the area around Maple. I kind of remember Maple being mostly strip malls? But this was a few years ago, and it’s possible I’m misremembering.

With the demand, I’d expect it to be comparable to Lyon Park or FCC.

I have to go to Maple street often enough, and It's still very much strip malls. Idk what people expect it's going to be. There isn't much of a "grid" to Vienna area around Maple st, because even one street over is already residential, which limits development of urban grid with perpendicular streets that can bear retail and parking lots, so it's not all located in the front. Plus redeveloping strip malls with front facing parking lots is $$$$.

Until about a year ago I lived in Vienna near Wolf Trap. With this whole walkable thing people are discussing here, I wonder if people are mixing up Maple and Church. Of course Church is right behind part of Maple. But walkable to Church would be a really nice thing. I wouldn’t walk to Maple.

The better walkable option is to live on the opposite side of Maple from Church St, basically from Locust/Pine back to Tapawingo. There are more homes to choose and a quiet walk to the library, elementary, community center, Jammin Java area restaurants, Giant, etc. I only go to Church St for festivals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why Town of Vienna specifically?

Yeah, what is the deal with Vienna? Seems like it’s blowing up recently.

It is just a nice community-centered place to live. Feels cozy and as if everyone wants to live there if that makes sense.

For example, tomorrow is the annual Taste of Vienna which is held outside at the Vienna Volunteer Firehouse parking lot. Tons of food vendors and bands playing where you see your neighbors and hang out.
It is one of many similar events throughout the year. It is nice to have a community like this.

I’ll have to go check out the area around Maple. I kind of remember Maple being mostly strip malls? But this was a few years ago, and it’s possible I’m misremembering.

With the demand, I’d expect it to be comparable to Lyon Park or FCC.

I have to go to Maple street often enough, and It's still very much strip malls. Idk what people expect it's going to be. There isn't much of a "grid" to Vienna area around Maple st, because even one street over is already residential, which limits development of urban grid with perpendicular streets that can bear retail and parking lots, so it's not all located in the front. Plus redeveloping strip malls with front facing parking lots is $$$$.

Until about a year ago I lived in Vienna near Wolf Trap. With this whole walkable thing people are discussing here, I wonder if people are mixing up Maple and Church. Of course Church is right behind part of Maple. But walkable to Church would be a really nice thing. I wouldn’t walk to Maple.

The better walkable option is to live on the opposite side of Maple from Church St, basically from Locust/Pine back to Tapawingo. There are more homes to choose and a quiet walk to the library, elementary, community center, Jammin Java area restaurants, Giant, etc. I only go to Church St for festivals.

Why are some of the elementary schools on this side of Vienna so bad (Great Schools 3 and 4)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why Town of Vienna specifically?

Yeah, what is the deal with Vienna? Seems like it’s blowing up recently.

It is just a nice community-centered place to live. Feels cozy and as if everyone wants to live there if that makes sense.

For example, tomorrow is the annual Taste of Vienna which is held outside at the Vienna Volunteer Firehouse parking lot. Tons of food vendors and bands playing where you see your neighbors and hang out.
It is one of many similar events throughout the year. It is nice to have a community like this.

I’ll have to go check out the area around Maple. I kind of remember Maple being mostly strip malls? But this was a few years ago, and it’s possible I’m misremembering.

With the demand, I’d expect it to be comparable to Lyon Park or FCC.

I have to go to Maple street often enough, and It's still very much strip malls. Idk what people expect it's going to be. There isn't much of a "grid" to Vienna area around Maple st, because even one street over is already residential, which limits development of urban grid with perpendicular streets that can bear retail and parking lots, so it's not all located in the front. Plus redeveloping strip malls with front facing parking lots is $$$$.

Until about a year ago I lived in Vienna near Wolf Trap. With this whole walkable thing people are discussing here, I wonder if people are mixing up Maple and Church. Of course Church is right behind part of Maple. But walkable to Church would be a really nice thing. I wouldn’t walk to Maple.

The better walkable option is to live on the opposite side of Maple from Church St, basically from Locust/Pine back to Tapawingo. There are more homes to choose and a quiet walk to the library, elementary, community center, Jammin Java area restaurants, Giant, etc. I only go to Church St for festivals.

Why are some of the elementary schools on this side of Vienna so bad (Great Schools 3 and 4)?

Great Schools is trash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why Town of Vienna specifically?

Yeah, what is the deal with Vienna? Seems like it’s blowing up recently.

It is just a nice community-centered place to live. Feels cozy and as if everyone wants to live there if that makes sense.

For example, tomorrow is the annual Taste of Vienna which is held outside at the Vienna Volunteer Firehouse parking lot. Tons of food vendors and bands playing where you see your neighbors and hang out.
It is one of many similar events throughout the year. It is nice to have a community like this.

I’ll have to go check out the area around Maple. I kind of remember Maple being mostly strip malls? But this was a few years ago, and it’s possible I’m misremembering.

With the demand, I’d expect it to be comparable to Lyon Park or FCC.

I have to go to Maple street often enough, and It's still very much strip malls. Idk what people expect it's going to be. There isn't much of a "grid" to Vienna area around Maple st, because even one street over is already residential, which limits development of urban grid with perpendicular streets that can bear retail and parking lots, so it's not all located in the front. Plus redeveloping strip malls with front facing parking lots is $$$$.

Until about a year ago I lived in Vienna near Wolf Trap. With this whole walkable thing people are discussing here, I wonder if people are mixing up Maple and Church. Of course Church is right behind part of Maple. But walkable to Church would be a really nice thing. I wouldn’t walk to Maple.

The better walkable option is to live on the opposite side of Maple from Church St, basically from Locust/Pine back to Tapawingo. There are more homes to choose and a quiet walk to the library, elementary, community center, Jammin Java area restaurants, Giant, etc. I only go to Church St for festivals.

Why are some of the elementary schools on this side of Vienna so bad (Great Schools 3 and 4)?

Great Schools is trash.

True, but all the houses walkable to that part of Maple are zoned to Vienna ES, which is a 7.

PP is probably looking at Marshall Rd and Cunningham Park ES, both of which have nice school communities but serve a more diverse population as their zones just barely kiss the neighborhood being discussed. Marshall Rd used to house a lot of special ed programs, I don't know if that's still true.

[Anonymous]

So, to answer OP's question, yes everyone is leveraged to a the highest degree and relying on two salaries to make mortgage payments. Hope jobs stay steady around here for them. That would give me trouble sleeping at night but that's just me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why Town of Vienna specifically?

Yeah, what is the deal with Vienna? Seems like it’s blowing up recently.

It is just a nice community-centered place to live. Feels cozy and as if everyone wants to live there if that makes sense.

For example, tomorrow is the annual Taste of Vienna which is held outside at the Vienna Volunteer Firehouse parking lot. Tons of food vendors and bands playing where you see your neighbors and hang out.
It is one of many similar events throughout the year. It is nice to have a community like this.

I’ll have to go check out the area around Maple. I kind of remember Maple being mostly strip malls? But this was a few years ago, and it’s possible I’m misremembering.

With the demand, I’d expect it to be comparable to Lyon Park or FCC.

I have to go to Maple street often enough, and It's still very much strip malls. Idk what people expect it's going to be. There isn't much of a "grid" to Vienna area around Maple st, because even one street over is already residential, which limits development of urban grid with perpendicular streets that can bear retail and parking lots, so it's not all located in the front. Plus redeveloping strip malls with front facing parking lots is $$$$.

Until about a year ago I lived in Vienna near Wolf Trap. With this whole walkable thing people are discussing here, I wonder if people are mixing up Maple and Church. Of course Church is right behind part of Maple. But walkable to Church would be a really nice thing. I wouldn’t walk to Maple.

The better walkable option is to live on the opposite side of Maple from Church St, basically from Locust/Pine back to Tapawingo. There are more homes to choose and a quiet walk to the library, elementary, community center, Jammin Java area restaurants, Giant, etc. I only go to Church St for festivals.

Why are some of the elementary schools on this side of Vienna so bad (Great Schools 3 and 4)?

Great Schools is trash.

+100 look up.the stats you want to know. Over half of their rating is some nebulous "improvement" score that rates your school against undisclosed "peer" schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why Town of Vienna specifically?

Yeah, what is the deal with Vienna? Seems like it’s blowing up recently.

It is just a nice community-centered place to live. Feels cozy and as if everyone wants to live there if that makes sense.

For example, tomorrow is the annual Taste of Vienna which is held outside at the Vienna Volunteer Firehouse parking lot. Tons of food vendors and bands playing where you see your neighbors and hang out.
It is one of many similar events throughout the year. It is nice to have a community like this.

I’ll have to go check out the area around Maple. I kind of remember Maple being mostly strip malls? But this was a few years ago, and it’s possible I’m misremembering.

With the demand, I’d expect it to be comparable to Lyon Park or FCC.

I have to go to Maple street often enough, and It's still very much strip malls. Idk what people expect it's going to be. There isn't much of a "grid" to Vienna area around Maple st, because even one street over is already residential, which limits development of urban grid with perpendicular streets that can bear retail and parking lots, so it's not all located in the front. Plus redeveloping strip malls with front facing parking lots is $$$$.

Until about a year ago I lived in Vienna near Wolf Trap. With this whole walkable thing people are discussing here, I wonder if people are mixing up Maple and Church. Of course Church is right behind part of Maple. But walkable to Church would be a really nice thing. I wouldn’t walk to Maple.

The better walkable option is to live on the opposite side of Maple from Church St, basically from Locust/Pine back to Tapawingo. There are more homes to choose and a quiet walk to the library, elementary, community center, Jammin Java area restaurants, Giant, etc. I only go to Church St for festivals.

Why are some of the elementary schools on this side of Vienna so bad (Great Schools 3 and 4)?

Great Schools is trash.

True, but all the houses walkable to that part of Maple are zoned to Vienna ES, which is a 7.

PP is probably looking at Marshall Rd and Cunningham Park ES, both of which have nice school communities but serve a more diverse population as their zones just barely kiss the neighborhood being discussed. Marshall Rd used to house a lot of special ed programs, I don't know if that's still true.

+1
the communities at these schools are warm and inclusive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, to answer OP's question, yes everyone is leveraged to a the highest degree and relying on two salaries to make mortgage payments. Hope jobs stay steady around here for them. That would give me trouble sleeping at night but that's just me.

I don’t think the big law folks or lobbyists or big tech employees (with RSU grants up XXX%!!) are sweating having a mortgage that in many cases is below their annual income.

And that’s the ones who don’t pay cash, and I think I saw a stat that around here the vast majority of $2M+ purchases are cash. And I’m not even touching family $ / trust funds etc, which tend to be concentrated in high-earner circles.

But sure think whatever helps you sleep better at night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why Town of Vienna specifically?

Yeah, what is the deal with Vienna? Seems like it’s blowing up recently.

It is just a nice community-centered place to live. Feels cozy and as if everyone wants to live there if that makes sense.

For example, tomorrow is the annual Taste of Vienna which is held outside at the Vienna Volunteer Firehouse parking lot. Tons of food vendors and bands playing where you see your neighbors and hang out.
It is one of many similar events throughout the year. It is nice to have a community like this.

I’ll have to go check out the area around Maple. I kind of remember Maple being mostly strip malls? But this was a few years ago, and it’s possible I’m misremembering.

With the demand, I’d expect it to be comparable to Lyon Park or FCC.

I have to go to Maple street often enough, and It's still very much strip malls. Idk what people expect it's going to be. There isn't much of a "grid" to Vienna area around Maple st, because even one street over is already residential, which limits development of urban grid with perpendicular streets that can bear retail and parking lots, so it's not all located in the front. Plus redeveloping strip malls with front facing parking lots is $$$$.

Until about a year ago I lived in Vienna near Wolf Trap. With this whole walkable thing people are discussing here, I wonder if people are mixing up Maple and Church. Of course Church is right behind part of Maple. But walkable to Church would be a really nice thing. I wouldn’t walk to Maple.

The better walkable option is to live on the opposite side of Maple from Church St, basically from Locust/Pine back to Tapawingo. There are more homes to choose and a quiet walk to the library, elementary, community center, Jammin Java area restaurants, Giant, etc. I only go to Church St for festivals.

Why are some of the elementary schools on this side of Vienna so bad (Great Schools 3 and 4)?

Great Schools is trash.

Even so, the Great Schools score can still affect a property’s resale value because it’s somehow become the school ranking system on all the real estate websites.

[Anonymous]

Op is asking the right question though… who are you losing to? Answer is people who have more money than you or are willing to do things financially that you are not willing to do.

Op, you are not alone, and you are not “wrong” by setting your limits. We are in the same boat, looking for houses in a similar price range and are consistently surprised, and in some cases, frustrated. We have a good income and are set up well financially (800k HHI, 3m liquid assets, early 30s), but we have always believed that it doesn’t make sense to over pay.

We feel the same pressures as others. We have a 2yo and want to settle into a community, but we have our limits. We know what we think things are worth to us, and we have decided that we will not get pushed into something that feels like an overpay.

Best advice, try not to worry about it, set your budget, stick to it, and pocket the money that you save when you lose. You might find that in a few years you are much wealthier and in a less competitive price point, capable of making a deal that makes sense for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op is asking the right question though… who are you losing to? Answer is people who have more money than you or are willing to do things financially that you are not willing to do.

Op, you are not alone, and you are not “wrong” by setting your limits. We are in the same boat, looking for houses in a similar price range and are consistently surprised, and in some cases, frustrated. We have a good income and are set up well financially (800k HHI, 3m liquid assets, early 30s), but we have always believed that it doesn’t make sense to over pay.

We feel the same pressures as others. We have a 2yo and want to settle into a community, but we have our limits. We know what we think things are worth to us, and we have decided that we will not get pushed into something that feels like an overpay.

Best advice, try not to worry about it, set your budget, stick to it, and pocket the money that you save when you lose. You might find that in a few years you are much wealthier and in a less competitive price point, capable of making a deal that makes sense for you.

My sister was like you and lost so many houses. She ended up buying years later, settling for less, and lost out on the market gains if she had up her price and bought earlier.

Newsflash, prices are not going down. You will just pay more in a few years and uproot your family later to move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op is asking the right question though… who are you losing to? Answer is people who have more money than you or are willing to do things financially that you are not willing to do.

Op, you are not alone, and you are not “wrong” by setting your limits. We are in the same boat, looking for houses in a similar price range and are consistently surprised, and in some cases, frustrated. We have a good income and are set up well financially (800k HHI, 3m liquid assets, early 30s), but we have always believed that it doesn’t make sense to over pay.

We feel the same pressures as others. We have a 2yo and want to settle into a community, but we have our limits. We know what we think things are worth to us, and we have decided that we will not get pushed into something that feels like an overpay.

Best advice, try not to worry about it, set your budget, stick to it, and pocket the money that you save when you lose. You might find that in a few years you are much wealthier and in a less competitive price point, capable of making a deal that makes sense for you.

My sister was like you and lost so many houses. She ended up buying years later, settling for less, and lost out on the market gains if she had up her price and bought earlier.

Newsflash, prices are not going down. You will just pay more in a few years and uproot your family later to move.

Yep. Just wait until the AI IPO money floods the housing market here. They’ve been hiring like crazy in DC for their federal offerings.