Why can't a nice, normal house like this be in our price range?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no such thing as a "nice, normal" FIVE BEDROOM house minutes away from the nation's capital.

OP here; I live in a nice, normal 3-bedroom house IN the nation's capital (in one of those famous walk-for-a-loaf-of-bread neighborhoods) and it isn't worth anything close to a million. We don't need 5 bedrooms at all, nor half an acre--I just think that house has a great look. Sort of modest but still really nicely done.

The reasons we are even contemplating moving are that we are kind of over sharing walls (one of our attached neighbors leaves her TV on all night) and our kids are approaching middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no such thing as a "nice, normal" FIVE BEDROOM house minutes away from the nation's capital.

OP here; I live in a nice, normal 3-bedroom house IN the nation's capital (in one of those famous walk-for-a-loaf-of-bread neighborhoods) and it isn't worth anything close to a million. We don't need 5 bedrooms at all, nor half an acre--I just think that house has a great look. Sort of modest but still really nicely done.

The reasons we are even contemplating moving are that we are kind of over sharing walls (one of our attached neighbors leaves her TV on all night) and our kids are approaching middle school.

Yes, schools play a huge part in driving up (or down) prices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no such thing as a "nice, normal" FIVE BEDROOM house minutes away from the nation's capital.

OP here; I live in a nice, normal 3-bedroom house IN the nation's capital (in one of those famous walk-for-a-loaf-of-bread neighborhoods) and it isn't worth anything close to a million. We don't need 5 bedrooms at all, nor half an acre--I just think that house has a great look. Sort of modest but still really nicely done.

The reasons we are even contemplating moving are that we are kind of over sharing walls (one of our attached neighbors leaves her TV on all night) and our kids are approaching middle school.

We're also in DC proper and looking to move in time for school year 2017-2018. North Arlington is our target area and we're unpleasantly surprised by the cost of real estate, but understand that the brakes for a nice close-in area with good schools. $900 is our price point, so I'm hoping things don't skyrocket between now and when we're ready to pull the trigger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"almost all errands involve a car"

If I had to spend $1mil for a house, I damn sure would buy one where I could walk to buy a loaf of bread.

That's Capitol Hill or NOMA, where you can get a house for $1million but it'll only have three or four bedrooms, no yard and street parking.

You think only in Capitol Hill and NOMA people can walk to buy a loaf of bread? And there are no houses with yards from where you can do so?

There are plenty of Arlington neighborhoods where you can walk to much, much, more than a loaf of bread...but will never have a lot the size the one OP posted....and the same house would be a minimum $300k more in these locations. In fact, there are two similar ones (but teeny lots and smaller) in my neighborhood for $1.4 million---capes too. It is very depressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no such thing as a "nice, normal" FIVE BEDROOM house minutes away from the nation's capital.

OP here; I live in a nice, normal 3-bedroom house IN the nation's capital (in one of those famous walk-for-a-loaf-of-bread neighborhoods) and it isn't worth anything close to a million. We don't need 5 bedrooms at all, nor half an acre--I just think that house has a great look. Sort of modest but still really nicely done.

The reasons we are even contemplating moving are that we are kind of over sharing walls (one of our attached neighbors leaves her TV on all night) and our kids are approaching middle school.

There are things you can do to insulate yourself from sound.. in case that's driving you crazy now.. For example, if it's just one wall you have a problem with and it is plaster over brick, you can put up drywall and add additional insulation in between. Look into it..

As for schools, that's something else entirely.

[Anonymous]

I liked this house a lot, and after a crappy day I decided to look at it online again and see what it sold for. Surprise! It's still on the market, 34 days later. Redfin thinks it's overpriced (which looking at comps it might be).

However, the sellers bought in 2007 for 997,500, so doubt they are willing to accept lower offers.

It's so weird though - cute enough house, in desirable neighborhood with good schools, and it's not gained any value since the bubble of 2007-08? Meanwhile my in-city house continues to rise (and is now worth more than a million, ~600K more than we paid for it back in 2001). How can that be? It makes me wonder if there's not a ceiling for "normal" houses, and DC will continue to see growth until everything and anything is worth roughly a million?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I liked this house a lot, and after a crappy day I decided to look at it online again and see what it sold for. Surprise! It's still on the market, 34 days later. Redfin thinks it's overpriced (which looking at comps it might be).

However, the sellers bought in 2007 for 997,500, so doubt they are willing to accept lower offers.

It's so weird though - cute enough house, in desirable neighborhood with good schools, and it's not gained any value since the bubble of 2007-08? Meanwhile my in-city house continues to rise (and is now worth more than a million, ~600K more than we paid for it back in 2001). How can that be? It makes me wonder if there's not a ceiling for "normal" houses, and DC will continue to see growth until everything and anything is worth roughly a million?

'

I'm surprised they paid so much for it almost 10 years ago. I'm guessing since the crisis hit right then, they were underwater for a long time.

[Anonymous]

I saw this house; it's great. However the sellers are asking for an extensive rent back- like months and months. They plan to build and haven't started the process yet or something. It's a strange situation and I don't get why they are selling now when they aren't really ready to move. I think they need the $$ for the next place.

[Anonymous]

14:40 - that explains a lot. I can't see a lot of buyers wanting to pay a million for a house they can't live in for months. I wonder if other sellers in the neighborhood are annoyed because this house is probably screwing up the average DOM for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"almost all errands involve a car"

If I had to spend $1mil for a house, I damn sure would buy one where I could walk to buy a loaf of bread.

yeah poor people walk everywhere, i feel for you

[Anonymous]

I thought mortgage companies only allow 60 day rent back?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I saw this house; it's great. However the sellers are asking for an extensive rent back- like months and months. They plan to build and haven't started the process yet or something. It's a strange situation and I don't get why they are selling now when they aren't really ready to move. I think they need the $$ for the next place.

I loved the house when I first saw it posted on DCUM. Now I think there are more photos. Go to photo 28 and see the patio below the deck. The ground doesn't slope away from the patio-it's above the patio with about a 2-3 brick height retaining wall. Deck is wood=splinters. Photo 27 out of 30 shows a massive retaining wall on what I guess is the side of the house on the upper part of the slope so they get some more level yard.

No garage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"almost all errands involve a car"

If I had to spend $1mil for a house, I damn sure would buy one where I could walk to buy a loaf of bread.

This has to be the most ridiculous post ever posted. Thanks for the laugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This house sucks I would pay the extra to buy new

Yes but in The area north of Lee Hwy, there are no brand new build SFHs under 1.5

[Anonymous]

I actually know the current owners and they way overpaid for this house. Also, it looks much better in the pictures than in person.