Beyond Frustrated in Vienna market

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why would it flood housing market here? People cashing out can retire right about anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why would it flood housing market here? People cashing out can retire right about anywhere.

Why do you assume people would retire early? We’re talking people in their 20s-30s for the most part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

And you think those people would want to live in Vienna? That’s a good one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

And you think those people would want to live in Vienna? That’s a good one.

Whether they want to live in Vienna or not, OP still can’t afford to get what she wants there, no matter her justification

[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.

This. Lots of people were hoping the DC area market would crash with the mass federal layoffs but that hasn’t happened. In fact it’s getting worse based on the latest stats. Prices are not coming down anytime soon if ever

https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/dc-area_houses_just_hit_a_record_buyers_arent_blinking/24625?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=keep_reading_link&utm_campaign=Thursday+May+14th%2C+2026&omhide=true

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

And you think those people would want to live in Vienna? That’s a good one.

Not just Vienna of course but when you have hundreds of people now worth $20M+ living in the DC area (many of them pre kids and looking to settle) it will impact all desirable suburbs around here.

Just look at what happened to real estate all over the Bay Area after the first tech IPO wave via Meta, Google, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are many options at $2M dollar range

Yeah I just searched and there are several properties between 1.5 - $2M in Vienna. If OP wants to be in Vienna the can be.

Well to be fair, I do have to actually like the house if I want to put an offer on it. I haven't been too selective. I am still confused how everyone is able to afford this housing to have this intense level of competition. We are frequently outbid to a level that is out of our budget. And we have a very high budget.

Foreigners are getting $0 down mortgages. That’s the truth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

And you think those people would want to live in Vienna? That’s a good one.

Not just Vienna of course but when you have hundreds of people now worth $20M+ living in the DC area (many of them pre kids and looking to settle) it will impact all desirable suburbs around here.

Just look at what happened to real estate all over the Bay Area after the first tech IPO wave via Meta, Google, etc.

You're comparing Silicon Valley to the DMV? The delusion runs deep. Instead of these wild fantasies about exponential growth in Vienna real estate, try investing in the stock market. Real estate just isn't a good investment.

[Anonymous]

We're just going to ignore the $800K HHI and multi-million in assets in their early 30's?

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This. Lots of people were hoping the DC area market would crash with the mass federal layoffs but that hasn’t happened. In fact it’s getting worse based on the latest stats. Prices are not coming down anytime soon if ever

https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/dc-area_houses_just_hit_a_record_buyers_arent_blinking/24625?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=keep_reading_link&utm_campaign=Thursday+May+14th%2C+2026&omhide=true

It was never going to happen. There has been a huge housing shortage in the DMV for a long time -- especially in desirable areas like Vienna; the work of DOGE wasn't going to change that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find a cheaper location.

This, expand your search

[Anonymous]

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/10718-Spruce-St-Fairfax-VA-22030/167861991_zpid/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're just going to ignore the $800K HHI and multi-million in assets in their early 30's?

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.

Idk we’re the same age and had the same HHI until I left my $200K job that I hated. NW is about half that though and includes $500K inherited. $3M sounds like they got into tech right after graduation and rode large RSU appreciation - or inheritance / crypto / etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

And you think those people would want to live in Vienna? That’s a good one.

Likely no, but if there is a lot of money looking to buy higher end property, this also hikes up prices eventually on mid range properties too. If there is increased demand for the luxury multi-million dollar new construction in Mclean, for example, then people are priced out of there as land gets more expensive. They start looking for slightly more affordable areas, where they may get an SFH vs. a rowhouse or a new home vs. an old remodeled split level.

[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.

A lot depends on whether you consider yourself still upwardly mobile or topped out.. You are young and already accumulated more wealth than many people decades older than you in this area, you should be confident that you can continue to earn what you do or more and multiply your wealth. But there are a lot of factors outside of our control these days, plus people having young kids have many years ahead of child related expenses. Everyone's situation is different, some people in your shoes would overextend to buy a nicer home for long term, while others would prioritize living below their means. The former may feel more confident, maybe expecting an inheritance or having parental help or at least not having parents they may need to support, etc. The latter may feel stressed about their ability to keep earning the same with the challenges of parenthood on top of it and future eldercare if their parents are not wealthy to float themselves and not poor enough to qualify for every subsidy.