Who exactly needs 7,000 square feet to live?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have 8000sf and are a family of 4 with a nanny. Use all the space

We both work from home and have dedicated offices as needed for tax reasons

[Anonymous]

$40K a year for property taxes? No thanks.

[Anonymous]

My in laws had a 7000 square foot home that was very open and light. Had a separate indoor lap pool, sauna, and gym (separate from house for various reasons) first floor primary bedroom. Three bedrooms upstairs including another primary, huge office, two family rooms, sunroom, dining room, large open kitchen, three car garage, and huge basement. The area above the garage wasn’t built out and when they recently sold the house the new owners added on there! It didn’t seem huge but they had a really nice floor plan and layout. They custom built it, so didn’t buy it directly from a developer.

They had a family of 4. Most holidays were there because they had the space. My spouse speaks about how all schools kids congregated at their home because of the space. They also had land that backed onto protected park which was really nice. They had extra large hallways because one of my in laws had medical issues and they weren’t sure if they would need a wheelchair down the line, fortunately they haven’t, but they built it 30 years ago in case they needed it later. They also updated kitchen and all baths, windows within the last 5-7 years before they sold the home. My in laws actually wanted us to buy it, but it was out if our price range when they sold and seemed like too much house.

My FIL grew up in a very small 800 square foot home with one bathroom and many siblings so he had always wanted a big home. They recently “downsized” to a 4000 square foot home with first and second floor primary. I don’t know why two people need 4000 square feet but that is what works for them!

They do comment on how small our home is. We live in 2000 square feet, but we are in a walkable area (they have always lived in the burbs where you have to drive everywhere) and can easily walk or bike to restaurants, etc. would I like an extra 500-1000 square feet, sure, but I do not need 5000 more!!

[Anonymous]

Ours is 5000 sf which is way too big but our kids and grandkids are often visiting. My husband would love to turn our almost never used living room into a golf simulator but that will not happen.

[Anonymous]

Polyamorous couples

[Anonymous]

Multigenerational families.

[Anonymous]

We have 5000 square feet and it’s good for our family of 4, and especially so we have room for visitors. Our bedrooms and kitchen aren’t very big (terrible layout), so I can see using more space.

[Anonymous]

No one NEEDS it. Rich folks can afford it and it’s nice to have more space when it’s no big deal to afford.

Similar to any other luxury item.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have 8,000 sqft for our family of 4. We have 2 guest rooms, 2 family rooms (one for kids, one for adults), 2 home offices, and a workout room. There are indeed some rooms of the house that are not entered every day.

How is it a "family room" if the family is segregated by age/family role?

[Anonymous]

Multi generational families and/or those with lots of kids. We are in 5000 sf, 2 kids, 2 designated offices and we don't use the guest bedroom at all. We also have a home gym. Imo, the layout is very important and also having enough storage space and a spacious garage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Why?

This is everything that’s wrong with real estate in Arlington.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3554-Military-Rd-Arlington-VA-22207/12060213_zpid/

Good God. Wtf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have 8,000 sqft for our family of 4. We have 2 guest rooms, 2 family rooms (one for kids, one for adults), 2 home offices, and a workout room. There are indeed some rooms of the house that are not entered every day.

How is it a "family room" if the family is segregated by age/family role?

DP.

Because that is the common term for the room where people hang out and spend time not eating/sleeping/working/bathing. There is one room that tends to be where adults hang out and the other is where kids hang out. Ever heard of a playroom? A living room v. den?

What is the point you are really trying to make?

[Anonymous]

Nobody does.

Anyone that says they do with a typical family is lying. For hundreds of years Americans were able to raise families in much smaller homes. Billions of people onhe planet raise families in much smaller homes. No one needs a 7000 sqft home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people are into big houses. Some people are into cars. Some people are into clothes, handbags, or other status symbols. Some people are into food. Some people are into vacations. Why judge?

Because it is horrific for the environment. It's terrible use of land. It requires massive amounts of energy waste. There are no redeeming values for conspicuous consumption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some people are into big houses. Some people are into cars. Some people are into clothes, handbags, or other status symbols. Some people are into food. Some people are into vacations. Why judge?

Because it is horrific for the environment. It's terrible use of land. It requires massive amounts of energy waste. There are no redeeming values for conspicuous consumption.

We wanted a new build in a specific neighborhood. They didn’t build anything smaller than our 6,800 sq ft house. We have the money to buy what we wanted so we did. New homes don’t waste a huge amount of energy because they are built to be more energy efficient. Analysis from EIA's most recent Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) shows that U.S. homes built in 2000 and later consume only 2% more energy on average than homes built prior to 2000, despite being on average 30% larger. Also, “it’s a waste of land” is your opinion, not based in truth. Did you just wander over from the Missing Middle thread? You sound jealous.