Is Great Falls not attractive anymore?

[Anonymous]

The lot is heavily sloped, and that two-level deck will be an expensive maintenance nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Cool house. I’d buy it for 1.6. But yeah it’s far and downdraft ranges are terrible.

[Anonymous]

terrible curb appeal, the yard looks so drab

[Anonymous]

I have been looking in Great Falls and it’s just not that popular anymore because tastes have changed. People want walkability and proximity to stores and metro (despite most never using it).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://redf.in/GnXEsx

I grew up in Nova and people used to admire 22206. This looks a 2m house to me, because it’s still within reasonable distance to the GF village and Tysons. But my friend told me he wouldn’t spent more than 1.5m on this house. Sigh…

What has changed?

22066, not 22206. 22206 is South Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Great Falls lagged behind other areas in recovering ever since the 2008 recession for reasons others have discussed, but it did get a boost from Covid, which led to more people moving to big houses in the suburbs from which they could work from home.

The issues with this house relate primarily to its age and the fact that it’s in a part of Great Falls that may be rezoned to Herndon schools. $1.6M seems about right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great Falls lagged behind other areas in recovering ever since the 2008 recession for reasons others have discussed, but it did get a boost from Covid, which led to more people moving to big houses in the suburbs from which they could work from home.

The issues with this house relate primarily to its age and the fact that it’s in a part of Great Falls that may be rezoned to Herndon schools. $1.6M seems about right.

Built in 1993. Still prime age, no?
Langley is under enrolled. Minimal risks for the next 20 years or so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great Falls is not a hot market for the families buying a home today. It has a walk score of 0. Most people I know with kids do not want to maintain a couple acres of land nor a house of that size. Not to mention the kitchen looks rather builder grade despite all the reported expensive upgrades. And it’s one of those houses that tries to look like a brick colonial but has siding around most of it.

Also add in the fact that a giant house that isn’t brand new is likely nearing the life span where a lot of stuff needs to be fixed/replaced. New windows/roof/plumbing updates etc. etc. on a house that size may end up costing as much as new construction.

In general I think people with that much to spend either a) pick a slightly smaller lot/house in a close-in neighborhood in like Arlington or inside the beltway McLean or b) will move outside the beltway for new construction.

Being outside the beltway in a huge dated house seems like a bad investment right now.

The most significant factor making this property difficult to sell is related to the uncertainty regarding school attendance zones. People care much more about school quality than they do about walkability or maintaining a couple acres. Most people at this price point hire landscapers and they don't mind paying someone to do yard work for them. Many people I know no longer want to buy properties in Fairfax (unless they are close to their preferred private school). There is no benefit in buying for a specific school district anyway when they county has eliminated any stability for school attendance zones and the county school system is rapidly going downhill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great Falls lagged behind other areas in recovering ever since the 2008 recession for reasons others have discussed, but it did get a boost from Covid, which led to more people moving to big houses in the suburbs from which they could work from home.

The issues with this house relate primarily to its age and the fact that it’s in a part of Great Falls that may be rezoned to Herndon schools. $1.6M seems about right.

Built in 1993. Still prime age, no?
Langley is under enrolled. Minimal risks for the next 20 years or so?

The SB made it very clear that they want to redraw boundaries to shuffle kids around because it unacceptable to have an exceptional school like Langley. They want every school to be equitably mediocre and underperforming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great Falls is not a hot market for the families buying a home today. It has a walk score of 0. Most people I know with kids do not want to maintain a couple acres of land nor a house of that size. Not to mention the kitchen looks rather builder grade despite all the reported expensive upgrades. And it’s one of those houses that tries to look like a brick colonial but has siding around most of it.

Also add in the fact that a giant house that isn’t brand new is likely nearing the life span where a lot of stuff needs to be fixed/replaced. New windows/roof/plumbing updates etc. etc. on a house that size may end up costing as much as new construction.

In general I think people with that much to spend either a) pick a slightly smaller lot/house in a close-in neighborhood in like Arlington or inside the beltway McLean or b) will move outside the beltway for new construction.

Being outside the beltway in a huge dated house seems like a bad investment right now.

The most significant factor making this property difficult to sell is related to the uncertainty regarding school attendance zones. People care much more about school quality than they do about walkability or maintaining a couple acres. Most people at this price point hire landscapers and they don't mind paying someone to do yard work for them. Many people I know no longer want to buy properties in Fairfax (unless they are close to their preferred private school). There is no benefit in buying for a specific school district anyway when they county has eliminated any stability for school attendance zones and the county school system is rapidly going downhill.

If the western part of GF is rezoned to Herndon, wouldn’t that make Langley even more previledged?

[Anonymous]

What is previledged? Do you mean privileged?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is previledged? Do you mean privileged?

Typing carelessly. Yes.

[Anonymous]

The houses and lots in Great Falls are nice but I agree that people spending that kind of money would likely prefer something closer to DC and/or more walkable. We just bought a house and we didn't consider great falls because you can't even take a long walk without ending up on a road with no sidewalk or path. You're locked into your neighborhood. And yes, large lot sizes = a lot of maintenance!

[Anonymous]

I think it's the lack of a yard and (relatedly) a pretty poor lot.

We live in GF and every house that has gone on the market near us in the past few years (post the rise in mortgage rates) has sold in a matter of days.

[Anonymous]

Back yard is too small and sloped. Really not good for kids or entertaining. Front yard needs landscaping. Still, it should have sold already.