Walkable Vienna

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too bad all the character was gutted- no mouldings, bleached maple (probably engineered) flooring, country shiplap in the kitchen, a Louis IV fireplace in the bedroom. Basically a Tudor exterior, front door, and nothing else.

Agree that the charm has been renovated out.

[Anonymous]

This house will go for over 2M.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This house will go for over 2M.

Feel like the seller (or their agent) started this thread and keeps posting this. A bit risky these days to try the underpricing strategy (wouldn't it have been better to price it at $2+ million if that's actually what you wanted?), but good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the PPs that backing to commercial establishments is a deal breaker. Think garbage trucks, delivery trucks, etc. It’s great to be close to retail but not that close. Been there, did that, won’t ever do it again.

It's a big back yard though -- the house isn't that close to the retail.

This. It is actually not at all close. I know that area well and there is the house's fair-sized yard and then a dense area of trees and brush between.
Regardless, priced at the way the house is it will be under contract in no time so no need to analyze the property.

[Anonymous]

The lot and landscaping are nice. The house layout is awkward and dated for this price-point. If the house were on the opposite side of Church St or a block away from the commercial areas, it would easily sell for $2M+.

[Anonymous]

I love the idea of a small town but Vienna is not that. It lost its town feel long ago.

[Anonymous]

It’s small and old. That’s a fair price for Vienna.

[Anonymous]

It’s a very old home with an addition and ton of make up. No way

[Anonymous]

I think the 2M houses are bigger than that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cute house, I like it a lot, but "walkable" here means strip malls along a traffic chocked street. It's not really urban walkability. I would say there is a premium being walkable to something in suburbia but people generally do not want to be right next to or behind commercial establishments. This house seems to back into a tire shop? Maybe this is the reason?

Nope -- not just traffic-jammed 123 at all. All of the charm of the shops and restaurants on Church are right up the street. Walk to dinner at Evelyn Rose in 10 minutes.

I think the PP has never been to Vienna. They think 123 is all there is. This house is within walking distance to all the shops and restaurants on Church St., down the street from all the Vienna festivals--at least once a month, and live music every weekend in the summer--and near the W&OD trail and parkland. Also not far are good schools and the community center. Wolf Trap is less than 2 miles down the road. Great location.

[Anonymous]

That price makes little sense. There is a yellow house smaller in size a few houses down and it was on sale around 10 and eight years ago for more. The prices are dropping but this seems very low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the PPs that backing to commercial establishments is a deal breaker. Think garbage trucks, delivery trucks, etc. It’s great to be close to retail but not that close. Been there, did that, won’t ever do it again.

But doesn't that mean the rats and mice will all be living in the dumpsters rather than your house. Sure it might smell bad in the summer, but does anyone open their windows, or spend time in their yards around here in the summer around here, it's far too hot, sticky and muggy.

Now 123 that's another matter all together, that road is the worst during commuting times and on Saturday/Sunday. Getting to soccer and baseball practices/games are the worst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cute house, I like it a lot, but "walkable" here means strip malls along a traffic chocked street. It's not really urban walkability. I would say there is a premium being walkable to something in suburbia but people generally do not want to be right next to or behind commercial establishments. This house seems to back into a tire shop? Maybe this is the reason?

Nope -- not just traffic-jammed 123 at all. All of the charm of the shops and restaurants on Church are right up the street. Walk to dinner at Evelyn Rose in 10 minutes.

I think the PP has never been to Vienna. They think 123 is all there is. This house is within walking distance to all the shops and restaurants on Church St., down the street from all the Vienna festivals--at least once a month, and live music every weekend in the summer--and near the W&OD trail and parkland. Also not far are good schools and the community center. Wolf Trap is less than 2 miles down the road. Great location.

Nobody is saying it's a terrible location. But some posters make it sound like it's Georgetown It's still strip mall suburbia with a couple of blocks of cuter looking retail that's very limited and a small public park setting. Nothing really spectacular or unique. It beats bland suburban subdivisions and stretches of residential streets with nothing to walk to at all, that's for sure. I'd say it's an advantage for me personally if I were looking in Vienna. I would consider a walkable to something home vs. walkable to nothing even if the place walkable to nothing is more impressive. But that's a personal opinion because I am a person who prefers walking vs. driving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the PPs that backing to commercial establishments is a deal breaker. Think garbage trucks, delivery trucks, etc. It’s great to be close to retail but not that close. Been there, did that, won’t ever do it again.

But doesn't that mean the rats and mice will all be living in the dumpsters rather than your house. Sure it might smell bad in the summer, but does anyone open their windows, or spend time in their yards around here in the summer around here, it's far too hot, sticky and muggy.

Now 123 that's another matter all together, that road is the worst during commuting times and on Saturday/Sunday. Getting to soccer and baseball practices/games are the worst.

Sounds like there are downsides to that area. I've only visited a few times for some specific errands, like going to Vienna for pool supplies. I never had to deal with terrible traffic, I suppose there must be alternative roads a local may take? Backing into commercial would be undesirable to me, even in a city I would want to avoid this, because there is more probability of vermin infestation and various smells and pollution. I do like to enjoy my time on a deck and open windows every day. Not being able to do this would be annoying. But many people don't care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cute house, I like it a lot, but "walkable" here means strip malls along a traffic chocked street. It's not really urban walkability. I would say there is a premium being walkable to something in suburbia but people generally do not want to be right next to or behind commercial establishments. This house seems to back into a tire shop? Maybe this is the reason?

Nope -- not just traffic-jammed 123 at all. All of the charm of the shops and restaurants on Church are right up the street. Walk to dinner at Evelyn Rose in 10 minutes.

I think the PP has never been to Vienna. They think 123 is all there is. This house is within walking distance to all the shops and restaurants on Church St., down the street from all the Vienna festivals--at least once a month, and live music every weekend in the summer--and near the W&OD trail and parkland. Also not far are good schools and the community center. Wolf Trap is less than 2 miles down the road. Great location.

Nobody is saying it's a terrible location. But some posters make it sound like it's Georgetown It's still strip mall suburbia with a couple of blocks of cuter looking retail that's very limited and a small public park setting. Nothing really spectacular or unique. It beats bland suburban subdivisions and stretches of residential streets with nothing to walk to at all, that's for sure. I'd say it's an advantage for me personally if I were looking in Vienna. I would consider a walkable to something home vs. walkable to nothing even if the place walkable to nothing is more impressive. But that's a personal opinion because I am a person who prefers walking vs. driving.

It's nice that there are different neighborhoods for different people. I would never live in Georgetown, pretty as it is, because I like a bigger layout and yard than anything available there. And I don't want to eat in a cafe that's carved out of a rowhouse. Everybody's different and that's fine.

However, that does not change the fact that a house that is just a couple blocks away from a lot of retail is in fact walkable. I'm sorry you don't like the walk or the retail, but it's walkable.