Weirdest Comments After Remodel

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I just completed a large addition on a SFH in close in Alexandria. We've owned the house for 15 years, it was 85% paid off, we have one kid entering a state school in 10 days, our retirement is extremely healthy, live frugally, had deferred maintenance that made no sense to do on a tiny house (windows were 60 years old, roof 22, exterior needed paint, , etc etc. It all made sense

But, I've had at least three people make really odd comments like "Ohhh, did you really need to do that?", "I mean you were doing fine, why spend all that?" etc

I'm taking it as jealousy or simple social gaffs but how would you respond to such stupid people?

I mean it’s fine you turned your house into a McMansion but it’s weird to say you did it for these reasons.

[Anonymous]

People say (and do) weird things. We did an addition plus remodeling almost everything about the existing house and the reactions just blew my mind.

One that sticks out happened a few months after we moved back in, I was doing some yard work out front and someone stopped to complement the house. Then she said, you wouldn't believe how awful it was before. I thanked her but pointed out that we'd lived in the house for almost 20 years and in that time had replaced the siding, the roof, the gutters, and redid the kitchen. (The latest remodel upgraded much of that but still, it wasn't like we'd let the place rot.) That was awkward.

Another funny moment was coming home one night a few weeks after we'd moved back in to find another long-time neighbor climbing up a large shrub to try to get a better look in the windows. Also super awkward.

Laugh it all off OP, people are weird. If you're happy with what you did and what you spent, don't give the haters any space in your head.

[Anonymous]

It's weird to suddenly have money for a large addition was there wasn't enough money for deferred maintenance.

And OP, did you ever complain about college costs? Some of us do prefer large in-state universities but it might seem to the private college crowd that you're splurging on yourselves. At an odd time. Odd time to expand the house. When you need less space now, you don't need more space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe that thought your house looked very nice before!

Probably this and your timing is kind of odd so they are curious. Most people don’t wait until their kids move out to add on to their house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe that thought your house looked very nice before!

Probably this and your timing is kind of odd so they are curious. Most people don’t wait until their kids move out to add on to their house.

I think it’s this. Honestly I would wonder why anyone would bother with an addition right when they’re about to become empty nesters. But I wouldn’t say anything because it’s going to come off rude no matter what, unless we were really, really close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe that thought your house looked very nice before!

Probably this and your timing is kind of odd so they are curious. Most people don’t wait until their kids move out to add on to their house.

I think it’s this. Honestly I would wonder why anyone would bother with an addition right when they’re about to become empty nesters. But I wouldn’t say anything because it’s going to come off rude no matter what, unless we were really, really close.

+1 many people downsize, not upsize, when the kids leave. So I would think it is strange unless you are one who entertains a lot or live with a large extended family.

Some cultures think a big empty house with only one or two occupants is bad luck, but you are clearly not from these cultures. In any case, I would keep that to myself. You ask a direct question on an anonymous forum so you are probably seeking truth, and so here it is.

[Anonymous]

Why do you need a large addition of the kids are going off to college?

[Anonymous]

You spent a lot on a tiny house they probably thought you would move first.

[Anonymous]

I like the diversities of answers but,
Now OP is more confused than ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of people in this area feel very unsure about the future right now OP. Think the comments are probably coming from this point of view.

I think you are a navel-gazing loudmouthed liberal that works victim and trauma into every single one of your failures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I just completed a large addition on a SFH in close in Alexandria. We've owned the house for 15 years, it was 85% paid off, we have one kid entering a state school in 10 days, our retirement is extremely healthy, live frugally, had deferred maintenance that made no sense to do on a tiny house (windows were 60 years old, roof 22, exterior needed paint, , etc etc. It all made sense

But, I've had at least three people make really odd comments like "Ohhh, did you really need to do that?", "I mean you were doing fine, why spend all that?" etc

I'm taking it as jealousy or simple social gaffs but how would you respond to such stupid people?

I mean it’s fine you turned your house into a McMansion but it’s weird to say you did it for these reasons.

Not OP but you are just horribly wrong. It's economies of sale. Why would anyone spend 100K propping up a 1200 sqf bungalow when you can convert it into a 2800 sqf two story home worth so much more for twice that? This is what DB firms do for a living. Find prospects, add value, resell.

Rule of thumb- the closer in you are, the higher the value price-per-square-foot. It always makes sense to add space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I just completed a large addition on a SFH in close in Alexandria. We've owned the house for 15 years, it was 85% paid off, we have one kid entering a state school in 10 days, our retirement is extremely healthy, live frugally, had deferred maintenance that made no sense to do on a tiny house (windows were 60 years old, roof 22, exterior needed paint, , etc etc. It all made sense

But, I've had at least three people make really odd comments like "Ohhh, did you really need to do that?", "I mean you were doing fine, why spend all that?" etc

I'm taking it as jealousy or simple social gaffs but how would you respond to such stupid people?

I mean it’s fine you turned your house into a McMansion but it’s weird to say you did it for these reasons.

Not OP but you are just horribly wrong. It's economies of sale. Why would anyone spend 100K propping up a 1200 sqf bungalow when you can convert it into a 2800 sqf two story home worth so much more for twice that? This is what DB firms do for a living. Find prospects, add value, resell.

Rule of thumb- the closer in you are, the higher the value price-per-square-foot. It always makes sense to add space.

You are just making up figures. Doing a major renovation because you think a house needs a new roof and new coat of paint is ridiculous. That’s maybe 20k not 100k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I just completed a large addition on a SFH in close in Alexandria. We've owned the house for 15 years, it was 85% paid off, we have one kid entering a state school in 10 days, our retirement is extremely healthy, live frugally, had deferred maintenance that made no sense to do on a tiny house (windows were 60 years old, roof 22, exterior needed paint, , etc etc. It all made sense

But, I've had at least three people make really odd comments like "Ohhh, did you really need to do that?", "I mean you were doing fine, why spend all that?" etc

I'm taking it as jealousy or simple social gaffs but how would you respond to such stupid people?

I mean it’s fine you turned your house into a McMansion but it’s weird to say you did it for these reasons.

Not OP but you are just horribly wrong. It's economies of sale. Why would anyone spend 100K propping up a 1200 sqf bungalow when you can convert it into a 2800 sqf two story home worth so much more for twice that? This is what DB firms do for a living. Find prospects, add value, resell.

Rule of thumb- the closer in you are, the higher the value price-per-square-foot. It always makes sense to add space.

OP we are also in Alexandria, and perhaps you have changed the character of your house too much? West alexandria has a lot of recent additions/remodels/new builds do not at all fit the character of the neighborhoods and also seem to be out of scale for the neighborhoods, lots, set backs from the streets and neighbors, etc. I hate to a'ssume the worst, but a lot of recent work outside of the historic district looks overly trendy and like it won't stand the test of time and is going to look dated in 10 years. Its like people have been watching too much hgtv and just jump on trends instead of sticking with the charm of the area. My guess is you had a tired but charming and neighborhood appropriate home and have killed the curb appeal or style. People shouldn't say something if they can't be complementary or happy towards you, but it may not be everyone's style. I sincerely doubt people know or care what you have paid off, spent, etc. I can't imagine taking the time to think or care about what someone in my neighborhood has or spends or whatever. I do however care about what my view is and what my neighbors do as it impacts my home value and happiness.

You are just making up figures. Doing a major renovation because you think a house needs a new roof and new coat of paint is ridiculous. That’s maybe 20k not 100k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I just completed a large addition on a SFH in close in Alexandria. We've owned the house for 15 years, it was 85% paid off, we have one kid entering a state school in 10 days, our retirement is extremely healthy, live frugally, had deferred maintenance that made no sense to do on a tiny house (windows were 60 years old, roof 22, exterior needed paint, , etc etc. It all made sense

But, I've had at least three people make really odd comments like "Ohhh, did you really need to do that?", "I mean you were doing fine, why spend all that?" etc

I'm taking it as jealousy or simple social gaffs but how would you respond to such stupid people?

I mean it’s fine you turned your house into a McMansion but it’s weird to say you did it for these reasons.

Not OP but you are just horribly wrong. It's economies of sale. Why would anyone spend 100K propping up a 1200 sqf bungalow when you can convert it into a 2800 sqf two story home worth so much more for twice that? This is what DB firms do for a living. Find prospects, add value, resell.

Rule of thumb- the closer in you are, the higher the value price-per-square-foot. It always makes sense to add space.

OP we are also in Alexandria, and perhaps you have changed the character of your house too much? West alexandria has a lot of recent additions/remodels/new builds do not at all fit the character of the neighborhoods and also seem to be out of scale for the neighborhoods, lots, set backs from the streets and neighbors, etc. I hate to a'ssume the worst, but a lot of recent work outside of the historic district looks overly trendy and like it won't stand the test of time and is going to look dated in 10 years. Its like people have been watching too much hgtv and just jump on trends instead of sticking with the charm of the area. My guess is you had a tired but charming and neighborhood appropriate home and have killed the curb appeal or style. People shouldn't say something if they can't be complementary or happy towards you, but it may not be everyone's style. I sincerely doubt people know or care what you have paid off, spent, etc. I can't imagine taking the time to think or care about what someone in my neighborhood has or spends or whatever. I do however care about what my view is and what my neighbors do as it impacts my home value and happiness.

You are just making up figures. Doing a major renovation because you think a house needs a new roof and new coat of paint is ridiculous. That’s maybe 20k not 100k.

Why not?

You prefer they just lie?

[Anonymous]

It is really very rude of other people to make such rude ➕ unsolicited comments based on something that is totally not their business.

Just saying.

I wouldn’t bother to respond when they say such stupid things.

Your silence 🤐 should send them the message that you intended to send them.
Lol.