What's with Glen Echo Heights?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no HOA in Glen Echo Heights so it is quite easy for those decaying properties to linger. However in recent years Montgomery County has had to respond to an increasing number of complaints fro newer residents. Not that the County does much.

to be fair there is like 3 crappy houses left and maybe a half dozen of middle class but under utilized ones that no longer belong after that. There are far more 3mil homes than 600k, it doesn't really affect the fabric of the area

I live in GEH and this is simply not true. While the rate of tear downs is increasing, there are way more than 3 "crappy" houses left. There are many. I'd put it in the dozens. I think I know the one the OP mentions, and it is only one eyesore among many. Although it is an especially big one. I'd give it another decade before there are 3 left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no HOA in Glen Echo Heights so it is quite easy for those decaying properties to linger. However in recent years Montgomery County has had to respond to an increasing number of complaints fro newer residents. Not that the County does much.

to be fair there is like 3 crappy houses left and maybe a half dozen of middle class but under utilized ones that no longer belong after that. There are far more 3mil homes than 600k, it doesn't really affect the fabric of the area

I live in GEH and this is simply not true. While the rate of tear downs is increasing, there are way more than 3 "crappy" houses left. There are many. I'd put it in the dozens. I think I know the one the OP mentions, and it is only one eyesore among many. Although it is an especially big one. I'd give it another decade before there are 3 left.

That one, if we're talking about the same thing, is actually am illegally occupied building according to county codes. Not that the county would do anything about it.

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn't the county do anything about it? I live in NW DC and the city is incredibly responsive to complaints about abandoned cars, overgrown grass, fallen branches, trash, etc. We've been thinking about moving to MoCo though for the schools and have thought the area near the canal and the Cap. Crescent trail would be nice....

[Anonymous]

I live in a MCM tear down and enjoy all the benefits that you multi millionaires enjoy. i predict you will run me off with pitchforks in the next 15 years. I hope my kids get through Whitman before then.

By the way, the neighborhood has always been lower end-upper middle class: high ranking Feds, lawyers, world bank/IMF, Professors, etc.

-old timer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no HOA in Glen Echo Heights so it is quite easy for those decaying properties to linger. However in recent years Montgomery County has had to respond to an increasing number of complaints fro newer residents. Not that the County does much.

to be fair there is like 3 crappy houses left and maybe a half dozen of middle class but under utilized ones that no longer belong after that. There are far more 3mil homes than 600k, it doesn't really affect the fabric of the area

I live in GEH and this is simply not true. While the rate of tear downs is increasing, there are way more than 3 "crappy" houses left. There are many. I'd put it in the dozens. I think I know the one the OP mentions, and it is only one eyesore among many. Although it is an especially big one. I'd give it another decade before there are 3 left.

That one, if we're talking about the same thing, is actually am illegally occupied building according to county codes. Not that the county would do anything about it.

If you are talking about the place in the Waukesha/Madawaska area, it's my understanding that there have been multiple complaints over the past few years years. It's obvious to everyone around the neighborhood that the place is unfit for habitation and should be condemned. Somehow the owner manages to skirt the inspectors. Maybe it's who the County sends out to look at it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't the county do anything about it? I live in NW DC and the city is incredibly responsive to complaints about abandoned cars, overgrown grass, fallen branches, trash, etc. We've been thinking about moving to MoCo though for the schools and have thought the area near the canal and the Cap. Crescent trail would be nice....

It's beautiful and it would be a good move. It's just the Glen Echo Heights has no restrictions other than those set by the county. So it's hit or miss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't the county do anything about it? I live in NW DC and the city is incredibly responsive to complaints about abandoned cars, overgrown grass, fallen branches, trash, etc. We've been thinking about moving to MoCo though for the schools and have thought the area near the canal and the Cap. Crescent trail would be nice....

It's beautiful and it would be a good move. It's just the Glen Echo Heights has no restrictions other than those set by the county. So it's hit or miss.

Mostly hits, the neighborhood is stunning for those who haven't been there before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no HOA in Glen Echo Heights so it is quite easy for those decaying properties to linger. However in recent years Montgomery County has had to respond to an increasing number of complaints fro newer residents. Not that the County does much.

to be fair there is like 3 crappy houses left and maybe a half dozen of middle class but under utilized ones that no longer belong after that. There are far more 3mil homes than 600k, it doesn't really affect the fabric of the area

I live in GEH and this is simply not true. While the rate of tear downs is increasing, there are way more than 3 "crappy" houses left. There are many. I'd put it in the dozens. I think I know the one the OP mentions, and it is only one eyesore among many. Although it is an especially big one. I'd give it another decade before there are 3 left.

That one, if we're talking about the same thing, is actually am illegally occupied building according to county codes. Not that the county would do anything about it.

If you are talking about the place in the Waukesha/Madawaska area, it's my understanding that there have been multiple complaints over the past few years years. It's obvious to everyone around the neighborhood that the place is unfit for habitation and should be condemned. Somehow the owner manages to skirt the inspectors. Maybe it's who the County sends out to look at it.

The house is infamous in the neighborhood. A real blight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no HOA in Glen Echo Heights so it is quite easy for those decaying properties to linger. However in recent years Montgomery County has had to respond to an increasing number of complaints fro newer residents. Not that the County does much.

to be fair there is like 3 crappy houses left and maybe a half dozen of middle class but under utilized ones that no longer belong after that. There are far more 3mil homes than 600k, it doesn't really affect the fabric of the area

I live in GEH and this is simply not true. While the rate of tear downs is increasing, there are way more than 3 "crappy" houses left. There are many. I'd put it in the dozens. I think I know the one the OP mentions, and it is only one eyesore among many. Although it is an especially big one. I'd give it another decade before there are 3 left.

That one, if we're talking about the same thing, is actually am illegally occupied building according to county codes. Not that the county would do anything about it.

If you are talking about the place in the Waukesha/Madawaska area, it's my understanding that there have been multiple complaints over the past few years years. It's obvious to everyone around the neighborhood that the place is unfit for habitation and should be condemned. Somehow the owner manages to skirt the inspectors. Maybe it's who the County sends out to look at it.

The house is infamous in the neighborhood. A real blight.

That's sad especially when homes in GEH can run into the multi-million dollar range.

[Anonymous]

We've lived in GEH for several years now. The tear down rate is picking up speed and shows no signs of slowing down. In 5-10 years many of the dumpier properties won't be left. If you are more adventurous, you could buy one of the older or rundown properties and replace it. The issue is accessing those properties. It's really hit or miss since the builders seem to get first dibs on them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've lived in GEH for several years now. The tear down rate is picking up speed and shows no signs of slowing down. In 5-10 years many of the dumpier properties won't be left. If you are more adventurous, you could buy one of the older or rundown properties and replace it. The issue is accessing those properties. It's really hit or miss since the builders seem to get first dibs on them.

And many of the lots are just terrible. We looked at several teardowns/new builds and the extensive terracing and steeply sloped lots were downright scary. Too risky to spend $2M+ on a house and have drainage problems and/or the terracing falling on to the house.

[Anonymous]

While I don't agree that most of the lots are problems there are some head scratchers. The one being developed where tuscarawas and walhounding meet up on the busiest corner in the neighborhood is going to be interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While I don't agree that most of the lots are problems there are some head scratchers. The one being developed where tuscarawas and walhounding meet up on the busiest corner in the neighborhood is going to be interesting.

They seem to put anything up on pretty much any lot in the neighborhood. And people buy them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no HOA in Glen Echo Heights so it is quite easy for those decaying properties to linger. However in recent years Montgomery County has had to respond to an increasing number of complaints fro newer residents. Not that the County does much.

to be fair there is like 3 crappy houses left and maybe a half dozen of middle class but under utilized ones that no longer belong after that. There are far more 3mil homes than 600k, it doesn't really affect the fabric of the area

I live in GEH and this is simply not true. While the rate of tear downs is increasing, there are way more than 3 "crappy" houses left. There are many. I'd put it in the dozens. I think I know the one the OP mentions, and it is only one eyesore among many. Although it is an especially big one. I'd give it another decade before there are 3 left.

That one, if we're talking about the same thing, is actually am illegally occupied building according to county codes. Not that the county would do anything about it.

If you are talking about the place in the Waukesha/Madawaska area, it's my understanding that there have been multiple complaints over the past few years years. It's obvious to everyone around the neighborhood that the place is unfit for habitation and should be condemned. Somehow the owner manages to skirt the inspectors. Maybe it's who the County sends out to look at it.

The house is infamous in the neighborhood. A real blight.

There seems to be few concerted efforts to deal with this and similar situations in Glen Echo Heights. Perhaps it is the absence of a HOA. Nevertheless, neighborhoods should have the right to at least have such situations addressed. I am familiar with the one mentioned and it is negligent on the part of the County not to do something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While I don't agree that most of the lots are problems there are some head scratchers. The one being developed where tuscarawas and walhounding meet up on the busiest corner in the neighborhood is going to be interesting.

They seem to put anything up on pretty much any lot in the neighborhood. And people buy them.

I've noticed all the Rembrandt Builders houses. They're enticing and seem like good construction (if you like the style), but some of the lots make me nervous.