Feedback on these two McLean houses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Some people might go for a big, fancy house on a busy road because it’s a way to show off a bit. It puts them in the spotlight, making them look successful or important. For some, it’s all about being seen and making a statement—whether it’s for personal pride or to build their public image. Being on a busy road just means more people notice their home and what it represents.

This. It's why you're seeing several Mcmansions currently under construction off the Pike

Not at all. The reason is that there are few buildable lots left in the area. You're seeing the available lots being used; there are plenty of large homes deeper in Great Falls, but with 5+ acre lots there is just not a lot of buildable land left in the area. It has nothing to do with affirmatively wanting a home on a busy road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Some people might go for a big, fancy house on a busy road because it’s a way to show off a bit. It puts them in the spotlight, making them look successful or important. For some, it’s all about being seen and making a statement—whether it’s for personal pride or to build their public image. Being on a busy road just means more people notice their home and what it represents.

This. It's why you're seeing several Mcmansions currently under construction off the Pike

Not at all. The reason is that there are few buildable lots left in the area. You're seeing the available lots being used; there are plenty of large homes deeper in Great Falls, but with 5+ acre lots there is just not a lot of buildable land left in the area. It has nothing to do with affirmatively wanting a home on a busy road.

Not really. There are much nicer lots available in both McLean and Great falls. I know some families who have chosen to live off GP and many of them are foreigners who like to show off their wealth.

[Anonymous]

Both are too large. Bad for the environment and expensive to heat. Anything over 1,000 square feet per person is too much. Go smaller, and spend more on decor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

It’s better-looking, but still too big. It’s good for kids to grow up sharing a bathroom. It teaches his life skills the need in college. If I were buying it, I’d get rid of the third floor and convert one of those second floor bathrooms into a linen closet. Also, two gables in the front are not a good look. I’d ask the builder to center the door under one gable.

[Anonymous]

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/6638-Hazel-Ln-22101/home/9402284

Seems quite high price for a relatively smaller lot and also not zoned for Langley like the other listings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Some people might go for a big, fancy house on a busy road because it’s a way to show off a bit. It puts them in the spotlight, making them look successful or important. For some, it’s all about being seen and making a statement—whether it’s for personal pride or to build their public image. Being on a busy road just means more people notice their home and what it represents.

This. It's why you're seeing several Mcmansions currently under construction off the Pike

Not at all. The reason is that there are few buildable lots left in the area. You're seeing the available lots being used; there are plenty of large homes deeper in Great Falls, but with 5+ acre lots there is just not a lot of buildable land left in the area. It has nothing to do with affirmatively wanting a home on a busy road.

Not really. There are much nicer lots available in both McLean and Great falls. I know some families who have chosen to live off GP and many of them are foreigners who like to show off their wealth.

Custom builder here. Ive actually had clients pass on interior lots in GF, Mclean, etc in favor over lots directly off 194, Old Dominion, etc. What the PP stated is true...it is cultural and most of the ethic (I will not use the word foreigner as most are US citizens) don't really care about the traffic, noise, pollution. Its a non issue, a preference really. They just want a standalone home on a busy thoroughfare, no HOA and which they can fence off completely.

[Anonymous]

$3.2m kinda of norm for a new home in mclean these days, particularly this size. Would sell for more if the home were off the road vs directly on Balls Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

It’s better-looking, but still too big. It’s good for kids to grow up sharing a bathroom. It teaches his life skills the need in college. If I were buying it, I’d get rid of the third floor and convert one of those second floor bathrooms into a linen closet. Also, two gables in the front are not a good look. I’d ask the builder to center the door under one gable.

From an economics perspective, I'm not sure it makes sense to build small in Mclean. Lots are expensive, Cost per Sq foot goes up and it's harder for resale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

It’s better-looking, but still too big. It’s good for kids to grow up sharing a bathroom. It teaches his life skills the need in college. If I were buying it, I’d get rid of the third floor and convert one of those second floor bathrooms into a linen closet. Also, two gables in the front are not a good look. I’d ask the builder to center the door under one gable.

Also, its not a great location along Elizabeth Drive. It is right at the almost 90 degree bend in the road. So cars traveling down Elizabeth Drive will shine their headlights directly onto and into the home. Whoever buys this will need to invest in some serious window coverings for the front rooms of the house.

Elizabeth Drive is also a cut through when Balls Hill gets backed up. This might get better once the 495 construction is done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

It’s better-looking, but still too big. It’s good for kids to grow up sharing a bathroom. It teaches his life skills the need in college. If I were buying it, I’d get rid of the third floor and convert one of those second floor bathrooms into a linen closet. Also, two gables in the front are not a good look. I’d ask the builder to center the door under one gable.

Also, its not a great location along Elizabeth Drive. It is right at the almost 90 degree bend in the road. So cars traveling down Elizabeth Drive will shine their headlights directly onto and into the home. Whoever buys this will need to invest in some serious window coverings for the front rooms of the house.

Elizabeth Drive is also a cut through when Balls Hill gets backed up. This might get better once the 495 construction is done.

The reality is that most spec houses have less than ideal lots. The good ones get snatched up buy richer buyers or luxury custom builders.

[Anonymous]

Both are bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

It’s better-looking, but still too big. It’s good for kids to grow up sharing a bathroom. It teaches his life skills the need in college. If I were buying it, I’d get rid of the third floor and convert one of those second floor bathrooms into a linen closet. Also, two gables in the front are not a good look. I’d ask the builder to center the door under one gable.

Also, its not a great location along Elizabeth Drive. It is right at the almost 90 degree bend in the road. So cars traveling down Elizabeth Drive will shine their headlights directly onto and into the home. Whoever buys this will need to invest in some serious window coverings for the front rooms of the house.

Elizabeth Drive is also a cut through when Balls Hill gets backed up. This might get better once the 495 construction is done.

The reality is that most spec houses have less than ideal lots. The good ones get snatched up buy richer buyers or luxury custom builders.

I doubt the buyer cares about the cost for window coverings.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

It’s better-looking, but still too big. It’s good for kids to grow up sharing a bathroom. It teaches his life skills the need in college. If I were buying it, I’d get rid of the third floor and convert one of those second floor bathrooms into a linen closet. Also, two gables in the front are not a good look. I’d ask the builder to center the door under one gable.

Also, its not a great location along Elizabeth Drive. It is right at the almost 90 degree bend in the road. So cars traveling down Elizabeth Drive will shine their headlights directly onto and into the home. Whoever buys this will need to invest in some serious window coverings for the front rooms of the house.

Elizabeth Drive is also a cut through when Balls Hill gets backed up. This might get better once the 495 construction is done.

The reality is that most spec houses have less than ideal lots. The good ones get snatched up buy richer buyers or luxury custom builders.

I doubt the buyer cares about the cost for window coverings.....

Oh okay, it's an amazing lot then...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

It’s better-looking, but still too big. It’s good for kids to grow up sharing a bathroom. It teaches his life skills the need in college. If I were buying it, I’d get rid of the third floor and convert one of those second floor bathrooms into a linen closet. Also, two gables in the front are not a good look. I’d ask the builder to center the door under one gable.

Also, its not a great location along Elizabeth Drive. It is right at the almost 90 degree bend in the road. So cars traveling down Elizabeth Drive will shine their headlights directly onto and into the home. Whoever buys this will need to invest in some serious window coverings for the front rooms of the house.

Elizabeth Drive is also a cut through when Balls Hill gets backed up. This might get better once the 495 construction is done.

The reality is that most spec houses have less than ideal lots. The good ones get snatched up buy richer buyers or luxury custom builders.

I doubt the buyer cares about the cost for window coverings.....

Exactly, not in this price range

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$3.2m kinda of norm for a new home in mclean these days, particularly this size. Would sell for more if the home were off the road vs directly on Balls Hill.

yeah, these are 4.5 mil And a lot of the new 4+ mil construction is not obnoxiously huge either and not on huge lots. What makes a home cost 4.5 mil on a half acre lot with only 6K sq.ft? I don't see the appeal of these areas, in most you can't even walk anywhere, totally car dependent while being surrounded by busy roads, no quiet or privacy. To me the appeal would be something with scenic nature views, quiet and private, where people aren't staring into my windows. Or urban and walkable.