Arlington: Has this $3m wreck been discussed?

[Anonymous]

It could sell 2.2-2.4. Why would anyone pay new construction pricing for this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It could sell 2.2-2.4. Why would anyone pay new construction pricing for this?

There are many older mcMansions that sell for 3 mil in areas where new construction is north of 4 mil. If this area commands over 4 mil for new construction then you can see older homes in move-in condition that are the same size as new construction go over 2.8 mil easily and often over 3 mil depending.

The question is whether this home is in move-in condition according to the majority of the buyer's tastes. Seems like people are divided there. I like some things about this house and personally don't find its exterior hideous at all. It's interesting and has big windows maximizing privacy and views. I also like the kitchen, it has a nice vibe with a generous and bright dining area, it's different from all these cookie cutter kitchens and isn't dated at all, just its own unique style. Bathrooms are adequate, but some may want to remodel them. The living area seems weird to me and I don't understand the purpose of the bizarre covered "balcony" which makes what must be a "family room" look dark and dingy.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's a wreck. There will be a buyer who will appreciate it and for whom it would be in move-in condition. I think they may need to stage it in a clever way to reflect its style and make it shine to attract that buyer if it doesn't sell quickly. It's hard to imagine this space coming to life when most type of decor and staging we see is contemporary and doesn't go with this style of a home.

My main concern would be lack of useful outdoor space. The sad patio on the bottom isn't it. At this price point seller is competing with older but more recently built mcMansions that have decks and screened porches. I would not pay 3 mil for a house where I cannot take my meal outside or get some sun without going to the basement first, which means I need a deck at the level of the kitchen/dining area.

I'd have to rip out the weird "balcony" that reminds me of old homes or apartments, and replace it with a nice deck and a screened porch. Someone must love this house a lot to have to pay for it in addition to this price, or simply not care about outdoor spaces.

[Anonymous]

What is the purpose of the narrow enclosed balcony? So odd.

[Anonymous]

“architecturally significant“

In that it’s significantly bad

[Anonymous]

How did an architect live with all those cheap Ikea "built-in" shelves that AREN'T level?! Also the outlets ON THE TRIM? Who made that choice?!!

I have no idea if it'll sell for $3M but wow what a ride. Thank for posting!

[Anonymous]

The exterior looks like a mini fire station.

5000+ sf and it has a stacked washer and dryer?

[Anonymous]

If you told me that all the photos were from different houses and were just compiled together randomly, I would believe it. What a weird disjointed mess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't realize there were floor plans and now see them.

Bedrooms on the bottom floor and the kitchen placement and size are inexplicable.

The 90s elements to me are: brick on the exterior, lots of vaulted ceilings, those horrid transom windows everywhere.

Those element are present but it's still VERY unusual for a 90s home.

The black toilet & wallpaper in that bathroom look very 80s to me.

My pediatrician had a black toilet in his office. I remember thinking it was the coolest thing in 1980!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It could sell 2.2-2.4. Why would anyone pay new construction pricing for this?

It's in country club hills. Mayne it will become a very expensive tear down.

[Anonymous]

This discussion is as nonsensical as the asking price.

This is a 4 bedroom, 5400 sf house with an unfinished basement on a 10,500 sf lot.

A new build of 6000-7000 sf with 6-8 br could fetch the asking price. This is smaller, with less bedrooms, and terribly dated.

You’d need at least 500k to renovate this entire house to get it up to date. And then there would be some adjustment for the smaller size and number of bedrooms. I think it could be appraised around 2-2.4 million.

The lot itself only has value of 1-1.2 mil.

[Anonymous]

I kind of like it, minus the black bathrooms.

But this certainly isn’t the house I’d get if I had $3 million.

[Anonymous]

I dunno, DC is full of people with bad taste. I don't think it will sell at the current price, but some idiot will probably find it interesting and different and buy it. Hideous houses in Potomac and Mclean sell all the time, and it's inexplicable until you remember that lots of people have bad taste, especially in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I dunno, DC is full of people with bad taste. I don't think it will sell at the current price, but some idiot will probably find it interesting and different and buy it. Hideous houses in Potomac and Mclean sell all the time, and it's inexplicable until you remember that lots of people have bad taste, especially in DC.

It's all about price, every house sells when priced well for what it is.

The market for the old mcMansions is difficult, because they require $$$ renovations, but cannot sell for the price of small tear down homes. They have sq. footage, good bones and people feel it's a waste to tear them down. Why they have to be priced in a way to allow cushion for the work to be done, because every potential buyer isn't looking at this price, but at their "final" price to make it move-in ready for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I kind of like it, minus the black bathrooms.

But this certainly isn’t the house I’d get if I had $3 million.

If I had 3 mil to spend, I'd just rebuild mine.