What's Happening to Vienna?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reason the houses are relatively huge comes down to simple economics. The land is worth between $350,000 - $500,000 per lot in Vienna - no matter what you put on it. A house costs about $250,000 to build, if that. It doesn't matter if its 2,000 or 4,000 SF, the cost difference to build it is not that different. However, once constructed, the 4,000 SF house can be sold for $1.1 - $1.4 million, and appeals to families needing 4-5 bedrooms. The smaller house can only be sold for around $800,0000-$900,000, and has a smaller pool of buyers. Which would you build?

Presuming I'm living in it for ten to twenty years? 2000 - 2500 sq ft. In all honesty, if I had the money I'd hire an architect for exactly what I want. I'd rather have a smaller home with exquisite detailing and excellent finishes. I read Susanka's book early and her theories informed my beliefs greatly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Presuming I'm living in it for ten to twenty years? 2000 - 2500 sq ft. In all honesty, if I had the money I'd hire an architect for exactly what I want. I'd rather have a smaller home with exquisite detailing and excellent finishes. I read Susanka's book early and her theories informed my beliefs greatly.

Many of the larger custom houses in Vienna and elsewhere have rooms with the level of detail described in The Not So Big House, and without the features that she sought to discredit (soaring cathedral ceilings, "great rooms," etc.). It's just that the builders went ahead and added more rooms than could fit in a 2000 SF, on the correct assumption that many buyers don't want to give up the living room, den/library, media room, etc.

Her books are pretty, just like Seaside, Florida. But there's a reason why they shot The Truman Show in such a community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Presuming I'm living in it for ten to twenty years? 2000 - 2500 sq ft. In all honesty, if I had the money I'd hire an architect for exactly what I want. I'd rather have a smaller home with exquisite detailing and excellent finishes. I read Susanka's book early and her theories informed my beliefs greatly.

Many of the larger custom houses in Vienna and elsewhere have rooms with the level of detail described in The Not So Big House, and without the features that she sought to discredit (soaring cathedral ceilings, "great rooms," etc.). It's just that the builders went ahead and added more rooms than could fit in a 2000 SF, on the correct assumption that many buyers don't want to give up the living room, den/library, media room, etc.

Her books are pretty, just like Seaside, Florida. But there's a reason why they shot The Truman Show in such a community.

Yeah, they're kind of soulless, but that's why her books just informed my beliefs and I don't want a house exactly like that.

I've seen some of the custom homes; something about them strikes me as equally bland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason the houses are relatively huge comes down to simple economics. The land is worth between $350,000 - $500,000 per lot in Vienna - no matter what you put on it. A house costs about $250,000 to build, if that. It doesn't matter if its 2,000 or 4,000 SF, the cost difference to build it is not that different. However, once constructed, the 4,000 SF house can be sold for $1.1 - $1.4 million, and appeals to families needing 4-5 bedrooms. The smaller house can only be sold for around $800,0000-$900,000, and has a smaller pool of buyers. Which would you build?

Presuming I'm living in it for ten to twenty years? 2000 - 2500 sq ft. In all honesty, if I had the money I'd hire an architect for exactly what I want. I'd rather have a smaller home with exquisite detailing and excellent finishes. I read Susanka's book early and her theories informed my beliefs greatly.

Not a good investment

[Anonymous]

The "crafty bastards" have just moved from Arlington to Vienna. Now Vienna Woods can be as ugly as parts of North Arlington. One small red brick rambler, one McMansion, one small red brick rambler, one McMansion, rinse, repeat

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason the houses are relatively huge comes down to simple economics. The land is worth between $350,000 - $500,000 per lot in Vienna - no matter what you put on it. A house costs about $250,000 to build, if that. It doesn't matter if its 2,000 or 4,000 SF, the cost difference to build it is not that different. However, once constructed, the 4,000 SF house can be sold for $1.1 - $1.4 million, and appeals to families needing 4-5 bedrooms. The smaller house can only be sold for around $800,0000-$900,000, and has a smaller pool of buyers. Which would you build?

Presuming I'm living in it for ten to twenty years? 2000 - 2500 sq ft. In all honesty, if I had the money I'd hire an architect for exactly what I want. I'd rather have a smaller home with exquisite detailing and excellent finishes. I read Susanka's book early and her theories informed my beliefs greatly.

Not a good investment

Occasionally some people purchase homes to live in them, rather than to attempt to make money. And sooner or later we're all going to have to make adjustments for different energy consumption. I know they've fallen out of favor, but I sure don't want to pay to heat and cool a great room.