What is a McMansion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McMansions are newer larger homes (3000SF+) that are built in newer developments usually farther out. The term McMansion is like MsDonalds meaning mass production and the same thing over and over again. Think of ashburn, centreville, chantilly etc...

I thought a McMansion is a big house on a small lot where it takes up 3/4 of a lot and butts up against the other houses. Or on medium lots where all the houses in the development look the same.
You can definitely have new large houses that are not mcMansions. They just have to be done well.

We have McMansions our way - tons, in fact.

All of them are on 2 acres or more.

They are absolutely hideous.

not a status symbol, imo

In fact, having grown up in custom built homes, people have no idea what quality is. And most who live in these McMansions, while they paid quite a bit, would never be able to afford a REAL custom built home.

It is so lovely that you pointed out that these people would never be able to afford a REAL custom home. You sound like a peach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

In fact, having grown up in custom built homes, people have no idea what quality is.

Why wouldn't people know what quality is if they grew up in custom-built homes?

Perhaps you should be enrolling in remedial English classes and not worrying about the homes of other people.

[Anonymous]

Jealousy gets you no where fast.

[Anonymous]

Listen, girlfriend. Not even I can afford a custom built home.

And yes, I grew up in them b/c my father was a builder and a stonemason. He had the cash; he had the connections. He could bargain.

So show me the cash for at least an acre. And then I'll need to see how you can pay for REAL brick and stone - not a facade. After that, hand over money for concrete and stone patios and walkways and an ORIGINAL design that's been approved by an architect.

Oh - and let's look at top of the line appliances, marble and granite countertops, tile and hardwood, custom cabinets, a jacuzzi, and a separate wing for guests.

been there
can't do it now!

not complaining, as I had a great childhood - But let's just say that I'm in the know.

Love,
the Peachy Bitch

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McMansions are newer larger homes (3000SF+) that are built in newer developments usually farther out. The term McMansion is like MsDonalds meaning mass production and the same thing over and over again. Think of ashburn, centreville, chantilly etc...

I thought a McMansion is a big house on a small lot where it takes up 3/4 of a lot and butts up against the other houses. Or on medium lots where all the houses in the development look the same.
You can definitely have new large houses that are not mcMansions. They just have to be done well.

We have McMansions our way - tons, in fact.

All of them are on 2 acres or more.

They are absolutely hideous.

not a status symbol, imo

In fact, having grown up in custom built homes, people have no idea what quality is. And most who live in these McMansions, while they paid quite a bit, would never be able to afford a REAL custom built home.

It is so lovely that you pointed out that these people would never be able to afford a REAL custom home. You sound like a peach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Listen, girlfriend. Not even I can afford a custom built home.

And yes, I grew up in them b/c my father was a builder and a stonemason. He had the cash; he had the connections. He could bargain.

So show me the cash for at least an acre. And then I'll need to see how you can pay for REAL brick and stone - not a facade. After that, hand over money for concrete and stone patios and walkways and an ORIGINAL design that's been approved by an architect.

Oh - and let's look at top of the line appliances, marble and granite countertops, tile and hardwood, custom cabinets, a jacuzzi, and a separate wing for guests.

been there
can't do it now!

not complaining, as I had a great childhood - But let's just say that I'm in the know.

Love,
the Peachy Bitch

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McMansions are newer larger homes (3000SF+) that are built in newer developments usually farther out. The term McMansion is like MsDonalds meaning mass production and the same thing over and over again. Think of ashburn, centreville, chantilly etc...

I thought a McMansion is a big house on a small lot where it takes up 3/4 of a lot and butts up against the other houses. Or on medium lots where all the houses in the development look the same.
You can definitely have new large houses that are not mcMansions. They just have to be done well.

We have McMansions our way - tons, in fact.

All of them are on 2 acres or more.

They are absolutely hideous.

not a status symbol, imo

In fact, having grown up in custom built homes, people have no idea what quality is. And most who live in these McMansions, while they paid quite a bit, would never be able to afford a REAL custom built home.

It is so lovely that you pointed out that these people would never be able to afford a REAL custom home. You sound like a peach.

Say what? I think you need to step away from the box of wine...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I may also be living in a mcmansion too OP!! Oh the humanity!

As far as I'm aware, the criteria for a mcmansion are the following:

1. newer construction (2000 or later)
2. you don't like it and need to call it a derogatory term

This is similar to "shitshack" which is the following:

1. Older construction (basically anything before the 90s)
2. You don't like it and need to call it a derogatory term

On the bright side at least these people are taking out their frustration on houses and not minority groups, right?

+1. This is the only person who actually got it right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I may also be living in a mcmansion too OP!! Oh the humanity!

As far as I'm aware, the criteria for a mcmansion are the following:

1. newer construction (2000 or later)
2. you don't like it and need to call it a derogatory term

This is similar to "shitshack" which is the following:

1. Older construction (basically anything before the 90s)
2. You don't like it and need to call it a derogatory term

On the bright side at least these people are taking out their frustration on houses and not minority groups, right?

hahah Well, those same people claim that Asians and immigrants covet McMansions and not the whites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Listen, girlfriend. Not even I can afford a custom built home.

And yes, I grew up in them b/c my father was a builder and a stonemason. He had the cash; he had the connections. He could bargain.

So show me the cash for at least an acre. And then I'll need to see how you can pay for REAL brick and stone - not a facade. After that, hand over money for concrete and stone patios and walkways and an ORIGINAL design that's been approved by an architect.

Oh - and let's look at top of the line appliances, marble and granite countertops, tile and hardwood, custom cabinets, a jacuzzi, and a separate wing for guests.

been there
can't do it now!

not complaining, as I had a great childhood - But let's just say that I'm in the know.

Love,
the Peachy Bitch

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McMansions are newer larger homes (3000SF+) that are built in newer developments usually farther out. The term McMansion is like MsDonalds meaning mass production and the same thing over and over again. Think of ashburn, centreville, chantilly etc...

I thought a McMansion is a big house on a small lot where it takes up 3/4 of a lot and butts up against the other houses. Or on medium lots where all the houses in the development look the same.
You can definitely have new large houses that are not mcMansions. They just have to be done well.

We have McMansions our way - tons, in fact.

All of them are on 2 acres or more.

They are absolutely hideous.

not a status symbol, imo

In fact, having grown up in custom built homes, people have no idea what quality is. And most who live in these McMansions, while they paid quite a bit, would never be able to afford a REAL custom built home.

It is so lovely that you pointed out that these people would never be able to afford a REAL custom home. You sound like a peach.

No one builds a house completely out of bricks and stones. It would be extremely expensive, noninsulating and a waste of money.

http://www.inspectionlibrary.com/brick.htm

So Which is Better?

Well that depends on your criteria. Solid masonry walls are certainly stronger, however brick veneer walls are plenty strong and are certainly better insulated. In the big scheme of things, the differences between the two types of construction should not be important enough to affect a purchase decision. In the interests of national unity, you shouldn't even care whether the house has any brick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.thayeravenue.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/mcmansion.jpg

I have always been curious about this house. Who owns it? It has never really looked lived in. Does anyone actually live in it? I don't live in the neighborhood, but drive by frequently.

[Anonymous]

Because the only way to get a livable amount of space without tearing down is to do this

PEAK A BOO

[Anonymous]

Too bad the addition couldn't be more subtle. Original house was cute. That's what happens when people decide they want serious square footage on an Arlington mini-lot.

[Anonymous]

Mcmansions do not have additions - those are sh*tshacks. Seperate thread, people.

Mcmansions are new houses bolt in knock down neighborhoods. They have resentful neighbors in old houses (no matter how many add ons), because those in the old houses know they are just a tax payment away from not affording the neighborhood at all!

Hence the term. It belongs to the jealous.

[Anonymous]

Oh dear. god I am not jealous of your new house. You enjoy it. I