Massive home addition causes confusion in Fairfax County neighborhood

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I am reading this right, they met the setback cert.

Administrative Review
Setback cert required prior to next inspection - See Nicole M or Colin G// Removed Admin Hold to Result Wind Bracing Inspection from 11/20
Met | | 11/21/2025

Now there's a different stop work for a wind bracing issue:

Stop Work
Stop Work Order
Wind Bracing Inspection Failed 11/20/25. List of Deficiencies Sent. Stop Work Order Issued 11/24/2025
Applied | Lock | 11/21/2025

The family adding on to their house has lived there a lot longer than the Karen next door. Whether or not she was involved in this, people in that neighborhood will assume she was. She's not going to have any friends left after this. Yet the addition will still be built.

Hi Mike! Hate to tell you but much of the neighborhood wants to see it come down.

That's not what the reporters found, Courtney. Better find an HOA next time. I'm sure their Architectural Control Committee would love to have another Karen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see the issue in this. They basically took the house and added two stories onto the side part of the house. If you look at the drone images they all have that long side, including the complaining neighbor. Our neighbors did horrible remodels that impacted us but their property and their right to do it.

Did your neighbor's remodel reduce your property value by 25%? Just because something is legal and you CAN do it, doesn't mean you should.

People greatly overestimate the impact a neighboring property has on their home value. 5% max. Probably less.

No way. The neighbors on either side of that house will see significantly lower value of their homes if and when they try to sell. That monstrosity is awful and truly should never have been allowed.

No, because most people don't care. Even in that case, most neighbors don't care.

Sounds like you need to live somewhere with an HOA that allows you to boss everyone else around.

No sane person would believe this nonsense, just as no sane person would want to live next to a structure as poorly conceived as this one and, by extension, no sane buyer will be interested in living nearby and certainly not next door. You rugged individualists types would be much happier in a shack in the woods far from civilization, like the Unabomber.

Location and functionality is what is most important to buyers. What your neighbor does doesn't change that.

It's the same thing with the million other things, like small cells, power lines, and eccentric paint colors, that busybodies always try to claim will hurt their property values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I am reading this right, they met the setback cert.

Administrative Review
Setback cert required prior to next inspection - See Nicole M or Colin G// Removed Admin Hold to Result Wind Bracing Inspection from 11/20
Met | | 11/21/2025

Now there's a different stop work for a wind bracing issue:

Stop Work
Stop Work Order
Wind Bracing Inspection Failed 11/20/25. List of Deficiencies Sent. Stop Work Order Issued 11/24/2025
Applied | Lock | 11/21/2025

The family adding on to their house has lived there a lot longer than the Karen next door. Whether or not she was involved in this, people in that neighborhood will assume she was. She's not going to have any friends left after this. Yet the addition will still be built.

Hi Mike! Hate to tell you but much of the neighborhood wants to see it come down.

That's not what the reporters found, Courtney. Better find an HOA next time. I'm sure their Architectural Control Committee would love to have another Karen.

Did the reporters come from the neighborhood of Make Believe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see the issue in this. They basically took the house and added two stories onto the side part of the house. If you look at the drone images they all have that long side, including the complaining neighbor. Our neighbors did horrible remodels that impacted us but their property and their right to do it.

Did your neighbor's remodel reduce your property value by 25%? Just because something is legal and you CAN do it, doesn't mean you should.

People greatly overestimate the impact a neighboring property has on their home value. 5% max. Probably less.

No way. The neighbors on either side of that house will see significantly lower value of their homes if and when they try to sell. That monstrosity is awful and truly should never have been allowed.

No, because most people don't care. Even in that case, most neighbors don't care.

Sounds like you need to live somewhere with an HOA that allows you to boss everyone else around.

No sane person would believe this nonsense, just as no sane person would want to live next to a structure as poorly conceived as this one and, by extension, no sane buyer will be interested in living nearby and certainly not next door. You rugged individualists types would be much happier in a shack in the woods far from civilization, like the Unabomber.

Location and functionality is what is most important to buyers. What your neighbor does doesn't change that.

It's the same thing with the million other things, like small cells, power lines, and eccentric paint colors, that busybodies always try to claim will hurt their property values.

ROTFL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see the issue in this. They basically took the house and added two stories onto the side part of the house. If you look at the drone images they all have that long side, including the complaining neighbor. Our neighbors did horrible remodels that impacted us but their property and their right to do it.

Did your neighbor's remodel reduce your property value by 25%? Just because something is legal and you CAN do it, doesn't mean you should.

People greatly overestimate the impact a neighboring property has on their home value. 5% max. Probably less.

No way. The neighbors on either side of that house will see significantly lower value of their homes if and when they try to sell. That monstrosity is awful and truly should never have been allowed.

No, because most people don't care. Even in that case, most neighbors don't care.

Sounds like you need to live somewhere with an HOA that allows you to boss everyone else around.

No sane person would believe this nonsense, just as no sane person would want to live next to a structure as poorly conceived as this one and, by extension, no sane buyer will be interested in living nearby and certainly not next door. You rugged individualists types would be much happier in a shack in the woods far from civilization, like the Unabomber.

Location and functionality is what is most important to buyers. What your neighbor does doesn't change that.

It's the same thing with the million other things, like small cells, power lines, and eccentric paint colors, that busybodies always try to claim will hurt their property values.

ROTFL

We'll see when Courtney sells.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see the issue in this. They basically took the house and added two stories onto the side part of the house. If you look at the drone images they all have that long side, including the complaining neighbor. Our neighbors did horrible remodels that impacted us but their property and their right to do it.

Did your neighbor's remodel reduce your property value by 25%? Just because something is legal and you CAN do it, doesn't mean you should.

People greatly overestimate the impact a neighboring property has on their home value. 5% max. Probably less.

No way. The neighbors on either side of that house will see significantly lower value of their homes if and when they try to sell. That monstrosity is awful and truly should never have been allowed.

No, because most people don't care. Even in that case, most neighbors don't care.

Sounds like you need to live somewhere with an HOA that allows you to boss everyone else around.

No sane person would believe this nonsense, just as no sane person would want to live next to a structure as poorly conceived as this one and, by extension, no sane buyer will be interested in living nearby and certainly not next door. You rugged individualists types would be much happier in a shack in the woods far from civilization, like the Unabomber.

Location and functionality is what is most important to buyers. What your neighbor does doesn't change that.

It's the same thing with the million other things, like small cells, power lines, and eccentric paint colors, that busybodies always try to claim will hurt their property values.

Right, like the condition and nature of adjacent properties are wholly irrelevant to value? Maybe on a different planet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see the issue in this. They basically took the house and added two stories onto the side part of the house. If you look at the drone images they all have that long side, including the complaining neighbor. Our neighbors did horrible remodels that impacted us but their property and their right to do it.

Did your neighbor's remodel reduce your property value by 25%? Just because something is legal and you CAN do it, doesn't mean you should.

People greatly overestimate the impact a neighboring property has on their home value. 5% max. Probably less.

No way. The neighbors on either side of that house will see significantly lower value of their homes if and when they try to sell. That monstrosity is awful and truly should never have been allowed.

No, because most people don't care. Even in that case, most neighbors don't care.

Sounds like you need to live somewhere with an HOA that allows you to boss everyone else around.

No sane person would believe this nonsense, just as no sane person would want to live next to a structure as poorly conceived as this one and, by extension, no sane buyer will be interested in living nearby and certainly not next door. You rugged individualists types would be much happier in a shack in the woods far from civilization, like the Unabomber.

Location and functionality is what is most important to buyers. What your neighbor does doesn't change that.

It's the same thing with the million other things, like small cells, power lines, and eccentric paint colors, that busybodies always try to claim will hurt their property values.

Do you actually believe this? Most people do not want to drive up to their house and see that hideous monstrosity every day. They can’t enjoy their yard because that apartment addition blocks the light and the street will soon be filled with cars parked everywhere for the illegal tenants.

Sorry, but many people not only choose their house but they choose the neighborhood that matches their desire as well.

Additions like this one are the reason HOA’s were created in the first place.

[Anonymous]

I don't live in the community in question, but I am watching this carefully because I also live in a community with no HOA in Fairfax County. This is scary to see in a county that I think of as both well funded and "competent". However my thinking is changing quickly on the competent part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I am reading this right, they met the setback cert.

Administrative Review
Setback cert required prior to next inspection - See Nicole M or Colin G// Removed Admin Hold to Result Wind Bracing Inspection from 11/20
Met | | 11/21/2025

Now there's a different stop work for a wind bracing issue:

Stop Work
Stop Work Order
Wind Bracing Inspection Failed 11/20/25. List of Deficiencies Sent. Stop Work Order Issued 11/24/2025
Applied | Lock | 11/21/2025

The family adding on to their house has lived there a lot longer than the Karen next door. Whether or not she was involved in this, people in that neighborhood will assume she was. She's not going to have any friends left after this. Yet the addition will still be built.

Actually most of the neighborhood supports the neighbor and would like to help any way that they can. We feel terrible for the family that is stuck with this monstrosity next door to them, and even for the other families on the same street.

^ this. From another nearby neighbor, if there is a variance request submitted, we’ll be sure to make our opposition well known to the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see the issue in this. They basically took the house and added two stories onto the side part of the house. If you look at the drone images they all have that long side, including the complaining neighbor. Our neighbors did horrible remodels that impacted us but their property and their right to do it.

Did your neighbor's remodel reduce your property value by 25%? Just because something is legal and you CAN do it, doesn't mean you should.

People greatly overestimate the impact a neighboring property has on their home value. 5% max. Probably less.

No way. The neighbors on either side of that house will see significantly lower value of their homes if and when they try to sell. That monstrosity is awful and truly should never have been allowed.

No, because most people don't care. Even in that case, most neighbors don't care.

Sounds like you need to live somewhere with an HOA that allows you to boss everyone else around.

No sane person would believe this nonsense, just as no sane person would want to live next to a structure as poorly conceived as this one and, by extension, no sane buyer will be interested in living nearby and certainly not next door. You rugged individualists types would be much happier in a shack in the woods far from civilization, like the Unabomber.

Location and functionality is what is most important to buyers. What your neighbor does doesn't change that.

It's the same thing with the million other things, like small cells, power lines, and eccentric paint colors, that busybodies always try to claim will hurt their property values.

Do you actually believe this? Most people do not want to drive up to their house and see that hideous monstrosity every day. They can’t enjoy their yard because that apartment addition blocks the light and the street will soon be filled with cars parked everywhere for the illegal tenants.

Sorry, but many people not only choose their house but they choose the neighborhood that matches their desire as well.

Additions like this one are the reason HOA’s were created in the first place.

I didn't say people would actively want to live next to a house like this. But unless you have an extraordinary budget, you're not going to get everything you want. The aesthetics of the neighboring house is rarely on someone's list of "must haves." Location, functionality, and cost are. It isn't going to take much for someone focused on those aspects to overlook the neighboring house. Any impact on price is going to be far closer to 5% than the absurd figure of 25% that was mentioned earlier.

I'm curious, though, why you think shade precludes someone from being able to enjoy their yard. Would you feel the same way about a tall tree blocking sunlight?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I don't live in the community in question, but I am watching this carefully because I also live in a community with no HOA in Fairfax County. This is scary to see in a county that I think of as both well funded and "competent". However my thinking is changing quickly on the competent part.

What exactly do you think is wrong with it? Do you really want county staff deciding what is "pretty enough" to build?

The limited set back is interesting, but it doesn't look like this addition is any closer to the neighboring house than the original structure.

[Anonymous]

The question no one is asking is what’s going to be the new market value of the home with the addition once complete?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see the issue in this. They basically took the house and added two stories onto the side part of the house. If you look at the drone images they all have that long side, including the complaining neighbor. Our neighbors did horrible remodels that impacted us but their property and their right to do it.

Did your neighbor's remodel reduce your property value by 25%? Just because something is legal and you CAN do it, doesn't mean you should.

People greatly overestimate the impact a neighboring property has on their home value. 5% max. Probably less.

No way. The neighbors on either side of that house will see significantly lower value of their homes if and when they try to sell. That monstrosity is awful and truly should never have been allowed.

No, because most people don't care. Even in that case, most neighbors don't care.

Sounds like you need to live somewhere with an HOA that allows you to boss everyone else around.

No sane person would believe this nonsense, just as no sane person would want to live next to a structure as poorly conceived as this one and, by extension, no sane buyer will be interested in living nearby and certainly not next door. You rugged individualists types would be much happier in a shack in the woods far from civilization, like the Unabomber.

Location and functionality is what is most important to buyers. What your neighbor does doesn't change that.

It's the same thing with the million other things, like small cells, power lines, and eccentric paint colors, that busybodies always try to claim will hurt their property values.

Do you actually believe this? Most people do not want to drive up to their house and see that hideous monstrosity every day. They can’t enjoy their yard because that apartment addition blocks the light and the street will soon be filled with cars parked everywhere for the illegal tenants.

Sorry, but many people not only choose their house but they choose the neighborhood that matches their desire as well.

Additions like this one are the reason HOA’s were created in the first place.

I didn't say people would actively want to live next to a house like this. But unless you have an extraordinary budget, you're not going to get everything you want. The aesthetics of the neighboring house is rarely on someone's list of "must haves." Location, functionality, and cost are. It isn't going to take much for someone focused on those aspects to overlook the neighboring house. Any impact on price is going to be far closer to 5% than the absurd figure of 25% that was mentioned earlier.

I'm curious, though, why you think shade precludes someone from being able to enjoy their yard. Would you feel the same way about a tall tree blocking sunlight?

A tall tree fits in with the aesthetic of a mature neighborhood. A hideous rectangular building that looks like an apartment building does not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see the issue in this. They basically took the house and added two stories onto the side part of the house. If you look at the drone images they all have that long side, including the complaining neighbor. Our neighbors did horrible remodels that impacted us but their property and their right to do it.

Did your neighbor's remodel reduce your property value by 25%? Just because something is legal and you CAN do it, doesn't mean you should.

People greatly overestimate the impact a neighboring property has on their home value. 5% max. Probably less.

No way. The neighbors on either side of that house will see significantly lower value of their homes if and when they try to sell. That monstrosity is awful and truly should never have been allowed.

No, because most people don't care. Even in that case, most neighbors don't care.

Sounds like you need to live somewhere with an HOA that allows you to boss everyone else around.

No sane person would believe this nonsense, just as no sane person would want to live next to a structure as poorly conceived as this one and, by extension, no sane buyer will be interested in living nearby and certainly not next door. You rugged individualists types would be much happier in a shack in the woods far from civilization, like the Unabomber.

Location and functionality is what is most important to buyers. What your neighbor does doesn't change that.

It's the same thing with the million other things, like small cells, power lines, and eccentric paint colors, that busybodies always try to claim will hurt their property values.

Do you actually believe this? Most people do not want to drive up to their house and see that hideous monstrosity every day. They can’t enjoy their yard because that apartment addition blocks the light and the street will soon be filled with cars parked everywhere for the illegal tenants.

Sorry, but many people not only choose their house but they choose the neighborhood that matches their desire as well.

Additions like this one are the reason HOA’s were created in the first place.

I didn't say people would actively want to live next to a house like this. But unless you have an extraordinary budget, you're not going to get everything you want. The aesthetics of the neighboring house is rarely on someone's list of "must haves." Location, functionality, and cost are. It isn't going to take much for someone focused on those aspects to overlook the neighboring house. Any impact on price is going to be far closer to 5% than the absurd figure of 25% that was mentioned earlier.

I'm curious, though, why you think shade precludes someone from being able to enjoy their yard. Would you feel the same way about a tall tree blocking sunlight?

A tall tree fits in with the aesthetic of a mature neighborhood. A hideous rectangular building that looks like an apartment building does not.

That's aesthetics, not functionality. It doesn't prevent you from using and enjoying your backyard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I don't live in the community in question, but I am watching this carefully because I also live in a community with no HOA in Fairfax County. This is scary to see in a county that I think of as both well funded and "competent". However my thinking is changing quickly on the competent part.

What exactly do you think is wrong with it? Do you really want county staff deciding what is "pretty enough" to build?

The limited set back is interesting, but it doesn't look like this addition is any closer to the neighboring house than the original structure.

Are you the owner of the house? You continually reply in such an aggressive manner trying to defend this atrocious addition that never should have been allowed to happen.