Dying market in Potomac

[Anonymous]

Agree with a lot of the PPs. Those houses are all really ugly. The generation buying homes in that price range don't like the layouts and styles of those houses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nonsense smack talk about Potomac aside, the Potomac RE market was weak until the pandemic came along, no?

Yes. Coronavirus has helped move the houses there with people looking for bigger houses and more outdoor space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People with money are getting out of here.

People with money live in Woodland-Normanstone or Kalorama, not Potomac.

You're clueless

For real. My neighborhood includes a Marriott, a co-founder of Total Wine, the former Speaker of the House and now very well paid lobbyist/board member etc., a former White House counsel and now biglaw partner, a retired Redskin, the CEO of a major government contracting firm, among others. There is serious money in Potomac.

My street includes one of the 40 richest people under 40, 3 of the largest builders in the area, a medical tech executive who is reported to be worth about 750 million and the poors are some of the top lawyers in town. My neighborhood includes the elder Albrittons, the CEO of a major insurance financial services firm, the Tracy’s, a founder of a major consulting firm, some major (ie highest paid) TV news personalities and a bunch of Carlyle and other investment types.

Small blocks in the right neighborhoods in DC have more wealth than large sections of Potomac. The Marriott brothers (not their many kids) are all you got with any real mojo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People with money are getting out of here.

People with money live in Woodland-Normanstone or Kalorama, not Potomac.

You're clueless

For real. My neighborhood includes a Marriott, a co-founder of Total Wine, the former Speaker of the House and now very well paid lobbyist/board member etc., a former White House counsel and now biglaw partner, a retired Redskin, the CEO of a major government contracting firm, among others. There is serious money in Potomac.

My street includes one of the 40 richest people under 40, 3 of the largest builders in the area, a medical tech executive who is reported to be worth about 750 million and the poors are some of the top lawyers in town. My neighborhood includes the elder Albrittons, the CEO of a major insurance financial services firm, the Tracy’s, a founder of a major consulting firm, some major (ie highest paid) TV news personalities and a bunch of Carlyle and other investment types.

Small blocks in the right neighborhoods in DC have more wealth than large sections of Potomac. The Marriott brothers (not their many kids) are all you got with any real mojo.

Mitchell Rales? Dan Snyder? Ted Leonsis? 3 billionaires off the top of my head who live in Potomac.

[Anonymous]

The problem isn't the location, it's the houses. They are dated.

Nobody wants to pay that kind of money and then have to remodel. Finished houses in these types of locations are having no problems.

[Anonymous]

The broad generalizations about Potomac homes on this thread by some is ridiculous. Statements that "the houses are all really ugly" and the "houses are all dated". Do you actually spend much time in Potomac? As a relative newcomer to the DMV area, who resides now in Potomac, I quickly learned that many towns in this area have "ugly" and 'outdated' homes....many pockets of Bethesda, Rockville, McLean, and yes, Potomac too. I appreciate the consistency of neighborhoods in DC (Chevy Chase, etc) but the interiors of many of these homes for sale are dated and a massive amount of renovation is needed for many new homeowners. Can't justify $1.5 mil on a home without a garage or driveway and shoebox size closets. I have spent a lot of time cycling thru Potomac in the past 6 months and there are so many exquisite homes and neighborhoods....We feel lucky to live so close to DC, yet in an area with some much nature, larger lot sizes, many good school choices in the area...and family friendly. Appreciate the extra space more than ever now too as a family of 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The broad generalizations about Potomac homes on this thread by some is ridiculous. Statements that "the houses are all really ugly" and the "houses are all dated". Do you actually spend much time in Potomac? As a relative newcomer to the DMV area, who resides now in Potomac, I quickly learned that many towns in this area have "ugly" and 'outdated' homes....many pockets of Bethesda, Rockville, McLean, and yes, Potomac too. I appreciate the consistency of neighborhoods in DC (Chevy Chase, etc) but the interiors of many of these homes for sale are dated and a massive amount of renovation is needed for many new homeowners. Can't justify $1.5 mil on a home without a garage or driveway and shoebox size closets. I have spent a lot of time cycling thru Potomac in the past 6 months and there are so many exquisite homes and neighborhoods....We feel lucky to live so close to DC, yet in an area with some much nature, larger lot sizes, many good school choices in the area...and family friendly. Appreciate the extra space more than ever now too as a family of 5.

I agree, it's super weird. We live in Potomac (close in, not out River Road) and our neighborhood is beyond family friendly, kids playing in cul de sacs and biking, but we also have a gorgeous wooded backyard with a creek, privacy when we are on our deck, etc. We sold a $1+mil in Chevy Chase for this house, about the same price, and couldn't be happier. Old house had no garage, street parking everywhere, practically looking into the neighbors' bedrooms, etc. I don't think people are familiar with many areas of Potomac when they write this stuff.

[Anonymous]

+1000 to PP - the OP is one of several stirring up trouble with these kinds of posts. There are some terrific neighborhoods in Potomac, in particular if you like some space. We looked in Chevy Chase and Bethesda and could not justify the premium. Lots are smaller on average, homes are mostly low ceilings, small windows and not very bright.

I respect everyone's choices, but to say an entire town is one way or another is quite ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm always surprised when families with young kids choose Potomac, which has some of the least family-friendly neighborhoods. I get liking the large houses, but I've always wanted my kids to be able to run around and play with kids in the neighborhood. After schools, that was a top priority in our home search.

For McLean neighborhoods like such, what would you suggest? Thank you very much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Again, I want to express my love for the second house. It's all custom and was so obviously a labor of love. The rest of them are cheap Chinese drywall, but that house is something special.

Agreed. Are you the goats poster? I'd gladly be your neighbor and add chickens to the mix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People with money are getting out of here.

People with money live in Woodland-Normanstone or Kalorama, not Potomac.

You're clueless

I wouldn't be so sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1000 to PP - the OP is one of several stirring up trouble with these kinds of posts. There are some terrific neighborhoods in Potomac, in particular if you like some space. We looked in Chevy Chase and Bethesda and could not justify the premium. Lots are smaller on average, homes are mostly low ceilings, small windows and not very bright.

I respect everyone's choices, but to say an entire town is one way or another is quite ridiculous.

People forget Bethesda and Potomac can be one house apart. I live in Village in section bordered by Falls Road, Democracy and River Road. That section homes are all 1/2 acre most 3,500 to 4,500 SF (upstairs) all built in mid 1970s.

I ended up my house search in this section mainly as no HOA, gas heat, sewers, street lamps, walk to village and easy in and easy out. Unlike outer Potomac it is a bit busier as with cut throughs etc in rush hour being between three major roads.

Most houses have now turned over three times since 1975. 1990s houses are often more dated.

It is not age of house it is quality of build. My section has nearly all five bedroom four sided brick colonials with steel beams. And yes they are not turn key. Mine was in excellent condition. But did do all new windows, floor sanding, electrical and re-sanded floors before move in. But better than walking distance metro at this price point was tear downs.

100 years from now my block will be unchanged. In three years have never seen a teardown or expanded home. Hate to say outer Potomac, outer Rockville, Germantown May be coming back if we only go back to office part time. I lived in NYC two years when worked full time in DC as only office Monday to Thursday and between five weeks vacation and two weeks holidays even then was not hard to come down 3 nights a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live a few blocks from there.

I had several family’s move near me in last year from Bethesda/DC. They needed more space as kids older and wanted Churchill. I only moved here in 2018 from “close in” but I had an 18, 16 and 11 year old at time. They are far beyond the stroller and park stage. And my wife is far past hang out with new Moms phase.

I work from home. I actually technically have a 7 bedroom house. Two are basement guest bedrooms. But home office wise is great. I literally had a 1,600 square foot house close in with a one car driveway! Was no longer practical

Also it is not generational it is age. The majority of parents on my block who moved in with kids are in there 50s. Been there don’t that close in. And the hipster parents in there 30s pushing their kid in a stroller come 55 when you have three kids 15-20 and five cars it won’t be fun anymore

When I’m 55 my youngest will be just out of college and I’ll be enjoying my cute row house that’s walkable to everything. If you live in DC, your teens don’t need cars. It’s just a totally different way of living.

I live in DC. My kids are 22 and 18. They still don't have their driver's licenses. It's ridiculous, but they don't seem to care yet. They've never needed one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm always surprised when families with young kids choose Potomac, which has some of the least family-friendly neighborhoods. I get liking the large houses, but I've always wanted my kids to be able to run around and play with kids in the neighborhood. After schools, that was a top priority in our home search.

You are poor then. That's what poor kids do: play on the street in the neighborhood. Rich kids have different after school activities. That's why rich folks are comfortable in Potomac, they are not into street and gang-like neighborhood activities. Kids go to country clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm always surprised when families with young kids choose Potomac, which has some of the least family-friendly neighborhoods. I get liking the large houses, but I've always wanted my kids to be able to run around and play with kids in the neighborhood. After schools, that was a top priority in our home search.

You are poor then. That's what poor kids do: play on the street in the neighborhood. Rich kids have different after school activities. That's why rich folks are comfortable in Potomac, they are not into street and gang-like neighborhood activities. Kids go to country clubs.

Ugh. I like my upper middle class life then (which in DC seems to correspond with houses more at the 1-1.5M range). No money worries, but don't have to really worry about the "right" country club. The kids just play with neighbors down the street. No need to be ferried around 24/7