Stretching to Buy a home

[Anonymous]

^^ yeah that house is a dump for 1.2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, I never said anything about slumming. We both grew up in places were homes are like $80k, but we are just trying to find a solution that gives decent schools, commute, and a pleasant house to live in. There is no disparaging old homes, except that they seem to cost almost as much as a new home if you want layouts and function from this decade.

Something like that is easily had for like half your budget.

Please show me these 4 bedroom $800k homes!!

Why? You can look just outside the beltway on Zillow in VA and find homes like that in decent school districts. Decent commute? Yes. Decent schools? Yes. Pleasant house? Yes.

Or maybe that actually ISN'T what the OP wants.

They actually want an easy commute compared to the average, which is like 45 mins (<20 mins), the BEST rated schools, and a brand new McCraftsman.

PP, please link to some of these Arlington homes with 4-5 bedrooms with decent schools for $800k...

-NP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1618-N-Danville-St-Arlington-VA-22201/12078827_zpid/

1.26 you end up with such a crap in Arlington, with crap school... Seriously, ?
OP is not exaggerating in budgeting 200K+ for renovation... Even with 200K, I doubt anything decent/spacious can come out of it... Arlington is not for normal family, look beyond!

Oh no, they must have Arlington. That goes on their address. So whine, whine, whine about how expensive things are despite having zero flexibility and a search area the size of a parking lot.

[Anonymous]

What's wrong with this?

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5840-18th-St-N-Arlington-VA-22205/51697207_zpid/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's wrong with this?

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5840-18th-St-N-Arlington-VA-22205/51697207_zpid/

The backyard is a parking lot for a post office, hardware store, and beer garden.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1618-N-Danville-St-Arlington-VA-22201/12078827_zpid/

1.26 you end up with such a crap in Arlington, with crap school... Seriously, ?
OP is not exaggerating in budgeting 200K+ for renovation... Even with 200K, I doubt anything decent/spacious can come out of it... Arlington is not for normal family, look beyond!

Oh no, they must have Arlington. That goes on their address. So whine, whine, whine about how expensive things are despite having zero flexibility and a search area the size of a parking lot.

We are just asking if we aren’t considering something about spending this much, we weren’t whining. We aren’t fixated on “Arlington”, and I actually would prefer Vienna or Cabin John, but since we are going down to SE DC, it makes an arduous commute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1618-N-Danville-St-Arlington-VA-22201/12078827_zpid/

1.26 you end up with such a crap in Arlington, with crap school... Seriously, ?
OP is not exaggerating in budgeting 200K+ for renovation... Even with 200K, I doubt anything decent/spacious can come out of it... Arlington is not for normal family, look beyond!

Oh no, they must have Arlington. That goes on their address. So whine, whine, whine about how expensive things are despite having zero flexibility and a search area the size of a parking lot.

We are just asking if we aren’t considering something about spending this much, we weren’t whining. We aren’t fixated on “Arlington”, and I actually would prefer Vienna or Cabin John, but since we are going down to SE DC, it makes an arduous commute.

What you're spending is fine and completely mainstream at your household income. Put 20% down and finance the rest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1618-N-Danville-St-Arlington-VA-22201/12078827_zpid/

1.26 you end up with such a crap in Arlington, with crap school... Seriously, ?
OP is not exaggerating in budgeting 200K+ for renovation... Even with 200K, I doubt anything decent/spacious can come out of it... Arlington is not for normal family, look beyond!

Oh no, they must have Arlington. That goes on their address. So whine, whine, whine about how expensive things are despite having zero flexibility and a search area the size of a parking lot.

We are just asking if we aren’t considering something about spending this much, we weren’t whining. We aren’t fixated on “Arlington”, and I actually would prefer Vienna or Cabin John, but since we are going down to SE DC, it makes an arduous commute.

I commute from Bannockburn to SW DC and don’t consider it an arduous commute at all. I like to read, so I park at the Bethesda metro (sometimes take Ride On instead of parking) and get of at Federal Center SW, one stop away from Capital South. It’s quicker to drive, but I prefer metro. Metro is around 45-50 pleasant minutes each way don’t to door most days; driving less (on both the time and pleasure fronts).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1618-N-Danville-St-Arlington-VA-22201/12078827_zpid/

1.26 you end up with such a crap in Arlington, with crap school... Seriously, ?
OP is not exaggerating in budgeting 200K+ for renovation... Even with 200K, I doubt anything decent/spacious can come out of it... Arlington is not for normal family, look beyond!

Oh no, they must have Arlington. That goes on their address. So whine, whine, whine about how expensive things are despite having zero flexibility and a search area the size of a parking lot.

We are just asking if we aren’t considering something about spending this much, we weren’t whining. We aren’t fixated on “Arlington”, and I actually would prefer Vienna or Cabin John, but since we are going down to SE DC, it makes an arduous commute.

I commute from Bannockburn to SW DC and don’t consider it an arduous commute at all. I like to read, so I park at the Bethesda metro (sometimes take Ride On instead of parking) and get of at Federal Center SW, one stop away from Capital South. It’s quicker to drive, but I prefer metro. Metro is around 45-50 pleasant minutes each way don’t to door most days; driving less (on both the time and pleasure fronts).

That works nicely if you have a SAHM or no kids, but 50 minutes on metro + driving and parking is looking at over an 1hr each way for both of us, which makes drop off, pickup, sports, and such way more complicated. We need that 1hr/person/day to keep the juggle going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1618-N-Danville-St-Arlington-VA-22201/12078827_zpid/

1.26 you end up with such a crap in Arlington, with crap school... Seriously, ?
OP is not exaggerating in budgeting 200K+ for renovation... Even with 200K, I doubt anything decent/spacious can come out of it... Arlington is not for normal family, look beyond!

Oh no, they must have Arlington. That goes on their address. So whine, whine, whine about how expensive things are despite having zero flexibility and a search area the size of a parking lot.

We are just asking if we aren’t considering something about spending this much, we weren’t whining. We aren’t fixated on “Arlington”, and I actually would prefer Vienna or Cabin John, but since we are going down to SE DC, it makes an arduous commute.

I commute from Bannockburn to SW DC and don’t consider it an arduous commute at all. I like to read, so I park at the Bethesda metro (sometimes take Ride On instead of parking) and get of at Federal Center SW, one stop away from Capital South. It’s quicker to drive, but I prefer metro. Metro is around 45-50 pleasant minutes each way don’t to door most days; driving less (on both the time and pleasure fronts).

That works nicely if you have a SAHM or no kids, but 50 minutes on metro + driving and parking is looking at over an 1hr each way for both of us, which makes drop off, pickup, sports, and such way more complicated. We need that 1hr/person/day to keep the juggle going.

OP, do you not use a nanny? It’s insane to juggle all these yourselves with such income. For what? And WHY? You won’t get decent school and ideal commute and decent house without sacrificing something... in your case, you have money, spend it to make your life easier.

[Anonymous]

+1
OP has two power jobs and three kids, and she doesn’t need help...
She’s a superwoman. How did you do that?

[Anonymous]

You have teenagers... rent a big house in Arlington if you want. Those teens will not need all those bedrooms in 10 years and you will have the flexibility to move somewhere that suits your needs later.

[Anonymous]

Are your college savings on track? If yes, then just pay the 1.6 and be done with it. Personally I would try to buy a cheaper house and renovate. I’m very picky about finishing etc and like to customize

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should consider moving away from Arlington? You could buy both of these for $975,000 or less (you could bid the second one down below $900,000) and be in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS district and walkable to Metro. A much, much better high school than anything you can find in Arlington and an easy commute to DC.

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Chevy-Chase/7411-Ridgewood-Ave-20815/home/10643922

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Chevy-Chase/4207-Stanford-St-20815/home/10642274

Before you knock the idea, I suggest taking a walk in that neighborhood. It's nicer and more charming than any neighborhood in Arlington at that price point, with better amenities nearby and better schools. You could make either of these houses shine with $300,000 or $350,000 and this budget would give you far more than enough to build an addition if needed.

We actually would prefer CCDC, but with higher income taxes its an effective $100k+ 30yr cost to live there, even with cheaper housing you come out paying as much or more.

Further we both work in Capital South so the commute from Arlington is much better

Any thoughts on living in Garrett Park or Kensington and taking a 20-30 minute MARC ride to Union Station and walking to Capital South?

This is much nicer than anything in this price range in Arlington, a 3 minute walk from MARC, community pool close by and better schools.

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Garrett-Park/4701-Waverly-Ave-20896/home/10501974

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, I never said anything about slumming. We both grew up in places were homes are like $80k, but we are just trying to find a solution that gives decent schools, commute, and a pleasant house to live in. There is no disparaging old homes, except that they seem to cost almost as much as a new home if you want layouts and function from this decade.

If you cared so much about schools you’d be looking at McLean, BCC, Whitman, WJ, Langley and Churchill. Arlington schools are not in the same league as these and you’d get a much nicer house for your money.