Why are homes in the DMV not nice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There isn’t a lot of real money in DC. Almost everyone is here for work. There aren’t insanely wealthy people like you’d find in LA, NY etc.

There is a decent bit of money here. People are just more modest and less showy because it is in poor taste to be flashy with your wealth. Many households here that 30-100M in assets. However, these people often live in the same 1-3M neighborhoods that others live in. They don’t have super fancy houses, just slightly nicer than average houses in premium locations.

No, not really. Yes, there are wealthy families but it pales in comparison to a city like Los Angeles or New York. It’s why across the board there are fewer luxury offerings. It’s a company town.

There are 70 properties on the market in DC and 22101 that are over $5m. We haven't even touched other areas yet. Is that not expensive enough for you? How about the 5 properties over $15m?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on what range homes you are talking about:
- Yes, multimillion dollar homes should look great in all ways.
- Under a million? Those are normal homes and people who own them will typically have to prioritize savings over renovations and decor, which is the sound and responsible thing to do.

I’m from Atlanta originally and you find attractive housing at all prices. If it has been renovated since the HGTV era, it looks good. The quality of the renovation may vary based on price, and it may be obvious if you’re in the space, but it will look great in a picture. I largely think it’s a reflection of labor costs and priorities. I love telling my sister in Atlanta about the quotes I get - she’s always shocked and appalled. I don’t think she’s ever done a house project that cost more than 10K, and she’s had major work done (adding bathrooms, finishing her basement, etc). At the prices we’re quoted here, I’m constantly asking myself whether it’s worth it. With the purely cosmetic work, it often isn’t.

Atlanta + HGTV = we are not working from the same definition of "nice"

The housing stock in Atlanta is beautiful. Go browse homes in buckhead or Druid hills on Redfin.

Who wants to live in Atlanta?

I actually love Atlanta. It’s a bit roomier than the other big cities and it has everything that you need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on what range homes you are talking about:
- Yes, multimillion dollar homes should look great in all ways.
- Under a million? Those are normal homes and people who own them will typically have to prioritize savings over renovations and decor, which is the sound and responsible thing to do.

I’m from Atlanta originally and you find attractive housing at all prices. If it has been renovated since the HGTV era, it looks good. The quality of the renovation may vary based on price, and it may be obvious if you’re in the space, but it will look great in a picture. I largely think it’s a reflection of labor costs and priorities. I love telling my sister in Atlanta about the quotes I get - she’s always shocked and appalled. I don’t think she’s ever done a house project that cost more than 10K, and she’s had major work done (adding bathrooms, finishing her basement, etc). At the prices we’re quoted here, I’m constantly asking myself whether it’s worth it. With the purely cosmetic work, it often isn’t.

Atlanta + HGTV = we are not working from the same definition of "nice"

The housing stock in Atlanta is beautiful. Go browse homes in buckhead or Druid hills on Redfin.

Who wants to live in Atlanta?

I actually love Atlanta. It’s a bit roomier than the other big cities and it has everything that you need.

Except decent weather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on what range homes you are talking about:
- Yes, multimillion dollar homes should look great in all ways.
- Under a million? Those are normal homes and people who own them will typically have to prioritize savings over renovations and decor, which is the sound and responsible thing to do.

I’m from Atlanta originally and you find attractive housing at all prices. If it has been renovated since the HGTV era, it looks good. The quality of the renovation may vary based on price, and it may be obvious if you’re in the space, but it will look great in a picture. I largely think it’s a reflection of labor costs and priorities. I love telling my sister in Atlanta about the quotes I get - she’s always shocked and appalled. I don’t think she’s ever done a house project that cost more than 10K, and she’s had major work done (adding bathrooms, finishing her basement, etc). At the prices we’re quoted here, I’m constantly asking myself whether it’s worth it. With the purely cosmetic work, it often isn’t.

Atlanta + HGTV = we are not working from the same definition of "nice"

The housing stock in Atlanta is beautiful. Go browse homes in buckhead or Druid hills on Redfin.

Who wants to live in Atlanta?

I actually love Atlanta. It’s a bit roomier than the other big cities and it has everything that you need.

Except decent weather.

It's fairy mild outside of summer months. Is it this much worse in the summer than here?

ATL is great if you don't mind being far from the coasts and dense more urban cities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on what range homes you are talking about:
- Yes, multimillion dollar homes should look great in all ways.
- Under a million? Those are normal homes and people who own them will typically have to prioritize savings over renovations and decor, which is the sound and responsible thing to do.

I’m from Atlanta originally and you find attractive housing at all prices. If it has been renovated since the HGTV era, it looks good. The quality of the renovation may vary based on price, and it may be obvious if you’re in the space, but it will look great in a picture. I largely think it’s a reflection of labor costs and priorities. I love telling my sister in Atlanta about the quotes I get - she’s always shocked and appalled. I don’t think she’s ever done a house project that cost more than 10K, and she’s had major work done (adding bathrooms, finishing her basement, etc). At the prices we’re quoted here, I’m constantly asking myself whether it’s worth it. With the purely cosmetic work, it often isn’t.

Atlanta + HGTV = we are not working from the same definition of "nice"

The housing stock in Atlanta is beautiful. Go browse homes in buckhead or Druid hills on Redfin.

Who wants to live in Atlanta?

I actually love Atlanta. It’s a bit roomier than the other big cities and it has everything that you need.

Except decent weather.

And lacking waterfront

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on what range homes you are talking about:
- Yes, multimillion dollar homes should look great in all ways.
- Under a million? Those are normal homes and people who own them will typically have to prioritize savings over renovations and decor, which is the sound and responsible thing to do.

I’m from Atlanta originally and you find attractive housing at all prices. If it has been renovated since the HGTV era, it looks good. The quality of the renovation may vary based on price, and it may be obvious if you’re in the space, but it will look great in a picture. I largely think it’s a reflection of labor costs and priorities. I love telling my sister in Atlanta about the quotes I get - she’s always shocked and appalled. I don’t think she’s ever done a house project that cost more than 10K, and she’s had major work done (adding bathrooms, finishing her basement, etc). At the prices we’re quoted here, I’m constantly asking myself whether it’s worth it. With the purely cosmetic work, it often isn’t.

Atlanta + HGTV = we are not working from the same definition of "nice"

The housing stock in Atlanta is beautiful. Go browse homes in buckhead or Druid hills on Redfin.

That’s no different than just looking at DC homes in Spring Valley or Georgetown or CC MD which everyone agrees (I think on this thread) is nice stock.

Those areas are literally premium big mansion parts of Atlanta. We have tons of this in Mclean and Great Falls, in similar woodsy hilly setting. It's really not this much different. I've been there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's kind of funny you mentioned the NYC suburbs as being nicer. I'm in the NYC burbs and on our subreddit we often have posts asking why the housing stock is so old/outdated/small.

Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

New Jersey and Westchester don't look this much different from DC burbs. There are a few towns that are nicer near the towns, but if you aren't walking distance to the actual towns with the rail stations your lifestyle there and your surroundings are very similar to what we have here. Instead of doing promenade "shopping", dining, etc in our suburban centers we have an option to go to DC, Alexandria, urban yuppie parts of Arlington, Bethesda, etc as our suburbs are not as far from the city as NYC burbs are from NYC. Many suburbanites can be in Georgetown or National Mall in 15-20 min driving

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on what range homes you are talking about:
- Yes, multimillion dollar homes should look great in all ways.
- Under a million? Those are normal homes and people who own them will typically have to prioritize savings over renovations and decor, which is the sound and responsible thing to do.

I’m from Atlanta originally and you find attractive housing at all prices. If it has been renovated since the HGTV era, it looks good. The quality of the renovation may vary based on price, and it may be obvious if you’re in the space, but it will look great in a picture. I largely think it’s a reflection of labor costs and priorities. I love telling my sister in Atlanta about the quotes I get - she’s always shocked and appalled. I don’t think she’s ever done a house project that cost more than 10K, and she’s had major work done (adding bathrooms, finishing her basement, etc). At the prices we’re quoted here, I’m constantly asking myself whether it’s worth it. With the purely cosmetic work, it often isn’t.

Atlanta + HGTV = we are not working from the same definition of "nice"

The housing stock in Atlanta is beautiful. Go browse homes in buckhead or Druid hills on Redfin.

I am from Atlanta as well and I agree. Atlanta has such beautiful homes. The houses here look terrible and very uninspiring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on what range homes you are talking about:
- Yes, multimillion dollar homes should look great in all ways.
- Under a million? Those are normal homes and people who own them will typically have to prioritize savings over renovations and decor, which is the sound and responsible thing to do.

I’m from Atlanta originally and you find attractive housing at all prices. If it has been renovated since the HGTV era, it looks good. The quality of the renovation may vary based on price, and it may be obvious if you’re in the space, but it will look great in a picture. I largely think it’s a reflection of labor costs and priorities. I love telling my sister in Atlanta about the quotes I get - she’s always shocked and appalled. I don’t think she’s ever done a house project that cost more than 10K, and she’s had major work done (adding bathrooms, finishing her basement, etc). At the prices we’re quoted here, I’m constantly asking myself whether it’s worth it. With the purely cosmetic work, it often isn’t.

Atlanta + HGTV = we are not working from the same definition of "nice"

The housing stock in Atlanta is beautiful. Go browse homes in buckhead or Druid hills on Redfin.

I am from Atlanta as well and I agree. Atlanta has such beautiful homes. The houses here look terrible and very uninspiring.

Where exactly did you look here?

[Anonymous]

This is everywhere OP there is a major shortage of houses. Look at this jem I came across this morning.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/85-Hospital-Rd_Riverside_RI_02915_M42834-76973

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Handymen charge a fortune here compared to other places

Now that's a fact. I was born and raised in NYC and still go back to visit to see family. In NYC you can find a handyman at all price points. Over here, no matter how big or small the project is there is always some obscene minimum cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Handymen charge a fortune here compared to other places

This. And the landscapers are awful. Do you think I want to do all my yard work at 64? No. But every time I hire it out it’s done not only incorrectly but destructively. Shrubs are pruned wrong, lighting wires are cut, mulch is piled too high, perennials are pulled out or round up is sprayed and it kills everything in its path, including things it shouldn’t. I once had a witch hazel killed because it was cut off near the ground - that was the pruning. They cut it down. And the large climbing antique rose was severed mid trunk and left to die.

The worst part about the landscapers is they'll charge exorbitant fees but then do the absolute bare minimum. They'll do the service you're paying for and won't even make suggestions on how to keep the grass looking healthier and vibrant even if it means they can charge for another service. They don't care about the state of the grass. We had one service come through and mow too soon after a rainstorm (we weren't home) only to leave pits and tracks in the grass. They took off and didn't say a word about. It was like to them they mowed and trimmed and what they actually left the lawn looking like didn't matter. Ultimately, we had to let them go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I visit my family in the Chicago suburbs and it’s very striking to me how much better their houses in regular middle class to upper middle class neighborhoods are. The houses are simply way better quality- quieter, better quality finishes. You can’t hear street noise because the house is tight (a major annoyance in my own home). The neighborhoods have a more cohesive aesthetic where the houses are different but compliment each other. There’s more brick houses, houses are larger. The landscaping is nicer. These are neighborhoods comparable to Bethesda, McLean, Arlington, etc.

Comparing a city run by government to anywhere else and you’re wondering why the city run by government looks incompetently managed?

[Anonymous]

What if it’s because Home Depot only stocks Mdf in DC but real finishes elsewhere

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Handymen charge a fortune here compared to other places

It is always amusing when the poors think handymen maintain LaCornue ranges.