50 States of McMansion Hell: Fairfax and Loudoun County, Virginia

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are local custom builders and we employ a licensed AIA architect who cuts up designs just like these. Some are spec homes, others are where our homeowner clients comes to us and then sits down with this architect to design the plan. So the argument that builders just use a "draftsman/CAD operator" is just BS. The fact most don't want to face is these homes sell because they are large and spacious and that is why architects design them and we build them. I don't see this changing anytime soon..

Supply and demand....Agree with the PP builder. The DMV like any other metro area is diverse with funds to construct large homes, etc. While we live in a modest "tear down" neighborhood, we don't mind it one bit. Looking forward to dumping our home soon. The 1200 sqft ramber across from us just sold for $850K in one week with zero contingencies - for the lot only. We purchased our 3/4 acre lot with the home in 2004 for $220K. We get offers all the time for our property. The newer larger homes the McMansion Hell author and others are whinning about does not resonate with us. There is so much economic benefit from all of this - increased tax base, construction jobs, investment in the community, and of course more $$ in our pocket to take our $850K (mostly tax free of course) elsewhere and prosper!! Bunch of idiots you are!!!

All of which would still take place if the zoning allowed new THs, small apt buildings, etc.

Except more housing units, more economic diversity, more sustainability.

Agree....BUT AGAIN, not everyone is interested in a condo or TH......just like not everyone is interested in a Toyota Corolla.... Get it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are local custom builders and we employ a licensed AIA architect who cuts up designs just like these. Some are spec homes, others are where our homeowner clients comes to us and then sits down with this architect to design the plan. So the argument that builders just use a "draftsman/CAD operator" is just BS. The fact most don't want to face is these homes sell because they are large and spacious and that is why architects design them and we build them. I don't see this changing anytime soon..

Supply and demand....Agree with the PP builder. The DMV like any other metro area is diverse with funds to construct large homes, etc. While we live in a modest "tear down" neighborhood, we don't mind it one bit. Looking forward to dumping our home soon. The 1200 sqft ramber across from us just sold for $850K in one week with zero contingencies - for the lot only. We purchased our 3/4 acre lot with the home in 2004 for $220K. We get offers all the time for our property. The newer larger homes the McMansion Hell author and others are whinning about does not resonate with us. There is so much economic benefit from all of this - increased tax base, construction jobs, investment in the community, and of course more $$ in our pocket to take our $850K (mostly tax free of course) elsewhere and prosper!! Bunch of idiots you are!!!

All of which would still take place if the zoning allowed new THs, small apt buildings, etc.

Except more housing units, more economic diversity, more sustainability.

Agree....BUT AGAIN, not everyone is interested in a condo or TH......just like not everyone is interested in a Toyota Corolla.... Get it?

Sure. Then market won't build only THs. It might build MORE THs, but mostly just on the teardown lots where they are most in demand - closer to metro stations, closer to activity centers, etc.

Its even possible the market might build the same amount of THs - but more on parcels close to metro (some of which have SFH only zoning) and FEWER in more remote locations, where you could build Mcmansions instead. That would leave the same number of each type of house, but would result in more households living closer to metro, which would be good.

To go back to your car analogy. We don't require everyone to buy a compact. But we don't limt the number of compacts sold either. We let the market decide. We should go in that direction for housing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are local custom builders and we employ a licensed AIA architect who cuts up designs just like these. Some are spec homes, others are where our homeowner clients comes to us and then sits down with this architect to design the plan. So the argument that builders just use a "draftsman/CAD operator" is just BS. The fact most don't want to face is these homes sell because they are large and spacious and that is why architects design them and we build them. I don't see this changing anytime soon..

Supply and demand....Agree with the PP builder. The DMV like any other metro area is diverse with funds to construct large homes, etc. While we live in a modest "tear down" neighborhood, we don't mind it one bit. Looking forward to dumping our home soon. The 1200 sqft ramber across from us just sold for $850K in one week with zero contingencies - for the lot only. We purchased our 3/4 acre lot with the home in 2004 for $220K. We get offers all the time for our property. The newer larger homes the McMansion Hell author and others are whinning about does not resonate with us. There is so much economic benefit from all of this - increased tax base, construction jobs, investment in the community, and of course more $$ in our pocket to take our $850K (mostly tax free of course) elsewhere and prosper!! Bunch of idiots you are!!!

All of which would still take place if the zoning allowed new THs, small apt buildings, etc.

Except more housing units, more economic diversity, more sustainability.

Agree....BUT AGAIN, not everyone is interested in a condo or TH......just like not everyone is interested in a Toyota Corolla.... Get it?

Sure. Then market won't build only THs. It might build MORE THs, but mostly just on the teardown lots where they are most in demand - closer to metro stations, closer to activity centers, etc.

Its even possible the market might build the same amount of THs - but more on parcels close to metro (some of which have SFH only zoning) and FEWER in more remote locations, where you could build Mcmansions instead. That would leave the same number of each type of house, but would result in more households living closer to metro, which would be good.

To go back to your car analogy. We don't require everyone to buy a compact. But we don't limt the number of compacts sold either. We let the market decide. We should go in that direction for housing.

In this area, condos and townhouses make sense. Most people are on the go and are only here for jobs, so they’re busy commuting to and from work and don’t wanna bother with a giant yard or pay a lawn company to pay for landscaping. If you want a giant house with a giant yard, that’s what places like Aldie are for.

The car analogy is stupid. It’s not about WANTING a Corolla, it’s buying something that is practical for this region, reason being a) family friendly b) light on gas for commuting reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are local custom builders and we employ a licensed AIA architect who cuts up designs just like these. Some are spec homes, others are where our homeowner clients comes to us and then sits down with this architect to design the plan. So the argument that builders just use a "draftsman/CAD operator" is just BS. The fact most don't want to face is these homes sell because they are large and spacious and that is why architects design them and we build them. I don't see this changing anytime soon..

Supply and demand....Agree with the PP builder. The DMV like any other metro area is diverse with funds to construct large homes, etc. While we live in a modest "tear down" neighborhood, we don't mind it one bit. Looking forward to dumping our home soon. The 1200 sqft ramber across from us just sold for $850K in one week with zero contingencies - for the lot only. We purchased our 3/4 acre lot with the home in 2004 for $220K. We get offers all the time for our property. The newer larger homes the McMansion Hell author and others are whinning about does not resonate with us. There is so much economic benefit from all of this - increased tax base, construction jobs, investment in the community, and of course more $$ in our pocket to take our $850K (mostly tax free of course) elsewhere and prosper!! Bunch of idiots you are!!!

All of which would still take place if the zoning allowed new THs, small apt buildings, etc.

Except more housing units, more economic diversity, more sustainability.

Agree....BUT AGAIN, not everyone is interested in a condo or TH......just like not everyone is interested in a Toyota Corolla.... Get it?

+1. Market is only there due to demand for the product. The consumer decides this. Obviously there is plenty of demand for mcmansions...get used to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are local custom builders and we employ a licensed AIA architect who cuts up designs just like these. Some are spec homes, others are where our homeowner clients comes to us and then sits down with this architect to design the plan. So the argument that builders just use a "draftsman/CAD operator" is just BS. The fact most don't want to face is these homes sell because they are large and spacious and that is why architects design them and we build them. I don't see this changing anytime soon..

Supply and demand....Agree with the PP builder. The DMV like any other metro area is diverse with funds to construct large homes, etc. While we live in a modest "tear down" neighborhood, we don't mind it one bit. Looking forward to dumping our home soon. The 1200 sqft ramber across from us just sold for $850K in one week with zero contingencies - for the lot only. We purchased our 3/4 acre lot with the home in 2004 for $220K. We get offers all the time for our property. The newer larger homes the McMansion Hell author and others are whinning about does not resonate with us. There is so much economic benefit from all of this - increased tax base, construction jobs, investment in the community, and of course more $$ in our pocket to take our $850K (mostly tax free of course) elsewhere and prosper!! Bunch of idiots you are!!!

All of which would still take place if the zoning allowed new THs, small apt buildings, etc.

Except more housing units, more economic diversity, more sustainability.

Agree....BUT AGAIN, not everyone is interested in a condo or TH......just like not everyone is interested in a Toyota Corolla.... Get it?

Sure. Then market won't build only THs. It might build MORE THs, but mostly just on the teardown lots where they are most in demand - closer to metro stations, closer to activity centers, etc.

Its even possible the market might build the same amount of THs - but more on parcels close to metro (some of which have SFH only zoning) and FEWER in more remote locations, where you could build Mcmansions instead. That would leave the same number of each type of house, but would result in more households living closer to metro, which would be good.

To go back to your car analogy. We don't require everyone to buy a compact. But we don't limt the number of compacts sold either. We let the market decide. We should go in that direction for housing.

In this area, condos and townhouses make sense. Most people are on the go and are only here for jobs, so they’re busy commuting to and from work and don’t wanna bother with a giant yard or pay a lawn company to pay for landscaping. If you want a giant house with a giant yard, that’s what places like Aldie are for.

The car analogy is stupid. It’s not about WANTING a Corolla, it’s buying something that is practical for this region, reason being a) family friendly b) light on gas for commuting reasons.

Living in a condo, th, or a trailer may make sense to you. I would never. Thankfully, we have zoning regs which permit those who want to live on a 5 acre mcmansion in GF or Potomac to be able to pursue it. Try going to Fairfax or MOCO to change zoning....

[Anonymous]

^^^Easy to tell you’re one of the ones offended by this article hahaha.

Lemme guess, you only have 2 kids but need 7 bedrooms and an au pair?

Sad. People like you waste so much resources

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Topic fail. This woman is an idiot. These are actually mansions, not McMansions.

I can see if it was an oversized SFH with ugly trimmings and a 2 story foyer, but these are not that.

Lol. No. They're McMansions.

This is a real mansion:

https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-625-3zxmbx/90-jule-pond-drive-southampton-ny-11968#mediaplayermodule

[Anonymous]

The broader question of how we manage an increasing population is important but among the sad things about the current system of building McMansions is the loss of rural areas. Loudoun County used to be so beautiful. That’s never coming back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The broader question of how we manage an increasing population is important but among the sad things about the current system of building McMansions is the loss of rural areas. Loudoun County used to be so beautiful. That’s never coming back.

Maryland made its side of the Potomac an agricultural reserve. That’s how you do it.

[Anonymous]

idk, there is a lot of sadness out towards Seneca.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think those homes are “mac”mansions. They are regular mansions; ie large homes on acreage. The word mansion is outdated now anyway. I think mac mansions = Iamsojealous hereinmytinycondo.

[Anonymous]

Seriously, one pp that lives in one of these monstrosities, are you the one ripping apart op of the kitchen quartz counters? And new "line" construction? Like Ryan and NV? Do you realize how offensive your sound? For most of population, even in the dmv, NV homes are a dream home, and they are not cheap. Not a single rich person I know, would ever put down people who work hard and are not as well off as they are. You are outing yourself as trash.
Sorry if we ripped apart your "huge" hell of a house. You deserve it for looking down at people "poorer" than you, without a clue about how trashy and clueless you sound. Nobody with any taste would live in anything like these hellish houses. You might be rich, but you are have zero taste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think those homes are “mac”mansions. They are regular mansions; ie large homes on acreage. The word mansion is outdated now anyway. I think mac mansions = Iamsojealous hereinmytinycondo.

hahaha! I'm warmandcozy in mine. Those houses are literally and figuratively cold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think those homes are “mac”mansions. They are regular mansions; ie large homes on acreage. The word mansion is outdated now anyway. I think mac mansions = Iamsojealous hereinmytinycondo.

Yeah I consider a modern McMansion to be those giant houses in Arlington on tiny lots.

If you have a big giant house with an acre or two of land to yourself, that’s a mansion in my book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think those homes are “mac”mansions. They are regular mansions; ie large homes on acreage. The word mansion is outdated now anyway. I think mac mansions = Iamsojealous hereinmytinycondo.

Yeah I consider a modern McMansion to be those giant houses in Arlington on tiny lots.

If you have a big giant house with an acre or two of land to yourself, that’s a mansion in my book.

This was already discussed earlier in the thread. On p. 2, someone links to why these homes actually do qualify as McMansions.