Anonymous wrote:I think it is a combination of jealousy and the reality that new builds tend to reflect what is most on trend at that moment so they will likely be out of style in a few years. Older homes that have been well maintained are usually pretty timeless - think colonials, craftsman, etc. Even older ranch style houses have their fans (not me!). The new McMansion craftsman homes just scream 2005-2015 to me.

I don't think the older homes are "timeless," since so many of them get torn down. They are what's primarily available in certain areas and price ranges, and people buy them with a mix of emotions. Sometimes they like the older construction and sometimes they are resigned to the fact that it's all they can afford and they'll have to put up with less space and fewer amenities. They are just as dated in their own way as split-levels, big colonials from the 1990s and the current Craftman-style houses.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don't like is that all new builds are McMansions or multifamily units. You don't see starter homes being built any longer and that sucks.

I see lots of condos being built

Condos are multifamily homes which I addressed. Starter homes that are HOUSES are no longer built. The best you can find are some from the 80's and most in this region seem to be from the 40's-70's. You can't buy a new small SFH.

The smaller new homes exist but are very hard to find. We had a couple on our street because a neighbor is an architect and when a couple small tear-down houses went on the market he bought them quickly and built new homes that were very much in keeping with the size/style of the neighborhood. He told me he didn't particularly want to do those projects (he doesn't normally build spec houses) but the alternative was another builder getting those lots and putting up something way too big.

I like them, like open floor plans, but I wish they would scale down a bit.

I sometimes ask myself the same question.

My DH and I both lived in new construction growing up. When we moved to the DC area from the Midwest, we loved the charm of older homes. Then we bought an older home and realized the many downsides (low ceilings, windows that won't open easily, lack of closets and storage generally, closed-off tiny kitchens, above-ground power lines).

Some of my neighbors (in a close-in suburb) criticize new builds and say they'd never want to live in one. But having always lived in newer construction prior to our current house (1950s), I will always try to live in new construction going forward. Old houses are over-rated. They are all-brick on the outside, which is beautiful, but lack important features on the inside.

Anonymous wrote:haters hate, if they had the $ they would love them, simply put, they can't afford them or the area.

+1

I don't hate them, I like them except for cost and I don't like open floor plans.

Anonymous wrote:They have open floor plans, energy efficient features, and there's nothing to repair. Are "McMansions" all that bad?

My "problem" with many new builds is they're usually lacking in one way or another and are relatively large for their lot. Also, if you're gonna build it "energy efficient," don't just use a little extra insulation. At least use 2x6 framing and a sealed tight house is the way to go. I want it to be 75 degrees in the house and pay no more than $250 for a 5k sq ft house in the coldest times of winter. I'm amazed all homes aren't built better considering the payback time is only 3-5 yrs. A quality built home (not fancy fixtures) is what I'd want.

haters hate, if they had the $ they would love them, simply put, they can't afford them or the area.

I think it is a combination of jealousy and the reality that new builds tend to reflect what is most on trend at that moment so they will likely be out of style in a few years. Older homes that have been well maintained are usually pretty timeless - think colonials, craftsman, etc. Even older ranch style houses have their fans (not me!). The new McMansion craftsman homes just scream 2005-2015 to me.

Yes. They are generally made of hideous siding, are painted beige inside and out, have out-of-date granite countertops, and are made like cardboard boxes. You can hear everything from every other room. They are cheap.

Weird only when they are so vastly out-of-proportion and/or style with the rest of the neighborhood.

We have several that have blended in nicely and look soooooooo much better than what was there prior.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don't like is that all new builds are McMansions or multifamily units. You don't see starter homes being built any longer and that sucks.

I see lots of condos being built

Condos are multifamily homes which I addressed. Starter homes that are HOUSES are no longer built. The best you can find are some from the 80's and most in this region seem to be from the 40's-70's. You can't buy a new small SFH.

Anonymous wrote:What I don't like is that all new builds are McMansions or multifamily units. You don't see starter homes being built any longer and that sucks.

I see lots of condos being built

What I don't like is that all new builds are McMansions or multifamily units. You don't see starter homes being built any longer and that sucks.

They have open floor plans, energy efficient features, and there's nothing to repair. Are "McMansions" all that bad?