Anonymous
04/19/2016 08:17
Subject: Re:Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So what's the deal with this, another brand new home for $1.29 million.
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/713-Miller-Ave-22066/home/9085537
What does this mean for all the 1.6 + million homes sitting without buyers for years?
Although we are not looking, could I go in an bid 1.1-1.3 million for these homes that are just sitting there?
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/720-Ellsworth-Ave-22066/home/56506041
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/10921-Shallow-Creek-Dr-22066/home/9830116
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/10716-Falls-Pointe-Dr-22066/home/9084729
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/1027-Timbercreek-Trl-22066/home/9830114
Most are under an acre. None are 2 acres or over.
All of these are under an acre
To add, these are all under an acre so why would anyone pay more for an old home
Anonymous
04/19/2016 08:04
Subject: Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
Anonymous wrote:Not so much panicked as thinking that real estate agents decided they needed a 'cheaper' area of Great Falls to sell, and created 'factors' that allowed them to lower the price of homes in certain parts. All they needed was a few desperate homeowners willing to sell at a lower price and you have comps.
Just wait till they slice off the area west of Utterback to go to Herdon HS. That'll take 10% off those houses with the stroke of a pen.
Anonymous
04/19/2016 07:53
Subject: Re:Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So what's the deal with this, another brand new home for $1.29 million.
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/713-Miller-Ave-22066/home/9085537
What does this mean for all the 1.6 + million homes sitting without buyers for years?
Although we are not looking, could I go in an bid 1.1-1.3 million for these homes that are just sitting there?
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/720-Ellsworth-Ave-22066/home/56506041
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/10921-Shallow-Creek-Dr-22066/home/9830116
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/10716-Falls-Pointe-Dr-22066/home/9084729
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/1027-Timbercreek-Trl-22066/home/9830114
Most are under an acre. None are 2 acres or over.
All of these are under an acre
Anonymous
04/19/2016 07:49
Subject: Re:Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
Anonymous wrote:So what's the deal with this, another brand new home for $1.29 million.
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/713-Miller-Ave-22066/home/9085537
What does this mean for all the 1.6 + million homes sitting without buyers for years?
Although we are not looking, could I go in an bid 1.1-1.3 million for these homes that are just sitting there?
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/720-Ellsworth-Ave-22066/home/56506041
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/10921-Shallow-Creek-Dr-22066/home/9830116
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/10716-Falls-Pointe-Dr-22066/home/9084729
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/1027-Timbercreek-Trl-22066/home/9830114
Most are under an acre. None are 2 acres or over.
Anonymous
04/19/2016 07:46
Subject: Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Not so much panicked as thinking that real estate agents decided they needed a 'cheaper' area of Great Falls to sell, and created 'factors' that allowed them to lower the price of homes in certain parts. All they needed was a few desperate homeowners willing to sell at a lower price and you have comps.
Some areas in Great Falls always had lower price points- south of Georgetown Pike near Springvale all the way to Route 7, anything west of Seneca, Lexington estates, Riva Ridge, older area down by Colvin Mill. These were developments. If a sale seems on par with similar properties yet was a relo company sales are deemed not valid. Something can be overpriced and sit or accurately priced and sell. Some of the best comps were thrown out just because a relo company was involved.
Desperation sales /fire sales/foreclosures/short sales also aren't used by the county. Fairfax County wants to keep GF's assessments high to get more taxes which is why they toss out valid comps.
A lot of reasons you point out are actually excuses. Combine that with a few real estate agents dominating the area, the lies about a 'longer commute' (Most of the traffic starts AFTER the intersection of Walker and Georgetown Pike going towards the beltway. We drove every day from west of Walker to Potomac and encountered traffic starting just before the stop sign at Swinks Mill (where that log-house add-on is). We could avoid most of it by turning right onto Old Dominion and heading back and around onto Swinks Mill, then back onto Georgetown Pike. We could leave the house just before 8, stop at Starbucks in Potomac, and get her to school by 7:45 AM. This is from *gasp* the "wrong side of Great Falls", as real estate agents love to call it. So much easier to make a commission when you have the luxury of creating non-existent issues!
In addition, Forestville does not have the mold problems that GF Elementary does. HUGE reason to zone into Forestville.
Anonymous
04/19/2016 07:33
Subject: Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
Anonymous wrote:Buy in Great Falls. When the Metro ruins McLean the Great Falls home prices will soar.
The metro is already ruining the experiences at Tysons Corner 1. My GOD it's getting seedy at certain times of the day!
Anonymous
04/19/2016 07:04
Subject: Re:Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
Great Falls is so...yesterday's news.
Anonymous
04/19/2016 06:53
Subject: Re:Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
Anonymous wrote:So what's the deal with this, another brand new home for $1.29 million.
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/713-Miller-Ave-22066/home/9085537
What does this mean for all the 1.6 + million homes sitting without buyers for years?
Although we are not looking, could I go in an bid 1.1-1.3 million for these homes that are just sitting there?
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/720-Ellsworth-Ave-22066/home/56506041
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/10921-Shallow-Creek-Dr-22066/home/9830116
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/10716-Falls-Pointe-Dr-22066/home/9084729
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/1027-Timbercreek-Trl-22066/home/9830114
First off, nice try but not all of these are sitting there - at least one is simply a builder lot waiting for a new build.
To my pnoint earlier about understanding Great Falls, I would argue that there is a reason that none of these is moving quickly - not the same reason for any of them, really.
Things take time to move in Great Falls, this has never been a list, open house, multiple offer market. It takes time to sell and you need to be OK with that going in.
Anonymous
04/19/2016 00:10
Subject: Re:Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
So what's the deal with this, another brand new home for $1.29 million.
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/713-Miller-Ave-22066/home/9085537
What does this mean for all the 1.6 + million homes sitting without buyers for years?
Although we are not looking, could I go in an bid 1.1-1.3 million for these homes that are just sitting there?
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/720-Ellsworth-Ave-22066/home/56506041
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/10921-Shallow-Creek-Dr-22066/home/9830116
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/10716-Falls-Pointe-Dr-22066/home/9084729
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/1027-Timbercreek-Trl-22066/home/9830114
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/713-Miller-Ave-22066/home/9085537
What does this mean for all the 1.6 + million homes sitting without buyers for years?
Although we are not looking, could I go in an bid 1.1-1.3 million for these homes that are just sitting there?
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/720-Ellsworth-Ave-22066/home/56506041
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/10921-Shallow-Creek-Dr-22066/home/9830116
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/10716-Falls-Pointe-Dr-22066/home/9084729
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/1027-Timbercreek-Trl-22066/home/9830114
Anonymous
04/18/2016 20:18
Subject: Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
We live near that house on Brian Jac, so we are on the Great Falls side close to Rt 7. I would say this area is ideal - we are close to Tysons, close to GF Village, and there are many options for getting around traffic. If I need groceries, I can run to Safeway (village), WalMart (Tysons) or Harris Teeter (Tysons). We are also close to the toll road.
I very rarely go to Reston, though it's not that far - it's just easier to go to Tysons or the village. Our vet is near Colvin Run; we go to UPS and the USPS at either the village or in Tysons. We go out to eat in Tysons, and run other errands there. I do all this during rush hour, in fact, and it's not that big a deal.
I really love living in GF.
I very rarely go to Reston, though it's not that far - it's just easier to go to Tysons or the village. Our vet is near Colvin Run; we go to UPS and the USPS at either the village or in Tysons. We go out to eat in Tysons, and run other errands there. I do all this during rush hour, in fact, and it's not that big a deal.
I really love living in GF.
Anonymous
04/18/2016 19:51
Subject: Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
Anonymous wrote:Not so much panicked as thinking that real estate agents decided they needed a 'cheaper' area of Great Falls to sell, and created 'factors' that allowed them to lower the price of homes in certain parts. All they needed was a few desperate homeowners willing to sell at a lower price and you have comps.
Some areas in Great Falls always had lower price points- south of Georgetown Pike near Springvale all the way to Route 7, anything west of Seneca, Lexington estates, Riva Ridge, older area down by Colvin Mill. These were developments. If a sale seems on par with similar properties yet was a relo company sales are deemed not valid. Something can be overpriced and sit or accurately priced and sell. Some of the best comps were thrown out just because a relo company was involved.
Desperation sales /fire sales/foreclosures/short sales also aren't used by the county. Fairfax County wants to keep GF's assessments high to get more taxes which is why they toss out valid comps.
Anonymous
04/18/2016 19:46
Subject: Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
Last year the the values 5% , this year it's already going down a percent
Anonymous
04/18/2016 19:07
Subject: Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
Not so much panicked as thinking that real estate agents decided they needed a 'cheaper' area of Great Falls to sell, and created 'factors' that allowed them to lower the price of homes in certain parts. All they needed was a few desperate homeowners willing to sell at a lower price and you have comps.
Anonymous
04/18/2016 19:04
Subject: Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can we get mcmansion for under 1.3 mullion now
There are about 30 houses on the market in Great Falls/22066 with at least 4000 square feet priced for under $1.3 million.
WOW I never thought the day that pimmit hills would be on par w/ great falls prices, crazy stuff
It depends on what you mean by "on par." New construction of a house with at least 4000 square feet in Great Falls typically will go for at least $200K more than similar new construction in Pimmit Hills.
But, your comparison becomes more apt when you take older homes into consideration. For example, for the price of this new house in Pimmit Hills (https://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/1913-Hileman-Rd-22043/home/9473068), you could get this older home in Great Falls (https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/9400-Brian-Jac-Ln-22066/home/9251971).
What about something like this
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/7331-Paxton-Rd-22043/home/102249090
That house is in PH. Not remotely comparable to the much more upscale McLean and Great Falls. If you can't afford McLean or Great Falls, Vienna is a better affordable option.
I think the PH posters just want to point out that, for the cost of something (older) in GF or McLean, you can buy new in PH. Which you can, although it probably isn't going to appeal to someone who likes the idea of a big house on a big yard in GF.
Yeah, I don't think anyone is cross shopping Pimmit Hills and Great Falls/McLean.
We are cross shopping pimmit hills and surrounding areas,and great falls due to jobs being in the Tysons area. One spouse likes a lot of land the and is ok with an older home, the other prefers brand new and low maintenance yard.
Can anyone give us the skinny on parts of Great Falls?
Should we look at near the Great Falls Village, near the pool club?
What about the areas closer to route 7?
What about the western areas almost to reston?
What about the far north areas?
As someone who lives in GF, I would say the following (all very general, not meant to be divisive, nobody should take offense to any of this)
Areas near the village - couple of different neighborhoods here, some teardown and new builds going on especially along Walker
Areas west of Springvale and South of 193 are for the most part the cheapest - still fine but smaller lots and more like a subdivision, there are some new subdivisions there with very nice, more expensive homes, like the ones off of Utterback - these areas funnel to Forestville and Colvin Run
NW McLean - these are the areas off of Leigh Mill, etc - some nice lots - closer to McLean but they aren't really close to either McLean or the Village, but some nice homes and some very private lots.
North of 193 West of Springvale, Seneca area, etc. Some newer homes here, some subdivisions longer commutes if you are headed to the beltway - elementary is Forestville
North of 193, East of Springvale - Lots of older, larger homes, some very nice neighborhoods like Deerfield, Falcon Ridge - elementary is Great Falls
Great Falls has a lot of uniqueness about it so it is important to understand some of the different areas and what they offer before diving in. It is a great place to live. You won't always find a lot of love for it here for various reasons, but then again, there is a lot of hate for most things on this site so take it for what it is worth. I have mentioned before that I have lived here for a long time and I have never heard, or overheard a single conversation regarding panic and home values - many on here want to believe it is a bigger problem than it really is. It is as silly as saying you won't move here because of well and septic. Not everyone wants what GF has to offer and I think that is really OK for both sides of the argument
I wouldn't expect panic, but maybe disappointment. I do wonder if it keeps people who otherwise might have cashed out in their large, suburban homes, hoping for a reversal of fortunes. It's not the easiest location to age in place.
Anonymous
04/18/2016 18:52
Subject: Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can we get mcmansion for under 1.3 mullion now
There are about 30 houses on the market in Great Falls/22066 with at least 4000 square feet priced for under $1.3 million.
WOW I never thought the day that pimmit hills would be on par w/ great falls prices, crazy stuff
It depends on what you mean by "on par." New construction of a house with at least 4000 square feet in Great Falls typically will go for at least $200K more than similar new construction in Pimmit Hills.
But, your comparison becomes more apt when you take older homes into consideration. For example, for the price of this new house in Pimmit Hills (https://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/1913-Hileman-Rd-22043/home/9473068), you could get this older home in Great Falls (https://www.redfin.com/VA/Great-Falls/9400-Brian-Jac-Ln-22066/home/9251971).
What about something like this
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/7331-Paxton-Rd-22043/home/102249090
That house is in PH. Not remotely comparable to the much more upscale McLean and Great Falls. If you can't afford McLean or Great Falls, Vienna is a better affordable option.
I think the PH posters just want to point out that, for the cost of something (older) in GF or McLean, you can buy new in PH. Which you can, although it probably isn't going to appeal to someone who likes the idea of a big house on a big yard in GF.
Yeah, I don't think anyone is cross shopping Pimmit Hills and Great Falls/McLean.
We are cross shopping pimmit hills and surrounding areas,and great falls due to jobs being in the Tysons area. One spouse likes a lot of land the and is ok with an older home, the other prefers brand new and low maintenance yard.
Can anyone give us the skinny on parts of Great Falls?
Should we look at near the Great Falls Village, near the pool club?
What about the areas closer to route 7?
What about the western areas almost to reston?
What about the far north areas?
As someone who lives in GF, I would say the following (all very general, not meant to be divisive, nobody should take offense to any of this)
Areas near the village - couple of different neighborhoods here, some teardown and new builds going on especially along Walker
Areas west of Springvale and South of 193 are for the most part the cheapest - still fine but smaller lots and more like a subdivision, there are some new subdivisions there with very nice, more expensive homes, like the ones off of Utterback - these areas funnel to Forestville and Colvin Run
NW McLean - these are the areas off of Leigh Mill, etc - some nice lots - closer to McLean but they aren't really close to either McLean or the Village, but some nice homes and some very private lots.
North of 193 West of Springvale, Seneca area, etc. Some newer homes here, some subdivisions longer commutes if you are headed to the beltway - elementary is Forestville
North of 193, East of Springvale - Lots of older, larger homes, some very nice neighborhoods like Deerfield, Falcon Ridge - elementary is Great Falls
Great Falls has a lot of uniqueness about it so it is important to understand some of the different areas and what they offer before diving in. It is a great place to live. You won't always find a lot of love for it here for various reasons, but then again, there is a lot of hate for most things on this site so take it for what it is worth. I have mentioned before that I have lived here for a long time and I have never heard, or overheard a single conversation regarding panic and home values - many on here want to believe it is a bigger problem than it really is. It is as silly as saying you won't move here because of well and septic. Not everyone wants what GF has to offer and I think that is really OK for both sides of the argument
This is a great post. Thanks for being helpful.
+1 keep this useful info coming