It doesn't have to be a choice between a McMansion and a "cracker box" (though small homes can be really lovely--there was a thread on jewel boxes not long ago. A home can be reasonably spacious and still be in character with the neighborhood. I like this one--I know a lot of people really prefer colonials, but this is kinda neat--if we did not need 4beds we'd look at this. Figure it has not sold as it's pricey for 3 beds/unfinished basement, I guess--or maybe a bit close to MacArthur?

http://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/4958-Ashby-St-NW-20007/home/9940954

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
RIGHT cause this is sooo much better GTFO

Yeah, it's better. Modest, but better suited to the scale of the neighborhood.

+1

+10
I realize one cannot argue with the free market, but it makes me sad to think that the neighborhood feel of those parts of Palisades near the eponymous park and Hardy Park (if that still counts as Palisades) become lost to McMansions and the people with enough money to buy them. Nothing against the wealthy particularly, but it is nice to have some diversity--older ppl maybe living on fixed incomes, some SAHMs or (as in our case) SAHDs, maybe even some people who have careers other than Big Law or K street. Again, not slamming the wealthy, but have lived 'hoods where that is all there is...you don't see much of them, is all I am saying. And agree with PPs that the scale of these houses on small lots does not create a good aesthetic for the street. They may be smaller and sometime shabby but I like the parts of Sherier etc that are not McMansions...

One way to protect the scale and character of a neighborhood from McMansionization is by seeking a special zonng overlay. (A friend calls it "Zuckermanization" after the builder Zuckerman Bros. that tries to stuff Potomac-style spec houses to replace tear-downs on modest-sized DC lots.) There are a number of them scattered around DC, and the comprehensive plan encouraged more of them. An overlay would address issues like height, size and scale, particularly where an historic district is not (or no longer) feasible.

Oh great! F%cKing jealous 50s rambler people complaining again. Move the %$#^ on!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is one giant realtor. Does she even fit in the house, or does she have to wait in the front yard?

the irony is that she's selling the rambler not the mcmansion

Maybe she's selling it as a teardown and offering to do the demo herself. Giant realtor SMASH!

She is hot. She should move into pharma sales.

Anonymous wrote:That is one giant realtor. Does she even fit in the house, or does she have to wait in the front yard?

the irony is that she's selling the rambler not the mcmansion

That is one giant realtor. Does she even fit in the house, or does she have to wait in the front yard?

Anonymous wrote:This is so much better.

http://franklymls.com/DC7860784

that house is awful but the realtor is pretty hot

This is so much better.

http://franklymls.com/DC7860784

LOL! My first thought was "mobile home park." Especially when you consider the house next door and the overhead wires.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
http://franklymls.com/DC7869895

looks good to me except I would've liked a 2 car garage in the front or side. THe original houses were truely pathetic.

Really? This looks good to you. Long rows of siding in every direction filling up the whole lot. You have absolutely no taste.

RIGHT cause this is sooo much better GTFO

Horrible , I have seen better looking trailor homes

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
RIGHT cause this is sooo much better GTFO

Yeah, it's better. Modest, but better suited to the scale of the neighborhood.

+1

+2
That little MCM house has so much more personality, and, honestly, probably feels a lot more homelike inside. That first house someone posted is just sad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
RIGHT cause this is sooo much better GTFO

Yeah, it's better. Modest, but better suited to the scale of the neighborhood.

+1

17:14, some folks love MCM and that's that house. I know many folks who've tried to buy in that neighborhood (that's right next to Hardy Park - what would be the MOST eastern edge of Palisades) because of the ranch homes as well as the new built contemporaries.