Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have close family moving from out of state to McLean with a budget of ~4 million. Wanted to get feedback and criticism on these two properties that they recently toured:

1. https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/8310-Weller-Ave-22102/home/9265755

2. https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/893-Georgetown-Ridge-Ct-22102/home/109702428

The second one is contingent as of today.

Anonymous wrote:We have close family moving from out of state to McLean with a budget of ~4 million. Wanted to get feedback and criticism on these two properties that they recently toured:

1. https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/8310-Weller-Ave-22102/home/9265755

2. https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/893-Georgetown-Ridge-Ct-22102/home/109702428

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If someone is looking for the more modern look like the second house, then this could be a good option

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7216-Davis-Ct-22101/home/9397066

Wow. Looks like a prison from the front. But otherwise nice.

Anonymous wrote:If someone is looking for the more modern look like the second house, then this could be a good option

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7216-Davis-Ct-22101/home/9397066

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Some people might go for a big, fancy house on a busy road because it’s a way to show off a bit. It puts them in the spotlight, making them look successful or important. For some, it’s all about being seen and making a statement—whether it’s for personal pride or to build their public image. Being on a busy road just means more people notice their home and what it represents.

This. It's why you're seeing several Mcmansions currently under construction off the Pike

Not at all. The reason is that there are few buildable lots left in the area. You're seeing the available lots being used; there are plenty of large homes deeper in Great Falls, but with 5+ acre lots there is just not a lot of buildable land left in the area. It has nothing to do with affirmatively wanting a home on a busy road.

Not really. There are much nicer lots available in both McLean and Great falls. I know some families who have chosen to live off GP and many of them are foreigners who like to show off their wealth.

Custom builder here. Ive actually had clients pass on interior lots in GF, Mclean, etc in favor over lots directly off 194, Old Dominion, etc. What the PP stated is true...it is cultural and most of the ethic (I will not use the word foreigner as most are US citizens) don't really care about the traffic, noise, pollution. Its a non issue, a preference really. They just want a standalone home on a busy thoroughfare, no HOA and which they can fence off completely.

Yeah it’s not foreignness, or foreign culture driving this really, it’s new-moneyness. People who choose to immigrate to another country do so seeking new opportunities or adventure, and so just statistically they are less likely to come from older money ensconced in the subtle, restrictive, conservative, often religiously-related polite traditions of their countries of origin, and it shows in the kinds of homes they want

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Some people might go for a big, fancy house on a busy road because it’s a way to show off a bit. It puts them in the spotlight, making them look successful or important. For some, it’s all about being seen and making a statement—whether it’s for personal pride or to build their public image. Being on a busy road just means more people notice their home and what it represents.

This. It's why you're seeing several Mcmansions currently under construction off the Pike

Not at all. The reason is that there are few buildable lots left in the area. You're seeing the available lots being used; there are plenty of large homes deeper in Great Falls, but with 5+ acre lots there is just not a lot of buildable land left in the area. It has nothing to do with affirmatively wanting a home on a busy road.

Not really. There are much nicer lots available in both McLean and Great falls. I know some families who have chosen to live off GP and many of them are foreigners who like to show off their wealth.

Custom builder here. Ive actually had clients pass on interior lots in GF, Mclean, etc in favor over lots directly off 194, Old Dominion, etc. What the PP stated is true...it is cultural and most of the ethic (I will not use the word foreigner as most are US citizens) don't really care about the traffic, noise, pollution. Its a non issue, a preference really. They just want a standalone home on a busy thoroughfare, no HOA and which they can fence off completely.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

It’s better-looking, but still too big. It’s good for kids to grow up sharing a bathroom. It teaches his life skills the need in college. If I were buying it, I’d get rid of the third floor and convert one of those second floor bathrooms into a linen closet. Also, two gables in the front are not a good look. I’d ask the builder to center the door under one gable.

Also, its not a great location along Elizabeth Drive. It is right at the almost 90 degree bend in the road. So cars traveling down Elizabeth Drive will shine their headlights directly onto and into the home. Whoever buys this will need to invest in some serious window coverings for the front rooms of the house.

Elizabeth Drive is also a cut through when Balls Hill gets backed up. This might get better once the 495 construction is done.

The reality is that most spec houses have less than ideal lots. The good ones get snatched up buy richer buyers or luxury custom builders.

I doubt the buyer cares about the cost for window coverings.....

Exactly, not in this price range

Yup those window coverings will certainly help the fact that the neighboring houses are just a few feet away lol

If you build a house bigger than 7K sq.ft. on half acre lot of less, it's pretty much guaranteed that at least 1-2 neighbor's houses will be a few feet away. You will be lucky to find a lot that at least faces some wood reserve, or a corner lot, or is far away from a neighbor at least on one side, but on left and right you will have neighbors so close, that you might as well not have those side windows at all

That's pretty obvious, I'm not sure what is the point of this statement

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

It’s better-looking, but still too big. It’s good for kids to grow up sharing a bathroom. It teaches his life skills the need in college. If I were buying it, I’d get rid of the third floor and convert one of those second floor bathrooms into a linen closet. Also, two gables in the front are not a good look. I’d ask the builder to center the door under one gable.

Also, its not a great location along Elizabeth Drive. It is right at the almost 90 degree bend in the road. So cars traveling down Elizabeth Drive will shine their headlights directly onto and into the home. Whoever buys this will need to invest in some serious window coverings for the front rooms of the house.

Elizabeth Drive is also a cut through when Balls Hill gets backed up. This might get better once the 495 construction is done.

The reality is that most spec houses have less than ideal lots. The good ones get snatched up buy richer buyers or luxury custom builders.

I doubt the buyer cares about the cost for window coverings.....

Exactly, not in this price range

Yup those window coverings will certainly help the fact that the neighboring houses are just a few feet away lol

If you build a house bigger than 7K sq.ft. on half acre lot of less, it's pretty much guaranteed that at least 1-2 neighbor's houses will be a few feet away. You will be lucky to find a lot that at least faces some wood reserve, or a corner lot, or is far away from a neighbor at least on one side, but on left and right you will have neighbors so close, that you might as well not have those side windows at all

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

Please help me understand if I am missing something.

This builder is well known and actually posts the prices on their website for building various models on your lot. This build looks like it would cost about $1million for just the home if you asked them to build it on a lot you already owned. (Plus probably some site work costs and permits?) So if the lot costs the builder $1.45M and the house costs $1M to build.

How do they get to a price point of $4.6M? Is the up charge for a spec home really that significant? Or are the finishes on this house that superior to what they normally include in their homes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

It’s better-looking, but still too big. It’s good for kids to grow up sharing a bathroom. It teaches his life skills the need in college. If I were buying it, I’d get rid of the third floor and convert one of those second floor bathrooms into a linen closet. Also, two gables in the front are not a good look. I’d ask the builder to center the door under one gable.

Also, its not a great location along Elizabeth Drive. It is right at the almost 90 degree bend in the road. So cars traveling down Elizabeth Drive will shine their headlights directly onto and into the home. Whoever buys this will need to invest in some serious window coverings for the front rooms of the house.

Elizabeth Drive is also a cut through when Balls Hill gets backed up. This might get better once the 495 construction is done.

The reality is that most spec houses have less than ideal lots. The good ones get snatched up buy richer buyers or luxury custom builders.

I doubt the buyer cares about the cost for window coverings.....

Exactly, not in this price range

Yup those window coverings will certainly help the fact that the neighboring houses are just a few feet away lol

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

Please help me understand if I am missing something.

This builder is well known and actually posts the prices on their website for building various models on your lot. This build looks like it would cost about $1million for just the home if you asked them to build it on a lot you already owned. (Plus probably some site work costs and permits?) So if the lot costs the builder $1.45M and the house costs $1M to build.

How do they get to a price point of $4.6M? Is the up charge for a spec home really that significant? Or are the finishes on this house that superior to what they normally include in their homes.

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do we think about this one? $4.6 million. Interesting that the builder purchased the lot for $1.45M and priced it at first at $4.3 before raising the price to $4.6 after about two weeks.

So much profit is possible the home building. At least this one lists who the builder is.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7011-Elizabeth-Dr-22101/home/9393189

It’s better-looking, but still too big. It’s good for kids to grow up sharing a bathroom. It teaches his life skills the need in college. If I were buying it, I’d get rid of the third floor and convert one of those second floor bathrooms into a linen closet. Also, two gables in the front are not a good look. I’d ask the builder to center the door under one gable.

Also, its not a great location along Elizabeth Drive. It is right at the almost 90 degree bend in the road. So cars traveling down Elizabeth Drive will shine their headlights directly onto and into the home. Whoever buys this will need to invest in some serious window coverings for the front rooms of the house.

Elizabeth Drive is also a cut through when Balls Hill gets backed up. This might get better once the 495 construction is done.

The reality is that most spec houses have less than ideal lots. The good ones get snatched up buy richer buyers or luxury custom builders.

I doubt the buyer cares about the cost for window coverings.....

Exactly, not in this price range