Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they both are a pass. What about this one and do a few cosmetic updates:

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/1064-Silent-Ridge-Ct-22102/home/9843813

That one has good bones, but updating could be expensive depending on how far you want to take it

How do you know? 2003 building code is not as stringent as 2024 so the bones are not good. I also see a lot of builder grade stuff like generic subway tile not going up to the ceiling. Kitchen only has one island and the house feels small. The outside brick and interior is very dated a lot of money to update, the size of the home is at least 2000sf smaller than the new homes and the price isn't much lower. The only thing i like is the pool and backyard. Sorry it's a no from me dawg.

The mixing of gold and chrome hardware is tacky.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they both are a pass. What about this one and do a few cosmetic updates:

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/1064-Silent-Ridge-Ct-22102/home/9843813

That one has good bones, but updating could be expensive depending on how far you want to take it

How do you know? 2003 building code is not as stringent as 2024 so the bones are not good. I also see a lot of builder grade stuff like generic subway tile not going up to the ceiling. Kitchen only has one island and the house feels small. The outside brick and interior is very dated a lot of money to update, the size of the home is at least 2000sf smaller than the new homes and the price isn't much lower. The only thing i like is the pool and backyard. Sorry it's a no from me dawg.

I take back the pool, i don't like that it doesn't have an auto cover and there is no hot tub, i give this house a C

Uggh the kitchen is not that great i noticed more cost cutting with cabinets not to the ceiling i give this house a C-

This 2003 home is a great example of why the two homes in OP’s post are a bad deal. The original annd current owners overpaid for this house. They paid $2.3M in 2003, sold it in 2005 for $3M to the current owners. The current owners will be lucky to get $3.9M and as crazy as it sounds, $1M is a pretty poor return over 20 years for this zip code.

Who spends $4m to share a driveway?

Speaking from experience, I’ve found that going with a custom builder is actually saving money. For the same budget I would have spent on a spec house, I’m getting much more—both in terms of quality and customization. Since I’m wealthy enough to be able to handle the carrying costs during building, this was possible.

When I look at the overpriced, low-quality spec homes around McLean, I’m even more confident in my decision. A lot of these homes are poorly constructed, and for the price, you’re just not getting the value you deserve. If someone is scraping to afford a $4 million house, they’re often stuck with those uninspired spec homes that lack character and good building materials. The worst part is, when it comes time to sell, they’re going to struggle. Those homes are hard to resell at a good price because they lack the unique and quality appeal that buyers are really looking for. In the long run, it’s likely they’ll end up losing money, while I built something that not only suits my needs but will hold its value.

Both houses look like commercial buildings. And the decor of the second one is very specific, and may not appear to many people.

If OP keeps searching for a nicer house, there must be something really nice that OP could get for the $4 million budget.

Anonymous wrote:Neither. Why 10k sq ft?

Why not? For $4 million, one expects a large custom home with the touches this home has.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:#1 pond is not a flood zone so I’m not so worried about it. My main concern would be the shared driveway, and being behind another house. I like the house for a new build. Not a huge lot for the price though.

#2 I hate the house, it’s on a main road and I don’t like GT Pike.

Mother Nature does not respect flood zones. Plus, that flood zone was probably determined before they disturbed all of the soil to dig out a lower level and put a house and pavement. Ponding indicates poor drainage. They should install a pole and hang a huge red flag out front. Buyer beware.

+1. But who’s says the builder hasn’t already mitigated with a French drain etc.

Look at the edges of the pond, there isn't a bank. It's a place that water collects at the bottom of a slope and can no longer drain because the ground is saturated. Where is a french drain going to drain? But you bring up a great point. Before plunking down 4 million, you should ask about the origin and stormwater management plan for any bodies of water near your home. That water does not look like a maintained water feature, it looks like an overgrown mud puddle.

Okay fuddy duddy!

That pond is very well maintained and beloved. Treated regularly for insects.

Anonymous wrote:Is this really all you get for $4 million these days?

If you have no ability to shop builders, yes! They are happy to take your money. Best of luck reselling when the new sheen has worn off and the issues are even more glaring.

With a little bit of planning, a few meetings and just a bit of patience, you can find a great lot, hire an artitect and find a builder to create something much more high quality for $4 million.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They sort of look like airports. Parts of airports.

I was at Dulles last week and there in a redone spiral staircase that looks exactly like the one here in the United section of the terminal.

House #1 staircase has flaws in the lighting of the staircase. You can see from the pictures that there is a stair towards the top that has the entire row of lights out. It also looks like whatever lighting strips or whatever they applied don’t go the full length of each step.

These houses look cheap and I would be embarrassed to live in one of them.

K boomer enjoy your lyod wright shack

Anonymous wrote:Is this really all you get for $4 million these days?

The houses have been on the market for a while so the builders are just waiting for a chump to come along.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They sort of look like airports. Parts of airports.

I was at Dulles last week and there in a redone spiral staircase that looks exactly like the one here in the United section of the terminal.

House #1 staircase has flaws in the lighting of the staircase. You can see from the pictures that there is a stair towards the top that has the entire row of lights out. It also looks like whatever lighting strips or whatever they applied don’t go the full length of each step.

These houses look cheap and I would be embarrassed to live in one of them.

Is this really all you get for $4 million these days?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they both are a pass. What about this one and do a few cosmetic updates:

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/1064-Silent-Ridge-Ct-22102/home/9843813

That one has good bones, but updating could be expensive depending on how far you want to take it

How do you know? 2003 building code is not as stringent as 2024 so the bones are not good. I also see a lot of builder grade stuff like generic subway tile not going up to the ceiling. Kitchen only has one island and the house feels small. The outside brick and interior is very dated a lot of money to update, the size of the home is at least 2000sf smaller than the new homes and the price isn't much lower. The only thing i like is the pool and backyard. Sorry it's a no from me dawg.

I take back the pool, i don't like that it doesn't have an auto cover and there is no hot tub, i give this house a C

Uggh the kitchen is not that great i noticed more cost cutting with cabinets not to the ceiling i give this house a C-

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they both are a pass. What about this one and do a few cosmetic updates:

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/1064-Silent-Ridge-Ct-22102/home/9843813

That one has good bones, but updating could be expensive depending on how far you want to take it

How do you know? 2003 building code is not as stringent as 2024 so the bones are not good. I also see a lot of builder grade stuff like generic subway tile not going up to the ceiling. Kitchen only has one island and the house feels small. The outside brick and interior is very dated a lot of money to update, the size of the home is at least 2000sf smaller than the new homes and the price isn't much lower. The only thing i like is the pool and backyard. Sorry it's a no from me dawg.

I take back the pool, i don't like that it doesn't have an auto cover and there is no hot tub, i give this house a C

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they both are a pass. What about this one and do a few cosmetic updates:

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/1064-Silent-Ridge-Ct-22102/home/9843813

That one has good bones, but updating could be expensive depending on how far you want to take it

How do you know? 2003 building code is not as stringent as 2024 so the bones are not good. I also see a lot of builder grade stuff like generic subway tile not going up to the ceiling. Kitchen only has one island and the house feels small. The outside brick and interior is very dated a lot of money to update, the size of the home is at least 2000sf smaller than the new homes and the price isn't much lower. The only thing i like is the pool and backyard. Sorry it's a no from me dawg.