Anonymous wrote: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.

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:

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-

The backsplash tile in the kitchen is a Home Depot special!

Perfectly fine for a small starter townhome, but just terrible in this house. Can’t believe the current owners didn’t update this!

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-

Anonymous wrote:

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:

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

This home is priced with a renovation in mind. It’s a fair price imho. The homes in the Reserve that have not been updated are sitting and the owners are trying to reflect that.

This home ($5.8M) is nearby and has the same mid-quality of original building materials as the house on Silent Ridge. It’s possible they will get this price, but I would be shocked if it ultimately goes for anything near this.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/919-Dominion-Reserve-Dr-Mc-Lean-VA-22102/59786267_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

The Master Bath in Dominion Reserve Drive house looks like it *was* recently updated, but the style is terrible. A new owner will likely want to replace that ASAP.

I like the Silent Ridge house. But I would spend money I saved replacing the kitchen and bathrooms before I moved it.

Of the five houses for sale currently in the Reserve, it’s by far the only one that has a price that is somewhat reasonable for what you get.

The homes in The Reserve don’t seem to be holding up well over time. A common complaint I’m hearing is warping and cracking walls, which could be a sign of a framing issue with the builder. It’s possible they cut corners or didn’t use the best materials, and now those issues are starting to show up. It’s not just an eyesore—it could lead to bigger problems down the road that will be costly to fix. As these homes continue to age, I imagine more issues will start popping up.

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

This home is priced with a renovation in mind. It’s a fair price imho. The homes in the Reserve that have not been updated are sitting and the owners are trying to reflect that.

This home ($5.8M) is nearby and has the same mid-quality of original building materials as the house on Silent Ridge. It’s possible they will get this price, but I would be shocked if it ultimately goes for anything near this.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/919-Dominion-Reserve-Dr-Mc-Lean-VA-22102/59786267_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

The Master Bath in Dominion Reserve Drive house looks like it *was* recently updated, but the style is terrible. A new owner will likely want to replace that ASAP.

I like the Silent Ridge house. But I would spend money I saved replacing the kitchen and bathrooms before I moved it.

Of the five houses for sale currently in the Reserve, it’s by far the only one that has a price that is somewhat reasonable for what you get.

Anonymous wrote:

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

OMG SAME!!!!! 1st thought!!!!

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

This home is priced with a renovation in mind. It’s a fair price imho. The homes in the Reserve that have not been updated are sitting and the owners are trying to reflect that.

This home ($5.8M) is nearby and has the same mid-quality of original building materials as the house on Silent Ridge. It’s possible they will get this price, but I would be shocked if it ultimately goes for anything near this.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/919-Dominion-Reserve-Dr-Mc-Lean-VA-22102/59786267_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

Anonymous wrote: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.

Anonymous wrote: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.

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

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-