FROM WIKOPEDIA - McMansion is a pejorative term for a large new house which is judged as pretentious, tasteless, or badly designed for its neighborhood . .
IN A PIG'S EYE!
BALDERDASH!
NONSENSE!
I KEEP READING ABOUT THE NEW TREND TO THE SMALLER HOME. Of course that is true. However, I am of the opinion that folks will not always willingly buy the smaller home because they . . .
- Want to buy as much as they can while prices are down.
- Small homes in my area mean townhomes for condos.
- The smaller homes are older or not in communities with amenities.
- The luxury features in the McMansion, i.e., granite countertops, wood floors, etc. strongly appeal and are great features for resale.
"My Dad says I should only buy a brick home and that newer homes are not insulated well."
IN A PIG'S EYE!
BALDERDASH!
NONSENSE!
For a few years now, builders have solved the problem of buyers wishing to spend less for their home. THEY REDUCED THE LOT SIZE. But. . .
"My Dad says I should get the biggest lot possible, even if I have to buy an old home."
N E W S F L A S H.. . . Builders don't construct small homes on large lots. They can't make any money building a small home on a large (expensive) building lot.
Here's the scoop on the old home, THEY ARE VERY LIKELY TO BE A MONEY PIT.
O.K. I own a McMansion. By most accounts, for a person living along in a house, mine is far larger than I need. True enough, although it is nice to be able to accommodate family, friends when they need to spend a day or week. I put a home buyer family of four up for 4 months one time while their home was finished. Can't do that in a small home.
Back in about the 1980s, I lived in a one bedroom condo. Then one day, when walking through the living/dining/kit area, you know the design, I STUMPED MY TOE ON A KIT/BRK/DIN STOOL. That was it. "I'M OUTTA HERE!"
THE OLDER HOME. So, I purchased a lovely Cape Cod in Bethesda in about 2003. It was in a wonderful area but the home was 53 years old. One of my sons and I completely remodeled the house and it became a lovely home, but it was a MONEY PIT. GEEZ. We replaced the roof, the flooring, the kitchen, the baths, finished the upper level, new heat pump, electric, plumbing, water heater, everything. However, it was, by this time, 55 years old and on a small lot with folks knocking on my door all day long selling this or that.
So, I had gone from an 800 sq. ft. condo to a 1395 sq. ft. Cape that we upgraded into a 1990 sq. ft. Cape. Guess what. I hated it. Perhaps it's the experience of selling so many new homes that has me jaded when it comes to the older, small homes. What do I love about the McMansions??
THE MCMANSION
Space, space, space. A place for everything and a place to put everything. (notice that I didn't say that everything would always be in that place, but the place is there when I need it.
Light, light, light. I love the tall windows that make rooms sunny and bright. Sure, the dust is easier to see but I don't care.
Homes that flow from room to room. I love the kitchen/breakfast room/family room in the newer (last 20 years) designs.
Family rooms. Few older rooms have a true family room. Rec rooms in the lower levels don't work because that puts the cook in the kitchen all by themselves unless the house has a huge eat-in kitchen. Possible but so many older home have walls where newer homes have open designs.
Garden bath in the owner's bedroom. The luxury of a large master bath with a separate walk-in shower, perhaps a "water closet" with a door. All fabulous.
High ceilings. I remember when ceiling heights went to 9 feet in new homes from most builders, about 1990. I loved them immediately. Now, when walking into an older home with 8 ft. ceilings, the difference in ambiance is amazing.
Gourmet kitchens. Ah, the kitchen with the island, double wall oven, build in microwave, side-by-side frig,
Floorings materials including beautiful woods with almost impervious finishes that you can have in the kitchen.
Electrical, plumbing, insulation, etc., including state of the art phone/tv/computer packages that give us online features.
All of the above and more are in the McMansions at about 1/2 the adjusted cost of what they would have cost 30-40 years ago. I show a lot of new homes. New homes have been a "niche" for me for 25 years. I've watched them become more beautiful with spectacular designs, materials and features that make these lovely houses homes.
Buyer love them and so do I.
Lenn's McMansion in Lovettsville, VA.
SEE - Local McMansions in Loudoun County, Virginia.
Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.
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FOR THE BEST NEW HOME BUYING EXPERIENCE, WORK WITH AN EXPERIENCED NEW HOME BUYER'S AGENT. LENN HAS SPECIALIZED IN NEW HOME SALES SINCE 1992. With over 25 years real estate experience, we can help you buy your home with the confidence that the home you're buying is the very best home in your price range in your area of choice. We can help. If your desire is for a new home is a McMansion, we know where they are located in your price range.
FOR A TOUR OF THE McMANSIONS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, CONTACT:
Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988
DON'T FORGET THE HOMEFINDERS.COM BUYER'S REBATE - 1% OF THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE NEW HOME YOU BUY.
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There's nothing wrong with McMansions. I'd own one if it fit my needs or lifestyle.