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April 16, 2006
Built to Sell, Not to Live
We regularly get flyers on our front door that publish recent selling prices for houses in our neighborhood. They encourage us to cash out. It feels like vultures circling our house. Christiane and I know 5 families that have moved out because they couldn't buy a bigger house here. Usually getting pregnant is the trigger. No wonder our elementary school is at 57% capacity. I'd like to distribute flyers that say, "Don't leave, especially if you have kids. Don't give our neighborhood to the vultures."
I had hoped that the people building this house (below) were like us, and just wanted to live here. When they put up a For Sale sign I was disappointed. I don't know their story. Maybe they couldn't afford it by the time they were done. But it sure looks like they built it for profit. If they don't live here, is it okay for them to reshape our neighborhood?
On the other hand, some builders are bringing a great funky style to our area. This new house (duplex actually) doesn't have much in common with it's neighbors, but I think it's going to be gorgeous.
The house across the street from us is being rebuilt with a 400 square foot addition right now. It looks like they are doing a great job. But, my opinion about these houses depends on whether there is a for sale sign or a moving van in front when they are done.
Posted by David at April 16, 2006 02:11 AM
Comments
Yeah. It seems like everyone wants to be the real estate king/queen. Let's flip this house and make money like they do on TV. The first house you have posted looks really bad to me. Did they just move in, do this and then leave? It sucks that people have no real investment in the places they do this type of thing to.
That other house you show has a cool mid-century thing going on.
Posted by: Patricia W. at April 16, 2006 07:14 AM
That first one looks like a fortress. It might be one of the ugliest remodels I've ever seen. That's just evil to build something so...monstrous and then leave.
Posted by: laurie at April 16, 2006 11:22 AM
They are both new construction. the first one is new construction on empty land. Let's see if I can say about 10 good things about it.
1. It is a clever use of land. The very shallow lot basically has no back yard, but the courtyard makes up for that deficiency.
2. It does not tower over it’s neighbors, even though it is almost twice the average square footage.
3. It is in-fill. Definitely a good inner city value which reduces traffic.
4. It is built for a family. Families rock.
5. It is not a snout-out. The single car garage has nice wooden doors. If you look close you can see the seems where it rolls up like a normal modern garage door.
6. The landscaping it finished and nice. Many houses around here have zero-scaping. Basically dandelions and hackberries.
7. I bet it has insulation. Most original houses here have none.
8. It was a good investment.
9. There was a contract on it immediately. Meaning, there was a need for this house.
10. Three square windows.
The other house was a tear-down. I guess that should bother me more. But the fact that one person can have such contradictory opinions is a sign that the law should tread lightly in this realm.
Posted by: David E. at April 17, 2006 09:59 PM
Although I only know you through your blog, your list clearly shows that you're a better person than I! I could never come up with a list of 10 positives. Instead I'd grumble about how annoyed I was. It's a good positive strategy. I'm going to work on my positive thoughts when home renovatons/builds annoy me. :)
Posted by: laurie at April 18, 2006 01:53 AM
Patricia speaks the truth - these homes are evil and a blight upon our neighborhood. let's ask the owners of the little blue house in the 2nd pic what they think about the metro-home going up next door - hey, y'all weren't using any of that sunlight or privacy on your back patio, were you ?
Posted by: steve at April 18, 2006 11:09 AM
Wow, Steve, "evil and a blight upon our neighborhood." That's some strong language there.
So much for the Welcome Wagon. I guess some things really did die with the 50's.
Speaking of a Welcome Wagon... anyone want to start one with me? With all the houses on the market in our 'hood, I'm guessing there is going to be a real use for one. And I'll use any excuse to bake some cookies ;-)
Posted by: Christiane at April 18, 2006 11:27 AM
sorry, please forgive the strong language, i should tread lightly but that 2nd house really scares me - we have a fixer upper next door to us on piedmont that's been sitting empty for 5 yrs and is now for sale. if it wasn't for the recent mcmansion ordinance my wife and i fear someone would buy the lot, tear down the house, and build a 'metro-home' like that one - 2 stories tall, towering over the neighbors, right up to the property line... is it possible to love thy neighbor but hate their home ? i hope so - it appears to me one man's home is another man's candidate for the austin chronicle's mcmansion contest (http://www.austinchronicle.com/mcmansions/)
Posted by: steve at April 18, 2006 05:25 PM
Hey, that's my house. The second one, that is. It looks a little different now, though.
Posted by: Andrew at October 8, 2006 02:13 PM