McMansions (tank, insulate, phone, bedroom)

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by Noahma

The decision is ultimately the buyer, but there is still a very distinct line between what is Mcmansion and what is not. The name implies mass production with the comparison between Mc.Donalds and not. you can get a burger from Mc. Donnalds, and you can get a burger from a 5 star restaurant. They are both burgers, but one is using fresher ingredients, and care is taken to make it for the customer that ordered it, not just grabbing one of 1000's made that day and kept warm under a heat lamp.

this is definatly a Mc.Mansion in my mind, never would I be happy about doing a scrape in an established sub-division, to build a monstrosity as this.


not a Mc.Mansion. the lots in these types of sub-division were set with the larger homes in mind.

The top one looks like an apartment building and the bottom one has McMansion potential.

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by nativeDallasite

The top one looks like an apartment building and the bottom one has McMansion potential.

the bottom one is in a custom sub-division where there are 3/4 acre lots. The homes are all of similar size, different styles but within the guidelines of the sub-division. The first is in a well established classic area, where the house has been ripped out, and this uglyness has been built.

What are your oppinions on classic historic architecture? In denver we have one of the greatest surviving examples of Queen Anne victorian homes, they typicaly are larger homes, what used to be considered a mansion IE 3500-8000 sqft. Would these be Mc.Mansions to you? they fit your description on what you think a Mc.Mansion are. In the day they were built, they were just like every other house built in the area, they are built on 75' wide lots, X 100' deep. they fill over 50% of the lot, and are built lot line to lot line.

[GLS]

Originally Posted by Noahma

Is this Barry Bonds house?

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by GLS

Is this Barry Bonds house?

Well, that is heinous. McUgly, McMonster and McAwful . . . but that is not what I refer to as a McMansion. That is just hideous design that does not fit in w/ the overall feel of the neighborhood (from what I can determine).

However, I defend a person's right to build whatever monstrosity he or she chooses. If the zoning allows it - the HOA guidelines allow it - the deed convenants/restrictions allow it . . . seems to me . . . anyone who doesn't like living around it . . . can just avoid it.

I don't know if that is Barry Bonds' house but it sure looks like it has been on steroids. And not in a good way.

[Bob The Builder]

The McMansion/Garage Mahal problem is the toxic mixture of a very unsophisticated market, antiquated zoning rules and neighborhood CC&Rs, greed, egotistical/emotional immaturity, architectural immorality and all around bad taste.

If the market says the value of a house is X dollars a foot. If it costs X - 1 cent, people are motivated to build the biggest monstrosity they are allowed to build. The lot costs the same whether you build 100 feet or 10,000 feet.

If you try to built a modest 2000 sq ft home, the appraisal would come in low, the bank would not lend, your friends would think you were weirdo, the wife would leave you and your children would be mocked at school. Then on RESALE, you would be faced with having to find that rare buyer who thinks like you. The deal does not work.

If you look at some of these listings for homes.. stunning, beautiful, prestigious, ... what in the hell are these realtors thinking?

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by Bob The Builder

If you look at some of these listings for homes.. stunning, beautiful, prestigious, ... what in the hell are these realtors thinking?

The realtors are thinking marketing . . . and sales.

[pennquaker09]

I think what Noahma is trying to say is companies like Toll Brothers, are the major builders of McMansions. I worked for them for the past year and a half I think I would have to agree with him.

With that said, we didn't tear down our house, but I would imagine the resulting remodel would be called a McMansion here. I honestly don't know whether it is or not, but it is right at 5000 sq ft.

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by pennquaker09

I think what Noahma is trying to say is companies like Toll Brothers, are the major builders of McMansions. I worked for them for the past year and a half I think I would have to agree with him.

With that said, we didn't tear down our house, but I would imagine the resulting remodel would be called a McMansion here. I honestly don't know whether it is or not, but it is right at 5000 sq ft.

not just toll brothers, DR horton, Mcstain, KB homes, Lennar, Pulte, pretty much any of the production builders do the great majority of the MC.Mansions

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by Noahma

not just toll brothers, DR horton, Mcstain, KB homes, Lennar, Pulte, pretty much any of the production builders do the great majority of the MC.Mansions

Pulte homes are pretty nasty though; I saw a couple in Austin and I thought the quality was not that great and the finish was pretty poor.

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by nativeDallasite

Pulte homes are pretty nasty though; I saw a couple in Austin and I thought the quality was not that great and the finish was pretty poor.

exactly. I am not a fan of the finish quality of any production builder. And a few custom builders.