Death of McMansions story featuring Dallas

[PanTerra]

Originally Posted by Debsi

I hate them too - I call them the sugar cube houses - but I think this article is a bunch of wishful thinking at least as far as Dallas is concerned. There are still loads of people who would rather commute far and live with tiny trees than buy a smaller home in Richardson (for example). I work in mortgage, believe me I know.

Not to mention we also have daily proof of the large home demand on this forum!

And just think of the revenues in property taxes that are generated. I just don't want them built on my street.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by Debsi

I hate them too - I call them the sugar cube houses - but I think this article is a bunch of wishful thinking at least as far as Dallas is concerned. There are still loads of people who would rather commute far and live with tiny trees than buy a smaller home in Richardson (for example). I work in mortgage, believe me I know.

Not to mention we also have daily proof of the large home demand on this forum!

So true. My house is one of the larger ones on this street at 1820 sq ft, though there are a couple over 2000 sq ft that have had extensions built on them. People from out of state do not seem to connect high square footage with high energy bills, extremely high costs for window treatments, replacement windows, carpet cleaning, carpet replacement, constant cleaning, etc. The list goes on and on; that is why I did not buy a huge house even though it was within my means to do so. Even replacing an AC system in a house that size is a massive undertaking because the 4-ton condenser that sits in my house would not be adequate for a 3000 sq ft house. 1 ton cools 500 sq ft.

[SMS_Parent]

To be fair, the McMansions aren't only located in the suburbs. There have been plenty of McMansions built in recent years in Highland Park, Preston Hollow and Lakewood -- they just cost more inside of LBJ than they do in the suburbs -- so possibly they are "Move Up Castles" rather than "Starter Castles."

[skids929]

Originally Posted by PanTerra

That's great. I have never heard that one before.

Garage Mahal is a show on DIY network.

[galore]

From the article:

"Diane Cheatham, owner of Urban Edge Developers in Dallas, said today, the average size of home they're building is 2,200 square feet, down from 2,500 in 2005 - which was considered small for Dallas back then."

Well, what about her setting a totally opposite example with her gargantuan monster house at 1 Vanguard?! That one looks like it is a 6000sf spaceship + complete with second floor swimming pool.

[skids929]

Originally Posted by galore

From the article:

"Diane Cheatham, owner of Urban Edge Developers in Dallas, said today, the average size of home they're building is 2,200 square feet, down from 2,500 in 2005 - which was considered small for Dallas back then."

Well, what about her setting a totally opposite example with her gargantuan monster house at 1 Vanguard?! That one looks like it is a 6000sf spaceship + complete with second floor swimming pool.

My point exactly..It's all marketing and sales, smoke and mirrors..It's a sign of the times right now. Right now people have no money, so they are seeking solace in smaller, and greener. Bologna if you ask me. Those same sheep will look for the biggest most wasteful home they can pay for as soon as this economy turns. And it will..Eventually.

It's the American way.

[PanTerra]

Originally Posted by skids929

Garage Mahal is a show on DIY network.

Is that a cable network? I guess I am out of luck.

[OnTaMove]

When we moved here 3 years ago we had to tell the realtor no turret's

LOL.

[Spree]

>>To be fair, the McMansions aren't only located in the suburbs. There have been plenty of McMansions built in recent years in Highland Park, Preston Hollow and Lakewood<<

'tis true .... especially across the street from Lakewood elementary school :-(