Give it to me straight about this home in GF (house, price)

[spencgr]

As someone who lived with a spiral staircase for two years; I would say that would be a deal -breaker for me. Especially with two small children.

[hertfordshire]

Originally Posted by NC211

The house a little franklin right design to it, which is cool.

I suspect you're using voice-to-text and mean Frank Lloyd Wright?

[NC211]

Originally Posted by hertfordshire

I suspect you're using voice-to-text and mean Frank Lloyd Wright?

Yep, that! Ha! This autocorrect stuff drives me nuts and I can’t type on these screens very well anymore. Guess I’m getting old..

[lizzyc413]

Thanks again, all! I really appreciate all of the insights (good and bad!), they are all what my husband and I have been wrestling with over the past few days. I think we're ultimately going to pass. If it were just him and I we'd buy it in a heartbeat, but with 2 small kids I just know it's not the right time for us to take on this "project". Ugh, it really kills me, but I do think the luster would fade quickly.

[Old Guard]

I feel sympathy for your situation. It does look like a special home but there are some serious concerns. I wish you luck with finding a new home.

[JfromReston]

Awesome house. I’m in love after seeing it online. The length of time it has been on the market - in a hot market - should give you cause to think hard about this special house and be aware of all the aspects, but not necessarily the reason to pass on the house. Due your diligence in investigation before making a decision. Have you knocked on any of the neighbors doors for a chat?

[lizzyc413]

Thanks, JfromReston. We hadn't chatted with any of the neighbors, we may run up there again this weekend while we're looking at some others. We had a long discussion with the realtor who was very helpful in answering our questions and concerns, I have a feeling it wasn't the first time she had heard them!

Perhaps you could also be of some help - we're looking at a houses on Amberjack, Owls Cove, and Cross School in Reston this Sunday, any tips/tricks on what we should look for?

[ACWhite]

Dear Lizzyc413,

FWIW, I think you’re doing the right this to pass this up. We had a house somewhat like this one, designed by an architect, that I loved. It was very difficult to sell when we moved. It had no basement, and that was a deal killer for many people, even though it had a huge attic with tall ceilings, that someone could easily finish. It was a contemporary/modern house in a neighborhood of traditional houses. As beautiful as “your” house is, you’d be amazed at how many people don’t see it as beautiful and prefer something much more conventional. Being on a septic system with be another huge strike against it. All of these factors are hard/impossible to change so buyers would require huge price reductions to consider it.

And I agree that it is unwise to buy a house at the top of your budget that needs such expensive changes as new custom windows. However, this obstacle could be changed more easily by a price change, if the seller is willing to reduce it.

[JfromReston]

Originally Posted by lizzyc413

Perhaps you could also be of some help - we're looking at a houses on Amberjack, Owls Cove, and Cross School in Reston this Sunday, any tips/tricks on what we should look for?

Amberjack - NICE kitchen, great location for Metro Commuting - almost easier to walk the trail to get to the station than get in the car to drive. Walkable to Elementary, Middle and High School.

Owls Cove - Great location - walkable to Starbucks/Safeway/Cafesano - no yard - on a hillside down to LAKE!! This house is one house away from the lake; houses on the lake always sell more $1M or more. This house has a community dock on the lake. This looks like it has been recently flipped. I'm pretty sure I was in this house once for an open house when the whole place was pink inside.

Cross School - feeds to what many consider to be the best elementary school in town. Best location for commuting on the toll road.

You should also check out the houses at 1966 Barton Hill and 11435 Tanbark. Tanbark is walkable to all the schools and the lot backs up to the Walker Nature Center with private neighborhood dock. Barton Hill feeds to same elementary school as Cross School.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions. I live very close to these houses and love all that Reston has to offer.

[lizzyc413]

Thanks so much, J!

The GF house went contingent last night - guess the realtor wasn't bluffing when she said she had an offer and we better act fast. I'm very curious to see what the sale price is. Truth be told, I'm bummed but slightly relieved that it's not a consideration for us anymore.