About Bowie's Woodmoore

This morning I was watching the Today Show and they were discussing the death of the McMansion. According to their resident real estate expert buyers no longer wanted larger homes. She even indicated that there was a trend towards a tiny home (approximately 70 square feet).

These segments often get on my nerves because they make sweeping generalizations about the market as though they are truths everywhere. Here in Maryland, I work with many first time buyers interested in buying homes under $150,000 and I have yet to find someone who would even consider a 70 square feet home.

In my opionion, buyers are mostly buying smaller homes because that's what they can afford. When I go out with buyers I often hear them complaining about the size of the bedrooms and wishing they were bigger.

What they want is a smaller price tag, a smaller mortgage, but not really a smaller home.

I also hear many of them wanting a formal dining room - though I agree with the segment that indicated that living rooms are not as important if there is a den or family room.

The other reason I see for the trend towards smaller homes is that the buyers driving the market right now are first-time home buyers who are testing the waters of home ownership and may not NEED lots of space. Once they become move-up buyers and/or their families grow they will begin to consider some of the larger homes that are available.

My prediction is that the trend towards larger homes will re-emerge when the economic prosperity returns.

I must admit, that I live in one of those larger homes and I love it. Do I necessarily need all the space? No. But do I like having the space? Absolutely.

Prince George's County, MD has many of these so called McMansion communities and many of them continue to sell well despite the economic down-turn.

When I moved into my new home community in Upper Marlboro in 2008 we were one of only three homes on our street and about six homes in the section. Since then there have been at least 30 homes built and many of the remaining lots have been sold. Clearly the demand for the McMansions is still there in some markets.

I think the amenities available in these large homes including large master bedrooms, kitchen with islands, 2-3 car garages will continue to appeal to the buyer.

In June, Lenn Harley had written a post defending the McMansion and the owners who love them.

Prices for many of these so called McMansions have come down tremendously and what was once out of the reach for many buyers is now once again an option.

If you are interested in owning a McMansion give me a call so that we can find one that suits your needs.

McMansions In Prince George's County, MD

McMansions in Montgomery County, MD

McMansions in Charles County, MD

McMansions in Anne Arundel County, MD

McMansions in Howard County, MD

If you are like me you have things that you are no longer using that someone else could benefit from. Usually, I pile them up in the garage until a charity calls and then I happily leave them outside my home for pick-up. I've had several things for months now and no one has called (of course, i'm too lazy to take them myself).

Today I stumbled on a service called Good Donor which allows you to schedule a pick-up online at your convenience. You can either schedule a pick-up by date or by charity.

I have scheudled a pick-up through Good Donor for tomorrow to get all the stuff and the items will benefit the Lupus Foundation.

If you have those unused items sitting around scheudle a pick-up with Good Donor today!

Have you ever been driving around and thought to your self "I wonder how much that house costs?"

Now, I can help!

Text DOC to 87778 to search all homes on your cell phone.

You can search using GPS features where it will give information on all homes for sale close to your current location or in a particular area. Refine the search using price, # of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.

You can view a home's price, features, maps, estimated mortgage payments, and more.

When you find one you like just click to see it and I'm available to answer any questions or we can set up an appointment to see it.

Text DOC to 87778 to give it a try.