View Full Version : My house is functionally obsolete
I've been attending neighborhood meetings lately about the increase of tear-downs in our neighborhood. It is seriously escalating our land values and property taxes so it is a concern to some of us who still live in the original 1300 sf homes on quarter acre lots or larger. Realtors are now telling us our homes are "functionally obsolete" and I am trying to understand that terminology. I have a non-leaking roof over my head, my toilets flush, all other systems work great - it is a source of shelter and comfort just as it is. I am grateful. I love my plants and trees. The realtors tell us that buyers no longer will "make do" with less than 2-3 bathrooms, a master suite, walk in closets, a gourmet kitchen, etc. A media room means more than a yard. Anything less than 3000 sf just won't fly with these new buyers. This all has me confused about my own values once again as I was when I first found the concept of simple living. Am I really such an aardvark for loving a simple, old house?
When did people get so fancy again?
The realtors tell us that buyers no longer will "make do" with less than 2-3 bathrooms, a master suite, walk in closets, a gourmet kitchen, etc. A media room means more than a yard. Anything less than 3000 sf just won't fly with these new buyers.
This is why I've given up on HGTV--I just get angry, and what's the point. This is the culture--"roughing it" is having one full bath. Beauty is a big brick monstrosity dropped on a piece of old barren farmland like a Monopoly Hotel piece. No one considers "granite countertop/stainless steel" to be the least bit cliche even though it is (although I have read that they may be on the out, TG). Lawns are trucked in and then vaporized with toxic herbicides, and when the lawns are mown, the clipping are sealed up in a black construction bags and hauled to landfills. ??? What's that about?
Anyway, if you're an aardvark, I'm an aardvark.
I just think about that famous Krishnamurti quote: "It is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society." Save me from being well-adjusted!
ApatheticNoMore
4-21-15, 3:35pm
It doesn't sound like "functionally obsolete" has any real meaning [must resist anti-realtor jokes, they're like blonde jokes ..]. It's not like it's "not up to code" for a rental or something which actually does have real (legal) meaning, and some of the codes are just safety.
You can say that's the culture, but take a look at the median income, it's probably not even within the affordability of most (maybe other cheaper wasteful habits are but), depending on the location one chooses of course, parts of Texas are probably cheap enough for the masses to chase bigger is better, but Austin is probably not one of them. It's the culture of maybe a certain subset of fairly well off people.
Chicken lady
4-21-15, 4:26pm
I have a button hook - you know, for buttoning your shoes? THAT is functionally obsolete. Although I have found it surprisingly useful for a variety of tasks over the years....
When my children were little they used to sing this rediculous song to the tune of a waltz that went "It starts with an A, aardvark, aardvark. It's easy to SAY, aardvark, aardvark..... You now have it stuck in my head.
What the realtor is saying is that they want a bigger commision and a quick easy sale. So long as your house is in fairly good repair, fairly attractive, and in a good school districts or easy commute to jobs, there will be buyers.
Sounds like ridiculous realtor marketing ploys ... Ignore them.
My last house was a lovely 1910-vintage 1200 sq. foot California Craftsman, built from an old-school Sears kit house. In a great neighborhood, full of such houses.
I spent 7 years lovingly restoring that house. It wasn't obsolete, it was just about perfect. Comfortable to live and entertain in, aesthetic, easy to maintain.
One of the reasons we moved is that people were buying up the lovely homes in our neighborhood, and "improving" them, either by razing them to the ground and building a 6000 sq. ft. zero-lot-line McMansion out of cheap stucco and tiles, or by "keeping the historic charm" by using the front of the house as an entryway into a squared-off industrial-looking "addition" on the back for all of the needed rooms.
We bought our little place for $330k, which I thought was an insane price. I put about $150k into the restoration over the next 7 years, and countless hours of labor. We sold it in 2 days for $2.2 million.
The buyers expressed great admiration for the accurate restoration. About 5 years later, they moved on, the new new buyers slapped on one of those additions in the back, and it's now about 4800 sq. feet. And no longer has much character at all.
iris lilies
4-21-15, 6:45pm
I've been attending neighborhood meetings lately about the increase of tear-downs in our neighborhood. It is seriously escalating our land values and property taxes so it is a concern to some of us who still live in the original 1300 sf homes on quarter acre lots or larger. Realtors are now telling us our homes are "functionally obsolete" and I am trying to understand that terminology. I have a non-leaking roof over my head, my toilets flush, all other systems work great - it is a source of shelter and comfort just as it is. I am grateful. I love my plants and trees. The realtors tell us that buyers no longer will "make do" with less than 2-3 bathrooms, a master suite, walk in closets, a gourmet kitchen, etc. A media room means more than a yard. Anything less than 3000 sf just won't fly with these new buyers. This all has me confused about my own values once again as I was when I first found the concept of simple living. Am I really such an aardvark for loving a simple, old house?
When did people get so fancy again?
you are "trying to understand" and it has you all "confused about my own values?"
why dont,t you just say what you mean, something like "these people are nuts! They are wasteful! Who needs all of that $hit"
...and. I will support your opinion!!! :)
Forgot to add that realtors are only salespeople. They are no more knowledgeable about life and satisfaction than you are. I would discount anything they say unless backed up with an inspection report, appraisal and other documents from noninterested 3rd parties.
Miss Cellane
4-21-15, 7:28pm
I think what the realtors are saying is that the average house buyer wants the list of things they mentioned. Houses that have all those things are easy for the realtors to sell. Houses which don't have those things are harder for the realtors to sell, because the pool of buyers is more limited. It's still there, but the realtor has to do more work to reach the potential buyers and to sell the house.
It's a lot easier for the *realtor* if the homeowners spend their own money to "update" their house. Makes the realter's job much more simple.
My parents lived in an old New England town. They owned an 1880s Victorian. When it came time for us to sell the house, we went with the realtor who had a list of people looking for one of the old Victorians in the center of town. The house was old, but well-maintained. But the bathrooms and kitchen had last been updated by the previous owners, sometime in the 1950s. The house sold at the worst of the housing bust, for asking price, in a month and a half, because our realtor knew what she was doing and who to market the house to.
We did not choose the realtors who told us the house could not be sold unless we completely gutted and re-did the kitchen and bathrooms, put in wall-to-wall carpeting, painted the oak wainscotting, took out the radiators, took out the butler's pantry and all the other things that made the house "unsellable."
In that old city, you have a choice. Old housing, some dating back to about 1770, near the center of town, a slew of small, well-built houses put up in the 1950s, or the new McMansions going up on the edges of town. The McMansions are popular with a certain demographic, but the older homes are fortunately finding buyers who appreciate them and restore them instead of tearing them down.
gimmethesimplelife
4-21-15, 7:33pm
This is why I've given up on HGTV--I just get angry, and what's the point. This is the culture--"roughing it" is having one full bath. Beauty is a big brick monstrosity dropped on a piece of old barren farmland like a Monopoly Hotel piece. No one considers "granite countertop/stainless steel" to be the least bit cliche even though it is (although I have read that they may be on the out, TG). Lawns are trucked in and then vaporized with toxic herbicides, and when the lawns are mown, the clipping are sealed up in a black construction bags and hauled to landfills. ??? What's that about?
Anyway, if you're an aardvark, I'm an aardvark.
I just think about that famous Krishnamurti quote: "It is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society." Save me from being well-adjusted!I love your last two sentences!!!! I could not agree more. Rob
That's a great quote Catherine. I've used it myself more than once. Also, I can't stand stainless appliances or granite countertops either.Completely soulless.
Young couples have tried to bid on houses in my hood but they almost always get sold to developers. They offer cash and since they are knocking it down, no inspections and such are needed. It is an easy and quick sale for all involved. The one across the street is going down next week. It is such a bizarre feeling to watch this stuff going on.
pinkytoe and Catherine, I"ll join the aardvark society too. Ignore the McMansion craziness and enjoy your nest.
Never trust a used car sales person, I mean realtor. They are only looking for profits.
SteveinMN
4-22-15, 10:33am
"Functionally obsolete" is just an entry in the real estate agent's lexicon, like "cozy" (small), "charming" (hasn't seen an update since the Truman Administration), "shopping nearby" (24-hour gas station/quickie mart and its lights are going all the time), and "near wetlands" (there's a swamp in the backyard). Your house may not be the typical place the most profitable buyers are looking for, but there assuredly is a market for well-kept homes in good locations. It is not functionally obsolete.
DW and I have re-entered the discussion of what could be done to our house to make her feel more like it's hers as well. We were talking about moving. I have to admit there's a certain appeal to a smaller place where someone else mows the lawn and shovels the snow. And we may yet move if what we want to do here is economically unfeasible. But we'll see. This house is entirely functional even though it's not the 1920's bungalow she left behind and it's one of the bigger and newer homes in our neighborhood (at 1800 sq ft and 41 years old). And we can always pay someone to mow the lawn and shovel the snow. We have equity here. We've given ourselves until the end of May to decide.
Teacher Terry
4-23-15, 2:35pm
We live in a 1950's ranch that is 1400 sq ft that we lovingly restored 3 years ago. It is just right for us. It is really sad that houses are just being razed.
TVRodriguez
4-23-15, 5:17pm
Our 1200/1300 sq ft 1950s house fits in with the other houses in our neighborhood, but there are, here and there, newer homes that have two stories and are about twice the size of our home. Most of those newer homes keep the 'mediterranean style' look of South Florida, with red tile roofs and stucco and such, so they don't mar the neighborhood with bad curb appeal. In fact, the house across the street from us is being razed right now, but I'm actually glad for it, since it had not only been added onto in weird ways over time, making it unappealing, but it's been in deplorable condition since squatters took it over during the recession. I'm looking forward to a better view once the developer who bought it puts up a new house!
Also, I can't stand stainless appliances or granite countertops either.Completely soulless.
Well, I guess I'm soulless then (is soulless even a word?) cause the tiny little lakeside cabin I live in (600 square feet) has granite and stainless steel appliances. And horrors of horrors, I really like them, despite being a simple living person. ;)
Well, I guess I'm soulless then (is soulless even a word?) cause the tiny little lakeside cabin I live in (600 square feet) has granite and stainless steel appliances. And horrors of horrors, I really like them, despite being a simple living person. ;)
Snarky much? Since I'm getting off this forum any way, I can say you are a hypocrite. You have that whole thread about Packy, where one of your posts states that you don't judge on grammar and here you have done just that. Thanks. Thanks for making me feel like crap. I came for info and a life change and this happens. GFY.
ApatheticNoMore
4-23-15, 8:25pm
Snarky much? Since I'm getting off this forum any way
you don't have to get off it, I found your post feeling you've wasted your life very sad, I struggle with the feeling at times (I struggle on I guess - life still is). Oh I more than recognize I have no control over anyone going or staying as they will (maybe it was too much arguing about politics around here).
stainless steel hmm, ok it seems silly to redo a kitchen for it, but maybe the kitchen came that way. And I can't say I'm in the financial position to start obsessing about countertops and what they're made of anyway.
i work in a neighborhood that has those adorable brick houses, and many of the them are being torn down for these weird boxes of houses. it is about the only way you can put more house on a small lot i guess. i think it is sad. Meanwhile i am renting a totally re-done apartment. that includes stainless steel and granite. i am happy, it is an apartment so i have not ruined an older house after all. the house i have been renting is from the 50's and could be adorable however the landlord has not really taken care of it. i would love to see something done to restore but it just needs good plumbing and no holes in the walls.
i am renting a totally re-done apartment. that includes stainless steel and granite. i am happy, it is an apartment so i have not ruined an older house after all.
You can be sure that multiple someones, somewhere, are decrying that another old apartment has been lost to current trends in design and material. :~)
I am not one of them. When I most recently lived in an apartment 15 years ago, it was in a 1920s building in which they were renovating each apartment before a new tenant came in. No granite or stainless there (in fact, my apartment kept the period-piece turquoise enamel cooktop) but there were enough electrical outlets (three wire!) and modern fixtures (save the radiator). I was all for it. But I'm sure someone thought it was charming the way it was and crossed one more apartment building off their list.
When we updated our kitchen, we went with white appliances and laminate counters. At the time, stainless-steel appliances were fingerprint magnets and I just didn't want the maintenance (they've improved materials/coatings since). We went with laminate countertops because I just don't like granite myself -- and even went with a vinyl floor pattern that did not look like stone. It's cold enough in Minnesota most of the time that I don't need my counters and floor suggesting they'll be cold too. I'm also not sold on the notion of granite as a "green" building material. But that's me. And I've seen plenty of granite/SS kitchens that I found very pleasing esthetically. Just not my choice for the long haul. Horses for courses.
TVRodriguez
4-24-15, 10:56am
When we updated our kitchen, we went with white appliances and laminate counters. At the time, stainless-steel appliances were fingerprint magnets and I just didn't want the maintenance (they've improved materials/coatings since). We went with laminate countertops because I just don't like granite myself -- and even went with a vinyl floor pattern that did not look like stone. It's cold enough in Minnesota most of the time that I don't need my counters and floor suggesting they'll be cold too. I'm also not sold on the notion of granite as a "green" building material. But that's me. And I've seen plenty of granite/SS kitchens that I found very pleasing esthetically. Just not my choice for the long haul. Horses for courses.
We made similar choices when we had to replace our kitchen after a pipe burst! Vinyl stick square flooring--I don't like cold feet or things breaking b/c the floor's too hard. Laminate counters--I don't like cold counters. White appliances--I don't like fingerprints on stainless steel.
We've added some new appliances as old ones died, and they are stainless steel (induction stove didn't come in white), but the white fridge is still holding out b/c it works and I won't replace it just because it doesn't match the stove.
The little house is coming down as I write. Smashing all the living plants and smaller trees in the front yard and dumping them in a dumpster. He has tree permits for the larger ones so they will come down too. I rescued some cacti but most plants were to big to dig up at this time of year. All that beautiful real wood flooring in the trash. It drives me nuts. I noticed the builder filed his permit today so it will go from about 1200sf to 3800sf on the same size lot. Sigh...
catherine
4-24-15, 11:00am
Just to be clear, I'm not against stainless steel and granite. I'm against people being herded like sheep to become so homogenous in their preferences for no other reason than it's "the latest thing."
iris lilies
4-24-15, 11:01am
We have old Formica countertops because DH and I cannit agree on granite types, we both have very different tastes. Frankly we are not trying hard to agree because neither of us wish to spend the money. There was one composite material I found at the hoemshow at I loved,and I even had the rep out to ou house to measure. The she said oops, they have discontinued this product,but we have all of these others...blah blah blah that I,ve seen before, not interested.
catherine
4-24-15, 11:12am
We have old Formica countertops because DH and I cannit agree on granite types, we both have very different tastes. Frankly we are not trying hard to agree because neither of us wish to spend the money. There was one composite material I found at the hoemshow at I loved,and I even had the rep out to ou house to measure. The she said oops, they have discontinued this product,but we have all of these others...blah blah blah that I,ve seen before, not interested.
For the record, when I did my MILs house, and my kitchen, I used quartz, and I'm happy with it. It's very, very durable. DH is the kind of cook who does not want to worry about burns, scratches, maintenance, etc., and quartz really fit the bill.
ApatheticNoMore
4-24-15, 11:19am
You can be sure that multiple someones, somewhere, are decrying that another old apartment has been lost to current trends in design and material.
I am not one of them. When I most recently lived in an apartment 15 years ago, it was in a 1920s building in which they were renovating each apartment before a new tenant came in. No granite or stainless there (in fact, my apartment kept the period-piece turquoise enamel cooktop) but there were enough electrical outlets (three wire!) and modern fixtures (save the radiator). I was all for it. But I'm sure someone thought it was charming the way it was and crossed one more apartment building off their list.
since renovations may have added a couple 100 to the rent (that's how the game is played of course - one makes the renovations to jack up the rent), I don't blame them for crossing it off their list. But yea I've lived in an absolutely dreadful old apartment for awhile (roof leaked etc.), it wasn't remotely maintained, it was a 1920s era building. I NEVER want to live in an apartment THAT old again! But anything brand new and luxed up is really expensive. So neither extreme really works for me. Oh the countertop? Tiles.
I love the look of granite and stainless steel, however my wife does not. So, when we upgraded our kitchen we maintained white appliances, added corian countertops, butcher block island and hardwood flooring. The only maintenance issue is the butcher block, I like to use it as a large cutting board and after about 5 years of daily use, it showed. The good thing is, it's butcher block, an hour with a palm sander and some mineral oil made it look like new again.
i loe butcher block style, it is easy to sand it down every few years and keep it nice overall. i have all the small house fixes like a cutting board that fits over the sink and wall mounted spice racks.
Anything clean is good !!
Snarky much? Since I'm getting off this forum any way, I can say you are a hypocrite. You have that whole thread about Packy, where one of your posts states that you don't judge on grammar and here you have done just that. Thanks. Thanks for making me feel like crap. I came for info and a life change and this happens. GFY.
Goodness, my post was meant to be humorous and the smiley face winking eye emoticon at the end of it also indicates that! I was not taking a stab at your grammar, but at the usual attitude expressed here of looking down on those that have granite and stainless steel in their homes. As a simple living person that recycles everything that I can, and lives in a tiny 600 square foot cabin with a garden and a compost pile - I'd just like to say that I love the granite countertop and stainless steel appliances in my little kitchen! :)
CP1970, I'm really not understanding your big over-reaction to my post, but I don't care for the personal attack. I don't know why you are getting off the forum and acting like such a victim here....I don't get it?
guess I am joining the aardvarks........1392 heated sq ft. This is comfortable for 3 people. HGTV drives me crazy when during remodeling, they decide to tear out all kitchen cabinets and replace. Sometimes the old ones look less than 10 yrs old. Complete waste.
guess I am joining the aardvarks........1392 heated sq ft. This is comfortable for 3 people. HGTV drives me crazy when during remodeling, they decide to tear out all kitchen cabinets and replace. Sometimes the old ones look less than 10 yrs old. Complete waste.
I was just at my SILs--she's only been married to my brother for 10 years and shortly after they were married, she had new cabinets put in. So I was at their house a little while ago and I complimented her on the cabinets and she waved away my comment saying, "Oh, they're outdated now."
Hmm, I wonder what that would have made cabinets that I replaced only 2 years ago--original 1974 (so about 40 years old).
Teacher Terry
4-24-15, 3:11pm
I like granite & we put it in our kitchen. We have white appliances but when the dishwasher died I could not get a white one so had to go with stainless. However, they have improved it & no fingerprints
We moved from a cozy four room cape cod (with two added bedrooms upstairs) to a condo in an active adult community (my parents and I). My mom fell in love with it at first sight because it was small and manageable. We looked at so many for over-55s that were 2-3 times the size of our house, cathedral ceilings, lofts, multiple levels, etc. Who wants to deal with all of that when you're in your 70s?
Anyway, our house had a tiny eat-in kitchen with a door. Now, with the open floor plan, you can't do anything in the kitchen without it being heard/smelled everywhere else. The master bathroom is ridiculously huge compared to the tiny one we had. The closets are nice though. We chose formica for all of our countertops and black appliances and are happy. I do love older homes with their nooks and crannies and creaky floors; this was built 10 years ago but I don't see it lasting as long as a well built older home.
In a community that has older individuals, the much larger bathrooms are often a safety issue. Walkers, wheelchairs, etc. or just falling are harder to handle in small bathrooms.
I spent the last week in this palatial ~30 sq. foot home, in 33 degree weather with rain and 10-20 knot winds, and it was perfectly comfortable.
No marble, but plenty of granite cooking surfaces.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--lY3FDSQ1Po/VTxHfq6ptQI/AAAAAAAAPao/YUgnhZUNRG4/s720/Awesomized.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dPxz350nM2s/VTxHBIwHP1I/AAAAAAAAPZM/bx9J54rWf3Q/s720/Awesomized.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2tytRbJOmqk/VTxGu1UuLpI/AAAAAAAAPYE/mgV0GNlxg7E/s720/Awesomized.jpg
bae, that is pretty darn cool! floating in the air and all.
total side note, i read they are working on a cure for asthma. i still exercise and get out but i would love to go into my 50's being able to camp like that.
bae, that is pretty darn cool! floating in the air and all.
It was in truth more comfortable than my bed at home :-)
total side note, i read they are working on a cure for asthma. i still exercise and get out but i would love to go into my 50's being able to camp like that.
I need to sleep with a CPAP. I actually have it installed inside that hammock, my big breakthrough was using the new Lithium Ion batteries to build a small and very light-weight battery pack for it. Along with the newer lightweight rolling/folding solar cells to recharge it during sun breaks. Freedom of the hills is once again mine.
I love jungle hammocks. I was just looking at mine and wondering if i'd ever have a place to hang it, so I can go out in the weather with a book and listen to the sounds of rain all around, and feel the damp breeze while wrapped in a cozy cocoon.
In a community that has older individuals, the much larger bathrooms are often a safety issue. Walkers, wheelchairs, etc. or just falling are harder to handle in small bathrooms.
True, but the aftermarket has helped tremendously there. My wheelchair-bound relative lives in a 1920s bungalow with a bathroom that's all of 5 feet by 8 feet. The doorway itself was widened a couple of inches without affecting structural integrity. The door itself is on what are commonly referred to as "cheater hinges": they're angle-iron shaped so the door opens a couple of inches further into the room than it would otherwise. The regular ol' tub was banished in favor of a roll-in shower. At the recommendation of the contractor, we found a toilet model (ADA-spec and all that) on which the flange was a few inches shorter than normal without being a special order, buying us a few more inches between the tip of the toilet and the wall. IKEA had a sink and cabinet that's several inches more shallow than usual. And there's a pole and grab bars available for my relative to hold onto while transferring. It's still a tight fit for my relative and a PCA, but it's doable without taking out closets or chewing into other rooms. And still cheaper than a couple of months in a nursing home.
Snarky much? Since I'm getting off this forum any way, I can say you are a hypocrite. You have that whole thread about Packy, where one of your posts states that you don't judge on grammar and here you have done just that. Thanks. Thanks for making me feel like crap. I came for info and a life change and this happens. GFY.I don't know, but my stainless steel sink is just a sink that I bought back in 1999, & it was on sale, really cheap. I really never thought whether it had a soul or not; but it seems to serve its' purpose pretty well, and shows no sign of wear. Hope that helps you some.
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