The McMansion
- Thread starter Arjun
- Start date
mat200
IPCT Contributor
- Jan 17, 2017
- 19,202
- 32,116
McMasions = 100% profit reason why they exist
Real Estate, residential value is heavily driven by # of bedrooms, baths.
Maximize those and you maximize profits.
2 houses same size, one has 3 bedrooms the other 5 bedrooms, and the 5 bedroom one is worth a lot more money.
Lot size does not matter as much. Can have a larger lot with that 3 bedroom next to the 5 bedroom and the 5 bedroom can still be worth significantly more.
Also basements do not count in the Real Estate equation either.
lots of bogus issues with Real Estate apprasals imho
This video explores the rise and systemic decline of the McMansion in American suburbs—large, mass-produced homes built between 1985 and 2008 that prioritize outward appearances over structural integrity.
Real Estate, residential value is heavily driven by # of bedrooms, baths.
Maximize those and you maximize profits.
2 houses same size, one has 3 bedrooms the other 5 bedrooms, and the 5 bedroom one is worth a lot more money.
Lot size does not matter as much. Can have a larger lot with that 3 bedroom next to the 5 bedroom and the 5 bedroom can still be worth significantly more.
Also basements do not count in the Real Estate equation either.
lots of bogus issues with Real Estate apprasals imho
This video explores the rise and systemic decline of the McMansion in American suburbs—large, mass-produced homes built between 1985 and 2008 that prioritize outward appearances over structural integrity.
The Rise of the McMansion (3:28 - 6:24)
- Shift in Values: Starting in the 1980s, homes transformed from modest shelters (like the post-war Levittown houses) into status symbols. Wealth became something to be "performed" loudly.
- Profit-Driven Construction: Developers realized they could maximize profit by increasing square footage while cutting corners on quality, utilizing stick framing and synthetic materials instead of solid masonry.
- Architectural Theater: Homes were designed as "stage sets" with expensive stone veneers and hollow columns on the front facade, while the rear and interior features were built with the cheapest code-minimum materials.
The Maintenance Crisis (9:00 - 12:15)
- Systemic Failures: Approximately 25 years after construction, the first generation of McMansions is failing. Common issues include rotting plywood behind synthetic stucco, cracking vinyl siding, leaking complex roof lines, and de-laminating stone veneers.
- The "Maintenance Cliff": Because these homes were built using low-durability materials simultaneously, major components (roofs, HVAC, siding) are all hitting their end-of-life at once, leaving homeowners with massive, often unaffordable, repair bills.
A Changing Market (12:22 - 15:09)
- Shifting Preferences: Millennials, who grew up during the 2008 housing crisis, often view these large, high-maintenance houses as symbols of failure rather than success. They now prioritize location, walkability, and material authenticity over sheer size.
- Economic Reality: McMansions are currently struggling to sell, sitting on the market longer and seeing flat appreciation in many areas. As current owners face the "maintenance cliff," these properties are increasingly becoming a financial burden, with some subdivisions entering visible decline.
Live with hipsters and they are often content with rooms that are half the size of a bathroom, then they complain about the banging next door, only wanting themselves to be part of that action as well. Its a microcosm of competition.