Do master bedroom balconies add value when you don’t have a view?

[Alex_angel]

So as many of you know. My sister and Bro-in-law are buying a new house in 4S ranch. Just recently I was speaking with my BIL and he tells me that the person that just bought a home being built right behind his is paying the 15-20 grand upgrade for a master bedroom balcony. He seemed upset and I don’t blame him. Basically this person will have a view of my BIL’s backyard and bedroom window. To me there are only a couple reasons why someone would want a balcony off of the Master Bedroom when they don’t have a view. Both of the backyards will face each other.

1. To smoke cigarettes before bed and in the morning.
2. They are freaks that want to watch what there neighbour does each day.

These houses are probably 40-50 feet apart with a 6 foot fence in between. My sister doesn’t seem to care and believes that this person is probably getting the balcony to add value to the home. I don’t get it since there is no view. Out of the 50 homes that are built in his community only 1 person has the balcony and that person’s backyard faces the street so they sort of have a view.

My BIL now wants to plant some tall bushes along the fence, that will pretty much give his back neibough a view of the trees in a few years when they grow tall enough.

The crappy thing is that he doesn’t know who this person is and cannot meet him since the builder will not let him know who this person is. The only reason he knows the balcony is going up is because the foreman on the job mentioned it to him.

What are your opinions on this and why would someone get the balcony without having a view?

[4plexowner]

if it were me buying the house under construction (which it wouldn’t be) I would spring for the $15K to add the balcony

1. $15K is insignificant relative to the overall cost of the house

2. it will cost me a lot more than $15K to add a balcony later if I decide I want one

3. there might be some hot co-eds in the house behind me that I can watch from the balcony (just kidding)

there is something attractive (romantic?) about standing on a balcony and over-looking your estate – I wonder how long this feeling lasts when the ‘estate’ is a few hundred SQFT of grass surrounded by fences and neighbors

[NotCranky]

Odds are Alex, that no one will ever use that balcony after the first week of having moved in. I would enlarge it and put stairs down to the yard but that is probably against HOA rules.

[patientlywaiting]

I would pay extra for the balcony also.   It's cheaper to have the builder do it than pay for it later.

I would enlarge it and put stairs down to the yard but that is probably against HOA rules.

I totally agree with that.   I don't see why that would be against HOA.  My dog loves to go up the stairs and hang out on the balcony.  

It depends the construction of the balcony but it can also give you a nice covered patio downstairs.  Install a ceiling fan and some tropical furniture and you have a nice outdoor retreat where you can relax, read a book or surf the Net.

 

[patientlywaiting]

I would pay extra for the balcony also.   It's cheaper to have the builder do it than pay for it later.

I would enlarge it and put stairs down to the yard but that is probably against HOA rules.

I totally agree with that.   I don't see why that would be against HOA.  My dog loves to go up the stairs and hang out on the balcony.  

It depends the construction of the balcony but it can also give you a nice covered patio downstairs.  Install a ceiling fan and some tropical furniture and you have a nice outdoor retreat where you can relax, read a book or surf the Net.

 

[patientlywaiting]

I would pay extra for the balcony also.   It's cheaper to have the builder do it than pay for it later.

I would enlarge it and put stairs down to the yard but that is probably against HOA rules.

I totally agree with that.   I don't see why that would be against HOA.  My dog loves to go up the stairs and hang out on the balcony.  

It depends the construction of the balcony but it can also give you a nice covered patio downstairs.  Install a ceiling fan and some tropical furniture and you have a nice outdoor retreat where you can relax, read a book or surf the Net.

 

[patientlywaiting]

I would pay extra for the balcony also.   It's cheaper to have the builder do it than pay for it later.

I would enlarge it and put stairs down to the yard but that is probably against HOA rules.

I totally agree with that.   I don't see why that would be against HOA.  My dog loves to go up the stairs and hang out on the balcony.  

It depends the construction of the balcony but it can also give you a nice covered patio downstairs.  Install a ceiling fan and some tropical furniture and you have a nice outdoor retreat where you can relax, read a book or surf the Net.

 

[NotCranky]

Odds are Alex, that no one will ever use that balcony after the first week of having moved in. I would enlarge it and put stairs down to the yard but that is probably against HOA rules.

[NotCranky]

Odds are Alex, that no one will ever use that balcony after the first week of having moved in. I would enlarge it and put stairs down to the yard but that is probably against HOA rules.

[NotCranky]

Odds are Alex, that no one will ever use that balcony after the first week of having moved in. I would enlarge it and put stairs down to the yard but that is probably against HOA rules.

[4plexowner]

if it were me buying the house under construction (which it wouldn’t be) I would spring for the $15K to add the balcony

1. $15K is insignificant relative to the overall cost of the house

2. it will cost me a lot more than $15K to add a balcony later if I decide I want one

3. there might be some hot co-eds in the house behind me that I can watch from the balcony (just kidding)

there is something attractive (romantic?) about standing on a balcony and over-looking your estate – I wonder how long this feeling lasts when the ‘estate’ is a few hundred SQFT of grass surrounded by fences and neighbors

[4plexowner]

if it were me buying the house under construction (which it wouldn’t be) I would spring for the $15K to add the balcony

1. $15K is insignificant relative to the overall cost of the house

2. it will cost me a lot more than $15K to add a balcony later if I decide I want one

3. there might be some hot co-eds in the house behind me that I can watch from the balcony (just kidding)

there is something attractive (romantic?) about standing on a balcony and over-looking your estate – I wonder how long this feeling lasts when the ‘estate’ is a few hundred SQFT of grass surrounded by fences and neighbors

[4plexowner]

if it were me buying the house under construction (which it wouldn’t be) I would spring for the $15K to add the balcony

1. $15K is insignificant relative to the overall cost of the house

2. it will cost me a lot more than $15K to add a balcony later if I decide I want one

3. there might be some hot co-eds in the house behind me that I can watch from the balcony (just kidding)

there is something attractive (romantic?) about standing on a balcony and over-looking your estate – I wonder how long this feeling lasts when the ‘estate’ is a few hundred SQFT of grass surrounded by fences and neighbors

[ocrenter]

agree with 4plex, the balcony, with or without the view, will add outdoor living space for your BIL’s neighbor.

as for your BIL being upset. the new homes in 4S is designed to maximize profit and minimize privacy. he knew that prior to the purchase. there’s absolutely nothing to be upset or surprised about.

btw, have you ever walked the older part of 4S vs. the newer part? the contrast is unreal. the parts south of Camino Del Norte are well planned, with lots of greens, yards are bigger. the homes north of Camino Del Norte are crammed in, with minimal yard space, with less green space, less tot lots, and with a much higher mello roos.

that’s what you get to buy at the peak or the beginning of the slide when the builders are focused on money and how to get out ASAP with the most of it.

[ocrenter]

agree with 4plex, the balcony, with or without the view, will add outdoor living space for your BIL’s neighbor.

as for your BIL being upset. the new homes in 4S is designed to maximize profit and minimize privacy. he knew that prior to the purchase. there’s absolutely nothing to be upset or surprised about.

btw, have you ever walked the older part of 4S vs. the newer part? the contrast is unreal. the parts south of Camino Del Norte are well planned, with lots of greens, yards are bigger. the homes north of Camino Del Norte are crammed in, with minimal yard space, with less green space, less tot lots, and with a much higher mello roos.

that’s what you get to buy at the peak or the beginning of the slide when the builders are focused on money and how to get out ASAP with the most of it.

[ocrenter]

agree with 4plex, the balcony, with or without the view, will add outdoor living space for your BIL’s neighbor.

as for your BIL being upset. the new homes in 4S is designed to maximize profit and minimize privacy. he knew that prior to the purchase. there’s absolutely nothing to be upset or surprised about.

btw, have you ever walked the older part of 4S vs. the newer part? the contrast is unreal. the parts south of Camino Del Norte are well planned, with lots of greens, yards are bigger. the homes north of Camino Del Norte are crammed in, with minimal yard space, with less green space, less tot lots, and with a much higher mello roos.

that’s what you get to buy at the peak or the beginning of the slide when the builders are focused on money and how to get out ASAP with the most of it.

[ocrenter]

agree with 4plex, the balcony, with or without the view, will add outdoor living space for your BIL’s neighbor.

as for your BIL being upset. the new homes in 4S is designed to maximize profit and minimize privacy. he knew that prior to the purchase. there’s absolutely nothing to be upset or surprised about.

btw, have you ever walked the older part of 4S vs. the newer part? the contrast is unreal. the parts south of Camino Del Norte are well planned, with lots of greens, yards are bigger. the homes north of Camino Del Norte are crammed in, with minimal yard space, with less green space, less tot lots, and with a much higher mello roos.

that’s what you get to buy at the peak or the beginning of the slide when the builders are focused on money and how to get out ASAP with the most of it.

[Author]

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