Gracie, our house is two years old this month. We were able to pick the lot and have it built. We could add a golf cart garage and extend the lanai a bit, but everything else had to be chosen as a "package." For instance, for our block and stucco Lantana, we had a choice of three elevations and a couple dozen exterior colors. Our salesperson gave us addresses of houses already built that we could drive around and look at. We didn't get our first color choice as it was scheduled to be built next door. Our second color choice/light fixture package was from a premier model at Miona Shores.
The interior packages were just that, packages with no variation (except for a few appliance package choices) and the choices had to come from designer model row (in Hadley) at the time. And, we could choose tile over carpet in the main living areas, which we did. We then pleaded and begged (to no avail) for the tile to be laid diagonally instead of on the square as specified in the package. We offered to pay extra for the change. Their answer was, "Sorry it would disrupt our production."
Last year our salesperson hosted a model tour (in St. Charles) for all his buyers. At that time we found out they adjusted the building process to allow for many more selections. Now you could have tile laid on the diagonal, specify rounded corners, granite instead of formica, put a two-foot stretch through the house, etc. They even offered changes to the Lantana kitchen to make it similar to changes we made (after closing, of course) at great expense.
The house next door to us has the Cape Cod shingles (vinyl). It was a spec house. It would be interesting to know if you could now order one with those shingles, as they are really very attractive, as previously you couldn't.
I would think that your salesperson could bring you up to date on all the features that are now allowed.
As far as the lot...it could be held for two hours, then was put back on the market.
If you do build you must go over the contract with your most critical eye and point out any omissions or irregularities no matter how slight. It is extremely detailed as far as the specifications are concerned. On ours they forget to include a garage door opener for the golf-cart garage which my husband caught.
Good luck and have fun. Glad to know you'll still be south of 466 when you do build.
|