[bluedog103]

Hi Gracie,
We picked out the colors and packages for our designer in St. Charles in December of last year and closed March of this year.
As others have said, there is a little flexibility but not much. Most everthing is in packages. Within those packages you can make some changes. Your sales rep is key in making those choices and changes.
We originally bought our lot and picked out colors from another sales rep. He was adamant about staying within the packages. No flexibility. We asked about moving the patio to the opposite side of the lanai. Not a chance, can't be done. We picked out our packages and colors so that when we were ready to build we could do everything by phone.
That sales rep left the company and we were assigned Greg Hudak. He called and said things had changed and that we needed to return to Florida to make choices. It wasn't something I wanted to do but in December I returned to Florida alone, my wife couldn't make the trip at that time, to finalize the house and sign the contract. I agree with other posters, Greg is a good rep who knows how to get things done.
With Greg there were some more choices. Not alot but we could mix and match cabinets, counter tops, change flooring, that's about it. When he saw our lot he agreed that it made a lot more sense for the patio to be moved to the other side of the lanai. He called somebody, maybe the Wizard of Oz, but they too agreed that the patio should be moved and even suggested that we enlarge it slightly, which we did at a very minimal cost.
I guess the point I'm making is that the sales rep is important in your decision making. If there's something you want, ask for it. If someone says no, ask again.
I'm in agreement that the washer and dryer should be purchased outside of TV. We ordered ours from Lowes in New York and had them delivered the day after the closing. Much less expensive for nicer machines, at least that's what the missus told me.
We got our blinds from 48 Hour Blinds. TV wanted $900 for them, with a 1 yr. warranty. 48 Hour did ours for $700 with a lifetime warranty. That too, was for all the windows, including the garage and the slider. We called Rick a month or so before the closing and negotiated the price. He met us by the house the day before the closing to show us samples of colors, since we had difficulty picking out colors by phone. Then I called him when we were leaving the closing. He met us at the house and installed them about an hour after we closed.
You're in great shape buying your next TV home. You know the area, the people and have numerous contacts. Your knowledge of TV is far superior to ours so I'd expect the process to be painless and even fun for you. You have our best wishes.