New Build Questions
 

Good evening everyone. We are waiting for certain lots in Lake Denham to be released by the developer in hopes of grabbing one to build our retirement home. Since we started exploring TV as a retirement location about a year ago, many changes have been made to the design/build process that significantly restricts the options available. Although we were disappointed that the "Build Your Dream Home" had migrated to "Personalize Your Dream Home", we were still looking forward to joining the community. Recently I have read/heard that the selections of finishes have been greatly reduced, so I am becoming a little hesitant to pay a premium price for a home in TV that may not be exactly what we want. With that said, I have a few questions about the home design/build If folks who have recently undertaken the process would be so kind to answer.
Do you feel the form and finish options were satisfactory?
How many pool options as part of the build were available?
Are bird cage options offered by the builder?
How flexible is the home placement on the lot?
Are the costs for the options itemized such that trade-offs are easily understood?
Are the costs locked once the contract is signed?

Thanks for any insights. I hope to see everyone in the Fall.

A friend was disappointed by lack of choices and he spent over a million. Still needs to spend a bundle afterwards. The pool choices were not satisfactory but taken because they didn’t want to wait. They are more interested in completing the job fast.

Pool option “A” or “B”
Unless you have really hit the lottery for largest lot, placement of the home may have some wiggle room. Since side stretching was not an option, but you want to add on later to bedroom side or living side, let them know so home isn’t in the middle of the lot.
Cost is locked on lot for non refundable $10,000. At design finish 20% required, and cost is locked. However if you want to change your mind on something you choose, there is a $500 change order.

Not sure what you mean about form and finish. We upgraded appliances, but have no idea the cost difference.(Two choices)

Good luck we lost on 14 lots, number 15 was not exactly the lot or the area of the new village, but our house with 4 foot front and rear stretch, fit, and room to add pool aftermarket. 4 other lots became available after our deposit, our name was not #1 on those either.

Thanks for response. Just meant - did you find the choices of flooring, cabinets, countertops, fixtures, etc to be sufficient such that you weren't ready to just go to Home Depot to replace everything :-)

At this point, it may be best (where feasable) to select minimums and upgrade after purchase. You may even save money since their prices the to be 30-50% higher than after market.

If the quality of items available at Home Depot suit you, you should be fine.
Hopefully you will be too busy enjoying your new active lifestyle that you won't fuss over having exactly what you dreamed of. I bought a 'spec' house and before I moved in I changed the things that really bugged me. Countertops, sinks, faucets, flooring, paint, crown molding, closet system, garage racks--now its perfect for me. I am waiting for the lightbulb in that horrid Samsung refrigerator to blow then that dud is going to the curb. What seems important now may not be such a big deal once you move in. A pool lot in (approximately) the right location is what matters. Enjoy!

Don’t expect much
 

I have spoken to people who have just finished the process and were very disappointed in it. That said, they both purchased their home regardless. One had to change their model to meet their desires because the after construction changes would be less on the second choice vs the first to make them happen. I think you need to ensure your expectations are correct, like you are doing.

Presume you are getting a spec home with a couple of options like a stretch and minor upgrades. Similar to most builders. I believe the option categories have been publicized or your realtor can help you. Know the categories in advance.

Do not anticipate a wonderful time exploring the Design Center, it was built for the custom market that ended last summer. A friend of mine said she felt like it was “no” to everything, but she was expecting more possibilities from her experience. She wanted to know the pricing for work after construction and was told after her “design” experience they would introduce her to the contractors who can help. She couldn’t lock down price estimates that way. So ask around and you can have folk to talk to if you need to crunch your numbers.

Others can chime in, but I learned there are two pool options only. Only GE appliances are offered. No fireplace options. The developer can mandate a stretch in the middle of the home if it optimizes the lot and then you are responsible for the cost.

Sorry, yes the options will be priced for you sometime during the process and the price is locked when you sign.

Set your expectations, you will not get EXACTLY what you want. Get the best location you can.
There’s little ability to move the house around the lot, with set backs and the lot size, there’s just not that much room.
Pool - if you do it during the build, good news, you have a pool at settlement - bad news, few options.
If you wait, expect a 2 year with T&D - they are not taking design appointments for 12 months.

Get the closest you can to what you want - you’ll love it and you’ll love being here. Your house is a place to lay your head at night. You’re moving here for the lifestyle, not the house.

You can tour the Design Center to see all the selections. Also, your representative who is a LICENSED AGENT, that solely represents TV and is focused on client satisfaction, can assist you with all the questions that you presented. First hand knowledge is always preferable over hear-say so that you can make informed decisions.

Thank you to everyone that responded. Very valuable info. Better to have more grounded expectations.

What is offered is above Big box stores, problem is there are very few choices. There must be 50 samples of fixtures, , but only a handful available. Cabinets are disappointing, painted colors are very limited or wood. We opted out of washer and dryer, bought at Best Buy, saved chunk of money.

We really wanted a pool at build, but our lot required a custom design, and T&D only has 2 designs. Not a fan of wasting 6-8 feet for shelf design. Plus since no custom, we would have ended up with a pool 2’ width shorter, and wider.

Recommend you buy all your own appliances- even the upgraded ones we purchased with our house are inferior in my opinion (esp the Whirlpool refrigerator).

Limited options and plan to open up the wallet.

Also, carefully check the lot relative to location from the turnpike.

Have more than one agent looking for when the lot released. If we had relied on one we would have the release of lot we wanted. Then keep asking because one was released and neither agent called we had to call them.