[bobolink46]

After weeks of indecision we have decided on a Wisteria instead of a bonita villa. there are quite a few already built in our price range but none that are just what we want. the real estate agent said we can pick a lot and have one built and there are certain packages to choose from. Has anyone had experience in this and what should we know or watch out for. How long does it take to build?

[fizzbyn]

When we were there in July, they had just opened 21 new model homes in Hadley with a bunch of new packages. I'd suggest that you go through all those homes to find the right interior and exterior packages. Also there are some options like an extended garage you can get. As for the lot, you might want to consider how the house is oriented as far as where the sun would be, especially in the afternoon. One of the reasons we picked the lot we did was the lots on either side of us were sold and we asked our sales rep what model and color they would be. You can't have the same color as the house next door and we wanted a gray house, so we found out that the houses on either side were going to be beige-colored Jasmines. That worked out great. I guess the one good thing about buying a pre-built house is wysiwyg, neighboring houses and all.
It took three months for the house to be built.

[Lucko]

We have done both and it is about a toss up in quality. You pick your lot and then pick the house and then get to choose from about six packages for that house. Ours included picking the roof line, expanded lanai, level of kitchen appliances, kitchen cabinet ( white, cherry, maple) and that determines your floor and inside paint colors, outside paint scheme, and garage (double, wider, or add golf cart). They may deny certain colors/packages due to area influences like easements, lot size or neighbor's house. Most houses build in about 100 days, but that varies. We were forced to start building in ten days from lot purchase, but that was back in the Spring and may have changed a little. You can search for more information on older threads and learn a lot. Pick a good TV representative !!! Good luck