[Minnesotalyn]

If your not sure if you want to buy already built or buy a lot can you still go to the model store, to look at the options? It would be kind of nice to see the options and the prices to see how much more it would cost building verses buying already built.

[dsnrbec]

We just went through the process a few weeks ago. There are lots of choices but many things come preselected together. For instance, if you pick a particular lighting finish, that dictates the color of your faucets. Tile and carpet come as a package and the color of your exterior dictates the roof and lighting choice. There is no design center which makes the decision making process very cumbersome. You have to walk from model to model to look at the options. A lot of times you need to hold colors "in your head" so you can make the next decision. For instance, I couldn't see my granite choice and cabinet choice together so I'm crossing my fingers they work well. As a professional designer, I found it very hard so I'm sure those with no formal training have as well. There needs to be a design center where everything can be coordinated after looking at the models. I'm not really sure how folks who have physical challenges can do the legwork required. Our realtor told us some just give up and order their home the same as one of the models. Too bad it has to be that way. Having said all that, I found the choices to be very attractive and broadly appealing so you shouldn't have trouble finding something you like! Just make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Dear Dp and Kelsie.

Thank you so much for this. It is very VERY good to know that you can change your mind before you sign.

Is there a lot of difference dollar wise between standard and upgrade in lighting package for instance? Is there a cream option for cabinets rather than white white?

Kelsie, I bet everyone in your family will think twice before visiting THAT cousin...lol.

Gratefully Gracie

Wow, we went through this awful process in May when we purchased our Lily in Pennecamp and I don't wish it on anyone. I cannot understand why you cannot sit down in a nice air conditioned building and see all the color samples and other options in one damned place. On top of the heat, it was raining. I guess the rain was a bit of a relief from the humidity, but this is no way to pick out options on a quarter million $ house.

I did not pick out their washer dryer because I wanted something in color at a fair price; They didn't offer many choices.

The same with the granite. It was "take it or leave it". I'll put in the granite I pick out when I want it and not pay $5k add'l for something I hate. It was same for the tiling of the bathrooms. Not enough choices.

There are only 3 paint colors and I got a credit of $1500 because this gold color came with my house. I got that painted cream so I could repaint it the color I like. I had no problem with getting my tiles on the diagonal but that, too, was extra. I noticed earlier that someone wasn't allowed to have her tile laid the way she wanted it. That's just not right!

The sink was an issue for me. It's a cheap sink. The stainless steel sink that comes with the homes isn't deep enough. I got our broker (Brad Becker) to put in a bisque sink that is deeper and larger. It was a little bit of a fight, but we got what we wanted. We had the same one in the cottages we were staying in and I liked it. I can't see spending all this money and not having a sink I can wash dishes in. I think it depends on who your broker is and how much he/she is willing to fight for you.

I paid extra for under cabinet lighting... I'm not sure how much, but I'm sure it was plenty.

One thing that annoyed me was that I got dinged $250 for a change order for something that I told Brad to do in the first place... because he wasn't listening... but then the whole place would have been painted "goldenrod" - still, I didn't see him writing all the details down... I told him I wanted the blinds in bisque.

The other big splurg was the garden tub in the master bath. I didn't see no tub in my bathroom for the next 30 years. I tested one out in the Lantana and I got in and out of it just fine. Sure, I'll miss the vanity a little, but I'm buying one for the master bedroom... and the garden tub is a real plus.

Right now I'm up to my ears in boxes, give away piles, and throw away piles. It seems never ending. We'll be at our new home on August 12th. I am both looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time. Maybe it's just the exhaustion kicking in.

Laurie