[dsnrbec]

We are coming down the home stretch on finishing our new home in Buttonwood. It's been hard to swallow the builder's inflexibility during this process but the final blow came this morning. We found out that our house will be finished earlier than they had promised and, of course, we want to move in as soon as possible. Our realtor then informed us that we have to pay a $250 change order fee to change the closing date! It's unbelievable to us that they are changing us a fee for the privilege of handing over nearly $300,000 to them 3 days early! Has anyone else had this experience? I would think they would be delighted to have our money and have the property off their hands a little sooner.

Sorry, but I just had to vent a little. Thanks for listening. We're planning to swallow our pride and pay the fee so we can begin our new life in TV as soon as possible. Can't wait!

[graciegirl]

One of the first things I learned is that what they say is what they mean. It is inflexible.

I was surprised to find out that in buying a new house two years ago that we couldn't upgrade the appliances. At that time if you had a trillion dollars they wouldn't build a house. You could buy already built houses the way they were. Period.

Once I swallowed my surprise and realize I wasn't being picked on...I just got on with it.

Please don't let this sour you against the Developers. You will find that by and large you will be delighted with their other decisions.

Welcome. I hope the rest of a thousand years in Paradise are filled with happy surprises.

Kindest Wishes,
Gracie

[Tom Hannon]

Sorry for the BS You are going through. It doesn't sound fair. Have you tried to run it by your real estate agent? He or she might have some clout and have your charge reversed.

[Tom Hannon]

Welcome. I hope the rest of a thousand years in Paradise are filled with happy surprises.

Kindest Wishes,
Gracie


Gracie? A thousand years? Five hundred maybe, but a thousand? To be honest, I'd be happy with 250 years of Villager life.

[chelsea24]

Originally Posted by dsnrbec

We are coming down the home stretch on finishing our new home in Buttonwood. It's been hard to swallow the builder's inflexibility during this process but the final blow came this morning. We found out that our house will be finished earlier than they had promised and, of course, we want to move in as soon as possible. Our realtor then informed us that we have to pay a $250 change order fee to change the closing date! It's unbelievable to us that they are changing us a fee for the privilege of handing over nearly $300,000 to them 3 days early! Has anyone else had this experience? I would think they would be delighted to have our money and have the property off their hands a little sooner.

Sorry, but I just had to vent a little. Thanks for listening. We're planning to swallow our pride and pay the fee so we can begin our new life in TV as soon as possible. Can't wait!

I agree! That is outrageous! Personally, I would wait the 3 days and not give them another penny. But, anyway, welcome to The Villages. You will love it here.

[Kelsie52]

I can see charging for changes during the construction ... but the closing is a LITTLE over the top --you would think they would want to process the home and move on --but I guess they have so much going on --everything is scheduled for closing and builder walK through --

I would be annoyed also --but look at the big picture you will be living in your new home in only a few days --GREAT for you ---

Where is your new home in Buttonwood --ours is being built in Buttonwood also --closing date is 10/27--

Good luck

[BobKat1]

Originally Posted by chelsea24

I agree! That is outrageous! Personally, I would wait the 3 days and not give them another penny. But, anyway, welcome to The Villages. You will love it here.

Me too....

[graciegirl]

I think I will tell the new people who have yet to buy a new home here or have one built that you can't expect the process to be like those in the past.
Even if you buy a million dollar home already built.

I have a friend who wanted to put another color of granite into her Gardenia, an unusual one that was not offered. No. She had to have it built, have the counters removed and put in the granite she liked.

I have another friend who was buying an already built new home and wanted to have the carpet changed. No. After the home was closed she changed the carpet.

I am told by friends who have built that there are certain packages of carpet, tile, exterior colors etc. and you can't switch colors or even qualities within that package.When I browse the homes for sale that were built ten or more years ago I see all kinds of colored carpets and inlaid tiles in designs etc. I can only guess that when they were doing all of these personalizations that they got burnt. The home didn't close and they were left with a very...say..unusual and unmarketable combination. Maybe it happened enough times that they decided to change the rules. I know they have learned as they go along in other areas as well.

Once you realize that building a house is different here, it is easier. They have it down to a science, a timetable, and making changes costs money, it holds up their perfect plan.

In the end, once you get used to how they do things, it is usually alright.

When we had the builder walk through with the list of minor things that needed attention, they were accomplished within 24 hours, most within an hour. I am still in awe of that.

We have built seven homes in our life. And plan to build another one here.

[dsnrbec]

I sent you a PM.

[JimJoe]

I would wait the 3 days and give the money to your favorite charity. JJ

[Kelsie52]

We had a good experience building and were told by the Agent --make all the changes you want now--after you sign --we are very "uncooperative "

He let us change tile inserts in showers --cabinet colors and countertops--
stretchs etc all before the final signature


We changed 1 thing (Grids in the windows)as we sat down to sign and it took 4 hours for them to change the contract and it delayed our closing by 2 days

It is a different experience in Florida then here in NY --when we were ready to sign we told them we wanted our Lawyer to look at the contract --They told us --does not really matter what he says --the contract is what it is --if you cross anything out --we throw out the contract --its our way or the highway !!!

Here in NY --the contract has been passed back and forth several times for changes by both parties in order for us to sell ...

I wouldnt pay them for the change either --but then again I will be paying over 100 a day in a Hotel waiting for the home to be finished ---

Cant wait to get there

[784caroline]

AS a previous poster stated, everything is geared to the closing date on your contract. If you want to change something, it is not simply a matter of changing a date..there is work and alot of coordiantion involved to change a closing date.

You are getting upset over a non-event ... You stated that you are frustrated over the builders inflexibility but didnt go into any details. Regarding your closing date, it sounds like the builder is being flexible but now you dont like the terms. I am surprised that they even gave you the option of closing 3 days earlier than whats in your contract. Certainly hope you have no real issues with your home in the first year of occupancy...but be aware when the Villages state you have a one year warranty..they mean one year not one day afterwards. During that first year they will practically fix any problem or issue brought to their attention. After the first year, you may get something fixed but it will be a hassle...even if your 3 days late.

I would take a deep breath and relax...if closing 3 days early means that much to you, chalk it up to experience and the unknown expense of building a new house or moving.

[getdul981]

If you were sitting there in TV just waiting for the home to be built, I would say probably go ahead and take the early closing. But, I know that you are not and have probably made your plans to make the move a day or two before the close date. You would have to change all your moving plans and hopefully the movers could accomodate. I'd tell them to wait the 3 days unless they will drop the carges that were THEIR doing. I don't see why you should have to pay for their error in calculating the close date. Glad you're finally getting there though. We'll be along shortly I hope. Congratulations!

[cwnavy1]

too, and though it had to do with some difficulties in financing over which we had no control, it did cost us another $250. We just ate it without worrying too much about it. There were too many other good things about the whole deal. We are now in, as of last Sunday (in Pennecamp) and delighted with all that's happening. Now, we're just waiting until we can be full time.

[villages07]

Yes, it is a pretty rigid process and the cost/accommodation might have to do with rescheduling logistics.

But, on the positive side.... how many of us have built homes in the past and were promised a completion/closing date by the builder only to see the date slip several times. Hard to complain about something being 3 days early.... that's a heckuva lot better than 2 months late.

Enjoy your new home, whenever you move in. This little inconvenience will long be forgotten in 6 months.