Steve and I just got back from a short trip to the beach and some house hunting.
We did get the chance to look at several communities and to visit their model
homes. We are leaning toward a resale but we wanted to see what our budget
would buy in a new home.
Over the years we have built several custom homes, but never built a home with
builders plans and customization options. I was totally shocked at the cost of
every single little upgrade!
We both had to laugh at some of the ridiculous charges. Would you pay $890 for
a laundry sink and another $420 for additional plumbing cost? How about $ 680
PER cabinet to add glass to the doors? Who in their right mind would pay $800
for a pull out trash can in the kitchen. I added up the upgrades to get a kitchen I
liked. A kitchen with medium grade white cabinets and granite (without appliances)
added an extra $85,000 to the base price of the home. Whoa!
I would rather buy a house that needs a little updating and be able to select my own
materials and not be limited to the few choices offered by a builder.
With all that said, I will be doing several post showing you the models we visited.
This wall treatment was very unique. Pine boards were painted to look old and then
trim was added. The same treatment is used in the bedroom.
Eat-in kitchen
There was quite a bit of lime green used in all the models.
This floor plan or décor wasn’t my favorite, but I did like the pool. Every
home in this community is either on the lake or golf course.
It was so hot I wanted to jump right in.
These are patio homes where the HOA fees cover all lawn care. Steve did like that
part of it. Sorry, I couldn’t get far enough away to get a picture of the entire house.
Thanks for visiting and I’ll be back soon to show you my favorite home.
Hugs,
Sherry
Unbelievable Sherry, what upgrades cost – especially when you've bought a fixer upper in the past and actually know the real cost involved.
But that pool – off the water – wow is that gorgeous!!!!!!!!
XOXO
Hoky moly on this upgrade charges. Best of luck with your house hunt.
Oh my goodness Sherry…those upgrades are unreal. I really luv those neat looking walls…so glad that you shared them with us.
Blessings,
Linda
Hi Sherry,
So interesting to see what you and Steve are looking at and considering. Can't wait for your favourite!!
Poppy
I love the pool too, but I think they overdid the wall treatment, one wall is interesting, 2 rooms of it is too much. Those upgrade prices are insulting! It's nice that you can take your time and not have to rush into buying something! I love going on your house hunts!
Jenna
So pretty! I love to see model homes and what the current trends are. I love the fact that you can pay someone to take care of your lawn included in your HOA fees too! That would be helpful in your older years. The pool was beautiful. I would love to have my own pool. We use the one in the subdivision, but it's not the same as having your very own!
Can't wait to see your favorite, Sherry. We have built a couple of homes from scratch but always acted as our own contractor and subbed everything out. Sometimes in the builder communities you have no choice except THEIRS. I'm with you- buy an pre-existing model and update it to suit yourself. Good luck!!! xo Diana
Glad to hear you are house hunting and can't wait to see what you come up with as your choice. These were very expensive upgrades!!
Cynthia
Wow..that is where they "get ya"…My sister ran into that so she went with all the "standards" and then replaced the items themselves…It was more practical for them to do the upgrades on doors, etc as those upgrades seemed more feasible as far as cost after the fact…I would love to have a "patio home" on the water..They seem to be more prevalent in Florida, but not so much here in NC…I sure do miss being on the lake in Florida…the breezes are wonderful!
Wow, some of the charges are terrible. But I would love to build a new home some day. Dianntha
I'm with you on not wanting to be limited by rules or builder's choices in a new home.
We had friends who bought in Sugarland, TX and their home came with a thick notebook of the rules and, of course, the HOA fees. When we moved to Virginia, our one rule for the realtor was NO HOA. I am amazed anyone would want those fees and rules. To each his/her own!
Happy hunting!
Hugs!
An attractive looking house and love the pool. Are you saying a kitchen is $85,000?? I think it would be fabulous to be able to start from scratch and have everything you want in a kitchen.
I am re-modelling my small kitchen at the moment and still struggling to make up my mind about the style of doors. I want a country look but not too country. It is in an open plan living kitchen/dining area and I want it all to fit in seamlessly without spending a fortune…not an easy task!
Lee 🙂
I am not surprised by the costs for upgrade, but I live in a ridiculously expensive part of the world. Are you looking in Florida?