So close...yet so far away!

A brief synopsis of the last month:  we drive a hard bargain and really stuck to our "max all in number".  So, when we discussed purchasing a home with Ryan Homes, we were given a price sheet that included all of our options (both wish list and non-negotiables).  We were also given a lot premium list telling us how much it would cost to have one particular lot vs. another.  Needless to say, we were not content to pay "sticker price".  We made a verbal offer price (well under Ryan Homes' price) and specified what that offer should include (we were not 100% ready to commit in writing yet).  The sales rep sat and emailed management right then and said we should have an answer in a few days.  So, we went home and took some time to think about it.  We asked some follow up questions and waited.

Then we got the exciting email that our offer was actually being considered and basically verbally accepted.  But wait, when I pushed the rep to forward to me what she had submitted, it wasn't our offer at all.  Nor did it include the flooring options we had specified (the rep claimed that flooring is done off site so she couldn't include that).  So, I told her we weren't interested and that if it would be easier for her, we would be happy to communicate with management directly to insure that our interests were accurately represented.  Update: she apologized and I really do think she just got overly excited.  We have a great working relationship and things are going great!

BUYER BEWARE:  the sales rep works for Ryan Homes.  Their affiliation and loyalty is to Ryan Homes.  In our situation, Ryan Homes pays a buyer's agent (realtor representing the buyer) a commission percentage based off of the base home price.  We both strongly suggest using a Realtor who is familiar with new construction to help you negotiate and represent you!

Good news for us, I'm representing us as our Realtor!  We both agreed that walking away and having the ball in our court was the most comfortable position for us.  Naturally, I sent an email response to the fake offer clearly outlining why we were not continuing and what steps would have to be made in order for us to even consider building with Ryan Homes.  Would they even respond...we all had to wait and see!     -Ashleigh

"We're building a HOUSE"

Hi!  We are Luke and Ashleigh...we are a young(ish) couple who have been married for 10 years.  We have 2 kiddos, with one more (surprise blessing) on the way.  Well, that little surprise blessing helped us make the decision to transition from a town home to a single family home now instead of later.  Well, relatively now...we have decided to buy new construction with Ryan Homes meaning we will do a lot of the leg work now and move into our home when they are finished.  Right now they are projecting a move in date sometime in May.  This also happens to be my due date month.  Now that I type that, maybe we're crazy!

Well, after a few months of research and investigation, we have finally decided to officially take the plunge. We picked a Venice model in Northern Virginia.  For us, the decision of which model to pick was fairly easy.  Our neighborhood only had one lot left where you could build the Florence (smallest and least expensive base price).  That lot did not appeal to us at all due to the size (or lack there of) and position amongst other lots.  So, that meant the Florence was out.

Next up was the debate between the Venice (3000sqft) and the Rome (3600spft).  We both really liked each model.  Our neighborhood sales office is situated inside a Rome model.  The model is beautiful, but has some space that we don't see ourselves utilizing (formal living room, formal dining room, etc.)  Of course the finishes were beautiful, but I shudder to think about what the "as is" price would be!  

But, our neighborhood didn't have a Venice to walk through.  We both felt like we needed to walk around and actually see and feel the layout of a Venice before we made an official decision.  This meant we took a weekend morning and drove about 30 minutes to another community where Ryan Homes was building the same models.  We walked through the Venice and instantly loved it.  

There was no formal dining room (a plus for us, but completely personal preference).  Our taxes are decently high in Northern Virginia, so we really wanted to make sure that we are going to use the space we pay taxes on ;)  Of course each location and community have different base prices.  Interestingly, the Venice we walked through (30 minutes away) had a base price of nearly $100K more than our neighborhood.  As a Realtor, I am used to seeing these fluctuations, but I will be honest and say that the $100K spread surprised me!  So now that we have decided what to do, what's next?!  We hope you join us on our journey!     -Ashleigh