So we waited out the end of November. We got a phone call from the sales rep really pressuring us to sign before the end of the month because the incentives might change. She was still polite enough, but really got a little pushier than we were comfortable with. So, our response was if Ryan Homes is really interested in our business by the end of the month, then they can counter back from our last offer. And again, we left it at that. All of this waiting worked for us because we are not on a specific time table. Obviously, not everyone can play the waiting game, but we were really using it to our advantage.
Well, November rolled into December. And guess what…MAGIC happened. Suddenly, we were the first sale of the first week of the month and that meant half off all options. I’m not saying this happens in every community, I’m just saying it’s what happened here. So magically, the items we had been negotiating and being told NO about were now 50% off. Please note, this does not include flooring or tile of any kind as that is done at an outside vendor. But, it did mean that the kitchen cabinet upgrade (to solid wood instead of veneer) was now $750 instead of $1500. It meant that we wouldn’t do the basement package anymore because it was now cheaper to do it half off (and we still got the free welled exit…basically double glass doors that slide to a partial stair case to walk up to ground level). The morning room price was slashed in half, the ceiling fan rough ins were half off, etc.
Lesson: If you don’t pay to add it, many rooms such as living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms will have zero light source when you move in. Then, you or someone you hire will be cutting into brand new sheet rock. Check your warranty to see if this voids your sheet rock warranty through your builder.
There were still a few points we weren’t in agreement on (overall price, lot premium price). We gave the rep our final offer (again:) and she said she didn’t think she could make it happen. We told her we looked forward to hearing what management had to say and left it at that.
Silence.... Silence the rest of that day and silence the next morning. My husband kept wanting an update and I kept stalling. Again, MAGIC. We get an email that our paperwork will be ready if we can come in after 1:00 to sign. I immediately asked for a synopsis of the agreement (we all know what happens if it’s not in writing;). The management had accepted our price. We were told in no uncertain terms that there was literally $0.00 left to negotiate due to their mandatory profit margin percentage. As a Realtor, I feel instant success…as a party to the transaction, I feel instant equity! -Ashleigh
No comments:
Post a Comment