When we first came to check out this neighborhood and these Ryan Homes we ended up walking away for a couple of reasons actually, one being the timing of not wanting it to be completed before we were down with our rental contract but mostly what had us running for the hills was the propane contract Ryan Homes makes you sign in this particular neighborhood. We had been up to show the kids our lot we were thinking of getting and met our would be next door neighbor who told us about the propane contract and how he had bought his from the company so he could use any company he wanted to fill his tank. Scared us. We decided we didn't want to deal with the propane issue. We even asked our SR about getting electric heat... which he said its energy efficient, I am now starting to feel like they just don't offer it because they are in business with this one propane company (Matheson, by the way... so if anyone out there is reading this and is thinking of building with Ryan Homes or with anyone where you will be forced to sign a contract with Matheson, I am telling you right now... RUN! Don't do it!!)
Anyway, as the story goes we ended up signing about a month later, despite our worries about propane. Our SR assured us of a few things to help ease our worries... 1. We could buy the tank for $3400 now but as time goes by the price of the tank goes down significantly so if we wanted a couple years it would be much more affordable. 2. Matheson was competitively priced and if we ever felt like that wasn't true we should inform Ryan Homes and they would take care of it. 3. Ryan homes fills the tank to use during construction and whatever was let in the tank when we closed was ours to keep and then we would be responsible to fill the rest.
Now, when we closed our tank had 50% propane in the tank. We called Matheson to have them put our name on the account. No one explained anything to us just asked us to fill out some forms, and send a photo of our propane gauge so they'd know how much we needed. Over a month went by and we finally received a bill. A bill for nearlt $800, charging us for an entire tank of propane instead of just the 30% we needed (they only fill to 80%). My husband called and got the explanation from Matheson. Something about how Ryan Homes was suppose to fill our tank to full before we moved in, but that it was still all our responsibility to pay for the entire tank. See how these two statements, one from Ryan Homes before we signed our contract, and one from Matheson after we have already closed are 100% opposite of each other?!?!?! (We have also learned the price of the tank remains $3450 no matter when you buy it... also I have researched how much a tank costs and this is 3-6 times more than market)
So I emailed our SR and he talked to his boss. They both agreed that we were right and something sounded off. That was a month ago, at least. And that is still as much as I personally have been told.
About a week and a half ago I went around my SR and contacted his boss directly. Not only asking about the status of our personal situation but letting him know how disappointed we are in the service we are receiving from the propane company they FORCE us into business with. And asking for help in getting Matheson's prices lowered to match other competitors prices, which are more than 100% cheaper. (.89 a gal vs 1.99).
He wrote me back the next day and said he was working on it and asked for my phone number to give me a call. That is the last I heard from him.
Come to find out from our neighborhood FB page and from our family walk around the neighborhood, many people happened to also contact our SRs boss and so it wasn't just my email that prompted him to "look into it". Our neighbors had more info bcuz they actually spoke on the phone with the man and some of the options being thrown around were leasing the tank at $120 a year and being able to use whoever we wanted for gas, a lower price to buy the tank outright from, and a more competitive price. All of these sounded great.
Next day some neighbors say the gas company isn't budging and they think their prices are competitive.
I have still not heard back from my SRs boss, so I am unsure if anything is even being done anymore. And I am not sure what the status of our personal bill situation is.
I am completely disappointed in this entire scenario. Other homes in our neighborhood were built by other companies and their homes CAME WITH their propane tank. Which oh my goodness MAKES PERFECT SENSE!!!! Why doesn't Ryan Homes include the propane tank in the sale of the home?!?!? Why did they not even offer buying it out right from them as an option when pricing out the house? I am so curious about just what back room deal they have going with Matheson? It must be pretty sweet for them, they must be making so much money from it to FORCE all their home owners into business with this shady, dishonest company.
Our personal experience with them double charging for gas isn't unique, they have done it to all the home owners of recent. Since we all let Ryan Homes know about it they have since scolded Matheson and told them to fill the tanks no higher than the 25% they charging Ryan Homes for, then they will charge the home owner for the propane they put in on top of what is "leftover" from construction.
Our personal experience is also just the tip of the iceberg people. Some neighbors have reported damaged fences from Matheson trespassing and putting locks on their propane tanks so one one else can fill them. Some neighbors report being told their tank belongs to Matheson and they will sue the home owner even though they built with one of the other builders whose tanks came with their house! Its crazy in here right now with everyone fighting Matheson and no helpful solution being offered.
What I want to do is warn any potential home buyers of Ryan Homes and more specifically in this neighborhood. Educate yourself before you buy, and if its propane gas neighborhood maybe don't buy at all... and really don't buy if Ryan Homes has a contract they force you to sign putting you in business with any one company but absolutely never do business with Matheson!
I am not sure what the outcome of this will be, or what my next step is to get help from someone at Ryan Homes. Its really putting a damper on our house excitement, making me wish that we never built with Ryan Homes in the first place. I hate being lied to and I hate being taken advantage of.
Showing posts with label Ryan Homes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ryan Homes. Show all posts
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
11th Hour NVR Woes...
So we were thinking everything was going pretty well and we were all set to go. Our biggest stress was getting this house packed up and ready for our move on Saturday. That was until our loan processor called this afternoon and said that they had yet to receive final approval for the loan from USDA.
We have been in contact back and forth this evening and our LP is quick to tell us that NVR is ready to go, they have all the papers ready for us to sign and its really just USDA we are waiting on. Which is true but there is a little more to it. USDA can only go as fast as they can go and if they have a lot of files coming in and get backed up then the approval process takes longer. NVR should have anticipated this and sent the file in WELL IN ADVANCE! (I mean its not like they didn't have access to everything they needed... how long have we been working with them and giving them all the documents they need?) Everything I can find on the internet says to expect two weeks... so why is NVR submitting our file for approval 4 business days before we are suppose to close?
Not to mention they were the ones who set our closing date to begin with. 11 days after our signed contract date... and nearly a month after the home has been sitting completed... why not have the file ready sooner?
So yes, here we sit approaching 12 hours till our scheduled closing and we are waiting on the USDA to give final approval... but only because NVR submitted our file later than they should have.
Meanwhile we have always submitted everything they have ever asked for from us right away, in less than 24 hrs. Wired the money to them for closing two days in advance. Have all the utilities switched over to our names for closing. We have done everything right throughout this whole process and now we may not close on time. It is very frustrating and disappointing to say the least. Our move has sucked all of our energy and time these last few days and the motivation to keep going is quickly decreasing. I can't even. All the "what ifs" are killing me tonight.
What if we don't close tomorrow? What if we don't close Friday? What if we can't move on Saturday? and then its memorial day weekend and no one will be working so the earliest we can close is Tuesday... but thats the day we have to give our keys back to the landlord... thats the day we have a carpet cleaning coming at 9am. Thats the day our kids have their last day of school and my daughter has her strings concert at school.
Even worse... what if it takes two weeks for usda to approve? where will we go? Or even worse than that what if they don't approve us at all....?
I have a feeling I won't be getting much sleep tonight and tomorrow might be a long and very sad day for us. We are praying hard for a miracle so that we can close on time. My oldest son is so sweet and very faithful and positive and he is just certain we will close on time and he tells me to have faith and not to worry about it. I will try my hardest! Anyone out there who might read this blog in time send us some prayers and positive vibes for closing on time tomorrow. I will update tomorrow and hopefully it'll be good news!
We have been in contact back and forth this evening and our LP is quick to tell us that NVR is ready to go, they have all the papers ready for us to sign and its really just USDA we are waiting on. Which is true but there is a little more to it. USDA can only go as fast as they can go and if they have a lot of files coming in and get backed up then the approval process takes longer. NVR should have anticipated this and sent the file in WELL IN ADVANCE! (I mean its not like they didn't have access to everything they needed... how long have we been working with them and giving them all the documents they need?) Everything I can find on the internet says to expect two weeks... so why is NVR submitting our file for approval 4 business days before we are suppose to close?
Not to mention they were the ones who set our closing date to begin with. 11 days after our signed contract date... and nearly a month after the home has been sitting completed... why not have the file ready sooner?
So yes, here we sit approaching 12 hours till our scheduled closing and we are waiting on the USDA to give final approval... but only because NVR submitted our file later than they should have.
Meanwhile we have always submitted everything they have ever asked for from us right away, in less than 24 hrs. Wired the money to them for closing two days in advance. Have all the utilities switched over to our names for closing. We have done everything right throughout this whole process and now we may not close on time. It is very frustrating and disappointing to say the least. Our move has sucked all of our energy and time these last few days and the motivation to keep going is quickly decreasing. I can't even. All the "what ifs" are killing me tonight.
What if we don't close tomorrow? What if we don't close Friday? What if we can't move on Saturday? and then its memorial day weekend and no one will be working so the earliest we can close is Tuesday... but thats the day we have to give our keys back to the landlord... thats the day we have a carpet cleaning coming at 9am. Thats the day our kids have their last day of school and my daughter has her strings concert at school.
Even worse... what if it takes two weeks for usda to approve? where will we go? Or even worse than that what if they don't approve us at all....?
I have a feeling I won't be getting much sleep tonight and tomorrow might be a long and very sad day for us. We are praying hard for a miracle so that we can close on time. My oldest son is so sweet and very faithful and positive and he is just certain we will close on time and he tells me to have faith and not to worry about it. I will try my hardest! Anyone out there who might read this blog in time send us some prayers and positive vibes for closing on time tomorrow. I will update tomorrow and hopefully it'll be good news!
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Interior Choices
Here are the interior choices we got to make at our appointment HD Interior Supply on Monday December 21st.
Vinyl: initiator 66180 (Family entry, powder room, laundry room, master bathroom and kids bathroom)
Hardwood: Dundee 2 1/4 x 3/4" oak stained saddle (Kitchen, morning room, family room, foyer)
Carpet: Graystone Stone House w/ std. 3/8" midnight pad (Dining room, study, stairs, and all bedrooms)
Kitchen Cabinets: Rushmore Hazelnut Glaze
Kitchen countertops: Granite- New Caledonia
Bathroom Cabinets: (Timberlake Value) Fairfield Honey
Bathroom Countertops and Tile: White
Vinyl: initiator 66180 (Family entry, powder room, laundry room, master bathroom and kids bathroom)
Hardwood: Dundee 2 1/4 x 3/4" oak stained saddle (Kitchen, morning room, family room, foyer)
Carpet: Graystone Stone House w/ std. 3/8" midnight pad (Dining room, study, stairs, and all bedrooms)
Kitchen Cabinets: Rushmore Hazelnut Glaze
Kitchen countertops: Granite- New Caledonia
Bathroom Cabinets: (Timberlake Value) Fairfield Honey
Bathroom Countertops and Tile: White
This appointment was slightly disappointing. Despite our personal reasons for not having our hearts "in" the appointment, it was shockingly disappointing to realize how FEW options were offered to us at our base point, or even in our already "upgraded" package for the kitchen. We had 4 or 5 hardwood colors as options, and the only one dark enough for me to even consider is actually the one pictured above and the one we chose. I wish there had been an option slightly darker. There would be if we went up another level or two in the hardwood options but that seemed like a waste of money.
The really sad thing was realizing that to get solid wood cabinets and the lighter finishes we would have to upgrade on top of our "luxury kitchen package" which was included as an incentive the month we signed our contract. For the majority of the appointment we actually had decided to go with darker cabinet color that was included in our kitchen package, but I knew that if I left with those as my cabinets I would have agonized over it. The color was too close to the color of the hardwood floors and I really wanted there to be that contrast. So we had to upgrade to get the Rushmore Hazelnut Glaze cabinets. I love the cabinets, but I do not love the added cost.
The next thing was the carpet choices. This had me lose my cool. I mean seriously, it was so bad that it was funny and had I been in a "better place" in my mind that day I would have taken videos and photos of the level 0 carpets that were included in the base price of our home. I literally laughed in the poor sales woman's face, and side ranted to my husband about how there was NO WAY I was allowing that "carpet" in my home. It shouldn't even be able to be called carpet. It reminded me of what you'd use to make a cat play house sort of thing, or fake carpet in doll house but carpet in a REAL house for HUMANS... NO WAY!!!! I wish I had taken photos and videos to share with you all and I am considering going back or going to any carpet store and looking for something comparable.
Our poor SR, I emailed him and ranted a little bit about the sad excuse of standard carpet and seriously recommended they consider throwing that crap out and adding the cost for the level 1 carpet into the base price of the house. It would add a couple thousand dollars to the base price sure, but at least they wouldn't come off as a "slimey" home builder- nickle and diming, and using the cheapest materials possible.
I know I appreciate much more the honest truth up front, knowing exactly what I'm getting for my money. To have the "standard" flooring options be LESS than what SHOULD be standard left me with a bad taste in my mouth and made me reconsider whether or not this was a good choice to build with Ryan homes.
Needless to say, that normal looking.. standard looking carpet you see pictured above is... yes you guessed it... an UPGRADE!!! Can you even believe that? Well, it is! Level 1 upgrade... costing just over $1,000 just to have low quality but actual, real live carpet in our two rooms on the main floor and all the bedrooms upstairs. Holy moly! I think I will be disappointed in this for a very long time. It is what it is though, and I'm happy to have my normal carpet (at our expense) over there free, I can't believe its carpet "carpet". (AHHHHH!!)
Anyway... bathroom cabinets, flooring, tiles, and countertops... it was ridiculous to have to upgrade these things, so we did not. I hate the cabinets we are getting... we had two ugly options and we chose one... really it could have been either one... didn't matter, both seriously awful. Same with counterops and tile, and floor... yuck. But we were upgrading the extension of that hardwood floor into the living room and the foyer, so we didn't have any more money to upgrade with. We will paint the cabinets, and the sales lady told us on pinterest she saw how to make those countertops look like granite, so maybe we will look into that. Sad to upgrade the bathrooms to a double sink in the kids and the glassed in shower and soaking tub in the master at a big price tag, and to then go pick out our options and find that to have it look nice like we wanted we have to throw even more money at it.
Maybe my view point is altered because of what was (is) going on in my life at the time BUT I really did walk out of there feeling happy with the things we "upgraded" but disappointed that we had to "upgrade" certain things and disappointed with some of the "standards" we had to take. The lack of options that we included were seriously disappointing. How can there were 2 cabinet options in the bathroom, and three in the kitchen? The Timberlake website shows so many more options, so I don't know why Ryan Homes doesn't allow you to choose other finishes in even the same categories of cabinets. I was ill prepared for what was going to be available to me that's for sure.
Friday, December 18, 2015
Exterior Choices
Front Door Color:
I grabbed this photo after a quick google search of the paint color. I really hate looking at the color on the sample because the color looks SO orange, or even a little brown. I really have dreamed of a red door so I wanted to see what a door would look like painted this color.
It is Sherwin Williams 2839 Roycroft Copper Red
Siding Color: Flint (So the gray color siding is the flint in the photo below).
Shutters: Dark Navy
We really like the choices and hope that when we see them all come together at the end that we will end up loving it!
I grabbed this photo after a quick google search of the paint color. I really hate looking at the color on the sample because the color looks SO orange, or even a little brown. I really have dreamed of a red door so I wanted to see what a door would look like painted this color.
It is Sherwin Williams 2839 Roycroft Copper Red
Siding Color: Flint (So the gray color siding is the flint in the photo below).
Shutters: Dark Navy
(photo taken from: ringshouse,blogspot.com)
Here is a photo I took of the samples our SR mailed us to pick our exterior choices... you can see why I searched the internet for images of these choices on an actual house.
We really like the choices and hope that when we see them all come together at the end that we will end up loving it!
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Getting Started...
We finally took the leap and decided to sign a sales agreement with Ryan homes to build us a dream home. I had been researching for about a year, life happened and there were many things obstacles that fell into our laps, literally days after I found the area I was considering for our new home. Turns out those obstacles created a great distraction while we needed to wait patiently anyway for our current lease to be up anyway. Finally we sold our current house down south and we got into the time frame were we could start getting more serious.
At the end of October we drove an hour north to the community we were considering and had an appointment with the SR. We really weren't ready to do anything yet but we had taken our checkbook with us. We put a hold on a lot and waited the four days--it didn't feel right yet so we had to remove our hold on a lot. The SR called back a few days later and had gotten a pretty great deal for us, we seriously considered it, and prayed (and fasted) but in the end it still just wasn't feeling like the right time. I hate feeling pushed into something I'm not ready for so we walked away. Thinking of course we wouldn't sign for anything less than that sweet deal.
Another month passed and we were feeling more ready. We drove back up and met with the SR again, walked through a home in the neighborhood with the same floor plan we were considering, that was about to close and we did still love it.
Now, we were considering a different home site. One with a lot premium, but one that also wasn't available the month prior. It goes against everything I ever thought I'd do to pay a lot premium, they are quite ridiculous somethings, I really didn't want to pay more than $3500 for the lot premium, but the truth is during that visit we fell in love with the lot. Also, it was the largest lot on the street, and had no neighbors in the back. How much better could we get? The view currently looks a little dreary with it being winter, but we had seen in in October with the beautiful fall leaves changing colors and we know it'll be a beautiful view.
Anyway, after some back and forth with the SR and his boss, and more praying on our parts we knew we would be sad to walk away from this home on this home site, so we agreed to sign the agreement. The next day our SR came to our rental home and sat down with us and we signed the contract. Four days later we went and met with the NVR mortgage LO and got that application process started. Now we must wait to hear if we get loan approval. Not expecting to hear anything about that until the middle to end of January maybe. So we wait. In the meantime we have told family of our decision but have only told friends and acquaintances that we "might" move up north a little, or we are "considering" it. Really don't want to count all our eggs before they hatch.
We are excited though. Really wish this week would go fast so we can get to our appointment with HD Supply Interior Solutions (formerly known as CTI). I want to pick stuff for the house, and I also want to be sure we are getting what we thought we were getting when we signed the contract. I feel like they never tell you exactly what is included standard and what is included in the upgrades.... and if you got the fancy upgrades can you get the best they offer, or is there going to be another upgrade charge at this next appointment. It makes me so nervous that we are spending all this money on "our dream" home and we aren't even going to be able to get it because they overcharge for everything!
Anyway, I will let you know how that appointment goes and if I am just worrying for nothing.
Also our SR is mailing us a selection sheet with the siding and exterior samples. We are over an hour south of the neighborhood currently, and so anytime we can avoid making the drive for little things then thats great, so we are going to see if we can make confident decisions on the exterior colors without having to come up there... if we can't then we will just make the drive up and decide. I am hoping that we will be able to get a red door and that our neighbors on either side don't already have that... if that is a rule in this neighborhood... I'm not even sure BUT I have read similar things on other Ryan Homes blogs.
Also, I am a worrier. Its just my nature. I also suffer from anxiety, so getting through this long process is going to be a miracle and will require a lot of prayer.
Anyway... we decided on the Milan floor plan with the 4th bedroom in place of the loft, and the study in place of the living room. We also added the morning room. We got the "incentive" of the Luxury Kitchen package... (which better include ANY cabinets, granite, appliances and hardwood floors I may want! I mean seriously!!) We added a double sink in the kids bathroom, and upgraded the master bathroom (these too better also include granite counter tops!). My husband loves that there
are two walk in closets and that he will get his own. haha. I love the laundry room on the 2nd floor. And we all love the big basement (though it'll be years probably before we can finish it, it'll still be a good place for the kids to roller blade and play down there-- I remember doing that as a child in my parents basement when they built their home over 23 years ago).
We are really at our max budget already, and so we have no plans to upgrade flooring or electrical. I'm a little nervous because my husband is excited for the appointment with guardian and I know we don't have the money to add anything on so... yeah. We shall see how that goes!!
At the end of October we drove an hour north to the community we were considering and had an appointment with the SR. We really weren't ready to do anything yet but we had taken our checkbook with us. We put a hold on a lot and waited the four days--it didn't feel right yet so we had to remove our hold on a lot. The SR called back a few days later and had gotten a pretty great deal for us, we seriously considered it, and prayed (and fasted) but in the end it still just wasn't feeling like the right time. I hate feeling pushed into something I'm not ready for so we walked away. Thinking of course we wouldn't sign for anything less than that sweet deal.
Another month passed and we were feeling more ready. We drove back up and met with the SR again, walked through a home in the neighborhood with the same floor plan we were considering, that was about to close and we did still love it.
Now, we were considering a different home site. One with a lot premium, but one that also wasn't available the month prior. It goes against everything I ever thought I'd do to pay a lot premium, they are quite ridiculous somethings, I really didn't want to pay more than $3500 for the lot premium, but the truth is during that visit we fell in love with the lot. Also, it was the largest lot on the street, and had no neighbors in the back. How much better could we get? The view currently looks a little dreary with it being winter, but we had seen in in October with the beautiful fall leaves changing colors and we know it'll be a beautiful view.
Anyway, after some back and forth with the SR and his boss, and more praying on our parts we knew we would be sad to walk away from this home on this home site, so we agreed to sign the agreement. The next day our SR came to our rental home and sat down with us and we signed the contract. Four days later we went and met with the NVR mortgage LO and got that application process started. Now we must wait to hear if we get loan approval. Not expecting to hear anything about that until the middle to end of January maybe. So we wait. In the meantime we have told family of our decision but have only told friends and acquaintances that we "might" move up north a little, or we are "considering" it. Really don't want to count all our eggs before they hatch.
We are excited though. Really wish this week would go fast so we can get to our appointment with HD Supply Interior Solutions (formerly known as CTI). I want to pick stuff for the house, and I also want to be sure we are getting what we thought we were getting when we signed the contract. I feel like they never tell you exactly what is included standard and what is included in the upgrades.... and if you got the fancy upgrades can you get the best they offer, or is there going to be another upgrade charge at this next appointment. It makes me so nervous that we are spending all this money on "our dream" home and we aren't even going to be able to get it because they overcharge for everything!
Anyway, I will let you know how that appointment goes and if I am just worrying for nothing.
Also our SR is mailing us a selection sheet with the siding and exterior samples. We are over an hour south of the neighborhood currently, and so anytime we can avoid making the drive for little things then thats great, so we are going to see if we can make confident decisions on the exterior colors without having to come up there... if we can't then we will just make the drive up and decide. I am hoping that we will be able to get a red door and that our neighbors on either side don't already have that... if that is a rule in this neighborhood... I'm not even sure BUT I have read similar things on other Ryan Homes blogs.
Also, I am a worrier. Its just my nature. I also suffer from anxiety, so getting through this long process is going to be a miracle and will require a lot of prayer.
Anyway... we decided on the Milan floor plan with the 4th bedroom in place of the loft, and the study in place of the living room. We also added the morning room. We got the "incentive" of the Luxury Kitchen package... (which better include ANY cabinets, granite, appliances and hardwood floors I may want! I mean seriously!!) We added a double sink in the kids bathroom, and upgraded the master bathroom (these too better also include granite counter tops!). My husband loves that there
are two walk in closets and that he will get his own. haha. I love the laundry room on the 2nd floor. And we all love the big basement (though it'll be years probably before we can finish it, it'll still be a good place for the kids to roller blade and play down there-- I remember doing that as a child in my parents basement when they built their home over 23 years ago).
We are really at our max budget already, and so we have no plans to upgrade flooring or electrical. I'm a little nervous because my husband is excited for the appointment with guardian and I know we don't have the money to add anything on so... yeah. We shall see how that goes!!
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