Our Final Options and Upgrades

Once we decided on the options we wanted and the price was set we were given the list of options and prices specific for the Rome Model. This is the sheet we used to make sure we had everything we wanted and took to the final selections meeting we had on August 14th. I wish they would have given this option list at the beginning. 

But here are the options we have finally decided on.

Rome Model
Elevation E w/ Partial Stone Veneer Front

2 Car Garage ( I wanted side entry but the lot could not accommodate that.  Very disappointed)
Garage Service Door
Garage Door Upgrade ( Trying to get the carriage doors. They may not be available in our area)

Finished Basement
Media Room
Exercise Room
Full Basement Bathroom w/Tub
Bar In Basement
Double Patio Well Exit (Doors to Walk out of the basement)

Morning Room

Kitchen Gourmet Island
Kitchen Cabinets Upgrade 1 (I forgot cabinet crown molding.  I am waiting to see if I can add it, if not I will have someone add in later)
Granite Countertops Upgrade 1
Range Gas Hook Up
Upgraded Kitchen with Wall Ovens this includes Stainless Steel Appliances
Recessed Lighting

Gas Fireplace Family Room Rear
Fireplace Surround Granite
4 recessed lights in Family Room

Owners Bathroom Type E w/ soaking tub and shower
Tray Ceiling in Owners Bedroom

Fifth Bedroom

Double Bowl Vanity in Bathroom 1

6 ceiling fan rough ins ( 5 bedrooms and the morning room)

Exterior Gas Line for a grill ( I got that idea from another blogger) We like to grill and have a gas grill instead of spending money on tanks they will actually have a line for the gas at the back of the house to connect the grill.  

For the most part all of our upgrades are structural.  We will upgrade carpets and flooring, get kitchen backsplash, upgrade tile in bathrooms, and upgrade fixtures later.  We were going to get standard appliances, sell them and then buy stainless appliances later but I really wanted the wall ovens and to have that the only option was to get the upgraded appliances as well.
We probably could have waited on the double vanity in the hall bathroom but 4 children will share that so we felt it best for them to have two sinks to share.

We also had to keep in mind we are not DIY people although in my mind sometimes I like to believe that I can do some of these projects I see on HGTV.  LOL 

PHASE 1 Timeline

So far this is what our journey looks like.......

• Tuesday, July 29, 2014 We met with our SR  (Sales Rep) and were told we were basically pre approved by NVR and could begin the process of buying our home.  We picked the Rome and we picked our options and upgrades. We got our cost estimate Evaluation.  We were not exactly happy with the final price, it was more than we wanted to pay.  Our SR was very good about finding some incentives that helped with making the final price a little better.   I wish I'd listened to one of the other bloggers who said to make sure you go for all the upgrades and options you think you want.  Ryan Homes will work with you to keep you at a price you are comfortable with so they may be able to "find" some incentives to help keep the price where you need it to be and allow you to have the upgrades you want.  If the price is still not what you want you can always take the upgrades out.  But once they offer the incentive that is all you get.  So if you add later you will have to pay for it.
• Wednesday, July 30,2014 We met with our SR again and signed our purchase agreement and gave a good faith deposit of $500.00.  I think we were there for about three hours with this.  We had her explain what everything meant just so we were all on the same page. 
• Monday, August 4, 2014 Met with LO (Loan Officer) to complete the formal mortgage loan application. Gave a Check to cover Appraisal fee  $425.00.  We will not have a final answer for at least 30 days.
• Wednesday, August 6, 2014 Met with Guardian to discuss what they offer.  They are the company that does the wiring for the security system and the wiring for the cable and telephone outlets.  The guy was nice he gave me the prices and said I could have some time to really think about it so I will make an appointment with him for this coming week.  This coming week is our last week for changes.
• Wednesday, August 6, 2014 Later in the day we met with Creative Flooring.  We did good, and kept everything standard.  We decided we would change the flooring in a year or two.  We want to take our time and decide what flooring we really want.  So $0.00 spent there. 
• Sunday, August 10, 2014 We decided to go to the newest Rome model in our area to see where we want Guardian to place our jacks.  We also just like going to the model.  The one here in Delaware is new and has the Morning Room the one in Maryland didn't have the Morning Room.  
• Monday, August 11, 2014 We signed a lot transfer addendum.  We had originally picked a lot that did back to the woods but it was right at the beginning of the community.  They were beginning to open new lots and we liked the lot that was in the center of the community.  We will have neighbors on both sides but none in the back.  There will be grassy area at the back of the houses and a walking trail.  Some people think we are crazy and should have kept the lot that backed to the woods.  I am afraid the farmer next door will sell the land and they will build a Wawa on the other side of the trees one day lol.  Its all about preference.  
• Thursday, August 14, 2014 Was the last day to make any structural changes.  During this meeting you have to make all your decisions about what you want in the house but not the actual colors or styles.  I went back to all my favorite blogs the nights before I went into this meeting.  I wanted to make sure I wasn't getting anything that I could get for cheaper later on.  But I also wanted to do anything that has to do with the structure of the home now because I don't want to have people messing up the walls later.  I will post my final list of options in a separate post.  

So I still need to meet with Guardian next week I think I am going to go with the 10 pack and get cable wiring in all the rooms. I believe he said the 10 pack is $500.00  I will probably also opt for their hardwired security system.  I will do more research on that this weekend.  We have ADT wireless in our current location and we are very happy with it.  But I was told that hardwire adds more value to the home, of course the Guardian rep was the one who told me that lol.   We will also  have the final selection meeting next week. This is where you pick the colors and styles for everything like the cabinets and the granite.  Seems exciting but I am thinking it will be overwhelming too. Once we do that PHASE I will be over and we will then have to wait for the final loan approval so that we can break ground.  

Seems like so much so fast.  

Introduction..... Just A Little Background Knowledge

We are excited at the possibility to one day call the Rome our new home!!  I think I have read every blog there is on Ryan Homes.  I have been up day and night looking at everyone’s pictures and suggestions.  The blogs have given so much information and been so helpful in our decision making. I guess that is why I feel like it is my duty to blog my experiences while building with Ryan Homes.  I hope that I will be as helpful as those that came before me.

Well we are a family of 6 so we were just looking for a nice home as we have lived in a townhouse in New Jersey for the last six years.  So when we started this journey we thought the Florence model was great.  Four bedrooms upstairs and our oldest could have a room in the basement. But the closets were kind of small so our SR sent us to see the next model up which was the Venice.  We liked that one but we were not happy with the basement layout so we went to see the Milan.  At the time we thought that was perfect for us.  However the more I thought about it I did not feel comfortable having my teenage daughter in the basement.  So we drove four hours to see the Rome Model in Maryland.  We were able to see all of the other homes that are offered in our area either a model or someone’s home in dry wall…. the Sienna, the Sorrento, the Victoria Falls, the Palermo, the Bainbridge Hall and the Verona.  It all came down to the battle between the Milan and the Rome and Rome won.  So with all that being said let the journey begin.