Is the market SO GOOD? (Charlotte, Gastonia: sales, HOA, new home)

[ladyhen]

We made an offer on a place in Gaston County last week. New construction that isn't finished yet. The builder has cut some corners and we asked for him to make a couple of changes that would cost him very little. We offered about $8,000 off of his asking price. He countered at full asking price with charges for each of our changes. He stated that he wants to "keep prices up" in his development.

Is the market so good that we should expect this on any places we consider? I think it's rediculous, particularly looking at comps in the vacinity.

[sstarrx3]

Heck no, tell him to take a flying leap and take your money elsewhere! There are places all over town that will be happy to take what you offer. I offered $33,000 off asking for my new M/I home and they accepted and gave me 5.875% 30 year fixed.

[ladyhen]

And we are paying cash and would have been able to close in 14 days!

[Charlottean]

You will find a few like that around here, especially if they only build a few homes a year.

Now that you said you were paying cash with a 14 day close he should have been all over it. That was not the best move on his part.

[NewBeginnings12]

As most people here know, I am a New Homes Sales Rep for a builder, and honestly, that builder is an idiot if he/she didnt take the offer. CRAZY!!!!

However, it could be discounted to the MAX and there might not be any more room for a discount, but they would have told you that it was already discounted such and such an amount.

Is it a custom builder??

[robiewan]

we made a low offer, some 15% discount- the builder countered quite high, but did come off the asking - we eventually settled about 5% off the asking with a good number of upgrades and changes - also a house under construction, 80% complete
end of the day, there are plenty of other houses in great areas around charlotte that builder is playing a dangerous game not taking what he can get.
bet you they will in 2008 when their inventory is rising.
good luck

[ladyhen]

Thanks. It's not a highly priced home - around $180K, but STILL. I think he overpaid for it and he'll be really lucky to come out on top.

The search continues...

Anyone know of a 3-4 bedroom, all bedrooms down, bonus room up, on half an acre or more, in our price range? We're looking on the west side of Charlotte to avoid the traffic madness. We looked at one other new place in Gastonia near Crowder's Mountain, but it looks an awful lot to me like it's on a flood plain... I think we'd prefer new construction, but are open to a well maintained resale. Oh, and we actually PREFER a well and septic with no HOA (or very low dues/restrictions).

[jadedSOUL83]

the fact that you know the builder "cut some corners" as you said should be a red flag instantly. You shouldnt even WANT to buy that house, nevermind deal with a douch*bag like that. People are offering ridiculous amounts and getting accepted all over the place, even with builders who are doing it right the first time.

Best thing is to let us know who this builder is and let all of your friends know to tell their friends to tell their friends, and lets put this idiot out of business.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

Heck no, tell him to take a flying leap and take your money elsewhere! There are places all over town that will be happy to take what you offer. I offered $33,000 off asking for my new M/I home and they accepted and gave me 5.875% 30 year fixed.

MI took the base price down 30,000 on the home I was buying, I'm glad I got out of the contract when I did.

You should ask for another 30,00 off

[amploud]

Move on. This builder is trying to protect his pockets instead of dealing with the current market conditions.