Chimneys of Marvin (Weddington: HOA fees, mortgage, new home)

[West&East]

Evan asked about the Chimneys in the Weddington Trace thread, so I thought I'd start a new discussion.
The Chimneys has two "sections," the Reserve and the Estates. Since the beginning of the year, they seem to have changed the models offered as well as some of the standard features. The Reserve homes are generally a bit smaller(but still 3000+ sq feet) and are 2 stories. 2 car garage is standard but some lots allow for upgrade to 3. The Pulte website shows starting prices from $374K with lots of incentives.
The Estates range from about 3600 sq feet to 4300 sq feet, many with 3 stories. They all have 3 car garages.
One big attraction for us of this neighborhood is the proximity to Sandy Ridge Elementary. It truly is walking distance without having to venture onto the main road. The neighborhood is built right behind the school. Sandy Ridge has a great reputation and feeds into Marvin Ridge Middle and High Schools. The neighborhood is so close to all the schools that the possibility of getting redistricted has to be next to zero. This was important to me with all the changes going on in Union County schools due to high growth.
Another big attraction for me are the beautiful amenities. The pool complex is gorgeous with a separate child splash park, a resort style pool with water slide and a connected lap pool. The club house is beautiful with a nice fitness center, playground, tennis courts, etc. Yes, they come at a cost. HOA dues are $100 a month (but includes trash pick up). I am realizing that this is somewhat high. I don't know if they will eventually go down when the neighborhood is further built out. There are only 280 lots so the neighborhood will never get that large, another thing I like. I am also happy that the club house area is already built. I get worried about some of these communities in which the club house hasn't gone in. I don't trust that builders won't go bust.
One final thought for now. We looked at many beautiful model homes. We then looked at the inventory homes and felt like we were on another planet. So many builders pack their models with upgrades. Their more typical homes don't have the same feel. This was NOT the case with Pulte at the Chimneys. The model of the Avalon has very few upgrades, the rest is standard. (Again, there may have taken away some standards now such as a stainless steel GE Monogram fridge.) When I walked into my new home, it felt just as luxurious as the model. The same is true of all their inventory homes. They put so many details into it- wide crown molding and floor boards, picture frame molding, tile backsplashes, nice lighting fixtures, etc. It truly rang out as the best value in this price range.
Hope this helps. Obviously, this is just my opinion. I am in no way associated with Pulte but do want the neighborhood to flourish.
Karen

[Charlottean]

I like it as well for all of the same reasons you mention.

When they adjusted their prices a while back it stirred up a lot more activity and interest. Some of the specials they have run recently have allowed a lot of people to take advantage and receive really good deals.

[dancemomnj]

Thank you for alll your information. My husband got a job offer and we are thinking of moving from NJ. This is one of the developments I wanted to look into when we come down in a few weeks.

[Keith "Baby-Face" Lutz]

HOA dues are $100 a month (but includes trash pick up). I am realizing that this is somewhat high. I don't know if they will eventually go down when the neighborhood is further built out.

I think HOA fees and fees going down is an oxy-moron.

But at least your fees are starting at a decent point, to possibly save you from fees raising year-after-year, once the builder leaves. Typically builders will keep the HOA fees lower to entice people, then when they hand the community over to the HOA, the new board realizes they can't easily meet expenditures.

[berryjuice4life]

the HOA doesnt take over until the development is 75% done I think the chimneys has some way to go yet before its handed off. and dh didnt want to have to pay 1295 a year for HOA...however they are smart for doing a Model park and letting everyone see what they offer than opposed to only having a few models...they were defininately giving the big homes away this weekend, some really good deals...3700 sq ft house for 400k and all upgrades is great...I know quiet a few builders have cut their prices as well by thousands, you just need to look and have a good realtor

[Union county hopeful]

we went there last week - They decreased the prices but the also took out lots of upgraded options - If you don't know Pulte in the Chimneys - your house is the same as everyone elses - you can't upgrade many things and then they took the coolest things away - I think the lady hated me - I was just like - really now I can't get upgraded carpet if I want to? The ultimate cookie cutter - If you buy here you really better love your house because if a lot of them are for sell - you are all the same. And.... You ALL are the SAME!

[raybourne]

My concern was being in the house by the time school begins in August. They could not guarantee this so I had to start looking elsewhere. Ryan say they can finish by August so Weddington Trace was my final choice.

[berryjuice4life]

union so true, we had gone there so many times and my realtor was there over the weekend which is how I knew what they were offering...we know quiet a few people that moved there that bought the same model, same granite etc...

[dancemomnj]

Getting the kids into school for August is a concern of mine. Are there any resales of these homes yet or is it too soon? Thank you!

[West&East]

According to their website, they have a couple of quick move in homes. One of them is on the MLS. What is interesting is that on the Pulte website, they list the house in the $530s. The MLS says $499K as long as you use their mortgage co. These are homes that fell through. We bought one under similar circumstances and found that if we offered a quick close we could negotiate even further. Good luck.