D.R. Horton Huntersville, NC 1997 (Henderson Park) (lawyer, buying a house)

[Marie84]

Hello!

I am currently in the process of buying a house in the Henderson Park subdivision of Huntersville, NC. I looked up the builder (DR Horton) and read nothing but terrible things. I am very worried about the house I am under contract for! The house was built in 1997, and I am hoping that they weren't so bad back then?

Does anyone know if DR Horton built better homes in the late 90s? Anyone live in Henderson Park that can attest to build quality? Any information would help. I am set to close on November 19, and would like to know what I am getting into.

Thanks!

[lumbollo]

I watched a lot of homes being built in the mid-90s and I think DR Horton put up a decent house in those days. They built a lot of nice homes in Wynfield and Wynfield Creek during that period. However as time went on I think they cheapened up on a lot of the construction they had cut back a lot on their features by the time they got to Wynfield Forest. On their homes in McAuley (completed around 2006), which were on the higher end, they did things such as using OSB board for the flooring instead of 3/4" plywood, which IMO is not a good floor. If you ever want to put down hardwoods, this stuff will have to be ripped up and replaced with plywood.

Henderson Park was built sometime between the good and the bad, so I recommend that whatever you do you get a good inspection done of the place. Builders from the mid-90s that scared me were Ryan, Ryland, Pulte and to a lesser extent Crossland and Squires. I don't think John Wieland homes are holding up that well either. Some good builders from that time are Robert Ingrahm & Trotter.

[Weedydidi]

DR Horton built us a house in 1996 in The Crossings in Steele Creek. We sold it last year. The air conditioners had to be replaced, and the water heater was on its way out, but the structure itself was sound.

[Chromekitty]

Originally Posted by Weedydidi

DR Horton built us a house in 1996 in The Crossings in Steele Creek. We sold it last year. The air conditioners had to be replaced, and the water heater was on its way out, but the structure itself was sound.

If your water heater lasted that long, you faired well. Can't complain there

[Marie84]

Thanks for the advice. I had an inspection from some one my Realtor recommended. They said the house seemed good overall. They found areas that should have been flashed, and since it wasn't, there was water damage, quickly followed by termite damage. The sellers have fixed everything that showed up on the inspection (including having proper flashing installed) and killed the termites with Termidor.

Little things that worried me about quality of build are cosmetic things such as the wall of the pantry in the kitchen being at an angle (noticeable to the naked eye), an unlevel top to the open doorway in between the dining room and kitchen, and kitchen cabinets that have slightly crooked shelves. These are mostly cosmetic things, it just made me worry about how its built.

I appreciate your replies.

[evesy45]

I bought a new DR Horton home in Orlando in the Estancia development, it was problems from day 1 with paperwork and the finished product was a nightmare, terrible workmanship with management dropping me like a hot potato. I went to a lawyer who told me straight, l cannot sue for losses as l had signed away all rights of financial reinstatement when l bought the house, I lost $38000.00 I found the whole episode unbelievable.................Thats DR Horton for you.

[evesy45]

Originally Posted by evesy45

I bought a new DR Horton home in Orlando in the Estancia development, it was problems from day 1 with paperwork and the finished product was a nightmare, terrible workmanship with management dropping me like a hot potato. I went to a lawyer who told me straight, l cannot sue for losses as l had signed away all rights of financial reinstatement when l bought the house, I lost $38000.00 I found the whole episode unbelievable.................Thats DR Horton for you.

[Marie84]

Oh wow, that sounds terrible! Sorry you had that terrible experience. I can't imagine losing 38,000.

[evesy45]

Hi, I have since bought a home from DiVosta Homes, its like being on another planet, the care to detail and customer service was as good as DR Horton was bad, it has restored my faith in American Builders.