Townhomes in Berea (Middleburg Heights, Avon, Olmsted Falls: sales, real estate, neighborhood)

[bereahopeful]

Hello,

I am looking to buy the brand new Ryan Homes townhomes in Berea. We loved the place, but a little concerned that the homes are next to the tracks (rail). They have Single family homes in the same development for about 15-20K more, and a little far away from the tracks. (The square footage is about the same though)

I am trying to figure out which one of these two options would be a better buy, especially since we will be moving out of the cleveland area in about 6 years or so, it is important to think about re-sale possibilities.

Realtors are especially welcome to comment.. but anybody with some idea about Berea in general are welcome as well.

Also, can someone tell me what the average home (or townhome) appreciation rate is in Berea and how the school system is in this town (I know they had some issues with Middleburg Heights schools etc.. in the past)..

Thank you tons...

Chris..

[bereahopeful]

Any takers??

[cleveburg]

Hi,

Well, I can give you a couple of things on Berea; However, I never *lived* in the city . . . I'm a neighbor in Olmsted Falls. My in-laws live in Berea and have been there for 17+ years.

I do know that the school system is ok . . . not great, just ok. People in Berea that live on the border of Olmsted Falls have the right to send their kids here. In speaking with these parents, they much more prefer Olmsted Falls vs. Berea.

Taxes are kind of high. My in-laws are CONSTANTLY complaining. They are always trying to pass school levy's, and the system still never improves. I don't know what to tell you on that point.

Let me please tell you to think twice before building a Ryan Home. We built a Ryan home. I am less than pleased. We have 134 homes in our development and the number one complaint has been the WINDOWS. To this date, they have not changed the manufacturer of their windows (patriot). The are not aligned, rot easy, have lots of wind coming through, and mine have been replaced twice! They are literally rated for southern climate . . . go figure. Couple of people in my neighborhood have friends living in the larger development in Berea. Their windows are no better, and the plains and trains . . . holy cow. One individual complained so much that she had Ryan Homes come in and sound-proof everything even more than it was! We have a train, turnpike, and flight path problem here in Olmsted Falls too, but it isn't as bad as Berea. Still stinks though. Something to think about. Being a real estate investor, I can tell you that resale values in every are dependent on location, schools, and tax ratio. Schools are more important in areas predominantly containing kids (not retirees). See if you can get a breakdown of the demographics.

We (as a development) are also in the midst of a lawsuit with Ryan Homes. They lied to us about a sewer assessment (which we had to pay later). MAKE SURE YOU ASK ABOUT ANY LATER SEWER ASSESSMENTS. Get it in writing. It has been a major nightmare here.

The *only* nice thing I can say about Ryan Homes is that their customer service is decent. If I had to build again . . . I would not build with them. My sister has a Ryan Home in Avon as well. Much more upscale home, and she said she'd never build with them again either.

Overall, I do like Berea. Cute town. I think each area has it's ups/downs. I know we do here in Olmsted Falls.

Good luck. I hope you find what you are looking for!

[bereahopeful]

Originally Posted by cleveburg

Hi,
One individual complained so much that she had Ryan Homes come in and sound-proof everything even more than it was! We have a train, turnpike, and flight path problem here in Olmsted Falls too, but it isn't as bad as Berea.

Is there anyway you can tell me which development in Berea your friend lived in?? Sandstone Ridge ??

[cleveburg]

Yes, it is Sandstone Ridge.

Just be careful if you choose to build with them:-) Even though Ryan Homes say's price range doesn't matter in regards to the quality . . . it does. I've seen it. My house vs. my sisters . . . huge difference. Mine was in the low 200's . . . her's in the $300's.

Good luck to you:-)

[jkex420]

Hello,

I am also considering building a home in sandstone ridge. A good friend of mine is planning on signing a purchase agreement this week...I am still on the fence at the moment. I guess I am waiting to see how his home turns out and if he would recommend them, but I also want to be in a new house by fall 2008 which won't allow for his to be fully completed before I must buy. I have read lots of negative reviews and horror stories of ryan homes built in other states but as far as I can tell most people in ohio seem generally satisfied with the construction and customer service. Does anyone else have any feedback into the matter??? I appreciate the info about the windows, next time I am down there I will have to pay close attention to the noise level and inspect them more closely for drafts. I might even go as far as to walk around the neighborhood and try to encounter people and ask them how satisfied they are with their home. Even thought the prices are reasonable its still alot of money to spend if everything is not up to par. Just trying to make the most educated decision, any responses welcome.

[Traveler87]

I haven't heard of these developments yet.

[rodrigo2006]

I am also considering building in Sandstone Ridge and before we decided I spoke to someone that already lives there in additional to drove around and spoke to a few of the neighbors. Everyone had only good things to say. I brought up the "issues" I had read online regarding Ryan Homes as a builder to the sales rep and she said alot has to do with the production manager that is in place and up to date they have had great success with the person they have.
Again the people I spoke to at Sandstone Ridge had no complaints about the area, or the homes they built - they were in the 250K range so I'm not sure if the comment about the lower price homes is true.

[cleveburg]

Originally Posted by rodrigo2006

I am also considering building in Sandstone Ridge and before we decided I spoke to someone that already lives there in additional to drove around and spoke to a few of the neighbors. Everyone had only good things to say. I brought up the "issues" I had read online regarding Ryan Homes as a builder to the sales rep and she said alot has to do with the production manager that is in place and up to date they have had great success with the person they have.
Again the people I spoke to at Sandstone Ridge had no complaints about the area, or the homes they built - they were in the 250K range so I'm not sure if the comment about the lower price homes is true.

I'm sorry, but I respectfully must disagree with what that person told you. Of course a sales rep will say that. The production manager has *nothing* to do with the specifications of a house nor the materials that are used. We had awesome production managers . . . clearly that is not the issue.

[jkex420]

Well I have decided to take the plunge and purchase in sandstone ridge. After much research I have heard a nearly equal amount of criticism and praise, and have come to the conclusion that overall it appears to be a generally well constructed house for a good price. It's seems it is usually only the negative aspects that get posted on line. People who are happy have nothing to vent about, but I have ran into co-workers and other aquaintances who seem very happy. Even the waitress at a local restaurant saw some of my paperwork and commented how she built with ryan and loves her house. I will let you know in the next few months how the process shakes out. Maybe I will see you around Rodrigo and Bereahopeful.