[RetGI]

Will be looking in the Homosassa area for a home next spring and have heard from a couple realtors that I shouldn't bother with looking at this builder's homes. Just curious what anyone can tell me about this builder. I will only by from a reputable quality builder and have notice that their price/sq ft is less than anyone else. I assume they're cutting a lot of corners, etc.

[House4Sale]

There's a whole thread on Adams' homes somewhere in this list. But what you heard is correct.

[ddlove01]

I agree with House4Sale. They won't leave you high and dry and homeless, but you definitely get what you pay for. A street away from us there are 7 homes by this builder, all spec homes, all for sale! No wonder the existing homes in our area are so stagnant!

We almost built with them, but we were not sold on quality. Do a Forum search and you will find tons of info, maybe even some other recommendatons. Hope this helps!

[mikenbacismama]

If I were building in the Homosassa area, I would definitely consider Sweetwater Homes. Check them out on 19 in Homosassa.

[Mike Peterson]

If you know what you want you can go with a custom home builder instead of one of the builders with a model center with a few models to choose from.

Thia way you can get exactly what you want, good quality and, if you do your research, pay just about the same amount as one of the cookie cutter builders.

I used Loffler Custom Homes and got a great house at a great price. I would highly recommend them.

[121804]

There is a recent thread on this builder. What you were told is RIGHT!

Cheap looking both inside & out & quickly built. Adams does what it needs to in order to pass inspection. After that, it's shotty work on the remaining exterior & definitely inside.

It's cheap mass production for those who want the sq footage at a certain price.

Realtors in this area (SW FL) love them b/c they do not negotiate price & it is an easy 3% commission for the realtor if the buyer falls for the bait.

Don't waste your time with them. I find the homes & their business practices insulting for those who are trying to find affordable homes.

[AdamsSales4]

I wanted to set the story straight on the negative responses you have received on Adams Homes. I searched out many builders last year before deciding to go into sales for Adams Homes in Florida. We have not had ONE complaint in the year I've been here, in fact we have families bringing familes to purchase one of our homes. Not only do we have the best prices, we also have quality construction....which builder can say they had NO damage to any of their homes in 2004 when we had 4 hurricains come through --- Adams Homes had NONE. Please do your own research on the quality of their homes. Don't let one or two people, who are perhaps stock holders in our builders businesses, keep you from visiting out homes. We do not have a lot of upgrades so that we can keep the price afforadable, Adams goal is to build afforadable homes --- homes with style. I hope you do your research on all builders before you make a decision. DS

[121804]

Adams Homes are built to pass inspection b/c it is the law. The outside is generic as well as the inside [the lack of finishing touches in the non-model homes floored us; cheap, cheap, cheap]. I also love the flyers I've seen by Adams telling realtors how easy it is to get a 3% commission b/c of their no-negotiating policy here in SW FL area. We almost laughed in front of the sales man hearing Adams doesn't negotiate as if we were getting something for free or for a deal.

Hopefully, most people are smart enough to read in between the lines of these major builders & take their business elsewhere.

You may have to spend some more in sq footage, but atleast you aren't buying a cheaply done house & falling for the bait to pull these builders out of their doom of excess inventory that they are desperate to get rid of to keep stockholders.

[ddlove01]

How long has Adams homes been building in FL?

Our Adams has only been around for a few years in our town. It doesn't surprise me that newer homes didn't receive any damage. Our home was built in 2000 by a local competitor and not a single shingle lifted. We received direct hits from 3 hurricanes, 2 in 2004 (Frances and Jeanne) and Wilma in 2005.

We didn't have ANY damage and neither did many of our friends who have homes built 1997 or more recent. In fact, we live behind a model home center (not Adams, but of the same quality) that was built in 2002. This center NEVER boarded up with either plywood or shutters and nothing happened to any of the 3 homes except a little screen damage on the porch.

Regarding upgrades with Adams...
We were going to build with Adams and what changed our mind was the salesperson told us we were not allowed to change out a regular door to a sliding glass door. Sliders are extremely popular here in FL. We would've paid a little extra, but they don't even offer it. Also, we wanted a couple more phone/cable outlets and more fan prewires. They said they could only provide us the standard number. Those are not upgrades in my book, just preparing for the future. Upgrades = Tile instead of linoleum, berber carpet, granite countertops, ss appliances, fireplace, the list goes on and on.

Now, I haven't looked at Adams in a few years, maybe as far back as 2004, so they may have changed. I'm just posting this to prepare others as this might be something you will be disappointed with.

Originally Posted by AdamsSales4

Which builder can say they had NO damage to any of their homes in 2004 when we had 4 hurricains come through --- Adams Homes had NONE.

[KBTexan]

We were new to Florida and moved here because my Dad was in Fort Myers. My wife and I bought an Adams Home, that had no model! The things we learned about not only Adams Homes quality, but also the honesty of their employees was astounding!
We told Adams from the beginning that we needed to build a pool for aquatic therapy purposes, as I am retired on disability. Our plans call for a home to be built 25 feet from the street, however, our home was built 45 and a half feet from the street, thus no backyard to build a pool; within the Home Owners Association restrictions! Adams had this information, as they have been building in Deep Creek, Punta Gorda, Florida for many years now!
Adams also agreed to put in extra cable outlets, however, on the day of our walk through inspection, they had only installed one cable outlet and no phone outlet in the kitchen, of all places! The one cable outlet was installed on the opposite wall as indicated by our drawings and had to be moved. Their repair consisted of leaving seven holes in our ceilings, which needed to be filled!
Our doors all creak, and the seals are bad, letting in light, which also let's in and out air! All the interior doors make noise, when you open or close them, and all the WD-40 in the world has not cured this!
One bathroom door will not close or lock and was repaired incorrectly! Our garage door was damaged and had to be repaired!
All in all, dealing with a builder, whose personnel originally told us there was no Home Owners Association, and moved us from our original lot of choice to another lot, where the purchaser had pulled out of the deal; due to the possibility of Scrubjays nesting on the lot, was a real mistake! We not only cannot build a regular size pool for therapy purposes, due to the size of our backyard, not the presence of Scrubjays, but we are stuck here unable to move, due to the poor selling market of homes in Southwest Florida!
Our appeals to the Home Owners Association for a variance on our property have been totally unsuccessful, with the association telling us the problem is Adams Homes mistake, not theirs!
Do not buy an Adams Home, regardless of what you have heard, unless you inspect the home professionally before settlement and put in a clause to this affect! Our home was entirely too large for this lot and never should have been built here! My physical condition will continue to deteriorate, due to Adams Homes inconsiderate and dishonest methods of dealing with the public!
If you want to build a home in Southwest Florida, please look into other builders. They are not that much more expensive, and give you so much more for your dollar, including honesty, integrity and good workmanship!