Does Anyone Own A Westin Home? (Houston, Spring: 2009, appliances, loans)

[oldmantran]

inspector80, are you a licensed and insured home inspector? i am closing on a westin home in less than 2 weeks. would you be able to give an unbiased professional inspection of a new westin home?

[lane_change]

Unbiased? I doubt it. Inspector80 seems to be pretty into Westin...now I am not trying to question his professionalism, but from his posts, I would think that he would definately have a bit of a bias opinion.

We should be closing on our Westin home in about 5-6wks hopefully and I used Charles Bechtold from Texan Inspection Services LLP to do our inspections, both the pre sheetrock inspection, and he will be coming back out for our final walkthrough once that is scheduled. The office number for them is 281-342-5762. I was very satisfied with their process thus far...so you may give them a try. Or just look on this site for other inspectors because that is how I found this company from other references on here.

Where are you building your home at?

[gwill]

Hi lane_change,

I'm thinking of getting a Westin instead of a Perry. However, after researching this forum as well as google, I found that Westin had complaints in the past, in 2007. I have no idea or clue what are they now compared to 2 years ago.

If your Westin home is about to be closed, could you share with me your experience with Westin? Their quality in materials, building methods, etc? (Sorry for my stupid question but I'm just a newbie and looking for my 1st home.)

How long does it take to build your Westin from dirt?

Hope to hear back from you soon.

Best,
GW

[oldmantran]

Lane_change,
I'm in Rosenberg and very excited. I've been leasing in Sugar Land for 2 years and ready to have my own home. Thanks for the inspector reference.

GW,
I just completed a walkthrough. I've read all the complaints on this board as well as looked at the info on the BBB. I'm not concerned though. I've lived in a Perry home for the past 2 years and looked at a Perry in the Oaks of Rosenberg. The aesthetics of the Westin was by far superior to the Perry. The equally sized Perry was $30,000 less than the Westin but you could definitely 'sense' the Westin was worth the extra $. Of course this is all coming from someone who hasn't slept one day in the home yet, but all my dealings with Westin so far has been excellent.

[lane_change]

I agree, Westin has been really good to deal with. I can contact the builder, the main salesman, etc...at any time on their personal cell phones, and they are very good at getting back to you if they miss your car and were willing to make all repairs that my home inspector noted during our pre-sheetrock walkthrough, so I have been extremely pleased with our process. The total time, from contract signing to closing is approximately 5-6 months. I have some posts about my home inspection if you search through some old threads and you can see some information about the details of the inspection, pros and cons, etc...

[Amelinckx]

Hi Lane_Change,
Have you used Westin's mortgage company (Texas State Mortgage - Kevin Yoakum)?
I'd appreciate your insights regarding Westin's construction experience.
I've just signed for a Valencia house at Discovery Spring Trails.

[lane_change]

I just contacted Kevin on Friday, I am waiting for Monday to see how dealing with him goes. I also went with a Valencia...such a better deal than the Castlebrook in my opinion. Good luck with your build, a friend of mine also just signed a contract with Westin to build a Versailles. I will let you know how it goes with Kevin once I know.

[melandjose]

I'm a realtor with Shadow creek ranch realty and i'm familiar with all of the new home builders in and around the Pearland area. I would love to help anyone looking to buy or build a home. Call or email me. www.har.com/melissalimaMelissa Lima, Realtor 713-494-8820Remember to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit before December. Call me!!

[Elijah2009]

Originally Posted by lane_change

I just contacted Kevin on Friday, I am waiting for Monday to see how dealing with him goes. I also went with a Valencia...such a better deal than the Castlebrook in my opinion. Good luck with your build, a friend of mine also just signed a contract with Westin to build a Versailles. I will let you know how it goes with Kevin once I know.

HELLO just saw this thread.. to the OP, are you Greg? hahahah

anyway, we are scheduled for design center next monday.. westin homes at WLN .. tuscany.. section 6 in front of the recreation center

i was pre approved for 3.5% down FHA loan 5.25 APR with Texas Mortgage.. i asked kevin to checked also other options for conventional loans... did u guys use conventional, what's your APR and what downpayment?

thanks,

[lane_change]

As long as you understand that the pre-approval rate will have nothing to do with your actual rate since you are roughly 4-5 months from being able to lock in a rate...so you will watch the rates go up and down, just try and catch the wave as low as you can when the time comes.

Be sure to negotiate properly with Westin, they say one thing and do another...I learned this the hard way. I trusted their word to be true since, but watched a friend prove that to be wrong and feel like I was taken advantage of. I blame myself as well, but I would have liked to think that I could trust someone who I plan on spending over $300k with to build my family a home...guess not. So be careful, and negotiate carefully before you sign anything. Just my .02. Overall, I love the homes, and have had good dealings with both the project manager and the builder, just had some issues with Westin's sales team, Greg and Patrick (Greg's boss). Lots of "sorry you feel that way" comments, but I simply don't appreciate being lied to, wether they want to see it that way or not. For those of you signing, be sure to play hard ball.