[kimba01]

Originally Posted by deefromlv

That was our focus area when we were searching and found several builders offering low - mid 200s. Kimball and KB for example. Inspirada has a few builders offering 200s. Kimball has two developments and there are a couple others whose names escape me. These aren't palaces. Just nice entry level single family homes. I'm sure the ones by you are larger or have other extras that make them more expensive.

Dee

Well, just from looking at the outsides of them and the lots they are on they certainly don't look like anything real special to me. Then again, being from Michigan where a house in the $300s can get you a small mansion...maybe...

[deefromlv]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

In my opinion, in the end, if you like the KB home then buy it but buy it stripped. Add your own upgrades on the flooring and lighting......things like that. Dont pay the builder for upgrades unless it is an upgrade that will cost you more later. An example of what is ok to pay the builder for now is the optional pre-plumb for a laundry sink, gas line for a future BBQ grill, pre-wire for entertainment center, upgrade the cabinet wood species, things like that are ok to pay for.

Go for it and good luck !!

I agree. If you like the floor plan and community go for it. Also you can really negotiate with the builder. A friend of mine who bought in Inspirada from KB didn't like the hardwood selection they offered. She was able to negotiate a flooring allowance so she could put in her own hardwood. It was something like 7k off the house base price. She said they really worked with her on her choices because she had alot of specific preferences. We're doing our own unique flooring in our home too among other things. If you are going to stay there awhile make it your own space. You'll enjoy it more.

Dee

[delgadobb]

Well, I didn't use KB, but I did wind up going the new construction route, which I certainly didn't expect.

If I had more time to babysit foreclosures & short sales, I might have sat tight & tried that route. Know what you're getting into if you go that route & be patient yet persistent. I tried a bunch (foreclosures) & every one was a competitive over-bid relative to the bank's asking price. Then, even when I bid $10-15K over the bank's asking price, still no news for a LONG time.

It was too hard to do from across the country in Chicago, yet resale homes were frustrating as well. Owners were dreaming with their asking prices, living in a 2006 time warp - many of them were probably upside-down with ARMs from 2003-2005. So, I looked at some new homes - the builders at least understood the market was slow & offered discounts and/or incentives.

Eventually, I bought new with Richmond American - for well under $100/sf, managing to work a lot of incentives into the deal.

The good: Tile (18 in) throughout main floor, upgraded cabinets & appliances (i.e. double oven), granite countertops, roof thermal barrier, upgraded electrical, whole house wiring & smart box (i.e. phone/network/cable), large open upgraded master BR & bath, porch with stone columns out front, etc. I tried to focus mostly on stuff that was hard to change after the house was built. Example: Tile alone would've been $12-15K minimum later & a MAJOR hassle with furniture in place; wiring behind the walls would obviously be hard to change in the future. I'm already upgrading some fixtures & superficial stuff around the house where I know they went cheap to get the deal done. That I don't mind, as long as the functional stuff is right.

The bad: While they are/were a functionally good builder, communication was HORRIBLE. I had to buy this house twice thanks to lack of communication on their end, which actually saved me $15K & got me more upgrade incentives. (They thought a group of us wouldn't get financing, so stalled & told us they needed permits since the code had changed in NLV - this went on for 3-4 months - lies, of course. In the meantime, the deal got nixed & we started again ... for less money!) I've dealt with a small army of people thanks to them shuffling people around, then letting people go - follow-through has been abysmal, but I just stay persistent & chase them 'til stuff gets done. I've been here a month, it will probably be another month before they take care of fit & finish details that were sloppy.

This was way more stress than I needed, but in the end it will all be water under the bridge.

Could I have done better? Sure, with time. That said, I'm glad I don't have to do a bunch of sweat equity to get my home up to par. I've got plenty of space, a reasonable mortgage & a nice home I'll enjoy for the next 10-20 years with little maintenance & no major repairs.

Gregoo, I came out here from Illinois too, will be happy to provide what input I can to help.

[gregoo]

Originally Posted by delgadobb

Well, I didn't use KB, but I did wind up going the new construction route, which I certainly didn't expect.

If I had more time to babysit foreclosures & short sales, I might have sat tight & tried that route. Know what you're getting into if you go that route & be patient yet persistent. I tried a bunch (foreclosures) & every one was a competitive over-bid relative to the bank's asking price. Then, even when I bid $10-15K over the bank's asking price, still no news for a LONG time.

It was too hard to do from across the country in Chicago, yet resale homes were frustrating as well. Owners were dreaming with their asking prices, living in a 2006 time warp - many of them were probably upside-down with ARMs from 2003-2005. So, I looked at some new homes - the builders at least understood the market was slow & offered discounts and/or incentives.

Eventually, I bought new with Richmond American - for well under $100/sf, managing to work a lot of incentives into the deal.

The good: Tile (18 in) throughout main floor, upgraded cabinets & appliances (i.e. double oven), granite countertops, roof thermal barrier, upgraded electrical, whole house wiring & smart box (i.e. phone/network/cable), large open upgraded master BR & bath, porch with stone columns out front, etc. I tried to focus mostly on stuff that was hard to change after the house was built. Example: Tile alone would've been $12-15K minimum later & a MAJOR hassle with furniture in place; wiring behind the walls would obviously be hard to change in the future. I'm already upgrading some fixtures & superficial stuff around the house where I know they went cheap to get the deal done. That I don't mind, as long as the functional stuff is right.

The bad: While they are/were a functionally good builder, communication was HORRIBLE. I had to buy this house twice thanks to lack of communication on their end, which actually saved me $15K & got me more upgrade incentives. (They thought a group of us wouldn't get financing, so stalled & told us they needed permits since the code had changed in NLV - this went on for 3-4 months - lies, of course. In the meantime, the deal got nixed & we started again ... for less money!) I've dealt with a small army of people thanks to them shuffling people around, then letting people go - follow-through has been abysmal, but I just stay persistent & chase them 'til stuff gets done. I've been here a month, it will probably be another month before they take care of fit & finish details that were sloppy.

This was way more stress than I needed, but in the end it will all be water under the bridge.

Could I have done better? Sure, with time. That said, I'm glad I don't have to do a bunch of sweat equity to get my home up to par. I've got plenty of space, a reasonable mortgage & a nice home I'll enjoy for the next 10-20 years with little maintenance & no major repairs.

Gregoo, I came out here from Illinois too, will be happy to provide what input I can to help.

Thanks! What part of Illinois? And long long have you been in Vegas?

[delgadobb]

Gregoo, I came from Chicago - north side of the city, close to Wrigley Field. Loved the neighbourhood & a lot of big city stuff, don't miss the cold at all. Also don't miss dealing with the city, bureaucrats or corruption (even though I know that will be here as well).

It's been almost exactly one month since I got here, although I've spent some time here over the last year-and-a-half while house-hunting. The heat's actually fine with me, 110 degrees with no humidity works better than 90 degrees & humid in Chicago. Sure, when it's 115 degrees & windy it feels like a hair dryer hitting your face, but for the most part I've found it just fine. The weather's been great in November, a dream compared to Chicago or Minnesota (where I have family) - the furnace came on yesterday for the first time! Try that in Chicago ...

[airics]

single furnace? how small is your home?

[Debbie 89141]

I've had two of them. The first one was when it was called Lewis Homes and KB bought them out. That one was great. Then I bought this one. The windows and the plumbing sucks. Otherwise it's a great house.

[lvkewlkid]

lewis homes was great

[airics]

i also have a richmond american home, i agree the windows (made by atrium) are terrible.. the grids in mine fell down inside the panes.. try to get ahold of atrium, it is a email only company