Ball Homes in Louisville (Lexington, St. Matthews: real estate, buying a home, neighborhood)

[tylem28]

Anyone own a Ball home? Are you happy with the home? Any issues or concerns? Would you recommend them for a new construction home?

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by tylem28

Anyone own a Ball home? Are you happy with the home? Any issues or concerns? Would you recommend them for a new construction home?

Avoid them. Very crappy, cheaply built cookie cutter homes from a national build em as cheap as possible and move on company.

Honestly, I would buy a renovated older home, or find a deal on an older home in the Highalnds, St matthews, Crescent Hill, or the upper river road area. These homes will hold and gain much more value than any new home by any builder in Louisville.

[tomocox]

Originally Posted by Peter1948

Avoid them. Very crappy, cheaply built cookie cutter homes from a national build em as cheap as possible and move on company.

Honestly, I would buy a renovated older home, or find a deal on an older home in the Highalnds, St matthews, Crescent Hill, or the upper river road area. These homes will hold and gain much more value than any new home by any builder in Louisville.

Stx, you speak as an authority on the subject, but I doubt it. Why don't you share something showing evidence of your expertise about this subject?

You prove my point by your condemnation of all builders. You don't know Jack. Ball Homes, by the way, is not a national builder, but rather a large Lexington Kentucky based firm that does very little, if any work, outside of Kentucky.

Now to prove my point, each and every home no matter where, no matter how old, no matter how well or poorly built will require maintainence. Yes, as in any product where low price is more important than quality, certain short cuts must be made. Is the Ball Homes product of lower quality than its price-point competitors', as a professional real estate licensee, I don't find the resale of Ball Homes showing such evidence.

Now, back to the OP's concerns: shop the market. Get a solid Realtor to aid you. Ask questions, never assume. Make comparisions, get answers. If you are typical, buying a home is one of your greatest lifetime investments.

[bear29]

I own a Ball Home. Tomocox is exactly right-compared to similar priced builders, Ball is above average. Comparing a Ball home to a custom built house in the highlands, St. Matthews, etc. is apples and oranges. That's a completely different house for a completely different market.

Oh, and anyone who bashes Ball homes has obviously never been inside a Ryan Home! Especially a 5-10 year old Ryan home.

I would recommend Ball. Our neighborhood has houses in the $170,000-$250,000 price point, so you have a wide variety of floor plans and a diverse cross section of young families, more established families, and empty nesters. Ball makes homes that may not have that "special" feel of a custom house, but they're great to live in. I look at it this way: claw foot tubs and formal dining/living rooms, etc. look great and are fun to show off, but when I'm not going to sit in a formal living room/use a formal dining room more than a few times a year, and a huge soaking tub is way more functional than a claw foot tub.

[bear29]

Originally Posted by Peter1948

Avoid them. Very crappy, cheaply built cookie cutter homes from a national build em as cheap as possible and move on company.

Honestly, I would buy a renovated older home, or find a deal on an older home in the Highalnds, St matthews, Crescent Hill, or the upper river road area. These homes will hold and gain much more value than any new home by any builder in Louisville.

People with different perspectives look for different amenities and lifestyles. Just because a large portion of the population want newer, more modern amenities doesn't make them wrong, just different that you.

Also, the suburbs and exburbs take the largest home price hits during recessions and fuel spikes. We've experienced both within the past 5 years. This puts a premium price on close in urban housing. To buy a close in house now, while still considered a relatively stable investment, would be the equivalent of buying a hot stock when it has already made its big price movement. The suburbs have been beat down and we are seeing some of the best deals in years, yet people are scared to buy because they have fearful memories of the past few years.