New owner of Stratford at Monroe - comments (houses, buying)

[ranjha]

I'm intrested in the Gold model at Startford, Can someone suggest me the price I should be paying on this model?

[varinder]

How come no one talks about the high tension power lines which run through this community?

I like the community and the homes, but I am worried about the high tension power lines running through the community. Aree other people also worrying about the same? Or am I the only one fretting about it....

[nemmert]

Originally Posted by Roselvr

Nice house. We just purchased something similar down in Williamstown for around $400k with a walk out basement and a sitting room with fireplace. It's the Amhert Model (http://www.richmondamerican.com/Shop+and+Buy/Home+Detail.htm?mr=Southern%20New%20Jersey&li=1185 8&cm=948 - broken link)



Looks like pricing is $599,900 - $655,900 - ouch.

Some builders are negotiating with options / extras in the ones we've looked at in South Jersey. The problem with that area is it's convenient to every where so builders know they don't have to lower yet, but you never know they may one day.

I actually looked in that same development but we figured with all of the upgrades we'd want it'd push us out of the price point we wanted. Sounds like you stayed within the builder's deal on 1/2 price upgrades? Did you get everything you wanted? We're currently trying to go under contract on another property in Williamstown (buyer is playing games with realtors for some reason) but if it falls through we may re-evaluate a new home.

The one we're working to go under contract on is about 11 years old, 3,000 square feet, and a pool for around $300k. It really seems like builders are doing everything they can to keep prices propped up. Basically they're refusing to build if they don't get the price they want. Just be careful, if someone in the development loses their home it's going to de-value the entire development as comps won't allow people to get mortgages for the values the builders are currently selling at.

[NSP]

I too have the same concern regarding hightension wire. You need to check emf not greater than .5 gauss. So I purchase home little away from the lines. Email me if you need more info

[varinder]

Looks like Builder has raised the prices. He is now asking for 560K base + upgrades for woods model. :-) Do you think the market is going up... I have read this in the previous posts also that once the buyer was almost about to buy the house Hallmark builder raises the price. Anyways... Can you guys suggest any other communities of new homes that we can look at?

[nj_home_hunter]

Hi All,

We purchased woods model at Stratford in Monre, Can someone tell me the upgrades we should be buying from the builder. The upgrades that are important and would be very expensive after closing.

It'll be great if someone can help us. We are getting confused as the list is endless.

Thanks

[NSP]

Congrats nj_home_hunter its time to change your user name from to nj_home_owner (just Kidding). There are limited list of upgrade you can get directly from builder and rest from contractors.

Here is the list of upgrades we went for.

Brick
Exhaust fans in bath rooms
Crowns moldings
Gas fire place

Sales people at Stratford are very helpful.

[practicalposts]

Originally Posted by varinder

Looks like Builder has raised the prices. He is now asking for 560K base + upgrades for woods model. :-) Do you think the market is going up... I have read this in the previous posts also that once the buyer was almost about to buy the house Hallmark builder raises the price. Anyways... Can you guys suggest any other communities of new homes that we can look at?

If you exclusively looking for new house, here are your choices in Monroe

- monroe manor, smaller houses but excellent community, bit far but cheaper, here you can get court homes or single family, price is in 400-550 range
- southfield estates by rennaisance properties, big lots, expensive but best builder in this range, price starts from 600 but I think it is well worth it
- primerose acres by regal homes, again similar builder as stratford, but they have some excellent plans, you can google it up online and see the models

I would suggest you to consider houses less that 10 years old beside the new one, with house 4-5 years old you get lot more value and in monroe there are so many such houses available for sale

[nj_home_hunter]

Thanks NSP and Congratulations to you too
You are so right about changing my name.

We also got these other than crown moldings. I was seeing the list of things from MacElectric, SafeLine , Tile, Cabinets guy...they seem to be endless.

Not sure which ones are useful and the ones we will need to upgrade.
Specially from the electric guy & SafeLine.

Thanks for replying.

Originally Posted by NSP

Congrats nj_home_hunter its time to change your user name from to nj_home_owner (just Kidding). There are limited list of upgrade you can get directly from builder and rest from contractors.

Here is the list of upgrades we went for.

Brick
Exhaust fans in bath rooms
Crowns moldings
Gas fire place

Sales people at Stratford are very helpful.

[Daaku]

ANy ideas about the frostgate community closer to the turnpike, there are about three of them, Fairways,Pine Run and an another one, are they any good. They do sell between 500 to 600 are they worth buying?.