Reputable/Quality Builders? Centex, Bill Clark, KB (Charlotte, Raleigh: countertops, crime)

[jersey]

To Miker: We are also buying in the McIntyre Centex community in North Charlotte. This is the community that is about ten or fifteen minutes away from Huntersville, just within the belt, right around the corner from the Northlake Mall. Was just wondering if you knew anything about this area. With some of the stuff I've been reading about certain areas, I was getting concerned. The neighborhood and area to us, seemed real nice. Thanks for any input!

[Markh]

Originally Posted by Miker2069

Well said as always Mark. Curious is that the same carpeting in the models?

Thanks Miker...

The model had upgraded everything from what I can remember,
so I highly doubt that it had the same burlap thats on our floors

We actually tried to downgrade our carpet from level 2 to level 1 and they advised against it. Our carpet is just dirty from the dogs mostly and if we didn't point out the dirty areas nobody would notice them anyway just that we see them. It's actually holding up pretty well to wear and not matted down or anything.

Mark

[NYer]

We are in a townhouse with very high end berber- it is light tan. BIG MISTAKE!
Note to Everyone... choose a color that blends with red clay!!!!
Despite the mats outside (& inside) every door, and the wood floor in the foyer ... we have red stains all over.
I am forever shampooing the rugs!
Then, the dog tore up a thread of the berber. The berber is made in such a way that it "runs"... when you pull up one strand the whole row unravels!!! Ugh!
We picked level 2 carpet in a fairly dark color for our new home, it was a cheap upgrade. Eventually we will begin the process of adding tile or wood to the carpted areas. There were way too many (expensive) decisions to make at once so we want to live there 1st and then slowly customize.

[Lizardlips]

Originally Posted by JayP

I'll be closing on a comfort home in January (I'm moving from CT as well) and have had a wonderful time with them. We bought during the construction and were able top pick floors, paint, countertops, etc.

I understand that these people are building a ton of homes at once, and was surprised (pleasantly) to find that i was treated like the only customer.

BTW Babyv7, my lot has trees...Clayton Pointe Phase II...think about it.

Do you have a website for the Clayton Pointe Phase II??

[Miker2069]

Originally Posted by NYer

We are in a townhouse with very high end berber- it is light tan. BIG MISTAKE!
Note to Everyone... choose a color that blends with red clay!!!!
Despite the mats outside (& inside) every door, and the wood floor in the foyer ... we have red stains all over.
I am forever shampooing the rugs!
Then, the dog tore up a thread of the berber. The berber is made in such a way that it "runs"... when you pull up one strand the whole row unravels!!! Ugh!
We picked level 2 carpet in a fairly dark color for our new home, it was a cheap upgrade. Eventually we will begin the process of adding tile or wood to the carpted areas. There were way too many (expensive) decisions to make at once so we want to live there 1st and then slowly customize.

Choose a color that blends with red clay? Hmm, so simple yet a brilliant recommendation

As a follow up on builder quality and since Centex is in the title, and like Markh, I own a Centex home and am very happy. So much though as Markh pointed out is attitude. Mark's example of his neighbor being upset that Centex wouldn't replace the carpet after the dogs/kids trampled all over is a case where I side with the builder. It has to be within reason. However the story I wanted to share is that yesterday I received a letter from the Centex home office in Charlotte. The letter stated they inadverntantly installed the wrong microwave oven (we had know idea). They went on to detail that whirlpool (whom I guess they have a contract with) substituted a different model. The one we have is a slighly lower end model (i.e., 1000 watts vs. 1100 watts, non sensor cooking vs. sensor cooking, etc.). They gave us a choice of keeping what we have if we're happy and give us a $125 refund check (coolness) or replacing it with the newer model. That to me defines a quality company. You can read into that what you want, but because of things like that I've recommended Centex to many people (unfortunately they all bought up north Charlotte and not down near me in South Charlotte). They were very proactive. I'm not saying they are without faults (I've had my beef with them about my lawn...), but they seem to go the extra inch or so to make sure you're happy- within reason.

So I told my wife I'm going to go with the new Microwave (since that's what we chose in the design center- well my wife chose it, I just signed my name).

Just like the Jessica Simpson commerical, I have no idea what "sensor cooking" is, but I want it (Please no flames if you don't like that commerical, I happen to enjoy it- particular while on the treadmill...)

[NYer]

[quote=Miker2069;199433]...So I told my wife I'm going to go with the new Microwave (since that's what we chose in the design center- well my wife chose it, I just signed my name). ...quote]

WEll if your experience in teh design center was anything like ours it is no surprise that you forgot the details, there were way too many! I wish we could have broken it up- structural one month, appliances & colors in others...
At the end of that last session I truly stopped caring!!!!

[Miker2069]

Originally Posted by jersey

To Miker: We are also buying in the McIntyre Centex community in North Charlotte. This is the community that is about ten or fifteen minutes away from Huntersville, just within the belt, right around the corner from the Northlake Mall. Was just wondering if you knew anything about this area. With some of the stuff I've been reading about certain areas, I was getting concerned. The neighborhood and area to us, seemed real nice. Thanks for any input!

I have a friend who bought into that community and her home should be finished in Feb. Obviously she's still in the process, but so far so good.

[bj1972]

We've owned a number of homes over the past decade...3 new ones. Not flippers, just military. Best advice I can give is no matter what the builder, crawl all over it...get your inspector during critical phases...it is worth the money. Go to the library or Barnes and Noble and get a few books on home building...I'll list a couple below that are now older, but helped us in negotating and checking quality.

We are in Wilmington and liked Ashley Turner homes for entry level homes. We try to steer clear of nationalwide builders after a bad experience with DR Horton years ago. However, they all seem to use the same crews on nationwide to custome homes...lot has to do with the foreman/project manager/supervisor. Make sure you meet with the builder's supervisor and like him, not just the sales staff. Take note to see if there is a lot of trash on the sites, or if they are keeping it clean. Also, if the community is already underway, stop and ask current owners in the neighborhood on the weekends if they are happy..ask how long they've been there too & what they thought of the customer service after the purchase has been made.

Your New House by Alan & Denise Fields
The Brand-New House by Katherine Salant
The Ultimate New-Home Buying Guide by Jeff & Susan Treganowan
The Unofficial Guide to Buying a Home by Alan Perlis with Beth Bradley
Building Your Own Home for Dummies by Kevin Daum, Janice Brewster, & Peter Economy

[JayP]

There's no website for Claytone Pointe - or the home builder for that matter.

I suggest visiting Moderator cut: real estate ad link- at the top of the page there's a dropdown menu. Search by "subdivision" and enter Clayton Pointe.

Only 4 homes available right now and one piece of land. More to come though as there are houses in various stages. Plus...phase III is right around the corner.

If you're looking for an agent, I'd go with Jeff Horton at YSU Homes. I'm relocating from CT and this guy has done a TON of work for me. I'm pretty demanding at times (picky is more like it) and he does everything I ask with a smile.

Moderator cut: removed ad link

[new owner]

Our experience with Bill Clark homes has not been positive.
Our house had some problems, however, others in our community had and continue to have extreme defects. Things like, poor drainage, flooded properties, mold and roof leaks, incorrect property lines,most of these problems had to be referred to local government to have Bill clark homes respond. They built a home in violation of our HOA covenants and bullied their way, even though we fought it.
Additionally they sold Golf Course view lots at a premium, shortly thereafter the golf course closed. Although they denied knowing it, we have gathered information that they did.
The homeowners have had to pursue and research all these on their own.
They have put in fountains that cannot be maintained.
They also have not completed the promised work on the roads and therefore our HOA has not been able to take over. Six months ago we requested them to pave the main road per their agreement. They came in and ripped up the blacktop and now we have pot holes and patches. They are building everywhere in the Myrtle Beach area, but they do not compete anything.
My recommendation is to stay away from them.