Buying new home , what to upgrade later??? (hardwood floors, jumbo loan)

[tejvan]

We are thinking of buying a new home from NV homes in stone gate community in Ashburn and trying to identify upgrades that can be done later. These are the things we are planning on taking from builder. Another question is does it make sense to add the upgrades now and add it to the price of the house-I have to pay down the amount anyway to get confirmed jumbo loan- does the increase purchased price matters when selling

Bay window in living and dining
Morning room
Extra bathroom upstairs and basement (builder is charging 5500 for each bath room is ti fair price)
Hardwood in living and dining
Pre wiring for fans
Carpet runner on the stairs
Upgrade cabinets in bathrooms
12X12 tiles in the owners bathroom
Double door walkup from basement VS single door walkup? ( Not sure what to take)

[StatsLady]

5500 for each bathroom is expensive. my builder is adding full bath for 3800. The rough-ins come standard so I may just add it myself for cheaper after we move in.

[ChristineVA]

I know several people that got the cheapest carpet they could and then had a contractor do the hardwoods. I know offerings have gotten better but the builder generally doesn't offer the "best floor you can get for your money" as an option. My standard floors were CRAP. I ended up replacing them and what I replaced with is 10 times more durable.

[snowdenscold]

Generally, extra square footage is going to be the hardest (if not impossible) to upgrade later. And it also shows up front and center on the MLS summary.

[JfromReston]

Bay window in living and dining YES
Morning room YES
Extra bathroom upstairs and basement (builder is charging 5500 for each bath room is ti fair price) YES
Hardwood in living and dining YES
Pre wiring for fans YES
Carpet runner on the stairs NO
Upgrade cabinets in bathrooms NO
12X12 tiles in the owners bathroom YES (consider for in all baths)
Double door walkup from basement VS single door walkup? DOUBLE

[jillybean720]

It cost us $10k to remodel an exiting full bath (a small one) about a year and a half ago. I'd go for the extra bathrooms.

[michgc]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

I know several people that got the cheapest carpet they could and then had a contractor do the hardwoods. I know offerings have gotten better but the builder generally doesn't offer the "best floor you can get for your money" as an option. My standard floors were CRAP. I ended up replacing them and what I replaced with is 10 times more durable.

This. Also, hardwood floors will be cheaper from someone other than the builder.

ETA: Some people get the upgrades from the builder because they can roll it into their loan. Buying afterwards, you cannot.

[cdmurphy]

Double door basement walkup. It was the only way to get our TV and sectional into the basement.

[tejvan]

for hardwood floors builder is charging$2500( Same grade as model home) for living(12 X 10.6) and dining rooms(12 X13), and $6500 fo doble door walkup.

Any thing to watch out in the contracts?. The "Got yous"!

[ChristineVA]

I just want to caution you on the floors. For $2500, you are seriously getting the lowest grade of floor. This will probably be fine in any low traffic area. It will NOT be fine in a high traffic area. You will have a scratched up, dull floor very quickly unless you are VERY gentle people.