Buying a new house, need some advice (appliances, landscaping)

[novsaggi]

Hello All

I am a first time homebuyer in phoenix, and I have just some knowledge about new construction houses.

Please consider that I am first time homebuyer with low on cash as all savings are going for downpayment, any tips will be awesome

I need all you people help in few things.

1. I have around 20 windows to put faux wood blinds on and I dont think thats cheap. Any alternative to start with ? I do understand that I wont be covering all windows immediately, just the rooms I need the most ASAP.

2. Appliances : Refrigerator, Washer & Dryer & Water Softener. I am thinking of buying first 3 from best buy with price match and they dont hv installation as compare to home depot or sears.
Also, ceiling fans, which ones would be recommended ? I can install it.

3. Backyard landscaping: That I know I cant do it all on my own, what would be cheapest way to go with it. I dont want awesome backyard with pool, just some concrete and grass ( I am not plant n tree person yet).

Since I am trying to keep finances in control, I dont want to add all these into the mortgage.

Any helpful response wud be gr8.


Thanks
Saggi

[smartygurl]

Why can't you do the landscaping yourself? That's have the fun. Also will save you some money. Go to the library and get some books on landscaping and gardening. You'd be surprised at what you can do yourself.

[andrzejn]

1. Check out online places like americanblinds.com
2. Check out craigslist
3. Do it yourself. From the cost perspective grass would be the cheapest. I know you said you are not a tree guy but if you put a tree you may eliminate a need for a blinds in one or two windows.

[MotleyCrew]

I would not buy the upgrades that the builder will be pushing at you. Cosmetic things like granite counters and upgraded faucets or expensive floor tiles, you can do later. Energy saving options we did do because they are far less expensive to do during construction. We did not want to spend a fortune on drapes and we really do not like window treatments at all so we purchased bamboo/grass blinds from Pier One or World Market and we still have them. I like the way the light filters through them.
Just put down a little in the backyard as you go. It is always wise to think about your landscape plan before jumping in. I rushed and planted all the messiest trees that grow here.

[novsaggi]

Hi MotleyCrew
Yes we are not going for much upgrades except insulation and wiring.
Do you have any suggestion about ceiling fans ? I guess I will be buying like 8 of them, any place cheaper than home depot or lowes ?
As for landscaping, I cant work outside, I am not in favor of all grass either ( more work to mow it), and I dnt wanna do plants n trees
Any suggestion on going for concrete or pavers?

Thanks
Saggi

[altus2006]

Originally Posted by novsaggi

Any suggestion on going for concrete or pavers?

Thanks
Saggi

Both concrete and pavers are expensive. You can put in colored rock much cheaper.

altus2006

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by novsaggi

Hi MotleyCrew
Yes we are not going for much upgrades except insulation and wiring.
Do you have any suggestion about ceiling fans ? I guess I will be buying like 8 of them, any place cheaper than home depot or lowes ?
As for landscaping, I cant work outside, I am not in favor of all grass either ( more work to mow it), and I dnt wanna do plants n trees
Any suggestion on going for concrete or pavers?

Thanks
Saggi

My advice on fans is to take the motor out of the box and run it on the floor before assembling it. More than once I have put a fancy fan together and then wired that stupid remote receiver that leaves no room for wires, then found out the run capacitor is shot and the fan won't turn unless you manually spin it.

[novsaggi]

Good idea,
Any specific brand you would suggest ?

[oldhousegirl]

Originally Posted by novsaggi

1. I have around 20 windows to put faux wood blinds on and I dont think thats cheap. Any alternative to start with ? I do understand that I wont be covering all windows immediately, just the rooms I need the most ASAP.
Saggi

Hi there. Congrats. As far as the blinds, unless you're just really wanting them, consider those paper blinds they sell at Linens and Things.

They look surprisingly good, come in white, and stick on the window. You just fold them up or down during the day. I had them on the front window of a house, and they looked cute. Either for long or short term. Because they are inexpensive, if they get dirty or whatever, very easy to just put up a new set.

I think they were $4.00 per set.

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by novsaggi

Good idea,
Any specific brand you would suggest ?

Hunters used to be the best but now due to competition all brands seem kind of cheap.