Savvy Homes a savvy choice?? (house, heat pump, neighborhood)

[ScottyDog]

Any opinions on Savvy Homes ? Looking at Old Milbournie Road neighborhood being built.
As Midwestern part-timers now looking to relocate within a year or so, some of the
construction issues/questions new to us are...heat pump vs. A/C and gas heat...vinyl siding
vs. hardie plank siding...a common well/septic here vs. city services.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by ScottyDog

Any opinions on Savvy Homes ?

I live in a neighborhood on the coast where several neighbors have Savvy homes, and I have been inside several. They are generally OK, but I have a problem with what they do with the HVAC. Here on the coast, a large two-story home really should have two heat pumps, one for each floor to even out the heat and cooling. Savvy uses one heat pump. Maybe they can explain why they use only one, but a buyer should look closely at what other builders offer vs. Savvy Homes. Our development has several of the same two-story models as Old Milbourne does: Braxton, Taylor,etc.

They skimp on other things too. We have an insect control system built into the house (Traexx tubes), and Savvy does not offer them. They don't offer a rain sensor on the irrigation system, and they don't have a light in the pantry. Overall, they build a house that is $5000 cheaper than the other major builder in the development. They sell homes on their low price point, but you should know that what they omit can affect your comfort.

I can't really address your other questions. Heat pumps are normal when natural gas heat is not available. They work, but blowing air feels cooler. Hardie Plank siding is required by our HOA, and I believe it is far more desirable than vinyl siding.

[Sherifftruman]

As far as termite protection different builders have deals with different termite companies and they each have their own system. In my neighborhood, the same builder even used different ones in two different phases, I assume because they got a beer price from the new company.

I agree that a two floor house with one unit is not optimal, even if they do a zone system. We had a Pulte built house with a two zone single unit system and it was difficult to really be comfortable on both floors at the same time. Now, if they use a multi stage unit and variable speed fan and the system design is well thought out it might be possible, but it would be cheaper to just do 2 low end units.

At least all the municipalities around here require a rain sensor on irrigation so that's probably not an issue. Also, if you want to add, every Sprinker controller has terminals to add one. It's just two wires that do not have any polarity so it's dead simple to add.

With a choice I'd pick Hardie but even vinyl can look nice if a higher end siding is used. It all depends on the neighborhood and builder.