Amberley Place in WestPark, Roseville Questions (Rocklin, Livingston: real estate, appliances, new home)

[orchid34]

My husband and I have recently been looking at the various builders/models out in WestPark and are particularly interested in the Pulte Amberley Place community Cambridge model (2,194 sq. ft.) floorplan...now I know prices have come down a bit, however, they are saying the right now that model is listing for $409K...we asked if they are willing to negotiate and they said maybe by $5k....which seems a little absurd....larger models in the centex community are offering 10% off list price? Any thoughts from anyone? Are our expectations too high or does this seem like a reasonable price....?

[quasi888]

I live in Amberley. I can tell you that completed or almost-completed Wyndams and Wesleys are selling at about 400-410k. What's interesting is that the "original" list prices of Cambridges were priced lower than the Wesleys/Wyndams, and yet if you look at the currently available homes, the Cambridges are priced higher than the Wyndams/Wesleys. Could be that the Cambridges are more in demand right now....in which case, the pricing you were quoted seems about right. The Estates models (Cambridge/Dorchester/Oxford) have nicer interior features than the Classic (Livingston/Nottingham/Wesley/Wyndam). Better appliances, cabinets, flooring grades, etc.

It's hard to price homes from one builder against the other. You can't say that just because Centex has come down 10%, Pulte can/will do the same. Pulte Amberley has already had 2 major price drops over the last 6 months. There isn't much more room to cut at this point; they've already laid off a bunch of the local team including the construction superintendent who oversaw my house. My home has already lost about $20k in value, but I was prepared for that going in, and so should any potential buyer in this market. But I love my house and my neighborhood, so all is good. :-)

For what it's worth, we liked the Cambridge you are considering; nice layout, love the 2nd garage. Just wasn't quite big enough for us. Dorchester layout was impressive, but not conducive to family with youung kids. Oxford was our #1 favorite....and out of our price range. We compromised and got a Wyndam. Oh, we checked out Centex Avonlea too...they "show" well, and are a very locally respected builder (as are Pulte and Lennar), but just didn't like their floorplans as much as the Pultes, and they had tiny yards.

[orchid34]

Thanks so much for the feedback!

Yeah, after doing some other research into the Pulte homes out in Westpark, it seems they have come down as much as they are going to at this point...so I am not sure that there will be much more room for negotiations...

We too, are also looking at the Centex Avonlea (particularly the 2224 model) but are just a bit concerned about the lot sizes...(like you said). So I guess we will have to just wait and see. The Pulte reps told us that they are on their last leg of these homes and will be introducing new models in the next phases....

[Balco9]

Originally Posted by orchid34

Thanks so much for the feedback!

Yeah, after doing some other research into the Pulte homes out in Westpark, it seems they have come down as much as they are going to at this point...so I am not sure that there will be much more room for negotiations...

We too, are also looking at the Centex Avonlea (particularly the 2224 model) but are just a bit concerned about the lot sizes...(like you said). So I guess we will have to just wait and see. The Pulte reps told us that they are on their last leg of these homes and will be introducing new models in the next phases....

Yes they want to build a cheaper looking cookie cutter's with no upgrades.
Not so sure that is a good idea...

[quasi888]

Oh we LOVED the Centex Avonlea 2224! With the open setup they have in the model home, it really has the feel of a Mediterranean villa. But again it was a case of being a bit small for us. Lot/yard size is not necessarily bad if you don't want/need a usable yard.

Yes, we have heard the same from Pulte regarding new models for the next phase of Amberley Place. From what I hear they'll be a bit downgraded compared to current Estates/Classics models, in terms of included features. They'll still be single family homes with attached garages though (i.e., they won't be like the higher-density / small lot homes with alley-loaded detached garages).

[lctc1013]

I was all set to buy a Wyndam last week but stopped in to Centex Monument and ended up with the 2754. It really showed nice and though it was close I thought the Wyndam rooms were smaller (Centex had 1 less bedroom 4 to 5). The yards are not very big for either, maybe 45' x 65' but enough to add a pool etc. BTW the offer Pulte was going to do on the Wyndam was about $398K....just an fyi.

[orchid34]

quasi888 - just an update...the Cambridge in the Amberly place just came down another 10K....we just got the call the other night, however, we have also been looking at the Rowe over in Katie's Gate and for the same price...we can't really pass up the deal!! However, they (i.e. the reps over at Katie's Gate are saying that the next release will most likely have a 10k - 20k lot premium)...which I will believe when I see....so keep your fingers crossed for us!!

[Scott Bolli]

Don't run away, but I'm a real estate agent. I'm finding that there is almost always a little room for negotiation - everywhere. Occasionally, a builder will be just flat out blowing inventory out the door (As at Centex's Black Oak project in Rocklin) and the price is the price, but I've been negotiating back-yard landscape, appliances, etc. even after the big discounts. If anyone out there would like some help, all I do is help buyers to negotiate on new homes. You can read a little about what I do at New Home Advantage Home.

Scott

[highstick69]

I looked at Amberly Place and also at the Shea properties nearby in Fiddyment Farm. The only problem is the extra taxes associated with Fiddyment Farm and the high Mello Roos. Good luck making any money in that area.... my realtor shot me down every time I mentioned that area.