Moving into the Quarry at Iron Mountain (Canyon, Center: relocating, houses)

[banker]

Originally Posted by datacity

I am one who has despised the cookie cutter box shaped siding gone crazy homes KB has built. This neighborhood is a big exception and brings to mind the type of homes KB has built in the past on the West Coast and are also building up in Austin around Circle C. Maybe like some car makers, KB needs to come up with a new name for their premium product.

I agree. Funny thing - when my wife and I first started looking to build a new home - we didn't even consider KB because of their quality issues and prolific "cookie cutter box shaped siding gone crazy" neighborhoods. When we decided to broaden our view and be open minded enough to consider The Quarry we found something that was nearly impossible to beat in terms of large production builders. This really is a great neighborhood.

I agree - they need to come up with a sub brand or at least different marketing for their high end offerings. Everyone I tell that I am building a KB house gives me a questioning look - but when they see the community they are impressed. Saddly - many people never make it to the community to see - just because it is has the KB brand.

[datacity]

Originally Posted by banker

Where did you get this information? I was told by a KB sales person that neither had the bonus room with 3rd bath option. I guess I will find out tonight as I am going to go look at both.

I believe it is actually the powder room converted to 3rd bath along with den converted to bedroom. Upstairs, there is no bathroom.

[banker]

Originally Posted by datacity

I believe it is actually the powder room converted to 3rd bath along with den converted to bedroom. Upstairs, there is no bathroom.

Correct. I just called over at the Quarry and confirmed this. Neither has a bathroom upstairs. As it is now - the room would make a great theater.

The home on Bluemist is going under contract today at 4:00 PM. So that means just the Barrow Bay property is available. I will be viewing it this evening.

[peterminator]

Datacity, are you in the market now to buy?
I am looking at Renaissance and Rogers Ranch(no forclosure in Rogers ranch, just couple of pre-forclosures). Where are you looking, or where do you recommend?

[datacity]

Originally Posted by peterminator

Datacity, are you in the market now to buy?
I am looking at Renaissance and Rogers Ranch(no forclosure in Rogers ranch, just couple of pre-forclosures). Where are you looking, or where do you recommend?

I have been in the market to buy since 2006! This will be the year I will actually buy.

I have seriously looked at homes in both of the areas you mention plus the other subs of the Vineyard besides Renaissance (Enclave,etc.) I also have seen some homes in the Oaks at Sonterra as well as a few other subs in the Sonterra area. All are really nice areas.

The Renaissance has some very nice new homes from Mercedes Homes, premium priced and premium quality with most east facing lots fairly large (greater than 1/4 acre) and west facing lots average (1/4 acre or smaller). A few other new homes are available from other local builders. Resale homes are on the smaller side, but many are under 5-6 years old. The rest of Vineyard can be up to 10-11 years old.

Rogers Ranch is very beautiful, but if schools are important to you, then I would only concentrate on Falling Brook and Crosstimber areas of Rogers Ranch as they feed into NEISD; the newer communites feed into NISD. NISD has some great schools, but I prefer the specific schools of NEISD in these areas. These homes tend to be 10-12 years old.

Sonterra has homes from 0-12 years old; the Oaks are somewhat reasonable, with many homes in the 250K-350K range. HOA fees are high, though.

Sorry for the hijack Banker...now back to the Quarry.

[banker]

Originally Posted by datacity

Sonterra has homes from 0-12 years old; the Oaks are somewhat reasonable, with many homes in the 250K-350K range. HOA fees are high, though.

Sorry for the hijack Banker...now back to the Quarry.

No problem. Yes - some of the HOA fees in the Oks/Hills of Sonterra are horribly high - $100/month.

The HOA dues in the Quarry are reasonable at $450/year and we have a pool.

[peterminator]

Thanks guys,
If I was in the market right now, I would definately look at Quarry.
Meanwhile, I'm tracking all the auctions coming up via my brother in SA.
My brother lives in the Vinyard and he's encouraging me to buy around that area.

Let us know what happens tonight Banker!

[banker]

My construction manager just called to confirm my frame walk through tomorrow. If all goes well they will start sheet rock on Friday and the Brick on Monday!!

[banker]

Originally Posted by peterminator

Thanks guys,
If I was in the market right now, I would definately look at Quarry.
Meanwhile, I'm tracking all the auctions coming up via my brother in SA.
My brother lives in the Vinyard and he's encouraging me to buy around that area.

Let us know what happens tonight Banker!

Well - I went and looked at the house. I looked in the windows instead of walking through it. While it is very nice...I ultimately decided the additional cost ($35,000 more than the house I am building even after the discount) and most importantly the lack of a third car garage were deal killers for me. I am just a little over two months away from being able to move into my house and I have grown quite accustomed to the idea of having a three car garage and don't want to give that up now.

I did stop by the sales office yesterday and they indicated that due to the steep discounts that they had sold two of their inventory homes over the weekend and into Monday. It seems the deals were too good for some folks to pass up. They still have some really nice inventory homes in the $400K-$600K range. I suspect if you could close in the next 30 days they would deal with you on the other ones as well.

I had my final pre-drywall inspection yesterday and everything went well. We are set to start the brick on Friday and the drywall this next Monday. Things are really moving along.

[datacity]

Banker,

Along with the new Methodist Hospital being built at the corner of Sonterra and Hardy Oak will come the fairly large Agora Palms 69 acre mixed use Medical Plaza that will stretch from Hardy Oak to 281. It looks like its northern border will be just south of the Quarry (probably starting at the end of the green belt buffer that is part of the Quarry subdivision).

What are your thoughts on this development and its potential impact on the community in terms of views, traffic, noise, etc?