Moving into the Quarry at Iron Mountain (San Antonio, Spring: foreclose, refinancing)

[banker]

Originally Posted by nrlatsha

Did KB implement those changes to the community yet?

This week Ken Langston (the new regional president) sent a copy of the new plans to each home owner (the KBLies.com folks included) and included a letter that they are coming soon. These are the same plans that Ken Langston emailed to me a couple of weeks ago when he personally followed up with me. My sources tell me the new model will be ready for the spring selling season. In addition, KB has already started some replanting of trees to soften the clear cutting actions of the previous management.

Word is - come mid March or early April you will be able to order one of the new floor plans. If I were considering building in the Quarry - I would hold off until the new plans are available.

Change is coming and fast. Ken Langston has done a great job of fixing many of the issues that KBLies.com is complaining about. Too bad they don't acknowledge a single thing.

[nrlatsha]

I can understand why they wouldn't put it on the site.

KB is the used car salesman of the housing industry. If you have been lied to by a car salesman since they opened their doors, through many managment/CEO changes, would you jump for joy when one tells you the new models are coming?

[banker]

Originally Posted by nrlatsha

I can understand why they wouldn't put it on the site.

KB is the used car salesman of the housing industry. If you have been lied to by a car salesman since they opened their doors, through many managment/CEO changes, would you jump for joy when one tells you the new models are coming?

That is your opinion and you are entitled to it. But this has been more than just some casual mention of new plans coming. Each homeowner was provided a brochure this week of the new plans and a new model home is in the works.

The three families behind the site have gone out of their way to show only the best features of their homes and to find and show only the worst features of the new plans. In addition, they have not accurately represented all the facts. If the real purpose of their site was "The purpose of this site is for educational outreach and consumer advocacy." as their website says - then they would educate with all the facts. The fact that they leave all the facts out that would erode their cause - proves they have a smear campaign agenda and really are not interested in what is happening now.

The facts are that not all the homes built under the current line are as horrid as presented - some have incredible interior features, especially the kitchens (of course ones that did not make their website) and three car garages. Also - KB is currently making changes such as planting new trees on the previously clear cut lots (again no pictures have been posted of that) and is in the process of discontinuing the narrow plans in favor of much nicer plans.

[nrlatsha]

Originally Posted by banker

That is your opinion and you are entitled to it. But this has been more than just some casual mention of new plans coming. Each homeowner was provided a brochure this week of the new plans and a new model home is in the works.

The three families behind the site have gone out of their way to show only the best features of their homes and to find and show only the worst features of the new plans. In addition, they have not accurately represented all the facts. If the real purpose of their site was "The purpose of this site is for educational outreach and consumer advocacy." as their website says - then they would educate with all the facts. The fact that they leave all the facts out that would erode their cause - proves they have a smear campaign agenda and really are not interested in what is happening now.

The facts are that not all the homes built under the current line are as horrid as presented - some have incredible interior features, especially the kitchens (of course ones that did not make their website) and three car garages. Also - KB is currently making changes such as planting new trees on the previously clear cut lots (again no pictures have been posted of that) and is in the process of discontinuing the narrow plans in favor of much nicer plans.

This is all your opinion as well. There is no argument that their site should be shut down, or needs to show the fact that, oh, there's a nice feature here and there. Consumer advocacy doesn't mean they have to give all views. Enron had good benefits, should we be preaching that?

You can only polish the terd that is KB so much. Although the mythbusters did show you can polish them to a high gloss...

I hope they do come through on their promises, but they'll always have the stink of used cars on them.

[jas2389]

I googled "Quarry at Iron Mountain" and was surprised this blog was at the top of the list, and more surprised that kblies.com was #4.
I agree with nrlatsha. Much of the info out of that sales office from my sales rep was bs. KB Home tells their one sided stroy, and these homeowners tell their one sided stroy. Hence the phrase, "there are 2 sides to every story".

Banker, Ken Langston had received numerous phone calls from residents before he spoke with you about the disgruntled atmosphere in the Quarry. To say there are only three families that feel that way is wrong. It takes courage to do what they are doing, and many others feel the same way but sit back and do nothing, myself being one. You even said in on older post that you have the lowest priced liberty home and were not concerned with the new series because you are under $300k, and the original estate home owners are those who suffered. You are right that their voice may not be the majority, but that is because of the large amount of people who made their purchase after the Estate/Liberty was discontinued.
New home collections are an annual process at the Quarry, and this is the first packet I have ever received for new homes before they were built. I think KBLies.com played a big part in that. Secondly, KB can't control the economy, but they can control how they communicate to their home buyers and home owners. There are people in this neighborhood that didn't even know the Estate homes were discontinued until they read it on the website. Just like I didn't know about this blog until I just googled the neighborhood name this morning.

[banker]

Originally Posted by nrlatsha

This is all your opinion as well. There is no argument that their site should be shut down, or needs to show the fact that, oh, there's a nice feature here and there. Consumer advocacy doesn't mean they have to give all views. Enron had good benefits, should we be preaching that?

You can only polish the terd that is KB so much. Although the mythbusters did show you can polish them to a high gloss...

I hope they do come through on their promises, but they'll always have the stink of used cars on them.

LOL - polishing the turd comment gave me a laugh. You are correct - the fact that KB built eight of the smaller houses in the Quarry will be a lasting testament to the fact that the previous management screwed up the planning of the community. I am not knocking those houses - but just stating the facts. The houses in and of themselves are nice (some very nice on the inside as I previously stated) but they just don't fit the community. And to that end they will have the "stink" of the used cars on them. The new plans will fix the issue leaving roughly 90% of the community with similar homes. But this will make it all that much harder for KB to do a $300-400K community in the future.

[banker]

Originally Posted by jas2389

I googled "Quarry at Iron Mountain" and was surprised this blog was at the top of the list, and more surprised that kblies.com was #4.
I agree with nrlatsha. Much of the info out of that sales office from my sales rep was bs. KB Home tells their one sided stroy, and these homeowners tell their one sided stroy. Hence the phrase, "there are 2 sides to every story".

Banker, Ken Langston had received numerous phone calls from residents before he spoke with you about the disgruntled atmosphere in the Quarry. To say there are only three families that feel that way is wrong. It takes courage to do what they are doing, and many others feel the same way but sit back and do nothing, myself being one. You even said in on older post that you have the lowest priced liberty home and were not concerned with the new series because you are under $300k, and the original estate home owners are those who suffered. You are right that their voice may not be the majority, but that is because of the large amount of people who made their purchase after the Estate/Liberty was discontinued.
New home collections are an annual process at the Quarry, and this is the first packet I have ever received for new homes before they were built. I think KBLies.com played a big part in that. Secondly, KB can't control the economy, but they can control how they communicate to their home buyers and home owners. There are people in this neighborhood that didn't even know the Estate homes were discontinued until they read it on the website. Just like I didn't know about this blog until I just googled the neighborhood name this morning.

Welcome to the discussion. I assume from your comments that you too live in the Quarry? Are you in a Liberty or Estate home? As to the impact that KBLies.com played a part in the new plans...not sure about that. I started my campaign for new plans three months ago...specifically asking for several of the plans that are part of the collection being offered. I was contacted by Ken Langston directly before the packets were mailed to the community. Given the timing of the KBLies website going up and my first contact with Ken Langston at the beginning of December - I do not think the KBLies website had much to do with it. More of a timing issue. Saddly, I had made the same appeal for these plans with the previous management and didn't even get a call back or email acknowledging my request - even from members of senior management that live in the Quarry...specifically the head of sales that lives over by the pool.

I blame the previous management for the lack of communication about the introduction of the Liberty series (without a model never made sense to me) and then the discontinuation of both the Liberty and Estate lines. This is not the local sales folks fault. The fact that Ken Langston is going out of his way to fix these issues with communication is a good thing in my opinion.

To your point - you are absolutely correct that the previous management did a terrible job communicating just about everything!! From the tree removal to the multiple plan changes. Hopefully what we are seeing now is a change for the better.

I know many people do not like the actions of KB over the last year in the Quarry - but being confrontational is not a brave thing. Some of the folks behind KBLies have been confrontational to prospective buyers and other home owners that have asked them to take a different path. I haven't sat back and done nothing...I have agressively and consistently lobbied for change - but with the air of respect and understanding that the economy has changed. KBLies would do well to get behind the new plans as considering the current economy - it is probably the best we can all hope for.

I do have one of the cheapest Liberty houses (not the cheapest since they sold two as inventory homes for less than I paid for mine) - but I still want to see the community finished out with similar homes to protect our property value.

[jas2389]

I am in an Estate home. Secondly, it was similar actions of the KBLies folks that you frown upon that got changes started at KB in San antonio. The residents in the KB neighborhood off Potranco have been in the paper a few times, and on the news a few times. They even picket in front of their neighborhood model on the weekends. Because of these residents, the local KB president got fired. We at the Quarry have been silent and not much has gotten done until recently. Signs in the yard and at the model are not too bad considering it could be alot worse.

One day the signs will come down, but KB's actions will be apparent forever. You can't undo the homes already built, and the trees they tore down, and the way homeowners have been treated in the past. After i have been punched in the face a few times by KB, the band aid they are offering will help the healing process but it is difficult to forget their actions.

[banker]

Originally Posted by jas2389

I am in an Estate home. Secondly, it was similar actions of the KBLies folks that you frown upon that got changes started at KB in San antonio. The residents in the KB neighborhood off Potranco have been in the paper a few times, and on the news a few times. They even picket in front of their neighborhood model on the weekends. Because of these residents, the local KB president got fired. We at the Quarry have been silent and not much has gotten done until recently. Signs in the yard and at the model are not too bad considering it could be alot worse.

One day the signs will come down, but KB's actions will be apparent forever. You can't undo the homes already built, and the trees they tore down, and the way homeowners have been treated in the past. After i have been punched in the face a few times by KB, the band aid they are offering will help the healing process but it is difficult to forget their actions.

Just curious - have you had any quality issues with your home? How long have you owned? Did you build?

I do agree that the past KB president made some really bad mistakes. I am just glad change is coming. The loss of trees is the biggest thing that bothers me. When we selected the Quarry and KB over a year ago - part of the reasons was the large wooded lots where they only cut down the trees where the slab and drive way would sit. This clear cutting is just horrible. And while I appreciate the new trees on Andover, they will never replace the gorgeous native oaks that the past president killed.

I do feel for those (you included) that built homes expecting a certain product long term. The Liberty collection was a smart move to adapt to the changing economy and housing market - and for the short time they were offered sold very well. I feel they would have sold better had KB built a model and made a real effort to sell them. I don't feel that the past president gave that line a chance. I'm not sure of your feelings about the Liberty houses - but in my (admitedly biased opinion) they fit well with the Estates. Had KB allowed the Liberties to be built on any lot in the Quarry they would have had wider appeal. As is, KB had a much lower cancelation rate on the Liberties than they had on the Estates.

Anyway - I am glad to be in your neighborhood and feel that unlike the KBLies folks - how a house looks on the outside - is far more important than if it has granite countertops or not in the kitchen. Case in point - some of the narrow plans have granite in their beautiful kitchens...but are very unatractive on the outside. I'm sure the KBLies folks would rather have a basic Liberty sitting next door than a dressed up Trails/Empire as is the case now. As far as long term property values go - it is more important to have structural features (width and proportion of the homes) that are consistent (rather than the narrow 40 foot plans!) than having high end interiors. A person can always renovate and change out countertops or add crown moulding...but they can't go back and add width to the house once it is finished.

The new plans will undoubtedly have a lower level of interior standard features than the Estates did...but will at least look more expensive on the outside and fit in with the existing Liberty and Estate plans in terms of width and curb appeal. I really like the three side entry garage plans. And I like the curb appeal of the one and a half two story plan - plan L-2763. Bandaid or not...I am glad the issues are being addressed.

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

KB is based in Southern California, where it has a poor reputation at best. Most builders in the region go after entry-level buyers and product; the better homes tend to be older. That said, KB is known for cutting corners and making such bare-boned plans (charging extra for closets) that it appeals generaly to the least discerning new-home buyer.