Buying a KB Home (Austin, Nash: home builders, bankrupt, prices)

[banker]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

I'm confused.

Banker, do you work for KB?

If you are buying a KB in San Antonio - why are you posting about it in the Austin forum?

I work for a bank as a credit officer - not for KB. I am looking at purchasing a KB house in Saddle Mountain - a new KB community in San Antonio on the Northside.

I have been posting and reading many KB threads to get info on the homes/experiences and problems with this builder. Austin has a great premium KB line not unlike what is offered here in SA - so a great place to gather information.

[jwb123]

Austin has a great premium KB line not unlike what is offered here in SA - so a great place to gather information.

Not really, because everyone here IN AUSTIN, have told you that no one would buy one.

[banker]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

Not really, because everyone here IN AUSTIN, have told you that no one would buy one.

But none so far have any experience with KB's premium line...the realtor that posted on the previous page acknowledged that these homes are much better than the normal KB.

I think many people here KB and have a knee jerk reaction and think "cheap, siding covered box in an unatractive community" You should go to their website and check out some of their premium communities in Austin - very very nice.

[austin-steve]

Moderator cut: orphaned quote

Banker, with all due respect, you say you are "gathering" information but you seem instead to be creating positive information about KB for the benefit of yourself. Sort of like writing an inspirational letter and mailing it to yourself.

KB homes are cheaply built. The more expensive homes are less cheaply built, but still below average for whatever price point they are in, based on what I've personally seen in Austin. KB has a poor service reputation, nationwide. Most experienced Realtors will not recommend KB when viable alternatives are available. KB has poor resale value and disproportionately high representation in foreclosure sale homes.

A builder cannot compete on price without sacrificing quality or features. There is no escaping that fact.

Nevertheless, I would not rule out a KB home automatically. Each buyer should make their own decision based on their needs and price range. I'm sure there are many very happy KB owners, and you should now join their ranks.

Take care.

Steve

[banker]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

Banker, with all due respect, you say you are "gathering" information but you seem instead to be creating positive information about KB for the benefit of yourself. Sort of like writing an inspirational letter and mailing it to yourself.

KB homes are cheaply built. The more expensive homes are less cheaply built, but still below average for whatever price point they are in, based on what I've personally seen in Austin. KB has a poor service reputation, nationwide. Most experienced Realtors will not recommend KB when viable alternatives are available. KB has poor resale value and disproportionately high representation in foreclosure sale homes.

A builder cannot compete on price without sacrificing quality or features. There is no escaping that fact.

Nevertheless, I would not rule out a KB home automatically. Each buyer should make their own decision based on their needs and price range. I'm sure there are many very happy KB owners, and you should now join their ranks.

Take care.

Steve

Yes/No I am posting some positive information - but am genuinely interested in individual experiences in the type of KB neighborhoods that I am interested in. It seems that those that post negatively have either lived in their cheap starter home lines (and had a bad experience) or know nothing of their premium line. I am interested in gathering people's personal experiences from the premium neighborhoods. Where are the satisfied customers that are currently enjoying their new homes? Better yet - if KB is so bad - where are the home owners in these premium neighborhoods that can give real life examples of why the high end line is so bad?

[tx_spirit]

I have to say I'm tired of the bashing against KB. If you don't like them fine, don't buy them. I lived in one in a "bad" neighborhood for 5 years and never had a problem. When it came time to resale, it took a month to sell it. We're looking at the KB community in Cedar Park and the seller told me to go door to door and ask everyone what they thought. Some of the people have been there for a couple of years and love it. They said they've had no issues. The service we've had in CP has been nothing short of excellent. Meanwhile I have people I work with in $300K+ homes that aren't KB and they have tons of issues (leaks, cracks in the foundation, bad wiring.) Banker simply asked people for their opinion which everyone is entitled to. But it seems to me that when someone says anything positive about KB it's like taboo to say such a thing. You really think in the next 15 years people are going to ask who built a house (once all the construction is done and the advertising for the builder is gone)? Maybe folks from outside of Texas do, but that's the last thing my wife and I asked when we looked at older homes. If you don't like KB fine, but please give it a rest.

[ohohoh]

Originally Posted by tx_spirit

I have to say I'm tired of the bashing against KB. If you don't like them fine, don't buy them. I lived in one in a "bad" neighborhood for 5 years and never had a problem. When it came time to resale, it took a month to sell it. We're looking at the KB community in Cedar Park and the seller told me to go door to door and ask everyone what they thought. Some of the people have been there for a couple of years and love it. They said they've had no issues. The service we've had in CP has been nothing short of excellent. Meanwhile I have people I work with in $300K+ homes that aren't KB and they have tons of issues (leaks, cracks in the foundation, bad wiring.) Banker simply asked people for their opinion which everyone is entitled to. But it seems to me that when someone says anything positive about KB it's like taboo to say such a thing. You really think in the next 15 years people are going to ask who built a house (once all the construction is done and the advertising for the builder is gone)? Maybe folks from outside of Texas do, but that's the last thing my wife and I asked when we looked at older homes. If you don't like KB fine, but please give it a rest.

I hate KB. I hate KB. I hate KB.

[love roses]

I lived in a KB and also did not have a bad experience.

[banker]

Originally Posted by ohohoh

I hate KB. I hate KB. I hate KB.

Have you ever owned one?

If so - why do you hate KB?

If not - why do you hate KB?

[banker]

Originally Posted by love roses

I lived in a KB and also did not have a bad experience.

How long ago?

For how long?

What price range?

Thanks in advance!