Hypothetical Grand Homes Question (house, buyers, new construction)

[skids929]

Originally Posted by flygirlusair

Just read through ALL the other pages Just another comment that our Realtor told us - she said that she wouldn't show Grand homes a few years ago but that now she has no problem because of the new construction standards and energy star cert they are doing. Also, she's had 2 clients come from a Grand community to buy in another - one was in Cumberland Crossing and one was in Crown Ridge in Frisco (not sure which communities they were in before but I met one family and they weren't immigrants). She said they both couldn't be happier. Also, she loves Highland in Star Creek, says her clients are soooo happy. But not Darling. Had lots of problems with Darling, so we didn't go there.

I HIGHLY suggest going to the design studios - it doesn't get any easier than walking through and picking what you want and then the agent pricing your upgrades before you decide to buy! And everything is there - you KNOW the quality. I saw absolutely NO difference in the 2 design studios "stuff." Grand's options were less expensive in some instances but more in others (for instance the seamless shower was $3250). But Grand had way more "pretend" areas to help visualize. (I do better in real life rather than with pictures)

Even still, it's like putting lipstick on a pig..I have looked at a few GHs, in the framing process and finished out over in Kellar. I know alot about building materials and the process it take to build a quality home. Theirs stinks, and their homes aren't as nice as some other builders. Reputation alone should steer anyone away from purchasing what is probably the largest investment they will make in their lives. All of that in a new real estate climate where we WON'T see the returns previous generations did. Conversely, a good example of difference in perception and ultimately longer term resale value for a GH is, it's a known fact that say a Darling for example will command a slightly higher price at resale. Grand is more or less the opposite.

Their reputation is tarnished enough that I would look past them. There are alot of other great builders that have worked hard to maintain and build something other than just a house itself, they should get your business before a builder who has crapped on the very people who have enabled them to have a business in the first place.

[mikeh19468]

It's a lot easier and quicker to lose a good reputation, than it is to live down a bad reputation. The fact that Highland, Drees, and Darling have been maintaining their reputations for so long speaks volumes. The fact that Grand dug themselves such a large hole, and haven't really started climbing back out yet means you're taking a real crap shoot with them. Given the competitiveness in the market right now, if I'm buying used, no question who you don't go with. If I'm buying new, I'd be hard pressed to justify going the Grand route unless they were the only option in an area I really wanted to move to.

Which is one of the many reasons I went with a new Highland...

[skids929]

Good move..I mean if you just look at listings fairly regularly like I do, you will almost NEVER see an agent mention in the description that it's a GH, but ALWAYS see them list the fact it's a Darling, or a Highland, Drees etc.

Their reputation precedes them, unfortunately not in a good way.

[MurphyPl1]

We had our annual HOA meeting last night and one of the things mentioned was that the final phase of our neighborhood is about to break ground. The first question out of the box: Is Grand going to be in Phase 6? Everyone was relieved to find it was going to be Drees instead.

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by MurphyPl1

Everyone was relieved to find it was going to be Drees instead.

Grand took over some lots in Chadwick Farms in FW when Kimball Hill went out of business. I've sold about 5 homes with Drees there but can no longer recommend that subdivision.

As soon as Grand starts to build, resales will be a lot harder in that neighborhood.

[ClarenceBodiker]

I'm not doubting Grand's poor quality, but if they are so bad, how are they still in business? If their reputation is so widespread that you can't get people to purchase them new, much less resale, how have they not gone out of business and how do they continue to build homes all over the area? Somebody must be buying these homes.

[skids929]

Originally Posted by ClarenceBodiker

I'm not doubting Grand's poor quality, but if they are so bad, how are they still in business? If their reputation is so widespread that you can't get people to purchase them new, much less resale, how have they not gone out of business and how do they continue to build homes all over the area? Somebody must be buying these homes.

Proves that people are sheep when it comes to houses, and learned little from the last 5 years. They have their niche as someone mentioned earlier in this thread.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by ClarenceBodiker

I'm not doubting Grand's poor quality, but if they are so bad, how are they still in business? If their reputation is so widespread that you can't get people to purchase them new, much less resale, how have they not gone out of business and how do they continue to build homes all over the area? Somebody must be buying these homes.

Originally Posted by skids929

Proves that people are sheep when it comes to houses, and learned little from the last 5 years. They have their niche as someone mentioned earlier in this thread.

Yes, they have their "niche" and they target them well. Besides them being a big "hit" w/ buyers coming in from out of the country that are not familiar w/ their quality, or lack of. They cater to the "MUST HAVE BIG BRAND NEW BOX IN SUBURB" crowd. These are the buyers that don't really look at resale, quality, etc. All they can see is this big new house w/ pretty paint they can get NOW! These are the impulse buyers I'd like to say as they don't really do a lot of homework on the big ticket items they purchase and just go off the mentality that when they wake up some mornings and think, "MUST HAVE NEW CAR! TODAY!" buy their homes.

[MurphyPl1]

And they know how to manipulate the price per sq ft numbers. They will take nearly unusable space and create a "nook" or run the angled room in the game room down to where it's only 3 ft high. But that's air conditioned space and makes it look like you're getting more sq ft for your money.

You can eek out an additional 100 sf in a two story doing that fairly easily. And take a $250,000 with 3,000sf and turn it into a $250,000 with 3,100 sf and *save* $2.50 sf. Bargain!!

[skids929]

I think the next time I see a GH model I am gonna stop, walk in pull my trousers down, let loose and casually walk out. Maybe that will get the point across.

They are crap.