My realtor won't work with Darling Homes...any idea why? (foreclosures, appliances)

[zachahuy]

Her reason was because "they do not come off of their pricing and the finish-out is very bland. Everything is an upgrade with them - meaning that everything will cost extra. They are too proud of their homes. Stick with the others." Is this true with Darling Homes?

What about Meritage vs Darling?

[socketz]

Meritage (Camry) vs. Darling (M45) is not even a fair comparison.

They do not drop their pants on pricing, but if you look around at resales in different areas, any area where Darling has built is typically still appreciating (with few foreclosures). Quality builders typically build together and the long term appreciation/foreclosure rate in these areas is greater.

As for standard options. I honestly can't even believe your Realtor said that, seriously. Standard options for Darling is: Seer 14 AC, R-38 insulation, Stainless Appliances, Granite, Maple Cabinets, Textured finish in 3 rooms, Level 2 Carpet, canned lighting in main rooms, nice landscaping package, nice lighting allowance, wrought iron ballusters, 16 inch entry tile, 1/2 inch padding....I could go on for a while. Meritage is what it is, a decent mid grade builder. Darling is on the other hand in the tier 1 category and typically comes highly recomended by just about any realtor.

Where Darling does charge is for things like moving walls....I doubt Meritage moves walls or reconfigures rooms.

Look in both homes, look at the communities, tell me what you think. They simply are not in the same league. I bet your realtor lives in a Meritage home, I've never heard a Realtor say something this skewed.

[USA_Mom]

I don't know but that probably was her experience. When we were looking we went to a Centex place with our realtor. Our realtor told him we don't pay extra for corner lots and that we would be negotiating. Centex told us they don't, that is their bottom line price. With the way the market was and is I knew and he knew we could do better so we left and ended up with a David Weekley. I *do* think it was this specific Centex person though as I have heard others have made deals with them at different subdivisions.

[socketz]

Originally Posted by USA_Mom

I don't know but that probably was her experience. When we were looking we went to a Centex place with our realtor. Our realtor told him we don't pay extra for corner lots and that we would be negotiating. Centex told us they don't, that is their bottom line price. With the way the market was and is I knew and he knew we could do better so we left and ended up with a David Weekley. I *do* think it was this specific Centex person though as I have heard others have made deals with them at different subdivisions.

Someone above was looking out for you. Centex is low end. They probably don't negotiate because they are the Walmart of home builders. You'll be happy in a David Weekly. DW is a well respected tier 1 builder around these parts.

Also, you typically pay lot premiums on corner lots if they are alot larger than interior lots. Also, out of all the things negotiable, I've never seen them negotiate the lot premium because that is factored into the cost of the land. Green belt lots are similar because in planned communities greenbelt lots have all brick exteriors/chimneys and wrought iron fences and additional landscaping and irrigation because they face open area (at least it is like that in Stonebridge). I don't mind lot premiums myself because typically good lots are better for resale.

It's easier to negotiate upgrades because the mark-up on those is huge.

[onrway2clt]

Don't know what your budget is but I would choose Darling over Meritage if you could afford it.

[USA_Mom]

We were happy with it. Unfortunately my husband decided to take a job in Georga and ended up selling, but we're moving back as soon as humanly possible. As pretty as it is here, Texas IS home.

[socketz]

Originally Posted by USA_Mom

We were happy with it. Unfortunately my husband decided to take a job in Georga and ended up selling, but we're moving back as soon as humanly possible. As pretty as it is here, Texas IS home.

As we mentioned in the other thread, people always sem to end up back where there heart is...

[USA_Mom]

Originally Posted by socketz

As we mentioned in the other thread, people always sem to end up back where there heart is...

Yep that's for sure

[Spree]

>> Her reason was because "they do not come off of their pricing and the finish-out is very bland. Everything is an upgrade with them - meaning that everything will cost extra. They are too proud of their homes. Stick with the others." Is this true with Darling Homes? <<

You are the one buying and she is obligated to submit any offer you want to make on a home. Time for a new realtor.

[TXprincess]

What other builders did they recommend?