New construction homes - builder's gifts? (Houston, West: sales, lender, new home)

[amygo]

We are closing on a new construction inventory home by Darling in just a lil over a week. I've been pleasantly surprised by how smooth the process has been so far (I've heard horror stories of closings dates dragging on and on). Though I should mention that we are using their in-house lender so they've been great at moving things along.

I was told by the builder's sales agent that Darling will be gifting us with a "generous gift that the entire family will enjoy" that is all that she would tell me but she had a big ol' smile and winked at me when she said it. Is this customary with most new construction builders? I was assuming it's probably something cheesy like a muffin & fruit basket, but she shook her head and told me "it's a very, very generous gift and you'll have to wait and see." I just thought I'd ask the forum to see what the industry standard was or is each builder different? My mom thinks it's a large screen TV since those are fairly cheap these days. But I'm thinking it's probably more like a high dollar amount gift card to Lowe's or Home Depot. If you bought a new home, do you remember what you got from the builder, if anything?

[bluelion_ms3]

judging by the sounds of the sales agent's "clues". it sounds like it may be a TV like your mom thinks....i would think a 32-42 inch tv.....42 inch tvs can go for about $500 or so (depending on brand).

[davidrod8]

You'll have to let us know what it is.. back 5-10 years ago I used to get baskets, tool sets, etc... nowadays we didn't get anything, after buying a $400K + from Westin..... my neighbors who also purchased Westin, Beazer or Meritage didn't get anything either... Are you using a realtor? In the past we have gotten gifts from our realtors (GC to a restaurant, a plant, etc..

By the way, it ain't over until the fat lady signs and you have the keys in your hands.... everything for us was smooth sailing until 24 hours before closing, that's when all hell broke lose and the underwriter started asking for more stuff... everyone in our street has been having the same problems.... delays of anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks... not to burst your bubble, just letting you know it has happened in the last couple of months....

Would be interested to see what kind of gift you get though... you would think with making a large purchase like a house you would get something nice, but that hasn't been the case lately..

[HoustonRonnie]

I got gifts: Beer cans in the wall that I tore down during a remodeling.

Ronnie

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by HoustonRonnie

I got gifts: Beer cans in the wall that I tore down during a remodeling.

Ronnie

Lol. I found those too...except from 1960. Coke bottles and cans. Kinda cool. I kept them.

[cla]

We got tools from our builder. I know someone else who got a toaster with the builder's name printed on it (really?). Sounds like you will be doing a bit better than that.

[houselooker]

My parents got a gift from Darling when they built their house as well, a imported house design from a much higher end Darling neighborhood and the house built at an angle so that a pool could be accommodated... of course the salesman got fired for doing this but hey it works!

[a_guerrajr]

every builder is different

Plantation gifted me, 1K certificate for Gallery Furniture, and $3700 dollars for my light bill.

[deckhanddavy]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Lol. I found those too...except from 1960. Coke bottles and cans. Kinda cool. I kept them.

LOL...I still get those gifts on occasion in my front lawn. So generous

[davidrod8]

My next door neighbors moved in next week and while they were putting the sprinklers they cut the cable for my internet... is that considered a gift?