New Construction Situation (Houston, Katy, Howe: sales, real estate, HOA)

[newbhu]

Hi

We are building new construction house in Katy. While our first site visit we noticed that house was not placed properly on lot. We informed the sales agent and response was that how it is. Isn't builders supposed to share plan with buyers. We knew what floor plan we getting but house placement was never shared.

What are our options. FYI I raised issue to manager too but didn't get any traction.

Cheers
Newbie

[right]

what is wrong with the placement? we need details

[jtothemak]

Ask to see a copy of the survey. A house is going to be place on the lot based on a lot of factors starting with HOA guidelines, drainage, easement, shape of the lot etc. How your home in placed may not always be how you think it is going to be placed.

If you have a rectangular lot right next another rectangular lot the front of your house typically will line up with the neighbors front.

If you think something is wrong make sure you come to terms before the foundation is poured. Once the foundation is poured nothing is going to be changed. Also I suggest to hire a 3rd party inspector for the pouring.

[Aliana926]

Our house had to be flipped due to drainage. However, the builder gave us a head up before we started building.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

With the bottom falling out of the oil and gas sector (soon to collapse really), people walking away from contracts, I can't see how you would not be in control in this situation. They are lucky to have you as a buyer in this economic climate in Houston. Maybe you have bargaining power you are not aware of... I would get advice from a Real Estate agent.

[cully]

There are sometimes HOA or muni codes about position of a house. For example, front must fully face the road....instead of, say, angled for the best view out the back windows and deck.

Did yours have the potential to be different than others on your street? Are others and yours in the similar position?

How differently placed did you think yours would be?

[jalam321]

Like others have said...what is wrong with the placement? Did you just assumed it would placed a certain way that you wanted it or what you imagined? How your home is actually placed on the lot may not always be how you think it is going to be placed. There are many factors that will determine how its placed/built. They do not always share the survey of the lot or placement. You may have to request it. When I was choosing lots between two different builders. They both did not share the info, I had to request it. One was very willing to share. The other took longer. If you already signed and the foundation is poured there may not be much you can do. Just curious...which community if you don't mind sharing.

[trbstang]

When we built our home, the salesman actually had small templates of all of the floor plans that he placed on the neighborhood survey plat and gave us an idea of how it would be situated. Then they got approval from the developers for the floor plan and elevation and drew up an initial site plan for us to approve. Up until that time we could have changed, but it would have cost us a change fee. Once that site plan was final, that was it.

So I'm assuming they have started marking out or framing the foundation, but have not trenched it yet or put in rebar/plumbing, etc. You might possibly get them to change it at that point, but be prepared to pay extra and have a good 2-3 week delay while they get the changes approved. Once the rebar, plumbing, etc are started, I doubt they would change it since they are several thousands of dollars into the project.

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by HookTheBrotherUp

With the bottom falling out of the oil and gas sector (soon to collapse really), people walking away from contracts, I can't see how you would not be in control in this situation. They are lucky to have you as a buyer in this economic climate in Houston. Maybe you have bargaining power you are not aware of... I would get advice from a Real Estate agent.

But people are keep moving and moving to Houston.
I believe it is still a seller's market.
There are other industries in Houston that are not affected.
Moreover, some O&G companies are still hiring.

[newbhu]

Hi,

The issue is the garage entry. By having garage entry in different side we are loosing good portion of backyard. I did ask them to make changes before pouring, (intact was ready to pay if needed) however they went ahead with schedule and now it is already poured.
My issue is isn't builder is supposed to share how the house is placed with customer before starting the construction.
HookTheBrotherUp - I would have also thought that in this market, builder is more appreciative of firm buyer and co-operative but doesn't seem till now.