Polo Fields question (Fairfield: wood floors, for sale, crime)

[katolb90]

Seems like there are a lot of homes for sale in Polo Fields. Of course I have no idea how big the actual subdivision is so maybe the actual number isn't that large. Are there a lot of homes for sale in that subdivision and is there any particular reason like crime or falling home values, poor construction etc? Or maybe the place just has great appreciation and some are selling for the profit? Just curious.

[tomocox]

Location, location, location. The Polo Fields are not convenient to anything.

[mdawg]

Polo Fields has many different sections, there are more homes for sale in the lower priced sections. Some are new builds for sale. I don't know the specifics for the amount of homes for sale. Part of the reason is probably because of location, it also may be because the quality of the homes seems to be lacking. It is a nice community, but I don't like how they keep building low priced, cheaply built homes. That was one of the reasons we stayed away from looking there.

[katolb90]

So what newer subdivisions (less than 15 yrs) have a reputation for high quality homes? I mostly look for older homes, because my thinking is that they seem studier.

[KentuckyChick]

My son just bought a beautiful, extremely well built home in the Polo Fields in the $300,000 price range. It is a very large subdivision and that might be why there are many homes for sale. Plus, the economy isn't so great right now.

[tomocox]

I personally prefer Grand Villa (exit 17 in Oldham Co), Glen Oaks/Moser Farms, & Hunting Creek. All are excellent 15 yr old subs with 250-350k values.

[mdawg]

Originally Posted by katolb90

So what newer subdivisions (less than 15 yrs) have a reputation for high quality homes? I mostly look for older homes, because my thinking is that they seem studier.

What area of town and what price range? The quality of homes in Norton Commons, Rock Springs, parts of Lake Forest, Woodmont, and Fairfield seem to be above average. There are builders who have reputations for building cheap houses, and other people on here might have a better idea who those people are.

[mdawg]

Originally Posted by KentuckyChick

My son just bought a beautiful, extremely well built home in the Polo Fields in the $300,000 price range. It is a very large subdivision and that might be why there are many homes for sale. Plus, the economy isn't so great right now.

Yes, the homes in that price range are well built, the ones in the low 200s in and around Curry Branch Rd. I believe, are the ones that all look the same and seem to be cheaply built. The areas around the pool and country club and the Estates are very nice.

[katolb90]

I'm not familiar with new homes and wouldn't even know what to look for to spot a cheaply built home. I guess I have a certain fear there. I am mainly looking in East end. I'll probably play it safe (safe for me anyway) and buy something a little older that I'm comfortable with. It just seems like its a lot more common to hear about a newer home that's cheaply built than an older home(like prior to 1980) that's cheaply built.

[mdawg]

You can usually tell a home is cheaply built if it has a low quality or poorly planned HVAC system, laminate/vinyl/veneer wood flooring instead of engineered or solid wood floors, if you can see nail heads or the drywall tape popping out through the paint or wallpaper. Check if the windows are double paned, and the hardware on the doors, sinks, cabinets etc. Usually if the builder is cutting corners on little things like faucets, molding, and lighting, they are probably cutting corners on more significant things as well. Of course there are exceptions to this, but when you are looking at a new home, most of the time common sense will tell you if it was cheaply built. I remember looking at a home a few years ago when we were house hunting, and literally every room in the house had different lighting or ceiling fans (one was pink and one was blue), and each bathroom had totally different hardware that didn't match. The back door also stuck when you tried to open or closed it, not a good sign on a new build. Research the builder too, with most of the newer neighborhoods, the builders are easy to get information on.