Buying in Amherst Meadows (Pulte Homes) in Mickleton, anyone own here or nearby? (Hawthorne: sales, houses)

[amhf]

Beware of the exorbitant monthly dues. Approx. $75-$100 each month and you get nothing for it other than snow removal, some modest entryway landscaping and an underwhelming tot lot area that takes 10 minutes to drive to.

[ajmich]

I am assuming you live there currently? What street (if you don't mind me asking)? I don't know of anywhere in the complex that is not within walking distance of the (multiple) tot lots or the private park (with baseball field, playground equipment and jogging trail). All association fees stink, but at least you are getting something nice here.

[FlyersFan]

I am a New Jersey DEP licensed radon tester and mitigator.......Amherst Meadows is in Mickleton which is in a high incidence area for elevated radon levels. So much so the State DEP requires new construction be be built with a complete passive radon reduction system to be used if the house tests high after completion. A high incidence area means that at least 25 per cent of the tests in that zip code have elevated levels....and thats a minimum.....some communities adjacent to Mickleton, like Woolwich, have as much as 55 percent of the tests high. If your buying in or near Mickleton.....test your home as part of the process so you can address the situation prior to settlement........unless your a lung cancer enthusiast ?

[ajmich]

Yes, good point about the Radon. All homes have the passive system installed and by contract you are allowed to test prior to closing. If levels are still elevated, Pulte pays up to $500 to have a pump (fan) installed in the system so the test cost is well worth it. I wish you had posted earlier and I would have had you conduct the test on my home (already lined someone up).

[sjflyer]

Hi, I also recently bought a home in Amhearst Meadows with an estimated closing date of mid december. Those tax estimates are correct but the schools are some of the best public schools in the state, so the high costs are worth it.

Amhearst meadows is one of the better deals in the South Jersey area believe me because I've looked. There are tons of builders all over the area (Pulte, Paparone, Orleans, Fentell, Beazer, Ryan, and bunch of less known names) all offering different layouts, lot sizes, etc... Pulte's half acre of land and 3000 sq.ft. homes for 400-425K are well worth it. The value for the dollar is certainly high with Pulte compared to the others. For us we were able to get a majority of the options thrown into the price. Builders like Ryan and Fentell start you with nothing. Getting a final quote was like pulling teeth. So with Pulte, you at least know exactly what your getting, we haven't encountered any surprises and I couldn't be happier about that.

Now the only issue we have with Pulte is Pulte Mortgage. They're quoting some really high rates so I recommend you get at least 3 GFE's from other lenders to present to Pulte close to or at closing. That's what I'll be doing anyway. If anyone has any experience here I'd be much appreciative!!!

Absolutely get your house checked for elevated radon levels. Spend the $200, higher an expert, think of it as an investment in your long term health!

[ajmich]

Use of Pulte mortgage is part of the "deal" you negotiated with Pulte so you are basically at their mercy. If you check the contract, you agree to use Pulte mortgage in order to receive the "preferred buyers rewards" aka the options or price reduction you are receiving. I found their rates to be roughly .25 percent higher than other lenders (30 yr fixed, >20% down, excellent credit) and their fees were comparable. I decided it was worth it for the incentives I negotiated, but that is entirely subjective.

[aps142]

Hey everyone. I just closed on a house from amherst meadows this past September. I have to agree that everything went very smoothly. Pulte Homes has been very responsive to my concerns. My only complaint was Pulte Mortgage. I also found that the rates were quite high but it was worth the incentives that I received. I can always refinance down the road. It s a great community and very close to philly where both my wife and I work. So far, it has been an excellent decision to move here.

As far as the association fees, I think they are completely fair. Paying under $100 for the maintenance of the common areas is definitly a deal compared to some places where you pay a lot more and receive a lot less. That grass in our new park wont get cut by itself!

[msteere]

ARe any of the homes completed in this development yet? I am interested but not quite sure when they will be completed. I will not be ready to move until this time next year.

[FlyersFan]

Originally Posted by ajmich

Yes, good point about the Radon. All homes have the passive system installed and by contract you are allowed to test prior to closing. If levels are still elevated, Pulte pays up to $500 to have a pump (fan) installed in the system so the test cost is well worth it. I wish you had posted earlier and I would have had you conduct the test on my home (already lined someone up).

Don't worry about it......I do some testing but not much....the main thrust of my business is installing the actual mitigation systems on exisiting homes and activating builder installed passive systems. While its good to have the passive system....its just that....passive.....if your house tests high after construction then it needs to be activated by a New Jersey DEP licensed radon specialist.

[kmistry1]

how is the commute to 30th St. Station from this location? I am looking in South Jersey area and want to see if it is commutable to 30th Streent or not via public transportation or via car?