Waterset - Impressions and Builders (Key West, Ruskin: condo, townhouse, buy)

[kmarc]

If you had to compare and contrast the various builders (Weekley, Westbay, Cardel, etc.) what would be your evaluation of the various strengths and weaknesses, as a buyer?

[Stewabby]

For us it is Westbay all the way. They have the "wow" factor in their houses. Weekley and Cardel are very good builders and I think you would get a good quality house from them that you would enjoy. However, we had no urge to move until we saw the Westbay model in Watergrass. We've spent the past few weekends checking out most of the Westbay models in the Tampa area and they are all great.

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by Stewabby

For us it is Westbay all the way. They have the "wow" factor in their houses. Weekley and Cardel are very good builders and I think you would get a good quality house from them that you would enjoy. However, we had no urge to move until we saw the Westbay model in Watergrass. We've spent the past few weekends checking out most of the Westbay models in the Tampa area and they are all great.

They certainly seem to be hitting it out of the park around these parts, judging from all the brochures I'm seeing. I was just wondering what it is about their homes vs. other builders that attracted so many. What do you feel makes the "wow"?

[Stewabby]

Originally Posted by kmarc

They certainly seem to be hitting it out of the park around these parts, judging from all the brochures I'm seeing. I was just wondering what it is about their homes vs. other builders that attracted so many. What do you feel makes the "wow"?

I think it is the great room that leads out onto the lanai and pool. It's not in every model, but it is a the one in Watergrass. They also have a fantastic website where you can see pictures for every model.

[gulfer]

I don't think you can go wrong with all three builders. They have a great product. But as Stewabby pointed out, it is in how the house looks with regards to your own taste.

Again, all three - Great Home Builders. Just different models of homes.

[ApolloBeachRetiree]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sparky

On a serious note, this weekend we noticed that David Weekley has raised the base prices of all of their house models by $5k since we signed our contract in February (they even raised the price of the spec houses already completed). I also noticed that WestBay has had about $20k jump since we looked. Apparently, Waterset is becoming popular. I know our design consultant said that model traffic was much higher at Waterset than the other DW communities currently.

I've not checked if Mira Bay has had any recent increases, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are coming since the market seems to be picking up.

Yes, there will be price increases. I should have proposals from WestBay and Cardel later today and then the fun - negotiations - begin. I'll post the results.

[ApolloBeachRetiree]

Originally Posted by kmarc

If you had to compare and contrast the various builders (Weekley, Westbay, Cardel, etc.) what would be your evaluation of the various strengths and weaknesses, as a buyer?

Much of our decision was based on the community more than the builders. Having said that, I thought that WestBay, Cardel and Weekley build nice homes. Features, fit and finish look comparable. I was more impressed by WestBay because I loved their model home, the Nantucket. Cardel did not show me the same options and features although their sales lady claimed that they could replicate the features of the Nantucket that I loved.

Weekley is not building in BayBreeze so I am not considering them.

[ApolloBeachRetiree]

Originally Posted by Stewabby

For us it is Westbay all the way. They have the "wow" factor in their houses. Weekley and Cardel are very good builders and I think you would get a good quality house from them that you would enjoy. However, we had no urge to move until we saw the Westbay model in Watergrass. We've spent the past few weekends checking out most of the Westbay models in the Tampa area and they are all great.

I agree re Westbay. Their model homes are fantastic.

[Mr. Sparky]

Westbay has done a really good job with the details that makes them a standout among the other builders. Their models look far more lux than their competitors for base prices that are just a bit more, and the floor plans have features that give them a more premium feel. The sliding "Wall-O-Windows" that opens to the lanai is very common with them, and they they include lots of arches and architectural elements that make the house feel closer to a custom house than an off the shelf corporate builder.

We actually didn't even plan to visit the other builders when we were looking, but the David Weekley model that we ultimately chose is directly next door to Westbay. The particular model that we are building, the Maybeck (the cover of the 2013 Parade of Homes Magazine), is quite a bit different from the other David Weekley offerings and feel more like Westbay than the other DW homes in Waterset (it's also priced more like a Westbay).

[ApolloBeachRetiree]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sparky

Westbay has done a really good job with the details that makes them a standout among the other builders. Their models look far more lux than their competitors for base prices that are just a bit more, and the floor plans have features that give them a more premium feel. The sliding "Wall-O-Windows" that opens to the lanai is very common with them, and they they include lots of arches and architectural elements that make the house feel closer to a custom house than an off the shelf corporate builder.

We actually didn't even plan to visit the other builders when we were looking, but the David Weekley model that we ultimately chose is directly next door to Westbay. The particular model that we are building, the Maybeck (the cover of the 2013 Parade of Homes Magazine), is quite a bit different from the other David Weekley offerings and feel more like Westbay than the other DW homes in Waterset (it's also priced more like a Westbay).

I know what you mean. If Weekley was building in BayBreeze, they would be on our list. Like you, I like the looks and features of the WestBay. I particularly like the "cottage" feel of their Craftsman style homes.