Experiences with Centex homes in Riverview or anywhere in Tampa? Appreciate tips on upgrades. (Brandon: sale)

[VietDealer]

I'm a soon to be a first time home owner and I'm looking to hear any experiences with Centex in Florida. Also don't know too much about upgrades; can anyone throw some tips out there, I appreciate it.

[On-da-Beach]

Paddle fan prewires are always a good idea. Make sure they add the switch wiring. You can install the fans and controls yourself after the home is completed and save some money.
A security system prewire is good, too. Have it hard-wired to every exterior door and window and don't let them talk you into a wireless system. You don't want to be dependent on PIR's (motion sensors). If one of those goes into alarm, someone is already in your home! You can also connect smoke/heat detectors to that system and it could be monitored by a central station if it alarms. (They'll call FD or PD).
Appliances....GE are the usual builder's package. They're junk. I'd go with the cheapest appliances, sell them after closing (E-bay?) and buy some nice ones. Some builders will give you credit for them if you don't get any but it won't amount to much.
I don't know Centex specifically but stay close to the superintendant in charge of your home. If they get to know you personally, they may be more apt to maintain higher quality control standards.
Good Luck!

[Keeper]

We bought a Centex home in 1990 and had no problems at all except for a few wiring mixups which were fixed before we closed on the house. I don't recall any problems with Centex in the Riverview area.

The one thing I will recommend is to upgrade the carpet pad to a higher quality if you are building from scratch. The carpet will hold up better. I had no problem with the appliances but they are standard. We had a fireplace put in and I loved it.

On Da Beach is right get to know the contractor and go visit often.

[bentlebee]

I bought a Town home from them and sold it again and the home inspector from the buyer couldn't find anything to complain about. The process went very smooth and the sale people were very nice and polite, which we couldn't say of all the builders we dealt with...also the title company was very nice to work with, but that might have changed due to the economy...

[Keeper]

I forgot to add the living room was pre wired for a ceiling fan byt not the bedrooms at least when we bought. We had a patio that was covered and we eventually closed it in.

[bnepler]

On da beach is on the money. A couple of other things, if you want a water softner, have them install a "loop" in the garage, so you don't have it sitting outside. As far as appliances, some companies (Famous Tate) will give you money off on upgraded appliances in trade.

[VietDealer]

All of ya are great helps...I'm building out of Riverview close to Brandon...

"Paddle fan prewires are always a good idea. Make sure they add the switch wiring."..."Switch wiring", I assume you're talking about the light switch turning on the juice to the ceiling fan. I can't imagine them not doing so; goes without saying, right? Just to be sure I'll ask about it.

The appliances are Whirlpool, so they shouldn't be half bad. I think I'm going to buy me a Kenmore front load washer & dryer. Any opinion about spending $2500 for washer & dryer???

Almost finish picking out the upgrades to the house; all that's left is the cabinets and we can get the ball rolling on the house breaking ground. I need to get the closing done before Dec 1st to take advantage of the $8,000 in Obama's stimulus bill.

Hope to hear from everyone. Keep the ideas coming and thank you all, and of course god bless.