Closing in 9 days

I got to walk through the house yesterday - it is amazing and so close to be done. I think we still need microwave/range, mirrors, 2nd half of gourmet island, 2nd half of kids bathroom vanity, painting the front door and putting the pillars up, and the two big light fixtures - dining room and foyer.

I was so excited to see the floors down that my brain stopped working. I didn't walk on the carpet in my dirty shoes, so I walked around the covered floor and didn't leave the 1st floor. Then, as I was leaving, I realized I should've taken my shoes off and walked around the carpet and the Other floors. Wow. At least my husband had a working brain and took pictures of the basement and 2nd floors. Here are some pics

Resolution to two issues below and random pictures

Talked to the PM today and he explained that the fireplace was being moved today. I will go tonight and try to get a picture...

Also - the vanity in the 2nd bathroom - apparently the 2nd half of the cabinet is in the garage, and they are missing the longer countertop - but the guys 'went ahead and installed' the wrong smaller vanity on the half-cabinet. But the correct countertop is ordered and will be installed when it gets in.

So all good on the 'issues' front for today. I'll try to take pictures tonight if there is any light - but in the meantime, here two of the most random pictures ever that my husband sent me via phone last weekend. Random! The pictures kind of feature my lighting (I upgraded to the "Lighting Package B") and the Maple Cognac cabinets. Haha.

We both fail at getting good pictures for the blog... I love everyone else's pictures - they paint such a pretty picture of their building processes and issues.





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Edited to add a few pics - kitchen (minus second half of gourmet island) and the fireplace hole after the 'move'.

Closing in 2 weeks

I still don't have any good pictures, but maybe my husband will get some today since he is off work.

Lots of progress has been made - cabinets in, first coat of paint done, trim and doors are up, plumbing work done, electrical work partially done. We are very happy with the selections we made so far, and the house looks great. Both the Project Manager and Project Supervisor have been informative and great to work with so far.

However...we have 2 weeks to go, and it feels like there is still a ton left to do. And one major issue, and one minor issue (but it is important to me).

Major issue -
The fireplace is not centered on the side wall - it would be centered if we had no 4 ft extension - but we have a 4 ft extension... I brought this up at the pre-drywall meeting, and the PM told me that that was how the plans were and the model home was like that. Shame on me for not double checking that fact. I let it go and forgot.

Then, last week, the PM emails me and says they realized the fireplace should have been centered. This is a substantial change and amount of work for them, but they were willing to do it to make it right. We looked at it in person, and it does look bad not centered. So we asked them to fix and they said it would not delay closing. I'm skeptical but hope they can come through on this one in time. I appreciate their honesty and bringing it to our attention even though I'm sure this is a major hassle for them.

Minor issue -
The vanity in the 2nd bathroom upstairs is half the size of the one at the model (which I was told was the 'standard' un-upgraded choice). In the model, the vanity is a double-sized vanity with one sink and an extra long counter. I chose this instead of adding a double sink (which was a upgrade), and was told that I would get the extra counter space instead of the sink. The price of the upgrade wasn't that much - so it made sense to us that the upgrade price included adding additional plumbing for an extra sink and the faucets.

When we visited Friday, I noticed that the vanity was half the size of the model, with one sink, and no extra counter space. And basically a random 3 feet opening between the door and the vanity. I have emailed the PM and will follow up with a phone call today. I have pictures of what the vanity looks like in the model, and hope this can be corrected.

Hopefully, I will have pictures soon! Maybe even pictures of these issues. Both Ryan and NVR have been great for me to work with so far - and I hope I can say the same after closing.

Speaking of NVR - they have already given me a copy of the drafted settlement statement. I have to send paystub copies to them on Friday, but everything else appears to be in order. I'm glad they seem to have a better handle on it then my last closing experience (selling my house in November) - where we didn't have a draft settlement statement until an hour AFTER closing was supposed to start.

It finally feels like Christmas!

Went by the house at 8pm to find cabinets in, some countertops on, and some trim and doors done. Wow! I'll include 1 pic with the disclaimer that it's a dark, poor quality camera photo. Sadly, that's going to the best pic I get till the walkthrough.

Pleasantly surprised: I like my Formica choice, cabinets have crown molding and office door is 15-panel glass.

Our old house had standard 1980s oak cabinet, trim and doors. So - seeing my 42" maple cognac cabinets and white trim blew me away. Wow. Even in the dark, I was really impressed.

Hopefully I have real pics for my next post.

21 days till closing?

I don't have any pictures - just some updates from my PM via phone. I'm a CPA (see my 2nd ticker on the right), and I've started working later and haven't seen the house in daylight in while. We are locked out now - plus its dark by the time we (I) get home.

Per PM, the drywall is done, the house has been primed (maybe painted), and the house is 'live' (meaning working power and heat).

Next week - driveway and sidewalks to be poured, trim and doors to be done. That's as far as I got, but I'll plan to get updates via phone more often since we can't go out and visit more often.

Our model/elevation is getting popular - the last two houses before us were that model (Victoria Falls, elevation C), and now us, and then the next house too. Kinda strange since our neighborhood isn't that big (our builder is basically finishing the last part of a neighborhood started in 2004 since the old builder went under) - there are maybe 40 total lots left. Luckily, those 4 houses are spread out over the remaining lots.

It also looks like they've increased prices and changed around the models available - they've taken away the Bainbridge and Ravenna, and added the Capri. And I think the first Rome will be built soon on our street - I'm excited, I love that one!

Hopefully, I'll have some pictures soon! I hope to see some of the other bloggers closing/final pictures! I can't imagine how crazy it will be when we move in...it will take us forever to get settled since its tax season and I can't take time off till April (unfortunate, I know).

All our 'stuff' (furniture, boxes) are in storage -- I can't wait to see all of it! Scheduled for delivery on 2/1 - and my husband will be home to direct them and unpack. I will never be able to find anything in my new house! :(

Taking Advantage of the mild December weather

Besides the pillars, painting the door black, and pouring the drivewalk/porch/sidewalk - the exterior looks almost done. Wasn't expecting to see shutters, trim, and all siding done yesterday. I love it!

Drywall done

Drywall is up everywhere (even the basement)! I haven't been able to look at it in the daylight, but here are some phone pics my husband took of the kitchen/morning room, family room and master bedroom. Also, the brick and siding have been done, and we picked out a new king bed.