Does anyone elses oven smell like strong heat or burning plastic the first few uses. Ours smells and we cant figure out if something is wrong or just b/c it's new. We have had new appliances before but never oven/range.
Ours is the the smooth top version (not that that specifically has anything to do with the oven.)
Thanks for any feedback.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Pre-Settlement Meeting
Our pre-settlement meeting went great. I typed a checklist with the help of my construction-background dad. I wish I saved it and I would have post it...sorry.
Our PM went through everything and don't worry, the book you get is so big and detailed that you don't have to write much down (except for any punch list, ie- things to fix.)
Closing went good which it helped having a mortgage background and we had the HUD-1 (Settlement Statement) 2 days in advance for review.
There were a couple big questions we had that others were also curious on:
1- Wire sticking out of side of house (one blue, one black):
These are connections for your phone and cable. A box is attached to your house which will conceal the holes the wire come out at and buried cable through your yard (like most of you are probably used to.)
2- Drywall sticking out between flashing and siding: This will be fixed soon and I trust our PM to do it especially based on peoples feedback from their 30 day follow up meetings.
3- River in our backyard:
This was fixed before pre-settlement and now drains very well.
I'll likely disappear for at least several days as we start moving tomorrow (actually got a small head start tonight.)
Our PM went through everything and don't worry, the book you get is so big and detailed that you don't have to write much down (except for any punch list, ie- things to fix.)
Closing went good which it helped having a mortgage background and we had the HUD-1 (Settlement Statement) 2 days in advance for review.
There were a couple big questions we had that others were also curious on:
1- Wire sticking out of side of house (one blue, one black):
These are connections for your phone and cable. A box is attached to your house which will conceal the holes the wire come out at and buried cable through your yard (like most of you are probably used to.)
2- Drywall sticking out between flashing and siding: This will be fixed soon and I trust our PM to do it especially based on peoples feedback from their 30 day follow up meetings.
3- River in our backyard:
This was fixed before pre-settlement and now drains very well.
I'll likely disappear for at least several days as we start moving tomorrow (actually got a small head start tonight.)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Closing Countdown: 14 hrs, 16 min, 8 sec
Sorry, couldn't resist : )
Putting together my checklist now for pre-settlement (in 9 hrs, 16 min, 8 sec)
Putting together my checklist now for pre-settlement (in 9 hrs, 16 min, 8 sec)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
MORE PICS
This is the river in our backyard. There is a high point in a ditch not allowing positive draining. PM is getting it fixed...
Living room from kitchen...
Foyer from kitchen...
Downstairs halfbath/powder room. Planning on adding beadboard in here...
Dining room...
Foyer again...
From study, through dining room...
From study, through dining, into kitchen...
Stairs from top...
Second/Kids bath...
Master tub and shower...
Master bedroom...
Loft with our newest addition...
Upstairs hall, taken from loft...
Hall again with laundry door (left) and bedroom 4 door (right)...
Close ups on granite. We took these for use when shopping for bar stools...
Not sure what these wires are for...
This is a piece of drywall stuck between our siding and flashing. The flashing looks like it was hammered on to get it to fit. I guess they thought it would go overlooked. Will address with PM...
Happy building and happy moving!
...4, 3.....
#4 Common Area Fence!!!
This was the most surprising addition. We were not counting on this when we settled for our lot due to the limited lot options. We then found out they were going to add a fence along the berm to block the street. We know this is because RH was having a hard time selling those lots. I think they lost some deals because of it and the developer refused to release more lots until those sold.
The ETA was to be done before the end of the year..
BUT ITS BEING INSTALLED NOW.....
Before:
After:
#3 PM and Punchman Tag Team!
Our PM is awesome and we have now learned how great our Punchman is too! The Punchman is like the PM's righthand man and does a lot of the fixes/finishing. On Thursday or Friday, I sent our PM a list of 5-6 minor concerns and 1 major concern (river in our backyard.) When we went to the house yesterday (Saturday) our punchman was there working on a few things. He went over our list with us and how each item would be fixed if not already done. What was impressive? He did this off the top of his head! This is a guy that handles 3 neighborhoods and he knew exactly what our concerns were and addressed each one of them with us.
Now, just pictures.....
Well, theres a lot more pics but they are not uploading at the moment. Will post more later.
This was the most surprising addition. We were not counting on this when we settled for our lot due to the limited lot options. We then found out they were going to add a fence along the berm to block the street. We know this is because RH was having a hard time selling those lots. I think they lost some deals because of it and the developer refused to release more lots until those sold.
The ETA was to be done before the end of the year..
BUT ITS BEING INSTALLED NOW.....
Before:
#3 PM and Punchman Tag Team!
Our PM is awesome and we have now learned how great our Punchman is too! The Punchman is like the PM's righthand man and does a lot of the fixes/finishing. On Thursday or Friday, I sent our PM a list of 5-6 minor concerns and 1 major concern (river in our backyard.) When we went to the house yesterday (Saturday) our punchman was there working on a few things. He went over our list with us and how each item would be fixed if not already done. What was impressive? He did this off the top of his head! This is a guy that handles 3 neighborhoods and he knew exactly what our concerns were and addressed each one of them with us.
Now, just pictures.....
Well, theres a lot more pics but they are not uploading at the moment. Will post more later.
Countdown: In 6, 5...
Again, terrible with the countdown but it does add some structure....
#6 Appliances
Our dishwasher, microwave, and oven/range are now in. We were worried b/c even by getting the stainless steel upgrade there are still some black accents on them and we were not sure how the espresso and black would look together since they are so close but still different. It turned out pretty good actually....
The range looks pretty good because the stainless sits next to the dark cabinet and then the black top is against the light colored granite. We like it.
#5 Hardwoods
Probably one of my favorite upgrades and they've been hiding under cardboard for the past week so it was like Christmas seeing them finally "unwrapped"....
........
#6 Appliances
Our dishwasher, microwave, and oven/range are now in. We were worried b/c even by getting the stainless steel upgrade there are still some black accents on them and we were not sure how the espresso and black would look together since they are so close but still different. It turned out pretty good actually....
The range looks pretty good because the stainless sits next to the dark cabinet and then the black top is against the light colored granite. We like it.
#5 Hardwoods
Probably one of my favorite upgrades and they've been hiding under cardboard for the past week so it was like Christmas seeing them finally "unwrapped"....
........
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Refrigerator: check
We finally decided on and bought our refrigerator today. We had researched some although not that much. We knew we wanted stainless, french door with bottom freezer...well my wife did. I didn't really care as long as it wasn't GE. We (and other family members) have had issues before with GE and I just don't think their products are built to last.
Of course, that is who Ryan uses for appliances, but hey, what are you gonna do. I'd rather have a quality home so I wasn't going to choose my builder based on what appliances they use. Trust me, when my fridge went out, it was a lot less hastle to replace then when my foundation was sinking.
So. Drum rolll.....
We went with this LG (model LFC25776ST.) It's stainless steel, 25 cu ft, french door, twin blowing (seperate for fridge and freezer.) We got a good deal on it at HH Gregg after some shopping around. We were actually going to buy from Lowes but went back to HH Gregg because the guy there was the most knowledgable and since they are paid commission, I wanted to give him a fair chance to earn our business. He did! I explained what our other option was including model (equivalent Samsung at Lowes) and he got online, found the price and went to his boss. They ended up beating the product price and matched the 5-yr warrenty price even though HH Gregg seems to have the better warranty. The only thing is I had to pay $69 for delivery but it has a 100% rebate. Lowes is free delivery right now, no rebate needed. I don't mind dealing with rebate though. It was a fair trade for all the information he gave me and better price on the fridge.
We didn't care to have the ice/water on the door for 3 reasons:
1) most models are few hundred dolllars less without it
2) cleaner/sleaker look
3) 2 yr olds like to press buttons and even though it has a child lock, who wants to push a button for 3 seconds to unlock their water/ice....I might as well just open the door. Wow Americans are so impatient; I want my ice NOW : )
Happy building and home-related-goods-buying!
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