Mt Prospect in North Potomac

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

raptor2364 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
- They added custom options to the models which are not available from TB. I think that's a bit dishonest. IMO, models should show everything you CAN get from the home - not dangle a carrot that you figure out on your own how you're going to get it.

What custom options do these models have?

They’re likely talking about accent wall paneling, etc. In addition to a lot of the outdoor features they heap on outside of their base “outdoor living” package.

Models will also sometimes put in custom lighting you can’t purchase through the design center.

I’m the Pp that mentioned custom features. Sure, those may be custom but I was referring to the luxury outdoor living space on the orchard model. Th fountain, wall, additional steps, fire pit thing, etc, was all custom. I can’t speak for the windmill outdoor space but I would not be surprised if that one was a one-off design. And for the record, I specially asked the sales rep about the outdoor space and that’s what she told me (ie not available to the public since it was a one off custom design per the architect). Tifwiw

[Anonymous]

We were told all the outdoor living spaces were created by Toll Landscaping and it was all available to be done (though we would have to pay for it). We didn’t end up moving forward so can’t confirm, but that’s what we were told when we asked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

raptor2364 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
- They added custom options to the models which are not available from TB. I think that's a bit dishonest. IMO, models should show everything you CAN get from the home - not dangle a carrot that you figure out on your own how you're going to get it.

What custom options do these models have?

They’re likely talking about accent wall paneling, etc. In addition to a lot of the outdoor features they heap on outside of their base “outdoor living” package.

Models will also sometimes put in custom lighting you can’t purchase through the design center.

I’m the Pp that mentioned custom features. Sure, those may be custom but I was referring to the luxury outdoor living space on the orchard model. Th fountain, wall, additional steps, fire pit thing, etc, was all custom. I can’t speak for the windmill outdoor space but I would not be surprised if that one was a one-off design. And for the record, I specially asked the sales rep about the outdoor space and that’s what she told me (ie not available to the public since it was a one off custom design per the architect). Tifwiw

Right, this is what I was referring to when I said:

“In addition to a lot of the outdoor features they heap on outside of their base “outdoor living” package.”

You could likely contract with TB to do something like that, but they’d basically just bring someone in and charge you a lot more than you could get it done yourself after closing.

[Anonymous]

The homes are beautiful and very pricey. We asked for certain custom changes and they are always saying we can't do it. Since, we are spending so much money I wanted some simple changes.

The dinning room in the Patterson is so far from the kitchen. wish they placed it closer.

Also, in the model there are several features that are not part of their options.....so, that was weird. They are tempting people by creating exquisite models and then when we ask a certain feature they are like that is not available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The homes are beautiful and very pricey. We asked for certain custom changes and they are always saying we can't do it. Since, we are spending so much money I wanted some simple changes.

The dinning room in the Patterson is so far from the kitchen. wish they placed it closer.

Also, in the model there are several features that are not part of their options.....so, that was weird. They are tempting people by creating exquisite models and then when we ask a certain feature they are like that is not available.

What kind of changes did you ask for?

I don’t think it’s that uncommon for model homes to include things that aren’t part of their options. It’s a little annoying yes, but seems like it’s the norm from what I’ve seen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The homes are beautiful and very pricey. We asked for certain custom changes and they are always saying we can't do it. Since, we are spending so much money I wanted some simple changes.

The dinning room in the Patterson is so far from the kitchen. wish they placed it closer.

Also, in the model there are several features that are not part of their options.....so, that was weird. They are tempting people by creating exquisite models and then when we ask a certain feature they are like that is not available.

What kind of changes did you ask for?

I don’t think it’s that uncommon for model homes to include things that aren’t part of their options. It’s a little annoying yes, but seems like it’s the norm from what I’ve seen.

I don't have experience with a lot of builders but with the builders I do have experience with, I have not seen this to the extent that TB is doing it with their models. I get that it's a different approach to model homes but it's not consistent with other builders. Maybe for certain more premium developments?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The homes are beautiful and very pricey. We asked for certain custom changes and they are always saying we can't do it. Since, we are spending so much money I wanted some simple changes.

The dinning room in the Patterson is so far from the kitchen. wish they placed it closer.

Also, in the model there are several features that are not part of their options.....so, that was weird. They are tempting people by creating exquisite models and then when we ask a certain feature they are like that is not available.

What kind of changes did you ask for?

I don’t think it’s that uncommon for model homes to include things that aren’t part of their options. It’s a little annoying yes, but seems like it’s the norm from what I’ve seen.

I don't have experience with a lot of builders but with the builders I do have experience with, I have not seen this to the extent that TB is doing it with their models. I get that it's a different approach to model homes but it's not consistent with other builders. Maybe for certain more premium developments?

I'm a realtor and always find it interesting seeing a TB home on resale. More often than not they look like gigantic plain boxes. TB uses a LOT of custom woodwork and designs in their models to draw buyers in. The finished product is not nearly as glamorous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The homes are beautiful and very pricey. We asked for certain custom changes and they are always saying we can't do it. Since, we are spending so much money I wanted some simple changes.

The dinning room in the Patterson is so far from the kitchen. wish they placed it closer.

Also, in the model there are several features that are not part of their options.....so, that was weird. They are tempting people by creating exquisite models and then when we ask a certain feature they are like that is not available.

What kind of changes did you ask for?


We asked for a larger pantry as the pantry.

I don’t think it’s that uncommon for model homes to include things that aren’t part of their options. It’s a little annoying yes, but seems like it’s the norm from what I’ve seen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The homes are beautiful and very pricey. We asked for certain custom changes and they are always saying we can't do it. Since, we are spending so much money I wanted some simple changes.

The dinning room in the Patterson is so far from the kitchen. wish they placed it closer.

Also, in the model there are several features that are not part of their options.....so, that was weird. They are tempting people by creating exquisite models and then when we ask a certain feature they are like that is not available.

What kind of changes did you ask for?

I don’t think it’s that uncommon for model homes to include things that aren’t part of their options. It’s a little annoying yes, but seems like it’s the norm from what I’ve seen.

I don't have experience with a lot of builders but with the builders I do have experience with, I have not seen this to the extent that TB is doing it with their models. I get that it's a different approach to model homes but it's not consistent with other builders. Maybe for certain more premium developments?

I'm a realtor and always find it interesting seeing a TB home on resale. More often than not they look like gigantic plain boxes. TB uses a LOT of custom woodwork and designs in their models to draw buyers in. The finished product is not nearly as glamorous.

Isn't that more on the seller/previous owner's decorating and design habits? I'm not a TB apologist (had a pretty frustrating experience for a bit at one of their other communities), but unless you go with more of a custom builder, think the finished product (unless you roll a TON of design upgrades into your mortgage) of most new-builds will be a lot plainer than the models as a rule.

And one of the nice things about a new build is that they are a bit of a blank box for decorating purposes and don't have to initially work around someone else's style. In the new build we recently sold, I put aside 20-30k for after closing to swap in custom lighting I bargained shopped for while it was being built, put in some window treatments and paneling, and do a few accent walls.

[Anonymous]

My previous post go mingled with the other posts.
I waned to say we asked for a larger pantry. There was room to make it larger but they said no to that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My previous post go mingled with the other posts.
I waned to say we asked for a larger pantry. There was room to make it larger but they said no to that.

looks like prices went up for the Patterson.

[Anonymous]

The price has gone up over $100K for Patterson. Only lots next to MPDUs QMs left! Imagining paying $1.5M for your house and your next-door neighbors only pay $200K for theirs. yikes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The price has gone up over $100K for Patterson. Only lots next to MPDUs QMs left! Imagining paying $1.5M for your house and your next-door neighbors only pay $200K for theirs. yikes.

My goodness, if that’s true, that’s crazy!

[Anonymous]

All the Windmills also went up in price.

[Anonymous]

I'm very confused about the discussion of MPDU homes.

1) How do people know which homes are MPDU?
2) How do people know that there are even MPDU homes in this neighborhood? I looked at the MPDU website and didn't see Mt. Prospect listed anywhere.
3) The idea that an MPDU home is $200K didn't sync with what I saw online (looked like there was a scale of prices, based upon neighborhood, size, etc.). Is this true?
4) And finally, I get the feeling that people are against living next door to neighbors who purchased their homes via MPDU. As someone very seriously considering Mt Prospect (and I would be paying every cent of the $1.5+M), I'm also concerned about living in a community that is welcoming to those who play by the rules to be there. So, when I see what looks like concern from others, it makes me wonder why, and if this community will be welcoming to everyone. As a person of color, I also fear being "singled out" or the victim of other people's assumptions about how I live in the community. I say all this as someone who is a Partner at a major firm, and as I mentioned, will be paying every cent of build and cost of this home, and no where close to qualifying for MPDU. But, I worry about being singled out, or people's assumptions, or even people's negative feelings towards those who maybe did get their home because of MPDU.

Appreciate other's perspectives as I consider Mt. Prospect.