Another tip - Demand for one more appt. they at first said only 2 ..but time was not enough. We asked for a third and then they said on zoom only. which helped us..

They get quartz and granite -from Sky Marble inc in VA. if you need visualization of the countertops go there. we went there as they had no visualization software for us..

Another friend was so confused on what hardwood is good- she ended up ordering samples from Shaw... to visualize better.

We went very early on in the process (to their Columbia studio) and our design consultant was very nice, but not helpful with actual design discussions. She pointed out sections of the studio and some basic concepts (e.g. you can mix and match cabinets and colors), which counters on the wall were which level, etc.) but then spent 75% of the time hunting down pricing for our specific floorplan. I am hoping that pricing is more clear now. If it is not, you need to have a clear bullet point list of the items you are interested in and send as comprehensive a list of price inquiries as you can when you are done with your first appointment. That way you can get one big response back as opposed to piece by piece (as their response time was very slow...meaning weeks at at a time). Try to get everything priced out that is on your wishlist and then scale back from there.

Anonymous wrote:We are starting the design studio process - we have the list of standard options but not the upgrade options. Is that available? How did you prepare for your first design studio appointment?

They use Shaw for hardwood.
Emser, Dalitile - for tiles in bathroom, backsplash

You can research on the brand websites for more visualization after your first visit. make sure you take pictures of the product and the back of the product so you can look them up.

Timberlake-cabinetry

all toll brother model home videos are great visual tools.

Anonymous wrote:We are starting the design studio process - we have the list of standard options but not the upgrade options. Is that available? How did you prepare for your first design studio appointment?

Sharing a few tips that helped me:

- Collect pictures of styles you like on Pinterest or Houzz: show these to the designer so they get a sense of the look you want to go for.
- I read this article that said plan for 50% of your design center budget to go towards the Kitchen, 25% to the Master Bedroom, and 25% to everything else. It ended up being very close to what we spent. There's overall great advice on what to upgrade and where to save in the article as well: https://www.taralenneydesign.com/post/building-a-new-home-here-s-how-to-hack-the-design-center-and-upgrade-process

The team in the design center are great people, very helpful and remember to take lots of pictures of the options available.

Anonymous wrote:We are starting the design studio process - we have the list of standard options but not the upgrade options. Is that available? How did you prepare for your first design studio appointment?

Check the Design studio website; they have a video... other than that not much. They have pictures of kitchens and bathrooms. if you like anything take pics of those.
VA design studio video is much better; but not options are here. so, take a look and see what you like and then you can ask them.
I have heard they have software now that you can visualize.
Initial buyers didn't have that. You really can't prep much as they don't give you too much info before.

Main issue was hardwood- as it is expensive. Kitchen is always expensive ... so, between the quartz/hardwood/backsplash - it adds up.

Design center was very grueling and time was always short. So, your visits can be extremely overwhelming.
You can prep after the first visit.
take pics of everything you like at the center ..

We are starting the design studio process - we have the list of standard options but not the upgrade options. Is that available? How did you prepare for your first design studio appointment?

Anonymous wrote:Two new windmill lots have opened with a starting bid amount. Does anyone know what the last few lots went for? Are there any incentives going on right now?

They were sold for at least $100K above the starting bid

Lot premiums star at $55K for the smaller Windmills Lot and $75K for the larger lot

Two new windmill lots have opened with a starting bid amount. Does anyone know what the last few lots went for? Are there any incentives going on right now?

Yeah, there is on more playground. Hopefully, it will be better.

Anonymous wrote:The playground needs to be developed more. Anyone know if they will add swings on there???? It seems so emty/

I thought there is more than one tot lot…maybe in the next phase that hasn’t started yet. Hopefully that one will be bigger and this one is just a mini-playground

The playground needs to be developed more. Anyone know if they will add swings on there???? It seems so emty/

Two of the Hamlets have closed too. Everything month there will be more and more -- it's probably pretty loud to be one of the first but at least it's temporary

All the Quick delivery Home Orchards have had their closings. There are three families so far that have moved in or in the process of moving in..

Every Month- they have a bunch of closings.

It's not lonely at all due to the construction crew!!!!

Has the builder closed on any house? I saw a few houses that look ready for move in. It must be lonely to be a only family living in a big construction yard.