Site plan is not showing Sq Ft for Windmill...it’s blurred out. Is it just my computer?

Anonymous wrote:Site plans just got released today for phase 1.

Where? I see the same site plan that’s been on the Toll website since it launched a few months ago. Is there something new I’m missing?

Site plans just got released today for phase 1.

Anonymous wrote:

I heard they won’t share info until after you sign...everything is in stages and you won’t see stage 2 until stage 1 is signed. Hope I’m wrong, but that’s what the internet is showing. First you pick your home/lot/structural upgrades...then after signing, you pick your other upgrades like driveway/extra lights/alarm/smart home etc...then after agreeing to that, you go to design center and add your options...it’s not all upfront. That’s what I’m seeing at least.

I can't believe that anyone would agree to this. The new developments in the exurbs that are overpriced often do not attract buyers that opt for the upgrades. They are stretched to the max just buying the house and nervous that they are spending way more than the surrounding market. This creates neighborhoods full of builder grade houses that later devalue even more.

A new house will automatically sell for less than you bought it for anywhere other than a red hot market - this area is far from being hot- its stone cold at the higher price end. The reason it sells for less is that no one wants to pay a premium for a used new house. People who want new, want new. People who are looking for a house that is not brand new won't pay a premium they will just a buy a less expensive nicer older house. When add in that surrounding houses all have builder grade upgrades it devalues any of the ones that did upgrade. Upgrades will sorely be for your own benefit, you will never get much back on resell for them.

The school boundary change which is likely to make this area end up at QO or NW will further drop the value so expensive upgrades are an even worse idea.

Boundary change not happening in that location. Travillah elementary is right across the street and they are not busing to NW that's ridiculous. QO possibly but highly doubtful given the numbers.

I heard they won’t share info until after you sign...everything is in stages and you won’t see stage 2 until stage 1 is signed. Hope I’m wrong, but that’s what the internet is showing. First you pick your home/lot/structural upgrades...then after signing, you pick your other upgrades like driveway/extra lights/alarm/smart home etc...then after agreeing to that, you go to design center and add your options...it’s not all upfront. That’s what I’m seeing at least.

I can't believe that anyone would agree to this. The new developments in the exurbs that are overpriced often do not attract buyers that opt for the upgrades. They are stretched to the max just buying the house and nervous that they are spending way more than the surrounding market. This creates neighborhoods full of builder grade houses that later devalue even more.

A new house will automatically sell for less than you bought it for anywhere other than a red hot market - this area is far from being hot- its stone cold at the higher price end. The reason it sells for less is that no one wants to pay a premium for a used new house. People who want new, want new. People who are looking for a house that is not brand new won't pay a premium they will just a buy a less expensive nicer older house. When add in that surrounding houses all have builder grade upgrades it devalues any of the ones that did upgrade. Upgrades will sorely be for your own benefit, you will never get much back on resell for them.

The school boundary change which is likely to make this area end up at QO or NW will further drop the value so expensive upgrades are an even worse idea.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much are structural upgrade? What about design center upgrades? And finally lot up charges and upgrade like tray ceilings, home automation, extra lights and outlets etc? When do we find these things out...after we sign??

I can't imagine they won't show you prices until after you've signed

I heard they won’t share info until after you sign...everything is in stages and you won’t see stage 2 until stage 1 is signed. Hope I’m wrong, but that’s what the internet is showing. First you pick your home/lot/structural upgrades...then after signing, you pick your other upgrades like driveway/extra lights/alarm/smart home etc...then after agreeing to that, you go to design center and add your options...it’s not all upfront. That’s what I’m seeing at least.

FWIW, you can go to their design studio and tell them your development and they can give you a price list. I've read that about TB.

+1 to this. And as an additional FWIW, I was also immediately given a price list with the different elevations by TB without even asking during my first visit to the model. Any builder I've ever worked with has also been willing to give me a full options list before signing--I haven't yet decided if we're going to build with TB, but I would be very wary if they didn't do that. The problem with the options list is it can be very hard to understand and very long, but can give you a good sense of what you may be paying.

I do think there is a learning curve when it comes to buying a new build, no matter who the builder is, in understanding the process and a lot of things can feel like a surprise. And, even if your builder has a great reputation BRING IN AN OUTSIDE INSPECTOR at both the framing and completion stage.


If helpful for anyone, this is the process I've been though that seems pretty standard:

-At signing: You'll put down a deposit (sometimes a certain percentage of the house, sometimes a set amount) as well as a percentage of the total cost of your structural upgrades at signing. Very generally, you can guesstimate a 20-30k lot premium if you want a bigger lot or one with privacy and can also assume that any major structural updates (as in an extra bedroom suite, finished basement, etc.) will cost around 30k each. In addition, the elevations usually get more expensive in 10k increments. While you may have 5-15k thousand extra added in for other miscellaneous upgrades for things like additional windows, french doors, or a fireplace or what have you, the lot and the bigger structural options will be the big ticket items at the start.

-After signing/before design: You'll put down another percentage of the total cost of any electrical updates you make. Typically much less than 10k.

-At design: Unless you go super top of the line with all your design choices, 30-50k in those upgrades as a max.

-At closing, obviously the rest of whatever you will be putting down as your downpayment. At the risk of stating the obvious, all of the above is "credited" to the downpayment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much are structural upgrade? What about design center upgrades? And finally lot up charges and upgrade like tray ceilings, home automation, extra lights and outlets etc? When do we find these things out...after we sign??

I can't imagine they won't show you prices until after you've signed

I heard they won’t share info until after you sign...everything is in stages and you won’t see stage 2 until stage 1 is signed. Hope I’m wrong, but that’s what the internet is showing. First you pick your home/lot/structural upgrades...then after signing, you pick your other upgrades like driveway/extra lights/alarm/smart home etc...then after agreeing to that, you go to design center and add your options...it’s not all upfront. That’s what I’m seeing at least.

FWIW, you can go to their design studio and tell them your development and they can give you a price list. I've read that about TB.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much are structural upgrade? What about design center upgrades? And finally lot up charges and upgrade like tray ceilings, home automation, extra lights and outlets etc? When do we find these things out...after we sign??

I can't imagine they won't show you prices until after you've signed

I heard they won’t share info until after you sign...everything is in stages and you won’t see stage 2 until stage 1 is signed. Hope I’m wrong, but that’s what the internet is showing. First you pick your home/lot/structural upgrades...then after signing, you pick your other upgrades like driveway/extra lights/alarm/smart home etc...then after agreeing to that, you go to design center and add your options...it’s not all upfront. That’s what I’m seeing at least.

Where are you seeing this? Prior experience with TB? I've read that TB does not necessarily have the same approach for every community,

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much are structural upgrade? What about design center upgrades? And finally lot up charges and upgrade like tray ceilings, home automation, extra lights and outlets etc? When do we find these things out...after we sign??

I can't imagine they won't show you prices until after you've signed

I heard they won’t share info until after you sign...everything is in stages and you won’t see stage 2 until stage 1 is signed. Hope I’m wrong, but that’s what the internet is showing. First you pick your home/lot/structural upgrades...then after signing, you pick your other upgrades like driveway/extra lights/alarm/smart home etc...then after agreeing to that, you go to design center and add your options...it’s not all upfront. That’s what I’m seeing at least.

Anonymous wrote:How much are structural upgrade? What about design center upgrades? And finally lot up charges and upgrade like tray ceilings, home automation, extra lights and outlets etc? When do we find these things out...after we sign??

I can't imagine they won't show you prices until after you've signed

Anonymous wrote:I guess they don’t do living room and family rooms anymore...don’t see any that have both.
I like the Renwick look, but the distance from kitchen to great room is a bit small for the price imho.
The palatine needs more structural options I feel...converting the flex space to a bedroom means no office.
I hear that options get added as development progresses, so maybe it’ll eventually be fixed. With the recent financial changes to my job (thanks to the virus), I won’t be able to buy until phase 2 or 3 unfortunately, but I like to dream!

I like the fact that they don’t do living and family rooms. It’s outdated and instead, they are putting a (more) functional room like a study or a first level master suit. Much more functional than a living room that is often unused. Granted, you can always turn a front living room Into a study by putting some French doors and closing it off but most people don’t bother with that.

I guess they don’t do living room and family rooms anymore...don’t see any that have both.
I like the Renwick look, but the distance from kitchen to great room is a bit small for the price imho.
The palatine needs more structural options I feel...converting the flex space to a bedroom means no office.
I hear that options get added as development progresses, so maybe it’ll eventually be fixed. With the recent financial changes to my job (thanks to the virus), I won’t be able to buy until phase 2 or 3 unfortunately, but I like to dream!

How much are structural upgrade? What about design center upgrades? And finally lot up charges and upgrade like tray ceilings, home automation, extra lights and outlets etc? When do we find these things out...after we sign??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have direct experience with Toll? While I can find a TON of negative comments about quality, reliability and workmanshift, there isn’t much positive praise. I know everything can have a horror story, but it’s like seeing a 1000 1 star yelp review for a handful of 5 stars. Is it really that bad? I’m getting cold feet if the developer isn’t reliable. Thoughts?

My good friend built a TB in Clarksville about ten years ago and said they were a disaster. Unorganized, constant delays due to errors or poor subcontract work, etc. The models are beautiful but include so much additional wood work that's not even an option. You end up going into your finished product expecting it to look like the model and realize it's just an oversized box. I prefer my NV single over my friend's much more expensive TB.

Thanks. That is par for the course for mid range builds, from what I've seen. I also know that I've read good reviews for the premium homes so who knows what's what. This is also dependent on their subs. Maybe the subs for the low to mid range builds are simply not up to snuff whereas the more upscale ones are? Just a thought. There was a poster here some time ago that had more intimate knowledge of TB builds - I'm curious of that person can chime in.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have direct experience with Toll? While I can find a TON of negative comments about quality, reliability and workmanshift, there isn’t much positive praise. I know everything can have a horror story, but it’s like seeing a 1000 1 star yelp review for a handful of 5 stars. Is it really that bad? I’m getting cold feet if the developer isn’t reliable. Thoughts?

My good friend built a TB in Clarksville about ten years ago and said they were a disaster. Unorganized, constant delays due to errors or poor subcontract work, etc. The models are beautiful but include so much additional wood work that's not even an option. You end up going into your finished product expecting it to look like the model and realize it's just an oversized box. I prefer my NV single over my friend's much more expensive TB.