This type of video helps us so much as buyers. I have a long list of bad builders that I made so as to stay away from them when I am ready to buy. Thanks Wendy!
Also, I only want to do business with your family, so you will be hearing from me through your website when that time comes. Hope you will be willing to help with my search west of Fort Worth. 😊
Thanks for the video. I was considering Grand Homes as my home, now I will be more careful or even buy an existing house. As if paying 1 mln is not enough in Dallas to get a decent quality. And this type of contracts is disrespectful and a huge turn off.
Great video! I have to mention, when i was in North Texas real estate in 2001-2008, Grand Homes didn't have the best lots. They'd often (not always) be in neighborhoods with a water tower, back up to (soon-to-be) busy roads, near train tracks, power lines, commercial-zoned lots, etc. I think savings on land was part of their business model. Keep your eyes open. Also, if you're shopping for homes and know someone who knows about construction, evaluate the quality of construction between builders. See if they're using a lot of pressed wood etc. Is the insulation sufficient? Back in the day, at that price range, Pulte and Lennar were better than Grand, but things may have changed.
Thank you for always providing great information and for supplying such great “interpretive” services…all the legalese into regular human vocabulary!😉 Your videos have always been helpful, and I especially appreciate the significant amount of research and statistical interpretation you provide. I learn something everytime I watch one of your videos. Thank you so much!!💗
I am a grand home owner in monterra, and I regret it. First the building process with them is rediculosly painful and sales person peter is unprofessional and didn't care once we gave him the 20k security deposit. Fast forward 8month house is complete look good but has unnecessary defect which shouldn't be at that price point of 700k. Big hole at the side of my house which was not sitting on a slab, it was the cable guy who found it. They didn't run a conduit into the house either took att a whole day and 2 technician to get my internet running. Bathroom makes tapping noise coming through the plumbing while ac is on. I will only expect this type of quality from DR Horton. The next day after closing the door knob fell off in the garage wish I can send pictures. And the list goes on. To be honest I like the floor plan but the quality at that price point is rediculos. Oh and did I mention they built my over 4000 squar foot home infront of a 1800 sf home khavanna. If I knew all this before building I would not have done it. But there was no home on that block when I signed the contract so I didn't know this was going to be the case.
Oh noooo I talk about that in one of my other videos - the whole unwelcome wildcard of having a tiny house built right adjacent to your big one. 🙁 It sounds like it has not been a pleasant experience at all!
@carnivalgods4573 yes you are correct my first property was 2000 squar foot and was good enough for a family of 5. But in comparison if you have an 1800 square foot home would you want a 700 sq home built right in front of your house?
@@olumideRemi-Johnson I honestly wouldn't have an issue with the size. Ideally the neighborhood will share a certain sense of pride of ownership and are hopefully somewhat tethered together in consideration and looking out for each other. But beyond that I wouldn't take any more issue with the size of a house than I would the prospect of a neighborhood having a homogenized look to it. The other things you mention I totally understand. Your expectations haven't been met with certain things regarding the house and I hope the builder addresses your concerns.
I’m two years post closing on my grand home. You hit some great points especially the tax bill (crazy surprise) I’m overall happy with my home but the contract was very tricky. I wish I had an attorney throughout out closing process since it was delay after delay
we bought our starter home in 2001 in plano for 111,000 I thought I was going to die trying to pay for it in my early 20's with a new baby , we stayed there for 20 wonderful years God blessed us with . Now we are still in plano seeing our kids going off in their own lives , all of this to say I would buy a 90s 2000s home when we get a chance to buy another house , or a really nice trailer if I can sell my wife on it :-)
I purchased a home in 2021 that was a grand home, it was 19 years old when i got it im glad i did it, so I know the bugs have been worked out, plus everything has always been upgraded when I got it.
I have a contingency contract for a new build then they dropped the price 50k and saying they can’t adjust the base price but my final contract hasn’t been signed . Seem like my realtor is working with the sales agent . Something is not adding up ?
Hi Wendy, thanks for the Grand Homes review. Overall would you recommend Grand for a new home builder? You mentioned they nickel & dime and final prices can be significantly higher. Would you say on a model in the advertised price of $800k could be x% higher? Also you mentioned similar quality home builders like Toll, Shaddock, Perry. Which builder makes your top list?
This is such a tough question. I've been thinking about it for a while after you posted it. There honestly isn't one lone builder that I'd say is perfectly ideal even out of the ones you mentioned. Like some of them I love the quality but hate the contracts. I used to love Perry homes and not care for their contracts at all but then I discovered they used t-ply and that changed my opinion. Shaddock also uses t-ply for sheathing and that really strikes me as less than ideal. I like that K Hov takes the high road on their sheathing but I strongly dislike their $500 a day late-fee penalty. I really like that Grand allows you to customize everything including your insulation - but they absolutely do nickel and dime you to death. They aren't super consistent on the responsiveness of their sales consultants. Some of them will never, ever communicate and others will bend over backwards and give you everything you need in under five minutes. I think our best plan is for me to feature these builders in future videos and you'll be able to see exactly what I'm talking about!
It depends on what type of Grand home you're comparing. The castle with spires look is hard to duplicate, and not many will have the imperial staircases, but the vaulted ceilings, wall of windows in the back - those you can find in numerous builders.
Thanks a lot. I am looking for builders with plans similar to the Lake Forest one to be built on my own lot. If I cannot find it, I will have to go to a custom builder, but I haven’t find one with past projects looking these good. Thanks for any lead.
Get a real estate attorney to go over your contract with you. I have a grand home for 2 years now and overall satisfied but the buying/building process was crazy. Looking back I should got a real estate attorney for any new build Grand homes or not
This type of video helps us so much as buyers. I have a long list of bad builders that I made so as to stay away from them when I am ready to buy. Thanks Wendy!
Anytime! I’m so glad to hear they’re helpful in your planning!
Also, I only want to do business with your family, so you will be hearing from me through your website when that time comes. Hope you will be willing to help with my search west of Fort Worth. 😊
@@MissBlingers I love hearing that! Yes, we have closed many transactions all along the west side. Thank you so much and we're looking forward to it!
Thanks for the video. I was considering Grand Homes as my home, now I will be more careful or even buy an existing house. As if paying 1 mln is not enough in Dallas to get a decent quality. And this type of contracts is disrespectful and a huge turn off.
There are a couple nice master planned communities builders,but most are completely missing the mark especially the big corporations
I feel that way about so many builder contracts! 😓
Great video! I have to mention, when i was in North Texas real estate in 2001-2008, Grand Homes didn't have the best lots. They'd often (not always) be in neighborhoods with a water tower, back up to (soon-to-be) busy roads, near train tracks, power lines, commercial-zoned lots, etc. I think savings on land was part of their business model. Keep your eyes open.
Also, if you're shopping for homes and know someone who knows about construction, evaluate the quality of construction between builders. See if they're using a lot of pressed wood etc. Is the insulation sufficient?
Back in the day, at that price range, Pulte and Lennar were better than Grand, but things may have changed.
This is outstanding advice!
Thank you for always providing great information and for supplying such great “interpretive” services…all the legalese into regular human vocabulary!😉
Your videos have always been helpful, and I especially appreciate the significant amount of research and statistical interpretation you provide. I learn something everytime I watch one of your videos. Thank you so much!!💗
Thank you so much!
I am a grand home owner in monterra, and I regret it. First the building process with them is rediculosly painful and sales person peter is unprofessional and didn't care once we gave him the 20k security deposit. Fast forward 8month house is complete look good but has unnecessary defect which shouldn't be at that price point of 700k. Big hole at the side of my house which was not sitting on a slab, it was the cable guy who found it. They didn't run a conduit into the house either took att a whole day and 2 technician to get my internet running. Bathroom makes tapping noise coming through the plumbing while ac is on. I will only expect this type of quality from DR Horton. The next day after closing the door knob fell off in the garage wish I can send pictures. And the list goes on. To be honest I like the floor plan but the quality at that price point is rediculos.
Oh and did I mention they built my over 4000 squar foot home infront of a 1800 sf home khavanna. If I knew all this before building I would not have done it. But there was no home on that block when I signed the contract so I didn't know this was going to be the case.
Oh noooo I talk about that in one of my other videos - the whole unwelcome wildcard of having a tiny house built right adjacent to your big one. 🙁 It sounds like it has not been a pleasant experience at all!
When an 1800 square ft home is considered small......I'd call it sensible for a family of 4 or less. Imvho
@@carnivalgods4573 You do make a valid point... compared to a 4,000 square foot house it is small but you're right, to many that is a great size!
@carnivalgods4573 yes you are correct my first property was 2000 squar foot and was good enough for a family of 5. But in comparison if you have an 1800 square foot home would you want a 700 sq home built right in front of your house?
@@olumideRemi-Johnson I honestly wouldn't have an issue with the size. Ideally the neighborhood will share a certain sense of pride of ownership and are hopefully somewhat tethered together in consideration and looking out for each other. But beyond that I wouldn't take any more issue with the size of a house than I would the prospect of a neighborhood having a homogenized look to it. The other things you mention I totally understand. Your expectations haven't been met with certain things regarding the house and I hope the builder addresses your concerns.
I’m two years post closing on my grand home. You hit some great points especially the tax bill (crazy surprise) I’m overall happy with my home but the contract was very tricky. I wish I had an attorney throughout out closing process since it was delay after delay
The contract really is tricky! And it's super small print in huge paragraphs. They really should improve that.
we bought our starter home in 2001 in plano for 111,000 I thought I was going to die trying to pay for it in my early 20's with a new baby , we stayed there for 20 wonderful years God blessed us with . Now we are still in plano seeing our kids going off in their own lives , all of this to say I would buy a 90s 2000s home when we get a chance to buy another house , or a really nice trailer if I can sell my wife on it :-)
There is no greater joy than putting down deep roots and watching your littles grow!
@@WendyPannell So true , and I just love your videos , I was/am real estate illiterate 🙂
I purchased a home in 2021 that was a grand home, it was 19 years old when i got it im glad i did it, so I know the bugs have been worked out, plus everything has always been upgraded when I got it.
At first I thought you said you were 19 and I was like wow, you bought a Grand home when you were 19! 😂I'm glad it's ended up being a good investment!
I have a contingency contract for a new build then they dropped the price 50k and saying they can’t adjust the base price but my final contract hasn’t been signed . Seem like my realtor is working with the sales agent . Something is not adding up ?
It’s hard to say not seeing the contract but your Realtor needs to beTeam You!
Hi Wendy, thanks for the Grand Homes review. Overall would you recommend Grand for a new home builder? You mentioned they nickel & dime and final prices can be significantly higher. Would you say on a model in the advertised price of $800k could be x% higher? Also you mentioned similar quality home builders like Toll, Shaddock, Perry. Which builder makes your top list?
This is such a tough question. I've been thinking about it for a while after you posted it. There honestly isn't one lone builder that I'd say is perfectly ideal even out of the ones you mentioned. Like some of them I love the quality but hate the contracts. I used to love Perry homes and not care for their contracts at all but then I discovered they used t-ply and that changed my opinion. Shaddock also uses t-ply for sheathing and that really strikes me as less than ideal. I like that K Hov takes the high road on their sheathing but I strongly dislike their $500 a day late-fee penalty. I really like that Grand allows you to customize everything including your insulation - but they absolutely do nickel and dime you to death. They aren't super consistent on the responsiveness of their sales consultants. Some of them will never, ever communicate and others will bend over backwards and give you everything you need in under five minutes. I think our best plan is for me to feature these builders in future videos and you'll be able to see exactly what I'm talking about!
Thanks for all of this information 🦋
Anytime! I hope it was helpful!
Good info
Thanks!
What builder has houses that looks like Grand Homes?
The Shaddock home Conroe plan looks similar, lakes at legacy Shaddock homes should help you out
It depends on what type of Grand home you're comparing. The castle with spires look is hard to duplicate, and not many will have the imperial staircases, but the vaulted ceilings, wall of windows in the back - those you can find in numerous builders.
Thanks. I love their 3 car garage Lake Forest Home with all the extra rooms. I haven’t seen a single custom home that looks like these.
Thanks a lot. I am looking for builders with plans similar to the Lake Forest one to be built on my own lot. If I cannot find it, I will have to go to a custom builder, but I haven’t find one with past projects looking these good. Thanks for any lead.
Check out First Texas
Good to know, Grand Homes off my list.
It's a hard one because there are so many good things about them but plenty of concerning things too.
Get a real estate attorney to go over your contract with you. I have a grand home for 2 years now and overall satisfied but the buying/building process was crazy. Looking back I should got a real estate attorney for any new build Grand homes or not