Merry Christmas!

Family picture taken with Santa at a neighborhood party last night! Merry Christmas everyone!

Tub Update

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the actual cracks (why on earth I didn't take any with my regular camera is beyond me! I took a few with my camera phone). But here are pictures of our garden tub and the fixes. I need to talk to my PM because I'm just not feeling comfortable with the way it turned out. You can see where the cracks were. When it was fixed, the person who fixed it wasn't able to use the power buffer for some reason and it just doesn't look right. I'm bummed because this tub was one of our upgrades.

They think what happened was that the tub was a tight fit in the spot it was put in and with the house settling, it caused the cracks. IF the tub is replaced, I have no idea how they'll do it. There is no way to get the same tub we have now. With the house finished, it is way to big to get upstairs in the bathroom. It would have to be a 2-piece tub.


You can see the spots, right at the top of the picture in the middle and then in the lower left corner.

This one is at the back of the tub.

There were 2 more cracks, but you can't really see those spots. One was benind the shampoo and the other was right on the corner of the shelf.

Cracked Tub

A bunch of stuff was fixed on Wednesday. 

Imagine my surprise when on Thursday, my cleaning person came downstairs to ask me if I knew about the cracks in our shower/tub.  WHAT?!  No, I definitely didn't.

So, I went up there to check it out and sure enough, there were 5 cracks in our tub!  And they were decent sized cracks.  They had to have happened sometime between Wednesday and Thursday - I definitely would've notice them.

We called our project manager and he was really surprised - and was confused about how something like that could happen.  He has never experienced that before!  We're thinking that maybe the tub was a really tight fit and with the house settling, the pressure caused the cracks.  Someone came out right away on Friday to fix it and luckily the cracks didn't go all the way through to the red fiberglass (or whatever it is).  So I guess that is a good thing? 

Our PM stopped by to check on how the fixes were going (sidenote: all the people who have come to fix our house so far have been SUPER nice!) and I did talk to him about my concerns.  I am worried - what if our tub keeps cracking like this?  That SUCKS!!  And I don't want to have to replace our tub in a few years, you know?  Our PM assured me that they will take care of things - IF we get anymore they will have the manufacturer come take a look at it and we'll go from there.

Oh and something interesting I was told - apparently our tub is so big, we couldn't get a new one!  They can't get it in the house because it is so big!  That worries me a little bit too...what do we do if we need to get a new one?  I guess it comes in pieces or something.  I'll keep you updated..

Fixes and other ramblings...

I'm happy to report that we were able to schedule our fixes!  In fact, our project manager and crew are at our house working as we speak.  You know, I was worried that maybe I'm too much of a perfectionist and being overly picky about things, but my husband told me that our project manager even acknowledged that a few things, like the trim work, should have been cleaned up much better than it was. 

We're very fortunate that there were no major issues with our house.  And I feel confident that our home is structurally sound!  Which, to me, is the most important thing.  We recently had a get together with a bunch of our new neighbors.  Our neighborhood is interesting because it was started by 1 builder and is now being finished by Ryan.  The original builder is a well known local builder, but they are EXPENSIVE!  For example, we ended up paying approximately $270,000 (we actually PAID less with the incentives, but on paper that is the estimate) for our approximately 2760 sq ft (I think?  pretty close...), 4 bedroom home.  A friend of ours built a 1800 sq ft home in a different neighborhood with this other builder and they paid $250,000 for their house!  Can you believe it?  And no, they did not get a lot of upgrades.  They also had to arrange for their lawn to be hydroseeded (Ryan takes care of this) - and from what I've heard that is a major pain in the rear end!  Our neighbors who have built with the other builder do like their homes, but have definitely had some issues with the builder.  It sounds like no builder is perfect, but we definitely got the most bang for our buck!

An interesting thing I found out this past weekend...did you know that when you go to a Ryan development to select a home to build, you aren't limited to the homes listed for that neighborhood??  I did not know that!  Apparently, they come up with a list of homes that fit the lots the best, but if they can fit it and you can pay for it, they'll build it.  I found this out because a house was started a couple of months ago and it's a ranch - we were so confused beacuse there were no ranches as options for the neighborhood!  One of the neighbors went and asked the sales rep at the model about it and that's what he found out.  Now, that doesn't mean that I wouldn't have still gone with the Ravenna - we got a great deal on our house!  But definitely interesting that you actually do have more options!

Oh and I WISH my husband had taken a picture of the blue tape markings I put up.  We were supposed to mark any fixes needed with blue tape and let's just say, I got a little blue tape happy.  I was in a crabby mood last night and taking it out on the tape - LOL.  Jeff busted out laughing when he saw my handy work!

30 day meeting???

Things are going well so far.  No major issues to report!  I do have some concerns though - namely the 30 day follow up...or lack thereof.  It isn't a huge deal, but I am a little disappointed.  My husband ended up having to contact our project manager to set it up - and our PM just ended up stopping by on a whim and going through the house with my husband when I wasn't home.  Not exactly what I had in mind.  And nothing that was pointed out has been fixed.

A few things:
- we have some concerns about the water pressure in the upstairs bathroom.  It is very low.  Fine everywhere else.
- front door, pillars, garage door all need a 2nd coat of paint and touch ups. 
- there is a spot on our stairs where the stain got messed up - that needs fixing.
- there are a few areas where the trim/drywall looks ridiculous.  I'll have to take a picture of the one spot in particular.  It has been driving me crazy.
- there is a piece of floor molding that wasn't nailed down where the sliding glass door is

it is all stuff that isn't a HUGE deal, but 1) I would've liked some notice on when our meeting was going to be so I could make sure I had a detailed list (especially if I wasn't going to be there).  2) I wish we were getting better information about what will be fixed and when. 

Other than that, we've gotten our first heating bill - very pleased!  It was pretty much the same as at our old house!  The snow and wind have been crazy the last week or so and I haven't felt a single draft and barely heard the wind! 

Pictures and an update

Things have been going well.  We had a wonderful first Halloween in our new neighborhood - everyone is so friendly!  We're still working on unpacking a few more boxes, but for the most part we've settled in.  The house still doesn't feel quite like home, but I am sure we'll get there as we start putting our own touches on things.  I haven't been as productive as I would like because my husband has been really busy with work and I've been under the weather as well.  There's also an outbreak of Strep Throat at our babysitter so I'm praying the kids don't get it (or me either!).

We've had a few things fixed - our doorbell wasn't working and it was fixed.  We also had our alarm system installed.  It freaks me out a little - we've never had one and I'm scared of setting the alarm off!

We have a little bit of grass!  I'm surprised it has grown at all, but it is definitely there.  We have a few small sinkholes but nothing too bad and our Project Manager told us they were normal and would be fixed in the spring.

Powder Room

Office

Kitchen/Morning Room

View from mud room into kitchen/great room

dining room

play room (formal living room)

entry

great room

master bath

Updates, Updates, Updates!!!

Holy cow.  I totally get why the other Ryan Home bloggers disappear off the face of the earth for a week or so after they move in!  We have been BUSY!

It is hard to believe we have been living in our new home for about a week now!!  I love it.  I am so happy.  I will post pictures soon, but I need to finish unpacking. 

I love our neighborhood.  Tons and tons of little kids for my girls to play with and I'm getting to know one of the neighbors whose daughter attends preschool with mine.  We might even go to a fall festival together this weekend! 

Our move went GREAT.  Probably the smoothest move we've ever had.  Our project manager checked in with us to make sure everything was going ok.  Funny story, one of our movers just built a Ryan home a few months ago!  He's been in it for about 2 months and he had the same project manager.  And he's been really happy with everything so far! Glad to hear it!

There are a few issues that need to be fixed - as I'm sure there are with every new build (at least, that's what I'm hearing from people!).  There was a nick in the bottom of our bathtub and someone came and fixed that right away.  Our doorbell doesn't work and I'm not sure what is going on with that.  I know it will be fixed soon.  We are keeping a list and our Project Manager said that we'll go through everything at our 30 day meeting.  There are a few drywall issues, the front door needs another coat of paint and some sanding, the pillars might need more paint - nothing mission critical.  My biggest issue is that I'm a total perfectionist and overly critical so I'm trying not to be super anal about things. 

Great news - our lawn was able to be graded and seeded.  YAY!  That was a very pleasant surprise.  But guess what else?  We get 2 trees!!  I love trees and they aren't cheap - especially to have a professional landscaper come and put them in, so I was absolutely THRILLED when I found out about that. 

Ryan Homes came out with a website for current homeowners.  I just got the email about it yesterday so I'm looking forward to checking that out. 

Overall, we have been so, SO happy with this experience.  We love our home.  And I'm very pleased with the attention and service that NVR and Ryan Homes give to their customers.  I know other people have had issues, but for those building in Western New York - definitely consider them.  You get so much more for your money!

I will definitely continue to update this as we live in our home and will update with pictures soon!

Final Walk Through

Today we had our final walk through at the house.  We close on Friday.  Everything looked great.  The meeting was kind of boring (no offense Project Manager Mike!!!!).  All about warranties, and furnaces and hot water tanks, etc, etc, etc.  Can you tell I was really paying attention?  I've just got too much on my mind - I'll let my husband worry about maintenance issues!!

Keep your fingers crossed for us that our move goes well on Friday - its supposed to rain buckets.  GAH!!!!   

Recent pictures

Vanity in upstairs bathroom.  Not loving it - it's SO small!

Lame-O vanity in Master Bath.  This is being replaced.

Master Bedroom.  And a cameo by our Project Manager!

Natalie checking out her room.

View of dining room

Office

Powder room

MUCH happier.

Updates.

We will be closing on the 15th!  YAY!!!!!  I really wish we could close on the 13th, but that's just me being picky and a planner.  The 15th is just dandy.  I cannot wait!  I am so anxious to start living in our new house. 

Ryan Homes is fixing the vanity in our Master Bath - for FREE!  YAY!!  I am extremely pleased with this.  I was NOT expecting to get anything for free.  I was really just upset that the master vanity was not clearly communicated to us.  Note to Ryan Home Employees: there should really be a visual or something.  Either a picture or at the selection center.  You'd probably have a lot more people upgrading their bathrooms!!  There won't be any change in the other bathroom, but I'm ok with that.  I DO remember our Sales Rep saying it would be a single vanity in that bathroom.  I didn't realize how SMALL it would be (hence the need for a visual!) but there definitely wasn't a miscommunication on that.

A big thank you to our Project Manager and Sales Rep for getting this taken care of! 

I have a bigger complaint.

I am SO disappointed right now.

My husband went to check out house progress today and the bathrooms are not what we expected them to be AT ALL.  We opted not to get the double sinks because it was insanely expensive.  When discussed with our sales rep, he said it was because of plumbing.  When we opted for the single bowl sinks, we did not realize that we would actually be getting smaller vanities!  In the kids bathroom, its fine.  It looks kind of dumb, but its fine.  But in the Master Bath - it just looks so stupid.  It's a single vanity with a kind of extension of countertop, so the space underneath is empty.  It looks awful.  I am so disappointed. 

My husband called this morning to get more information and it is sounding like they won't do anything.  That really sucks.  We're spending all this money on our house and we hate the bathrooms and now we're going to have to rip out these vanities and put new ones in. BOOOOOOOOO!

So, yea...I'd say this is my biggest complaint so far!

We still don't have a definite closing date.

We stopped in at the model and talked to one of the sales reps on Saturday and he said we were in the computer for October 13th.  Sounds great.  Apparently we're supposed to get some sort of letter, but we haven't seen that yet.  Today, hopefully!

My husband spoke with our Project Manager this morning and apparently October 13th isn't the closing date, its the date of our final walk through and our closing will probably be the 15th.  GRRRRRR.  Can we just get some straight and DEFINITE answers here?  Maybe I'm just jealous of all you other Ryan Home bloggers who seem to have better communication about your settlement date than we do.  Apparently there were some paperwork issues delaying things. 

I know I've been waiting since May to get into our new house - what's a few more weeks???  Why do they seem like they're dragging on FOREVER????

We're moving WHEN?!?!?!?!

Oh wait...we don't know yet.  The question is quite literal.

I'm frustrated.  I want to know when we're moving!!  I have 2 little kids to factor into this moving equation, I need to figure some stuff out.  And my husband works from home so we HAVE to make sure we have internet as soon as we move in. 

When we had our pre-drywall meeting a few weeks ago, we were given an estimated closing date of October 8th.  But when we talked to our Project Manager, he mentioned he was about a week ahead of that schedule.  Then this week he happened to mention to my husband that some things got pushed back recently due to weather.  I don't know if that was with our house or some other house that happened to affect ours?  I have no idea...  And of course if we move October 8th (and that weekend) - we have very little help to move!  My In-Laws are out of town for the weekend, my parents have a wedding in Albany, our babysitter is going camping, my husbands Aunt is going out of town.  ACK!  I think my brother and sister-in-law can help and a couple of close friends.  But can you see why this is semi-maddening?  I need to know if we're moving on the worst possible weekend or not!

Anyways...drywall is done.  House is painted.  Trim and doors are up!  They poured our porch.  The vinyl flooring is installed.  Cabinets are inside the house, but not hung.  It seems like everything is so close!   I'm so ready to be IN!

On a really fun note, we met one of our new neighbors today!  Her daughter is the same age as my daughter and they are in the same preschool class!  How awesome is that?!  And her son is close to my other daughters age.  I'm so excited!

Want to help a good cause AND get some great Pampered Chef gear??

I'm having an online Pampered Chef show! 10% of the sales will go to benefit the Waner Children's Vascular Anomoly Foundation. http://www.pamperedchef.biz/katiegalvin Just type my name in as the host (Kristine Huber) and you're set to go!
The Waner Children's Foundation is a great cause and has been a great help and support to my friend while her daughter has gone through treatment for a hemangioma birthmark. For more information check out http://wanervascularanomaly.org/
Please consider helping me out with this very important cause! Thank you!

We have siding!!

They just have a little bit that they need to finish tomorrow. How exciting to finally see what the outside of the house looks like! I'm not 100% sure I like the gray and blue together. Everyone keeps telling me it looks great so I'll just go with it!

Updates

We have drywall!  Since the last update the house has been insulated and all of the drywall is up.  They also did the first coat of mud. 

We also upgraded our hot water tank to gas.  My husband was a little frustrated with that situation because we were never given an option to upgrade the hot water tank.  Luckily we were able to switch, no problem, and not charged a fee for changing it so late.

Not too many pictures to share because all of the work has been on the inside lately!  There is another house going up across the street from us - it is the same model as our house except they got the bonus room over the garage.  Not sure what I think about it.  Yes, the added space would be great, but I just don't care for the way the house looks with it.  Too boxy or something. 

Here is the siding and shutters we picked.  I don't remember what the colors are called exactly.  The siding is a light gray - stone maybe?  And the shutters are classic blue - I think.

Other Ryan Home builders...what kind of hot water tank do you have?

My husband stopped by our house yesterday and he was disappointed to find that the hot water tank was installed.  And it's electric.  Apparently he says that's a bad thing because electricity is expensive where we are.  (I have no idea...)  He said that he specifically asked about the hot water tank and that our Sales Representative told us it was a gas water tank.  He's going to call soon and hopefully get some answers!

If you've built a Ryan home - what type of hot water tank do you have?

Pre-Drywall Meeting and Good News!!

Several things...

1) We had our pre-drywall walk through. Everything looks great. Our project manager is estimating the house will be done the first week in October. Our Loan Officer is thinking we'll have an October 8th closing date. Fingers crossed!

2) My Father-In-Law came with us for the walk through - just an extra set of eyes and he's familiar with building codes and whatnot. He was impressed! In fact, he said that our house is built better than our friends house that was built last year by a different builder. Their house is almost 1,000 sq ft smaller than ours and they paid the same price we're paying for ours. It makes me that much more confident in our decision to build our house through Ryan.

3) We got a little surprise with our front porch lighting. Instead of just having the 1 light by the door - there are 2 lights in the ceiling of our porch! I love it!

4) We spoke with our loan officer today and locked in our interest rate at 4%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so psyched! We need less $$ than we expected for our closing costs AND our monthly payment is going to be $60 less per month than we originally thought!! (And that is with adding the $14,000 morning room!!!!!) I am so excited right now. We are only paying approx. $700 more a month for this new house that is 1500sq ft bigger that our current house. I am so thrilled, we got such a good deal, we're under my target monthly payment - I feel really fortunate!

OMG OMG OMG!!!!

We got a call from our Project Manager today.  He scheduled our pre-drywall meeting for TOMORROW!!!!!!  Holy Cow!  I wasn't expecting that to be so soon!  He actually wanted to do it today, but didn't have enough time.  WAHOOOOO!

Anyone who has already finished building their house...how long was it after the pre-drywall meeting that your house was finished??  We've been told approximately 30 days!  YIKES!!! 

A roof and garage door

Things are still moving along!  Even though they're moving fast, I wish they could move faster!  I am so anxious to move in and have more space.  And be closer to things.

This past week they finished the roof, started the plumbing, electric, and HVAC.  They also added our garage door!  And I must say, I'm impressed with the garage door.  Ryan Homes contracts with Hamburg Overhead Door which is a very reputable company in the area.  So, I am happy about that!

I'm eager to talk to our project manager soon to find out when we might have our pre-drywall meeting!

Windows!! And Doors!!! (and some Hmmm's...)

I am really starting to get so excited!  Things are coming together and it is really starting to look like our house!!

Some of my Hmmmm's...
It is SO strange to me the way the builders just leave the materials out.  Like the windows and doors.  It would be so easy for someone to come by at night and swipe that stuff!  I'm curious if/how often stuff like that happens.

My other Hmmmm...I'm slightly irritated that the construction site hasn't been as clean as I thought/hoped it would be.  There have been empty soda bottles left in the house, there has been pieces of Styrofoam (I'm assuming from windows?) floating around all over the lot - and going onto our neighbors yard!  Not cool.  And the most annoying...a half eaten hostess cupcake and half eaten sandwich randomly tossed on the ground outside the garage.  GROSS!!  And those have been there for 2 days!

Anyways...here are the most recent pictures!  The front was taken yesterday, the back today.  I have a feeling that soon we'll be at the point where we won't notice as many changes on the outside! 

Front Porch

Random missing window...hmmm

Hope no one steals our windows...

More progress!

It has been so fun to watch our house go up!  I know that soon we won't be able to see the changes and progress because it will be on the inside.  I'm really anxious for our home to be finished so we can move in and get settled before the holidays!  Here are some pictures I took yesterday - looks like they're starting on the roof!