Pillars!

What a difference since Saturday!

- Honey
78 days to go

Construction Has Begun

Hi All,

The trenches have been dug and we have footings!!!!!  It looks like things have started a few days earlier than estimated. Here's an update pic.

-Honey
80 Days to Go

Project Manager Meeting (40 Questions)

Hi All,

Before I met with my project manager for the first time, I compiled my questions.  I had 40! (The list is below.)

When we started the meeting, the first thing he did was give me his card with all his contact information.  I told him that I had 40 questions and he didn't blink or balk.  He said "bring it on"! (FYI - both my realtor and my sales rep attended the meeting.)

In addition to answering all of my questions we reviewed my selections, he told me not to use salt to melt ice in the winter and why, and said they would remove (and reinstall) all of the railings for my my move and appliance delivery. I also learned that there would be another person in the process who would answer settlement questions and confirm my settlement date.

Barring any obstacles, he expects to be done in October! He said that the construction crews in the development "have a good groove going".

I'm finally excited!

Honey
89 Days to go!

P.S. The meeting only took 1 hour. Not the 2-3 hours as listed in the Ryan Homeowners Guide. 

Questions/Review Items for My Project Manager

1. Contact information?
2. What is your preferred method of contact?
3. What is the turnaround time for responses to questions?
4. If a cell number is provided, do you text?
5. Ask for the timeline (construction schedule) and review my timeline items
6. Has the excavation already been done?  There was a hole previously that was filled in and leveled off a few weeks ago.
7. Will there be one solid slab for the three units or 3 separate slabs?
8. Will the Guardian walkthrough happen during the Mechanicals week or the Final Trades Week?
9. Verify where each electrical outlet will be
10. Check where each light switch will be
11. Check where each recessed light will be (including basement)
12. Check where each ceiling fan will be
13. Check where thermostat will be on wall
14. Reminder – additional outlet in kitchen island on opposite side
15. Reminder – television in living room will be wall mounted – please add additional support beam
16. Dryer vent – please put high enough to hook up AFTER dryer is pushed into place
17. Will the fireplace placement affect the deck or patio space?
18. Where will the hose bib be placed?
19. Where will the water shut off for the hose be inside? 
20. Where will soap dish cut out be in master bathroom?
21. Where will soap dish be placed in hall bathroom?
22. Placement of faucet in soaking tub – what side – should not be where I face toilet
23. Where will AC unit be placed?
24. Establish desired communication procedures* how often will we get updates? 
25. Confirm all walls will be smooth not textured or brush stroked (ceiling)
26. Do any of the options I choose give you cause for concern?
27. What type of roof?  Need for insurance quote
28. What is the type of siding?  Need for insurance quote
29. Is there a step down from foyer into garage? 
30. Are the mailboxes going to stay where they are?
31. Could the team leave touch up paint or the color/brand of the paint used?
32. Gutters?  Where are they?
33. Recessed lights in the basement – confirm placement
34. How often will I be able to view the inside of the home while under construction?
35. Will the garage floor have a pitch that will let any water drain out to the driveway?
36. Will the Ryan provided inspection results be available for review?
37. Will there be extra floor supports for high-traffic areas?
38. Confirm estimated date for pre-drywall meeting so that I can bring my inspector in.
39. How long have you been with Ryan Homes?
40. How long have you been doing project management?

Mortgage Approval

Hi Friends,

I'm one step closer to settlement...I have a mortgage approval! 

This was a longer process because I didn't do things in order.  Normally folks pull their funds and financing together first THEN they find a house. I had no plans on buying a house when I signed the contract so I take responsibility for the speed of the process (which included a 3am scavenger hunt to find one W-2 from 2012).

Tomorrow I meet with my project manager!

-Honey
90 days to settlement

It Just Got Real!

Hi Friends & Family,

So much has gone on over the last month and a half!  

I've been going to the community on a weekly basis and watching the other properties go up.  If you remember, mine is the last one that needs to be built. Well, the other properties are not just going up...they are going up fast.  They look like they are ahead of schedule.  I finally asked my Sales Rep (SR) about the timeline. Her response was, "Well, we are ahead of schedule.  They expect the entire community to be done by October."  October???? That's two months ahead of schedule. It's okay.  I'm a little stressed, but I'm okay. 

Well, TODAY I get an email from my SR titled "Pre-Construction Meeting".  My project manager wants to meet next week. Ish just got real!

I have to put together my list of questions and specifications for my project manager.  Guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend.

I officially need to change the countdown clock on the blog!

-Honey
143 96 days left!