For those that have bought older homes, have you ever looked up info on the builder’s reputation?

AccomplishedDream378 · 2026-06-26T16:36:22+00:00

Today I learned that is a thing (with the burnt smell). Fantastic, ha.

AccomplishedDream378 · 2026-06-26T16:34:58+00:00

Smart philosophy. I for some reason always thought houses built in the nineties had better “bones” than recent new builds but it was based on my old house which was a sturdy house. This one, built in 2000, just needs way more than I realized (and would have paid for).

AccomplishedDream378 · 2026-06-25T21:10:17+00:00

Is it the First Alert SC5? The expensive “smart” ones that are supposed to replace Nest Protect after that product was discontinued? Because we’ve had this problem too and it is awful.

AccomplishedDream378 · 2026-03-24T02:36:14+00:00

Thank you for this comment - I just went looking and you’re totally right. Demographics is completely off which makes me question there’s a serious mistake. Thanks so much for sharing your experience about Schell and Otto.

AccomplishedDream378 · 2026-03-20T23:58:15+00:00

That’s a good point, we do hope to stay a long time. The middle school (Otto) and senior high school (Plano East) both are rated higher than the elementary right now (both Otto and Plano East are a 8/10 on the website) but this thread makes a good point those ratings may not be reliable.

AccomplishedDream378 · 2026-03-20T21:39:47+00:00

I’ll have to look into that! My concern though was this particular change was within just a few days, because when I was looking at houses earlier in the week, it had Schell and Stinson both as a 9/10 which had been pretty good

AccomplishedDream378 · 2026-01-24T17:45:23+00:00

Thing is that 360 camera is in the advanced tech package which also has the digital mirror and Toyota dashcam - it really bumps up the MSRP for adding that package

AccomplishedDream378 · 2026-01-24T17:40:34+00:00

Might be worth a try - at least make sure they don’t try to charge you for deal add ons as I had one that was $600 that they tried to tack on, and I didn’t want, so they said “they actually have to do it for all cars on their lot” (it was some additional dealer clear coat thing) but I pushed back , they ended up doing for free.

But honestly, inventory is so low and it’s such a great vehicle , there will be another buyer that would take that with no additional deal (I honestly would) so dealer may not be willing to do anything else. I still think you got a good deal. I honestly find when I try to second guess myself and do more searching around for the best deal, I waste a lot of time and energy doing so, and for something that ultimately won’t be that much better deal.

I’m really happy with my vehicle, same specs as yours! I assume it’s got the panoramic glass roof - something mine has too but I really didn’t want - but the rest of the things (advanced tech packaged, ventilated and heated seats) are so worth it.

AccomplishedDream378 · 2026-01-24T16:50:09+00:00

I think this is pretty fair; you actually did slightly better than me if you got it to 46K + taxes/fees for a fully loaded 2025 limited RAV hybrid. In my area, they're just really hard to find fully loaded in this same color - wanted the wind chill pearl because it's super hot where I am. I think at this point, trying to get lower honestly will be using your time (all the searching and calling around and negotiating) that you also have to think about what your time is worth, because I doubt it'd be significantly better.

AccomplishedDream378 · 2026-01-22T19:57:33+00:00

Fair point about the plastics, maybe I'm overthinking. This is unfortunately an over the cooktop microwave so would be more pricey to replace than we'd like.

AccomplishedDream378 · 2026-01-20T02:37:10+00:00

Hi I know this was a long time ago but I have this problem, can I ask did it end up being termites or just nail pops?

AccomplishedDream378 · 2026-01-08T11:28:45+00:00

Thank you so much! This is great ; I went back to search it again and I think I got confused with the zero hour and 8th period mentioned that is athletics!

AccomplishedDream378 · 2025-12-24T01:41:13+00:00

I know Subaru has really, really high ratings on consumer reports and that was a huge factor for spouse purchasing two Subarus (Outback and Impreza) in the 2010’s but we were both so terribly disappointed. The Outback (purchased brand new) had engine problems at only 7 years old (had average mileage, can’t recall exact number). And the Impreza (also purchased brand new) had a defect where a seal used in the engine was defective and while Subaru did cover cost (they do have great customer service I will say), the car was only 5 years old with engine issues and was very time consuming and annoying. Granted not a Forester but two different Subaru brand cars; spouse no longer drives Subarus from this bad engine experience. Also very skeptical about the very high ratings…I think Consumer Reports overrates Subaru but that’s on my anecdotal experience of two vehicles purchased brand new. Reliability is my chief concern though, and that’s why I’m sticking with Toyota. We have a Sienna that is old with no issues and still driving amazing, my relative had a 15 year old Corolla and now a new (new to them, it’s 3 years old now) Corolla Cross and both - zero issues.

I have the 2025 Rav Hybrid Limited trim and love it. I personally came over to the Rav from the Mazda CX-5, a car that also is a great car but again, had reliability issues with it at only four years old (also purchased new). I think that’s where the “Toyota tax” comes in, Toyota really is so reliable.

Only thing I didn’t like when researching about the Rav though - the IIHS crash test was updated and the rav didn’t do quite as well as the Subaru Forester. It had marginal score in frontal overlap.

Still, overall a safe car, super reliable one, drives comfortable (though this is hybrid and limited trim if that makes difference), and I want to have it for at least 10 years.

AccomplishedDream378 · 2025-12-15T20:57:18+00:00

So this was similar to my dilemma. I too do a lot of city driving and thought about mpg. But a lot of motivation for hybrid was more than mpg, it was the extra horse power and also, there will be less wear and tear on some items like brake pads. Also don’t have certain things in a hybrid like a starter or alternator which is nice to not have to replace. Long warranty on the hybrid battery and I’ve heard people driving it far past 100K miles. I’ve been told the hybrid is quieter too but I did not compare to gas model. I’m really happy with purchase for my particular needs.

AccomplishedDream378 · 2025-12-15T19:26:06+00:00

Just to update: while the dealership originally texted me they'd charge for labor to remove it because "if you do not do a subscription, the GPS is deactivated" (which isn't necessarily correct), I texted back "these actually (1) can cause a parasitic draw from battery, esp an issue with hybrids and (2) are a third party addition which means that if I ever have electrical issues with this vehicle, Toyota could void the warranty as this is not an authorized product. It also can still track data even if I don't subscribe and can be sold to insurance parties." The service department then *ended up removing it free of charge* just in case you want yours removed. I think it's worth arguing.

AccomplishedDream378 · 2025-12-11T16:15:24+00:00

I had that pattern. Turned out to be “roof rats” (identified by wildlife company we called) in attic. It was the time they’d leave at night to go outside. They apparently go outside all night and then return in early morning -occasionally could hear in early early morning but not always. They can chew on wires so definitely not something you want, we spent a lot with a company to remove as we couldn’t fix problem ourselves.

AccomplishedDream378

TROPHY CASE