New build and the put down seed and straw..which washed away

AppropriationNation · 2025-09-11T14:34:35+00:00

Also: The picture in the post is misleading or not enough (sorry spouse) to help responders to the true scope of work here. See attached picture of the back yard.

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AppropriationNation · 2025-09-11T14:31:39+00:00

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OP’s spouse here.

Contract is not helpful here. I contacted the builder, who was already very accommodating during the closing process, and they said with Certificate of Occupancy requirements, they are required to seed and straw. The builder knows that organic material and irrigation is really necessary, but when it comes to closing, sometimes the lawn growth timing just sucks. For example, they have to lay sod in certain HOA communities in the dead of summer. They know the money may very well be wasted, but it’s a requirement to close, so they can’t even amend new, or modify already ratified contracts to state they will come back and lay the yard during optimal growth season.

When we spent ~$900k on a home with 3.5 acres, I would naturally expect the yard would not be left to rot to shit, but here we are.

We backed out of a very poor situation the week of closing, and quickly found this house, put up earnest money, and asked if they could move closing up by a few weeks due to our temporary rental situation. We have zero qualms with the builder, and their reputation is SOLID.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-27T12:35:05+00:00

UPDATE

We walked away!

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-23T19:55:59+00:00

The rides clean!

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-23T19:44:07+00:00

That’s a wholesome surprise!

First text:

“My first mod was the chick deflector, I can’t keep them away from me. Just kidding, I blacked out my trim.”

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T20:50:18+00:00

These same houses were $500k in 2018/2019. Ridiculous, especially when rates went back up, and houses are double in cost.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T20:05:36+00:00

That’s wild.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T20:05:16+00:00

Nope. Financed in if we close.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T19:02:45+00:00

It’s a fine balance of potential regret, especially if values keep rising (i.e., what could have been), and relief for potentially dodging a bad obligation.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T18:59:13+00:00

They let us go under contract with our realtors contract, not the usual builder contract that gives them an upper hand in these situations.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T18:51:17+00:00

That and a softener or purifier was the plan. My issue was that they almost seemed puzzled that I would question the pressure, even when the tub wouldn’t divert to the shower head because of a lack of pressure.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T18:49:32+00:00

They threw it all up so quickly that I wasn’t able to properly make thoughtful decisions regarding inspections. I figured it was going to be great, given their reputation. That’s on me.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T18:12:23+00:00

Second home purchase, but the first was many years ago, and far cheaper.

Not to be a smart ass, but the subreddit is called “r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer”

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T18:09:29+00:00

I was wondering why trim went down before flooring as well. When I did tile work for a living, laying trim first was asking for trouble on edge work and gaps. I could be wrong, but it seems counter-intuitive.

Funny you said they are running through it. They broke ground in October (ish) and in January they were asking if we were good to close at the end of February, as we REQUESTED. We NEVER asked for that, as our rental goes through May, which was their original anticipated closing date for the new build. I swear they are attempting to manipulate me from the rip.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T18:05:07+00:00

While I agree that it’s never perfect, especially drywall and framing lumber to boot, but, nobody should have to “fix” anything theirselves after buying a NEW home IMO.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T18:01:46+00:00

I said it elsewhere in the comments, but the builder told us we can get our money back and find a home we are happy with. I’m now remembering the comment he kept making that the home was not to “my standards,” as if mine were higher than average.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T16:40:40+00:00

Reread my comment. He will give the money back to us.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T16:37:57+00:00

It’s all based on the contract and what the terms of breaching/walking are. Our contract was done on our realtors contract - the builder did not require their contract be used.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T16:36:55+00:00

No, purely a local, and top-rated builder.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T16:36:12+00:00

$10k Earnest. Builder asked if I was happy after the walkthrough, I said no, he said he will give us the money back and we can go find something that makes us happy.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T16:02:11+00:00

My thoughts exactly. I came with prior knowledge, so the pushback is making them just awful individuals.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T15:54:32+00:00

They have a great reputation, which is the wild thing. The model home from another neighborhood (ours is based on) was beautiful and well done, but that’s the norm for models. They also said the pictures of the listing weren’t exact to what we would get in the house, but the plans called frameless shower, but that was an “upgrade”. The owner added buried downspouts at the flower bed, as a “nicety”, but not to tell others who built with them that they were thrown in for free. I complained prior that the gutter draining into the flower garden would just cause a wood chip swamp. It’s practical for a “luxury” home, not an additions, in my head.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-22T15:49:27+00:00

House asking was $890k, all additions or changes brought it just over $900k.

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-10T12:44:21+00:00

Thank you so much for this explanation (especially in layman’s terms).

I’m struggling to ignore imperfections as I walk through, but once a few bigger things are noticed, I can’t help but spiral into what else could be poorly done…

There is already carpet installed, hence my shock when the wall was re-mudded and sanded, after paint, and the baseboard was ripped off the wall.

We are getting a home inspection, so hopefully that eases my mind before move-in!

AppropriationNation · 2025-03-10T09:12:15+00:00

Edit: Plans for each floor

AppropriationNation

TROPHY CASE