We purchased a finished spec home from Daytona. We loved the layout, finishings, and lot size. We opted to have the basement developed through the builder prior to possession. This is where the hiccups began. It is our error for not having certain conversations in writing and agreeing to a "just in case" possession date on paper. We should've known better. I am not sure if it was a sales tactic that we were assured of an earlier date verbally or if she just didn't know how long the process would take, but a good portion of our house decision was based on those dates, and once we signed, all of those conversations were never acknowledged again. We then started off on a tense note, eagerly checking in for the timelines we were told we would get and either receiving roundabout non answers or the "hopefully we'll get you in by the possession date!" The majority of the prepossession experience was a lot of "customer handling" vs transparent human conversation. I think our basement was in fact completed in a hurried timeline, and we now appreciate the work that was put in, but we were given false ones that we were relying on. Aside from that effort from the trades, it felt like there was little flexibility from the builder. Things that would've made a big difference for us and caused very little inconvenience to them were never dealt with because "that's not how we do things." There was a constant need to contact them for updates and any firm information. We felt like we were bothering them constantly but only because their information and contact was hardly forthcoming and proactive. Regular, transparent communication and info would've gone a long way. We did feel that after possession occurred, we were brushed off even more so by this part of the company. Paint touch ups that had been marked prior to possession had mostly been ignored. Things that were supposed to be done had not been and then we had the pleasure of being told that we were wrong and it had in fact been done when it was clear that was not the case.
Post possession has been going much better. The warranty department, so far, has been attentive and quickly acknowledges and works to rectify all issues. They are prompt with their responses and reach out with updates on their own. As with any new home, there are issues here and there, but they are being fixed, so at this point that is all we can ask for. We hope the remainder of our warranty period goes just as smoothly.
I think had we dealt with different sales staff, we would've had a very different, and more positive, experience pre possession.
