Update to house

So looks like some good news is coming my way for the house. No not early closing or lower prices, that wouldn't be good news, that would be insane news.

I think like many people who bought the Fernwater Elevation B, we discovered that the porch layout was incorrect to what we all saw on the floor plans and at the model home in HMB.

This is how the porch is to look with my elevation B(this was from Fernwater@HMB blog)


This is what I, like many was expecting:


I felt like the porch layout I was getting is not very practical, very difficult to move items into your house, why are the stairs off set, who would think of that...so I wrote a letter to the Customer Care people enquiring if this could be changed to be accomodate myself (for the move) and my family members (and senior ones).

After almost a month (but continuous emails to follow up to let me know I was not being ignored - which I appreciated), I got the final verdict. They will accomodate me it seems and change me over to the correct porch layour (the one seen @ the model home in HMB).

My only thing to confirm is for sure is that they aren't going to change me to an Elevation A (as it seems all Elevation A's get that layout). If they are, then they would owe me a refund as that elevation is $2,000 cheaper than what I paid. Waiting to hear back but this was some very good news for my crappy week.

Now off to finalze the order of my appliances from The Brick....there's a big sale and this price ends Sunday!

Design Centre complete!

Ok, a slight lapse in between my posts, but this is the first time there has been any progress in my home.

This morning I had my DC appointment with Erin. The days and weeks leading up to this appointment had me going through a huge range of emotions. I was everything from excited, to anxious, to bitchy (sorry mom), to unhappy, to extreme calm last night and this morning.

After my first visit to the DC to get my choices picked, I swore I wouldn't go back and change anything because I was happy with everything I picked. I just had to focus on picking my options from the catalogue. Of course, the very next week I went back to the DC and spent another 3 hours changing almost all my choices again, but this time I did stick to my guns and did not go back and change anything.

Since that time, I used my downtime @ work to go through that catalogue and write out what I wanted and what I wanted for my townhome. I incorporated the $5000 bonus from Mattamy and came out about $200 over budget. THRILLED!!

So now the big day this morning, my parents thankfully accompanied me. Erin did the whole run through of the house, letting me know where the lights and plugs were, and made suggestions when I wavered on where I wanted to put the pendant lights for my island bar. After all the catalogue selections were made we moved on to the design choices. Unfortunately, like a tool, I forgot my book in which I had written all the codes for my choices, so I had to go by memory. Thankfully, we were 98% on with the original choices. Erin was a big help in helping me match the ceramic floors to my cabinets....yes, I opted for ceramic. Not originally part of my plan (I only had the kitchen and foyer) but in the end I'm really glad I did it, as it can consume some time and be messy having it done afterwards.

This is overall of my selection. At the top you have my chocolate pear kitchen cabinet, with the almond faux glaze counter top, the brushed nickel handles for all drawers. The coffee hardwood floor is just the stain that will be done to my railing (for eventual laminate on main floor). Below that is the carpet choice for the floors, followed by the ceramic floor for all wet rooms. The vinyl is for the laundry room, I didn't bother to change that as the door will always be closed. At the bottom is the cabinet choice and counter top choice for both bathrooms. I opted for the bisque look and slate counter top. Then is the ceramic for the bath and shower.




This a closer look at my kitchen choices


And a closer (little blurry) look at my bathroom choices


So at the end of the DC appointment, I got my grand total. Hoping I wasn't too far off, I knew I would be paying a little out of pocket. In the end I was over a little more than I anticipated, but these are things I'm going to be really happy I picked. They will help with the eventual resale in my future as it's all neutral for the next person (of course 5-10yrs from now neutral might be too passé).

Now to find out if I will be affected by Mr. Flaherty's new mortgage requirements, as I don't close til October I hope I wont be affected. I read about the nixing of 35yrs amortization (which is what I have) so here's to no life for the next 8 months so I can save double what I originally planned.