Post 6.0

02.21.15

Glad to be back and have additional photos to share!!! I had my meeting today with the Designer Consultant for my flooring.

We had some snow in the DC Metropolitan area today, but I wasn't canceling at all. Especially when I realized I live like 5-7 minutes away from the Design Center. The downside with the weather was that I didn't have my husband or best friend to accompany me and help with the decision making. I did send some photos and had her help that way.

Here are my choices selected today:

Kitchen Cabinets: Timberlake Scottsdale Espresso Square

Kitchen Granite: Caramel Fantasy (on the right)

Master Bath Granite: Sandstone (on the left)

Hardwood Floors: 3/4" x 3 1/4" Dundee-Cherry

Carpet: Muslin

Padding: 1/2" Opera

Thoughts: Initially, I thought I would go with the Espresso cabinets and pick a floor in the same color family. However, I chose a cherry hardwood floor because it had those dark undertones that I fell in love with to brighten up the dark cabinets a little. The cabinets and flooring were upgrades.

Hardwood Flooring: This will be placed at the front entry through to the family room, kitchen, morning room, powder room and family entry (garage entry).

Carpet: Living Room, Dining Room, Family Room, Upstairs (except hall bath, laundry and master bath). It will also be a runner on the staircase between the 1st and 2nd floors.

Thoughts: I opted for the oak railing with metal balusters (shown above). The wood railing will be stained to match the hardwood floor color choice.

Hall Bath

Flooring: 12x12 Brixton - Bone with Bone colored grout

Tub Surround (Wall): 6x6 Almond Glossy with Snow White grout

Accompanied with an Ivy Almond decorative trim and soap dish

Hall Bath Cabinets: Timberlake Scottsdale Espresso Square

Countertop: White

Thoughts: I did not opt for granite in this bathroom. It was a $600 addition (or close to it). I felt it was unnecessary to add this to a bathroom that would rarely get used.

Master Bath

Flooring: 12x12 Heathland - White Rock with Bone colored grout

Tub and Shower Surround (Wall): 9x12 Heathland - White Rock with Bone colored grout

Glass inlay for wall tile: Listello - MV30 Radiance

Corner Shelf: Turkish Botticino

Granite: Sandstone (pictured above)

Thoughts: I opted for the corner shelf in the Master Shower instead of the Soap Dish. It was an additional $75 cost. This will be installed on the same side as the shower head.

Laundry Room

Flooring: Initiator 66180 (vinyl)

Thoughts: My goal is to have this changed out to tile within the same family color BEFORE we move in.

This is a video of all the choices selected today.

Post 5.0

I have been sitting on my hands so I won't keep posting senseless information, but news you can use.

Here are my updates:

• I received the lot I wanted on the cul-de-sac street!
• When I did the lot addendum on 02/09/15, I was able to pick out the colors for the house and the brick front. (See pic below)
• Due to weather conditions in the DC Metropolitan area, I had to reschedule my flooring appointment to Saturday, 2/21 with the Design Consultant.

Option: UAV

Primary Siding: Silver Mist

Accent Siding: Pebble Clay

Metal Roof Color: Dark Bronze

Exterior Trim Color: Almond (includes garage door)

Window Color: Beige

Front Door Color: Tricorn Black

Shutters Color: Tricorn Black

Brick Color: Savannah Gray (just like this townhouse 1/2 brick)

I will have a brick front on the Milan

Post 4.0

Here's where I stand in the home buying process:

On 02.06.2015, I met with the loan officer for NVR Mortgage. Let me say, this guy is phenomenal!!! He had already pulled my credit and requested documentation from me. I complied with what was requested BEFORE our meeting. When I got there, I was greeted with a warm smile and then we got right down to business.

We discussed potential credit report issues and how they were going to be resolved. We also talked about bringing my score up in 30 days so I can qualify for a better interest rate. He provided documentation to go along with everything we spoke about and sent me on my way. I left the meeting feeling if I complied with everything he said, it would be a cake walk.

Lastly, we talked about financing options like FHA vs. Conventional, with FHA having a lower down payment requirement - I chose FHA. I'm leaning towards a 5/1 ARM, just in case I have to finance other projects like the deck, finishing the basement, etc., instead of using cash out of pocket. Another financing option that we discussed was the MMP Program TriplePlay. The MMP TriplePlay is the State of Maryland, partnering with the Prince George's County Department of Housing and Community Development, to give qualified homebuyers in Prince George's County the change to get assistance in the purchase of their home through the MMP TriplePlay initiative. You could potentially qualify for up to $20,000 in down payment assistance, 0.25% discount on your interest rate and up to $2,000 federal tax credit for every year for the life of the mortgage. Choosing your home in a certain zip code, as well as your income are also factors. For additional details on the MMP TriplePlay Initiative, click here.

Right after my meeting with the loan officer, I had a meeting at the model with the Guardian Rep. We talked about the standard wiring for the Milan and of course the upgrades. I asked for three additional cable outlets for the loft and bedrooms 2 and 3. I am also getting the audio package with the Klipsch speakers, which is for four rooms with 8 speakers/4 controls (2 - family room/kitchen; 2-owner's bedroom; 2-upstairs hallway; 2-living room/dining room. That was the most expensive!!! My total was approximately $5,500 and added, I think $22 to my mortgage.

On 02.09.2015, I met with the SR to go over the options and color selections for the Milan. In addition to the selections I made before (see Post 2.1), these were added:

• Changing Living Room with Study Option to the Loft with Study Option (adds double door entry to Loft area; which will double as guest bedroom if needed, but lacks closet
• Added non-standard addition of bringing down the crown molding in tray ceiling to add electrical outlet for lights
• Added granite counter top vanity in owner's bedroom

Here are some pictures of the granite selections chosen yesterday:

1st pic and 2nd pic - kitchen counter

3rd pic and 4th pic - owner bathroom

all are on top of the Espresso Cabinet chosen for kitchen, hall bathroom and owner bathroom

Post 3.0

It's been a few days! I've been busy, busy, busy!!!

Once I signed the Purchase Agreement, that definitely kicked everything into high gear as I said before. I have received calls from Guardian, NVR Mortgage (Loan Officer) and the Flooring Design Center.

On 02.06.2015 - I have the meeting with the Loan Officer first because I want to stay within a budget and need to know where I am in terms of debt-to-income ratio. This is very important because you want the loan application process to go as smooth as possible.

On the same day, I am meeting with Guardian. Now, this meeting has me nervous. I am a "techy" at heart (person who loves technology)!!! And I am scared that I will go overboard. One thing I do know is that I will not add all this foolishness to my house before considering getting my rec room finished. I can always have someone come and hook a system up (providing I get the wiring done during construction) once we are settled.

On 02.17.2015 - Ryan Homes Design Center from 10am-1pm. Yes, they say it takes 2-3 hours for your first meeting!!! This is the meeting I am looking forward to the most because I get to choose my flooring and that will almost finalize the details inside of my home.

Now for the hard news to swallow -

I was contacted by my SR who told me that the lot I changed to (17B) had utilities ran, however Ryan Homes did not have the permits for any homes on that street....the beautiful street I wanted that was a cul-de-sac!!! Inside I was floored. Outside I told my SR that I did not want the previous lot because I did have reservations and had planned to talk to him about them before doing the Purchase Agreement. In turn, he ended up calling me a few minutes before my appointment to sign the Purchase Agreement, with what I thought was good news on moving to 17B from 30D. 30D is sitting on a street that will eventually become the street that drivers will frequent to get to an adjacent street. I have to think about my glambaby and other folks that will be visiting me and I don't want that.

I held firm on my feelings and asked him to go back to his boss or boss's boss or whomever he needed to speak to in order for me to retain that lot. I am in no rush to move, so I can wait on those permits....I'm still waiting on my SR to call me back.

Post 2.1

Options, Options and more Options

Initially when meeting with the SR, I knew there were certain options I wanted to have for our forever home.

Here are the ones I selected initially (before flooring):

• Brick Veneer front - had to select this option because I was told this is a requirement from the developer (but because of the lot change, they are crediting this back to me)
• Additional windows in the living room, morning room, powder room and laundry room
• 3-piece plumbing rough-in in the basement - we will get the basement finished for a cheaper price after move-in
• Kitchen gourmet island and cabinets upgrade to level 1
• Gas cooktop hook up and gourmet kitchen appliance package with double wall oven
• Living room with the study option (adds double door entry into living room and a wall between living and dining room areas)
• Tray ceiling in Master bedroom and upgraded vanity cabinets in Master bathroom (Scottsdale Sq Maple Espresso)
• Double bowl vanity in hall bathroom with upgraded vanity cabinets
• Oak stair baseplate metal balusters (love this look!)
• Numerous recessed lighting in living room, loft area, family room
• Fan/lights in Master bedroom, bedrooms 2 and 3, family room, morning room

Some photos from visiting the Milan Model in Laurel, Maryland: