designingwoman

Usually there isn't a height restriction. I wouldn't go over 3 stories personally.

I built my first development and moved into one of the units. Its a great way to save money on capitol gain taxes by living in for a couple years.

Homes are really moving right now. I don't think rate hikes will effect us that much. That being said, "experts" are often wrong.

If possible I like to do patio homes. People like that more than having a common wall. But like you say, sometimes space is an issue and you have to share.

How big is your property? What part of town? What price range are you looking for?

Usually there isn't a height restriction. I wouldn't go over 3 stories personally.

I built my first development and moved into one of the units. Its a great way to save money on capitol gain taxes by living in for a couple years.

Homes are really moving right now. I don't think rate hikes will effect us that much. That being said, "experts" are often wrong.

If possible I like to do patio homes. People like that more than having a common wall. But like you say, sometimes space is an issue and you have to share.

How big is your property? What part of town? What price range are you looking for?

jscarbor: How did you deal with the people you sold units to if they had complaints about the home? Also, did you offer home warranties? I'm not sure how to do that.

My property is 1/4 acre and in the area are some duplexes and zero-lot sf homes. They go from mid 200k to mid 300k. And 4-5 streets over similar homes go into 500k+. I'm figuring mine would be more in the 2-300k range

Did I scare people off? Offend someone? I see people are viewing, but not responding!

Hi, This is a GREAT group, BTW!

I'm thinking of developing 3 or 4 town homes on my lot close in to Houston with the purpose of living in one of them myself. I'm in the process of determining the advantages and disadvantages of actual "town homes" with shared walls, and zero lot line homes (plus what will feasibly fit on my lot). I have a few questions:

1. What's the best way to determine height restriction for my area? When I FINALLY got through to Public Works at City Hall, the woman who answered gave me a blanket "there are no restrictions" without even knowing what area I was calling from, so I tend to doubt what she says. Is it better to go there in person? What should I look for/ask for as tangible "proof

I too am careful about whom I "badmouth", but I also know easy it is for people to get duped into buying poor quality construction. I also know about Lovett's poor quality (prefer not to say how) and that people don't have any way of knowing about things like this if people don't talk about it.

So much of the quality (or lack of it) in construction is hidden from view. It's sooooooo easy for a builder to utilize surface materials and impressive architectural designs that look dazzling and portray a perception of quality while hiding shoddy construction and dime-pinching shortcuts in places not visible to the buyer. It's really sad, because the problems are often not apparent until several years down the road.

I agree with the person who suggested research. I suggest learning as much as you can stand about construction, and walk through houses in various stages of the construction process by many different builders if at all possible. This can at least help train the eye to recognize good construction.

Bloopers are common in construction, even with the best of builders, because there are so many things going on; however the builder should be willing to stand behind their work if they care about the longevity of their reputation. I've seen homebuyers get irate about things beyond a builder's control partially because they don't understand the construction process, but poor quality and poor customer service doesn't benefit anyone.

For the one who walked away and lost their earnest money: I feel for you, but if it makes you feel any better, I'd be willing to bet that you cut your losses in good time compared to the costs that will probably be incurred down the road when this house's flaws become more apparent and more expensive to remedy!

Hope I haven't been too negative, but I feel that people need to talk if a builder is consistently producing McMansions that are not good quality. This devalues property values in the long run.