Building Our Ryan Homes Dunkirk

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

We got the keys

We closed on the house today. We had 6 cosmetic issues with the final walk through all of which were fixed before we left the house. We were very pleased with everything. The house would have had a lawn but RH is delaying the lawn at my request for out 575 sq. foot patio were are putting in. That will be done tomorrow. Then we do the yard then the fence.

I am going on a diet as soon as we move in.

He said she said

Regarding the shower door "controversy" I went throught some old emails and found a picture they sent me of what they were going to put in. Let me be clear I blame the shower vendor not Ryan Homes for this mix up. I got a call tonight that the shower vendor threw up the white flag and RH is actually scrambling too. They said they will work with me and want to make it right. I was given some options about closet organizers, garage doors, and some other stuff they will tell me at the final walk through tomorrow. Or they said they can come in and tear it out and put the right door in there. The door I got is an upgrade they said haha. I kind of doubt that.

What they promised


What I got. It's not horrible its just not frame less.

In hindsight this is perfect wish I would have thought of this

What bothers me about my shower is the wasted space on the outside of the glassed area. That is that much more room for me in the shower I don't have. If I want to do jumping jacks in there I may need that room. Whereas, in the bottom photo having a wall to put your stuff on is genius. I have a closet door to the right of the shower as well. Look at that glass shelf that is awesome! No door less cramped and more open. So let this be a lesson to you do it yourself shower designers.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Time is running out!

Today was the unofficial pre final walk through. The final walk through will be on 5/8/13. The PM wants to make sure he addresses everything before then. Which is nice for us since it should be close to perfect on day 1 and nice for him if RH doesn't have to come back in 30 days with a laundry list of things to do. I'm sure he learned this tactic when it comes to the home buyer ratings being much higher with less mistakes. Now we need to focus on doggy proofing the house.

Lucy "The Runner"

Tanner "The barker"

We have two precious doggies who need a fenced in yard. They are considered runners and I am not in the mood to chase them down every time the sneak out the door so we have to get a fence for them so we don't have to walk them every 20 minutes or until a bird fly's by the window. In order to keep problems at a minimum we need to get a patio installed before the fence (To put the hot tub on). Then we need a yard installed before the fence (since they need to use a bob cat to unroll the sod). I don't feel like waiting for the grass to grow over a period of months so I am just gonna spring for some side and back yard sod immediately. Them the fence can go up.

Grigsby Mahal

My lessons learned (so far) posted on the main page

All the insights I have gained and compiled in one neat document. New bloggers and budding Ryan Builders are encouraged to read. Ryan Home buyers I challenge you to support or refute my observations in the name of helping the new owners not repeat our mistakes!

You have been warned

Pregnant step daughters grace the "dirt mound"

My very pregnant step daughters graced the site formerly referred to by one of them as a dirt mound with their fanciful presence. They primped, posed, and passed judgement on the various upsides or downsides of the project.

Fortunately, word on the streets was they were ambivalent towards the housing plan and no preparation was immediately made for them to move in. All music to my ears. God bless em...

Somehow it always ends up being "all" about them haha

Meet my mistress

Good morning fellow readers and builders! I am pleased to be writing this morning about the house that inspired me to begin this adventure with Ryan Homes. The story is kind of odd back in November of 2012 my wife and I were looking to make a minor upgrade to our modest bi-level home. One day, after many disappointing home views and fruitless searches I thought "damn my wife's bum knee" I am going to check the "2 story" box in out local multiple listing search engine.

The house that forever changed my view on what a 2 story house was supposed to be was on the screen in front of me. The house had been in foreclosure for over 6 months and we decided to pay a visit. Unfortunately it unbeknownst to us had no power and the sun was setting around 5:30 pm in those days. We got there at about 5:15 pm. It was to dark to see anything inside but the mls images inspired and haunted me. The next day the bank accepted an offer from someone else and my "dream" was dashed.

Today that house is back on the market for $20k less. It is a 4 year old Ryan Homes Dunkirk. It is the 4 bedroom model. So let me tell you something sports fans; you better keep your marriage intact because if you don't you and the house may suffer the fate of "Ally" my first true housing love. They paid $226k for this bad boy back in the day and now they are begging to get $175k. The power as I said has been off for months and the house is deteriorating everyday. I am not sure what the winter did to it but I heard it has many problems now.

Meanwhile my wife's knee was surgically repaired and she climbs stairs for kicks now. As part of the healing process from the rejection I felt by not being allowed to make the purchase I thought I would compare the inspiration to the work of art* (*in our price range and subjective levels of taste and quality) my wife and I created.