Introduction and status

I'm currently in the process of building a new townhome through Ryan Homes and wanted to document my experience here to share with others.  It's been a huge help reading all of the other Ryan home blogs out there and there seems to be a lack of blogs following buyers who are currently starting the process.  I figured I would pay it forward and become an active member of the Ryan blog community.

So this post will just be an introduction and an update on my status and future home...

Me - mid 20's working professional (design engineer - product development).  This will be my first home, and is nowhere near what I thought I wanted (eclectic mid century fixer-upper on an old tree-lined street).  But I figured I would save that dream for when I have all the time and money in the world.  Right now - I want to enjoy life and not worry about something going wrong in a old house.  Plus I like nice things and am a bit OCD...

My house - Hepburn townhome plan, there are 5 units in a group and 5 groups on my side of the street.  It is a 3 level plan with 2 large bedrooms and 3.5 baths (loft type area has a full bath), one car detached garage and a tiny tiny little baby yard.  It will be about 1,660 square feet.

Here's a pic of the existing units on the street (I will have the second from the right):

Status - I've added in all of my upgrades (tons of them), picked the lot, gone through current owners homes (they don't have a model of this one), gone back and forth negotiating to get where I wanted to me (for the most part) and signed the contract.  I've completed the application with NVR but will hopefully be using the CHIP program through BB&T which I've been pre-qualified for and have competed the application.  This program almost sounds too good to be true (3% down and no PMI, only slightly higher interest rate than FHA - around 4.25%) but I'm going for it.  All of this has happened within a matter of about 2-3 weeks.  I am the first one to buy in my block of units so he has to sell the remaining four and then they will build (my closing date in the contract will be aug-oct 2012).  Now just waiting on the meeting w/ the design showroom and Guardian.

I'll post soon outlining all of my upgrades / plans for the place...