Who's tankless?

The tankless water heater is included in my home - does anyone else have one that you're using now?  I'm all for it but just want to make sure I don't have to sit around for hot water to get where it needs to go.

I'm working on a lengthy upgrade post for later tonight as my meeting with the showroom is tomorrow - so be sure to check back for that and let me know your thoughts.  Good news though - my SR said that they can get the cabinets that I want (Sonoma) and he thinks he can get them in any of the colors on the Timberlake site (liking maple honey, maple cognac and maple spice).  Bad news (there always is), I had no idea how much more the next level of cabinets were beyond fairfield and andover - probably $1300 to $1600.  From what I understand these come with 3" deeper drawers, thicker shelves and walls and a longer warranty of 5 years.  Luckily I think I might move from my current level 2 granite (Dakota Mahogany) to level 1 (uba tuba) and save $1000.

Laminate vs. Hardwood

As much as I want true hardwood floors, I know I should get laminates because I have a large dog.  For those of you who have put in laminate floors, how do you like them? Do they rival the quality of the HW in appearance?  I guess I've seen more low end laminate than high end so I don't really know what to expect with the finished product...

Am I right in going w/ the laminates b/c of the dog? Any other things to consider when making this decision?

Cabinets and Flooring

They finally called me today and scheduled my meeting at the flooring showroom for Monday.  My biggest decisions for the house will be the flooring color and cabinets - and I have no idea which direction I'll go in.

My question to the bloggers out there who have gone through this (any around Charlotte?) is what to expect?  I'm worried that I will not have many options.  I can sometimes have odd and unique style / tastes and I'd hate to have to settle if all of the offerings are very traditional and limited.

If I'm going to a flooring showroom (RiteRug here in Charlotte, www.riterug.com) will I be able to choose from their entire selection or will there be a "Ryan Home's" limited selection?  I assume that they'll put what ever I want in as long as I pay for the upgrade.

Same question with the cabinets - I know they offer Timberlake Cabinets, will I be able to choose from the entire line of Timberlake cabinets (www.timerlake.com)?  I'm after a more shaker style cabinet with straight lines and no fancy routed edges like this one that they offer:

Thanks for any input you guys can provide on what to expect here - I'd like to have a good idea of what I want/can have before I go in.

Details and options

Here's the post I'm sure everyone wants... the juicy details and options...

Floor plan:

Front:

Back:

Not my kitchen - but same layout, appliances and island:

Current granite choice (Dakota Mahogany) and cabs (maple spice - may go lighter):

A few shots of the neighborhood:

Fancy houses that will hopefully make my place more valuable :) 

Nice pool that will likely be swimming with kids (no pun intended... well kinda... kinda it was intended...)

Yes - HOA fees are high.  Nuff said.

Cool covered bridge on one side of the hood.

Proposed pedestrian retail at front of development.  A few years off and still up in the air but my door would be about 2 blocks to the right from here.  Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Options

Flooring - going w/ laminate due to my overweight pup (60lb) and general durability.  I'm torn between proper HW but I'm going to try and get the most realistic laminate I can find.  Anyone know much about the options I can expect (I have yet to go to the showroom)?

Upgraded carpet and pads on stairs and top two floors (not sure what level but I think it's one below the top level - will figure out in showroom).

Granite in kitchen w/ island

Gas range (can't wait for this)

Recessed lighting in kitchen (7 cans)

3 fan rough ins (LR, and both bedrooms)

Surround pre-wire in living room (no speakers, just wiring)

Data ports and cable in both bedrooms (not sure what's standard yet)

Comfort height toilets in all bathrooms (I'm tall - 6'3" and so are my friends)

Tall man vanities in bathrooms (this is key)

Double vanity in master

Granite (dark) in master and 3rd floor bathroom

full length tile walk-in double shower in master 

Fiberglass tub with tile surround in 3rd floor

Tile floors in all bathrooms (12")

Garage door opener (I wanted to do this myself - but I know w/ everything going on it will be easier just to have them do it)

+$2500 I added in to the price for things I knew I would add later (wiring, surround, possible cab upgrades, etc) I can take out what ever I don't use but most of this is already spent in my head :\

That's all I can think of for now - I'll update as I lock things in.  I have yet to meet w/ wiring and showroom so I'm sure I'll make changes.

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...