Update on Refrigerator Decision

Given a little more food for thought (big thanks to those who commented), we've decided that we are not going to upgrade with Ryan and buy our own.  Yes, we will pay a little more but we will have a larger selection - I will get the french door that I want, and there is an opportunity for a warranty.  Plus we will not be paying interest and closing costs on it.  Now I see why so many chose to get their own.

Now I'll get to shop for a fridge as well as a washer/dryer (and numerous other things needed when we move in).  Fun times :)

In my region, Ryan has to provide the standard black refrigerator.  I would like them to leave it in the garage because I guess I am going to try and sell it.  I really don't have any other use for it as we already have a chest freezer and I don't know anyone who needs one...  If I can't sell I will likely donate it, I believe there are places that will come pick these types of things up.

Has anyone tried to sell their new Ryan refrigerator? Was it successful?

On another note, I just got a flyer in the mail advertising a Home Expo being held at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro this weekend. I've never been to one of these and of course I'm interested in seeing what it's about.  Bonus, admission is free.
As if I was not absorbed in this house thing enough, things like this pop up and further enable my preoccupation :)

Projects after settlement

There are a few projects that we want to do after settlement.  Unfortunately, although we are willing to learn, my husband and I have not had any luck with home improvement projects in our current house.  So this will cost us more as we will have to hire specialists to come assist us with our projects.  It would be easy if we knew some tradesmen with these skills or had recommendations from family/friends but we don't have those connections.  I may try to see if the tradesmen who work on our house will be willing to complete some things for cash after closing.

Here's what we would like to do, in no order.  How much of it is completed and when they are done is all dependent on budget...

-Wall bracket lights/sconces for study (we got extra outlets from Ryan but need help converting and putting on a switch)

-Install garage door opener

-Kitchen tile backsplash

-Change foyer light (need help due to the height), we will do dining room light ourselves

-Finish basement bath, the 3 piece rough in will be there

-Granite for master bath vanities

-Finish media room

-Pendant lights over kitchen island

-Frame-less glass shower door

Outside, we will have some big $$ projects - namely a fenced backyard and a patio.

Wow, typing it out like this looks like a lot.  Having a dream home is a lot of work :)

Are we SURE money does not really grown on trees, not even in the most remote, uninhabited place on Earth???  Just making sure.

Refrigerator Question- Through Ryan or On Our Own?

I've been thinking about the refrigerator.  Right now, we are ordering through Ryan.  The price is not bad and I'll be able to walk into a finished kitchen.   With the Ryan credit, both options would cost less than $1700.  My question is, do I take the standard refrigerator and try to get one on my own for less than $1800 or do I just take one of the options offered by Ryan? I did notice many Ryan bloggers buy their own refrigerators which is what made me rethink our original decision.

Ryan offeres two GE Profile options.  The first is the GE Profile 25.9 cu. ft.  It is very similar to what we have now, and we have a chest freezer for the basement so freezer space is not an issue.  This option is $2295 minus a credit of $750 given by Ryan.  Total $1545.  This is what is on our order right now.

The other option is the GE Profile 22 cu. ft french door.  I would prefer a french door style but this model is pretty small.  It's smaller than the above not only in interior space but outside dimensions (won't fill up the space as nicely).  This option is $2395 minus $750 credit.  Total $1645.

Finalization meeting

The finalization meeting today went well.  The only thing that I had to compromise on is the finishing of the basement bathroom.  To keep the cost under the "magic number", we had to do a 3 piece rough in instead of the bath finished.  I think I can get the basement bath finished for less than the $5600 Ryan charges (and we won't be paying taxes and closing fees on that money), but I can't help wishing we could just move right in and it be done.  We originally wanted them to finish the media room but removed that at the beginning to pay for other options.  So we will have to try and quickly get our savings built back up and get the media room and basement bath finished at the same time.

I think the only question that really remains is exactly how much my upgraded trim package is getting me.  One of the big reasons I wanted to pay to upgrade is because I fell in love with the wainscoting going up the stairs and in the upstairs hallway (as seen in the model nearby).   It really added so much to those areas.  But my SR has to find out if the wainscoting goes to these areas.  I'm really, really hoping that it does.  Otherwise I don't know if it is worth the extra $900 to upgrade if I'm only getting the wainscoting in the dining room and foyer.

Other than those two things, I'm pleased with how things worked out and I am really excited to see how the house looks finished.  I spent a lot (a whole lot) of time and effort, working in the constraints of my budget and options offered, to make this house as "me/us" as I could.

Next up is the preconstruction meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for February 4.  Our SR said that right now it looks like we could be starting construction last week of February or first week of March.  The sooner the better for two reasons.  The first being I just can't wait for my house :) and the second (and most important) being I really, really want to get a fantastic interest rate.  The sooner we get to a lock, the better because you never know what is going to go on with the economy.

I did get some unexpected good news today; our house will be built under new county code, which upgrades the mandatory insulation requirement.  Extra insulation is always a good thing for energy bills (I hope anyway).  So yea!