You Can Get With This...

I decided to do this post because I understand the difference it made for me as I began to choose my selections/upgrades/customizations for our home.  This was not an easy task with some options. In order to know every selection for your floor plan you must study the selection sheet which most people do not have the time to do and/or are unaware of the selection sheet.  There are a variety of selections/upgrades to choose from and what about those non standard customizations we know that we want before we start building.  Bottom line, the the challenge when building your first home is knowing what to ask for from a selection sheet that you may not be aware of when you sit down to develop your house on paper.  It is a lot to cover and and a budget that most want to adhere too.  After you sign the purchase agreement, you are in possession of the selection sheet that some people take home and study like a hawk and others don't take another peek (they just want the house built).  We are given typically two weeks to make any changes. Not much time right?  My intention for this post is to share a few things I discovered along the way that can make a big impact on your home.  Some can be changed others you are stuck with.  

There so many to choose from but check out WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN GET WITH THIS OR YOU CAN GET WITH THAT!  The information below will support you in making up your mind. The choices are always personal to what your family wants, needs and desires are and can never be compared to anyone else.  So continue to make the choice that best fits you.  The choices in this post are coming from many bloggers who knew beforehand or found out afterwards when it was too late.  Again, I can not cover them all because I will be here for the next few days; however, here are a few:

THE BATHROOM

This bathroom is under construction which is why you do not see the soap dish.  Consider whether or not you want your designer ceramic surround installed in your bathrooms with this towel bar directly above your listello.  The towel bar/soap dish do not match the materials of your designer ceramic. I took the picture and discussed this with our Tile Floor Representative to be sure they did not include these in the guest or master bathroom.  

Close Up Views

Another bathroom under construction; however, this homeowner chose to use the traditional 6*6 ceramic tile and kept both towel bar/soap dish which matches perfectly since they are made from the same materials.
  Our basement bathroom has this same tile and I kept the towel bar/soap dish; again, because they are made with the same materials and pleasing to the eye.

I was absolutely clear that I did not want to have the traditional towel bar/soap dish attached to my designer ceramic so I have two of the corner durango marble shelves installed in the showers of both guest and master bathroom. 
Each durango marble shelf in our community cost $100 each.  They also have a ceramic corner shelf that will cost you $50.  I do have a picture of it and the ceramic corner shelf has two lips on the edges that flip upwards.  They will serve the purpose--just be careful that the color matches up with your bathroom tile.

If you want to take your bathrooms to a whole another level try this option:  Seamless Showers (Pretty) and be sure to not disrupt the beauty of the shower with those traditional towel bar/soap dish that you see in this picture (unless of course, if that is your choice).  I love this idea and it looks fabulous.  If you want to read more about a fellow blogger named DWTimes2 check it out herehttp://dwtimes2.blogspot.com/2012/11/single-hung-windows-what-happened-to.htmlbecause she was able to get this non standard request approved.  We plan to install one after settlement because they really give the bathroom a beautiful face lift.

THE STEPS/STAIRWELL

When we first visited to determine our qualification, our SR immediately asked me did I want capped walls or balusters.  I had no clue what she was talking about. lol  I chose the balusters and was grateful that she mentioned such an important detail.  A few months later, when it was time to purchase, we discovered and were blessed to be chosen for the ROME HOME of the MONTH Special and received the balusters along with ALL the other incentives.  WOW!  It was unbelievable!!  Once we signed the official purchase agreement the cost for the balusters were deleted because of the ROME of the MONTH special. YAY!

Uncapped Walls

THE LAUNDRY ROOM

Laundry upstairs
OR

Laundry downstairs in Basement

 I chose the laundry downstairs in the basement because I am ole school when it comes to doing laundry.   The laundry room upstairs was way too small for the dryer steam system that we own. Even though this had nothing to do with my decision--I later found out from Sgt Rich blog that the laundry upstairs rattles the entire house when doing laundry.  Please refer to his blog before you make your decision.  I was so pleased that I made the choice I made because his findings were interesting.  He gives you some advice on how to remedy this problem if you have it or what you can do to prevent it.  Check him out here:  http://myryanhome.blogspot.com/