Upgraded Padding

Initially when we made our flooring selection I convinced myself that I wanted to upgrade the carpet padding in the basement and the upper floor (the main floor will have no carpeting) but I'm starting to reconsider.  Perhaps it's not needed?  We didn't upgrade to the fullest padding - we went with the 8lb admiral.  The included is 5lb.  How many of you wonderful blogger pals upgraded your padding?  What were your reasons?  If your build is done, do you regret your decision?
 

I'm beginning to feel so wishwashy!  I'm just trying to squeeze things into the budget or out of it lol.  I'm wondering how many change orders are too many?  Our SR hates me, I just know it!  :(

Garage Door Opener Option with RH - Help

Does anyone have the garage door opener offered by Ryan Homes?  What's your thoughts on it?  I got some info from my SR on it but it's missing the model name and really most of the details.  Is it chain or belt?  Have you had any problems with it?  Can you use one of those nifty apps to run it?  Does it have any nifty features at all?

Did you opt to buy your own and install it?  Did you opt to buy your own and pay someone to install it?  I'm leaning towards taking it off our list since I know so little about it and don't seem to have sufficient reviews.

NVR Mortgage Update #2

I sent an e-mail to our NVRM loan officer on 28-MAR-13 get an update on our loan status and request on some small loan detail information but still have yet to hear back.  Our initial NVRM meeting for the Loan Application was 26-MAR-13.  I'm concerned.  We have received a specific letter today we requested stating we're purchasing a home that we worked through RH to get from NVR but we've heard NOTHING directly from NVR or the LO.  No calls, no letters, no request for additional information, not a single peep.  Should we be concerned?  Should we consider this bad customer service?  I have no idea if we ever made it to under-writing.  I have no idea if our file is sitting under a dried out coffee cup on someone's desk or if it fell into the trash can near the edge of this same desk.  This goes beyond no news is good news because now I feel like I'm completely in the dark and nervous!

~Update~
I've spoken to our SR and she assures me everything is good.  There is usually around 2 weeks of silence as things work through the process.  She also assures me that if NVR needed something they'd let us know.  I'm beginning to think that because we were so very thorough when we were preparing for the loan application that we may have given them everything they needed.  Let's hope so :)

Where's the off switch? :-S

I am currently following quite a few fellow Ryan Homes blogs and I just love reading everyone's updates and selections, ups and downs, and experiences.  I absolutely LOVE the photos.

But I wonder - am I going to regret the items I passed on because of budget?  I hope not.  I know we all have our own priority list but (and this is hard to admit) I sometimes feel jealous! Oh my gosh, I wish we had an unlimited budget!  LOL!!  I wish that we could afford the hardwood floors!  I wish we could afford to upgrade owner's bath, the bathroom cabinets, the faucets, the lighting, and I could go on and on and on!  But, wow, we've already added quite a bit but you look at it and say only $150 more to upgrade blah and blah.  It adds up and fast!

I would have never imagined it would be this difficult to make these types of decisions before this process started.  There's so much to consider when making selections.  And even now that most of our selections are done I still can't stop second guessing and wanting to change things!  Oye, where's the off switch?!

 


~Update 13-APR-13~
I managed to distance myself for a few days because I started getting on my own nerves.  I'm becoming obsessive!  LOL.  I'm a dweller... I'm dwelling!

Samples - Wow, I'm spending how much and you wont give me a simple sample?

I'm slightly agitated.  The amount of money I'm spending on flooring upgrades you think it would be easy to get a tiny sample for furniture shopping?  EEEE - Negative!

$15 dollars to get a sample of my laminate.  What?  Seriously?  Ok - wait $15 for a sample of my vinyl?  Ok, that's a little ridiculous!

I also reached out to our siding supplier for a teeny tiny sample of our two colors to assist with deck color selection - EEEEEE - No response - At All!

I'm not asking for full pieces of my selections, just tiny little swatches to help me furnish a home I'm spending the rest of my life paying for.  I'm not shopping for floors here folks, I've made my selections.  It's not like I'm asking for 5 of each type of everything you have!  Maybe I am asking for too much?  Maybe I'm expecting too much?  Even a color print out that is accurate would do!  EEEEE - Negative!

Maybe I'm just in a "Monday" foul mood.  Tomorrow this probably wont be a big deal, but it is a little sad, not even a paper print out.  :(

~Update 13-APR-13~
I'm still having problems getting samples and it disappoints me.  I can't seem to find any in-stores and reaching out to the suppliers have referred me to my SR for RH and RR who in turn referred me to the suppliers.  It is a small thing in the scheme of things but then on the other hand it's not.  This is my home, the most expensive thing I will purchase in my life, and I don't want to wait until the finished product to begin budgeting and planning to furnish it.

NVR Mortgage Update

I sent an e-mail to our NVRM loan officer a week ago to just get an update on our loan status and request on some small loan detail information but still have yet to hear back.  Our SR was able to answer one of our questions which helped a little bit but I have no idea if we're on the right track or not.  Maybe no news is good news!?  Fingers crossed that we're all good!

Half Walls VS Pine Stair W/ Oak Handrail, Wrought Iron/White Balusters Decisions, Decisions! Help!

I immediately leaned in the direction of the Oak Handrail with Wrought Iron Balusters - but do we really need it?  $2k for some iron balusters versus $1k for wood?  Or I could just go with none and pay $0. These kinds of decisions are killing me!

Half Capped Wall

Handrail with White Balusters

Handrail with Wrought Iron (easily diy upgrade AC)