Back in 2002, Pardee used to require you to register for a spot on their waiting list (at least for some developments) and to also put down a refundable $10,000 deposit to remain there. There were lots of people on the list . . . We eventually decided it was better to buy an existing home – it’s hard to lock in a mortgage rate if the house isn’t going to be finished for 6 months. Plus you saved yourself the cost of landscaping and all the other new home expenses.