We bought a plan 2B there in October of last year. It fell out of escrow and was sitting there for a few weeks until we offered about 40k off of their asking price. We also got from them a 10k flooring allowance (it came upgraded to the hilt with no flooring though), they picked up our landlord’s penalty for early termination of rental contract (3k), a free 50′ samsung TV (actually a part of a special they were having if you put down a deposit for a house during labor day weekend)and half a point on the mortgage (we didn’t use their lender). Throw in a realtor discount (which they’re taking now) and not so bad…
I still don’t recommend buying until about winter this year or next year for better pricing but given the lot we picked up had one of the largest backyards in the development with a canyon view and we know we’re going to be in that house for a long long while, we pulled the trigger a little early. Hope this helps.

Bd,
Initially we put a deposit down on a 3B on Foxhound Way but pulled out because the lot was just too small and we figured if we’re gonna spend that much on a house it’s gotta have a bigger backyard than that.
Regarding pricing, it doesn’t matter if you’re on the homeowner’s list or not (actually it’s better if you’re not and if you are pull yourself off so if you buy you can say a realtor brought you in and get the referral discount). They’ve been keeping the pricing each phase about the same (not incrementally increasing it because they know the weakness of the market right now won’t tolerate those type of increases). But after the options, upgrades and lot allowances (bigger lots can be up to 75k-100k more) getting a house in a new phase is the most expensive route to go. Much better to wait until a plan 3 falls out of escrow, go look at it and determine for yourself how fast it will sell. If it’s a substandard lot without a view it will sit there for weeks/months and you’ll see them gradually knocking down the price (a plan 3C that we looked at which fell out actually was reduced from 1.399 down to 1.335 by the time it sold) every other week or so and it will likely also end up on the MLS as well.
As far as low-balling them; it definitely doesn’t hurt and they won’t be offended; just tell them this is as much as your budget can realistically allow and see what they counter at. Of the two sales reps, Ricki is much nicer to deal with and will bring your offer to management and really stick behind you trying to get the best deal for you.
You also get extra perks if you use their lender. No regrets or surprises so far; some minor clitches during the walk through (scratches on the granite countertop, wardrobe mirror needs to be replaced) and they kind of drag their heels on the repairs but on the overall are responsive.
rhino

How much referral discount are they giving to realtors? Derby Hill is an area that I’d eventually be interested in once our lease ends around Spring 2008.

We stopped by IvyGate at 4S Ranch, and they have quite a few houses priced at $1.6M and above ($2.2m+ for model homes). Hard to image who’d buy them. They only gave about $1.5/sq floor allowance — for a $1.6m home? No landscaping allowance either. So a big yard is just a lot of more money and/or work. Crazy. But I’ve never bought a new house, so maybe that’s the norm.