By the way, could someone elaborate on how purchasing optional features from the big developers works? Like another poster here at Piggington, I work in the same building as the Pardee “Design Center” on El Camino Real in Carmel Valley; this is where home purchasers go to order upgrades in carpet, tile, etc. On a lark I once stepped into the office and asked for a price sheet for options at one of the new developments in Carmel Valley; I was told these were only available to people who had signed a purchase contract. Can this be correct? The “standard” flooring and tile at these developments (even the monstrous $1m+ 4,000 sq ft homes!) is pretty awful, and I am certain most buyers would opt for upgrades, either direct from Pardee or via Home Depot or an independent contractor. But not knowing the price of these options before you sign on the dotted line? Isn’t that like going to the Toyota dealer and being told, “base price is $18K, and we’ll show you the cost of the options after you’ve committed to buying”. Crazy! DH
